Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating material transported by air is disclosed which includes a separator casing having a tangential inlet adapted to receive a stream of air and entrained material and a plurality of exits. One of the exits of the disclosed separator is a material discharge exit which, like the inlet is peripherally attached to the casing. There are also two separate air exits including a first air exhaust conduit peripherally attached to the casing proximate the inlet and a second air exhaust conduit centrally disposed within the interior of the casing. Operatively associated with each of the air exits is a separator means, such as a perforated surface or screen, which removes or separates the entrained material from the air.

Abstract: A method of removing particulates from a gas stream involves introducing the gas stream in a turbulent flow condition into and through a flow passage situated over spaced surfaces defining a plurality of stagnant, turbulent-free regions of gas in which there is no net gas flow and which communicate with said gas stream and arranging the stagnant regions near the flow passage so that turbulent eddies of said gas stream carrying suspended particulates penetrate spaces between the surfaces and then decay in said stagnant regions defined therebetween where said particulates are trapped and deposited mechanically on said surfaces within each of said regions. The deposits accumulate at bottoms of the regions and can be periodically removed.

Abstract: A gas filtration system which includes a primary separator for removing a majority of a particulate material from a gas stream. The primary separator discharges a filtered gas stream which retains a portion of the particulate material. The filtered gas stream from the primary separator is delivered to a secondary particulate source which introduces additional particulate material into the filtered gas stream to produce a conditioned gas stream containing primary and secondary particulate material. The output of the secondary particulate source is delivered to a secondary filter which removes the primary and secondary particulate material from the conditioned gas stream to output the resulting gas stream, substantially void of particulate material. The conditioned gas stream contains a minimum amount of particulate material necessary to achieve optimal efficiency and operating life within the secondary separator.

Abstract: An apparatus for trapping bubbles in blood flowing in a circuit, such as an extracorporeal circuit, includes a housing which defines a substantially vertical chamber having an upper subchamber and a lower subchamber. Blood flowing in a substantially downward direction is introduced into the upper subchamber chamber through a delivery port in a direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the upper subchamber. A substantially frustoconical deflector is positioned in the chamber opposite and spaced apart from the delivery port. The deflector deflects at least a portion of the blood into the upper subchamber above the deflector. Thereafter, the blood is removed from the chamber out an exit port of the chamber. The deflection and redirection of blood within the chamber provide an opportunity for gases in the blood to separate from the blood in the chamber and also helps prevent stagnation of blood in the chamber which might lead to clotting of the blood.

Abstract: A device for separating liquid particles from compressed air transported therthrough, to protect machine parts connected thereto. The device is simple to manufacture, easy to maintain and can be made of low-cost materials such as injection molded plastics. A cylindrical housing has an inlet and an outlet at opposite ends thereof for coupling into the installation. A plurality of cones are formed into a vertical pile and closely spaced from one another. Each cone has a concave deflector surface opening out towards the inlet and an orifice cut out at one point on the edge of the cone. The cones are mounted inside the housing and their edges fit closely against the inner wall surface of the housing so that the orifices of consecutive cones are offset 180.degree. apart.

Abstract: An oil/vapor separator separates lubrication oil from refrigerant vapor in an air conditioning cycle. The separator includes a chamber in which are disposed upper and lower apertured buffer plates sandwiching a filter therebetween. Oil and vapor passing through the buffer plates and the filter exits the lower buffer plate in a swirling path so that centrifugal force displaces oil outwardly against a wall of the chamber, and the oil gravitates downwardly for collection at the bottom of the chamber. The refrigerant vapor is discharged through a vapor outlet pipe positioned centrally in the chamber. An apertured separating plate is situated between the lower buffer plate and the collected oil to isolate the collected oil from the swirling vapor. The vapor outlet pipe extends through the separating plate and is supported thereby.

Abstract: A disposable two-stage air cleaner includes a housing forming an air inlet, a separation chamber, a dirt collection chamber, and an air outlet. A filter element is located between the separation chamber and the air outlet. The air inlet moves the air in a circular pattern in the separation chamber, whereby dirt is thrown outwardly by centrifugal force. An air scavenging system is employed in which air laden with dirt from the first-stage separation chamber is scooped into the dirt collection chamber and air from the dirt collection chamber is allowed to recirculate into the separation chamber after the air flow has been slowed so that the dirt falls from the air stream. The air cleaner thus provides performance which is equal to or better than reusable air cleaners of the prior art.

Abstract: The hot raw gas, which contains slag droplets is conducted downwardly in an entrance chamber of a slag separator through a first bed of packings into a flow-deflecting space, in which the raw gas is upwardly deflected and then flows upwardly in an exit chamber through a second bed of packings to a gas outlet. The effective velocity of flow of the raw gas in the first bed is 1.5 to 10 times its effective velocity of flow in the second bed. Liquid slag is drained from the flow-deflecting space.

Abstract: The blow off unit is an open top box with the front lower than the sides and back. A splash shield is placed at an angle at the back of the work area to deflect the blow off air stream and debris down into the collection filter. A space is left behind the splash shield to allow the blow off air to escape after it passes through the filter. The filter is a standard HVAC bag type air filter which hangs down into the box with its frame resting on the angle frame of the unit. A wire grill covers the filter for protection and to provide a place to lay parts. In use, the operator holds the part in the work area of the unit with one hand and blows the coolant and debris from the part down into the filter. The blow off compressed air is the only power source required for the unit. When the filter becomes dirty and/or saturated with coolant, it is replaced with a new one.

Abstract: An air filter includes an inlet for compressed air, a prefiltration chamber into which air from the inlet passes, a porous filter through which air from the prefiltration chamber passes to strain particular matter from the air, a plurality of venturis through which air from the porous filter passes, an expansion chamber in which air from the venturis expands and cools so that droplets of oil and water precipitate and accumulate at the bottom of the expansion chamber, and an outlet for air from the expansion chamber.

Abstract: A separation device employing a gas separation filter and swirler vanes for separating gas from a gasliquid mixture is provided. The cylindrical filter utilizes the principle that surface tension in the pores of the filter prevents gas bubbles from passing through. As a result, the gas collects in the interior region of the filter and coalesces to form larger bubbles in the center of the device. The device is particularly suited for use in microgravity conditions since the swirlers induce a centrifugal force which causes liquid to move from the inner region of the filter, pass the pores, and flow through the outlet of the device while the entrained gas is trapped by the filter. The device includes a cylindrical gas storage screen which is enclosed by the cylindrical gas separation filter. The screen has pores that are larger than those of the filters. The screen prevents larger bubbles that have been formed from reaching and interfering with the pores of the gas separation filter.

Abstract: A transducer which provides a regulated pneumatic output as a function of an electric control input includes a housing, a gas regulator, and a particle trap. The housing has a passage therein, the passage including an inlet for receiving a pressurized gas supply and an outlet. The particle trap is disposed in the passage and includes a trap plate and a trap nozzle which directs gas against the trap plate so as to remove undesired entrained particles from the gas before it reaches the gas regulator.

Abstract: A centralized system for removing the plume resulting from laser surgery, electrocauterization or orthopaedic surgery that takes advantage of the articulating arms frequently found in medical procedure rooms. The plume is drawn away from the surgery location by a vacuum. The tubing that carries the plume is held near the location of the medical procedure, and the plume is then drawn into the tubing. The tubing leads through the articulating arm to a main located above the ceiling. The main leads to a central room that includes, in series, a centrifugal separator, a vacuum producer and a high efficiency air filter.

Abstract: In a vacuum cleaner comprising a reduced velocity chamber with a high velocity air inlet, an electric motor, a rotary means driven by the motor for creating a vacuum in the chamber, an outlet for exhausting air from the chamber, which air flows in a selected path from the air inlet, through the chamber and out the air exhaust outlet and a disposable porous sheet filter layer in the chamber for removing solids particles from the air there is provided an improvement comprising a gas removing filter between the filter layer and the motor where the gas removing filter comprises an activated charcoal filter layer in the chamber, intersecting the air path and generally coterminous with the disposable filter layer.