US1824722A - Centrifugal machine - Google Patents

Description

CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE Filed Oct. 19, 3,927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 & if

35 INV NTOR B 3 M :23 Z 31 .53 ATTORNE s Sept. 22, 1931. 1.. D. JONES CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE Filed Oct. 19, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 illi/Ill} l NV'ENTOR m BY M ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 22, 1931 .STATES PATENT OFFICE LEO D. JONES, F PHILADELPHIA, -PE1\TNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE SHARPLES SPECIALTY COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE CENTIRIIE'UGAL MACHINE Application filed October .19, 1927. Serial No. 227,122.

This invention relates to centrifugal machines and particularly to centrifugal machines used for purifying liquids or for separating immiscible substances from each other. i

The general object of the invention is to provide a centrifugal'machine of improved construction, and more particular objects are to provide a centrifugal machine of such construction that it is particularly adapted to special applications but may be used for general purposes, and to provide a centrifugal machinethat is readily operated without special experience and with very little attention without likelihood of becoming disabled or out of adjustment.

A feature of my invention is that a centrifugal machine made in accordance therewith may have its proportions so varied and its features so modified as to best adapt the machine to the operation to be performed and to the conditionsexisting in the location in which it is operated. Another feature of my invention'is that the operation of a machine made in accordance therewith requires nothing but the supply of electric current and the feeding of material to be treated; and although the construction of such a machine is so simple as to preclude the possibility of injury due to lack of experience or attention,

the requirements for successful centrifugal separation and purification-are met in every respect, and the machine requires onlyreplacement of the rotor at infrequent intervals 5 in order that itmay be operated almost continubusly, Another feature of my invention is that my centrifugal machine is very well 4 adapted to and is capable ofa purification of the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine, particularly theengines of automobi-les. Other and further objects of the invention will be pointed outin the following description, or will be apparent in thelight thereof. In the accompanying drawings there are illustrated certain embodiments of my invention-but it is understood that the sameare merely illustrative and are subject to modifi- 5' cation within the spirit of my invention.

. v Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional In the drawings like reference characters indicate similar parts, and

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view with parts broken away of a centrifugal machine embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view the line -22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

view of a modisubstantially on fication;

Fig. 5 is a plan view; I

Fig-6 is a partial sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 7 is a partial sectional view substantially on line 77 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, a centrifugal bowl 10 is connected in driving relation to a spindle 11 and is preferably supported thereby. In the construction shown in Fig. 1 the hub 12 of the bowl is provided with slots 13 and the cap-nut 14 threaded on to the hub clamps it to the spindle, and the bowl is readily replaceable. Adjacent the bowl the spindle is engaged by a resiliently supported bearing A, and spaced from thebowl and from the hearing A a self-aligning bearing B engages the spindle and holds it against motion radial to its axis at the point of engagement. Adjacent thebearing B, a motor armature 15 is carried by the spindle and the commutator 16 of the motoris between the armature 15 and the bearing B and therefore very close to the bearing B. Field poles 17, carried on ring 17' are fixed in position for cooperation with the armature 15.

From the construction so far described it will be apparent that the spindle is resiliently but suflicientlysupported and guided adj acent the bowl, to the end that the'unavoidable vibrations and oscillations due to lack of balance during rotation at high speed will be properly taken care of, and a point of the spindle spaced from the resilient support is fixed against radial motion but free for selfalignment, and adjacent that fixed point the armature and commutator are positioned. 1 Thus, unavoidable vibration of the spindle will impart a minimum movement to the v I satisfactory.

rapidly but in prior construction, operation at such speeds by direct driye. has not been The bearing A- may assume various forms but in one construction shown consists, of a ring-like member 19 having an annular reservoir groove 20 filled with oil absorbent material to the end that the bearing will carry its own oil supply. The inner surface of the bearing is provided with a groove 21 and wick 22 leads out of groove20 and along groove 21, being knotted at 22' or otherwise held in place, and carries oil from the reservoir 20 to the face of the bearing. Screw 23 closes against oil leakage the space con? taining knot 22'. A cap 24 is provided for the oil reservoir 20. The resilient support for the bearing may assume various forms but in one construction shown consists of a ring 25 of metal surrounding the annular member 19 and from which tongues 26 are pressed out and engage the inner face of the bearing support 27. The annulus 19 rests upon a flange 27' of the bearing support and it is preferably covered by a cap 28 that will deflect liquids from the bearing.

The bearing B includes a sleeve 29 that engages the spindle and is provided with a spherical outer face 30 that fits within the spherical face 31 of the bearing support 32. A spring 33 rests upon a ledge 34 of the bearing support and engages the lower'portion of the spherical face 30 and thereby resiliently supports the spindle and parts connected thereto, lubricant reservoir 35 is formed into opening 2 in the-bearing support 32 and a wick 36 carries lubricant therefrom to the bearing surface. A washer 37 and a nut 38 prevent longitudinal displacement of the sDindle. suitable cap 50 protects bearing B and advantageously comprises plates between which there is a layer of felt or similar material 51 that engages the spindle or the sleeve 52 thereon. Cap 53 completes the Y enclosure of bearing B.

' To facilitate the ready replacement of armature 15 it is carired by sleeve 39 that is slid on to spindle 11 and provided with hub 40 that is fixed to spindle 11 by set screw 41. Sleeve 52 extends from bearing member 29 to sleeve 39. Hood 43 extends over the upper ends of field coils 17, and fan blades 42 mounted on hub 40 rotate within hood 43. Three brackets 45 (only one of which is shown) support the field magnets of the motor, and blades 42 cause air to be drawn 44 of hood 43 and to be passed down through the motor 'after which it flows upward between brackets 45.

Advantageously the bearing supports 27 and 32 and the motor br'ackets45 are secured together and in the construction shown the support 27 is formed integral with or otherwise carried by partition 46 of housing 47, and the brackets 45 are carried by the lower portion of housing 47,'and the support 32' is connected to a cap 48 that is carried by and closes the lower end of the housing 47. Thus, thelower portion of housing 47 comprises a motor chamber 49. In cooperation with the circulation of air in motor chamber 49, heat radiating fins 48a may be formed on the exterior thereof,

The upper portion of housing 47 comprises a purifying chamber 149 which encloses the bowl and its'upper end is closed by a closure 54 attached in any way as by thumb screws 55 (only one of which is shown). Advantageously closure member 54 carries or has formed therein a supply inlet 56 and nozzle 57 that discharges into bowl 10. In the construction shown in Fig. 1, the bowl is of the imperfo-rate type adapted for separation by sedimentation, and purified liquid is discharged over weir 58 and is collected in chamber 149 and withdrawn through discharge 6'0. Advantageously the bowl is formed with an inner frusto-conical sleeve 61 that is supported in spaced relation from the bottom of the bowl and from weir 58 by wings 62 which insure that rotary motion will be imparted to liquid introduced to the bowl and which are preferably provided with openings 63 to equalize the quantity of liquid in the compartments thereby formed in the bowl. In this construction the liquid is introduced near the bottom of the bowl and the centrifugal separation takes place as the liquid advances upwardl ward discharge weir 58. Immiscible impurities are retained in the bowl and it is replaced when necessary. By providing member 54 with an inlet opening 65, air or gas may be introduced into chamber 149 or if that opening is unobstructed the rotation of the bowl will cause air to be drawn in through it.

In any event air or gas entering opening 65 will come into contact with liquid freed of immiscible impurities, that is discharged in mist-like form over weir 58, and tends to remove therefrom by evaporation or otherwise miscible impurities not removed centrifugally. To facilitate such operation, discharge 60 is provided with a trap 66 from which air or gas escapes from the housing through pipe 67 and liquid is led off through pipe 68. The liquid 69 in the trap prevents back pressure in pipe 68 from interfering with the normal flow of air or gas through housing 149.

Centrifugal machines embodying my infrom the usual storage battery and thereby receive energy from the enginebut they are i 5 operated at uniform and high speed and are efl'ective in purification of such oil and require little or no attention other than replacement of bowls in which immiscible impurities are collected; and in such case air entering opening 65 may be heated to further evaporation of lower boiling hydrocarbons.

My invention also includes the provision of means whereby purification may be so car ried out that an immiscible liquid constituent 1 or impurity is constantly discharged from the bowl, and such means and other modificationsare embodied in the construction shown in Figs.4to'7. V v I i f Referring to Fig. 4, the spindle 11a is -rotated by the armature, 15 carried thereby and cooperating with field magnets 17 and having a commutator 16 engaged by brushes 1.8. Housing 47a carries at its lower end and. is closed by cap 48a which carries ball bearing 70 that engages the lower endof spindle 11a and which is covered by cap 53a. The mounting of the armature on the spindlegiis similar to the mounting shown in-more detail in Fig. 1 7 1;

Partition 46a divides housing 47 a into motor chamber 49 and purifying chamber 149. Mounted in partition 46a and surrounding spindle 11a is a bearing support 27a. Engaging the spindle is a bearing sleeve 71 having grooves 72 which accommodate resilient pins 73' that are held inbushing 74 in bearing member 27a. Bearing sleeve 71 is thus resiliently supported. From an oil cup 75 a wick 76 extends through opening 77 in partition 46a and extends down through groove 78 in bearing sleeve 71 and provides lubrication for the resiliently supported bearing. a y

The centrifugal bowl 10a is provided-with dle 11a and rotation is imparted to the bowl Lby eccentrically positioned pin 79 carried by spindlella.

12a and is held in spaced relation thereto by ribs 81 (only one of which is shown) on hub 12a. Surrounding inlet tube80 is an outlet tube 82 for a lighter constituent, and integral with the lower end thereof is a disk-like dividing wall 83 that is spaced from the top of the. bowl and centered with respect to the bowl by radial ribs 84 (only one of which is shown) which act to insure that liquid in space 85 will rotate at the same speed as the adjacent part of the bowl. The space 85 between dividing wall 83 and the top of the bowl leads to outlet passage 86 for a heavier constituent. Extending from the bottom of the bowl up to dividing wall 83 are wings 62a that are held in place in any desired man-' ner as by rivets 88 which cbnnect them to ina hollow hub 12a which accommodates spin- An inlet tube surrounds hub u'id in the compartments formed in the bowl by the wings. A substance introduced through inlet tube 80 passes below the lower' end thereof and into the interior of the rotating bowl and a lighter constituent passes out let tube 80. Wings 62a are provided with openings 63a to equalize the quantity of liqthrough tube 82 while a heavier constituent passes through passage and is discharged through outlet 86.

Purifying compartment 149 of housing 47d I is provided with a (-losuremember 54a which carries an inlet nozzle 57a within'which is 4 a strainer 89 for coarse particles and to which liquid is supplied through a flexible pipe 90 leading from a boss 91 to which a substance to be purified is fed by pipe 92.

with ears 93 within which is fixed a pin 94, and ears 95 on cover member 54a are .provided'with openings 96 through which pin 94 passes. A ring 97 encircles pin 94 and a spring 98 carried by ring 97 is engaged by ears 95;, Thus, the center of spring 98 is fixed with respect to pin. 94 and the ends thereof press downward on ears 95 and hold one side of closure 54a in place. The other side of closure 54a is held in place by a spring actuated hook 99.

An annular partition 100 formed inside of chamber 149 supports a frusto-conical plate 101 and there is thus formed a trough 102 for the collection of a lighter substance discharged through tube 82. Such a lighter substance passes-into trap 66a and flows in covermember 54w admit air or gas which charged from tube 82 and that gas passes off through vent 6 a. f-jHeavier liquid discharged through outlet 86 passes from chamber 149 through opening 60a into trap-66b and flows therefrom through pipe 68?). The liquid 69 in the traps prevents any back pressure in the pipes 68aand 68?; from ingwith the-desired operation of the machine. 1 i

