Abstract: A centrifugal separator for separating the solids component of a feed liquid comprises a bowl that is rotatable about a vertically disposed axis. The bowl has an interior wall, an open upper end, a closed lower end, and a generally cylindrical portion. A feed cone assembly is located at the bottom of the closed conical lower end. The feed cone assembly includes a conical outer wall and an integrally-formed, truncated cusp-shaped hub which extends upwardly towards the interior of the bowl. An annular chamber is located between the conical outer wall and the hub. A feed pipe extends from the upper end of the bowl to the lower end and includes a feed outlet which is sized and shaped to fit within the annular channel. Liquid feed is introduced into the annular channel through the feed pipe while the bowl rotates. Centrifugal force moves liquid in the annular channel outwardly along the smooth contours of the channel and onto the conical wall of the feed cone.

Abstract: A centrifuge of the type including a housing and a rotatable bowl, and including a heating jacket located therebetween. The heating jacket is established through inflatable seals which selectively seal a space located between the bowl and the housing. The seals may be inflated when the bowl is stationary. A heating fluid is then introduced into the heating jacket so that collected solids in the bowl may be heated and dried. A vacuum may be applied to the bowl to assist in the removal of moisture from the solids. A scraper assembly, including at least one scraper, is disposed within the bowl. The scraper assembly pivots between a stowed position and an operative position to remove the solid that has collected on the inside wall surface of the bowl.

Abstract: A scraper assembly for removing the collected solids component of a feed material from an interior wall surface of a centrifugal separator bowl comprises a supporting shaft positioned within the bowl along a vertically disposed longitudinal axis. The supporting shaft is pivotal between a stowed position and an operational position. At least two longitudinally spaced scraper blades are attached to the supporting shaft along the longitudinal axis and are adapted to contact the solids component when the support shaft is in the operational position. An upper scraper blade is angularly offset with respect to the lower scraper blade along the longitudinal axis so that any collected solids component removed by the upper scraper blade may freely drop clear of the lower scraper blade.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator for separating the solids component of a feed liquid comprises a bowl that is rotatable about a vertically disposed axis. The bowl has an interior wall, a conical lower end and a generally cylindrical portion. The conical lower end includes a central opening and defines a lower edge which has a first diameter and an upper edge which has a second greater diameter. A fluid applicator that is moveable between a stowed position and an application position may apply the feed liquid to the interior wall adjacent to the lower edge of the conical lower end so that as the bowl rotates, the angular velocity of the feed liquid gradually and non-traumatically increases, gently forcing the feed liquid upwards along the wall of the conical lower end and into the generally cylindrical portion of the bowl.

Abstract: A melt pressure measurement probe for insertion through wall of melt-containing vessel has a pressure-deflectable end portion for contact with pressurized melt. Pressure-resistant securing means fixes the end surface in a non-flow obstruction relationship. A seal surface on the probe prevents exposure of the melt to the securing means. Pressure detection means internal of the probe, responsive to deflection of the probe end surface to detect melt pressure, comprises a temperature-compensated capacitive sensor, one capacitor plate defined by the end portion and an opposite capacitor plate in the probe with a capacitive gap in-between. Electronic circuitry remote from the melt-exposed end, including circuitry within the probe to generate a signal proportional to the capacitance, compensates for change of temperature of the capacitor to generate an output signal proportional to melt pressure.

Abstract: A centrifuge separator system includes a centrifuge bowl for receiving the feed to be separated; a flexible suspension for rotatably, flexibly supporting the bowl; and a retractable restrainer device for constraining the bowl during scraping action of a scraper blade to remove solids from the bowl. Alternatively, the bowl could be radially and rotationally constrained and the scraper rotated to remove solids from the bowl.

Abstract: A centrifuge separator system includes a centrifuge bowl for receiving the feed to be separated; a flexible suspension for rotatably, flexibly supporting the bowl; and a retractable restrainer device for constraining the bowl during scraping action of a scraper blade to remove solids from the bowl. Alternatively, the bowl could be radially and rotationally constrained and the scraper rotated to remove solids from the bowl.

Abstract: An imperforate bowl centrifugal separator includes an imperforate separator bowl; a housing for rotatably mounting the bowl including a chamber in which the bowl rotates; an outlet for removing the centrate from the chamber; a discharge port in the housing for removing solids from the bowl; and a gate for closing the discharge port during extraction of centrate from the chamber and opening the discharge port to remove the solids after substantially all of the centrate has been removed from the chamber. The solids and centrate are removed from the same outlet in the bottom of the bowl.

Abstract: The invention features a melt pressure measurement device for measuring the pressure of a melted substance useful in cooled state for forming solid objects. The device comprises a probe for insertion through an aperture in a wall of a melt-containing vessel, with the probe having a pressure-deflectable end surface for contact with pressurized melt. The probe has pressure-resistant securing means for fixing the probe in the wall with the end surface of the probe exposed for contact with the melt in a non-flow obstructive relationship. A seal surface on the probe between the end of the probe and the securing means provides cooperative sealing action with a mating sealing means associated with the wall to prevent exposure of the melt to the securing means. The probe also has pressure detection means internal of the probe, responsive to deflection of the end surface of the probe, for detecting pressure of the melt.

Abstract: From the centrifugal basket chamber to which the liquid-solids mixture is fed, the separated liquid discharges through an overflow outlet at the radially inner edge of an annular horizontal wall forming the upper end of said chamber, the discharging liquid then flowing upwardly along the inner surface of an annular vertical wall protruding upwardly from said horizontal wall and then flowing radially outward along the upper surface of a lip which overlies only the radially inner part of said horizontal wall in spaced relation thereto. The discharging liquid is thus prevented from contacting the upper surface of said horizontal wall and thereby imposing a drag on the rotating basket.