Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing sugar, crystal impact damage and lump formation in a centrifugal provides a resilient barrier ring which absorbs most of the impact energy of the crystals and which deflects the crystals so they are not struck by trailing high speed crystals. An air flow causes vibration of the barrier ring to prevent crystal sticking which could lead to lump formation. This air flow also reduces moisture content in the sugar housing to further reduce lump formation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing reduced crystal damage in a sugar centrifugal includes provisions for avoiding scratching and other crystal damage by eliminating asperities and sharp edges at the transition between the screening zone and the discharge zone of a centrifugal basket. In addition, the distance on an upper shroud ring across which high velocity crystals slide is minimized to reduce the likelihood of scratching crystals on the surface of the shroud ring. Finally, the tangential velocity at which crystals are released from the centrifugal basket is minimized to reduce impact damage to the crystals.

Abstract: A sugar centrifugal operates at decreased speed to reduce crystal damage but suffers no loss of sugar crystal/molasses separation rate. This is accomplished by superposing a partial vacuum on the molasses chamber of the centrifugal which promotes removal of syrup and water from the sugar crystals through the centrifugal basket wall. Additional drying of the separated crystals is provided by injection of air above the sugar chamber to replace that which is extracted through the centrifugal basket wall.

Abstract: A body, centrally bored, has a threaded inlet section which threadedly, and adjustably receives a through-bored nozzle. The nozzle has an inner end which intrudes into a transverse passage formed of two, communicating holes formed in the body. The holes ingest fluent material, and the nozzle is selectively locked in a given axial position, in the body, by an internally and externally threaded lock bushing. The bushing threadedly engages an end of the nozzle and is torqued up against the body to hold the nozzle in place.

Abstract: A water-conducting lance, fitted with a spray nozzle at an end thereof, is fixed to the top of a massecuite-separating centrifuge which has a rotating basket, to dispose the nozzle in adjacency to the top of the basket. The nozzle addresses the top of the basket, perpendicularly, and sprays pre-wetting water onto sugar crystals thereat, to insure a good mix of the crystals with subsequent mixing liquid (also water) in a mixing liquid zone, in order that a lump-free high brix magma will be produced.

Abstract: An annular compartment is disposed below the mixing ring of a rotating-basket, massecuite-separating centrifuge, to receive the magma therein. Eductors arrayed in the compartment receive hot water, and ingest magma, to eject the mix therethrough and to centrifuge the mix, while melting the sugar crystals in the magma. The melted crystals, now high brix sugar liquid, is overflowed into a companion compartment; from thence the liquid is passed over a weir, into a sub-compartment, for subsequent discharge.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved pillow block characterized by a cast body containing a main bore for housing an antifriction bearing and cast bolt-receiving slots for mounting same and for attaching endplates thereto that do away with the need for drilled and tapped holes. The endplates are cut from common sheet materials and gang-drilled to provide the apertures that accept the bolts used to assemble same onto the opposite faces of the body with an O-ring therebetween to establish a fluid-tight seal. In like manner, a hole cutter is used to cut rather than drill a central hole for passing the rotating element to be journalled in the bearing.

Abstract: An improved basket assembly and method of making same of the type designed for use in a sugar centrifuge that includes an annular mounting flange containing an upwardly-flared frustoconical seat and an open-bottomed conical element adapted to mate in assembled relation with the aforementioned frustoconical flange seat. The apparatus is characterized by shaping the opposed surfaces at the lower end of the cone and base of the seat so as to cooperate with one another in assembled relation to define an upwardly-opening and inwardly-flared continuous annular groove for the reception of a weld. The apparatus also includes a circumferentially-spaced series of apertures in the wall of the cone opening onto the conical surface of the seat when assembled to receive a corresponding number of plug welds.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electroplating electrode characterized by a drum having a longitudinally-extending groove therein that constitutes the groove of a first tongue and groove connector, the tongue of which comprises a second tongue and groove connector adapted for insertion into the groove of the first.

Abstract: A fluid control valve having a pair of blades arranged one above the other in superimposed relation for relative movement in parallel planes, each of said blades including means having a generally concave edge, and said concave edges when arranged in opposed overlapped relation cooperating with one another to define an opening whose size varies with the degree of overlap. Simultaneous movement of both blades is such that the edges of the openings therein move either toward or away from one another to vary the size of the opening without appreciably displacing the center thereof. A suitable reciprocating actuator serves as the means for simultaneously actuating both blades, one of said blades being directly connected thereto while the other is operatively associated with the blade so-connected by a rigid link.