Separation of particles from gaseous fluid flows

Claim 1

A separator device for the continuous separation of foreign particulate matter including drops of moisture and dust from a gaseous fluid flow, comprising: stationary wall means for deflecting said fluid flow and subjecting the same to centrifugal force to separate said particulate matter and collect said particulate matter on or adjacent said stationary wall means, said stationary wall means comprising a plurality of substantially S-shaped and spirally curved laminae which are inserted axially one into another to define a plurality of passages located adjacent and parallel to one another to permit simultaneous fluid flow therethrough, the width of each said passage being substantially smaller than the length thereof, and each of said passages having a part at which the cross-section narrows and another subsequent part at which the cross-section widens in the direction of fluid flow and wherein each of said passages is curved spirally first through 360° in one direction of deflection with increasing curvature and then through 360° in the opposite direction with decreasing curvature, wherein each of said spirally curved laminae comprises first, second, third and fourth semi-cylindrical portions, wherein said first portion is connected contiguously to said second portion curving in the same direction as said first portion, said second portion having a radius approximately twice that of said first portion, said second portion is connected contiguously to said third portion, said third portion having the same radius as said second portion but curving in the opposite direction, and said third portion is connected contiguously to said fourth portion, said fourth portion curving in the same direction as said third portion and having a radius approximately half that of said third portion; and spacer means for holding said laminae in defined positions relative to one another.