US4950315A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple head pumping
Assignee: A/G TECHNOLOGY Corp 34 WEXFORD STREET NEEDHAM MA 02194 A CORP OF MASS
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Filing: 1989-07-14
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Granted: 1990-08-21
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Expires: 2009-07-14
Abstract
Abstract Membrane-based gas separation apparatus including a membrane separation device having a feed inlet and outlet and a permeant outlet, a motor, and at least two pump heads driven by the motor, one pump head being connected to supply a feed gas to the feed inlet and another pump head being connected to pull a vacuum at the permeant outlet.
Inventors
- 👤 Arye Z. Gollan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:50
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
Membrane-based gas separation apparatus comprising a motor, at least two pump heads connected to be driven by said motor, and one or more membrane separating devices, each said device having a semipermeable membrane or membranes that preferentially pass a gas component and divides said device into a feed channel or channels on one side of said membrane or membranes and a permeant channel or channels on the other side of said membrane or membranes, a feed inlet and a feed outlet communicating with said feed channel or channels, and a permeant outlet communicating with said permeant channel, one said pump head being connected to one said channel and another said pump head being connected to a different said channel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
Membrane-based gas separation apparatus comprising a motor, at least two pump heads connected to be driven by said motor, and one or more membrane separating devices, each said device having a semipermeable membrane or membranes that preferentially pass a gas component and divides said device into a feed channel or channels on one side of said membrane or membranes and a permeant channel or channels on the other side of said membrane or membranes, a feed inlet and a feed outlet communicating with said feed channel or channels, and a permeant outlet communicating with said permeant channel, one said pump head being connected to one said channel and another said pump head being connected to a different said channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one said pump head is operating under compression, and the other is operating under vacuum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus is portable, and said motor and pump heads are mounted in a portable enclosure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pump heads employ diaphragms and flap valves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
126 words
Membrane-based gas separation apparatus comprising a motor, at least two pump heads driven by said motor, and a membrane separating device having a semipermeable membrane or membranes that preferentially pass a gas component and divide said device into a feed channel or channels on one side of said membrane or membranes and a permeant channel or channels on the other side of said membrane or membranes, a feed inlet and a feed outlet communicating with said feed channel or channels, and a permeant outlet communicating with said permeant channel, one said pump head being connected to supply a feed gas to said feed inlet, another said pump head being connected to pull a vacuum at said permeant outlet to remove gas enriched with said gas component.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
126 words
Membrane-based gas separation apparatus comprising a motor, at least two pump heads driven by said motor, and a membrane separating device having a semipermeable membrane or membranes that preferentially pass a gas component and divide said device into a feed channel or channels on one side of said membrane or membranes and a permeant channel or channels on the other side of said membrane or membranes, a feed inlet and a feed outlet communicating with said feed channel or channels, and a permeant outlet communicating with said permeant channel, one said pump head being connected to supply a feed gas to said feed inlet, another said pump head being connected to pull a vacuum at said permeant outlet to remove gas enriched with said gas component.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a third pump head driven by said motor, said third pump head being connected in series with said another pump head to pull a vacuum on said permeant outlet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a second membrane separating device having a feed inlet connected to the permeant outlet of said first membrane device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said feed inlet of said second membrane device is directly connected to the permeant outlet of said first membrane device, and a permeant outlet of said second membrane device is connected to said another pump head.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a third pump head that is driven by said motor and is connected in series with said another pump head.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said another pump head is used to pump the permeant of the first membrane device and supply it as feed to the second membrane device and further comprising a third pump head that is driven by said motor and is used to pump the permeant out of the second membrane device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a second membrane separating device having a feed inlet connected to the feed outlet of said first membrane device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said pump heads employ diaphragms and flap valves.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said membrane separating device includes hollow-fiber membranes that preferentially transmit oxygen over nitrogen through membrane walls.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said apparatus is portable, and said motor and pump heads are mounted in a portable enclosure.
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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) | 1993-08-20 | 1994-02-19 | 1994-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-20 | 1998-02-19 | 1998-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-20 | 2002-02-19 | 2002-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |