US3948771A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for separating suspended matter from a fluid by centrifugal force
Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
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Filing: 1975-06-06
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Granted: 1976-04-06
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Expires: 1995-06-06
Abstract
Abstract The fluid to be treated is directed along a main flow path and past a flow-off edge on the concave side of the main flow path to produce a stationary whirl at least contacting the main fluid flow and in which suspended matter is separated from the fluid, by centrifugal force, to provide purified fluid. At selected locations in the stationary whirl, a selected one of the purified fluid and the suspended matter is separated and withdrawn from the stationary whirl. The non-separated portion of the fluid volume, whose suspended matter content is now changed, is returned into the main flow. The geometric form of the whirl axis is selected in accordance with the particular requirements of each installation. Thus, starting from a simple cylindrical configuration, the whirl may take any form having a curvilinear axis, even an annular form with a circular axis. In the radial direction, the whirl may be limited by any curved surface such as, for example, a cylindrical surface, a barrel-shape surface, and similar surfaces of appropriate form.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernst-August Bielefeldt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:16
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07B; B07B7/00; B07B7/08; B01; B01D; B01D21/00; B01D21/0087; B01D21/24; B01D21/2488; B01D21/26; B01D21/265; B04; B04C; B04C1/00; B07B7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
A method of separating a specifically heavy phase of suspended matter from a lighter fluid by centrifugal force comprising the steps of directing the fluid to be treated along an annular main flow path having a mean radius, equal to one half the sum of its inner and outer radii, which alternately increases and decreases progressively longitudinally of the flow direction so as to form a partial toroidal layer and past an annular flow-off edge projecting tangentially in the flow direction on the radially inner side of the main flow path and forming a wall of a toroidal whirl chamber tangent to the radially inner side of, and communication with, the annular main flow path concentric with such annular main flow path, and having an outer radius, transversely of such annular main flow path, substantially equal to the inner radius of such annular main flow path, to produce a stationary whirl in the form of a torus in the toroidal whirl chamber at least contacting, in its zone of tangency with the main flow path, such partial toroidal layer, and in which stationary whirl heavier suspended matter is separated from the fluid, by centrifugal force, to provide purified fluid; at a predetermined location in the stationary toroidal whirl, separating and withdrawing part of the purified fluid from the stationary whirl; and returning the non-separated portion of the fluid volume, whose suspended matter content is now increased into the main flow.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
240 words
A method of separating a specifically heavy phase of suspended matter from a lighter fluid by centrifugal force comprising the steps of directing the fluid to be treated along an annular main flow path having a mean radius, equal to one half the sum of its inner and outer radii, which alternately increases and decreases progressively longitudinally of the flow direction so as to form a partial toroidal layer and past an annular flow-off edge projecting tangentially in the flow direction on the radially inner side of the main flow path and forming a wall of a toroidal whirl chamber tangent to the radially inner side of, and communication with, the annular main flow path concentric with such annular main flow path, and having an outer radius, transversely of such annular main flow path, substantially equal to the inner radius of such annular main flow path, to produce a stationary whirl in the form of a torus in the toroidal whirl chamber at least contacting, in its zone of tangency with the main flow path, such partial toroidal layer, and in which stationary whirl heavier suspended matter is separated from the fluid, by centrifugal force, to provide purified fluid; at a predetermined location in the stationary toroidal whirl, separating and withdrawing part of the purified fluid from the stationary whirl; and returning the non-separated portion of the fluid volume, whose suspended matter content is now increased into the main flow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method of separating suspended matter from a fluid by centrifugal force, as claimed in claim 1, in which the mean radius of the annular main flow path increases in the flow direction at the annular flow-off edge to form an outer partly toroidal layer of the fluid to be treated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method of separating suspended matter from a fluid by centrifugal force, as claimed in claim 1, in which the mean radius of the annular main flow path decreases in the flow direction at the annular flow-off edge to form an inner partly toroidal layer of the fluid to be treated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of separating suspended matter from a fluid by centrifugal force, as claimed in claim 1, in which a plurality of stationary whirls is produced, with the stationary whirls arranged in series with each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of separating suspended matter from a fluid by centrifugal force, as claimed in claim 1, in which a plurality of stationary whirls is produced, with the stationary whirls arranged in parallel with each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method of separating suspended matter from a fluid by centrifugal force, as claimed in claim 1, in which, within the toroidal whirl chamber, there is a zone of maximum concentration of the specifically heavy phase of suspended matter; and effecting such separating and withdrawing of the suspeneded matter in such zone of maximum concentration of the specifically heavy phase of suspended matter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method of separating suspended matter from a fluid by centrifugal force, as claimed in claim 6, including the step of returning the separated portion of the volume containing the specifically heavy phase of suspended matter into the main flow before the whirl.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method of separating suspended matter from a fluid by centrifugal force, as claimed in claim 6, including the step of returning the separated portion of the volume containing the specifically heavy phase of suspended matter into the main flow after the whirl.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of separating suspended matter from a fluid by centrifugal force, as claimed in claim 1, in which the stationary whirl is produced in a whirl chamber divided into whirl chamber sections which are adjacent each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of separating suspended matter from a fluid by centrifugal force, as claim in claim 1, including the step of supplying compressed air into the fluid to be treated adjacent to the stationary toroidal whirl.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of separating suspended matter from a fluid be centrifugal force, as claimed in claim 1, in which particles accumulating at the periphery of the stationary toroidal whirl are removed immediately from the whirl.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of separating suspended matter from a fluid by centrifugal force, as claimed in claim 1, including directing the main flow past at least one stationary toroidal whirl zone as an endless circulating flow.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of separating suspended matter from a fluid by centrifugal force, as claimed in claim 1, including directing the main flow past several stationary toroidal whirl zones as an endless circulating flow.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
225 words
Apparatus for separating a specifically heavy phase of suspended matter from a lighter fluid by centrifugal force comprising, in combination, conduit means directing the fluid to be treated along an annular main flow path having a mean radius, equal to one half the sum of its inner and outer radii, which alternately increases and decreases progressively longitudinally of the flow direction so as to form a partial toroidal layer; a toroidal whirl chamber, having a curvilinear cross-section and a curved longitudinal axis, positioned along said annular main flow path and having a flow-off edge projecting tangentially in the flow direction into said main flow path on the radially inner side thereof to produce a stationary whirl in the form of a torus, in said toroidal whirl chamber, with the stationary whirl at least contacting the main fluid flow in the zone of tangency of the whirl chamber and the annular main flow path, and in which stationary whirl suspended matter is separated from the fluid, by centrifugal force, to provide purified fluid; means at a predetermined location in said toroidal whirl chamber operable to separate and withdraw part of the purified fluid from the stationary toroidal whirl in said toroidal whirl chamber; and means operable to return the non-separated portion of the fluid volume, whose suspended matter content is now increased, into the main flow.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
225 words
Apparatus for separating a specifically heavy phase of suspended matter from a lighter fluid by centrifugal force comprising, in combination, conduit means directing the fluid to be treated along an annular main flow path having a mean radius, equal to one half the sum of its inner and outer radii, which alternately increases and decreases progressively longitudinally of the flow direction so as to form a partial toroidal layer; a toroidal whirl chamber, having a curvilinear cross-section and a curved longitudinal axis, positioned along said annular main flow path and having a flow-off edge projecting tangentially in the flow direction into said main flow path on the radially inner side thereof to produce a stationary whirl in the form of a torus, in said toroidal whirl chamber, with the stationary whirl at least contacting the main fluid flow in the zone of tangency of the whirl chamber and the annular main flow path, and in which stationary whirl suspended matter is separated from the fluid, by centrifugal force, to provide purified fluid; means at a predetermined location in said toroidal whirl chamber operable to separate and withdraw part of the purified fluid from the stationary toroidal whirl in said toroidal whirl chamber; and means operable to return the non-separated portion of the fluid volume, whose suspended matter content is now increased, into the main flow.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus for separating suspended matter from a fluid by centrifugal force, as claimed in claim 14, in which said conduit means is formed, before said whirl chamber, as an injection chamber; at least one compressed-air inlet nozzle in said injection chamber; passage means at the periphery of said whirl chamber for particles to be separated; and an accumulator tank communicating with said passage means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus for separating suspended matter from a fluid by centrifugal force, as claimed in claim 14, in which said conduit means is formed, after said whirl chamber, as an injection chamber; at least one compressed-air inlet nozzle in said injection chamber; passagr means at the periphery of said whirl chamber for particles to be separated; and an accumulator tank communicating with said passage means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus for separating suspened matter from a fluid by centrifugal force, as claimed in claim 14, including at least one guide means defining a passage slot provided in the whirl chamber and projecting into the main flow path.
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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) | 1979-04-06 | 1979-10-06 | 1980-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-04-06 | 1983-10-06 | 1984-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-04-06 | 1987-10-06 | 1988-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |