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:
Jun. 15, 1999
Filed:
Jul. 29, 1997
Thomas L Owens, Batavia, IL (US);
Other;
Abstract
A method and apparatus for applying microwaves to flowable materials within a centrifuge are disclosed. The simultaneous application of microwaves and centrifugation to flowable materials may be utilized to rapidly separate immiscible components from emulsions and dispersions. Microwaves are guided along a waveguide structure within the centrifuge. A meandering path for the waveguide is chosen through the interior of the centrifuge and through the flowable material being centrifuged. Gradual variation in the radial distance of the waveguide from the axis of the centrifuge produces a gradual filling of the cross-section of the waveguide along its length, forming a gentle microwave beach within the waveguide. Excellent microwave coupling and power deposition into the flowable material results. There is no need to contain the flowable material behind a dielectric barrier, normally placed between the incident microwaves and the flowable material, since confinement is provided by centrifugal forces. In its most general sense, the invention may be used to separate any variable-density flowable material, whether emulsified or not, or it may be used simply to rapidly heat a fluid without separation. Numerous applications exist in the petroleum, chemical, and food-processing industries.