Deflector And Fibrous, Filamentary, Particulate Solids, Or Cohesive Sheet Filter Type Patents (Class 55/320)
  • Patent number: 6576028
    Abstract: A device to be interposed within the conduit of a fluid flow system to reduce or eliminate the noise associated with such systems. The device is made up of at least two cylindrical chambers, one within the other. The inner chamber is closed at the top, has a fluid entry port at the bottom, and a plurality of fluid exit nozzles symmetrically arranged about the side wall. The outer chamber is closed at the bottom and has a fluid exit port at the top. The entry port, exit port and inner chamber as well as the fluid flow system conduit have the same internal cross sectional areas. The sum of the cross sectional areas of the exit nozzles is equal to the cross sectional area of the conduit. The addition of a liquid exit port at the bottom of the outer chamber allows the device to also function to separate a gas from a fluid mixture. Multiple units may be utilized within a fluid flow system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventor: Miguel Radhamés Santos
  • Publication number: 20030101699
    Abstract: The present invention has an object to improve the efficiency of collection of solidification constituents and solids in exhaust gas and to prevent early blockage of the filter without damaging the vacuum pump. In an exhaust path 48a, a vacuum pump and exhaust gas filtration device are provided. This exhaust gas filtration device is constituted by a trap device, pre-filter and filter. The pre-filter reduces the exhaust gas flow rate flowing through the interior of the exhaust path by controlling the exhaust gas flow path in the vessel. The aforesaid exhaust path is constituted by connecting this vacuum pump, trap device, pre-filter and filter which are arranged in this order from the side of airtight vessel and connected through piping if required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Toshihiro Rikyuu, Keisuke Nagakura
  • Publication number: 20030097934
    Abstract: A particle trap, such as in a honeycomb body, for separating particles out of an exhaust gas flow, includes a flow channel. An exhaust gas flow which includes particles flows through the flow channel. Internals, such as projections, humps, protuberances or the like are situated on one side of the flow channel. An opposite region of a channel wall is completely or partially porous. When a flow of exhaust gas which includes particles flows through the particle trap, the particles are diverted toward the porous channel wall, to which they adhere. They can then be removed again by regeneration. The particle trap and an associated process for separating particles out of an exhaust gas flow, are particularly advantageous when used in the exhaust system of an internal-combustion engine, in particular a diesel engine, specifically and advantageously in combination with a soot filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Rolf Bruck, Meike Reizig, Peter Treiber
  • Publication number: 20030056478
    Abstract: An air filtration device for intake of atmospheric air, removal of contaminants from the atmospheric air, expulsion of filtered air, includes a housing configured for application directly to an electrical outlet and provides air intake from the front surface of the housing and air expulsion from the side of the housing to utilize a wall surface to disperse the filtered air. An indicator is provided to communicate that a filter should be changed, and a filter orientation system is provided to allow proper orientation of the filter with respect to air flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Pillion, Anthony V. Cruz, Matt R. Ragland
  • Publication number: 20030051450
    Abstract: A liquid reservoir tank assembly includes a gas-liquid separator, such as an air-oil separator. A tank body has an open end, a portion of the tank body forming a liquid separation chamber, another portion of the tank body forming a liquid reservoir. A tank cover covers the open end of the tank body, the tank body and the tank cover providing a gas inlet and a gas outlet with a gas flow through the separation chamber from the gas inlet to the gas outlet. The gas-liquid separator is mounted in the separation chamber in the gas flow between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. The separator has a coalescing stage layer and a drain stage layer arranged radially symmetrically about an axis extending through the interior of the separator, the coalescing stage layer being upstream of the drain stage layer. Each of the layers is generally frustoconical in shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Staffan B. Linnersten, Christopher D. Radcliff, Brian Read, Wijadi Jodi
  • Publication number: 20030051451
    Abstract: A gas/liquid separation element is provided comprising: a frame having an opening therein; waterproof/moisture permeable sheets affixed to both sides thereof so as to cover the opening, whereby the frame and waterproof/moisture permeable sheets define a liquid flow channel; a plurality of ribs arranged over at least the front face of waterproof/moisture permeable sheets and extending between two opposite sides of the frame; and a liquid inlet/outlet portion for liquid feed or liquid outlet, provided at one or more locations in a portion of the frame. Also provided are gas/liquid separators and separation units for use in gas/liquid separation applications such as humidifiers and dehumidifiers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Ryo Kusunose, Takushi Yokota, Kojiro Nishi
  • Publication number: 20030047074
    Abstract: A diesel particulate collector (10) based on the principles of inertial impaction, virtual impaction, and filtration, for controlling exhaust emissions (12) from a diesel internal combustion engine (14) includes a housing (16) having a first plate (24) with a plurality of nozzles (26) directing exhaust flow therethrough, a first impactor (28) causing particle separation and a change of flow direction, a second plate (30) having a second set of nozzles (32) directing exhaust flow therethrough, and a second impactor (34) causing particle separation and a change of flow direction, in a first of multiple stages in a sequential cascaded separation and collection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Z. Gerald Liu, C. Raymond Cheng
  • Publication number: 20020178695
    Abstract: A bypass air filter is provided for attachment to the return air duct of an existing forced air conditioning system. The bypass air filter has a housing that defines a bypass air channel between an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening. The housing attaches directly to the return air duct so that the air inlet and outlet openings connect with complementary openings in the return air duct. This arrangement eliminates the need for bypass air ducting between the return air duct and the bypass air filter. The housing retains an air filter, which bisects the bypass air channel, and a fan for drawing air in through the air inlet opening through the air filter and out the air outlet opening. An upstream baffle extends from the housing into the upstream air flow through the return air duct to direct air into the air inlet opening. A downstream baffle extends from the housing away from the upstream air flow through the return air duct to draw air out of the air outlet opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: Kanalflakt Inc.
    Inventor: Bertrand Poirier
  • Patent number: 6475255
    Abstract: An air filter/oil separator assembly comprises a housing having an outer wall and a channel disposed therein between a primary gas inlet and a primary gas outlet. An air filter is joined to the primary gas inlet for filtering air from the immediate environment for introduction into an engine intake system. The housing includes a secondary inlet port through the outer wall, for receiving an air-oil mixture taken from an engine crankcase breather, and a secondary outlet port through the channel wall. A baffle is disposed axially within the housing and extends axially between the outer wall and the channel wall. The baffle, outer wall, and channel wall together define a first and second air flow passageway between the secondary inlet and secondary outlet ports. A removable filter element is disposed within at least one of the first and second passageways to capture air-borne particulate matter and/or aid in the coalescence and separation of oil within the air-oil mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventor: Robert A. Walker, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020152894
    Abstract: An air filtration device for intake of atmospheric air, removal of contaminants from the atmospheric air, expulsion of filtered air, includes a housing configured for application directly to an electrical outlet and provides air intake from the front surface of the housing and air expulsion from the side of the housing to utilize a wall surface to disperse the filtered air. An indicator is provided to communicate that a filter should be changed, and a filter orientation system is provided to allow proper orientation of the filter with respect to air flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Pillion, Anthony V. Cruz, Matt R. Ragland
  • Patent number: 6468320
    Abstract: A filter unit for removing particulates in a gas to be treated, which unit includes a gas impermeable bulkhead that forms a channel through which the gas advances in the filter unit at least one round, and a filter member laminated on at least one side surface of the bulkhead without closing the channel. The filter unit or filter of the present invention reduces a load on a harm removing equipment, which in turn lowers the cleaning frequency and markedly prolongs the service life of the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignees: Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha, Taisei Giken Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuaki Sumitani, Tomomi Takahashi, Masao Ieno, Yoshitaka Saito
  • Publication number: 20020148208
    Abstract: In a dry air filter for internal combustion engines of utility vehicles having an outlet for the dust separated in a preliminary separator stage, compressed air is delivered to the outlet, at least intermittently, and in order to produce an ejector action to keep the outlet and optionally the dust discharge valve closing off the outlet free of dust, is blown in the direction of the dust discharge valve. Preferably, surplus compressed air already to hand from an on-board compressed air generating system is used for this purpose. In order to improve the cleaning action, the compressed air is delivered into the outlet via a nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Siegfried Dippman, Lothar Kroneck, Gerd Rathke, Wolfgang Strodel
  • Publication number: 20020129586
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an oil separator which can be manufactured at a low cost and can prevent the leakage of removed oil, and an oil separator which has improved separation efficiency of the oil mist without increasing the pressure loss; in order to achieve the object, the present invention provide an oil separator for separating oil from a gaseous fluid containing oil in the state of a mist comprising: a hollow case body comprising an opening at the top thereof; a lid for covering the opening formed at the case body; and a filter in the case body, wherein an entrance for inward flow of the gaseous fluid into the case body is formed at the lower side of the case body, an exit for outward flow of the gaseous fluid is formed at the lid, and an outflow exit for outward flow of oil which has been separated is formed at the bottom of the case body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Jiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6444001
    Abstract: A separator for separating a first fluidized component from a second fluidized component, the separator having a monolithic body with first and second, generally vertically disposed, elongate chambers, each of the chambers having a lower end and an upper end, each of the chambers having a first outlet disposed generally at the lower end and a second outlet disposed generally at the upper end, each of the chambers having an inlet that feeds a fluid stream toward the lower end of the chamber, a fraction of the gas entering the first chamber supplying the feed stream to the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Glenn E. Sheffield
  • Publication number: 20020104296
    Abstract: An air compressor system having an air/oil separator for use with an air compressor, the air/oil separator including a separator tank having a side wall with an air exit port; a separator element hold down mechanism between the separator element and a lid mounted on the separator tank; and a separator element oil scavenge device which scavenges oil from the bottom of the separator element and passes the scavenged oil through the side wall of the separator tank. A method of replacing a separation element in a separation chamber of the air/oil separator including the steps of removing the separator element from the separation chamber without disconnecting the scavenge device attached thereto, and positioning a replacement separator element within the separation chamber, such that a scavenge device securely affixed thereto is caused to communicate with the side wall of the separator tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Roger Cook, Jason J. Link, Elizabeth B. Warner, Roger A. Fallows, Larry R. Stutts
  • Patent number: 6419718
    Abstract: An air cleaner assembly is provided. The air cleaner assembly includes preferred one-piece cover/filter element construction. A method for manufacturing a preferred cover assembly with a filter element construction nondetachably secured thereto, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry John Klug, William Michael Nyman, Bruce Allen Boehrs
  • Patent number: 6413300
    Abstract: A roof bolt machine comprising a quartz trapping device adapted to connect with an exhaust stream of a dust system circuit of a roof bolt machine for reducing the amount of respirable dust and respirable quartz that is released into the environment from the exhaust stream. The quartz trapping device comprises, a container partially filled with a liquid, at least one inlet mounted on said container and adapted to connect the container with the dust system circuit of the roof bolt machine for directing the dust exhaust stream inside the container and a plurality of downward extending and upward extending baffles arranged in an alternating configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventors: Charles Larry Bane, James Dewayne Kinder
  • Patent number: 6379434
    Abstract: An industrial vacuum assembly suitable for use with waste material hoppers, particularly bin-type hoppers, is described. The assembly includes a vacuum powerhead and a hopper. Mounted between the powerhead and the hopper is a vented partition adapted to collect fiberous material in the hopper and serve as a barrier to restrict the fiberous material from entering into the powerhead. The partition is adapted to disrupt the airflow within the hopper such that fiberous material drawn into the hopper becomes entangled together in the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Hi-Vac Corporation
    Inventor: William G. Petrole
  • Patent number: 6361574
    Abstract: Intake air cleaning apparatus includes a filter canister with a filter mounted therein to filter air passing from an inlet end of the canister to an outlet end. A hood is mounted to the filter canister at the inlet end and has a discharge port for discharging particulates. A series of vanes are mounted in a gap between the hood and the inlet end of the filter canister to define channels through which air is directed into the air space between the hood and canister inlet end. A rotor mounted within the air space flings particulates toward the hood for expulsion through the discharge port. The filter within the canister may be formed of an outer cylindrical filter and an inner cylindrical filter mounted to the outlet wall of the canister to filter the precleaned air that passes through an inlet opening of the canister into the air space between the interior of the canister and the outer filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: American Farm Implement & Specialty, Inc.
    Inventor: William K. Decker
  • Patent number: 6350299
    Abstract: An air/oil separator used with a closed loop oil seal system for a liquid ring vacuum pump, which incorporates a multi-chambered design for facilitating multiple stages of oil particulate separation is disclosed. The separator includes a rectangular reservoir tank and a tubular internal filter housing, which supports a filter element inside the reservoir tank. The filter housing extends horizontally inside the reservoir tank with an open distal end disposed within the reservoir tank and a closed proximal end protrudes from the proximal end wall of the reservoir tank. Extending horizontal across substantially the length of the reservoir tank, the filter housing and two internal baffle plates divide the reservoir tank into an upper inlet chamber and two collection chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Dekker Vacuun Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan D. Dekker, Rick-Jan Dekker, Gerald G. Geenen
  • Patent number: 6344074
    Abstract: A ventless air scrubber assembly for use with a conventional cooking appliance situated within an interior location. A ventilation hood is arrayed in an overhanging manner above the cooking appliance and includes a recessed interior defined by a planar base surface and a plurality of interconnecting sides. The hood further includes an intake and an exhaust and a plurality of individual grease extraction units located within the hood in proximity to the exhaust. A filtration housing having an inlet and an outlet is located a specified distance from the hood and is interconnected to the hood exhaust by a first length of ductwork extending filtration housing inlet. A plurality of individual filters are arrayed between the inlet and an outlet in successive fashion. The filters include particulate entrapment filters and an odor removal filter. A second length of ductwork extends between the filtration housing outlet and an inlet of an exhaust fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: EVS, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Ward, Gregory Kolecki
  • Patent number: 6315536
    Abstract: A horizontal open drive scroll machine has a lubrication removal system located with the suction inlet of the scroll machine's outer housing. The lubrication removal system includes a funnel which directs the incoming working fluid to a position radially inward from the suction inlet defined by the scrolls. A fine mesh screen is located within the suction inlet of the housing to further aid in the removal of the lubricant from the working fluid being returned to the suction pressure chamber of the scroll machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation
    Inventors: Todd DeVore, Jeff Huddleston
  • Patent number: 6309436
    Abstract: A device for separating liquid particles from a gas stream including a filter insert (8, 9, 11) placed in a gas stream (3) generated by an external pressure difference. Liquid particles remain on the outer surface of the filter insert (8, 9, 11) on the raw gas side and form droplets which can flow down into a collecting chamber (6). The device is a compact separating module (1) with several stages, a cyclone (5), a filter insert (8, 9, 11) and a pressure regulating valve (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Werner Holch
  • Publication number: 20010025471
    Abstract: An air filter housing is provided for an intake air filter for a carburetor of an engine. A clean air receiving chamber is formed in the filter housing and is delimited by a filter element. Opening into the clean air receiving chamber is an intake opening that connects the air filter to the intake channel of the carburetor. A hood-like deflection bowl covers the intake opening in the clean air receiving chamber. The peripheral wall of the deflection bowl has a communicating window disposed transverse to the intake channel and serving for flow connection to the clean air receiving chamber. The communicating window opens into a compensation chamber that is separated from the clean air receiving chamber and communicates therewith via a channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventors: Uwe Fries, Markus Hagele, Maximilian Eberhardt
  • Patent number: 6214070
    Abstract: The filter assembly of the present invention provides protection to a data storage disk drive assembly from contaminants, including chemical gases and particles, that either enter or exit the disk drive assembly. Incoming gases and particles pass through a label, into a hard body filter, through a diffusion filter, contact the chemical adsorbent and pass into the drive interior through a particulate filter. Outgoing gases and particles go through the apparatus in reverse. The filter assembly may be installed from the outside of the disk drive assembly at a chosen location and at any point during or after manufacturing and testing. The filter assembly is held in place by lateral extensions and an adhesive label applied to the exterior mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Maxtor Corporation
    Inventors: Mark S. Crowder, David Fowler, Robert Turner, Paul D. Mischo
  • Patent number: 6206943
    Abstract: An aircraft separator system for removing moisture suspended in a gas of an aircraft waste system includes a waste tank and a vacuum source operatively coupled to the waste tank for creating a vacuum for drawing the waste material into the tank and drawing the gas with the moisture suspended therein out of the tank. A disposable separator housing for removing moisture suspended in the gas is disposed on the tank and removably coupled between the waste tank and the vacuum source such that the entire separator housing may be detached from the waste tank and vacuum source and discarded. A two-stage filter is contained within an interior of the housing without extending into the waste tank. The filter has at least two areas of different density mesh defining two stages including a first area located proximal to a separator inlet opening which is less dense, and a second area located proximal to a separator outlet opening which is more dense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: EDO Fiber Science
    Inventors: Jeff Friesen, Chris Lalor, Mark Hale, Heidi Crist, Benko S. Ta'ala
  • Patent number: 6090183
    Abstract: A method for processing an exhaust gas produced during manufacturing of semiconductor devices including the steps of introducing a thermally disintegrable or thermally oxidizable exhaust gas produced during manufacturing of semiconductor devices into a processing chamber; heating up this exhaust gas in the processing chamber so that the exhaust gas undergoes thermal disintegration or thermal oxidation and becomes harmless and easy to handle for further processing; capturing fine particles of solid oxides or the like suspended inside the processing chamber with a sweeper provided inside the processing chamber; and sweeping fine particles of solid oxides or the like accumulated on a wall of the processing chamber with the sweeper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Toshio Awaji
  • Patent number: 6048376
    Abstract: A separator tank for removing oil from a gas/oil mixture includes a lower chamber for collecting the oil removed from the gas/oil mixture, an intermediate chamber overlying the lower chamber and an upper chamber overlying the intermediate chamber. The separator tank has an inlet in fluid communication with the intermediate chamber for introducing the gas/oil mixture into the separator tank at a velocity. The intermediate chamber includes a baffle adapted for changing the velocity of the gas/oil mixture as the mixture travels between the inlet and the upper chamber for causing at least some of the oil to separate from the gas/oil mixture. The upper chamber has a diffusing element for reducing the velocity of the gas/oil mixture and an oil coalescing element for separating at least some of the oil from the gas/oil mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: David B. Miller
  • Patent number: 6019808
    Abstract: An air cleaner of the present invention includes a housing having an upper wall and side walls, a fan, a supporting plate extending between the two side walls for supporting the fan, a first air flow directional member extending between the supporting plate and the upper wall, and a second air flow directional member provided at a horizontal periphery of the housing. The first air flow directional member not only provides reinforcement to the supporting plate and the upper wall, but also directs an air flow output from the fan. The second air flow directional member has a horizontal plate and vertical plates for directing air flow at the horizontal periphery of the housing. The first air flow directional member and the second air flow directional member are adapted to equalize a velocity of an air flow distributed across an air flow output area of the fan unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tominori Ishikawa, Yuji Toyama, Masayuki Terano, Yoshihiro Takada, Keiichi Honma
  • Patent number: 6015444
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for venting a transmission (10) is disclosed which provides a transmission breather (12) which allows pressure equalization between the interior and exterior of the transmission while reducing or eliminating fluid expulsion from the transmission. The breather includes a standpipe (18), a bowl (20) having a first end (70) secured to the standpipe and at least one aperture (80), a shroud (22) secured to the standpipe, and a filter (90) disposed between the bowl and the standpipe. The standpipe has a first end (30), a second end (32) and an intermediate portion (34) extending axially between the first and second ends. The second end of the standpipe has at least one surface (46) for transmitting torque to the standpipe to enable the breather to be top drivable to facilitate installation and removal of the breather with the transmission. The intermediate portion has an axially extending central passage (60) and at least one radially extending passage (64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B. Craft, John S. Steurer, Paul R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5958111
    Abstract: A method for the collection of solid or liquid particles suspended in air (aerosol). The method involves abstracting a quantity of air through a curved, porous plate with evenly spaced holes which are designed to give an accurate sample of the particle content over defined size ranges. This method differs from similar methods in that it (1) provides a minimal bias in the results from the effects of ambient air velocity or direction, (2) provides a more even distribution of particles over a collection medium, and (3) enables exclusion of particles exceeding defined upper size limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: SKC, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Willeke, Sergey A. Grinshpun
  • Patent number: 5912368
    Abstract: In a vehicle with an internal combustion engine and a fuel vapor recovery system including a carbon canister connected to the fuel tank for collecting fuel vapors from the fuel tank as the tank is being refilled, an air filtering apparatus is provided to supply a flow of clean and dry purge air to the canister for the purging of vapors therefrom. The air filtering apparatus includes gradually spaced baffle means and filter element means and is remotely connected in the evaporative emission control system by hoses connected to the air inlet and air outlet of the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Charles David Satarino, James T. Dumas, Johanne Wilson, Michael Cermak, Roger Khami, Neville Jimmy Bugli
  • Patent number: 5840102
    Abstract: A material transfer apparatus and method, the apparatus having a material separating container, a filter unit, a vacuum unit and an exhaust unit, all mounted on a mobile conveyance. Air, carrying the materials to be transferred, is drawn through pneumatic tubing into the separating container where large and small materials are separated, and then into the filter where it is filtered for re-entry into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Inventor: Hilton G. McCracken
  • Patent number: 5795358
    Abstract: A wet/dry vacuum cleaner in one commonly available configuration includes a canister having an interior region defining a chamber, a motor mounted on the canister, a filter mounted on the canister and disposed within the chamber, and an inlet fitting attached to the canister. The inlet fitting is positioned generally adjacent the filter which results in the flow of air or water carrying debris generally towards the filter. The present invention is directed to a deflector boot which is secured to the inlet fitting for deflecting the flow of air or water carrying debris away from the filter. The deflector boot includes a cylindrical wall having an open end at one end thereof and an end wall that encloses the opposite end of the cylindrical wall. The open end of the cylindrical wall is sized to fit snugly over the inlet fitting when attaching the boot to the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Scanlon, Jay J. Herring, Richard W. Giannetta
  • Patent number: 5769914
    Abstract: An accumulator/filter assembly is disclosed to have an accumulator and a tubular filter. The accumulator is tapered towards the first and second ends. The tubular filter includes a first end connected with the first end of the accumulator and a second end connected with the second end of the accumulator. A pipe includes a first end connected with the second end of the tubular filter, a second end connected with the second end of the accumulator and at least one aperture defined therein. The pipe is connected with the tubular filter in a manner that a longitudinal fluid communication between them is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Divine Pill Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lei Ku
  • Patent number: 5762692
    Abstract: An evaporative emission control system for an automotive vehicle includes a generally cylindrical casing having an adsorption zone containing hydrocarbon adsorbing agent, an antechamber extending within the casing to the adsorption zone, and a swirl inducing inlet passage for conduction of hydrocarbon laden air into the antechamber such that a rotational flow pattern will be established in the antechamber, with the rotational flow having an axis coincident with a longitudinal axis of the generally cylindrical casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: James T. Dumas, Philip Jeffrey Johnson
  • Patent number: 5759217
    Abstract: A filter assembly for a fluid compressor, the filter assembly including a first filter housing having a sealing boundary and a fluid inlet; a filter element supported on the sealing boundary, the filter element having a filter media made integral with a first side seal member, a second side seal member, and a bottom seal; a second filter housing seated on the filter element, the second filter housing having a filter loading member for loading the side seal members to cause the bottom seal to sealingly engage the sealing boundary; and clamp members for maintaining loading on the side seal members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Anthony W. Joy
  • Patent number: 5718955
    Abstract: A composite material for controlling oxygen flux into a thermal cell comprises a bottom sheet formed to have a pocket. The bottom sheet is impermeable to oxygen. A plurality of particles is placed in the pocket. The plurality of particles reacts exothermally when exposed to oxygen. A top sheet is sealed to the bottom sheet at a flange around the pocket to enclose the plurality of particles such that the particles cannot fall out of the pocket. The top sheet has a substrate which is highly permeable to oxygen. The substrate is coated with an oxygen permeable silicone based elastomer to a thickness which regulates an oxygen flux into the pocket when the top sheet is exposed to oxygen. The composite material further comprises an oxygen impermeable barrier film bonded to the top sheet by pressure sensitive adhesive for preventing exposure of the top sheet to oxygen until the body warmer is intended to be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kenneth S. McGuire, Peter W. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 5655570
    Abstract: The present invention provides a condensate drain device suitable for use in high pressure systems where liquid condensate is removed. The device, through use of a wicking disk, allows removal of the condensate from the system without significant reduction in pressure or interruption of the system. There are no moving parts in the device thereby allowing continuous operation of the condensate drain without interruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Permea, Inc.
    Inventor: John Kenneth Rurik Page
  • Patent number: 5641343
    Abstract: A portable air cleaner designed to remove fine particles and unwanted gases from a room to provide for a healthier and cleaner environment. The portable air cleaner includes a high air volume circulating design and operates quietly and efficiently. The portable air cleaner is designed to minimize the unsettling of particles which have settled out on the floor about the base of the air cleaner so as not to aggravate the particle concentration within the room environment. The portable air cleaner includes a particle filter designed to have ultra high efficiencies with respect to particle removal. Disposed coterminous to the particle filter to remove unwanted gases from the filter air to provide for improved cleaner and healthier environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: HMI Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Frey
  • Patent number: 5622537
    Abstract: Constructions and methods are described for collecting particulate material from gas streams. In one specifically described arrangement, a region of depth media is oriented upstream of a second region of depth media. A surface loading media is positioned downstream from the second region of depth media. In an alternate embodiment, a further region of filter media is positioned downstream from the surface loading media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad E. Kahlbaugh, Susan B. Reinhart, Denis J. Dudrey, John T. Herman
  • Patent number: 5597541
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating gas introduced into a vessel containing a particulate material at a temperature less than that of the gas in a manner so that said material reduces the temperature of the gas and the gas entrains at least a portion of the material. The entrained material is then separated from the gas and passed to a heat exchanger to cool the material while the separated gas is passed to a turbine to drive same. At least a portion of the exhaust gas from the turbine is passed to the heat exchanger in a manner to fluidize the material in the heat exchanger and the cooled separated material is returned back to the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation
    Inventor: John T. Tang
  • Patent number: 5560120
    Abstract: An improved lint handling system for a household laundry dryer is provided. The lint handling system for a laundry dryer has a dryer drum with an exit grill. The lint handling system provides a blower speed increaser to increase airflow in the dryer. The lint handling system also has a lint container and a foreign objects trap connected to the exit grill. Also a lint separator to separate lint from the airflow in the dryer is provided. The lint separator has an input connected to the foreign objects trap and an output connected to the lint container. A laundry dryer having a lint handling system as described is also provided. The lint handling system of the invention also provides a scroll-shaped centrifugal blower housing having a cylindrical base to accept airflow tangentially, a cutoff and a throat region to produce high velocity airflow. The blower housing further has a Helmholtz resonator located in the throat to reduce the acoustic emissions at a blade passage frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Edward T. Swanson, Patrick J. Clark, Anthony J. Sajdak, Mark R. Jaske, Johnny W. Zimmerle, Robert E. Smith, Mark H. Nelson, Raymond M. Goodman, Kevin M. Herreman
  • Patent number: 5551845
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for supplying vacuum and compressed air utilities for dental and medical applications. The apparatus comprises a reciprocating piston air compressor for simultaneously producing vacuum pressure at an intake valve thereof and compressed air at an exhaust valve thereof, the vacuum being used to draw air, water vapor, and effluent such as bodily fluids and tissue through a conduit. Effluent and water vapor are separated from the air stream and discharged into a drain. The desired vacuum is maintained by a regulator carried by the compressor. A receiver is also carried by the compressor for receiving and storing the compressed air from the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventor: David N. Milam
  • Patent number: 5549722
    Abstract: An arrangement for an air filter includes in one embodiment an air filter housing having a removable portion and a base portion with the base portion having an annular shoulder and the removable portion having a conical diffuser. A frustoconical filter element having a hollow core and annular seals at opposite ends is mounted in the housing. The annular seals have radially facing sealing surfaces which seal with the annular shoulder and with the diffuser. In another embodiment, the conical diffuser is mounted on a stanchion which is unitary with the base portion of the air filter housing. The frustoconical filter element is mounted on the base by receiving the stanchion and diffusion cone therethrough. The removable portion of the housing is then placed over the filter element and clamped to the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Walter A. Zemaitis, Edward A. Covington, Roland V. Lanier, Jr., Gary U. Hovis
  • Patent number: 5503660
    Abstract: The hot raw gas, which contains slag droplets is conducted downwardly in an entrance chamber of a slag separator through a first bed of packings into a flow-deflecting space, in which the raw gas is upwardly deflected and then flows upwardly in an exit chamber through a second bed of packings to a gas outlet. The effective velocity of flow of the raw gas in the first bed is 1.5 to 10 times its effective velocity of flow in the second bed. Liquid slag is drained from the flow-deflecting space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Metallgesellschaft Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Reimert, Karel Vydra
  • Patent number: 5480464
    Abstract: A filter system 10 includes a pre-filter in a pre-filter zone 18 and a final filter in a final filter zone 22. The pre-filter is in the form of at least one inertial filter, e.g. an array 28 of axial flow cyclones 30. The final filter is in the form of a media filter 36 formed of a lofted bat of fibrous material which is of non-homogeneous structure through its depth. An upstream side is lofty, and a downstream side is of set structure. A contaminated fluid flow stream enters via an inlet 12. Contaminants are filtered out by the axial flow cyclones to be removed via a dust cover 32. Pre-filtered fluid flows via a chamber 20 through the media filter 36. After final filtration in the media filter it exits via a chamber 24 and an outlet 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignees: Atomic Energy Corporation of South Africa Limited, Universal Filtration (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: Pierre De Villiers, Willem J. C. Prinsloo, Ivor M. Minnaar
  • Patent number: 5470176
    Abstract: A system and a method for controlling emissions caused by spraying a heated liquid paving composition from a moving vehicle make use of a vacuum hood mountable to the vehicle and a fan for creating a partial vacuum within the hood to draw air containing emissions into the hood for collection. A filter or other suitable apparatus is used to extract emissions before the air is discharged to the atmosphere. In a preferred embodiment, a subsystem directs air toward a region containing emissions to cool the pavement surface or control dispersion. A shroud structure may also be provided to confine the emissions during collection. In another embodiment, a fine spray of water or moist air is directed toward the emissions area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Manhole Adjusting Contractors Inc.
    Inventors: John Corcoran, Ikbal A. Molvi, Joseph W. Hower, William A. Moseley
  • Patent number: 5452481
    Abstract: A portable ventilation system includes an air filter unit located remotely from a toilet and having an air duct extending from the filter unit to the toilet to exhaust and deodorize air from the toilet bowl. The filter unit includes an impeller which moves air through charcoal type filter media and exits the filter unit through a plurality of apertures in the bottom of the unit. An air duct is slidably journaled between the toilet seat and toilet bowl rim upper surface at the rearward end of the seat, and is connected to the filter unit to draw air from the toilet bowl and through the filter unit. A control unit is electrically connected to the filter unit and includes a switch to activate the impeller in the filter unit to operate the ventilation system. In one embodiment of the invention, a sensor is mounted in the control unit so as to sense the presence of a person on the toilet to automatically activate the filtration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Bejon Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Meyer
  • Patent number: 5423892
    Abstract: Constructions and methods are described for collecting particulate material from gas streams. In one specifically described arrangement, a region of depth media is oriented upstream of a second region of depth media. A surface loading media is positioned downstream from the second region of depth media. In an alternate embodiment, a further region of filter media is positioned downstream from the surface loading media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad E. Kahlbaugh, Susan B. Reinhart, Denis J. Dudrey, John T. Herman