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:
Sep. 20, 2005
Filed:
Sep. 09, 2003
Richard H. Chilibeck, Victoria, CA;
Richard H. Chilibeck, Victoria, CA;
SolmeteX, Inc., Northborough, MA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for separating solid particles from the suction effluent of, for example, a dental office, preferably driven by a dental office vacuum pump, includes a surge tank for accommodating effluent overfill connected to a sedimentary deposit tank for sedimentation of effluent particles. A bypass conduit is connected to the surge tank inlet which is equipped with a vacuum break valve for allowing air into the system when the suction openings are closed. The sedimentary deposit tank has a series of baffle chambers through which effluent flows in sequence, and in each of which chambers sediment is deposited for later removal. The surge tank preferably has a liquid level sensor and warning device. Modular filters or adsorbants may be installed in the sedimentary deposit tank, or a modular auxiliary filter may be connected downstream of the tank. Chemical injection may be used to improve sedimentation. A positive air pressure source or auxiliary pumps may be used to drive the effluent, particularly in large installations incorporating multiple surge and deposit tanks. Full tank effluent removal and drying facilities are optionally provided.