Patent US4640781A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4640781A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Expandable fibrous bed coalescer
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
•
Filing: 1985-04-01
•
Granted: 1987-02-03
•
Expires: 2005-04-01
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for treating liquid, such as for coalescing and separating finely dispersed oil droplets from an oil/water emulsion, which includes a cluster of fibers arranged in a housing, wherein the cluster of fibers can be displaced stepwise into and from a neck portion of the housing, thereby providing in the neck portion a compressed fibrous bed with an adjustable thickness.
Inventors
- 👤 Victor B. Hughes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:04
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D17/00; B01D17/02; B01D17/04; B01D17/045; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
Apparatus for treating liquids comprising a housing forming a fluid passage between a fluid feed and a fluid exhaust, and a cluster of fibers arranged in the housing, the housing having a neck portion connected to the fluid feed and another portion having a larger width than the neck portion connected to the fluid exhaust, both housing portions having a common central axis, the cluster of fibers being secured to a support which is displaceable axially relative to the housing and which is operable to be rotated about the central axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus for treating liquids comprising a housing forming a fluid passage between a fluid feed and a fluid exhaust, and a cluster of fibers arranged in the housing, the housing having a neck portion connected to the fluid feed and another portion having a larger width than the neck portion connected to the fluid exhaust, both housing portions having a common central axis, the cluster of fibers being secured to a support which is displaceable axially relative to the housing and which is operable to be rotated about the central axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the neck portion has a tubular shape and said other portion is frustoconical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the support can be displaced stepwise in axial direction between a position in which the cluster of fibers is substantially located in the neck portion of the housing and a position in which the cluster of fibers is substantially located in the frustoconical portion of the housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the support comprises a rod, the rod extending in a substantially axial direction through the interior of the housing and passing through an opening in the housing wall, thereby sealing off the opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the support further includes a perforated plate, the fibers being secured to the plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the support further includes an eye which is secured to an end of the rod, the fibers passing through the eye and being connected thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fibers are made of polypropylene.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the fibers have at least at the surface thereof an electrical charge.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-02-02 | 1990-08-04 | 1991-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-02 | 1994-08-04 | 1995-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-02 | 1998-08-04 | 1999-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |