Axial input flow development chamber

• US 20050000581A1
• Filed: 06/04/2003
• Published: 01/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spiroflo Holdings, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ecotechnology Limited
• Inventors: Miller, Alan, Lane, Darin L., Prince, Walter D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,082,955 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/808
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 53/48 Screws or like rotary conveyors
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 53/521 means for preventing the accumulation or for removal of deposits preventing accumulation in pipes in general F16L55/24
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 53/526 with means for special treatment to facilitate transport
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 53/58 Devices for accelerating or decelerating flow of the materials; Use of pressure generators controlling pressure of propelling gas B65G53/66
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0396 Involving pressure control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2076 Utilizing diverse fluids
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2087 Means to cause rotational flow of fluid [e.g., vortex generator]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2098 Vortex generator as control for system
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2104 Vortex generator in interaction chamber of device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2109 By tangential input to axial output [e.g., vortex amplifier]

Abstract

A system for conveying fluid through a conduit that creates a strong laminar flow of the material surrounded by a boundary layer flow of the same or a different flowable material, such that long transport distances through dramatic elevation and directional changes can be achieved. Some embodiments of the system include a blower assembly, an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit and a mixing chamber, wherein the mixing chamber includes an outer barrel, an inner barrel and an accelerating chamber. Low pressure gas is supplied to the system by the blower assembly and mixed with particulate material. The gas/material mixture is transported through the mixing chamber into the accelerating chamber and through the outlet conduit. In other embodiments, the particulate material is mixed with the gas in the accelerating chamber. Other embodiments of the system include only the mixing chamber, where a flow of at least one flowable material in the form of high or low pressure gas, liquid, and/or particulates suspended within the gas or liquid enters either laterally or axially, forms boundary layer and laminar flows, and exits through the accelerating chamber.

Claims

1. A fluid handling system comprising:

an inlet pipe for receiving the fluid;

an outer barrel having an inlet end coupled to the inlet pipe, an outlet end and an interior surface that increases in diameter toward the outlet end of the outer barrel;

an accelerating chamber having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end of the accelerating chamber extending concentrically from the outlet end of the outer barrel, the accelerating chamber having an interior surface that decreases in diameter toward the outlet end of the accelerating chamber;

at least one deflecting vane with an upstream side, a downstream side, an inner side and a projecting side, the at least one deflecting vane projecting radially outward with the upstream, projecting side contacting the outer barrel and the upstream, inner side contacting the inlet pipe; and

an inner barrel having an exterior surface with an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end having an outer diameter that increases toward the outlet end and the outlet end having an outer diameter that increases toward the inlet end, the inner barrel located at least partly inside the outer barrel, the accelerating chamber and in contact with the downstream, inner side of the at least one deflecting vane,

wherein the outer barrel, the inner barrel and the accelerating chamber are arranged to form a substantially unobstructed annular space between the interior surface of the outer barrel and the exterior surface of the inner barrel, the annular space extending from the downstream end of the at least one deflecting vane to the interior surface of the accelerating chamber,

wherein the at least one deflecting vane is configured such that the fluid is directed to circulate around the inner barrel and traverse the annular space from the at least one deflecting vane toward the outlet end of the outer barrel.

3. The fluid handling system of claim 1, wherein at least one deflecting vane with an upstream side, a downstream side, an inner side and a projecting side, the at least one deflecting vane projecting radially outward with the upstream, projecting side contacting the outer barrel and the upstream, inner side contacting the inlet pipe.

4. The fluid handling system of claim 1, wherein the upstream, inner side of the at least one deflecting vane contacting the inlet pipe.

2. A fluid handling system comprising:

an inlet pipe for receiving fluid;

an outer barrel having an inlet end coupled to the inlet pipe, an outlet end and an interior surface that increases in diameter toward the outlet end of the outer barrel;

an accelerating chamber having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end of the accelerating chamber extending concentrically from the outlet end of the outer barrel, the accelerating chamber having an interior surface that decreases in diameter toward the outlet end of the accelerating chamber;

an inner barrel having an exterior surface with an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end having an outer diameter that increases toward the outlet end and the outlet end having an outer diameter that increases toward the inlet end, the inner barrel located at least partly inside the outer barrel and the accelerating chamber,

wherein the outer barrel, the inner barrel and the accelerating chamber are arranged to form an annular space between the interior surface of the outer barrel and the exterior surface of the inner barrel and between the interior surface of the accelerating chamber and the exterior surface of the inner barrel,

at least one deflecting vane between the outer barrel and the inner barrel configured such that fluid passing through the inlet pipe into the outer barrel is directed to circulate around the inner barrel and traverse the annular space from the at least one deflecting vane toward the outlet end of the outer barrel.