US5227062A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable flow control for fluid separation system comprising relatively moveable orifice plates
Assignee: Veolia WTS Solutions USA Inc
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Filing: 1991-11-25
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Granted: 1993-07-13
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Expires: 2011-11-25
Abstract
Abstract A flow control device for use in connection with a fluid separation system of the type having a pressure feed, a fluid separation portion and a flow control passage in which the flow control device includes a fixed orifice plate with one or more orifices, a movable orifice plate with one or more orifices which are adjustably and selectively movable for alignment with the orifices in the fixed plate. The flow control device also includes a mechanism for providing adjustment movement of the movable orifice. A further aspect of the present invention is the incorporation of the flow control mechanism into a fluid separation system.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas L. Olsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:46
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D61/00; B01D61/02; B01D61/10; B01D61/14; B01D61/20; F; F16; F16K; F16K47/00; F16K47/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86718; Y10T137/86734; Y10T137/86759
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A flow control mechanism for controlling the flow of fluid in a passage within a fluid separation system having a fluid pressure feed, a fluid separation means and a passage in communication with the separation means, said mechanism comprising: a tubular member having a pair of open ends adapted to be insertable between sections having a tubular inner passage wall defining a flow passage extending from one to the other of said ends; a fixed orifice plate positioned in said flow passage; at least one orifice in said fixed orifice plate; a movable orifice plate being movable relative to said fixed orifice plate in a direction generally perpendicular to said inner passage wall; and at least one orifice in said movable orifice plate which is selectively alignable with at least one orifice in said fixed orifice plate as a result of the movement of said movable orifice plate relative to said fixed orifice plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A flow control mechanism for controlling the flow of fluid in a passage within a fluid separation system having a fluid pressure feed, a fluid separation means and a passage in communication with the separation means, said mechanism comprising: a tubular member having a pair of open ends adapted to be insertable between sections having a tubular inner passage wall defining a flow passage extending from one to the other of said ends; a fixed orifice plate positioned in said flow passage; at least one orifice in said fixed orifice plate; a movable orifice plate being movable relative to said fixed orifice plate in a direction generally perpendicular to said inner passage wall; and at least one orifice in said movable orifice plate which is selectively alignable with at least one orifice in said fixed orifice plate as a result of the movement of said movable orifice plate relative to said fixed orifice plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The flow control mechanism of claim 1 including adjustment means for adjustably moving said movable orifice plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The flow control mechanism of claim 2 wherein said adjustment means includes at least one adjustment member for adjusting engagement with a portion of said movable orifice plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The flow control mechanism of claim 3 wherein said adjustment means further includes a bias means for biasing said movable orifice plate toward engagement with said one adjustment member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The flow control mechanism of claim 3 wherein said fixed orifice plate has its outer peripheral edge in close proximity with said passage wall and wherein said adjustment means includes a pair of adjustment members extending through diametrically opposed wall portions of said tubular member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The flow control mechanism of claim 3 wherein said fixed orifice plate has its outer peripheral edge in close proximity with said passage wall and wherein said adjustment member is threadedly received by a portion of said tubular member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The flow control mechanism of claim 6 including means for sealing said adjustment means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The flow control mechanism of claim 1 including a plurality of orifices in said fixed orifice plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The flow control mechanism of claim 8 including a plurality of orifices in said moveable orifice plate selectively alignable with said plurablity of orifices in said fixed orifice plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The flow control mechanism of claim 9 wherein said plurality of orifices in each of said fixed and moveable orifice plates are spaced from one another a distance at least equal to the cross-sectional dimension of said orifices.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The flow control mechanism of claim 1 for use in connection with a cross flow fluid separation system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The flow control mechanism of claim 1 wherein said at least one orifice in said fixed orifice plate is an adjustment orifice.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The flow control mechanism of claim 1 wherein said concentrate passage facilitates flow in a generally axial direction therethrough and said orifices in said fixed and moveable orifice plates extend in a direction generally parallel to the axial direction of said passage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The flow control mechanism of claim 1 wherein said fixed orifice plate is a disk shaped member in which said at least one orifice extends therethrough in a direction generally perpendicular to said disk.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The flow control adjustment mechanism of claim 14 wherein said fixed orifice plate is positioned downstream of said moveable orifice plate and each of said fixed and moveable orifice plates includes mating, generally flat surfaces adapted for sliding movement relative to one another.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The flow control mechanism of claim 1 wherein said at least one orifice in said fixed orifice plate includes an adjustable orifice and a fixed orifice.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The flow control mechanism of claim 1 including guide means for guiding the relative movement between said fixed and moveable orifice plates.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
135 words
A fluid separation system for separting a feed solution into a permeate stream and a concentrate stream and having a flow control mechanism for controlling the flow of fluid within said system comprising: a fluid separation membrane having an upstream and a downstream side; a pressurizing pump means for supplying pressurized feed solution to the upstream side of said separation membrane; a concentrate stream in communication with the upstream side of said separation member; a flow control mechanism positioned in said concentrate stream comprising; a fixed orifice plate having at least one adjustment orifice, a movable orifice plate being movable relative to said fixed orifice plate and having at least one orifice selectively alignable with said at least one adjustment orifice in said fixed orifice plate, and means for adjustably moving said movable orifice plate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
135 words
A fluid separation system for separting a feed solution into a permeate stream and a concentrate stream and having a flow control mechanism for controlling the flow of fluid within said system comprising: a fluid separation membrane having an upstream and a downstream side; a pressurizing pump means for supplying pressurized feed solution to the upstream side of said separation membrane; a concentrate stream in communication with the upstream side of said separation member; a flow control mechanism positioned in said concentrate stream comprising; a fixed orifice plate having at least one adjustment orifice, a movable orifice plate being movable relative to said fixed orifice plate and having at least one orifice selectively alignable with said at least one adjustment orifice in said fixed orifice plate, and means for adjustably moving said movable orifice plate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The fluid separation system of claim 18 being a cross flow separation system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fluid separation system of claim 18 wherein said orifices extend in a direction generally parallel to the flow of fluid in said concentrate stream.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
118 words
A flow control mechanism for a fluid separation system for controlling the flow of fluid in a passage within such system comprising: a flow passage; a fixed orifice plate positioned in said passage; at least one orifice in said fixed orifice plate; a movable orifice plate being movable relative to said fixed orifice plate; at least one orifice in said movable orifice plate which is selectively alignable with said orifice in said fixed orifice plate as a result of the movement of said movable orifice plate relative to said fixed orifice plate; and guide means for guiding the relative movement between the fixed and movable orifice plates comprising corresponding beveled edges of said fixed and movable orifice plates.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
118 words
A flow control mechanism for a fluid separation system for controlling the flow of fluid in a passage within such system comprising: a flow passage; a fixed orifice plate positioned in said passage; at least one orifice in said fixed orifice plate; a movable orifice plate being movable relative to said fixed orifice plate; at least one orifice in said movable orifice plate which is selectively alignable with said orifice in said fixed orifice plate as a result of the movement of said movable orifice plate relative to said fixed orifice plate; and guide means for guiding the relative movement between the fixed and movable orifice plates comprising corresponding beveled edges of said fixed and movable orifice plates.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
132 words
A flow control mechanism for a fluid separation system for controlling the flow of fluid in a passage within such system comprising: a tubular member having a pair of open ends being adapted for coupling of at least one of said ends to at least one other member, said members together defining a flow passage; a fixed orifice plate positioned in said passage; at least one orifice in said fixed orifice plate; a movable orifice plate being in face-to-face registration with, and rotationally movable relative to, said fixed orifice plate; and at least one orifice in said movable orifice plate which is selectively alignable with said at least one orifice in said fixed orifice plate as a result of the movement of said movable orifice plate relative to said fixed orifice plate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
132 words
A flow control mechanism for a fluid separation system for controlling the flow of fluid in a passage within such system comprising: a tubular member having a pair of open ends being adapted for coupling of at least one of said ends to at least one other member, said members together defining a flow passage; a fixed orifice plate positioned in said passage; at least one orifice in said fixed orifice plate; a movable orifice plate being in face-to-face registration with, and rotationally movable relative to, said fixed orifice plate; and at least one orifice in said movable orifice plate which is selectively alignable with said at least one orifice in said fixed orifice plate as a result of the movement of said movable orifice plate relative to said fixed orifice plate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The flow control mechanism of claim 22 in which said fixed and movable orifice plates have generally flat opposing surfaces.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
109 words
A fluid separation system comprising: a fluid separation means for separating a feed solution into first and second fluid streams and having an upstream and a downstream side; a pressurizing pump means for supplying feed solution to the upstream side of said separation means; a flow control mechanism positioned in one of said first and second streams comprising: a fixed orifice plate having at least one adjustment orifice, a movable orifice plate being movable relative to said fixed orifice plate and having at least one orifice selectively alignable with said at least one adjustment orifice in said fixed orifice plate, and means for adjustably moving said movable orifice plate.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
109 words
A fluid separation system comprising: a fluid separation means for separating a feed solution into first and second fluid streams and having an upstream and a downstream side; a pressurizing pump means for supplying feed solution to the upstream side of said separation means; a flow control mechanism positioned in one of said first and second streams comprising: a fixed orifice plate having at least one adjustment orifice, a movable orifice plate being movable relative to said fixed orifice plate and having at least one orifice selectively alignable with said at least one adjustment orifice in said fixed orifice plate, and means for adjustably moving said movable orifice plate.
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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) | 1996-07-12 | 1997-01-11 | 1997-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-12 | 2001-01-11 | 2001-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-12 | 2005-01-11 | 2005-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |