Centrifuge with a variable frequency drive and a single motor and clutch mechanism
First Claim
1. A single motor centrifuge for separating contaminants from a fluid, comprising:
- a first shaft configured to rotate about an axis, a bowl attached to the first shaft to rotate therewith, the bowl being configured to receive the fluic containing the contaminants;
a second shaft received through a passageway defined by the first shaft, the second shaft being configured to rotate about the same axis as the first shaft;
a plurality of scraper blades attached to the second shaft to rotate therewith, the scraper blades being received in the bowl to selectively remove the contaminants accreted on an interior surface of the bowl;
positive lock means for selectively coupling the first shaft and the second shaft to rotate the bowl and the blades in tandem at the same speed during a processing mode and to rotate the bowl alone in a scraping mode; and
, a variable frequency drive electrically connected to the single motor, and wherein the single motor is rotatably connected to the first shaft.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved blade design and method for enhancing the efficiency of operation of a centrifuge is disclosed based on measuring a varying value of the load on the centrifuge as the flow of contaminated fluid is injected into the centrifuge. The centrifuge has a plurality of blades with radially overlapping edges to keep the fluid being centrifuged compartmentalized and thus quiet for maximum efficiency. Additionally, the scraping blade assembly has blades which are angled in the scraping direction to force the solids towards the exit of the centrifuge, whether that be at the bottom or the top. A programmable logic controller monitors the load on the drive motor and compares a baseline value of load after accelerating the rotor to speed to the value of load while the contaminated fluid is injected into the rotor. The varying second value of load, measured during injection of fluid into the assembly, is compared to the baseline value of load to determine flow rate of the fluid being injected into the rotor assembly or to ascertain whether any dysfunction is occurring and to take appropriate steps to correct malfunction.
104 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A single motor centrifuge for separating contaminants from a fluid, comprising:
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a first shaft configured to rotate about an axis, a bowl attached to the first shaft to rotate therewith, the bowl being configured to receive the fluic containing the contaminants;
a second shaft received through a passageway defined by the first shaft, the second shaft being configured to rotate about the same axis as the first shaft;
a plurality of scraper blades attached to the second shaft to rotate therewith, the scraper blades being received in the bowl to selectively remove the contaminants accreted on an interior surface of the bowl;
positive lock means for selectively coupling the first shaft and the second shaft to rotate the bowl and the blades in tandem at the same speed during a processing mode and to rotate the bowl alone in a scraping mode; and
,a variable frequency drive electrically connected to the single motor, and wherein the single motor is rotatably connected to the first shaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A single motor centrifuge for separating solids from a liquid, comprising:
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a bowl attached to a spindle configured to rotate about an axis;
a plurality of scraper blades attached to a drive shaft, wherein the scraper blades are positioned to rotate in the bowl on the same axis as the spindle, and wherein the drive shaft is received in a passageway defined by the spindle; and
,a variable frequency drive electrically connected to a single motor, the motor selectively rotatably connected to the spindle and the drive shaft by a positive lock means for selectively coupling the spindle and the drive shaft to rotate the bowl and the scraper blades in tandem at the same speed in a first mode and to rotate the bowl alone to produce relative motion between the bowl and the scraper blades in a second scraping mode. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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16. The centrifuge of clam 11, wherein the centrifuge is an inverted bowl automatic self-discharging centrifuge.
Specification