Including Bearing Structure Patents (Class 494/83)
  • Patent number: 12023688
    Abstract: A solid bowl centrifuge includes a rotatable drum having a cylindrical portion with length L1 and a conical portion with length L2, which, when added, give the length LT of the drum. A screw is arranged in the drum and is rotatable relative to the rotatable drum with a differential speed. At least two drum bearings for supporting the drum in the housing are spaced apart with a spacing LL. A spacing LL of the drum bearings for supporting the drum relative to one another is less than the length LT of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: GEA Mechanical Equipment GmbH
    Inventor: Poul-Erik Aagaard
  • Publication number: 20150141231
    Abstract: A separator drum having a vertical rotation axis and an inflow line for a material which is to be processed by centrifuging is driven by a drive apparatus via a drive spindle. The drive spindle is rotated by a motor designed as a direct drive and having a stator and a rotor. The drive apparatus is arranged in a drive housing having a motor housing section designed as an explosion-protected structure that is encapsulated in a pressure-resistant manner and in which the motor is accommodated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: GEA Mechanical Equipment GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Strauch, Thomas Bathelt, Andreas Bolte
  • Publication number: 20150126352
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to realize standardization of products of the vertical centrifugal separators so that it is no longer necessary to change the pressure-resistant design specifications of the bearing mechanism depending on the set pressure inside the casing. The vertical centrifugal separator having the bearing mechanism that is disposed in an opening of the casing and rotatably supports the rotary shaft of the bowl passing through the opening. The shaft sealing mechanism is a contactless shaft sealing mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: KENJI MORITA
  • Patent number: 8882999
    Abstract: Cleaning assemblies and particulate tolerant fluid bearings that are particularly well suited for use in centrifugal separation enhanced filtration devices are described. In one aspect of the invention, at least one bearing is arranged to carry a circulating cleaning assembly such that the cleaning assembly can rotate around a filter membrane during filtering operation of the filtration device. The bearing is preferably arranged to maintain the circulating cleaning assembly in a substantially coaxial alignment with the filter membrane and in a substantially stable longitudinal position relative to the filter membrane as the circulating cleaning assembly is rotated around the filter membrane. In another aspect of the invention a variety of particulate tolerant bearings are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: David J. Levitt, George D. Caffell, John H. Mallard, Steven E. O'Reilly
  • Patent number: 8758209
    Abstract: A separator including a rotatable centrifugal drum having a vertical axis of rotation and an inflow line for a material to be processed by the separator. Also included is a drive spindle for the drum rotatably mounted via a mounting to a housing supported elastically on a machine stand section. A drive device includes an electric drive motor having a stator and a rotor which is aligned with the drive spindle. A lubricant system is configured to lubricate the mounting and the lubricant system includes a lubricant circuit to convey lubricant and has a lubricant collecting container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: GEA Mechanical Equipment GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Mackel, Thomas Bathelt, Andreas Penkl, Andreas Schulz, Marie-Theres Sedler
  • Patent number: 8540613
    Abstract: To enable centrifugal filtration of fluids which contain abrasive contaminant particles the rotor bearings (3) must be isolated from the fluid which passes into and through the rotor chamber (21). This is achieved by a design in which the spindle (4) is connected to the rotor so as to rotate in unison with the rotor (5, 6, 7) relative to the base (1). The bearings (3) for the spindle (4) are provided in a bearing housing (2) which is fixedly mounted to the base (1) and a sealing arrangement, preferably a spring-loaded axial seal (14, 15), is provided between the spindle (4) and the base (1) at a location below the bearings (3) in the bearing housing (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Mann +Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Nigel Burford, Anthony W. Fell, Klemens Dworatzek, Nicholas Foulkes, John Lawrence Mills
  • Patent number: 8517904
    Abstract: A mounting structure is provided for mounting a device comprising at least one mounting shield, a pivot bearing arranged in the mounting shield and a rotor mounted in the pivot bearing and having an axis of rotation. The mounting structure has resilient properties that are dependent on directions perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Thermo Electron LED GmbH
    Inventor: Sebastian Henne
  • Patent number: 8465406
    Abstract: A screw centrifuge including a drum having a rotor, the drum having two axial ends and a horizontal axis of rotation, and a screw arranged in the drum and configured to rotate relative to the drum at a speed different from a rotation speed of the drum. Also included is a bearing device located at each axial end of the drum and configured to bear the drum. Each bearing device includes a housing and a pair of cantilevers extending in opposite directions away from the housing. Further included is a pair of spring elements associated with each bearing device and configured for sprung support of the drum. Each spring is arranged between one of the cantilevers and a frame, the spring elements being located at each axial end of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Overberg, Stefanos Doudis, Stefan Terholsen, Helmut Figgener, Hans-Joachim Beyer
  • Patent number: 8444542
    Abstract: A gear apparatus for a solid-bowl screw centrifuge. The gear apparatus includes a shaft, a gear, and a bearing. The centrifuge includies a drum and a screw, both of which are configured to be driven. The screw is further configured to be driven at a different rotational speed relative to the drum. The gear apparatus is connected between one or more drive motors and the screw and the drum. The gear apparatus is continuously filled with a lubricant and includes a hollow drive shaft having two hollow longitudinal channels extending in an axial direction. Also included is a lubricant compensating system having a lubricant compensating container connected via a line and a rotary lead-through for lubricating the bearing through the two hollow longitudinal channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Gea Westfalia Separator GmbH
    Inventors: Wilhelm Ostkamp, Richard Neubauer
  • Publication number: 20130123089
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are described for a centrifuge module of a laboratory analysis system. Specimen containers may be weighed, loaded into a centrifuge adapter, and transported to a centrifuge module by an adapter shuttle. A centrifuge adapter gripper may transport the centrifuge adapter into a centrifuge for centrifugation. The centrifuge adapter may be transported by the centrifuge adapter gripper to an adapter shuttle for unloading of the specimen containers, which may be performed by a specimen container gripper. A centrifuge drawer that allows a centrifuge to be extended from its installed position is also described. Additional embodiments pertain to a sequence for replacing, in a centrifuge, a set of centrifuge adapters that have been centrifuged with a set of centrifuge adapters that have not been centrifuged. A sequence for loading specimen containers into centrifuge adapters is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventor: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8425394
    Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifugal separator having a bearing device and a lubricating device comprising a rotatable pump device. The pump device comprises a lubricant inlet to receive lubricant from a lubricant reservoir, and a duct to convey lubricant to an outlet device for delivering at least part of said lubricant in the form of lubricant mist through at least one lubricant outlet. The pump device further comprises a gas inlet and the outlet device comprises a gas outlet, whereby during rotation of the pump device a gas flow is maintained from the gas inlet to the gas outlet bringing along lubricant present in the duct towards the outlet device. The centrifugal separator further comprises a housing which surrounds the bearing device and the lubricating device and which allows lubricant mist to pass from the lubricating device to the bearing device in order to lubricate the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Lars-Erik Skytt, Per Fonser, Håkan Appelquist, Leonard Borgström
  • Patent number: 8277369
    Abstract: A one-piece bearing is provided for use with a fluid processing assembly of the type having an umbilicus, a bearing support, a gimbal received within the bearing support, and a liner at least partially received within the gimbal. The bearing is secured to a midsection of the umbilicus and adapted to be at least partially received within the liner. An inner surface of the bearing engages the umbilicus while an outer surface of the bearing engages at least a portion of the liner for rotation relative to the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. West, Mark B. Jones, Salvatore Manzella, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8257239
    Abstract: An umbilicus is provided for use in an umbilicus-driven fluid processing system. The umbilicus has a pair of anchor portions, at least one fluid-transmitting lumen, and a drive shaft. The fluid-transmitting lumen and drive shaft extend between the anchor portions. The lumen and drive shaft may be comprised of different materials. If multiple lumen are provided, they may either be separate from each other and the drive shaft or defined in a single umbilicus body which also provides a lumen for receiving at least a portion of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Salvatore Manzella, Jr., Richard L. West, Mark B. Jones
  • Publication number: 20120220441
    Abstract: A continuous flow centrifuge system is provided. The system includes a rotor, a stator, a stator housing, upper and lower bearing plates, upper and lower bearings, first and second snap rings, and lip seal. The upper bearing rotatably secures a shaft of the rotor in the upper bearing plate. The first snap ring secures the upper bearing to the rotor shaft. The lip seal is over the upper bearing and forms a rotatable seal with the upper bearing plate. The second snap ring secures the lip seal to an inner diameter of the upper bearing plate. The upper and lower bearing plates are secured to the stator housing so that the rotor is operatively aligned with the stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: ALFA WASSERMANN, INC.
    Inventors: Kurt Spiegel, Sorin Weissman, Bill Lepse, Blaine J. Marsh
  • Patent number: 8216120
    Abstract: A centrifuge (10) including a first rotatable mechanism (60) having a rotation axis with a fluid retentive housing (20) being coaxially mounted on the first rotatable mechanism for co-rotation therewith; a second rotatable mechanism (90) having a rotation axis with the first and second rotatable mechanisms being coaxially interconnected for co-rotation around a common axis; and fluid tubing (70) connected to the axis of the fluid retentive housing and having a distal length that extends axially outwardly from the fluid retentive housing. A support arm (50) is mounted to the second rotatable mechanism a support tube (80) receives therethrough at least a part of the distal length of the fluid tubing and a bearing member (82) rotatably supports the support tube in the support arm whereby upon rotation of the first and second rotatable mechanisms the fluid tubing is free to one of rotate with and rotate relative to the support tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Velico Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: William Aitkenhead, Glen Jorgensen, Robert L. Standley
  • Patent number: 8192343
    Abstract: A continuous flow centrifuge system is provided. The system includes a rotor, a stator, a stator housing, upper and lower bearing plates, upper and lower bearings, first and second snap rings, and lip seal. The upper bearing rotatably secures a shaft of the rotor in the upper bearing plate. The first snap ring secures the upper bearing to the rotor shaft. The lip seal is over the upper bearing and forms a rotatable seal with the upper bearing plate. The second snap ring secures the lip seal to an inner diameter of the upper bearing plate. The upper and lower bearing plates are secured to the stator housing so that the rotor is operatively aligned with the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Alfa Wassermann, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Spiegel, Sorin Weissman, Bill Lepse, Blaine J. Marsh
  • Patent number: 8182408
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes a rotating centrifuge rotor having a casing which defines an inner separation space. A set of separation discs is provided in the inner separation space. The centrifugal separator includes a torque transmitting part connected to the centrifuge rotor. A drive motor drives the torque transmitting part for rotation of the centrifuge rotor. The drive motor has a first axial end turned towards the centrifuge rotor and a second axial end turned away from the centrifuge rotor. The centrifugal separator includes a stationary frame and a first bearing and a second bearing, which are connected to the frame. The torque transmitting part is rotatably journalled in the first bearing and the second bearing. The first bearing is provided between the drive motor and the centrifuge rotor. The second bearing is provided outside the second axial end of the drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Roland Isaksson, Peter Thorwid
  • Publication number: 20120010063
    Abstract: Cleaning assemblies and particulate tolerant fluid bearings that are particularly well suited for use in centrifugal separation enhanced filtration devices are described. In one aspect of the invention, at least one bearing is arranged to carry a circulating cleaning assembly such that the cleaning assembly can rotate around a filter membrane during filtering operation of the filtration device. The bearing is preferably arranged to maintain the circulating cleaning assembly in a substantially coaxial alignment with the filter membrane and in a substantially stable longitudinal position relative to the filter membrane as the circulating cleaning assembly is rotated around the filter membrane. In another aspect of the invention a variety of particulate tolerant bearings are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: CLEAN FILTRATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: David J. Levitt, George D. Caffell, John H. Mallard, Steven E. O'Reilly
  • Patent number: 8092362
    Abstract: A separator arrangement includes a separator having a drum with a vertical rotation axis. The drum is placed on a rotatable drive spindle and is surrounded by a shroud. A separating wall separates the separator arrangement into a sanitary area that includes the drum and the shroud and a drive area that includes the drive device. The separator and the drive device are decoupled as a unit, in terms of vibration, by at least one of the separating wall and a foundation attachment. The drive device includes a motor, a coupling, at least one bearing device, and a flange section around the drive spindle underneath a drive cover, and a sealing device. A membrane arrangement is formed in a region of the drive cover and, for vibration purposes, decouples the drive cover from the machine frame in a region around the drive spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator AG
    Inventors: Werner Kohlstette, Olaf Müller, Thomas Homann
  • Publication number: 20110256999
    Abstract: A chuck for rotating around a rotation axis XA a centrifugal separation bowl secured thereto includes a vat-shaped body for receiving a lower end portion of the separation bowl secured therein with a peripheral rim of the chuck surrounding an outer flank of the separation bowl. The chuck includes a plurality of clutching systems to cooperate with the flank of the separation bowl in securing it to the chuck. The clutching systems include a channel formed in the chuck body with an arcuate path in the peripheral rim of the chuck body. A chain of translatory bodies arranged within the channel includes a proximal translatory body and a distal translatory body in the chain, whereby a force acting on the proximal body and directed outwardly of the rotation axis XA is transmitted through the chain of translatory bodies to the distal translatory body to urge it inwardly towards the rotation axis XA to clutch the outer flank of the separation bowl, whereby the separation bowl is secured to the rotary chuck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: SORIN GROUP ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Gianpaolo Simonini, Ivo Panzani, Andrea Galavotti
  • Publication number: 20110237418
    Abstract: A centrifuge system designed to receive a rotor having variable volumes adapted for collecting and centrifuging biological fluids. The centrifuge system encompasses a chuck that slides along the axis of rotation inside a rotating bucket. Thereby stretching or contracting the volume of the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: Jacques Chammas
  • Patent number: 8002690
    Abstract: A rotor for a centrifuge (1), wherein the rotor is rotatably driven about a rotation axis and includes two parts, i.e., a central bearing part and a waste collecting part which is provided with a waste collecting area. The waste collecting part is separable from the bearing part for waste disposal or cleaning. The bearing part and waste collecting part are provided with torque transmitting surfaces which interact with each other in a form-fitting and/or adherence manner and are connectable by axially positioning the waste collecting part on the bearing part and disconnectable by axially removing the waste collecting part from the bearing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Hengst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl Grosse Wiesmann, Uwe Meinig
  • Patent number: 7959547
    Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifuge for the cleaning of a liquid, in particular a lubricant oil of an internal combustion engine. Said centrifuge comprises a housing, at least one bearing element on the housing side and a rotor which is rotatably mounted thereon. The rotor is composed of at least two parts, an inner part for accommodating the bearing and a part for retaining impurities in an impurity collection zone, wherein said part may be detached from the inner part for maintenance of the centrifuge. The centrifuge is characterized in that the/each bearing element is an element composed of a first bearing material and comprises one or more first smooth bearing surfaces. The inner part, embodied as a single piece, is made of a second bearing material and provided with one or more second smooth bearing surfaces. First and second bearing surfaces cooperate directly among each other, and the first and second bearing materials form a pair of smooth bearing materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Hengst GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Dieter Baumann, Uwe Meinig
  • Publication number: 20110124481
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator comprises a frame, a spindle and centrifuge rotor on the spindle. The centrifuge rotor comprises a rotor casing, which forms an inner separation space, an inlet for supply of a fluid and an outlet for discharge of a separated component. An electrical drive motor having a stator and a rotor drives the spindle and the centrifuge rotor. The rotor of the drive motor is supported by a first bearing and second bearing. A coupling member connects the rotor of the drive motor and the spindle for transmitting a rotary movement. A third bearing supports the spindle so that it is radially elastic in relation to the frame for transmitting a first part of radial forces between the spindle and the frame. The coupling member comprises a lamella coupling or a universal coupling, and transmits a second part of the radial forces, which exists between the spindle and the frame, to the frame via the rotor of the drive motor and at least one of the first and the second bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventor: Per Karlsson
  • Publication number: 20110034313
    Abstract: A centrifuge includes a bowl. The bowl includes a cylindrical portion at a first end. The centrifuge further includes a hollow shaft. The hollow shaft is coaxial with the cylindrical portion and extends through at least the first end. The centrifuge also includes a hydraulic drive unit coupled to the cylindrical portion and configured to rotate the cylindrical portion. The hollow shaft and the cylindrical portion are rotatably coupled to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: ANDRITZ SEPARATION INC.
    Inventor: James J. HANKEY
  • Patent number: 7850590
    Abstract: A separator includes a centrifuge drum having a vertical rotational axis and a feed line to feed a product to be centrifugally processed. Further included is a drive spindle having an impeller to drive the centrifugal drum, which drive spindle is rotatably mounted in a housing by a bearing device and which is supported on a machine frame by an elastic support. Also included is a lubrication arrangement and a drive device including an electric drive motor having a stator and a motor rotor which is aligned with the drive spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Gea Westfalia Separator GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Mackel, Helga Tietz
  • Publication number: 20100255976
    Abstract: A separator includes a centrifugal drum having a vertical axis of rotation and a feed line for material to be centrifuged. A drive spindle for the centrifugal drum is rotatably mounted on a housing via a bearing, the housing being supported elastically on a machine frame. A drive device includes a motor housing and an electric motor having a stator and an armature which is aligned with the drive spindle. The drive device and the motor housing move with the drive spindle as co-vibrating units during an operation of the separator. The drive device is connected to the machine frame below the bearing at a lower axial end of the bearing via one or more joint elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: GEA WESTFALIA SEPARATOR GMBH
    Inventors: Wilfried Mackel, Thomas Bathelt, Andreas Penki, Thomas Kleimann, Marie-Theres Sedler
  • Patent number: 7806820
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatic balancing and inertial damping of vibrations in a rotor are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a rotor drive shaft is adapted to mount a rotor and rotate the rotor. A lower drive shaft connects to a source of rotation. A flexible coupling attaches the rotor drive shaft to the lower drive shaft and transfers a rotational force applied by the source of rotation to the rotor while permitting relative lateral motion between the rotor drive shaft and the lower drive shaft. An inertial coupling is coupled to the rotor drive shaft and provides inertial resistance to the relative lateral motion. A clamping collar is coupled to the inertial coupling to couple the inertial coupling to a chassis and permit the relative lateral motion between the rotor drive shaft and the lower drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: Gary Wayne Howell
  • Publication number: 20100234203
    Abstract: A compact laboratory centrifuge including a centrifuge rotor and a drive unit for driving the centrifuge rotor. The drive unit includes a motor, a motor housing and a shaft. The centrifuge rotor is attached to and driven by the shaft. The centrifuge rotor includes a recess adapted to receiving the upper portion of the motor housing, which is positioned in the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: HANNING ELEKTRO-WERKE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Erich R. Soetebier, Ruediger Rauskolb
  • Publication number: 20100160138
    Abstract: A mounting means is provided for mounting a device comprising at least one mounting shield, a pivot bearing arranged in the mounting shield and a rotor mounted perpendicularly in the pivot bearing, an axis of rotation of the rotor being oriented substantially perpendicularly when the device is mounted on the mounting means, and the mounting means having resilient properties. In one embodiment, the resilient properties of the mounting means are direction-dependent, in particular orthotropic. As a consequence of the direction-dependent resilient properties of the mounting means, oscillations excited by a rotary movement of the rotor strike a mounting, the pivot point of which does not coincide with the axis of rotation of the rotor, but is set apart therefrom. This makes it much more difficult to excite the mounting means to form unstable oscillations, so that such oscillations are effectively damped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: THERMO ELECTRON LED GMBH
    Inventor: Sebastian Henne
  • Patent number: 7713185
    Abstract: A free-jet centrifuge for the cleaning of lubricating oil comprising, a housing with a removable cover, a rotor rotatably arranged in the housing and with channels for feeding and removing the lubricating oil. The rotor is of split design with a drive part and a dirt trapping part which can each be flowed through by their own partial lubricating oil flow and which are designed with a torque transmission device which is engageable and disengageable. The dirt trapping part is separable from the drive part. A device is provided to prevent or restrict the axial mobility of the dirt trapping part relative to the drive part, which is ineffective or detachable when the cover is removed. The drive part extends from the bottom towards the top into the dirt trapping part or entirely through it. The drive part comprises all parts serving for the rotatable bearing of the rotor and the drive part is securely positioned against axial removal with an opened cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Hengst GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Dieter Baumann, Karl Grosse Wiesmann, Norbert Prinz
  • Patent number: 7588526
    Abstract: A centrifuge, in particular a separator, having a rotating, vertically oriented drive spindle, which is supported on a machine frame by a bearing device, which exhibits at least one step bearing or lower thrust bearing and preferably one upper collar bearing, which are arranged in a common frame and lubrication space, which in its lower region is fashioned as an oil pan, the step bearing being enclosed by a cup element having a cylindrical outer shell and one open axial end and one closed axial end, through which cup element the drive spindle passes in centric fashion, the drive spindle and the cup element being connected to each other so as to be rotationally fixed relative to each other, a fin, which rotates along with the drive spindle, serving to generate a flow of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator AG
    Inventors: Thomas Kleimann, Daniel Senger, Thomas Kottenstedte
  • Patent number: 7452323
    Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifuge including a first rotatable mechanism having a rotation axis with a fluid retentive housing being coaxially mounted on the first rotatable mechanism for co-rotation therewith; a second rotatable mechanism having a rotation axis with the first and second rotatable mechanisms being coaxially interconnected for co-rotation around a common axis; and fluid tubing connected to the axis of the fluid retentive housing and having a distal length that extends axially outwardly from the fluid retentive housing. A support arm is mounted to the second rotatable mechanism, a support tube receives therethrough at least a part of the distal length of the fluid tubing, and a bearing member rotatably supports the support tube in the support arm, whereby upon rotation of the first and second rotatable mechanisms, the fluid tubing is free to one of rotate with and rotate relative to the support tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: ZymeQuest, Inc.
    Inventors: William Aitkenhead, Glen Jorgensen, Robert L. Standley
  • Patent number: 7300396
    Abstract: In a centrifugal separator a centrifugal rotor is connected to a vertical spindle, which is supported by a frame and journalled in a first bearing and a second bearing. The centrifugal separator is drivable by an electric motor, the stator of the motor being fixed to the frame such that it is radially immovable relative to it, whereas the rotor of the motor is radially movable together with the spindle. The gap between the rotor and the stator of the motor is dimensioned so that it permits the radial movability of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Jouko Pitkämäki, Robert Sandblom
  • Patent number: 7090634
    Abstract: A driving system for a separator having a centrifugal drum with a vertical axis of rotation. The driving system includes a vertically aligned driving spindle configured to accommodate a centrifugal drum. The driving spindle is arranged by a neck bearing and a footstep bearing in an opening of a drive housing. The neck bearing is supported in an axially rigid and radially resilient manner on the machine housing. The neck bearing is constructed as an angular ball bearing and supports the centrifugal drum on a spherical-shaped supporting surface of the machine housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator AG
    Inventors: Wilfried Mackel, Helga Tietz
  • Patent number: 7008366
    Abstract: A centrifuge (10) including a first rotatable mechanism (60) having a rotation axis with a fluid retentive housing (20) being coaxially mounted on the first rotatable mechanism for co-rotation therewith; a second rotatable mechanism (90) having a rotation axis with the first and second rotatable mechanisms being coaxially interconnected for co-rotation around a common axis; and fluid tubing (70) connected to the axis of the fluid retentive housing and having a distal length that extends axially outwardly from the fluid retentive housing. A support arm (50) is mounted to the second rotatable mechanism, a support tube (80) receives therethrough at least a part of the distal length of the fluid tubing, and a bearing member (82) rotatably supports the support tube in the support arm, whereby upon rotation of the first and second rotatable mechanisms, the fluid tubing is free to one of rotate with and rotate relative to the support tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: ZymeQuest, Inc.
    Inventors: William Aitkenhead, Glen Jorgensen, Robert L. Standley
  • Patent number: 6988980
    Abstract: A separator comprising a centrifugal drum driven by a centric spindle mounted with at least one axial bearing on a machine frame and a barrier chamber for hydrohermetic sealing an oil layer inside the barrier chamber. The barrier chamber has an immersion plate therein and is disposed in the axial region between the at least one bearing and the centrifugal drum around the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator AG
    Inventor: Reinhard Moss
  • Patent number: 6986734
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator provides for the discharge of solids by either an axial-motion scraper or a piston/extrusion assembly. The axial-motion scraper is used with hard-packed or friable solids, and includes an integral feed liquid accelerator and feed holes. The piston/extrusion assembly is used with pasty solids, and includes a piston extending into a separator bowl and having openings permitting fluid communication across the piston. After high-speed separation is complete, a centrate valve closes one end of the bowl, and the piston is moved axially in the bowl by an actuator. Accumulated solids are scraped from the sides of the bowl and extruded out of the piston openings for discharge from the bowl. A bowl suspension employs a spherical mounting structure and a short, stiff spindle. A spherical portion of a bearing housing is mounted in a spherical mounting region at one end of the separator, with a cylindrical portion of the bearing housing extending along the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Wagner Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert B. Carr
  • Patent number: 6976947
    Abstract: A centrifugal extractor of non-contact journaled construction is provided in which, even under the environments of corrosive gase and mist-like liquid such as nitric acid mist generated in the reprocessing of a spent nuclear fuel, no problem in corrosion or deterioration of parts occurs and high reliability is obtained, and operation is enabled for a long period of time free from maintenance. A rotor 12 housed in a rotor housing 10 is journaled by a main shaft 14 and rotated and driven by a motor 16. The main shaft is surrounded by a drive-portion housing 30, and has a thrust magnetic disk 36 on the upper end and radial magnetic disks 46, 48 and a motor-rotor portion 54 in the circumference thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute
    Inventors: Hideki Ogino, Kazuhiko Fujisaku, Tadahiro Washiya
  • Patent number: 6832981
    Abstract: A multi-lumen tube arrangement for use in a centrifuge free of a sliding seal, the tube arrangement having at least two individual tubes which are rotated around one another around their longitudinal and/or their parallel axes. The rotation of the tubes takes place in this connection in opposite directions starting from a support position disposed approximately centrally in order to compensate the torques applied to the tube arrangement. A method for manufacturing such a tube arrangement is also decribed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Fresenius HemoCare GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich Witthaus, Wolfram Weber
  • Publication number: 20040192532
    Abstract: A driving system for a separator having a centrifugal drum with a vertical axis of rotation. The driving system includes a vertically aligned driving spindle-configured to accommodate a centrifugal drum. The driving spindle is arranged by a neck bearing and a footstep bearing in an opening of a drive housing. The neck bearing is supported in an axially rigid and radially resilient manner on the machine housing. The neck bearing is constructed as an angular ball bearing and supports the centrifugal-drum on a spherical-shaped supporting surface of the machine housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Westfalia Separator AG
    Inventors: Wilfried Mackel, Helga Tietz
  • Patent number: 6776752
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator provides for discharge of solids by either an axial-motion scraper or a piston/extrusion assembly. The axial-motion scraper (80) is used with hard-packed or friable solids, and includes and integral feed liquid accelerator and feed holes. The piston/extrusion assembly is used with pasty solids, and includes a piston (12) extending into a bowl (10) and having openings (45) permitting fluid communication across the piston. After separation is complete, a centrate valve (34) closes one end of the bowl, and the piston is moved axially in the bowl by an actuator. A bowl suspension employs a spherical mounting structure (96) and a short spindle (98). A bearing (100) and the spindle (102) of the bowl are mounted within the bearing housing. The suspension is retained by a ring and retaining member secured to the separator in compressive contact with the spherical portion of the bearing housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Wagner Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert B. Carr
  • Patent number: 6740027
    Abstract: A solid bowl centrifuge with liquid release during rotation includes a frame, solid bowl, drive device, scraper assembly, slurry spray, and liquid collection trough. The solid bowl includes a centrifuge chamber, and a liquid evacuation chamber. A plurality of openings are formed on the outer wall of the liquid evacuation chamber. The solid bowl is pivotal retained in the frame. The liquid collection trough is disposed around the liquid evacuation chamber. The drive device causes the solid bowl to rotate. Slurry is sprayed on to the wall of the centrifuge chamber while in rotation and eventually scraped-off the wall of the centrifuge chamber. A second embodiment of the solid bowl centrifuge with liquid release during rotation utilizes at least three bearing wheels to support an outer perimeter of the solid bowl at a bottom thereof. The liquid evacuation chamber is replaced with a liquid ring attached to a bottom of the centrifuge chamber and a liquid collection trough disposed around the liquid ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Inventor: Ronald D. Benson
  • Patent number: 6716154
    Abstract: A centrifuge having a rotating frame, which is rotatably mounted on a stationary frame, and a separation unit mounted on the rotating frame, rotating about a central axis of rotation in the same direction of rotation as the rotating frame but at twice the rotational speed. A line for supplying and/or removing a fluid is connected to the separation unit and is guided in a loop about the separation unit to a stationary tie-in point. To support the line, at least one guide element having a bearing surface for the line is provided. The bearing surface of the guide element is formed by a rotating planar curve, where the radius of the respective circle of curvature contacts the curve at a point and increases with increasing distance between the contact point and the central axis of rotation. With this contour, abrasion over the entire contact surface is largely uniform, which thereby lengthens the lifetime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Fresenius HemoCare GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich Witthaus, Wolfram Weber
  • Patent number: 6699169
    Abstract: A centrifugal extractor has a rotor supported rotatably in a housing 10, and an aqueous phase liquid and an organic phase liquid are supplied to the outer circumference of the rotor and mixed between the housing and the rotor. A mixed phrase liquid is sucked into the rotor and is separated into two phases in a centrifugal force field generated in the inside of the rotor, and the separated aqueous phase liquid and organic phase liquid are discharged to an aqueous phase collector 50 and an organic phase collector 44, respectively. A cavity portion is provided in the center of the rotor, and a neutron absorption body 60 is disposed in the cavity portion. Preferably, the rotor has a lower rotating and supporting mechanism (such as a sliding bearing 66), and a neutron absorption material is sealed into the lower rotating and supporting mechanism. By such a centrifugal extractor, criticality safety and durability can be enhanced, even when the extractor is designed to be larger-size and larger-capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute
    Inventors: Hideki Ogino, Tadahiro Washiya
  • Publication number: 20030205510
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and process for cleaning substrates using dense fluids under the influence of a continuous centrifugal force. Dense fluid centrifugal separations resolve many problems associated with conventional dense fluid cleaning technology. These include elimination of pooling and supercooling of liquid carbon dioxide trapped within pores and cavities of a substrate—leading to formation of dry ice and recontamination of substrate, ability to precision clean using one unit volume of dense fluid per cleaning operation and ability to remove small insoluble particles from deep voids or cavities. The present invention can perform solvent-aided separation processes heretofore not possible using conventional dense fluid technology. These include liquid-liquid, liquid-supercritical-fluid, froth flotation and centrifugal phase-shift separations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventor: David P. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20030195105
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator provides for automatic discharge of solids by either an axial-motion scraper or a piston/extrusion assembly. The axial-motion scraper is used with hard-packed or friable solids, and includes an integral feed liquid accelerator and feed holes. The piston/extrusion assembly is used with pasty solids, and includes a piston extending into a separator bowl and having openings permitting fluid communication across the piston. After high-speed separation is complete, a centrate valve closes one end of the bowl, and the piston is moved axially in the bowl by an actuator. Accumulated solids are scraped from the sides of the bowl and extruded out of the piston openings for discharge from the bowl. A bowl suspension employs a spherical mounting structure and a short, stiff spindle. A spherical portion of a bearing housing is mounted in a spherical mounting region at one end of the separator, with a cylindrical portion of the bearing housing extending along the rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: R. B. CARR ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Robert B. Carr
  • Patent number: 6620090
    Abstract: A free-jet centrifuge which, in contrast to prior art centrifuges which are braked by bearing friction, includes a device for braking the rotor when the oil pressure falls below a predetermined value. The rotor is mounted in a slide bearing (12), which simultaneously forms the centrifuge oil inlet (23), and also is provided with a roller bearing (19), which minimize bearing friction and enables the rotor to attain the highest possible rotational speeds. Friction partners (15a, 15b) are disposed on the centrifuge housing (10) and rotor (11) and are pressed against one another by a spring (20) when the oil pressure drops below operating pressure, to stop the rotor in order to minimize run-on of the centrifuge and the noise and bearing wear associated with run-on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Helmuth Fischer, Peter Frehland
  • Patent number: 6544162
    Abstract: A centrifugal blood separator for separating whole blood into at least two blood fractions such as a plasma fraction and a blood cell fraction is disclosed. The blood separator has a centrifuge vessel with a separation chamber having at least two sections with different diametric sizes. The large diameter section collects the heavier blood cell fraction during centrifugation. The smaller diameter section collects the lighter plasma fraction. Fluid communication subassemblies preferably have a feed conduit, a product or an outflow conduit and a vent which are mounted in a non-rotatable part and positioned in an extending or extendible manner into the separation chamber to allow blood fractions to be removed while the centrifuge vessel is rotating or after rotation has stopped depending upon specifics of the particular embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignees: Washington State University Research Foundation, DevTec Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard Van Wie, Trevan R. Landin, Bruce N. Weyrauch
  • Patent number: RE39704
    Abstract: A self-powered centrifugal separator, for separating particulate contaminants from a liquid lubricant of an automobile engine, includes a rotor container rotatable about an axle to which it is journalled by bushes. When the engine is running, a film of pressurized liquid between the bushes and axle lubricates them and provides radial stiffness, but when the engine stops and liquid supply ceases, radial stiffness is reduced and the partially emptying container may vibrate and create wind-down noise. At least one bush, which normally provides a horizontal thrust bearing to support the weight of the container at low speed, has, with the axle portion it surrounds, a region tapering in diameter to center the container with respect to the axle and provide both radial and axial support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventor: Ronald J. Purvey