Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a sump for collecting wash fluid, a supply valve for supplying the wash fluid, a drain assembly for discharging the wash fluid from the sump, and a water level detection system for measuring sump pressures/fill levels. A controller is configured to perform an initial fill cycle and determine a first volume of wash fluid required to reach a target pressure. The drain assembly then drains the sump and the process is repeated to determine a second volume of wash fluid required to reach the target pressure. The difference between the first volume and the second volume is at least partially a result of wash fluid that the drain assembly could not discharge through the drain hose. The controller may determine that the external drain is elevated, and compensate accordingly, if a difference between the first volume and the second volume exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A grinding and dewatering apparatus by centrifugation for highly selective differentiated food waste collection includes, in a supporting structure, a hopper introducing waste-products into a grinding chamber and subsequently into a centrifuge having an inner body and an outer body with a finely perforated, coaxial side wall, a deceleration chamber of the filtered water, a motor driving a grinding unit and the centrifuge, wherein the motor integrally activates both the grinding unit and the centrifuge and overlies both, and a discharge for evacuation of the ground waste-products. Both the grinding unit and the inner and outer bodies of the centrifuge are positioned in a deceleration chamber and are arranged integrally with a rotating disc, and the discharge is a movable discharge, that can be selectively positioned below openings, situated in a flanged extension arranged below for closing the centrifuge for the evacuation of the ground waste-products into a collection basket.

Abstract: A centrifuge with combinations of multiple features is disclosed. In one aspect, a centrifuge for removing more dense material from a fluid medium includes a fluid separation wall placed within a sleeve. The fluid separation wall rotates around the axis of rotation. A receptacle aids in separation of the more dense material from the fluid medium. The receptacle defined in a part by a respective geometry and a respective shape. An opening extends from the void area to the outer surface to transport the more dense material to the containment zone. An excitation apparatus associated with the receptacle creates a vibration within the receptacle. The centrifuge may further include a valve ring including a valve orifice the valve ring having a first position which blocks the more dense material from exiting the receptacle and a second position that allows the more dense material to move into the containment zone.

Abstract: A centrifugal separation method for living cells is disclosed in which a cell containing solution is charged in a rotor chamber confined by a steam pressure-resistant wall. A rotor having septa is disposed in the rotor chamber. The septa are rotatable in the same direction at the same angular velocity as the rotor while at least part thereof is immersed in a solution in the rotor when cells are to be centrifuged from the cell-containing solution. After the cells are separated and adhered to the inner surface of the rotor, a supernatant in the rotor is discharged form the rotor. Then a fresh cultivating medium is introduced into the rotor, and the septa and the rotor are rotated at mutually different angular velocities while at least part of the septa is immersed in the fresh medium in the rotor. As a result, the cells are again suspended in the fresh medium.

Abstract: A centrifugal separation apparatus comprises a rotatable cylindrical member including a side perforated wall and an opened bottom and a bottom lid member including a central raised portion and a side wall inclined downwardly and outwardly. The bottom lid member is moveable between an upper position in which said bottom lid member is engaged by the lower end face of said cylindrical member and a lower position in which said bottom lid member is spaced apart from the lower end of said cylindrical member to form a gap therebetween.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus including a rotatable drum and a filter member defining at least a part of the side wall of the drum. A liquid containing solid particles, such as used wash water from a vehicle washing facility, is introduced into the drum by a sump pump or the like and a motor including an electrically-operated brake rotates the drum at a sufficient speed to force a liquid filtrate or filtered water outwardly through the filter member and cause a layer of relatively dry solids to collect on the inner surface of the filter member. Operation of the drum motor is terminated at the same time or shortly after operation of the sump pump is terminated and the brake is energized at the same time.

Abstract: A separator comprises a frame supporting a closed cylindrical drum, a motor for rotating the drum about a central, longitudinal axis, an inlet through which a liquid from which constituents are to be separated is introduced into the drum, and an outlet through which relatively clean liquid is dischargeable from the drum. During the separating process, centrifugal force causes a layer of the heavier constituents to collect on the interior surface of the drum, displacing the relatively clean liquid into an annular layer situated concentrically with and between the constituent layer and the entering volume of liquid, such that the contents of the annular layer is separately dischargeable from the drum in a continuous manner.

Abstract: In a filter centrifuge with a filter medium, a filter cake is formed following the introduction of a suspension. In a first filtration phase the suspension is exposed to centrifugal filtration a first filtration which dewaters by the inertia forces. In a second filtration phase, the cake is subjected to compressed gas filtration using frictional forces generated by a gas flow. In the second filtration phase, gas at atmospheric pressure flows through the filter cake and filter medium and is exhausted from a filtrate collector space. This space is composed of a gas space and a filtrate liquid space. To obtain flow through the solid cake at an increased pressure difference, it is proposed to provide the filter centrifuge in a pressure housing with a superatmospheric pressure controlled by a difference in filtrate liquid levels in the filtrate liquid space and the annular space following the filter. This liquid control prevents the penetration of filtrate liquid into the gas exhaust line.

Abstract: A controllable fluid damper 14 for a fluid-containing tank 10 in a space vehicle comprising a hollow sphere 14. The wall of the sphere 14 is a honeycomb structure of six-sided cells 24 arranged with respect to the sphere 14 so that the open ends of the cells 24 lie along the radii of the sphere 14. The flat sides of the cells 24 contain small holes 26 which present some resistance to the flow of fluid therethrough. The outer surface of the sphere 14 lies adjacent the inner surface of the tank wall 12. A number of spaced brake pads are located in the tank wall 12 so that the surfaces of the pads are co-planar with the inner surface of the tank wall 12. One of the brake pads, 16, is radially movable in the inward direction; the remainder, 18, are fixed in position. The sphere 10 can rotate with the fluid when a maneuver of the vehicle is started and, then, rotation of the damper 14 can be arrested by moving the movable brake pad 16 into pressure contact with the outer surface of the damper 14.

Abstract: A continuously operable sugar centrifuge modified as taught herein is capable of producing quality sugar. For this purpose elastic, spring resilient sheet metal members (11) are attached to a rotatable ring with an adjustable angle of incidence so that the surface of these flexible sheet metal members encloses a selectable incidence angle with the flight path (12) of the sugar crystals, whereby the speed with which the sugar crystals impinge on the flexible sheet metal members may be controlled. Such control may be accomplished, for example, by a closed loop deceleration or braking action of the rotatable ring carrying the metal members.

Abstract: A spin brake and brake release mechanism for an automatic washer or other spinning drive mechanism has a pair of brake shoes applied by a spring but released by a rotating cam mechanism. The brake operating mechanism rotates with the spin basket. The brake drum is connected to the stationary parts of the machine. As the release cam rotates, it acts against cam follower areas of the brake shoes to release the shoes from the drum.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying lettuce and other vegetables including a basket in which wet lettuce is placed, a stand in which the basket is removably received, a holding mechanism that rotatably supports the basket using magnets to maintain its position, and an electric motor for rotating the basket. The sidewalls of the basket are perforated to allow water propelled by centrifugal force to escape as the basket is rotated. A removable splash shield that surrounds the basket confines the water causing it to be collected in a drip pan.The holding mechanism is normally held against rotation by a brake. When the motor is energized, current flows through the brake to release it. As a safety feature, no power is applied to the motor and brake circuits when the device is not in operation.

Abstract: A centrifugal dehydrator comprising a spin basket disposed within an outer casing so as to be driven by a motor, an outer lid for opening and closing an opening of the outer casing facing the spin basket, an inner lid for opening or closing, inside the outer lid, the opening of the outer casing, a movable member capable of being moved to an original position in response to the releasing or opening of the outer lid and movable to a displaced position in response to the closing of the outer lid, rotation-detecting means for, when the power supply to the motor is cut off, permitting the movable member to be kept located at the displaced position by rotation of the spin basket due to inertia, and a lock mechanism for locking the inner lid so as to make it unable to be opened while the rotation-detecting means is keeping the movable member located at the displaced position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a centrifugal dehydrator comprising an outer casing receiving therein a rotatable spin basket and having an opening for throwing therethrough articles or substances to be dehydrated into the basket, an outer lid swingably attached to the outer casing so as to open or close the opening, an inner lid located inside the outer lid so as to open or close the opening, a lock mechanism for locking the inner lid at a closed position, a switch mechanism for controlling a spin basket driving device and so designed that only when the inner lid is locked by the lock mechanism, the switch mechanism may be displaced up to a position at which it is capable of being turned on by the closed outer lid.