Including Element Having Helical Blade Patents (Class 494/53)
  • Publication number: 20040185999
    Abstract: A solid bowl helical conveyor centrifuge. The centrifuge includes a rotating drum, having a centrifuge space with a screw that can also rotate. An inlet tube for supplying a material for centrifugation into the centrifuge space, and at least one liquid discharge and at least one solids discharge, wherein the liquid discharge and/or the solid discharge is/are designed as at least one or more openings in a rotating part of the solid bowl helical conveyor centrifuge, in particular through openings in the drum wall. At least one of the openings is covered by a housing which encloses the drum of the solid bowl helical conveyor centrifuge in only some sections, between the at least one housing and the drum and/or other rotating elements of the solid bowl helical conveyor centrifuge (drum heads, hubs) at least one or more gaskets are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Beyer, Alfons Monkenbusch, Michael Reichenbach, Michael Muller
  • Patent number: 6790169
    Abstract: Centrifuges and conveyor apparatuses for centrifuges, the conveyor apparatus, in one aspect, having a plurality of spaced-apart flight members spaced apart along the length of the conveyor apparatus, a plurality of support members extending between, and connected to the spaced-apart flight members, the support members spaced-apart around the plurality of spaced-apart flight members, a nose member with a target end within the plurality of support members, and a feed tube for feeding fluid having a fluid exit end within the conveyor, fluid exiting the fluid exit end flowable to the target end of the nose member; a centrifuge with such a conveyor apparatus; in one aspect the conveyor apparatus also having at least one wear protector on at least one flight member of the spaced-apart flight members and/or the conveyor apparatus having fluid accelerating apparatus and at least one wear protector positioned adjacent the accelerating apparatus to protect a flight or a support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Varco I/P, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard James Koch, Kenneth Wayne Seyffert, John Patrick Wright, Subrata Mitra
  • Publication number: 20040176234
    Abstract: In a method for improving separation performance of a decanter centrifuge, the centrifuge is inspected to determine whether the centrifuge is operating in a Coriolis-resist or a Coriolis-neutral mode wherein Coriolis forces acting on liquid flow tend to direct the liquid flow radially inwardly or axially, respectively. Upon determining that the centrifuge is operating in a Coriolis-resist or Coriolis-neutral mode, the centrifuge is modified to operate in a Coriolis-assist mode where Coriolis forces act on liquid flow in a radially outward direction and thereby augment the action of centrifugal force in the separations process. Radially extending flow obstructions in a ribbon-type centrifuge are provided with radial vanes to compensate for Coriolis forces and improve centrifuge performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Woon-Fong Leung
  • Publication number: 20040167005
    Abstract: A method of retrofitting a centrifuge comprises disassembling a known centrifuge and replacing the conical beach section with a shorter beach section, i.e. a beach section having a greater slope. The screw conveyor is replaced with another screw conveyor having outlet nozzles adapted to impart rotational movement to the inlet feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Gary L. Hensley, Lee Hilpert
  • Patent number: 6780147
    Abstract: A conveyor for a centrifuge, the conveyor in certain aspects having a length and including a plurality of spaced-apart flight members spaced apart along the length of the conveyor, a plurality of support members extending between, and connected to the spaced-apart flight members, the support members spaced-apart around the plurality of spaced-apart flight members, the spaced-apart flight members and plurality of support members defining a plurality of open areas through which fluid to be treated by the centrifuge is flowable from within the conveyor, and at least one accelerating impeller within and connected to the conveyor for accelerating the fluid; and/or a flow enhancer for accelerating fluid, e.g., but not limited to, in a low-flow mode and/or a chamber encompassing an internal centrifuge feed tube so fluid to be treated is fed only at a beach area of a centrifuge bowl; a centrifuge with such a conveyor; and methods for using such a conveyor and such a centrifuge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Varco I/P, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard James Koch, Kenneth Wayne Seyffert, John Patrick Wright, Subrata Mitra
  • Patent number: 6780148
    Abstract: A decanter type centrifugal separator capable of discharging sludge directly from a portion of the sludge with least moisture content in a bowl so as to lower a moisture content and increase a separation efficiency, wherein a screw conveyor rotated with a difference in speed provided relative to the bowl is stored in the bowl rotated at a high speed, a dewatering cake discharge route (20) is provided in one end wall (2) of the bowl, an opening (20a) of the route into the bowl is provided near the inner peripheral wall of the bowl, the discharge route provides a restriction effect to the discharge of the dewatering cake, and a sedimentary layer with thick sedimentation layer is formed near the opening, whereby that portion only of the cake is discharged through the discharge route under head press of the sedimentation layer, that portion receiving the highest consolidation effect by the head press of a centrifugal force acting on the sediment, among the sedimentation layers accumulated at one end of the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignees: Kotobuki Engineering & Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Ohinata, Hiroyoshi Mizukami, Noboru Suzuki, Yasuyuki Yoshida, Hiroyuki Matsui, Takashi Uchikawa
  • Patent number: 6767461
    Abstract: A separator for separating particles entrained in a fluid is disclosed. The separator includes a sleeve adapted to be mounted over a rotatable shaft for forming a cavity therebetween, an inlet to the cavity, an outlet to the cavity and means for imparting a centrifugal force on fluid within the cavity. The means for imparting the centrifugal force is operatively connected to the shaft so that, in use, spinning of the shaft creates the centrifugal force. In use, a slurry of fluid and particles enters the cavity through the inlet, the particles are caused to separate from the fluid by action of the centrifugal force, and the separated particles and fluid leave the cavity via the outlet with the particles tending to be closer to the sleeve than the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Environmental Separation Technologies PTY LTD
    Inventor: Richard Caulfield
  • Publication number: 20040138040
    Abstract: A hydrostatic backdrive to control conveyor or differential speed in a centrifuge is provided. In a first embodiment, a preselected differential speed is selected by an input to a pump/motor, i.e., a variable volume positive displacement pump. The variable volume pump provides hydraulic drive fluid to a backdrive motor, which drives the conveyor. If solids content of the influent to the centrifuge changes, this is sensed by the backdrive motor, which sends a feedback signal to the variable volume pump to raise or lower its output in response. This way, in the first embodiment, a constant differential speed is maintained. In a second embodiment, the drive on the conveyor is monitored to maintain a constant torque on the conveyor. If solids content of the influent changes, this is sensed by the torque monitor, which sends a signal to the variable volume pump to increase or decrease flow as necessary to maintain that selected torque on the conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Gary L. Hensley, Tom McDuffie, Lee Hilpert
  • Patent number: 6749552
    Abstract: A screw-type solid bowl centrifuge for centrifuging material which has a tendency to foam. The centrifuge includes a centrifugal drum having discharge ports and a rotatable bowl jacket with a screw that rotates relative to the bowl jacket. Also included is a feed section having a central pipe arranged concentrically about the rotation axis of a drum for feeding the material to be centrifuged through a distributor into a centrifuge chamber between the screw and the bowl jacket. The feed section is an hermitical, closed system. Further included is a baffle plate arrangement that prevents foam or certain particles from escaping from one of the discharge ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator Industry GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Figgener, Paul Brüning, Josef Von Heyden-Linden
  • Patent number: 6716153
    Abstract: In a decanter centrifuge having a rotor and a screw conveyor the rotor is suspended only at its one end, the rotational axis of the rotor extending vertically. The inlet of the rotor for a sludge containing liquid to be separated as well as the rotor outlet for liquid having been freed from sludge are situated at the upper end of the rotor, whereas a sludge outlet for separated sludge is situated at the lower end of the rotor. The rotor as well as the screw conveyor are adapted to be driven through shafts situated at the upper end of the rotor. By the invention it becomes possible by simple implementation to adapt the decanter centrifuge for different separation duties, since the location of the sludge outlet can be chosen freely without other parts of the decanter centrifuge preventing this.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Alfa Laval AB
    Inventors: Klaus Stroucken, Rolf Riddersträle
  • Patent number: 6712751
    Abstract: In a decanter centrifuge having a rotor and a screw conveyor the rotor is suspended only at its one end, the rotational axis of the rotor extending vertically. The inlet of the rotor for a sludge containing liquid to be separated as well as the rotor outlet for liquid having been freed from sludge are situated at the upper end of the rotor, whereas a sludge outlet for separated sludge is situated at the lower end of the rotor. The rotor as well as the screw conveyor are adapted to be driven through shafts situated at the upper end of the rotor. By the invention it becomes possible by simple implementation to adapt the decanter centrifuge for different separation duties, since the location of the sludge outlet can be chosen freely without other parts of the decanter centrifuge preventing this.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Alfa Laval AB
    Inventors: Klaus Stroucken, Rolf Ridderstråle
  • Publication number: 20040058796
    Abstract: In order to separate solid-liquid mixtures in a solid bowl centrifuge containing a simply designed, adjustable weir for draining the liquid which makes it possible to control or adjust the level of the liquid in the centrifuge basket (10) during the operation of the centrifuge with the least possible expenditure of energy, the invention proposes to realize the adjustable weir in the form of a stationary, i.e., non-rotating, annular cup (20) that is connected to the centrifuge housing (18) and covers the liquid drain openings (13) of the basket (10) from the outside at a certain distance, wherein the annular cup contains at least one through-opening on its circumference, the size of which can be varied, and where the liquid drains into the liquid collection chamber (15) of the centrifuge housing through the aforementioned through-opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Bernward Feldkamp, Reinhold Schlip, Ralf Mueller, Manfred Seifert
  • Publication number: 20040029697
    Abstract: The invention relates to a solid bowl screw centrifuge comprising a centrifuging chamber (19) having a rotating screw (1) and a likewise rotating drum (21) surrounding the centrifuging chamber (19), in addition to a distributor (15) which is preferably embodied as a tube and is used to introduce the material to be centrifuged (S) into the centrifuging chamber (19). Said distributor is oriented in a angular manner, especially perpendicularly, in relation to the central axis (A) of the screw (1). The material to be centrifuged is guided through an axially extending inflow tube (13) into the distributor (15). At least one wall (15a) of the distributor is provided with a surface structure consisting of projections (27) in such a way that the main part of the material to be centrifuged (S) which passes through the distributor must flow around at least one of the projections (27) on the at least one wall (15a) on the radial path from the inflow tube (13) to the centrifuging chamber (19).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Jurgen Hermeler, Paul Bruning, Ludger Horstkotter
  • Publication number: 20030228966
    Abstract: A centrifuge for separating feed material into component parts, in one aspect primarily solid and primarily liquid parts, the centrifuge, in certain aspects, including a conveyor rotatably mounted in a rotatable housing, the conveyor having an interior and at least one impeller, the rotatable housing having a separating region with a pool area and a beach area with feed material passable through the interior of the conveyor, the feed material directed radially by the impeller(s) and spread by the impeller(s), in certain aspects along the conveyor or part thereof, onto part of the pool area, and/or in certain aspects onto the beach area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Richard James Koch, Kenneth Wayne Seyffert, John Patrick Wright, Subrata Mitra, Hubert Frank Baker
  • Publication number: 20030224920
    Abstract: A bowl assembly for a rotating machine includes a bowl mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation. A feed inlet or pipe is connected to the bowl for introducing a feed slurry into the bowl. The bowl also has a liquid-phase outlet. A flow guide member is disposed inside the bowl about the axis for guiding a liquid phase in an at least partially circumferential or annular path about the axis. The guide member has an outer edge spaced a predetermined distance from an inner surface of the bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventor: Woon-Fong Leung
  • Patent number: 6615817
    Abstract: A constitution comprises separated processing of an abrasive grain waste liquid into recycled abrasive grain and a fine abrasive grain mixed liquid in a first centrifugal separator, adding a fresh cutting liquid to the fine abrasive grain mixed liquid to direct the resulting liquid to a second centrifugal separator to subject the same to separated processing in the second centrifugal separator, into waste abrasive grain and a recovered cutting liquid directing the recovered cutting liquid through a recovered cutting liquid tank to a recovered abrasive grain tank, adding fresh abrasive grain and a cutting liquid for dilution to the recovered cutting liquid in the recovered cutting liquid tank and to the recycled abrasive grain to create a recycled abrasive grain mixed cutting liquid, and feeding the recycled abrasive grain mixed cutting liquid to an abrasive grain supply tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Motoichi Horio
  • Patent number: 6605029
    Abstract: A conveyor for a centrifuge and a centrifuge with such a conveyor, the conveyor having a plurality of spaced-apart flight members spaced apart along its length, a plurality of support members extending between, and connected to the flight members, the support members spaced-apart around the flight members, the members and support members defining a plurality of open areas through which fluid to be treated by the centrifuge is flowable from within the conveyor out into the bowl. In one aspect, a fluid velocity decreasing chamber is provided between an exit tube end and impeller apparatus for radially accelerating the fluid with the conveyor. In certain aspects the open “caged” conveyor structures diffuses fluid flow from the conveyor so that a dispersed unfocused flow of fluid exits the conveyor into the bowl, and, in one particular aspect with feed from within the conveyor to space adjacent a beach area of the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Tuboscope I/P, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard James Koch, Kenneth W. Seyffert, John Patrick Wright, Subrata Mitra
  • Patent number: 6589154
    Abstract: A decanter centrifuge is disclosed for separating a liquid feed mixture into constituent parts. The decanter centrifuge includes a bowl assembly mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis. Opposite ends of the bowl assembly are rotatably supported by first and second bearings. A motor is engaged with one end of the bowl assembly for rotating the bowl about the longitudinal axis. A screw conveyor is coaxially mounted within the bowl with a conveyor shaft attached thereto. A gear box is located between the second bearing and the bowl and includes a transmission engaged to the shaft. The transmission rotates the conveyor at a relative speed with respect to the bowl. A plurality of circumferentially spaced posts mount the gear box to the bowl, spacing the gear box apart from the bowl. Effluent discharge ports on the bowl discharge effluent into the space between the bowl and the gear box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 6572524
    Abstract: A decanter centrifuge is defined for separating a heavy phase material from a liquid within a feed mixture. The decanter centrifuge includes a bowl rotatable about its longitudinal axis for separation of the heavy phase material from the liquid feed mixture due to centrifugal force. The bowl typically includes a cylindrical portion and a frusto-conical portion at one end. A solids discharge is provided in the restricted end of the frusto-conical bowl portion. A screw conveyor is coaxially mounted for rotation within the bowl, having a spiraled conveyor flight extending radially outwardly to a position adjacent the inside wall of the bowl. The conveyor is adapted to rotate at a relative speed with respect to the bowl for conveying separated heavy phase material toward the heavy phase discharge. A baffle in the form of a disc extends radially outwardly from the conveyor hub and is adapted to project into the separated heavy phase material being conveyed along the bowl wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Caldwell
  • Publication number: 20030096691
    Abstract: Centrifuges and conveyor apparatuses for centrifuges, the conveyor apparatus, in one aspect, having a plurality of spaced-apart flight members spaced apart along the length of the conveyor apparatus, a plurality of support members extending between, and connected to the spaced-apart flight members, the support members spaced-apart around the plurality of spaced-apart flight members, a nose member with a target end within the plurality of support members, and a feed tube for feeding fluid having a fluid exit end within the conveyor, fluid exiting the fluid exit end flowable to the target end of the nose member; a centrifuge with such a conveyor apparatus; in one aspect the conveyor apparatus also having at least one wear protector on at least one flight member of the spaced-apart flight members and/or the conveyor apparatus having fluid accelerating apparatus and at least one wear protector positioned adjacent the accelerating apparatus to protect a flight or a support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Richard James Koch, Kenneth Wayne Seyffert, John Patrick Wright, Subrata Mitra
  • Patent number: 6561965
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mist pump for a conveyor of a decanter centrifuge. The mist pump is incorporated into the feed chamber and prevents mist from leaving the feed zone and building up a layer of feed in the conveyor hub. The mist pump includes a plurality of vanes attached to, extending radially inward from and spaced about an interior surface of the sidewall of the feed chamber. The mist pump also includes a ring positioned coaxially about the longitudinal axis, attached to each of the pump vanes and spaced radially inward from the sidewall to provide a plurality of return openings defined by the ring and the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Corner-Walker, John W. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 6549817
    Abstract: A process for regulating a centrifuge used for solid/liquid separation of sewage sludge commences by measuring the input variables of the operating point ot the centrifuge, the variables including 1) suspended matter content of the centrate; 2) the flow rate of sludge; 3) the flow rate of reagent; and 4) the value of torque of the motor of a conventional centrifuge. Operating zones are established, each of which is two dimensional relative to the input variables. Fuzzy logic rules are established, qualifying the operation of the centrifuge, the rules respectively corresponding to the zones. The rules are implemented in response to the input variable measurements, where actions on the sludge flow rate and reagent flow rate make it possible to bring the operating point into a particular zone of optimal and stable centrifuge operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Degremont
    Inventor: Jacques Audibert
  • Patent number: 6537191
    Abstract: In a centrifugal separator for separating solids from a liquid mixture in which the solids in the form particles are suspended in a liquid having a density less than that of the particles the centrifugal separator includes a rotor rotatable at a first speed. A screw conveyor is arranged in and coaxial with the rotor and rotates at a second speed differing from the first speed. A drive device is adapted for rotation of the rotor at the first speed and the screw conveyor at the second speed. The rotor is totally supported at one end only through a rotor shaft that is arranged so that the rotor central axis extends substantially vertically. The rotor includes an inlet for the mixture, in the form of at least one inlet channel which extends into the rotor at one end and a liquid outlet for separated liquid, in the form of at least one outlet channel which extends out of the rotor at one end, and a sludge outlet for separated solids situated at an opposite end of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Alfa Laval AB
    Inventors: Klaus Stroucken, Rolf Ridderstråle
  • Publication number: 20030032540
    Abstract: In a decanter centrifuge having a rotor (1) and a screw conveyor (2) the rotor is suspended only at its one end, the rotational axis (R) of the rotor extending vertically. The inlet (22) of the rotor (1) for a sludge containing liquid to be separated as well as the rotor outlet (12; 67) for liquid having been freed from sludge are situated at the upper end of the rotor, whereas a sludge outlet (13) for separated sludge is situated at the lower end of the rotor. The rotor (1) as well as the screw conveyor (2) are adapted to be driven through shafts (5, 8) situated at the upper end of the rotor. By the invention it becomes possible by simple means to adapt the decanter centrifuge for different separation duties, since the location of the sludge outlet (13) can be chosen freely without other parts of the decanter centrifuge preventing this.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Klaus Stroucken, Rolf Ridderstrale
  • Publication number: 20030032541
    Abstract: In a decanter centrifuge having a rotor (1) and a screw conveyor (2) the rotor is suspended only at its one end, the rotational axis (R) of the rotor extending vertically. The inlet (22) of the rotor (1) for a sludge containing liquid to be separated as well as the rotor outlet (12; 67) for liquid having been freed from sludge are situated at the upper end of the rotor, whereas a sludge outlet (13) for separated sludge is situated at the lower end of the rotor. The rotor (1) as well as the screw conveyor (2) are adapted to be driven through shafts (5, 8) situated at the upper end of the rotor. By the invention it becomes possible by simple means to adapt the decanter centrifuge for different separation duties, since the location of the sludge outlet (13) can be chosen freely without other parts of the decanter centrifuge preventing this.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Klaus Stroucken, Rolf Ridderstrale
  • Patent number: 6508752
    Abstract: In a centrifugal separator for separating solid particles from a liquid, a centrifugal rotor (2) has two axially separated end walls (13, 14) and a surrounding wall (17) arranged therebetween. The end walls (13, 14) and the surrounding wall (17) surround a separation chamber (20) in which there are arranged separation discs (21) and one or more conveyor screws (29, 62) for axial transportation of separated solid particles. According to the invention the end walls are connected with each other through a central member (15), which is dimensioned in a way such that during the rotor operation it will take up a substantial part, preferably at least 80%, of the forces acting axially on the end walls (13, 14) as a consequence of centrifugally generated pressure of liquid present in the separation chamber (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Alfa Laval AB
    Inventors: Ingvar Hällgren, Hans Martin, Berndt Nyström
  • Publication number: 20030013591
    Abstract: A decanter type centrifugal separator capable of discharging sludge directly from a portion of the sludge with least moisture content in a bowl so as to lower a moisture content and increase a separation efficiency, wherein a screw conveyor rotated with a difference in speed provided relative to the bowl is stored in the bowl rotated at a high speed, a dewatering cake discharge route (20) is provided in one end wall (2) of the bowl, an opening (20a) of the route into the bowl is provided near the inner peripheral wall of the bowl, the discharge route provides a restriction effect to the discharge of the dewatering cake, and a sedimentary layer with thick sedimentation layer is formed near the opening, whereby that portion only of the cake is discharged through the discharge route under head press of the sedimentation layer, that portion receiving the highest consolidation effect by the head press of a centrifugal force acting on the sediment, among the sedimentation layers accumulated at one end of the bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Tetsuo Ohinata, Hiroyoshi Mizukami, Noboru Suzuki, Yasuyuki Yoshida, Hiroyuki Matsui, Takashi Uchikawa
  • Publication number: 20020183186
    Abstract: A decanter centrifuge is disclosed for separating a liquid feed mixture into constituent parts. The decanter centrifuge includes a bowl assembly mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis. Opposite ends of the bowl assembly are rotatably supported by first and second bearings. A motor is engaged with one end of the bowl assembly for rotating the bowl about the longitudinal axis. A screw conveyor is coaxially mounted within the bowl with a conveyor shaft attached thereto. A gear box is located between the second bearing and the bowl and includes a transmission engaged to the shaft. The transmission rotates the conveyor at a relative speed with respect to the bowl. A plurality of circumferentially spaced posts mount the gear box to the bowl, spacing the gear box apart from the bowl. Effluent discharge ports on the bowl discharge effluent into the space between the bowl and the gear box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: John W. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 6478163
    Abstract: The screw conveyor 200A includes a first flight 211 and a second flight 212 for transporting cake to cake discharging ports 105 in the small diameter section 103. Each flight 211, 212 has a small clearance portion 211a, 212a defining a small clearance d1 and a large clearance portion 211b, 212b defining a large clearance d2 between the tip of the flight and the inner peripheral surface of the small diameter section 103. The whole region of the large clearance portion 211b, 212b of each flight 211, 212 overlaps with the small clearance portion 212a, 211a of another flight 212, 211 at the same point in the direction of the rotation axis C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Tomoe Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takaharu Otsuka
  • Publication number: 20020132718
    Abstract: A conveyor for a centrifuge, the conveyor in certain aspects having a length and including a plurality of spaced-apart flight members spaced apart along the length of the conveyor, a plurality of support members extending between, and connected to the spaced-apart flight members, the support members spaced-apart around the plurality of spaced-apart flight members, the spaced-apart flight members and plurality of support members defining a plurality of open areas through which fluid to be treated by the centrifuge is flowable from within the conveyor, and at least one accelerating impeller within and connected to the conveyor for accelerating the fluid; and/or a flow enhancer for accelerating fluid, e.g., but not limited to, in a low-flow mode and/or a chamber encompassing an internal centrifuge feed tube so fluid to be treated is fed only at a beach area of a centrifuge bowl; a centrifuge with such a conveyor; and methods for using such a conveyor and such a centrifuge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Richard James Koch, Kenneth Wayne Seyffert, John Patrick Wright, Subrata Mitra
  • Patent number: 6419619
    Abstract: A continuous procedure for the separation of substances in three phases: liquid/liquid/nonsoluble solids, preferably to separate the organic contained in wastes from solvent extraction processes. The procedure is made up of a first stage of radial feeding of wastes coming from an axial section of a differential rotary field; wherein said differential rotary field is, made up of rotary means of solid dragging and of perimetral rotary means, which rotate in one and the same direction and with different angular speeds according to a spin axis which is substantially horizontal. A second stage consisting in a first radial adjustment of the separation zone of the liquid phases, wherein said first adjustment is carried out with annular means of radial adjustment, which are static with respect to said perimetral rotary means, acting as an overflow lip to allow the pass of the predominantly light liquid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Inventor: Carlos R. Garrido
  • Patent number: 6387032
    Abstract: The invention relates to a screw-type centrifuge configured in such a way that the use of multistage planetary gear trains allows for high peripheral speeds of the drum and large drum diameters. According to the invention the drum bearing on the gear train side is positioned between two stages of the multistage planetary gear train. The housing jacket of the multistage planetary gear train, which is connected to the drum jacket and therefore rotates at the same r.p.m., has an intermediate piece which has a small diameter and is housed by the drum bearing together with a shaft connecting the gear train stages. The system provided for in the invention, according to which the drum bearing on the gear train side is positioned between two stages of the multistage planetary gear train, is used in the case of very large decanters for which the drum rotates at very high peripheral speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator AG
    Inventor: Hans-Joachim Beyer
  • Patent number: 6290636
    Abstract: The centrifuge continuously separates free flowing substances that have different densities. The centrifuge includes a rotor 14 having a cylindrical drum 16 and a conical drum 18. The rotor wall includes discharge ports 48, 48′, 48″ for a heavy phase and weirs 38 for a light phase arranged on a front end wall 36 of the cylindrical drum. The rotatable scroll conveyor 22 includes a hollow shaft 26 and a helix 24 for transporting the heavy phase toward the discharge ports. A feed pipe 28 is coaxially within the hollow shaft and opens into a chamber 32 within the hollow shaft. A plurality of nozzles each within a respective discharge port in the conical drum and a non-restrictive discharge port 60 in the end section of the conical drum discharge the heavy phase from the centrifuge. The nozzles are preferably arranged in a plurality of circumferential rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventors: Georg Hiller, Jr., Dietmar J. Neidhardt
  • Patent number: 6284152
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to both physical and chemical means for maintaining continuous high levels of chlorine dioxide in aqueous solutions for extended periods, with minimum loss through degradation in the solution and dissipation through the walls of the containing vessel within which the solution is stored. The ClO2 may be maintained even in the absence of very high levels of chlorite, from which supplemental, offsetting levels of ClO2 may be generated. The present invention relates to the discovery that certain types of plastic and glass containers have the ability to maintain relatively constant levels of ClO2 in their contained solutions over extended periods, particularly in aqueous compositions comprising chlorite/ClO2 ratios sufficient for a stabilizing complex of the two, presumably Cl204—, to suppress the ClO2 loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Robert D. Kross
  • Publication number: 20010011056
    Abstract: Apparatus for the centrifugal separation and the extraction of at least one liquid component (1) and a solid component (2) from a compound product (P), comprising means (200,300,400) for recovery of part of the energy from the extracted liquid component (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: NUOVA M.A.I.P. Macchine Agricol Industrial Pieralist S.P.A.
    Inventor: Gennaro Pieralisi
  • Patent number: 6241901
    Abstract: A centrifuge has a hub and a first bowl section extending about the hub. The first bowl section has a given diameter at a downstream end of a heavy phase transport path along the first bowl section. The centrifuge further comprises a second bowl section having an input end at the downstream end of the first bowl section. The input end of the second bowl section has a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the first bowl section at the downstream end thereof. The input end of the second bowl section is disposed radially outwardly of the first bowl section at the downstream end thereof. A feed accelerator is disposed at the downstream end of the first bowl section, and more particularly between the downstream end of the first bowl section and the input end of the section bowl section, for tangentially accelerating a thickened feed or cake between the downstream end of the first conical bowl section and the input end of the second bowl section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Woon-Fong Leung
  • Patent number: 6217502
    Abstract: In a centrifugal rotor (2) for freeing a liquid from solid particles suspended therein and being heavier than the liquid there is delimited a separation chamber (20), in which one or more conveyor screws (29) are arranged to supply separated particles axially along a surrounding wall (17) of the rotor. Each conveyor screw (29) is connected with a drivable bearing member (31) through a transmission shaft (38) extending out through one end wall (13) of the rotor. This bearing member (31) is journalled in the centrifugal rotor (2) and is situated in a transmission chamber (47) formed between said end wall (13) and a further wall (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Alfa Laval AB
    Inventors: Ingvar Hällgren, Hans Martin, Berndt Nyström
  • Patent number: 6193076
    Abstract: This disclosure sets forth a method and apparatus for operation of a centrifuge. It is constructed with a fluid inlet at one end delivering a liquid flow into a feed pipe and then into a rotating bowl. The bowl has an outer wall which is cylindrical and which is formed of adjacent individual pieces defining gaps between pieces. In one embodiment, 960 pieces define 960 parallel slots. The slots are quite narrow, having a width of 80 microns to thereby exclude particles larger than that. The mud flow is introduced into the bowl region, and a flited conveyor is operated to scroll the particles along the bowl towards the opposite end, a tapered beach cone, and that terminates at a set of discharge openings. Dry powder too large to pass through the slots is discharged from there. While the slots discharge the mud, particles are removed by this approach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Hutchison-Hayes International, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary L. Hensley
  • Patent number: 6155964
    Abstract: The present conveyor system includes an external bowl with an internal screw conveyor of one or more flites which is rotated to cooperate with the bowl. The bowl and conveyor provides scrolling actions so that a mixed fluid introduced therein is segregated to separate the heavier parts from other parts in the fluid. One aspect of the disclosure is the incorporation of a single motor connected either to the bowl or conveyor, and a output power transmission connected between said bowl and conveyor. The transmission assures that the bowl and conveyor rotated in the right direction to provide the scrolling action which is maintained at as desired ratio with respect to bowl speed. In the preferred form, this includes a dual input, dual output transmission, and a connection so that only one motor source is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Hutchison-Hayes International, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary L. Hensley
  • Patent number: 6145669
    Abstract: A centrifuge includes a conveyor for moving cake along a cake flow path towards a cake discharge opening and further includes a baffle mounted to the conveyor and disposed along the cake flow path. The baffle is provided on an upstream side, facing substantially away from the discharge opening, with a concave profile or surface. This concave profile or surface serves to direct a portion of the cake, which is headed downstream along the cake flow path, into a recirculation or churning path directed partly back towards a pool. The recirculation or churning of the particulate material facilitates an enhanced washing thereof and improves the removal of valuable solutes or undesirable impurities from the cake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Woon-Fong Leung
  • Patent number: 6110096
    Abstract: A decanter centrifuge comprises a bowl rotatable about a longitudinal axis, the bowl being provided with a cake discharge opening at one end and a liquid phase discharge opening. The bowl has a cylindrical portion and a beach portion disposed between the cylindrical portion and the cake discharge opening. A beach area is provided on an inner surface of the bowl at the beach portion of the bowl, the beach area including a first section and a second section with the second section located between the first section and the cake discharge opening. The second section of the beach area has a less steep or smaller slope than the first section. A conveyor is at least partially disposed inside the bowl for rotation about the longitudinal axis at an angular speed different from an angular rotational speed of the bowl. The conveyor includes a helical screw disposed inside the bowl for scrolling a deposited solids cake layer along the inner surface of the bowl towards the cake discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Woon-Fong Leung, Ascher H. Shapiro
  • Patent number: 6077210
    Abstract: A feed accelerator system for use in a centrifuge, the system comprising a conveyor hub rotatably mounted within a rotating bowl, the hub including an inside surface and an outside surface. At least one feed slurry passageway is disposed between the inside surface of conveyor hub and the outside surface of the conveyor hub, and at least one helical blade having a plurality of turns is mounted to the outside surface of the conveyor hub. A vane apparatus is associated with the passageway and is disposed between two adjacent turns of the helical blade. The vane apparatus may include an inwardly extending baffle and/or an outwardly extending accelerator vane. Alternatively, a U-shaped channel may be associated with the passageway, the U-shaped channel including a plurality partitions attached to the discharge end of such channel so as to form a plurality of discharge channels and a flow directing and overspeeding vane disposed within each channel, each vane having a different forward discharge angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Woon-Fong Leung, Ascher H. Shapiro
  • Patent number: 6056685
    Abstract: A centrifuge includes a frame, a hollow spindle supported by the frame for rotation about an axis, a bowl including a shell fixed to the spindle for rotation with the spindle, a shaft situated within and movable with respect to the hollow spindle, and a conveyor fixed to the shaft including a scroll situated adjacent an inner surface of the bowl shell. A harmonic drive unit including a housing is fixed to an end of the hollow spindle, the housing containing a circular spline fixed to the housing. The harmonic drive unit also includes a flexspline gear ring situated within and engaged with the circular spline, the flexspline gear ring being fixed to the shaft situated within the hollow spindle. The harmonic drive unit also includes a wave generator positioned within the flexspline gear ring for displacing the flexspline gear ring with respect to the circular spline. A brake rotor is coupled to the wave generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: G-Force LLC
    Inventor: Kurt Nelson
  • Patent number: 6030332
    Abstract: A centrifuge having a riotatable housing with a tapered portion and with a straight portion. On the interior, a flited conveyor is installed. The conveyor is scrolled at a speed causing the flites to move heavier particles along the conveyor from the straight portion and to the end of the tapered portion, thereby raising the heavier components out of the pond of liquid accumulated in the rotating housing. On the interior of the flited conveyor, there is a stack of closely spaced discs which are rotated with the housing The discs define a enlarged surface area for the pond so that separation of heavier weight materials in the pond is enhanced. The heavier particles pass through the discs and into the flited conveyor for scrolling. The stack of discs enhances the effective pond surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventor: Gary L. Hensley
  • Patent number: 5971907
    Abstract: Improved centrifugal decanters with a screw conveyor for the continuous separation of solids-liquid mixtures are disclosed wherein the conveyor is provided with a feed arrangement for reducing the magnitude of mechanical vibrations of the centrifuge comprising a coaxially mounted feed distributor, generally trunco-conical in form, adapted to distribute into the conveyor, a solids-liquid feed stream falling into the distributor from a short stationary feed tube. The invention includes processes which use such improved centrifuge apparatus for continuous separation of solids-liquid mixtures into separate components by centrifugal action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: BP Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Johannemann, Richard C. Albano, Gaines L. Brewer
  • Patent number: 5948256
    Abstract: A centrifuge includes a conveyor for moving cake along a cake flow path towards a cake discharge opening and further includes a baffle mounted to the conveyor and disposed along the cake flow path. The baffle is provided on an upstream side, facing substantially away from the discharge opening, with a concave profile or surface. This concave profile or surface serves to direct a portion of the cake, which is headed downstream along the cake flow path, into a recirculation or churning path directed partly back towards a pool. The recirculation or churning of the particulate material facilitates an enhanced washing thereof and improves the removal of valuable solutes or undesirable impurities from the cake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Woon-Fong Leung
  • Patent number: 5941810
    Abstract: Centrifugal separator comprising a drum (8) driven in rotation by a main electric motor (1), via a machine pulley (5), a first drive shaft (6) and a reducer (7), a screw (17), surrounded by the drum and driven in rotation by a secondary electric motor (9), via a second and third drive shaft (10, 16), coaxial with the first shaft (6), wherein a module is mounted between the secondary electric motor (9) and the reducer (7) comprising a casing (11), a sleeve (13) and a planetary hub (15), the hub passing through the casing and comprising a first planetary gear (25) rigidly attached in rotation to the hub, the sleeve (13) being disposed around a part of the hub (15) and comprising, rigidly attached in rotation, a second planetary gear (26), at least one axle (27) being mounted parallel to the hub (15) and comprising two satellite gears (29,30,31,32), rigidly attached in rotation to the axle, which engage with the first planetary gear (25) and the secondary planetary gear (26) respectively, at least one of the sai
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Guinard Centrifugation
    Inventor: Daniel Gay
  • Patent number: 5913767
    Abstract: A worm centrifuge for separating solids/liquid mixtures is disclosed for overcoming the problems during start-up and shut-down processes that occur when quantity of a liquid is located or remains in the centrifuge drum, particularly the problem of the emergence of liquid at the solids discharge openings during the shut-down process. The inventive centrifuge includes at least one, preferably a plurality of, drum emptying openings distributed over the circumference of the face wall of the centrifuge drum and being positioned radially outside of the liquid discharge openings. The drum emptying openings are each radially crossed by a bore. The bores each include a centrifugal force valve having a spring-loaded closing member adapted to close the drum emptying opening at high drum speed (operating speed) and to open the drum emptying opening at low drum speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Baker Hughes (Deutschland) GmbH
    Inventors: Bernward Feldkamp, Reinhold Boden, Brigitta Stender
  • Patent number: 5899844
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the density of the solids separated from a feed slurry by selectively recirculating the separated liquid component of the feed slurry to change the feed slurry's density when an unwanted density of the separated solids is detected. Further, the efficiency of the separation is increased by recirculating and recharging unused catalyst into the feed slurry where it is used to assist in the separation of the solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventor: Louis C. Eberle, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5840007
    Abstract: A decanter centrifuge comprises a bowl rotatable about a longitudinal axis, the bowl being provided with a cake discharge opening at one end and a liquid phase discharge opening. The bowl has a cylindrical portion and a beach portion disposed between the cylindrical portion and the cake discharge opening. A beach area is provided on an inner surface of the bowl at the beach portion of the bowl, the beach area including a first section and a second section with the second section located between the first section and the cake discharge opening. The second section of the beach area has a less steep or smaller slope than the first section. A conveyor is at least partially disposed inside the bowl for rotation about the longitudinal axis at an angular speed different from an angular rotational speed of the bowl. The conveyor includes a helical screw disposed inside the bowl for scrolling a deposited solids cake layer along the inner surface of the bowl towards the cake discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Woon-Fong Leung, Ascher H. Shapiro