Reduced size apparatus for centrifugal separation

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reduced size apparatus (1) for the centrifugal separation, comprising a housing (2), motor means (3) coupled to said housing (2) and provided with a rotary shaft (6), cartridge means (9; 13), provided within said housing (2) and coupled with said rotary shaft (6), at least a first feeding channel (12) for the liquid to be undergo to the centrifugal treatment from outdoor within said cartridge means, at least a second channel (7) through said rotary shaft (6), communicating with said cartridge means (9; 13), and at least a third channel (8) for the ejection of the liquid, communicating with said second channel (7).

Description: The present invention relates to a reduced size apparatus for centrifugal separation. More particularly, the invention concerns an apparatus of the above kind suitable for centrifugal separation and the filtering of the combustible and incombustible fluids, or that can be employed in the food field, for example for the filtering and the separation of alimentary oils, realised in such a way to be manufactured with extremely reduced sizes in view of the specific needing. In the following, the specification will be referred particularly to the use of that apparatus in the field concerning the separation and the filtering of combustible liquids, and still more specifically in the nautical field, the apparatus being able to pre-filter sea water before its desalination, but it is evident that the apparatus according to the invention can be used in many other fields, particularly in the food industry. As it is well known, presently the centrifugal separators provided on the boats in order to separate the gas oil from the water and the other impurities before the gas oil is sent to the engine have remarkable sizes and are very expensive. On the other hand, it s also known that their use is unavoidable in order to avoid damaging of the engine injection system and mainly to avoid to have a breakdown in the sea for problems due to the entrance of water or impure substances in the powering apparatuses or to the clogging of the filters. However, it is well evident that the known centrifugal separators have noticeable problems to be provided particularly in very little boats. A first problem is that deriving from the costs, objectively not proportioned with respect to the value of the boat. Another problem, surely more important, is the one concerning the overall dimensions: in fact it is well known to everybody that the engine housing in any boat, and particularly in those having medium - little sizes, is rather narrow, so that it is difficult, and many cases impossible, to mount the separator. Furthermore, none of the solutions presently available on the market is sufficiently reliable, so as to guarantee a safe navigation. Finally, another specific problem of the known separators is due to the need of being operated by the user. DE-A-1923605 describes an apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1. In this contest, the Applicants have realised an apparatus of the above kind that can be miniaturised in function of the needing, thus being suitable for any kind of available space. Another object of the present invention is that of realising an apparatus really cheap. A still further object of the present invention is that of providing an extremely reliable apparatus which does not require the intervention of the operator for its operation. Another object of the present invention is that of providing an apparatus working without the exposure of the products at the environment. Still another object of the present invention is that of providing an apparatus that can be used in different technical fields, among which the food field for the treatment of some products, for example for guaranteeing a higher purity in the mineral water, wine, oil bottling plants without the exposure of the products at the environment, thus preventing the oxidation phenomenon. It is therefore specific object of the present invention a reduced size apparatus for centrifugal separation, comprising a housing, motor means coupled to said housing and provided with a rotary shaft, at least a first feeding channel for liquid undergo centrifugal treatment from outside, at least a second channel through said rotary shaft, and at least a third channel for ejection of the liquid, communicating with said second channel, characterized in that it further comprises disposable or replaceable cartridge means, provided within said housing and coupled with said rotary shaft, the first feeding channel feeding the liquid to said cartridge means, said second channel communicating with said cartridge means. Preferably, according to the invention, said cartridge means provide filtering means upstream with respect to said at least a second channel. Further, according to the invention, said apparatus can be provided with automatic operation means and/or failure pilot light. Said motor means, which can be electrical or mechanical, can be, according to the invention, provided with adjustment means for the rotation speed. According to the invention, said cartridge means can be provided with an outlet valve for the separated substances. Further, means for the fixing to the wall of the apparatus according to the invention could be provided, for example a bracket and a plurality of screws. Always according to the invention, more apparatuses serially or parallel connected can be provided. Finally, it can be provided with a sucking fan for the removal of gases for the engine room, as provided by the existing rules. The present invention will be now described for illustrative, but limitative purposes according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a section view of a first embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a section view of a second embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention. Observing now at first figure 1, the apparatus 1 according to the invention comprises an housing 2 and a motor 3 coupled above said housing. Said housing is provided with a bracket 4 for the fixing of the apparatus 1 at a wall by the bolts 5 or similar fixing means. Said motor 3 is provided with a rotary shaft 6, within which liquid passage and ejection channels 7,8 are realised. In the lower portion of the housing 2, a cartridge fixedly rotating with said shaft 6 is provided. The cartridge 9 is provided below with an outlet valve 10, and integral with said shaft, at the entrance of said channels 7, with a filter. Furthermore, channels 12 for the entrance of the liquid to be centrifuged are realised on the housing. The liquid, let suppose gas oil, along with its impurities and water, but the same applies also to other liquids, for example in the food field, enters through the channels 12 and goes within the cartridge 9, which is rotating with the shaft 6 of the motor 3. Here, the centrifugation of the heavier liquid, water, remains within the cartridge, while the lighter one, gas oil, passes through the channels 7 and 8 to be sent to the boat engine. The filter 11 will eliminate the solid impurities. When the cartridge 9 will be full, opening the valve 10, the water is discharged so that the apparatus is again able to operate. The solution shown in figure 2 is very similar to the solution of figure 1, so that the corresponding parts will be indicated by the same numerical references. In this case the cartridge 13 is disposable, so that once it is full, it is sufficient to disassemble the cartridge and to replace the same by a new one. In the specific marine use, for example a pair of apparatuses 1 working in parallel according to the invention can be provided, so that it is possible to work with the maximum safe without the risk of have a breakdown with not repairable failures. for example mood moved by the troubled sea. As already mentioned, the apparatus according to the invention can provide an electric or mechanical motor, having an adjustable speed, provided with an automatic operation and failure pilot light. The present invention has been described for illustrative, but not limitative purposes according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.

Claims: Apparatus (1) for centrifugal separation, comprising a housing (2), motor means (3) coupled to said housing (2) and provided with a rotary shaft (6), at least a first feeding channel (12) for liquid to undergo centrifugal treatment from outside, at least a second channel (7) through said rotary shaft (6), and at least a third channel (8) for ejection of the liquid, communicating with said second channel (7), characterized in that it further comprises disposable or replaceable cartridge means (9; 13), provided within said housing (2) and coupled with said rotary shaft (6), the first feeding channel (12) feeding the liquid to said cartridge means (9; 13), said second channel (7) communicating with said cartridge means (9; 13). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said cartridge means (9; 13) provide filtering means (11) upstream with respect to said at least a second channel (7). Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said apparatus (1) is provided with automatic operation means and/or failure pilot light. Apparatus according to one of the claims 1-3, characterized in that said motor means (3) are comprised of an electric motor. Apparatus according to one of the claims 1-3, characterized in that said motor means (3) are comprised of a mechanical motor. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said motor means (3) are provided with adjustment means for the rotation speed. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cartridge means (9; 13) are provided with an outlet valve for the separated substances. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that means (4; 5) for the fixing to the wall of the apparatus (1) are provided, for example a bracket (4) and a plurality of screws (5). Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that more apparatuses (1) serially or parallel connected are provided. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provded with a sucking fan for the removal of gases for the engine room, as provided by the existing rules.

Inventors: MANCA DOMENICO, VADO GIOVANNI ANTONIO, MANCA, DOMENICO, VADO, GIOVANNI ANTONIO
Applicants: MANCA DOMENICO, VADO GIOVANNI ANTONIO, MANCA, DOMENICO, VADO, GIOVANNI ANTONIO
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B04B1
IPC codes: B04B1, B04B5