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US 7,597,145 B2Granted
Fluid-flow system, device and method
AssigneeBlue Marble Engineering, L.L.C.
InventorsPhilip Allard, Stanley D. Benham
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods, devices, and systems are disclosed for combining fluids of different pressures and flow rates in, for example, gas gathering systems, gas wells, and other areas in which independently powered compressors or pumps are not desired.
Claims19
An apparatus useful in combining at least two fluid streams of differing pressures, the apparatus comprising:
- a housing;
- a first rotor within the housing;
- a second rotor within the housing, the first rotor engaging the second rotor and both the first and the second rotors engaging the housing;
- a third rotor within the housing and engaging the first rotor;
- a fourth rotor within the housing and engaging the second rotor, the third rotor engaging the fourth rotor and both the third and the fourth rotors engaging the housing;
- wherein the first and the second rotors define a first input volume positioned and arranged to receive a first input stream having a first pressure;
- wherein the third and the fourth rotors define a second input volume positioned and arranged to receive a second input stream having a second pressure;
- wherein the first pressure differs from the second pressure;
- wherein the first and the third rotors define a first output volume;
- wherein the second and the fourth rotors define a second output volume;
- and
- wherein at least one rotor further comprises a means for sealing engagement, the means for sealing engagement comprising:
- a set of protrusions;
- a set of recesses between the protrusions;
- wherein the protrusions comprise sealing surfaces;
- wherein at least a portion of the protrusion sealing surface comprises a portion of a first circle;
- wherein the recesses comprise sealing surfaces;
- wherein at least a portion of the recess sealing surface comprises a portion of a second circle;
- wherein the first circle and the second circle are tangential;
- wherein the first circle and the second circle each have centers located on a circle having a center on an axis of the rotor.
17 more elements
An apparatus useful in combining at least two fluids of differing pressures, the apparatus comprising:
- a housing;
- a first rotor within the housing;
- a second rotor within the housing, the first rotor engaging the second rotor and both the first and the second rotors engaging the housing;
- a third rotor within the housing and engaging the first rotor;
- a fourth rotor within the housing and engaging the second rotor, the third rotor engaging the fourth rotor and both the third and the fourth rotors engaging the housing;
- wherein the first and the second rotors define a first input volume;
- wherein the third and the fourth rotors define a second input volume;
- wherein the first and the third rotors define a first output volume;
- wherein the second and the fourth rotors define a second output volume;
- and
- wherein at least one rotor further comprises a means for sealing engagement, said means for sealing engagement comprising:
- a set of protrusions;
- and
- a set of recesses between the protrusions;
- wherein the protrusions comprise sealing surfaces;
- wherein at least a portion of at least one sealing surface comprises a longitudinal blade disposed on at least one protrusion;
- and
- wherein said longitudinal blade is extendable from said at least one protrusion.
15 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.