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US 10,369,265 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for removal of gas bubbles from fluid
AssigneeIndian Wells Medical, Inc.
InventorsDavid W. Wieting, Jay A. Lenker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for removing gas bubbles from fluid. An active filter apparatus forces the bubbles to the center of the filter, while a pump supplies fluid to the filter.
Claims19
A gas removal system for removing gas from a fluid, said system comprising:
- a fluid filter for removing gas bubbles from fluid, said fluid filter comprising:
- a shell defining a chamber characterized by a central axis, a top and bottom;
- an impeller disposed within the chamber;
- a motor operably connected to the impeller,
- a gas vent in fluid communication with the central axis of the chamber and located proximate the top of the chamber,
- a fluid inlet port affixed to the chamber;
- and
- a fluid outlet port located at the radial periphery of said chamber;
- wherein the impeller is configured to rotate a volume of fluid within the chamber;
- and
- a pump for forcing fluid through the fluid filter, said pump disposed in fluid communication with the fluid filter.
8 more elements
A method for removing gas bubbles from a fluid, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing an axially elongate cylindrical shell defining a chamber;
- disposing an impeller within the chamber, wherein the impeller is a smooth-walled cylinder configured to rotate a volume of fluid within the chamber about the central axis of the chamber thus forcing air bubbles within a volume of fluid within the chamber to migrate radially inward in response to centrifugal forces imparted on the volume of fluid by the rotation of said fluid;
- causing fluid to flow into the chamber through a fluid inlet port in the shell, wherein the fluid inlet port is located near the circumferential periphery of the shell;
- rotating the impeller with a motor;
- venting gas from the central axis of the chamber;
- and
- removing fluid from the chamber through a fluid outlet port in the shell, the fluid outlet port being in fluid communication with the chamber, wherein the fluid outlet port is located near the circumferential periphery of the shell.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.