Vaughn J Weston

US Patent:

20040226880, Nov 18, 2004

Filed:

May 16, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/440392

Inventors:

Robert Brown - Salt Lake City UT, US
Vaughn Weston - Kearns UT, US

International Classification:

B01D012/00

US Classification:

210/519000

Abstract:

A laundering apparatus for collecting fluid, such as clean liquor, from a tank. The laundering apparatus includes a central conduit which is configured to be located near, and at least partially circumscribe, the radial center of the tank. At least one substantially linear conduits is tangentially coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the central conduit. One or more openings defined within the at least one substantially linear conduits is configured to draw a volume of fluid therethrough into the laundering apparatus. The at least one substantially linear conduit may also be substantially radially extending out through the wall of the tank. An access port may be formed in the radially distal end of the at least one substantially linear conduit to facilitate cleaning of the laundering apparatus from a location outside of the tank.

US Patent:

20040149639, Aug 5, 2004

Filed:

Nov 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/714535

Inventors:

Vaughn Weston - Kearns UT, US
Robert Brown - Salt Lake City UT, US
John Johnson - Sandy UT, US
Donald Taylor - Salt Lake City UT, US

International Classification:

B01D021/08

US Classification:

210/208000, 210/520000, 210/528000

Abstract:

An apparatus for mixing and dispensing an influent slurry into a tank. The apparatus may include a body having a sidewall and floor which together define a volume for the slurry to pass through. Fixed baffles and rotating paddles may be disposed within the body in an interleaved manner to promote mixing of the slurry with a flocculating reagent. The apparatus may also include scrapers for reducing built-up floc on the walls and/or floor of the apparatus. The floor of the apparatus may define a constricted opening for discharge of the slurry. The constricted opening, which serves to control the flow of the slurry through the body of the apparatus, also helps to increase mixing time of the slurry with the flocculating reagent. The constricted opening may be configured as an annular or ring-shaped port.