Air At Atmospheric, Or Greater, Pressure Patents (Class 494/26)
  • Publication number: 20020151423
    Abstract: A single use system and kit for producing blood platelet concentrates is described herein. In a preferred form, the kit includes a bag set in which compartments containing blood components are adjacent to separate compartments which can be inflated to express the blood components after their separation by centrifuging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Glen E. Jorgensen, Bruce Berckmans
  • Patent number: 6390964
    Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifuge and to a method for operating the centrifuge. The centrifuge comprises a centrifugal drum, an inflow tube leading into the centrifugal drum for feeding a centrifugal material into the centrifugal drum, and a valve mechanism, which can be acted upon by control fluid, for cooling the centrifugal drum. The control fluid is cooled such that it acts as a cooling medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator AG
    Inventor: Wilfried Mackel
  • Patent number: 6348031
    Abstract: A centrifuge with an associated container system in the form of cassettes for separation and/or treatment of blood or blood components. The centrifuge comprises a rotor having a central compartment in the form of a tubular shaft cavity extending concentrically with the axis of rotation of the rotor and an annular separation compartment which is arranged around said cavity at the upper part thereof. A first container system arranged in the rotor for washing of blood cells comprises a round bag with two or more flexible secondary containers connected thereto, of which at least one contains a treatment liquid, and a tubular sleeve adapted to the shaft cavity of the rotor. The secondary containers stand in the sleeve resting against each other, and the round bag is mounted on a projecting flange at the upper part of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Gambro, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Unger, Eric Westberg
  • Patent number: 6325750
    Abstract: A blood platelet collection system includes a bucket having wells 24, 26 adapted to receive a bag system therein. The bag system includes a pair of compartmented containers. Each container includes a collection bag 12, 16 and an adjacent inflatable bag 22, 28 and is preferably an integrated structure made of three sheets 52, 54, 56. After centrifugation, the inflatable bags are caused to expand, in turn, to transfer blood components between the collection bags via tube 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Implant Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen E. Jorgensen, Bruce Berckmans, III
  • Patent number: 6309606
    Abstract: A device and a method are provided to efficaciously and rapidly separate human or animal cells of different densities from the dispersions which contain them, the device comprising an elongated chamber containing at least a first channel, one end of which opens on the inside of the chamber near the base and a second channel whose end opens in the chamber at a level corresponding to the top of the device, and wherein there is at least a third additional channel, one end of which opens at an intermediate level of the chamber; and the method comprises introducing a dispersion of such cells into the chamber previously filled with a liquid with increasing density gradient, followed by centrifugation and by recovering the distinct fractions of cells with different densities through at least one hole situated at an intermediate level of the chamber length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Inventor: Giammaria Sitar
  • Patent number: 6193643
    Abstract: The invention refers to a decanter centrifuge particularly for sludge centrifugation, incorporating a drum, a rotor arranged therein and equipped with a helical screw for feed of sludge, a sludge outlet and a reject outlet and a flush washing device for washing (flushing) in countercurrent to the dewatered sludge. In the rotor in close connection to the blades of the helical screw are provided a number of threaded holes for connection of the nozzles of the flush washing device. In response to the washing requirement, certain or entire groups of threaded holes are closable by means of sealing plugs, so that the washing (flushing) can be effected in several consecutive steps with portions without flushing in between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Noxon AB
    Inventor: Lars-Åke Larsson
  • Patent number: 6126836
    Abstract: A superb centrifugal flotation cell with a rotating feed, is provided for use in an effective separation process to rapidly recover greater quantities of valuable fine particles. In the process, a slurry of fine particles is injected with air bubbles and moved downwardly through a stationary pipe and a rotating feed line comprising a centrifugal rotating downfeeder. The slurry is centrifugally discharged from the rotating downfeeder into the flotation chamber where the slurry is separated into a waste stream of non-floating gangue material and a particulate-enriched froth comprising air bubbles carrying a substantial amount of the valuable fine particles for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Inter-Citic Mineral Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Ding, Wan-Tai Yen, Alan R. Pindred
