IMPROVEMENTS IN CENTRIFUGAL MACHINES, CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CENTRIFUGAL MACHINES, CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR USE IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR." A communication from abroad by Samuel
Shaw Hepworth, of Yonkers, New York, United States of America,
Mechanical Engineer.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th April 1881.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CENTIFRUGAL MACHINES,
CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR." A communi-
cation from abroad by Samuel Shaw Hepworth, of Yonkers, New York, United"
States of America, Mechanical Engineer.
This Invention relates to centrifugal machines, which are intended to be used'
for the purpose of draining liquids from solids by centrifugal force..
The object of the present, improvements is to provide a better construction for
such inachines than has heretofore been in use.
+
In the accompanying Drawings illustrating the said Invention,-
.
Figure 1 is a vertical section through the middle of the basket of one form of 'my!
improved machine, the sectional view of the bearing below the basket being taken
on the line u, v, of Figure 4 in order to clearly shew the several parts.
Figure 2.is a plan or..top view of the said basket looking downwards from the
line x, y, of Figure 1, the valves being shewn closed.
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Figure 3 is an underside view of the bottom of the basket with the valves
shewn open.
Figure 4 is a horizontal section of the elastic bearing on the line s, t, Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a vertical section through the basket and supports, shewing another
part of my improvements.
Figure 6 is a plan or top view with the basket and curb removed..
Figure 7 is a view of the underside of the curb removed from the machine.
"!

page_text: Figure 8 represents a front view of another form of my improved machine with
a portion of the left side removed so as to shew the basket, and also to shew a
vertical section of the working parts from the centre of the supporting spindle
outward.
•
Figure 9 is a plan or top view with the parts above the bottom of the basket
removed so as to shew the supports for the spindle.
Figure 10 is a vertical section through another form of machine embodying my
improvements.
Figure 11 is an elevation of the upper part of the said machine.
Figure 12 is a horizontal section through the brake.
Figure 13 is a side view of the link of the brake.
Figure 14 is a side view of the brake lever.
Figure 15 is a vertical section of the suspension head.
Figure 16 is a plan or top view of the saine partly in section.
Figure 17 is a plan of the suspension socket, and
Figure 18 is a section of the same.
Figure 19 is a side elevation of the said socket.
Figure 20 is a vertical section, and
Figure 21, a top view of a nut hereinafter described.
Figure 22 represents a sleeve, hereinafter described, partly in section and partly
in elevation, and
Figure 23 is a plan of the same.
Figure 24 is a central section of the bearing at the lower end of the spindle,
detached from the machine, and
'Figure 25 is a plan of the same.
Figure 26 is a central section of the oil chamber and parts for supporting the
lower bearing of the spindle with the parts shewn in Figure 24' removed, and
Figure 27 is a plan of the same.
Figure 28 is a plan of one-half of the curb.
In that part of my improvements shewn in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 A is the
basket. This basket is of the usual construction, except as to the bottom and
valves, and it has its cylindrical circumference perforated to allow of the escape of
the syrup from the crystals of sugar when it is charged and revolved; it is fixed
to the spindle B, with which it revolves in suitable bearings below the said basket.
This spindle revolves in two bearings, one of which is situated just below the
basket, and is shewn in the Drawings, the other being some distance below and of
the usual construction. The lower bearing is commonly placed in a ball and
socket joint, or some other contrivance to give flexibility so that it can accom-
modate itself to the movements of the elastic bearing above.
C is the curb or case within which the basket revolves; at the bottom it forms
the trough D in which the syrup is collected, such syrup being discharged through
the pipe E; G, G, are the valve openings in the bottom of the basket. In my
improved construction they are situated immediately inside of the cylindrical
surface of the basket, and directly over the annular space H, through which the
sugar is discharged to a proper receptacle below. J, J, are the valves, which turn
upon the pins, pivots, or bolts J', passing through bearings in the bottom A¹ of the
basket and out of its centre.
K, K, are geared quadrants keyed upon the pins J' on the upper side of the
bottom A¹. These quadrants serve to operate the valves by turning the said pins,
which are preferably cast in one piece with the valve of brass or bronze. L is a
sleeve fitting and turning upon the upper part of the spindle B, which projects
upward into the basket.. The bottom of this sleeve is formed into a pinion M,
which gears into the quadrants K so that the turning of the sleeve operates the
valves simultaneously. There are four of 'these quadrants and valves shewn in the
Drawings, but any convenient number may be used. N is a hand wheel fixed.to
the top of the sleeve L for the purpose of turning it to open and close the valves.
The valves and quadrants are so arranged hat the former are opened by checking the

page_text: nand wheel while the basket 13 revolving, and are closed by moving it In the
opposite direction.
O is a casing which protects the gearing from the material placed in the basket.
The said casing is joined to the bottom A¹, and extends upward to just below the
hand wheel N, surrounding and fitting the sleeve L. P. is a ring or flange, shewn
in the Drawings as bolted to the bottom of the basket by the bolts R. This ring
may be made in one solid piece with the bottom of the basket, if desired, or it may
be separated from it by thimbles of a suitable thickness placed upon the bolts R,
so as to leave a space between them for the purpose of preventing any accumu
lations of dirt or sugar from interfering with the operation of the valves.
This
ring P is for the purpose of supporting the outer edge of the valves when closed.
When open, the valve turns clear from the groove above the ring, and when closed
shuts into the groove, as shewn in Figure 1. The lower side of the valve can be
bevelled if desired so as to close it up tight against the bottom of the basket. S is
the box in which is formed the bearing of the spindle B. The said box is hollow.
and serves as an oil receptacle to contain the oil which flows down through the
bearings to oil them in the usual manner. This box rests upon a shoulder or
collar T upon the spindle. The outer surface of the said box is formed into a
series of scallops or curved indentations to hold the india-rubber springs U which
surround it, as shewn in Figure 4. These india-rubber springs are of a cylindrical
form, and are preferably made hollow to give them greater elasticity.
V is a scalloped ring with interior curved recesses for the outer portion of the
said india-rubber springs. W is a plate resting upon the top of the india-rubber.
cylinders, and X is a plate beneath them. These plates reach partially over the
ends and are bolted together by. the bolts Y, which clamp them to the ring V and
hold all these parts and the india-rubber springs together so that they can be
removed or replaced in one piece or all at the same time.
The top part of the pedestal Z is bored out and receives the ring. V; which can
be fastened in its place by set screws. The top part of the plate W is bevelled to
facilitate the discharge of the sugar and prevent its lodging upon the top of the
pedestal. The operation of these parts of my improved machine is. similar to that-
of those now in use, except that the situation of the valves near the outer edge of
the bottom of the basket gives them a much greater facility for the discharge of
the drained sugar, which forms a wall around the interior of the basket immediately
above them. My improved elastic bearing also as the advantage of occupying
but little space so as not to interfere with the descent of the sugar, and at the same>
time possesses great elasticity.
In that part of my Invention shewn in Figures 5, 6, and 7, 2 A is the base of the
machine; 2 B is the fixed curb which surrounds the revolving basket, and contains.
the syrup gutters 2 B', from which the liquid is discharged by means of a spout in
the usual manner; 2 C, 2 C, are columns extending from the base to support the
curb. There are preferably three of these arranged at three angles of a square, the
fourth angle being occupied by the vertical rod 2 C³, which extends upwards through
suitable bearings and is furnished with a lever at its top above the basket for
operating the brake 2 D. 2 E is the revolving basket which is firmly attached to
the spindle 2 G. This basket as well as the curb may be of any ordinary con..
struction. 2 H is the footstep of the spindle, which is fitted to the base with an
elastic or flexible joint, so as to permit the spindle to vary slightly from its vertical.
position.
2 J is a plate forming part of the fixed base of the machine; 2 K is a movable or
oscillating sleeve surrounding the spindle, which sleeve is provided with a flexible.
ball bearing 2 K', as shewn in Figure 5, within a cylindrical central opening in the
plate 2 J; L is a circular flange extending outward from the sleeve 2 K parallel. to..
the base plate 2 J; 2 M, 2 M, represent bolts firmly fixed in the base plate 2 J and
extending upward through the flange 2 L, which moves freely upon them; 20 and 201
are india-rubber springs placed between the flange 2 L and the base plate 2 J and
between the flange 2 L and the caps 2 N upon the top of the bolts 2 M. These indi

page_text: rubber springs can be given any desired amount of compression by means of nuts
above the caps 2 N on the bolts 2 M. The botom of the sleeve 2 K being held from
movement in a horizontal direction by the flexible ball joint 2 K₁, the springs 20, 201,
acting upon the flange 2 L, tend to hold the top of the sleeve in its position and to
restore it if deflected from its equilibrium; 2 P is the upper bearing, in which the
spindle 2 Grevolves. This bearing is fitted into the top of the sleeve 2 K with a
ball and socket joint 2 R, as shewn in Figure 5. Whenever the spindle is deflected
or moved laterally out of its central position the sleeve 2 K turns upon the
joint 2 K¹, which causes a vertical movement of opposite edges of the flange 2 L
and a compression of the springs 20, 201, which tends to restore the equilibrium.
It will be observed that the number of springs around the circumference of the
flange 2 is not essential. There may be three or more, or the spring may be
made continuous without affecting the nature of the said Invention. The exact
position or inclination of the springs is also not material, so long as they operate
in a proper direction to prevent the oscillation of the sleeve 2 K.
For substances which part with their liquid reluctantly it is sometimes
necessary to run the basket in fixed bearings until the material is so far drained as
not to be liable to shift inside of the basket or change its position relative thereto.
For this purpose I use the locking device hereinafter described. 2 S is a notched
ring attached to the inside of the curb, as shewn in Figures 5 and 7.
The projec-
tions occupy somewhat less than one-half the circumference. 2 T is a similar
notched ring attached to or forming part of a movable collar upon the top of the
sleeve 2 K. This ring 2 T is of smaller diameter than the ring 2 S, and also has
projections which occupy somewhat less than one-half its circuinference. The said
collar can be turned by means of the lever 2 U, so that these projections will be
opposite the projections upon the ring 2 S, or so as to come opposite the openings
or spaces.
In the former case the sleeve 2 K will be locked in position, and in the
latter the projections in each ring will meet with no obstruction to passing through
the openings, and the sleeve can move freely. The collar is provided with a set
screw, which moves in a slot so as to stop it in either of the above named positions.
In the Drawings the notched ring 2 S is shewn as fixed to the curb, but it may be
attached to any other convenient part of the frame of the machine, and the movable
ring attached to a corresponding part of the sleeve 2 K; for instance, one of the
notched rings can be attached to the base plate 2 J, and the other to the
flanges 2 L, meeting at their edges. This will serve the same purpose, as has been.
described.
In that part of my Invention illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, 3 A is the base or
fixed frame of the machine; 3 B is the revolving basket, which may be of the
ordinary construction; 3 C is the spindle upon which the basket is supported, and
which turns freely in the sleeve 3 D, and is supported upon a ball and socket foot
bearing 3 E at its lower end. The said spindle is driven by a belt over the pulley 3 G,
which is keyed to it near the lower end.
3 H is the curb, which is furnished with a base 3 J, forming the syrup gutter ;
this part 3 J is made strong and heavy, and is furnished with a socket 3 K, which
with the ball 3 L upon the sleeve 3 1) forms a flexible joint for the upper bearing
or support of the basket.
The syrup gutter is hung to the fixed frame by flexible and elastic supports in
the following manner, that is to say :-3 M, 3 M, are standards, preferably three
attached to the fixed frame or base 3 A, from which the syrup gutter is suspended
by the rods 3 N, 3 N,;furnished with ball and socket joints at their top and bottom,
upon which the rods can swing freely, the holes through which they pass in the
standards and gutter being sufficiently large to permit a swinging motion. The
syrup gutter is thus flexibly suspended in a manner which permits it and the
upper hearing of the spindle to move laterally in any direction. The weight of
the gutter and curb hangs suspended from the standards 3 M like a pendulum, so
that it moves with a little resistance at first, and as it is more deflected offers more
and more resistance to motion. This confines the position of the basket to certain

page_text: limits when the charge is very unevenly distributed, as in first starting with
difficulty separable material before it has acquired. its equilibrium in the basket.
It also allows a very sensitive play for the smaller vibrations afterwards.
In order to give a quick and elastic motion for the rapid and short vibrations
which occur when the basket is revolving at a high velocity, I provide in addition
to the suspension of the curb and gutter the elastic bands 3 0, which are attached
to the standards 3 P upon the fixed base or frame of the machine, and to studs 3 R
upon the edge of the gutter. These bands by their elastic resistance tend to hold
the bearing of the spindle 3 C in its geometrical centre, and sustain the spindle in
a vertical position.
