Vortex adaption preventer

Abstract

An apparatus to prevent formation of a vortex has a ring-shaped gasket having a bottom surface and a top surface; and a blade assembly mounted on the top surface and comprising a center portion and plural blades of a defined height. Each of the blades extend from the center portion to the top surface, with each pair of the plural blades defining a filter based at least in part on spacing between the pair of plural blades.

At least the following is claimed: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a ring-shaped gasket having a bottom surface and a top surface; and   a blade assembly mounted on the top surface and comprising a center portion and plural blades of a defined height, each of the blades extending from the center portion to the top surface, each pair of blades spaced apart and defining a first channel relative to the gasket, the first channel comprising a member extending between the center portion and the top surface, each blade and one of the adjacent members defining a second channel relative to the gasket.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second channel comprises a filter size that is configured to permit fluid flow and block particles greater than the filter size. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plural blades comprise a quantity of at least three blades. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plural blades consists of a quantity of between three and eight blades, inclusive. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plural blades are spaced equidistantly apart and of a same geometric configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plural blades comprises an outer portion comprising multiple outer edges and an inner portion having a first portion adjacent the center portion along a defined length and a second portion extending from an end of the defined length of the center portion to the top surface. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the center portion comprises an end proximal to the gasket and an end distal to the gasket, wherein the plural blades collectively form a peak at the distal end relative to the proximal end, and each blade extends laterally, along an angle, a defined distance from the peak to a respective point located between the proximal and distal ends. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the respective points of the plural blades conceptually define a circle having a same or a larger diameter than an outside diameter of the gasket. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each member has a curved shape, a spline shape, or a straight-edge shape. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the gasket comprises a recessed portion disposed between the top surface and the bottom surface of the gasket. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a sealing member disposed in the recessed portion. 
     
     
         12 . A system, comprising:
 a chemical eductor having a progressively decreasing volumetric space that terminates at an outlet; and   an apparatus disposed in the outlet, the apparatus comprising:
 a ring-shaped gasket having a bottom surface and a top surface; and 
 a blade assembly mounted on the top surface and comprising a center portion and plural blades of a defined height, each of the blades extending from the center portion to the top surface, each pair of blades spaced apart and defining a first channel relative to the gasket, the first channel comprising a member extending between the center portion and the top surface, each blade and one of the adjacent members defining a second channel relative to the gasket. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the plural blades comprises a quantity of at least three blades. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein each of the plural blades comprises an outer portion comprising multiple outer edges and an inner portion having a first portion adjacent the center portion along a defined length and a second portion extending from an end of the defined length of the center portion to the top surface. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein each member has a curved shape, a spline shape, or a straight-edge shape. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a ring-shaped gasket having a bottom surface and a top surface; and   a blade assembly mounted on the top surface and comprising a center portion and plural blades of a defined height, each of the blades extending from the center portion to the top surface, each pair of the plural blades defining a filter based at least in part on spacing between the pair of plural blades.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the blade assembly further comprises plural members that extend between the center portion and the top surface, wherein the plural members and plural blades are arranged in alternating positions. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the filter is further defined based on spacing between one of the plural blades and one of the plural members. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the filter comprises a filter size, the filter size defined by a width between the one of the plural blades and the one of the plural members. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the filter comprises a filter size, the filter size defined by a width between the pair of blades.