US3668837A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Separator of the semipermeable membrane type
Assignee: Pall Corp
•
Filing: 1970-02-13
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Granted: 1972-06-13
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Expires: 1990-02-13
Abstract
Abstract A separator is provided that is particularly suited for separating gases from liquids by selective diffusion through a semipermeable membrane. The membrane forms an enclosure into which diffusate passes and is attached to a flat portion on a surface of a supporting core, so that a strong and leaktight flat seal between the membrane enclosure and the core is formed, with the enclosure interior communicating with a discharge passage in the core. A valve is provided for shutting off flow through the core whenever diffusate flow rate or viscosity exceeds a predetermined maximum.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert I Gross
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:52
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D63/00; B01D63/10; B01D63/101; B01D2313/00; B01D2313/14; B01D2313/146; B01D2313/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
38 words
A separator in accordance with claim 1, in which the membrane enclosure is secured to the core by a screw passing through the membrane sheet and sealed off from the space within the membrane enclosure to prevent leakage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
24 words
A separator in accordance with claim 2, in which the membrane enclosure communicates with the core via a screw having a central passage therethrough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A separator in accordance with claim 1, in which the membrane enclosure has a spacer therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A separator in accordance with claim 1, in which the membrane enclosure is wound about the core.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A separator in accordance with claim 5, in which the windings of the membrane enclosure are separated by a spacer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A separator in accordance with claim 6, in which the spacer is corrugated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A separator in accordance with claim 1, in which the membrane sheet material is folded to form a membrane enclosure having one folded side and three open sides and heat sealed together at its three open sides to form the membrane enclosure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A separator in accordance with claim 1, in which the membrane enclosure is sealed to the flat portion of the core surface by a fastener having a passage therethrough, said passage connecting the interior of the enclosure with the discharge passage in the core.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A separator in accordance with claim 1, in which the membrane enclosure is sealed to the flat portion of the core surface by an adhesive.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A separator in accordance with claim 1, in which the membrane enclosure is heat sealed to the flat portiOn of the core surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A separator in accordance with claim 1, in which the membrane enclosure is solvent-sealed to the flat portion of the core surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
A separator in accordance with claim 1, in which the core has an axial flow passage and a radial flow passage in fluid communication therewith and terminating in an opening in the flat portion of the core communicating with the opening in the membrane enclosure and communicating the interior of the enclosure with the axial core passage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
112 words
A separator in accordance with claim 1, comprising a housing having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a discharge port for membrane-permeable material; and a cannister supporting a separator in accordance with claim 1, and positioned in the line of fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet, such that fluid entering the housing enters the cannister via the fluid inlet and flows along the membrane enclosure, fluid that does not flow through the membrane proceeding to the outlet, while membrane-permeable material diffuses through the membrane into the space within the membrane enclosure and thence through the opening therein for discharge from the assembly via the core passage and discharge port.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A separator assembly in accordance with claim 14, including means for shutting off flow through the discharge port if a predetermined increase in viscosity or flow volume occurs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A separator in accordance with claim 1, comprising valve means associated with the core passage and controlling diffusate flow of membrane-permeable and controlling diffusate flow of membrane-permeable material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
A separator in accordance with claim 16, comprising flow-sensitive sensing means operatively associated with the valve means and responsive to a predetermined change in diffusate or viscosity flow volume to close the valve and stop diffusate flow.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
A separator assembly in accordance with claim 17, in which the flow-sensitive sensing means comprises a flow-restricting passage and a flow-responsive member having pressure surfaces exposed to the pressure differential through the passage.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A separator assembly in accordance with claim 18, in which the flow restricting passage is a capillary passage connecting the pressure surfaces of the flow-responsive member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
A separator assembly in accordance with claim 18, in which one flow-responsive member is a piston associated with the valve means, and bias means holding the valve in an open position until the flow volume or viscosity exceeds a predetermined maximum.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
A separator in accordance with claim 16, comprising an orifice in the passage in the core, adapted to prevent false actuation of the valve means when exhausting to low absolute pressures.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-13 | 1975-12-13 | 1976-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-13 | 1979-12-13 | 1980-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-13 | 1983-12-13 | 1984-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |