Value for separating material in a fluid stream

Details Value for separating material in a fluid stream Value for separating material in a fluid stream

2000-10-06

2001-12-04

Fox, John (Department: 3753)

Fluid handling

Systems

With flow control means for branched passages

C406S001000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06325103

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of valves used to direct fluid streams.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various types of scrap or trim paper or other materials in the paper and boxboard industry sell for different prices. For example, a mixed bale may sell for $50 per ton whereas the two constituents comprising the bale may sell for $400 and $50 per ton if separated. Thus, it is desirable to separate the constituents in the most economical fashion. Switch valves are used in the paper and box board industry for material separation.
Many manufacturing facilities generate large volume of scrap and trim paper and other materials. For example, an envelope plant may have twenty machines capable of creating five or six different types and values of scrap at any given time. The conventional solution to separating the constituents is to first gather and convey the scrap and trim in a fluid stream. Four or five two-way switch valves are placed in series on the conveying line from a single machine and switch to five or six termination or accumulation points. Switching in this fashion is not only space consuming but is also expensive. Further, when handling paper or scrap pneumatically, rough surfaces or leaking seals can trap and start material buildup. The aforementioned switch valves must be well sealed and have very little leakage so that a sufficient amount of air is retained in the duct to convey material beyond the valves.
In order to provide a more compact and less expensive switch arrangement, I have tried several designs including a fan type horizontal switch valve and a magazine revolver type switch valve. Neither valve could be sealed adequately nor were cost effective.
Disclosed herein is an improved valve of compact design providing the separation of the scrap into its constituents without requiring multiple valves in series and allowing for a more efficient separation of the constituents. The valve includes a single small multi-sided chamber with some of the sides having outlets with gates. Superior sealing is achieved with a single chamber reducing the fluid leakage problems existing in the prior valves. The chamber is designed to eliminate scrap blockage within the valve as the result of the location of the inlet providing a tangential entry into the chamber of the fluid stream with conveyed material. The interior shape of the chamber directs the incoming fluid stream in a swirling direction causing centrifugal separation of the scrap into the particular open outlet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus to separate material conveyed in a fluid stream through an inlet conduit receiving the material to be conveyed. A fluid power source is connected to the inlet conduit operable to force the material though the conduit in a fluid stream. A directional valve separates the material from the fluid stream and includes a housing forming a chamber with a fluid inlet connected to the conduit to receive the material therefrom and further with a plurality of fluid outlets. The housing includes a closed interior boundary forming the chamber with an entrance side and the fluid inlet located thereon, a blank side with an interior blank side surface without an outlet located thereon to direct flow of fluid from the fluid inlet along the blank side surface, and a plurality of sides each with interior outlet side surfaces and the fluid outlets located thereon. The side surfaces are arranged in adjacent fashion around the chamber directing the flow of fluid in a swirling fashion. A plurality of gates or valves are mounted to the housing and are located at each of the outlets. The gates have open positions allowing fluid flow through the outlets and out of the chamber and closed positions blocking fluid flow from the chamber.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3039489 (1962-06-01), Botkin
patent: 3762772 (1973-10-01), Fuss
patent: 4175591 (1979-11-01), Welker
patent: 4552181 (1985-11-01), Hawkins
patent: 4964950 (1990-10-01), Niskanen et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Value for separating material in a fluid stream does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Value for separating material in a fluid stream, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Value for separating material in a fluid stream will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2573620