US3718258A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contaminant separation
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1970-10-21
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Granted: 1973-02-27
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Expires: 1990-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A fuel system for a gas turbine engine adapted to handle dirty fuel includes a separating device of a centrifuge-filter type through which fuel is supplied from a fuel pump to combustion apparatus. The centrifuge-filter has a swirl chamber with a tangential inlet, a central annular screen, and outlets both outside and inside of the screen. It discharges a large portion of the fuel substantially clean and a small portion bearing the dirt. The clean fuel flow to small diameter ports of fuel nozzles and, at higher fuel flow rates, through a resistance valve or valves to large area ports of the fuel nozzles. The dirty fuel flows to the large flow ports of the nozzles, by-passing the fuel control. An outlet line from adjacent the outer surface of the screen acts to clean the screen by discharging the finer dirt which tends to accumulate at low flow rates. The separating devices may be arranged in tandem.
Inventors
- 👤 C Sharpe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 06:55
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D21/00; B01D21/0012; B01D21/24; B01D21/2488; B01D21/26; B01D21/267; B01D21/30; B01D21/34; B01D29/00; B01D29/11; B01D29/114; B01D29/115; B01D29/50; B01D29/56; B01D29/60; B01D29/603; B01D29/88; B01D29/90; B01D29/908; B01D2201/00; B01D2201/04; B01D2201/0461
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A system for separating solid contaminants from a liquid comprising, in combination, a casing defining an annular chamber, an annular fixed filter mounted within and coaxial with the chamber, a tangential inlet to the chamber, means for supplying the liquid to the inlet at sufficient pressure to cause the liquid to swirl within the chamber at substantial velocity adapted to centrifuge the contaminants and to scour the exterior of the filter, a second tangential inlet to the chamber, means for closing one inlet below a predetermined rate of flow of liquid, a discharge port for clean liquid from within the filter, an outlet for a minor portion of the liquid with entrained contaminants departing tangentially from the periphery of the chamber in the direction of the swirl, and means controlling the flow through the said outlet.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
A system for separating solid contaminants from a liquid comprising, in combination, a casing defining an annular chamber, an annular fixed filter mounted within and coaxial with the chamber, a tangential inlet to the chamber, means for supplying the liquid to the inlet at sufficient pressure to cause the liquid to swirl within the chamber at substantial velocity adapted to centrifuge the contaminants and to scour the exterior of the filter, a second tangential inlet to the chamber, means for closing one inlet below a predetermined rate of flow of liquid, a discharge port for clean liquid from within the filter, an outlet for a minor portion of the liquid with entrained contaminants departing tangentially from the periphery of the chamber in the direction of the swirl, and means controlling the flow through the said outlet.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
161 words
A system for separating solid contaminants from a liquid comprising, in combination, a casing defining an annular chamber, an annular fixed filter mounted within and coaxial with the chamber, a tangential inlet to the chamber, means for supplying the liquid to the inlet at sufficient pressure to cause the liquid to swirl within the chamber at substantial velocity adapted to centrifuge the contaminants and to scour the exterior of the filter, a second tangential inlet to the chamber, means for closing one inlet below a predetermined rate of flow of liquid, a discharge port for clean liquid from within the filter, an open outlet for a minor portion of the liquid with entrained contaminants departing tangentially from the periphery of the chamber in the direction of the swirl, means controlling the flow through the said outlet, a recirculating outlet radially adjacent the filter, and means for recirculating a portion of the liquid from the recirculating outlet to the said tangential inlet.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
161 words
A system for separating solid contaminants from a liquid comprising, in combination, a casing defining an annular chamber, an annular fixed filter mounted within and coaxial with the chamber, a tangential inlet to the chamber, means for supplying the liquid to the inlet at sufficient pressure to cause the liquid to swirl within the chamber at substantial velocity adapted to centrifuge the contaminants and to scour the exterior of the filter, a second tangential inlet to the chamber, means for closing one inlet below a predetermined rate of flow of liquid, a discharge port for clean liquid from within the filter, an open outlet for a minor portion of the liquid with entrained contaminants departing tangentially from the periphery of the chamber in the direction of the swirl, means controlling the flow through the said outlet, a recirculating outlet radially adjacent the filter, and means for recirculating a portion of the liquid from the recirculating outlet to the said tangential inlet.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
137 words
A device for handling a liquid containing particulate contaminants and separating the liquid into a major clean portion substantially free of larger particulate contaminants and a minor dirty portion bearing substantially all of the larger particulate contaminants comprising, in combination, means defining an annular swirl chamber having an inlet at the periphery of the chamber directed tangentially of the chamber, means defining a clean liquid outlet substantially on the axis of the chamber, a fixed annular screen coaxial with the chamber and substantially closer to the axis of the chamber than to the periphery of the chamber across the flow path from the inlet to the outlet, means defining a first tangentially-dirEcted dirty liquid outlet at the periphery of the chamber, and means defining a second tangentially-directed dirty liquid outlet at the outer surface of the screen.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
