Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
245 words
A plate assembly for use in a cross flow separation device for separating components from a carrier liquid having components of a specific mass differing from that of the carrier liquid, comprising: at least a first separating plate and a second separating plate adapted to be mounted within the separation device for enhancing separation of the components from the carrier liquid; each of said separating plates having a top portion, an intake side portion, a bottom portion, a discharge side portion, a first plate surface, and a second plate surface; each of said separating plates formed with said first plate surface being substantially parallel with said second plate surface; said top portion, said intake side portion, said bottom portion, and said discharge side portion forming the perimeter of each of said separating plates; said second plate surface of said first separating plate adapted to be disposed adjacent said first plate surface of said second separating plate within the separation device; and, elongate spacer means mounted with said second separating plate at said top portion and said bottom portion and with the longitudinal axis of said spacer means extending along said second plate surface of said second separating plate between said top portion and said bottom portion for engaging and spacing said second plate surface of said second separating plate from said first plate surface of said first separating plate for enhanced coalescing and separation of the components from the carrier liquid within the separation device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
245 words
A plate assembly for use in a cross flow separation device for separating components from a carrier liquid having components of a specific mass differing from that of the carrier liquid, comprising: at least a first separating plate and a second separating plate adapted to be mounted within the separation device for enhancing separation of the components from the carrier liquid; each of said separating plates having a top portion, an intake side portion, a bottom portion, a discharge side portion, a first plate surface, and a second plate surface; each of said separating plates formed with said first plate surface being substantially parallel with said second plate surface; said top portion, said intake side portion, said bottom portion, and said discharge side portion forming the perimeter of each of said separating plates; said second plate surface of said first separating plate adapted to be disposed adjacent said first plate surface of said second separating plate within the separation device; and, elongate spacer means mounted with said second separating plate at said top portion and said bottom portion and with the longitudinal axis of said spacer means extending along said second plate surface of said second separating plate between said top portion and said bottom portion for engaging and spacing said second plate surface of said second separating plate from said first plate surface of said first separating plate for enhanced coalescing and separation of the components from the carrier liquid within the separation device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The plate assembly of claim 1, wherein: said separating plates are formed having corrugations in said first and second plate surfaces with said corrugations being a series of alternating peaks and valleys substantially parallel with and between said intake and discharge side portions from said top portion to said bottom portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The plate assembly of claim 2, wherein: said peaks of said separating plate are formed having ridges extending between adjacent valleys.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The plate assembly of claim 3, wherein: said ridges are at a non-parallel angle with respect to said top portion and said bottom portion of said separating plate and a non-perpendicular angle with respect to said intake and discharge side portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The plate assembly of claim 2, wherein: said spacer means is disposed between said first separating plate and said second separating plate in said peaks of said corrugations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The plate assembly of claim 1, wherein: said spacer means includes a spacer formed of a plurality of helical windings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The plate assembly of claim 6, wherein: said spacer includes a coil spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The plate assembly of claim 1, wherein: said spacer means includes a spacer formed of a tubular member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The plate assembly of claim 1, wherein: said spacer means acts as a coalescing element within the separation device.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for installing a plate assembly of a plurality of separating plates each having a top portion, an intake side portion, a bottom portion, a discharge side portion, a first plate surface and a second plate surface in a cross flow separation device, comprising the steps of: disposing a first separating plate within the cross flow separation device; affixing an elongate spacer with a second separating plate at the top and bottom portions thereof and with the longitudinal axis of said spacer extending along the second plate surface of the separating plate between the top and bottom portions; and, inserting the second separating plate into the separation device with the elongate spacer engaging and spacing the second plate surface of the second separating plate from the first plate surface of the first separating plate for enhancing coalescing and separation of the components from the carrier liquid within the separation device.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for installing a plate assembly of a plurality of separating plates each having a top portion, an intake side portion, a bottom portion, a discharge side portion, a first plate surface and a second plate surface in a cross flow separation device, comprising the steps of: disposing a first separating plate within the cross flow separation device; affixing an elongate spacer with a second separating plate at the top and bottom portions thereof and with the longitudinal axis of said spacer extending along the second plate surface of the separating plate between the top and bottom portions; and, inserting the second separating plate into the separation device with the elongate spacer engaging and spacing the second plate surface of the second separating plate from the first plate surface of the first separating plate for enhancing coalescing and separation of the components from the carrier liquid within the separation device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 10, further including the step of: sealing the first separating plate with the separation device with a longitudinal flexible spacer mounted between the second plate surface of the first separating plate and the separation device, after said disposing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
79 words
The method of claim 10, further including the steps of: affixing spacers with a plurality of individual separating plates at the top and bottom portions thereof and extending along their respective second plate surfaces between the top and bottom portions; and, inserting the separating plates individually, one at a time, into the separation device, with the spacers engaging and spacing adjacent second plate surfaces from first plate surfaces of adjacent separating plates for enhancing separation within the separation device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said affixing includes the step of: mounting a helically wound spacer with the separating plate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 10, further including the step of: forming, prior to said disposing, the separating plates having double corrugations in the first and second plate surfaces with the double corrugations being a series of alternating peaks and valleys being substantially parallel with and between the intake and discharge side portions from the top portion to the bottom portion and having ridges extending between adjacent valleys on each separating plate.