# US 7,744,767 B2 · Fluid separation system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,744,767 B2 - Document ID: US7744767B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/267,736 - Filed: 2008-11-10 - Published: 2009-03-12 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 2008-11-10 - Assignees: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Inventors: Matt G. Driggers - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7744767B2 ## CPC - B01D 17/0214: {with removal of one of the phases} - 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) ## Abstract A system for separating a mixture of two fluids of different specific gravities comprising: a first chamber having an inlet for receiving said mixture; a second chamber having a connection for receiving the fluid with the higher specific gravity of said mixture from said first chamber, said connection being situated between a portion of the two chambers below the inlet; and a waste outlet in said first chamber to drain residue situated at an interface between the two fluids. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A separation method comprising: directing a mixture of two fluids exhibiting different specific gravities into a separator in a printing system; separating the two fluids; and draining a residue containing waste and/or contaminants and situated at an interface between the two fluids from a waste outlet provided to the system. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1 wherein a continuous flow of said mixture is supplied to said system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1 further comprising initializing separating by first filling said system with the fluid with the heavier specific gravity of the two fluids being separated. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1 further comprising venting to the atmosphere in order to prevent a build up of pressure on the fluids in said system. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1 further comprising providing safeguard outlets to prevent fluid mixing due to backflow from a disturbance in a primary outlet. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1 further comprising purifying said fluids at a secondary purifying level. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1 wherein the waste and/or contaminants include a fungus, a colorant, or an emulsion of the two fluids. ### Claim 8 A separation method comprising: directing a mixture of two fluids through an inlet into a first chamber of a separator in a printing system, the two fluids exhibiting different specific gravities; separating the mixture in the first chamber into a lighter fluid having a lower specific gravity, a heavier fluid having a higher specific gravity, and a residue situated at an interface between the two fluids in the first chamber; directing the heavier fluid from the first chamber through a connection into a second chamber, the connection being situated between a portion of the two chambers below the inlet into the first chamber; venting built up pressure from a top of the first chamber above the inlet and from a top of the second chamber, the venting being to atmospheric pressure or between the first and second chamber; and draining the residue in the first chamber through a waste outlet from the first chamber. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 wherein the residue is drained through the waste outlet above the connection and below the inlet. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 wherein the residue is drained through the waste outlet above the connection and above the inlet. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 wherein a continuous flow of the mixture is supplied to the separator. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 further comprising initializing the separating by first filling the separator with the heavier fluid. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 wherein the venting is to atmospheric pressure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 wherein the venting is between the first and second chamber. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 further comprising providing a first chamber primary outlet and safeguard outlet and a second chamber primary outlet and safeguard outlet and reducing fluid mixing due to backflow from a disturbance in one or both of the primary outlets. ### Claim 16 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 further comprising purifying the heavier and/or lighter fluid with a secondary purifying level. ### Claim 17 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 further comprising: evaporating a carrier liquid from a printing engine in an enclosure of the printing system; and condensing the evaporated carrier along with water from airborne moisture in the enclosure to provide the mixture, wherein the lighter fluid contains the carrier and the heavier fluid contains the water. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 wherein the carrier liquid evaporates from a liquid toner heated during printing. ### Claim 19 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 wherein the drained residue waste and/or contaminants including a fungus, a colorant, or an emulsion of the two fluids. ### Claim 20 A separation method comprising: evaporating a carrier liquid from a printing engine in an enclosure of a printing system; condensing the evaporated carrier along with water from airborne moisture in the enclosure; directing a mixture of the condensed carrier and the condensed water through an inlet into a first chamber of a separator in the printing system, the carrier and the water exhibiting different specific gravities; separating the mixture in the first chamber into the carrier, the water, and a residue situated at an interface between the carrier and the water in the first chamber; directing the water from the first chamber through a connection into a second chamber, the connection being situated between a portion of the two chambers below the inlet into the first chamber; and draining the residue in the first chamber through a waste outlet from the first chamber. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20 wherein the carrier liquid evaporates from a liquid toner heated during printing. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20 wherein the carrier liquid comprises a liquid hydrocarbon. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20 wherein the drained residue comprises waste and/or contaminants including a fungus, a colorant, or an emulsion of the carrier and the water.