GB620619A - Improvements in or relating to vortex type separators and to methods of operating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

620,619. Centrifugal separators. VICKERY, F. W. Jan. 23, 1947, No. 2145. [Class 23] [Also in Group XXVI] In a vortex type separator, the undesirable matter which settles in the sump is intermittently, or continuously, cleared by means which prevent ingress of air to the sump so that the amount of matter in the sump remains substantially constant. One means, Fig. 3, for a sump 27 comprises reciprocating pistons 29, 30 which periodically move apart to form a collecting pocket 51. The pocket is moved to the left and washed out by water from a supply under control of a valve 55 opened by contact of a head 53 and the end of the yoke 32. The yoke is moved by pin and slot mechanism 34, 35 through a lever 36, pivoted at 37, which is controlled by a cam wheel 39 and a roller 38. The cam is driven frictionally by a shaft 41, geared to a driving shaft 42, but remains stationary until a cam 48 engages a roller 50 and trips a pawl 46 to release a nose 45. The piston 29, fixed to the yoke 32, is pushed back to the right by the end of the piston 30 which can move relatively to the yoke. The sump 27 is hinged at 59 and held in the position shown by a clamp In a modification the reciprocations of the pistons are obtained through a worm and worm-wheel drive, the wheel having a pin which extends into a slot in the yoke frame. Hydraulic means (Fig. 10) to secure reciprocation are provided by differentsized pistons 69, 70, in cylinders 71, 72 which are controlled by liquid under pressure supplied to or exhausted from pipes 73, 74, 75. The liquid supply is controlled by a rotary valve 110, having part annular channels in its face which co-act with supply or exhaust grooves in the face of a casing 99. A spring 113 presses the valve against the casing. A face cam 117 acts on a head 153 of a valve stem 154 which controls the admission of the flushing water to a pipe 66. The piston 69 is fixed to a rod 68 but lost motion is provided between the rod 68 and the piston 70, the rod having a reduced portion 76, slidable in the piston 70. The pistons contact stops 81, 82. Supply pipes 175 and an exhaust 98, are provided as shown. A further arrangement, Fig. 13, uses meshing screws 83, geared together, which are placed under a static head at their exit, provided by liquid contained in a tank 88, which prevents ingress of air into the separator. A single screw, provided with jets of water along its length, may be used instead. A further means to remove matter from the sump comprises a pocketed wheel which is periodically turned to empty a pocket. A vacuum line is provided on the side of the wheel approaching the sump opening, or the approaching pocket may be filled with water. A dashpot may be used to control the speed of separation of the pistons 29, 30. The means may be manually operated. Specification 532,808 and U.S.A. Specification 2,375,826 are referred to.