Abstract: A method for determining the thickness of a charge wall being formed against the side wall of a rotating centrifugal basket by flow of charge material into the basket comprises the steps of establishing a capacitance across the charge space of the basket and sensing any change of capacitance which results as the charge wall thickness is increased by the flow. An apparatus for determining the thickness of the charge wall formed against the side wall of the centrifugal basket includes an electrically conductive plate disposed in the basket inwardly of the charge space and a source of voltage for establishing an electric field between the plate and the side wall. A capacitance sensor senses any change in the established capacitance resulting from the formation of a charge wall in the basket.

Abstract: An improved cyclical centrifugal machine includes a rigid support mounted above the basket of the machine, a bearing housing suspended from the support for gyratory motion, a basket-carrying spindle rotatable in fixed position relative to the housing on bearings therein, and an electric motor for bringing the spindle and basket to rotational speed. The improved centrifugal machine further includes a buffer system for resisting gyration of the bearing housing, spindle, and basket as well as a sensing system for detecting when such gyration, nevertheless, becomes excessive and for then discontinuing driving of the spindle and basket by the motor.

Abstract: An improved cyclical centrifugal machine includes a rigid support mounted above the basket of the machine, a bearing housing suspended from the support for gyratory motion, a basket-carrying spindle rotatable in fixed position relative to the housing on bearings therein, and an electric motor for bringing the spindle and basket to rotational speed. The improved centrifugal machine also comprises a system for controlling transmission of torque from the motor to the basket by means of a clutch having relatively rotatable clutch members adapted to transmit torque through liquid films between them. The clutch is operated to vary the torque transmitted from the motor to the basket so as to produce a maximum load to be placed on the motor for producing a desired basket speed.

Abstract: A loading gate assembly for a heavy cyclical centrifugal machine used for separating liquid from solids includes a hollow body forming a spout outlet, a face surrounding the end of the outlet and a gate slidable on the face between a fully closed position covering the outlet and a position opening the outlet to flow of material therethrough. A gate operating mechanism includes a power drive device secured between a relatively fixed support and a cross head, connected with the gate, for moving the gate between closed and open positions. The loading gate assembly further comprises a mount for the support normally positioning it in a fixed location relative to the outlet yet being operable to displace the support in the direction of closing movement of the gate. A secondary drive device operates the mount to move the gate to the closed position by displacement of the support in the event of failure of power supplied to the power drive device while the gate is open.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for depithing fibrous vegetable material, such as sugarcane bagasse, comprises a rotary hammer assembly suspended from a rigid framework that is supported removably on an upright enclosure which itself is supported in functioning position by a framework on its base. The hammer assembly comprises a plurality of individual stacks of hammers and their holders, each of which constitutes a unit separate from the other stacks and has means individual thereto for adjusting the radial positions of the hammers in the stack relative to a screening wall through which pith is separated from fibers by rotation of the hammer assembly. The screening wall is composed of several perforated arcuate screening sections any of which may be reached through a door in the enclosure, and may be unfastened and displaced to give access to the hammer assembly or for replacement of a screening section.