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.

Abstract: An improved continuous centrifugal machine includes a rigid base structure, a bearing housing, a normally vertical basket shaft journalled for rotation on bearings in the bearing housing, an upwardly open frusto-conical centrifugal basket secured to the upper end of the basket shaft for rotation therewith, a stationary curb wall mounted on the base structure and surrounding the basket, buffering assemblies for resiliently mounting the bearing housing on the base structure to permit gyration of the basket, and a motor mounted to one side of the curb wall and connected by an improved system to the lower end of the shaft for rotating the basket. In accordance with improvements in the machine an annular support ring is mounted on the base structure within the curb wall and has an upwardly facing surface.

Abstract: A centrifugal apparatus includes a centrifugal basket having a supporting base structure spaced below its bottom wall and fixed to the lower end of a vertical spindle to rotate the basket inside a casing surrounding the basket. The bottom wall of the basket has an opening therein about the spindle for discharge of centrifuged solids downwardly and then radially outwardly through the space between the base structure and the bottom wall. A basket valve member surrounds the spindle and is movable axially relative thereto between a position closing the basket opening and an open position spaced below the opening. A sleeve surrounds the spindle and is joined at its lower end with the valve member to position the valve member in its closed and open positions and further has an outwardly open annular channel at its upper end. A device for operating the valve includes a forked lever fulcrummed at one side of the spindle having arms straddling the spindle, each carrying on its end a roller confined in the channel.

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: 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.