# US 2013/0153034 A1 · Spiral Fluid Flow System > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0153034 A1 - Document ID: US20130153034A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/325,853 - Filed: 2011-12-14 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-14 - Inventors: J. Mark Crump - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153034A1 ## CPC - F15D 1/0015: {Whirl chambers, e.g. vortex valves} - B01J 19/006: {Baffles} - B01J 19/246: {internally, i.e. the mixture circulating inside the vessel such that the upward stream is separated physically from the downward stream(s)} - C02F 1/006: {Water distributors either inside a treatment tank or directing the water to several treatment tanks; Water treatment plants incorporating these distributors, with or without chemical or biological tanks (for settling tanks B01D21/24)} - B01J 2219/00768: vertical - B01J 2219/00772: in a helix - C02F 2301/026: Spiral, helicoidal, radial - Y10T 137/0318: Processes - Y10T 137/2098: Vortex generator as control for system - Y10T 137/2109: By tangential input to axial output [e.g., vortex amplifier] - Y10T 137/8593: Systems - Y10T 137/86372: Inlet internally extending - F15D: FLUID DYNAMICS, i.e. METHODS OR MEANS FOR INFLUENCING THE FLOW OF GASES OR LIQUIDS - B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS - C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A fluid flow system is provided. The system includes a tank, a first manifold and a second manifold. The tank has a generally centralized portion and a sidewall. The tank extends from a lower portion to an upper portion to contain fluid therein. The first manifold is located adjacent the sidewall and has a first length extending from the lower portion to the upper portion. The first manifold defines at least in part a first opening extending along at least a portion of the first length permitting fluid flow therethrough. The first manifold is positioned to permit fluid to flow between the first manifold and the sidewall independent of the first opening. The second manifold is located about the centralized portion and has a second length extending from the lower portion to the upper portion. The second manifold defines a second opening extending along at least a portion of the second length permitting fluid flow therethrough. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fluid flow system comprising: a tank having a generally centralized portion and a sidewall, the tank extending from a lower portion to an upper portion to contain fluid therein; a first manifold located adjacent the sidewall and having a first length extending from the lower portion toward the upper portion, the first manifold defining at least in part a first opening extending along at least a portion of the first length permitting fluid flow therethrough, the first manifold being positioned to permit fluid to flow between the first manifold and the sidewall independent of the first opening; and a second manifold located about the centralized portion and having a second length extending from the lower portion toward the upper portion, the second manifold defining a second opening extending along at least a portion of the second length permitting fluid flow therethrough. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fluid flow system of claim 1 wherein the tank is a circular tank. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fluid flow system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second manifolds is a cylindrical tube construction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fluid flow system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second manifolds comprises a plurality of sectional pieces that may be assembled together. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fluid flow system of claim 1 wherein the first manifold is not connected to the sidewall. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The fluid flow system of claim 1 wherein the first manifold is supported from a top portion of the tank. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The fluid flow system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second openings has a generally V-shaped configuration. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The fluid flow system of claim 7 wherein the V-shaped configuration is linear. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The fluid flow system of claim 7 wherein the V-shaped configuration is arcuate. ### Claim 10 A fluid flow system comprising: a tank having a generally centralized portion and a sidewall, the tank extending from a lower portion to an upper portion to contain fluid therein; a first manifold located adjacent the sidewall and having a first length extending from the lower portion to the upper portion, the first manifold defining at least in part a first opening extending along at least a portion of the first length permitting fluid flow therethrough, the first opening having a varying width therealong such that the width of the first opening adjacent the lower portion is smaller than the width of the first opening adjacent the upper portion; and a second manifold located about the centralized portion and having a second length extending from the lower portion to the upper portion, the second manifold defining a second opening extending along at least a portion of the second length permitting fluid flow therethrough. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The fluid flow system of claim 10 wherein the tank is a circular tank. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The fluid flow system of claim 10 wherein at least one of the first and second manifolds is a cylindrical tube construction. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The fluid flow system of claim 10 wherein at least one of the first and second manifolds comprises a plurality of sectional pieces that may be assembled together. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The fluid flow system of claim 10 wherein the first manifold is not connected to the sidewall. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The fluid flow system of claim 10 wherein the first manifold is supported from a top portion of the tank. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The fluid flow system of claim 10 wherein at least one of the first and second openings has a generally V-shaped configuration. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The fluid flow system of claim 10 wherein the second opening has a varying width along the second length such that the width of the second opening adjacent the lower portion is smaller than the width of the second opening adjacent the upper portion. ### Claim 18 A method of flowing fluid through a tank having a generally centralized portion and a sidewall, the tank extending from a lower portion to an upper portion to contain fluid therein, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first manifold located adjacent the sidewall and having a first length extending from the lower portion to the upper portion, the first manifold defining at least in part a first opening extending along at least a portion the first length; flowing fluid through the first opening to provide an elongated flow pattern from the first opening; flowing fluid past the first manifold and between the first manifold and the sidewall to provide a generally spiral flow pattern in the tank; and outputting fluid through a second manifold located about the centralized portion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 wherein at least one of the step of providing the first manifold includes providing the first manifold in a plurality of sections that may be assembled together. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 wherein the first opening is a generally V-shaped opening to provide the generally vertical, rectangular flow pattern.