Including Discharge-related Structure In Nature Of (a) Outlet Having Device For Controlling Quantity Of Flow, (b) Element Associated With Pickup Of Material And Adjustable For Varying Quality Of Flow, Or (c) Static Scraper Or The Like For Engaging Material In Moving Bowl Patents (Class 494/56)
  • Patent number: 11759736
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a two-phase separator device for separating condensate or particulate from a gas stream. In some implementations, the separator device removes water from air and may operate under micro-gravity conditions. The gas stream flows through the two-phase separator device and passes through a rotatable vane assembly along a flow path without being redirected in another flow path. Condensate or particulate in the gas stream is impacted by a plurality of vanes of the rotatable vane assembly, and the condensate is captured by features formed within the plurality of vanes. The captured condensate is accelerated radially outwardly along the each of the plurality of vanes towards a sloped inner wall, and further moved along the sloped inner wall in a direction against the flow path of the gas stream during rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Paragon Space Development Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Cognata, Brittany Lynn Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 11596955
    Abstract: A method of operating a centrifugal separator is provided. The method includes supplying a liquid mixture to be separated to the inlet of the centrifugal separator, separating the liquid mixture into at least one separated liquid component and a separated sludge component, discharging at least one separated liquid component from at least one liquid outlet of the centrifuge rotor, removing gas from a space surrounding a centrifuge rotor of the separator, to obtain a sub-atmospheric pressure in the space, and discharging a separated sludge component from at least one sludge outlet arranged at a periphery of the centrifuge rotor to the space which is delimited by a frame, wherein the discharging is performed when the sub-atmospheric pressure in the space surrounding the centrifuge rotor is within a preset pressure interval ?P.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Fredrik Byhmer, Erwin Kaschmieder
  • Patent number: 11554777
    Abstract: A travel support system includes a server configured to support the travel of a vehicle. The server comprises a recognition unit configured to recognize an obstacle on a travel path of the vehicle, an obtainment unit configured to obtain, upon detecting an approaching vehicle which is approaching the obstacle, a blind spot region which occurs due to the obstacle recognized by the recognition unit, and a notification unit configured to notify the approaching vehicle of information of the blind spot region obtained by the obtainment unit. The server is arranged in an apparatus other than the approaching vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Kurasawa, Takuma Noguchi, Keiichi Mizumura, Gakushi Fukuda, Go Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 11541402
    Abstract: The invention relates to a separator drum (10) with a hydraulically actuated, axially movable piston slide valve (20) which can seal off a solids space (14) from at least one solids outlet (18), wherein the piston slide valve (20) can be held in its closed position via a closing chamber (30) that can be filled with closing liquid, in particular closing water, wherein the closing chamber (30) is formed between an underside (21) of the piston slide valve (20) and a top side (35) of a drum lower part (15). According to the invention, the closing chamber (30) has a first closing chamber portion (31) near the rotation axis (R) and a second closing chamber portion (32) remote from the rotation axis (R), wherein the first closing chamber portion (31) is formed by two mutually parallel portions (22, 36) of the underside (21) of the piston slide valve (20) and of the top side (35) of the drum lower part (15), and the second closing chamber portion (32) has at least in part a conical cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: FLOTTWEG SE
    Inventor: Thomas König
  • Patent number: 11219904
    Abstract: A facility for the centrifugal clarification of a suspension includes a centrifuge and a device with a container having a tubular envelope surface at least in sections for conducting the medium, which is arranged on a liquid outlet of the centrifuge. The container with a tubular envelope surface at least in sections includes an inlet for supplying a pressurizing gas, and the volume of the container with a tubular envelope surface at least in sections is smaller than the double receiving volume of the centrifuge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: GEA MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT GMBH
    Inventors: Wolf-Dietrich Herberg, Meinolf Berlage
  • Patent number: 10265704
    Abstract: An outlet device of a solid bowl centrifuge for separating a multi-phase material is arranged on an end wall of a centrifuge bowl that rotates about a longitudinal axis. An outlet opening is formed in the end wall and has a deflecting apparatus configured so that a fluid of the material that has passed through the outlet opening is deflected toward the circumference of the end-wall. The deflecting apparatus has a segment spaced from the longitudinal axis by a segment radius and has a deflecting segment, along which the deflected fluid can be conducted toward the circumference of the end-wall before being thrown off laterally by the outlet device. The outlet device has a guide that brings the deflected fluid to a lower-energy positional potential in the gravitation field of the solid bowl centrifuge before being thrown off by the outlet device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Flottweg SE
    Inventor: Georg Bauer
  • Patent number: 10252277
    Abstract: A solid-bowl screw centrifuge includes one or more discharge weir(s) for discharging clarified liquid out of a drum which has a rotational axis and a rotational direction. The centrifuge has one or more through-opening(s) in a drum cover, each of which is associated with a weir plate having a recess. An open discharge channel is formed on the through-opening at the recess, a deflection from a direction parallel to the rotational direction of the drum substantially into a circumferential direction in the rotational direction being carried out by the discharge channel. The discharge channel is designed such that exiting liquid is conducted over the base of the discharge channel to an overflow edge. The base of the discharge channel to the overflow edge is inclined inwards in the rotational direction relative to the tangential direction by an inclination angle ??0 at the point of the overflow edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: GEA Mechanical Equipment GmbH
    Inventors: Ludger Horstkoetter, Juergen Hermeler, Stefan Terholsen
  • Patent number: 9833557
    Abstract: A system is provided for separating a plasma-containing fluid into separated plasma and a concentrated fluid. The system cooperates with a fluid flow circuit including a fluid separation chamber and a plasma outlet line associated therewith for removing separated plasma from the fluid separation chamber. The system includes an optical sensor assembly to monitor the contents of the plasma outlet line and produce an output indicative of the concentration of free plasma hemoglobin in the plasma outlet line. A controller of the system calculates the amount of free plasma hemoglobin in at least a portion of the concentrated fluid based at least in part on the output of the optical sensor assembly. The controller may periodically calibrate the optical sensor assembly by determining an instrument-specific correlation between optic output and free hemoglobin concentration and comparing it to experimentally determined data to ensure continued reliability of the optical sensor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Melissa A. Thill, Samantha M. Planas, Amit J. Patel, Courtney Moore, William H. Cork
  • Patent number: 9463474
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator separates liquid from solid and includes a hollow bowl and a screw conveyor, the solid discharged from one end of the bowl and the liquid discharged from plural liquid discharge ports at an opposite end of the bowl, the separator further includes a separated liquid jetting device which collects separated liquid that has overflowed the top of an overflow edge of a dam disposed on each discharge port. The separated liquid jetting device has a separated liquid retention chamber that temporarily retains the collected separated liquid inside thereof, a jet nozzle that is open in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the bowl and that jets out the liquid located inside the separated liquid retention chamber to the outside and the separated liquid jetting device also has a release port formed above the jet nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: TOMOE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takao Yoshida, Masaru Nagasu
  • Patent number: 8956272
    Abstract: The invention is a method of processing tarry or resinous liquids. Tarry liquids include wet scrubber liquids containing tars and chars derived from gasification, pyrolysis or drying of biomass. Resinous liquids include those derived from processing coniferous biomass. Tarry or resinous liquid is processed by a horizontal axis centrifuge having a discharge chamber containing a scraper to prevent centrifuge clogging or fouling. The removed tar and char can be used as solid fuel or recycled to the gasification or pyrolysis process. Polymers, for instance cationic polymers, can be added to the tarry or resin containing liquid prior to centrifugation to assist in solids/liquids separation. Removed resin can be recycled for further use. Tar, char or resin depleted wet scrubber liquid can be recycled for further use or more easily treated prior to disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Vanderbeken Ent. Ltd
    Inventors: Cedric Jean-Luc Vanderbeken, Olivier Hugo Christopher Dany Vanderbeken
  • Patent number: 8950586
    Abstract: A platelet collection device comprising a centrifugal spin-separator container with a cavity having a longitudinal inner surface. A float in the cavity has a base, a platelet collection surface above the base, an outer surface. The float density is below the density of erythrocytes and above the density of plasma. The platelet collection surface has a position on the float which places it below the level of platelets when the float is suspended in separated blood. During centrifugation, a layer of platelets or buffy coat collects closely adjacent the platelet collection surface. Movement of a float having a density greater than whole blood through the sedimenting erythrocytes releases entrapped platelets, increasing the platelet yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hanuman LLC
    Inventors: Randel Dorian, Richard W. Storrs, Scott R. King
  • Publication number: 20140378289
    Abstract: An oil cleaning device of an engine oil circuit has a centrifuge that removes particles from oil. The centrifuge has a centrifuge housing with an inlet for the oil to be cleaned and a drain for the cleaned oil. The centrifuge housing has a housing cup and a housing cover detachably connected to the housing cup. A rotor is rotatably arranged inside the centrifuge housing. The housing cover, in a mounted state of the centrifuge, closes off a bottom end of the housing cup. The drain extends through a circumferential wall of the housing cup and has a drain opening provided in a radial inner circumferential side of the circumferential wall. The drain opening has a lower boundary at the radial inner circumferential side. The housing cover has a topside with a radial outer rim arranged at the level of or above the lower boundary of the drain opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Marco Schweikart, Martin Weindorf
  • Publication number: 20140378292
    Abstract: For providing a blood separation device with which high-pitched noise is not generated even when a centrifugal separator is rotated before blood is introduced. A blood component separation device (100) includes a centrifugal bowl (19) including a stator (70) provided with an inlet (19a) and an outlet (19b) of blood or blood component and a rotor (75) provided rotatably with respect to the stator (70), a rotating and sliding portion between the stator (70) and the rotor (75) is sealed by pressing with predetermined pressing force, and the predetermined pressing force is 500 grams or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Masatsugu IGARASHI
  • Patent number: 8870733
    Abstract: Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Kensey Nash Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher, Douglas G. Evans
  • Patent number: 8845506
    Abstract: A centrifuge, including: a flange closing off one axial end of a separation chamber; a plurality of apertures that traverse axially through the flange at a radial distance from a flange axis, wherein at least one aperture is in fluid communication with a first outlet passage; a plurality of weir inserts removably disposed within the plurality of apertures to control a flow of one or more fluids from the separation chamber; wherein at least one weir insert disposed within the at least one aperture in fluid communication with the first outlet passage is changeable to prevent or allow fluid communication between the separation chamber and the first outlet passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Albert Walraven, Leonardo Renzo Vicentini, Thomas Geehan
  • Publication number: 20140274651
    Abstract: A centrifuge, including: a flange closing off one axial end of a separation chamber; a plurality of apertures that traverse axially through the flange at a radial distance from a flange axis, wherein at least one aperture is in fluid communication with a first outlet passage; a plurality of weir inserts removably disposed within the plurality of apertures to control a flow of one or more fluids from the separation chamber; wherein at least one weir insert disposed within the at least one aperture in fluid communication with the first outlet passage is changeable to prevent or allow fluid communication between the separation chamber and the first outlet passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Thomas Geehan, Leonardo Renzo Vicentini, Albert Walraven
  • Publication number: 20140235423
    Abstract: A rotating machine has a bowl that is rotatable about an axis to generate a cylindrical pool of a feed slurry. The bowl has a heavy phase discharge port and a base plate at one longitudinal end of the bowl. There is at least one outlet opening in the base plate and a liquid phase discharge port member positioned over the outlet opening. The liquid phase discharge port member includes at least one open straight channel having a longitudinal axis that extends at an acute angle relative to the base plate. The channel has an extension in the direction of the longitudinal axis of open straight channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: ANDRITZ S.A.S.
