With Separated Nongaseous Material Conducting Or Treating Means Patents (Class 55/466)
  • Patent number: 7115156
    Abstract: A filter system for filtering intake air for a combustion engine, in particular an air filter for a commercial vehicle, having a tubular housing, an inlet situated in the housing through which unfiltered air to be cleaned can be supplied, an outlet situated in the housing through which cleaned air can be discharged, an arrangement of filters situated in the housing between the inlet and outlet which form a seal such that air from the inlet must flow through the filter arrangement to reach the outlet, the housing having an opening for replacement of the filter which can be closed and sealed by a housing cover, and in which at least one prefilter, one main filter and one secondary filter are situated in the housing in axial succession one after the other in the direction of air flow through the filter system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Jukka Schaerlund, Reinhard Oelpke
  • Patent number: 7115157
    Abstract: Novel gas separation apparatus and methods are provided that help reduce the amount of process gas lost through the discharge outlet of either a cyclone separating gas/solid mixtures or a hydroclone separating gas/liquid mixtures. Significant savings are realized by minimizing losses and neutralization costs. A cyclone or hydroclone is placed within a containment vessel that creates a contained atmosphere common to both the gas outlet and the discharge outlet of the cyclone or hydroclone. Process gas mixed with the solids or mixed with the liquids in the discharge underflow are displaced from the discharge underflow and contained within the containment vessel. The displacement of the process gas is facilitated by an introduction of a small amount of purge gas to the discharge underflow exiting the cyclone or hydroclone via the discharge outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Tronox, LLC
    Inventors: Harry Eugene Flynn, Robert O. Martin, Charles A. Nataile
  • Patent number: 7047593
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a main body having an electric blower for generating a suction air flow, a dirt collecting case for centrifugally separating and collecting dirt, and a compression assembly for compressing dirt collected in the dirt collecting case to reduce a volume thereof. The dirt collecting case has a separation chamber for centrifugally separating dirt from the dirt containing air and a dirt collecting chamber in communication with the separation chamber for accumulating the dirt separated by the separation chamber. The compression assembly has a first air intake member provided in the separation chamber and communicating with the electric blower, a second air intake member provided in the dirt collecting chamber and communicating with the electric blower, a shielding plate for selectively opening the first and the second air intake member and an actuator for driving the shielding plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electrical Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidenori Kitamura, Saburo Kajikawa, Masakazu Onda, Seiji Ishikawa, Yasunori Tsuzaki, Masashi Okushima, Tetsuharu Nomachi, Koji Yamamura, Hirokazu Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 7048784
    Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment method including: (A) a step of treating exhaust gas from cement manufacturing equipment by using a dust collector 9 to collect dust containing chlorinated organic compounds, and discharging the exhaust gas after the treatment by the dust collector 9, and (B) a step of charging all or part of the dust collected by the dust collector 9 into a place (e.g. a rotary kiln 5, a pre-calciner 6, and a cyclone 4d) having a temperature of at least 800° C. inside the cement manufacturing equipment. The remainder of the dust from step (B) maybe charged into a place (e.g. a raw material supply passage 3) having a temperature below 800° C. inside the cement manufacturing equipment, provided the amount of the remainder to be charged is smaller than a certain amount. Chlorinated organic compounds such as dioxins in the exhaust gas can be decomposed efficiently to be made harmless, merely by including simple and low-cost means (e.g. a dust feeding means 12, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Taiheiyo Cement Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Terasaki, Yasuhiro Uchiyama, Osamu Yamaguchi, Harutoshi Kidachi, Masafumi Nakazaki, Kouji Kondou
  • Patent number: 7044999
    Abstract: An oil separator usable with a welder and air compressor combination unit. The oil separator includes a cylindrical housing having an inlet that receives the stream of compressed air containing oil from the air compressor. Within the oil separator, there is a deflector baffle that redirects the flow of the oil to a swirling, downwardly directed path along the inner surface of the cylindrical housing where the air is separated out therefrom and passes upwardly to exit through a fluid outlet formed in the cover of the separator. The swirling oil flows downwardly through an annular slot formed between a circular plate and the inner surface of the cylindrical housing into a lower chamber where the oil is channeled by radially directed baffles into radial channels to redirect that oil toward an oil outlet at the center of the circular bottom where that oil exits to be re-circulated in the combination unit or for disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tools Works Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert A. Bankstahl, Joseph Gitter
  • Patent number: 7001448
    Abstract: A system for separating an entrained liquid component from a gas stream employing at least one vortex tube having a liquid outlet end and a wet gas inlet tangential to its sidewall and arranged so that wet gas rotates within the vortex tube to cause the liquid components to be forced against the interior wall surface by centrifugal action. An orifice plate closes the vortex tube first end and has a concentric gas outlet opening therein. A vortex finder tube extends concentrically within the vortex tube providing an annular area between itself and the vortex tube internal wall. A gas deflector is positioned within the annular area and has a downwardly spiraled surface that diverts wet gas downwardly away from the wet gas inlet. In one embodiment, an outlet tube is affixed to the orifice plate central opening and is configured to divert outlet gas downwardly. In another embodiment, an energy absorbing housing surrounds the vortex tube liquid outlet end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: National Tank Company
    Inventor: Hugh M. West
  • Patent number: 6997973
    Abstract: Cyclone separator for separating wood pieces and gas that includes a deagglomerator mechanism that prevents wood piece masses, clumps, wads and the like from plugging or clogging up the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Huber Engineered Woods LLC
    Inventor: David P. Kilgore
  • Patent number: 6994743
    Abstract: A two stage air purification system is provided for the removal of airborne impurities from an airflow prior to the airflow entering a building's ductwork. In particular, a primary air filter is mounted within the hood of, for example, a cooking area and operable to receive grease-laden air and remove a portion of the impurities. The air is then sent to a secondary filter, also mounted within the hood, that removes additional impurities. The air is then sent through the building's ductwork and eventually out the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Greenheck Fan Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle A. Brownell, Scott W. Mathews, Alan Lorenz Breitenfeldt, Emery W. Neitzel
  • Patent number: 6936092
    Abstract: Methods for moving drilled cuttings, the methods, in certain aspects, including conveying with air under positive pressure, drilled cuttings to flow conduit apparatus; applying air under positive pressure to the flow conduit apparatus to continuously move the drilled cuttings material therethrough; continuously moving the drilled cuttings material with the air under pressure to separation apparatus; with the separation apparatus continuously separating drilled cuttings from air; wherein, in certain aspects, the drilled cuttings are included in a low density slurry with drilling fluid, drilling mud, and/or oil and wherein, in certain aspects, the separation apparatus is a cyclone separator and the drilled cuttings moved into the cyclone separator are wet; and systems for effecting such methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Varco I/P, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Seyffert, William Christian Herben, James Michael McIntosh
  • Patent number: 6926824
    Abstract: A purifier with molecular-rearranging device mainly includes a hollow tubular holder, a tubular molecular-rearranging device positioned in the tubular holder, a tubular isolating layer positioned in a bore of the tubular molecular-rearranging device, and two caps respectively having a through hole closed to two ends of the tubular holder. The purifier may be put around an exhaust pipe or a pipe for transferring liquid, so that a radiated magnetic field is produced by magnetic lines of the molecular-rearranging device and earth poles to magnetize and rearrange molecules of exhaust or liquid flown through the pipe, making the exhaust or liquid filtered and purified to reduce air and water pollution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: Jen-Chieh Wang
  • Patent number: 6878178
    Abstract: A connecting line is provided for removing water entering an air filter housing, between the air filter housing and a cooling unit. Due to the existing difference in pressure between the air filter housing and the cooling unit, water can be suctioned out of the air filter housing via the connecting line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Heinz Schulze, Eberhard Storz
