US3747306A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Array of cyclonic separators
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-09-17
•
Granted: 1973-07-24
•
Expires: 1990-09-17
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is provided containing an array of cyclonic separators in which the separators are oriented about a common geometric axis, to which the geometric axis of each separator is preferably disposed at the same angle. The groups of cyclonic separators are in turn oriented about a common geometric axis, to which the geometric axis of the groups is preferably disposed at the same angle. The array arrangement is particularly suited for small cyclonic separators, of the type useful in separating mixtures of gases.
Inventors
- 👤 N Wikdahl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 23:22
CPC Classifications
B; B04; B04C; B04C5/00; B04C5/24; B04C5/26; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/24; B01D59/00; B01D59/20; B04C5/02; B04C5/04; B04C5/08; B04C5/081; B04C5/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
An apparatus comprising a housing; an array of cyclonic separators in the housing, in which the separators are arranged in a plurality of groups, and oriented about a common first geometric axis in such groups, and the plurality of groups of separators are oriented about a second and different nonparallel geometric axis; such cyclonic separators having an apex end and a base end, with an inlet intermediate the apex and base ends for fluid to be separated into heavier and lighter fractions, respectively, an outlet at the apex end for the heavier fraction, and an outlet at the base end for the lighter fraction; the housing having an inlet for fluid to be separated in fluid communication with the inlets of the separators; the housing having an outlet for the heavier fraction in fluid communication with the outlets at the apex ends of the separators; and the housing having an outlet for lighter fraction in fluid communication with the outlets at the base ends of the separators; the apparatus thereby providing in a plurality of groups a large number of separators with a hiGh flow capacity in a limited space.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
190 words
An apparatus comprising a housing; an array of cyclonic separators in the housing, in which the separators are arranged in a plurality of groups, and oriented about a common first geometric axis in such groups, and the plurality of groups of separators are oriented about a second and different nonparallel geometric axis; such cyclonic separators having an apex end and a base end, with an inlet intermediate the apex and base ends for fluid to be separated into heavier and lighter fractions, respectively, an outlet at the apex end for the heavier fraction, and an outlet at the base end for the lighter fraction; the housing having an inlet for fluid to be separated in fluid communication with the inlets of the separators; the housing having an outlet for the heavier fraction in fluid communication with the outlets at the apex ends of the separators; and the housing having an outlet for lighter fraction in fluid communication with the outlets at the base ends of the separators; the apparatus thereby providing in a plurality of groups a large number of separators with a hiGh flow capacity in a limited space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the second geometric axis is at an angle within the range from about 45* to about 135* to the first geometric axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the individual separators are oriented at substantially the same angle with respect to the first geometric axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the groups of separators are oriented at substantially the same angle with respect to the second geometric axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the individual separators are oriented at substantially the same angle with respect to the first geometric axis, and the groups of separators are oriented at substantially the same angle with respect to the second geometric axis.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
207 words
An apparatus comprising a housing; an array of cyclonic separators in the housing, in which the separators are arranged in groups, and oriented about a common first geometric axis in such groups, and the groups of separators in turn are oriented about a second and different geometric axis; such cyclonic separators having an apex end and a base end, with an inlet intermediate the apex and base ends for fluid to be separated into heavier and lighter fractions, respectively, an outlet at the apex end for the heavier fraction, and an outlet at the base end for the lighter fraction; the housing having an inlet for fluid to be separated in fluid communication with the inlets of the separators; the housing having an outlet for the heavier fraction in fluid communication with the outlets at the apex ends of the separators; and the housing having an outlet for lighter fraction in fluid communication with the outlets at the base ends of the separators; the apparatus thereby providing a large number of separators with a high flow capacity in a limited space, the cyclonic separators in each group being radially disposed in rows about the first geometric axis, with the separators in each row parallel to each other.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
207 words
An apparatus comprising a housing; an array of cyclonic separators in the housing, in which the separators are arranged in groups, and oriented about a common first geometric axis in such groups, and the groups of separators in turn are oriented about a second and different geometric axis; such cyclonic separators having an apex end and a base end, with an inlet intermediate the apex and base ends for fluid to be separated into heavier and lighter fractions, respectively, an outlet at the apex end for the heavier fraction, and an outlet at the base end for the lighter fraction; the housing having an inlet for fluid to be separated in fluid communication with the inlets of the separators; the housing having an outlet for the heavier fraction in fluid communication with the outlets at the apex ends of the separators; and the housing having an outlet for lighter fraction in fluid communication with the outlets at the base ends of the separators; the apparatus thereby providing a large number of separators with a high flow capacity in a limited space, the cyclonic separators in each group being radially disposed in rows about the first geometric axis, with the separators in each row parallel to each other.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
280 words
An apparatus comprising a housing; an array of cyclonic separators in the housing, in which the separators are arranged in groups, and oriented about a common first geometric axis in such groups, and the groups of separators in turn are oriented about a second and different geometric axis; such cyclonic separators having an apex end and a base end, with an inlet intermediate the apex and base ends for fluid to be separated into heavier and lighter fractions, respectively, an outlet at the apex end for the heavier fraction, and an outlet at the base end for the lighter fraction; the housing having an inlet for fluid to be separated in fluid communication with the inlets of the separators; the housing having an outlet for the heavier fraction in fluid communication with the outlets at the apex ends of the separators; and the housing having an outlet for lighter fraction in fluid communication with the outlets at the base ends of the separators; separating walls at the apex end and at the base end of the separators in each group, defining an inlet chamber therebetween, with access to the inlet of each individual cyclonic separator of the group; beyond the wall at the base end of the cyclonic separators a space serving as a collection and outlet chamber for the lighter fraction emerging from the base end of the separators; and beyond the wall at the apex end of the separators a space serving as a collection and outlet chamber for the heavier fraction emerging from the apex end of the separators, the apparatus thereby providing a large number of separators with a high flow capacity in a limited space.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
280 words
An apparatus comprising a housing; an array of cyclonic separators in the housing, in which the separators are arranged in groups, and oriented about a common first geometric axis in such groups, and the groups of separators in turn are oriented about a second and different geometric axis; such cyclonic separators having an apex end and a base end, with an inlet intermediate the apex and base ends for fluid to be separated into heavier and lighter fractions, respectively, an outlet at the apex end for the heavier fraction, and an outlet at the base end for the lighter fraction; the housing having an inlet for fluid to be separated in fluid communication with the inlets of the separators; the housing having an outlet for the heavier fraction in fluid communication with the outlets at the apex ends of the separators; and the housing having an outlet for lighter fraction in fluid communication with the outlets at the base ends of the separators; separating walls at the apex end and at the base end of the separators in each group, defining an inlet chamber therebetween, with access to the inlet of each individual cyclonic separator of the group; beyond the wall at the base end of the cyclonic separators a space serving as a collection and outlet chamber for the lighter fraction emerging from the base end of the separators; and beyond the wall at the apex end of the separators a space serving as a collection and outlet chamber for the heavier fraction emerging from the apex end of the separators, the apparatus thereby providing a large number of separators with a high flow capacity in a limited space.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, in cylindrical form, with the separating walls in the form of concentric frustoconical shells, with the groups of separators radially arranged therebetween.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, in which the orientation of the cyclonic separators in each group of cyclonic separators is the same, such that all base ends faCe the same way, and all apex ends face the same way, and open into common base end and apex end outlet collection chambers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
68 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, enclosed within a housing with an inlet from the outside of the housing to the inlet chamber between the separating walls at the apex and base ends of each group of separators, and outlet openings giving separate access to the apex end and base end collection chambers, the outlet collection chambers and the inlet chambers being completely separate, with no communication therebetween.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, in which the housing comprises a base portion, the array of cyclonic separators being attached to the base portion, and side and top portions removably attached to the base portion, whereby the housing can be removed from the contents, to provide access to the interior of the housing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, in which the removable top and side portion of the housing is provided with a lifting device, which extends downwardly from the top of the housing, within a central space thereof to the bottom thereof, to lift said top and side portions of the housing up and away from the contents, providing access to the array of cyclonic separators therewithin.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
245 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, in which the cyclonic separators comprise a housing with a separator chamber therein that is circular in cross-section, has an apex end and a base end, is cone-shaped at least at the apex end, and has a diameter at the base end of at most 5 mm., and a diameter at the apex end of at least 0.01 mm.; at least one fluid inlet through the housing at the base end, arranged for tangential flow of fluid from outside the housing into the chamber, to establish a vortical fluid flow in the chamber from the base end toward the apex end, with the components distributed towards the periphery of the vortex with increasing molecular or atomic weight, and towards the core of the vortex with decreasing molecular or atomic weight, the vortex core having a lower fluid pressure than the vortex periphery; an outlet through the housing in axial alignment to the chamber at the base end of the chamber; and an outlet through the housing in axial alignment to the chamber at the apex end of the chamber, the apex end outlet receiving peripheral vortical fluid flow from the chamber, and the base end outlet receiving core vortical fluid flow from the chamber, so that lower molecular or atomic weight components are concentrated in the flow withdrawn via the base outlet, and higher molecular or atomic weight components are concentrated in the flow withdrawn via the apex outlet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, in which the cyclonic separators are made of a material that is resistant to attack or corrosion by the gas mixtures to be separated under the operating conditions, selected from stainless steel, nickel and chromium alloys, ceramic, glass, and plastic materials that are strong, resistant to pressure, and capable of retaining their shape under the gas pressures to be encountered.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
212 words
An apparatus comprising a housing; an array of cyclonic separators in the housing, in which the separators are arranged in groups, and oriented about a common first geometric axis in such groups, and the groups of separators in turn are oriented about a second and different geometric axis; such cyclonic separators having an apex end and a base end, with an inlet intermediate the apex and base ends for fluid to be separated into heavier and lighter fractions, respectively, an outlet at the apex end for the heavier fraction, and an outlet at the base end for the lighter fraction; the housing having an inlet for fluid to be separated in fluid communication with the inlets of the separators; the housing having an outlet for the heavier fraction in fluid communication with the outlets at the apex ends of the separators; and the housing having an outlet for lighter fraction in fluid communication with the outlets at the base ends of the separators; the groups of separators being composed of rows of cyclonic separators arranged conically and disposed radially about the first geometric axis with the groups arranged radially about the second geometric axis, the apparatus thereby providing a large number of separators with a high flow capacity in a limited space.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
212 words
An apparatus comprising a housing; an array of cyclonic separators in the housing, in which the separators are arranged in groups, and oriented about a common first geometric axis in such groups, and the groups of separators in turn are oriented about a second and different geometric axis; such cyclonic separators having an apex end and a base end, with an inlet intermediate the apex and base ends for fluid to be separated into heavier and lighter fractions, respectively, an outlet at the apex end for the heavier fraction, and an outlet at the base end for the lighter fraction; the housing having an inlet for fluid to be separated in fluid communication with the inlets of the separators; the housing having an outlet for the heavier fraction in fluid communication with the outlets at the apex ends of the separators; and the housing having an outlet for lighter fraction in fluid communication with the outlets at the base ends of the separators; the groups of separators being composed of rows of cyclonic separators arranged conically and disposed radially about the first geometric axis with the groups arranged radially about the second geometric axis, the apparatus thereby providing a large number of separators with a high flow capacity in a limited space.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
182 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, in which the groups of cyclonic separators are supported between concentric cylindrical shells, and the rows of cyclonic separators are supported between concentric frustoconical shells extending radially between and attached to the concentric cylindrical shells, with the individual cyclonic separators all facing the same way, and mounted between the conical shells in a manner such that the inlets thereof communicate with the space defined between the conical shells, the housing inlet being in fluid communication with said space, and the shells separating that space from fluid communication with other spaces in the housing, and the base end and apex end outlets of the separators communicate with separate nonintercommunicating spaces beyond the conical shells, the housing outlet for the lighter fraction being in fluid communication with the space beyond the conical shells that is in fluid communication with the base end outlets of the separators, and the housing outlet for the heavier fraction being in fluid communication with the space beyond the conical shells that is in fluid communication with the apex end outlets of the separators.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
68 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, in which the interior space of the inner conical shell of each group opens into a first outlet chamber common to all of the groups, and the space outside the outer conical shell extends from end to end between the cylindrical shells and constitutes a second outlet chamber separated from the first by the shells and common to all of the groups.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
109 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, in which the separators are arranged with their apex ends anchored in the inner conical shell and their base ends in the outer conical shell, so that the apex ends of adjacent rows in a group are facing the same way, and the base ends of the separators in adjacent groups are facing the same way, with the facing apex ends of adjacent rows in each groups opening into a common outlet chamber within the inner conical shell, and the base ends of adjacent groups of separate opening into a common outlet chamber outside the outer conical shell and between the cylindrical shells.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus according to claim 18, in which the rows of cyclonic separators are placed at an angle with respect to the first geometric axis and the groups are placed at an angle with respect to the second geometric axis within the range from 45* to 135*, and the rows are distributed symmetrically, with the cyclonic separators parallel to each other.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, in which the cyclonic separators are arranged with their geometric axis perpendicular to the surfaces of the conical shells, and in rows at an angle from 45* to 135* to the second geometric axis.
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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) | 1976-07-23 | 1977-01-22 | 1977-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-23 | 1981-01-22 | 1981-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-23 | 1985-01-22 | 1985-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |