US252783A - Sugar centrifugal machine - Google Patents

Sugar centrifugal machine Download PDF

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US252783A
US252783A US252783DA US252783A US 252783 A US252783 A US 252783A US 252783D A US252783D A US 252783DA US 252783 A US252783 A US 252783A
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hopper
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
    • B04B—CENTRIFUGES
    • B04B3/00—Centrifuges with rotary bowls in which solid particles or bodies become separated by centrifugal force and simultaneous sifting or filtering

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  • the object of my invention is to adapt the centrifugal machine to the manufacture of hard sugars, so that the various processes of draining, liquoring, and drying may be all ctfected in the machine with much saving of time and labor.
  • My improved centrifugal machii ie may be constructed in accordance with either of two general plans, both of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Constructed in accordance with one of these plans, the machine is adapted to receive molds filled with the sugar-magma as it comes from the evaporating-pans, to support the samein radial positions, and subject their contents to the draining action ofcentrifugal force.
  • the molds are supported in the machine around a central hopper or reservoir having spoutsleading radially to the mouths of the dift'erent molds, so that any liquor that may be pouredinto the hopper while the machine is revolving will, urged by the centrifugal force, flow through the spouts upon the sugar in the molds.
  • the outer end of each mold fits air and liquor tight into a socket in the periphery of the machine, in which socket is induced a vacuum by means of a communication through the axle of the machine with a vacuum-producing apparatus.
  • Figures 1 and 2 represent my machine as arranged to receive the removable or independent molds, Fig. l being a plan ot'the machine, and Fig. 2 a partial section of Fig. 1 along the broken lineY. Figs.8 to 14, inclusive, illustratcother arrangements of my machine and detached parts of the same.
  • Figs. 1 and 2 show a machine designed for holding radially six molds, five of which,M M, 860., are shown in position in Fig. 1, the sixth being left out to reveal the construction of certain parts of the machine.
  • Each mold M is supported in a radial and horizontal position by the clasp a, rest r, and conical socket s, the clasp 0 supporting and grasping it near its inner extremity or mouth, the rest 1' supporting it near its middle point, and the socket 8 receiving and supporting the apex of the mold.
  • the clasp, rest, and socket for each mold are supported on a radial arm, A, of which there are six, one for each mold, attached to and radiating from a hub, h, on the axle L of the machine.
  • Two tie-rods, cl (1, are fastened to or clasp the extremity of each rod A, and are also fastened to the hub of the machine and aid in resisting the centrifugal force of the mold of sugar. This purpose is also snbserved by the ring of metal R, which encircles the arms.
  • Each clasp cis a circular arc of tnetal, of something more than one hundred and eighty degrees, standing vertically with its opening up upon and firmly secured to the edge of its arm A.
  • the inner face of the clasp is beveled to conform to the shape of the mold when in position, and it is of such a diameter that when the mold is forced home by the centrifugal force, so as to have a bearing in the clasp, the apex of the mold will have an air and liquor tight bearing in the conical socket s, which is formed inside, so as to'correspond in inclination to the apex of the mold, and is lined with some suitable material, so that when the mold is thrust home an air-tightjoint will be formed between the inner surface of the socket and the apex of the mold.
  • the thrust of the mold during the revolution of the machine is borne partly by the clasp c and partly by the socket s,- and by having the packing in the socket sufiiciently thick and elastic, so that it will give readily to the thrust of the mold until the latter has a firm bearing in the clasp c, nearly all of the thrust may be thrown on the clasp, as a result of which the parts of the machine outside of the clasps would have but little strain to resist other than that due to their own mass, and so could be made comparatively light.
  • each conical socket From the apex of each conical sockets a curved discharge pipe, 2, projects into a trough, T, encircling the machine,into which the sirups from the sugar in the molds flow through the said discharge pipes.
  • a portion of the curve of the discharge-pipe is concave toward the center of the machine, and consequently cannot be emptied ofsirup by the centrifugal force, no matter how rapid the revolutions of the machine may be.
  • each dischargepipe 2 will serve as a trap, during the revolution of the machine, to prevent any air passing in through the said pipe to destroy the vacuum in the sockets, for the revolution of the machine would be so rapid, and the consequent centrifugal force so great, that the air would not be able to press the sirup back out of the curve and so gain admission to the interior of the socket.
  • Each pipe 2 might be titted with a suitable valve, so that, though the machine were at rest, no air could enter through it.
  • acentral hopper Mounted on the axle of the machine, interior to the circle of molds, is acentral hopper, H, having horizontal radial tubes 0 0 leading from it to the months of the various molds when the latter are in position, so that any liquor poured into the central hopper during the revolution of the machine will be equally distributed among the molds.
  • the walls of the hopper are inclined outward toward the mouths of the tubes 0 0 to facilitate the flow of the liquor to the latter.
  • On each of the pipes o is a rather tightly-fitting sleeve, 0, which bears a circular cap, 0, of the same diameter as the end of the mold.
  • the sleeves c and caps U are free to be moved backward and forward on the tubes 0, a nd, when moved forward, cover the mouths of the molds tightly, the edges of the molds and the faces of the caps being adapted to form air-tight bearings with each other.
  • the ends of the sleeves toward the molds terminate in roses a by which the liquor passing through the tubes 0 0 is sprayed over the face of the sugar in the molds.
  • the upper part of the axle L has apassage, Z, in it, which communicates below with the central hopper, H, through the passages y g, and at its upper extremity through the pipe 1) with some source of warm and dry air.
  • a sleeve-cap Immediately above the central hopper, H, on the axle, is a sleeve-cap, 1),which, when lowcred, closes the mouth of the hopper air-tight.
  • the sleeve-cap is arranged in the usual manner, so that it can be moved up and down on the axle, while the machine is revolving, by means of a lever grasping the sleeve or neck of the cap.
  • the lever is not shown in the drawings.
  • the molds having been filled with the magma and allowed to stand for a certain time to pertnit the setting of the sugar, are placed in the machine by pushing back the caps O, slipping them into the clasps c, and moving them forward until the apex of each bears iii the conical socket, the plug by which the passage through the apex of each mold is closed having been previously removed.
  • the molds being in position, the caps Gare moved forward to close the mouths of the molds, the machine is started revolving, and communication is established with the vacuum apparatus.
  • the centrifugal force aided to a degree by the vacuum, drains the sugar-magma contained iii the molds ofits green sirup,which flows through the (llSOllfllgC-[ll1f)$ 2 into the encircling trough T, and thence through the spout a into a conduit leading to the receptacle designed for holding the green sirup.
  • the green sirup having been drained from the sugar in the molds,
  • 252,7ss s at has been turned into a receptacle designed for holding the washings.
  • the liquor-ing having been completed, thecap D is loweredso as to close the mouth of the hopper H, and the communication is opened with the supply of warm and dry air, which isdrawn by the vacuum-inducing apparatus through the sugar in the molds, and effects the speedy drying of the same.
  • the drying may be still further hastened by having the hot and dry air under pressure. Indeed, such a pressure mightalone be relied upon to causea flow ot'theairthrougli the sugar without the aid of the vacuum apparatus.
  • Fig. 3 is shown the hopper H and cap D, adapted for use with the desiccating-air under pressure.
  • the cap D is inside of the hopper H, and to close the latter is raised so as to bear against a shoulder formed near themouth in the interior of the hopper, and to open the same it is lowered again.
  • the drying process having been completed and the machine stopped, the molds are taken from the latter, and the dry loaves of sugar removed from them and divided up to make the various brands of hard sugar. lf preferi ed, the draining and liquoring processes only may be performed in the machine, and the drying of the sugar loaves be effected in ovens or otherwise.
  • Figs. 4 to 9, inclusive is illustrattd my improved machine constructed in accordance with the second general plan-namely, with the radial molds forming aportion of the same and not removable from it.
  • the machine has its axle L tubular toward its upper and lower extremities, and has the central hopper, H, the radiating tubes 0 0, connecting the same with the molds, and the sleeve-cap D all similar to the same'parts in the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and for similar purposes.
  • the molds are formed in the basket of the machine by radial partitions in the same, and each communicates with the central hopper through one of the chutes 0, which have a larger cross-section than in Figs. 1 and 2.
  • Fig. 4 is a plan of this arrangement of my machine.
  • Fig. 5 shows twopartial sections of Fig. 4, the portion on the right of the axle L, Fig. 5, being a section of Fig. 4 along the broken line X and that on the left alongthe broken line X.
  • Figs. 6and 7 are views of detached parts.
  • Fig. 8 is a horizontal section of Fig. 5 along the broken line 00 w
  • Fig. 9 is a view of the under side of the machine.
  • a radial and vertical section of the basket of this machine is that ofa truncated cone, the section being broader toward the axle of the machine than toward its circumference.
  • the basket is formed of an upper plate, 1, a sieve and perforated plate, 2, that rest against the two rings, of steel or iron, R R, by which the thrust of the sugar due to the centrifugal fort-e is resisted toward the axle by a conical shell, G,joining the top plate, 1, at its inner tdge, and inclining downward and inward from the same, and by its lower edge forming a bearing or jamb, against which shut a number of sector-shaped doors, which together form the bottom of the basket.
  • the basket is supported by four radial arms, A A, &c., which extend from a hub, h. on the axle L, over the top of thebasket. and at theirouter extremities graspv the rings It It, as shown in Fig. 5 in the section on the right.
  • the top plate, 1, is 'attached to the under side of these arms, and it and the basket are supported by the same.
  • the basket of the machine is divided into four molds by four radial and vertical partitions, 1) b b I), (see Fig. 8,) one beneath each arm A, each securely attached at its upper edge either to the plate 1 or to the arm.
  • the outer extremity of each partition bears against the sieve 2, and atits innerend its edge, which is vertical, meets the conical shell 0 only at the top, so that toward the center there is a communication between all of the molds, while at the circumference there is no communication between them.
  • each mold is a drop-door hinged to the ring It, which shuts over the clutches c c, projecting from the lower edge of each of the radial partitions b, and is held tightly closed by bolts on the under side, which shoot into the rojecting clutches.
  • the arrangement of the doors and bolts is shown in Fig. 9, which is a view of the under side of the basket of the machine.
  • D D I) D are the doors of the four molds.
  • the doors D D D each bear a sys-, tem of bolts to be shot into the clutches c 0, while the doors D D have none.
  • Each mold communicates with the central hopper, H, by means of a chute, 0, leading radially and downward from the hopper to the mold, and making an airtight juncture with the cortical shell 0.
  • the various molds are filled with the sugar-magma by running it into the hopper H, preferably while the machine is in motion, whence it flows into the ditferent molds through the chutes 0.
  • the molds are filled to the inner ends of the partitions b.
  • the sirups drained from the sugar by the centrifugal force flow through the sieves into the receptacles G G G G, ranged around the circumference of the basket, one for each mold, and thence through the curved air-trap pipes 2 into a trough encircling the machine, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but not in Figs. 4 and 5.
  • Each receptacle G communicates with the lower axial tube, N, through the tube z, which extends from the top of the receptacle, when its juncture with the same is made, over the top of the basket of the machine, and down through the central annular space to the axial tube N, with which it connects, and which in turn communicates through the step S and pipe 1) with a vacuunrproducing apparatus.
  • the passage a through the top plate for the pin a has the form of a slot, and by moving the pin hack and forth in the same the plate P may he vibrated on its pivot to free a finished loaf of sugar from the top of the mold should it in any event adhere to the same.
  • the partitions 1; between the molds might also each be furnished on each side with a vibrating plate, by which the loaves of sugar might likewise be detached from them. These plaes would of course vibrate vertically, and the projections by which theycould be vibrated from the exteriorwould pass through the conical shell C.
  • the partitions b might themselves be arranged so that vertical vibrations could be given them after the unbolting ot' the doors. If, however, the partitions b were made thicker at the top than at the bottom, there would rarely be any troublesome adhesion of the loaves of sugar to them.
  • the working of this machine is as follows: The doors I) D having been closed and bolted and the machine started revolving, the sugarmagma is run into the hopper H, whence it flows, urged by gravity and the centrifugal force, through the chutes 0 into the molds in the basket of the machine.
  • the proper quantity having been run in, the green sirup or mother-liquor is allowed to he first drained from the sugar by the centrifugal force, and then aquantity of white liquor is run into the hopper, and thence it flows through the chutes 0 upon the face of the sugar in the molds, through which it passes and washes from it the last portions of the green sirup.
  • the doors D D are unboltcd if the loaves of sugar are not to be dried in the machine, and the four doors, with the four loaves of sugar, are allowed to fall, after which the loaves may he removed for further treatment. Should the loaves adhere to the tops of the molds, they may he loosened from the same by vibrating the plates P, which may be done by striking the pins n first on one side and then on the other.
  • the loaves of sugar are to be dried, they may be placed in drying'ovens after having been removed from the machine in the moist state, as above; or they may be dried in the machine, as follows: First, it is to be stated that the hopper H is provided with a sleevecap, I), on the axle above the same, and that it communicates through the passages g g and the axial tube Z with apparatus for supplying hot and dry air.
  • a sleevecap, I on the axle above the same, and that it communicates through the passages g g and the axial tube Z with apparatus for supplying hot and dry air.
  • the cap D is lowered so as to close the mouth of the hopper, communication is opened between the machine and the apparatus for supplying hot and dry air, and also between the machine and the vacuuminducing apparatus, and by the latter the hot and dry air is drawn through the sugarin the molds into the receptacles G in a continuous current, by which the loavesofsugarare quickly and thoroughly dried.
  • the drying having been finished, the hard dry loaves of sugar are removed from the machine, as hereinbefore described, and are broken up into the various brands known to the trade.
  • eaensa I slabs in the machine, and so to do away with the sawing of the loaves into slabs. Itconsists in subdividing the molds in the basket by parallel partitions the thickness of a cube of sugar apart from each other, so that when the sugarmagma is run into the molds it will fill the spaces between the partitions, and when drained, washed, and dried will appear as dry white slabs of sugar, each having the thickness of a cube of sugar, and right to be divided up into cut-loaf.
  • the partitions may be variously arranged in the molds, but should be as nearly radial as is consistent with parallelism.
  • Fig. 8 which is a horizontal section of the machine along the broken line w at, Fig. 5, the partitions d are shown arranged vertically in two of the molds, in one of which they are parallel to the partitions I), which divide the basket of the machine into molds, while in the other they are parallel to the axis of the mold.
  • the parallel partitions may be permanently fixed in the machine or detachable. In the latter case the machine may be used for making other brands of sugar than cut-loaf.
  • the plates d are fixed in the machine it would be advantageous to have them attached alternately to the top plate and to the door of the mold, in order that when the door is dropped the slabs of sugar may be effectually loosened by the drawing apart of the plates.
  • Fig. 6 is a vertical section across one of the molds having the partitions, the direction of the seetion being perpendicular to the axis of the mold.
  • each of the plates when thus alternately attached to the top and door of the mold, may be ribbed vertically and horizontally, the ribs being apart from each other, both vertically and horizontally, a distance equal to the thickness of a cube of sugar, the effect of which would be to groove the slabs of sugar off into squares. so that they might be broken up into cubes readily.
  • Fig. 10 is presented a third arrangement of my invention, the halt'of the figure on the left being a plan and the half on the right being a horizontal section dividing the body of the machine into halves horizontally.
  • This arrangement of my machine differs from that last described in that, first, there are six molds i11- stead of four, occupying the spaces between six radial arms, A, which support the body ofthe machine and divideits basket into molds, thus serving the purpose of the radial partitions bin the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 4 to 9, inclusive; in that, second, the molds are entirely distinct from each other, there being no communication between them; and in that, third, the upper axial tube, Z,does not com municate with the molds through the central hopper,
  • the hopper is intended to be used only forfilling the molds with the sugar-magmas, while the washing-licplor and the warm and dry air are to be introduced into the molds through the axial tube Z and the branching tubes 0, the roses a, in which the latter terminate, in the interior of the molds, serving the purpose of spraying the washing-liquor over the face of the sugar in the molds.
  • the upper extremity of the ax al tube Z has two connections, leading respectively to a supply of the washing-liquor and to one of hot and dry air, with either of which it may be made to communicate at will.
  • the central hopper, H has the same cap, D,'and for the same purpose as in the previously herein-described arrangements of my invention.
  • Fig. 11 is illustrated another construction of my machine.
  • the figure is a vertical section of the machine along a diameter, but limited on each side of the axle. I11 this construction the radial arms A-, by which the body of the machineis supported, are below the latter, and the partitions by whigh the basket of the machine is divided 'up into molds are immediately above the arms. These partitions are not shown in the figure.
  • the inner plate, G,of the basket has the shape of the surface of a truncated cone, inclining from the top downward and outward.
  • the axle L bears a cap, I), is tubular toward both extremities, and has the various connections hereinbeloredescribed in connection with the other constructions of the machine.
  • Fig 12 a modification of the central hopper, H, as presented in Fig. 11, which modification consists in dividing the hopper into two annular compartments or hoppers, H H, by an annular partition or conical shell, W.
  • Each division of the hopper has its own and separate passages to the molds in the basket of the machine.
  • the inner hopper, H is designed for receiving the washing-liquor, from which, urged by the centrifugal force, it flows into the various molds in the basket of the IIO machine through the passages 0 which are 7 closed with perforated spray-plates s, so inclined that the washing-liquor, in passing through the same, will be distributed in a spray over the face of the sugar in the molds.
  • the division or annular hopper H is intended for receiving the till mass, and the passages 0 leading from it to the molds in the basket, are left open, free, and unobstructed.
  • the axle L is tubular, bears the cap D, and has the various connections as hereinbefore described in connection with the other arrangements of my machine.
  • My machine when set up and ready for work, has the following connections and adjuncts,
  • N communicates with a suitable vacuum-producing apparatus, and through a similar pipe the upper axial tube, Z, communicates with a system of apparatus for furnishing hot and dry air, consisting of an air-compressor if the desiccating-air is to be used under pressure, an apparatus for drying the air, and an apparatus for heating the same, the course of the air being from the compressor to and through the desiccator, thence to and through the heater, and from the latter, hot, dry, and under pressure,to the axial tube Z ofthe machine.
  • the machine should have a suitable device connected with it for measuring and running the proper charge of the sugar-magma into the central hopper, and also a device by which the white liquor used may be conveniently measured.
  • Thelatter purpose would be subserved by a small tank for holding the liquor, having aspout that may be turned' to dis charge the liquor into the hopper, and also having a graduated gage-glass, by means of which the height of the liquor in the tank, and
  • Figs. 13 and 14 my machine modified to adapt it to the filtration of liquids, Fig. 13 being a vertical section of the machine along a diameter, and Fig. 14 a detached view of certain parts.
  • This modification of the machine has, in common with the others, the axle L, tubular above and below, the sleeve-cap D,
  • this modification of the machine has a faucet, t, at the juncture of each of the pipes z with its discharge-pipe z, so that the latter may be put in communication either with the pipe z or with the nozzle K, which projects into a trough (not shown) encircling the machine.
  • the pipes 2 have each an independent connection with the chamber G through a small tube, a, so that while the vacuum-inducing apparatus is in connection with the axial tube N there may always be a vacuum, or partial vacuum, induced in the chamber G.
  • the basket B has curved discharge-pipes u, similar to the discharge-pipes z of the chamber G, and the same in number.
  • Each of the pipes to is located at the side but a little back of a pipe, 2, and, like the latter, has a horizontal nozzle. F, projecting into the encircling trough, and a faucet, t, both of which are.hidden in Fig. 13, but are shown in Fig. 1- which is a view of a portion of the face or periphery of the machine, and of which Fig. 13 is a section along the broken line X.
  • the levers of the faucets t t of each pair of pipes at and z are connected in a suitable manner to a common operating-rod, c, which is connected with and is moved and controlled by the slcevecap D by means of the flexible connecting-band c, passing around the friction roller 6, supported by the shoulder s on the axle L, and the vertical rod 0, which extends through the bottom of the hopper H, and is attached at its upper extremity to the cap D, and at its lower end to the connecting-band c.
  • the cap I) When the cap I) is raised the levers of the faucets t and t are pulled toward the axle, which opens the communication between the dischargepipe z and the nozzle K, (breaking that between the former and the pipe z,) and closes the discharge-pipe u.
  • the lowering of the cap I) while the machine is revolving alows the centrifugal force, acting on the rod 0 and the levers of the faucets t t, which may be weighted, if
  • the faucet T be revolved so as to turn the water, or other liquid, for that matter, into the axial tube N, the water will flow through the tubes N,z, and 2 into the chamber G, and thence through the filtering medium f-whioh takes the place of the sieves of the other modi fications of the machine, and is held between the two annular perforated plates 1; a, so that liquids underheavy pressures mayflow through the same in either directioninto the basket B, and from it through the discharge-pipes uinto the trough surrounding the machine.
  • a vacuum may be induced in the basket B to assist the flow of the liquid from G into I3.
  • the curves in the dischargepipes z and u serve as air-traps, to prevent the flow of the air back through the pipes, to destroy the vacuum induced in GorB,as the case may be.
  • the cap D being raised, which closes the basket discharge-pipe u and connects the (lischarge-pipe z with its nozzle K, and the valve T being turned so that a vacuum will be induced in the chamber G in virtue of its communication through the pipes at z and the axial tube N with the vacuum inducing apparatus, the liquor to be filtered is run into the central hopper, H, whence it flows into the basket B, and, urged by the centi ifugal force and the vacuum induced in the chamber G,'filters through the filtering medium infinto the chamber G, and flows thence through the pipe 2 into the encircling trough.
  • the liquor is run into the hopper continuously and rapidly enough to keep I the basket 13 and passages 0 filled as far back as the hopper H, in order to obtain as great a filtering pressure as possible.
  • the basket B may be made as thin, radially, or as thick as may be desired.
  • the vacuum-imlucing apparatus issuing communication with the axial tube Z-t. 0., if the latter has a connection with the vacuum apparatus.
  • the water urged by the centrifugal force and the vacuum in B, flows through the tubes 2 and 2 into the chamber G, thence through the filtering medium fintothe basket B, and finally from the latter it flows through the tube a into the encirclingtrough. In its passage through the filtering medium and the basket the water thoroughly cleanses the former and washes from the latter the matters that may have collected therein during the filtration.
  • this filtering-machine may be varied considerably in itsdetails.
  • the hopper H may be dispensed with by having the radial tubes 0 communicate with the axial tube Z, through which. in that case, the liquor might be led into the basket of the machine.
  • a second central hopper might be located on the axle of the machine, below the basket, with which hopper thepip'es z z and the axial tube N would communicate.
  • This second hopper would also have a sleevecap similar to the cap 1) ot the hopper H, by
  • VVhat I claim as mine. and desire to secure to myself by Letters Patent of the United States, is as follows, viz:
  • annular basket consisting of an annular hollow shell supported on the axle by suitable radial supports, and whose outer wall consists of a sieve or straining medium, in combination with a central hopper having radial tubes or passages leading into the annular basket and making liquor and air tightjunctures with the shell of the same, the hopper and the radial passages al fol-ding means of introducing a liquid or a semifluid fill mass into the basket while the machine is in motion, substantially as specified.
  • the parallel vertical partitions (l in each mold, attached alternately to the top plate of the IIO mold and to the under plate or door of the same, the partitions operating to form the sugar run into the machine and drained therein into slabs, and to thoroughly loosen the said slabs on the opening of the door, substantially as specified.
  • a sleeve-cap on the axle of the machinefby which the mouth of thecentral hopper may be closed, and an axial tube communicating with the receptacles, and through the bearings of the axle with means of affording a supply of'a gaseous reagent, substantially as specified.
  • annular or radial receptacles for holding the matter to be subjected to the action of the centrifugal force, and having axial communications with means for affording supplies of liquid or gaseous reagents, and chambers surrounding the receptacles, into which flow the liquids separated from the contents of thelatter by the centrifugal force, the said chambers having axial communications with an exhausting or vacuum-inducing apparatus, substantially as specified.
  • the combination with annular or radial receptacles for holding the matter to be subjected to the action of the centrifugal force, and arranged to be tightly closed toward the axle of the machine, of a central hopper having radial pipes leading to the receptacles and arranged so that its mouth may be closed air-tight, an axial tube communicating with the receptacles, and through the bearings ofthe axle with means for affording supplies of gaseous reagents, air-tight chambers surrounding the receptacles, and into which flow the liquids separated from the contents of the latter by the centrifugal force, and an axial tube communicating with the said chambers, and through the bearings of the axle with pipes leading from a vacuum-inducing apparatus, the combination operating to effect the flow of a gaseous reagent through the contents of the receptacles,substantially as specified.

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Description

(Model) 5 Sheets-Sheet 1.
s. M. LILLIE. SUGAR GENTRIFUGAL MACHINE.
Patented Jan. 24,1882
W T/VESSES:
ATTORNEY n PETERS. Pholo-Lilhogmpher. Washington, D. c.
5 Sheets-Sheet 2.
(Model.)
S. M. LILLIE. SUGAR GENTRIPUGAL MACHINE No. 252,783. Patented Jan. 24,1882.
INVENTOR ATTORNEY (ModeL) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3. S. M. LILLIE.v
SUGAR GENTRIFUGAL MACHINE.
No. 252,783. A PatentedJan. 24,1882.
E U dr 9 I a W1 ESSES: gli wlNVENTok ATTORNEY N. PETERS. FhalwLilhugmphvr. Wishingiom 0.6.
ModeL) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.
S. M. LILLIE.
SUGAR OENTRIFUGAL MACHINE.
No. 252,783. Patented Jan. 24,1882.
I IllllllllIllllllllllllIlllIllIllIlIIlIII/lllll.
'llm l IllllIIllIlIllIllllIllI/I A TTORNEY N. FEIERS. Phuwlnhognphar. Washmgton, u c.
(ModeL) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.
S. M. LILLIE.
SUGAR GENTRIFUGAL MACHINE.
No. 252,783. Patented Jan. 24,1882.
Z Li J u ML C "LL LL Til INVENTOR A TTOAN/ZV N. PETERS, Pholo-Lilhogmphcr, wmin wn. D. c
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- S. MORRIS LlLLIE,,OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.
SUGAR CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE.
SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 252,783, dated January 24, 1882.
Application filed March 18, 1880.
T 0 all whom it may concern:
Be it known that I, S. MORRIS LILLIE, of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and Stateof Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful lmprovementsin Sugar Centrifugal Machines, of which the following is a specification.
The object of my invention is to adapt the centrifugal machine to the manufacture of hard sugars, so that the various processes of draining, liquoring, and drying may be all ctfected in the machine with much saving of time and labor. 7 I
My improved centrifugal machii ie may be constructed in accordance with either of two general plans, both of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Constructed in accordance with one of these plans, the machine is adapted to receive molds filled with the sugar-magma as it comes from the evaporating-pans, to support the samein radial positions, and subject their contents to the draining action ofcentrifugal force. The molds are supported in the machine around a central hopper or reservoir having spoutsleading radially to the mouths of the dift'erent molds, so that any liquor that may be pouredinto the hopper while the machine is revolving will, urged by the centrifugal force, flow through the spouts upon the sugar in the molds. The outer end of each mold fits air and liquor tight into a socket in the periphery of the machine, in which socket is induced a vacuum by means of a communication through the axle of the machine with a vacuum-producing apparatus. This vacuum in the sockets assists the centrifugal force in effectingthe draining and liquor ing of the sugar in the molds, and the latter operation having been completed, it serves to draw warm and dry air through the sugar for the purpose of drying the same. The warm and dry air is led from a suitableheating and desiccating apparatus by meansof a communication through the axle of the machine and the central hopper and its radiating spouts to each of the molds, whose months are each closed with a cap fitting air-tight over the same,which is pierced by one of the spouts radiating from the central hopper, throughwhich flow in succession the washing-liquor and the warm and dry air for their respective purposes of washing and drying the sugar contained in the (Model.)
mold, all as hereinafter more fully described. Inthe construction of my machine in accordauce with the other plan, the removable molds are dispensed with,the machine having a hasket which is divided up into molds by radial partitions, with each of whichacentral hopper communicates by means of radiating spouts. The molds are filled with the sugar-magma to be drained and treated by running the same into the central hopper,wh'ence it tlows through the various spouts into and fills the encircling molds. Around the circumference of the hasket, forming a portion of the machine and revolving with it, are arranged a number of reccptacles, one for each mold contained in the basket, into which flow the sir-ups separated from the sugar-by the centrifugal force during the draining and liquoring operations. By means of communications through the axle with proper vacuumproducing apparatus a vacuum is maintained in each of the sirup-receptacles to aid in freeing the sugar of the magma-sirup and the washing-liquor, and, the liquoring having been completed, to draw warm and dry aFr through the sugar for the desiccation of the same.
In the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 represent my machine as arranged to receive the removable or independent molds, Fig. l beinga plan ot'the machine, and Fig. 2 a partial section of Fig. 1 along the broken lineY. Figs.8 to 14, inclusive, illustratcother arrangements of my machine and detached parts of the same.
Figs. 1 and 2 show a machine designed for holding radially six molds, five of which,M M, 860., are shown in position in Fig. 1, the sixth being left out to reveal the construction of certain parts of the machine. Each mold M is supported in a radial and horizontal position by the clasp a, rest r, and conical socket s, the clasp 0 supporting and grasping it near its inner extremity or mouth, the rest 1' supporting it near its middle point, and the socket 8 receiving and supporting the apex of the mold. The clasp, rest, and socket for each mold are supported on a radial arm, A, of which there are six, one for each mold, attached to and radiating from a hub, h, on the axle L of the machine. There is a strut, t, resting between a shoulder on the hub h and a shoulder on the under side of each arm A, to resist the tendency which the mass of the sugar and mold has, while the machine is in motion, to depress the arm. This tendencyis also resisted by the ring of metal 2', which tits into recesses ill the upper edges of the arms A, near the hub it.
Two tie-rods, cl (1, are fastened to or clasp the extremity of each rod A, and are also fastened to the hub of the machine and aid in resisting the centrifugal force of the mold of sugar. This purpose is also snbserved by the ring of metal R, which encircles the arms.
Each clasp cis a circular arc of tnetal, of something more than one hundred and eighty degrees, standing vertically with its opening up upon and firmly secured to the edge of its arm A. The inner face of the clasp is beveled to conform to the shape of the mold when in position, and it is of such a diameter that when the mold is forced home by the centrifugal force, so as to have a bearing in the clasp, the apex of the mold will have an air and liquor tight bearing in the conical socket s, which is formed inside, so as to'correspond in inclination to the apex of the mold, and is lined with some suitable material, so that when the mold is thrust home an air-tightjoint will be formed between the inner surface of the socket and the apex of the mold. The thrust of the mold during the revolution of the machine is borne partly by the clasp c and partly by the socket s,- and by having the packing in the socket sufiiciently thick and elastic, so that it will give readily to the thrust of the mold until the latter has a firm bearing in the clasp c, nearly all of the thrust may be thrown on the clasp, as a result of which the parts of the machine outside of the clasps would have but little strain to resist other than that due to their own mass, and so could be made comparatively light.
From the apex of each conical sockets a curved discharge pipe, 2, projects into a trough, T, encircling the machine,into which the sirups from the sugar in the molds flow through the said discharge pipes. A portion of the curve of the discharge-pipe is concave toward the center of the machine, and consequently cannot be emptied ofsirup by the centrifugal force, no matter how rapid the revolutions of the machine may be.
Each discharge-pipe com munieates by means of a tube, 2, with the passage N in the lower part of the axle L, which in turn communicates through the step S and pipe 1) with a vacuumproducing apparatus, by which means a vacuum may be induced at the apex of each mold to assist in freeing the sugar in the molds of their contained sirup or liquor,'and then to effeet the drying of the same, as hereinafter described.
The sirup in the curve of each dischargepipe 2 will serve as a trap, during the revolution of the machine, to prevent any air passing in through the said pipe to destroy the vacuum in the sockets, for the revolution of the machine would be so rapid, and the consequent centrifugal force so great, that the air would not be able to press the sirup back out of the curve and so gain admission to the interior of the socket.
Each pipe 2 might be titted with a suitable valve, so that, though the machine were at rest, no air could enter through it.
Mounted on the axle of the machine, interior to the circle of molds, is acentral hopper, H, having horizontal radial tubes 0 0 leading from it to the months of the various molds when the latter are in position, so that any liquor poured into the central hopper during the revolution of the machine will be equally distributed among the molds. The walls of the hopper areinclined outward toward the mouths of the tubes 0 0 to facilitate the flow of the liquor to the latter. On each of the pipes o is a rather tightly-fitting sleeve, 0, which bears a circular cap, 0, of the same diameter as the end of the mold. The sleeves c and caps U are free to be moved backward and forward on the tubes 0, a nd, when moved forward, cover the mouths of the molds tightly, the edges of the molds and the faces of the caps being adapted to form air-tight bearings with each other. The ends of the sleeves toward the molds terminate in roses a by which the liquor passing through the tubes 0 0 is sprayed over the face of the sugar in the molds.
The upper part of the axle L has apassage, Z, in it, which communicates below with the central hopper, H, through the passages y g, and at its upper extremity through the pipe 1) with some source of warm and dry air.
Immediately above the central hopper, H, on the axle, is a sleeve-cap, 1),which, when lowcred, closes the mouth of the hopper air-tight.
The sleeve-cap is arranged in the usual manner, so that it can be moved up and down on the axle, while the machine is revolving, by means of a lever grasping the sleeve or neck of the cap. The lever is not shown in the drawings.
The working and use of the machine are as follows, viz:
The molds, having been filled with the magma and allowed to stand for a certain time to pertnit the setting of the sugar, are placed in the machine by pushing back the caps O, slipping them into the clasps c, and moving them forward until the apex of each bears iii the conical socket, the plug by which the passage through the apex of each mold is closed having been previously removed. The molds being in position, the caps Gare moved forward to close the mouths of the molds, the machine is started revolving, and communication is established with the vacuum apparatus. The centrifugal force, aided to a degree by the vacuum, drains the sugar-magma contained iii the molds ofits green sirup,which flows through the (llSOllfllgC-[ll1f)$ 2 into the encircling trough T, and thence through the spout a into a conduit leading to the receptacle designed for holding the green sirup. The green sirup having been drained from the sugar in the molds,
252,7ss s at has been turned into a receptacle designed for holding the washings. The liquor-ing having been completed, thecap D is loweredso as to close the mouth of the hopper H, and the communication is opened with the supply of warm and dry air, which isdrawn by the vacuum-inducing apparatus through the sugar in the molds, and effects the speedy drying of the same. The drying may be still further hastened by having the hot and dry air under pressure. Indeed, such a pressure mightalone be relied upon to causea flow ot'theairthrougli the sugar without the aid of the vacuum apparatus.
In Fig. 3 is shown the hopper H and cap D, adapted for use with the desiccating-air under pressure. The cap D is inside of the hopper H, and to close the latter is raised so as to bear against a shoulder formed near themouth in the interior of the hopper, and to open the same it is lowered again. The drying process having been completed and the machine stopped, the molds are taken from the latter, and the dry loaves of sugar removed from them and divided up to make the various brands of hard sugar. lf preferi ed, the draining and liquoring processes only may be performed in the machine, and the drying of the sugar loaves be effected in ovens or otherwise.
In Figs. 4 to 9, inclusive, is illustrattd my improved machine constructed in accordance with the second general plan-namely, with the radial molds forming aportion of the same and not removable from it. Thus arranged, the machine has its axle L tubular toward its upper and lower extremities, and has the central hopper, H, the radiating tubes 0 0, connecting the same with the molds, and the sleeve-cap D all similar to the same'parts in the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and for similar purposes. The molds are formed in the basket of the machine by radial partitions in the same, and each communicates with the central hopper through one of the chutes 0, which have a larger cross-section than in Figs. 1 and 2. The molds are filled with the sugarmagma by pouring the same into the central hopper, whence itflows through the chutes into the various molds. The magma is subjected to the processes of draining, liquoring, and drying in a manner similar to that already described in connection with the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2. .Fig. 4 is a plan of this arrangement of my machine. Fig. 5 shows twopartial sections of Fig. 4, the portion on the right of the axle L, Fig. 5, being a section of Fig. 4 along the broken line X and that on the left alongthe broken line X. Figs. 6and 7 are views of detached parts. Fig. 8 is a horizontal section of Fig. 5 along the broken line 00 w, and Fig. 9 is a view of the under side of the machine.
A radial and vertical section of the basket of this machine is that ofa truncated cone, the section being broader toward the axle of the machine than toward its circumference. The basket is formed of an upper plate, 1, a sieve and perforated plate, 2, that rest against the two rings, of steel or iron, R R, by which the thrust of the sugar due to the centrifugal fort-e is resisted toward the axle by a conical shell, G,joining the top plate, 1, at its inner tdge, and inclining downward and inward from the same, and by its lower edge forming a bearing or jamb, against which shut a number of sector-shaped doors, which together form the bottom of the basket. In the arrangement now being described the basket is supported by four radial arms, A A, &c., which extend from a hub, h. on the axle L, over the top of thebasket. and at theirouter extremities graspv the rings It It, as shown in Fig. 5 in the section on the right. The top plate, 1, is 'attached to the under side of these arms, and it and the basket are supported by the same.
The basket of the machine is divided into four molds by four radial and vertical partitions, 1) b b I), (see Fig. 8,) one beneath each arm A, each securely attached at its upper edge either to the plate 1 or to the arm. The outer extremity of each partition bears against the sieve 2, and atits innerend its edge, which is vertical, meets the conical shell 0 only at the top, so that toward the center there is a communication between all of the molds, while at the circumference there is no communication between them. The bottom of each mold is a drop-door hinged to the ring It, which shuts over the clutches c c, projecting from the lower edge of each of the radial partitions b, and is held tightly closed by bolts on the under side, which shoot into the rojecting clutches. The arrangement of the doors and bolts is shown in Fig. 9, which is a view of the under side of the basket of the machine. In the figure, D D I) D are the doors of the four molds. The doors D D each bear a sys-, tem of bolts to be shot into the clutches c 0, while the doors D D have none. In shutting the doors, the doors D l) are closed first, and when closed overlap the edges of the partitions I) of their respective molds. The doors I) D are then shut, and they, when slint,o\'erlap to a slight extent the doors D D The clutches 0 0 project through and below both sets of doors, and thet'onrdoors are held tightly closed against the edges of the partitions b and the edge of the conical shell 0 by shooting the bolts on the doors D D into the said clutches. The various bearings ot' the doors are suitably faced or'packed, so that when shut the doorsshall close the bottoms of the molds air-tight.
The mechanism and operation of the boltwork on the doors D D are easily understood. It is also evident that, the machine having been started after closing and bolting the doors, the centrifugal force will tend to force the bolts home, and the more strongly the morerapidly the machine revolves, for in projecting the bolts the partof the mechanism by which it is done-viz., the parts of the elbow-levers, the central slide, and the links connecting the slide with the elbow-levers -are all moved toward the circumference andaway from the center, and the more strongly they are pressed outward the more powert'ully the bolts are pushed home,and consequently it follows that, the tnachine having been started revolving, the centrifugal force actingon the mass of these various parts will tend to force them outward and the bolts home, and with an intensity increasing with the rapidity of the revolution of the machine, and so by having the faces of the bolts slightly beveled the doors will be pressed shut and held there more tightly in proportion to the speed of the machine.
Each mold communicates with the central hopper, H, by means of a chute, 0, leading radially and downward from the hopper to the mold, and making an airtight juncture with the cortical shell 0. The various molds are filled with the sugar-magma by running it into the hopper H, preferably while the machine is in motion, whence it flows into the ditferent molds through the chutes 0. The molds are filled to the inner ends of the partitions b. The sirups drained from the sugar by the centrifugal force flow through the sieves into the receptacles G G G G, ranged around the circumference of the basket, one for each mold, and thence through the curved air-trap pipes 2 into a trough encircling the machine, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but not in Figs. 4 and 5.
Each receptacle G communicates with the lower axial tube, N, through the tube z, which extends from the top of the receptacle, when its juncture with the same is made, over the top of the basket of the machine, and down through the central annular space to the axial tube N, with which it connects, and which in turn communicates through the step S and pipe 1) with a vacuunrproducing apparatus.
Underneath the top plate, 1, of each mold is a thin stifi plate, P, slightly smaller than the top of the mold. This plate is pivoted to the plate 1 by the pivot 27, Figs. 4 and 5, and near the inner end ot the mold it is held to the said plate 1 by a pin, a, projecting from it through the plate, and furnished above the same with a head or cross piece.
The passage a through the top plate for the pin a has the form of a slot, and by moving the pin hack and forth in the same the plate P may he vibrated on its pivot to free a finished loaf of sugar from the top of the mold should it in any event adhere to the same. The partitions 1; between the molds might also each be furnished on each side with a vibrating plate, by which the loaves of sugar might likewise be detached from them. These plaes would of course vibrate vertically, and the projections by which theycould be vibrated from the exteriorwould pass through the conical shell C. The partitions b might themselves be arranged so that vertical vibrations could be given them after the unbolting ot' the doors. If, however, the partitions b were made thicker at the top than at the bottom, there would rarely be any troublesome adhesion of the loaves of sugar to them.
The working of this machine is as follows: The doors I) D having been closed and bolted and the machine started revolving, the sugarmagma is run into the hopper H, whence it flows, urged by gravity and the centrifugal force, through the chutes 0 into the molds in the basket of the machine. The proper quantity having been run in, the green sirup or mother-liquor is allowed to he first drained from the sugar by the centrifugal force, and then aquantity of white liquor is run into the hopper, and thence it flows through the chutes 0 upon the face of the sugar in the molds, through which it passes and washes from it the last portions of the green sirup. The liquoring having been completed, the doors D D are unboltcd if the loaves of sugar are not to be dried in the machine, and the four doors, with the four loaves of sugar, are allowed to fall, after which the loaves may he removed for further treatment. Should the loaves adhere to the tops of the molds, they may he loosened from the same by vibrating the plates P, which may be done by striking the pins n first on one side and then on the other.
If the loaves of sugar are to be dried, they may be placed in drying'ovens after having been removed from the machine in the moist state, as above; or they may be dried in the machine, as follows: First, it is to be stated that the hopper H is provided with a sleevecap, I), on the axle above the same, and that it communicates through the passages g g and the axial tube Z with apparatus for supplying hot and dry air. The liquoriug of the sugar having been finished, the cap D is lowered so as to close the mouth of the hopper, communication is opened between the machine and the apparatus for supplying hot and dry air, and also between the machine and the vacuuminducing apparatus, and by the latter the hot and dry air is drawn through the sugarin the molds into the receptacles G in a continuous current, by which the loavesofsugarare quickly and thoroughly dried. The drying having been finished, the hard dry loaves of sugar are removed from the machine, as hereinbefore described, and are broken up into the various brands known to the trade.
In making the cubes of sugar k nown as cutloaf, the common method has been to saw the dried loaves of sugar into slabs of the same thickness. as that of the cubes, and then to divide these slabs up into the cubes. In Figs. 6
and Sis shown an arrangement for forming the.
eaensa I slabs in the machine, and so to do away with the sawing of the loaves into slabs. Itconsists in subdividing the molds in the basket by parallel partitions the thickness of a cube of sugar apart from each other, so that when the sugarmagma is run into the molds it will fill the spaces between the partitions, and when drained, washed, and dried will appear as dry white slabs of sugar, each having the thickness of a cube of sugar, and right to be divided up into cut-loaf. The partitions may be variously arranged in the molds, but should be as nearly radial as is consistent with parallelism.
In Fig. 8, which is a horizontal section of the machine along the broken line w at, Fig. 5, the partitions d are shown arranged vertically in two of the molds, in one of which they are parallel to the partitions I), which divide the basket of the machine into molds, while in the other they are parallel to the axis of the mold. The sugar-magma flowing from the central hopper, H, into compartments, arranged as in either of the above, fills the spaces between the plates d, is drained, washed, and dried, and is transformed into hard dry slabs of sugar proper to be divided into cut-loaf.
The parallel partitions may be permanently fixed in the machine or detachable. In the latter case the machine may be used for making other brands of sugar than cut-loaf. When the plates d are fixed in the machine it would be advantageous to have them attached alternately to the top plate and to the door of the mold, in order that when the door is dropped the slabs of sugar may be effectually loosened by the drawing apart of the plates. This arrangement of the partitions is illustrated in Fig. 6, which is a vertical section across one of the molds having the partitions, the direction of the seetion being perpendicular to the axis of the mold. One face of each of the plates, when thus alternately attached to the top and door of the mold, may be ribbed vertically and horizontally, the ribs being apart from each other, both vertically and horizontally, a distance equal to the thickness of a cube of sugar, the effect of which would be to groove the slabs of sugar off into squares. so that they might be broken up into cubes readily.
In Fig. 10 is presented a third arrangement of my invention, the halt'of the figure on the left being a plan and the half on the right being a horizontal section dividing the body of the machine into halves horizontally. This arrangement of my machine differs from that last described in that, first, there are six molds i11- stead of four, occupying the spaces between six radial arms, A, which support the body ofthe machine and divideits basket into molds, thus serving the purpose of the radial partitions bin the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 4 to 9, inclusive; in that, second, the molds are entirely distinct from each other, there being no communication between them; and in that, third, the upper axial tube, Z,does not com municate with the molds through the central hopper,
H, but extends below the latter, and communicates directly with each mold through a radialtube, o, which projects a little into the interior of the mold, and terminates therein in a rose, a. In this arrangement of my machine the hopper is intended to be used only forfilling the molds with the sugar-magmas, while the washing-licplor and the warm and dry air are to be introduced into the molds through the axial tube Z and the branching tubes 0, the roses a, in which the latter terminate, in the interior of the molds, serving the purpose of spraying the washing-liquor over the face of the sugar in the molds. The upper extremity of the ax al tube Z has two connections, leading respectively to a supply of the washing-liquor and to one of hot and dry air, with either of which it may be made to communicate at will. The central hopper, H, has the same cap, D,'and for the same purpose as in the previously herein-described arrangements of my invention.
In Fig. 11 is illustrated another construction of my machine. The figure is a vertical section of the machine along a diameter, but limited on each side of the axle. I11 this construction the radial arms A-, by which the body of the machineis supported, are below the latter, and the partitions by whigh the basket of the machine is divided 'up into molds are immediately above the arms. These partitions are not shown in the figure. The inner plate, G,of the basket has the shape of the surface of a truncated cone, inclining from the top downward and outward. A circular plate, P, slightly conical, or depressed toward its center, meets the lower and inner edge of the basket, and, resting on the hub h, forms, with the conical shell U, the central hopper, H. At or near the bottom of the hopper H there are passages 0 through the plate 0 to the various molds in the basket, through which passages the sugarmagma, washing-liquor, and warm air pass during the various stages of the operation. The axle L bears a cap, I), is tubular toward both extremities, and has the various connections hereinbeloredescribed in connection with the other constructions of the machine.
In Fig 12 is shown a modification of the central hopper, H, as presented in Fig. 11, which modification consists in dividing the hopper into two annular compartments or hoppers, H H, by an annular partition or conical shell, W. Each division of the hopper has its own and separate passages to the molds in the basket of the machine. The inner hopper, H, is designed for receiving the washing-liquor, from which, urged by the centrifugal force, it flows into the various molds in the basket of the IIO machine through the passages 0 which are 7 closed with perforated spray-plates s, so inclined that the washing-liquor, in passing through the same, will be distributed in a spray over the face of the sugar in the molds. The division or annular hopper H is intended for receiving the till mass, and the passages 0 leading from it to the molds in the basket, are left open, free, and unobstructed. The axle L is tubular, bears the cap D, and has the various connections as hereinbefore described in connection with the other arrangements of my machine.
It will he observed that in each of the constructions of my invention shown the walls of the central hopper incline from the axle toward the chutes or passages leading to the basket or molds of the machine, and this is done to facilitate the fiow of the sugar-magma and washing-liquors to the passages. It is also to be noticed that the washingliquor flows from the hopper into closed receptacles formed one in front of the sugar in each of the molds by the juncture of the plate or shell 0 C G, as the case maybe, with the inner extremities of the molds. This construction effectually insures against any loss of the washing-liquor, which is all obliged to tiow through the sugar in the molds and perform its purging function thereon.
In the particular construction of themachine illustrated in the drawings there is during the draining and liquoring processes a continuous flow of sirup from the receptacles G, surround ing the periphery of the basket, through the tubes 2, into the trough encircling the machine. This is not necessarily the case, however, for the receptacles G may be made sufficiently capacious to hold all of the drainings and wash ings resulting from the treatment of one charge of the sugar-magma, in which case the curved discharge-pipes mightbe dispensed with and the receptacles be emptied of their contents at the end of the working of each charge through suitablefaueetsorvalves. Noencirclingtrough would be needed in this case, and iteffects a considerable saving in room.
My machine, when set up and ready for work, has the following connections and adjuncts,
' viz: Through the pipe p the lower axial tube,
N, communicates with a suitable vacuum-producing apparatus, and through a similar pipe the upper axial tube, Z, communicates with a system of apparatus for furnishing hot and dry air, consisting of an air-compressor if the desiccating-air is to be used under pressure, an apparatus for drying the air, and an apparatus for heating the same, the course of the air being from the compressor to and through the desiccator, thence to and through the heater, and from the latter, hot, dry, and under pressure,to the axial tube Z ofthe machine. For adjuncts the machine should have a suitable device connected with it for measuring and running the proper charge of the sugar-magma into the central hopper, and also a device by which the white liquor used may be conveniently measured. Thelatter purpose would be subserved by a small tank for holding the liquor, having aspout that may be turned' to dis charge the liquor into the hopper, and also having a graduated gage-glass, by means of which the height of the liquor in the tank, and
the amount drawn 0E from the same at any time, may be noted.
While my machine is adapted to the manufacture of hard sugars, it is, slightly modified, equally adapted for the filtration of liquids for the purpose of separating from the same any mechanical impurities held in suspension.
In Figs. 13 and 14 is illustrated my machine modified to adapt it to the filtration of liquids, Fig. 13 being a vertical section of the machine along a diameter, and Fig. 14 a detached view of certain parts. This modification of the machine has, in common with the others, the axle L, tubular above and below, the sleeve-cap D,
hopper H, radial passages 0, air and liquor tight basket B, chamber G, surrounding the basket, curved discharge-pipes z, and pipes 2, connecting the latter with the axial tube N, which in this arrangement of the machine communicates through the step S either with a vacuum apparatus or with a water-supply, depending upon the position of the faucet T. In addition, this modification of the machine has a faucet, t, at the juncture of each of the pipes z with its discharge-pipe z, so that the latter may be put in communication either with the pipe z or with the nozzle K, which projects into a trough (not shown) encircling the machine. The pipes 2 have each an independent connection with the chamber G through a small tube, a, so that while the vacuum-inducing apparatus is in connection with the axial tube N there may always be a vacuum, or partial vacuum, induced in the chamber G. The basket B has curved discharge-pipes u, similar to the discharge-pipes z of the chamber G, and the same in number.
Each of the pipes to is located at the side but a little back of a pipe, 2, and, like the latter, has a horizontal nozzle. F, projecting into the encircling trough, and a faucet, t, both of which are.hidden in Fig. 13, but are shown in Fig. 1- which is a view of a portion of the face or periphery of the machine, and of which Fig. 13 is a section along the broken line X. The levers of the faucets t t of each pair of pipes at and z are connected in a suitable manner to a common operating-rod, c, which is connected with and is moved and controlled by the slcevecap D by means of the flexible connecting-band c, passing around the friction roller 6, supported by the shoulder s on the axle L, and the vertical rod 0, which extends through the bottom of the hopper H, and is attached at its upper extremity to the cap D, and at its lower end to the connecting-band c. When the cap I) is raised the levers of the faucets t and t are pulled toward the axle, which opens the communication between the dischargepipe z and the nozzle K, (breaking that between the former and the pipe z,) and closes the discharge-pipe u. The lowering of the cap I) while the machine is revolving alows the centrifugal force, acting on the rod 0 and the levers of the faucets t t, which may be weighted, if necessary, to
move the latter to the right, which opens the pipe at, so that the contents of the basket may flow into the trough, and puts the dischargepipe 2 in communication with the pipe 2 and axial tube N. If, while the cap D is thus lowered, the faucet T be revolved so as to turn the water, or other liquid, for that matter, into the axial tube N, the water will flow through the tubes N,z, and 2 into the chamber G, and thence through the filtering medium f-whioh takes the place of the sieves of the other modi fications of the machine, and is held between the two annular perforated plates 1; a, so that liquids underheavy pressures mayflow through the same in either directioninto the basket B, and from it through the discharge-pipes uinto the trough surrounding the machine.
By having the axial tube Z in communication through the upper bearin g of the axle with a vacuum apparatus, a vacuum may be induced in the basket B to assist the flow of the liquid from G into I3. The curves in the dischargepipes z and u serve as air-traps, to prevent the flow of the air back through the pipes, to destroy the vacuum induced in GorB,as the case may be.
Having now described the construction of my machine as adapted to the filtration of liquids, I will describe the process of filtering a sugar-liquor by the same.
The cap D being raised, which closes the basket discharge-pipe u and connects the (lischarge-pipe z with its nozzle K, and the valve T being turned so that a vacuum will be induced in the chamber G in virtue of its communication through the pipes at z and the axial tube N with the vacuum inducing apparatus, the liquor to be filtered is run into the central hopper, H, whence it flows into the basket B, and, urged by the centi ifugal force and the vacuum induced in the chamber G,'filters through the filtering medium infinto the chamber G, and flows thence through the pipe 2 into the encircling trough. The liquor is run into the hopper continuously and rapidly enough to keep I the basket 13 and passages 0 filled as far back as the hopper H, in order to obtain as great a filtering pressure as possible. The pressure of .the liquor upon the filtering mediumthat is,
per unit of surfime-depends entirely upon the radial depth of the liquor pressing against the filtering medium, and notat all upon the vertical thickness of the same, nor upon its quantity, and consequently as great a pressure is obtained with the radially thin basket B and the long radial tubes 0 of the machine shown in the drawings as if the basket were deeper radially and the tubes 0 correspondingly shorter, and so, as far as the pressure and the rate of filtration are concerned, the basket B may be made as thin, radially, or as thick as may be desired. Thethinnerthebasketthelessweight it has to support. Whcn at length so much liquor has passed through the machine that'the filtering medium begins to grow clogged, and the liquor to flow slowly from the pipes z, the
fiowoftheliquorinto thehopperisstopped,that in the basket is allowed to filter off, and then asmall quantiyot' water is run into the hopper, to wash the remains of the liquor from the filtering medium. This having been done, the cap D is'lowcred, the cock T is reversed so as 'to turn the water into the axial tube N, and
the vacuum-imlucing apparatus is putin communication with the axial tube Z-t. 0., if the latter has a connection with the vacuum apparatus. The water, urged by the centrifugal force and the vacuum in B, flows through the tubes 2 and 2 into the chamber G, thence through the filtering medium fintothe basket B, and finally from the latter it flows through the tube a into the encirclingtrough. In its passage through the filtering medium and the basket the water thoroughly cleanses the former and washes from the latter the matters that may have collected therein during the filtration. This cleansing operation having been completed, the axial tube Z is shut off from the vacuum apparatus, the cock T is turned so that the communication of the axial tube N shall he with the vacuum apparatus, and not with the water-main, the cap D is raised, and the liquor is again run into thehopper H continuously until the filtration again becomes slow, owing to the clogging of the filtering medium, and it becomes necessary to repeat the cleansing operation. Thus it is seen that without once stopping themachinethe filtering and cleansing processes alternate with each other until all the liquor has been filtered that it is wished to filter.
The construction of this filtering-machine may be varied considerably in itsdetails. Thus the hopper H may be dispensed with by having the radial tubes 0 communicate with the axial tube Z, through which. in that case, the liquor might be led into the basket of the machine. Again, a second central hopper might be located on the axle of the machine, below the basket, with which hopper thepip'es z z and the axial tube N would communicate. This second hopper would also have a sleevecap similar to the cap 1) ot the hopper H, by
which-it might be tightly closed, and would be used to receive the washing-water as the hopper ll does the liquor, and so in this case the axial tube N would only communicate with the vacuum apparatusthiough the step S. Again, the filtering-surface might be greatly inci eased by having the perforated plates 1) o, and consequently the filtering medium falso, deeply corrugated or waved.
I have omitted to state that access may be had to the interior of the basket of this machine by removing one or moreot' the sections of which the circular plate 1), forming a part of the top of the basket, is composed.
I do not claim broadly as my invention the combination, with the basket or radial molds of a centrifugal machine, of a central hopper having communication Will] the basket or molds, and serving for the introduction of a liquid or semi-liquid into the same; nor do I broadly claim parallel plates in the basket or molds of a centrifugal machine for the purpose of formingthe sugardrained therein into slabs; nor do I claim broadly, in a centrifugal machine, an axial tube communicating with the basket of the same when used for conveying liquid substances into the latter while themachine is in motion, for I find that the broad idea of each of the above is old; but I do claim the specific devices under eachot' the above, stated in the claims appended to this specification.
VVhat I claim as mine. and desire to secure to myself by Letters Patent of the United States, is as follows, viz:
1. The combination, in a centrifugal machine, of molds formed radially in the basket of the machineby radial partitions with a central hopper mounted on the axle of the machine and revolvingwith it and communicating with the various molds, substantially as specified.
2. The combination, in a sugar centrifugal machine, of molds supported horizontally and radially around the axis of the machine, bearings located around the circumference of the machine, in which the outer extremities of the molds rest, the said bearings supporting the thrust ofthe molds due to the centrifugal force, and having passages through them through which the siiups may flow into an encircling receptacle, and a central hopper mounted on the axle of the machine and revolving with it and communicating with the various molds, substantially as specified.
3. In a centrifugal machine, an annular basket consisting of an annular hollow shell supported on the axle by suitable radial supports, and whose outer wall consists of a sieve or straining medium, in combination with a central hopper having radial tubes or passages leading into the annular basket and making liquor and air tightjunctures with the shell of the same, the hopper and the radial passages al fol-ding means of introducing a liquid or a semifluid fill mass into the basket while the machine is in motion, substantially as specified.
4 In a centrifugal machine having its basket divided into molds by suitable vertical partitions, the construction of the top or bottom plates of the molds so that they may be opened or removed to allow of the emptying of the molds, substantially as specified.
5. The combination, in a sugar centrifugal machine containing a seri s of fixed or remov' able radial molds, of a central hopper mounted on the axle and revolving with it, receptacles for receiving the washing-liquor, formed one in front of the sugar in each mold, and spouts leading from the central hopper to the receptacles, substantially as specified.
(i. The combination, in a sugar centrifugal machine, of a basket to hold the material to be drained or filtered, a chamber or chambers surrounding the basket and revolving with it,
into which the liquid flows from the basket,and discharging-pipes through which the liquid flows from the chamber or chambers into an encircling trough while the machine is in mo tion, substantially as specified.
7. The combination, in a sugar centrifugal machine, of molds arranged radially in the machine or formed radially in the basket of the same, sirup-receptacles arranged around the periphery of the machine and revolving with it, into which the sirups may flow from the molds, and tubes leading from the receptacles and communicating through a tube in the axleof the machine with a pipe or conduit leading from a vacuum-inducing apparatus, substantially as specified.-
8. In a centrifugal machine, thecombination, with the chamber or chambers surrounding and revolving with the basket of the machine and communicating with a suitable vacuuminducing apparatus, of discharge-pipes curved so that theliquid in the curves will, while the machine is revolving, form air-traps and prevent the flow of anyair through the said pipes 0 into the chambers to destroy the vacuum or partial vacuum induced therein, substantially as specified.
9. The combination, in a centi ifugal machine,
of a basket arranged to be tightly closed to- 5 ward the axle, and an axial tube communicating with the basket, and through the bearing of the axle with means for atfording a supply of hot or dry air, substantially as specified.
10. In a'centrifugal machine, the combination of an annular basket or body, axial tubes communicating through the bearings of the mounted on the axle of the machine and re volving with it, and communicating with the interior of the basket or of the radial molds by means of radiating tubes, in combination with the tubes, roses, or spray-plates closing the mouths of the tubes projecting into the interior of the basket or molds, by which any liquid poured into the central hopper or reservoir while the machine is in motion will be sprayed over the face of the sugar in the hasket or molds, substantially as specified.
12. In a sugar centrifugal machine having its basket divided into molds by radial partitions, and having the bottom plate of each mold arranged as a door which may be opened for the removal of the contents of the mold, the parallel vertical partitions (l in each mold, attached alternately to the top plate of the IIO mold and to the under plate or door of the same, the partitions operating to form the sugar run into the machine and drained therein into slabs, and to thoroughly loosen the said slabs on the opening of the door, substantially as specified.
13. Ina sugar centrifugal machine in which liquoring is to be practiced, a series of radial molds having their top and bottom plates inclined toward each other proceeding from the center of the machine, so that the thickness of the molds will be less the greater the distance from the center,and thoroughness in liquoring thereby he facilitated, substantially as specified.
14. In molds formed'or arranged in the hasket of a centrifugal machine in which liquoring is to be practiced, and having the plates forming the top and bottom of the same inclined toward each other proceeding from the axle to facilitate thoroughness in liquoring, vertical and parallel plates, substantially as described, for forming the sugar run into the molds and drained in the same into slabs, the vertical arrangement of the plates, instead of a horizontal arrangement, being for the purpose of avoiding the formation of the thin wedge-shaped pieces of sugar which would be formed were the plates horizontal in consequence of the inclination of the top and bottom plates of the molds toward each other.
15. The combination, in a centrifugal machine, of horizontal and radial molds having their mouths toward the axle provided with means whereby they maybe tightly closed, and an axial tube communicating with the various molds, and also through the bearings of the axle with means for affording supplies of liquid or gaseous substances, substantially-as specified.
16. The combination, in a centrifugal machine, of annular or radial receptacles for bolding the matter to be subjected to the centrifugal force, and arranged to be tightly closed toward the axle, a central hopper communicat ing with the receptacles by suitable passages, v
a sleeve-cap on the axle of the machinefby which the mouth of thecentral hopper may be closed, and an axial tube communicating with the receptacles, and through the bearings of the axle with means of affording a supply of'a gaseous reagent, substantially as specified.
17. In a centrifugal machine, the combination of annular or radial receptacles for holding the matter to be subjected to the action of the centrifugal force, and having axial communications with means for affording supplies of liquid or gaseous reagents, and chambers surrounding the receptacles, into which flow the liquids separated from the contents of thelatter by the centrifugal force, the said chambers having axial communications with an exhausting or vacuum-inducing apparatus, substantially as specified.
18. In a centrifugal ma hine, the combination, with annular or radial receptacles for holding the matter to be subjected to the action of the centrifugal force, and arranged to be tightly closed toward the axle of the machine, of a central hopper having radial pipes leading to the receptacles and arranged so that its mouth may be closed air-tight, an axial tube communicating with the receptacles, and through the bearings ofthe axle with means for affording supplies of gaseous reagents, air-tight chambers surrounding the receptacles, and into which flow the liquids separated from the contents of the latter by the centrifugal force, and an axial tube communicating with the said chambers, and through the bearings of the axle with pipes leading from a vacuum-inducing apparatus, the combination operating to effect the flow of a gaseous reagent through the contents of the receptacles,substantially as specified.
S. MORRIS LILLIE.
Witnesses:
W. W. DOUGHERTY, THOS. J. KELLY.
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EP2133434A1 (en) 2008-06-12 2009-12-16 Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Method for the detection of target nucleic acid

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2133434A1 (en) 2008-06-12 2009-12-16 Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Method for the detection of target nucleic acid

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