US3703984A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus of centrifugal separation
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-04-21
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Granted: 1972-11-28
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Expires: 1990-04-21
Abstract
Abstract The method is employed to separate components of a solution having unlike specific gravities and includes subjecting the solution to a centrifugal force in a range from 150,000 times the force of gravity or above for a time sufficient to permit the occurrence of substantial equilibrium between solution components. These components are physically separated while the centrifugal force employed to cause separation is maintained. The centrifuge head employed to accomplish the separation of the solution constitutes a solid metallic disc having an annular separation chamber internally formed adjacent the periphery thereof. An inflow network and two outflow networks formed at different levels in the disc join the separation chamber to the central portion of the disc.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold T Pruessner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:57
CPC Classifications
B; B04; B04B; B04B1/00; B04B5/00; B04B5/04; B04B5/0442; B04B2005/0464
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
A centrifuge head adapted to be rotatably mounted upon a support in a centrifugal separator comprising a substantially disc shaped rotor, rotor shaft means connected to said rotor and projecting along the central axis thereof from opposite sides of said rotor to form a vertical axis of rotation, a peripheral separation chamber formed in the outer portion of said rotor, centrally formed fluid inlet means communicating with the interior of said rotor to provide a path for introducing fluid into said rotor from the exterior thereof, an internal inflow network formed in said rotor and connected between said fluid inlet means and separation chamber, first and second fluid outlet means formed centrally in said rotor on a side thereof opposite to said inlet means, said first and second fluid outlet means communicating with the interior of said rotor to provide paths for passing fluid from said rotor to the exterior thereof, a first outflow network opening into said separation chamber adjacent to the innermost wall thereof, said first outflow network extending between said separation chamber and said first fluid outlet means, and a second outflow network opening into said separation chamber adjacent to the outermost wall thereof, said second outflow network extending between said separation chamber and said second fluid outlet means, said inflow and first and second outflow networks being radially symmetrical.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
A centrifuge head adapted to be rotatably mounted upon a support in a centrifugal separator comprising a substantially disc shaped rotor, rotor shaft means connected to said rotor and projecting along the central axis thereof from opposite sides of said rotor to form a vertical axis of rotation, a peripheral separation chamber formed in the outer portion of said rotor, centrally formed fluid inlet means communicating with the interior of said rotor to provide a path for introducing fluid into said rotor from the exterior thereof, an internal inflow network formed in said rotor and connected between said fluid inlet means and separation chamber, first and second fluid outlet means formed centrally in said rotor on a side thereof opposite to said inlet means, said first and second fluid outlet means communicating with the interior of said rotor to provide paths for passing fluid from said rotor to the exterior thereof, a first outflow network opening into said separation chamber adjacent to the innermost wall thereof, said first outflow network extending between said separation chamber and said first fluid outlet means, and a second outflow network opening into said separation chamber adjacent to the outermost wall thereof, said second outflow network extending between said separation chamber and said second fluid outlet means, said inflow and first and second outflow networks being radially symmetrical.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The centrifuge head of claim 1 wherein said fluid inlet means opens to the exterior of said rotor at a point more centrally located than opening points for said first and second fluid outlet means, said first and second fluid outlet means opening to the exterior of said rotor at points closer to the periphery thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The centrifuge head of claim 1 wherein said rotor constitutes a solid metallic disc, said separation chamber, inflow and first and second outflow networks being formed in the interior of said solid disc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The centrifuge head of claim 1 wherein said separation chamber is triangular in cross section, said inflow network opening into said separation chamber adjacent to the apex of said chamber, and said first and second outflow networks opening into the lower portion of said separation chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The centrifuge head of claim 1 wherein said inflow network is of helical configuration, the convolutions of said inflow network increasing in cross section as the network extends outwardly from the central portion of said rotor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
The centrifuge head of claim 5 wherein said separation chamber constitutes an enlarged extension of said helical inflow network, the separation chamber terminating at a chamber end wall having a central divider extending centrally therefrom to divide the terminal portion of said separation chamber into an inner and an outer section, said first outflow network opening into said inner section and said second outflow network opening into said outer section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
117 words
The centrifuge head of claim 1 wherein said fluid inlet means is positioned at the center of said rotor and said inflow network is a substantially symmetrical arborization network extending outwardly from said fluid inlet means, said aborization network including a plurality of equally spaced first division points circularly arranged about the center of said rotor, a channel segment extending from the center of said rotor to each such first division point, each channel segment dividing at said first Division point into two branch segments of equal length having spaced terminal portions which extend in a direction substantially radially of said rotor, said branch segments following oppositely curved paths of the same curvature to said terminal portions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
120 words
The centrifuge head of claim 7 wherein said arborization network includes a plurality of successive groups of division points circularly arranged about circles of increasing diameter from said rotor center with said separation chamber forming the outermost circle, said circles being equally spaced along a radial line for said rotor, the secondary division points on adjacent circles subsequent to said first division points forming the terminus for a preceding branch segment, each said preceding branch segment dividing at said secondary division point into two secondary branch segments of equal length having spaced terminal portions which extend in a direction substantially radially of said rotor, said secondary branch segments following oppositely curved paths of the same curvature to said terminal portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The centrifuge head of claim 8 wherein the secondary branch segments beginning with the division points adjacent to said separation chamber terminate at said separation chamber and open into the interior thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The centrifuge head of claim 9 wherein said first and second outflow networks constitute arborization networks substantially identical in configuration to said inflow network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
87 words
The centrifuge head of claim 10 wherein said rotor shaft means includes an upper shaft and a lower shaft, said fluid inlet means constituting a channel extending along the central longitudinal axis of said upper shaft, said first fluid outlet means constituting a first channel formed in said lower shaft and opening exteriorly thereof at the side of said lower shaft, and said second fluid outlet means constituting a second channel formed in said lower shaft and opening exteriorly thereof at the side of said lower shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
The centrifuge head of claim 9 wherein said separation chamber includes equally spaced end walls which extend across the separation chamber between the inner most and outermost walls thereof to divide said separation chamber into a plurality of separation compartments, each of said separation compartments having a secondary branch segment of said inflow network in communication therewith.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
The centrifuge head of claim 12 wherein said inflow network opens into the top portion of said separation chamber and said first and second outflow networks open into the lower portion of said separation chamber, each said separation compartment receiving a secondary branch segment of said first and second outflow networks.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
The centrifuge head of claim 13 wherein each said separation compartment is triangular in cross section, the secondary branch segments of said inflow network and first outflow network opening at the forward portion of each said separation compartment and the secondary branch segment of said second outflow network opening at the rear portion of each said separation compartment.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of separating organic and inorganic compounds in solution and miscible solutions having unlike specific densities by centrifugation alone which includes subjecting said solution to a centrifugal force in a range exceeding 150,000 times the force of gravity sufficient to divide the components of said solution into circular lamina, minimizing solution flow during the formation of said lamina, maintaining the solution under centrifugal force for a time sufficient to permit the occurrence of substantial equilibrium between said lamina, and subsequently physically separating said lamina while maintaining the solution under said centrifugal force.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of separating organic and inorganic compounds in solution and miscible solutions having unlike specific densities by centrifugation alone which includes subjecting said solution to a centrifugal force in a range exceeding 150,000 times the force of gravity sufficient to divide the components of said solution into circular lamina, minimizing solution flow during the formation of said lamina, maintaining the solution under centrifugal force for a time sufficient to permit the occurrence of substantial equilibrium between said lamina, and subsequently physically separating said lamina while maintaining the solution under said centrifugal force.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of claim 15 which includes maintaining a continuous inflow of solution to be separated into lamina of greater and lesser specific density and maintaining a continuous outflow of solution after separation of said lamina.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of claim 16 which includes maintaining said solution during centrifugation at a temperature sufficient to facilitate free fluid movement.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method of claim 15 which includes directing an inflow of solution to be separated to a separation chamber while minimizing turbidity and eddy currents therein, and subsequently minimizing fluid flow in said chamber to permit the occurrence of equilibrium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1975-11-28 | 1976-05-29 | 1976-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-28 | 1980-05-29 | 1980-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-28 | 1984-05-29 | 1984-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |