US1118614A

US1118614A - Slime-separator.

Info

Publication number: US1118614A
Application number: US84136914A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles Allen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1914-05-27
Filing date: 1914-05-27
Publication date: 1914-11-24
Anticipated expiration: 1931-11-24

Description

G. ALLEN.

SLIMB SEPARATOR.

APPLIOATION FILED was, 1910, RENEWED MAY 27.1014. 1,1 18,614.

Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHBBT 1.

C. ALLEN.

SLIME SEPARATOR.

APPLICATION FILED was, 1910. RENEWED MAY 27,1914.

Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

CHARLES ALLEN, or increase, TEXAS.

SLIME-SEPARATOR Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 24:, 1914.

Application filed August 3, 1910, Serial No. 575,327. Renewed May 27, 1914. Serial No. 841,369.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES ALLEN, citizen of the United States, residing at El Paso, in the county of El Paso and State of Texas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Slime-Separators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to apparatus for settling and separating pulp and slime.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple, practical slime separator of maximum capacity and efficiency, and it embodies an apparatus whereby a certain depth of settled material may be maintained over the outlet of the settling receptacle; in which the controlling of the discharge from 'the settling receptacle of the material settled in it is effected in such manner that it passes out in proportion to the quantity settling in the receptacle so long as the quantity does not exceed the capacity of the discharge orifice; in which the limitation of the quantity of settled particles discharged during any given time prevents the choking of the inverted siphon; when no solid particles are entering the receptacle, no solid particles are discharged therefrom, nor is any water discharged from the outlet for the solid particles; in which the quantity of water for removing the settled solids does not pass through the discharge orifice for the solids, but is under separate control; this water for the removal of the solids being taken from the overflow of the receptacle or from an outside source; to provide for an economy in the use of the water employed for removing the settled solids whereby the quantity of water so used does not exceed the volume necessary to carry with it the maximum quantity of solid particles that can pass through the discharge orifice from the receptacle; hence the settled discharge solids can be almost free from accompanying water; to provide means for automatically regulating the separate water flow, and discharging the solids proportionally with the settling of the solids in the receptacle; to provide means whereby a true level of the overflow periphery of the receptacle is secured and maintained.

There are other objects and advantages which will be apparent hereinafter.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction and combination of parts machine.

as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in whicht Figure 1 is a vertical section through the Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the valve seat. Fig. l is a detail of the key and removable section of the valve seat. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the plate which holds the valve seat in place. Fig. 6 is a detail in section of the means for adjusting the rim of the settling tank.

A represents a settling receptacle of suitable size, shape and material. Preferably it is in the form of a cone, and ordinarily it is made with its sides at an angle of to It is appropriately mounted on the frame B.

2 is a similar cone immersed in the water contained in cone A and buoyed up by an air chamber 3. The buoyancy of the air chamber 3 may be varied by means of the water pipe 4 and air cock 4:, by letting in the water and letting out a corresponding amount of air. a

5 is a casting fastened to and surrounding the inverted apex portion of the cone, and from which casting the settled material in cone 2 discharges into the inverted, stationary receptacle or cone A.

7 is a valve stem or rod suitably support ed, as shown at 6, centrally within the cone 2 and extending down through the discharge from cone 2 into the cone A, and carrying on its lower end a valve plate 8 which controls the discharge from the orifice 9 in the inverted apex of the receptacle A.

10 is a replaceable plate forming a valve seat for the valve plate 8. This replaceable plate 10 is smooth on both sides where it bears against the other parts. It has a downwardly projecting, annular knife-edge 10 against which the plate 8 seats, as shown. This downwardly projecting, knifeedge 10 with the annular depression on the under side of the plate 10 insures the tight closing of the discharge orifice 9 and witlr out this construction the sand on the plate 8 would he likely to get between it and the valve seat and prevent a proper closure. In order to allow the plate 10 to be removed or replaced at any time without dismantling the machine, one side of the plate is provided with a radial wedge or key 10', Fig. 4-, fitting a slot 10 in the plate, whereby on withdrawing the plug or wedge 10' plate 10 can be removed sidewise past the valve stem 7. "When it is desired to replace one plate 10 with another, the plug 10 in each plate is withdrawn and the slot 10*. in the new plate is placed against the slot of the old plate; then the old plate is driven out by the new, the rod 7 passing through both slots until it is improper central position in the new plate. The plug 10 of the latter is then inserted, and a projection 10 on 10 insures it being driven in exactly the proper distance to complete the annular, knife-edge projection and seat for plate& The valve plate 10 is held to its seat against a casting 13 by means of a ring 11 and tie-bolts 12; the casting 13 being in the form of a hollow, truncated cone slipped over the apex of the tank A and bolted thereto, and having upwardly extending lugs through which the bolts 12 pass. I

14L is a bottom casting or trap having a sump pocket or trough 20 and held in place by bolts 15 which fit in the notches 15, Fig. 5.

16 is an inverted siphon or inclined pipe through which the material, settling in the conical receptacle A and discharged therefrom into the sump 20, is carried off by the velocity of an upwardly flowing stream of water supplied through pipe 19; pipe 16 being in continuation of 19 and passing through the sump 20, or otherwise being in communication with the interior thereof through the port 17. The upper end of pipe 16 is provided with a piece of hose or telescopic pipe, or the like, as represented at 18, by means of which thevelocity head of the water through pipe 19 may be changed.

The pipe 19 which supplies the water for discharging and siphoning purposes is here shown as connected with the funnel or de pression 24: in the bottom of the launder which conveys the overflow water from the receptacle A. This funnel insures pipe 19 being supplied with a full hydrostatic head as long as suflicient water to supply it s discharging from the cone. A screen 24 is placed over the pocket or funnel 24 to prevent air being drawn down by the vortex, or the passage of twigs or other floating debris into the pipe to clog it. The flow through pipe 19 is controlled by suitable means, as the valve 23.

22 is a glass tube, which is connected at one end of the pipe 19 below the valve 23, the upper end extending above the water level in tank A and being open to the atmosphere. This glass tube 22 forms an indicator by which the proper velocity of the Water flowing through pipe 19 can be instantly and repeatedly obtained, since the height to which the water rises in the tube represents a velocity head for the velocity of flow through 16.

25 is a connection whereby the pipe 19 can be supplied with water from an outside source whenever it is not desirable to use the overflow water from the cone A.

26. Is a trough for carrying away the overflow from the receptacle A. This trough is one of the novel features of the present invention. It consists of a circular band attached at its top edge to the top edge of the cone and projecting down- I wardly around the outside of the cone, and

trough and is used to obtain a slope therein toward the outlet represented at 27*. The slimes, pulp, or water and solids to be separated are conducted by a pipe 27 and deposited in a bucket or the like 30 submerged in the tank and suitably suspended by means of the straps 31 secured to the flange band 32. This flange band is supported on the planks 33, which latter form a walk- Way across the top of the receptacle. The

bucket 30 is of suflicient depth to retain any large particles that may be accidentally carried in by the stream; the bucket being removable so that it can be emptied at any time.

Suitable means may be provided to prevent the lighter solids which settle slowly from spreading out radially, and insure their gathering into the floating cone 2, and are here shown as an annular series of needles or small wires 29 hung in cylindrical form around the bucket and depending from a suitable point of overhead attachment.

The projection into the Water of a mass of needles, small wires, weighted strings, or like material greatly assists in clearing the water of fine particles that by reason of their size settle very slowly, if at all, or settle only when adhering to coarser particles. The short period of time between their entrance into the machine with the water, and the discharge of the water does not permitthem to settle. In slow moving water carrying fine solids in suspension, all small roots, twigs, etc., are covered with the fine solid particles, often forming festoons that keep forming and falling oil in flakes. This is the purpose for which these needles are used in my cone. A great number of needles present a much greater surface for the adherence of the particles than a solid bafile; at the same time not confining the flow to any one place or exact diizd individual size, at a considerable distance from each other. They are not so thickly placed that the velocity of the water current passing between them is appreciably increased.

34 is an angle iron ring surrounding the cone A and isfastened to, and supported upon, the frame work B. The tank is adjustably supported on the ring 34, by means of the ring 35, in which the cone seats without being fastened to it, and by the screws 28.

As a means of guiding and limiting the movements of the submerged cone 2 and automatically actuating valve 23, I provide a stirrup 36 pivoted inside the tank at 37, and pivot the cone in the stirrup, as at 38. The forward end of the stirrup has a projection adapted to contact with a stop 39 inside the tank and limit the downward movement of the cone 2. The upward movement of cone 2 is limited by the contact of valve plate 8 with its seat 10.