  • Patent number: 6095965
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator for separating two components of a dry mixture has an annular surface inclined upwardly outwards and having a vertical axis of symmetry and a drive mechanism for rotating the surface around the vertical axis of symmetry. A centrally located feed mechanism feeds the mixture onto the surface. At least a first part of the surface is configured such that particles of one component are retained on the surface while particles of the other component progress upwards across the surface and over the upper edge. The separation process may be based on ridges or barriers which prevent upward movement of small particles, or on frictional differentials between types or shapes of particles. Multiple concentric surfaces may be used to separate mixtures in multiple components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Sortech Separation Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Boris Eiderman, Boris Rozenwald
  • Patent number: 6074335
    Abstract: A rotor for collecting and centrifuging biological fluids in a range of volumes. The rotor includes an elastic impermeable diaphragm which defines at least a portion of a variable-volume processing chamber, where the fluid is centrifuged. The rotor includes a rigid mounting member, to which the diaphragm is mounted and which is held and spun by a chuck. Preferably, this rigid mounting member includes a boundary wall which together with the elastic diaphragm defines the chamber. The boundary wall may be a substantially imperforate circular wall which extends to the periphery of the processing chamber but defining one opening, preferably near the axis of rotation, permitting a conduit or conduits to pass therethrough so as to be in fluid communication with the processing chamber. The rotor may include a separate structure for controlling the flow of liquid out of the chamber into the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Transfusion Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas D. Headley, Edward T. Powers
  • Patent number: 6039711
    Abstract: A rotor for collecting and centrifuging biological fluids in a range of volumes. The rotor includes an elastic impermeable diaphragm which defines at least a portion of a variable-volume processing chamber, where the fluid is centrifuged. The rotor includes a rigid mounting member, to which the diaphragm is mounted and which is held and spun by a chuck. Preferably, this rigid mounting member includes a boundary wall which together with the elastic diaphragm defines the chamber. The boundary wall may be a substantially imperforate circular wall which extends to the periphery of the processing chamber but defining one opening, preferably near the axis of rotation, permitting a conduit or conduits to pass therethrough so as to be in fluid communication with the processing chamber. The rotor may include a separate structure for controlling the flow of liquid out of the chamber into the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Transfusion Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas D. Headley, Edward T. Powers
  • Patent number: 6019742
    Abstract: A rotor for collecting and centrifuging biological fluids in a range of volumes. The rotor includes an elastic impermeable diaphragm which defines at least a portion of a variable-volume processing chamber, where the fluid is centrifuged. The rotor includes a rigid mounting member, to which the diaphragm is mounted and which is held and spun by a chuck. Preferably, this rigid mounting member includes a boundary wall which together with the elastic diaphragm defines the chamber. The boundary wall may be a substantially imperforate circular wall which extends to the periphery of the processing chamber but defining one opening, preferably near the axis of rotation, permitting a conduit or conduits to pass therethrough so as to be in fluid communication with the processing chamber. The rotor may include a separate structure for controlling the flow of liquid out of the chamber into the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Transfusion Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas D. Headley, Edward T. Powers
  • Patent number: 5928125
    Abstract: A user-friendly centrifugal flotation cell with a rotating drum, is provided for use in an efficient separation process to rapidly recover greater quantities of valuable fine particles. In the process, a slurry of fine particles is injected with air bubbles and moved downwardly through a stationary downfeeder to a centrifuge comprising a rotating flotation cell. The aerated slurry is centrifugally separated into a waste stream of non-floating gangue material and a particulate-enriched froth comprising air bubbles carrying a substantial amount of the valuable fine particles. The froth is processed by froth flotation in a froth flotation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Inter-Citic Envirotec, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Ding, Wan-Tai Yen, Alan R. Pindred
  • Patent number: 5916082
    Abstract: This separator is a centrifugal device for separating solids from contaminated effluent such as oil or water base coolants and other liquids which are used in a variety of grinding and machining applications in the glass, ceramic and metal-forming industries. A containment liner or bladder lines the interior of the separator and communicates with fluid inlets and outlets. An inlet orifice allows for the pulling of a vacuum which holds the bladder in place on the interior walls of the separator. Periodically, rotation is stopped, vacuum is released and the bladder is allowed to invert and drop below the separator. Hanging in this inverted position, it is easy to clean or remove the solids from the inverted bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Glassline Corporation
    Inventor: Mark H. Opfer
  • Patent number: 5733253
    Abstract: A system for separating a fluid having heavier and lighter components. The system includes a rotor having a rigid mounting member and an elastic diaphragm attached to the mounting member, the diaphragm defining a chamber. The system also includes a chuck for holding the rigid mounting member of the rotor and for spinning the rotor around an axis. The pressure of a control fluid, preferably a control gas, disposed adjacent the rotor's diaphragm is varied in order to control the volume of the rotor. Pressurizing the control gas causes fluid to flow out of the rotor; applying a vacuum to the diaphragm draws fluid into the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Transfusion Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas D. Headley, Edward T. Powers
  • Patent number: 5618409
    Abstract: The centrifuge (1) described has at least one device (11,12) designed to control the operation of the centrifuge, the devices being mounted to rotate with the rotating part of the centrifuge and to be operated by a mechanical actuator (13) also rotating with it. Such devices may, for instance, be drain valves, periodically opening discharge valves, sill height adjustment devices, pressure-control devices, temperature-control devices, etc. At least one part of the devices of this centrifuge to be controlled independently of the centrifugal force is designed so that the rotating actuator (13) changes its shape as a function of the temperature and has at least one temperature-specific shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: FLottweg GmbH
    Inventor: Walter Kreill
  • Patent number: 5547573
    Abstract: The device comprises a first wide-mesh cloth or screen which bears against the calender of a basket, at least one tight supple tube connected to a source of gas under pressure which is against the first cloth or screen, a second cloth or screen identical to the first covering the tube such that the tube is sandwiched between the cloths or screens, and a fine-mesh filtering cloth covering the second cloth or screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Robatel
    Inventor: Michel Martin
  • Patent number: 5484521
    Abstract: A rotating drum divided in axial spaced compartments with one of the compartments includes paddles and coalescing material to separate the fluid from the liquid and the other compartment includes stationary oil pumping and water pumping means and an energy recovery means for effectively separating fluid such as oil from liquid such a water. Another embodiment includes a simplified version of the fluid/liquid separator adapted for zero gravity environment and includes means for purging the lines from air prior to pumping the liquid. An electrical sensing circuit including conductivity sensors or an electronic controller including pressure sensors serve to control the rate of removal of the separated component or controlling said purging means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Robert W. Kramer
  • Patent number: 5328440
    Abstract: A bucket for use in a swinging bucket centrifuge. A core holder is located between two end chambers, with the annular space between the core holder and the bucket sidewall maintaining the chambers in fluid communication. Windows at each end of the bucket allow fluid collections to be monitored. This enables more accurate data to be obtained regarding the effect of fluids of different specific gravity on a fluid saturating a sample. For example, to obtain data allowing a more accurate modeling of reservoir conditions in an oil field impacted by both gas and water displacement, the amount of oil expelled from a rock sample by gas under pressure and temperature conditions simulating those in the reservoir is measured and, after replacing the gas with water, the amount of oil expelled by water under simulated conditions is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventors: Hung-Lung Chen, Hiemi K. Haines, Sidney R. Smith
  • Patent number: 5304306
    Abstract: A reverse filter centrifugal machine has a self-contained, rotatably mounted basket (7) in a housing (1), provided with radial filtrate passages (11) and capable of receiving an overpressure or a negative pressure, as well as a lid (19) that closes the free front side of the basket. The basket and the lid are axially movable with respect to one another. A feed opening for the suspension to be filtered is arranged in the lid and a feed pipe (21) is sealingly inserted through the feed opening. The feed pipe (21) is rotatably mounted around its longitudinal axis and can be rotated together with the basket (7) around this axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Heinkel Industriezentrifugen GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Hans Gerteis
