US3568837A

US3568837A - Device for separating particulate matter from a stream of fluid

Info

Publication number: US3568837A
Application number: US656312A
Authority: US
Inventors: Claude C Laval Jr
Original assignee: AV ELECTRONICS Inc
Current assignee: AV ELECTRONICS Inc
Priority date: 1967-07-24
Filing date: 1967-07-24
Publication date: 1971-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 1988-03-09

Abstract

A centrifuging device having particular utility in separating particulate matter from a fluid stream, characterized by a stream jetting orifice and means for directing a stream along a swirling path as it is jetted from the orifice, a particular feature of the device being a resilient lip supported adjacent to the orifice and adapted to vary the effective dimension of the orifice in response to variations occurring in the flow characteristics of the stream for insuring a jetting of the stream over a wide range of streamflow characteristics.

Description

United States Patent PATENTEUHVAR 9197s v l y 3.568337 Wsnssranrz CLAUDE C. LAVAL, JR.

/NVENTOR .4 TTORNEVS DEVKCIE FOR SERATHG PARTICULATE MATTER FROM A STREAM OF FLUID CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-impart of my copending application Ser. No. 478,177, filed Aug. 9, 1965, entitled Device For Controlling The Velocity of Fluid Flowing Through a Passageway and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The device of the present invention is adapted to be used with a variety of types of fluid passageways through which it is desired to maintain the fluid flow at an adequate velocity for certain operational purposes. It is especially well suited, however, for use with the vortexing chamber of a sand trap or separating device, which separates foreign particles from fluid under pressure. A separating device of this type is described in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,289,608 issued Dec. 6, 1966. For convenience of description and illustration, the device of the present invention is described in connection with such a separating device.

The separating device of said patent provides improved separation and removal of the foreign particles carried in rapidly moving fluid, such as water pumped from wells. This is achieved by effecting a high velocity influx of fluid into a vortexing chamber, through one or more orifices or inlets, so as to form a rapidly vortexing stream of foreign particles and fluid Within the chamber. The foreign particles are displaced outwardly of the stream by centrifugal forces, for removal separately of the main body of fluid. Since the centrifugal forces vary with the rotational velocity and acceleration of the vortexing stream, it is necessary to maintain the fluid influx at a sufficient velocity to sustain operation.

The inlets described in said patent are of fixed cross-sectional area and consequently, for lower fluid pressures and volumes than that for which a given unit is designed, the influx velocity is not sufficiently high to achieve a rapid vortexing. Under such circumstances, as the velocity and volume decrease, the fluid tends to pass directly from inlet to outlet without sufficient rotation or vortexing to throw foreign particles outwardly for separation and to achieve the reversing axial movement in the vortexing, as described in said patent.

Since such devices are often disposed at a remote location, such as at the bottom of a well, control of the fluid flow through the chamber inlets is preferably automatic. However, considering the number of inlets involved, as well as space limitations and other factors, conventional automatic valves are not suitable for this purpose.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for automatically regulating or controlling the velocity of fluid flowing through an orifice or passageway. Another object is to provide such a device which maybe used with a vortexing chamber of a sand trap or separating device for maintaining operable velocity of fluid flowing into said chamber even at reduced pressures and volumes.

Another object is to provide such a device which controls the flow of fluid automatically in response to fluid pressure differentials and/or volumetric variations.

Another object is to provide such a device which maintains at least a minimum fluid velocity for a wide range of operational fluid pressures, volumes and velocities.

Another object is to provide such a device which automatically adjusts the cross-sectional flow area of the fluid passageway in response to relatively varying opposed internal and external pressures.

Another object is to provide a flexible flow regulating lip in cooperation with an orifice through which a fluid stream is projected, which lip is extended across the orifice in the direction of fluid projection and has an outer surface disposed toward the orifice subjected to inward pressure of said stream and an opposite inner surface subjected to the outward pressure of a fluid stream bearing thereagainst whereby the opposed forces position the lip toward and from the orifice to regulate the effective capacity thereof so that increased pressure of fluid projection moves the lip away from the orifice against said outward pressure to dilate the orifice to accommodate increased volume of fluid through the orifice and decreased pressure of fluid projection moves the lip toward the orifice as a result of the overbalancing outward pressure to constrict the orifice and insure continued jetting action.

Another object is to provide such a device having a simple durable structure and which is economical to maintain in operational condition.

