(19)
(11) EP 1 473 087 A8

(12) CORRECTED EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(48) Corrigendum issued on:
19.01.2005 Bulletin 2005/03

(43) Date of publication:
03.11.2004 Bulletin 2004/45

(21) Application number: 04077268.3

(22) Date of filing: 31.08.2001
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7B04B 1/20
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

(30) Priority: 31.08.2000 US 652418 P

(62) Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
01965392.2 / 1313565

(71) Applicant: Varco I/P, Inc.
Houston, Texas 77042 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Koch, Richard James
    Magnolia, TX 77354 (US)
  • Mitra, Subrata
    The Woodlands, TX 77380 (US)
  • Seyffert, Kenneth Wayne
    Houston, TX 77018 (US)
  • Wright, John Patrick
    Ingram, TX 78025 (US)

(74) Representative: Lucas, Brian Ronald 
Lucas & Co. 135 Westhall Road
Warlingham, Surrey CR6 9HJ
Warlingham, Surrey CR6 9HJ (GB)

 
Remarks:
This application was filed on 09 - 08 - 2004 as a divisional application to the application mentioned under INID code 62.
 


(54) Conveyor for a centrifuge


(57) A conveyor (40) for a centrifuge for separating a feed material into solid and fluid parts, which conveyor (40) comprises a tapered portion of gradually tapering external diameter and at least one impeller (250) thereadjacent, the arrangement being such that in use, feed material can be passed through an interior of said conveyor (40), rotational speed being imparted thereto by said at least one impeller (250) prior to leaving said conveyor from said tapered portion, characterised in that in use, said feed material impinges on said at least one impeller (250) with an axial velocity substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said conveyor (40), whereby said at least one impeller (250) can impart radial speed to said feed material whilst it moves with axial velocity.