US1861878A - Separating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

June 7, 1932. F. A. QUIROZ SEPARATING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 6, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet l on @N Filed Dec. 6, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 n3 un F. A. QUIROZ 1,861,878

SEPARATING APPARATUS Filed Dec. e, 1928 s Sheet Sheet 5 June 7, 1932.

fmw a INVENTOR BY GTMX 13M ATTORNEY ?atcnted June '7, 1932 ernnr r ice lER-ANGISGO A. QUIRGZ, F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK SEPARATING APPARATUS Application filed December 6, 1928. Serial .No. 324,188.

This invention relates to separating apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for separating from a liquid solid particles suspended therein.

3 One of the objects of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the above-mentioned character that will be o'l rugged and thor oughly practical construction and capable of dependable action and high elficiency 1-3 in practical use. Another object is to provide a separating apparatus whereby .centrifugal force or forces may be utilized, for achieving the separation of substances having ditlerent specific gravities, such as 15 solid particles suspended in a liquid, in

a thoroughly practical manner for eificiently, rapidly and economically effecting a dependable separation. Another objecti's .to provide an apparatus oi the above-mentioned 719 character in which particles suspended in a liquid may be reliably and elliciently'zseparatel from the liquid without necessitating complicated apparatus or the subjection of the mixture to successive stages of separating 53 action. Another object is to provide separate ing apparatus or "the above-mentioned character capable of continuous and steady separating action. Another object is to provide simple and thoroughly dependable and emcient means for feeding a mixture to the separating apparatus and for removin the separated products therefrom. Another object is to provide a centrifi gal separator construction having thoroughly dependable and eflicient driving mechanism for the several parts and moreover, having such driving mechanism dependably protected from the materials, liquids, and the like, operated upon by the v apparatus. Another object is to provide a centrifugal separating apparatus capable of hi 11 speed of operation, and having a high "1d continuous separating capacity. Another object is to provide an apparatus of the above-mentioned character that will be well 1 adapted to meet the varying conditions of hard practical use, that will be ofrugged and dependable yet inexpensive construction, of low cost of upkeep, and highly economical in practical use. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arr; ngements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be herein after described and the scope of the applica- 55 tion .ofwhich will be indicated in the followmg claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which are shown certain preferred of various possible embodiments of the mechanical ifeaco tures of my invention,

Figure 1 is a central vertical sectional view of the separatingapparatus, certain parts being shown in elevation, and

Figure 2 is :a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, certain parts being shown in elevation and certain other parts being broken away in order to illustrate more cleanly certain parts of the apparatus.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form ofpart ofthe apparatus shown in Figures'l and '2.

liigure l is a vertical sectional view of another possible modified form which certain parts of my apparatus may take.

Figure 5 is a plan view of my apparatus.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views in the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the apparatus will be seen to be provided with a. base having secure-d thereto at its respective ends, as seen in Figure 1, upright standards 11 and 12 shaped attheir upper ends as at 13 and 14, respectively, 'to provide housings for anti-friction or roller bearings and 16,, respectively. The housings 13 and 14 are suitably bored out to receive the outer races of the roller bearings 15 and 16, while supported by the inner races of the roller bearings 15 and 16 is a tubular-like or hollow driving member 17, the inner races of the bearings being suit-ably clamped against suit-. able shoulders in the tubular member '17 by means of lock nuts 18.

At an intermediate point the hollow driving member 17 is cut away upon opposite sides thereof, as is shown at 19 and 20 in Figure 2, and extending through the member 17 and suitably journaled therein is a shaft 21. The shaft 21 is rotatably supported within and with respect to the tubular driving member 17 and is preferably of lesser diameter than the inside diameter of the member 17, except at a suitable number of sections in the shaft 21 as, for example, at 22, 23, 24 and 25, these latter sections having a running fit with respect to the member 17 and being of sufficient axial extent to provide suitable hearing surfaces for relative rotation between the shaft 21 and the member 17. The shaft 21 may be made of one piece throughout its length, or it may be sectionalized, if desired; at an intermediate point in its length and throughout a section thereat of an axial length commensurate with the axial length of the openings 19 and 20 the shaft is provided with or has formed therein a gear 26, driving access to which is gained through the openings 19 and 20. The bearing sections 22, 23, 24 and 25 of the shaft are preferably provided with oil grooves, as shown, and lubricant may be supplied therethrough, as at 28. At its left-hand end, as seen in Figure 1, the sleeve-like driving member 17 projects beyond the: bearing housing 13 and has keyed thereto a gear 27. The left-hand end of shaft 21 terminates in flush relation with the end face of the member 17, a disk 29 being secured to the end of theshaft 21, as by the cap screw 30; this disk 29 overlaps the end faces of both the member 17 and the hub of the gear 27 and prevents movement to the right of the shaft 21 with respect to the member 17.

The right-hand end of the member 17 terminates substantially flush with the outer face of a plate-like member 31 of a casing which is secured to the standard 12 and which closes the bearing housing 14, and the shaft 21 projects beyond the right-hand end of the member 17. The projecting end of the shaft 21 has keyed thereto a gear 32, the gear on this one end of the shaft 21 coacting with the disk 29 on the lefthand end of the shaft 21 to prevent relative axial movement between the shaft 21 and the tube-like driving member 17.

A suitable plate-like member 33 closes the bearing housing 15, and, like the member 31 which closes the bearing housing 14, is provided with a suitable packing for preventing escape of lubricant from the bearing or for preventing access to the bearing of foreign matter. A suitable packing construction not unlike that of a stuffing box, indicated at 34, is provided for closing each inner end of the bearing housings 13 and 14 for not only preventing escape of lubricant from the housing but also preventing ingress of foreign matter.

A rearward extension of the base 10 supports an electric motor 35, as will be clear from Figures 2 and 5, and supported in suitstantial alinement with the shaft 38 of the motor.

Shaft 36 carries a gear 39 substantially alined with the gear 27, these two gears being connected so that the former drives the latter by means of a suitable driving chain 40, preferably a toothed chain for toothed engagement with the respective gears. The shaft 38 of motor is connected to the shaft 36 through any suitable speed change mechanism, preferably of the sliding gear type, diagrammatically indicated at 41 in Figure 5, a handle 41a permitting prcdetermination of the ratio of drive between the two shafts 36 and 38. Thus, the speed of drive of the gear 27 and hence of the tubular driving member 17 (see Figure 1) may be varied or predetermined at will, for purposes more clearly described hereinafter.

The shaft 37 carries a gear 42 (see Fig ure 5) which is connected with the gear 32 (Figure 1) on the shaft 21 by means of a driving chain 43 which is preferably of the toothed type for toothed engagement with these two gears. Shaft 37 is connected with shaft 38 of the motor 35 by means of a clutch 44 and by means of a speed change mechanism 45, as diagrammatically indicated in Figure 5. The clutch 44 is provided with an operating handle 46 and is preferably of the friction type, conveniently of the cone type of clutch. Speed change mechanism may be of substantially similar construction as the speed change mechanism 41 hereinabove d scribed and is provided with a suitable operating handle 47.

Suitable housings 48 and 49, preferably bolted to the standards 11 and 12 respectively (see Figure 1) encase the two drivin chains and their respective gears or sprocl Spaced apart in an axial direction with re spect to the tubular driving member 17 and secured thereto so as to rotate therewith are two supporting members generally indicated at 50 and 51 (see Figure 1), each of these members having hub- like portions 52 and 53 respectively for mounting the members upon the tubular member 17, and having also a substantially circular periphery as indicated at 54 and 55 respectively. Supported upon the base 10 is an enclosing casing, preferably of substantially circular cross-section, as shown in Figure 2, and made up of a bottom portion 56 and an upper portion 57 the latter being preferably arranged so that access to the interior of the casing 5657 may be gained and hence the member 57 is conveniently hinged to the member 56, as by suitable hinge pins 58. A suitable lifting ring 59at the upper portion 57 of the casing permits the latter to be moved relative to the bottom portion 56.

manure 'The interior of the casing 56'5f? is provided with an inwardly directed and peripherally extending flange 60 (Figure l), the inner edge of which extends into relatively close proximity .to the circular periphery 54: of the supporting member thus, as the member 50 rotates with the driving member 17, the flange 60, together with the circular periphery 54 of the member '50 efiects a substantial sub-division of the interior of the casing 5657 into an end chamber A and a central chamber B, the right-hand boundary of chamber B being formed by the rotating supporting member '51 and the coaction with the circular periphery 55 of which with the inwardly directed and coacting flange 61 on the interior of the casing portions 56 and 57, as will be clear from Figure 1. There is thus also formed between the member 51 with the flanges 61 and the right-hand endcwall of the casing portions 5657 an end chamber C.

These spaced members 50 and 51, which rotate as a unit with the driving member 17, are adapted rotatably to support between them a plurality of what will hereinafter be termed separating units. By way of illustration I have shown (see Figure 2') four separating units designated generally at 62, 63, 64 and 65. In Figure l the unit 62 is shown in front elevation and the unit 64 is shown in vertical central cross-section, and since the construction of all of the units is preferably identical it will suffice to describe the construction and mounting of only one.

Referring first to Figure 1, it is first to be noted that the separating unit 64 includes a vessel 66 preferably of circular cross-section and preferably also tapered. As will be clear from Figure 1, the diameter of the vessel 66 increases in a direction moving toward the right along the axis of the vessel 66. The left-hand end wall 67 of the vessel 66 is extended in a direction toward the left to form a stud shaft 68 coaxial with the axis of the vessel 66. This stud shaft 68, which, with the end wall 67, may be formed integrally with or may be suitably secured to the vessel 66, is hollow to provide a passage indicated at 69 and is rotatably supported with respect to the rotating supporting member 50 by means preferably of a roller bearing generally indicated at '70, the inner race of which is carried by the stud shaft 68, and the outer race of which is suitably fitted into an appropriate annulus 71 formed in the supporting member 50. A suitable annular 7 2 suitably secured to the annulus 71 subst ntially closes in the right-hand end of the bear-- ing while an appropriate annular-litre portion 73 of the member 50 closes of? the left" hand end of the bearing 70, the latter being thus substantially encased to prevent egress: of lubrication from the bearing and to pro vent ingress of foreign material into the bearmg. g V v The right-hand end portion of the vessel 66 is turned down as at 74, adjacent an end ring-like flange 7 5 extending about the periphery of the vessel 66. Seated upon the turned portion 74 is a ring-like gear 76 which, as will be clear from Figure 1, abuts against the flange 7 5.

The right-hand end of the vessel 66 is closed by end wall member 77 which is secured in place by means of cap screws 78 that pass through the flange and are threaded into suitable threaded openings in the geared ring member 7 6. Thus, both the end wall member 77 and the gear 76 are rigidly secured to the vessel 66,

The end wall member 77 has a hollow cylindrical extension 79 the axis of which is substantially alined with the axis of the stud shaft 68; the cylindrical extension 79 is rotatably supported in the rotating supporting member 51, preferably by means of a roller bearing indicated generally at 80 and the inner race of which is fitted about the extension 7 9 and the outer race of which is fitted into a suitable annulus 81 formed in the supporting member 51. A suitable flange 82 closes in the left hand end of the bearing 80 and a portion 83 of the wall'memberforming partof the supporting member '51 closes off the right-hand end of the bearing 80. The bearing 80 is-thus appropriately enclosed.

It will thus be seen that the separating unit 64: is dependably supported for rotation about its own axis and that, upon rotation of the tubular driving member 17 with the supporting members 50 and 51 fixed thereto, the separating unit 64 will also partake of rot tion about the axis of the driving member 17. The other separating units, being similarly constructed and mounted, as hereinbefore noted, as is the separating unit 64, will thus also be seen to be capable of partaking of similar rotation about their respective axes as well as about the axis of the driving member 17.

Referring now to Figure 2, it may at this point be noted that the'remaining separating units are also provided with gear rings like the gear member 76 on the unit 64; more pecifically, the gear members of the units 63, '62 and 65 are indicated in Figure 2 re snectively at 88, 8e and 85. Moreover, the axes of the separating units 62, 63, 64 and 65 are so related to the rotating supporting members 50 and 51 and the diameters of the gears 76, 83, 84 and 85 are so selected that the latter four gear members mesh consecutively with one another and so that hence the four separating units are geared together thereby, as will be clear from Figure 2.

The driving of the separating units to rotate them about their own axes is achieved from the driving shaft 21 which, as will be clear from Figures 1 and 2 and as hasalready been hereinabove noted, extends within the tubular driving member 17 More s ecificall the ear member 26 is eared preferably to two opposed separating units and, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, is geared to the gears 76 and S4 of the separating units 64 and 62, respectively, by means of intermediate gears 86 and 87, respectively.

The intermediate gears 86 and 87 are mounted upon shafts 88 and 89, respectively, the latter being supported by a yoke member 90 extending about and rigidly secured to the tubular driving member 17. The yoke member 90 extends to both sides of the openings 19 and 20, as viewed in both Figures 1 and 2, and acts also to reinforce and strengthen the tubular driving member 17 at those portions where it is cut away, as at 19 and 20, to expose the gear 26 of the driving shaft 21. 7

If now the motor 35 is set into operation with the clutch 44 disengaged and with the speed change mechanisms 41 and 45 adjusted or set to give the gears 39 and 42 (see Figure 5) appropriate relative speeds, gear 27 (see Figure 1) is first set inrotation and with it the driving member 17 and hence also the supporting members 50 and 51, the rotation of the latter causing the plurality of separating units to be rotated about the axis of the driving member 17, it being at this point noted that, in view of certain other features of construction to be later hereinafter described, the direction of drive is such that the plurality of separating units rotate about the axis of the driving member 17 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2. After these parts have come up to full speed, the clutch 44 is operated gradually to apply the driving torque of the motor 35 to the gear 42 (see Figure 5) and thence to the gear 32 and shaft 21, the latter bein driven in counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2, but at a speed less than the speed of drive of the driving member 17. The relative rotation that thus takes place between the gear 26 and the intermediate gears 86 and 87 (which rotate about the axis of the gear 26 with and at the speed of the tubular driving member 17) results in driving the separating units 62 and 64 (which are geared directly to the gears 87 and 86, respectively) and hence also of the units 63 and (which are directly geared to the units 62 and 64) at a relatively slow rate about their own and respective axes. Units 64 and 62 are rotated in counterclockwise direction and units 63 and 65 are rotated in clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2.

By way solely of illustration, the tubular driving member 17 and hence the separating units may be rotated about the axis of the former at, for example, 1000 R. P. M., and the driving speed of the shaft 21 is such that the individual separating units rotate about their own axes at, for example, 3 or 4 R. P. M. These values, however, are purely illustrative and may be widely departed from in practice, depending upon various conditions met with in practice, as will be pointed out by way of example hereinafter.

The materials to be separated from each other, such as, for example, a mixture of a liquid and solid matter suspended therein, are supplied to each of the separating units during the above-described composite rotation thereof, are separated into the liquid and the solid matter and the separated materials withdrawn from the separating units.

Considering now first the manner in which the separating units are supplied with this mixture, itmay first be pointed out that the right-hand or inner end of the passage 69 in the stud shaft 68 (see Figure 1) connects with a plurality of passages 91 extending radially through an inwardly directed portion 67a of the wall member 67 (see Figs. 1 and 2), the outer ends of these radial passages 91 connecting with the left-hand end of the interior of the separating unit, as will be clear from Figure 1. A tube-like member 92, mounted in the hollow stud shaft 68 and sealed thereto by means of a stufiing box construction 93 (Figure 1) forms an extension in a direction toward the left of the passage 69 and its left-hand end connects with the outer end of a passage 94, the left-hand walls of which (as viewed in Figure 1) being formed preferably integrally with and as part of the supporting member 50. This passage 94 extends radially toward the axis of the driving member 17. Moreover, the supporting member 50 is provided with as many radially extending passages 94 as there are separating units and in Figure 1 the connecting passage 94 associated with the separating units 62 is shown partly in section and partly in elevation.

The various passages 94, four in number in the illustrative embodiment shown in the drawings, terminate adjacent the driving member 17 in an axially extending and annular flange 95 into the opening within which projects a sleeve member 96 secured at its lefthand end to the enclosing casing, preferably to the standard 11, as by the screws 97. Sufficient clearance is provided between the flange 95 and the sleeve 96 to permit the former to rotate about the latter.

Extending at right angles to the sleeve 96 and in a direction rearwardly, as viewed in Figure 1, and through the casing portion 56 is a pipe or conduit 98 shown in Figure 5 through which the liquid mixture may be supplied to the sleeve 96 from any suitable source.

Thus, as the apparatus is driven and the separating units; rotated aboutthe axis of the driving member 17 as well as about their own respective axes, the mixture to be separated into its constituents is supplied. through the pipe 98 whence it flows. through the sleeve 96 into the respective passages 9 ileading to the separating units; passing outwardly in'a radial direction along these passages 9%, the mixture enters the passage 69 in the stud shaft 68, through the tube 92 (see Figure 1), this flow being aided by centrifugal force due to the rotation about the axis of the member 17. From the passage 69 the mixture flows radially and outwardly through the passages 91 in the portion 6145 of the wall member 6?, but only through such of the pas.- sages 91 as happen to be positioned outside of a circle passed through the axes of rotation of the several separating units, as viewed in Figure 2, the centrifugal force making certain that this action takes place,

Thus, viewing the passages 91, as shown in Figure 2, the mixture will enter the separating unit substantially only through those passages which extend to the left of a ver-. tical plane passed through the axis. of re tation of the unit 65, as viewed in Figure 2 Similarly, the centrifugal force maintains the mixture within the vessels of the respective separating units only in those portions thereof most remote from the axis of the driving member 17.

Secured'to the portion 67a of the left-hand wall member 67 of the separating unit is an interior vessel 99 preferably of circular crosssection and of gradually increasing diameter in direction from the left to the right, as

clearly indicated in Figure 1. The righthand end of this interior vessel 99 is open while the left-hand end is closed by a wall member 100 which closes the right-hand end of the passage 69 and forms the right-hand walls of the radial passages 91, the latter being formed preferably by making appropriate radial slots in the member 67a, as will be clear from Figure 2.

Extending from points adjacent the axis of the member 99 are a plurality of passages 101 formed in the wall 100 (see Figure 1) and the left-hand ends of the passages 101 con nect with passages 102 formed in the parts 67a and 6'7. Any suita le number of such passage 101 102 may be provided, and in Figure 2 are indicated as many passages 101102 as there are passages 91. These passages 102 will be seen to terminate and to. be distributed throughout the periphery of the rotating vessel 66 and adjacent its lefthand end, as viewed in Figure 1. In the upper portion oi Figures 1 these passages 102 are clearly shown with respect to the separating unit 62. V

The degree of taper of the interior vessel 99 may be and preferably is substantially similar to the degree of taper of the vessel 66;

At the right-hand portion of the vessel 66 and equally distributed about the interior periphery thereof is aplurality of bucket-like members, each generally indicated at103 and indicated in the lower portion of Figure 2 as four in number, by way of example. These bucket-like members 103 preferably comprise, a vane-like member 1 03a, conveniently plane and set at an angle, more clearly pointed out hereinafter, together with end wall members extending at right angles to the member 103a. These bucket-like members 103 rotate with their respective separating units,

Thebucket-lilre members103 of all of the separating units are substantially of similar construction but it is noted here that, since the separating units 62' and 64 rotate in counterclockwise direction about their own axes, the bucket members 103 are so positioned that their open ends face in the direction of rotation, as is indicated with respect to the unit, 64 in Figure 2. Since, however, the separating units 6.3 and rotate in clockwise direction the buckets 103;, though of similar construction to the construction of the buckets 103 of the units 62 and 6 1, are mounted so that their open ends face toward the direction in which the units 63 and 65 are rotated, as is clearly indicated with respect to the unit 6.5 in Figure 2.

Substantially overlapping the right-hand open end of the member 79 (see Figure 1) which coacts with the roller bearing 80 to rotatably support the unit 64, is a plate-like member 10d (see also Figure 2) secured to the supporting member 51 as by the screws 105. The plate-like member 10 1 is substantially disk-shaped but is cut away, as indicated at 105,, to expose to the chamber C of the casing 565Z that portion of the right-hand end of the passage 7 9 that is remote from the axis of the driving member 17.

Secured to the plate 104:, as by the cap screw 106, is a substantially L-shaped member 10? (see Figure 1) having a, tube-like portion 108 extending substantially along the axis of rotation of the unit 6 1, this tube-like portion 108 passing also through a suitable opening in the wall member 7 7 and having an opening 109 on that side thereof; remote from the axis of the member 1'? and communicating with the hollow interior of the member 79, The inner portion of the member 107 extends radially toward the axis of the member 17 and terminates in'a funnel-like member 110, the open end of which is juxtaposed to whatever bucket members 103 happen to traverse that are of their path of rotation about their own axes as falls substantially within a circle drawn through the axes of the several separating units.

Considering now the separating action that takes place, as well as the manner of dis char ing the separated constituents, it may first be noted that the mixture enters the several separating units at their left-hand ends (as viewed in Figure 1) through the passages 91. Since the action that takes place in the several separating units is substantially similar, it will suffice to describe the action that takes place in one unit alone, such as the unit 64.

As the unit 641 is whirled about the axis of the driving member 17, the mixture within the unit 64 is held, by the centrifugal force, in those portions of the unit remote from this axis of rotation and the solid material indicated by the small dots at 111 in Figure 1, being of greater specific gravity than the liquid in which it is in suspension is affected to greater extent by the centrifugal force and becomes progressively more concentrated adjacent the inner wall of the unit 64 as the material operated upon gradually moves from the left toward the right, as viewed in Figure 1. The movement in this direction is brought about in part by the tapered construction of the separating unit itself, the centrifugal force being a function of the radius and increasing as the radius to the axis of the member 17 increases. I

By the time the mixture has reached the right-hand end of the vessel 66, thesolid material finds itself substantially segregated into a strata or layer most remote from the axis of the member 17 (that is, toward the bottom of the vessel 66, as viewed in Figure 1) while the liquid constituent of the'mixture is substantially clear or free from solid matter 7 throughout those portions of the volume thereof more closely approaching the axis of the member 17 The radial extent or level of the liquid within the separating unit, with respect to the axis of the member 17 is determined by the outermost exit passages 10110 2, through which the liquid is discharged.

During the above-described action, however, the separating unit 6 1 is relatively slowly rotated about its own axis so as to bring the bucket members 103 successfully and progressively into the regions where the concen tration of solid material is greatest, these buckets scooping up the solid material and during continued rotationthereof carrying the solid material to that side of the axis of rotation of the separating unit that is nearest the axis of the member 11. During the collecting or scooping action of the buckets 103 the centrifugal action upon the solid material acts to hold the latter within the buckets, but during the successive range of movement of the buckets, that is, throughout substantially that part of rotation of the separating unit about its own axis as extends between that axis and the axis of the member 17, the centrifugal force exerted upon the solid material, still acting in a general outward direction with respect to the axis of the member 17, now acts to discharge the solid material from the buckets 103, the latter having become reversed in their relative position due to the rotation thereof about the axis of the unit itself.

The slope of the vane-like member 103a of the buckets 103 is such as to facilitate the discharge of the solid material from the buckets due to this centrifugal action, the solid material discharging into the funnel-shaped rial thus being discharged continues in a di- K rection to move the material out through the opening 105 in the plate 104 to discharge this solid material into chamber C, from the walls of which it drops down and is discharged out of the apparatus through the discharge con duit 112 extending through the base 10 (see Figure 1) A spiral vane 113 (see Figure 1) is mounted in the interior of the hollow member 7 9 and the latter member, rotating slowly with 1 the separating unit 64:, thus causes a rotation of the spiral vane 113 in a direction to insure movement of the solid material in a direction toward the right along the interior of the member 79, thus to make sure that the solid material is dependably and rapidly moved from the opening 109 to the discharge opening 105.

The substantially clear liquid discharges through the discharge passages 101-102 but only through those which are successively positioned, due to the rotation of the separating unit, outside of a circle passing through the axes of rotation of the several separating units, the centrifugal force insuring the discharge of the liquid therethrough.

The left-hand inner wall of the chamber B is curved so as to deflect the discharging liquid in a direction toward the right, as viewed in Figure 1 and as indicated at 11 1; this curvature is such, moreover, as to deflect the discharge liquid into a substantially peripheral- 1y extending member 115, of substantially channel cross-section, suitably secured to a rib 116 on the interior of the casing members 56-57. This channel member 115 guides the discharged liquid downwardly to either side of the vertical axis of the apparatus, as viewed in Figure 2, to the bottom portion of the base member 10, whence it may be withdrawn through the conduit 117.

- Referrin again to Figure 1, it is to be noted that flie liquid mixture enters the lefthand end of the separating unit through the passages 91, and, after having the foreign matter removed therefrom, is discharged from the separating unit also at the left-hand end thereof but through the discharge passages 101-102; in passing from the entry passages to the exit passages,however, the liquid is made to traverse a path materially greater than the length of the separating unit itself, due to the action of the interior vessel 99. By this action and construction many advantages are achieved. Among these may be noted the fact that greater compactness of construction, as well as more effective and eflicient separation are achieved.

As above noted, the material entering through the passages 91 passes in a direction toward the ri ht, as viewed in Figure 1, along the outermost portions of the tapered vessel 66 and substantially along the annular passage between the members 66 and 99. Reaching the ri ht-hand end of the vessel 66, the solid matter is substantially concentrated in the path of rotary movement (about the axis of the unit 64) 0f the buckets 103, which effect removal of the solid material from this region, as above described.

The substantially clear liquid can approach theexit passages 101-102 only by passage in a direction toward the left within the vessel 99 and along those portions thereof remote from the axis of the driving member 17. Such movement toward the left of the liquid within the member 99 is accompanied by a continued separating action due to the centrifugal forces acting, and any foreign or solid particles that tend to be carried toward the exit passages 101 are forced into contact with the inner walls of the vessel 99, but these walls being tapered and hence of progressively increasing distance from the axis of the member 17 cause a progressive movement in a direction toward the right, as viewed in'Figure 1, of these solid particles, the centrifugal force acting thereon increasing progressively as the distance from the axis of the member 17 increases. The action, therefore, on foreign matters that may still be entrapped or suspended in the liquid which moves toward the exit passages is to cause a positive movement there of toward the open end of the vessel 99 whence they are discharged into close proximity to the region where the bucket members 103 are active to remove the solid material.

Thus, a. highly efficient separating action is achieved and the separated liquid discharged from the apparatus rendered free from foreign material to a very high degree and efficiency.

While I prefer to employ a tapered construction of both of the vessels 66 and 99 that make up each separating unit and'thereby achieve many thoroughly practical advantages both with respect to the separating unit achieved and the features of mechanical constructions, yet I may employ with good results a construction substantially like that shown in Figure 3 in which is shown a modified form which the separating units individually may take. In Figure 3 I have indicated generally at 118 a separating unit the mounting and drive of which is substantially similar to that hereinabove described. The unit 118, however, is made up of a vessel 119 and an interior vessel 120, both of which are substantially cylindrical (as distinguished from the tapered or frusto-conical shape of the vessels 66 and 99 of Figure 1) and the unit 118 is mounted to revolve about an axis which, like the axes of the units 64, 63, 62 i and of Figures 1 and 2, is parallel to the axis of the driving member 17 about which the units are bodily whirled or rotated. In order to achieve a progressive movement of the separated solid matter in a direction from the left toward the right, as viewed in Figure 3, and both with respect to the outer tensity or rapidity of the separating action by varying the speed of rotation of the several separating units about the axis oft'he driving member 1?, as by making appropriate adjustment of the speed change mechanism- -l1 of Figure 5, and I can achieve any desired rate of movement of separated solid: material into position to be acted upon by the hue et's 103 and remove it from the apparatus, by predetermining the rate of rotation of the separating units 118 about their own axes by means of the speed change mech-v anism 15.

Referring now to Figure 4, I have illustrated another of various possible embodiments vhich certain features of my invention may take, and I have shown at 123 a separating unit in which the outer vessel 12 1- and the inner vessel 125 are straight cylinders (in this respect not unlike the vessels 119 and 120 of Figure 3) in order to achieve an eiiicient movement in a direction toward the right (as viewed in Figure 4:) of the solid material separated or undergoing separation from the liquid, I mount the unit (or units) 123 so that the right-hand end of the axis of the unit 123 is more remote from the axis of the driving member 17 (about which the units are whirled or rotated) than is the left-hand end of the axis. Thus, the outermost portions of the vessels 12 1 and 125, with which the material operated upon is in contact, are progressively more remote from the axis of the member 11'? the righthand end of the unit 12 is approached, thereby effecting a progressive increase in the centrifugal action on the sold material and a corresponding definite and positive movement thereof in a direction toward the buckets 103.

The driving of the separating units shown in Figures 3 and a is achieved in substantially the same manner as hereinabove described in connection with Figures 1 and 2, but because of the tilted relation of the axis of the unit 123 with respect to the axis of the driving member 17, I prefer to form the gear 26a on the shaft 21 appropriately beveled and also to shape the intermediate gear or gears 86a substantially similarly beveled, all as will be cl ar from Figure l.

It will thus be seen that I have provided in this invention an apparatus in which the several objects hereinbefore noted, as well as many thoroughly practical advantages are successfully achieved. More particularly, the apparatus is well adapted to meet the widely varying conditions of practical use. In this latter connection, it might be noted that the dii'liculty of separation of the materials to be operated upon may vary in practice throughout exceedingly wide limits, depending upon such factors as the relative physical and chemical characteristics of the liquid and the solid particles mingled therewith or suspended therein, the relative specific gravities, the degree of concentration of solid particles in the liquid, the mass of these particles, and the like. Yet, by a relative predetermination of the speed of whirling or rotation of the separating units about the axis of the driving member 17, achieved by adjustment of the speed change mechanism ll, and of the speed of rotation of the individual separating units about their own axes, by means of the speed change mechanism 47, the apparatus may be quickly suited to meet and successfully cope with the widely varying characteristics of materials met with in practice and the separation of which is desired. It will furthermore be seen that the apparatus is of thoroughly prac tical and rugged construction and is compact and is well adapted for long continued operation with a minimum of manual attention.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of rotatable containers, means mounting said containers for rotation about their respective axes and for rotation about an axis extraneous of said first-mentioned axes, said means including a rotatable member in which said containers are mounted for rotation, means for rotating said rotatable member and for rotating said containers about their respective axes, each of said containers having ahollow trunnionlike member rotatably supported by said rotatable member, and means for supplying material to be treated to said containers and through said hollow trunnion-like member.

2. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of rotatable containers, means mounting said containers for rotation about their respective axes and for rotation about an axis extraneous of said first-mentioned axes, each of said containers having interiorly thereof a bucket-like member, means for supplying to said containers a material to be separated, means for withdrawing the separated constituents of said material from said containers and including means adapted to receive material discharged by said bucket-like members, means for rotating said containers about said external axis, means for rotating said containers about their own axes, and means for predetermining the ratio of the speeds of rotation of said containers about their own axes and about said external axis.

3. In apparatusof the character described, in combination, a container, means mounting said container for rotation about its own axis and about an axis spaced from said firstmentioned axis, said container having impcrforate interior walls extending substantially from an inlet end to the other end thereof, said walls being progressively more distant from said spaced axis and having their greatest distance therefrom adjacent said other end, means for supplying to said container and at said inlet end thereof a material to be operated upon, means at the other end of said container and rotatable therewith for intercepting a separated constituent of said material, means for receiving material discharged by said intercepting means, and means for removing another constituent of said material from said container.

4:. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a container, means mounting said container for rotation about its own axis and about an axis spaced from said firstmentioned axis, said container having double interior spaced walls extending substantially from one end of said container to the other and progressively more distant from said spaced axis, means for supplying to the space between said spaced walls of said container and at said first-mentioned end thereof a material to be operated upon, means at the other end of said container and rotatable therewith for intercepting a separated constitutent of said material, means for receiving material discharged by said intercepting means, means connecting with the space within the inner of said two walls for removinganother constituent of said material from said container, and means for predetermin- .ing theratio of drive ofsaid container about a said two axes. a

.5. "In-apparatus of the character described,

n in combination, a container, means mounting said container for rotation aboutits ownaxis and=about an axis spaced from said firstmentioned axis. said means including -'a trunnion-like member having a passage -'therethrough communicating withtheinterior of 5 said container, means :for rotating said container about said axes, and additionalmeans communicatingwith the interior of saidcon- :tainer, said last-mentioned .means and said passage serving to permit movement of 'zomaterial relative :to the interior of said container.

6. In apparatus of the character described,

in combination, a container, means mounting said container for rotation about its own axis as-and about an axis spaced from said firstmentioned axis, said means includinga trunnion-like -member having-a passage therethrough communicating with the interior. of

7, said container, means for rotating said confifltainerabout-said axes, and means rotatable "about said spaced axis, communicating with said passage, and-extending'into said container and adapted to receive "material dis charged "from those portions of the interior i fifi walls of saidrcontainer'nearestsaid spaced axis. A

7. In'apparatus of the character described, in combination, a containenmeans mounting said container for rotation about ,its own 40 axis and aboutan axis spaced from said firstmentioned axis, saidxmeans including a truninion like member having a passage therethrough "communicating'with the interior of said container, means for rotating said container'about said axes, and a conduit member rotatable-aboutsaid spaced axis having one end in communicationwith said passage and its other end openin' a direction toward said spaced-axis. I 8. In apparatus'ofthe character described, in'combination, a container,means mounting said containerfor-"rotation about itsown axis "and about'an taxis spaced from said firstmentionedaxis, means for rotating said containerrabout saidaxes, meansfor supplying to said container and closelyfadj acent one end thereof a material'to' be operated upon, means -at'the same end ofsaid container for' permitting the discharge of 'a separatechconstituent of said material,and-"means for carrying said constituent toward the other end of, said container beforepermitting its discharge through said discharge means.

9. Inapparatus of the character described, inccombination, a container,;means mount ing said container for rotation about its own axis and about .an ,aXis spaced from said first-mentioned axis, means for rotating said container about said axes, meansfor supplyingto'said container and closely adj a- ,7 cent one end thereof a material to be oper .ated up0n, means at-the same end of said container for permitting the discharge of La separated constituent of said :material, and means for causing said constituent to travel 7 substantially'to 't-hecthenend of said container before being discharged through iSiLld discharge means. 1'0.- In :apparatus of the character described, in combination, acontainer, means; mounting. said container for rotation about its'own axis and aboutanaxisrspaced from said first-mentioned axis, means for rotating said container about said axes, means for supplying to: saidcontainer -and-fat oneend thereof material to .be operated upon, means at substantially the same end of said .container foripermitting the discharge of'a separated constituent of saidrinateri-al and an annular wall member within said container r and interpOsed betWeen said. two last-men- --tione.dymeans. v r

v- .11, In apparatus of' the character 'de-' scribed, invcombinationfa container, means. mounting said" container for :rotation about its own axis and about an 2 axis spaced 1 from said first-mentioned axis, means forrrotating said 'containeri about said axes; means .-sub idividingca'portion: of'the interior of said container into an *outer substantially annular space and an inner space,*'-imeansfor supplying a materialto be separated intoits-constituents to said container and connecting with said annular space, means permitting the discharge ofa'separated constituent from 1 5 said'container and connecte'd'with said -inside space', i and means for removing another separated constituent from said container.

"125-111 apparatus of 'the character described,- in combination, a container, means mounting said container for rotation about its own axis and-about an axis spaced from said first-mentioned axis, means for rotating saidconta'iner about said axes, said container havingvmeans extending substantially axially thereof and providing a passage comn unicating with the interior of saidcontainer, and 'means for discharging a-sepa-rated constitu- -ent'from said container into said passage,=the walls o'fsaid passage remotefroin-said spaced axis being progressively-more distant from saidispaced :axis in. a direction "away from said container.-

"13.111 apparatus ofthe-character.idescribed, in combination,-.a container,-:means mounting said container for: rotation about itsown axis: and about an axis spaced from said firstemention ed axis, means for-rotating said container about'saidaxes said container having means-extending substantially'axial- 1y thereof and providing a passage communieating with the interior of sa1d container, means for discharging a separated constltuent from said container into said passage, and means for causing movement of material along said passage. 7

'14. In apparatus of the character de- "thereof and providing a passage communicating with the interior of said container, means "for discharging a separated constituent from said container into said passage, and rotating spiral means for causing movement of material along said passage.

15. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a-container, means mounting said'container for-rotation about its own'axis and about an axis spaced from said first-mentioned axis, said means including a hollow trunnion-like member rotatable with said container and the interior offwhich communicates with the interior of said container, and means for rotating said container about said axes, the interior walls of said trunnion-like member being tapered in a direction to cause movement of material therealong. a

16. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a-container, means comprising-a rotatable member and a trunnion mounted therein for mounting said container'for rotation abou t its own axis and about an axis spaced from said first-mentioned axis, means for rotating said container about saidaxes, means connected with one end of said container for supplying the latter with a material adapted to be separated into its'constituents, means connecting with the other end of said container for permitting discharge of a separated constituent therefrom, and means permitting discharge of another separated'constituent from said container, said container being constructed and mounted to cause movement of material from said first-mentioned end of said container to the other.

17. In apparatus of; the character described, in combination,a plurality of rotatable containers, means mounting said containers for rotation about their respective axes and for rotation about'an axis extraneous of said-first-mentioned axes, means for rotating said containers, means at one end of each container for supplying the latter with a material to be separated, means adjacent said one end for discharging a separated constituent of said material, means at the other end of saidcont-ainer for removing therefrom 'anotherfseparated constituent of said material, and means causing movement in a diabout its own axis.

rection toward said other end of said container of such of said last-mentioned constituent as tendsto be carried along toward said discharge means with said first-mentioned constituent.

18. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of rotatable containers, meansmounting said contain'ers for rotation about their respective axes and for rotation about an axis extraneous of said first-mentioned axes, means forrotat- 'ing said containers, means at one end of each container for supplying the latter witha material to be separated, means adjacent said one end for discharging a separated constituent of.

said material, means at theother end of said container for removing therefrom another separated constituent of said material, each of said containers being constructed and mounted to cause movement of said last-men tioned constituent in a direction toward said other end.

19. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of rotatable containers, means mounting said containersfor rotation about their respective axes an'dffor rotating about an axis extraneous of said first-mentioned axes, means for ing said mounting means, means interconnecting several of said containers so that one may be rotated about its axis from another, and means for driving one of said several containers 21. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, aplurality of rotatable 'containers, means mounting said containers for rotation about their respective axes and for rotating about an axis extraneous of said first-mentioned axes, means for rotating said mounting means about said extraneous axis, means comprising substantially an annular rack, one for each container, for gearing said containers together, and means for rotating 22. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of separating units, means mounting said units for rotation about their'respectiveaxes and for rotation about an axis extraneous of said first-mentioned axis, means for supplying to said units amateria-l intended to be separated into its constituents, means forming an egress from said unitsfor discharging therefrom a one of said containers separated constituent, means forming an egress for discharging from said units another separated constituent, and means forming substantially a chamber extending peripherally about at least portions of said units and positioned to receive a separated constituent discharged from one of said egress means.

23. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of separating units, means mounting said units for rotation about their respective axes and for rotation about an axis extraneous of said first-mentioned axis, means for supplying to said units a material intended to be separated into its constituents, means for forming an egress from said units for discharging therefrom a separated constituent, means forming an egress for discharging from said units another separated constituent, and means substantially encasing said units and sub-divided into a plurality of chambers adapted respectively to receive the individual separated constituents discharged by said two egress means.

24. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of separating units comprising enclosed rotatable drums, means mounting said units for rotation about their respective axes and for ro- I tation about an axis extraneous of said firstmentionecl axis, each of said drums being double-walled, means for supplying to the space between the double walls of said units a material intended to be separated into'its constituents, each of said drums being imperforate, means adapted to permit the discharge of a separated constituent from said space between the double walls of said units and constructed to emit a discharged constituent substantially in response to the centrifugal action thereon caused by the rotation of said units about said extraneous axis, means positioned to intercept the centrifugally discharged constituent, and means connected with the space within the inner of said double walls for discharging another separated constituent.

25. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of separating units, a pair of spaced members between which said units are mounted for rotation, a substantially hollow driving member supporting said spaced members and adapted upon rotation thereof to rotate said spaced members, a driving shaft extending through said hollow driving member, and driving connections intermediate of said spaced members for rotating said units from said shaft.

26. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of separating units, a pair of spaced members be,- tween which said units are mounted for rotation, a substantially hollow driving mem- .ber supporting said spaced members and adapted upon rotation thereof tov rotate said "spaced members, a driving Sl'lfiftWVlC-hHI-Sfiltl hollow driving member. and having a gear thereon, said hollow driving member beingshaped to expose saidgear intermediate of said-spaced supporting member, and geared connections meshing withsaid gear for rotating said units about theirirespective. axes.

27.;1n apparatus of .the icharacter described, in combination, a plurality of separating units, a pair of spaced members between which said units are mounted for rotation, a substantially hollow driving member supporting said spaced members and adapted upon rotation thereof to rotate said spaced members, a driving shaft within said hollow driving member and having a gear thereon, said hollow driving member being shaped to expose said gear intermediate of] said spaced supporting member, a gear mounted to rotate with said hollow driving member and meshing with saidfirst-mentioned gear, and geared connections driven from said second-mentioned gear for rotating said units about their respective axes.

28.111 apparatus of the character described, in combination, a plurality of rotatable containers, means mounting said containers for rotation about their respective axes and for rotation about an axis extra-' neous of said first-mentioned axes, means for rotating said containers, said containers each being double-walled and having interior imperforate' walls extending substantially from the inlet end to the other end thereof, said walls being progressively more distant from said extraneous axis and having their greatest distance therefrom adjacent said other end, means at said inlet end of each for rotation about an extraneousaxis, said container having an inside wall member spaced from the wall of the container and extending from one closed end of the latter to a point spaced from the other closed end of the container, means supplying a material to be separated into its constituents to the space between said two walls and at that end thereof adjacent said first-mentioned closed end ofsaid container, means causing travel of material in said space toward the other closed end of said container, means adjacent said last-mentioned closed end for receiving a separated constituent, and means communicating with the space Within said interior wall member for discharging another separated constituent.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 28th day of November, 1928.

FRANCISCO A. QUIROZ.

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