US Patent:
20090137376, May 28, 2009
Inventors:
Vipul P. Patel - Irvine CA, US
Allen K. MacKnight - Signal Hill CA, US
Steven R. Eccles - Torrance CA, US
Leonard Walitt - Marina Del Rey CA, US
International Classification:
B04B 1/20
Abstract:
A centrifuge is employed to continuously remove particulates from a fluid. In one embodiment, the centrifuge removes small particles of soot from lubricating oil of diesel engines. The fluid is introduced into the centrifuge through a distribution rotor so that vortexes are not propagated in the fluid. Laminar flow of the fluid down the sides of the outer rotor may contribute to the soot-removal effectiveness of the centrifuge.