The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 28, 1978
Filed:
Jul. 15, 1976
Lancelot H Rees, Westwood, MA (US);
Gaulin Corporation, Everett, MA (US);
Abstract
A method for homogenizing fluid emulsions and dispersions is carried out by introducing fluid in a range of pressures of from 500 p.s.i. up to 12,000 p.s.i. into a valve structure having a homogenizing aperture characterized by similar inlet and outlet openings and a connecting passageway whose cross-sectional area is constant at all points therealong. Fluid is conducted through the passageway of constant cross-sectional area in a substantially linear path of flow to produce an energy release which is a function of the length of the passageway, i.e., product travel distance and the spacing of opposite wall portions of the passageway. In one desirable mode, the homogenizing aperture may be in the form of a slit. The method is free from problems attributable to radial divergence of flow occurring in all sizes of conventional homogenizing apertures of circular section, and the linear flow type valve of the invention may be effectively employed in a wide range of pressures and flow rates. The valve structure may be made with adjustable component parts so that the length of the passageway, as well as its volume and shape, may be varied in accordance with differing characteristics of fluids to be processed. For processing some fluids, an impingement member or target may be mounted in spaced relation to the outlet opening of the aperture to provide an impingement surface against which the linear flow of energized fluid may be impacted to carry out a further energy release and extend homogenizing efficiency.