B04C APPARATUS USING FREE VORTEX FLOW, e.g. CYCLONES ( jet mills B02C19/06; cyclonic type combustion apparatus F23; )
Introduced: September 1968
Description
B04C covers apparatus that exploit natural vortex formation (free vortex flow) to separate or process materials, with cyclones as the primary example. These devices rely on centrifugal forces generated by rotational fluid motion rather than mechanical rotation, making them suitable for gas-solid, liquid-solid, and liquid-liquid separations in industrial applications. Typical technologies include hydrocyclones, dust cyclones, and classifier cyclones used in mining, chemical processing, and environmental control. This subclass excludes mechanically-driven centrifugal equipment covered by B04B.
Title
Titles differ between systems:
IPC: APPARATUS USING FREE VORTEX FLOW, e.g. CYCLONES
CPC: APPARATUS USING FREE VORTEX FLOW, e.g. CYCLONES ( jet mills B02C19/06; cyclonic type combustion apparatus F23; )
Full Title
Full titles differ between systems:
APPARATUS USING FREE VORTEX FLOW, e.g. CYCLONES
APPARATUS USING FREE VORTEX FLOW, e.g. CYCLONES ( jet mills B02C19/06; cyclonic type combustion apparatus F23; )
Additional Content IPC
Combinations of cyclones with filters, for separating particles from gases or vapours Combinations of cyclones with electrostatic precipitating arrangements Cyclonic type combustion apparatus using fluent fuel Vortex burners e.g. for cyclone-type combustion apparatus
IPC and CPC are identically structured here. All 6 subcodes exist in both systems.
3 shared codes have differing titles between IPC and CPC.
Child Classifications
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- B04C 1/00 Apparatus in which the main direction of flow follows a flat spiral IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
- B04C 11/00 Accessories, e.g. safety or control devices, not otherwise provided for (with electrostatic precipitating arrangements B03C3/14) IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
- B04C 3/00 Apparatus in which the axial direction of the vortex remains unchanged +2 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
- B04C 5/00 Apparatus in which the axial direction of the vortex is reversed IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
- B04C 7/00 Apparatus not provided for in group B04C1/00, B04C3/00, or B04C5/00; Multiple arrangements not provided for in one of the groups B04C1/00, B04C3/00, or B04C5/00; Combinations of apparatus covered by two or more of the groups B04C1/00, B04C3/00, or B04C5/00 IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
- B04C 9/00 Combinations with other devices, e.g. fans, (with filters B01D50/00) +6 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
Top Applicants
Top Applicants (IPC)
Class B04,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- ALFA LAVAL SE 541
- GEA MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT DE 297
- CSSC NANJING LUZHOU MACHINE COMPANY 165
- GEA WESTFALIA SEPARATOR GROUP DE 138
- FLOTTWEG SE DE 124
- ANDREAS HETTICH & COMPANY DE 108
- OMACHRON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CA 98
- MANN + HUMMEL DE 95
- DYSON GB 87
- JIANGSU SAIDELI PHARMACEUTICAL MACHINE COMPANY 82
Top Applicants (CPC)
Class B04,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- ALFA LAVAL SE 576
- GEA MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT DE 304
- DYSON GB 221
- LG ELECTRONICS KR 151
- GEA WESTFALIA SEPARATOR GROUP DE 138
- FLOTTWEG SE DE 129
- FENWAL US 114
- BECTON, DICKINSON & COMPANY US 112
- ANDREAS HETTICH & COMPANY DE 109
- OMACHRON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CA 108