These and other objects and advantages will become more fully apparent upon reference to the following description in the specification and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a vertical section of a sand trap showing an illustrative form of device embodying the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section of the sand trap of FIG. 1 taken in a plane represented by line 2-2 thereof.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section of the sand trap of FIG. I taken in a plane represented by line 3-3 thereof and showinga first form of velocity control device.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section of the sand trap of FIG. 1 showing a second form of device embodying the principles of the present invention taken in a plane equivalent to that of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section of the sand trap of FIG. 1 showing a third form of device embodying the principles of the present invention taken in a plane equivalent to that of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section of the sand trap of FIG. 1 showing a fourth form of device embodying the principles of the present invention taken in a plane equivalent to that of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the form of device shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of a further form of the subject invention having particular utility in a sewage solids separator.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section of the device of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a transverse section of the device of FIG. 9 taken on line 11-11 thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Form Referring more particularly to the drawings, a first form of device embodying the principles of the present invention is indicated generally at 10 in combination with a sand trap or separating device Il of the type described in my abovedesignated patent. l he separating device provides an elongated tubular separation or vortexing chamber 12 formed of a continuous wall I3 of preferably noncorrosive material. The upper end of the chamber provides a flat annular fluid barrier 14 concentric to the axis of the chamber, not shown, and having an outlet opening 17 concentrically thereof, to which a suction pipe 18 is connected. The suction pipe in turn is connected to a pump, not shown.

The bottom end of the chamber 12 provides a frustoconical downwardly sloping annular floor 19 concentric to the axis of the chamber and having a discharge opening 20 to which a discharge conduit 21 is connected for removal of sand or other abrading or foreign particles by any suitable means, such as is described in my patent.

The upper portion of the chamber 12 forms a fluid inlet section 24, around which the chamber wall 13 provides a plurality of circumferentially spaced rows of openings or fluid inlets or orifices 25. In the present embodiment, the inlets are preferably elongated and aligned axially with the chamber, in substantially equally spaced relation thereabout.

An annular fluid receiving chamber 26 circumscribes the fluid inlet section 24 of the separation chamber 12. It is formed preferably of the same material as the chamber wall 13 and is enclosed by an annular top wall, a surrounding sidewall 2g and an annular bottom wall 31. An opening 32 is provided in the sidewall subjacently of' the top wall and an intake conduit 33 is connected therein to the sidewall. The intake conduit extends to a source of particle-laden fluid, not shown.

A continuous -sheet 34 of resiliently flexible material, preferably elastomeric, is disposed about the interior of the inlet section 24 of the separation chamber l2. It is secured to the wall 13 adjacently of each inlet 25 by any suitable fastening means, such as rivets 35 or the like. The sheet is slit in juxtaposition to each inlet to form a resiliently flexible flap 38 having a lip 39 allowing passage of fluid upon flexing of the lip away from the inlet. In the absence of fluid pressure, each lip may be biased by its inherent resiliency into a position of occlusion across its corresponding inlet, as shown in full lines in FIG. 3 but it need not be for reasons soon to become apparent. Upon application of fluid pressure, it is displaced from said position to provide a passageway 40 having a cross-sectional area varying substantially directly with the amount of pressure being applied. When so displaced, the respective flaps are disposed in acute angular relation with the corresponding radius, not shown, of the chamber wall so as to serve as deflectors of the fluid flowing through the passageways and to direct the influx substantially tangentially into the chamber to achieve a centrifuging action.

Second Form A second form of the velocity control device of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4, in combination with a fluid inlet or orifice 25. It consists of a resiliently flexible flap or lip 42 of elastomeric material, shaped to conform with the corresponding inlet in longitudinally overlapping relation therewith. It is secured tc the outer surface of the wall 13 adjacently of the inlet by any suitable means such as a rivet 43 or the like. The flap is curved arcuately inwardly of the inlet and then reversely to bear against the inner surface of the wall in occlusion of the inlet, as shown in FIG. 4. The free end of the flap forms a lip 44 which is displaceable from the inlet by the force of fluid flowing therethrough to provide an open passageway 45 of varying cross-sectional area depending upon the amount of pressure applied. The inherent resilience of the flap may bias it towards the inlet so as to deflect the fluid influx substantially tangentially and so as to form a passageway of decreased area for lower pressures.

Third Form A third form of device of the present invention is shown in FIG. 5, in combination with an inlet or orifice 25. It consists of a curved broadened spout 48 mounted on a grooved base 49 adapted to be secured within the inlet in tongue-and-groove relation therewith. The spout may have any suitable shape but is preferably formed of arcuate sidewalls 50 and end walls 5l, as shown in FIG. 6, terminating at their respective outer extremities in a pair of resiliently flexible valve lips 52 to form an elongated mouth 55.

