WO2019035776A1

WO2019035776A1 - Torque free precession support and drive system for horizontal centrifuges

Info

Publication number: WO2019035776A1
Application number: PCT/TH2017/000063
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wayne HIRD
Original assignee: Stamex Technology Co. Ltd.
Priority date: 2017-08-18
Filing date: 2017-08-18
Publication date: 2019-02-21

Abstract

The present invention relates to a torque free precession support and drive system for horizontal centrifuges. The support and drive structure comprising a support frame structure configured for mechanically supporting and transferring the weight of the horizontal centrifuge to the ground, at least a set of gimbal mounts configured for allowing rotating parts to freely spin around its center of rotation in order to not transfer significant forces to the support frame structure, a motor supporting structure configured for holding the motor which is further connected with the horizontal centrifuge sieve assembly and securing the gimbal mounts, a limiting buffer support configured for generating resisting force which keeps free movement of the rotating components of the horizontal centrifuge in a limit.

Description

TORQUE FREE PRECESSION SUPPORT AND DRIVE SYSTEM FOR HORIZONTAL

CENTRIFUGES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to centrifuges or centrifugal machines which are used for removal of fluids from solid fines such as starch slurries, industrial wastes, coal, and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to developing a support and drive system for horizontally rotating machines or a horizontal centrifuge that does not transmit significant forces to support frame structure when subjected to unbalanced forces.

BACKGROUND [002] Vibrations are found almost everywhere in rotating machines. Vibrations in centrifuges or rotating machines are common due to mechanical faults including mass unbalance, coupling misalignment, mechanical looseness, and many other causes. Unbalanced forces are a major cause of machine vibration, an unbalanced rotor always cause more vibration and generates excessive force in the bearing area and reduces the life span of critical parts of the machine, such as bearings, seals, gears and couplings. Higher vibrations ultimately result in decreased component life due to cyclic loads, lower bearing life, distortion to foundation, frequent seal failures etc.

[003] Rotor unbalance is a condition in which the center of mass of a rotating assembly, typically the shaft and its fixed components like disks and blades etc. is not coincident with the center of rotation. When an unbalanced system is rotating, periodic linear and/or torsional forces are generated which are perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The periodic nature of these forces is commonly experienced as vibration. These vibration forces may exceed the design limits of individual machine elements, reducing the service life of these parts. For instance, a bearing may be subjected to forces that would not occur in a nominally balanced system. Such excessive forces will cause failure of components with in short time periods. Shafts with unbalanced forces can be bent by the forces and experience fatigue failure or cause damage to the surrounding seal geometry that is installed in rotating machines for accommodating the strain associated with such unbalanced forces, or the components mounted on said shaft becoming in contact with surrounding stationary components causing damage. [004] The difficulties in balancing the rotating component of centrifuges can be somehow controlled by designing a suitable mounting system for the centrifuges, which can withstand vibrations induced by such unbalance forces. Firstly, the centrifuges with supporting framework are rigidly constrained to the ground or floor. But mounting such a big machine directly on the floor or ground is labor intensive and tedious and also the floor must be sufficiently strong to accommodate all vibrational forces generated without collapsing so the associated costs can be very large. The centrifuges must be sufficiently strong to transfer such forces to the floor without failure.

[005] Secondly, the centrifuges with the supporting framework can also be mounted on flexible rubber supports so that the machine and floor are no longer subject to such a large amount of vibrational forces as discussed above, but by this way the centrifuges are still subjected to vibrational forces which poses problems for components such as bearings, seals, gears and couplings and service connections such as water supply, feed, outlet flow 1, outlet flow2 and high pressure water supply. All such connections need to be sufficiently flexible, so that no further stresses are transferred to connecting conduits. This is often overlooked and results in failure of conduits. Further it is very difficult to make this type of coupling to be used in hygienic food industry applications.

[006] However, in order to suppress unbalanced forces associated with horizontally rotating machines or horizontal centrifuges used heretofore, the rotating component of horizontal centrifuges are being held rigidly on a shaft causing shaft flexes to such a point that damage occurs to it and to other associated components with the shaft and centrifuge. The difficulties in balancing baskets of horizontally rotating machines or centrifuges are caused primarily by unbalanced forces; that is to say, the center of mass of the rotating body does not coincide with the geometrical axis of rotation. The machine therefore tends to rotate on its center of mass, generating a couple which tends to gyrate or rotate the entire machine on the center of mass and generate well-known vibrations. The problem is that whilst all efforts (usually successful) to balance the rotating parts of the centrifuge, the maker and the operator have little control over how the product may distribute itself inside the basket. Mostly the distribution can be kept reasonably even and hence the vibrations are nominal, however there are times when this is not the case and the vibrations are significant and unacceptable. [007] Therefore, in view of above prior art, there is a method that can be considered to overcome this serious problem. The method is to accept the unbalanced condition of the rotating component and construct a support and drive system for the horizontal rotating machine allowing the rotating parts to freely spin on its center of rotation with minimum disturbance. Thus, no unbalanced forces are transferred to the supporting frame of the horizontal rotating machines. Further, method is to eliminate whole drive train or driving shaft from the horizontal centrifuges, and mount the basket directly to the motor shaft of the horizontal rotating machine as it is very difficult to apply drive power (30 to 50kW) to a shaft for allowing the free movement of the shaft, on which the basket is mounted.

[008] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a gimbal mounted support and drive system for the horizontal centrifuges allowing torque free precession, which does not transfer significant forces to the support frame structure of the machine. [009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a support and drive system with increased vibration tolerance for horizontal centrifuges in order to obtain a high speed rotating centrifugal that does not have any speed restriction due to unbalance forces. The higher speed increases productivity as well as separation efficiency of the horizontal centrifuges.

[0010] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a support and drive system that does not rigidly restrain the rotating component or the basket of horizontal centrifuges allowing the use of baskets having a lesser included angle and/or larger diameter.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a support and drive system for horizontal centrifuges utilizing very high speed rotation to achieve improved dryness of waste fibers in the starch industry, thereby reducing total water consumption for the process as whole. [0012] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a support and drive system for horizontal centrifuges which reduces the manufacturing cost of the horizontal centrifuges as a whole driving train component is removed to simplify mounting of the horizontal centrifuge sieve assembly to the motor shaft of the horizontal centrifuges.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a support and drive system for horizontal centrifuges which reduces operating costs and also lowers production down time of the horizontal centrifuges as this design allows balanced loads to operate and unbalanced forces to become cleared of their own accord without causing any serious damage or vibration to the machine.

[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a superior horizontally orientated centrifuge which can accommodate out of balance product loads without damage to the sieve basket and without vibrational forces being applied to the support system and the connecting conduits. As a corollary to this, the basket can be rotated at speeds higher than currently used systems without further additional vibration loads on the support system. [0015] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a mounting arrangement for mounting the sieve basket directly to the motor shaft. Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a mounting arrangement for all rotating parts to the support system, which allows free movement of the rotating parts of the horizontal centrifuge.

[0016] Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description. SUMMARY

[0017] Embodiment in accordance with the present invention discloses a torque free precession support and drive system for horizontal centrifuges. The support and drive system comprises a supporting frame structure, configured for mechanically supporting and transferring the weight of the horizontal centrifuge to the ground. The support and drive system further comprises at least one set of gimbal mounts, configured to allow the rotating parts to freely spin on their combined center of rotation in order to not transfer unbalanced forces to the support frame structure. The support and drive system further comprises a motor supporting structure, configured for holding the motor which is further connected with the horizontal centrifuge sieve assembly and further secures the gimbal mounts. The support and drive system further comprises a limiting buffer support, configured for generating resisting force which keeps free movement of the rotating components within a limit.

[0018] Further embodiments in accordance with the present invention include the supporting frame structure comprising at least two supporting legs, configured for mechanically supporting and transferring the weight of the centrifugal machine to the ground. The supporting frame structure further comprises at least two support plates, which are mounted on top of the supporting legs for securing the gimbal mounts. The supporting frame structure is further attached with the limiting buffer support comprising two bars, one tube, a disc and other components and is attached to the supporting legs for holding the disc of the limiting buffer support. The supporting frame structure further comprises a support frame, itself comprising a motor mounting plate for mounting the motor connected with the horizontal centrifuge sieve assembly. The supporting frame structure is also provided with a space for mounting the motor supporting structure in between the supporting legs.

[0019] A further embodiment in accordance with the present invention is the motor supporting structure comprising a motor support plate mounted in between the supporting legs of the support frame structure. The motor supporting structure supports the basket and motor assembly on the gimbal mounts. The motor supporting structure further comprises a base plate for retaining the limiting buffer support, thereby absorbing vibrations created due to lateral and vertical movement of the motor supporting structure.

[0020] A further embodiment in accordance with the present invention is that the gimbal mounts are positioned in line with the horizontal axis on top of the supporting legs of the supporting frame structure and secured in between the motor supporting structure and the top of the support plate of the support frame structure for dampening induced vibrations in the basket-motor assembly.

[0021] A further embodiment in accordance with the present invention is the limiting buffer support comprising a rubber disc, a limiting buffer support pin, a sleeve bearing, a clamp plate and an end disc. The limiting buffer support pin further includes the sleeve bearing, which is held in place by the end disc, thereby allowing free movement of the basket motor assembly until a threshold limit is reached. The sleeve bearing extends around the limiting buffer support pin and allows the sleeve bearing to rotate on the limiting buffer support pin, thereby allowing unrestrained precession to occur.

[0022] The preceding is a simplified summary of the invention to provide an understanding of some aspects of the embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a horizontal centrifuge showing horizontal centrifuge sieve assembly comprising sieve basket 106 and motor 108 supported by a support structure enclosed in dotted lines 104 and a motor 108 within a motor casing 112;

[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation of a support and drive structure without the motor casing depicting components of the support and drive structure and their assembly arrangement within the horizontal centrifuge;

[0026] FIG. 3 A illustrates a schematic representation of a supporting frame structure 104; [0027] FIG. 3B illustrates a schematic representation and perspective view of a supporting frame structure 104 depicting the arrangement and alignment of various components of the support frame structure;

[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic representation and perspective view of a motor supporting structure 206 depicting the arrangement and interconnection of various components of the motor supporting structure;

[0029] FIG. 5A illustrates a schematic representation and perspective view of the position of the gimbal mounts 204 depicting the position of the gimbal mounts with respect to the support frame structure;

[0030] FIG. 5B illustrates a schematic representation and an angled view of the gimbal mounts and orientation of the rotating parts with respect to vertical and horizontal axes;

[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic representation of the gimbal mount;

[0032] FIG. 7A illustrates a schematic representation of a limiting buffer support 702 depicting position and alignment of the limiting buffer support with respect to the supporting frame structure and the motor supporting structure; [0033] FIG. 7B illustrates a simplified drawing and sectional view of the limiting buffer support depicting the arrangement and alignment of various components of the limiting buffer support;

[0034] FIG. 8 illustrates a simplified drawing and sectional view of the horizontal centrifuge showing a sieve basket 106 directly mounted to a motor shaft 804 via hub assembly 802;

[0035] FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic representation of the horizontal centrifuge comprising a horizontal centrifuge basket and motor assembly supported by the supporting frame structure mounted with the gimbal mounts, depicting the movement axes of the rotating components of the horizontal centrifuge.

[0036] To facilitate understanding, reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation 100 of a horizontal centrifuge showing a horizontal centrifuge sieve assembly 102 comprising a sieve basket 106 supported by a support structure 104 enclosed in dotted lines and a motor 108 within motor casing 112.

[0038] With specific reference to FIG. 1, horizontal centrifuges sieve assembly 102 comprising the sieve basket 106 supported by the support structure 104 is described herein. The whole drive train, which is used heretofore for coupling the horizontal centrifuge sieve assembly 102 with the motor 108, is fully eliminated in the present invention as necessitated by previous constructions. The sieve basket assembly 106 enclosed within the horizontal centrifuge sieve assembly 102 is directly coupled with the motor 108; thereby vibrational forces generated by this arrangement are subsequently accommodated by the gimbal and support structure.

[0039] Any suitable motor, preferably an electric motor 108, being convenient for the purpose can be used. The selection of the motor 108 entirely depends upon the rotation speed set according to the process requirements. For other preferred speeds the motor 108 could be connected to the power supply via a variable speed drive. The casing 112 entirely covers the motor 108 and is connected with the support structure 104. The area enclosed with dotted lines within FIG. 1 depicts the support structure 104. [0040] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation 200 of the support and drive structure without the motor casing 112 depicting various components of the support and drive structure and their assembly arrangement within the horizontal centrifuge.

