IMPROVE- MENTS IN CENTRIFUGAL MACHINES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Denton Abel, of No. 28, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, for an Invention of
IMPROVE-
MENTS IN CENTRIFUGAL MACHINES." A communication from abroad by
Engen Langen, of Cologne, in the German Empire.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Denton Abel at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th May 1881.
CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of No. 28, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex. IMPROVEMENTS IN CENTRIFUGAL MACIONES,"
[A communication from abroad by Eugen Langen, of Cologne, in the German
Empire.]
This Invention relates to an improved construction of centrifugal machines as
follows:-
The covers of centrifugal machines are generally secured to the drum by a
number of screws, and the joint is rendered tight by the interposition of a
caoutchouc packing ring. According to the present Invention there is employed
in place hereof a special form of packing, consisting of an elastic ring placed in a
circular groove of the cover, and pressed by centrifugal force on the rotation of the
drum against the side of the drum by means of a loose weight situated in the said
groove. The said weight can either consist of segmental pieces of a heavy
substance, such as lead placed in the groove behind the elastic ring, or it may
consist of a heavy fluid; such as mercury, introduced into a closed tubular elastic
ring. The cover being fitted loose within the walls of the drum is secured in
position therein by means of a few sliding bolts.
According to another improvement, for the purpose of treating the substance, in
the drum with liquids, such as clarifying liquor, the drum is constructed with a
double side in such a manner that while the inner wall allows moisture to
penetrate through it the outer wall does not allow such penetration. The walls
may either be cylindrical or polygonal. The lye or clarifying liquor is caused to
enter centrally at the axis of the drum, and is made to flow, through special radial
channels into the annular space between the two walls, from which, owing to the

page_text: differential action of the centrifugal forces, it is caused to flow from the periphery
towards the axis, that is, from the outside to the inside through the material
contained in the drum, and then to flow off over the cover of the same.
If the lye or clarifying liquor be introduced through a passage formed in the
centre of the drum's axis, which can readily be done, such passage may be connected
by- a
stuffing box fluid tight with a pipe conducting the liquid, steam, or
gas into it, in which case such liquid, steam, or gas may be introduced under
pressure.
After completion of the treatment with the lye or clarifying liquor the liquor
still remaining in the annular space, and in the pores or interstices of the substance
treated is removed by centrifugal force upon opening escape valves. These valves
may, according to the construction of the machine, be arranged either so that they
can only be opened by screw spindles when the drum is stationary, or they may
be arranged so as to be able to be opened by suitable mechanism while the drum
is in motion. The valves may for this purpose be connected to levers, and acted
upon by a spindle passing centrally through the axis of the drum.
For rendering the annular space accessible for cleansing or removing any sub-
stances that may have entered it the inner perforated wall is constructed of a
number of separate pieces. These sections are surrounded by elastic material, such
as a framing of caoutchouc of a U shaped section, and they are caused by the
centrifugal force to be pressed fluid tight against a ring at the top of the drum
against a flange at bottom, and at both sides against uprights secured between the
ring and flange. The inner covering of felt or other porous material, when such is
employed, is also applied in the form of separate rectangular pieces to each
of the perforated plates, between the metal surface thereof and the elastic
framing.
This construction of centrifugal machine, with inner perforated wall can also be
used for separating solids from liquids, in which case the annular space becomes
filled with liquid, and the separation will then take place just the same as if the
perforated wall were a solid one. In order with this arrangement to distribute
the liquid mixture uniformly in the drum, and to prevent it from impinging too
forcibly against the conical central, inlet of the drum, and thence radially against
the surface thereof, whereby a layer of solid inatter already deposited on the sides.
of the drum might be washed away again, there is provided on the bottom of the
drum a distributing ring, opening towards the centre and having a circular rib
which breaks the force of the liquid, so that it is made first to fill the space
between the rib and the outer wall of the ring, and then 'issues with decreased
velocity through the circular holes or slits in the surface of the ring.
In all the above described operations mould boxes can be introduced into the
drum. In this case the sections of the perforated wall are made to coincide with
the number of the moulds, so that the edges of the latter shall always rest against
the elastic frame of one of the sections. When employing mould boxes the covers
to the centrifugal drum are dispensed with, and the liquid separated by the
centrifugal action, as also the lye or clarifying liquor after it has penetrated the
material in the drum is allowed to flow off over the top side of the moulds. In
order that with this arrangement the liquid may not enter the spaces between the
moulds the top sides of the moulds are made of a less depth at their inner edges
than the sides and bottom, so that the moulds will then only become filled with
liquid up to such edge, over which it will flow off-without being able to penetrate
between the moulds. In order that the liquid may not enter the said spaces on
issuing from the before.mentioned inlet orifices in the distributing ring, when these
are employed, they must be arranged according to the position of the moulds.
that is to say, they must only be situated opposite the clear open inner faces
thereof.
:

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Charles Denton Abel in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
4th November 1881.
CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of No. 28, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane.
in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CENTRIFUGAL MACHINES."
A communication from abroad by Eugen Langen, of Cologne, in the German
Empire.
This Invention relates to improvements in centrifugal machines as follows:-
The covers of centrifugal machines are generally secured to the drum by a
number of screws, and the joint is rendered tight by the interposition of a
caoutchouc packing ring. According to the present Invention there is employed
in place hereof a special form of packing, consisting of an elastic ring, as shewn at
A, Fig. 1, of the accompanying Drawings, placed in a circular groove of the cover,
and pressed by centrifugal force on the rotation of the drum against the side of the
drum by means of a loose weight situated in the said groove. The said weight
can either consist of segmental pieces of a heavy substance, such as lead, placed in
the groove behind the elastic ring, as shewn at B, Fig. 1, or it may consist of a
heavy fluid, such as mercury, introduced into a closed tubular elastic ring, as shewn
at A, Fig. 2. The cover being fitted loose within the walls of the drum, as shewn,
is secured in position therein by means of a few sliding bolts.
For the purpose of treating the substance in the drum with liquids, such as
clarifying liquor, the drum is, according to the present Invention, constructed with
a double side in such a manner that while the inner wall allows moisture to
penetrate through it the outer wall does not allow such penetration. The walls
may either be cylindrical or polygonal. The lye or clarifying liquor is caused to
enter centrally at the axis of the drum, and is made to flow through special
channels C, Fig: 3, into the annular space D between the two walls, from which,
owing to the differential action of the centrifugal forces, it is caused to flow from
the periphery to the axis, that is, from outside, to inside through the material
contained in the drum, and then to flow off over the cover of the same.
If the lye or clarifying liquor be introduced through à passage formed in the
centre of the drum axis. which can also be done, such passage may be connected
by a stuffing box fluid tight, with a pipe conducting the liquid, steam, or gas into
it, in which case such liquid, steam, or gas may be introduced under pressure.
After completion of the treatment with the lye or clarifying liquor, the liquor
still remaining in the space D and in the pores or interstices of the substance
treated is removed by centrifugal force upon opening escape valves. These valves
may, according to the construction of the machine, be arranged either as at E,
Fig. 3, so that they can only be opened by screw spindles when the drum is at
rest, or they may be arranged as at F, so as to be able to be opened by suitable
mechanism while the drum is in motion. In the Drawing the valves F are for
this purpose connected to levers F' pivotted at F2, and acted upon by a spindle F³
passing centrally through the axis of the drum.
For rendering the space D accessible for cleansing or removing any substances
that may have entered it. the inner perforated wall G is constructed of a number
of separate pieces, as shewn detached at Fig. 4. These sections are surrounded by
elastic material, such as a framing of caoutchouc H of a U shaped section, and
they are caused by the centrifugal force to be pressed fluid-tight against the ring J,
Fig. 3. at top, against the flange K at bottom, and at both sides against the
uprights L secured between J and K. The inner covering of felt. or other porous
material, when such is employed, is also applied in the form of separate

page_text: rectangular pieces to each of the perforated plates between the metal surface thereof
and the elastic framing, as shewn.
The construction of centrifugal machine with inner perforated wall can also be
used for separating solids from liquids, in which case the space D becomes filled
with liquid, and the separation will then take place just the same as if the
perforated wall were a solid one. In order with this arrangement to distribute the
liquid mixture uniformly in the drum and to prevent it from impinging too forcibly
from the conical central inlet of the drum radially against the periphery thereof,
whereby a layer of solid matter already deposited on the sides of the drum might
be washed away again, a distributing ring M, Fig. 3, is provided on the bottom of
the drum, opening towards the centre, and having a circular rib N which breaks
the force of the liquid, so that it is made first to fill the space between the rib and
the outer wall of the ring, and then issues with decreased velocity through the
circular holes or slits O..
In all the above described operations mould boxes can be introduced into the
drum, as shewn at P. Fig. 5, which represents a part sectional plan of the drum.
In this case the sections of the perforated wall Gare made to coincide with the
number of the moulds, so that the edges of each of the latter rest against the elastic
frame of one of the sections.
When employing mould boxes covers to the centrifugal drum are dispensed with.
and the liquid separated by the centrifugal action, as also the lye or clarifying liquor
after it has penetrated the material in the drum is allowed to flow off over the top
side of the moulds. In order that with this arrangement the liquid may not enter
the spaces between the moulds, the top sides of the moulds are made of a less
depth at their inner edges than the sides and bottom, as shewn at P¹. Figs. 3 and 5.
and in the perspective view at Fig. 6, so that the moulds will then only become filled
with liquid or separated substance up to such edge, over which the liquid will flow
off without being able to penetrate the spaces between the moulds. In order that
the liquid may not enter the said spaces between the moulds on issuing from the
inlet orifices O, when these are employed, the orifices must be arranged according
to the position of the moulds, that is to say, they must only be situated opposite
the clear open inner faces thereof.
Having thus described the nature of this Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent,
I claim,
First. The use of a packing device for centrifugal drum covers, consisting of an
annular elastic packing introduced in a groove in the cover, and pressed against
the wall of the drum by the centrifugal action of a heavy body, substantially as
set forth.
Second. The construction of centrifugal machines wherein the liquid, steam, or
gas for acting on the contents of the drum is caused to pass from central channels
into an annular space outside the perforated wall of the drum, whence it is caused
to penetrate inwards through the contents of the drum by the differential action of
the centrifugal forces, which may or may not be aided by pressure applied to the
said liquid, steam, or gas, substantially as set forth.
.
Third. The construction of centrifugal machines for separating solids from
liquids, wherein the solids are caused to deposit in removeable mould boxes placed
in a drum open at top, that is to say, having no cover, the top sides of the boxes
being of less depth at their inner edges than the-sides-and-bottom,, substantially_as
set forth.
Fourth. The combination with a centrifugal drum cover of an elastic ring A
situated in a groove of the cover, and operated upon by a heavy body B, so as to
form a close packing with the wall of the drum.
Fifth. In a centrifugal drum the combination of the passages C, C, annular
space D. provided with outlets closed by valves, and perforated inner wall G.
arranged and operating as herein described.
Sixth. In combination with a centrifugal drum the inner perforated wall G

page_text: formed in separate sections provided with an elastic rim H for forming a fluid tight
joint with the parts J, L, K.
Seventh. The construction of mould boxes for centrifugal machines, whose upper
side is of a less depth at the inner edge than at the sides and bottom, for the purposes
herein set forth.
Eighth. In combination with a centrifugal machine the distributing ring M,
operating together with the rib N and holes O, substantially as and for the purposes
herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Denton Abel, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourth day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty-one.
CHAS. D. ABEL. (L.S.)