With Movable Or Manipulable Means Controlling Escape Of Residue Patents (Class 55/432)
  • Patent number: 6149699
    Abstract: Rather than providing replaceable filter elements in fixed permanent housings which require replacement by plastic bagging techniques, easily disposable and incineratable filter modules are removed and replaced as integral units while providing complete protection against contaminants from filtered exhaust air from enclosures containing airborne or potentially airborne hazardous materials, such as biological safety cabinets, fume hoods, cages for contaminated animals, nuclear facilities, etc. The disposable filter modules are removable and replaceable by a technique in which the modules are maintained under negative pressure via a filtered vacuum source at all times while the module inlets and outlets are open. Sealing of the openings is by small sheets of polyethylene film, and no bagging such as in the known "bag in, bag out" technique is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: James I. Grantham
  • Patent number: 6099610
    Abstract: A central vacuum system particularly adapted to collect and dispose of hair from hair cutting and from pet grooming. The system includes an automatic arrangement for collecting and dumping accumulated hair or other material. A housing includes an inlet for receiving air and an air pump for expelling air from the housing, with filters between the inlet and air pump. A disposal opening is provided at the lower end of the housing for dumping accumulated material. A hinge is mounted on the housing adjacent to said disposal opening. A cover and extended arm are mounted on said hinge for rotation between a collection position with the cover over the disposal opening and an open position for dumping. A counterweight is mounted on the arm for maintaining the cover over the disposal opening when less than a predetermined weight of material rests on said cover within said housing and for allowing the cover to rotate away from the disposal opening when a greater weight of material is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventor: Willis Palmer
  • Patent number: 6099622
    Abstract: An agglomeration and precipitation assembly which includes an agglomeration device in combination with a precipitation device. The agglomeration device is intended to receive a turbulent gas stream containing fine suspended particles and to discharge the stream in which the major part of the fine particles have agglomerated in the form of larger particles. The precipitation device is provided downstream of the agglomeration device to receive the stream coming from the agglomeration device and to separate the larger particles from the gas stream. The fine particles can be separated from a turbulent gas stream by first agglomerating the fine particles in the form of larger particles, and then separating the larger particles by precipitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Francis A. L. Dullien
  • Patent number: 6071321
    Abstract: In a centrifugal separator for separating a liquid from a compressed gas, a baffle is provided to separate the centrifugal chamber into an upper sub-chamber and a lower sub-chamber but does not contact the walls of the chamber thereby being insufficient to prevent downward flow of separated liquid along the interior wall of the two sub-chambers, and insufficient to prevent flow of compressed gas from one sub-chamber to the other sub-chamber, the baffle nevertheless being sufficient to prevent turbulent gas flow in the lower sub-chamber when collected liquid is drained therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: Scott M. Trapp, Michael V. Kazakis, T. Kevin Castle
  • 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: 6007593
    Abstract: An agglomeration and precipitation assembly which includes an agglomeration device in combination with a precipitation device. The agglomeration device is intended to receive a turbulent gas stream containing fine suspended particles and to discharge the stream in which the major part of the fine particles have agglomerated in the form of larger particles. The precipitation device is provided downstream of the agglomeration device to receive the stream coming from the agglomeration device and to separate the larger particles from the gas stream. The fine particles can be separated from a turbulent gas stream by first agglomerating the fine particles in the form of larger particles, and then separating the larger particles by precipitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignees: Dullien, Francis A.L., Institut Francais Du Petrole
    Inventor: Francis A. L. Dullien
  • Patent number: 5879552
    Abstract: A self-purifying filter apparatus comprising (1) a filter having a first surface and a second surface; (2) flow control means, such as a vacuum pump, for causing a stream of fluid interspersed with solid particulates to pass from the first surface to the second surface through the filter, thereby removing some of the solid particulates from the first stream of fluid and depositing them on the first surface; and (3) a purging device, such as a small reservoir of water (potentially formed, in part, by water previously filtered by the filter), for causing a second stream of fluid to pass from the second surface to the first surface through the filter without substantially changing the position of the filter, thereby rinsing and removing from the first surface at least some of the solid particulates that were deposited there.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Michael T. Bradfield
  • Patent number: 5795360
    Abstract: A lamina/air separator for use atop apparatus for removing tobacco lamina from a lamina/stem mixture includes a horizontally disposed perforated cylindrical drum rotatively secured within a housing having sidewalls containing air exit ports adjacent the extremities of the drum. A sealing assembly interactive between each extremity of the drum and associated sidewall utilizes two flexed sealing strips to create a stagnant zone, bounded in part by the sidewall, that envelopes the extremity of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Mactavish Machine Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Sam Levy, James H. Lowe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5769911
    Abstract: A device for the removal of liquids and/or impurities from a gas includes a primary receiver which at an upper area thereof communicates with a space or conduit in which liquid or impurities containing gas is contained and in this primary receiver a secondary receiver that is cut off from the gas is provided, and in the space between both receivers a generally vertically extending connecting conduit is provided which at its bottom communicates with a lower area of the space between both receivers and at its upper end empties through a passage into the secondary receiver. A float controlled valve is provided in the secondary receiver which keeps an outlet normally closed, but which is openable by rising of the float under the influence of liquid in the secondary receiver to drain liquid from the secondary receiver. Impurities remain in the primary receiver from which they can be periodically removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Airpower, n.v.
    Inventor: Luc Van De Vijvere
  • Patent number: 5762666
    Abstract: A feeder-air lock provides a pair of slide gates, with the support for the slide gates and the mechanism for driving the slide gates located outside of the material passage, so as to provide a smooth, downwardly-sloping wall for directing the material downwardly without trapping or jamming material and so that the feeder-air lock provides a reliable mechanism which requires little maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventors: David L. Amrein, Ronda M. White, Donald Pulford, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5613992
    Abstract: A reverse flow air filter arrangement is provided. The arrangement includes a filter element having first and second end caps, the second end cap having a central drainage aperture. A funnel shape on an interior surface of second end cap is used to direct moisture flow to the drainage aperture. The arrangement includes a housing in which the filter element is positioned, operatively, during use. Certain features in the housing facilitate moisture withdrawal from the filter element while also inhibiting interference with sealing between the filter element and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald F. Engel
  • Patent number: 5588179
    Abstract: A flap of an elastomeric material is disposed over an outlet opening in a dust box within a main hopper of an industrial-type sweeper, the outlet opening providing communication between the dust box and the main hopper for emptying of the contents accumulated within the dust box. The flap is positioned over the outlet opening and is operative to provide selective communication between the dust box and the main hopper. During dirt and debris collection, such is accumulated within the dust box, while during emptying the dirt and debris are allowed to fall into the main hopper for egress through the hopper inlet. In one embodiment, the main hopper door controls the selective communication of a slotted flap through connection of one end of the flap to the hopper door. In another embodiment, air pressure regulates the opening and closing of the flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Clarke Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Bargiel, Jack L. Burgoon, Michael D. Combs
  • Patent number: 5397371
    Abstract: A charging apparatus for finely ground particulate materials such as drugs or vitamin concentrates to supplement animal feed and the like, enabling control of the materials, accounting of the particulate materials being dumped and inhibiting exposure of workers to the materials, comprising an integral assembly having a suction fan above the hopper into which the material is dumped through an inlet opening, and bag filters between the hopper and the suction fan, as well as between the inlet opening and the suction fan. These bag filters collect air-entrained material dust into a layer which is discharged into the hopper by a momentary reverse flow of air through venturi nozzles to reclaim the material. The contents to be dumped can be weighed accurately and dumped in a fashion meeting OSHA standards and FDA requirements. The unit preferably is on tracks movable from one bin to the next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Hough International, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard M. Hough
  • Patent number: 5362393
    Abstract: A pressure filter includes a pressure vessel having a pressure chamber and a circumferential edge; a turntable rotatably mounted within the pressure vessel about a horizontal axis; a plurality of filters non-rotatably mounted to the turntable and spaced apart from each other at the circumferential edge of the pressure vessel and rotatable around the horizontal axis through a center of the pressure vessel such that the plurality of the filters continuously dip into and out of a solid solution in a bottom of the pressure chamber. A blow-off station is positioned above the solid suspension in the pressure chamber for freeing filter cake that has dried on the plurality of filters. A filter cake conveyor conveys the blown-off filter cake through a pressure lock in the pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Karl Brieden Bau-Und Beteiligungs-KG
    Inventor: Ernst Kuhme
  • Patent number: 5273562
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for separating particulate solids from a transport gas, the apparatus comprising outlet and inlet ducting extending respectively away from one towards a storage housing within which separation of solids from the transport gas occurs. The storage housing is provided with an openable outlet for the particulate material, the outlet being positioned above the level of an open topped receptacle for receiving the particulate material when the storage housing is suitably mounted on its mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Technivac Limited
    Inventor: Patrick G. Sneehan
  • Patent number: 5254146
    Abstract: An improved means is provided for emptying dust and debris accumulated in the air filter box of a surface maintenance machine having vacuumized dust control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Beaufoy
  • Patent number: 5141541
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaning arrangement having a collecting tank in which a jack system is arranged about its periphery which is operative to lift and separate an upper portion of the tank from a lower portion of the tank and also to move the upper and lower portions into contact under pressure. A filter screen is positioned between the upper and lower portions. The filter screen comprises a screen formed of metal wires and a perforated metal plate. A U-shaped resilient seal or gasket is secured about the outer surface of the plate. The arrangement provides that when the upper portion is drawn into contact with the lower portion, the portions engage the gasket with sufficient pressure to form an air-tight seal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Abington, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Buckingham
  • Patent number: 5066315
    Abstract: A cyclone separator has a filter unit which is disposed inside a central outlet between an inlet chamber of the cyclone separator (for gas mixed with dust) and an outlet chamber thereof (for clean gas) connected to a suction source. A method is provided for cleaning such a cyclone separator by momentarily establishing a connection between the outlet chamber and the atmosphere. The communication between the inlet chamber and the suction source being maintained, to initiate a rapid pressure rise in the outlet chamber and thus a reverse gas flow through the filter unit. The outlet chamber of the cyclone separator has a valve controlled aperture for connecting the outlet chamber to the atmosphere, a closure member of the valve being biased to a closed position by existing pressure difference between the outlet chamber and the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Dustcontrol International AB
    Inventors: Johann Haberl, Gosta Lundqvist
  • Patent number: 5064454
    Abstract: Apparatus for the removal of asbestos or other matter from a gas stream in a conduit is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least two filter units installed in parallel to receive and filter the gas stream from the conduit, outlets for solid matter at the bottom of each filter unit, and first and second valves respectively on either side of each filter unit for isolating each filter unit for cleaning by compressed air jets when desired. Preferably, the apparatus includes a displacement chamber upstream of the filter units, with much of the asbestos being removed from the bottom thereof. The outlets at the bottom of each filter unit and the collecting and discharge area at the bottom of the displacement chamber are sealed from the surrounding environment, and the filtered solid matter is discharged into bags via at least one bagging unit sealed to the outlets and the discharge area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Inventor: James Pittman
  • Patent number: 5030259
    Abstract: A vehicle mounted vacuum cleaning system (20) includes a portable frame (23), a cyclone separator (51) mounted to the frame and a blower (111) for urging in the airstream to pass through the cyclone separator. Movable support arms (53, 54) are provided for supporting the cyclone separator and for moving it between a first position adjacent the portable frame and a second position extended laterally from the portable frame. Lifting track (141) and rail (142) are provided for moving the cyclone separator between raised and lowered positions. The vacuum cleaning system further includes a plurality of filter bags (76) mounted within a filter bag house (75) and air purge grids (81 and 82) for cleaning all of the filter bags simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Guzzler Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl R. Bryant, Jerry W. Richards, James N. Carnathan, William M. Franklin, Earnest N. Hutcheson, Elie A. Boukhier
  • Patent number: 5013343
    Abstract: In a dust collector, dust and waste materials such as wood chips and shavings are collected in its casing through a dust collecting duct by a dust collecting fan rotated by a motor. The dust and waste materials thus collected are compressed and extruded by an extruding screw which is rotated by the motor, whereby the dust and waste materials can be readily discarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Ryobi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kouichi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 5000767
    Abstract: A dust collector for removing entrained particles from an air stream that includes filter elements that are periodically cleaned, such as by a pulse jet, to remove the collected particles therefrom, which particles move downwardly to a hopper at the bottom of the dust collector. A container having a removable lid and a drum portion are disposed beneath the hopper to receive the collected dust particles for ultimate removal, and the lid is securely sealed to the drum portion of the container by an annular inflatable balloon-type seal that extends between a flange on the lid and the side wall of the drum, with the air used to operate the inflatable seal preferably being obtained from the existing pulse jet system for the dust collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Pneumafil Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen M. Sanders, Roger D. Williams
  • Patent number: 4960446
    Abstract: A dirt receptacle for a vacuum cleaner includes a rigid body for collecting dirt. The body includes an aperture formed in an upper surface thereof through which dirt may flow. One or more apertures are further formed in the sidewall of the rigid body with a filter disposed in each of the apertures through which air may be exhausted from the dirt receptacle. The rigid body further includes one or more air inlet valves that allow air to enter the dirt receptacle for automatic clean out thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt Werner, Leo G. Krieger, Wilbur C. Bewley, Ennis L. Tillman
  • Patent number: 4947903
    Abstract: A loose material recovery apparatus such as for recovering foam plastic packaging elements has an overhead bin for containing the material. The bin has a storage chamber for storing the material and an outlet from which the material in the bin is dispensed. A vacuum assembly above the storage chamber includes a container having a bottom door, an actuating member, and a motor. A storage compartment is defined within the container between the motor and the bottom door. The bottom door is mounted for movement between a closed position for retaining the material in the storage compartment and an open position allowing the material to fall from the compartment into the bin storage chamber. When the motor is energized movement is imparted to the actuating member to close the bottom door and create a vacuum in the storage compartment for drawing material to be recovered into the compartment through a suction hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Inventor: Robert H. Beckwith
  • Patent number: 4925467
    Abstract: The Self Emptying Vacuum Vessel is an apparatus for collecting and discharging solid and or liquid material. The system is used to transfer said material from an undesirable area to a more preferred location. The Self Emptying Vacuum Vessel comprises a containment vessel which collects said material by a vacuum means and a screw conveyor as a means for continuously expelling said material from said vessel. Continuous flow is insured into said vessel by a vacuum regulating means and out of same vessel by an anti-bridging means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Inventors: Roland H. Jordan, Mark R. Jordan
  • Patent number: 4917712
    Abstract: A compact pneumatic air filter system for filtering conditioned air laden with dust and reusable debris is disclosed, which has an initial filter stage for collecting reusable debris from air and separately storing it for reuse, and a secondary filter system for collecting remaining dust from air for disposal and re-releasing conditioned air to a work environment. The system utilizes alternating positive and negative air pressures to move debris and dirt to appropriate storage spaces within the system, and to move filtered air back into the work environment by migration through filter walls, thereby retaining the conditioned property of the filtered air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Crigler Enterprises
    Inventor: Benjamin R. Crigler
  • Patent number: 4891052
    Abstract: This invention pertains to a discharge restrictor secured to the lower end region of impingement members installed in the flue gas path of a circulating fluidized bed boiler. The discharge restrictor incorporates a pivotable baffle plate that prevents the flue gas from bypassing the impingement members yet allows the particles that are collected to gather in an adjacent storage hopper. The baffle plate is normally biased to block access to the storage hopper until a sufficient mass of particles collect on the baffle plate thereby overcoming this bias. In doing so, the plate temporarily pivots to the open position enabling the particles to advance towards the storage hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Felix Belin, David J. Walker
  • Patent number: 4885817
    Abstract: A road-cleaning vehicle has a pneumatic pickup head held against the road surface for collecting rubbish therefrom as a current of air is supplied from a blower. Carrying the collected rubbish, the air flows from the pickup head to a rubbish hopper in which the rubbish is deposited. Rid of the rubbish but still laden with dust particles, the air flows from the rubbish hopper to an air-dust separation chamber having a generally cylindrical shape, in which the dust is centrifugally separated from the carrier air as the latter spirals toward the blower. The air-dust separation chamber has a dust outlet open to an entrance end of a dust collection vessel generally sloping downwardly as it extends away from the air-dust separation chamber and terminating at an exit end open to the rubbish hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Assignee: Howa Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kozo Tanase
  • Patent number: 4885012
    Abstract: A rotary screen assembly for a pneumatic grain handling device is described which is comprised of a perforated cylindrical screen member rotatably driven by a propeller means which is placed in the airstream of the device. The screen assembly includes a cut-off plate positioned at the bottom inside surface of the screen member for interupting airflow through a portion of the screen member thereby creating a continuous cleaning action of the screen assembly. The screen assembly is particularly useful for preventing abrasive airborne particles from entering into and damaging the blower components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Inventor: Andy L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4878927
    Abstract: In the case of a filtering separator, the housing of which is divided by a perforated partition into a filter space and a pure gas space the filter space being supplied with unrefined gas, receiving filter elements which are to be cleansed by counterflow flushing and/or agitation, and having a bottom dust collector trough incorporating a dust extraction conveyor, the dust obtained being partly fed to the filter elements again with unrefined gas, the dust collector trough is provided in the area of its dust extraction conveyor with at least one opening leading to an unrefined gas guiding space which is situated at a lower level and connected to the filter space at the top or side, the lower section of which has disposed in it a loosener for the downwardly dropping dust, via which the incoming unrefined gas flows into the unrefined gas guiding space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Inventor: Adolf Margraf
  • Patent number: 4770681
    Abstract: A dust trap for flowing gases comprises an inlet conduit which terminates in a transverse wall for impact-type dust separation (i.e. inertial separation). A side entry port is positioned adjacent the transverse wall. The side entry port communicates with the circulation chamber defining an angled opposed wall in the opposite side of the chamber of the side entry port. The angled, opposed wall is substantially perpendicular to gas flow through the side entry port, to cause flowing gas from the side entry port to split vertically into swirling upward and downward flow patterns for further dust separation. The lower part of the circulation chamber is normally closed off from the exterior. The upper part of the circulation chamber communicates with an outlet conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Elgin Sweeper Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Hilger, Kevin L. Noe
  • Patent number: 4764191
    Abstract: An air filter for combustion engines used in motorized heavy equipment so structured as to be restored to full usage without replacement of the filter elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Inventor: Aldo Morelli
  • Patent number: 4753665
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with pneumatic apparatus for removing fibres, dust and threads from industrial processes, particularly in the textile industry. In an arrangement in which there is a plurality of collecting heads each associated with a part of a machine from which dust, fibres or threads are likely to be emitted, each of these collectors leads into a common duct which in turn leads to a suction fan and filter.The suction pressure (or any other physical characteristic of the air in the duct which relates to the suction pressure) is detected, and a signal from this detector is compared with a signal corresponding to a desired suction pressure and the output signal from the comparator used to control the speed of the driving motor for the suction fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Inventor: James Fahey
  • Patent number: 4749471
    Abstract: There is disclosed a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) apparatus and process comprising a reactor riser zone, primary and secondary cyclones, connected in series to the riser zone, and a stripping zone. The riser zone, the primary and the secondary cyclones, and the stripping zone, are placed within a single reactor vessel. The primary cyclone is connected to the reactor riser zone by an enclosed conduit which prevents random post-thermal cracking of the hydrocarbons after they exit the reactor riser zone. The secondary cyclone is also connected to the primary cyclone by an enclosed conduit. Any one or both of the enclosed conduits contain a trickle valve to accommodate sudden increased surges of pressure and of flow of the hydrocarbons and catalyst mixture. The reactor riser zone is equipped with an opening which allows stripping gases, from the stripping zone, to enter the riser. The gases are subsequently conducted through the primary and secondary cyclones to the downstream fractionation means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Y. Kam, Frederick J. Krambeck, Klaus W. Schatz
  • Patent number: 4735640
    Abstract: An air cleaner has a casing having an air inlet and an air outlet with an air filter therebetween. A sump with a drain hole is formed in the casing between the filter and outlet. A valve opens the drain hole to drain the sump in response to the collection of a predetermined amount of liquid thereabove in the sump collected from air passing from the filter to the outlet. And an air filter filters any air passing through the drain hole from outside the casing should the valve open while air is passing from the normal inlet to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: William F. Thornburgh, Ronald L. Strnad
  • Patent number: 4726813
    Abstract: Metallic particles entrained in the flow of steam being supplied by a steam generator to a steam turbine, the metallic particles being entrained in the flow of steam and at least in part having exfoliated from boiler pipes of the steam generator, are deflected from an axially directed steam flow path outwardly, toward the outer circumference of the path at which they are trapped and collected and thereby removed from the steam flow supply to the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1988
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Paul W. Viscovich
  • Patent number: 4704144
    Abstract: An air filtering apparatus is disclosed having a housing defining a chamber with an air inlet and an air outlet. A filter assembly is disposed within the housing and is provided with a first cylindrical filter element and a second cylindrical filter element received within the first element and coaxially aligned. The first filter element and second filter element are supported with opposing surfaces of said elements defining an annular chamber. One axial end of the annular chamber is fixedly sealed and the second end of the axial chamber is provided with a sealing plate connected to a diaphragm for sealing the chamber in response to a suction applied to the second filter element. An impact cleaning mechanism is provided for impacting the second filter element and cleansing it when the annular chamber is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. LeBlanc, Reynold F. Durre
  • Patent number: 4691407
    Abstract: Apparatus for recovering drilling mud and the like comprises a vacuum pump (12) applying vacuum to a vessel (10). A hose (14) and suction head (22) allow an operator to remove the mud into the vessel (10). When the vessel (10) is full, vacuum is cut off by ball valve (16). A pneumatic logic circuit (20) detects loss of vacuum and disables vacuum pump (12) for a predetermined time, allowing the contents of vessel (10) to be discharged via flap valve (18) (or by pumping--FIG. 3). Discharging is thus automatic, without operator intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Inventors: Alex Sloan, Lyall Rennie
  • Patent number: 4681609
    Abstract: Single and multiple porous media impingement type air filter elements are disposed in filter housings which provide access to the filter elements from top opening doors or plenums in the housing for service or repair of the elements. Housing sections defining the plenums are provided with mechanism to lift and swing the housing sections clear of the filter opening, and the housing sections are movable to relieve excess working pressure differentials across the filter element. In two embodiments the filter elements are each in sealing engagement with a shield which is also sealingly engaged with a top wall or door of the filter housing to minimize contamination of personnel servicing or replacing the filter elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Inventor: D. Franklin Howeth
  • Patent number: 4655806
    Abstract: A dust separator including a cylindrical housing that is separated by a pair of spaced apart tube sheets into an upper incoming air distributor, an intermediate tube compartment and a lower settling chamber. Large diameter air permeable filter tubes are suspended between the tubes to conduct airborne particles and dust captured inside the tubes into the settling chamber. A dirty air inlet is provided in the distributor while an air outlet connected to a blower is mounted in the lower part of the tube compartment. The blower draws air from the distributor through the tube walls so that the air is cleansed of airborne materials. A perforated control baffle is placed in front of the discharge opening to provide for a uniform and even flow of air through the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Griffin Environmental Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Bowersox
  • Patent number: 4654059
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing particulate solids from gaseous streams wherein a multi-sectional separator drum rotates at high speed within a casing, there being air seal means effectively sealing each of the sections from each other in the space between the casing and the rotating drum. Within each of the sections, the periphery of the drum is foraminous with an air flow space of diminished radius inwardly of the periphery through which the airstream is withdrawn in a generally axial direction, through fan blades which rotate with the drum, into an annular flow space between the foraminous periphery of the succeeding separator section of the drum and the casing. The dirty airstream is introduced tangentially to the drum in the direction of rotation thereof in the first separator section and proceeds through each succeeding separator section of the drum until it is discharged as a cleaned gas stream from the last of the separator sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Rotoclean Industrial Corporation
    Inventor: Laszlo Matyas
  • Patent number: 4637473
    Abstract: A fire suppression system including a housing for receiving particulate matter and defining an inlet opening and an outlet opening, an input duct connected to the inlet opening, an air mover for forcing air through the input duct into the housing and out of the outlet openings, and filter means disposed in the housing and sealed between the inlet opening and the outlet opening so as to remove in the housing the particulate matter entrained by air entering through the inlet opening. Also included are an inlet sensor providing an inlet output signal dependent on the inlet temperature of combined gas and particulate matter entering the housing through the inlet opening, an outlet sensor providing a discharge output signal dependent on the outlet temperature of air discharged through the outlet opening, and a difference circuit receiving the inlet and discharge output signals and providing a difference signal in response to a predetermined minimum difference therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: Kidde, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Gillis, Norval M. Jess
  • Patent number: 4624772
    Abstract: A fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) apparatus and process comprising a reactor riser zone, a primary and a secondary cyclones, connected in series to the riser zone, and a stripping zone. The riser zone, the primary and the secondary cyclones, and the stripping zone, are placed within a single reactor vessel. The primary cyclone is connected to the reactor riser zone by an enclosed conduit which prevents random post-riser thermal cracking of the hydrocarbons after they exit the reactor riser zone. The conduit contains a trickle valve, or other means, to accommodate sudden increased surges of flow of the hydrocarbons and catalyst mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick J. Krambeck, Klaus W. Schatz
  • Patent number: 4588558
    Abstract: A fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) apparatus comprising a reactor riser zone, primary and secondary cyclones, connected in series to the riser zone, and a stripping zone. The riser zone, the primary and the secondary cyclones, and the stripping zone, are placed within a single reactor vessel. The primary cyclone is connected to the reactor riser zone by an enclosed conduit which prevents random post-thermal cracking of the hydrocarbons after they exit the reactor riser zone. The secondary cyclone is also connected to the primary cyclone by an enclosed conduit. Any one or both of the enclosed conduits contain a trickle valve to accommodate sudden increased surges of pressure and of flow of the hydrocarbons and catalyst mixture. The reactor riser zone is equipped with an opening which allows stripping gases, from the stripping zone, to enter the riser. The gases are subsequently conducted through the primary and secondary cyclones to the downstream fractionation means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Y. Kam, Frederick J. Krambeck, Klaus W. Schatz
  • Patent number: 4581205
    Abstract: A fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process and apparatus containing a reactor riser zone and radially extending sidearms as the first catalyst-hydrocarbon product separation means. Hydrocarbon products separated in the sidearms are conducted through an enclosed passageway to a secondary separation means, such as a cyclone. The catalyst is also conducted through the enclosed passageway to a stripping apparatus, wherein entrained hydrocarbons are removed therefrom. The enclosed passageway contains a means for accommodating sudden surges of catalyst flow and increased pressure, e.g., a trickle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Klaus W. Schatz
  • Patent number: 4581050
    Abstract: A dust collector including two tubes which communicate through an interconnecting conduit. A first tube operates as a cyclone which separates a great fraction of dust or solid components from the incoming air and collects the same in a bag at the bottom of the tube. The second tube includes a filter unit composed of a coarser filter as well as a surrounding fine filter, the filter unit receiving the pre-purified air from the cyclone tube through the interconnecting conduit and separating the remaining dust particles therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Industriell Arbetshygien i Soderhamn AB
    Inventor: Anders Krantz
  • Patent number: 4579716
    Abstract: A fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) apparatus and process comprising a reactor riser zone, a primary and a secondary cyclones, connected in series to the riser zone, and a stripping zone. The riser zone, the primary and the secondary cyclones, and the stripping zone, are placed within a single reactor vessel. The primary cyclone is connected to the reactor riser zone by an enclosed conduit which prevents random post-riser thermal cracking of the hydrocarbons after they exit the reactor riser zone. The conduit contains a trickle valve, or other means, to accommodate sudden increased surges of flow of the hydrocarbons and catalyst mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick J. Krambeck, Klaus W. Schatz
  • Patent number: 4574420
    Abstract: A portable particle separator mounted on a frame with a collection chamber for particles and a vertical lifting unit having a pair of articulated parallel frame support elements hydraulically driven so that the collection chamber can be vertically moved to transfer particles to a dump truck. The particle separator includes a self-contained collection chamber with multiple inner chambers sealed by a common door. In an alternative embodiment, the portable particle separator includes a front floor conduit to pick up bulk particles and a front set of sweeper floor nozzles for small size particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: NFE International, Ltd.
    Inventor: George T. Dupre
  • Patent number: 4556541
    Abstract: An apparatus and method embodied in a TRC system for rapidly separating particulate solids from a mixed phase solids-gas stream which may be at velocities up to 150 ft./sec. and at high temperature. Specifically, the device is designed for incorporation at the discharge of solid-gas reacting TRC systems having low residence time requirements and carried out in tubular type reactors. Separation is effected by projecting solids by centrifugal force against a bed of solids as the gas phase makes a 180.degree. directional change, said solids changing direction only 90.degree. relative to the incoming stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: Stone & Webster Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Gartside, Herman N. Woebcke
  • Patent number: 4552573
    Abstract: A dust suppressor apparatus for use in discharging particulate or granular material, such as grain, which includes a housing defining an internal chamber and having an inlet opening in the upper region of the chamber and a discharge opening in the lower region of the chamber. A suppressor control gate is hingedly mounted on the housing and is biased to a position preventing discharge of material through the discharge opening until a predetermined quantity of particulate material acts on the control gate to overcome the biasing and open the control gate. The control gate and is operative to exert pressure on the particulate material discharging through the discharge opening so as to enable bulk discharge while preventing egress of dust ladened air through the discharge opening. Baffle plates are provided in the chamber to reduce grain velocity within the device. The baffle plates may be independently adjustable or may be automatically adjusted upon tilting of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Assignee: Cargill Incorporated
    Inventors: Bruce T. Weis, Nash N. Helmy, David E. Tweet, Bruce W. Moechnig