US4111671A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for carbon dioxide snow separation
Assignee: Cardox Corp
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Filing: 1977-02-22
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Granted: 1978-09-05
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Expires: 1997-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A method and related apparatus for separating carbon dioxide snow from a mixture of carbon dioxide snow and vapor is disclosed. A mixture of carbon dioxide snow and vapor is introduced into a rectangular conduit which has an inlet end, an outlet end, a discharge orifice and continuously increasing cross-section from said inlet end to said discharge orifice. At least a portion of the conduit between the inlet end and the discharge orifice is curved to define a flow path for the mixture such that carbon dioxide snow tends to be concentrated for flow in a concentrated stream through said path. Means for deflecting a portion of the mixture after it passes through said discharge orifice is also provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Hilding Victor Williamson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 05:39
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D45/00; B01D45/12; B01D45/16; F; F17; F17C; F17C13/00; F17C2221/00; F17C2221/01; F17C2221/013; F17C2223/00; F17C2223/01; F17C2223/0146; F17C2223/0176; F17C2225/00; F17C2225/01; F17C2225/0107; F17C2225/0123; F17C2225/0138; F17C2265/00; F17C2265/01; F17C2265/015; F17C2265/017
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of separating carbon dioxide snow from a mixture of carbon dioxide snow and vapor comprising the steps of: expanding a stream of liquid carbon dioxide to a pressure below the thermodynamic triple point into an inlet end of a continuously increasing rectangular cross-section conduit to form a flowing mixture of carbon dioxide snow and vapor; conducting said mixture at sub-atmospheric pressure in a curvilinear path defined by said conduit to subject said flowing mixture to a uniform field of centrifugal forces, whereby said snow is concentrated in a stream in the region having the largest centrifugal force; and separating said concentrated stream of snow from said vapor by a physical barrier to discharge said concentrated stream of snow from said conduit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of separating carbon dioxide snow from a mixture of carbon dioxide snow and vapor comprising the steps of: expanding a stream of liquid carbon dioxide to a pressure below the thermodynamic triple point into an inlet end of a continuously increasing rectangular cross-section conduit to form a flowing mixture of carbon dioxide snow and vapor; conducting said mixture at sub-atmospheric pressure in a curvilinear path defined by said conduit to subject said flowing mixture to a uniform field of centrifugal forces, whereby said snow is concentrated in a stream in the region having the largest centrifugal force; and separating said concentrated stream of snow from said vapor by a physical barrier to discharge said concentrated stream of snow from said conduit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 further including, after the step characterized by expanding, the step of conducting said mixture in a straight path formed by said conduit between said inlet end and said curvilinear path to substantially eliminate turbulence in said carbon dioxide snow and vapor mixture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 further including the step of recovering said separated carbon dioxide vapor for subsequent recycling.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
158 words
An apparatus for separting carbon dioxide snow from a mixture of carbon dioxide snow and vapor comprising: a continuously increasing rectangular cross-section conduit having an inlet end, an outlet end, and a discharge orifice adjacent to said outlet end; means in said inlet end for introducing a mixture of carbon dioxide snow and vapor into said conduit thereby causing a flow of the mixture from said inlet end toward said outlet end; said conduit having a curved portion between said inlet end and said discharge orifice shaped so that the two curved walls of said conduit form a flow path for the mixture such that carbon dioxide snow tends to flow in a concentrated stream through said conduit at or near the surface defined by the larger radius, and blade means attached to said conduit at said discharge orifice establishing the size of said discharge orifice and providing physical separation for siad carbon dioxide snow from said vapor.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
158 words
An apparatus for separting carbon dioxide snow from a mixture of carbon dioxide snow and vapor comprising: a continuously increasing rectangular cross-section conduit having an inlet end, an outlet end, and a discharge orifice adjacent to said outlet end; means in said inlet end for introducing a mixture of carbon dioxide snow and vapor into said conduit thereby causing a flow of the mixture from said inlet end toward said outlet end; said conduit having a curved portion between said inlet end and said discharge orifice shaped so that the two curved walls of said conduit form a flow path for the mixture such that carbon dioxide snow tends to flow in a concentrated stream through said conduit at or near the surface defined by the larger radius, and blade means attached to said conduit at said discharge orifice establishing the size of said discharge orifice and providing physical separation for siad carbon dioxide snow from said vapor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said conduit includes a straight portion located between said inlet end and said curved portion, for substantially eliminating turbulence in said carbon dioxide snow and vapor mixture before it enters said curved portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said straight portion comprises 40% of the total length of said conduit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the ratio of the area of said discharge orifice to the cross sectional area of said conduit at the location of said discharge orifice is 1:8.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further including recovery means attached to said conduit at said outlet end for recovering said separated carbon dioxide vapor for subsequent recycling.
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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) | 1981-09-04 | 1982-03-06 | 1982-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-04 | 1986-03-06 | 1986-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-04 | 1990-03-06 | 1990-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |