Membrane diffusion apparatus

Claim 2

A membrane diffusion apparatus for liquid gasification and dialysis comprising a stack of at least three different kinds of cells arranged in a set order wherein each two successive cells are of different kinds and wherein a first kind of cell and a second kind of cell are always separated from each other by a different kind of cell, said first kind of cell comprising membranes overlying both sides of first frame means, said second kind of cell comprising gas and liquid impermeable closure means overlying both sides of second frame means, manifold means in the periphery of all said cells and their frame means, membranes, and closure means for conducting independently a series of separate fluids through said stack and for distributing them into first, second, and other cells, said manifold means including a multiplicity of fine comb-like elements providing unrestricted uniform flow of each said fluid to and from inner spaces of its cells, said stack being enclosed by two end clamping means, each including conduit means connecting said manifold means with inlet and outlet ports, each said fluid having an inlet port in one said end clamping means and an outlet port in the other saId end clamping means, so that force from pressure of one said fluid, the fluid flowing through each said second cell, is directed against said closure means to generate a constant volume of uniform thickness in each said first cell enabling gently turbulent uniform flow of said first fluid, and enabling uniform diffusion exchange between the fluid flowing through said first cell and another fluid.

Claim 3

The membrane diffusion apparatus of claim 1 wherein each said fluid has an inlet port in one said end clamping means and an outlet port diagonally opposite the inlet port and in the other said end clamping means.

Claim 4

The membrane diffusion apparatus of claim 1 wherein each said frame means comprises a pair of spacer frames, and a main frame sandwiched between the spacer frames, said manifold means in said main frame only including a multiplicity of fine comb-like elements.

Claim 5

A membrane diffusion apparatus for liquid gasification and dialysis comprising a stack of only three different kinds of cells, for use with three separate fluids, arranged in a set order wherein each two successive cells are of different kinds and wherein a first kind of cell and a second kind of cell are always separated from each other by a third kind of cell, there being said third kind of cell on both sides of each said first kind of cell and having third frame means, said first kind of cell comprising membranes overlying both sides of first frame means, said second kind of cell comprising gas and liquid impermeable closure means overlying both sides of second frame means, said first and third frame means being identical except that one is inverted relative to the other, manifold means in the periphery of all said cells and their frame means, membranes, and closure means for conducting independently a series of said separate fluids through said stack and for distributing them into said first, second, and third cells, said manifold means including a multiplicity of fine comb-like members providing unrestricted uniform flow of each said fluid to and from inner spaces of its cells, said stack being enclosed by two end clamping means, each including conduit means connecting said manifold means with inlet and outlet ports, each said fluid having an inlet port in one said end clamping means and an outlet port in the other said end clamping means, so that force from pressure of one said fluid, the fluid flowing through each said second cell, is directed against said closure means to generate a constant volume of uniform thickness in each said first cell enabling gently turbulent uniform flow of said first fluid, and enabling uniform diffusion exchange between the fluid flowing through said first cell and another fluid.

Claim 6

A membrane diffusion apparatus for liquid gasification and dialysis comprising a stack of only three different kinds of cells, for use with three separate fluids, arranged in a set order wherein each two successive cells are of different kinds and wherein a first kind of cell and a second kind of cell are always separated from each other by a third kind of cell, there being said third kind of cell on both sides of each said first kind of cell and having third frame means, said first kind of cell comprising membranes overlying both sides of first frame means, said second kind of cell comprising gas and liquid impermeable closure means overlying both sides of second frame means, said first and third frame means being identical except that one is inverted relative to the other, manifold means in the periphery of all said cells and their frame means, membranes, and closure means for conducting independently a series of said separate fluids through said stack and for distributing them into said first, second, and third cells, said manifold means including a multiplicity of fine comb-like members providing unrestricted uniform flow of each said fluid to and from inner spaces of its cells, said stack being enclosed by two end clamping means, each including conduit means connecting said manifold means with inlet and outlet ports, each said fluid having an inlet port in one said end clamping means and an outlet port in the other said end clamping means, so that force from pressure of one said fluid, the fluid flowing through each said second cell, is directed against said closure means to generate a constant volume of uniform thickness in each said first cell enabling gently turbulent uniform flow of said first fluid, and enabling uniform diffusion exchange between the fluid flowing through said first cell and another fluid.

Claim 7

A membrane diffusion apparatus for liquid gasification and dialysis comprising a stack of only three different kinds of cells, for use with three separate fluids, arranged in a set order wherein each two successive cells are of different kinds and wherein a first kind of cell and a second kind of cell are always separated from each other by a third kind of cell, there being said third kind of cell on both sides of each said first kind of cell and having third frame means, said first kind of cell comprising membranes overlying both sides of first frame means, said second kind of cell comprising gas and liquid impermeable closure means overlying both sides of second frame means, said second and third frame means being identical except that one is inverted relative to the other, and each said frame being polygonal, manifold means in the periphery of all said cells and their frame means, membranes, and closure means for conducting independently a series of said separate fluids through said stack and for distributing them into said first, second, and third cells, said manifold means including a multiplicity of fine comb-like elements providing unrestricted uniform flow of each said flUid to and from inner spaces of its cells, said stack being enclosed by two end clamping means, each including conduit means connecting said manifold means with inlet and outlet ports, each said fluid having an inlet port in one said end clamping means and an outlet port in the other said end clamping means, so that force from pressure of one said fluid, the fluid flowing through each said second cell, is directed against said closure means to generate a constant volume of uniform thickness in each said first cell enabling gently turbulent uniform flow of said first fluid, and enabling uniform diffusion exchange between the fluid flowing through said first cell and another fluid.

Claim 8

A membrane diffusion apparatus for liquid gasification and dialysis comprising a stack of only three different kinds of cells, for use with three separate fluids, arranged in a set order wherein each two successive cells are of different kinds and wherein a first kind of cell and a second kind of cell are always separated from each other by a third kind of cell, there being said third kind of cell on both sides of each said first kind of cell and having third frame means, said first kind of cell comprising membranes overlying both sides of first frame means, said second kind of cell comprising gas and liquid impermeable closure means overlying both sides of second frame means, said second and third frame means being identical except that one is inverted relative to the other, and each said frame being polygonal, manifold means in the periphery of all said cells and their frame means, membranes, and closure means for conducting independently a series of said separate fluids through said stack and for distributing them into said first, second, and third cells, said manifold means including a multiplicity of fine comb-like elements providing unrestricted uniform flow of each said flUid to and from inner spaces of its cells, said stack being enclosed by two end clamping means, each including conduit means connecting said manifold means with inlet and outlet ports, each said fluid having an inlet port in one said end clamping means and an outlet port in the other said end clamping means, so that force from pressure of one said fluid, the fluid flowing through each said second cell, is directed against said closure means to generate a constant volume of uniform thickness in each said first cell enabling gently turbulent uniform flow of said first fluid, and enabling uniform diffusion exchange between the fluid flowing through said first cell and another fluid.

Claim 9

A membrane diffusion appratus for liquid gasification and dialysis comprising a stack of four different kinds of cells, for use with four separate fluids arranged in a set order wherein each two successive cells are of different kinds and wherein a first kind of cell and a second kind of cell are always separated from each other by a different kind of cell, there being a third kind of cell with third frame means and a fourth kind of cell with a fourth frame means, said first kind of cell comprising membranes overlying both sides of first frame means, said second kind of cell comprising gas and liquid impermeable closure means overlying both sides of second frame means, said first and third frame means being identical except that one is inverted relative to the other, and each said frame being polygonal, manifold means in the periphery of all said cells and their frame means, membranes, and closure means for conducting independently a series of said separate fluids through said stack and for distributing them into first, second, third, and fourth cells, said manifold means including a multiplicity of fine comb-like elements providing unrestricted uniform flow of each said fluid to and from inner spaces of its cells, said stack being enclosed by two end clamping means, each including conduit means connecting said manifold means with inlet and outlet ports, each said fluid having an inlet port in one said end clamping means and an outlet port in the other said end clamping means, so that force from pressure of one said fluid, the fluids flowing through each said second cell, is directed against said closure means to generate a constant volume of uniform thickness in each said first cell enabling gently turbulent uniform flow of said first fluid, and enabling uniform diffusion exchange between the fluid flowing through said first cell and another fluid.

Claim 10

A membrane diffusion appratus for liquid gasification and dialysis comprising a stack of four different kinds of cells, for use with four separate fluids arranged in a set order wherein each two successive cells are of different kinds and wherein a first kind of cell and a second kind of cell are always separated from each other by a different kind of cell, there being a third kind of cell with third frame means and a fourth kind of cell with a fourth frame means, said first kind of cell comprising membranes overlying both sides of first frame means, said second kind of cell comprising gas and liquid impermeable closure means overlying both sides of second frame means, said first and third frame means being identical except that one is inverted relative to the other, and each said frame being polygonal, manifold means in the periphery of all said cells and their frame means, membranes, and closure means for conducting independently a series of said separate fluids through said stack and for distributing them into first, second, third, and fourth cells, said manifold means including a multiplicity of fine comb-like elements providing unrestricted uniform flow of each said fluid to and from inner spaces of its cells, said stack being enclosed by two end clamping means, each including conduit means connecting said manifold means with inlet and outlet ports, each said fluid having an inlet port in one said end clamping means and an outlet port in the other said end clamping means, so that force from pressure of one said fluid, the fluids flowing through each said second cell, is directed against said closure means to generate a constant volume of uniform thickness in each said first cell enabling gently turbulent uniform flow of said first fluid, and enabling uniform diffusion exchange between the fluid flowing through said first cell and another fluid.

Claim 11

A membrane diffusion apparatus for liquid gasification and dialysis comprising a stack of at least three different kinds of cells arranged in a set order wherein each two successive cells are of different kinds and wherein a first kind of cell and a second kind of cell are always separated from each other by a different kind of cell, said first kind of cell comprising membranes overlying both sides of first frame means, said second kind of cell comprising gas and liquid impermeable closure means overlying both sides of second frame means, manifold means in the periphery of all said cells and their frame means, membranes, and closure means for conducting independently a series of said separate fluids through said stack and for distributing them into said first, second, and other cells, said manifold means including a plurality of sets of fine comb-like elements providing unrestricted uniform flow of each said fluid to and from inner spaces of its cells, said stack being enclosed by two end clamping means, each including conduit means connecting said manifold means with inlet and outlet ports, each said fluid having an inlet port in one said end clamping means and an outlet port in the other said end clamping means, so that force from pressure of one said fluid, the fluid flowing through each said second cell, is directed against said closuRe means to generate a constant volume of uniform thickness in each said first cell enabling gently turbulent uniform flow of said first fluid and enabling uniform diffusion exchange between the fluid flowing through said first cell and another fluid, said stack and its cells, frame means, membranes, and closure means being symmetrical polygons with an even number of sides, opposite sides being parallel to each other, said manifold means comprising two said sets of fine come-like elements for each said fluid, one in each of two opposite sides and parallel to each other, one for the incoming fluid and the other for the outgoing fluid, in each said frame means, said manifold means also comprising slot means in said membrane and closure means, said comb-like elements in each said frame means of said stack coinciding with slot means in the other members of the stack to provide unrestricted and independent passage for each fluid.

Claim 12

A membrane diffusion apparatus for liquid gasification and dialysis comprising a stack of at least three different kinds of cells arranged in a set order wherein each two successive cells are of different kinds and wherein a first kind of cell and a second kind of cell are always separated from each other by a different kind of cell, said first kind of cell comprising membranes overlying both sides of first frame means, said second kind of cell comprising gas and liquid impermeable closure means overlying both sides of second frame means, manifold means in the periphery of all said cells and their frame means, membranes, and closure means for conducting independently a series of said separate fluids through said stack and for distributing them into said first, second, and other cells, said manifold means including a plurality of sets of fine comb-like elements providing unrestricted uniform flow of each said fluid to and from inner spaces of its cells, said stack being enclosed by two end clamping means, each including conduit means connecting said manifold means with inlet and outlet ports, each said fluid having an inlet port in one said end clamping means and an outlet port in the other said end clamping means, so that force from pressure of one said fluid, the fluid flowing through each said second cell, is directed against said closuRe means to generate a constant volume of uniform thickness in each said first cell enabling gently turbulent uniform flow of said first fluid and enabling uniform diffusion exchange between the fluid flowing through said first cell and another fluid, said stack and its cells, frame means, membranes, and closure means being symmetrical polygons with an even number of sides, opposite sides being parallel to each other, said manifold means comprising two said sets of fine come-like elements for each said fluid, one in each of two opposite sides and parallel to each other, one for the incoming fluid and the other for the outgoing fluid, in each said frame means, said manifold means also comprising slot means in said membrane and closure means, said comb-like elements in each said frame means of said stack coinciding with slot means in the other members of the stack to provide unrestricted and independent passage for each fluid.

Claim 13

The membrane diffusion apparatus of claim 7 wherein each said cell has in its frame means two said sets of comb-like elements, one set having a series of ingress channels and the other set having a series of egress channels for the slot means for its said fluid opening into a hollow central cell area, the fluid for that cell passing from its slot means for incoming fluid through the ingress channels across said central cell area and through the egress channels to its slot means for outgoing fluid, the interior edges of said frame means being parallel to assure uniform flow paths.

Claim 14

The membrane diffusion apparatus of claim 8, wherein each of said ingress channels and each of said egress channels flares out toward the inner edge of its said frame means to provide unthrottled flow of its fluid into its cell''s hollow central area.

Claim 15

The membrane diffusion apparatus of claim 8, wherein each said slot means, other than those having channels, comprises a series of slots in line with each other.

Claim 16

The membrane diffusion apparatus of claim 7 wherein some sides have two said slot means per side, for different fluids.

Claim 17

A membrane diffusion apparatus adapted to dialysis and gasification of liquids comprising a stack of at least three different kinds of cells arranged in a set order wherein each two successive cells are of different kinds and wherein a first kind of cell and a second kind of cell are always separated from each other by a different kind of cell, said first kind of cell comprising membranes overlying both sides of first frame means, said second kind of cell comprising gas and liquid impermeable closure means overlying both sides of second frame means, manifold means in the periphery of all said cells and their frame means, membranes, and closure means for conducting independently a series of separate fluids through said stack and for distributing them into first, second, and other cells, each said frame means comprising a pair of identical frames, each having on one face a series of grooves for conveying one said fluid only from its manifold means into its cell, the frame faces having the grooves lying against each other, said stack being enclosed by two end clamping means, each including conduit means connecting said manifold means with inlet and outlet ports, each said fluid having an inlet port in one said end clamping means and an outlet port in the other said end clamping means, so that force from pressure of one said fluid, the fluid flowing through each said second cell, is directed against said closure means to generate a constant volume of uniform thickness in each said first cell enabling gently turbulent uniform flow of said first fluid, and enabling uniform diffusion exchange between the fluid flowing through said first cell and another fluid.

Claim 18

A membrane diffusion apparatus adapted to dialysis and gasification of liquids comprising a stack of at least three different kinds of cells arranged in a set order wherein each two successive cells are of different kinds and wherein a first kind of cell and a second kind of cell are always separated from each other by a different kind of cell, said first kind of cell comprising membranes overlying both sides of first frame means, said second kind of cell comprising gas and liquid impermeable closure means overlying both sides of second frame means, manifold means in the periphery of all said cells and their frame means, membranes, and closure means for conducting independently a series of separate fluids through said stack and for distributing them into first, second, and other cells, each said frame means comprising a pair of identical frames, each having on one face a series of grooves for conveying one said fluid only from its manifold means into its cell, the frame faces having the grooves lying against each other, said stack being enclosed by two end clamping means, each including conduit means connecting said manifold means with inlet and outlet ports, each said fluid having an inlet port in one said end clamping means and an outlet port in the other said end clamping means, so that force from pressure of one said fluid, the fluid flowing through each said second cell, is directed against said closure means to generate a constant volume of uniform thickness in each said first cell enabling gently turbulent uniform flow of said first fluid, and enabling uniform diffusion exchange between the fluid flowing through said first cell and another fluid.

Claim 19

The membrane diffusion apparatus of claim 12 wherein the said grooves are inclined at an angle to the inner edges of the frames and the grooves of one frame are Inclined oppositely to the inclinations of the grooves in the facing frame.

Claim 20

A membrance diffusion apparatus comprising a stack of at least three different kinds of cells arranged in a set order wherein each two successive cells are of different kinds and wherein a first kind of cell and a second kind of cell are always separated from each other by a different kind of cell, said first kind of cell comprising membranes overlying both sides of first frame means, said second kind of cell comprising gas and liquid impermeable closure means overlying both sides of second frame means, manifold means in the periphery of all said cells and their frame means, membranes, and closure means for conducting independently a series of separate fluids through said stack and for distributing them into first, second, and other cells, said manifold means including means providing unrestricted uniform flow of each said fluid to and from inner spaces of its cells, said stack being enclosed by two end clamping means, each including conduit means connecting said manifold means with inlet and outlet ports, each said fluid having an inlet port in one said end clamping means and an outlet port in the other said end clamping means, so that force from pressure of one said fluid, the fluid flowing through each said second cell, is directed against said closure means to generate a constant volume of uniform thickness in each said first cell enabling gently turbulent uniform flow of said first fluid, and enabling uniform diffusion exchange between the fluid flowing through said first cell and another fluid, and wherein said conduit means in said end clamping means taper from a larger cross-sectional area at the end communicating with a said port to a smaller cross-sectional area at the other end of said conduit.

Claim 21

A membrance diffusion apparatus comprising a stack of at least three different kinds of cells arranged in a set order wherein each two successive cells are of different kinds and wherein a first kind of cell and a second kind of cell are always separated from each other by a different kind of cell, said first kind of cell comprising membranes overlying both sides of first frame means, said second kind of cell comprising gas and liquid impermeable closure means overlying both sides of second frame means, manifold means in the periphery of all said cells and their frame means, membranes, and closure means for conducting independently a series of separate fluids through said stack and for distributing them into first, second, and other cells, said manifold means including means providing unrestricted uniform flow of each said fluid to and from inner spaces of its cells, said stack being enclosed by two end clamping means, each including conduit means connecting said manifold means with inlet and outlet ports, each said fluid having an inlet port in one said end clamping means and an outlet port in the other said end clamping means, so that force from pressure of one said fluid, the fluid flowing through each said second cell, is directed against said closure means to generate a constant volume of uniform thickness in each said first cell enabling gently turbulent uniform flow of said first fluid, and enabling uniform diffusion exchange between the fluid flowing through said first cell and another fluid, and wherein said conduit means in said end clamping means taper from a larger cross-sectional area at the end communicating with a said port to a smaller cross-sectional area at the other end of said conduit.

Claim 22

A disposable membrane diffusion apparatus for liquid gasification and dialysis comprising a stack of first, second and third cells arranged in the order: third cell, second cell, first cell, second cell, third cell, second cell, first cell, and so on, said first cell comprising a membrane overlying both sides of first frame means, said second cell comprising second frame means, foraminous spacing means of uniform thickness interposed within each of said first and second frame means, said third cell comprising a gas and liquid impermeable closure means overlying both sides of third frame means, one of said frame means being inverted with respect to one of the other frame means, manifold means in the periphery of all said frames, membranes, and closure means for conducting independently first, second, and third fluids through said stack and for distributing them into first, second, and third cells, repectively, said manifold means providing unrestricted uniform flow of a selected said fluid to and from inner spaces of each of said frames, said stack being enclosed by two end clamping means, each including conduit means connecting said manifold means with inlet and outlet ports, each said fluid having an inlet port in one said end clamping means and an outlet port in the other said end clamping means, so that when force from pressure of said third fluid is directed against said closure means a constant volume of uniform thickness is generated in said first cell enabling gently turbulent uniform flow of said first fluid, and enabling uniform diffusion exchange with said second fluid.

Claim 23

A disposable membrane diffusion apparatus for liquid gasification and dialysis comprising a stack of first, second and third cells arranged in the order: third cell, second cell, first cell, second cell, third cell, second cell, first cell, and so on, said first cell comprising a membrane overlying both sides of first frame means, said second cell comprising second frame means, foraminous spacing means of uniform thickness interposed within each of said first and second frame means, said third cell comprising a gas and liquid impermeable closure means overlying both sides of third frame means, one of said frame means being inverted with respect to one of the other frame means, manifold means in the periphery of all said frames, membranes, and closure means for conducting independently first, second, and third fluids through said stack and for distributing them into first, second, and third cells, repectively, said manifold means providing unrestricted uniform flow of a selected said fluid to and from inner spaces of each of said frames, said stack being enclosed by two end clamping means, each including conduit means connecting said manifold means with inlet and outlet ports, each said fluid having an inlet port in one said end clamping means and an outlet port in the other said end clamping means, so that when force from pressure of said third fluid is directed against said closure means a constant volume of uniform thickness is generated in said first cell enabling gently turbulent uniform flow of said first fluid, and enabling uniform diffusion exchange with said second fluid.

Claim 24

An apparatus as defined by claim 15 wherein said frame means, membranes, closure means, and end clamping means are rectangular and said frames, membranes, and closure means are substantially identical in size and shape, each having two longer parallel sides and two shorter parallel sides.

Claim 25

An apparatus as defined by claim 16 wherein said manifold means comprises: first slot means along nearly the full length of and parallel to the edge of each said longer side of each said frame meanS, membrane, and closure means of said stack, a series of many narrow, parallel, first channels extending out from said first slot means along the full length of each said first slot means of each said first frame means to and through the inner margin of said first frame means for passing said first fluid into and from each said first cell from and to respective said first slot means, second and third slot means of identical length in line with each other and each extending about one half of the length of each said shorter side parallel to the edge thereof of each said frame means, membrane, and closure means of said stack, the second slot means of one said shorter side being diagonally opposite the second slot means of the other said shorter side, and the third slot means of one said shorter side being diagonally opposite the third slot means of the other said shorter side, and a series of many narrow, parallel, second channels in each said second frame means extending from the diagonally opposite second slot means, said second frame means and said third frame means being identical except that one is inverted with respect to the other so that said second fluid passes into and from said second cells through said second channels, while said third fluid passes into and from said third cells through the inverted said second channels, said slot means of said frame means, membranes, and closure means coinciding when the stack of said cells is assembled to provide unrestricted and independent manifolds at the peripheral walls of said stack for the unimpeded and independent flow of said first, second, and third fluids therein.

Claim 26

An apparatus as defined by claim 17 wherein each of said first and second channels flares out near the inner edge of its said frame means to provide unthrottled flow of its fluid into the space lying within its cell.

Claim 27

An apparatus as defined by claim 17 wherein each said slot means comprises a series of slots in line with each other.

Claim 28

An apparatus as defined by claim 15 wherein said frame means, membranes, closure means, and end plate means are hexagonal, having two long parallel sides and four shorter parallel sides in diagonally opposite pairs.

Claim 29

An apparatus as defined by claim 20 wherein said manifold means comprises: slot means along nearly the full length of and parallel to the edge of each side of each said frame means, membrane, and closure means of said stack, a series of many narrow first channels extending from the two said slot means of one said diagonally opposite pair of shorter sides and extending to and through the inner margin of each said first frame means, for passage of said first fluid into and from each said first cell, said first and second frame means being identical except for inversion of one relative to the other so that in said second frame means said first channels are located in the other pair of said diagonally opposite shorter sides for passage of said second fluid into and from each said second cell, a series of many narrow second channels extending from each of the said slot means that are located in said long parallel sides, extending to and through the inner margin of each said third frame means, for passage of said third fluid into and from each said third cell, said slot means of said frame means, membranes, and closure means coinciding when the stack of said cells is assembled to provide unrestricted and independent manifolds at the peripheral walls of said stack for the unimpeded and independent flow of said first, second, and third fluids therein.

Claim 30

An apparatus as defined by claim 21 wherein each of said first and second channels flares out near the inner edge of said frame means of its respective cell to provide unthrottled flow of its fluid into the space lying within that cell.

Claim 31

An apparatus as defined by claim 15 wherein each said frame means comprises a pair of spacer frames, and a main frame sandwiched betweEn the spacer frames.

Claim 32

An apparatus as defined by claim 15 wherein each said frame means comprises a pair of identical frames, each having on one face a series of grooves for conveying one said fluid only from its manifold means into its cell, the frame faces having the grooves lying against each other.

Claim 33

An apparatus as defined by claim 24 wherein the said grooves are inclined at an angle to the inner edges of the frames and the grooves of one frame are inclined oppositely to the inclinations of the grooves in the facing frame.

Claim 34

An apparatus of claim 15 wherein said conduit means in said end clamping means taper from a larger cross-sectional area at the end communicating with a said port to a smaller cross-sectional area at the other end of said conduit.

Claim 35

An apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said end clamping means comprise a press and two plastic sheets substantially the same size as said stack and containing said conduits and ports, said plastic sheets with said stack forming a disposable assembly.

Claim 36

A membrane diffusion device for liquid gasification and dialysis providing independent paths for each of three fluids, comprising an assembly of cells held together by pressure means and including in combination: a first cell for a first said fluid having first frame means, internal foraminous spacing means inside said first fram means, and a pair of first membrane elements, one on each side of said first frame means, said first cell having inlet means for admitting said first fluid into the space within said first frame means and between said first membrane elements and outlet means for letting it flow out therefrom, an identical pair of second cells for a second said fluid, one said second cell being located on each side of said first cell and each comprising second frame means and internal foraminous spacing means inside said second frame means, said second cell having inlet means and outlet means for conducting said second fluid into and from said second cell, and an identical pair of third cells for said third fluid located externally to and on opposite sides of an assembly of one said first cell and two said second cells, and each comprising third frame means with second membrane elements on either side thereof and inlet means and outlet means for letting said third fluid into and out from said third cell, said inlet means and outlet means of at least one cell including a multiplicity of fine comb-like elements providing flow channels.

Claim 37

A membrane diffusion device for liquid gasification and dialysis providing independent paths for each of three fluids, comprising an assembly of cells held together by pressure means and including in combination: a first cell for a first said fluid having first frame means, internal foraminous spacing means inside said first fram means, and a pair of first membrane elements, one on each side of said first frame means, said first cell having inlet means for admitting said first fluid into the space within said first frame means and between said first membrane elements and outlet means for letting it flow out therefrom, an identical pair of second cells for a second said fluid, one said second cell being located on each side of said first cell and each comprising second frame means and internal foraminous spacing means inside said second frame means, said second cell having inlet means and outlet means for conducting said second fluid into and from said second cell, and an identical pair of third cells for said third fluid located externally to and on opposite sides of an assembly of one said first cell and two said second cells, and each comprising third frame means with second membrane elements on either side thereof and inlet means and outlet means for letting said third fluid into and out from said third cell, said inlet means and outlet means of at least one cell including a multiplicity of fine comb-like elements providing flow channels.

Claim 38

The membrane diffusion device of claim 28 in which all said frame means and all said membranes have six slot means comprising three pairs of slot means, the slot means in each pair being of equal size, shape and relative location on opposite sides and in matching locations in each cell, so that when the cells are assembled, these slot means form vertical manifolds, said first frame means having many channels located along substantially the entire lengths of one said pair of slot means for flow of said first fluid into and out from said first cell, said second and third frame means each having many transverse channels in diagonally opposite locations along one of the remaining pairs of slot means, one for said second fluid and one for said third fluid, each fluid having slot means and transverse channels specific to it.

Claim 39

The membrane diffusion device of claim 28 having a plurality of manifold recesses in said pressure means, which connect each said slot means with a port at one end of each said manifold recess.

Claim 40

A membrane diffusion apparatus for liquid gasification and dialysis comprising a stack of frames and membranous means which when sealingly compressed form a plurality of first, second, and third cells for circulating first, second, and third fluids through said apparatus, screen spacing means interposed within the open space of said frames of said first and second cells, said membranous means lying betWeen said frames of said first and second cells and between the frames of said second and third cells, each said first cell being interposed between two said second cells and with a said third cell adjacent the outer surface of each said second cell, the sides of said frames and said membranous means incorporating a plurality of manifold means for transporting said first, second and third fluids independently, uniformly and unrestrictedly to and from said first, second and third cells, respectively, said third fluid within said third cells providing a force against said membranous means to define in said first cell a space of uniform thickness for uniform patterns of flow for said first fluid through said first cell, and means for providing inlet and outlet conduit communication with said manifold means while simultaneously providing said sealing compression.

Claim 41

A membrane diffusion apparatus for liquid gasification and dialysis comprising a stack of frames and membranous means which when sealingly compressed form a plurality of first, second, and third cells for circulating first, second, and third fluids through said apparatus, screen spacing means interposed within the open space of said frames of said first and second cells, said membranous means lying betWeen said frames of said first and second cells and between the frames of said second and third cells, each said first cell being interposed between two said second cells and with a said third cell adjacent the outer surface of each said second cell, the sides of said frames and said membranous means incorporating a plurality of manifold means for transporting said first, second and third fluids independently, uniformly and unrestrictedly to and from said first, second and third cells, respectively, said third fluid within said third cells providing a force against said membranous means to define in said first cell a space of uniform thickness for uniform patterns of flow for said first fluid through said first cell, and means for providing inlet and outlet conduit communication with said manifold means while simultaneously providing said sealing compression.

Claim 42

A disposable membrane diffusion apparatus comprising frame means in combination with membranous means and screen spacer means defining a stack of cells for effecting the efficient diffusion exchange between a first and second fluid through a first said membranous means, said stack of cells made up of a plurality of cellular units, said units comprising a first cell for a first fluid sandwiched between second cells for a second fluid, successive said units being separated by a third cell for a third fluid, each said first cell comprising a said screen spacer means within a first said frame means sandwiched by first said membranous means, each said second cell comprising a said screen spacer means within a second said frame means adjacent to outer surfaces of said first cell, each said third cell comprising a said second frame means inverted with respect to the second said frame means in said second cells and sandwiched between a pair of second said membranous means, manifold means in the periphery of all said frame means and all said membranous means for conducting said first, second, and third fluids independently and freely to and from said first, second, and third cells, respectively, and conduit end plate means for connecting said manifold means with independent inlet and outlet means for each of said first, second, and third fluids, said end plate means providing sealing means for said stack of cells when in clamped arrangement with them, said third fluid providing compressive force against said first membranous means to create a constant volume of uniform thickness in said first cell, wherein said first fluid flows in a mildly turbulent manner to effect uniform diffusion exchange with said second fluid.

Claim 43

A disposable membrane diffusion apparatus comprising frame means in combination with membranous means and screen spacer means defining a stack of cells for effecting the efficient diffusion exchange between a first and second fluid through a first said membranous means, said stack of cells made up of a plurality of cellular units, said units comprising a first cell for a first fluid sandwiched between second cells for a second fluid, successive said units being separated by a third cell for a third fluid, each said first cell comprising a said screen spacer means within a first said frame means sandwiched by first said membranous means, each said second cell comprising a said screen spacer means within a second said frame means adjacent to outer surfaces of said first cell, each said third cell comprising a said second frame means inverted with respect to the second said frame means in said second cells and sandwiched between a pair of second said membranous means, manifold means in the periphery of all said frame means and all said membranous means for conducting said first, second, and third fluids independently and freely to and from said first, second, and third cells, respectively, and conduit end plate means for connecting said manifold means with independent inlet and outlet means for each of said first, second, and third fluids, said end plate means providing sealing means for said stack of cells when in clamped arrangement with them, said third fluid providing compressive force against said first membranous means to create a constant volume of uniform thickness in said first cell, wherein said first fluid flows in a mildly turbulent manner to effect uniform diffusion exchange with said second fluid.

Claim 44

A membrane diffusion apparatus comprising a stack of first, second, third and fourth cells arranged in the order: first cell, second cell, third cell, fourth cell, first cell, and so on, said first cell comprising a gas and liquid impermeable closure means overlying both sides of first frame means, said second cell comprising second frame means, said third cell comprising first and second membranes, one overlying each side of third frame means, said fourth cell comprising fourth frame means, foraminous spacing means of uniform thickness interposed within each of said second, third, and fourth frame means, manifold means in the periphery of all said frame means, membranes, and closure means for conducting independently first, second, third, and fourth fluids through said stack and for distributing them into first, second, third, and fourth cells, respectively, said manifold means providing unrestricted uniform flow of a selected said fluid to and from inner spaces of each of said frames, said stack being enclosed by two end clamping means, each including conduit means connecting said manifold means with inlet and outlet ports, each said fluid having an inlet port in one said end clamping means and an outlet port in the other said end clamping means, so that when force from pressure of said first fluiD is directed against said closure means a constant volume of uniform thickness is generated in said third cell enabling gently turbulent uniform flow of said third fluid, and enabling uniform diffusion exchange of said third fluid with said second fluid and uniform diffusion exchange of said third fluid with said fourth fluid.

Claim 45

A membrane diffusion apparatus comprising a stack of first, second, third and fourth cells arranged in the order: first cell, second cell, third cell, fourth cell, first cell, and so on, said first cell comprising a gas and liquid impermeable closure means overlying both sides of first frame means, said second cell comprising second frame means, said third cell comprising first and second membranes, one overlying each side of third frame means, said fourth cell comprising fourth frame means, foraminous spacing means of uniform thickness interposed within each of said second, third, and fourth frame means, manifold means in the periphery of all said frame means, membranes, and closure means for conducting independently first, second, third, and fourth fluids through said stack and for distributing them into first, second, third, and fourth cells, respectively, said manifold means providing unrestricted uniform flow of a selected said fluid to and from inner spaces of each of said frames, said stack being enclosed by two end clamping means, each including conduit means connecting said manifold means with inlet and outlet ports, each said fluid having an inlet port in one said end clamping means and an outlet port in the other said end clamping means, so that when force from pressure of said first fluiD is directed against said closure means a constant volume of uniform thickness is generated in said third cell enabling gently turbulent uniform flow of said third fluid, and enabling uniform diffusion exchange of said third fluid with said second fluid and uniform diffusion exchange of said third fluid with said fourth fluid.

Claim 46

The membrane diffusion apparatus of claim 33 wherein said third and fourth frame means are identical except that one is inverted relative to the other.

Claim 47

An apparatus as defined by claim 33 wherein said manifold means comprises: eight slot means along and parallel to the edge of each side of each said frame means, membrane, and closure means of said stack, there being two slot means for each fluid arranged in diagonally opposite pairs, a series of many parallel channels extending from one pair of said slot means in each said frame means, extending to and through the inner margin of each said frame means for passing the fluid for its cell into and from that cell, said slot means of said frame means, membranes, and closure means coinciding when the stack of said cells is assembled to provide unrestricted and independent manifolds at the peripheral walls of said stack for the unimpeded and independent flow of said first, second, third and fourth fluids therein.

Claim 48

An apparatus as defined by claim 35 wherein each of said channels flares out near the inner edge of its said frame means to provide unthrottled flow into the space lying within that cell.

Claim 49

A membrane diffusion device including in combination: two manifold pressure plates, one for each end of said device, each comprising an identical member having a rectangular shape with conduit means extending longitudinally from one end to the other on each longitudinal margin and conduit means extending less than halfway across each side of each end portion, said member having port means for one said longitudinal conduit and for two of the end conduit means, a plurality of water cells, exchange fluid cells, and blood cells, each made from individual flexible plastic members and alternating in the general order of water cell, exchange fluid cell, blood cell, exchange fluid cell, water call, exchange fluid cell, blood cell, exchange fluid cell, water cell, exchange fluid cell, and so on, each said water cell comprising at each end a water cell membrane, a spacer frame adjacent each said water cell membrane and a water frame sandwiched between the two said spacer frames, each said exchange fluid cell comprising a spacer frame at each end, with an exchange fluid frame and an exchange fluid screen between them, each said blood cell comprising a blood cell membrane at each end, a spacer frame next to each said blood cell membrane and a blood frame and blood screen between said spacer frames, each said water cell membrane and each said blood cell membrane being a rectangular plastic member identical in area and shape, and having a row of longitudinal slots along the full length near each longitudinal edge to concide in location with the conduits on the manifold pressure plates, and a line of widthwise-extending slots along the widthwise margin coinciding with the end conduits of the manifold plates, said water cell membrane being both water- and oxygenimpermeable plastic, said blood cell membrane being a plastic that is blood-impermeable but oxygen- and carbon dioxide-permeable, all said spacer frames being rectangular and identical in all cells, each said spacer frame being plastic and having two longitudinal frame portions and two end frame portions, said longitudinal frame portions being provided with slots corresponding in size and location to those on said water cell membrane and said end members having slots corresponding in size and location to those on said water cell membrane, said water frame and said exchange fluid frame being rectangular and identical except that one is turned over 180* relative to the otheR, each one being plastic and symmetric along its diagonal axis and having slots along the longitudinal margin corresponding with those of said spacer frame and diagonally opposite slots on one half of each end portion coinciding with half of those on said spacer frame, and many narrow transverse channels on the other half of each said end portion providing entry and exit from said water and exchange fluid frames into and from the interior of the respective cell, the water frame having its channels on one half of each end portion and the exchange fluid cells having them on the other half, each said blood frame being plastic and rectangular and having slots corresponding in size and location to those of said spacer frames at each end and having along each longitudinal portion many said narrow channels leading into and from the interior of the blood cells, said exchange fluid screen and blood screen being identical members which lie within their respective exchange fluid frame or blood frame and substantially fill the open portion thereof to provide means holding apart said blood cell membranes and water cell membranes to prevent closure of these cells.

Claim 50

A membrane diffusion device including in combination: two manifold pressure plates, one for each end of said device, each comprising an identical member having a rectangular shape with conduit means extending longitudinally from one end to the other on each longitudinal margin and conduit means extending less than halfway across each side of each end portion, said member having port means for one said longitudinal conduit and for two of the end conduit means, a plurality of water cells, exchange fluid cells, and blood cells, each made from individual flexible plastic members and alternating in the general order of water cell, exchange fluid cell, blood cell, exchange fluid cell, water call, exchange fluid cell, blood cell, exchange fluid cell, water cell, exchange fluid cell, and so on, each said water cell comprising at each end a water cell membrane, a spacer frame adjacent each said water cell membrane and a water frame sandwiched between the two said spacer frames, each said exchange fluid cell comprising a spacer frame at each end, with an exchange fluid frame and an exchange fluid screen between them, each said blood cell comprising a blood cell membrane at each end, a spacer frame next to each said blood cell membrane and a blood frame and blood screen between said spacer frames, each said water cell membrane and each said blood cell membrane being a rectangular plastic member identical in area and shape, and having a row of longitudinal slots along the full length near each longitudinal edge to concide in location with the conduits on the manifold pressure plates, and a line of widthwise-extending slots along the widthwise margin coinciding with the end conduits of the manifold plates, said water cell membrane being both water- and oxygenimpermeable plastic, said blood cell membrane being a plastic that is blood-impermeable but oxygen- and carbon dioxide-permeable, all said spacer frames being rectangular and identical in all cells, each said spacer frame being plastic and having two longitudinal frame portions and two end frame portions, said longitudinal frame portions being provided with slots corresponding in size and location to those on said water cell membrane and said end members having slots corresponding in size and location to those on said water cell membrane, said water frame and said exchange fluid frame being rectangular and identical except that one is turned over 180* relative to the otheR, each one being plastic and symmetric along its diagonal axis and having slots along the longitudinal margin corresponding with those of said spacer frame and diagonally opposite slots on one half of each end portion coinciding with half of those on said spacer frame, and many narrow transverse channels on the other half of each said end portion providing entry and exit from said water and exchange fluid frames into and from the interior of the respective cell, the water frame having its channels on one half of each end portion and the exchange fluid cells having them on the other half, each said blood frame being plastic and rectangular and having slots corresponding in size and location to those of said spacer frames at each end and having along each longitudinal portion many said narrow channels leading into and from the interior of the blood cells, said exchange fluid screen and blood screen being identical members which lie within their respective exchange fluid frame or blood frame and substantially fill the open portion thereof to provide means holding apart said blood cell membranes and water cell membranes to prevent closure of these cells.

Claim 51

A membrane-type lung including in combination: two manifold pressure plates, one for each end of the lung, each comprising an identical member having a rectangular shape with conduit means extending longitudinally from one end to the other on each longitudinal margin and lateral conduit means extending less than halfway across each side of each end portion, said member having port means for one said longitudinal conduit means and for two of said lateral conduit means, a plurality of water cells, oxygen cells, and blood cells, each made from individual flexible plastic members and alternating in the general order of water cell, oxygen cell, blood cell, oxygen cell, water cell, oxygen cell, blood cell, oxygen cell, water cell, oxygen cell, and so on, each said water cell comprising at each end a gas- and water-impervious membrane, a spacer frame adjacent each said membrane, and a water frame sandwiched between the two spacer frames, each said oxygen cell comprising a spacer frame at each end, with an oxygen frame and an oxygen screen between them, each said blood cell comprising a gas-pervious, liquid-impervious membrane at each end, a spacer frame next to each gas-pervious membrane and a blood frame and blood screen between said spacer frames, each said membrane being a rectangular plastic member identical in area and shape, and having a row of longitudinal slots along the full length near each longitudinal edge to coincide in location with the conduits on the manifold pressure plates, and a line of widthwise extending slots along the widthwise margin coinciding with the lateral conduits of the manifold plates, all said spacer frames being rectangular and identical in all cells, each said spacer frame being plastic and having two longitudinal frame portions and two end frame portions, said longitudinal frame portions being provided with slots corresponding to those on said membranes and said end members having slots corresponding to those on said membranes, said water frame and said oxygen frame being rectangular and identical except that one is turned over 180* relative to the other, each one being plastic and symmetric along its diagonal axis and having slots along the longitudinal margin corresponding with those of said spacer frames, and diagonally opposite slots on one half of each end portion coinciding with half of those on said spacer frame, and many narrow transverse channels on the other half of each said end portion providing entry and exit from said water and oxygen frames into and from the interior of the respective cell, the water frame having its slots on one half of each end portion and the oxygen cells having them on the other half, each said blood frame being plastic and rectangular and having slots corresponding to those of said spacer frames at each end and having along each longitudinal portion said slots and many said narrow channels leading into and from the interior of the blood cell, said oxygen screen and blood screen being identical members which lie within their respective oxygen frame or blood frame and substantially fill the open portion thereof to provide means holding apart the membranes to prevent closure of these cells.

Claim 52

A membrane-type lung including in combination: two manifold pressure plates, one for each end of the lung, each comprising an identical member having a rectangular shape with conduit means extending longitudinally from one end to the other on each longitudinal margin and lateral conduit means extending less than halfway across each side of each end portion, said member having port means for one said longitudinal conduit means and for two of said lateral conduit means, a plurality of water cells, oxygen cells, and blood cells, each made from individual flexible plastic members and alternating in the general order of water cell, oxygen cell, blood cell, oxygen cell, water cell, oxygen cell, blood cell, oxygen cell, water cell, oxygen cell, and so on, each said water cell comprising at each end a gas- and water-impervious membrane, a spacer frame adjacent each said membrane, and a water frame sandwiched between the two spacer frames, each said oxygen cell comprising a spacer frame at each end, with an oxygen frame and an oxygen screen between them, each said blood cell comprising a gas-pervious, liquid-impervious membrane at each end, a spacer frame next to each gas-pervious membrane and a blood frame and blood screen between said spacer frames, each said membrane being a rectangular plastic member identical in area and shape, and having a row of longitudinal slots along the full length near each longitudinal edge to coincide in location with the conduits on the manifold pressure plates, and a line of widthwise extending slots along the widthwise margin coinciding with the lateral conduits of the manifold plates, all said spacer frames being rectangular and identical in all cells, each said spacer frame being plastic and having two longitudinal frame portions and two end frame portions, said longitudinal frame portions being provided with slots corresponding to those on said membranes and said end members having slots corresponding to those on said membranes, said water frame and said oxygen frame being rectangular and identical except that one is turned over 180* relative to the other, each one being plastic and symmetric along its diagonal axis and having slots along the longitudinal margin corresponding with those of said spacer frames, and diagonally opposite slots on one half of each end portion coinciding with half of those on said spacer frame, and many narrow transverse channels on the other half of each said end portion providing entry and exit from said water and oxygen frames into and from the interior of the respective cell, the water frame having its slots on one half of each end portion and the oxygen cells having them on the other half, each said blood frame being plastic and rectangular and having slots corresponding to those of said spacer frames at each end and having along each longitudinal portion said slots and many said narrow channels leading into and from the interior of the blood cell, said oxygen screen and blood screen being identical members which lie within their respective oxygen frame or blood frame and substantially fill the open portion thereof to provide means holding apart the membranes to prevent closure of these cells.