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:
Jan. 23, 1996
Filed:
Sep. 06, 1994
Edward D McCullough, Riverside, CA (US);
Rockwell International Corporation, Seal Beach, CA (US);
Abstract
A system for mechanically stabilizing a bed of particulate media which undergoes changes in volume during operation. A tubular column is provided which is closed and ported at a first end and open at a second end. A piston assembly is supported in the column for containing a bed of particulate media. The piston assembly comprises a piston having at least one opening for conveying a fluid through the piston. A fluid connection is attached to the piston in fluid communication with the opening. The fluid connection may move relative to the tubular column. A resilient seal is arranged about the piston to provide sealing engagement of the piston and the tubular column and to provide proper alignment therebetween. Porous barrier elements are positioned in the column so as to prevent the undesired escape of particulate media through the tubular column port and through the piston opening. The tubular column port and fluid connection are connectable to either a source of fluid or vacuum so that fluid can be drawn through the bed in either direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular column, at a pressure below ambient, thereby causing the piston to respond to changes in volume of the particulate media so as to continually compress and compact the particulate media regardless of the direction of fluid flow.