Demisting chamber with elbow strainer

• US 7,306,639 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2004
• Issued: 12/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tennant Company
• Original Assignee: Tennant Company
• Inventors: Wydra, Larry David, Basham, Michael T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Duane
• Assistant Examiner(s): TURNER, SONJI LUCAS
• Application Number:
  US10/964,511
• Publication Number:
  US 20050172583A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,154 Days
• Field of Search: 551/85, 553/15, 553/18, 553/69, 553/85, 554/34, 554/39, 554/40, 554/62, 554/593, 554/595, 554/61, 554/43, 952/14, 952/67, 952/69, 952/71, 952/72, 961/88, 961/89, 961/90, 961/91, 962/20, 210/212.1, 210/512.2
• US Class Current: 55/318
• 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 throughout;

c. Guiding said mist into a third space of further increased cross sectional area relative to said second space said third space containing as space for receiving standing liquid; and

d. Partially impeding the creation of a vortex within said standing liquid by interposing a semi porous baffle in said standing liquid.

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. Guiding said mist into a further space of further increased cross sectional area relative to said second space said further space including standing liquid;

c. Partially impeding the creation of a vortex within said standing liquid by locating a semi porous baffle at least partway within said standing liquid; and

d. 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 impeding step includes submerging said baffle in said liquid.

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, said separation tube having an inlet and outlet end,

b. Conducting said debris through the inlet 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 outlet end of the tube,

d. Requiring all of the gaseous stream entering the inlet to exit the outlet; and

e. 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 having a fluid impervious sidewall passage having an angular portion connection between 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 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 having a fluid impervious sidewall 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;

e. A a further space of further increased cross sectional area relative to said first space in fluid communication therewith, said further space including standing liquid;

f. a semi porous baffle interposed in said further space and in said fluid path and at least partly submerged in said liquid; and

g. withdrawal ports for gas and liquid removal.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said apparatus includes an array of side by side elbow passages in communication with said first space.

12. 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 array of elbow passage having an angular portion connection between 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.

13. An apparatus for demisting a volume of moving gas containing liquid comprising a fluid path comprising:

a. demisting chamber having an inlet and outlet,top and bottom, said chamber having;

i. a first space in communication with said inlet passage, said first space bounded by substantially circularly curved walls defining a maximal diameter;

ii. a space of increased cross sectional area relative to said first space and in fluid communication with said first space;

said second including standing liquid;

iii. a semi porous baffle interposed in said second space at least partly submerged in said liquid;

so that said liquid is at least partially prevented from forming a vortex.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said second space has a v-shaped bottom and wherein said baffle plate is sized to be received, at least in part, within a liquid reservoir;

so that the overall height of the demisting apparatus and said reservoir is reduced by nesting one within the other.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said baffle is v-shaped to be received within said bottom.