GB2128723A - Hydro-extractor - Google Patents

Abstract

A hydro-extractor 1 has an outer casing 3 suspended on a triangular framework of columns 4 and a base plate 5 secured on a concrete foundation 2. The casing 3 is supported on the columns 4 by an arrangement including an out-of-balance switch 20 which will cause the rotation of the basket 7 to stop if the radial movement of the casing 3 due to out-of-balance of the basket 7 during rotation is above a predetermined limit. The casing 3 contains a rotatable perforate basket 7. The open end 10 of the casing 3 can be closed off by a hinged and counter- weighted lid 6. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Hydro-extractor The present invention relates to improvements in and relating to hydro-extractors.

Such machines, also known as whizzers generally comprise a perforated cylinder into which material to be dried is inserted and whereby upon rotation of the cylinder centrifugal force will removethe liquid therefrom.

Various disadvantages have been found in hydroextractors available to the present time and it is thus an object of the present invention to provide a hydro-extractorwhich obviates at least certain of these disadvantages and provide a liquid extraction from materials placed therein in a speedy, efficient and reliable manner.

Further objects of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description.

According to one aspect ofthe present invention there is thus provided a hydrn-extrnctorcomprising: (a) an outer casing mounted on suspension means enabling controlled radial movement of said casing; (b) a perforate, substantially hollow, basket rotatably mounted within said casing and adapted to receive material from which liquid is to be extracted by centrifugal action; (c) a drive shaft connected with, to rotate, said basket; (d) drive means coupled with to drive said drive shaft; (el a braking means operable on said drive shaft to control the rotation of said basket; (f) a cover means provided to close an open upper end of said casing when a liquid extraction operation is being effected.

Further aspects of this invention which should be considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following description given by way ofexampleofonepossibleembodimentthereofand in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein; FIGURES 1 & :show plan and side views of a hydro-extractor according to one embodiment ofthe invention and particularly the foundations therefor; FIGURES3 & a: show more detailed, partcross- sectioned, views of the hydro-extractor of the preceding figures; FIGURES 4 & 5: show cross-sectional and end-detail views of the basket assemblyforuse in the hydroextractor of the preceding figures; FIGURE 6: shows a cross-sectional view of a center-piece assembly for use with the basket of Figures 4 and 5; FIGURE 7: shows a cross-sectional view of the suspension assembly for use in the hydro-extractor of the preceding figures; FIGURE 8: shows schematically an hydraulic circuit suitablefor use with the hydro-extractor of the preceding figures; FIGURES9 & 10: show plan and side cross-sectional views of a braking assembly suitable for use with the hydro-extractorofthe preceding figures; FIGURE I I: shows schematically an hydraulic circuitfortwo hydro-extractors; FIGURE 12: shows schematically an hydraulic circuitfora single hydro-extractor; FIGURE 13: shows schematically an out - of - balance switch assembly suitable for usewith the hyd ro-extractor of the preceding figures.

The present invention can be broadly said to relate to a hydro-extractorwhich, whilst it has been specifically developed for the centrifugal de-watering of lamb and sheep pelts after a washing process, could be used forthe removal of any liquid from any of a wide variety of materials such as animal skins, wool, textile materials and granular materials for example.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the hydro-extractor will be hydraulically driven from an external drive control assembly and will be fitted with suitable interlocks and other safetyfeatures whereby the acceleration, running and braking sequences, will be automatically controlled.

The hydro-extractorwill generally comprise an outer casing which will be freely suspended suitably from a plurality, three or more, of suspension bolts depending from pillar housings. These can have hemispherical bearings whereby the casing will be permitted free but limited movement radially in all directions.

Within the casing will be mounted a suitable perforate basket rotatably mounted therewithin on a substantially vertical drive shaft. The drive shaft is suitably mounted within a column having bearings whereby journal and thrust loads from the rotating basket and contents thereof can be absorbed.

The drive shaft will suitably be directedly coupled to an hydraulic motor whereby the basket can be rotated at a controlled rate of acceleration up to the desired operating speed.

The casing will have a substantially open upper end enabling access to the baskettherewithin for insertion and removal ofthe material to be de-watered but a hinged and counterbalanced safety cover will suitably be provided for the casing which when in its lowered positions will close this opening. A suitable switching means will suitably be provided wherebythe basket will not be able to be rotated atotherthan a slow speed of rotation unless the cover is in its closed position.

Also, a centrifugal latch means may suitably be provided which can engage with the cover and prevent it being opened while the basket is rotating at other than its slow rotation speed. In addition an hydraulic latch cylinderand/or mechanical latch means may suitably be provided to engage the cover.

The coverwill suitably have a peripheral flexible member on its underside providing a seal between it and the casing. It has been found experimentally that when the basket is rotating a reduced pressure is created within the casing maintained by the aforementioned seal. The resultant downward air pressure on the cover is such that the cover cannot be manually opened either by lifting from the outer edge or by bearing down on the counter-weight arm. This therefore provides a safetyfeature additional to the aforesaid centrifugal latch.

As aforementioned the casing will suitably have a free but limited movement radially in all directions.

Howeverto prevent damage to the hydro-extractor if the casing movement became too great, an out-ofbalance switching means may be provided on one of the aforesaid columns which will be contacted and operated by the casing if its movements exceeds a predetermined value so that the normal stop and braking sequence will be actuated to bring the basket to rest.

Atiming means will suitably be provided whereby an automatic braking system will bring the basket to rest at the end of a predetermined time of rotation of the basket at its full speed.

The hydraulic drive motor, which as aforementioned may suitably be directly coupled to the drive shaft, may be supplied with hydraulic oil at controlled pressure and volume from an external, if necessary remotely mounted, hydraulic power pack. The power pack may comprise a motordriven hydraulic pump with suitable control valves and the like to allow automatic operation and control of the hydro-extrac tor drive. Suitablefilters, oil cooler and oil reservoir will be provided in known manner.

The controls for the hydro extractor may be contained in one or more separate housings with a main control panel housing the starterforthe pump motortogetherwith the relays, solenoid operated control valves, timers etc. which control the operating and braking sequences together with the necessary interlocks whilst operator controls located near the machine would include a control station having suitable push buttons and indicator lights.

In operating the hydro-extractorthe "start" button on the main control panel may be operated which will startthe electric motorforthe hydraulic pump. The coverwill then be raised and the operator would press the "brake release" button at the control station and then the "slow rotate" button so that the basket can be slowly rotated and even loading of the basket can be facilitated.

Once loaded the cover can be lowered which will actuate the safety switch and the operator can then press the "fast rotate button" which will allow the basketto accelerate up to its running speed. During acceleration the centrifugal or other latch on the casing when provided will engage with the cover to prevent its being opened while the basket is rotating at speed.

Atthe end of a predetermined running period the timerwill automatically initiate a 2-stage braking sequence. In thefirst stage the drive motor is caused to act as a pump with a restricted discharge so it acts as a brake and decelerates the rotation of the basket.

Finally the disc brake system is energised and brings the basketto rest.

Once the basket is at rest the centrifugal latch, and the hydraulic latch cylinder iffitted, will disengage and thecovercan be raised andthebasketunloaded.To facilitate unloading the operator can press the "Brake release" button which allows the basket to be rotated by hand or alternatively the "slow rotate" button can be operated.

If required the hydraulic power pack can, with the addition of suitable interlocks and controls, be arranged to drive a pair of hydro-extractors ofthe present invention sothat one can be unloaded and loaded while the other is running.

The casing would be provided with a suitable discharge outlet whereby liquid removed from the basket contents through the perforations ofthe basket and collected in the casing can be discharged, suitably by gravity.

Counterweights may be fitted to the lower part of thecasingorthebottomofthecasing maysuitablybe filled with concrete or similar danse material so asto increase its mass which will enable a greaterout- of balance in the load to be tolerated before the radial movement of the casing becomes too severe and the out - of - balance switch mentioned above operates to stop the basket.

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein one possible embodiment of the invention and suitable ancillary and associated equip menttherefor are illustrated.

Thus, referring firstlyto Figures 1 and 2, a hydroextractor 1 according to one embodiment of the invention includes a casing 3 suspended on a triangularframework of columns 4 mounted on a baseplate 5 which in turn is secured by means of holding - down bolts 5a with a concrete foundation 2.

The casing 3 has an open upper end which can be closed by a hinged and counterbalanced lid or safety cover 6 and which can be raised in a direction indicated by arrow A when unloading or loading the contents into a basket 7, see Figure 3, is required.

Referring to Figures 3 and 3a ofthe accompanying drawings the lid 6 is shown with a counterweight 8 and hinge assembly 9 enabling itto close-off an open end 10 of the casing 3. Aswitch 38 can be controlled by the lid 6 and in turn control circuitry associated with the drive to the basket7 so that unless the lid 6 is closed the basket 7 cannot run at speed. A hollow perforate basket 7 is shown rotatably mounted within the casing 3, having a central mounting portion 11 whereby the basket 7 can be connected with a vertical drive shaft 12. A resilient seal 6a is provided underthe safety cover6 so that reduced pressure in the casing 3 created by rotation of the basket 7 can be maintained.

This reduced pressure will actagainstthe manual opening of the cover when the basket is at speed. A latch assembly 37, for example of the centrifugal type as shown can be provided to hold the cover 6 closed while the basket 7 is rotating at speed. The latch assembly 37, see Figures 3 and 6, has a pair of oppositely facing hooked latch members 54 pivoted by pivot bolts 53 extending between pairs of upstanding supports 52 provided on either side of a mounting plate 50 which has an aperture 51 to enable itto fit over thethreaded drive shaft end 12a. The members 54 thrown outwardly by centrifugal force when the basket7 rotates to engage an angle retaining ring 55 bolted underthe cover 6. Alternatively, or additionally, a hydraulically operated lid latch 46 and/or a mechanical latch 36 could be used.

As shown in Figures4and 5 the basket7 can include a peripheral lip 13 with top and bottomflange members 14 being shown provided and riveted or otherwise secured to the top, bottom and side wall members forming the basket The side wall member at least is perforated to enable the egress therefrom of liquid from the contents of the basket by centrifugal action as the basket is rotated at high speed.

As will be particularly seen from reference to Figure 6the centerpiece assembly referenced generally by arrow 15 provides a rotatable mounting for the drive shaft 12 on which the basket7 is itself mounted. The assembly 15 is shown provided with a flange portion 16which can be bolted or otherwise secured to the casing through bolt holes 17 and a central boss portion 18 including roller bearings 19 which are able to accommodate journal and thrust loads from the driveshaft 12 and basket 7 mounted thereon.

As shown, the top ofthe drive shaft 12 is tapered so as to accept the taper on the central portion 11 of the basket7,athreaded end 12a ofthe shaft 12 being provided to accept a nutassembly 24 after the basket central portion 11 and mounting plate 50 has been placed thereover.

The casing 3 is supported as aforementioned by a pturalityofcolumns or pedestals 4.

Aswill be seen particularlyfrom Figures 3 and 7 the casing 3 has outwardly directed support bars or shafts 23 which are engaged by a respective suspension bolt 22 atthetop endofwhich is provided a hemispherical bearing 21 permitting the radial movement of the casing 3 as the basket7 is rotated. This radial movement ofthe casing 3 is kept within predetermined limits by an out - of- balance switch 20 hereinafter described in greater detail in relation to Figure 13.

Referring nowto Figure 8 ofthe accompanying drawings the basket 7 is shown schematically with its drive shaft 12 directly coupled with an hydraulic motor 25, disc brakes 34 hereinafter described in greater detail with reference to Figures 9 and 10 being shown provided for the shaft 12.

A suitable self contained externalpowcrpack27 is shown provided connected with the brakes 34 and hydraulic motor 25 so that the rotation ofthe hyd ro-basket can be controlled. The hydraulic system enables the baskets to be driven attwo speeds, controlled by the aforementioned "slow rotate" and "fast rotate" control buttons(notshown). The fast speed will not be capable ofselection however until the safety switch 38 is operated indicating the cover 6 islowernd.Thepowerpack27whichmay be of any suitabletype may suitably include an oil cooler28, an oil reservoir 29, a pump 30, suction filter 31 and gate valve 32.The hydraulic system allows for braking of the basket rotation in 2 stages. When the "stop" button is operated delivery of oil from the pump 41 is stopped and oil still circulating through the motor25is relieved across the crossflow valve 44 under pressure thus giving the motor 25 a braking action. After a suitable and adjustable time delay, during which the basket 7 is decelerated, the brake solenoid 43 is energised and the disc brakes 34 are applied thus bringing the basketto rest.

The disc brake assembly referenced generally by arrow 26 is shown in greater detail in Figures 9 and 10.

The bottom of the drive shaft 12 extending through the boss 18 and roller bearing 19 is shown provided with an outwardly extending disc plate 33 which as the shaft 12 rotates passes between brake calipers 34, a direct coupling being provided from the shaft 12 to hydraulic motor 25.

In Figure 9 which is a cross sectional view taken on arrows X-X of Figure 10 the calipers 34 are shown positioned on either side ofthedisc plate 33 with the hydraulic coupling to the calipers 34 being shown in outline. This coupling is itself coupled to a suitable solenoid or other control valve whereby at the end of a predetermined time, the operation of the "stop" button, or the operation of the out- of - balance switch, the brakes will be applied so that the rotation of the basket 7 is stopped.

Referring briefly to Figures 12 and 11, these respectively show hydrauliccircuitsfora dual and a single machine drive.

Thus in Figure 11 the hydraulic lines 40 will be connected with the other hydro-extractor whilst the circuitshown includes pump 41, hydraulic motor25, solenoid valves 43, cross-flow valves 44, brake cylinders 34 and lid latch cylinder 46 (the latter being an optional feature which may preferably be omitted).

