Fluid trap and method of separating fluids

Abstract

A fluid trap apparatus includes an inlet configured to receive a flow of composite fluid into the apparatus. The composite fluid contains at least a first fluid and a second fluid. An outer wall defines an interior chamber. A flow diffuser is interposed within the interior chamber. The flow diffuser directs the flow of the composite fluid to circulate through the interior chamber. The first fluid and the second fluid separate as the composite fluid circulates through the interior chamber. A method of separating a first fluid from a second fluid includes introducing a flow of composite fluid into a separate chamber. A pressure gradient is created within the separation chamber. A flow diffuser is interposed in a flow path between an inlet and an outlet. The flow diffuser directs the flow of the composite fluid within the separation chamber. The first fluid and the second fluid are separated.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluid trap apparatus comprising:
 an outer wall defining an interior chamber;   an inlet extending from the outer wall into the interior chamber, the inlet configured to receive a flow of a composite fluid into the apparatus, the composite fluid having at least a first fluid and a second fluid;   a flow diffuser interposed centrally within the interior chamber and adjacent the inlet, the flow diffuser configured to change a direction of a flow of the composite fluid to separate the first fluid and the second fluid as the composite fluid circulates through the interior chamber;   a first outlet integrated with the outer wall, the first outlet configured to expel a flow of the separated first fluid out of the fluid trap apparatus; and   a second outlet integrated with the outer wall, the second outlet configured to expel a flow of the separated second fluid out of the fluid trap apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid trap apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an outlet seal configurable to at least partially occlude the first outlet. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid trap apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the second outlet comprises an actuator, and wherein the fluid trap apparatus further comprises a shaft connected to the outlet seal and the actuator, actuating the actuator moves the shaft and the outlet seal to at least partially occlude the first outlet. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid trap apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a biasing element connected to the shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid trap apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the shaft is connected to the flow diffuser, wherein actuating the actuator moves the flow diffuser. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid trap apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a valve; and   a post comprising a release passage,   wherein the second outlet comprises a movable actuator configured to engage the valve with the post to provide a passageway for the separated second fluid.   
     
     
         7 . The fluid trap apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the post is connected to the flow diffuser. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid trap apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a rotatably actuated valve comprising a rotatable ring within a recessed track of the outer wall. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid trap apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the rotatable ring comprises an outlet opening, and wherein rotating the rotatable ring to at least partially align the outlet opening with the second outlet permits expelling the flow of the separated second fluid out of the fluid trap apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid trap apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a third outlet integrated with the outer wall, the third outlet configured to expel the flow of the separated second fluid out of the fluid trap apparatus. 
     
     
         11 . The fluid trap apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the third outlet is disposed opposite the second outlet. 
     
     
         12 . The fluid trap apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flow diffuser comprises a fan blade. 
     
     
         13 . A fluid trap apparatus comprising:
 an outer wall defining an interior chamber;   an inlet extending from the outer wall into the interior chamber, the inlet configured to receive a flow of a composite fluid into the apparatus, the composite fluid having at least a first fluid and a second fluid;   a flow diffuser interposed within the interior chamber and adjacent the inlet, the flow diffuser configured to change a direction of a flow of the composite fluid to separate the first fluid and the second fluid as the composite fluid circulates through the interior chamber;   a first outlet integrated with the outer wall, the first outlet configured to expel a flow of the separated first fluid out of the apparatus; and   an outlet seal configurable to at least partially occlude the first outlet.   
     
     
         14 . The fluid trap apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising a stem connected to the outlet seal. 
     
     
         15 . The fluid trap apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising a float connected to the stem, the float configured to be suspended at an interface between the separated first fluid and the separated second fluid such that the stem moves and at least partially occludes the first outlet based on a level of accumulation of the separated second fluid within the interior chamber. 
     
     
         16 . The fluid trap apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a second outlet integrated with the outer wall, the second outlet configured to expel a flow of the separated second fluid out of the fluid trap apparatus, the second outlet comprising an actuator,   wherein the stem is connected to the outlet seal and the actuator and actuating the actuator moves the outlet seal to at least partially occlude the first outlet.   
     
     
         17 . The fluid trap apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the stem is connected to the flow diffuser, wherein actuating the actuator moves the flow diffuser. 
     
     
         18 . The fluid trap apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a biasing element connected to the stem. 
     
     
         19 . A fluid trap apparatus comprising:
 an outer wall defining an interior chamber;   an inlet extending from the outer wall into the interior chamber, the inlet configured to receive a flow of a composite fluid into the apparatus, the composite fluid having at least a first fluid and a second fluid;   a flow diffuser interposed centrally within the interior chamber and adjacent the inlet, the flow diffuser configured to change a direction of a flow of the composite fluid to separate the first fluid and the second fluid as the composite fluid circulates through the interior chamber;   a first outlet integrated with the outer wall, the first outlet configured to expel a flow of the separated first fluid out of the fluid trap apparatus;   a second outlet integrated with the outer wall, the second outlet configured to expel a flow of the separated second fluid out of the fluid trap apparatus; and   a third outlet integrated with the outer wall, the third outlet configured to expel the flow of the separated second fluid out of the fluid trap apparatus.   
     
     
         20 . The fluid trap apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising a rotatably actuated valve comprising a rotatable ring within a recessed track of the outer wall,
 wherein the rotatable ring comprises an outlet opening, and   wherein rotating the rotatable ring to at least partially align the outlet opening with the second outlet or the third outlet permits expelling the flow of the separated second fluid out of the fluid trap apparatus.