    Inventors: Laurentiu Pasol, Jean-Marc Huyghe
  • Patent number: 8758211
    Abstract: Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Kensey Nash Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher
  • Publication number: 20140148325
    Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of centrifuging a mixture using a syringe which has a nozzle at one end, comprises the steps of taking the mixture in the syringe, first centrifuging the mixture in the syringe, discharging one part of the mixture which is adjacent to the nozzle after the first centrifuging, second centrifuging the mixture in the syringe after reversing the syringe, and discharging another part of the mixture which is adjacent to the nozzle after the second centrifuging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: SNU R & DB FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Chris Hyunchul Jo, Sue Shin, Kang Sup Yoon
  • Publication number: 20140148326
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator for liquids with two phases of different density includes a bowl with a base defining a first rear area in a casing. At least two outlet passages extend through the base. A first outlet passages communicates with a first outlet opening discharging liquid in the first rear area, and the second outlet passages communicates with a second outlet opening discharging liquid in a second rear area rear of said first rear area. A flange attached to the bowl and a partition of the casing with an annular sealing in between separates the first and the second rear area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Henrik Reiff, Bent Madsen
  • Publication number: 20140147897
    Abstract: Methods of and devices for recovering oil and protein and increasing production yields using two centrifuges in series or a centrifuge with dual oil and protein separating functions in a dry mill are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventor: Chie Ying Lee
  • Publication number: 20140094930
    Abstract: Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher
  • Patent number: 8672243
    Abstract: In a centrifuge nozzle a nozzle body defines an inlet in fluid communication with a nozzle outlet. The nozzle body is adapted to be releasably positioned in an aperture defined by a centrifuge bowl assembly. A camming portion projects outwardly from the nozzle body and defines a surface frictionally engageable with a portion of the bowl assembly. The nozzle body also defines a male mounting portion for slidably engaging a complimentarily shaped female slot defined by a nozzle insertion and extraction tool. The outlet of the nozzle is located adjacent to the male mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Joseph Turcic, Kenneth Gustavsson
  • Publication number: 20140038806
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes a bowl with a conical part with a narrow discharge end comprising a radial surface; an end member opposite the radial surface; a number of distance members extending between the radial surface and the end member and providing outlet openings between adjacent distance members; and wear resistance members covering surfaces at the outlet openings, wherein the wear resistance members comprise bushing members with mantle portions surrounding respective distance members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Willi B. Lendzian, Hans Lauge Joakim Svarrer, Henrik Reiff
  • Patent number: 8628458
    Abstract: A separator including a separator drum having a conical interior and rotatably mounted at an axial end about a vertical axis of rotation. A rotating spindle is located at either a lower or upper end of the separator drum and is configured to drive the separator drum. The rotating spindle is disposed in an oscillating manner about a hinge point. Also included is supply tube for a product to be processed and two fluid outlets. One fluid outlet is for a light phase and one fluid outlet is for a heavy phase. A solids material discharge opening is located in an area of the separator drum's largest inner circumference. Further included is a separation pan assembly. A pressure chamber is configured to be acted upon by a fluid to change a location of a separation zone between the light phase and the heavy phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: GEA Mechanical Equipment GmbH
    Inventor: Kim Träger
  • Publication number: 20130310241
    Abstract: A centrifuge chamber for separating a sample into at least two components, including a cylinder having a base plate and a cover plate, and a rotational axis assembly having at least one port for input and/or output of the sample, the port being connected to a tube located on or in the base plate and/or cover plate, and the tube having one or more openings into the centrifuge chamber, where at least one opening of the tube is provided with at least one flat-shaped deflector having a surface lying substantially parallel with the cylinder, and a width at its base of at most 1/10 of the inner circumference of the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Miltenyi Biotec GmbH
    Inventor: Miltenyi Biotec GmbH
  • Patent number: 8579783
    Abstract: A centrifuge for separating solid-liquid mixtures including: a rotating bowl having a head wall with at least one drain opening for clarified liquid, said bowl having a rotational axis; a weir plate fixed to the head wall of the bowl and rotating with bowl, wherein the weir plate is aligned with the at least one drain opening; a choke plate coupled to and rotating with the rotating bowl, the choke plate having surface axially aligned with the drain opening or the weir plate, wherein said choke plate is movable axially with respect to the head wall, and a gap having between the drain opening or the weir plate, wherein the gap has a radially inward inlet receiving the clarified liquid from the bowl and a radially outward outlet for discharging the clarified liquid from the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Andritz S.A.S.
    Inventors: Gernot Krammer, Laurentiu Pasol, Jean-Marc Huyghe
  • Patent number: 8562501
    Abstract: Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma while retaining the platelets and other factors. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Kensey Nash Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher
  • Patent number: 8556794
    Abstract: Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Kensey Nash Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher
  • Patent number: 8535210
    Abstract: A centrifugal blood separation system comprising a rotor, a light source, an optical sensor, a control system, a separation vessel, and an optical cell on the separation vessel. The optical cell has a first extraction port extending radially outwardly into the optical cell, a red blood cell extraction port downstream from the first extraction port and extending into the optical cell beyond the first extraction port; and a dam between said first extraction port and said red blood cell extraction port, having an upper edge and a lower edge, wherein the first extraction port and the red cell extraction port are radially between the upper edge and the lower edge of the dam. Also, a first extraction port having a bore having a first diameter, a lumen having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and a frustro-conical passageway coupling the bore to the lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy P. Kolenbrander, Brian M. Holmes, Thomas J. Felt, James R. Ladtkow
  • Patent number: 8523749
    Abstract: A three-phase solid bowl screw centrifuge includes a rotatable drum, a screw arranged in the drum, a solid material discharge located at the fist axial end of the drum, and two liquid outlets are located at a second axial end of the drum. A first of the liquid is for a lighter liquid phase and a second of the liquid outlets is for a heavier liquid phase. One of the liquid outlets includes a skimmer disk arranged in a skimmer chamber and the other of the liquid outlets is formed as an overflow. Two regulating disks are located in the front of the skimmer disk. The regulating disks extend radially from an outside of the drum toward an inside of the drum. A siphon disk extends between the regulating disks and into the skimmer chamber from a interior circumference of the skimmer chamber to an exterior circumference of the skimmer chamber. An annular chamber is formed during an operation and is located between the siphon disk and the skimmer disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: GEA Mechanical Equipment GmbH
    Inventors: Wolf-Diethard Sudhues, Tore Hartmann, Ulrich Horbach
  • Patent number: 8485959
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator comprises a bowl rotating in use around an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation extends in a longitudinal direction, and a radial direction extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A base plate provided at one longitudinal end of the bowl, said base plate having an internal and external side, an outlet opening being provided in the base plate. A casing is projecting at the outlet opening on the external side of said base plate, said casing comprising a casing side, a normal to said casing side extending at an acute angle relative to a circumferential direction of the bowl at said casing and a discharge opening is provided in said casing side. The discharge opening is radially outwardly limited by a weir with an overflow edge and said discharge opening extending radially inwardly to a position above a highest intended level of liquid in the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Bent Madsen, Klaus Dircks
  • Patent number: 8485958
    Abstract: Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma while retaining the platelets and other factors. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Kensey Nash Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher
  • Patent number: 8474630
    Abstract: A platelet collection device comprising a centrifugal spin-separator container with a cavity having a longitudinal inner surface. A float in the cavity has a base, a platelet collection surface above the base, an outer surface. The float density is below the density of erythrocytes and above the density of plasma. The platelet collection surface has a position on the float which places it below the level of platelets when the float is suspended in separated blood. During centrifugation, a layer of platelets or buffy coat collects closely adjacent the platelet collection surface. Movement of a float having a density greater than whole blood through the sedimenting erythrocytes releases entrapped platelets, increasing the platelet yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Hanuman, LLC
    Inventors: Randel Dorian, Scott R. King, Richard Wood Storrs
  • Patent number: 8475352
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed solids discharge centrifugal separator having a separator bowl with a cylindrical upper portion and a conical lower portion, an inlet port at the bottom of the bowl and an outlet port at the top of the bowl. A disposable liner assembly includes a bowl liner having a cylindrical upper portion and conical lower portion, such that the bowl liner can conform to the interior surface of the separator bowl. The liner assembly further includes a piston within the bowl liner, the piston having an upper portion that conforms to the bowl liner cylindrical upper portion and a lower portion that conforms to the bowl liner conical lower portion. A fluid pathway extends through the piston, with a shuttle valve disposed within the fluid pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Wagner Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert B. Carr
  • Patent number: 8469871
    Abstract: Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Kensey Nash Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher
  • Patent number: 8469202
    Abstract: A centrifugal processing bag, system and method for separating the components of a mixed material is presented. The processing bag includes a hub and a first port for receiving the mixed material, where the first port includes an outlet positioned within the processing bag at a perimeter of the bag. The processing bag also including a second port having a second port inlet spaced proximate the hub and away from a central axis of the hub. The second port directs a separated material collected from the second port inlet out of the processing bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Velico Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith M. Rosiello
  • Patent number: 8465405
    Abstract: A solid-bowl centrifuge that includes a drum rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation and a screw arranged in the drum. Also included are a continuous solids discharge located at a first end of the drum and a continuous liquid discharge located at a second, opposite end of the drum. Further included is at least one discontinuously acting outlet opening including a closure device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: GEA Mechanical Equipment GmbH
    Inventors: Ludger Horstkötter, Hans-Joachim Beyer, Ulrich Horbach, Johannes Droste
  • Publication number: 20130130883
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a cassette (2) comprising a product conveying path (1, 1a, 1b) and a positioning means (3a, 3b) engageable with a counter-piece on a centrifuge having a rotor for separating blood components or on a system component (4) arranged in a centrifuge. The positioning is effected such that a section of the product conveying path (1, 1a, 1b) is aligned with a section of the centrifuge or the system component arranged in the centrifuge. Furthermore, a tube connected with bags is accommodated in the product conveying path (1, 1a, 1b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicants: TERUMO EUROPE N.V., ANDREAS HETTICH GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Klaus-Günter Eberle, Roland Biset, Wilfried Mertens
  • Patent number: 8444541
    Abstract: A solid-bowl screw centrifuge includes a rotatable drum having a horizontal axis of rotation, which drum surrounds a centrifuging space. Further included is a screw which is arranged within the drum, the screw being rotatable at a different speed relative to the drum. Further included is at least one liquid discharge sealed from its surroundings and at least one solid discharge in a tapering region of the drum. Also included is an immersion disk on the screw which disk lies between a liquid feed and the solid discharge and divides the centrifuging space into a discharge space between the immersion disk and the solid discharge, and a separation space between the immersion disk and the liquid discharge. The centrifuge includes a device for charging the separation space with a gas. A process for operating for the solid-bowl centrifuge is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: GEA Mechanical Equipment GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Horbach, Tore Hartmann, Knud Schöneberg
  • Patent number: 8419607
    Abstract: A centrifuge includes a centrifugal drum rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation. The centrifugal drum includes one or more solids discharge orifices located at an area of the largest inside diameter of the drum. The solids discharge orifices include bores having discharge openings. The bores are arranged at least partially on an exterior of the centrifugal drum in a vertical direction Z at selected vertical heights along the exterior of the centrifugal drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator AG
    Inventors: Wilfried Mackel, Andreas Penkl, Thomas Bathelt, Kathrin Quiter, Klaus Baalmann
  • Patent number: 8394006
    Abstract: Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kensey Nash Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher
  • Patent number: 8317672
