Rotating wave dust separator

Details Rotating wave dust separator Rotating wave dust separator

2003-02-27

2004-10-12

Hopkins, Robert A. (Department: 1724)

Gas separation

With guide means effecting removal of constituent layer out...

At escape means for heavier constituent

C055S406000, C055S416000, C055S423000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06802881

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved centrifugal and toroidal vortex dust separator. Specifically, the improved dust separator centrifugally separates dust by ejecting particles into a series of collectors. However, the cylindrical vortex flow in the separator is supplemented by a series of partial toroidal vortex fluid flows. The combined effect of the these fluid flows yields a more efficient and complete separation than other devices in the art.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Centrifugal separation is a well known technique in the art of separation, including separation of solids from liquids, liquids from gases, and liquids from liquids. However, centrifugal separation has been carried out in a number of ways.
For instance,
FIG. 1
depicts a perspective view of the invention disclosed in co-pending application “Axial Flow Centrifugal Dust Separator,” filed Dec. 12, 2002, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Separator
100
comprises housing
105
, impeller
102
, rotating drum
103
, and annular separation chamber
104
. Fluid flow
101
travels through separation chamber
104
in a cylindrical vortex with radius R. Dust and debris are thrown outward into a collector (not shown). Yet, the art has not fully benefited from the use of toroidal vortex fluid flow in conjunction with cylindrical vortex fluid flow. By only utilizing a cylindrical vortex fluid flow, the effectiveness of separation is limited. To verify this, the forces maintaining a cylindrical vortex fluid flow must be analyzed. Generally, particles in a cylindrical vortex exhibit an acceleration equal to V
2
/R, wherein V=tangential speed of the particle and R=radius of the cylindrical vortex. Thus, in order to maintain a cylindrical vortex fluid flow, a net force equal to mV
2
/R, wherein m=mass of a particle, must be applied to each particle. In centrifugal separation, dust and debris particles have larger masses than fluid particles, therefore requiring a larger force to hold them into the cylindrical vortex. Separation occurs when mV
2
/R is made sufficiently high such that dust and debris particles cannot be held within the cylindrical vortex and consequently, are ejected. Because m is constant, mV
2
/R can be increased only by increasing V or decreasing R. V can be increased depending on the limitations of the system, i.e., power of the motor, strength of the apparatus, etc. There are also limitations on how far R may be decreased because a decrease in R will also decrease the cross-sectional area of the separator, thereby limiting the throughput capacity of the device.
By combining a toroidal vortex fluid flow with the cylindrical vortex fluid flow discussed above, the limitations of R, and thus, throughput capacity, can be overcome. Side and perspective views of a simplified version of this combined fluid flow are depicted in
FIGS. 2A and 2B
, respectively. The actual fluid flow comprises multiple layers contained within each other. The combined flow has an overall radius R similar to that described for a cylindrical vortex. The combined fluid flow also has an inner radius r that is significantly smaller than overall radius R. Within the toroidal component of fluid flow (i.e., rotation around inner radius r) the tangential velocity is v and thus, a force of mv
2
/r is required to hold a particles within this fluid flow. Because r is so small, this force will be relatively high. Moreover, the force required to hold dust and debris particles within the combined fluid flow is significantly higher than the force required for either a cylindrical vortex or a toroidal vortex alone. The combined fluid flow will ultimately produce a more efficient and complete separation than cylindrical vortex fluid flow or toroidal vortex fluid flow alone. Such an efficient separation allow dust and debris to be ejected from the fluid flow more quickly and completely.
Some of the benefits of the combined fluid flow have been realized by separators disclosed in parent application “Combined Toroidal and Cylindrical Vortex Dust Separator,” filed Feb. 20, 2003, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. An example of combined toroidal and cylindrical vortex separator
300
is disclosed in FIG.
3
. Fluid is impelled and spun into a cylindrical vortex by impeller
301
driven by motor
302
. In order to supplement the cylindrical vortex, fluid flow
303
is guided into a partial toroidal vortex along flow path
304
. The combined effects of the cylindrical and toroidal vortices throw dust and debris into annular collector
305
. Dust and debris particles may follow typical ejection path
306
. The pressure in annular collector
305
is higher than the pressure in fluid flow
303
, thereby stabilizing the toroidal vortex. However, this higher pressure does not inhibit dust and debris from being ejected into annular collector
305
. Subsequent to ejection of dust and debris, cleaned fluid flow
307
continues downstream to exit the system. By combining toroidal and cylindrical vortex fluid flows, the apparatus separates more effectively than either fluid flow utilized individually.
The aforementioned separator directs fluid flow into a single partial toroidal vortex. In light of the parent application “Filterless Folded and Ripple Dust Separators and Vacuum Cleaners Using the Same,” filed Feb. 19, 2003, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, the aforementioned separator may utilize multiple fluid flow redirections. An example of folded separator
400
is depicted in FIG.
4
. Here, fluid flow
401
enters into a series of deflectors
402
. These deflectors form collectors
403
and redirect fluid flow into a zigzagging path. During each redirection, dust and debris are ejected centrifugally into collectors
403
. Dust and debris particles may follow typical ejection paths
404
. As in the separator of
FIG. 3
, pressure differentials between fluid flow
401
and collectors
403
maintained the curved path of fluid flow
401
without preventing dust and debris from being ejected into collectors
403
. With this separator, fluid flow
401
may be redirected an arbitrary number of times to effect any level of separation.
The present invention benefits from the advantages of both of these apparatuses. Thus, combined fluid flows are utilized in a system which can redirect fluid flow many times.
Although the present invention is unique and novel, in order to fully understand it in its proper context, the following references are provided: Parkinson U.S. Pat. No. 499,799 (hereinafter referred to as “Parkinson”); Wingrove U.S. Pat. No. 768,415 (hereinafter referred to as “Wingrove”); Monson et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,323,369 (hereinafter referred to as “Monson”); Michel-Kim U.S. Pat. No. 4,541,845 (hereinafter referred to as “Michel-Kim”); Richerson U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,927,437 and 4,973,341 (hereinafter referred to as the “Richerson” patents); Mignot U.S. Pat. No. 5,401,422 (hereinafter referred to as “Mignot”); Moredock U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,656,050 and 5,766,315 (hereinafter referred to as the “Moredock” patents); and Jen U.S. Pat. No. 6,461,513 B1 (hereinafter referred to as “Jen”).
Parkinson discloses a dust separator that employs a series of S-shaped sheets around which air flows. When air passes through these sheets, a curved flow pattern that ejects dust is developed. The ejected dust then falls downward for removal. In contrast, the present invention utilizes the combined effect of cylindrical and toroidal vortices to expel dust and debris from fluid flow. This type of fluid flow is not found in Parkinson.
Wingrove discloses an apparatus for separating oil from a nitrogen gas stream. There, gas must pass in a zigzagged pattern through a series of folded plates. At each turn, the gas expels oil against the plates. Gravity then drains the oil downward for removal. However, the present invention separates fluid flow with cylindrical and toroidal vortices. Furthermore, the present invention provides a smoother flow than what occurs within the folded plates o

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