Differentially Deflected System Fluid Constituents Patents (Class 55/406)
  • Publication number: 20030233939
    Abstract: For cleaning of crankcase gas produced by an internal combustion engine use is made of a centrifugal rotor (2), that is journalled in a frame (1) through two axially separated bearings (12, 13). The centrifugal rotor (2) is caused to rotate by use of part of it also as a rotor (19) of an electrical motor. The electrical motor has a stator (18), which is kept non-rotating and is charged with electric current for rotation of the centrifugal rotor (2), the centrifugal rotor (2) being kept journalled during its rotation only in said two bearings (12, 13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Stefan Szepessy, Ingvar Hallgren, Roland Isaksson
  • Patent number: 6648936
    Abstract: An oil mist eliminator includes an impeller rotating about its axis in one direction within a casing having an inlet and an outlet. The impeller includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades held between front and rear discs. The front disc has a center opening for introducing an oil-contaminated air. Each blade is composed of an inner fin extending in a radial direction and an outer fin bent from the inner fin for deflecting the air proceeding between the adjacent inner fins in a forward direction, thereby creating a forced air flow for introducing the air axially from the front opening, guiding it radially between the discs, and venting it axially forwardly in a front-in and front-out fashion. Thus, even a portion of the air being guided immediately along the rear disc can be successfully deflected for collision against the outer fins without fail, maximizing oil separation efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Kuraco Limited
    Inventors: Toshihiro Higashino, Keiji Shimakawa
  • Patent number: 6648935
    Abstract: A two stage extracting blower that cleans liquid and solid contaminants from supply air, and provides high velocity air for cooling equipment, personnel and/or structures. In a first air cleaning stage, the blower uses air velocity and the centrifugal force of a rotating impeller to separate heavier contaminants entrained in a dirty air stream into a rear partitioned chamber of the blower housing. In a second air cleaning stage, the blower uses centrifugal forces imparted by the impeller on lighter contaminants to cause the contaminants to be collected in a skimmer provided in the partially cleansed air stream prior to release of the air stream from the blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: James E. Petersen, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030167741
    Abstract: The present invention is a novel matter separation apparatus which utilized the combined effects of cylindrical and toroidal vortices. The combined effect provides better separation than either alone. Moreover, the present invention can effectively increase the efficiency of separation without limiting the amount throughput capacity of the system. Therefore, the present invention provides effective means for separating solid particles from fluid flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Lewis Illingworth, David Reinfeld
  • Publication number: 20030150198
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the separation of dust and debris from flowing fluid. Conventional cyclone separators and centrifugal separators present a tradeoff between the extent of dust separation and the cross-sectional area of fluid flow. Thus, increased flow capacity cannot be achieved without reducing the amount of dust removal. In contrast, the present invention allows for the increase of cross-sectional flow area without jeopardizing dust removal. The apparatus is designed such that the cross-sectional area of fluid flow can be increased independently of the radii of curvature of the redirections. Therefore, dust is still effectively removed while the flow capacity of the system is increased. Also included herein are embodiments utilizing these concepts of dust separation vacuum cleaner embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Lewis Illingworth, David Reinfeld
  • Publication number: 20030136094
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved vacuum cleaning apparatus utilizing a self-sustained vortex flow in a centrifugal separator. More specifically, vortex flow is maintained via pressure differentials allowing the ejection of dust and other particles without bags, filters, or liquid baths. Furthermore, the impeller inside of the separator serves the dual purpose of moving fluid through the system as well as creating a cylindrical vortex fluid flow. Additional circulating blades present throughout the separation chamber prevent fluid flow from slowing due to frictional losses. The axial design of the present invention allows the centrifugal separator to be constructed with an arbitrary length. The present invention excels in producing clean fluid of a better quality more efficiently, more quietly, and more simply than devices known in the art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Lewis Illingworth, David Reinfeld
  • Publication number: 20030115845
    Abstract: A two stage extracting blower that cleans liquid and solid contaminants from supply air, and provides high velocity air for cooling equipment, personnel and/or structures. In a first air cleaning stage, the blower uses air velocity and the centrifugal force of a rotating impeller to separate heavier contaminants entrained in a dirty air stream into a rear partitioned chamber of the blower housing. In a second air cleaning stage, the blower uses centrifugal forces imparted by the impeller on lighter contaminants to cause the contaminants to be collected in a skimmer provided in the partially cleansed air stream prior to release of the air stream from the blower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: James E. Petersen
  • Patent number: 6530979
    Abstract: Apparatus and a process are described, wherein furnace flue gas, containing moisture, is expanded through a pressure drop sufficient to cause saturation of the gas. The resulting condensation of water increases the mass of particles, making them easier to separate from the gas. Acid components of the flue gas may be similarly rendered more easily separable. These wetted particles are then separated and removed from the flue gas. The cleaned flue gas is then compressed backup to chimney pressure for discharge. A flue gas cleaner of this invention thus renders particle forming fuels, such as low cost coal, more readily useable, while meeting appropriate particle emissions requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph Carl Firey
  • Publication number: 20030000184
    Abstract: A rotary phase separator includes an accumulator and a liquid outlet valve to separate the phases of a liquid/gas mixture. The separator includes a housing defining a radial accumulator chamber and supporting a shaft, and a motor to drive the shaft for rotation about a longitudinal axis. A plurality of disks and cylinders are attached to the shaft to create frictional contact with the mixture to drive the liquid outward against an inner wall of the separator, thereby displacing the gas to a central region about the shaft. A liquid outlet on the inner wall includes a valve seal held closed by a control springs until a predetermined differential pressure is reached. The gas exits through an opening in the hollow shaft to a gas outlet tube. A valve member actuated by a solenoid seals the gas outlet tube until sufficient gas has accumulated to allow separation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: W. Clark Dean
  • Publication number: 20030000185
    Abstract: An oil mist eliminator includes an impeller rotating about its axis in one direction within a casing having an inlet and an outlet. The impeller includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades held between front and rear discs. The front disc has a center opening for introducing an oil-contaminated air. Each blade is composed of an inner fin extending in a radial direction and an outer fin bent from the inner fin for deflecting the air proceeding between the adjacent inner fins in a forward direction, thereby creating a forced air flow for introducing the air axially from the front opening, guiding it radially between the discs, and venting it axially forwardly in a front-in and front-out fashion. Thus, even a portion of the air being guided immediately along the rear disc can be successfully deflected for collision against the outer fins without fail, maximizing oil separation efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Toshihiro Higashino, Keiji Shimakawa
  • Publication number: 20020194994
    Abstract: The method of separating liquid from gas in a flow stream, that includes expanding the flow stream at a first zone to reduce flow stream pressure and increase flow stream velocity; centrifugally separating liquid from gas in the expanded flow stream, in a second zone; and increasing the pressure of the gas, from which liquid has been separated, by converting kinetic energy of the gas into pressure, at a third zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventor: Ross Brown
  • Publication number: 20020139249
    Abstract: Trap apparatus and method for removing contaminants from the gaseous effluent flows from chemical vapor deposition chambers and processes by flowing the particle laden gas into an upper chamber of the trap apparatus, imparting additional kinetic energy to the powder particles to enhance separation of the powder particles from the gas, and then flowing the gas, sans the powder particles, out of the trap, while the powder particles fall into and are captured by a lower chamber positioned below the upper chamber and remote from the flowing gas. An impeller positioned in the upper chamber in the inlet path imparts the additional kinetic energy. For some reaction gas systems, an optional reactor with hydrophillic, rotating growth substrates enhance and accelerate growth of solid particles, which are then dislodged from the media, and fed by the flowing gas into the upper chamber for capture as previously described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Darren Livingston, Youfan Gu, Paul Dozoretz, James M. Mueller
  • Patent number: 6451080
