GB715459A - Improvements in automatic balancing of horizontal centrifugal extractors - Google Patents

Abstract

715,459. Centrifugal separators. UNITED STATES HOFFMAN MACHINERY CORPORATION. Dec. 12, 1952 [Dec. 29, 1951], No. 31529/52. Class 23 A perforated horizontal drum 12, in a hydroextractor. is driven by a shaft 11, the drum being mounted on bearings 38 which are carried by one or more stub shafts 34 having eccentric portions 34<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 8 which may oscillate in support bearings 32. Balancing pockets 20 are supplied with liquid in accordance with the variation in eccentricity assumed between the support bearings 32 and the drum rotation bearings 38. A tension spring 44 and rod 40 resist the angular movement of each stub shaft 34 which is produced by uneven loading (as of clothing) in the rotating drum 12. Normally the bearings 32 are # in. higher than the bearings 38. A sliding key 37 allows slight relative motion between the shaft 11 and the drum when the latter is oscillated about the support bearings 32. An Oldham coupling may be used instead. Each stub shaft may have two bearings 32<SP>11</SP> or one only. A liquid reservoir 47, on the drum, centrifugally supplies liquid to pipes 50, 52, 54, 56 during rotation and pockets 20, under control of valves 51 which are opened by push rods 58 acted on by sleeves 61. Each sleeve is rotatable on a concentric fixed bearing member 62. Thus when the drum is caused to oscillate, due to uneven loading, the push rods open certain valves 51 to supply balancing pockets with liquid. Each pocket 20 is divided axially by a partition 24. Balancing liquid may be admitted to both portions simultaneously through two valves 51 if the cylinder unbalance is evenly distributed along the length of the drum, or more readily flow into one end section should the condition of unbalance exist more at one end than at the other. When balance in the drum is restored. liquid drains back from pockets 20 through pipes 65, 66 to the reservoir 47. The eccentric means of securing balance may be applied at one end only of a drum, if the latter is of the open-ended type. A sliding door 14 is used to allow the insertion of materials to be centrifuged. A surrounding housing 25, having end walls 26, 27 may hold washing or dry-cleaning solution, a drain valve 29 being provided.