US4010891A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vapor removal apparatus for oil/water separator
Assignee: Burmah Oil and Gas Co
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Filing: 1976-01-08
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Granted: 1977-03-08
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Expires: 1996-01-08
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for permitting a direct flow of vapor entrained in incoming oil/water streams to a centrifugal oil/water separator device into the oil collection chamber of such a device to inhibit the accumulation of such vapor within the input impeller chamber of such a centrifugal separator and to thereby assure proper operation of said impeller and the prohibition of cavitation which would otherwise generate a serious pressure drop within the separator.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernest O. Kartinen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:43
CPC Classifications
B; B04; B04B; B04B1/00; B04B1/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S494/00; Y10S494/90; Y10S494/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A centrifugal oil/water separator comprising: an inlet conduit for supplying a mixture of oil and water to said separator, said mixture including vapor bubbles; a main, rotating centrifugal separator chamber; an impeller chamber fluidly connected between said inlet conduit and said main separation chamber; an impeller mounted within said impeller chamber; means comprising plural apertures through said separator plate for permitting flow of said vapor bubbles directly from said inlet conduit to said main chamber at a location adjacent the rotational axis of said chamber; and plural frits mounted in said plural apertures for generating different flow impedances for vapor and liquid flows through said aperture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A centrifugal oil/water separator comprising: an inlet conduit for supplying a mixture of oil and water to said separator, said mixture including vapor bubbles; a main, rotating centrifugal separator chamber; an impeller chamber fluidly connected between said inlet conduit and said main separation chamber; an impeller mounted within said impeller chamber; means comprising plural apertures through said separator plate for permitting flow of said vapor bubbles directly from said inlet conduit to said main chamber at a location adjacent the rotational axis of said chamber; and plural frits mounted in said plural apertures for generating different flow impedances for vapor and liquid flows through said aperture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
108 words
A centrifugal oil/water separator comprising: an inlet conduit for supplying a mixture of oil and water to said separator, said mixture including vapor bubbles; a main, rotating centrifugal separator chamber; an impeller chamber fluidly connected between said inlet conduit and said main separation chamber; an impeller mounted within said impeller chamber; and means for permitting flow of said vapor bubbles directly from said inlet conduit in said main chamber at a location adjacent the rotational axis of said main chamber, wherein said means for permitting flow of said vapor bubbles comprises valve means for selectively permitting flow of said vapor bubbles while prohibiting flow of said oil/water mixture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
108 words
A centrifugal oil/water separator comprising: an inlet conduit for supplying a mixture of oil and water to said separator, said mixture including vapor bubbles; a main, rotating centrifugal separator chamber; an impeller chamber fluidly connected between said inlet conduit and said main separation chamber; an impeller mounted within said impeller chamber; and means for permitting flow of said vapor bubbles directly from said inlet conduit in said main chamber at a location adjacent the rotational axis of said main chamber, wherein said means for permitting flow of said vapor bubbles comprises valve means for selectively permitting flow of said vapor bubbles while prohibiting flow of said oil/water mixture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
114 words
A centrifugal oil/water separator comprising: an inlet conduit for supplying a mixture of oil and water to said separator, said mixture including vapor bubbles; a main, rotating centrifugal separator chamber; an impeller chamber fluidly connected between said inlet conduit and said main separation chamber; an impeller mounted within said impeller chamber; and means for permitting flow of said vapor bubbles directly from said inlet conduit to said main chamber at a location adjacent the rotational axis of said main chamber, wherein said means for permitting said flow of said vapor bubbles presents a relatively low flow impedance to said vapor bubbles and a relatively high flow impedance to said mixture of oil and water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
114 words
A centrifugal oil/water separator comprising: an inlet conduit for supplying a mixture of oil and water to said separator, said mixture including vapor bubbles; a main, rotating centrifugal separator chamber; an impeller chamber fluidly connected between said inlet conduit and said main separation chamber; an impeller mounted within said impeller chamber; and means for permitting flow of said vapor bubbles directly from said inlet conduit to said main chamber at a location adjacent the rotational axis of said main chamber, wherein said means for permitting said flow of said vapor bubbles presents a relatively low flow impedance to said vapor bubbles and a relatively high flow impedance to said mixture of oil and water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
115 words
A centrifugal oil/water separator comprising: an inlet conduit for supplying an oil/water emulsion with entrained vapor to said separator; a rotating main separator cavity for separating said emulsion into an oil mass located adjacent the axis of rotation of said main cavity and a water mass spaced from said rotation axis by said oil mass; means for conducting liquid flow from said inlet conduit directly into said water mass within said main cavity; and means for conducting vapor flow from said inlet conduit directly into said oil mass within said main cavity wherein said means for conducting vapor flow presents a relatively low impedance to vapor flow and a relatively high impedance to liquid flow.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
115 words
A centrifugal oil/water separator comprising: an inlet conduit for supplying an oil/water emulsion with entrained vapor to said separator; a rotating main separator cavity for separating said emulsion into an oil mass located adjacent the axis of rotation of said main cavity and a water mass spaced from said rotation axis by said oil mass; means for conducting liquid flow from said inlet conduit directly into said water mass within said main cavity; and means for conducting vapor flow from said inlet conduit directly into said oil mass within said main cavity wherein said means for conducting vapor flow presents a relatively low impedance to vapor flow and a relatively high impedance to liquid flow.
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) | 1980-03-07 | 1980-09-06 | 1981-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-07 | 1984-09-06 | 1985-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-07 | 1988-09-06 | 1989-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |