Continuous Working Centrifugal Machine for the Treatment of Various Materials.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Aug., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Apr., 1893-Accepted, 3rd Aug., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Continuous Working Centrifugal Machine for the Treatment of
Various Materials.
1. EDMOND MARDOCHÉE LÉVY-SAMSON of 22 Rue de Dunkerque, Paris in
the Republic of France, Manufacturing Chemist do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows :-
:-
This invention relates to an improved arrangement of centrifugal machine,
intended generally, for the treatment or separation of various matters whose com-
position comprises clements of different density; the arrangement which I shall herein-
after describe is however more especially designed for the treatment of the cooked
mass in the manufacture of sugars, the other applications of the same requiring only
modifications of detail which do not affect the principle upon which my improved
centrifugal machine is constructed.
.
The accompanying drawings represent my improved centrifugal machine
arranged with a view to this special application.
Figure 1. is a vertical section drawn through the general axis of the centrifugal
machine.
Figure 2. is a horizontal section drawn on the line 1. 2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3. is a vertical section, drawn on an enlarged scale, of the mechanism
producing a differential movement between the pan of the centrifugal machine and
its moveable blades or divisions.
Figure 4 is a corresponding plan of the same mechanism of which. Figure 5.
represents a horizontal section drawn on the line 3. 4 of Figure 1. and showing a
modification which will be hereinafter described.
Figure 6. shows a plan of the centrifugal machine with its special distribution.
In all the figures like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference.
The centrifugal machine, properly speaking, is composed of a circular conical or
cylindrical envelope a, carried by plates and c; the interior comprises a per-
forated or reticulate surface d, carried by the same plates or ends, and turning with
it; in the arrangement represented, this perforated or reticulate surface is con-
structed of a perforated iron plate and a metallic cloth separated by a winding of
wire which prevents their adherence; this particular construction is not however
absolutely necessary as will be hereinafter seen.
The upper plate of the centrifugal machine carries a chamber e, preferably,
cylindrical, and moving with it and into which the matter to be treated is delivered;
in the present case it is the cooked mass, furnished by the hopper f into which it is
delivered by a tube f¹.
As represented by Figure 6. the chamber e is furnished with distributing pipes e¹,
within which are other tubes from which is delivered steam or other agent accord-
ing to the matter to be treated.
With this chamber, I rigidly connect a series of chambers g with distribution
tubes g distributing steam and other agents at different but determined points of
the turbine see Figure 1.
the
I here indicate the means of introduction only as an example, this introduction
can however be effected by any other suitable means, with this single condition that
the matter be brought to a determined point as will be hereinafter described.
The envelope a, the perforated or reticulate surface d, the plates 6 and
chambers e and g and their tubes are fixed rigidly together and consequently
receive the same rotary motion which is given to them by the vertical shaft h,
upon which the lower plate c is fixed.
C,
Upon the envelope a at convenient places is formed a kind of conduit a' by

page_text: which the strained liquid matter or syrup falls into the circular basin i, whence the
syrup is collected to be submitted to the ordinary operations.
Within the centrifugal machine move, with a slightly differential motion,
divisions forming a chamber at their end and closed by a freely opening and
closing door of perforated or reticulate metal. These chambers are mounted
upon a shaft turning independently and within the hollow shaft ; as is clearly
represented at Figure 1. the vertical sides of the chambers are removed near
their centre to leave free the space occupied by the chamber e and its accessories,
the ones and the others having a simultaneous but different movement.
The envelope a and the pan d of the centrifugal machine, are provided, in the
example described, with two passages a-see Figures 2 and 6-permitting the
solid material, that is to say, the crystallized sugar, separated from the fluid
products, to escape into the circular basin m, where it may be collected in any
convenient manner, not being further supported by the pan.
In the above case, in which I employ chambers closed by a door of perforated
or reticulate material and freely mounted, the pan can be constructed simply of
perforated sheet iron or of metallic cloth or trellis work.
When each chamber & passes before the space a', its door being no longer held
by the pan opens automatically thus enabling the matter to escape: the rotation
continuing the door closes again on being pressed by the side of the pan thus it is
easy to keep account.
The peculiar character of the working resulting from the arrangement of my
system is as follows, whatever may be the material under treatment.
At Figure 6 it will be seen that the relative position of the entrance of the
material by the pipe el of the chamber e and of the point of the centrifugal machine
which I have indicated by the arrow s remains always the same, the inlet chamber e
and the centrifugal machine, turning together and being fixed together, but it is
not the same with the divisions or chambers k, whose rotary movement is calculated
so as to differ according to the work by one or several turns per minute upon the
number of turns effected by the centrifugal machine. It therefore results that at
the moment of its introduction, the material being received into two chambers or
between the divisions which correspond with the tube e', is conducted successively
(and with an advance or a retardation proportioned to the difference of speed
between the shafts and ) under the action of the steam or of any other agent of
treatment projected by the tubes g'.
It also follows from this arrangement of my invention that each passage of
chamber or division, before the inlet tube, carries the portion of material to be
treated before the passage of a jet of gas, steam or other appropriate fluid, causing
it to undergo a preparation or a phase of preparation special to each passage;
whence, consequently the work continues till the material arrives at the outlet a.
The principle of my arrangement of centrifugal machine can be applied to the
drying of various materials by introducing hot air or even superheated steam, in
lieu of steam or of liquid of preparation or of separation.
I can use any mechanical means for obtaining the various movements of the
centrifugal machine which I have just described, as also any suitable mechanism for
producing the differential rotation of the pan of the centrifugal machine and of the
divisions or moveable chambers.
In the type of centrifugal machine represented, the driving gear, see Figures 1, 3
and 4 consists of friction cones n which give motion to the hollow shaft of the
centrifugal machine, upon which is keyed, at the lower part, a plate o carrying an
endless screw p.
This screw p gears with the worm wheel pl keyed to the inner shaft and it acts
upon this wheel first as a simple driving means which operates the shaft and
consequently the chambers or divisions.
The screw p is terminated at each end by a ratchet wheel whose teeth gear
with a pawl carried by a lever o' oscillating around the axis of the screw p, the
two levers o carry the two pawls, and are mounted upon the same axis v, Figure, 4,

page_text: upon the centre of which is mounted a pulleys held in contact with a fixed
eccentric sleeve t by means of springs or by other equivalent elastic pressure
means.
Figures 3 and 4 show this mechanism in detail.
It results from this combination of the fixed sleeve with the pawls, that the
screw is compelled to turn upon itself, at the same time turning with the plate o
and consequently giving to the wheel a supplementary movement which is
communicated to the shaft / carrying the chambers k. This supplementary move-
ment is naturally, proportional to the eccentricity of the sleeve t, which eccentricity
can be regulated at will.
Figure 5, shows a modification which I may adopt in the mode of emptying the
liquid parts separated by the centrifugal machine.
The chambers or divisions have the same arrangement as herein before described,
but the circular envelope a, is divided into compartments by vertical fixed
divisions serving for the classing of the liquid material according to its contents.
Each of the compartments thus formed, corresponds with a division of the basin i
which is divided by horizontal partitions for this purpose.
To follow the example already given I will suppose in this modification the
cooked mass (or other material) to enter always by the tubes e¹ of the chamber e;
each of the tubes g projecting the steam at different points of the pan d, against
which this material lodges, will determine the nature of the liquids of different
contents, escaping respectively from each compartment by the conduits a³, which
are indicated at Figure 5. by the figures 1. 2. 3. 4.
Dated August ord 1032.
EDMOND LÉVY-SAMSON,
By Harris & Mills,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Continuous Working Centrifugal Machine for the Treatment of
Various Materials.
I, EDMOND MARDOCHÉE LÉVY-SAMSON of 22 Rue de Dunkerque Paris in
the Republic of France, Manufacturing Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to an improved arrangement of centrifugal machine,
intended generally, for the treatment or separation of various matters whose
composition comprises elements of different density; the arrangement which I shall
hereinafter describe is however more especially designed for the treatment of the
cooked mass in the manufacture of sugars, the other applications of the same
system requiring only modifications of detail which do not affect the principle upon
which my improved centrifugal machine is constructed.
The accompanying drawings and Sheet 2 accompanying my Provisional Specifica-
tion represent my improved centrifugal machine arranged with a view to this
special application.
Figure 1 is a vertical section drawn through the general axis of the centrifugal
machine.
Figure 2 is a horizontal section drawn on the line 1. 2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a vertical section, drawn on an enlarged scale, of one arrangement of
mechanism for producing a differential movement between the pan of the centrifugal
machine and its moveable blades or divisions.
Figure 4 is a corresponding plan of the same mechanism, Figure 5 represents a
horizontal section drawn on the line 3. 4 of Figure 1 and showing a modification
which will be hereinafter described.
Figures 6 show diagrams of the centrifugal machine with its special distribution,

page_text: Figure 7. represents a modification in the means for opening and closing the
doors of the centrifugal machine.
Figures 8 and 9 represent a modification in the means for producing the
differential movement of the parts of the centrifugal machine.
Figure 10 is a perspective view and Figure 11 a vertical section representing a
modified form of distribution box for the material.
In all the figures like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference.
The centrifugal machine properly speaking, is composed of a circular conical or
cylindrical envelope a, carried by plates b and c ; the interior comprises a perforated
or reticulate surface d, carried by the same plates or ends, and turning with it in
the arrangement represented, this perforated or reticulate surface is constructed of
a perforated iron plate and a metallic cloth separated by a winding of wire which
prevents their adherence; this particular construction is not however absolutely
necessary as will be hereinafter seen.
The upper plate of the centrifugal machine carries a chamber e, preferably
cylindrical, and moving with it and into which the matter to be treated is delivered;
in the present case it is the cooked mass, furnished by the hopper f into which it is
delivered by a tube f¹.
As represented by Figures 6 the chamber e is furnished with distributing pipes e¹
within which are other tubes from which is delivered steam or other agent
according to the matter to be treated.
With this chamber e I rigidly connect a series of chambers with distribution
tubes g distributing steam and other agents at different, but determined points of
the centrifugal machine, see Figure 1.
I here indicate the means of introduction only as an example, this introduction
can however be effected by any other suitable means, with this single condition,
that the matter be brought to a determined point as will be hereinafter described.
The envelope a, the perforated or reticulate surface d, the plates and c, the
chambers e and and their tubes are fixed rigidly together and consequently
receive the same rotary motion which is given to them by the vertical hollow
shaft, upon which the lower plate c is fixed.
Upon the envelope a at convenient places is formed a kind of conduit a' by
which the strained liquid matter or syrup falls into the circular basin whence the
syrup is collected to be submitted to the ordinary operations.
Within the pan of the centrifugal machine move; with a slightly differential
motion, divisions k forming a chamber at their end and closed by a freely opening
and closing door of perforated or reticulate metal. These chambers are mounted
upon a shaft turning independently and within the hollow shaft h; as is clearly
represented at Figure 1, the vertical sides of the chambers are removed near
their centre to leave free the space occupied by the chamber e and its accessories,
the ones and the others having a simultaneous but different movement.
The envelope a and the pan d of the centrifugal machine are provided, in the
example described, with two passages a', see Figures 2 and 6, permitting the solid
material that is to say, the crystallized sugar, separated from the fluid products, to
escape into the circular basin m, which may be lined with suitable fabric or material
so as to prevent the breaking of the crystals against the sides and where the
crystallized sugar may be collected in any convenient manner, not being further
supported by the pan.
In the above case, in which I employ chambers closed by a door with side of
perforated or reticulate material and freely mounted, the pan can be constructed
simply of perforated sheet iron or of metallic cloth or trellis work.
When each chamber k passes before the space a', its door being no longer held
by the pan opens automatically thus enabling the matter to escape: the rotation
continuing the door closes again on being pressed by the side of the pan.
As indicated at Figure 7. the axis or hinge a of the door is placed at its
centre and is furnished with a metallic fork within which engages a stud d'
carried by the lower plate of the pan of the centrifugal machine turning in the

page_text: direction indicated by the arrow, so as to produce the progressive opening of the
door, when the latter arrives in front of the openings a formed in the pan and
envelope (this position is represented in dotted lines). When the stud d'' carried
along by the rotation of the lower plate, leaves the fork c', the door b¹ by coming
against the edge of the opening in the pan commences to reclosc.
In this case the door is so balanced that it can only open in the desired direction
indicated by dotted lines, when the stud d' enters the fork; the arm c³ of this fork
prevents the opening in the reverse direction, if it had the tendency to do so under
the influence of centrifugal force. I have represented in this Figure 7 the
application of projections which have principally for their object to reduce
greatly the surface friction of the doors upon the side of the pan of the centrifugal
machine.
In order to prevent any solid particles from being carried away by the liquid,
they can be retained by a filtering material arranged over the orifice of the outlet
tubes for the liquid, so as to be capable of being removed for cleaning through an
opening made in the side of the exterior pan and closed by a steam tight man hole.
From the above it will be understood that these arrangements of openings for
the doors are based upon the differential movement produced between the chambers
or divisions and the pan.
As will be seen in the modification represented at Figures 10 and 11, the
distribution box consists of a series of concentric cylinder. H. The bottoms of
these cylinders are arranged at different stages or levels and each carries two outlet
tubes HH2 H3 and H arranged diametrically.
These diameters are different for cach cylinder, so that the tubes as seen in
plan are arranged in different directions, symmetrically, two by two around the
circumference.
Further when treating very consistent matters and in order to obtain its equal
division, I place at the outlet orifice a series of divisions of triangular section
which divide the matter and direct it in all directions and if required 1 surround
the distribution box with an envelope upon which I fix the outlet tubes which are
prolonged throughout the entire height of the chambers.
The peculiar character of the working resulting from the arrangement of my
system is as follows, whatever may be the material under treatment.
At Figure 6 it will be seen that the relative position of the entrance of the
material by the pipe el of the chamber e and of the point of the pan of the centri-
fugal machine which I have indicated by the arrows remain always the same, the
inlet chamber e and the pan of the centrifugal machine turning together and being
fixed together, but it is not the same with the divisions or chambers k, whose rotary
movement is calculated so as to differ according to the work by one or several
turns per minute with the number of turns effected by the pan of the centrifugal
machine. It therefore results that at the moment of its introduction, the material
being received into two chambers or between the divisions which correspond with
the tube el, is conducted successively, (and with an advance or a retardation pro-
portioned to the difference of speed between the shafts and 1) under the action of
the steam or of any other agent of treatment projected by the tubes g'.
It also follows from this arrangement of my invention that each passage of
chamber or division, before the inlet tube, carries the portion of material to be
treated before the passage of a jet of gas, steam or other appropriate fluid, causing
it to undergo a preparation or a phase of preparation special to each passage;
whence, consequently, the work continues till the material arrives at the outlet a¹.
The principle of my arrangement of centrifugal machine can be applied to the
drying of various materials by introducing hot air or even superheated steam, in
lieu of steam or of liquid of preparation or of separation.
I can use any mechanical means for obtaining the various movements of the
centrifugal machine which I have just described, as also any suitable mechanism for
producing the differential rotation of the pan of the centrifugal machine and of the
divisions or moveable chambers.

page_text: In the type of centrifugal machine represented, the driving gear, see Figures 1, 3
and 4 consists of friction cones n which give motion to the hollow shaft of the centri-
fugal machine upon which is keyed, at the lower part, a plate o carrying an endless
This screw p gears with the worm wheel p' keyed to the inner shaft / and
it acts upon this wheel first as a simple driving means which operates the shaft /
and consequently the chambers or divisions.
screw p.
01
The screw p is terminated at each end by a ratchet wheel p² whose teeth gear
with a pawl carried by a lever of oscillating around the axis of the screw p; the
two levers
carry the two pawls, and are mounted upon the same axis v, Figure 4,
upon the centre of which is mounted a pulley s held in contact with a fixed
eccentric sleeve by means of springs u or by other equivalent elastic pressure
means.
Figures 3 and 4 show this mechanism in detail.
()
It results from this combination of the fixed sleeve t with the pawls, that the
screw is compelled to turn upon itself, at the same time turning with the plate
and consequently giving to the wheel p a supplementary movement which is
.communicated to the shaft / carrying the chambers k. This supplementary
movement is naturally proportional to the eccentricity of the sleeve t, which
eccentricity can be regulated at will.
The differential motion of the centrifugal machine can be effected for example
as is shown by Figures 8 and 9. It consists, in principle, in keying upon the
exterior shaft A¹, a plate B furnished with two arms B' through which passes the
axis of an endless screw V gearing with the worm wheel R keyed upon the interior
shaft A.
The screw V acts upon this wheel R first as a simple driving agent which
rotates the shaft A and, consequently the chambers or divisions.
The axis of this screw is terminated at each end by a ratchet wheel R¹ the teeth
of which gear with a pawl C carried by a lever L oscillating around the axis of
The two
the screw Va stop pawl C¹ can be applied to each ratchet wheel R'.
levers L carrying the two pawls C are mounted upon a shaft or axis T (see
Figure 8) whose centre carries a collar articulating the head of the shaft F
connected to the collar D of the eccentric E arranged on the lower plate of the
bottom of the centrifugal machine, in such manner as to permit of the shifting of
this eccentric between the slides G by acting upon the hand wheel of the
screw G.
Figure 5, shows a modification which I may adopt in the mode of emptying the
liquid parts separated by the centrifugal machine.
The chambers or divisions have the same arrangement as hereinbefore
described, but the circular envelope a, is divided into compartments by vertical
fixed divisions, serving for the classing of the liquid material according to its
contents. Each of the compartments thus formed corresponds and communicates
with a division 1, 2, 3 or 4, of the basin i, which is divided by partitions for this
purpose, as shown by dotted lines in Figure 1.
The operation of this modification is as follows. The matter to be treated is
introduced into the chamber e and into the distribution box by the hopper; it is
projected to a determined point of the pan, as indicated at Figure 5 by the
arrows. During the passage of the chambers k before the orifices of the tubes e¹,
the centrifugal force has determined the following operation. The solid matter,
coming from the delivery pipes e, which has been projected into the chambers k in
front, has been retained by the metallic cloth of the door, whilst the liquid matter
is received into the compartment 1, passes by the conduit a' and falls into the
division of the basin i. The chambers & charged with the matter deprived of the
liquid, pass before the tubes g', which project a first agent of treatment.
The liquid
resulting passes into the compartment 2 by the conduit a' and falls into the com-
partment 2 of the basin i. These same chambers charged with solid material, in
continuing their course, pass successively before the tubes g', which project agents
of treatment, and the liquid part is received into the compartments 3, 4, and then,

page_text: by the conduits a², falls into the divisions 3, 4 of the basin i. Finally, each
of the chambers & charged with the solid matter which comes from these various
reatments, arrives before the openings a¹ of the envelope; at this moment the
loor opens and the solid part is projected into the compartment m of the basin.
The divisions of the basin are fixed solidly with the basin, which latter does not
turn.
said
my
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :
1. A system of continuous working centrifugal machine consisting principally in
the arrangement of the pan and envelope of the centrifugal machine connected
rigidly with a central chamber conducting the material to be treated, to a
determined point of the pan, with or without the adjunction of other chambers for
the distribution of steam or other working agent, in combination with an arrange-
ment of chambers or divisions provided with loosely mounted doors, turning at the
same time with the pan but with a slightly differential rotary motion in such a way
as to conduct the material, whilst exposing it to the successive action of jets of
steam or other agent by which it is treated, to the outlet orifice of this material
provided in the envelope of the centrifugal machine substantially as herein shown
and described.
2. In a system of continuous working centrifugal machine for the separation of
all kinds of materials, the arrangement of the perforated or reticulate pan
combined with the exterior envelope made of unperforated material, provided with
lateral conduits to allow the separated material to pass and flow into a circular
receiver, in combination with chambers or divisions closed with loosely mounted
doors into which the material to be treated is conducted and which is distributed
or carried along by the said chambers, substantially as herein shown and described.
3. In a continuous working centrifugal machine with chambers or divisions
turning with a differential movement to that of the pan as hereinbefore claimed
the arrangement of divided or separate compartments and their combination
with a fixed receiver placed below the perforated or reticulate surface which is
itself provided with partitions in a corresponding manner in order to produce
automatically the separation or classification of the liquid matters as described
with reference to Figures 1 and 5.
4. In a centrifugal machine as above claimed the mechanism producing the
differential movement between the centrifugal machine and the interior chambers
or divisions consisting principally, in applying the driving power to one of the
two shafts which transmits it to the other shaft by means of a screw engaging
with a toothed wheel which it causes to act simultaneously as a driving means
and as gearing; this screw receiving itself a slight rotary motion capable of
being regulated according to the difference of speed which it is desired to
produce between the pan and the chambers or divisions as herein described with
reference to Figures 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings.
5. In a continuous working centrifugal machine the peculiar combinations and
arrangements of parts substantially as herein shown and described and for the
purpose stated.
2000
THIS LEKK
EDMOND M. LÉVY-SAMSON,
By Harris & Mills,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.