Vortex gas elimination device
First Claim
1. Apparatus for separating a gas from a fluid comprising a housing forming an elongate chamber, dividing means comprising a filter pervious to said fluid and said gas for dividing said chamber radially into outer and inner portions, inlet means for directing said fluid into said outer portion and for forming a vortex in said fluid in said outer portion, means for venting from said chamber gas that has been separated from said fluid, and outlet means for discharging said fluid from said inner portion wherein said outlet means comprises an elongate section having a fluid outlet and a float movable vertically in said elongate section for closing said outlet when said elongate section contains a predetermined amount of gas.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A gas elimination device for cellular fluids has a cylindrical chamber that is divided radially into two parts by a cylindrical filter centrally located in the chamber. The fluid inlet is directed tangentially to the outer part of the chamber to create a vortex flow. The vortex flow is stopped by passage of the fluid through the filter, and gas bubbles that have formed rise to the top of the outer part of the chamber. A hydrophobic membrane covers the top of the chamber and allows the gas to exit the chamber to the atmosphere. A one way valve formed in a two part cap covering the chamber prevents flow of air into the chamber. A float valve stops flow when the chamber fills with air.
98 Citations
13 Claims
- 1. Apparatus for separating a gas from a fluid comprising a housing forming an elongate chamber, dividing means comprising a filter pervious to said fluid and said gas for dividing said chamber radially into outer and inner portions, inlet means for directing said fluid into said outer portion and for forming a vortex in said fluid in said outer portion, means for venting from said chamber gas that has been separated from said fluid, and outlet means for discharging said fluid from said inner portion wherein said outlet means comprises an elongate section having a fluid outlet and a float movable vertically in said elongate section for closing said outlet when said elongate section contains a predetermined amount of gas.
- 7. Apparatus for separating gas from a fluid comprising a housing forming a chamber, a filter extending axially along said chamber to divide said chamber radially into inner and outer portions, an inlet for supplying said fluid to the outer portion of said chamber and for forming a vortex in said fluid in said outer portion, means for supporting a hydrophobic membrane in communication with said chamber for allowing gas separated from said fluid to exit said apparatus, wherein said filter substantially stops vortex flow in said fluid as said fluid flows through said filter, and the downward velocity of fluid in said chamber is slower than the upward velocity of gas bubbles, whereby gas bubbles form in said fluid and gas exits through said hydrophobic membrane and further comprising outlet means for allowing said fluid to exit said chamber, said outlet means comprising an elongate section having a fluid outlet and a float movable vertically in said elongate section for closing said outlet when said elongate section contains a predetermined amount of gas.
- 10. Apparatus for separating gas from a fluid comprising a housing forming a chamber, a filter extending axially along said chamber to divide said chamber radially into inner and outer portions, an inlet for supplying said fluid to the outer portion of said chamber and for forming a vortex in said fluid in said outer portion, means for supporting a hydrophobic membrane in communication with said chamber for allowing gas separated from said fluid to exit said apparatus, wherein said filter substantially stops vortex flow in said fluid as said fluid flows through said filter, and the downward velocity of fluid in said chamber is slower than the upward velocity of gas bubbles, whereby gas bubbles form in said fluid and gas exits through said hydrophobic membrane, wherein said means for supporting a hydrophobic membrane comprises a first part forming a valve seat and a second part made of flexible material covering said valve seat for engaging and sealing said valve seat, and wherein said second part comprises an outlet opening therein aligned with said valve seat for discharging gas that has passed through said hydrophobic membrane when said second part is displaced from said valve seat.
Specification