US3844926A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Separation apparatus
Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
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Filing: 1973-09-04
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Granted: 1974-10-29
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Expires: 1993-09-04
Abstract
Abstract A separation apparatus suitable for electropheretic separation of enzyme mixtures has been devised having an inlet means comprising a substantially uninterrupted annular chamber bounded by substantially co-axial outer and inner walls, inlet means by which migrant material and a migrant-supporting fluid can be introduced into the annular chamber at a first region thereof, means for generating a force field by which the migrant material in the annular chamber can be subjected to a force field to produce a differential response, as regards movement in a direction radially of the chamber, between the migrant and the supporting fluid and/or between fractions of the migrant, outlet means for selectively removing from the annular chamber, at further regions remote from the first region, the supporting fluid with or without separated fractions of the migrant, and means adapted to permit a relative rotation between the inner and outer walls about the common axis thereof thereby to stabilise flow conditions in the flow chamber, at least said outer wall being rotatable about said axis, wherein the inlet means comprises a plurality of orifices which communicate with an annular opening for introducing migrant material into the annular chamber, a migrant material supply means, a porous material positioned between the migrant material supply means and the orifices, and means constraining the migrant material to pass through the porous material, the arrangement being such that migrant material from the supply means passes through the porous material into the orifices, and thence into the annular opening and into the annular chamber; and wherein the outlet means comprises a plurality of collecting chambers, each collecting chamber having a collecting chamber inlet distributed around the collecting chamber and having interconnected channels for conducting a separated fraction from the collecting chamber inlet and along a plurality of non-linear paths to converge at chamber outlet means disposed within the chamber, the arrangement being such that the minimum path length for the separated fraction from the collecting chamber inlet to the chamber outlet means is the same from all points on the collecting chamber inlet.
Inventors
- 👤 M Smyth
- 👤 R Murdoch
- 👤 J Gibson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:02
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D57/00; B01D57/02; G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/26; G01N27/416; G01N27/447; G01N27/44704; G01N27/44756; G01N27/44769
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
329 words
In a separation apparatus comprising a substantially uninterruped annular chamber bounded by substantially co-axial outer and inner walls, inlet means by which migrant material and a migrant-supporting fluid can be introduced into the annular chamber at a first region thereof, means for generating a force field by which the migrant material in the annular chamber can be subjected to a force field to produce a differential response, as regards movement in a direction radially of the chamber, between the migrant and the supporting fluid and/or between fractions of the migrant, outlet means for selectively removing from the annular chamber, at further regions remote from the first region, the supportinG fluid with or without separated fractions of the migrant, and means adapted to permit a relative rotation between the inner and outer walls about the common axis thereof thereby to stabilise flow conditions in the flow chamber, at least said outer wall being rotatable about said axis the improvement wherein the inlet means comprises a plurality of orifices which communicate with an annular opening for introducing migrant material into the annular chamber, a migrant material supply means, a porous material positioned between the migrant material supply means and the orifices, and means constraining the migrant material to pass through the porous material, the arrangement being such that migrant material from the supply means passes through the porous material into the orifices, and thence into the annular opening and into the annular chamber; and the outlet means comprises a plurality of collecting chambers, each collecting chamber having a collecting chamber inlet distributed around the collecting chamber and having interconnected channels for conducting a separated fraction from the collecting chamber inlet and along a plurality of non-linear paths to converge at chamber outlet means disposed within the chamber, the arrangement being such that the minimum path length for the separated fraction from the collecting chamber inlet to the chamber outlet means is the same from all points on the collecting chamber inlet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
329 words
In a separation apparatus comprising a substantially uninterruped annular chamber bounded by substantially co-axial outer and inner walls, inlet means by which migrant material and a migrant-supporting fluid can be introduced into the annular chamber at a first region thereof, means for generating a force field by which the migrant material in the annular chamber can be subjected to a force field to produce a differential response, as regards movement in a direction radially of the chamber, between the migrant and the supporting fluid and/or between fractions of the migrant, outlet means for selectively removing from the annular chamber, at further regions remote from the first region, the supportinG fluid with or without separated fractions of the migrant, and means adapted to permit a relative rotation between the inner and outer walls about the common axis thereof thereby to stabilise flow conditions in the flow chamber, at least said outer wall being rotatable about said axis the improvement wherein the inlet means comprises a plurality of orifices which communicate with an annular opening for introducing migrant material into the annular chamber, a migrant material supply means, a porous material positioned between the migrant material supply means and the orifices, and means constraining the migrant material to pass through the porous material, the arrangement being such that migrant material from the supply means passes through the porous material into the orifices, and thence into the annular opening and into the annular chamber; and the outlet means comprises a plurality of collecting chambers, each collecting chamber having a collecting chamber inlet distributed around the collecting chamber and having interconnected channels for conducting a separated fraction from the collecting chamber inlet and along a plurality of non-linear paths to converge at chamber outlet means disposed within the chamber, the arrangement being such that the minimum path length for the separated fraction from the collecting chamber inlet to the chamber outlet means is the same from all points on the collecting chamber inlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
241 words
In a separation apparatus comprising a substantially uninterrupted annular chamber bounded by substantially co-axial outer and inner walls, inlet means by which migrant material and a migrant-supporting fluid can be introduced into the annular chamber at a first region thereof, means for generating a force field by which the migrant material in the annular chamber can be subjected to a force field to produce a differential response, as regards movement in a direction radially of the chamber, between the migrant and the supporting fluid and/or between fractions of the migrant, outlet means for selectively removing from the annular chamber, at further regions remote from the first region, the supporting fluid with or without separated fractions of the migrant, and means adapted to permit a relative rotation between the inner and outer walls about the common axis thereof thereby to stabilise flow conditions in the flow chamber, at least said outer wall being rotatable about said axis the improvement wherein the inlet means comprises a plurality of orifices which communicate with an annular opening for introducing migrant material into the annular chamber, a migrant material supply means, a porous material positioned between the migrant material supply means and the orifices, and means constraining the migrant material to pass through the porous material, the arrangement being such that migrant material from the supply means passes through the porous material into the orifices, and thence into the annular opening and into the annular chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
241 words
In a separation apparatus comprising a substantially uninterrupted annular chamber bounded by substantially co-axial outer and inner walls, inlet means by which migrant material and a migrant-supporting fluid can be introduced into the annular chamber at a first region thereof, means for generating a force field by which the migrant material in the annular chamber can be subjected to a force field to produce a differential response, as regards movement in a direction radially of the chamber, between the migrant and the supporting fluid and/or between fractions of the migrant, outlet means for selectively removing from the annular chamber, at further regions remote from the first region, the supporting fluid with or without separated fractions of the migrant, and means adapted to permit a relative rotation between the inner and outer walls about the common axis thereof thereby to stabilise flow conditions in the flow chamber, at least said outer wall being rotatable about said axis the improvement wherein the inlet means comprises a plurality of orifices which communicate with an annular opening for introducing migrant material into the annular chamber, a migrant material supply means, a porous material positioned between the migrant material supply means and the orifices, and means constraining the migrant material to pass through the porous material, the arrangement being such that migrant material from the supply means passes through the porous material into the orifices, and thence into the annular opening and into the annular chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
247 words
In a separation apparatus comprising a substantially uninterrupted annular chamber bounded by substantially co-axial outer and inner walls, inlet means by which migrant material and a migrant-supporting fluid can be introduced into the annular chamber at a first region thereof, means for generating a force field by which the migrant material in the annular chamber can be subjected to a force field to produce a differential response, as regards movement in a direction radially of the chamber, between the migrant and the supporting fluid and/or between fractions of the migrant, outlet means for selectively removing from the annular chamber, at further regions remote from the first region, the supporting fluid with or without separated fractions of the migrant, and means adapted to permit a relative rotation between the inner and outer walls about the common axis thereof thereby to stabilise flow conditions in the flow chamber, at least said outer wall being rotatable about said axis the improvement wherein the outlet means Pg,17 comprises a plurality of collecting chambers, each collecting chamber having a collecting chamber inlet distributed around the collecting chamber and having interconnected channels for conducting a separated fraction from the collecting chamber inlet and along a plurality of non-linear paths to converge at chamber outlet means disposed within the chamber, the arrangement being such that the minimum path length for the separated fraction from the collecting chamber inlet to the chamber outlet means is the same from all points on the collecting chamber inlet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
247 words
In a separation apparatus comprising a substantially uninterrupted annular chamber bounded by substantially co-axial outer and inner walls, inlet means by which migrant material and a migrant-supporting fluid can be introduced into the annular chamber at a first region thereof, means for generating a force field by which the migrant material in the annular chamber can be subjected to a force field to produce a differential response, as regards movement in a direction radially of the chamber, between the migrant and the supporting fluid and/or between fractions of the migrant, outlet means for selectively removing from the annular chamber, at further regions remote from the first region, the supporting fluid with or without separated fractions of the migrant, and means adapted to permit a relative rotation between the inner and outer walls about the common axis thereof thereby to stabilise flow conditions in the flow chamber, at least said outer wall being rotatable about said axis the improvement wherein the outlet means Pg,17 comprises a plurality of collecting chambers, each collecting chamber having a collecting chamber inlet distributed around the collecting chamber and having interconnected channels for conducting a separated fraction from the collecting chamber inlet and along a plurality of non-linear paths to converge at chamber outlet means disposed within the chamber, the arrangement being such that the minimum path length for the separated fraction from the collecting chamber inlet to the chamber outlet means is the same from all points on the collecting chamber inlet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A separation apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the plurality of chambers is constituted by a stacked plurality of plates which are axially spaced from each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A separation apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each plate has channels formed therein the constituted by a plurality of circular, concentrically arranged channels and a plurality of radially extending channels which interconnect adjacent, circular channels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
84 words
A plate for the outlet means of the separation apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the plate has a channelled surface comprising an inlet channel adjacent the edge of the plate and interconnected channels for conducting fluid from the inlet channel and along a plurality of non-linear paths to converge at a chamber outlet means, the arrangement being such that the minimum path length for fluid from the inlet channel to chamber outlet means is the same from all points on the inlet channel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A plate according to claim 6 wherein the channelled surface comprises a plurality of circular, concentrically arranged channels and a plurality of radially extending channels which interconnect adjacent, circular channels.
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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) | 1977-10-28 | 1978-04-29 | 1978-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-28 | 1982-04-29 | 1982-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-28 | 1986-04-29 | 1986-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |