US3779153A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sludge separator
Assignee: TRUMAN SMOG CONTROL Inc
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Filing: 1972-04-13
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Granted: 1973-12-18
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Expires: 1992-04-13
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for facilitating separation of the liquid and the particulate matter of a sludge mixture. The apparatus including an upright container for receiving a supply of the sludge mixture, said container having inlet means for receiving a supply of said sludge mixture at an elevated sludge receiving zone within the container, a liquid discharge means extending between the interior and exterior of the container engaged to said container about a liquid discharge zone vertically beneath said receiving zone for controlling discharge of liquid from said container and a particulate discharge zone vertically beneath said liquid discharge zone for discharging particulate matter from said container; a plunger member within the interior of the container, the plunger member being movable reciprocably within the container intermediate said sludge receiving zone and said particulate discharge zone; drive means engaged to the plunger member for driving the plunger member vertically within the container between said zones; collector means engaged to the container about the particulate discharge zone for retaining accumulations of the particulate matter; and conveyance means for conveying the collector means from said container to the exterior of the container; said plunger member further including sealant means for sealing said container about the bottom of the liquid discharge zone when said collector means is removed from said particulate discharge zone.
Inventors
- 👤 T Winningham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 00:23
CPC Classifications
B; B30; B30B; B30B9/00; B30B9/02; B30B9/04; B30B9/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
300 words
Apparatus for separating liquid and particulate matter of a particulate-liquid sludge solution, the apparatus comprising, in combination: a container for receiving a supply of sludge comprised of a mixture of particulate matter and a carrier liquid, said container having an elevated receiving zone for receiving said sludge, a liquid discharge zone beneath said sludge receiving zone and a particulate discharge zone beneath said liquid discharge zone; inlet means engaged to the container and extending from the exterior of the container to the interior of the container for permitting entrance of sludge to within said receiving zone; a plunger member within the interior of the container, the plunger member being movable reciprocally downwardly and upwardly within the container intermediate said sludge receiving zone and said particulate discharge zone, the plunger member including at least one portal penetrating through said plunger to permit liquid solution within said sludge receiving zone and said solution discharge zone to pass through the portal, control valve means engaged to the plUnger member about said portal to control passage of solution through said portal, said control valve means being in the form of a pressure sensitive valve which progressively closes said portal as the plunger assembly is driven downward in the container toward the particulate discharge zone; drive means engaged to the plunger member for driving the plunger member vertically within the container between said zones; first sealer means for sealing said plunger about the interior of the container and about the sludge discharge zone when said plunger member is in the discharge zone; collector means positioned about said particulate discharge zone for collecting accumulations of the particulate matter; means for removing the particulate matter from the collector means; and liquid discharge means engaged to the container for permitting exhaust of the liquid solution from the container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
300 words
Apparatus for separating liquid and particulate matter of a particulate-liquid sludge solution, the apparatus comprising, in combination: a container for receiving a supply of sludge comprised of a mixture of particulate matter and a carrier liquid, said container having an elevated receiving zone for receiving said sludge, a liquid discharge zone beneath said sludge receiving zone and a particulate discharge zone beneath said liquid discharge zone; inlet means engaged to the container and extending from the exterior of the container to the interior of the container for permitting entrance of sludge to within said receiving zone; a plunger member within the interior of the container, the plunger member being movable reciprocally downwardly and upwardly within the container intermediate said sludge receiving zone and said particulate discharge zone, the plunger member including at least one portal penetrating through said plunger to permit liquid solution within said sludge receiving zone and said solution discharge zone to pass through the portal, control valve means engaged to the plUnger member about said portal to control passage of solution through said portal, said control valve means being in the form of a pressure sensitive valve which progressively closes said portal as the plunger assembly is driven downward in the container toward the particulate discharge zone; drive means engaged to the plunger member for driving the plunger member vertically within the container between said zones; first sealer means for sealing said plunger about the interior of the container and about the sludge discharge zone when said plunger member is in the discharge zone; collector means positioned about said particulate discharge zone for collecting accumulations of the particulate matter; means for removing the particulate matter from the collector means; and liquid discharge means engaged to the container for permitting exhaust of the liquid solution from the container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first sealer means is about the periphery of the plunger member and a second sealant means about the interior walls of the container adjacent to said particulate discharge zone, said first and second sealant means being inter-engageable with the another to discourage passage of said liquid or particulate matter intermediate the periphery of the plunger member and container when said first and second sealant means are inter-engaged.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said collector means is positioned within said particulate discharge zone for collecting particulate matter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the collector means is in the form of a retainer, said retainer being movable to and from said particulate discharge zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further including spillage collector means for collecting spillage from said discharge zone and passage means extending intermediate said particulate discharge zone and the spillage collector means for funneling spillage intermediate said particulate discharge zone and the overflow collector means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further including pump means within the spillage collector means for pumping collected spillage to the container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
104 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the plunger member includes a base plate positioned within the container and forming a substantially horizontal surface, a plurality of portals extending verically through said plate; and the control valve means includes a control valve engaged about each of said portals to control passage of solution through said portals, the control valves being in the form of a pressure sensitive valve sensitive to the relative pressure differential above the plate and beneath the plate, said control valves progressively closing passage through said portals as the pressure beneath the plate increases relative to the pressure above the plate.
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) | 1976-12-17 | 1977-06-18 | 1977-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-17 | 1981-06-18 | 1981-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-17 | 1985-06-18 | 1985-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |