Abstract: A loading control system for a cyclical centrifugal machine including a rotary centrifugal basket and a loading gate movable between closed and open positions to control delivery of charge material into the basket includes a mechanism for moving the loading gate from closed position to a gate full open position that is variable in extent to adapt it for various loading properties of the charge material, together with a controller for moving the loading gate from the gate full open position to a pinch position to slow delivery of charge material into the basket and for determining the extent of the gate opening in pinch position in predetermined relation to the extent of gate opening in the preceding gate full open position.

Abstract: An axially displaceable rotary part is latched securely in a certain axial position relative to a concentric rotary part by a mechanism which includes latch means that are rotated with the concentric part and are displaceable radially relative to it by movements of a ring member so as to engage elements of the latch means with and disengage them from a latchable member of the axially displaceable part. At operating speeds of the system the latch means are urged to latching position by centrifugal force. Although applicable to various rotary mechanical systems, the mechanism is particularly useful as a component of a heavy duty cyclical centrifugal machine for latching the bottom valve member of the centrifugal basket in closed position during the loading and centrifuging stages of each centrifugal operating cycle.