  • Patent number: 5252202
    Abstract: A water treatment method and device can perform a regeneration treatment of the muddy water once used in a water excavation work to decrease its specific gravity for reuse in the water excavation work, and a dehydration treatment of various waste waters such as muddy water from the water excavation work and industrial waste water for final disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Daiyo Kiko Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Kaoru Hirose
  • Patent number: 5244451
    Abstract: A method for operating and improving the throughput and efficiency of a worm centrifuge by introducing, at a controlled frequency, successive pressure surges into the concentrated sludge fraction within the bowl separator preceding the solids discharge opening whereby the pulse frequency and the level of pressure are controllable and can be controlled as a function of the sludge fraction throughput through the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Kloeckner-Humboldt-Deutz AG
    Inventor: Eric Retter
  • Patent number: 5217572
    Abstract: The centrifugal evaporator-concentrator includes a central tubular pivot (18) surmounted by a nozzle (35) and constituting the pivot axis of a rotor (9) rotating in a vessel (8) closed by a cover (11). With the rotor rotating in the partial vacuum created by a vacuum pump (33), a small quantity of gas or air is temporarily and periodically admitted into the vessel, this gas being heated by a heating resistor (38) inside the vessel for the purpose of heating by conduction the specimens to be concentrated and of accelerating the rate of evaporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Jouan
    Inventors: Jean L. Guy, Michel Serveau
  • Patent number: 5211808
    Abstract: A vacuum concentrator uses microwave heating to enhance the rapid drying of a liquid specimen. Microwave heating without excessive arcing is made possible in a vacuum chamber by controlling the power of a microwave generator, by modifying antenna-like objects, and by interposing air in a direct path between opposing edges of microwave injection slots, while maintaining the vacuum condition in the vacuum chamber. This can be accomplished by using air filled plastic bosses passing through, and substantially filling the microwave injection slots. An alternate to the air filled bosses can be a non-metallic closure plate that excludes the microwave injection slots from the vacuum chamber, while allowing energy to be injected freely into the chamber. The microwave heating energy is absorbed by a vacuum chamber cover and dissipated to the atmosphere as heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Savant Instruments
    Inventors: Frank Vilardi, James Boncore, Silvio Bellotti, Yury Zlobinsky
  • Patent number: 5176616
    Abstract: A centrifugal solid bowl worm separator having an outer cylindrical drum and an inner rotatable worm with helical flights on the outer surface with the drum arranged to receive a material to be separated in light and heavy fractions or phases and the mechanism provides for a method of injecting and mixing a fluidizing substance into the heavy fraction material within the drum before it leaves the drum to mix with the heavy fraction within the drum. The fluidizing substance lowers the density of the heavy fraction to enable its discharge by the worm flights. The hydraulic pressure of the liquid helps push the heavy fraction out of the separator which prevents a reverse flow and intermixing of the heavy fraction with the liquid fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Kloeckner-Humboldt-Deutz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Reinhold Schlip, Wolfgang Epper
  • Patent number: 5169525
    Abstract: An inverted filter centrifuge consisting of a drum arranged to rotate freely in a housing and having radial filtrate outlets; a cover closing one of its free frontal areas, the drum and the cover being mutually axially movable; a filler aperture in the cover for the suspension to be filtered and a filler pipe passing through the filler aperture. The filler aperture in the cover can be hermetically sealed by a locking component rotating together with the drum which is disconnected from the filler pipe in a manner to avoid friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Heinkel Industriezentrifugen GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Hans Gerteis
  • Patent number: 5160609
    Abstract: A separator comprises a frame supporting a closed cylindrical drum, a motor for rotating the drum about a central, longitudinal axis, an inlet through which a liquid from which constituents are to be separated is introduced into the drum, and an outlet through which relatively clean liquid is dischargeable from the drum. During the separating process, centrifugal force causes a layer of the heavier constituents to collect on the interior surface of the drum, displacing the relatively clean liquid into an annular layer situated concentrically with and between the constituent layer and the entering volume of liquid, such that the contents of the annular layer is separately dischargeable from the drum in a continuous manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Inventor: Jan W. Van Der Herberg
