Patents by Inventor Dirk Spangenberg

Dirk Spangenberg has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11697854
    Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a continuously or periodically operating centrifuge can be employed in the sugar industry for separating crystalline carbohydrates or sugar alcohols from a crystal suspension called a magma or a mother liquor. The magma has a varying content of fine grain that is dependent on the properties of the pretreatment and of the raw material. Variable control values are provided in a control device of the centrifuge. One or plurality of sensors are provided that carry out the measurements in electromagnetic, optical, acoustic, and/or conductive ways. These measurements that are conducted serve for determining the fine grain fraction of the magma. The measurements are supplied as measurement signals to the control device of the centrifuge. The control device automatically analyzes the measurement signals supplied to it and evaluates them with respect to the fine grain content of the magma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: BMA Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG
    Inventors: Jens Mahrholz, Uwe Schwanke, Dirk Spangenberg
  • Publication number: 20200299790
    Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a continuously or periodically operating centrifuge can be employed in the sugar industry for separating crystalline carbohydrates or sugar alcohols from a crystal suspension called a magma or a mother liquor. The magma has a varying content of fine grain that is dependent on the properties of the pretreatment and of the raw material. Variable control values are provided in a control device of the centrifuge. One or plurality of sensors are provided that carry out the measurements in electromagnetic, optical, acoustic, and/or conductive ways. These measurements that are conducted serve for determining the fine grain fraction of the magma. The measurements are supplied as measurement signals to the control device of the centrifuge. The control device automatically analyzes the measurement signals supplied to it and evaluates them with respect to the fine grain content of the magma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: BMA Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG
    Inventors: Jens Mahrholz, Uwe Schwanke, Dirk Spangenberg
  • Patent number: 10549288
    Abstract: A device having a centrifuge operating discontinuously in batch-type manner for separating syrup from sugar massecuites including a centrifuge housing having a wall and a base, as well as a cylindrical centrifuge drum in a centrifuge housing having discharge openings. A first receiving container serves for the reception of a green discharge. A second receiving serves for the reception of a white discharge. A control device and valve or shut-off assemblies controllable by the control device are provided at or in the discharge opening or in connecting lines for the purposes of separating the green discharge and the white discharge. At least one sensor is provided in the transport path of the syrup. The sensor includes a measuring device for the measurement of a physical value which is representative of the difference between green discharge and white discharge. The control device controls the valve or shut-off assemblies in dependence on the measured values of the physical value transmitted by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: BMA BRAUNSCHWEIGISCHE MASCHINENBAUANSTALT AG
    Inventors: Andreas Lehnberger, Dirk Spangenberg, Igor Djoukwe
  • Patent number: 9764337
    Abstract: A discontinuous centrifuge consists of a rotatable centrifuge drum incorporating a drive spindle, a casing and a base. A hub of the centrifuge drum comprises a plurality of arms for the indirect or direct connection of the casing of the centrifuge drum to the drive spindle of the centrifuge drum. A scraper serves for scraping a product off the inner wall of the casing of the rotatable centrifuge drum. The scraper comprises an element which is pivotal about an axis, which axis extends in parallel with the axis of rotation of the centrifuge drum. The element comprises a blade which extends over almost the entire height of the centrifuge drum and makes contact with the product after the pivotal movement. The scraper is not moveable vertically. The arms of the hub have upper surfaces which are located below the drum base. The scraper is mounted independently of the swinging suspension of the centrifuge drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: BMA Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG
    Inventors: Hans-Heinrich Westendarp, Dirk Spangenberg
  • Patent number: 9463475
    Abstract: A discontinuous centrifuge has a rotatable centrifuge drum with a casing. The cylindrical centrifuge casing is provided with holes to discharge a liquid produced during the centrifugation. The holes have a cross-section with an elliptical shape. The cross-section of the holes is widened from the inside to the outside. The hole wall is continuous in this case. The diameter of the cross-sections of the holes parallel to the drum axis on the inside of the casing is equal to the diameter of the cross-sections of the holes parallel to the drum axis on the outside of the casing. The diameter of the cross-sections of the holes in the peripheral direction, on the other hand, on the inside of the casing is smaller than the diameter of the cross-sections of the holes in the peripheral direction on the outside of the casing. The area of the elliptical holes may be additionally also divided by webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: BMA Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG
    Inventors: Hans-Heinrich Westendarp, Dirk Spangenberg
  • Publication number: 20150290662
    Abstract: A device having a centrifuge operating discontinuously in batch-type manner for separating syrup from sugar massecuites including a centrifuge housing having a wall and a base, as well as a cylindrical centrifuge drum in a centrifuge housing having discharge openings. A first receiving container serves for the reception of a green discharge. A second receiving serves for the reception of a white discharge. A control device and valve or shut-off assemblies controllable by the control device are provided at or in the discharge opening or in connecting lines for the purposes of separating the green discharge and the white discharge. At least one sensor is provided in the transport path of the syrup. The sensor includes a measuring device for the measurement of a physical value which is representative of the difference between green discharge and white discharge. The control device controls the valve or shut-off assemblies in dependence on the measured values of the physical value transmitted by the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: BMA BRAUNSCHWEIGISCHE MASCHINENBAUANSTALT AG
    Inventors: Andreas Lehnberger, Dirk Spangenberg, Igor Djoukwe
  • Publication number: 20140256528
    Abstract: A discontinuous centrifuge consists of a rotatable centrifuge drum incorporating a drive spindle, a casing and a base. A hub of the centrifuge drum comprises a plurality of arms for the indirect or direct connection of the casing of the centrifuge drum to the drive spindle of the centrifuge drum. A scraper serves for scraping a product off the inner wall of the casing of the rotatable centrifuge drum. The scraper comprises an element which is pivotal about an axis, which axis extends in parallel with the axis of rotation of the centrifuge drum. The element comprises a blade which extends over almost the entire height of the centrifuge drum and makes contact with the product after the pivotal movement. The scraper is not moveable vertically. The arms of the hub have upper surfaces which are located below the drum base. The scraper is mounted independently of the swinging suspension of the centrifuge drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: BMA Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG
    Inventors: Hans-Heinrich Westendarp, Dirk Spangenberg
  • Publication number: 20140256529
    Abstract: A discontinuous centrifuge has a rotatable centrifuge drum with a casing. The cylindrical centrifuge casing is provided with holes to discharge a liquid produced during the centrifugation. The holes have a cross-section with an elliptical shape. The cross-section of the holes is widened from the inside to the outside. The hole wall is continuous in this case, The diameter of the cross-sections of the holes parallel to the drum axis on the inside of the casing is equal to the diameter of the cross-sections of the holes parallel to the drum axis on the outside of the holes. The diameter of the cross-sections of the holes in the peripheral direction, on the other hand, on the inside of the casing is smaller than the diameter of the cross-sections of the holes in the peripheral direction on the outside of the casing. The area of the elliptical holes may be additionally also divided by webs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: BMA Braunschwegische Maschinenbauanstalt AG
    Inventors: Hans-Heinrich Westendarp, Dirk Spangenberg