137 words
A device for handling a liquid containing particulate contaminants and separating the liquid into a major clean portion substantially free of larger particulate contaminants and a minor dirty portion bearing substantially all of the larger particulate contaminants comprising, in combination, means defining an annular swirl chamber having an inlet at the periphery of the chamber directed tangentially of the chamber, means defining a clean liquid outlet substantially on the axis of the chamber, a fixed annular screen coaxial with the chamber and substantially closer to the axis of the chamber than to the periphery of the chamber across the flow path from the inlet to the outlet, means defining a first tangentially-dirEcted dirty liquid outlet at the periphery of the chamber, and means defining a second tangentially-directed dirty liquid outlet at the outer surface of the screen.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
157 words
A device for handling a liquid containing particulate contaminants and separating the liquid into a major clean portion substantially free of larger particulate contaminants and a minor dirty portion bearing substantially all of the larger particulate contaminants comprising, in combination, means defining an annular swirl chamber having a first inlet and a second inlet at the periphery of the chamber directed tangentially of the chamber, means responsive to liquid flow level to close one inlet below a predetermined flow level, means defining a clean liquid outlet substantially on the axis of the chamber, a fixed annular screen coaxial with the chamber and substantially closer to the axis of the chamber than to the periphery of the chamber across the flow path from the inlet to the outlet, means defining a first tangentially-directed dirty liquid outlet at the periphery of the chamber, and means defining a second tangentially-directed dirty liquid outlet at the outer surface of the screen.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
157 words
A device for handling a liquid containing particulate contaminants and separating the liquid into a major clean portion substantially free of larger particulate contaminants and a minor dirty portion bearing substantially all of the larger particulate contaminants comprising, in combination, means defining an annular swirl chamber having a first inlet and a second inlet at the periphery of the chamber directed tangentially of the chamber, means responsive to liquid flow level to close one inlet below a predetermined flow level, means defining a clean liquid outlet substantially on the axis of the chamber, a fixed annular screen coaxial with the chamber and substantially closer to the axis of the chamber than to the periphery of the chamber across the flow path from the inlet to the outlet, means defining a first tangentially-directed dirty liquid outlet at the periphery of the chamber, and means defining a second tangentially-directed dirty liquid outlet at the outer surface of the screen.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
135 words
A device for handling a liquid containing particulate contaminants and separating the liquid into a major clean portion substantially free of larger particulate contaminants and a minor dirty portion bearing substantially all of the larger particulate contaminants comprising, in combination, a first centrifuge-filter and a second centrifuge-filter, both centrifuge-filters having a peripheral inlet for liquid, a peripheral outlet for contaminated liquid, and a central outlet for relatively clean liquid, the first centrifuge-filter being of smaller size than the second, means for supplying the liquid to the inlet of the first centrifuge-filter and from the outlet of the first centrifuge-filter to the inlet of the second centrifuge-filter, and means responsive to liquid flow level for conducting a portion of the liquid from the supplying means into the inlet of the second centrifuge-filter by-passing the first centrifuge-filter.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
135 words
A device for handling a liquid containing particulate contaminants and separating the liquid into a major clean portion substantially free of larger particulate contaminants and a minor dirty portion bearing substantially all of the larger particulate contaminants comprising, in combination, a first centrifuge-filter and a second centrifuge-filter, both centrifuge-filters having a peripheral inlet for liquid, a peripheral outlet for contaminated liquid, and a central outlet for relatively clean liquid, the first centrifuge-filter being of smaller size than the second, means for supplying the liquid to the inlet of the first centrifuge-filter and from the outlet of the first centrifuge-filter to the inlet of the second centrifuge-filter, and means responsive to liquid flow level for conducting a portion of the liquid from the supplying means into the inlet of the second centrifuge-filter by-passing the first centrifuge-filter.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
146 words
A device for handling a liquid containing particulate contaminants and separating the liquid into a major clean portion substantially free of larger particulate contaminants and a minor dirty portion bearing substantially all of the larger particulate contaminants comprising, in combination, a first centrifuge-filter and a second centrifuge-filter, both centrifuge-filters having a peripheral inlet for liquid, a peripheral outlet for contaminated liquid, and a central outlet for relatively clean liquid, the first centrifuge-filter being of smaller size than the second, means for supplying the liquid to the inlet of the first centrifuge-filter and from the outlet of the first centrifuge-filter to the inlet of the second centrifuge-filter, means responsive to liquid flow level for conducting a portion of the liquid from the supplying means into the inlet of the second centrifuge-filter by-passing the first centrifuge-filter, and means connecting the contaminated fluid outlets of the two centrifuge-filters together.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
146 words
A device for handling a liquid containing particulate contaminants and separating the liquid into a major clean portion substantially free of larger particulate contaminants and a minor dirty portion bearing substantially all of the larger particulate contaminants comprising, in combination, a first centrifuge-filter and a second centrifuge-filter, both centrifuge-filters having a peripheral inlet for liquid, a peripheral outlet for contaminated liquid, and a central outlet for relatively clean liquid, the first centrifuge-filter being of smaller size than the second, means for supplying the liquid to the inlet of the first centrifuge-filter and from the outlet of the first centrifuge-filter to the inlet of the second centrifuge-filter, means responsive to liquid flow level for conducting a portion of the liquid from the supplying means into the inlet of the second centrifuge-filter by-passing the first centrifuge-filter, and means connecting the contaminated fluid outlets of the two centrifuge-filters together.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
205 words
A device for handling a liquid containing particulate contaminants and separating the liquid into a major clean portion substantially free of larger particulate contaminants and a minor dirty portion bearing substantially all of the larger particulate contaminants comprising, in combination, means defining an annular swirl chamber having an inlet at the periphery of the chamber directed tangentially of the chamber to direct the liquid into the chamber with swirl, a generally cylindrical annular filter coaxial with the chamber and substantially closer to the axis of the chamber than to the periphery of the chamber, means defining a clean liquid outlet substantially on the axis of the chamber at one end of the filter, the filter being across the flow path from the inlet to the outlet, and means defining at least one tangentially-directed dirty liquid outlet externally of the fIlter, the filter comprising an outer annular tubular sheet of calendered wire screen having an array of fine pores distributed over the sheet and having a generally smooth outer surface, and a support for the sheet disposed at the interior of the sheet defining ribs distributed axially of the sheet and extending circumferentially of the sheet, the ribs having a rounded outer surface abutting the sheet.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
205 words
A device for handling a liquid containing particulate contaminants and separating the liquid into a major clean portion substantially free of larger particulate contaminants and a minor dirty portion bearing substantially all of the larger particulate contaminants comprising, in combination, means defining an annular swirl chamber having an inlet at the periphery of the chamber directed tangentially of the chamber to direct the liquid into the chamber with swirl, a generally cylindrical annular filter coaxial with the chamber and substantially closer to the axis of the chamber than to the periphery of the chamber, means defining a clean liquid outlet substantially on the axis of the chamber at one end of the filter, the filter being across the flow path from the inlet to the outlet, and means defining at least one tangentially-directed dirty liquid outlet externally of the fIlter, the filter comprising an outer annular tubular sheet of calendered wire screen having an array of fine pores distributed over the sheet and having a generally smooth outer surface, and a support for the sheet disposed at the interior of the sheet defining ribs distributed axially of the sheet and extending circumferentially of the sheet, the ribs having a rounded outer surface abutting the sheet.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
223 words
A device for handling a liquid containing particulate contaminants and separating the liquid into a major clean portion substantially free of larger particulate contaminants and a minor dirty portion bearing substantially all of the larger particulate contaminants comprising, in combination, means defining an annular swirl chamber having an inlet at the periphery of the chamber directed tangentially of the chamber to direct the liquid into the chamber with swirl, a generally cylindrical annular filter coaxial with the chamber and substantially closer to the axis of the chamber than to the periphery of the chamber, means defining a clean liquid outlet substantially on the axis of the chamber at one end of the filter, the filter being across the flow path from the inlet to the outlet, and means defining at least one tangentially-directed dirty liquid outlet externally of the filter, the filter comprising an outer annular tubular sheet having an array of fine pores distributed over the sheet and having a generally smooth outer surface, a support for the sheet disposed at the interior of the sheet defining ribs distributed axially of the sheet and extending circumferentially of the sheet, the ribs having a rounded outer surface abutting the sheet, the support being a helical coil with the helix tending toward the clean liquid outlet in the direction of swirl in the chamber.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
223 words
A device for handling a liquid containing particulate contaminants and separating the liquid into a major clean portion substantially free of larger particulate contaminants and a minor dirty portion bearing substantially all of the larger particulate contaminants comprising, in combination, means defining an annular swirl chamber having an inlet at the periphery of the chamber directed tangentially of the chamber to direct the liquid into the chamber with swirl, a generally cylindrical annular filter coaxial with the chamber and substantially closer to the axis of the chamber than to the periphery of the chamber, means defining a clean liquid outlet substantially on the axis of the chamber at one end of the filter, the filter being across the flow path from the inlet to the outlet, and means defining at least one tangentially-directed dirty liquid outlet externally of the filter, the filter comprising an outer annular tubular sheet having an array of fine pores distributed over the sheet and having a generally smooth outer surface, a support for the sheet disposed at the interior of the sheet defining ribs distributed axially of the sheet and extending circumferentially of the sheet, the ribs having a rounded outer surface abutting the sheet, the support being a helical coil with the helix tending toward the clean liquid outlet in the direction of swirl in the chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-27 | 1976-08-28 | 1977-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-27 | 1980-08-28 | 1981-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-27 | 1984-08-28 | 1985-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |