IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING FLUIDS OF DIFFERENT SPECIFIC GRAVITIES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Friedrich Hermann Felix Engel, Civil Engineer and
Patent Agent, in the City of Hamburg, Germany, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING FLUIDS OF DIFFERENT
SPECIFIC GRAVITIES." A communication from Gustaf de Laval, of Stockholm,
in the Kingdom of Sweden.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Friedrich Hermann Felix
Engel at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th June 1881.
FRIEDRICH HERMANN FELIX ENGEL, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent, in the
City of Hamburg, Germany. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING
FLUIDS OF DIFFERENT SPECIFIC. GRAVITIES." A communication from Gustaf de
Laval, of Stockholm, in the Kingdom of Sweden.
This Invention relates to certain improvements in apparatus for separating fluids
of different specific gravities, a Patent for which was granted to one Gustaf de
Laval, of Stockholm, in the Kingdom of Sweden, bearing date the Fourth of
November 1878, and consists for the one part of new construction applied to parts
of the centrifugal vessel and to supply chamber, as well as to the outflow for the
separated fluids; and for the other part to certain modifications in the connection
or friction gear applied to transport the motion of the lower vertical shaft driven
by a shaft or belt from a motor to the axle of the centrifugal vessel.
The centrifugal vessel is at its upper part furnished with a cylindrical prolon-
gation of about one third diameter of that of the vessel, and within the wall of
this prolongation channel sidewise and in different height outflow openings are
constructed for the separated fluids. These openings can be made adjustable in
size for regulating the flow of the fluids and consequently the action of the machine.
The central flow tube reaching down and fastened to the bottom of the centrifugal
vessel, formerly used, is dispensed with, and instead of this part an inflow chamber
or reservoir is from above suspended into. the centrifugal vessel, and is supported
by the end or rim of the cylindrical prolongation channel. This chamber or

page_text: reservoir rests with an outer projection attached or formed to a lower part of the
chamber against the lower inner edge of the prolongation channel, and is on the
same side as the projection also furnished with a pipe and a thin metal blade or
wing, leading the compound fluid into the vessel. The outflow pipe for the heavier
part of the compound fluid is fastened inside of the centrifugal prolongation channel,
and reaches from the upper edge of this channel down into the vessel, and with its
curved or bent free end to the inner wall of the vessel at the place of its largest
diameter. By a boring opposite thereto this tube communicates with the opening
in the channel constructed for the outflow of the heavier fluid.
The lighter part of the compound fluid is thrown out of the vessel by centrifugal
action to the other opening formed in the wall of the channel. Both openings for
the heavier part, as well as for the lighter part, may be made adjustable in size, for
the purpose of regulating the outflow of the fluids; or only one of these openings
may be made adjustable for this purpose.
The shaft or axle of the centrifugal vessel reaches downward, and is at its upper
end supported by a bearing attached or formed to the frame or stand of the
machine, whilst the bottom end steps into the open top of the lower shaft, driven
by a strap or belt from a motor, and is by friction brought and kept in rotation.
The end of the shaft or axle of the vessel is formed semi spherical, and the top of
the lower axle has a similar aperture or opening for the reception of the shaft, and
this top is also furnished with a central boring for the purpose of increasing the
friction between both said shafts.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Friedrich Hermann Felix Engel in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 24th December 1881.
FRIEDRICH HERMANN FELIX ENGEL, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent, in the
City of Hamburg, Germany. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING
FLUIDS OF DIFFERENT SPECIFIC GRAVITIES." A communication from Gustaf de
Laval, of Stockholm, in the Kingdom of Sweden.
This Invention relates to certain improvements in apparatus for separating fluids
of different specific gravities, Letters Patent for which was granted to one Gustaf
de Laval, of Stockholm, in the Kingdom of Sweden, bearing date the Fourth of
November 1878, and consists for the one part of new construction applied to parts
of the centrifugal vessel and to supply chamber, as well to the outflows for the
separated fluids; and for the other part to certain modifications in the connection
or friction gear applied to transmit the motion of the lower vertical shaft driven by
a shaft or belt from a motor to the axle of the centrifugal vessel.
The centrifugal vessel is at its upper part furnished with a cylindrical prolon-
gation of about one third diameter of that of the vessel, and within the wall of this
prolongation channel sidewise and in different light outflow openings are constructed
for the separated fluids. These openings can be made adjustable in size for
regulating the flow of the fluids, and consequently the action of the machine. The
central inflow tube reaching down and fastened to the bottom of the centrifugal
vessel, formerly used, is dispensed with, and instead of this part an inflow chamber
or reservoir is suspended from above into the centrifugal vessel, and is supported by
the end or rim of the cylindrical prolongation channel. This chamber or reservoir
rests with an outer projection attachment or formed to a lower part of the chamber
against the lower inner edge of the prolongation channel, and is on the same side
as the projection, also furnished with a pipe and a thin metal blade or wing leading
the compound fluid into the vessel. The outflow pipe for the heavier part of the
compound fluid is fastened inside of the centrifugal prolongation channel, and
reaches from the upper edge of this channel down into the vessel, and with its
curved or bent free end to the inner wall of the vessel at or near to the place of its
largest diameter. By a boring opposite thereto this tube communicates with the
opening in the channel constructed for the outflow of the heavier fluid.
The lighter part of the compound fluid is thrown out of the vessel by centrifugal
action to the other opening formed in the wall of the channel. Both openings for
the heavier part, as well as for the lighter part, may be made adjustable in size
for the purpose of regulating the out flow of the fluids, or only one of these
openings may be made adjustable for this purpose.
The shaft or axle of the centrifugal vessel reaches downward, and is at its upper
end supported by a bearing attached or formed to the frame or stand of the
machine, whilst the bottom end steps into the open top of the lower shaft, which
is driven by a strap or belt from a motor, and is by friction brought and kept in
rotation.
The end of the shaft or axle of the vessel is formed semispherical, and the top
of the lower axle has a cup like enlargement or opening for the reception of the
end of the shaft, and this cup is also furnished with a central boring for the purpose
of increasing the friction between both said shafts.
In the accompanying Sheet of Drawings is represented this improved apparatus,
wherein Fig. 1 is a vertical section, and Fig. 2 a perspective view of the same.

page_text: A designates a vertical cast iron column or frame provided with a broad base or
foot, and surmounted by a hemispherical basin or shell A¹; B designates the
centrifugal chamber or vessel fixed upon a vertical shaft C, and adapted to rotate
rapidly in said basin A¹. The shaft C is mounted in a bearing a near its upper
end, and its lower end, which is rounded or semispherical in shape, fits in a socket b,
lined with a wood-block or other suitable material producing the necessary friction
upon the upper end of a driving shaft D which is mounted in bearings c, and may
be rotated by a strap or belt & passing around a pulley e thereon. The weight of
the chamber B and shaft C throws considerable weight upon the socket b, and
while the driving shaft D is rotated positively the shaft C is rotated through its
frictional contact with the socket.
B is the cylindrical prolongation or neck of chamber B, and is furnished with
two discharge openings f, f', that may be made adjustable in size, and which com-
municate respectively with annular receptacles E, E¹, arranged one above another
around the neck B³, and supported on the basin or shell A' or other part of the
frame.
F designates a pipe leading from near the internal periphery of the centrifugal
vessel B to the mouth (or near to the latter) of neck B₁ to the side of which it is
secured, and to the opening f of which it communicates by a boring. Both ends
of pipe F are open, so that a brush or other suitable device may be introduced and
pushed through it from end to end for cleaning it thoroughly.
G is a supply-reservoir suspended into the neck or prolongation, and supported
by the upper edge thereof. This reservoir is supplied with the compound fluid
through a pipe H, or by other convenient mechanical arrangement; and extending
from reservoir G down into and out toward the periphery of the chamber B is a
pipe J, through which the fluid enters said chamber.
The said reservoir G is also provided in proximity to the pipe J with a radial
blade R, which extends further down into chamber B; and said blade is very
advantageous, because it causes the fluid in the chamber to rotate more positively
with the latter, and thus facilitates the separation of the mixed fluid into its
component fluids. The upper part of blade R may be arranged to rest against a
lower part of neck B¹, for the purpose of supporting the reservoir G during the
operating of the apparatus.
As the
For operating the apparatus the same is put in rapid rotation, and the compound
fluid, such as milk, is allowed to flow from pipe H into the reservoir and thence
through pipe J into chamber B. The milk is separated into skim-milk and cream,
of which the former, being the heavier, goes to the extreme internal periphery of
the chamber, while the latter, being lighter, is nearer the centre thereof.
supply of liquid to chamber B is augmented, the skim milk is forced through
the pipe F and opening f into the receptacles E, from which it flows off into
receiving vessels, while the cream is forced upward through the prolongation B¹
and flows through the opening f' into the receptacle E¹ for the cream.
The reservoir G may be removed and very readily cleaned together with tube J
and blade R, as no screws or bolts are required for combining and attaching this
reservoir to the rotating vessel or to neck B¹.
Having now described the nature and particulars of the said Invention, I
claim,―
Firstly. In a centrifugal fluid separating apparatus the combination of a hollow
centrifugal chamber adapted to rotate about a vertical shaft, and having an
upward prolongation or neck with a supply reservoir for fluid supported in said
prolongation or neck, as and for the purpose herein set forth, and substantially as
shown by the Drawings.
Secondly. The combination of a supply-reservoir G, the blade R, and inlet-tube J,
substantially as specified.
Thirdly. The combination of the centrifugal chamber B and its prolongation or
neck B with discharge openings f. fl arranged at different height for the

page_text: purpose of removing the separated parts of fluid from the said chamber, as set
forth.
Fourthly. The combination of a centrifugal chamber B and its prolongation
or neck B¹ with vertical shaft C, with rounded or semispherical lower end,
5 supported by socket b of a driving shaft D, as herein described in reference to and
shown by the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Friedrich Hermann Felix Engel, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of December, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty-one.
F TI T
ENCEL.