Each Extending Away From Region With Significant Downward, As Well As Significant Outward, Component (e.g., Nested Cones) Patents (Class 494/70)
  • Patent number: 6033356
    Abstract: A centrifugal drum (1) has an inlet chamber (12) connected to a discharge chamber (10) via ducts (21), with the supplied fluid flowing radially through rib-free annular chambers (24, 25, 26) on the way to the discharge chamber (10). A through-flow resistance is thereby generated which ensures that the inlet chamber (12) is filled completely. Since the ducts (21) start in the vicinity of the inlet pipe (8), the acceleration of the supplied fluid to the speed of rotation of the centrifugal drum (1) occurs over a small diameter with the result that the stress on the centrifuged material is relatively low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator AG
    Inventors: Wilfried Mackel, Johannes Droste, Ludger Thiemann
  • Patent number: 6019717
    Abstract: A cone-stack centrifuge for separating particulate matter out of a circulating liquid includes a cone-stack assembly which is configured with a hollow rotor hub and is constructed to rotate about an axis. The cone-stack assembly is mounted onto a shaft centertube which is attached to a hollow base hub of a base assembly. The base assembly further includes a liquid inlet, a first passageway, and a second passageway which is connected to the first passageway. The liquid inlet is connected to the hollow base hub by the first passageway. A bearing arrangement is positioned between the rotor hub and the shaft centertube for rotary motion of the cone-stack assembly. An impulse-turbine wheel is attached to the rotor hub and a flow jet nozzle is positioned so as to be directed at the turbine wheel. The flow jet nozzle is coupled to the second passageway for directing a flow jet of liquid at the turbine wheel in order to impart rotary motion to the cone-stack assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter K. Herman
  • Patent number: 6017300
    Abstract: A cone-stack centrifuge for separating particulate matter out of a circulating liquid includes a cone-stack assembly which is configured with a hollow rotor hub and is constructed to rotate about an axis. The cone-stack assembly is mounted onto a shaft centertube which is attached to a hollow base hub of a base assembly. The base assembly further includes a liquid inlet, a first passageway, and a second passageway which is connected to the first passageway. The liquid inlet is connected to the hollow base hub by the first passageway. A bearing arrangement is positioned between the rotor hub and the shaft centertube for rotary motion of the cone-stack assembly. An impulse-turbine wheel is attached to the rotor hub and a flow jet nozzle is positioned so as to be directed at the turbine wheel. The flow jet nozzle is coupled to the second passageway for directing a flow jet of liquid at the turbine wheel in order to impart rotary motion to the cone-stack assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter K. Herman
  • Patent number: 5921909
    Abstract: Inlet device for a centrifugal separator, which easily can be modified so that the centrifugal separator in a simple way can get a broadened range of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Alfa Laval AB
    Inventor: Bengt-Olof Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 5916083
    Abstract: Rotor for a centrifugal separator, which rotor (1) during operation rotates in a space (4) and inside itself forms a chamber (12) and a passage (7), which extends radially outwardly from the chamber (12) to the outside of the rotor (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Alfa Laval AB
    Inventor: Rolf Bjorkstrom
  • Patent number: 5899845
    Abstract: A centrifuge drum and a method of filling an automatically discharging centrifuge drum with a mixture of liquids that is to be separated. The mixture is introduced through an intake pipe and a header. The header's intake section communicates with a stack of disks through openings in the header's base. The base is provided with radial supply channels. Channels at the center of the stack divert the separated lighter liquid phase into a diversion chamber and channels at the periphery of the stack divert the separated heavier liquid phase into another diversion chamber. The drum is charged with an auxiliary liquid obtained from a lower section of the base up to a radially inward level that covers the intake openings into the supply channel in an upper section of the base of the foot. The mixture is then introduced at full power through both sections of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Werner Kohlstette, Marie-Theres Sedler, Gottfried Heinze
  • Patent number: 5851396
    Abstract: Pollution separator and purifier apparatus (10) for at least one fluid mixture comprises: an inlet member (14) for admitting the fluid mixture to be treated into a stationary cylindrical body (12); a rotor mounted in the cylindrical body (12) and having a stack of at least two plates (18) with openings, cooperating with means that generate a pressure drop in the top portion of the apparatus and generating upward helical motion in the mixture to be treated; a hopper (22) for collecting the heavy phase, connected to the cylindrical body (12) beneath the rotor (16) and provided with forced evacuation means (24); and an extractor member (26) for extracting the treated mixture, and connected to the cylindrical body (12) above the rotor (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Inventor: Pierre Saget
  • Patent number: 5795477
    Abstract: A bypass circuit centrifuge for separating particulate matter out of a circulating liquid includes a hollow and generally cylindrical centrifuge bowl which is arranged in combination with a base plate so as to define a liquid flow chamber. A hollow centertube axially extends up through the base plate into the hollow interior of the centrifuge bowl. The bypass circuit centrifuge is designed so as to be assembled within a cover assembly and a pair of oppositely disposed tangential flow nozzles in the base plate are used to spin the centrifuge within the cover so as to cause particles to separate out from the liquid. The interior of the centrifuge bowl includes a plurality of truncated cones which are arranged into a stacked array and are closely spaced so as to enhance the separation efficiency. The incoming liquid flow exits the centertube through a pair of oil inlets and from there is directed into the stacked array of cones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter K. Herman, Byron A. Pardue
  • Patent number: 5792037
    Abstract: In the rotor of a centrifugal separator there is an annular slide (6) for opening and closing of a periphery outlet (12, 13) from a separation chamber (9). The slide (6) at its radially inner edge is connected with and axially fixed relative to the rotor body (1, 2) but has a radially outer edge portion (11) which is axially movable relative to the rotor body (1, 2). This is possible because a portion of the slide, having a substantial radial extension, is flexible. In operation, the flexibility of the slide results in an angular change between portions of the slide situated at different radial distances from the center axis of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Alfa Laval AB
    Inventors: Berth Bodelson, Kjell Klintenstedt, Toini Salmi, Nils-Gunnar Ohlson, Jan Setterberg, Staffan Holm
  • Patent number: 5788622
    Abstract: An outlet device for discharging liquid from a chamber (16) in a centrifugal rotor, that is rotatable around a rotational axis (12), comprises an outlet member (29). This outlet member is turnable around a turning axis (26) in parallel with said rotational axis (12) and is held by a spring (31) pressed radially outwardly in the chamber (16) against and partly into a liquid body rotating with the centrifugal rotor. The outlet member (29), which further forms an outlet channel (34) and an inlet opening (30) communicating therewith, is shaped such that the inlet opening (30) is situated downstream of said turning axis (26) during operation of the centrifugal rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Alfa-Laval AB
    Inventors: Leonard Borgstrom, Claes-Goran Carlsson, Peter Franzen, Claes Inge, Torgny Lagerstedt, Hans Moberg, Stefan Szepessy, Mikael Sundstrom
  • Patent number: 5779619
    Abstract: Centrifugal separator comprising a rotor, which forms an inlet and an outlet chamber (17) surrounding the rotational axis, in which a liquid present therein rotates around the rotational axis with a radially inwardly directed free cylindrical liquid surface. A stationary discharge device (21) extends in the outlet chamber (17) from the rotating liquid body radially inwardly to a central outlet (25) and forms a flow channel (26) with an inlet opening (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Alfa Laval AB
    Inventors: Leonard Borgstrom, Patrik Brehmer, Claes-Goran Carlsson, Peter Franzen, Claes Inge, Torgny Lagerstedt, Hans Moberg
  • Patent number: 5735789
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator to clean a liquid from a substance having a lower density than the liquid comprises a rotor forming a separation chamber (6), in which a stack of conical separation discs (15) is arranged. Liquid and substance dispersed therein flow radially outwards in interspaces between the discs. To increase the separation capability upon a high flow through the separator, the separation discs (15) have a radial inner zone (29a), which has no obstacles for primary flow in the circumferential direction and a radial outer zone (28a), which has so many equally around the rotational axis distributed elongated and through the outer zone (28a) extending obstacles (27a) for liquid flow in circumferential direction that the primary flow in this zone (28a) takes place radially outwards between the obstacles (27a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Separation AB
    Inventors: Leonard Borgstrom, Patrik Brehmer, Claes-Goran Carlsson, Peter Franzen, Claes Inge, Torgny Lagerstedt, Hans Moberg
  • Patent number: 5733239
    Abstract: In order to free a liquid form a substance dispersed therein and having a larger density than the liquid a centrifuge rotor is used having a stack of conical separation discs. Elongated spacing members (11a, 11b) in the spaces between the separation discs are formed such that the liquid flow in the disc interspaces is conducted in a certain way. Thus, the main part of the liquid is conducted in flow paths (12a, 12b), each of which has a direction with one radial component and one component turned against the rotational direction of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: ALFA-Laval Separation AB
    Inventors: Claes Inge, Peter Franzen, Torgny Lagerstedt, Leonard Borgstrom, Claes-Goran Carlsson, Hans Moberg, Olle N.ang.bo
  • Patent number: 5720705
    Abstract: In order to free a liquid form a substance dispersed therein and having a larger density than the liquid a centrifuge rotor is used having a stack of conical separation discs. Elongated spacing members (11a, 11b) in the spaces between the separation discs are formed such that the liquid flow in the disc interspaces is conducted in a certain way. Thus, the main part of the liquid is conducted in flow paths (12a, 12b), each of which has a direction with one radial component and one component turned against the rotational direction of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Alfa-Laval Separation AB
    Inventors: Claes Inge, Peter Franzen, Torgny Lagerstedt, Leonard Borgstrom, Claes-Goran Carlsson, Hans Moberg, Olle N.ang.bo
  • Patent number: 5709643
    Abstract: Centrifugal separator comprising a rotor which inside itself forms an inlet chamber (16), a separation chamber (5) and an outlet chamber (12). The outlet chamber (12) is connected to the separation chamber (5) via a passage (13) through which a liquid separated during operation flows into the outlet chamber (12) and in the same forms a rotating liquid body with a radially inwardly directed free liquid surface (14). The outlet chamber is provided with an outlet (19), which is located radially outside the free liquid surface (14). In the outlet chamber (12) at least two wall elements (22) are arranged fixedly connected to the rotor and arranged to form a channel between themselves in order to during operation entrain the separated liquid into the rotation of the rotor and at the same time admit flow of the same radially outwardly in the outlet chamber (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Separation AB
    Inventors: Leonard Borgstrom, Hans Moberg, Claes-Goran Carlsson, Torgny Lagerstedt, Olle N.ang.bo, Claes Inge, Peter Franzen
  • Patent number: 5637217
    Abstract: A bypass circuit centrifuge for separating particulate matter out of a circulating liquid includes a hollow and generally cylindrical centrifuge bowl which is arranged in combination with a base plate so as to define a liquid flow chamber. A hollow centertube axially extends up through the base plate into the hollow interior of the centrifuge bowl. The bypass circuit centrifuge is designed so as to be assembled within a cover assembly and a pair of oppositely disposed tangential flow nozzles in the base plate are used to spin the centrifuge within the cover so as to cause particles to separate out from the liquid. The interior of the centrifuge bowl includes a plurality of truncated cones which are arranged into a stacked array and are closely spaced so as to enhance the separation efficiency. The incoming liquid flow exits the centertube through a pair of oil inlets and from there is directed into the stacked array of cones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter K. Herman, Byron A. Pardue
  • Patent number: 5599271
    Abstract: Method in a centrifugal separator of regulating during operation the outlet flow through a stationary discharge device, which is arranged in an outlet chamber, of a separated liquid and a centrifugal separator to carry out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Separation AB
    Inventor: Jon Eiken
  • Patent number: 5575912
    Abstract: A bypass circuit centrifuge for separating particulate matter out of a circulating liquid includes a hollow and generally cylindrical centrifuge bowl which is arranged in combination with a base plate so as to define a liquid flow chamber. A hollow centertube axially extends up through the base plate into the hollow interior of the centrifuge bowl. The bypass circuit centrifuge is designed so as to be assembled within a cover assembly and a pair of oppositely disposed tangential flow nozzles in the base plate are used to spin the centrifuge within the cover so as to cause particles to separate out from the liquid. The interior of the centrifuge bowl includes a plurality of truncated cones which are arranged into a stacked array and are closely spaced so as to enhance the separation efficiency. The stacked array of truncated cones is sandwiched between a top plate positioned adjacent to the top portion of the centrifuge bowl and a bottom plate which is positioned closer to the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter K. Herman, Byron A. Pardue
  • Patent number: 5518494
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator has a rotor, which forms an inlet chamber, a separation chamber (5) and an outlet chamber (10), in which a liquid, separated during operation, forms a rotating liquid body with a radially inwardly directed free liquid surface. A stationary discharge device (17) is provided together with rods 20 which are arranged to entrain, during the operation of the rotor, the liquid present in the outlet chamber (10) and to admit flow of such liquid radially outwardly to an inlet (19) in the discharge device (17). The rods are distributed around the rotational axis and rotate with the rotor and form flow spaces which extend axially, radially and in the circumferential direction. They entrain the liquid in the outlet chamber (10) efficiently and to admit flow of the liquid radially outwardly to the inlet (19) with reduced risk of air admixture. A wing extending radially and axially in the outlet chamber may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Separation AB
    Inventors: Leonard Borgstrom, Claes-Goran Carlsson, Peter Franzen, Claes Inge, Torgny Lagerstedt, Hans Moberg
  • Patent number: 5405307
    Abstract: Centrifugal separator comprising a rotor, which forms an inlet for the liquid which is to be centrifugally treated and an outlet chamber (17) for a liquid separated in the rotor, the outlet chamber (17) surrounding the rotational axis and being so designed that liquid present in the outlet chamber during operation rotates around the rotational axis and has a radially inward facing circular free liquid surface at a certain radial level in the rotor. A stationary discharge device ( 21 ) extends in the outlet chamber (17) from the liquid body radially inward to a central outlet (25) and in the area of the free liquid surface it forms an inlet opening (23), which is directed toward the rotational direction of the liquid body and partly is located in the liquid body, the discharge device also forming a flow channel (28), which connects the inlet opening (23) to the central outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Separation AB
    Inventors: Leonard Borgstrom, Patrik Brehmer, Claes-Goran Carlsson, Peter Franzen, Claes Inge, Torgny Lagerstedt, Hans Moberg
  • Patent number: 5364335
    Abstract: A vertically oriented centrifuge swivably engaged to a support structure so as to enable the centrifuge to attain an optimal operational attitude. The centrifuge includes a bowl, a screw conveyor disposed within the bowl, a hub disposed within the upper portion of the screw conveyor wherein the screw conveyor and hub define a separation chamber, and a plurality of separating discs disposed in the separation chamber and arranged in superimposed layers upon the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Dorr-Oliver Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul H. Franzen, Ken J. Alit, Richard R. Michaud, Helmuth Probstmeyer, Michael R. Tammone
  • Patent number: 5297804
    Abstract: A sealing system for a circumferential gap between an inner component and a concentric outer component. The inner component moves in relation to the outer component essentially only linearly back and forth. The two components rotate together around a common axis. There is a groove around the inner component. A centrifugal seal is secured in the groove by axial resilience. An axial lip around one side of the seal rests against at least one of the groove's sides. There is at least one radial lip along the outer circumference of the seal. The centrifugal force, increasingly exerted on a hydraulic fluid as the rotation of the components accelerates, causes the seal to expand radially as well until the lip or lips along its outer circumference come into contact with the inner surface of the outer component, sealing off the gap. The axial lip and the radial lip define a diagonal plane at an angle of 15.degree. to 75.degree. to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventors: Uwe Siegrist, Edgar Freitag
  • Patent number: 5286379
    Abstract: An oil recovery vessel is equipped with a substantial plurality of high efficiency centrifugal separators for separating oil from an oil-water mixture transported from an oil spill area into a piping system on the vessel. The separators are arranged in modules closely spaced within the vessel, a large number of separators being disposed in a relatively small space. Each separator module includes several separators driven by a single motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Inventor: Gilbert R. Jackson
  • Patent number: 5244502
    Abstract: A continuously operable centrifuge for spinning off sugar massecuite has an upwardly conically expanded strainer basket (20) mounted for rotation about a vertical axis (16). A downwardly conically expanding massecuite distributor (40) rotating with the basket reaches into a floor region of the strainer basket substantially coaxially to the strainer basket. The lower rim of the distributor forms a throw-off edge. Inside and in the upper region of the massecuite distributor (40), a distributing cup (30) is for distributing massecuite. The peripheral wall of the massecuite distributor (40) is formed by several ring elements (41), (42, 43) which partly overlap in the axial direction leaving an annular gap (44, 45). The product distributor is surrounded by a downwardly conically expanding stationary bell (51) which forms a further gap or gap space between itself and the rotating rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG
    Inventors: Helmut Schaper, Heinrich Kurland
  • Patent number: 5186708
    Abstract: The rotor of a centrifugal separator includes two axially separated end walls and one surrounding wall situated between the end walls. The end walls and a stack of separation discs within the rotor are maintained axially together by a central fastener. The surrounding wall, which is separate from the two end walls, is movable axially during rotor operation relative to at least one of the end walls. The surrounding wall has an inner diameter at the areas where it seals with the ends walls that is smaller than the portions between those sealing areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Alfa-Lavel Separation AB
    Inventors: Klaus Stroucken, Rolf Ridderstrale
  • Patent number: 5160311
    Abstract: Centrifugal separator having a discharge device for the transformation of kinetic energy of a liquid rotating in a chamber around a rotational axis to pressure energy. The device comprises an element for the discharge of liquid out of the chamber, which element has a surface (20) surrounding the rotational axis arranged to be so located in the rotating liquid body that liquid flows in a predetermined direction along and in contact with the surface (20). The discharge element forms at least one outlet channel (21), which has an inlet opening (22) located in said surface (20) and which from this inlet opening (22) extends in the flow direction. Seen in the flow direction the inlet opening (22) is delimited by two opposite side edges (23, 24) and a cross edge (25) located downstream of the side edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Alfa-Laval Separation AB
    Inventors: Claes Inge, Peter Franzen, Torgny Lagerstedt, Leonard Borgstrom, Claes-Goran Carlsson, Hans Moberg, Olle Nabo
  • Patent number: 5104371
    Abstract: The internal cleaning of a centrifuge rotor is performed by a cleaning liquid is which pumped from a tank via an inlet channel to a central inlet chamber of the rotor during rotation thereof. A separation chamber is connected to the inlet chamber and, at different radial levels, to two outlet chambers via separate outlet passages. Cleaning liquid is discharged from the outlet chambers through a stationary discharge device having separate outlet channels. Part of the cleaning liquid discharged through the outlet channels is returned to the tank via a return conduit. The rest of the cleaning liquid is conducted directly to the inlet channel by means of an overpressure generated in the stationary discharge device. Thereby, it is possible to clean the rotor internally even very close to its rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Alfa-Laval Marine & Power Engineering AB
    Inventor: Fredrik Ajnefors
  • Patent number: 5045049
    Abstract: In a centrifuge rotor a central inlet chamber (14) communicates with a surrounding separation chamber (5) through the spaces between the radially inner edge portions of at least partly conical separation discs (6) which are arranged in a stack in the separation chamber (5) coaxially with the rotor. Said inner edge portions of the separation discs are arranged gradually to entrain into the rotor rotation a liquid mixture supplied to the inlet chamber (14). At least some of the separation discs (6) have through holes (11) situated at a distance from their radially inner edges, that is smaller than the distance between the holes (11) and the radially outer edges of the separation discs, so that the mixture may be distributed axially over the whole stack of separation discs (6), before the real separation of the different mixture components starts in the spaces between the conical portions of the separation discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Alfa-Laval Separation AB
    Inventor: Christer Lantz
  • Patent number: 4966576
    Abstract: A continuously operating centrifuge drum for concentrating suspended solids. The solids that precipitate in a stack of disks accumulate in a solids space and are diverted into a receiving chamber through mouthpieces. The mouthpieces contain throttle bores and communicate with the periphery of the solids space. To improve the known centrifuge drum to the extent that an optimal solids concentration can be obtained at low expense with no detriment to the clarified phase, there are secondary mouthpieces that also contain throttle bores, that communicate with a radially inner zone of the solids space, and that another receiving chamber is associated with. Since the volume of solids that can be diverted through the primary mouthpieces is less than the volume of solids separated in the drum, the solids flow out of the primary mouthpieces at the maximum attainable concentration, whereas the excess solids flow out through the secondary mouthpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator AG
    Inventors: Dieter Schulz, Ulrich Wrede, Wilfried Mackel
  • Patent number: 4961723
    Abstract: The intake space of a centrifuge drum is divided into a vestibule with ribs and an intake chamber without ribs. The vestibule communicates with the intake chamber through an annular gap between the outside diameter of a disk secured to an intake pipe and the inside diameter of the intake space. The intake chamber communicates with a set of disks through channels. The diameter D.sub.K of the intake chamber at the level of the channels is longer than the diameter D.sub.F that must be maintained at the upper surface of the centrifugate in a skimming chamber during operation. Since the incoming centrifugate does not rotate in the intake chamber and since no rotational pressure is accordingly generated, the intake pressure in the intake pipe is transmitted when the intake chamber is full to the centrifugate in the intake chamber, until the requisite level of centrifugate in the skimming chamber is attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator AG
    Inventors: Paul Bruning, Wilfried Mackel, Ulrich Wrede, Willi Niemerg
  • Patent number: 4930412
    Abstract: In a centrifuge rotor for separation of two liquids having different densities from a mixture thereof a stack of conical separation discs (21) is arranged in the separation chamber (13) with the base portions of the separation discs turned towards one end and with the apex portions of the separation discs turned towards the other end of the separation chamber. According to the invention the separation chamber (13) has an inlet for mixture situated at the end, towards which the separation discs turn their apex portions, and an outlet for separated relatively heavy liquid situated at the opposite end. The inlet for liquid mixture as well as both outlets for the separated liquids are situated at the same axial end wall of the centrifuge rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Alfa-Laval Separation AB
    Inventor: Klaus Stroucken
  • Patent number: 4915682
    Abstract: A liquid separator has a centrifuge rotor (1) with a set of conical separation discs (21) arranged coaxially in the separation chamber (13). The inlet of the separation chamber is formed as inlet passages (20) which extend radially outwards from a central inlet chamber (16) in the rotor, along that end wall of the separation chamber, towards which the apex ends of the separation discs face. The inlet passages (20) are formed between that end wall and a partition member (18, 19) situated between the rotor end wall and the separation discs (21). The outlet of the separation chamber (13) for separated liquid is formed by a number of channels (22) through the partition member (18, 19) and aligned channels through tubular members (23) bridging said inlet passages (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Alfa-Laval Separation AB
    Inventor: Klaus Stroucken
  • Patent number: 4840612
    Abstract: In a centrifugal separator, the rotor of which has a separation chamber (7) with an inlet (16) for a liquid mixture, a constantly open central outlet (23) for a separated liquid and an intermittently openable peripheral outlet (13) for separated solids, a so-called displacement liquid is supplied to the separation chamber (7) before the peripheral outlet (13) is opened first at a certain flow rate and then at a substantially lesser flow rate. If displacement liquid is sensed in the separated liquid leaving the rotor through the central outlet (23), the peripheral outlet (13) is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: Alfa-Laval Marine and Power Engineering AB
    Inventor: Anders Pallmar
  • Patent number: 4784635
    Abstract: In the continuous-operation centrifuge drum for concentrating suspended solids the solids are conveyed to a central chamber from a solids space through channels. Before the solids arrive in the central chamber, they must travel through an unribbed annular space. Since the solids concentrate tends to increase its existing kinetic energy, a higher flow resistance is generated. As viscosity increases, the solids, however, are more powerfully affected by friction in the unribbed annular space, their kinetic energy decreases, and the flow resistance decreases. The resulting increase in the volume of solids extracted also decreases its concentration and hence its viscosity. This behavior of the solids in the unribbed annular space of a rotating drum results in automatic regulation of the solids concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator AG
    Inventors: Paul Bruning, Wilfried Mackel, Ulrich Wrede
  • Patent number: 4698053
    Abstract: In a centrifuge rotor, the separation chamber (21) of which contains a set of conical separation discs (10), these are guided radially by means of guiding means (11) extending axially through the discs. At their ends, the guiding means (11) are fixed relative to the rotor body (1,2) in its periphery direction and radially. The rotor body has an upper part (1) and a lower part (2), which are held axially together at their peripheral portions. A distributor has a base portion (7) on which the separation discs (10) rest, and a neck portion (6) which extends centrally up through the disc set. The distributor is radially guided relative to the lower part and the upper part, respectively, of the rotor body. Cylindrical guiding surfaces (9) are present between the neck portion (6) and the upper rotor part (1) and, possibly, also between the base portion (7) and the lower rotor part (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Assignee: Alfa-Laval Separation AB
    Inventor: Klaus Stroucken
  • Patent number: 4695270
    Abstract: A drum for clarifying and separating centrifugates. It has at least one skimmer for diverting the clarified or separated centrifugates, a stationary inlet pipe extending into an inlet chamber, which rotates along with the drum, through an aperture that is slightly wider than the inlet pipe, outlets extending from the inlet chamber into a vestibule that communicates with channels ascending through a set of nested plates within the drum, and, upstream of the inlet chamber, an annular space that communicates with the inlet chamber through an annular channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator AG
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Zettier
  • Patent number: 4645540
    Abstract: The invention relates to a continuously operating centrifuge having a centrifuge basket, a feed tube for the charge, reaching into the basket, and an accelerating and heating device arranged at the bottom of the basket, which device has, coaxial to the basket, rings of various diameter arranged concentrically one in the other, the inside walls of which conically widen downwards and before the lower horizontal edge of which the charge is centrifuged to the ring lying further outside. More than two rings are arranged, the spaces between the rings being open upwards and downwards. The rings have an upper free horizontal centrifuging edge, and a steam feed tube is arranged off-center through which steam is brought into the annular spaces from above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Hein, Lehmann AG
    Inventor: Gunter Trojan
  • Patent number: 4614598
    Abstract: Centrifugal separator drum (FIG. 1) for the clarification and separation of liquids, having one or more paring systems 12, 13 for the removal of the clarified or separated liquids, a stationary inlet tube 11 which communicates with a smooth, cylindrical inlet chamber 18, which rotates with the drum and is affixed to the latter, via an opening that is slightly larger than the inlet tube. Outlets ports 20 lead out of the inlet chamber into a forechamber 21 which communicates on the one hand with an annular chamber 24 situated ahead of the inlet chamber and on the other hand with the riser passages 23 of the plate insert 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Zettier, Paul Bruning, Reinhard Schmidt, Heinrich Hemfort
  • Patent number: 4482344
    Abstract: A centrifuge consisting of a bottom, a cover, and a closure ring that unites them. The liquid being centrifuged is conveyed through an inlet pipe to an inlet chamber. Bores extend from the inlet chamber down to a surface that demarcates the bottom of the drum. Each bore is provided with an insert in the form of a choking device that has an outlet channel. Each outlet channel empties into a vestibule. The vestibules communicate with rising channels in a disk stack. The distributor and the bottom of the drum can be in one piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator AG
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Zettier
  • Patent number: 4460352
    Abstract: A centrifuge drum with a beveled-plate insert consists of individual plates held apart by spacing strips. The plates are mounted on a distributor foot. The bottom of the distributor foot has channels through which the liquid to be centrifuged is conducted into the separation space. There are ribs in the separation space. Between the ribs are lifting channels into which the channels in the distributor foot empty. The lifting channels are formed by the ribs and are positioned behind the spacing strips in the direction in which the drum rotates. The layout of the lifting channels prevents the liquid flowing into the plate insert from mixing with the solid particles that have been centrifuged out and are sliding out of the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator AG
    Inventor: Paul Bruning
  • Patent number: 4427407
    Abstract: A centrifugal bowl separator contains a packet of conical discs having a series of feed discs with an intermediate disc of larger diameter disposed between each adjacent pair of feed discs. The substance to be treated enters a channel at the bottom of the disc packet and the channel discharges only above each feed disc. The material to be treated, namely both the heavy and the lighter components, flows in the spaces above the feed discs, and the heavier component is thrown against the underside of the intermediate disc and is flung from its larger periphery, while the lighter component flows along the upper surface of the feed disc and flows around its edge and out through the space below the feed disc. The spaces between the discs have conductive connection only at the radially outer area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1984
    Assignee: Klockner-Humboldt-Deutz AG
    Inventor: Theodor Paschedag