초록 ▼

A size preferential electrostatic agglomerator is provided for agglomerating small particles with larger "carrier" particles. The agglomerator includes an inlet for receiving a gas flow, a separator for separating the gas flow into flow streams based on the size of the particles therein, an ionizati

A size preferential electrostatic agglomerator is provided for agglomerating small particles with larger "carrier" particles. The agglomerator includes an inlet for receiving a gas flow, a separator for separating the gas flow into flow streams based on the size of the particles therein, an ionization region for imparting an opposite electrical charge to each of the flow streams, an agglomeration region receiving the flow streams to facilitate the agglomeration of the oppositely charged particles, and an outlet for exhausting the gas flow containing agglomerated particles to facilitate collection, processing or other activity on the agglomerated particles. The present invention provides an efficient system for gathering large amounts of small particles in a gas flow.

대표청구항 ▼

A size preferential electrostatic agglomerator is provided for agglomerating small particles with larger "carrier" particles. The agglomerator includes an inlet for receiving a gas flow, a separator for separating the gas flow into flow streams based on the size of the particles therein, an ionizati

A size preferential electrostatic agglomerator is provided for agglomerating small particles with larger "carrier" particles. The agglomerator includes an inlet for receiving a gas flow, a separator for separating the gas flow into flow streams based on the size of the particles therein, an ionization region for imparting an opposite electrical charge to each of the flow streams, an agglomeration region receiving the flow streams to facilitate the agglomeration of the oppositely charged particles, and an outlet for exhausting the gas flow containing agglomerated particles to facilitate collection, processing or other activity on the agglomerated particles. The present invention provides an efficient system for gathering large amounts of small particles in a gas flow. ball has a diameter larger than the diameter of the center hole of the cradle; and the ball of the male coupling component is seated in the center hole of the cradle to provide a ball joint coupling between the cradle and the male coupling component; whereby the cradle, and, in turn, the male coupling component provides, at least, multiple degrees of lateral adjustability with respect to the housing and whereby the male coupling component also has multiple degrees of rotational and/or pivotal adjustability. 4. The male coupling assembly of claim 3, wherein the resilient shock absorber is positioned, at least partially, between the proximal end of the male coupling component and the inner distal-facing surface of the cavity. 5. The male coupling assembly of claim 4, wherein the resilient shock absorber is a cushion. 6. The male coupling assembly of claim 5, wherein distal-facing outer surface of the cradle has a substantially domed shape and the proximal-facing inner surface of the cavity has a complimentary concave shape. 7. The male coupling assembly of claim 6, further comprising a fastener extending from a proximal end of the housing, adapted to releasably mount the male coupling assembly to a distal end of one of a liner, sleeve and socket worn on a patient's residual limb. 8. The male coupling assembly of claim 7, wherein the fastener is an externally threaded boss. 9. The male coupling assembly of claim 6, wherein the housing is integrally molded with one of a liner, sleeve and socket adapted to be worn on a patient's residual limb. 10. The male coupling assembly of claim 6, wherein the housing includes a threaded outer circumferential surface that is adapted to be threaded into a threaded inner circumferential surface of a bore extending into a distal end of one of a liner, sleeve and socket adapted to be worn on a patient's residual limb. 11. A male coupling assembly for locking engagement with a locking device of a prosthetic limb comprising: a housing having an internal cavity and a center-hole extending into its distal end, communicating with the internal cavity, where the cavity includes a proximal-facing inner surface and a distal-facing inner surface; a cradle retained within the cavity, having a distal-facing outer surface that is laterally slidable with respect to the proximal-facing inner surface of the cavity, and the cradle including a male coupling component extending distally therefrom, the male coupling component being adapted to be coupled to a female locking component of a prosthetic limb socket assembly, and the male coupling component further extending distally through the center-hole of the housing; and a fastener extending from a proximal end of the housing, adapted to releasably mount the male coupling assembly to a distal end of one of a liner, sleeve and socket worn on a patient's residual limb; whereby the cradle, and, in turn, the male coupling component provides, at least, multiple degrees of lateral adjustability with respect to the housing. 12. The male coupling assembly of claim 11, wherein the fastener is an externally threaded boss. 13. A male coupling assembly for locking engagement with a locking device of a prosthetic limb comprising: a housing having an internal cavity and a center-hole extending into its distal end, communicating with the internal cavity, where the cavity includes a proximal-facing inner surface and a distal-facing inner surface; a cradle retained within the cavity, having a distal-facing outer surface that is laterally slidable with respect to the proximal-facing inner surface of the cavity, and the cradle including a male coupling component extending distally therefrom, the male coupling component being adapted to be coupled to a female locking component of a prosthetic limb socket assembly, and the male coupling component further extending distally through the center-hole of the housing; wherein the housing is integrally molded with one of a liner , sleeve and socket adapted to be worn on a patient's residual limb; whereby the cradle, and, in turn, the male coupling component provides, at least, multiple degrees of lateral adjustability with respect to the housing. 14. A male coupling assembly for locking engagement with a locking device of a prosthetic limb comprising: a housing having an internal cavity and a center-hole extending into its distal end, communicating with the internal cavity, where the cavity includes a proximal-facing inner surface and a distal-facing inner surface; a cradle retained within the cavity, having a distal-facing outer surface that is laterally slidable with respect to the proximal-facing inner surface of the cavity, and the cradle including a male coupling component extending distally therefrom, the male coupling component being adapted to be coupled to a female locking component of a prosthetic limb socket assembly, and the male coupling component further extending distally through the center-hole of the housing; wherein the housing includes a threaded outer circumferential surface that is adapted to be threaded into a threaded inner circumferential surface of a bore extending into a distal end of one of a liner, sleeve and socket adapted to be worn on a patient's residual limb; whereby the cradle, and, in turn, the male coupling component provides, at least, multiple degrees of lateral adjustability with respect to the housing. 15. A male coupling assembly for locking engagement with a locking device of a prosthetic limb comprising: a housing having an internal cavity and a center-hole extending into its distal end, communicating with the internal cavity, where the cavity includes a proximal-facing inner surface and a distal-facing inner surface; a cradle retained within the cavity, having a distal-facing outer surface that is laterally slidable with respect to the proximal-facing inner surface of the cavity, and the cradle including a male coupling component extending distally therefrom, the male coupling component being adapted to be coupled to a female locking component of a prosthetic limb socket assembly, and the male coupling component further extending distally through the center-hole of the housing; wherein the male coupling component is a shaft having a distal end and a plurality of tapered annular ribs longitudinally distributed therealong, the annular ribs tapering towards the distal end of the shaft, thereby adapting the male coupling component for engagement with a spring-loaded pawl of the female locking component; whereby the cradle, and, in turn, the male coupling component provides, at least, multiple degrees of lateral adjustability with respect to the housing. 16. The male coupling assembly of claim 15, wherein: the cradle includes a center hole extending axially therethrough and the shaft of the male coupling component includes a ball positioned on a proximal end thereof; the ball has a diameter larger than the diameter of the center hole of the cradle; and the ball is seated in the center hole of the cradle to provide a ball joint coupling between the cradle and the shaft of the male coupling component, thereby providing the male coupling component with multiple degrees of rotational and/or pivotal adjustability. 17. The male coupling assembly of claim 16, further comprising a resilient shock absorber operatively incorporated between the male coupling component and the housing. 18. The male coupling assembly of claim 17, wherein the resilient shock absorber is positioned, at least partially, between the ball positioned on the proximal end of the male coupling component and the inner distal-facing surface of the cavity. 19. The male coupling assembly of claim 18, wherein the resilient shock absorber is a cushion. 20. The male coupling assembly of claim 19, wherein distal-facing outer surface of the cradle has a substantially domed shape and the proximal-facing inner surface of the cavity has