The pump 41 may suitably be driven by an electric motor47. Additional hydro-extractors could however be connected into the circuit if required.

In the hydraulic circuit shown in Figure 12 for use with a single machine the same reference numerals have been used where appropriate. A pressure switch 48 is shown included which may however be omitted, drain lines 49 being shown in outline in both figures connected with reservoir 29.

Turning now to Figure 13, the casing 3 is shown provided with an out - of - balance switch 20 which comprises a bracket 51 provided on the casing 3 with an aperture therein accommodating a downwardly depending member 52 connected with a suitable switching means 53. Thus, if the radial movement of the casing 3 due to out - of - balance of the basket during rotation is above a predetermined limit, detemined by the relative shape and size of the aperture in bracket51 and member52 respectively, the corresponding movementofthe bracket 51 will be such asto engage and move the member 52 to a sufficient degree to operate the switching means 53 resulting in the operation ofthe "stop" control and thus bringing the basket 7 to rest.

As an additional safety feature, and as mentioned above, it is envisaged that a mechanical latch 36 may be provided connecting the lid 6 with the casing 3.

Preferably this would be spring loaded so that it automatically latches when the lid 3 is closed and is manually released when the lid 3 is to be opened. This would be an alternative to the previously mentioned hydraulically operated lid latch cylinder 46.

Where in the aforegoing description reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Althoughthisinvention has been described byway of example and with reference to one possible embodiment thereof, improvements or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended

Claims (12)

claims. CLAIMS

1. A hydro-extractor comprising: (a) an outer casing mounted on suspension means enabling controlled radial movement of said casing; (b) a perforate, substantially hollow, basket rotat ably mounted within said casing and adapted to receive material from which liquid is to be extracted by centrifugal action; (c) a drive shaft connected with, to rotate, said basket (d) drive means coupled with, to drive, said drive shaft; (e) braking means operable on said drive shaftto control the rotation of said basket; (f) a cover means provided to close an open upper end of said casing when a liquid extraction operation is being effected.

2. Ahydro-extractorasclaimed in Claim 1 wherein said suspension means comprises: (a) a plurality of columns spaced apart about said outer casing; (b) a bearing means provided atan upper end of each of said columns; (c) a suspension member located within said bearing means and extending downwardly therefrom; (d) a support bar connected at one end with said outercasing and atan opposite end connected with a lower end of said suspension member.

3. A hydro-extractor as claimed in Claim 2 in which said suspension means further comprises an out - of balance switching means which detects an out - of balance of the basket during rotation above a predetermined limit, said switching means comprising a bracket means connected with said outer casing and extending outwardly therefrom, said bracket means including an aperture therein, a switch including an operating member extending into said aperture and adapted to be operated by the movement of said bracket when said predetermined limit is exceeded.

4. A hydro-extractor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a central portion of said basket is adapted to accommodate therein an upper portion of said drive shaft, a lower portion of said drive shaft having a disc plate extending outwardly therefrom and rotatable between, and engageable by, said braking means, said lower portion of said drive shaft being directly coupled to said drive means.

5. A hydro-extractor as claimed in Claim 4 wherein said drive means comprises an hydraulic motor coupled with, to be driven by, an hydraulic power pack external of said casing.

6. A hydro-extractor as claimed in Claim wherein said power pack includes a crossflow valve means and a brake solenoid means connected respectively with said motor and said braking means whereby upon operation of said drive means being terminated oil still circulating through the motor will be relieved across the crossflow valve under pressure to operate as a brake on the motor until, after a time delay, the brake solenoid means is energised to apply said braking means to said disc plate.

7. A hydro-extractoras claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims wherein a lower portion of said casing is associated with a mass adapted to enable a greaterout- of- balance in the load contained within the basketto be accommodated.

8. A hydro-extractor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one latch engageably connects said cover means and said casing while said basket is being driven at speed.

9. A hydro-extractor as claimed in claim 8 whereiri said at least one latch includes a centrifugal latch assembly comprising a pair of oppositely facing hooked latch members thrown out by centrifugal speed when the basket is rotating to engage a latching member provided on said cover means.

10. A hydro-extractoras claimed in any one ofthe preceding claimswhereina resilient seal is provided on an underside of said cover means to maintain a reduced pressure created bytherotation of the basket within the casing.

11. A hydro-extractorasclaimed in Claim 5 wherein said hydraulic power pack has additional hydraulic leads connecting it in parallel with one or more additional hydro-extractors.

12. A hydro-extractor, substantially as hereinbefore described with referenceto the accompanying drawings.