# US 10,369,503 B2 · Particle separation system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,369,503 B2 - Document ID: US10369503B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/176,970 - Filed: 2016-06-08 - Published: 2017-12-14 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-06-08 - Assignees: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation - Applicants: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation - Inventors: Dilip Prasad; Harold W. Hipsky; Thomas M. Zywiak - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369503B2 ## CPC - B01D 45/06: by reversal of direction of flow - B01D 45/02: by utilising gravity - B01D 45/04: by utilising inertia (B01D45/12 takes precedence) - B01D 45/12: by centrifugal forces (centrifuges B04B; cyclones B04C) - B01D 45/16: generated by the winding course of the gas stream {, the centrifugal forces being generated solely or partly by mechanical means, e.g. fixed swirl vanes} - B64D 13/00: Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space - B01D 53/26: Drying gases or vapours - B64D 2013/0603: {Environmental Control Systems} - B64D 2013/0651: {comprising filters, e.g. dust filters} - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT ## Abstract A particle separation device to remove particulate matter from an exterior air flow for use with an environmental control system includes a curved airflow path with an inner radius and an outer radius, the curved air flow path to receive the exterior air flow, a particle passage disposed along at least one of the inner radius and the outer radius to receive the particulate matter from the exterior air flow, a circumferential volute to receive the particulate matter from the particle passage, and a duct to transport the particulate matter from the circumferential volute to a downstream region. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A particle separation device to remove particulate matter from an exterior air flow for use with an environmental control system, the particle separation device comprising: a curved airflow path with an inner radius and an outer radius, the curved air flow path to receive the exterior air flow; a particle passage disposed along at least one of the inner radius and the outer radius to receive the particulate matter from the exterior air flow; a circumferential volute to receive the particulate matter from the particle passage; and a duct to transport the particulate matter from the circumferential volute to a downstream region, wherein: the exterior air flow moves in a first predominant direction, and the curved airflow path redirects a portion of the exterior air flow, which is not received in the particle passage, such that the portion of the exterior air flow exits the curved airflow path in a second predominant direction opposite the first predominant direction for reception in the downstream region wherein: the duct comprises a first axial component extending from the circumferential volute, a radial component extending from an end of the first axial component and a second axial component extending from an end of the radial component to a first portion of the downstream region, the curved airflow path redirects the exterior air flow approximately 180 degrees into a second portion of the downstream region, and a heat exchanger is interposed between the first and second portions of the downstream region. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The particle separation device of claim 1, wherein the particle separation device is disposed upstream of a heat exchanger. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The particle separation device of claim 2, wherein the downstream region is downstream of the heat exchanger. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The particle separation device of claim 1, wherein the particle separation device is disposed downstream of a fan. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The particle separation device of claim 1, further comprising a bypass valve to direct the exterior air flow beyond the curved air flow path. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The particle separation device of claim 1, further comprising a contracting passage to direct the exterior air flow to the curved air flow path. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The particle separation device of claim 1, further comprising at least one sprayer to spray a liquid into the exterior air flow. ### Claim 8 A particle separation system to remove particulate matter from an exterior air flow for use with an environmental control system, the particle separation system comprising: a fan to accelerate the exterior air flow; a curved airflow path with an inner radius and an outer radius, the curved air flow path to receive the exterior air flow; a heat exchanger to receive the exterior air flow from the curved air flow path; a particle passage disposed along at least one of the inner radius and the outer radius to receive the particulate matter from the exterior air flow; a circumferential volute to receive the particulate matter from the particle passage; and a duct to transport the particulate matter from the circumferential volute to a downstream region disposed downstream of the heat exchanger, wherein: the exterior air flow moves in a first predominant direction, and the curved airflow path redirects a portion of the exterior air flow, which is not received in the particle passage, such that the portion of the exterior air flow exits the curved airflow path in a second predominant direction opposite the first predominant direction for reception in the downstream region wherein: the duct comprises a first axial component extending from the circumferential volute, a radial component extending from an end of the first axial component and a second axial component extending from an end of the radial component to a first portion of the downstream region, the curved airflow path redirects the exterior air flow approximately 180 degrees into a second portion of the downstream region, and a heat exchanger is interposed between the first and second portions of the downstream region. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The particle separation system of claim 8, further comprising a bypass valve to direct the exterior air flow beyond the curved air flow path. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The particle separation system of claim 8, further comprising a contracting passage to direct the exterior air flow to the curved air flow path. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The particle separation system of claim 8, further comprising at least one sprayer to spray a liquid into the exterior air flow. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The particle separation system of claim 11, wherein the at least one sprayer is disposed upstream of the fan. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The particle separation system of claim 11, wherein the at least one sprayer is disposed upstream of the heat exchanger. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The particle separation system of claim 8, wherein the fan is a shaft powered fan. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The particle separation system of claim 8, wherein the fan includes a flow device to direct the exterior air flow.