Plural Driven Means Patents (Class 494/51)
  • Patent number: 10662103
    Abstract: A method of separating sludges which involves adding an insoluble mineral colloidal suspension into an industrial sludge to destabilize the industrial sludge and separating destabilized components of the industrial sludge. The insoluble mineral colloidal suspension can be adding into the industrial sludge or formed in situ therein by components into the industrial sludge that react together therein to form the insoluble mineral colloidal suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Heritage Research Group
    Inventors: Perry Eyster, Christopher D. Weber
  • Patent number: 10626031
    Abstract: A method of separating sludge which involves adding an insoluble mineral colloidal suspension into an industrial sludge to destabilize the industrial sludge and separating destabilized components of the industrial sludge. The insoluble mineral colloidal suspension includes magnesium hydroxide. In an alternative embodiment dry finely divided magnesium hydroxide can be added and then dispersed into an industrial sludge. Conventional flocculants and/or coagulants can also be added. Conventional physical separation processes can be used to separate the destabilized industrial sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Heritage Research Group
    Inventors: Perry Eyster, Bynum Henson, Christopher D. Weber
  • Patent number: 9475068
    Abstract: An inlet device for a centrifugal separator for directing the liquid mixture that is to be separated from an inlet pipe to a separation chamber is rotatable around a central rotational axis. The inlet device includes a central conical receiving structure arranged around the axis and including a central receiving zone for receiving the liquid mixture from the inlet pipe and wherein the zone surrounds the apex of the conical receiving structure. The inlet device further includes at least one inlet channel for directing the liquid from the receiving zone to the separation chamber, wherein the channel extends from the periphery of the receiving zone and spirals down the outer surface of the conical receiving structure. Further, the at least one inlet channel extends from the receiving zone in a direction that forms an angle ? with the tangent of the periphery of the receiving zone and ? is less than 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Hans Moberg, Tomas Oldebäck
  • Publication number: 20140135198
    Abstract: Methods and devices for molecular analysis are disclosed, based on centrifugation. A centrifuge device has centrifuge tubes and elements to create electric fields. The shear forces applied to the cells inside a solution with biological molecules permit the performance of different analytic techniques, such as lysis and sample preparation for PCR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Aditya RAJAGOPAL, Carl J. ALLENDORPH, Axel SCHERER
  • Publication number: 20130168317
    Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for processing tarry or resinous liquid suspensions derived from gasification, pyrolysis or drying of biomass. The suspensions are processed by a horizontal axis centrifuge having a discharge chamber containing a scraper to prevent centrifuge clogging or fouling, a volatiles exhaust system utilizing suction, and a means to isolate the gas and light solids radially of the inner liquid surface and thereby enabling the gas and light solids to be extracted continuously to a location outside the centrifuge bowl. The removed tar, char and volatiles can be used as fuel or recycled as feedstock. Polymers can be added prior to centrifugation to assist in solids/liquids separation. Tar, resin, char or volatiles depleted wet scrubber liquid can be recycled for further use or easily treated prior to disposal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Vanderbeken Enterprises Ltd. DBA DRYCAKE
    Inventor: Cedric Jean-Luc Vanderbeken
  • Patent number: 8302779
    Abstract: A fluid handling assembly is for a fluid machine that includes a casing and a shaft disposed within the casing so as to be rotatable about a central axis. An impeller is mounted on the shaft and has an inlet and a rotary separator is mounted on the shaft and has axially spaced apart inlet and outlet ends and an interior separation chamber. The separator is coupled with the impeller such that the separator and the impeller generally rotate as a single unit about the shaft axis and fluid within the separation chamber flows from the separator outlet end directly into the impeller inlet. Preferably, the separator includes a plurality of generally radially-extending blades disposed proximal to the separator inlet end and spaced circumferentially about the axis, the plurality of blades being configured to accelerate fluid flowing into the separator inlet end during rotation of the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: William C. Maier
  • Publication number: 20120157289
    Abstract: The centrifugal separator has a rotating bowl and a rotating conveyor with an acceleration chamber arranged coaxially within the bowl. The centrifugal separator further has a separation chamber, which is radially limited by the bowl and the conveyor, respectively, and the acceleration chamber is provided with feed ports for inlet of feed material into the separation chamber. A feed accelerator is arranged coaxially within the acceleration chamber and is rotating in use around a common axis of rotation relative to the conveyor at a lower speed than the conveyor. The feed accelerator has a discharge outlet for discharge of feed material into the acceleration chamber of the conveyor. The feed ports extend a first axial area and the discharge outlet extends a second axial area, whereby the first and the second axial area are overlapping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Allan Otto Kjær
  • Patent number: 7938874
    Abstract: A system and method for supplying clean dry gas to gas seals of a compressor. The system uses a rotary separator magnetically coupled to a source of rotational power, along with a gas stream cooling unit configured to condensate liquids out of a wet gas stream before the wet gas stream is supplied to the rotating separator. The system may further include a gas stream pressure booster, a heating unit to heat a dry gas stream generated by the rotary separator, and a controlled recirculation loop configured to continually recirculate the wet gas through the driven rotary separator until a desired amount of condensates are removed from the wet gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Philippe Auber
  • Publication number: 20090247384
    Abstract: A helical conveyor centrifuge, such as a solid-bowl or sieve-bowl centrifuge, includes a rotatable drum, a rotatable screw disposed within the drum, and a centrifuge drive for rotating the drum and the screw. The centrifuge drive is configured to set a differential speed between drum and screw. The centrifuge drive includes a first motor, a second motor, and a gearing arrangement disposed between the motors and also between the drum and the screw. The gearing arrangement includes a gearing arranged downstream of the motors and has a first gear, a second gear and a third gear stage. The first and second gear stages include at least four shafts. Torques are either introduced into or are taken off from the first and second gear stages. The first and second gear stages are disposed in a housing and driven by at least three of the at least four shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: WESTFALIA SEPARATOR GMBH
    Inventor: Martin Overberg
  • Publication number: 20090137376
    Abstract: A centrifuge is employed to continuously remove particulates from a fluid. In one embodiment, the centrifuge removes small particles of soot from lubricating oil of diesel engines. The fluid is introduced into the centrifuge through a distribution rotor so that vortexes are not propagated in the fluid. Laminar flow of the fluid down the sides of the outer rotor may contribute to the soot-removal effectiveness of the centrifuge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Vipul P. Patel, Allen K. MacKnight, Steven R. Eccles, Leonard Walitt
  • Patent number: 7531148
    Abstract: A two-tube centrifuge separates light material and heavy material from an input mixture. A hollow drive shaft rotates a central body member about an axis of rotation. Two hollow arm assemblies, each having circular cross-section, are mounted on diametrically opposite sides of the central body. Each arm assembly includes an outer housing tube, an intermediate tube, and an inner tube that is longer than the intermediate tube. An end cap having a removable plug is mounted on the outer end of the housing-tube of each arm assembly. The inner ends of all three tubes are mechanically interlocked in a manner to cantilever mount the inner and intermediate tubes to the central-body with their outer ends spaced from the internal surface of the end cap. An input-mixture path extends through the hollow drive shaft, through the central-body, and into a cylindrical space between the inner and intermediate tubes of each arm assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: ERTH Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Cornay, Ernest Peter Tovani, Gary Matzen
  • Patent number: 7288202
    Abstract: A separator and method according to which substances having relatively high densities are separated from a pressurized flow stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: William C. Maier
  • Patent number: 7241256
    Abstract: A centrifuge having a housing having a body and an arm extending from the body, the arm attached to the body at a first end; a chamber defined in the arm; a first tube positioned within the chamber and comprising a porous sidewall; a second tube positioned within the chamber; a first flow path defined by the first tube and second tube; a second flow path defined by the second tube; a first exit in communication with the first flow path for evacuating a first material from the arm; and a second exit in communication with the second flow path for evacuating a second material from the arm. An input mixture enters the arm through an inlet. As the sludge flows along an outer flow region defined by the first tube and interior sidewall of the arm, at least a portion of a liquid passes through the porous sidewall of the first tube and into a middle flow region, analogous to the first flow path. The liquid may drain from the middle flow region through the first exit. Solids exit through the second exit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: ERTH Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Cornay, Paul V. Begley, Louis R. Gervasi
  • Patent number: 7241392
    Abstract: A separator and method according to which substances having relatively high densities are separated from a pressurized flow stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: William C. Maier
  • Patent number: 7189196
    Abstract: A two-tube centrifuge separates light material and heavy material from an input mixture. A hollow drive shaft rotates a central body member about an axis of rotation. Two hollow arm assemblies, each having circular cross-section, are mounted on diametrically opposite sides of the central body. Each arm assembly includes an outer housing tube, an intermediate tube, and an inner tube that is longer than the intermediate tube. An end cap having a removable plug is mounted on the outer end of the housing-tube of each arm assembly. The inner ends of all three tubes are mechanically interlocked in a manner to cantilever mount the inner and intermediate tubes to the central-body with their outer ends spaced from the internal surface of the end cap. An input-mixture path extends through the hollow drive shaft, through the central-body, and into a cylindrical space between the inner and intermediate tubes of each arm assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: ERTH Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Cornay, Ernest Peter Tovani, Gary Matzen
  • Patent number: 6966874
    Abstract: A two-tube centrifuge separates light material and heavy material from an input mixture. A hollow drive shaft rotates a central body member about an axis of rotation. Two hollow arm assemblies, each having circular cross-section, are mounted on diametrically opposite sides of the central body. Each arm assembly includes an outer housing tube, an intermediate tube, and an inner tube that is longer than the intermediate tube. An end cap having a removable plug is mounted on the outer end of the housing-tube of each arm assembly. The inner ends of all three tubes are mechanically interlocked in a manner to cantilever mount the inner and intermediate tubes to the central-body with their outer ends spaced from the internal surface of the end cap. An input-mixture path extends through the hollow drive shaft, through the central-body, and into a cylindrical space between the inner and intermediate tubes of each arm assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Erth Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Cornay, Ernest Peter Tovani, Gary Matzen
  • Patent number: 6808481
    Abstract: A centrifuge for decanting lighter material from heavier material from a mixture of initial material includes a housing having a central body and a hollow arm extending from the body, the arm having a first end attached to the central body, and a second end extending away from the central body, and an end cap attached to the second end of the arm to form a chamber in the arm. A baffle is attached to the body and extends into the chamber, the baffle having a longer inner tube having an interior and a distal end, and a shorter outer tube. The longer tube is positioned inside the shorter tube and defines an inner space therebetween. An outer space is defined between the shorter tube and the hollow arm. An entrance path for the mixture of initial material is formed in the housing and communicates with the inner space. An exit path for the light material is formed in the housing and communicates with the outer space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: ERTH Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Cornay
  • Publication number: 20040142807
    Abstract: A two-tube centrifuge separates light material and heavy material from an input mixture. A hollow drive shaft rotates a central body member about an axis of rotation. Two hollow arm assemblies, each having circular cross-section, are mounted on diametrically opposite sides of the central body. Each arm assembly includes an outer housing tube, an intermediate tube, and an inner tube that is longer than the intermediate tube. An end cap having a removable plug is mounted on the outer end of the housing-tube of each arm assembly. The inner ends of all three tubes are mechanically interlocked in a manner to cantilever mount the inner and intermediate tubes to the central-body with their outer ends spaced from the internal surface of the end cap. An input-mixture path extends through the hollow drive shaft, through the central-body, and into a cylindrical space between the inner and intermediate tubes of each arm assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Paul J. Cornay, Ernest Peter Tovani, Gary Matzen
  • Patent number: 6508752
    Abstract: In a centrifugal separator for separating solid particles from a liquid, a centrifugal rotor (2) has two axially separated end walls (13, 14) and a surrounding wall (17) arranged therebetween. The end walls (13, 14) and the surrounding wall (17) surround a separation chamber (20) in which there are arranged separation discs (21) and one or more conveyor screws (29, 62) for axial transportation of separated solid particles. According to the invention the end walls are connected with each other through a central member (15), which is dimensioned in a way such that during the rotor operation it will take up a substantial part, preferably at least 80%, of the forces acting axially on the end walls (13, 14) as a consequence of centrifugally generated pressure of liquid present in the separation chamber (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Alfa Laval AB
    Inventors: Ingvar Hällgren, Hans Martin, Berndt Nyström
  • Publication number: 20020032111
    Abstract: A two-tube centrifuge separates light material and heavy material from an input mixture. A hollow drive shaft rotates a central body member about an axis of rotation. Two hollow arm assemblies, each having circular cross-section, are mounted on diametrically opposite sides of the central body. Each arm assembly includes an outer housing tube, an intermediate tube, and an inner tube that is longer than the intermediate tube. An end cap having a removable plug is mounted on the outer end of the housing-tube of each arm assembly. The inner ends of all three tubes are mechanically interlocked in a manner to cantilever mount the inner and intermediate tubes to the central-body with their outer ends spaced from the internal surface of the end cap. An input-mixture path extends through the hollow drive shaft, through the central-body, and into a cylindrical space between the inner and intermediate tubes of each arm assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Paul J. Cornay, Ernest Peter Tovani, Gary Matzen
  • Patent number: 6248231
    Abstract: A voraxial separator and analyzer apparatus includes a composite fluid passing tube having a tube upstream segment and a tube downstream segment; a rotation acceleration vane structure rotationally mounted within the tube upstream segment and being oriented to deliver angular acceleration to a composite fluid within the tube about the longitudinal axis of the tube for separating the fluid into radially stratified component layers within the tube in the order of component density and to propel the fluid toward and through the tube downstream segment; an acceleration vane drive mechanism drivably connected to the rotation acceleration vane structure; a rotation maintenance vane structure rotationally mounted within the tube downstream segment and being oriented to deliver angular acceleration to a composite fluid within the tube about the longitudinal axis of the tube for maintaining the rotational velocity of the fluid imparted by the rotation acceleration vane structure against friction losses; and a maintena
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventors: Alberto Di Bella, Michael M. Anthony
  • Patent number: 6217502
    Abstract: In a centrifugal rotor (2) for freeing a liquid from solid particles suspended therein and being heavier than the liquid there is delimited a separation chamber (20), in which one or more conveyor screws (29) are arranged to supply separated particles axially along a surrounding wall (17) of the rotor. Each conveyor screw (29) is connected with a drivable bearing member (31) through a transmission shaft (38) extending out through one end wall (13) of the rotor. This bearing member (31) is journalled in the centrifugal rotor (2) and is situated in a transmission chamber (47) formed between said end wall (13) and a further wall (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Alfa Laval AB
    Inventors: Ingvar Hällgren, Hans Martin, Berndt Nyström
  • Patent number: 6142924
    Abstract: A centrifuge for decanting lighter material from heavier material from a mixture of initial material includes a housing having a central body and a hollow arm extending from the body, the arm having a first end attached to the central body, and a second end extending away from the central body, and an end cap attached to the second end of the arm to form a chamber in the arm. A baffle is attached to the body and extends into the chamber, the baffle having a longer inner tube having an interior and a distal end, and a shorter outer tube. The longer tube is positioned inside the shorter tube and defines an inner space therebetween. An outer space is defined between the shorter tube and the hollow arm. An entrance path for the mixture of initial material is formed in the housing and communicates with the inner space. An exit path for the light material is formed in the housing and communicates with the outer space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Erth LLC
    Inventor: Paul J. Cornay
  • Patent number: 6029569
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the removal of solid contaminants which utilizes at least one rotating mesh screen container designed to pass the food therethrough while trapping the solid contaminant. The rotation of the cylindrically-shaped mesh screen causes the food to pass through because of the centrifugal force. The addition of a second mesh or membrane-like placed around the first screen but rotated in the opposite direction is also utilized to trap solid contaminants which are large enough to be trapped by the mesh screen when it is not oriented so as to pass through the screens along its length. Different spacings in mesh and different rotation velocities are utilized to change contaminant screen characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventor: Scott Packer
  • Patent number: 5944648
    Abstract: A centrifuge for decanting lighter material from heavier material from a mixture of initial material includes a housing having a central body and a hollow arm extending from the body, the arm having a first end attached to the central body, and a second end extending away from the central body, and an end cap attached to the second end of the arm to form a chamber in the arm. A baffle is attached to the body and extends into the chamber, the baffle having a longer inner tube having an interior and a distal end, and a shorter outer tube. The longer tube is positioned inside the shorter tube and defines an inner space therebetween. An outer space is defined between the shorter tube and the hollow arm. An entrance path for the mixture of initial material is formed in the housing and communicates with the inner space. An exit path for the light material is formed in the housing and communicates with the outer space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: Paul J. Cornay
  • Patent number: 5914145
    Abstract: A method for the removal of solid contaminants which utilizes two rotating mesh screen containers designed to pass the food therethrough while trapping the solid contaminant. The rotation of the first cylindrically-shaped mesh screen causes the food to pass through because of the centrifugal force leaving behind a portion of the solid contaminants. The second mesh or membrane-like placed around the first screen but rotated in the opposite direction is also utilized to trap solid contaminants which are large enough to be trapped by the mesh screen when it is not oriented so as to pass through the screens along its length. Different spacings in mesh and different rotation velocities are utilized to change contaminant screen characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Inventor: Scott Packer
  • Patent number: 5507715
    Abstract: A device for removing foreign material from sand is disclosed. The device includes a rotary box which is driven such that sand is centrifuged therein. The box includes a circular bottom plate, a circumferential and inclined wall extending from the circular end of the bottom place, upwardly and outwardly, and ring portion which extends inwardly from the top of the inclined wall. A plurality of rollers are disposed in the box, each roller having a movable surface substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the circumferential and inclined wall of the box. Sand in the rotary box is centrifuged and circumferentially deposited on the inclined wall to form a sand layer which becomes progressively thicker and then contact the movable surface, subjecting the sand to shearing and compressive forces. Processed sand then overflows from the ring portion of the rotary box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Sintokogio, Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Masuno, Iwao Tomita, Kazuharu Matsui, Akio Isono, Takehiko Matsumoto, Tsuyoshi Murata, Yukinori Aoki