In order to regulate the opening and closing of valve 23, corresponding with the rise and fall of the immersed cone 2, and to obtain a uniform consistency of the mixed water and solids discharged through 16, I employ the following connections:' The forward end of the stirrup 36 is pivotally connected with a link 39 which connects with the lever 40 fulcrumed at 41. The opposite end of the lever 40 is connected by a link 42 to the arm 43 on the stem of valve 23. Thus it will be seen that the immersed cone 2 controls the valve 23 and so regulates the volume of water passing out with thesand through the discharge pipe, or mixing with the sand being discharged from the bottom of the tank, or through the outlet 44 when it is not desired to use the siphon; the outlet 44 being normally closed by the late 45. The immersed cone 2 descends on y when settled solids are to be discharged and the downward movement of the immersed cone operates the balanced valve in proportion to its downward movement; the valve closing and partly closing with the rising of the immersed cone.

The horizontal adjustment and leveling of the overflow rim of the tank or the adjustment of the overflow edge to obtain an incline is done by the following means represented in detail in Fig. 6: The screws or bolts 28 are made with square ends which fit into square holes in the'angle iron rings 34-35 so that the bolts cannot turn. The intermediate portion of each bolt is threaded to receive a nut 28. The lower shouldered end of the threaded portion rests on the ring 34 while ring 35 and the tank are supported on the nut 28'. It is evident that by turning the nuts 28' on the bolts, the tank and its contents can be lowered or raised. In practice, there are about eight of these stud bolts around the tank, and since the approximate weight of a tank 8 ft. in diameter with its contents is about 11,000 pounds, each bolt sustains in the neighborhood of 1,400 pounds.

In operation, a stream of sand and water or slime and water flows into the bucket 30 and thence into the tank A. The latter being full, the overflow is received in the launder 26 and discharged at 27; this overflow filling the funnel 21 and pipe 19 above valve 23, assumin for the moment that valve 23 is closed. he excess water above that necessary to supply pipe 19 passes off through the discharge 27. The solid particles entering the receptacle from 27 sink into the water into the immersed cone 2. At the commencement of operations these solid particles pass through cone 2, coming to rest in the outer conical receptacle A over the closed outlet 9 until they fill the receptacle A up to the bottom outlet of the immersed cone 2, as represented b the line 46. The solid particles then sett e in the immersed cone 2, discharging an equal volume of water. Owing to the great specific gravity, these accumulations of settled solids in immersed cone 2 cause the latter to sink, carrying down with it valve plate 8 and open ing the discharge orifice 9, thereby permitting the passage of some of the settled material in cone A into the pocket 20.

The settling of the cone opens valve 23 allowing the volume of water to How through 19 to mix with the sand and slime in 20, and to flow thence out through the pipe 16, thus removing the accumulations in '20 by the hydrostatic head of the water passsolid particles in cone A, represented by the line 46, will not rise much above the bottom edge of the outlet of cone 2, even when cone 2 is full to the top with the settled solids. Hence, there is but little obstruction to the downward movement of the immersed cone 2 into the settled particles in cone A at the commencement of the movement. The movement once started, the settled particles begin to flow out through 9 so that there is no obstruction to the downward movement of the immersed cone. If it is desired to discharge the settled solids from cone e. comparatively free from water, valve 23 may be closed and plate .5 removed, Wheres upon the solids will pass outthrough port If desired, the casting 14 may be removed.

If the discharge material is too dry, the valve 23 maybe connected with the yoke 36, as above described and shown, so as to be worked automatically so that the discharged material is of uniform consistency. Under some circumstances the valve stem- 7 may be provided with the enlargement or taper 47 it permitted to descend far enough, to close orifice 9 whereby either plate 8, or plate 10, or both, may be removed or replaced without interfering with the continuous feeding.

of the machine.

The hanging needles 29 operate, as previously described, as antennae for collecting the finer float solids.

One of the chief advantages of this construction is having the outlet for the solids whichsettle in the cone separate from the water supply to carry them out through the inverted orifice'jlfi; The'outlet for the settled solids will nt permit the passage of an eXcess quantity sufficient to choke the pipe 16, even when it is discharging to its maximum.

