GB569452A - Improvements in or relating to balancing means for centrifugal machines and the like,particularly hydro-extractors - Google Patents

Abstract

569,452. Centrifugal machines. McCULLUM, T. Nov. 18, 1943, No. 19315. [Class 23] 'Balancing means for a centrifugal machine such as a hydro-extractor, of the type comprising a shaft and a rotatable body driven at high speed by one end of the shaft, comprises interconnected segmental compartments containing liquid or liquid and solids which are led to the lighter side of the rotating body when the unbalanced basket tips. Water, oil, mercury or metal balls may be used as balancing means. Fig. 2 shows a perforated basket 10, which rotates about a vertical axis 11, provided with an annular container 12 mounted by brackets on the basket. A partition 16 separates upper and lower chambers 18, 20. The chamber 18 is divided into four compartments 24 ... 27 by partitions 22, and the chamber 20 is divided into four compartments 30 ... 33, which lie respectively below the compartments 24 ... 27, by partitions 28. The lower compartments are in open communication with each other at the bottom through ports 34. Liquid is supplied to 20 up to a level 36. Four air tubes 38 ... 41 connect the upper parts of the lower compartment with the upper parts of the upper compartment. Passages 42 ... 45 connect the lower part of each lower compartment with the bottom of the upper compartment on the diametricallyopposite side of the rotating basket. Each passage has bent ends 46, 50 and a connecting part 48. The part 46 extends through the partition 16 near a vertical partition 22 and 50 faces the direction of rotation of the basket and is positioned near a vertical partition 28 in a lower compartment opposite to that in which the end 46 is placed. When the axis 11 is vertical and the basket at rest, the upper portions of compartments 30 ... 33 communicate with each other through pipes 60 containing liquid which does not fill the pipe completely. Upon rotation of the basket, under centrifugal action, the liquid fills each pipe 60 and seals off each upper compartment 30 ... 33. Similar connecting means may be used to connect the upper parts of compartments 24 ... 27. A safety valve 62 and a filling orifice 64 are provided. When running in an unbalanced condition, the basket will tilt towards the heavier side, the liquid in the lower compartments of that side will deepen, and on the other side a partial vacuum formed on the shallower side causing liquid to be sucked over, by crossconnections, to the lighter side of the basket and thus restore its balance. The lower compartments 30 ... 33 may also be placed in open communication by means of cross-tubes 54 ... 57, and the size of ports 34 reduced or the ports dispensed with. The liquid used may have a freezing temperature which is below 32‹ F. Fig. 4 shows an alternative arrangement in which the upper chamber 76 is divided up into, e.g. light segments by partitions. These segments open below into a neck 80 which has a number of cross-connecting passages 92 of helical formation connecting parts of a sump 78, each with a diametricallyopposite compartment in 76. The passages 92 may be grooves or formed by wires 94. Liquid and metal balls may be placed in 78. When the rotating basket is unbalanced the liquid and balls collect at a situation radially in line with the overloaded side of the basket and will work up the spiral grooves to diametrically placed compartments in the upper part 76, their movement being in the reverse direction to that of the basket.