Patent US5470465A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5470465A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream
Assignee: AUTOMATIC CONTROL Corp
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Filing: 1994-06-06
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Granted: 1995-11-28
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Expires: 2014-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A vortex system for separating particles of varied size and density from a liquid stream. A particle bearing liquid is introduced tangentially into one end of an elongated cylindrical chamber to form a rotating liquid vortex therein. An impeller at one end of the chamber reinforces the vortex flow. Either a series of tangentially oriented jets introducing a gas or a gas saturated liquid through the chamber wall or a rotating central chamber section further increases the vortex rotational flow. The vortex produces a heavy particle rich outer region, a gas and light particle rich axial region and a cleaned liquid annular region therebetween. The cleaned liquid flows out of the chamber through an outlet at the chamber end opposite end at which the particle bearing liquid is introduced. The heavy particles in the outer region and the gas and light particles in the axial region are each removed through an outlet. A variety of component orientations and auxiliary devices may be used to optimize system operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack Moorehead
- 👤 Michael Maung
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:55
CPC Classifications
B; B03; B03D; B03D1/00; B03D1/14; B03D1/1431; B01; B01D; B01D21/00; B01D21/26; B01D21/267; B01D21/30; B01D21/302; B03D1/02; B03D1/028; B03D1/1418; B03D1/1443; B03D1/1475; B03D1/1493; B04; B04C; B04C9/00; B01D2221/00; B01D2221/02; B04C2009/002; B04C2009/007; C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/72; C02F1/78
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 58
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream which comprises: an elongated, generally cylindrical chamber; means at one end of said chamber for tangentially introducing a particle-bearing liquid into said chamber so that a vortex flow is established; an axial impeller at one end of said chamber for reinforcing said vortex flow; a plurality of injection jets along and through the outer wall of said chamber for introducing a fluid comprising a gas thereinto; first effluent means at one end of said chamber for removing gas and light, fine and buoyant particles from the axial region of said chamber; second effluent means at the end of said chamber opposite said one end for removing liquid and heavy particles from the outer region of said chamber; third effluent means at the end of chamber opposite said one end for removing cleaned liquid from the annular region between said axial region and said outer region.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream which comprises: an elongated, generally cylindrical chamber; means at one end of said chamber for tangentially introducing a particle-bearing liquid into said chamber so that a vortex flow is established; an axial impeller at one end of said chamber for reinforcing said vortex flow; a plurality of injection jets along and through the outer wall of said chamber for introducing a fluid comprising a gas thereinto; first effluent means at one end of said chamber for removing gas and light, fine and buoyant particles from the axial region of said chamber; second effluent means at the end of said chamber opposite said one end for removing liquid and heavy particles from the outer region of said chamber; third effluent means at the end of chamber opposite said one end for removing cleaned liquid from the annular region between said axial region and said outer region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 1 wherein said chamber has a length to diameter ratio of greater than 4.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 1 wherein said chamber has a length to diameter ratio of from about 12 to 15.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 1 wherein said means for introducing influent liquid into said chamber includes means for mixing a gas with said influent under pressure greater than the working pressure within said chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 1 further including venturi means for mixing a gas with a liquid and introducing said liquid into said influent liquid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 1 further including means for adjusting the axial position of said impeller in said chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of injection jets are positioned to inject said fluid along lines tangential to said chamber wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 7 wherein said fluid is a gas and further including an actuator, selected from the group consisting of piezo electric and ultrasonic actuators, adjacent to the outlet ends of said jets for producing reduced diameter bubbles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 7 wherein said fluid is a liquid saturated with a gas at a pressure higher than the pressure within said chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 1 wherein about 1 jet is provided per linear inch along a selected length of the chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 1 wherein each of said jets is sized to provide a flow rate of from about 0.5 to 0.7 gallons per minute, and said jets together are configured to provide from about 1 to 50 per cent of the flow through said chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 1 further including baffle means between said second and third effluent means for aiding in directing heavy particles to said second effluent means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 1 further including magnet means along said chamber to aid in moving magnetic heavy particles toward the chamber wall.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 1 further including at least one recycle pump means for withdrawing liquid through the chamber wall in the direction of vortex rotation and for reintroducing the withdrawn liquid into said chamber at in the direction of vortex rotation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
162 words
A vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream which comprises: an elongated, generally cylindrical chamber for positioning in a substantially vertical orientation in use; means at the upper end of said chamber for tangentially introducing a particle-bearing liquid into said chamber so that a vortex flow is established; an axial impeller at the upper end of said chamber for reinforcing said vortex flow; a plurality of injection jets along and through the outer wall of said chamber for introducing a fluid comprising a gas thereinto; first effluent means at the lower end of said chamber for removing gas and light, fine and buoyant particles from the axial region of said chamber; second effluent means at the lower end of said chamber for removing liquid and heavy particles from the outer region of said chamber; third effluent means at the lower end of said chamber for removing cleaned liquid from the annular region between said axial region and said outer region.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
162 words
A vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream which comprises: an elongated, generally cylindrical chamber for positioning in a substantially vertical orientation in use; means at the upper end of said chamber for tangentially introducing a particle-bearing liquid into said chamber so that a vortex flow is established; an axial impeller at the upper end of said chamber for reinforcing said vortex flow; a plurality of injection jets along and through the outer wall of said chamber for introducing a fluid comprising a gas thereinto; first effluent means at the lower end of said chamber for removing gas and light, fine and buoyant particles from the axial region of said chamber; second effluent means at the lower end of said chamber for removing liquid and heavy particles from the outer region of said chamber; third effluent means at the lower end of said chamber for removing cleaned liquid from the annular region between said axial region and said outer region.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 15 wherein said chamber has a length to diameter ratio of greater than 4.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 15 wherein said chamber has a length to diameter ratio of from about 12 to 15.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 15 wherein said means for introducing influent liquid into said chamber includes means for mixing a gas with said influent under pressure greater than the working pressure within said chamber.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 15 further including venturi means for mixing a gas with a liquid and introducing said liquid into said influent liquid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 15 further including means for adjusting the axial position of said impeller in said chamber.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 15 wherein said plurality of injection jets are positioned to inject said fluid along lines tangential to said chamber wall.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
49 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 21 wherein said fluid is a gas and further including an actuator, selected from the group consisting of piezo electric and ultrasonic actuators, adjacent to the outlet ends of said jets for producing reduced diameter bubbles.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 21 wherein said fluid is a liquid saturated with a gas at a pressure higher than the pressure within said chamber.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 15 wherein at least 1 jet is provided per linear inch along a selected length of the chamber.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
56 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 15 wherein each of said jets is sized to provide a flow rate of from about 0.5 to 0.7 gallons per minute, and said jets together are configured to provide from about 1 to 50 per cent of the flow through said chamber.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 15 further including baffle means between said second and third effluent means for aiding in directing heavy particles to said second effluent means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 15 further including magnet means along said chamber to aid in moving magnetic heavy particles toward the chamber wall.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
51 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 15 further including at least one recycle pump means for withdrawing liquid through the chamber wall in the direction of vortex rotation and for reintroducing the withdrawn liquid into said chamber at in the direction of vortex rotation.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
162 words
A vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream which comprises: an elongated, generally cylindrical chamber for positioning in a substantially vertical orientation in use; means at the lower end of said chamber for tangentially introducing a particle-bearing liquid into said chamber so that a vortex flow is established; an axial impeller at the lower end of said chamber for reinforcing said vortex flow; a plurality of injection jets along and through the outer wall of said chamber for introducing a fluid comprising a gas thereinto; first effluent means at the upper end of said chamber for removing gas and light, fine and buoyant particles from the axial region of said chamber; second effluent means at the upper end of said chamber for removing liquid and heavy particles from the outer region of said chamber; third effluent means at the upper end of said chamber for removing cleaned liquid from the annular region between said axial region and said outer region.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
162 words
A vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream which comprises: an elongated, generally cylindrical chamber for positioning in a substantially vertical orientation in use; means at the lower end of said chamber for tangentially introducing a particle-bearing liquid into said chamber so that a vortex flow is established; an axial impeller at the lower end of said chamber for reinforcing said vortex flow; a plurality of injection jets along and through the outer wall of said chamber for introducing a fluid comprising a gas thereinto; first effluent means at the upper end of said chamber for removing gas and light, fine and buoyant particles from the axial region of said chamber; second effluent means at the upper end of said chamber for removing liquid and heavy particles from the outer region of said chamber; third effluent means at the upper end of said chamber for removing cleaned liquid from the annular region between said axial region and said outer region.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 29 wherein said chamber has a length to diameter ratio of greater than 4.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 29 wherein said chamber has a length to diameter ratio of from about 12 to 15.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
43 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 29 wherein said means for introducing influent liquid into said chamber includes means for mixing a gas with said influent under pressure greater than the working pressure within said chamber.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 29 further including venturi means for mixing a gas with a liquid and introducing said liquid into said influent liquid.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 29 further including means for adjusting the axial position of said impeller in said chamber.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 29 wherein said plurality of injection jets are positioned to inject said fluid along lines tangential to said chamber wall.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
