IMPROVEMENTS IN CENTRIFUGAL DRYING MACHINES OR HYDRO- EXTRACTORS
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Nathaniel Lessware, of Bow Road, in the
County of Middlesex, Coppersmith and Engineer, for the Inven-
: tion of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CENTRIFUGAL DRYING MACHINES OR HYDRO-
EXTRACTORS."
Sealed the 28th April 1871, and dated the 2nd November 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Nathaniel
Lessware at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 2nd November 1870.
I, JOHN NATHANIEL LESSWARE, of Bow Road, in the County of
Middlesex, Coppersmith and Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CENTRIFUGAL DRYING MACHINES
OR HYDRO-EXTRACTORS," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to improvements in hydro-extractors or apparatus
for separating liquids from solids by. centrifugal action, more especially
employed to separate syrup from sugar. Hitherto the revolving cage or
basket in which the centrifugal action takes place has been fixed rigidly
_1._

page_text: to its spindle, and the action of the apparatus has therefore been neces-
sarily arrested whilst emptying the basket of the separated solid matters,
involving a considerable loss of time.
According to my Invention I make the basket removable from its
spindle, and provide a number of similar baskets for the same spindle, the
motion of which is subjected to a momentary interruption, only to enable
the basket to be removed from the spindle and replaced by another ready
charged. For this purpose I employ a conical boss keyed on the spindle
upon which the basket is dropped, a corresponding cone-shaped dome
formed at the centre of the basket fitting on to the boss; I make the
conical boss of such proportions that the basket will be retained thereon
by gravity and the adhesion or friction between the two cone surfaces
only without liability to fly off when running at great speed, but at same
time so as to admit of the easy removal of the basket, as above mentioned.
I also form the bottom of the casing or receptacle for the separated
liquid within which the basket revolves with a central opening to admit
of ready access being had to the gearing and parts beneath such bottom.
This opening is closed by the socket or bearing supporting the basket
spindle, and which is made with a flange by which it is bolted to the
bottom of the casing, instead of being cast in one therewith as hitherto.
The basket spindle is driven by bevil gearing from a short horizontal
shaft mounted in a bearing below the casing. The spindle is provided
with a brake surface as usual for checking or retarding the basket, said
brake surface being plain without any flange to allow it to be raised out
of the brake strap. The socket or bearing having been unbolted the
spindle together with the parts thereon may be removed through the
opening disclosed, which is made sufficiently large for the passage of the
brake surface and bevel pinion on the spindle.
In suspended machines I make the spindle in parts and telescopic, so
that it may be disconnected to allow of the removal of the basket, as
above described. For this purpose I mount the spindle in a frame,
suspended freely from above. The spindle is divided into three parts or
sections of which the upper one is tubular to receive the second or
middle section, which slides telescopically therein, the lowest section, to
which may be keyed the conical boss supporting the basket, being
received in a footstep or bearing carried by the suspended frame. The
sliding and hollow sections may be connected by a binding screw, and the
middle or sliding section being made to interlock with the lower section

page_text: within the conical boss (upon which the basket rests, as before described),
the whole will be caused to turn together. To remove the basket it is
simply necessary to release the binding screw, and raise the sliding section
sufficiently high out of the conical boss to allow the basket to clear the
end of said sliding section.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Nathaniel Lessware in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 2nd May 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
NATHANIEL LESSWARE, of Bow Road, in the County of Middlesex,
Coppersmith and Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Second day of November, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-
fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Nathaniel Lessware, Her special
licence that I, the said John Nathaniel Lessware, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Nathaniel
Lessware, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time.
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term thèrein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CENTRIFUGAL DRYING MACHINES OR HYDRO-EXTRACTORS,
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Nathaniel:
Lessware, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to. be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent..
".
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Nathaniel Lessware, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings

page_text: hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that
is to say):
'
My Invention relates to improvements in hydro-extractors or apparatus
for separating liquid from solids by centrifugal action more especially
employed to separate syrup from sugar. Hitherto the revolving cage or
basket in which the matters are subjected to centrifugal action has been
fixed rigidly to its spindle, and the action of the apparatus has therefore
been necessarily arrested whilst emptying the basket of the separated
solid matters, involving a considerable loss of time.
According to my Invention I make the basket removable from its
spindle and provide a number of similar baskets for the same spindle,
the motion of which is subjected to a momentary interruption only, to
enable the basket to be removed from the spindle and replaced by another
ready charged. For this purpose I may employ a conical boss keyed
to the spindle upon which the basket is dropped, a corresponding cone-
shaped dome formed at the centre of the basket fitting on to the boss; I
make the conical boss of such proportions that the basket will be
retained thereon by gravity and the adhesion or friction between the two
cone surfaces only, without liability to fly off when running at great
speed, but at same time so as to admit of the easy removal of the basket,
as above mentioned, or other means may be employed to effect the same
object. I also form the bottom of the casing or receptacle for the
separated liquid within which the basket revolves with a central opening
to admit of ready access being had to the gearing and parts beneath such
bottom. This opening is closed by the socket or bearing supporting the
basket spindle, and which is made with a flange by which it is bolted to
the bottom of the casing, instead of being cast in one therewith as,
hitherto. The basket spindle is driven by the bevel gearing from a
short horizontal shaft mounted in a bearing below the casing. The spindle.
is provided with a brake surface as usual for checking or retarding the
basket, said brake surface being plain without any flange to allow it to
be raised out of the brake strap. The socket or bearing having been
unbolted the spindle together with the parts thereon may be removed
through the opening disclosed, which is made sufficiently large for the
passage of the brake surface and bevel pinion on the spindle.
...In suspended machines I make the spindle in parts and telescopic, so
that it may be disconnected to allow of the removal of the basket, as above
described. For this purpose I mount the spindle in a frame suspended
'
1

page_text: freely from above. The spindle is divided into three parts or sections, of
which the upper one is tubular to receive the second or middle section,
which slides telescopically therein, the lower section (to which may be
keyed the conical boss supporting the basket) being received in a foot-
step or bearing carried by the suspended frame. The sliding and hollow
sections may be connected by a binding screw, and the middle or sliding
section being made to interlock with the lower section within the conical
boss (upon which the basket rests, as before described), the whole will be
caused to turn together. To remove the basket it is simply necessary to
release the binding screw and raise the sliding section sufficiently high
out of the conical boss to allow the basket to clear the end of said sliding
section
I have illustrated in the accompanying Drawings several methods in
which the basket may be made detachable from its spindle.
'
'
Figure 1 is a plan and Figure 2 an elevation in section taken on
line 1-2, Figure 1, of my improved centrifugal drying machine showing
one method of mounting the basket: A is the basket, which is con-
structed much the same as usual, and has a central cone-shaped dome B
rising from the bottom to fit into a conical boss C keyed to the spindle D
by which the basket is to be driven. I make the sides of the cone C at
an angle of about 30 degrees from a vertical line, the diameter of the
cone at its base being about equal to half the diameter of the basket.
This I find is the best proportion for ensuring the necessary adhesion
between the surfaces of the dome B and the cone C to prevent the
basket rising when running at a high speed, and at same time to admit
of the basket being readily lifted off by hand when it is required to
empty it. The cone C is truncated, and the spindle D passes through
it, and rises from the top of said cone C through the top or apex of
the dome B, which is formed with a collar or socket 6 to fit on to
the top of spindle D, as shown, to prevent the basket rocking on the
cone when running unequally loaded, and thus assist in retaining the
basket in place.
.
Figures 3 and 4 are a sectional elevation and plan respectively of
another method of constructing and mounting the basket, which in this.
case is made bottomless. The basket A is formed with an inside flange.
around the lower edge. E is a plate formed in one with the cone C,.

page_text: which is keyed to the spindle as before. The basket A is connected to
this plate by studs or pins e fixed to plate E, the heads of which studs
pass through bayonet slots d in the flange a, as shown in Figure 4. The
sides A or basket proper can thus be readily detached (by shifting it so
as to release the studs from their slots) and removed from the plate E
to be discharged, the sugar, from which the liquid has been expelled,
adhering to the sides A.
Figure 5 is a partial section of a somewhat similar arrangement of
basket, but without any flange, the bayonet slots & being formed in the
lower edges of the sides A, and the studs or pins c fixed around the edges
of the plate E, as shown.
Figure 6 is a central section of an arrangement in which the basket is
retained without any fastening. In this case a plate or head F is forged
on the end of the spindle D, on to which an outer basket G is fixed by
countersunk screws e through the bottom of the outer basket G. The
sides of the latter are made with large perforations to allow the liquid to
pass freely, the sugar or other solid substances being retained by an
inner basket H, the sides of which (as well as the baskets described in'
reference to Figures 2, 3, and 5) are made with perforations of the usual
size (not shown). The basket H fits into the outer basket G, into which
it is simply dropped, and can be casily lifted. out and removed to be
emptied. A number of baskets constructed precisely alike are to be
provided for the same spindle, so as to permit of one being immediately
replaced by another charged with fresh materials to be subjected to the
centrifugal action.
Whichever method of disconnecting the basket may be employed I
mount the spindle D in a socket I formed in one with a circular plate. K
forming part of the bottom L of the casing within which the basket
revolves. The bottom L is formed with a central opening over which
the plate K is bolted, as shown, to close said opening. This opening is
made of sufficient size to allow of ready access to the gearing beneath
the bottom L, and permit the parts on the lower end of spindle D to be
withdrawn altogether. A brake surface M is keyed on spindle D as
usual, but is made plain without any flange to permit of its being with-
drawn from the brake strap N which encircles it without disconnecting a
the strap. O is the driving spindle of the machine; it is mounted in a
suitable bearing P cast with the casing, and is driven cither direct from
an independent steam engine with which cach centrifugal machine may

page_text: be provided (as shown), or by band gearing from a line of shafting as
usual. R is à bével friction wheel mounted on spindle O with a groove
and feather connection to permit of the said wheel R being kept up
against the corresponding friction cone S by the force of spring T.
The conical surface S is secured on a core forming part of the brake
surface M, and the lower end of spindle D is stepped in the casing P, as
shown. By unbolting plate K the spindle D and all the parts thereon
may be readily removed through the opening in the bottom L.
Either of the herein-before described arrangements of removable.
basket may be conveniently employed in a suspended machine (except
that shown in Figure 6) by mounting the basket spindle in a frame, and
making the said spindle in parts and telescopic to allow of the removal
of the basket, as illustrated in Figure 7, which is a part sectional
elevation of a suspended machine. A is the basket, as before, which
revolves within a fixed casing L as usual; U is a rigid frame carrying a
bearing U in which the foot of the basket spindle is stepped. This
frame is suspended from cross bars carried on a beam or other over-
head support by means of rods, and jointed to frame U so as to leave
the said frame free to incline in any direction to permit of the basket
adapting itself to work well when unequally loaded, which is the object
in all suspended machines.
The basket spindle is divided into three parts or sections W, X, and Y,
of which the upper one W is tubular, and passes through the top cross
bar of frame. U, and is connected to the vertical driving shaft Z by a
universal joint. The second or middle section X is fitted to slide tele-
scopically within the upper one W, to which it may be rigidly connected
by a set screw W₁. It is also made to interlock with the lower section
within the conical boss or basket carrier C, which is fixed or keyed to
the said lower section Y of the spindle. The sections X and Y may
either be caused to interlock, as shown, by the end of the former taking
into a cross cut in the latter, or by a groove and feather connection
between section X and the interior of boss C, and in cither case so that
the whole shall revolve together.
The basket A may be constructed and supported on the conical boss
or basket carrier C, as shown in Figure 7, or the basket may be con-
structed as herein-before described and shown in reference to Figures 3
and 5. To remove the basket it is simply necessary (the screw W¹ being
released) to disconnect the middle section X from the lower section Y,

page_text: or from the boss by sliding it up within the tubular part W out of the
way clear of the basket, which may then be removed and another put in
its place, the part X being then brought down and the whole made fast
by screw W' as before.
Having described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I declare that what I claim as my Invention to
be protected by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,--'
1st. The use in a centrifugal hydro-extractor of a removable basket as
and for the purpose set forth.
2ndly. Fitting the said revolving basket to its spindle so as to be
readily removable therefrom, substantially as herein-before described and
illustrated in the Drawings.
3rdly. I claim providing the bottom of the casing in which the basket
revolves with a central opening and means for closing the same (the
general arrangement of the parts on the basket spindle being such as 1
to permit of their withdrawal through such aperture), substantially as
herein-before described and shown in Figure 1 of the Drawings for the
purpose specified.
4thly. Constructing the basket spindle of a suspended centrifugal
hydro-extractor in parts for the purpose set forth, substantially in the 2
manner herein-before described and shown in Figure 7 of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Nathaniel Lessware, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Second-day of May, in the year
· of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.