  • Patent number: 6852148
    Abstract: An arrangement for separating a hydrophobic liquid phase from a gaseous stream includes a coalescer filter, a housing, a gas flow direction arrangement, and a liquid collection arrangement. The coalescer filter includes a non-woven media of fibers. The housing includes an interior having a gas flow inlet and a gas flow outlet. The liquid collection arrangement is positioned within the housing construction and is oriented for receiving liquid collected from the coalescer filter and drained therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven S. Gieseke, Robert A Dushek, Carolyn J. Finnerty
  • Patent number: 6843391
    Abstract: A gas reclamation system for use in a beverage dispensing system. The system includes a valve for releasable connection to a used beverage container containing a pressurized gas, the valve allowing release of gas from the container. A filter for removal of particulate matter from the gas and a sterilizer for removal of bacteria from the gas are also provided, together with a compressor to re-pressurize the filtered and sterilized gas for supply to the beverage dispensing system. The system may be used for carbon dioxide recovery from beverage containers, reducing the consumption of carbon dioxide from beverage dispensing systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Stanwell Technic Limited
    Inventor: Glyn Jones
  • Patent number: 6797041
    Abstract: A two stage air purification system is provided for the removal of airborne impurities from an airflow prior to the airflow entering a building's ductwork. In particular, a primary air filter is mounted within the hood of, for example, a cooking area and operable to receive grease-laden air and remove a portion of the impurities. The air is then sent to a secondary filter, also mounted within the hood, that removes additional impurities. The air is then sent through the building's ductwork and eventually out the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Greenheck Fan Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle A. Brownell, Scott W. Mathews, Alan Lorenz Breitenfeldt, Emery W. Neltzel
  • Patent number: 6773492
    Abstract: A system for separating an entrained liquid component from a gas stream employing at least one vortex tube having a liquid outlet end and a wet gas inlet tangential to its sidewall and arranged so that wet gas rotates within the vortex tube to cause the liquid components to be forced against the interior wall surface by centrifugal action. An orifice plate closing the vortex tube first end has a concentric gas outlet opening therein. A vortex finder tube extends concentrically within the vortex tube providing an annular area between itself and the vortex tube internal wall. A gas deflector positioned within the annular area has a downwardly spiraled surface that diverts wet gas downwardly away from the wet gas inlet. In one embodiment, an outlet tube is affixed to the orifice plate central opening and is configured to divert outlet gas downwardly. In another embodiment, an energy absorbing housing surrounds the vortex tube liquid outlet end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: National Tank Company
    Inventor: Hugh M. West
  • Publication number: 20040139711
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dust collector with an inbuilt cyclonic water filter, which comprises a dust collecting unit, a water filter and a fan. Said dust collector further comprises an incoming air passage and an outgoing air passage. The outlet of said incoming air passage is connected to the inlet of said water filter, the outlet of said water filter opens into the inlet of said outgoing air passage, said incoming and outgoing air passages are separate from each other. With a water filter inbuilt, the dust-containing air enters the dust collecting unit via the incoming air passage at a tangent. The air flow in the dust collecting unit is whirled downwards into the water of the water filter. The dust contained in the air is wet and left in the water, while the purified air is discharged out of the dust collector. The dust collector of the present invention has good working effect. Besides, the air discharged is clean, no pollution is caused, which will be good for environment protection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventor: Donglei Wang
  • Patent number: 6752857
    Abstract: A system for removing substantially all particular material from an air flow through a passage provides the air flow passage with an area of enlarged circumference containing a coaxial mounted cyclone fan and stationary vanes. The cyclone fan includes a motor driving a cage provided with a plurality of vanes. The stationary vanes are shaped similar to like vanes on the cyclone fan, but are turned in the reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Air Engineers, Inc.
    Inventor: Gaylon W. Birdwell
  • Patent number: 6752858
    Abstract: A novel air knife. The novel air knife is circumferential. That is, the novel air knife injects a gas stream along the inside walls of the air knife. The air knife can be advantageously placed at or near the entrance to a suspension vessel to reduce buildup of solid materials transported to the suspension vessel. The gas stream is injected at a rate sufficient to reduce the buildup of solid materials on the walls of the air knife (and thus at the entrance to the suspension vessel). The air circumferential air knife is particularly useful in a TiCl4 production process for reducing buildup of hygroscopic cyclone dust at the entrance to a suspension vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Kerr-McGee Chemical, LLC
    Inventors: Harry Eugene Flynn, Joe Bert Maker, Leslie E. Crowder, Johnny B. Perkins
  • Patent number: 6616719
    Abstract: An air-liquid separating method and apparatus for compressed air. The high pressure air output from an air compressor is transferred through a transfer tube to pass through the cooling tube of a cooling tank. The cooling tube has a diameter larger than that of the transfer tube so that the high pressure air goes from a smaller room into a larger room and the pressure is relieved. The temperature of the high pressure air is lowered due to relief of the pressure and the pressure of the vapor is, approximately the saturated vapor pressure. The cooled high pressure air is further transferred to an air-liquid separating tank. The temperature of the air is lowered to the dew point due to further relief of pressure. At this time, the vapor contained in the high pressure air is condensed into liquid water which drops onto the bottom of the air-liquid separating tank and separates from the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventors: Yung Yung Sun, Chuan Ching Cheng
  • Patent number: 6576029
    Abstract: A system for separating an entrained immiscible liquid component from a gas stream employing a vessel having a wet gas inlet, a gas outlet and a liquid outlet. At least one vortex tube is supported within the vessel and has a liquid outlet end and a wet gas inlet tangential to its sidewall and arranged so that wet gas rotates within the vortex tube to cause the liquid components to be forced against the interior wall surface by centrifugal action. An orifice plate closes the vortex tube first end and has a concentric gas outlet opening therein. A vortex finder tube is affixed to the orifice plate in communication with the gas outlet opening and extends concentrically within the vortex tube, the vortex finder tube providing an annular area between itself and the vortex tube internal wall. A gas deflector positioned within the annular area, the gas deflector having a downwardly spiraled surface that diverts wet gas downwardly away from the wet gas inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: National Tank Company
    Inventor: Hugh M. West
  • Patent number: 6540802
    Abstract: The invention relates to an intake system for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle for separating entrained water droplets. The intake system has an untreated air intake (10), an untreated air pipe (11) connected to said untreated air intake (10), and a water separator (12) adjoining said untreated air pipe (11). Inside the untreated air pipe (11) a swirl is produced to cause the aspirated air to rotate inside the untreated air pipe (11). The untreated air pipe (11) communicates with the internal combustion engine. The water separator (12) has an inner pipe (13) and an outer pipe (14), which are arranged coaxially to one another. The inner pipe (13) protrudes into the outer pipe (14), which is provided with a water outlet (20). Due to the coaxial construction of the water separator (12), the intake air flows into the downstream components without being diverted, so that no appreciable pressure losses are caused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Pius Trautmann, Andreas Weber
  • Patent number: 6524373
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting water droplets from a water-laden airstream includes introducing the airstream into an extractor duct, imparting a swirling motion to the airstream at a first axial location in the duct, removing water droplets from the airstream that have been thrown to the inner surface of the duct at a second axial location downstream of the first location, and at a third axial location downstream of the second location removing water droplets not removed at the second location. The water removal mechanism at the second location includes a first collection chamber and a first array of apertures circumferentially positioned about the duct and communicating the interior of the duct with the first collection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: George N. Afeiche, Michael B. Faust
  • Patent number: 6475267
    Abstract: A system for removing gas from a stream of a mixture of gas and particulate solids. The system includes a separation vessel having an upstream end portion and a downstream cowl portion, the upstream end portion having an inlet for introducing the stream tangentially into the vessel to separate centrifugally from the stream (i) a rich portion, comprising a solids-rich mixture, proceeding along a helical path at an outer annular portion of the separation vessel to the cowl portion, and (ii) a lean portion, comprising a solids-lean mixture, proceeding along a helical path at an inner portion of the separation vessel to the cowl section, multiple helical ports through which the rich portion proceeds axially through the cowl section, without significantly losing its momentum, to be discharged axially from the separation vessel, and multiple passages between the helical ports through which the lean portion proceeds radially outwards to be discharged from the separation vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher S. Lehn
  • Patent number: 6454825
