Demisting chamber with elbow strainer

• US 20050172583A1
• Filed: 10/13/2004
• Published: 08/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tennant Company
• Original Assignee: Tennant Company
• Inventors: Wydra, Larry David, Basham, Michael T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,306,639 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 55/337
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 45/04 by utilising inertia B01D45/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 45/08 by impingement against baffle separators
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 45/12 by centrifugal forces centrifuges B04B; cyclones B04C
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 45/16 generated by the winding course of the gas stream , the centrifugal forces being generated solely or partly by mechanical means, e.g. fixed swirl vanes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 50/20 Combinations of devices covered by groups B01D45/00 and B01D46/00
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 1/103 in which the soiled loosening or washing liquid is removed, e.g. by suction removing liquids in general E01H1/108

Abstract

A structure and method of removing semi-rigid debris and demisting gas for use primarily in surface maintenance or conditioning machines, Demisting is accomplished by a combination techniques including rapid pressure reduction and removal of semi rigid debris is accomplished by forcing the debris through a path with curvatures to great for the debris to follow.

Claims

1. A method of demisting a volume of moving gas containing liquid comprising the steps of:

a. Admitting mist comprising gas containing liquid into a first space bounded by substantially circularly curved walls defining a maximal diameter, said first space having a predetermined cross sectional area;

b. Conducting the mist into a second space increasing cross sectional area relative to said first space having substantially circularly curved walls of substantially the same cross sectional area throughout;

c. Guiding said mist into a third space of further increased cross sectional area relative to said second space; and

d. Partially impeding the passage of side mist by conducting it through a semi porous baffle.

2. A method of demisting a volume of moving gas containing liquid comprising the steps of:

a. Admitting mist comprising gas containing liquid into a first space bounded by substantially circularly curved walls defining a maximal diameter, said first space having a predetermined cross sectional area;

b. Conducting the mist into a second space increasing cross sectional area relative to said first space having substantially circularly curved walls of substantially the same cross sectional area throughout;

c. Conducting said mist to traverse said first and second spaces until it has made at least a half-circle,

d. Guiding said mist into a third space of further increased cross sectional area relative to said second space;

e. Partially impeding the passage of said mist by conducting it through a semi porous baffle; and

f. Withdrawing said gas and liquids now separated through separate ports.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said impeding step includes positioning said baffle substantially orthogonally relative to the flow of the mist.

4. A method according to claim 2 wherein said guiding step includes guiding said mist into a chamber with an open space.

5. A method according to claim 2 wherein said guiding step includes guiding said mist toward a central exit port

6. A method of separating filament-like semi-rigid filamentary debris from a gaseous stream, comprising the steps of:

a. Conducting said combination of debris and air toward a separation tube

b. Conducting said debris through one end of the tube;

c. Changing the flow direction of the tube such that the flow angle is at least 90 degrees from the initial flow angle at the one of the tube

d. Trapping said debris at the point of said changed flow angle.

7. An apparatus for separating filament-like semi-rigid filamentary debris from a gaseous stream, comprising:

a. an inlet passage;

b. an outlet passage; and

c. an elbow passage having an angular portion connection said inlet and outlet passages, said angle being such that there is no visual line of sight from said inlet to said outlet, so that passage of said debris is blocked by the angular portion.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said passages include an array of side by side inlet, outlet and elbow passages.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said elbow passage includes a substantially right angle bend.

10. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the internal cross sectional dimension of said elbow passage is equal to or less than one-half the length of debris which it intended to trap.

11. A apparatus for demisting a volume of moving gas containing liquid comprising a fluid path and for removing semi-rigid filamentary debris comprising:

a. an inlet passage;

b. an outlet passage;

c. an elbow passage having an angular portion connection said inlet and outlet passages, said angle being such that there is no visual line of sight from said inlet to said outlet, so that passage of said debris is blocked by the angular portion,

d. a first space in communication with said outlet passage, said first space bounded by substantially circularly curved walls defining a maximal diameter, said first space having a predetermined cross sectional area;

e. A second space of increasing cross sectional area relative to said first space and in fluid communication with said first space;

f. A third space of further increased cross sectional area relative to said secondthird space in fluid communication with said third space;

g. a semi porous baffle interposed in said third space and in said fluid path; and

h. withdrawal ports for gas and liquid removal

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said apparatus includes an array of side by side elbow passages in communication with said first space.