The device of the third form may be of any suitable noncorrosive material but is preferably formed of an elastomeric material to allow a unitary casting thereof in combination with the resiliently flexible lips 52, and so as to allow convenient installation ofthe device in each inlet 25. The flexibility of the lips is such that they become spread apart, as shown in FIG. 5, in response to internal fluid pressure and, as a result, the mouth 55 provides a passageway 56 having a cross-sectional area which varies substantially directly with said pressure. For longer inlets, the spout may be separated into a number of individual spouts 48, all mounted on the same base 49. In this way, mouths having excessive lengths axially of the chamber l2 are avoided.

Fourth Form A fourth form of the device of the present invention is shown generally in FIG. 7, in association with an inlet or orifice 25. The fourth form consists of a spout 57 having a grooved base 58 adapted to be secured in the inlet, as shown in FIG. 7, and providing a passageway 59 therethrough. An arcuate wall or flap 60 extends from the base and provides a valve lip 62 at its outer portion which seats against the matching opposite edge 63 of the base to provide an expansible and contractable mouth 64. The opposite ends of the arcuate wall are preferably connected to the base by end walls 65. As with the third form, the device of the fourth form is preferably formed of a suitable elastomeric material adapted to be conveniently fitted into the inlets. Such material also allows construction of the device as a unitary casting while providing the necessary resilient flexibility for the lip. For use with longer inlets, the device may be separated into a number of individual spouts, as with the third form, so as to avoid excessively long lips.

Fifth Form The second, third and fourth fonns of the invention are excellently suited to the operational environment described for the first fonn and other environments having comparable requirements. The fifth form is similarly usable but has particular advantage when employed in a sewage solids separator and thus is illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 in such an operational environment.

In sewage separating plants, it is necessary to separate solids from the sewage for chemical digestion and disposal of the resultant products of digestion and the indigestible solids. This is normally accomplished in large settling basins which present major problems of maintenance, location, and delay in achieving the desired separation. Previous efforts to achieve such separation by centrifugation or the like have not been successful because of the large liquid content remaining with the solids after the separation has proceeded as far as economically feasible.

As in many centrifuging operations, the water driven centrifuging of a sewage solids separator is subject to the requirement that a sufficient jetting action be maintained over a wide range of input volumes and pressures so as to have the desired driving effect on the requisite swirling action. However, such separators are subject to many additional Laroblems. Such sewage frequently contains balls, sticks, cans, bottles and other large and unyielding objects. A successful sewage separator must be capable of handling such objects without clogging or having its operation significantly impaired. Further, such separators are prone to accumulate large masses of fat at points of constriction or obstruction to flow. These and other difficulties have heretofore made fluid driven sewage centrifuges largely impractical.

A sewage separator embodying the principles of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 9 through 11. Any suitable stand 70 is utilized to support a cylindrical accumulator 71 having a lower end closed by a trap door 72 and any suitable device 73 for releasably retaining the trap door in closed position. The accumulator also has a substantially closed upper end 74. A spacer housing 75 having access openings 76 is mounted on the upper end 74 of the accumulator, as at 77. An overflow 78 having a valve 79 is provided in the upper end of the accumulator and extended outwardly from the housing.

A cylindrical centrifuging chamber 80 is mounted in the upper end of the housing 75 as by welded association therewith. The upper end of the chamber 80 has a circumscribing flange 8l to which a closure cap 82 is secured in fluidtight relation by a plurality 'of nut and bolt assemblies 83. Any suitable gasket, not shown, may be employed between the flange 81 and the cap. The lower end of the centrifuging chamber is preferably provided with a funnel 84. The funnel has a downwardly extended nipple 85. A similar nipple 86 is weldably secured in an opening concentrically in the upper end 74 of the accumulator '71. A tubular member 87 of flexible material, such as rubber or plastic, interconnects the nipples and is secured thereto as by vulcanizing and/or circumscribing clamps 00.

The tubular member 87 constitutes a conduit for flowable solids from the bottom of the centrifuge downwardly to the top of the accumulator and also serves as a shutoff valve. To

the latter end, opposed screws 90 are mounted in the spacer.

housing 75, as at 91, and have outer ends which provide turning handles 92 exteriorly of the housing. The screws are diametrically related and provide shoes 93 at their inner ends in abutment'with the tubular member 87. To close the tubular member, the screws are rotated by the handles 92 to compress the shoes 93 thereagainst and to pinch it to a closed position, as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 10.

A sewage supply conduit 100 is connected tangentially to the centrifuging chamber 00 adjacentto the upper end thereof and is ported to the interior of the chamber. An outlet conduit 101 is extended concentrically of the chamber downwardly through the cap 02, to which it is welded. The outlet conduit is sometimes referred to as a vortex finder for reasons which will subsequently become apparent. As best shown in FIG. 11, the conduit 100 has an inner end extended inwardly of the chamber 00 a short distance. A rectangular sheet 105 of flexible material, such as rubber, Teflon or the like, has an opening 106 provided therein fitted to the inner end of the conduit 100. The thickness of the sheet 105 is preferably substantially equal to the distance of inward extension of the inner end of the conduit. It willbe appreciated that as fluid is forced into the centrifuge chamber through the conduit 100 it swirls in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 11.

The sheet 105 has an end 107 affixed against the inner surface of the wall of the chamber 80 at the upstream side of the conduit 100. The sheet is extended from the end 107 in the direction of the swirling movement of the fluid around the inner surface of the sidewall of the chamber 80 approximately 300 to a position adjacent to said end and thence is free of the wall in a further extension 109 constituting a flap or lip. The sheet is secured to the sidewall of the chamber by flush headed rivets, vulcanizing, bonding, or other suitable means. Theflap has an outerA surface 110 against which fluid from the conduit 100 obliquely impinges. The flap in association with the inner end of the conduit defines an orifice 1 11 of automatically constricted and distended size. The flap provides an inner surface 112 against which the swirling fluid acutely impinges to exert an outwardly directed force. The balancing of the outer force on the surface 112 against the inner force imposed on the surface 110 automatically effects the constriction and distention of the orifice.

llt will be appreciated that when fluid is first introduced to the chamber 00 through the supply conduit 100, air is trapped in the chamber above the lower end of the outlet conduit 101. In small units, this air is soon dissolved in the fluid and carried out of the chamber but it has been found preferably to have a bleeding conduit 115 in communication with the interior of the chamber extended through the cap 02 and provided with a valve 116. Thus, when operation is initiated, the valve 116 is opened to bleed air out of the upper end of the chamber and the valve then closed for subsequent operation.

OPERATION` The operation of the described embodiments of the present invention is believed to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarized at this point. With the separating device of FIG. 1 in substantially an upright position and the intake conduit 23 disposed incontact with a source of particle-laden fluid, such as water at the bottom of a well casing, not shown, the fluid 66 is forced or drawn through the intake conduit into the separating device under a hydrostatic head depending upon the depth of submersion in the well. The pump, not shown, upon activation, enhances Vthe flow by creating a suction at the outlet opening 17. The water is forced by the resulting pressure differential through the inlets 25 leading from the receiving chamber 26 into the separation chamber 12. In the various forms of the invention, the

lips

39, 44, 52, 62 and 109 are automatically forcefully displaced a sufficient distance from their respective positions of occlusion of the inlet passageways 40, 45, 56, 59 and 106 to allow passage of the fluid therethrough at a velocity sufficient to cause swirling of the fluid in their respective separation chambers. The fluid swirls within the

separation chambers

12 and 80 in a direction indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 2, 9, 10 and 11, preferably taking advantage of the well-known Coriolis force, and proceeds downwardly towards the bottom end of the chambers. The fluid entering the

separation chambers

12 and 80 forms an influx layer 67 of downwardly cumulative thickness and accelerating velocity even though friction has some retarding effect on the very outermost fluid. This, in effect, causes the main influx stream to constrict in its helical descent and thus, in traversing a tighter spiral, to increase in velocity. Such constriction is also caused by the contraction required to swirl upwardly to the outlet conduit 101. It would appear that since the swirling action is generally conical that a conical chamber would be preferable. Such is not the case, however. It has been discovered that conical chambers wear out rapidly because of abrading by sand and the like. The cylindrical form of chamber has a useful life which is a multiple of that of a conical chamber because the outer layer of fluid which is retarded by friction is of downwardly increasing thickness. .This somewhat slower movement protects the wall and facilitates gravitational descent of the solidparticles. During the centrifuging swirling movement of the fluid, the foreign particles borne by the fluid having a higher specific gravity are thrown outwardly by centrifugal force against the walls of the chambers or into the slower moving layer of fluid. The particles then move downwardly along the walls, partially by gravity and also by the movement of swirling fluid, toward the bottom 19 or funnel 04 of the chambers, where the particles are co1- lected and subsequently discharged, as described in my patent designated above. In the bottom portion of the chambers, the swirling fluid is diverted upwardly in vortices 68 in the same direction of rotation and concentrically of the influx layer and into the

suction pipe

18 or 101 leading to a pump or point of disposition. Any extraneous particles that move upwardly in the central vortex are likewise thrown outwardly into the downwardly swirling outer influx layer of water.

At lower fluid pressures in the receiving chamber 26, supply conduit 100, or at lower hydrostatic heads, the fluid influx into the

separation chambers

12 and 80 is correspondingly decreased, thereby tending to reduce the driving effect exerted on the swirling influx layers 67 and vortices 70, as well as the entire centrifuging process. In fact, if excessively reduced, the fluid passes directly from the inlet orifices to the outlets with no centrifugation whatsoever. However, in response to such lower pressures, the

resilient lips

39, 44, 52, 62 and 109 in the various forms of the-present invention automatically retract or constrict their respective orifices and thereby diminish the cross-sectional area of the

respective fluid passageways

40, 45, 56, 59 and 111. In this manner, the influx velocity is maintained above minimum operational levels even with reduced volumes and pressures and is sufficient to cause a swirling movement of the fluid within the separation chamber. In an inverse manner, increased volumes and pressures are accommodated by orice distention. This phenomenon is not automatically apparent but is readily evident in embodiments of the subject invention which have been constructed of transparent material for observation purposes. lt is probably most easily understood in its simplest form by reference to FIG. 11. As sewage is pumped into the chamber 00 through the conduit 100, a vigorous swirling action is set up. The influx fluid impinges on the surface and urges the flap or lip 109 inwardly. As soon as the chamber fills, the swirling fluid exerts a balancing outer thrust on the surface 112. Thus, these counter balancing forces always control the position of the flap. When the input pressure or volume decreases, the pressure at 110 decreases. However, the chamber remains full and the pressure at 112 either does not decrease or decreases much less than that at 110. Consequently, the flap moves outwardly to constrict the orifice 111. This insures continued jetting action to maintain the vigorous swirling movement, albeit the influx volume or pressure has decreased. Under such conditions, the centrifugation continues, the fluid moves downwardly in an accelerating and tightening spiral and thence upwardly for discharge while throwing its solid components outwardly and downwardly. Conversely, if the influx fluid suddenly increases in volume or pressure, the pressure at 110 increases, the pressure at 112 remains the same or does not increase as much, and the flap moves inwardly to distend the orifice and to accommodate the desired increased flow. Somewhat similarly, if a can, bottle, stick, ball or other relatively large and unyielding object is delivered through the conduit 190, the flap opens wide to admit it to the chamber where it is centrifuged from the fluid, after which, the flap or Alip returns to its pressure balancing position to jet the influx into the chamber to drive the swirling action.

With the tubular member 87 open, the solids centrifuged from the fluid pass downwardly into the accumulator 71 where they are collected. lf desired, the valve 79 may initially be opened to release any entrapped air and to fill the accumulator with fluid whereupon the valve is closed. As the solids accumulate, they gradually displace the fluid upwardly from the accumulator into the chamber 80. It can be determined when the accumulator is full of solids by periodically opening the valve. When no fluid is emitted through the valve, the accumulator is full of solids. Under such conditions the solids are no longer freely flowable and contain a much smaller amount of water than previously attainable in sewage solid separators.

At this point, the screws 90 are manipulated to close the tubular member 87. The lock 73 is released, the trap door 72 dropped to its open position and the solids deposited from the accumulator onto a conveyor, truck or other portable container, not shown. This emptying operation can be performed without interrupting the centrifuging operation. The trap door is then closed and locked, the tubular member 87 opened, and accumulation resumed. ln reference to the sheet 105, it should be noted that its described form and circumscribing mounting present virtually no obstructions or nuclei for fat accumulation. The flexing of the flap 109 minimizes or obviates objectionable fat collection in the orifice 111.

The

lips

39, 44, 52 and 62 forming the mouths, orifices or passageways 40, 45, S6 and 59 in each of the earlier forms of the device of the present invention function substantially identically to the flap or lip 109 described above. By assuring the highest velocity of swirling movement of the fluid commensurate with the fluid pressure differentials available, the swirling action in the chamber is maintained at as an effective velocity as possible as the orifices are automatically constricted or distended to insure an optimum jetting action.

As noted, all of the flaps or lips are of an elastomeric material to provide adequate flexibility for the described distention or dilation of the openings while maintaining a jetting action of the fluid but should have sufficient body or rigidity to resist flutter and its resultant impeding effect on high velocity fluid flow. ln the first through the fourth forms, they preferably have sufficient resilience to insure 'tangential entry to initiate the swirling action. Once in operation, however, the balancing pressures control.

Further, in all of the forms of the invention illustrated, the jetting action which drives the centrifugation is achieved by pressure differentials on opposite sides of the orifices. Such differentials can be achieved by connecting the intake conduits or passages to any suitable source of hydrostatic head pressure or to the discharge of any suitable pump or by connecting the outlet conduits or passages to the intake or suction of any suitable pump.

ln view of the foregoing, it is readily apparent that the velocity control device of the present invention provides a means for maintaining the velocity of fluid flowing into a vortexing chamber of a separating device at least at a predetermined minimum velocity, namely, in the illustrative embodiments at least the minimum velocity at which the centrifuging is effective. The velocity control is automatic in response to the fluid pressure and requires no manual adjustment. ln addition, the device has a simple, durable structure and iseconomical to maintain in operational condition. Many of the suitable elastomeric materials resist the abrasion of waterborne impurities better than metal.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what are conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

lclaim:

1. In a trap having a vortexing chamber for separating solid particles from fluid by jetting the fluid into the chamber to cause centrifugation thereof; a device for insuring such jetting action through a wide range of fluid supply pressures and volumes comprising means defining an orifice in the chamber, and means for connecting the orificeto a source of fluid under pressure and jetting fluid through the orifice substantially tangentially of the chamber to impart a swirling action to the fluid in the chamber, the orifice defining means having a flexible lip providing a reaction surface disposed toward the orifice and sensitive to the pressure of fluid passing therethrough to dilate the orifice in response to increased fluid pressure thereagainst.

2. The device of claim l in which the lip has a reaction surface disposed to the interior of the chamber exposed to the pressure of fluid vortexing in the chamber to urge the constriction of the orifice in response to decrease in fluid pressure therein.

3. ln a fluid driven centrifuging device for separating solid particles from a fluid stream providing a vortexing chamber having a substantially upright cylindrical wall providing an inlet orifice, a substantially closed upper end providing a fluid outlet, and a substantially closed lower particle collecting end; and means for directing the fluid stream containing particles under pressure into the orifice tangentially about the vortexing chamber to impart a swirling action to the fluid in the chamber whereby particles are thrown outwardly toward the wall for descent to the lower end of the chamber while fluid escapes upwardly through the outlet; an an improvement for insuring operation over a wide range of fluid supply volumes and velocities comprising a resiliently flexible lip mounted on the wall and extended circumferentially inwardly of the chamber over the orifice in the direction of swirling action of the fluid in the chamber and presenting an inner surface disposed for engagement by the swirling fluid to urge the lip outwardly of the chamber toward the wall, said lip defining a constricted passageway through the orifice and being urged inwardly away from the wall by fluid directed through the passageway whereby as reduced intake fluid volumes or velocities are encountered, the lip constricts its passageway to maintain a jetting action to facilitate the swirling movement of the fluid in the vortexing chamber and as increased intake fluid volumes or velocities are encountered, the lip is forced inwardly of the chamber to distend the passageway and accommodate such increase through the passageways.

4. The device of claim 3 in which a plurality of circumferentially spaced orifices is provided in the wall, the fluid stream is directed therethrough in a common circumferential direction about the chamber, and each of said orifices is provided with such a resiliently flexible lip.

5. The device of claim 4 in which each of said lips is the inner wall of a resiliently flexible spout mounted in its respective orifice.

6. The device of claim 4 in which the lips are flaps integral with a common sheet of resiliently flexible material mounted on the inner surface ofthe resiliently flexible wall.

7. A fluid driven centrifuging device for separating solid particles from a fluid stream comprising a vortexing chamber having a substantially -cylindrical wall providing circumferentially spaced inlet orifices, a substantially closed upper end providing a fluid outlet, and a substantially closed lower particle collecting end; a substantially cylindrical outer chamber disposed substantially concentrically about the vortexing chamber; means connected to the outer chamber for imparting the fluid stream under pressure substantially tangentially to the outer chamber to limpart a swirling action thereto in the outer chamber for passage through the orifices of the vortexing chamber in a common direction tangentially about the vortexing chamber to impart a swirling action to the fluid in the vortexing chamber whereby particles are thrown outwardly toward the wall for descent tothe lower end of said chamber while fluid escapes upwardly through the outlet; and resiliently flexible lips mounted on the wall and extended transversely inwardly of the vortexing chamber over each orifice in the direction of swirling action of the fluid in the vortexing chamber, said lips defining constricted passageways through their respective orifices and presenting surfaces inwardly disposed for impingement of the swirling fluid in the vortexing chamber thereagainst to urge the lips outwardly toward the wall whereby as reduced fluid volumes or velocities are encountered, the lips constrict their respective passageways to maintain a jetting action to facilitate the swirling movement of the fluid in the vortexing chamber and as increased fluid volumes or velocities are encountered, the

lips are forced inwardly of the chamber to distend the passageways and accommodate such increase.

8. A water driven centrifuging device for separating particles of solids from a fluid stream comprising:

A. a centrifuging chamber having;

l. a sidewall concentric to a longitudinal axis, 2. a substantially closed lower end, and 3. a substantially closed upper end;

B. a conduit for supplying fluid under pressure containing particles of solids connected substantially tangentially to the chamber to impart a swirling centrifuging action to fluid in the chamber in a predetermined direction;

C. an outlet conduit extended inwardly of the chamber through the upper end of the chamber concentrically of the sidewall and having a lower end spaced downwardly from the supply conduit whereby fluid entering the chamber through the supply conduit swirls downwardly in an outer spiral along the sidewall and thence upwardly in a tighter spiral of increased velocity into the lower end of' the outlet conduit; and d D. an elongated strip of resiliently flexible sheet material fitted against the inner surface of the sidewall having;

l. an end secured to the sidewall at the upstream side of the supply conduit,

2. an opening in registry with the supply conduit,

3. a main portion coextensive with said end secured about the inside of the chamber to a position adjacent said end, and

4. a flap continuous therewith extended across said opening in the direction 'of said swirling movement, said flap providing;

a. an outer surface disposed toward said opening for oblique impingement thereagainst of fluid entering the chamber from the supply conduit, and

b. an inner surface disposed inwardly of the chamber for acu'te impingement thereagainst of fluid swirling in the chamber whereby the relative inward and outward positioning of the flap is a result of opposing pressures exerted on said outer and inner surfaces.

9. A device for separating particles of extraneous material from a fluid comprising a vortexing chamber providing a substantially upright cylindrical sidewall, andsub'stantiall closed upper and ower ends; a substantially cylindrical flux supply chamber mounted in circumscribing relation to the vortexing chamber having a sidewall concentric to the sidewall of the vortexing chamber, and substantially closed upper and lower ends; an intake conduit connected substantially tangentially to the fluid supply chamber adapted to supply fluid thereto in a swirling action in a predetermined direction about the vortexing chamber; an outlet conduit connected to the upper end of the vortexing chamber in fluid communication concentrically with the interior thereof, the vortexing chamber having an orifice in the periphery thereof in communication with the fluid supply chamber adapted to establish la jetting action as fluid is delivered therethrough, whereby fluid swirling in the supply chamber passes in a jetting action into the vortexing chamber and imparts a swirling movement to fluid therein, the vortexing chamber extendingan appreciable distance below such orifice so that the fluid entering from the orifice swirls downwardly in a downwardly constricted and accelerating vortex and thence upwardly in a helical path of further reduced diameter and out the outlet conduit while centrifuging particles outwardly thereof for descent to the lower end of the vortexing chamber; and a flexible flap extended in the direction of the movement of the fluid in a supply chamber across said orifice interiorly of the vortexing chamber having anl inner surface disposed for oblique impingement thereagainst of fluid passing through the orifice for establishing a tangentially directed flow from said orifice and an opposite surface disposed for acute impingement thereagainst of fluid swirling in the vortexing chamber whereby the opposite forces incident to such impingement act to position the flap to regulate the effective size of the orifice thereby to insure jetting action throughout a variety of fluid supply pressures and volumes.

Claims

1. In a trap having a vortexing chamber for separating solid particles from fluid by jetting the fluid into the chamber to cause centrifugation thereof; a device for insuring such jetting action through a wide range of fluid supply pressures and volumes comprising means defining an orifice in the chamber, and means for connecting the orifice to a source of fluid under pressure and jetting fluid through the orifice substantially tangentially of the chamber to impart a swirling action to the fluid in the chamber, the orifice defining means having a flexible lip providing a reaction surface disposed toward the orifice and sensitive to the pressure of fluid passing therethrough to dilate the orifice in response to increased fluid pressure thereagainst.

2. The device of claim 1 in which the lip has a reaction surface disposed to the interior of the chamber Exposed to the pressure of fluid vortexing in the chamber to urge the constriction of the orifice in response to decrease in fluid pressure therein.

2. an opening in registry with the supply conduit,

2. a substantially closed lower end, and

3. a substantially closed upper end; B. a conduit for supplying fluid under pressure containing particles of solids connected substantially tangentially to the chamber to impart a swirling centrifuging action to fluid in the chamber in a predetermined direction; C. an outlet conduit extended inwardly of the chamber through the upper end of the chamber concentrically of the sidewall and having a lower end spaced downwardly from the supply conduit whereby fluid entering the chamber through the supply conduit swirls downwardly in an outer spiral along the sidewall and thence upwardly in a tighter spiral of increased velocity into the lower end of the outlet conduit; and D. an elongated strip of resiliently flexible sheet material fitted against the inner surface of the sidewall having;

3. In a fluid driven centrifuging device for separating solid particles from a fluid stream providing a vortexing chamber having a substantially upright cylindrical wall providing an inlet orifice, a substantially closed upper end providing a fluid outlet, and a substantially closed lower particle collecting end; and means for directing the fluid stream containing particles under pressure into the orifice tangentially about the vortexing chamber to impart a swirling action to the fluid in the chamber whereby particles are thrown outwardly toward the wall for descent to the lower end of the chamber while fluid escapes upwardly through the outlet; an an improvement for insuring operation over a wide range of fluid supply volumes and velocities comprising a resiliently flexible lip mounted on the wall and extended circumferentially inwardly of the chamber over the orifice in the direction of swirling action of the fluid in the chamber and presenting an inner surface disposed for engagement by the swirling fluid to urge the lip outwardly of the chamber toward the wall, said lip defining a constricted passageway through the orifice and being urged inwardly away from the wall by fluid directed through the passageway whereby as reduced intake fluid volumes or velocities are encountered, the lip constricts its passageway to maintain a jetting action to facilitate the swirling movement of the fluid in the vortexing chamber and as increased intake fluid volumes or velocities are encountered, the lip is forced inwardly of the chamber to distend the passageway and accommodate such increase through the passageways.

4. a flap continuous therewith extended across said opening in the direction of said swirling movement, said flap providing; a. an outer surface disposed toward said opening for oblique impingement thereagainst of fluid entering the chamber from the supply conduit, and b. an inner surface disposed inwardly of the chamber for acute impingement thereagainst of fluid swirling in the chamber whereby the relative inward and outward positioning of the flap is a result of opposing pressures exerted on said outer and inner surfaces.

6. The device of claim 4 in which the lips are flaps integral with a common sheet of resiliently flexible material mounted on the inner surface of the resiliently flexible wall.

7. A fluid driven centrifuging device for separating solid particles from a fluid stream comprising a vortexing chamber having a substantially cylindrical wall providing circumferentially spaced inlet orifices, a substantially closed upper end providing a fluid outlet, and a substantially closed lower particle collecting end; a substantially cylindrical outer chamber disposed substantially concentrically about the vortexing chamber; means connected to the outer chamber for imparting the fluid stream under pressure substantially tangentially to the outer chamber to impart a swirling action thereto in the outer chamber for passage through the orifices of the vortexing chamber in a common direction tangentially about the vortexing chamber to impart a swirling action to the fluid in the vortexing chamber whereby particles are thrown outwardly toward the wall for descent to the lower end of said chamber while fluid escapes upwardly through the outlet; and resiliently flexible lips mounted on the wall and extended transversely inwardly of the vortexing chamber over each orifice in the direction of swirling action of the fluid in the vortexing chamber, said lips defining constricted passageways through their respective orifices and presenting surfaces inwardly disposed for impingement of the swirling fluid in the vortexing chamber thereagainst to urge the lips outwardly toward the wall whereby as reduced fluid volumes or velocities are encountered, the lips constrict their respective passageways to maintain a jetting action to facilitate the swirling movement of the fluid in the vortexing chamber and as increased fluid volumes Or velocities are encountered, the lips are forced inwardly of the chamber to distend the passageways and accommodate such increase.

8. A water driven centrifuging device for separating particles of solids from a fluid stream comprising: A. a centrifuging chamber having;

9. A device for separating particles of extraneous material from a fluid comprising a vortexing chamber providing a substantially upright cylindrical sidewall, and substantially closed upper and lower ends; a substantially cylindrical fluid supply chamber mounted in circumscribing relation to the vortexing chamber having a sidewall concentric to the sidewall of the vortexing chamber, and substantially closed upper and lower ends; an intake conduit connected substantially tangentially to the fluid supply chamber adapted to supply fluid thereto in a swirling action in a predetermined direction about the vortexing chamber; an outlet conduit connected to the upper end of the vortexing chamber in fluid communication concentrically with the interior thereof, the vortexing chamber having an orifice in the periphery thereof in communication with the fluid supply chamber adapted to establish a jetting action as fluid is delivered therethrough, whereby fluid swirling in the supply chamber passes in a jetting action into the vortexing chamber and imparts a swirling movement to fluid therein, the vortexing chamber extending an appreciable distance below such orifice so that the fluid entering from the orifice swirls downwardly in a downwardly constricted and accelerating vortex and thence upwardly in a helical path of further reduced diameter and out the outlet conduit while centrifuging particles outwardly thereof for descent to the lower end of the vortexing chamber; and a flexible flap extended in the direction of the movement of the fluid in a supply chamber across said orifice interiorly of the vortexing chamber having an inner surface disposed for oblique impingement thereagainst of fluid passing through the orifice for establishing a tangentially directed flow from said orifice and an opposite surface disposed for acute impingement thereagainst of fluid swirling in the vortexing chamber whereby the opposite forces incident to such impingement act to position the flap To regulate the effective size of the orifice thereby to insure jetting action throughout a variety of fluid supply pressures and volumes.