    Abstract: An exhaust baffle filter comprising a frame, a plurality of overlapping upper and lower channels extending between the sides of the frame, and at least one trough at the end of the lower channels. Each upper channel has a ceiling and downwardly-extending walls. Each lower channel has a floor and upwardly-extending walls that vertically overlap the upper channel. The trough has a floor at or below the lower channel floors that is sealed to prevent leakage by liquids. Openings in the lower channel floors allow the grease in the lower channels to drain into the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Inventors: Alex Cheimets, Stefano Fioriti
  • Patent number: 6444015
    Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention for treating a gas containing a substance to be decomposed comprises an adsorption unit equipped with an adsorbent for adsorbing the substance to be decomposed, a steam introduction unit for bringing steam into contact with the adsorbent, a condensation unit for obtaining a condensed liquid containing the substance to be decomposed from the steam containing the substance, a reaction tank, a condensed liquid supply unit for supplying the condensed liquid to the reaction tank, a hypochlorous acid supply unit for supplying a solution containing hypochlorous acid to the reaction tank, and a light irradiation unit for irradiating the reaction tank with light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kinya Kato
  • Patent number: 6428591
    Abstract: A pressurized cyclone for separating solid material from a fluid flow in which the solid material is entrained in a gaseous fluid maintained in an elevated pressure. The cyclone includes a housing having upper and lower ends and defining a longitudinal axis. An agitator assembly is positioned within the housing proximate the lower end, and includes a plurality of radially extending agitator members supported for rotation about the longitudinal axis. A plurality of radially extending anti-rotation members are removably supported within the side wall, wherein the plurality of anti-rotation members are axially spaced relative to the plurality of agitator members. A motor is operably connected to the agitator members for rotating the agitator members about the longitudinal axis whereby the agitator members move relative to the anti-rotation members for agitating the solid material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Fluid-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Wesley Bouchillon, Andrew Franko, John Anthony McBlane
  • Patent number: 6402799
    Abstract: A compact vortex-stream gas-liquid separator, and a gas-liquid separation system employing it, offers high gas-liquid separation performance with minimal pressure loss. A substantially cylindrical casing (10) is arranged with its axis lying horizontally. The casing has a fluid passage (1) formed therein, has a fluid inlet (2) provided at one end, and has a gas outlet (3) and a liquid outlet (4) provided at the other end so as to constitute as a whole a vortex-stream gas-liquid separator (9). The fluid inlet is arranged along a line tangential to the casing so that the gas-liquid two-phase fluid passes through the fluid passage in the form of a vortex stream. The gas outlet is arranged so as to be coaxial with the casing. This vortex-stream gas-liquid separator and the gas-liquid separation system (30) employing it are used in a clothes dryer or air conditioner to remove water droplets from air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumio Kokubo, Ryo Inoshiri, Akira Takushima
  • Patent number: 6368387
    Abstract: A device for recovering powder in an installation for spraying pulverulent coating product. The device includes: at least one cyclone for separating the powder recovered in the installation and its conveying air, and a sieve associated with the or each cyclone. The device further includes a perforated plate disposed on the path of the recovered powder, between the cyclone and the sieve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Sames Technologies
    Inventors: Thierry Buquet, Stéphane Bonal, Michel Fossacera, Daniel Belmain
  • Patent number: 6325834
    Abstract: A filter assembly useful in collecting the particulate matter from a diesel engine onto surfaces on which the combustion vapors are condensed, and thereafter exposing the exhaust stream to catalytic reaction, is defined by a split cavity in which a row of kinematic filter discs is received. The filter discs are stacked in the assembly in a progressively finer opening size, each filter disc making an intimate contact with the assembly housing for cooling. In this manner condensation onto the discs is promoted to provide a liquid bed on which the particulate matter is trapped. The exhaust flow then passes through a coiled, corrugated catalyst surface for further reaction. A set of spring loaded bypass conduits is provided to allow diesel operation at such times when the filter plates and the catalytic coiled surface are clogged. The filter plates and the coiled catalyst strip can then be periodically removed and cleaned, for continued operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Inventors: Roberto Fonseca, Rufino A. Paje
  • Patent number: 6322602
    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: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Francis Engel, Dolan Bartels, John Hacker, Bruce Crenshaw, Don Harold
  • Patent number: 6290738
    Abstract: An inertial gas-liquid separator includes a housing having an inlet for receiving a gas-liquid stream, and an outlet for discharging a gas stream. Nozzle structure in the housing has a plurality of nozzles receiving the gas-liquid stream from the inlet and accelerating the gas-liquid stream through the nozzles. An inertial collector in the housing in the path of the accelerated gas-liquid stream causes a sharp directional change thereof and in preferred form has a rough porous collection surface causing liquid particle separation from the gas-liquid stream of smaller size liquid particles than a smooth non-porous impactor impingement surface and without the sharp cut-off size of the latter, to improve over all separation efficiency including for smaller liquid particles. Various housing configurations and geometries are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Nelson Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher E. Holm
  • Patent number: 6171379
    Abstract: The separator is of a type comprising at least one inclined deflecting surface mounted within a fluid flowing path so that water droplets contained in the flow of fluid are separated from the fluid when the fluid is deflected by the deflecting surface. The deflecting surfaces comprise collecting recesses for water that has been separated, which recesses are connected to an under-pressure space in which is maintained an under-pressure with respect to the pressure prevailing in the fluid flowing path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Societe d'Etudes et de Constructions Aero-Navales
    Inventor: Andre Charles Rolland
  • Patent number: 6152978
    Abstract: A filter assembly for removing soot from gas from an engine includes a housing and a filter disposed in the housing. The housing includes a housing body and a cover disposed on the housing body. The housing body has an inlet connection to a gas line of an engine and an outlet. The cover is removable from the housing body without breaking fluid lines to the inlet or the outlet. In one embodiment, a soot filter for removing soot particles from bleed gas from a engine includes a sintered fiber metal medium having a voids volume of about 50% to about 95% and including metal fibers having a diameter about 20 microns to about 100 microns and a nominal length of at least about 100 microns, the sintered fiber metal medium having an upstream surface communicating with bleed gas containing soot particles, a downstream surface communicating with filtered bleed gas, and a bore extending through the sintered fiber metal medium between the upstream surface and the downstream surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph E. Lundquist
  • Patent number: 6148844
    Abstract: A condensate removal device for removal of condensate from a fluid system. The device includes a body adapted for connection to the fluid system, the body having an inflow opening and an outflow opening. A trap between the inflow opening and the outflow opening restricts flow of fluid to permit the passage of liquid condensate but to inhibit the passage of gas. The trap includes a fixed passageway extending through the trap constructed for continuous fluid communication between the inflow opening and the outflow opening through the trap. A variable passageway extends through the trap, the variable passageway being constructed to selectively permit fluid communication between the inflow opening and outflow opening through the variable passageway in correspondence with the amount of liquid condensate in the fluid system. The device may include a labyrinth path to trap steam and pass condensate and be constructed to promote heat transfer and condensation of steam within the trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Steam Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: E. Michael Stamatakis
  • Patent number: 6132600
    Abstract: A materials treatment system which initially separates liquid and solid components with a separator. The system can be advantageously utilized for household sewage handling, however various components have other applications. Once the separator separates the solids and liquids, a fire tube combusts the solids with microwaves. The liquids exiting the separator are treated in a liquid treatment system which includes additional particle filtration/separation, treatment of the liquids with an oxidant liquid, and an ultraviolet treatment. An advantageous microwave cavity assembly is also provided for dehydration/combustion of solids exiting the separator and/or for solids filtered from liquids in the liquid treatment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Wastech International, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy Marchesseault, John M. Rummler, Heinz Sauk-Schubert, Thomas Beal
  • Patent number: 6102976
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifier which can efficiently eliminate particulate matter discharged from an engine, and which has a long life. The purifier is attached to a discharge passage of an engine, and includes a filter constituted by a plurality of cylindrical filter elements each formed of porous metal. The filter elements are different in diameter from each other, and disposed concentrically and assembled radially apart from each other through a space. The filter has an exhaust gas inlet passage side end and an exhaust gas outlet passage side end, the exhaust gas inlet side end being closed, by a shielding plate, up to the cylindrical filter element of the largest outer diameter, and the exhaust gas outlet passage side end being closed at a portion between an outer circumferential case and the cylindrical filter element of the smallest outer diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masataka Oji, Hidetoshi Saito, Shiro Nakajima, Satoru Okamoto
  • Patent number: 6080228
    Abstract: A gas transfer pipe arrangement includes a pipe in which gas containing droplets flows. A droplet separation unit is provided in the pipe for separating the droplets from the gas. A liquid collecting unit is annularly provided on the inner periphery of the pipe at a position downstream of the droplet separation unit for collecting a liquid from the droplets separated by the droplet separation unit. A liquid discharging mechanism is provided at a lower side of the pipe for discharging the liquid collected by the liquid collecting unit to the exterior of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: JGC Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Okada, Yasuo Suzuki, Syoichi Yamada, Kenji Tamura
  • Patent number: 6051054
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating dust from hot process gases. The process gases are passed via a gas inlet duct through a dust separator, in which dust is separated from the process gases, part of the separated dust being conducted to a device for agglomeration of the dust. Subsequently, part of the separated dust is recirculated by being introduced into the process gases in the gas inlet duct. Liquid is added to the dust in the agglomeration device in such an amount that the relative humidity in the process gases cleaned in the dust separator is higher than 30%, preferably 40-60%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: ABB Flakt AB
    Inventor: Stefan .ANG.hman
  • 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: 5989321
    Abstract: A condensate separator for a portable (smoke) gas analyzer has a separating chamber formed inside a housing through which exhaust gasses pass. A condensate-collecting chamber is provided in hydraulic communication with the separating chamber and is at least partially filled with liquid absorbent material. The condensate removed from the exhaust gas is collected by the liquid absorbent material and wicked up through capillary action. Liquid is removed from the liquid absorbent material by a mechanical pump without requiring that the gas analyzer be stopped to drain out the condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Testo GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Jurgen Senn
  • Patent number: 5948128
    Abstract: A device for draining condensate from a steam system while substantially eliminating the passage of steam. The device has flanged inlet and outlet ends and includes a unitary Y-shaped body defining a fluid flow conduit, a filter device disposed within the Y-shaped body, and flanged inlet and outlet body ends configured for corresponding bolted connection with the flanged inlet and outlet ends of the steam system. The device also has an insert housing removably connected within the Y-shaped body and abutting the flanged outlet end of the steam system, and a nozzle structure removably positioned within the insert housing and having a constricted passageway in fluid communication with the fluid flow conduit. The insert housing can only be removed from the Y-shaped body by first disconnecting the Y-shaped body from the steam system, providing added safety for steam system operators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Engineering Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Panos N. Stavropoulos, Paul E. DiNardo
  • Patent number: 5938804
    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: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Francis Engel, Dolan Bartels, John Hacker, Bruce Crenshaw, Don Harold, deceased, by Shirley A. Harold, legal representative
  • Patent number: 5922094
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically removing water from a digester system includes a sediment trap attached to a drain system wherein gas, water and sediment enter the sediment trap by way of gas lines, water and sediment are separated from the gas and settle within the sediment trap while the gas is expelled from the sediment trap, and wherein the gas pressure and weight of the water column within the sediment trap are balanced against a water column within a water outlet line to form a water seal to prevent gas from escaping into the atmosphere while simultaneously expelling excess water accumulating in the sediment trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: Darrell Richards
  • Patent number: 5918576
    Abstract: An air cleaner for an engine of the type utilized to power a motorcycle comprises a housing having an air inlet and air outlet, and an interior divided into first and second chambers. The outlet is connected to an air passage leading to the engine. The first chamber communicates with air outside of the housing though air inlet apertures. Air drawn into the first chamber is routed through a duct to the second chamber. The second chamber communicates with the outlet through a passage extending from the second chamber through the first chamber. An air filter element is positioned within the second chamber about the entrance to the passage extending to the air outlet. The air cleaner is mounted to the engine of the motorcycle with the air inlet facing the engine. The outlet of the air cleaner is connected to an air passage leading to the combustion chambers of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisahiro Ohoka, Masato Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5900159
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for separating liquid from a slurry of solid particles and liquid contained in a vessel in the presence of a gas, which comprises degasifying the slurry and passing the degasified slurry through a cross-flow filter, and separating the degasified slurry into the liquid and a concentrated slurry. The present invention further relates to a process for the preparation of heavy hydrocarbons, which process comprises contacting a synthesis gas in a reactor vessel with a slurry of solid catalyst particles and a liquid, thereby producing heavy hydrocarbons, and separating the liquid containing heavy hydrocarbons from the slurry by the said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Dirk Coenraad Engel, Geert Van Der Honing
  • Patent number: 5890510
    Abstract: A retrofit kit replaces the thermostatic element in a radiator steam trap having a hollow body with a horizontal side steam inlet, a vertical bottom condensate outlet, and a top cover. The retrofit kit contains an insert with a restricted passageway that rests in and over the condensate outlet, a cylindrical spring for blocking the flow of particles into the restricted passageway of the insert, and a compression coil spring for holding the insert and screen in position. The restricted passageway in the insert contains a plurality of horizontal radial inlets in the upper portion of the insert that communicate with a vertical conduit extending downward through the insert, the vertical conduit having an opening at the bottom, but not at the top, of the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Condensate Return Specialists, Inc.
    Inventor: Lloyd R. Mason
  • Patent number: 5884654
    Abstract: A condensate discharge device which prevents metal ions from attaching and depositing on the condensate discharge port surface. An inlet, a condensate discharge port, and an outlet are formed in a valve casing, which valve casing includes an upper casing and a lower casing. A valve seat member having a discharge passage is screwed into the lower casing. The discharge passage includes a first orifice having a smaller opening area than the condensate discharge port, and a second orifice having a smaller opening area than the first orifice. A movable member is mounted through the second orifice. On end of the movable member rests on one side of the second orifice, and another end is located on the other side of the second orifice. Condensate flows slowly through the condensate discharge port, preventing metal ions from attaching there, and flows rapidly through the second orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: TLV Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadashi Oike
  • Patent number: 5853579
    Abstract: A treatment system is provided which can treat solid materials and/or liquid materials. Preferably, a separator initially separates liquid and solid materials, and the solid materials are deposited upon a substrate within a microwave cavity. Liquids remaining with the solid materials drain through the substrate, and the solid materials are subjected to microwaves. The liquids exiting the separator are preferably also passed through a filter assembly which retains any suspended particles remaining in the liquid, and subjects the particles to microwaves. Exhaust filters can also be provided for the microwave cavities, and the exhaust filters can also be subject to microwaves to incinerate any particles remaining in the exhaust gas. Fire tube arrangements for incinerating solid materials retained or extracted by substrates or filters are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Wastech International Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Rummler, Thomas R. Beal, Guy D. Marchesseault
  • Patent number: 5809777
    Abstract: In this DPF apparatus, the filters have large trapping areas and three-dimensionally and efficiently trap particulates contained in the exhaust gas thereby cleaning the gas and reducing the size of the apparatus. The DPF apparatus has the main filter installed in the case incorporated into the exhaust system, the sub-filter arranged in the central portion of the main filter, and the bypass cylinder interposed between these filters. The bypass valve is installed on the exhaust gas inflow side of the sub-filter to open and close the inflow port of the sub-filter. The main filter and the sub-filter are made from ceramics porous sheet filters, or comprise a nonwoven cloth made of silicon carbide fibers and a woven cloth made of ceramics long fibers chosen from Si-C and Si-C-Ti-O long fibers and arranged adjacent to and downstream of the nonwoven cloth. The mesh heaters are laminated over the main filter on the exhaust gas inflow side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Isuzu Ceramics Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Kawamura
  • Patent number: 5779744
    Abstract: An air/liquid separator is provided in a hollow, preferably transparent, removable lid on a recovery tank of a wet pickup suction cleaner. The lid has a wall therein dividing the lid into an inlet/separating chamber and an exit chamber. Liquid and dirt entrained working air enters the inlet chamber and flows horizontally across the inlet chamber over a plurality of discharge openings passing through the lid bottom plate, such that the stream of dirty liquid and air is redirected downward through the discharge openings into the recovery tank. The plurality of discharge openings in the lid bottom plate are arranged generally progressively along the stream of liquid and air entering and flowing across the inlet chamber. The discharge openings preferably increase in size moving downstream in the inlet chamber, i.e. away from the entry into the inlet chamber. The exit chamber fluidly communicates with the interior of the recovery tank through an exit opening passing through the lid bottom plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: David G. Mueller, Erik D. Lesco