From the foregoing it will be apparent that in the operation of centrifugal machines em bodying my invention an impure liquid or a mixture to be separated will be introduced to the bowl and in one case purified liquid will be discharged while impurities are retained, while in the other case separated immiscibleliquid constituents will both be discharged from the bowl, It will also be apparent that gas orair brought into contact with the substance discharged in dispersed form may effeet a treatment of the dispersed substance or cause evaporation of the miscible impurities, the vapor laden gas being vented from the enclosure. The mechanism is so protected that the machine may be used in any location and particularlyin conjunction with an automobile engine and the mechanism is so simple interfer- As shown in Fig.7 the housing is provided contacts with the finely dispersed liquid dis- 7 i against disorders due to operation and so effectively provided with lubricant that little or no attention need be given thereto. The resiliently mounted bearing makes provision for inherent vibration but the motor is positioned so close to the fixed bearing that such vibration will have little effect upon the air gap of the motor or upon the contact of the brushes with thecommutator, it being a particular feature of my invention that the spindle is driven by the armature which it carries and the armature is located between the bearings but adjacent the fixed bearings.

While I have described in great detail apparatus embodying my invention, I do not intend to be limited to the details described but intend that my invention shall include such modifications and variations as fall within the hereunto appended claims.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that centrifugal machines embodying my invention are simple in construction and protected and protected against outside influences; and that such machines are adaptable to the carrying out of Various operations and to varying external conditions,

The claims herein are directed to the mech-. anism herein disclosed for supporting and driving a centrifugal rotor and to thosefeatures of a casing surrounding the rotor, whereby a current of gas is contacted with a substance discharging from the rotor and in my copending application, Serial -No., 544,57 6, filed June 15, 1931, which is a division of this application, I have claimed those features of my invention relating to the construction of the casing, the feeding of'a substance to the rotor and the conducting of a substance from the rotor to the exterior ofrthe casing.

I claim:

1. In a centrifugal machine,'a unitary rotor spindle, a resilient bearing and a bearing fixed against radial movement respectively engaging said spindle at spaced points thereof, a motor armature mounted on said spindle adjacent said fixed bearing, a commutator for said armature and mounted on said spindle between said armature and said fixed bearing,

iently supported in said partition,

driving relation, bearings engaging said spindle respectively near said bowl and spaced therefrom, means resiliently supporting one of said bearings, means supporting the other of said bearings against radial movement and for change of alinement, a motor armature mounted on said spindle adjacent said last mentioned bearing, and fixed field magnets in operative relation to said armature.

4. In a centrifugal machine, a unitary spindle for driving a centrifugal bowl, a plurality of bearings engaging said spindle, means for supporting one of said bearings against radial movement and for change of alinement, and means for resiliently supportingthe other of said bearings.

5. In a centrifugal machine, a unitary spindle for supporting and driving a centrifugal bowl, a fixed bearing engaging said spindle and mounted for change of alinement, a motor armature on said spindle adjacent said fixed bearing, fixed field magnets in operative relation to said armature, and means resiliently restraining said spindle against displacement radially at a point adjacent said bowl.

6. In a centrifugal machine, a casing having a removable cover, "fixed and resiliently supported bearings carried in said casing, a spindle supported in said bearings, and a centrifugal bowl detachably mounted on said spindle within said casing adjacent said removable cover.

7. In a centrifugal machine, a casing, a partition in, said casing and dividing the interior thereof into compartments, a bearing resila fixed bearing n one of said compartments formed by said partition, a unitary spindle supported in said bearings and adapted to support acentrifugal bowlin the other of" said compartments, a motor. armature carried by said spindle, and field magnets fixed in said casing in operative relation to said armature.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification. r LEO D. JONES.

and fixed field magnets in operative relation to said armature.

2. In a centrifugal machine, a unitary spin dle, a centrifugal bowl connected thereto in driving relation, bearings engaging said spindle respectively near-said bowl and spaced therefrom, a resilient support for oneof said bearings, a support for the other of said bearings and fixing said other bearing against radial movement, amotor armature mounted on said spindle adjacent said fixed bearing, a

commutator for said armature and fixed on said spindle between said armature and said fixed bearing, and fixed field magnets in operative relation to said armature.

' 3. In a centrifugal machine, a unitary spindle, a centrifugal bowl connected thereto in

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