The flow of the water through pipes 1916 for sand discharge purposes is entirely independent of the sand discharge orifice 9. The indicator 2'2 permits of the proper velocitv of the upwardly flowing cur rent through 16 being positively known before any solid particles are allowed to enter the cone A; the height of the water in the glass tube above the outlet 16 being the velocity head through 16,, and from the velocity head the velocityis known. With the specific gravity of the particles and their size known, the velocity of flow necessary to carry them out is also known; hence the velocity can be positively set for the best Work of which the machine is capable by adjusting the outlet of 18. After the sand is flowing over pipe 16, the water level in the glass 22 will rise in proportion to the quantity of sand in 16.

Under some circumstances it may be desirable to operate the settling tank A in conjunction with the siphon, omitting the immersed cone. This can readily be done. Under other circumstances the hanging needles 29 may be dispensed with or it may be desired to omit the automatic coupling connections between the immersed cone and the valve 23. All these various changes or omissions may be effected and are so done in practice.

I desire it to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the specific construction here shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention.

lln case it is not desired to rely on step 39 alone to limit the downward movement of the cone 2, I may provide the chains 39 connected to the cone and to suitable overhead support.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. A separator for liquids and solids comprising a liquid containing tank having a discharge outlet for solids at the bottom, a buoyant member adapted to rise and'fall within said tank, said buoyant member having a valve stem extended down through said discharge outlet and carrying a valve plate-exterior to said outlet, said valve plate cooperating with the valve stem to close the outlet on the upward movement of the said bud'yant member, and said valve stem having a valve member inside the receptacle and adapted to close said discharge outlet on the downward movement of said buoyant member.

2. A separator for liquids and solids comprising a settling tank with means for admitting water and material to it without agitation, said tank having an outlet in its bottom for the solids separate from the liquids, a valve in said outlet, the tank and outlet so constructed and arranged to maintain a mass of settled solid particles over said outlet, hydraulic means for removing the discharged solids and mechanism for operating said hydraulic means coiirdinately with the opening and closing of said valve whereby the water employed by said hydraulic means is proportional to the quantity of solids discharged.

3. In a separator for liquids and solids, the combination of a liquid containing tank having an outlet in its bottom for the solids, a buoyant receptacle in floating suspension in the tank and adapted to rise or'fall in the liquid in the tank, said receptacle open at the bottom for the discharge of solids into said tank, said tank and its outlet for the solids so constructed and arranged to maintain a mass-of settled particles received from the receptacle, oversaid outlet for the solids in the tank, and means controlled by the rise and fall of the receptacle for regulating the discharge of the solids from the tank.

4. lln a separator for liquids and solids, the combination of a liquid containing tank having an outlet in its bottom for the solids, a buoyant receptacle in floating suspension in the tank and adapted to rise or fall in the liquid in the tank,- said receptacle open at the bottom for the discharge of solids into said tank, said. tan and its outlet for the solids so constructed and arranged to maintain a mass of settled particles received from the receptacle, over said outlet for the solids in the tank, means controlled by the rise and fall of the receptacle for regulating the discharge of the solids from the tank, an inverted siphon outside the tank for removing the solids, a water delivery pipe for the siphon and means for automatically proportioning the water flow through said pipe, to the volume of solids discharged.

5. A separator for liquids and solids, consisting in the combination of a tank in the form of an inverted cone having a discharge for the solids at its bottom, means for maintaining a mass of settled solids over said discharge opening in conjunction with a valve for controlling the discharge of the solids, an inverted si hon outside the cone for removing the soli s, a water supply pipe delivering water to the siphon approximate to the point of discharge of the solids, and means operated by the valve by which a uniform consistency of the mixed water and solids passing through the siphon is maintained.

6. In a separator for liquids and solids, the combination of a settling tank having a valved, conical discharge orifice in its bottom for the solids, a receptacle into which the solids are discharged, a siphon pipe and a water supply pipe connected with the said receptacle, means for adjusting the level of the discharging end of the siphon, the water supply pipe having an indicator tube in its length, a valve in said water supply pipe, and means for automatically operating said valve to vary the water flow in said pipe proportionally with the discharge of the solids from the cone 7. In a settling apparatus, the combination of a settling tank having a discharge in its bottom, an inverted conical receptacle in floating suspension in the tank, a delivery pipe for the liquids and solids to be separated, discharging into said receptacle, means for preventing agitation within the tank by the material so entering said pipe, said means including a bucket suspended in the tank and over the receptacle and below the discharge of said pipe, in conjunction with an annular series of fine wires which are suspended in the tank around the bucket and over the receptacle.

8. In a separator for liquids and solids, the combination of a liquid containing tank in the form of an inverted cone, and having an outlet for the solids at its apex, a receptacle in the tank also in the form of an inverted cone and having a discharge orifice at its apex and above said discharge for the solids in the tank, and so arranged that on the accumulation of a sufficient body of solids in the tank said orifice in the receptacle will become closed more or less, a valve for said discharge in the tank, and means wherebyon the accumulation of the solids in the tank suflicient to cause the closing of the dis charge orifice in the inside cone the said valve is'automaticall opened.

9. In a separator 'or solids and liquids, the combination of an inverted, conical tank having a discharge orifice for the solids at its bottom, a buoyant, submerged, openended, inverted cone in the tank and disconnected therefrom, means for discharging the material to be settled into the buoyant cone and allowing it to settle therethrough into the outside cone, and a valve carried by the buoyant cone and controlling the outlet of the settled solids from the outside cone.

10, In a separator for solids and liquids, the combination of an inverted, conical tank having a discharge orifice for the solids at its bottom, a buoyant, submerged, openended, inverted cone in the tank and disconnected therefrom, means for discharging the material to be settled into the buoyant cone and allowing it to settle therethrough into the outside cone, a valve carried by the buoyant cone and controlling the outlet of the settled solids from the outside cone, a trap into which the discharged solids from the outside cone are received, and an inverted siphon for removing the solids so discharged from the trap.

11. In a separator for solids and liquids, the combination of an inverted, conical tank having a discharge orifice for the solids at its bottom, a buoyant, submerged, openended, inverted cone in the tank and disconnected therefrom, means for discharging the material to be settled into the buoyant cone and allowing it to'settle therethrouh into the outside cone, a valve carried by t e buoyant cone and controlling the outlet of the settled solids from the outside cone, a trap into which the discharged solids from the outside cone are received, an inverted siphon for removin the solids so dischar ed from the trap, an means for delivering water to operate the siphon from a point independent of said outlet for the solids.

12. In a separator for solids and liquids, the combination of an inverted, conical tank having a discharge orifice for thesolids at the bottom, a buoyant, submerged, openended, inverted cone in the tank and disconnected therefrom, means for discharging the material to be settled into the buoyant cone and allowing it to settle therethrough into the outside cone, a valve carried by the buoyant cone and controlling the outlet of the settled solids from the outside cone, a trap into which the discharged solids from the outside cone are received, an, inverted siphon for removing the solids so discharged from the trap, and means for delivering water to operate the siphon from a point independent of said outlet for the solids,

said last named means including a water pipe receiving the water from the overflow of the outside cone.

13. A slime separator consisting of a tank with a discharge orifice in its bottom, a submerged, inverted, open-ended cone in the tank and disconnected therefrom, a valve carried by the submerged cone and normally closing the outlet for solids from the tank, means for delivering Water and material. to be separated into the submerged cone, the settled solids settling from thecone, the settled solids settling from. the

submerged cone into the tank and around saidvoutlet, means for retaining the valve closed until the settled solids in the'tank reach a pre-determined height therein, a trap for receiving the discharged solids from the tank, and an inverted siphon for receiving Water from the overflow of the tank for conducting away the discharged solids,

15. A slime separator consisting of a tank with a discharge orifice in its bottom, a submerged, inverted, open-ended cone in the tank and disconnected therefrom, a valve carried by the submerged cone and normally closing the outlet for solids from the tank, means for delivering Water and material to be separated into the submerged cone, the settled solids settling from the submerged cone into the tank and around said outlet, means for retaining the valve closed until the settled solids in the tank reach a predetermined height therein, a receptacle for receiving the discharged solids from the tank, said receptacle having a water inlet independent of said outlet for the solids for delivering Water under a head thereinto, and said receptacle having an outlet for the commingled solids and water so admitted.

16. A slime separator consisting of a tank with a discharge orifice in its bottom, a submerged, inverted, open-ended cone in the tank and disconnected therefrom, a valve carried by the submerged cone and normally closing the outlet for solids from the tank, means for delivering Water and material to be separated into the submerged cone, the settled solids settling from the submerged cone into the tank and around said outlet, means for retaining the valve closed until the settled solids in the tank reach a predetermined height therein, a receptacle for receiving the discharged solids from the tank, said receptacle having a water inlet independent of said outlet for the solids for delivering Water under a head thereinto, and said receptacle having an outlet for the commingled solids and water so admitted, said outlet comprising an inverted siphon with means for varying the level of the outlet of said siphon.

17. In a settling apparatus, the combination of an inverted, conical tank with a discharge for the solids at its apex, an overflow launder, having a discharge at'zf'one side a buoyant, inverted, hollow, openended 'cone submerged in the tank and disconnected therefrom, a valve carried by the inverted cone controlling the outlet for said solids from said tank, a receptacle for receiving the discharged solids from the tank, an inverted siphon for removing them from the receptacle, and means for supplying Water to the siphon from said overflow launder.

18. In a settling apparatus, the combination of an inverted, conical tank with a discharge for the solids at its apex, an overflow launder, having a discharge at one side, a buoyant, inverted, hollow, openended cone submerged in the tank and disconnected therefrom, a valve carried by the inverted cone controlling the outlet for said solids from said tank, a receptacle for receiving the discharged solids from the tank, an inverted siphon for removing them from the receptacle, means for supplying water to the siphon from said overflow launder, and means operated by the sub merged cone for automatically controlling the water through said pipe in proportion to the mass of solids discharged.

19. In a settling and separating apparatus, the combination of a settling tank having a discharge outlet for the solids in its bottom separate from the Water outlet, a receptacle for receiving the solids discharged from the tank, hydraulic means for removing the solids discharged into the receptacle, said hydraulic means including a water supply pipe, and means for automatically controlling the supply of water from said pipe proportionally with the discharge of the solids from the tank.

20.111 a settling and separating apparatus, the combination of a settling tank having a discharge outlet for the solids in its bottom separate from the water outlet, a receptacle for receiving the solids discharged from the tank, hydraulic means for removing the solids discharged into the receptacle, said hydraulic means including a water supply pipe having a source of water supply vindependent of the discharge for the solids ratus, the combination of a settlin from the tank, a valve in said pipe, a buoy ant body in the tank, and means for automatically operating said valve by the vertical movements of said buoyant body.

21. In a settling and separating appatank having a discharge outlet for the soli s in its bottom separate from the water outlet, a receptacle for receiving the solids discharged from the tank, hydraulic means for removing the solids discharged into the receptacle, said hydraulic means including a water suply pipe having a source of water supply independent of the discharge for the solids from the tank, a valve in said pipe, a buoyant body in the tank, means for automatically operating said valve by the vertical movementsofsaid buoyant body, and a valve member carried by said buoyant body for controlling the said discharge outlet for the solids in the tank.

22. In a separator for liquids and solids,

' the combination of a tank in the form of an inverted cone having an outlet for solids at .its apex, a valve stem extending outwardly stem.

23. In a separator for liquids and solids, the combination of a tank in the form of an inverted cone having an outlet for solids at its apex, a valve stem extending outwardly from said outlet and carrying a valve plate below the apex and movable upward to close said outlet, a seat for said valve comprlsing an annular ring suitably held in place, said the combination of a tank in the form of an inverted cone having an outlet for solids at its apex, a valve stem extending outwardly from said outlet and carrying a valve plate below the apex and movable upward to close said outlet, a seat for said valve comprising an annularring suitably held in place, said ring having a radial, removable section to permit the ring to be'removed by movement of the ring sidewise of the valve stem, a conical projection on the valve stem within the tank and adjacent to said outlet whereby on the movement of said valve plate away from its valve seat beyond a pre-determined oint said cone will 0 erate to close said outet, and a buoyant, su merged, inverted, hollow, open-ended cone in the tank disconnected therefrom and connected to the valve stem.

25. A separator for liquids and solids comprising a liquid containing tank having a discharge opening in its bottom for the solids, and a rim overflow for the liquids, a submerged, buoyant, hollow, inverted, openended cone in the tank carrying a valve suspended below and closing upwardly over said outlet for the solids, and means for limiting the downward movement of the cone.

26. In a separator for liquids and solids, the combination of two inverted cones, one inside the other, both having a discharge orifice at theirapices, the outer cone having a valve for its discharge orifice, the feed of' the material to be separated being through the inner cone to the outer cone, the inner cone being arranged so that when sufiicient solids accumulate in the bottom of the outer cone the further discharge from the inner cone to the outer cone is im eded',and'means controlled by the height 0 the solids in the outer cone co-acting with said discharge orifice in the inner cone to operate said valve.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses. y

CHARLES ALLEN.

Witnesses:

U. G. WOLFE, A. E. Scnusran.