US1598393A - Electrical drive for cream separators - Google Patents

Description

' C. A. ROBERTSON ELECTRICAL DRIVE FOR CREAM SEPARATORS Filed Nov. 14, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 g l in 1 f' I g5 'f J0 7Z/(/67% 07 C/arlza F067507Z5 Aug. 31, 1926. 1,598,393

, C. A. ROBERTSON ELECTRICAL DRIVE FOR CREAM SEPARATORS Filed Nov. 14. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 31, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT- OFFICE.

k CHARLES A. ROBERTSON, OF SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO MONTGOMERY WARD & 00., IN 0., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ELECTRICAL DRIVE FOR CREAM SEPARATOBS.

Application filed November 14, 1921. Serial No. 515,172.

This invention relates to cream separators of the centrifugal type and pertains particularly to improvements in the construction of the actuating mechanism of such machines.

The general purpose of the invention is the provision of an improved construction of centrifugal cream separators in which electrically operated driving mechanism is incorporated.

More particular objects of the invention are the provision of such a machine which w1ll be certain and uniform in operation, substantially proof against disablement by inexpert use, compact in construction and economical in cost.

Other and further objects of the invention will be pointed out hereinafter, indicated in the appended claims or obvious upon an understanding of the invention fromthe present disclosure.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification I have illustrated one embodiment in which the invention may be incorporated, but it is to be understood that the same is presented here merely for the purpose of illustration, as I am aware that the invention may be embodied in various other structural forms differing in par ticulars from that herein shown and now to be described.

In the drawings v i Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section taken on a diameter of-the pedestal of a centrifugal cream. separator Fig. 2 is a similar longitudinal section takendon a diameter at right angles to Fig. 1; an

Fig. 3 is a detail of the brush mounting.

Cream separators of the centrifugal type are characterized by the employment of a series of separating disks arranged to be driven at h1gh'speed-so-jas to develop centnfugal 'foree ,-sa1d disks 'being arranged to provide shallowintervenin passageways through which the liquid to e separated 1s fQdl "-I1 r' order to; insure proper operation ofsl'lehdevice, it is' essential thatthese disks and their confining bowl be operated eonstantly-at a uniform high speed, that they be maintained 'in balance and held against 'wobhling or vibration. It is important moreover that proper provision be made for lubrication of the bearings on which the operating parts are supported. The present invention provides a construction for fulfillmg these requirements which is economical in cost. In its general character, the invention contemplates the mounting of .an electric. .motor within the supporting pedestal of the machine, which latter is constructed and arranged to provide the requisite support for the motor and a housing therefor which will afford the proper protection and contribute toits proper ventilation. In conjunction with the motor the pedestal afiords the necessary support for the driving spindle upon which the separator bowl is mounted, to the effect that the structure constitutes a self-contained unit of actuating, transmission and supporting means upon which the requisite liquid handling parts may be assembled and dis-assembled incident to the proper contemplated use of the apparatus. The particular nature of the invention will be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in detail. From these it will be seen that the apparatus includes a frame in the nature of a pedestal of composite construction comprislng a. lower section, an intermediate section and an upper section. The lower section includes a base portion 1 adapted to afl'ord a. support of substantial effective area, which carries an integral cylindrical barrel portion 2, both of said portions being hollow but separated by an intervening partition which is cored to provide a lubricatin chamber 5. The partition supports an axi boss 6 having a central bore in which a bearing 7 is housed. The intermediate section 8 is of cylindrical or frusto-conical form and has its lower margin shaped to register with the upper margin of the barrel portion 2, upon which it is supported,. the meeting marginal portions preferably being shaped to provide a lap oint as illustrated. Intermediate its extremities the section 8 supports a partition member 9 having a concave upper surface and an axial bore in which a bearing 10 is housed. The upper extremity of the section 8 is formed .with an end wall portion 11 from which extends a collar portion 12 of reduced diameter disposed .coaxially with the members 8 and 2. Upon the upper extremity of the intermediate sectiolf 8 is supported the bowl chamber 14, which is a bowl shaped member ha I. central bottom aperture adapted to receive the collar 12 to permit the chamber to rest upon the end wall 11. The-bowl chamber is of proper dimensions to receive the separator bowl, affording a partial housing for the same, while the upper rim of the bowl chamber is formed for the retention of the customary removable covers, feed funnel, etc. A spindle bearing 15 is mounted in the collar portion 12, said bearing having an annular flange adapted to seat on the upper edge of said collar. Upon the base partition portion 4 is mounted a housing member 16 affording an interior axial threaded sleeve 17, a central impeller chamber above the same, and a lateral duct 18 communieating with said chamber. is mounted a thrust bearin including the bearing seat 19 and the ball 20 supported therein. The lower end of the member 19 is covered by a cap 21. An armature shaft 22 is journalled in the bearings 7 and 10, and includes a lower square extension 22 extending below the bearing 7 and resting upon the ball 20. The squared extension carries an impeller 24 which is housed in the impeller chamber and constructed to operate therein after the fashion of a rotary pump. Between the bearings 7 and lO'the armature shaft carries the motor armature 25 and the commutator 26 disposed above the armature, while a ventilating fan 27 is carried on the shaft 22 below the armature. Field pole pieces 29 carrying the field windings 28 of the motor are suitably supported on the barrel portion 2 in proper association about the armature 25. Upon the partition 9 is supported a frame member 30 having an internal cavity 31 constituting a basin, with a raised central boss 32 which is apertured for the passage of the armature shaft. The frame member is formed with a lateral port 34 constituting an outlet for the basin, whilethe upper marginal portion of the frame is formed with a flaring annular flange 35. An upwardly convex shield 33 is mounted on the armature shaft within the cavity 31 in such relationship as to extend beyond the lateral limits of the boss 32. Upon the lower portion of the frame member 30 is mounted a brush ring 36 of insulating material, which brush ring carries the brushes 37 for cooperation with the commutator 26 of the motor. The lead wires 38 are passed into the pedestal through a bushing 39, and have proper electrical connection with the field coils and brushes of the motor. A series of apertures 40 are formed in the lower. portion of the barrel member 2 below the fan 27, while the intermediate ,section 8 is provided with a series of apertures 41 about the frame 30. I

The upper extremity of the armature shaft extends above thepartition member 9 and supports the bowl spindle 43, there being a. flexible coupling of any conventional type In the sleeve 17 between the armature shaft and the spindle to accommodate any slight lateral movement of the armature shaft in the event of disaligmnent of the shaft and the spindle. The upper extremity of the spindle is formed to support and operably engage the separator bowl. The lubricating chamber 5 is closed off from the interior of the barrel portion 2 by a cover plate 44 but has communication with the impeller chamber through a channel 45. An oil pipe 46 leads from the port 18 up alongsidejhe pedestal, through an opening 14 in the bowl chamber and into an oil ring 47 which is supported on top of the spindle bearing 15. An oil return pipe 48 leads from the outlet 34 back into the oil chamber 5 through an opening 49. The bowl chamber 14, intermediate section 8 and bottom section are held in assembled relationship by means of stay bolts 50 seated in the former and in the latter, and a casing 51 of sheet metal is shaped to enclose the pedestal, having retentive engagement with the base portion 1 and the bowl chamber 14. The motor brushes, as illustrated. in Fig. 3 may comprise a box 52 in which the brush 54 is slidably mounted so that it may be urged into contact with the commutator ring by means of a spring 55 which is mounted on a post 56.

In assembling the device, the pole pieces and coils are mounted in the barrel 2, the

armature shaft and its carried parts are then put in place with the shaft seated in the bearing 7', the impeller 24 placed on the squared extension 22 and the bottom housing 16 with its bearing are then positioned to afford the proper support for the armature shaft. The intermediate section 8 is then mounted on the lower section, the armature shaft being properly arranged in the upper bearing 10. The spindle bearing 15 with the spindle is then inserted in the collar 12, and the bowl chamber 14 placed in position and the assembly secured by the stay bolts 50. Finally the pipes 46 and 48 are connected in their mountings by suitable couplings.

In operation, the motor'being energized, the resulting movement of the armature drives the armature shaft and its connected parts, imparting to the separator bowl a high speed rotary movement, throu h the instrumentality of the spindle 43. T e fan 27 draws air through the inlet openings 40 and propels it through the motor to where it finds outlet through the openings 41. The impeller 24, being rotated by the armature shaft, drives through the ort 18 the oil received in its chamber t rough the channel 45, a sufficient quantity of 011 finding access to the seat of the bearing 20 to keep the latter submerged. The oil driven by the impeller is raised to the ring 47 where it is discharged about the spindle 43,

whence it finds egress through the bearing 15 alongside the spindle and is caught on the upper surface of the partition 9 and fed toward the bearing 10. It finds egress through said bearin alongside the armature shaft and is d ischarged against the shield 33, which prevents its passing through the axial opening of the boss 32. The oil is cau ht by the basin 31 and conducted through the outlet 34 and pipe 48 back into the lubricating chamber 5. In this fashion a continuous circulation of lubricant on all bearings is maintained.

A machine constructed in this fashion is compact and hasall ,working parts fully housed and protected so that it is entirely safe for use in the hands of inexpert persons. At the same time the construction is such as to insure proper and efficient operation without requiring careful inspection. The operating parts are supported in such fashion as to minimize friction incident to operation and to avoid vibration and lateral movement of the separator bowl. N o (litln'l is made herein for the lubrication system disclosed, the latter constituting the subject matter of an application filed of even date herewith, Serial No. 515,173.

I claim g 1. In a centrifugal separator the combination of a hollow pedestal member affording a support at one end and a partition intermediate its ends, aligned bearings supported within said pedestal, one of said hearings being mounted in said artition, a bowl spindle journalled in a bearing above said partition, a motor shaft journalled on bearings below said partition and having operative connection with said spindle, motor elements housed in said pedestal below said partition, means for applying lubricant to bearing above said motor element and means above said motor elements disposed to catch the lubricant and preventaccess thereof to the motor elements.

2. In a centrifugal separator the combination of a hollow pedestal member arranged to be supported at one end, aligned bearings supported Within said pedestal, a inotor shaft journalled in certain of said bearings, motor elements supported on said shaft and the wall of said pedestal between said bearings, a lubricant receiving basin associated with said shaft below its upper bearing and above said motor elements, and 5 a bowl spindle having operative connection with said shaft above said bearing.

3. In a centrifugal separator, in combination, a pedestal member having a supporting base portion and a hollow shaft por-. tion, a partition in the shaft portion dividing it into upper'and lower compartments, a bearing on said partition, an armature shaft journalled in said bearing and extending into both of said compartments, an armature mounted on said shaft in the lower compartment,- pole pieces mounted on the Wall of the pedestal in the lower compartment in operative association with the armature, a bowl spindle flexibly journaled on the pedestal with its lower end disposed in the upper compartment, said spindle having operative connection with the. armature shaft, and a bearing on the base portion of the pedestal in alignment with the first mentioned bearing, said bearing cooperating with the armature shaft to'maintain alignment of the armature with respect to the pole pieces.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name.

CHARLES A. ROBERTSON.

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