IMPROVEMENTS IN CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATORS
Year: 1884

page_text: I GUSTAF DE LAVAL Doctor of Philosophy of Stockholm in the Kingdom of
Sweden do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATORS to be as follows:-
وو
This invention relates to improvements in separators employed for separating
liquids by centrifugal action and has for its object to improve the action and to
facilitate the adjustment of such machines for or in respect of quantitative and
and qualitative out put.
This invention which can be used with horizontally as well as vertically revolving
machines further operates to raise the separated parts of the compound liquid to
a considerable and adjustable height by the centrifugal action of the machine
whilst at work.
The centrifugal vessel if rotating on a horizontal axis receives the compound
liquid at one end, the separation is effected during its way through the vessel from
which the separated parts exit at the opposite end. The separated liquids are
thrown out of the vessel over projecting edges and are received by a metal piece
attached to the frame which piece contains circular channels each of which covers
over one of the corresponding overflow-edges of the drum. From these channels
the separated liquids are removed out of the machine through pipes or gutters.
The centrifugal vessel is in horizontal direction arranged adjustably in the bearings
of the shaft by means of a set-screw and spring or by other mechanical arrange-
ment, for the purpose of either enlarging or for reducing the distance between the
overflow edges and receiving channels, by which means the action of the machine
can be regulated in the following manner. If the distance between the edges and
receiving channels is reduced, the resistance exercised against the ejected liquids is
enlarged and smaller quantities of liquid will exit from the centrifugal drum or
vessel as in the case where this distance is enlarged and the resistance reduced
accordingly. The liquid will in the first case be kept for a longer time in the
machine than in the latter case and a more complete separation will be effected in
the first than in the second case.
pressure
By reducing the distance between the overflow edges and channels the
of the liquid within the channels can be increased or regulated, which pressure can
accordingly be used for raising the separated parts through pipes to a greater
height or for removing these parts from the machine to a greater distance.
073

page_text: Instead of arranging the vessel adjustably the receiving channel piece (or channel
pieces if several are used one for each overflow edge as may be convenient and
preferable in some cases) may be attached to the frame of the machine in
adjustable and sideable manner for the purpose of regulating the action of the
machine.
To dispense with a shaft passing through the centrifugal vessel the compound
liquid may be fed to the drum through the hollow trunnion of one end. The sepa-
rated parts of the liquid exit from the drum at the other end, the lighter part may
be arranged to leave the drum through the corresponding hollow trunnion of that
end and the heavier part through an opening or through openings formed in the
end plate of the centrifugal drum..
If the centrifugal vessel is mounted on an upright revolving shaft or axle the
combination of the channel piece or channel pieces with the revolving drum may
be arranged in similar manner as before described with reference to machines with
horizontal revolving axis.
The adjustment may again be produced by arranging the drum moveably in up
and down direction or by shifting the position of the receiving channels with
relation to the drum. This may be executed in the first case by a set screw acting
against the foot of the shaft by means of which the latter may be lifted or lowered
in the other case by eccentric bolts or by a screw appliance by means of which the
corresponding channel piece may be shifted and set in its guide of the frame.
Dated this 29th day of March 1884.

page_text: I GUSTAF DE LAVAL Doctor of Philosophy, Stockholm, Sweden do hereby
declare the nature of my said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CENTRIFUGAL
SEPARATORS 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 improvements in separators applied for separating
compound liquids by centrifugal action and has for its object to improve the action
and to facilitate the adjustment of such machines in quantitative and qualitative
direction. This invention which can be applied to horizontally as well as vertically
revolving machines further admits of the raising of the separated parts of the
compound liquid to a considerable and adjustable height by the centrifugal action
of the machine whilst at work.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the improvements Figs 1, 2 and 3 repre-
Bent respectively front view, longitudinal section and cross section of a machine
supported by a horizontal shaft which shaft is arranged to slide within its bearings
for the purpose of adjustment and regulation of the separating effect of the
machine as will be understood from the following description.
The centrifugal vessel A which is attached at both ends to shaft m receives the
compound liquid at one end by the gutter e and channels e¹ from a receiver d
attached to the frame of the machine or otherwise. The separation of the liquid
is effected during its passage through vessel A from which the separated parts will
leave at the opposite end, the heavier part at a and the lighter part at a
The liquids are thrown out of the machine over the edges or lips a and a¹ and
are received by a piece B attached to the frame, which piece contains two circular
channels h and h¹ each of which overlaps the corresponding out-flow edges a and a¹.
From these receiving channels h and h¹ the separated liquids are withdrawn from
the machine through spouts c and c¹.
The vessel A is arranged to be adjustable in its bearings in a horizontal direction
for the purpose of enlarging or reducing the distance between the edges a, a¹ and
the receiving channels h h by which means the action of the machine can be
regulated in the following manner If the distance between the edges a a¹ and the
receiving channels h h¹ is reduced the resistance to the ejected liquids is increased
and smaller quantities of liquids will leave the drum or vessel A than will be the
case when this distance is enlarged and the resistance reduced accordingly. The
liquids will in the former case be kept for a longer time in the machine than in the
latter case and a more complete separation will be effected.
By reducing the distance between a, a¹ and the channels h¹ the pressure of
the liquid within channels h h¹ can be increased or regulated, which pressure can
accordingly be used for raising the separated parts through pipes v, v to a greater
or less height or for removing same through pipes to a greater or less distance.
The adjustment of the vessel A in a horizontal direction is effected by a set
screw g acting against one end of the shaft m whilst a spring f acts against the
other end of the shaft. By turning screw g the one or other way, vessel A will
alter its position with relation to the receiving piece B and the action of the machine
may be regulated in the manner before described.
Figs 4, 5, and 6 show the invention in combination with a horizontally arranged
machine of which the receiving channel-pieces are adjustable instead of the vessel.
as in the first case. In this construction each of the separated parts of liquid is
received in a special receiving piece, b₁ for the heavier part and b for the lighter

page_text: part of liquid. Each of these pieces b and b¹ can be adjusted in its distance apart
from the corresponding overflow-edge a and a¹; b¹ by an eccentric bolt i (that can
be turned by a key) and b by the turning screw p or other convenient mechanical
appliance may be used for shifting and adjusting these receiving-pieces.
To dispense with a shaft passing through the centrifugal vessel as in Figs 1. 2, and 3
the supporting pivots of the vessel may be formed hollow as shown in Figs 4 and 5
and be attached to or formed on the ends of vessel A. The compound liquid enters
vessel A through pivot and tube o while the lighter liquid leaves through the
opposite pivot and the heavier liquid from a part near the circumference of the
drum through pipe z as will be understood on reference to the drawings.
Figs 7 and 8 show the invention as applied to a separator with an upright shaft.
Vessel A can be raised or lowered by the set screw t arranged in the foot-step of
the frame by which means the overflow edges a a¹ for the separated liquids can
more or less be narrowed to the receiving piece B' containing the circular
channels h and h¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
Firstly. In combination with a centrifugal vessel adjustable in direction of its
axle revolving either in a horizontal or in a vertical direction and furnished with
overflow edges a a' for the separated liquid a receiving piece B or B¹ fixed to the
frame or other part outside the machine and furnished with annular receiving-
channels for the separated liquids said receiving channels overlapping the edges a a¹
for the purpose of regulating and adjusting the separating action of the machine
by a shifting of the drum towards or away from the receiving piece substantially
as described.
Secondly. The application of two or more receiving pieces each furnished with
one annular channel overlapping the corresponding over-flow edge of the drum as
set forth.
Thirdly. The modification of apparatus as herein described according to which
the receiving piece B or in case of the application of several such pieces the
separate receiving pieces are arranged adjustably in the machine frame or other
stationary part of the machine instead of arranging the separating vessel itself
adjustable as herein set forth.
Dated this 90th day of December 1901
WALTER A. BARLOW,
Agent for Gustaf de Laval.