Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
The method of potting the ends of a bundle of hollow fibers positioned in a casing, which comprises: inserting said bundle of hollow fibers into said casing through an open end thereof; sealingly closing the ends of said casing by attaching casing closure member means to said casing; attaching opposed, side-mounted outlet ports of a hollow, elongated potting boat member to side apertures positioned in fluid communication with said casing; placing curable liquid sealant into said hollow, elongated member; and spinning said casing ends about an axis of rotation extending through a central portion of said casing; whereby said liquid sealant migrates by the centrifugal force of said spinning to the interior ends of said casing through said side apertures to pot the ends of the fiber bundle within the casing; and, after said liquid sealant has cured, removing said casing ends and cutting through said sealant and hollow fibers at each casing end to expose the bores of said hollow fibers.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
162 words
The method of potting the ends of a bundle of hollow fibers positioned in a casing, which comprises: inserting said bundle of hollow fibers into said casing through an open end thereof; sealingly closing the ends of said casing by attaching casing closure member means to said casing; attaching opposed, side-mounted outlet ports of a hollow, elongated potting boat member to side apertures positioned in fluid communication with said casing; placing curable liquid sealant into said hollow, elongated member; and spinning said casing ends about an axis of rotation extending through a central portion of said casing; whereby said liquid sealant migrates by the centrifugal force of said spinning to the interior ends of said casing through said side apertures to pot the ends of the fiber bundle within the casing; and, after said liquid sealant has cured, removing said casing ends and cutting through said sealant and hollow fibers at each casing end to expose the bores of said hollow fibers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 in which said side apertures are positioned adjacent opposite ends of said casing and generally pointing in the same direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 2 including the further step of surrounding the ends of said bundle with tape prior to insertion of said bundle into said casing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 2 comprising the further step of practicing said method by simultaneously spinning the casing ends of a plurality of separate casings in centrifuges positioned in a series of stations mounted on a rotating carousel platform, and intiating said spinning, terminating said spinning, and loading and unloading said casings from the centrifuges at at least one station positioned at said carousel platform.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 in which said closure member means is removably attached by interlocking helical threads to the casing, and is removed from the casing without cutting of the casing closure means prior to the step of cutting of said sealant and hollow fibers at each casing end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 in which said closure member means is cut through by cutting a circumferential channel about said closure member means adjacent each end of said casing, and then slicing through said sealant and hollow fibers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 1 comprising the further step of practicing said method by simultaneously spinning the casing ends of a plurality of separate casings in centrifuges positioned in a series of stations mounted on a rotating carousel platform, and initiating said spinning, terminating said spinning, and loading and unloading said casings from the centrifuges at at least one station positioned at said carousel platform.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 in which said closure member means is totally removed after said liquid sealant is cured.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 in which the entire amount of curable liquid sealant used is placed centrally into said potting boat member prior to spinning said casing ends.