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an air cleaner for moving particles from an air stream. The air cleaner includes a housing defining a separation chamber at which at least some of the particles are removed from the air stream. The air cleaner includes an inlet passage for allowing the air stream to the separation chamber, an outlet passage for allowing the air stream to exit the separation chamber, and a plurality of vanes for causing the air stream to swirl as the air stream flows through the inlet passage and enters the separation chamber. The housing includes a side wall structure defining at least one discharge opening through which particles are discharged as the air stream swirls within the separation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary J. Rocklitz, Junhui Liu, Donald Monson, Steven S. Gieseke, Peter J. Murray
  • Publication number: 20020096050
    Abstract: A centripetal demister system and method for the removal of moisture from a moisture laden gas stream using both centrifugal and centripetal force to shear the moisture from a inlet gas, the centripetal force also directing the inlet gas radially inward for collecting the demisted gas. The present invention is particular useful for removal of environmentally harmful particulates contained within the moisture laden gas stream, the particulates and moisture being force against the interior of the housing by centrifugal force while the demisted gas is drawn radially inward by centripetal force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Charles C. Miles
  • Patent number: 6406506
    Abstract: An air cleaner for centrifugally ejecting heavier-than-air particulate debris from an air stream. A housing encloses a fan for drawing debris-laden air into a forward portion of the housing and rotating the air so as to form a rotating flow pattern that stratifies the debris-laden air, with the heavier particles of debris in the outermost orbits of the rotating flow pattern. The thus rotating air passes through an annulus to a rear portion of the housing in which the air flow is caused to back up. As a consequence, some solid debris in the forward housing portion moves into a forward isolation region from which that debris is ejected through a forward exit orifice. Other solid debris in the rear housing portion enters a rear isolation region from which it is ejected through a rear exit orifice. The thus-cleaned air passes through an exit gap to an air outlet from which it exits the air cleaner for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Sy-Klone Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Moredock, Eric L. Ehrenberg
  • Patent number: 6372006
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator of vertical axis for the separation of a flowable medium, in particular a dental liquid/solids mixture, from conveying suction air has a motor-driven removal element (10) which is arranged in a flow chamber with a rotationally symmetrical peripheral wall (4) and a bottom limit. A top, central outlet (9) for the suction air and a bottom, peripheral outlet (8) for the flowable medium are flow-connected to an inlet (5) for the mixture to be separated, which opens out between these outlets, the peripheral outlet (8) being surrounded by an annular non-return valve (7). Vanes (16) are provided on the removal element (10) between the mixture inlet (5) and the peripheral outlet (8). The mixture inlet (5) is formed between the bottom edge of the peripheral wall (4) and a holding ring (22) for the non-return valve (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Inventors: Bruno Pregenzer, Alfred Konzett
  • Patent number: 6363923
    Abstract: An apparatus for enriching oxygen in the combustion air of internal-combustion engines has a gas centrifuge (1) which is driven by an exhaust gas turbine (2) in the exhaust pipe (4)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: Alexander Pletschacher
  • Publication number: 20020020296
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved debris collection apparatus that utilizes a toroidal vortex within the apparatus housing to establish a pressure differential between the outside of the device and the inside. This system and its derivatives are essentially closed systems-there is no constant intake and exhaust of fluid. Included in the debris collection apparatus is a compaction means that captures debris caught in the toroidal vortex flow, and deposits it in a desired chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventor: Lewis Illingworth
  • Publication number: 20020020295
    Abstract: A powered low restriction air precleaner device and method for centrifugally ejecting heavier-than-air particulate debris from debris laden air for providing for a combustion engine air intake, an engine air cooling system, or a cab air intake system, for example. The device employs a fan located in the device for drawing debris laden air into the air precleaner device. The debris laden air is spun in the air precleaner device to form a rotating flow pattern that stratifies the debris laden air with the most massive particles of debris in the outermost orbits of the rotating flow pattern of debris laden air. Debris from the rotating flow pattern is ejected from the device for cleaning the air, which is flowed to an air outlet of the device for supplying the cleaned air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventor: James G. Moredock
  • Patent number: 6338745
    Abstract: An air cleaner for centrifugally ejecting heavier-than-air particulate debris from an air stream. A housing encloses a fan for drawing debris-laden air into a forward portion of the housing and rotating the air so as to form a rotating flow pattern that stratifies the debris-laden air, with the heavier particles of debris in the outermost orbits of the rotating flow pattern. The thus rotating air passes through an annulus to a rear portion of the housing in which the air flow is caused to back up. As a consequence, some solid debris in the forward housing portion moves into a forward isolation region from which that debris is ejected through a forward exit orifice. Other solid debris in the rear housing portion enters a rear isolation region from which it is ejected through a rear exit orifice. The thus-cleaned air passes through an exit gap to an air outlet from which it exits the air cleaner for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Sy-Klone Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Moredock, Eric L. Ehrenberg
  • Patent number: 6293751
    Abstract: An extracting blower that removes liquid and solid contaminants from supply air, and provides high velocity air for cooling equipment, personnel and/or structures. The blower uses air velocity and the centrifugal force of a rotating fan to separate the contaminants into a rear partitioned chamber of the fan housing and out a rear scavenging air exhaust, while blowing clean air out the main air blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: Virgil W. Stockstill
  • Patent number: 6280493
    Abstract: An air pre-cleaner for centrifugally ejecting heavier than air particulates from an air stream for use in an apparatus having an air intake includes a hood having an opening through which air enters the pre-cleaner. A vane assembly includes a centrally positioned dome, a collar encircling the dome, and a plurality of inlet vanes each being connected at an inner end to the dome and at an outer end to the collar. Each inlet vane is angled in relation to the horizontal plane. The vane assembly further includes a horizontal wall extending radially outward from the collar. An impeller assembly is rotatably mounted to the vane assembly. Also provided is a base on which the vane assembly is supported via the horizontal wall. The hood, the vane assembly and the base are secured to each other. Clean air exits the pre-cleaner through a central opening in the base and dirty air exits the pre-cleaner through peripheral openings in the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Dreison International, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerry E. Eubank
  • Patent number: 6217637
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtration of particulate matter in fluid streams. A unique high efficiency, two element filter embodying an enclosure containing a tandem rotary disk and drum filter mounted on a common shaft is described. A method of operation including manual and computer control modes are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventors: Jerry L. Toney, Nathan E. E. Toney, Gregory F. Ward
  • Patent number: 6183641
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a longitudinally extending housing having a fluid inlet port; a plurality of spaced apart members rotatably mounted in the housing to transmit motive force between fluid introduced through the fluid inlet port and the members and to separate the fluid into at least two fluid streams; and, a fluid outlet port positioned on the housing for receiving each fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Fantom Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad, Helmut Gerhard Conrad, Ted Szylowiec
  • Patent number: 6176889
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating droplets and/or solid particles from a gas. The apparatus includes a shell defining a space. An impeller in the space and a gas inlet duct through the shell are arranged for introducing gas with liquid and/or solid particles into the space. A driving device rotates the impeller. One or several openings are arranged around the shell. At least a major portion of the liquid and/or solid particles exit through the openings and may be carried into a collecting space which may be outside the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: EV Group Oy
    Inventor: Pekka Koskinen
  • Patent number: 6110246
    Abstract: An air precleaner for centrifugally ejecting heavier than air particulates from an airstream for use in an apparatus having an air intake includes a hood having an opening through which air enters the precleaner. A vane assembly includes a centrally positioned dome, a collar encircling the dome and a plurality of vanes each being connected at an inner end to the dome and at an outer end to the collar. Each vane is angled in relation to a horizontal plane. The vane assembly further includes a horizontal wall extending radially outward from the collar. An impeller assembly is rotatably mounted to the vane assembly. Also provided is a base on which the vane assembly is supported via the horizontal wall. The hood, the vane assembly and the base are secured to each other and the air exits the precleaner through the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Dreison International, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerry E. Eubank
  • Patent number: 6063154
    Abstract: There is provided an integrated exclusion filter and pressurizing device which prevents leakage of unfiltered fluid across the interface area between a rotating filtering apparatus and non-rotating bulkhead. The exclusion filter utilized is of the type which utilizes Boundary Layer Momentum Transfer methodology to achieve filtration, and which includes a cylindrical stack of substantially flat annular plates. A pressurizing device is utilized downstream from the exclusion filter to repressurize filtered fluid and direct the filtered fluid toward the interface area. Either all the filtered fluid or only a portion may be repressurized, and some of the filtered fluid may be directed toward the bulkhead itself to aid pressurization by creating a local stagnation region. The pressurizing device may utilize flow diverting vanes in a housing, including blowers, pumps, compressors, and fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Marco A. Davila, Edward C. Fontana, Daniel M. Kolides, Joyce E. Lingousky
  • Patent number: 6063019
    Abstract: A centrifuge including a non-rotatable containment vessel, a rotatable centrifuge tube within said vessel, an inlet assembly for dirty gas, an outlet assembly for clean gas, and an outlet assembly for dirty gas, said inlet assembly for the dirty gas and said outlet assembly for the dirty gas being located in close mutual proximity and at or towards one end of the centrifuge tube, the outlet for the clean gas being located at the opposite end of the centrufuge tube, the flow of gas entering the centrifuge tube being reversed within the centrifuge tube so as to increase the residence time of the dirty gas within said centrifuge tube. The centrifuge tube is supported on spaced foil bearings located at predetermined spacings relative to each other and to the ends and center of the centfrifuge tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: Brian Wade
  • Patent number: 6044977
    Abstract: A chamber has a drive shaft rotatably mounted therein and extending along substantially the entire longitudinal extent of the chamber. This drive shaft is rotatably driven by a motor at a speed of 1,200-10,000 rpm. A plurality of screens having a mesh of 6-10 mesh are spaced from each other along the longitudinal extent of the chamber in opposing relationship and attached to the drive shaft for rotation therewith. Above the screens are a pair of discs which are attached to the shaft for rotation therewith and longitudinally spaced from each other. First and second similar plates having circular apertures formed therein are fixedly attached to the chamber in longitudinally spaced relationship, the first and second discs being positioned in the apertures of said first and second plates respectively. Gas to be purified is fed into the bottom of the chamber and driven upwardly by a compressor fan attached to the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventor: Ernest Csendes
  • Patent number: 6032804
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting and removing dust from dust laden air has a housing defining a chamber having an inlet for the dust laden air, a first outlet for dust free air and a second outlet for the collected dust, the inlet and second outlet being connected by a curved wall. A filter cartridge is mounted in the chamber at the axis of the curved wall and is at least partially enclosed within and inner wall which, together with the outer wall forms a cyclonic passage for the air passing therethrough. High velocity air flow is directed into the chamber wherein at least some of the dust will strike the chamber wall at high velocity causing a rapid change in kinetic energy and detraining the dust from the air, this dust then falling from the air stream and removed from the chamber through an air lock or similar device. The air then revolves around and is drawn through the filter removing the remaining dust therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventor: Jerome I Paulson
  • Patent number: 6007605
    Abstract: There is provided an integrated exclusion filter and pressurizing device which prevents leakage of unfiltered fluid across the interface area between a rotating filtering apparatus and non-rotating bulkhead. The exclusion filter utilized is of the type which utilizes Boundary Layer Momentum Transfer methodology to achieve filtration, and which includes a cylindrical stack of substantially flat annular plates. A pressurizing device is utilized downstream from the exclusion filter to repressurize filtered fluid and direct the filtered fluid toward the interface area. Either all the filtered fluid or only a portion may be repressurized, and some of the filtered fluid may be directed toward the bulkhead itself to aid pressurization by creating a local stagnation region. The pressurizing device may utilize flow diverting blades in a housing, including blowers, pumps, compressors, and fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Marco A. Davila, Edward C. Fontana, Daniel M. Kolides, Joyce E. Lingousky
  • Patent number: 6004382
    Abstract: An air cleaning system for a vehicle includes an inertial separator for filtering contaminated air, which then enters a vehicle cooling system positioned to receive the filtered air exiting from the inertial separator, and a clean air diverter positioned to receive a portion of the filtered air and to direct the filtered air to an engine and/or cab. The system may also include a pulley arrangement to increase the speed of a second inertial separator which further filters the air directed to the engine and/or cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Derryn W. Pikesh, Lawrence M. Sobol
  • Patent number: 5914416
    Abstract: In a device for separating solid or liquid particles from a stream of gas, there is an aperture of a suction pipe which is substantially directed towards the axis of an impeller. The suction pipe is surrounded by a dust collecting container. To improve phase separation, especially in a vacuum cleaner in which the dust collecting container is fitted upstream of a dust bag, there is an axial aperture in the impeller and/or a straight aperture from the dust collecting container to the impeller. This generates an air vortex in the region of the opening of the suction pipe which carries the particles outwards where they are further transported into the dust collecting container by a secondary vortex induced therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
    Inventor: Jurgen Thode
  • Patent number: 5851396
    Abstract: Pollution separator and purifier apparatus (10) for at least one fluid mixture comprises: an inlet member (14) for admitting the fluid mixture to be treated into a stationary cylindrical body (12); a rotor mounted in the cylindrical body (12) and having a stack of at least two plates (18) with openings, cooperating with means that generate a pressure drop in the top portion of the apparatus and generating upward helical motion in the mixture to be treated; a hopper (22) for collecting the heavy phase, connected to the cylindrical body (12) beneath the rotor (16) and provided with forced evacuation means (24); and an extractor member (26) for extracting the treated mixture, and connected to the cylindrical body (12) above the rotor (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Inventor: Pierre Saget
  • Patent number: 5837019
    Abstract: For the purpose of separating dust particles inside a cooling system of a rotor, fitted with moving blades, of a turbo-machine, a device is arranged upstream of the moving blades to be cooled and in the region of the rotor outer surface. The device has at least one feed channel through which a coolant flows, and is directed in the radial direction such that the dust particles located in the coolant accumulate on the side accelerating in the direction of rotation of the rotor. These dust particles subsequently pass into a separation chamber operationally connected to the feed channel and in which they are captured in order then to be discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventor: Wilhelm Endres
  • Patent number: 5788727
    Abstract: A centrifugal air separator with a housing provided with inlets for material to be separated and separating air or a combined material and air inlet, and outlets for air-and-fines mixture and coarse material, in which at least one wheel formed essentially of a crown of buckets is journal ed. The invention addresses the problem of reducing the distance of the bearings of the wheel shaft from one another, in a centrifugal air separator of this type, preferably a separator with fines-and-air aspiration at both ends. According to the invention, the fan wheel is journal ed on a central, fixed axle which is held in the housing and machine frame by arms, struts or other such supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: OMYA GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Barthelmess
  • Patent number: 5746789
    Abstract: A radial inflow centrifugal filter device for separating fine particulates from a fluid flow, including a rotatable plurality of hollow parallel disks mounted in spaced apart relationship and attached via spacers to a tube. The hollow drive tube is in flow communication with the interior hollow plenum of the disks which is at a lower pressure relative to the open space between the disks. Rotating the tube causes the disks to rotate. Particulate-laden fluid is allowed to enter the filter device at the perimeter of the rotating disks and experiences a change in momentum due to the interaction of boundary layers of fluid established on each side of every disk. The centrifugal force imparted to both the fluid and particulates causes them to be separated in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Innovatech, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Robin Wright, Harry Steven Crouch
  • Patent number: 5688377
    Abstract: Rotating parallel disks create radial cyclonic vortices between them. The axes of these vortices communicate with the bore of a hollow shaft, and a vacuum is drawn in the shaft bore by the action of a centrifugal pump. Particles, mist, and heavy vapors such as mercury, are separated out of a gas stream by the radial vortices, which cause whatever is relatively heavy in the vortex to migrate away from the vortex axis and then contact the rotating disks, whereby they are expelled from the space between the disks. Application to mist elimination for steam is discussed, as are application to cyclonic cracking of hydrocarbons and separation of gaseous waste from intra-lattice fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Inventor: Wilmot H. McCutchen
  • Patent number: 5516360
    Abstract: A gas separator for a submersible centrifugal pump or well has hardened cases on the components exposed to well fluid within the interior of the gas separator. The gas separator has a cylindrical sidewall with a bore. A shaft driven by a motor of the pump extends through the bore. An inducer is located in the bore for applying pressure to the fluid. In one type, a spinning guide vane imparts swirling motion for the well fluid to separate as it flows through a straight-through bore section. In another type, a tubular barrel locates in the sidewall, defining an intake chamber. The intake port in the sidewall is located above the intake port in the barrel, causing a reverse direction flow to separate gas from the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Normandeau, Robert D. DeLong
  • Patent number: 5350432
    Abstract: A dirt collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner which is adapted to decrease a volume of a canister body thereby facilitating a handling of the vacuum cleaner and which has a dirt container that is easily detached from the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a dirt collecting chamber connected between a wand and a handle pipe, a cyclone part inserted in the dirt collecting chamber which converts a linear flow in the dirt collecting chamber into a cyctonical flow, and a dirt container mounted on the outer surface of the dirt collecting chamber which receives the dirt separated in the dirt collecting chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Goldstar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae I. Lee
  • Patent number: 5257903
    Abstract: An air-oil separating arrangement in a gas turbine engine having a sump with a rotatable annular wall structure includes an annular section of the sump wall structure having a plurality of circumferentially spaced air metering orifices defined therein, and an air-oil separator having a circular plate attached to the annular section of the sump wall structure and rotatable therewith. The circular plate has a pair of opposite faces and a plurality of separator fins attached to and extending from one face of the plate. The separator fins are circumferentially spaced from one another and extend radially from the center of the plate and define spaces therebetween which are in flow communication with the orifices through the annular section of the sump wall structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Barry L. Allmon, Kevin B. Tongeman
  • Patent number: 5252110
    Abstract: A preferably vertical air separator with a rotating separator wheel upon which separating air loaded with fine goods flowing from outside towards the inside impinges, from which said separating air axially flows off through an outlet connection pipe in order to be guided to its further use, e.g. in a filter or the like, said separating wheel being provided with a downstream cover plate and a second cover plate being axially distanced therefrom, and blades being disposed between the two cover pates at their periphery, and the outlet connection delivery end averted from the separating wheel emptying into an outlet chamber the cross section of which is distinctly larger than the cross section of the said outlet connection pipe, so that there occurs an abrupt change of the cross section between the outlet connection pipe and the said outlet chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Inventor: Roland Nied
  • Patent number: 5244481
    Abstract: A preferably vertical air separator with a rotating separator wheel upon which separating air loaded with fine goods flowing from outside towards the inside impinges, from which said separating air axially flows off through an outlet connection pipe in order to be guided to its further use, e.g. in a filter or the like, said separating wheel being provided with a downstream cover plate and a second cover plate being axially distanced therefrom, and blades being disposed between the two cover plates at their periphery, and the outlet connection delivery end averted from the separating wheel emptying into an outlet chamber the cross section of which is distinctly larger than the cross section of the said outlet connection pipe, so that there occurs an abrupt change of the cross section between the outlet connection pipe and the said outlet chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Inventor: Roland Nied
  • Patent number: 5207809
    Abstract: A grease extractor includes a centrifugal fan for forcibly flowing grease laden air in order to remove grease therefrom in cooperation with a trap member. The grease extractor comprises a vessel with an inlet for introduction of the grease laden air and an outlet for discharging clear air. The fan, which has a rotation axis and has a circumferential fan surface, is disposed between the inlet and the outlet to be rotated about a rotation axis so as to generate a forced flow of the air for introducing the grease laden air inwardly and flowing it radially outwardly through the circumferential fan surface. The fan includes impellers which deflects the grease laden air to separate the grease therefrom and coagulate it into corresponding grease particles. Flow converting members are provided on the circumferential fan surface for converting the radial air flow into an axial flow directed outwardly substantially along the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Kuraco Limited
    Inventors: Toshihiro Higashino, Takashi Takato, Noriaki Yamamoto, Mizuo Edamura
  • Patent number: 5207810
    Abstract: A gas separator for a submersible centrifugal pump for a well separates gas from liquid components of the well fluid. The gas separator has a rotatably driven rotor. The rotor has an outer cylinder, an inner hub and a longitudinal vane that extends between the inner hub and outer cylinder. Notches are formed in the upper edge of the vanes. A discharge member, mounted above the rotor, has a depending skirt that extends into the notches. This defines a separate inner flow path for gas to flow out of the separator into the well. The unseparated portions of the well fluid flow in a clearance between the skirt and the housing into a pump intake. Supports extend out from the discharge member for securing the discharge member in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Ketankumar K. Sheth
  • Patent number: 5201422
    Abstract: A classifier for powdery material has a cylindrical casing formed at an upper portion thereof with an inlet port for introducing the material to be classified into the casing in a tangential direction of an inner wall thereof. The casing has a conical portion formed in its bottom end with an opening connected to a discharge pipe for discharging coarse particles. Further, an outlet pipe protrudes into the casing through its top. The inlet port is located higher than the bottom end of the outlet port. An externally-driven vane wheel is provided under the outlet pipe in a concentric relationship with respect to the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Ihara, Akira Ganse, Hidemasa Ishikawa, Takashi Katsurazako
  • Patent number: 5201845
    Abstract: An air-oil separating arrangement in a gas turbine engine having a sump with a rotatable annular wall structure includes an annular section of the sump wall structure having a plurality of circumferentially spaced air metering orifices defined therein, and an air-oil separator having a circular plate attached to the annular section of the sump wall structure and rotatable therewith. The circular plate has a pair of opposite faces and a plurality of separator fins attached to and extending from one face of the plate. The separator fins are circumferentially spaced from one another and extend radially from the center of the plate and define spaces therebetween which are in flow communication with the orifices through the annular section of the sump wall structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Barry L. Allmon, Kevin B. Tongeman
  • Patent number: 5173022
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for pumping a two-phase gas/liquid mixture in an extraction well (11) whose initial gas percentage is greater than approximately 40% by volume, characterized in that it consists:in reducing the percentage of free gas to below 40% by the use of at least a first centrifugal separating module (3, 4);in cooling the drive motor by means of an annular flow of the mixture emerging from the first separating module (3, 4) around the motor (9), the proportion of gas in the said mixture having been brought down to below 40% in order to increase its heat capacity and its speed of passage around the motor;in reducing to below approximately 10% the percentage of gas by volume by the use of at least a second centrifugal separating module (14);in pumping the fluid thus obtained by means of a centrifugal pump (16) driven by the motor (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Societe Nationale Elf Aquitaine (Production)
    Inventor: Daniel Sango
  • Patent number: 5154743
    Abstract: A grease extractor includes a fan for forcibly flowing grease laden air to remove grease therefrom in cooperation with a membrane filter and a trap member. The grease extractor comprises a vessel with an inlet for introduction of the grease laden air and an outlet for discharging clear air removed of the grease. The membrane filter is disposed in a flow path between an inlet and an outlet of the extractor to seize the grease while passing the grease laden air therethrough. A trap member is disposed downstream of the membrane filter to deflect the air to cause collision of the grease laden air against the trap member to deposit the grease thereon. The trap member is formed with a recovery line for collecting and draining the deposit grease out of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Kuraco Limited
    Inventors: Takashi Takato, Toshihiro Higashino
  • Patent number: 5149345
    Abstract: Particles are concentrated in a peripheral gas stream of a contaminated gas flow along a deposition length (38) of a centrifuge chamber (2). The longitudinal advance of the peripheral gas stream is then stopped in a separation length (40) in which its pressure is kept high enough by rotating blades (24) rapidly to ensure that said stream escapes to the outside via a removal opening (32) while a purified inner gas stream continues to advance longitudinally. The invention is particularly applicable to purifying smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: GEC Alsthom SA
    Inventors: Christian Bouchard, Francois Brulez