SE310649B - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,070,610. Separating particles from gases; centrifugal separators. DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT CO. Inc. April 21, 1966 [May 28, 1965], No. 17556/66. Headings BIT and B2P. [Also in Division Fl] Solid or liquid particles are separated from a gas by passing the gas through a grid consisting of spaced, parallel rods 72 which are each rotated at high speed in the same direction, so that a particle tending to pass between two rods is caught by the rotating boundary layer round one rod and thereby moved by centrifugal force into the oppositely moving boundary layer round the adjacent rod (Fig. 7, not shown) and particles are thus returned to the upstream side of the grid. The grid may be planar or curved and in Fig. 2 comprises an annular array of rods 72. Air enters the interior space by a tangential inlet (24), and the rotation of the rods induces further rotary movement of the air within the rod assembly, separated particles falling into a removable container 30. The air flow is induced by an upstream pressure source or by the pumping action of the rods. Compressed air, delivered to annular chambers 48, 66, passes along channels in fixed supports (76), located coaxially within hollow rods 72, and is used to rotate rods 72 and as a lubricant separating relatively moving surfaces (Figs. 3-6, not shown). In an example rods 72 are 7/8 inches in diameter, spaced 0.040 inches apart and rotate at 75,000 r.p.m., and bearing surfaces of supports (76) and rods 72 have 0.0001 inches clearance. Rods 72 could be turned by a belt or gear drive.