US5752539A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two flow control means using partially solidified plug
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-03-23
•
Granted: 1998-05-19
•
Expires: 2015-03-23
Abstract
Abstract Filtering apparatus includes two or more passages (2) acting in parallel, each having an extended filter (12) which passes through inlet and outlet ports (48, 49), flowable preferably sealed by solidified plugs of the flowable substance such as a polymer being filtered. The flow of such substance to one passage can be terminated so as to permit filter advance under conditions of zero pressure drop, whilst flow through the other passage continues. Filter advance can be assisted by extrusion of a sealing plug in the outlet port under the pressure of such substance from the other passage which is still filtering. In additional or alternative mode, flow into a passage is terminated and a secondary outlet (20, 21) in that passage is opened. This creates a counterflow under the pressure of substance from the other passage, which cleans the filter. The secondary outlet can be sealed by a plug which is extruded during counterflow. An alternative valve for the secondary outlet, which can also be used in a diverter valve for controlling the input of substance to the two passages, has a side passage (26) in which is formed a plug of solidified substance, and piston (27) for pushing the plug into the flow substance.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter G. Kalman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:45
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D35/00; B01D35/12; B01D29/00; B01D29/09; B01D29/50; B01D29/52; B01D29/60; B01D29/606; B01D29/608; B01D29/62; B01D29/66; B01D29/668; B01D29/76; B01D29/80; B01D29/84; B01D29/846; B29; B29B; B29B7/00; B29B7/30; B29B7/58; B29C; B29C48/00; B29C48/25; B29C48/36; B29C48/50; B29C48/69; B29C48/691; B29C48/92; B29C2948/00; B29C2948/92; B29C2948/92504; B29C2948/9258; B29C2948/926; B29C2948/92819; B29C2948/92961; B29C48/03; B29C48/07; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0391; Y10T137/0402; Y10T137/1624; Y10T137/1797; Y10T137/4456; Y10T137/4643
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
Flow control apparatus for selectively permitting or limiting a flow of fluid through a conduit of a given cross section, comprising a side passage extending laterally of and communicating with the conduit, the side passage being sized and adapted to contain therein an at least partially solidified valve plug formed from a flowable substance which valve plug is capable of at least partially closing the conduit cross section, actuating means for urging the valve plug into the conduit so as to limit fluid flow therethrough, and thermal control means associated with the side passage for bringing about at least partial solidification of the valve plug prior to its introduction into the conduit, said thermal control means including coolant means adjacent the side passage which coolant means form said valve plug in the side passage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
Flow control apparatus for selectively permitting or limiting a flow of fluid through a conduit of a given cross section, comprising a side passage extending laterally of and communicating with the conduit, the side passage being sized and adapted to contain therein an at least partially solidified valve plug formed from a flowable substance which valve plug is capable of at least partially closing the conduit cross section, actuating means for urging the valve plug into the conduit so as to limit fluid flow therethrough, and thermal control means associated with the side passage for bringing about at least partial solidification of the valve plug prior to its introduction into the conduit, said thermal control means including coolant means adjacent the side passage which coolant means form said valve plug in the side passage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
Flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which fluid flowing from the conduit into the side passage is formed therein into said valve plug.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
Flow control means as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermal control means have in addition cooling means associated with the conduit to assist in maintaining the valve plug.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
Flow control means as claimed in claim 3, wherein the thermal control means associated with the conduit includes heating means to cause or assist the dispersal of the valve plug when desired.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
Flow control means as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for urging the plug into the conduit includes a piston in the side passage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
Flow control means as claimed in claim 5, wherein the piston is provided with a thermally conducting extension which projects into such substance being formed into a valve plug in the side passage to assist in the cooling of the substance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
91 words
Flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a second side passage extends from the conduit laterally of and communicating with such conduit, the second side passage being adapted to contain therein an at least partially solidified valve plug there being actuating means for urging the valve plug from the second side passage into the conduit so as to limit fluid flow therethrough whereby the conduit can be alternately closed by valve plugs from the two side passages, said thermal control means including coolant means surrounding the second side passage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which valve plugs are formed in said two passages during overlapping time periods.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
Flow control means as claimed in claim 1, in which the conduit and the side passage are joined by a connecting member of reduced thermal conductance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
Flow control means as claimed in claim 9, wherein the connecting part of reduced thermal conductance is of reduced thickness.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
Flow control means as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flowable substance is a polymer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
Flow control means as claimed in claim 1 in which the conduit includes a flow channel in alignment with the side passage and an inflow passage into the flow channel and an outflow passage out of the flow channel, said inflow and outflow passages being spaced apart.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
Flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 having a flow control body provided with coolant channels substantially surrounding the conduit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
Flow control means as claimed in claim 1 in which said conduit is tapered so that the valve plug is compressed as it is urged by said activating means into said conduit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
Flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the valve plug has two ends and the end which enters the conduit first is softer than the remaining portion of the plug.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
Flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the valve plug is comprised of a polymer with impurities therein.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
Flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 16 in which impurities include contaminants.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
Flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the valve plug is in a semi-solid state in the side passage prior to its being urged into the conduit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
Flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the sealing plug is fully solid prior to being urged into the conduit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
Flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the valve plug is cylindrical in shape.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
Flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the valve plug has a rectangular cross section.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
Flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the valve plug has an oval cross section.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
Flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 having a bleed passageway for bleeding fluid from the conduit to the side passageway and in which the means for urging the plug into the conduit is fluid bleed through such passageway.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
Flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the side passage is cooled to create a first valve plug which is urged into the conduit and thereafter is cooled to create a second valve plug while the first valve plug is in the conduit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
Flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the conduit has a recess opposite the side passage to support the valve plug upon its being urged into the conduit.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
Flow control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the conduit is cooled prior to the introduction of the valve plug into the conduit.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The flow control apparatus of claim 1 in which more than one side passage extends laterally of and communicates with said conduit.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
47 words
The flow control apparatus of claim 1 in which the thermal control means includes in addition heating means for temporarily increasing the side passage temperature after valve plug formation to facilitate valve plug movement of the plug by reducing friction between the valve plug and side passage.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
133 words
Flow control apparatus for selectively permitting or stopping a flow of fluid through a conduit, comprising a side passage extending laterally of and communicating with part of the conduit, the side passage being adapted to contain therein an at least partially solidified valve plug made from a flowable substance, actuating means for urging the valve plug into the conduit so as to stop fluid flow therethrough, and thermal control means associated with the conduit for selectively augmenting or reducing the degree of solidification of the valve plug, said flow control apparatus having a flow control body provided with heat transfer fluid flow channels substantially surrounding said part of the conduit therein into which a plug can be inserted, which channels are of a given cross section for circulating therein a heat transfer fluid.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
133 words
Flow control apparatus for selectively permitting or stopping a flow of fluid through a conduit, comprising a side passage extending laterally of and communicating with part of the conduit, the side passage being adapted to contain therein an at least partially solidified valve plug made from a flowable substance, actuating means for urging the valve plug into the conduit so as to stop fluid flow therethrough, and thermal control means associated with the conduit for selectively augmenting or reducing the degree of solidification of the valve plug, said flow control apparatus having a flow control body provided with heat transfer fluid flow channels substantially surrounding said part of the conduit therein into which a plug can be inserted, which channels are of a given cross section for circulating therein a heat transfer fluid.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
115 words
Flow control apparatus for selectively permitting or limiting a flow of fluid through a conduit of suitable cross section, comprising a side passage extending laterally of and communicating with the conduit, said conduit being tapered, the side passage being sized and adapted to contain therein an at least partially solidified valve plug of flowable substance which plug is capable of at least partially closing the conduit cross section, actuating means for urging the valve plug into the conduit, which plug is compressed as so urged, so as to limit fluid flow through the conduit and thermal control means associated with the conduit for selectively augmenting or reducing the degree of solidification of the valve plug.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
115 words
Flow control apparatus for selectively permitting or limiting a flow of fluid through a conduit of suitable cross section, comprising a side passage extending laterally of and communicating with the conduit, said conduit being tapered, the side passage being sized and adapted to contain therein an at least partially solidified valve plug of flowable substance which plug is capable of at least partially closing the conduit cross section, actuating means for urging the valve plug into the conduit, which plug is compressed as so urged, so as to limit fluid flow through the conduit and thermal control means associated with the conduit for selectively augmenting or reducing the degree of solidification of the valve plug.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for permitting or stopping a flow of fluid through a conduit of selected cross section comprising providing a side passage extending laterally of and communicating with the conduit, the provided side passage being sized and adapted to contain therein an at least partially solidified valve plug of flowable substance which plug is capable of closing the conduit cross section; and providing actuating means for urging the valve plug into the conduit so as to stop fluid flow therethrough.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for permitting or stopping a flow of fluid through a conduit of selected cross section comprising providing a side passage extending laterally of and communicating with the conduit, the provided side passage being sized and adapted to contain therein an at least partially solidified valve plug of flowable substance which plug is capable of closing the conduit cross section; and providing actuating means for urging the valve plug into the conduit so as to stop fluid flow therethrough.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 31 having the additional step of providing thermal control means associated with the conduit.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 32 in which the thermal control means cools and heats.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 32 in which the thermal control means cools.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 31 having the additional step of providing thermal control means associated with the side passage.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 35 in which the thermal control means cools and heats.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 31 having the additional step of providing a thermal control means associated with the conduit and providing a thermal control means associated with the side passage.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 31 in which the valve plugs are made from the fluid flowing through the conduit.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 31 in which the fluid flowing through the conduit is a thermoplastic polymer.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
140 words
Flow control apparatus for selectively permitting or stopping a flow of fluid through a conduit, comprising a side passage extending laterally of and communicating with the conduit, the side passage being adapted to contain therein an at least partially solidified valve plug made from a flowable substance, first thermal control means for causing at least partial solidification of such plug in the side passage, actuating means for urging the valve plug into the conduit so as to stop fluid flow therethrough, and second thermal control means associated with the conduit for selectively augmenting or reducing the degree of solidification of the valve plug, said second thermal control means having one or more flow channels substantially surrounding the part of the conduit therein into which said valve plug can be inserted, the flow channels being adapted to carry heat transfer fluids.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
140 words
Flow control apparatus for selectively permitting or stopping a flow of fluid through a conduit, comprising a side passage extending laterally of and communicating with the conduit, the side passage being adapted to contain therein an at least partially solidified valve plug made from a flowable substance, first thermal control means for causing at least partial solidification of such plug in the side passage, actuating means for urging the valve plug into the conduit so as to stop fluid flow therethrough, and second thermal control means associated with the conduit for selectively augmenting or reducing the degree of solidification of the valve plug, said second thermal control means having one or more flow channels substantially surrounding the part of the conduit therein into which said valve plug can be inserted, the flow channels being adapted to carry heat transfer fluids.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
23 words
The flow control apparatus of claim 40 in which the second thermal control means includes heaters for heating valve plugs in the conduit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2002383A
Cited
GB760316A
Cited
US3052253A
Cited
US3471017A
Cited
US3645399A
Cited
US3631870A
Cited
US3828974A
Cited
US3856674A
Cited
US3940335A
Cited
US3856680A
Cited
US4021346A
Cited
US4083478A
Cited
US4410477A
Cited
US4396031A
Cited
DE3125162A1
Cited
US4654151A
Cited
US4888110A
Cited
US5246660A
Cited
US5125427A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-05-18 | 2001-11-17 | 2002-05-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-18 | 2005-11-17 | 2006-05-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-18 | 2009-11-17 | 2010-05-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |