Improved Method of and Apparatus for Rotating Hydro-extractors by Means of a Current of Electricity and Automatically Checking or Arresting the Motion thereof when Desired.
Year: 1888

page_text: Improved Method of and Apparatus for Rotating Hydro-extractors
by Means of a Current of Electricity and Automatically
Checking or Arresting the Motion thereof when Desired.
I RICHARD RICHARDSON HUTCHINSON of 114 Edith Grove, Brompton, London S.W.
Electrical and Mechanical Engineer 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:-
My Invention relates to the application of an electric current through any suitable
electric motor, for producing rotary motion at a high rate of speed of the perforated
chambers of machines generally known as hydro-extractors, or centrifugal drying
machines. I also, in connection with the apparatus provided for the purpose of
rotating said machines, substitute for the hand brake hitherto employed for arresting
the motion of said machines at will an automatic electric brake, which is designed for
the instantaneous stopping of the revolving parts of said machines, and the absorption
of the momentum thereof, automatically by the simple action of breaking the electrical
circuit leading to the motor.
In order that my Invention may be clearly understood I have appended the accom-
panying sheet of Drawings, in which Figure 1 represents an elevation of an hydro-
extractor, with an electric motor coupled direct upon a vertical spindle, and giving
motion thereto from the upper extremity thereof, and Figure 2 is a plan view of the
foregoing arrangement. Figure 3 is an elevational view of an hydro-extractor driven
by an electric motor fixed upon the same plane, and the motion thereof being
transmitted by means of bevil wheels or equivalent device to the vertical shaft.
Figure 4 shows the brake arrangement in detail, with a diagram of the 'electric
connections.
In carrying my Invention into effect I provide a cross bracket B, Figure 1, upon
which is mounted, and firmly attached thereto, an electric motor C, of any approved
type. The spindle of said electric motor is arranged in such a manner as to be
concentric with the vertical spindle of the revolving perforated chamber of the hydro-
extractor, and is coupled, or connected thereto by any suitable means.
I am thereby enabled to directly transmit at the same high rate of speed, the power
of the electric motor to the drum or cage of the hydro extractor.

page_text: In such machines as hitherto constructed it has been usual to employ a mechanical
brake, to arrest the rotary motion when the driving power has been stopped or
diverted owing to the fact that tho momentum imparted to said revolving cage or
drum, when moving at a high rate of speed, has taken a considerable time before
becoming spent or absorbed by air resistance and friction. To effect this stoppage
instantaneously and automically I attach an electric brake, shown in Figure 1 at D,
but more particularly by figure 4. D represents an electro magnet, the poles b bi
being provided with segmental binged extensions a a', suitably curved to fit an iron
disc I, which is firmly keyed or otherwise attached to the driving spindle or shaft E,
or intermediate shaft where the employment of such may be expedient. Said
segmental extensions a a¹ are, when not in use kept from actual contact with the
periphery of the disc I by means of the tension of the spring 1, but when an electric
current is caused to traverse the coils of the magnet D, said disc I forms the armature
to the extended magnetic arms a a¹ bb', and, the tension of the spring being
overcome, and said disc I is tightly embraced by the segments and, tho
mechanical friction being augmented by the magnetic friction, the rotation of the
spindle shaft F is immediately stopped.
-
In order that the foregoing arrangement shall be automatic, I provide a switch F,
Figures 1 and 4, which may be attached to any part of the machine or adjacent
thereto, and the arm of which is electrically connected by the wirej to the terminal S
of the source of the electric current, either or as may be most expedient. The
opposite terminal g, Figure 4, is connected by means of the wire i to one terminal of
the electric motor. C, by the branch wire j¹, and is also connected to the coils of the
brake magnet D. The other end of the coils of said brake magnet is connected to tho
second contact bar d of the switch E by the wire h, and the opposito terminal of
the motor C is connected to the first bar c of said switch by means of the wire k. The
third bar e of said switch is blank, and the whole circuit is broken when the arm of
said switch rests upon it.
The modus operandi is as follows, that is to say, When the arm of the switch E,
rests upon the contact bar the electric circuit is open through the motor, from 9,
through jej to f, and the machine to which said motor is attached receives motion.
When, however it is desired to stop said motion, and the arm of the switch is moved
toward the bar e, it establishes a circuit through the brake magnet D from
through i cand to f by reason of the switch arm being brought into contact with
the bar before entirely breaking the circuit at e, and this momentary action of the
brake is, in practico, sufficient to arrest the rotary motion of the spindle or shaft E
immediately.
I may, however, in certain cases, make use of a separate circuit, and a separate
switch to operate said brake.
It is sometimes desirable to apply the motive power to hydro-extractors, or centrifugal
drying machines to the lower end of the vertical shaft E carrying the perforated
revolving chamber or cage. In such cases I place the motor C Figure 3 upon the
same plane as the machine to be driven by it, and transmit the motion from the
motor spindle E¹ to the vertical shaft E by. means of a pair of bevil wheels G H
providing a suitable casing, or under frame to carry and cover the aforesaid gearing.
I may apply the electric brake herein before mentioned, either to the motor spindle E
or the vertical spindle E, actuating said brake in the same manner as before
described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
First. In an electrically driven hydro-extractor, or centrifugal dryer, the attach-
ment of the spindle of an electric motor directly to and upon the vertical spindle of
the revolving perforated chamber of said hydro-extractor, substantially as and
for the purposes herein set forth, and shewn in the accompanying sheet of
drawings.

page_text: Second. In an electrically driven hydro-extractor, as mentioned in the preceding
claim, the attachment of an electric motor for under driving, and the transference of
motion from said motor by means of bevil wheels to the vertical spindle substantially
as herein described and shewn.
Third. The application to an electrically driven hydro-extractor or centrifugal
dryer, of an electrical brake, with automatic action substantially as herein described
and shewn.
Fourth. In electrical brakes for high speed machinery of the nature of those
referred to in the preceding claims, an electro magnet with hinged jaws, tension
spring and iron disc substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth and
shown.
Fifth. In a Hydro-extractor, or Contrifugal drying machine, whether over or under
driven, the combination of an electric motor C with a Cage or drum, shaft or
spindle E and casing A, and with or without the electric brake arrangement D,
and F substantially as herein described and shown in the accompanying sheet of
drawings.
1000
FREDK. WALKER & HYDE,
4, Little Moorfields, London, E.C.,
Agents for Applicant.