[0041] Embodiment in accordance with the present invention and referring to FIG. 2, the support structure 104 with its components is described herein. The support structure 104 comprising a support frame structure or supporting frame structure 202 configured for mechanically supporting and transferring the weight of the horizontal centrifuge to the ground. The support and drive structure further comprises at least one set of the gimbal mounts 204, configured to allow the free spin of rotating parts around its center of rotation in order to prevent it from transferring significant forces to the support frame structure 202. The support and drive structure further comprises a motor supporting structure 206, configured for holding the motor 108 and securing gimbal mounts 204. The support and drive structure further comprises a limiting buffer support 208 configured to generate a resisting force to keep free movement of the rotating components within a threshold limit. [0042] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrate a schematic representation of the supporting frame structure 202 depicting arrangement and alignment of various components of the support frame structure 202.

[0043] Embodiment in accordance with the present invention and referring to FIG. 3B, the supporting frame structure 202 depicting arrangement and alignment of various components of the support frame structure 202 is described herein. The support frame structure 202 comprising at least two supporting legs 302 which are configured for transferring the weight of the horizontal centrifuge and motor to the ground. The support frame structure 202 further comprises at least two support plates 304 which are fixed on top of each of the supporting legs 302, which are configured for holding the gimbal mounts 204. The support frame structure 202 is further attached with the limiting buffer support 208 comprising at least two bars 306 and at least one tube 308, for holding the disc of the limiting buffer support 208. The tube 308 is further provided with a limiting buffer support pin 310, configured for securing the sleeve bearing of the limiting buffer support 208 in place. The support frame structure 202 further comprises a house mounting plate 114, which is welded to the supporting legs 302. The support frame structure 202 is further provided with lugs configured for holding the support frame structure 202 to the ground.

[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic representation and perspective view 400 of the motor supporting structure 206 depicting the arrangement and interconnection of various components of the motor supporting structure 206.

[0045] The motor supporting structure 206 comprises a motor support plate mounted in between the supporting legs 302 of the support frame structure 202. The motor supporting structure 206 is configured for holding the motor 108 and providing full support to the motor 108. The motor supporting structure 206 supports the basket and motor assembly on the gimbal mounts 204. The motor supporting structure 206 further comprises at least one top plate and at least one Z-shaped section connected with the motor support plate for securing the gimbal mounts 204 on the support frame structure 202, thereby allowing the basket motor assembly to freely spin on its center of rotation or gimbal axis. The motor supporting structure 206 further comprises a base plate, at rear end, for holding the disc 706 of the limiting buffer support 208, thereby transferring vibrational forces of the motor supporting structure 206 to the limiting buffer support 208, only when the free movement limit of the basket motor assembly has reached its maximum value. The free movement of the basket motor assembly is developed due to out of balance forces. The free movement applies some forces to the support frame structure 202, because of the nature of the elastomeric gimbal mounts 204. To limit the magnitude of the free movement, the limiting buffer support 208 provides resistance, which increases resistance as the magnitude of the free movement increases. The resistance provided by the limiting buffer support 208 apply additional forces to the support frame structure 202. The motor supporting structure 206 provides support to the motor 108 and is supported by the gimbal mounts 204.

[0046] FIG. 5A illustrates a schematic representation and perspective view of the position of the gimbal mounts 204 depicting the alignment of gimbal mounts 204 in the support frame structure 202.

[0047] The gimbal mounts 204 are positioned in line with the horizontal axis with its intersection point of the two axes coincident at the center of mass of the basket-motor assembly in horizontal centrifuge. The gimbal mounts 204 are secured in between the top plate of the motor supporting structure 206 and a lower fixing plate 502, which is affixed over the support plate 304 of the supporting frame structure 202.

[0048] The gimbal mounts 204 are affixed over the support plates 304 through the lower fixing plate 502 allowing the rotating parts of the horizontal centrifuge to freely spin on its center of rotation. The gimbal mounts 204 allow some minor rotational, vertical axis movement and some minor lateral axis movement. These movements are necessary in order to not transfer significant forces in these directions due to the effect of inertia of the rotating components of the basket- motor assembly in the horizontal centrifuge around the gimbal axis. [0049] FIG. 5B illustrates a schematic representation and an angled view of the gimbal mounts 204 and orientation of the rotating parts with respect to vertical and horizontal axes. [0050] It is further contemplated by analyzing the FIG. 5 (b), that the gimbal mounts 204 are suitably positioned, and further the gimbal mounts 204 are flexible enough to accommodate the rotational inertia effects around the two axes other than the center of rotational axis. The gimbal mounts 204 allow freedom of rotation around the gimbal axes while accommodating the torque generated in the basket-motor assembly in the horizontal centrifuge. The gimbal mounts 204 provide adequate vertical downward support and further also facilitates adequate free movement of the rotating parts of the horizontal centrifuge in lateral and vertical directions.

[0051] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic representation 600 of the gimbal mount 204. The gimbal mounts 204 are formed by at least two thick conical membranes, which are joined at their base plate 604 to create a highly elastic mounting. The bracket may have a joining flange 602 containing one or more holes through which bolts, studs, rivets or other suitable fasteners can be passed. The conical membranes are made up of elastomeric material such as but not limited to rubber, polyurethane elastomers etc. which are flexible enough to accommodate the excess vibrations or oscillations generated by the basket-motor assembly in horizontal centrifuge due to unbalanced forces. The elastomeric material used provides intrinsic damping with a corresponding ability to absorb energy, which gives appreciable advantages over metallic springs. The gimbal mounts 204 provide high axial elasticity and acts as a progressive buffer against shocks or unbalanced forces generated due to an uneven load.

[0052] The gimbal mounts 204 are selected depending upon the process requirements of the horizontal centrifuges such as density and amount of the filtrate and speed of the motor at which the basket is rotated etc. Gimbal mounts 204 are selected that are highly flexible, thereby enabling minimal transmission of vibrational forces to the support frame structure 202.

[0053] FIG. 7 A and FIG. 7B illustrate a schematic and sectional view of the limiting buffer support 208 depicting the position and alignment of the limiting buffer support 208 with respect to the supporting frame structure 202 and the motor supporting structure 206.

[0054] The limiting buffer support 208 comprises a disc made of rubber or other elastomeric material clamped in between the base plate of the motor supporting structure 206 and a clamp plate 702. The clamp plate 702 is secured by bolting screws to the base plate of the motor supporting structure 206. The limiting buffer support pin 310 further includes a sleeve bearing 712 which is held in place by the end disc 710 and the screw 704 within the bore of the disc 706 which is of greater diameter than the sleeve bearing 712; thereby allow free movement of the moving parts. The sleeve bearing 712 extends around the limiting buffer support pin 310 and allows the sleeve bearing 712 to rotate on the limiting buffer support pin 310, thereby allowing unrestrained precession to occur.

[0055] It is further contemplated by analyzing FIG. 7B in detail, that the disc 706 is conical in shape and there lies some free space 708 in between the sleeve bearing 712 and the disc 706 of the limiting buffer support 208 for allowing unrestricted free spin movement of the basket-motor assembly in horizontal centrifuge without transferring any forces to the support frame structure 202 until the magnitude of rotational movement of the motor supporting structure 206 is too large for the sealing assembly to accommodate. When the radial movement of the motor supporting structure 206 becomes excessive due to unbalanced forces in the horizontal centrifuge, the limiting buffer support pin 310 gradually strikes the disc 706, thereby generating resisting force which gradually increases to absorb the excess vibrations generated in the motor supporting structure 206, and thus transferring minimal forces to the support frame structure 202.

[0056] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic representation and sectional view 800 of the horizontal centrifuge showing the sieve basket 106 directly mounted to a motor shaft 804 via hub assembly 802.

[0057] The sieve basket 106 can be mounted by any means such as to motor shaft 804 but preferably the basket is mounted via a hub assembly 802. The sieve basket 106 of the horizontal centrifuge is directly coupled to the motor shaft 804 using the hub assembly 802. The hub assembly 802 can be fastened by any means such as welding, riveting, screwing, bolting etc.; preferably the hub assembly 802 is affixed via bolting.

[0058] FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic representation of the horizontal centrifuge comprising the horizontal centrifuge basket and motor assembly 106/108 supported by the supporting frame structure 202 mounted with the gimbal mounts 204 enclosed within the motor casing 112 depicting movement of rotating components of the horizontal centrifuge along vertical, horizontal, and rotational axes.

[0059] In accordance to exemplary embodiment of the present invention and referring to FIG. 9, a horizontal centrifuge comprises a horizontal centrifuge sieve assembly 102 including sieve basket 106 for separating solids from liquids such as but not limited to tapioca, cassava or potato starch separated from slurry. A horizontal centrifuge sieve assembly 102 comprising the sieve basket 106, a starch collection chamber 110 for collecting filtered starch, and a feed tube for supplying slurry to the sieve basket 106. A motor-driven sieve basket 106 is mounted on the motor shaft 804 and disposed within the horizontal centrifuge sieve assembly 102 of the horizontal centrifuge. [0060] The horizontal centrifuge further includes the support and drive structure comprising the supporting frame structure 202, the gimbal mounts 204, the motor supporting structure 206, and the limiting buffer support 208.

[0061] The sieve basket 106 is directly mounted on the motor shaft 804 of the motor 108 via the hub assembly 802 as shown in FIG. 8 in detail. The motor 108 is further mounted in the motor supporting structure 206 as shown in FIG. 4 in detail. The motor supporting structure 206 is further supported by the support frame structure 104 of the support and drive structure 104 via the gimbal mounts 204. The support frame structure 202 further comprises a house mounting plate 114, which is welded to the supporting legs 302. The horizontal centrifuge sieve assembly 102 may be attached to the support frame 312 by any means and in present instance the horizontal centrifuge sieve assembly 102 is attached by bolting the support frame 312 to the house back plate of the horizontal centrifuge sieve assembly 102.

[0062] The gimbal mounted support and drive structure accommodates the torque generated in the basket-motor assembly in the horizontal centrifuge, facilitating torque free precession which does not transfer significant forces to the support frame structure 104. The geometry of the basket-motor assembly in the horizontal centrifuge is roughly symmetrical about the rotating axis allowing easy determination of the mounting point for the gimbal mounts 204. When the balanced horizontal centrifuge is rotated, the axis of center of rotation is approximately the same as the axis of center of mass of the rotating parts for the basket/motor assembly. But, when the horizontal centrifuge is subjected to unbalanced loads, the basket motor assembly will, if unrestrained, rotate about the center of rotation which will not coincide with the center of mass. Further, this difference reveals itself as physical movement and significant forces are required to limit (or indeed eliminate as in a conventional centrifuge) this movement. These potential forces are virtually eliminated by using the gimbal supports 204. The gimbal mounts 204 are flexible enough for accommodating movements induced allowing free movement of basket-motor assembly in horizontal centrifuge, thus allowing minimal transfer of forces and vibration to the support frame structure 202. [0063] When radial movement of the motor supporting structure 206 becomes excessive due to unbalanced forces, the limiting buffer support pin 310 gradually strikes the disc 706 of the limiting buffer support 208, thereby generating resisting force which gradually increases to absorb the excess vibrations generated in the motor supporting structure 206, and thus transferring minimal forces to the support frame structure 202.

[0064] By using the support and drive structure as discussed above, a superior horizontal centrifuge is produced which can accommodate unbalanced forces without damaging the sieve basket 106 and further transfer minimal vibrational forces to the support frame structure 202 and connecting conduits and other components. As a corollary to this, the sieve basket 106 can be rotated at higher speeds, thereby increasing productivity as well as separation efficiency of the horizontal centrifuge.

[0065] The following examples are illustrative of the present invention; however, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details set forth in the examples.

[0066] Example 1 : Improved horizontal centrifuges using this novel support and drive structure is compared with currently used horizontal centrifuges.

[0067] The horizontal centrifuge sieving assembly 102 of the improved horizontal centrifuge produced also known as the Hypersieve was rotated at different speeds that lie in between 100 RPM to 1500 RPM for separating starch from starch slurry and compared for the value of vibrational forces transferred to the support frame structure 202 with the traditionally used horizontal centrifuges by rotating at the same speed for separating the same amount of starch from the starch slurry. Firstly, both centrifuges were attached with a weight of 275 gm at 500mm radius for separating starch from the slurry and then both the centrifuges were rotated at speed that lies in between 100 RPM to 1500 RPM

[0068] It is evident from the table enclosed below, that vibrations induced per frame in the traditionally used horizontal centrifuges significantly increases by increasing the speed of the horizontal centrifuges, while running the improved horizontal centrifuge at the same speed, vibrations induced per frame in this centrifugal is remarkably reduced to minimum value that lies between 0.5-1.3.

[0069] Both centrifuges were attached with a weight of 500gm at 500mm radius for separating starch from the slurry and then both the centrifuges were rotated at speed that lies in between 100 RPM to 1500 RPM. It is apparent from the table detailed below that vibrations induced per frame in the traditionally used horizontal centrifuges are significantly higher to such an extent that the vibrations induced per frame were immeasurable in that case. In contrary to this, the vibrations induced per frame in the improved horizontal centrifuges significantly reduced to minimum value that lies between 0.5-1.3.

[0070] A graph !s interpolated- from the square law reiadorsship in between vibrations imloced per irarne (Acceleration ram/s²) and speed at which the sieve basket Is rotated (Basket RPM) for the same cases, discussed above showing- that the vibratbrs induced per .frame for the improved centrifugal is significantly reduced as compared to traditionally used horizontal centrifuges. The variation of vibrations reduced per frame for improved horizontal centrifuge and currently used centrifugal is shown in the graph.

[0071] As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words "include", "including", and "includes" mean including but not limited to.

[0072] The phrases "at least one", "one or more", and "and/or" are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions "at least one of A, B and C", "at least one of A, B, or C", "one or more of A, B, and C", "one or more of A, B, or C" and "A, B, and/or C" means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.

[0073] The term "a" or "an" entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more" and "at least one" can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms "comprising", "including", and "having" can be used interchangeably.

[0074] The term "automatic" and variations thereof, as used herein, refers to any process or operation done without material human input when the process or operation is performed. However, a process or operation can be automatic, even though performance of the process or operation uses material or immaterial human input, if the input is received before performance of the process or operation. Human input is deemed to be material if such input influences how the process or operation will be performed. Human input that consents to the performance of the process or operation is not deemed to be "material".

[0075] The foregoing discussion of the present invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to limit the present invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description, for example, various features of the present invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodiments, configurations, or aspects may be combined in alternate embodiments, configurations, or aspects other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention the present invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment, configuration, or aspect. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the present invention. [0076] Moreover, though the description of the present invention has included descriptions of one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the present invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments, configurations, or aspects to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A torque free precession support and drive system for a horizontal centrifuge in which a sieve basket is directly mounted on a motor shaft, the support and drive system comprising:

a) a supporting frame structure, configured for mechanically supporting and transferring the weight of the horizontal centrifuge to the ground;

b) at least one set of gimbal mounts, mounted on the support frame structure, configured for allowing rotating parts to freely spin around its combined center of rotation in order to not transfer significant forces to the support frame structure;

c) a motor supporting structure, configured for holding a motor and securing the at least one set of gimbal mounts; and

d) a limiting buffer support, configured for generating resisting force which keeps free movement of the rotating components in a specified limit.

2. The support and drive system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting frame structure comprising at least two supporting legs configured for mechanically supporting and transferring the weight of the horizontal centrifuge and motor to the ground.

3. The support and drive system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting frame structure comprising at least two support plates affixed on top of the atleast one supporting leg, configured for holding the gimbal mounts.

4. The support and drive system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting frame structure comprising at least two bars and at least one tube attached to the rear side of at least one supporting leg, configured for holding the disc of the limiting buffer support.

5. The support and drive system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the tube is further provided with a limiting buffer support pin, configured to secure the sleeve bearing of the limiting buffer support.

6. The support and drive system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor supporting structure comprising a motor support plate mounted in between the supporting legs of the support frame structure, and a base plate installed at the rear end, configured for holding the limiting buffer support.

7. The support and drive system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor supporting structure is configured to support the sieve basket and motor assembly on the gimbal mounts.

8. The support and drive system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor supporting structure further comprises at least one top plate and at least one Z-shaped section connected with the motor support plate for securing the gimbal mounts on the support frame structure.

9. The support and drive system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one set of gimbal mounts positioned in line with the horizontal axis on top of the at least one support plate of the support frame structure and secured in between the motor supporting structure and top of the at least one support plate for dampening induced vibrations in the basket-motor assembly in the horizontal centrifuge.

10. The support and drive system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gimbal mounts allow minor movement of the rotational, vertical, and lateral axes, thereby not transferring significant forces in these directions of the rotating components of the basket-motor assembly in the horizontal centrifuge.

11. The support and drive system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one gimbal mount is made of an elastomeric material.

12. The support and drive system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the elastomeric material is rubber, polyurethane elastomers.

13. The support and drive system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the limiting buffer support comprising a disc clamped in between the base plate of the motor supporting structure and a clamp plate via the end disc.

14. The support and drive system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the limiting buffer support further connected to the limiting buffer support pin including a sleeve bearing, the sleeve bearing held in place by the end disc, thereby allowing unrestricted free spin movement of the basket-motor assembly.

15. The support and drive system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the disc is conical in shape for absorbing the excess vibrations in a progressive manner in the motor supporting structure.

16. The support and drive system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the disc is made up of an elastomeric material.

17. The support and drive system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the elastomeric material is rubber or polyurethane elastomers.