Device for incorporation in dental suction apparatuses for separation of liquid and solid components

Claim 2

A separator for incorporation in dental suction apparatus for processing a suction stream, composed of air and liquid and solid materials coming from the mouth of a patient to separate cleaned air from liquid and solid material, said separator comprising a housing, a separation chamber in said housing, an inlet for the suction stream into said separation chamber, an outlet opening for cleaned suction air from said separation chamber, means for continuously applying suction to said outlet opening, means in said separation chamber for separating air from liquid and solid materials of the incoming suction stream, a drainage chamber below said separation chamber, a discharge outlet for liquid-solid discharge from said drainage chamber, means for sensing liquid level in said separation chamber, first valve means between said separation chamber and said drainage chamber, second valve means between said drainage chamber and said discharge outlet and means for controlling said first and second valve means in coordination with one another to position said first valve normally closed and said second valve normally open during operation of said apparatus and to open said first valve and close said second valve when the liquid in said separation chamber reaches predetermined level to drain liquid and any solids therein from said separation chamber into said drainage chamber while suction continues to be applied to said outlet opening.

Claim 3

A separator according to claim 1, in which said means for separating said liquids and solids from said incoming suction current comprises an annular chamber in the uppermost part of said separation chamber, said inlet opening tangentially into said annular chamber and said annular chamber opening downwardly into said separation chamber.

Claim 4

A separator according to claim 2, in which said annular chamber has an inner wall defining a central passage into which suction air flows from said annular chamber, the flow of suction mixture in said annular chamber being circumferentially and downwardly and the flow of suction air in said central passage being upwardly.

Claim 5

A separator according to claim 1, in which said means for separating said liquids and solids from said incoming suction current comprises a rotatable member in said separation chamber, said member being rotated by said suction current.

Claim 6

A separator according to claim 4, in which said rotatable member comprises a float in a lower portion of said separation chamber and a stem extending up from said float, said float comprising said means for sensing liquid level in said separation chamber.

Claim 7

A separator according to claim 5, in which vanes on said stem in an upper portion of said separation chamber comprise means for rotating said float.

Claim 8

A separator according to claim 6, comprising in an upper portion of said separating chamber a cyclone insert having a generally cylindrical inner wall with a lower drip-edge, said vanes being above said drip-edge.

Claim 9

A separator according to claim 6, comprising a mushroom-shaped rejection surface on said stem between said vanes and said float.

Claim 10

A separator according to claim 5, comprising a conical partition in said separation chamber above said float with openings adjacent the periphery of said partition.

Claim 11

A separator according to claim 1, in which said means for sensing liquid level in said separation chamber comprises upper and lower electrical sensors, said first and second valve means being electromagnetically operated.

Claim 12

A separator according to claim 1, in which said means for sensing liquid level in said separation chamber comprises a float in said separation chamber and a stem extending up through an opening in the top of said separation chamber, comprising means for sensing the position of an upper portion of said stem and valve control means controlled by said sensing means.

Claim 13

A separator according to claim 1, further comprising means for shutting off suction on said separation chamber when the liquid level in said separation chamber rises above a predetermined level.

Claim 14

A separator according to claim 12, comprising means for delaying the turning on of suction on the separation chamber after the suction has been shut off, to permit draining of liquid and any solids therein from the separation chamber.

Claim 15

A separator for incorporation into dental suction apparatus for processing a suction stream composed of air and liquid and solid materials coming from the mouth of a patient to separate cleaned air from said liquid and solid materials, said separator comprising a housing, a separation chamber in an upper part of said housing, an inlet for the suction stream of air, liquid and solid materials into said separation chamber, means in said separation chamber for separating the air of said suction stream from said liquid and solid materials a cleaned air outlet in an upper part of said separation chamber, suction line means for continuously applying suction to said air outlet to draw cleaned air from said air outlet and thereby establish and maintain in said chamber a sub-atmospheric pressure to draw said suction stream into said separation chamber through said inlet, said separation chamber having a generally vertical cylindrical side wall and said separating means comprising a central sleeve extending down into said separation chamber from its upper end and defining an annular chamber between said sleeve and said side wall of said separation chamber, said sleeve being open at its lower end, said cleaned air outlet opening to said suction line being at the upper end of said sleeve and said inlet for the suction stream of air, liquid and solid materials opening approximately tangentially into said annular chamber above the lower end of said sleeve to induce a circular movement of said suction stream of air, liquid and solid materials around said sleeve before said air only flows into and up through said sleeve to said outlet opening, a collection region in a lower portion of said housing below said separating means to receive said liquid and solid materials separated from said suction stream by said separating means and falling into said collection region, a discharge opening at the bottom of said collection region for discharging liquid and solid materials, and means for automatically discharging liquid and solid materials from said collection region through said discharge opening while suction continues to be applied to air outlet by said suction line means to maintain said separation chamber under sub-atmospheric pressure, whereby liquid and solid materials are discharged without interruption of said suction stream drawn from the mouth of a patient.

Claim 16

A separator for incorporation into dental suction apparatus for processing a suction stream composed of air and liquid and solid materials coming from the mouth of a patient to separate cleaned air from said liquid and solid materials, said separator comprising a housing, a separation chamber in an upper part of said housing, an inlet for the suction stream of air, liquid and solid materials into said separation chamber, means in said separation chamber for separating the air of said suction stream from said liquid and solid materials a cleaned air outlet in an upper part of said separation chamber, suction line means for continuously applying suction to said air outlet to draw cleaned air from said air outlet and thereby establish and maintain in said chamber a sub-atmospheric pressure to draw said suction stream into said separation chamber through said inlet, said separation chamber having a generally vertical cylindrical side wall and said separating means comprising a central sleeve extending down into said separation chamber from its upper end and defining an annular chamber between said sleeve and said side wall of said separation chamber, said sleeve being open at its lower end, said cleaned air outlet opening to said suction line being at the upper end of said sleeve and said inlet for the suction stream of air, liquid and solid materials opening approximately tangentially into said annular chamber above the lower end of said sleeve to induce a circular movement of said suction stream of air, liquid and solid materials around said sleeve before said air only flows into and up through said sleeve to said outlet opening, a collection region in a lower portion of said housing below said separating means to receive said liquid and solid materials separated from said suction stream by said separating means and falling into said collection region, a discharge opening at the bottom of said collection region for discharging liquid and solid materials, and means for automatically discharging liquid and solid materials from said collection region through said discharge opening while suction continues to be applied to air outlet by said suction line means to maintain said separation chamber under sub-atmospheric pressure, whereby liquid and solid materials are discharged without interruption of said suction stream drawn from the mouth of a patient.

Claim 17

A separator according to claim 14, in which said sleeve tapers downwardly.

Claim 18

A separator according to claim 14, in which there is at least one suction opening in said sleeve.

Claim 19

A separator according to claim 16, in which there are a plurality of said suction openings which are angularly offset with respect to each other.

Claim 20

A separator according to claim 16, in which said suction opening comprises a suction nozzle in the highest region of said annular chamber, said nozzle leading from said suction air outlet, and in which a restriction in said air outlet above said suction nozzle provides a rejection edge for trapping at least some of any liquid remaining in said suction air.

Claim 21

A separator according to claim 14 in which a further inner sleeve inside said sleeve defining said annular chamber defines a further concentric annular and slightly conical residual moisture chamber into which at least one said suction opening opens, lower edges of said sleeves constituting drip-edges for any liquid collected on said sleeves.

Claim 22

A separator according to claim 14, in which said sleeve has at its lower end an outwardly flared frustoconical skirt portion.

Claim 23

A separator according to claim 14, further comprising means for sensing the liquid level in said separation chamber and means controlled by said level sensing means to shut off suction applied to said separation chamber when the liquid level in said separation chamber rises above a predetermined level.

Claim 24

A separator according to claim 21, in which said liquid level sensing means comprises a float in said separation chamber having a stem extending up into said sleeve.

Claim 25

A separator according to claim 22, in which said means for shutting of suction comprises a valve in said suction line controlled by said float.

Claim 26

A separator for incorporation in dental suction apparatus for processing a suction stream composed of air and liquid and solid materials coming from the mouth of a patient, to separate cleaned air from liquid and solid material, said separator comprising a housing, upper and lower chambers one above another in said housing, a partition separating said upper and lower chambers, first valve means in said partition to afford communication between said chambers when said first valve means is open, second valve means in the bottom of said lower chamber to provide discharge therefrom when said second valve means is open, an inlet connected with a tube coming from the patient and opening into an upper portion of said upper chamber, a suction outlet opening into a upper portion of said upper chamber spaced from said inlet and connected with suction means for continuously drawing air from said upper chamber and thereby drawing a suction stream comprising air, liquid and solid materials into said upper chamber from said inlet, means for separating said liquid and solid materials from air, whereby said liquid and solid materials fall to the bottom of said upper chamber while cleaned air is drawn off through said suction outlet, and means for controlling said first and second valve means in coordination with one another to close said first valve means and open said second valve means whereby said upper chamber is under subatmospheric pressure, said lower chamber is at atmospheric pressure and said liquid and solid materials accumulate in said upper chamber, and alternately to open said first valve means and close said second valve means, whereupon said upper and lower chambers are both at the same subatmospheric pressure and said liquid and solid materials drain through said open first valve means from said upper chamber to said lower chamber.

Claim 27

A separator for incorporation in dental suction apparatus for processing a suction stream composed of air and liquid and solid materials coming from the mouth of a patient, to separate cleaned air from liquid and solid material, said separator comprising a housing, upper and lower chambers one above another in said housing, a partition separating said upper and lower chambers, first valve means in said partition to afford communication between said chambers when said first valve means is open, second valve means in the bottom of said lower chamber to provide discharge therefrom when said second valve means is open, an inlet connected with a tube coming from the patient and opening into an upper portion of said upper chamber, a suction outlet opening into a upper portion of said upper chamber spaced from said inlet and connected with suction means for continuously drawing air from said upper chamber and thereby drawing a suction stream comprising air, liquid and solid materials into said upper chamber from said inlet, means for separating said liquid and solid materials from air, whereby said liquid and solid materials fall to the bottom of said upper chamber while cleaned air is drawn off through said suction outlet, and means for controlling said first and second valve means in coordination with one another to close said first valve means and open said second valve means whereby said upper chamber is under subatmospheric pressure, said lower chamber is at atmospheric pressure and said liquid and solid materials accumulate in said upper chamber, and alternately to open said first valve means and close said second valve means, whereupon said upper and lower chambers are both at the same subatmospheric pressure and said liquid and solid materials drain through said open first valve means from said upper chamber to said lower chamber.

Claim 28

A separator according to clam 24, in which said valve actuating means comprises means for sensing the liquid level in said upper chamber and actuating said valves to drain liquid and solid materials from said upper chamber when said liquid level reaches a predetermined level.

Claim 29

A separator according to clam 24, in which said valve actuating means comprises means for sensing the liquid level in said upper chamber and actuating said valves to drain liquid and solid materials from said upper chamber when said liquid level reaches a predetermined level.

Claim 30

A separator according to claim 25, in which said liquid level sensing means comprises a float and said valve actuating means further comprises pilot valve means actuated by said float to actuate said fist and second valve means.

Claim 31

A separator according to claim 26, in which said first and second valves are actuated by fluid pressure.

Claim 32

A separator according to claim 25, further comprising means for shutting off suction from said suction means when said liquid level sensing means senses a second predetermined liquid level higher than said first mentioned liquid level.

Claim 33

A separator for incorporation into dental suction apparatus for processing a suction stream composed of air and liquid and solid materials coming from the mouth of a patient to separate cleaned air from liquid and solid materials, said separator comprising a housing, a separation chamber in an upper part of said housing, an inlet for the suction stream into said separation chamber, means in said chamber for separating the air of said suction stream from the liquid and solid materials, an air outlet in an upper part of said separation chamber, suction line means for continuously applying suction to said air outlet to draw cleaned air from said air outlet and thereby establish in said separation chamber a sub-atmospheric pressure to draw said suction stream into said separation chamber through said inlet, a collection region in a lower portion of said separation chamber below said separating chamber, a drainage chamber in said housing below said collection region and having a discharge outlet, first valve means between said drainage chamber and said collection region, second valve means controlling said discharge outlet of said drainage chamber, and means for controlling said first and second valve means in coordination with one another to close said liquid and solid materials to fall from said separation chamber into said drainage chamber, and alternately to open said second valve means and close said first valve means to segregate said drainage chamber from said collection region and separation chamber and to drain said liquid and solid materials from said drainage chamber while collecting liquid and solid materials in said collection region, whereby liquid and solid materials are discharged without interruption of said suction stream drawn from the mouth of a patient.

Claim 34

A separator for incorporation into dental suction apparatus for processing a suction stream composed of air and liquid and solid materials coming from the mouth of a patient to separate cleaned air from liquid and solid materials, said separator comprising a housing, a separation chamber in an upper part of said housing, an inlet for the suction stream into said separation chamber, means in said chamber for separating the air of said suction stream from the liquid and solid materials, an air outlet in an upper part of said separation chamber, suction line means for continuously applying suction to said air outlet to draw cleaned air from said air outlet and thereby establish in said separation chamber a sub-atmospheric pressure to draw said suction stream into said separation chamber through said inlet, a collection region in a lower portion of said separation chamber below said separating chamber, a drainage chamber in said housing below said collection region and having a discharge outlet, first valve means between said drainage chamber and said collection region, second valve means controlling said discharge outlet of said drainage chamber, and means for controlling said first and second valve means in coordination with one another to close said liquid and solid materials to fall from said separation chamber into said drainage chamber, and alternately to open said second valve means and close said first valve means to segregate said drainage chamber from said collection region and separation chamber and to drain said liquid and solid materials from said drainage chamber while collecting liquid and solid materials in said collection region, whereby liquid and solid materials are discharged without interruption of said suction stream drawn from the mouth of a patient.

Claim 35

A separator according to claim 29, in which said separation chamber has at its lowest region a conical outflow surface terminating in a circular valve seat for said first valve means.

Claim 36

A separator according to claim 29, comprising a flexible diaphragm forming a lower wall of said drainage chamber, said diaphragm having a central opening surrounded by a rim which comprises a valve seat for said second valve means.

Claim 37

A separator according to claim 29, in which the volume of said drainage chamber is small in relation to said separation chamber.

Claim 38

A separator according to clam 29, in which said means for separating liquid and solids from the incoming suction current comprises a cyclone insert in an upper portion of said separation chamber, said insert comprising a generally cylindrical wall spaced inwardly from the wall of said separation chamber, a helical rib on said generally cylindrical wall and a flaring skirt at the lower end of said generally cylindrical wall.

Claim 39

A separator according to clam 29, in which said means for separating liquid and solids from the incoming suction current comprises a cyclone insert in an upper portion of said separation chamber, said insert comprising a generally cylindrical wall spaced inwardly from the wall of said separation chamber, a helical rib on said generally cylindrical wall and a flaring skirt at the lower end of said generally cylindrical wall.

Claim 40

A separator according to claim 33, comprising at least one suction nozzle in said generally cylindrical wall.

Claim 41

A separator according to claim 29, in which said first valve means comprises a valve seat, a support disk and an elastic sealing disk lying on and supported by said support disk and adapted to engage said valve seat.

Claim 42

A separator according to claim 35, in which said elastic sealing disk has at its periphery apertures the radially inner limits of which lie on a circle of slightly larger diameter than said valve seat.

Claim 43

A separator according to claim 29, comprising valve controlled means for venting said drainage chamber to the atmosphere when said first valve means is closed.

Claim 44

Apparatus according to claim 29, in which said means for controlling said first and second valve means comprises means for sensing the level of liquid and solid materials in said collection region, maintaining said first valve means closed and said second valve means open while the level of liquid and solid materials in said collection region is below a predetermined level, and opening said first valve means and closing said second valve means when the level of liquid and solid materials in said collection region rises to said predetermined level.

Claim 47

A method according to claim 39, in which the cycle of operation of said first and second valve means is controlled by sensing the level of liquid and solid materials in said collection region, said first valve means being closed and said second valve means being open when the level of said liquid and solid materials in said collection region is below a predetermined level, and said first valve means being opened and said second valve means being closed when the level of said liquid and solid materials rises to said predetermined level.