  • Patent number: 5137604
    Abstract: A solvent-containing biological material specimen is dried in a vacuum chamber with solvent evolving during the drying cycle being condensed in a refrigerated cold trap. During the drying cycle, communication of the drying chamber with the vacuum pump with which the chamber is evacuated, selectively is established or interdicted in response to raising or lowering of the vacuum condition in the chamber with respect to an initially set predetermined vacuum condition. Evolving of solvent from the specimen proceeds during interdiction by way of "cryopumping" due to the differential in pressure between the chamber and the refrigerated trap. Thus maximized solvent recovery in the trap is achieved, and carry over of solvent to the vacuum pump wherein its presence would be contaminating of the pump oil is for practical purpose eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Savant Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren Meeks, Yury Zlobinsky
  • Patent number: 5092995
    Abstract: An invertible filter centrifuge is provided comprising a rotary drum which is mounted in a cantilever manner in a housing and has radial passages for filtrate, a lid which is axially displaceable relative to the drum and closes the free front side of the latter, a filler opening on the lid for suspension to be filtered, and filler pipe which, on the one hand, is secured to the housing and, on the other hand, penetrates the filler opening, the outlet end of the filler pipe being located inside the drum during the centrifuging operation, characterized in that for varying the pressure in the drum (16), the filler pipe (26) is connectable to a pressurization or depressurization source (44) and is sealed by a combined rotary and sliding seal (45, 46, 47, 53) on said lid (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Heinkel Industriezentrifugen GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Hans Gerteis
  • Patent number: 5084133
    Abstract: The centrifugal evaporator-concentrator comprises a central tubular pivot (18) surmounted by a nozzle (35) and constituting the pivot axis of a rotor (9) rotating in a vessel (8) closed by a cover (11). With the rotor rotating in the partial vacuum created by a vacuum pump (33), a small quantity of gas or air is temporarily and periodically admitted into the vessel, this gas being heated by a heating resistor (38) inside the vessel for the purpose of heating by conduction the specimens to be concentrated and of accelerating the rate of evaporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Jouan
    Inventors: Jean L. Guy, Michel Serveau
  • Patent number: 4913695
    Abstract: A self-contained liquid vapor purging system for use in such electromotive apparatus as integrated drive generators, or the like, which include a casing and a rotatable shaft extending into the casing. A charge pump circuit communicates with the casing for circulating liquid from the casing and charging liquid back to the casing. An aspirator is located in the charge pump circuit between a charge pump and an inlet to the casing for mixing fresh air with the liquid to deliver an air-liquid mixture to the casing. A centrifugal separator and check valve are incorporated in the rotatable shaft for separating liquid and vapor. The separator includes a vapor-liquid inlet from the casing, a liquid outlet to the casing, and a vapor outlet draining outside the casing. The centrifugal separator includes a centrifugal valve in communication with the vapor outlet for opening only at a predetermined rotary speed of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Charles J. Gantzer
  • Patent number: 4898571
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating mixtures of different densities into a lighter phase and a heavier phase including a rotary drum providing a cylindrical settling sump at the outer wall, a displacement member rotatably located within the drum forming a settling sump between the displacement member and the drum wall, a discharge element for lighter phase material spaced radially inwardly from the settling sump, a discharge conductor for heavier phase material leading from the settling sump at the deepest location at the outer circumference of the drum, and a compressed air conduit connected to the discharge for heavier phase material aiding in the removal thereof, and vanes on the displacement member aiding in movement of the material through the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Klockner-Humboldt-Deutz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Epper, Hans-H. Gildemeister
  • Patent number: 4874357
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a powered bowl assembly having a tubular shaft journalled within a base of the apparatus. A pressurized air flow is discharged into slurry in the bowl assembly via a circular array of bubble generators. An impellor discharges the slurry outwardly against an upwardly inclined annular surface of the bowl assembly to cause the slurry to merge upwardly with the streams to promote flotation. Slurry within the bowl assembly forms a vortex with particle flotation forming a froth layer inwardly of a slurry vortex. The froth exits the bowl assembly upwardly past a barrier partially closing the bowl assembly. Heavier gangue particles exit via an outlet about the bowl assembly periphery. A collector shroud is partitioned to receive the froth and the heavier waste material. A modified form of the apparatus includes an independently powered bowl assembly and impellor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Inventor: Thomas P. Campbell
  • Patent number: 4857811
    Abstract: A centrifuge instrument has a vacuum pump responsive to a rotor recognition arrangement. The pump is operative to provide a predetermined pressure level in the chamber compatible with which one of a plurality of rotors is mounted within the chamber. The requested angular velocity can also be used to control the pressure level in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont De Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Lawrence R. Barrett, Ronald C. Robertson, Mark A. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 4790806
    Abstract: A decanter centrifuge which includes an annular bowl, a hollow tube on the axis of the bowl, and means for discharging from the bowl a first phase of an input sludge, the centrifuge being characterized by a fluid-activated airlift device which includes a discharge line radially supported from the hollow tube, and a fluid supply line for conveying fluid from within the hollow tube to an outer end portion of the discharge line to effect removal from the bowl through said line of another phase of the sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Inventor: Robert E. High
  • Patent number: 4589865
    Abstract: In a centrifuge rotor provided with sludge channels (25) for conveying sludge radially inwards to a sludge receiving chamber (15), from which the sludge is discharged by means of a central sludge discharge means, the openings of the sludge channels (25) into the sludge receiving chamber (15) are controlled by a slide member (14) being actuated to move in one axial direction by spring means (28). To cause the slide member (14) to move in the other axial direction, a pressure chamber (18), sealed against the sludge receiving chamber (15), is arranged between the slide member (14) and the rotor, and a fluid channel (33) extends through the rotor to the pressure chamber (18), connecting the pressure chamber with a pressure source (35) located outside the rotor. A position regulator (32) is situated in a cavity of the rotor, and is arranged to operate directly on said slide member (14) for regulation of its position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Assignee: Alfa-Laval AB
    Inventor: Per Gullers
  • Patent number: 4447220
    Abstract: A cup (2) of the centrifuge has two chambers (1,3). In the first chamber is placed the first blood bag (6) filled with blood fluid, which is inserted into the chamber together with an elastically deformable inset cup (4). A pressure pad (9) bears at one end on the outside (7) of the inset cup (4) and at the other end on the inside (8) of the chamber (1) of the centrifuge. During the centrifuging, the pressure pad (9) is admitted with pressure which results in a great volume increase. The inset cup (4) is thus compressed elastically so that the blood bag (6) is compressed and the blood components centrifuged in the blood bag are transferred corresponding to the volume increase of the pressure pad (9) into an empty satellite-blood bag arranged in the adjacent chamber (2). Over the upper connecting part (81) of the blood bag projecting from the chamber (1) is pushed a holder (64) which prevents bending of the connecting tube during the centrifuging process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Inventor: Gunter Eberle
  • Patent number: 4375870
    Abstract: The rotor of a centrifugal separator has at its periphery a plurality of valves for discharging medium from the interior of the rotor, which interior communicates with the valves through channels. Each valve is opened by a slot through a sleeve-formed section of a first part being uncovered by an edge of a second part of the valve. When the valve is closed, it is kept tight by said edge being pressed against an abutment surface of a seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1983
    Assignee: Alfa-Laval AB
    Inventor: Berth I. A. Bodelson
  • Patent number: RE34321
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a powered bowl assembly having a tubular shaft journalled within a base of the apparatus. A pressurized air flow is discharged into slurry in the bowl assembly via a circular array of bubble generators. An impellor discharges the slurry outwardly against an upwardly inclined annular surface of the bowl assembly to cause the slurry to merge upwardly with the streams to promote flotation. Slurry within the bowl assembly forms a vortex with particle flotation forming a froth layer inwardly of a slurry vortex. The froth exits the bowl assembly upwardly past a barrier partially closing the bowl assembly. Heavier gangue particles exit via an outlet about the bowl assembly periphery. A collector shroud is partitioned to receive the froth and the heavier waste material. A modified form of the apparatus includes an independently powered bowl assembly and impellor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Clean Earth Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas P. Campbell