49 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 35 wherein said fluid is a gas and further including an actuator, selected from the group consisting of piezo electric and ultrasonic actuators, adjacent to the outlet ends of said jets for producing reduced diameter bubbles.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
34 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 35 wherein said fluid is a liquid saturated with a gas at a pressure higher than the pressure within said chamber.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
31 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 29 wherein at least 1 jet is provided per linear inch along a selected length of the chamber.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
56 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 29 wherein each of said jets is sized to provide a flow rate of from about 0.5 to 0.7 gallons per minute, and said jets together are configured to provide from about 1 to 50 per cent of the flow through said chamber.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
36 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 29 further including baffle means between said second and third effluent means for aiding in directing heavy particles to said second effluent means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
32 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 29 further including magnet means along said chamber to aid in moving magnetic heavy particles toward the chamber wall.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
162 words
A vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream which comprises: an elongated, generally cylindrical chamber for positioning in a substantially vertical orientation in use; means at the upper end of said chamber for tangentially introducing a particle-bearing liquid into said chamber so that a vortex flow is established; an axial impeller at the lower end of said chamber for reinforcing said vortex flow; a plurality of injection jets along and through the outer wall of said chamber for introducing a fluid comprising a gas thereinto; first effluent means at the upper end of said chamber for removing gas and light, fine and buoyant particles from the axial region of said chamber; second effluent means at the lower end of said chamber for removing liquid and heavy particles from the outer region of said chamber; third effluent means at the lower end of said chamber for removing cleaned liquid from the annular region between said axial region and said outer region.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
162 words
A vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream which comprises: an elongated, generally cylindrical chamber for positioning in a substantially vertical orientation in use; means at the upper end of said chamber for tangentially introducing a particle-bearing liquid into said chamber so that a vortex flow is established; an axial impeller at the lower end of said chamber for reinforcing said vortex flow; a plurality of injection jets along and through the outer wall of said chamber for introducing a fluid comprising a gas thereinto; first effluent means at the upper end of said chamber for removing gas and light, fine and buoyant particles from the axial region of said chamber; second effluent means at the lower end of said chamber for removing liquid and heavy particles from the outer region of said chamber; third effluent means at the lower end of said chamber for removing cleaned liquid from the annular region between said axial region and said outer region.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 42 wherein said chamber has a length to diameter ratio of greater than 4.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 42 wherein said chamber has a length to diameter ratio of from about 12 to 15.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
43 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 42 wherein said means for introducing influent liquid into said chamber includes means for mixing a gas with said influent under pressure greater than the working pressure within said chamber.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 42 further including venturi means for mixing a gas with a liquid and introducing said liquid into said influent liquid.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
28 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 42 further including means for adjusting the axial position of said impeller in said chamber.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 42 wherein said plurality of injection jets are positioned to inject said fluid along lines tangential to said chamber wall.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
49 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 48 wherein said fluid is a gas and further including an actuator, selected from the group consisting of piezo electric and ultrasonic actuators, adjacent to the outlet ends of said jets for producing reduced diameter bubbles.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
34 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 48 wherein said fluid is a liquid saturated with a gas at a pressure higher than the pressure within said chamber.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 42 wherein from about 3 to 10 jets are provided per linear inch along a selected length of the chamber.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
56 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 42 wherein each of said jets is sized to provide a flow rate of from about 0.5 to 0.7 gallons per minute, and said jets together are configured to provide from about 1 to 50 per cent of the flow through said chamber.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
36 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 42 further including baffle means between said second and third effluent means for aiding in directing heavy particles to said second effluent means.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
32 words
The vortex system for separating particles from a liquid stream according to claim 42 further including magnet means along said chamber to aid in moving magnetic heavy particles toward the chamber wall.
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) | 1998-11-27 | 1999-05-29 | 1999-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-11-27 | 2003-05-29 | 2003-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-11-27 | 2007-05-29 | 2007-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |