Patent US5229015A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5229015A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid separator
Assignee: KLEERWATER TECHNOLOGIES LLC
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Filing: 1992-05-18
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Granted: 1993-07-20
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Expires: 2012-05-18
Abstract
Abstract A separator device to separate a mixture of immiscible liquids of different densities wherein one of said liquids is in a discontinuous phase. The separator device includes a container having an inlet for the mixture of immiscible liquids and an outlet for removing one of the liquids after separation. A drain is provided to remove the discontinuous phase liquid after separation. Randomly arranged, loosely packed, coalescing medium within the container encourages coalescence and agglomeration of the discontinuous phase liquid.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven K. Keep
- 👤 Garfield A. Wood, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:28
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D17/00; B01D17/02; B01D17/0208; B01D17/04; B01D17/045; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
A separator device to separate a mixture of immiscible liquids of different densities wherein the lighter of said liquids is in a discontinuous phase, which device comprises: an elongated container horizontally oriented to the ground having interior convex ends, a top, a bottom, inlet means for receipt of said mixture of immiscible liquids, said inlet means directing flow of said mixture of liquids to impact against one of said convex ends to reduce inlet turbulence of said mixture of immiscible liquids, means to allow separation by gravity of said discontinuous phase liquid, and outlet means near the end of said container opposite the inlet means for removing the heavier of said liquids after separation; drain means to remove said discontinuous phase liquid after said separation; means to store said discontinuous phase liquid in said container after separation and prior to removal through said drain means including a valve connected to said drain means and an upstanding pipe extending from said drain means at said bottom of said container and terminating near said top of said container; and randomly arranged, coalescing medium substantially filling said container to encourage coalescence and agglomeration of said discontinuous phase liquid, said coalescing medium including a plurality of buoyant, open, polypropylene particulate media.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
A separator device to separate a mixture of immiscible liquids of different densities wherein the lighter of said liquids is in a discontinuous phase, which device comprises: an elongated container horizontally oriented to the ground having interior convex ends, a top, a bottom, inlet means for receipt of said mixture of immiscible liquids, said inlet means directing flow of said mixture of liquids to impact against one of said convex ends to reduce inlet turbulence of said mixture of immiscible liquids, means to allow separation by gravity of said discontinuous phase liquid, and outlet means near the end of said container opposite the inlet means for removing the heavier of said liquids after separation; drain means to remove said discontinuous phase liquid after said separation; means to store said discontinuous phase liquid in said container after separation and prior to removal through said drain means including a valve connected to said drain means and an upstanding pipe extending from said drain means at said bottom of said container and terminating near said top of said container; and randomly arranged, coalescing medium substantially filling said container to encourage coalescence and agglomeration of said discontinuous phase liquid, said coalescing medium including a plurality of buoyant, open, polypropylene particulate media.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A separator device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said coalescing medium includes a plurality of buoyant, polypropylene cylindrical rings, each cylindrical ring having an open top and an open bottom, having a plurality of slots in the circumferential surface of said ring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
195 words
A process to separate a mixture of immiscible liquids of different densities wherein the lighter of said liquids is in a discontinuous phase, which process comprises: a) directing said mixture of liquids into an elongated container through an inlet; b) directing said mixture to impact against an interior convex end of said container to reduce inlet turbulence of said mixture of immiscible liquids; c) allowing said liquids to move vertically within said container by gravity; d) directing said liquids horizontally within said container toward a heavier liquid outlet near an end of said container opposite said inlet; e) coalescing and agglomerating said discontinuous phase liquid in said container by randomly arranged, coalescing medium including a plurality of buoyant open polypropylene particulate media substantially filling said container; f) storing said discontinuous phase liquid in said container after separation and prior to removal through a drain by use of an upstanding pipe extending form said drain at said bottom of said container and terminating near the top of said container and closing a valve connected to said drain; and g) opening said valve and draining and discontinuous phase liquid after separation in said container through said drain.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
195 words
A process to separate a mixture of immiscible liquids of different densities wherein the lighter of said liquids is in a discontinuous phase, which process comprises: a) directing said mixture of liquids into an elongated container through an inlet; b) directing said mixture to impact against an interior convex end of said container to reduce inlet turbulence of said mixture of immiscible liquids; c) allowing said liquids to move vertically within said container by gravity; d) directing said liquids horizontally within said container toward a heavier liquid outlet near an end of said container opposite said inlet; e) coalescing and agglomerating said discontinuous phase liquid in said container by randomly arranged, coalescing medium including a plurality of buoyant open polypropylene particulate media substantially filling said container; f) storing said discontinuous phase liquid in said container after separation and prior to removal through a drain by use of an upstanding pipe extending form said drain at said bottom of said container and terminating near the top of said container and closing a valve connected to said drain; and g) opening said valve and draining and discontinuous phase liquid after separation in said container through said drain.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
A process to separate a mixture of immiscible liquids of different densities as set forth in claim 3 wherein said coalescing medium includes a plurality of buoyant, polypropylene cylindrical rings, each cylindrical ring having an open top and an open bottom, having a plurality of slots in the circumferential surface of said ring.
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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) | 1996-07-19 | 1997-01-18 | 1997-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-19 | 2001-01-18 | 2001-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-19 | 2005-01-18 | 2005-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |