Patent GB-190326247-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to Electrically Operated Driving Mechanism for Centrifugal Machines
Inventor: OLIER WILLIAM LIVINGSTON D
Filed: 1903-12-01
Granted: 1904-07-07
Abstract: 26,247. Olier, W. L. d'. Dec. 1. Hydro-extractors. -Relates to the combination of a centrifugal separator and an electromotor, the whole being suspended in such a way as to allow of deviations from the vertical, and to a system for starting, stopping, and controlling the motion of the separator. Fig. 1 shows an elevation and Fig. 2 a section of a combined separator and motor suspended from an upper bearing. A solid shaft B is fitted with a spherical journal b, which bears in a cup at the lower end of a fixed support or bracket c, in which it is prevented from rotating. Upon the shaft B is mounted a hollow shaft D, to which the casing A of the separator and the armature E of an electromotor are fixed. The field magnets, of the multipolar type, are bolted to radial arms G springing from a collar keyed to the shaft B. During the action of the separator, therefore, slight oscillations of the shaft Bare possible without any interference with the relative parts of the motor &c. A rubber or elastic collar C<1>, interposed between the shaft B and the support C, is adjusted by a compressing-nut b<3>. A brake drum I is acted upon by a band J', applied by a weight L. This weight, however, during the action of the motor is kept up by a solenoid K, acting through a core k<1>, so that the brake is not applied until the current ceases to excite the solenoid. Above the brake drum is mounted an oil-reservoir i. In a modification, the spherical supporting-bearing is placed on the shaft B between the motor and the collar g of the supporting-arms for the fixed parts of the motor. Fig. 5<a> shows a diagrammatic plan of the electric circuits for regulating and controlling the motor. The operating-lever 64 is connected by a cord 65, which passes over a drum 68 to a weight 69. The drum 68 is connected by a clock-spring with the axle of a switch arm 45, the motion of which is regulated by a dash-pot 75. The cord 65 also carries buttons 66, 67, which, as the lever 64 is operated, strike and operate a lever 70 in one or the other direction. This lever is connected to a second one 41 carrying contactpieces 79, 80, which, in one extreme position, connect up the wires 83, 81, and in the other extreme position the wires 37, 42. The alternate contacts of the switch shown are connected together and to a plate 43 by a wire 48. The remaining contacts are connected to different points of the resistance 50. When the attendant, to start the motor, operates the lever 64, the button 67 strikes the lever 70 and operates the arm 41 to connect the contacts 40, 39. Simultaneously, the rotation of the drum 68, acting through the spring already referred to, causes the arm 45 to rotate. When this arm connects the plate 43 and the first contact of the switch, the armature circuit of the motor is complete. This circuit is as follows :- Main lead 32, wire 37, contacts 39, 40, wire 42, plate 43, brushes 46, first contact of switch, total resistance 50, wire 51, contact 52, armature circuit, contacts 55, wire 57, series winding 26, contact 59, and thence by the wire 38 to the main lead 32. A shunt circuit extends from the contact 59 by the wire 60, coils 25, wire 61, contact 62, and wire 63 to the contact 39. The resistance 50 is gradually cut out by the travel of the arm 45, and full speed thus attained. When the lever 64 is operated to stop the motor, the parts are returned to the positions shown in Fig. 5<a>. As soon, however, as the arm 41 breaks the connection between the contacts 40, 39, the armature circuit is broken, the shunt circuit, however, remaining closed. The arm 41 finally connects the wires 83, 81, thus completing an auxiliary armature circuit. The motor is thus converted temporarily into a generator which, acting as an electric brake, quickly stops the motion of the separator. In a further modification, the separator is mounted on the top of the shaft of the motor, the spherical bearing being beneath the motor. The bottom end of the shaft in this case is fitted with a footstep bearing formed by a boss screwed on to the continuation of the spherical journal and separated from the frame of the bearing- cup by an annular rubber disc adjusted by a screw. An oil-tight chamber is formed within the boss forming the footstep bearing. The pressure on this bearing is reduced during running by the solenoidal action of the field magnets and the armature.