    Abstract: A single use, sterile, self-contained, compact, easy to use centrifugal separation unit provides for quick, reliable platelet concentration from whole blood. Anti-coagulated blood is injected through an elastomeric seal into a separation chamber featuring a tapered barrel and an end cap. At least one port is located in the end cap, at a desired radius from the longitudinal axis. The centrifugal field created by rotation of the chamber stratifies the blood radially, with red blood cells adjacent the wall of the barrel, and plasma found closest to the longitudinal axis. Opening the port causes the pressure of the centrifugal field to eject red blood cells or plasma, thereby increasing the concentration of platelets remaining in the chamber. After ceasing chamber rotation, the concentrated platelets are recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Kensey Nash Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher
  • Publication number: 20120275970
    Abstract: Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher
  • Patent number: 8298128
    Abstract: A centrifuge includes a rotator comprising a receiving unit receiving materials and guiding the materials to move upward by centrifugal force to an upper portion of the receiving unit, and a rotator cover covering the upper portion of the receiving unit. The centrifuge also includes a container that is coupled to the rotator cover to be connected to the receiving unit and that receives the materials moved upward along the receiving unit. The centrifuge and a centrifuging method as disclosed herein are used for separating a fluid to which a large centrifugal force is applied and a fluid to which a smaller centrifugal force is applied by adjusting the rotation speed using the principle that centrifugal force during rotation varies according to specific components of a fluid. Thus, using the centrifuge and the centrifugal method, materials can be centrifuged and layers of the materials can be classified and collected accurately and easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Medikan Inc.
    Inventors: Hee-Young Lee, Jun-Seok Lee
  • Publication number: 20120252650
    Abstract: Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher
  • Patent number: 8187477
    Abstract: A platelet collection device comprising a centrifugal spin-separator container with a cavity having a longitudinal inner surface. A float in the cavity has a base, a platelet collection surface above the base, an outer surface. The float density is below the density of erythrocytes and above the density of plasma. The platelet collection surface has a position on the float which places it below the level of platelets when the float is suspended in separated blood. During centrifugation, a layer of platelets or buffy coat collects closely adjacent the platelet collection surface. Movement of a float having a density greater than whole blood through the sedimenting erythrocytes releases entrapped platelets, increasing the platelet yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignees: Hanuman, LLC, Biomet Biologics, LLC
    Inventors: Randel Dorian, Scott R. King, Richard W. Storrs
  • Publication number: 20120129675
    Abstract: Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher
  • Publication number: 20120115705
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, devices and systems for separation and concentration of particles from liquid and fluid samples. In some embodiments, the separation/concentration is achieved by sequential centrifugation steps. In particular, one aspect of the invention relates to a separation/concentration device which comprises at least a first chamber (101) and a second chamber (103) connected by a first valve (111), whereby operation of the first valve controls the material transfer from the first chamber to the second chamber. In some embodiments, valve operation can be manually, semi-manually or automatically. Other aspects of the invention relate to single- or multi-chambered separation/concentrator devices, and methods and systems for use. Other aspects of the invention relate to devices for operation of the valves, e.g., semi-manual actuation devices, and automatic inertial activation devices and mechanical actuation devices present in purpose-built centrifuges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicants: Fraunhofer USA, Inc., Trustees of Boston University
    Inventors: Andre Sharon, Alexis Sauer-Budge, Aaron Size, Holger Wirz
  • Patent number: 8157716
    Abstract: The centrifugal separator comprises a rotatable bowl having a separation chamber defined by a base. The base comprises a first outlet opening defined by a weir at a first level. An outlet chamber communicates with the separation chamber through a first outlet opening. The outlet chamber is connected with an outlet opening, which opens at a second level below the first level into an exterior of the bowl. The outlet chamber outlet opening is provided with an outlet nozzle with an outlet direction opposite the direction of rotation, and an overflow inlet opening is present in the outlet chamber, and is placed at a third level between the first and the second level. The overflow inlet opening communicates with an overflow outlet opening, that opens into the exterior of the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventor: Bent Madsen