US4084943A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Jet membrane gas separator and method
Assignee: Grumman Corp
•
Filing: 1976-11-11
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Granted: 1978-04-18
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Expires: 1996-11-11
Abstract
Abstract A method of and apparatus for separating a lighter gas from a heavier gas in a gas mixture. The method involves directing generally annular jets of a jet gas into the gas mixture, and extracting the lighter gas from the gas mixture through central zones of the generally annular jets. The apparatus comprises a jet membrane separating a chamber for the gas mixture and a chamber for the gas enriched in the lighter gas, the jet membrane utilizing annular jet orifices communicating with the gas-mixture chamber and utilizing extraction tubes at the jet orifices and interconnecting the two chambers. A jet gas delivered to the jet orifices is discharged therethrough into the gas-mixture chamber, and the lighter gas of the mixture passes through the extraction tubes into the chamber for the gas enriched in the lighter gas. By cascading a number of jet membrane stages of the foregoing nature, a very high degree of purity for the lighter gas may be achieved.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard B. Hamel
- 👤 Eric P. Muntz
- 👤 Paul B. Scott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:21
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
In an apparatus for separating a lighter gas from a heavier gas in a gas mixture, the combination of: a. a first chamber for the gas mixture; b. a second chamber for a mixture enriched in the lighter gas; c. a wall structure separating said chambers and comprising means providing jet orifices communicating with said first chamber and means providing extraction openings adjacent and aligned with said jet orifices and interconnecting said chambers, said extraction openings having inlet ends communicating with said first chamber and outlet ends communicating with said second chamber, said jet orifices and said inlet ends of said extraction openings facing in the same direction; d. means for delivering a jet gas to said jet orifices for discharge therethrough into said first chamber; e. means for delivering the gas mixture to said first chamber; and f. means for discharging the lighter gas from said second chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
In an apparatus for separating a lighter gas from a heavier gas in a gas mixture, the combination of: a. a first chamber for the gas mixture; b. a second chamber for a mixture enriched in the lighter gas; c. a wall structure separating said chambers and comprising means providing jet orifices communicating with said first chamber and means providing extraction openings adjacent and aligned with said jet orifices and interconnecting said chambers, said extraction openings having inlet ends communicating with said first chamber and outlet ends communicating with said second chamber, said jet orifices and said inlet ends of said extraction openings facing in the same direction; d. means for delivering a jet gas to said jet orifices for discharge therethrough into said first chamber; e. means for delivering the gas mixture to said first chamber; and f. means for discharging the lighter gas from said second chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein: a. said wall structure comprises a first wall bounding said first chamber and having said jet orifices therein, and a second wall spaced from said first wall and bounding said second chamber and having said extraction openings therein; and b. said jet gas delivering means comprises the space between said first and second walls.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said extraction openings are extraction tubes projecting from said second wall toward said jet orifices.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said extraction tubes project through said jet orifices into said first chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said extraction tubes are coaxial with and terminate short of said jet orifices.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said extraction tubes are spaced from the jet orifices between about zero and about the outside diameter of said jet orifices and have an inside diameter between about 0.25 and 1.25 times the outside diameter of said jet orifices.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said jet orifices completely surround said extraction tubes with annular spaces between the edges of said jet orifices and said extraction tubes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said jet orifices and said extraction tubes are laterally elongated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said jet orifices and said extraction tubes are cylindrical.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said jet orifices and said extraction tubes are frustoconical.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said jet orifices and said extraction tubes are circular in cross section and cylindrical.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein the inside diameter of said extraction tubes is between about 0.25 and 0.90 times the outside diameter of said jet orifices.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said extraction tubes project into said first chamber between about zero and about three times the outside diameter of said jet orifices.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of separating a lighter gas from a heavier gas in a gas mixture, including the steps of: a. directing a generally annular jet of a jet gas into the gas mixture; and b. extracting the lighter gas from the gas mixture through a central zone within and surrounded by said generally annular jet, the direction of gas extraction being opposite to the direction of flow of said generally annular jet.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of separating a lighter gas from a heavier gas in a gas mixture, including the steps of: a. directing a generally annular jet of a jet gas into the gas mixture; and b. extracting the lighter gas from the gas mixture through a central zone within and surrounded by said generally annular jet, the direction of gas extraction being opposite to the direction of flow of said generally annular jet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 14 wherein said generally annular jets have supersonic velocities.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 14 wherein said generally annular jets have subsonic velocities.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined in claim 14 wherein said generally annular jets are continuous around said central zones.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein said jets are circular.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein said jets are rectangular.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
67 words
In an apparatus for separating a lighter gas from a heavier gas in a gas mixture, the combination of: a. a chamber for the gas mixture; b. a generally annular jet orifice facing the gas mixture chamber; and c. an extraction opening for the lighter gas adjacent and aligned with said jet orifice and having an inlet end facing in the same direction as said jet orifice.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
67 words
In an apparatus for separating a lighter gas from a heavier gas in a gas mixture, the combination of: a. a chamber for the gas mixture; b. a generally annular jet orifice facing the gas mixture chamber; and c. an extraction opening for the lighter gas adjacent and aligned with said jet orifice and having an inlet end facing in the same direction as said jet orifice.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said extraction opening is positioned within and surrounded by said jet orifice.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein said extraction opening is projecting through said jet orifice.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said extraction opening is spaced from said jet orifice.
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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) | 1981-04-17 | 1981-10-17 | 1982-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-17 | 1985-10-17 | 1986-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-17 | 1989-10-17 | 1990-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |