Improvements in Centrifugal Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Jan., 1896-Accepted, 25th Apr., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Centrifugal Machines.
We, JOHN LAIDLAW of the Firm of Watson, Laidlaw & Company, 98, Dundas
Street, South, in the County of the City of Glasgow, North Britain, and CHARLES
ALPHONSO MATTHEY, of Russel Rise, Reading, Berkshire, England, Engineers,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manuer the same is to
be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in self-balancing centrifugal machines
which have elastic or semi-elastic bearings to allow the machine to oscillate when
unequally loaded, known as centrifugal machines or hydro extractors, and having
the shells of the baskets perforated to allow the escape of the liquid extracted.
In carrying out our invention we provide a turbine for driving the basket, in
order that they may be driven by water or other fluid from below.
The turbine or motor is carried on a metal ring attached to and underneath the
basket or on a separate casting. The turbine may be driven by water or other
fluid.
We provide an improved method of suspending or supporting the basket so as to
give greater freedom to the basket to take up a balanced position under varied
conditions of load.
In order that our invention may be properly understood and readily carried
into effect we have hereunto appended five explanatory sheets of drawings in the
several figures of which corresponding parts are marked with the same letters of
reference.
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 are vertical sections illustrating our invention.
Figure 5 is a plan of Figure 1, which may be modified to be applicable to
Figures 2, 3, or 4.
A is the framework carrying the basket B. A metal ring C is attached to the
under-side of the bottom of the basket as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 or to a
separate casting as shown in Figure 4. This ring carries the cups D of the
turbine, and the water or other fluid is projected from one or more nozzles E,
Figure 5, against the cups D. The brake for stopping the basket is illustrated in
Figures 1 and 2. In both these cases the rotation of the basket is stopped by the
pressure of plungers against the inner surface of the ring carrying the cups forming
the turbine. In Figure 1 the plungers F F are forced out by means of a treadle G
pivoted at g to the framework of the machine and at g 1 to the arm H which is
connected to the plungers F F by means of the links 11. On pressure being
applied to the end g2 of the treadle G the plungers F F will be pushed out
against the inner surface of the ring C. In Figure 2 the plungers are actuated by
water pressure introduced into the watertight compartment.
The improved method of supporting the basket so as to allow freedom to take
up a balanced position is illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3. It consists of a
spherical surface J, Figures 1 and 2 formed on a tube or bush K in which the
spindle L of the basket revolves. The spherical surface rests in a cup or socket M
which is supported in a cylindrical recess N formed in the framework of the
machine. This recess is large enough to allow of freedom of motion to the cup or
socket M, and the space between the cup and the walls of the recess may have a
spring or springs O of metal or other elastic material. The spindle L of the

page_text: basket is supported in the tube or bush K, either on washers as shown in Figure 1,
or directly on the bottom of the tube or bush as shown in Figure 2. In the latter
case the bearings may be metal on metal, or metal on lignum vitæ. P is a
receptacle formed in the framework for oil, water, or other lubricant.
Figure 3 shows a modified form of our improved method of supporting the
basket. In this case the spherical surface J is attached directly to the bottom of
the basket and rests in a cylindrical cup M which is supported in a cylindrical
recess N in the framework of the machine.
Figure 4 shows a machine in which the spindle revolves in a bush K free to
oscillate between india-rubber washers with the bottom of the spindle resting on a
step Y which is fixed to the framework of the machine and does not oscillate as in
machines of this type constructed hitherto. The lubrication is effected by the water
which has driven the turbine being retained for a certain depth in the bottom of
the framework.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The combination of an under driven self-balancing centrifugal machine or
hydro-extractor with a motor or turbine in order that the machine may be driven
direct by water or other fluid under pressure substantially as described.
2. The improved method of supporting the basket in under-driven self-balancing
centrifugal machines by means of a spherical surface resting in a loose cup for the
purpose of giving freedom to the basket to take up a balanced position, sub-
stantially as described and illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3.
3. In under-driven centrifugal machines in which the spindle revolves in an
oscillating bush below the basket, having the pivot on which the spindle revolves
rigid instead of forming part of the bush and oscillating with the bush as
hitherto.
4. In under-driven self-balancing centrifugal machines which are driven
by a turbine, the brake for stopping the basket described and illustrated in
Figures 1, & 2.
Dated this 27th day of January 1896.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicants' Agents.