Granted Patent B2

US 9,233,198 · App. 14/105,993 · Granted Jan 12, 2016

Abstract

Claims (34)

1. A fluid trap apparatus comprising:

an inlet configured to receive a flow of a composite fluid into the apparatus, the composite fluid having at least a first fluid and a second fluid;

an outer wall physically connected to the inlet, the outer wall defining an interior chamber;

a flow diffuser interposed within the interior chamber and having a solid, arcuate shape, the flow diffuser directs the flow of the composite fluid to circulate through the interior chamber, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid separate as the composite fluid circulates through the interior chamber; and

a first outlet physically connected to the outer wall, the first outlet configured to expel a flow of the separated first fluid out of the apparatus.

2. The fluid trap of claim 1 , further comprising a flow restrictor in fluid communication with the first outlet and the flow restrictor is operable to at least partially occlude the first outlet and the at least partial occlusion of the first outlet creates the pressure gradient between the inlet and the first outlet.

3. The fluid trap of claim 1 , further comprising a second outlet disposed through the outer wall and configured to expel a flow of the separated second fluid out of the apparatus, wherein the separated second fluid aggregates about the second outlet, and the second outlet is operable between a first configuration to retain the separated second fluid within the open interior and a second configuration to expel the separated second fluid.

4. The fluid trap of claim 3 , wherein a pressure gradient between the inlet and the first outlet forces the second fluid out of the second outlet when the second outlet is in the second configuration.

5. The fluid trap of claim 3 , further comprising a membrane, wherein the membrane is permeable to the second fluid and the membrane retains the second fluid about the second outlet.

6. The fluid trap of claim 1 wherein the flow diffuser is further adjacent the first outlet such that the flow of the first fluid changes direction prior to exiting through the first outlet.

7. The fluid trap of claim 6 , wherein the flow diffuser is further adjacent the inlet such that the flow of the composite fluid changes direction upon entering the interior chamber.

8. The fluid trap of claim 7 , wherein the inlet and the first outlet each extend towards an interior of the interior chamber, and the flow diverter is located at the center of the interior chamber, such that the first fluid circulates in the interior chamber around the flow diffuser.

9. A fluid trap apparatus comprising:

an inlet configured to receive a flow of a composite fluid into the apparatus, the composite fluid having at least a first fluid and a second fluid;

an outer wall physically connected to the inlet, the outer wall defining an interior chamber;

a flow diffuser interposed within the interior chamber, the flow diffuser directs the flow of composite fluid to circulate within the interior chamber between inlet and a first outlet, and the circulation of the composite fluid within the interior chamber separates the first fluid from the second fluid based upon the first density of the first fluid and the second density of the second fluid;

wherein the first outlet disposed through the outer wall, is configured to expel a flow of the separated first fluid from within the interior chamber, directly through the first outlet, and out of the apparatus; and

a second outlet disposed through the outer wall, the second outlet configured to expel the separated second fluid from within the interior chamber, directly through the second outlet, and out of the apparatus, the second outlet being operable between a first configuration to retain the separated second fluid within the interior chamber and a second configuration to expel the separated second fluid.

10. The fluid trap of claim 9 , wherein the flow diffuser is positioned adjacent the inlet and the first outlet.

11. The fluid trap of claim 10 , wherein the flow diffuser at least partially surrounds the inlet and the first outlet.

12. A method of separating a first fluid from a second fluid of a composite fluid, the method comprising:

introducing a flow of the composite fluid into a separation chamber through an inlet, the separation chamber having a first outlet;

creating a pressure gradient within the separation chamber between the inlet and the first outlet;

interposing a flow diffuser in a flow path between the inlet and the first outlet, the flow diffuser directing the flow of the composite fluid within the separation chamber;

separating the first fluid and the second fluid based upon the first density and the second density;

removing the first fluid from the separation chamber through the first outlet, wherein the first outlet opens directly into the separation chamber; and

selectively operating a second outlet between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the second outlet opens directly into the separation chamber and wherein when second fluid is removed from the separation chamber when the second outlet is in the open configuration.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

establishing a pressure gradient between the inlet and the first outlet; and

removing the second fluid through the second outlet due to the pressure gradient.

14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising operating a flow restrictor connected to the first outlet to create the pressure gradient between the inlet and the first outlet.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein operating the second outlet in the open configuration at least partially occludes the first outlet.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the second outlet is a valve.

17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising removing the second fluid through the second outlet due to the pressure gradient.

Assignments (18)