US4255174A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Separator
Assignee: Rolls Royce PLC
•
Filing: 1979-09-27
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Granted: 1981-03-10
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Expires: 1999-09-27
Abstract
Abstract Jet engines can function properly even in conditions where liquid droplets are taken in by the compressor of the engine. However, where the droplets contain corrosive substances such as salts, damage can accrue not only through corrosion, but through build up of deposits spoiling the aerodynamic flow of air and gas through the engine. The risk of this ocurring is reduced by placing a vaned vortex generator in the intake and including on the flanks of its vanes, grooves which collect the droplets into coalesced streams and directs them to an area adjacent the intake wall. A flow splitter provides an annular, secondary outlet to dump the concentrated fluids.
Inventors
- 👤 Trevor W. Simpson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:08
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02C; F02C7/00; F02C7/04; F02C7/05; F02C7/052; B; B01; B01D; B01D45/00; B01D45/12; B01D45/16; F02M; F02M35/00; F02M35/02; F02M35/022; B04; B04C; B04C3/00; B04C2003/006; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S55/00; Y10S55/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A separator suitable for separating liquid droplets from a liquid droplet carrying gas stream comprising: a substantially circular cross-sectional primary duct; and vaned means positioned within said primary duct for causing any liquid droplet carrying gas stream passing in operation through said primary duct into a vortex about the axis of said primary duct, said vaned means including at least one vane upon which at least some of said liquid droplets of said liquid droplet carrying gas stream impinge and coalesce, said at least one vane having a leading edge and a trailing edge with respect to said gas stream passing through said primary duct, said at least one vane additionally having a liquid droplet and coalesced liquid directing means on at least one surface thereof interconnecting at least a radially inner region of said leading edge with a radially outer region of said trailing edge, said directing means causing liquid droplets and coalesce liquid to be directed to said radially outer region of said primary duct so that the gas stream exhausted from the radially inner region of said primary duct has a reduced droplet concentration or is substantially liquid droplet free.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
A separator suitable for separating liquid droplets from a liquid droplet carrying gas stream comprising: a substantially circular cross-sectional primary duct; and vaned means positioned within said primary duct for causing any liquid droplet carrying gas stream passing in operation through said primary duct into a vortex about the axis of said primary duct, said vaned means including at least one vane upon which at least some of said liquid droplets of said liquid droplet carrying gas stream impinge and coalesce, said at least one vane having a leading edge and a trailing edge with respect to said gas stream passing through said primary duct, said at least one vane additionally having a liquid droplet and coalesced liquid directing means on at least one surface thereof interconnecting at least a radially inner region of said leading edge with a radially outer region of said trailing edge, said directing means causing liquid droplets and coalesce liquid to be directed to said radially outer region of said primary duct so that the gas stream exhausted from the radially inner region of said primary duct has a reduced droplet concentration or is substantially liquid droplet free.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A separator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vaned means comprises a plurality of vanes mounted on a common support member positioned along the longitudinal axis of said primary duct, said vanes extending between said support member and the internal wall of said primary duct.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A separator as claimed in claim 1 wherein means are provided downstream of said vaned means which means are adapted to split any gas stream exhausted from the radially inner regions of said primary duct from any gas stream exhausted from the radially outer regions of said primary duct.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A separator as claimed in claim 3 wherein said gas stream splitting means comprises a secondary duct having an end portion of frusto conical form, the smaller diameter end of said frusto conical end portion being positioned within said primary duct and adjacent the downstream end of said vaned means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A separator as claimed in claim 4 wherein the radially outer surface of said secondary duct and the radially inner surface of said primary duct downstream of said vaned means are each provided with means adapted to break up any of said coalesced liquid into droplets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A separator as claimed in claim 5 wherein said means adapted to break up said coalesced liquid into droplets comprises a plurality of axial grooves.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A separator device comprising a plurality as claimed in claim 1 of said separator wherein said separators are grouped together in support means and provided with a common drain for liquid separated from said gas stream.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A separator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said directing means interconnecting said trailing and leading edges of said at least one vane comprises a plurality of grooves on the at least one surface thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A separator as claimed in claim 8 wherein said plurality of grooves are equally spaced along said leading edge from said radially inner region of the same and all extend to the radially outer region of said trailing edge of said at least one vane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
A separator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said directing means interconnecting the leading and trailing edges of said at least one vane comprise at least one fence extending from the inner region of the leading edge to the outer region of the trailing edge of said at least one vane.
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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) | 1984-03-09 | 1984-09-08 | 1985-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-09 | 1988-09-08 | 1989-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-09 | 1992-09-08 | 1993-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |