PATENT CLAIM ANALYSIS

Application Number: 15980397
Application Type: Utility
Filing Date: 2018-05
Publication Date: 2018-11
Patent Classification: ["210", "800000"]

Abstract:
A mixed density fluid separator and systems for separating fluids of different densities, as well as kits and methods employing the same, are provided. The mixed density fluid separator generally comprises a fluid separation tank having a valve control system and a vacuum pump to direct fluid processing. The tank includes an upper float ball valve having a neutrally buoyant float ball slideably retained therein by a vertically elongated guide cage that is at least twice as long as the diameter of the float ball. The mixed density fluid separator can be adapted for multiple different uses, including with rapid deployment oil-spill cleanup kits that are sufficiently lightweight and compact for easy transport, access and application.

Claim (Index 1):
A fluid separator for separating fluids of different density, such as oil and water, comprising:\n (i) a fluid separation tank having upper and lower portions relative to waterline defining a substantially sealed enclosure for containing a fluid therein; (ii) an oil-water main feeding the tank through an oil water inlet so as to define an oil-water flow path from outside to inside the tank; (iii) a water outlet in the lower portion of the tank so as to define an water flow path from inside to outside the tank; (iv) an air inlet in gaseous communication with the upper portion of the tank so as to define an air flow path from outside to inside the tank; (v) an oil outlet in the upper portion of the tank so as to define an oil flow path from inside the tank to outside the tank; and (vi) a valve system for regulating the oil-water flow path, the water flow path, the air flow path, and the oil flow path, the valve system having first and second valve settings:\n the first valve setting (a) to open the oil-water flow path of the oil-water inlet and the oil flow path of the oil outlet, and to close the air flow path of the air inlet and the water flow path of the water outlet, and \n the second valve setting (b) to close the oil-water flow path of the oil-water inlet and the oil flow path of the oil outlet, and to open the air flow path of the air inlet and the water flow path of the water outlet; \n wherein the oil flow path is regulated in part by an upper float ball valve to direct flow of a first fluid out of the tank when open and prevent backflow when closed, the upper float ball valve positioned in the upper portion of the tank and comprising as components: an upper float ball slideably retained by a vertically elongated upper guide cage relative to waterline, the upper float ball selected to be neutrally to negatively buoyant in a fluid to be discharged outside the tank from the oil outlet, and positively buoyant in a fluid to be discharged outside the tank from the water outlet, and the upper guide cage having guide rails arranged to define a float ball movement path having a portion that is fully exposed on all sides to surrounding fluid within the tank and substantially impediment free except for guide rail contacts, the fully exposed portion of the upper guide cage at least two times as long as the diameter of the upper float ball.

Metadata:
- Claim Count in Document: 35.0
- Percentile: 93.0
- Lexical Diversity: 1.56962
- Patent Class: 210.0
- Transitional Phrase Type: open
- Component Type: 1
- Foreign Priority: False
- Related Applications: ['15185414', '10166369', '15238885', '13378850', '13378848']

Analysis Scores:
- 35 USC 101 Eligibility (BERT): 0.7585224871840852
- 35 USC 102 Novelty (BERT): 0.5164146043658776
- Combined Prediction Score: 0.7343116989022646
- Mean Citation Score: 236.93932
- Max Citation Score: 316.64188
- Similarity Product: 263.08541806743625

Labels:
- Claim Label 101: 1
- Claim Label 102: 1
- Claim Label 103: 1
- Claim Label 112: 1
- Combined Label: 1
- Label 101 Adjusted: 1

Dataset: test