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When the basket of the machine is charged with a material to be drained, the
centre of gravity of which does not conform to the axis of the basket and spindle,
and is rapidly revolved, the centrifugal force of the unbalanced load causes
vibration of the basket and contents. When the spindle is held in fixed bearings
this vibration is communicated to the frame of the machine, and indeed to the
whole building in which such machines are used. In my improved construction
however this vibration is communicated only to the suspended gutter and curb,
and is to a great extent counteracted by the inertia of the suspended parts. As
the basket revolves the centrifugal force of the unbalanced load is constantly
changing from side to side, tending to draw the heavy gutter in opposite directions
in almost infinitesimal intervals of time, so that it does not fairly acquire motion
in one direction before the opposing force counteracts it. The weight of the
suspended parts thus serves to check the motion, and hold the basket to a fixed
centre of revolution, which may or may not be in its geometrical axis. The elastic
band 30 and the suspending rods 3 N permit the basket and spindle to assume a
position of equilibrium.
The suspended parts may be made of any sufficient weight to counteract the
vibrations of any inequality of load, depending upon the inaterials operated upon
by the machine.
My improved machine is adapted to be used as a hand machine, in which the
contents are removed from the top or from a bottom discharge, in which the basket
is provided with openings covered by valves. In the latter case the sugar or other
material passes down through the openings in the bottom of the basket, and falls
into the space around the central spindle. It is prevented from fnterfering with
the space occupied by the belt running to the pulley 3 G by the sharped edged
arms 3 J¹, the sides S, and the cone 3 T, which conduct the discharged sugar over
the sides 3 U and the cone 3 V, which protect the space occupied by the belt. The
parts 3 S and 3 T are movable with the gutter 3 J, and the parts 3 U and 3 V form
part of the fixed frame of the machine.
In that part of my Invention, illustrated in Figures 10 to 28, 4 A is the basket,
which is constructed in the usual manner; 4 B is the spindle upon which the
basket is fixed and by which it is driven; 4 C is a drum or pulley fixed to the
spindle. Its upper portion receives the belt which drives the machine, and its
lower portion is acted upon by the brake for checking its motion or stopping it.
4 D is the head by which the machine is suspended; it is furnished with a ball
and socket joint, which allows the machine to hang freely; 4 E, 4 E, are the rods
by which the curb is suspended in the usual manner; 4 F is the suspension socket
which is made in two parts, bolted together after it is placed on the ball of the
joint. The said socket is firmly bolted to a beam or to the frame by which the
machine is supported.
The brake, shewn more particularly in Figures 11 to 14, is attached to the
suspension head 4 D by means of the arm or hub 4 a, and is composed of cast iron
shoes 4 G, which receive the wood lining attached to a wrought iron strap 4 H.
This strap has an eye at one end to which the link 4 L is attached, and the other.
end terminates in a round shank which passes through a hole in the fulcrum
pin 4, and is secured by the nuts 41 and 4 1', the fulcrum pin 4 passing
through the hub 4 a, and is fitted so that it can turn slightly to conform to the

page_text: position of the strap. One end of the link 4 L is fitted to work freely on the cain
or excentric upon the lever 4 K. When it is required to stop the machine the
brake is applied to the pulley 4 C. When the lever 4 K is in the position shewn
in Figure 12 the line passing through the centre of the can has passed the centre
line of the link 4 L, and the lever rests against one of the shoes of the brake, in
which position it is held until turned to again relieve the pressure of the brake.
The shoes 4 G are intended to be lined with wood placed with the end grain to
the pulley 4 C, and to be filled with shoe-pegs in the usual manner. As this wood
wears away the strap is shortened by means of the nuts 41 and 4 I¹.
To prevent
the head 4 D from turning the lugs 4 c, 4 c, on the suspension socket 4 F fit freely
over the rib.4 b on the suspension head 4 D, and keep the said head from revolving
while permitting the required swinging motion.
The bottom bearing consists of the oil chamber 4 R, which is firmly bolted to
the radial bars of the curb 4 0, leaving an annular space between the oil chamber
and the central hub of the curb, and the interior parts 4 P and 4 Q. The part 4 Q
is fitted into the sleeve 4 P and forms a part of the same, as shewn in Figure 24.
The internal surface of part 4 Q is made tapering to conform to the shape of the
spindle, and is intended to be lined with soft metal in the usual manner. The
sleeve 4 P is fitted snugly into the hub of the curb 40, but in such a manner that
it can be moved up by means of the set screws 4d, 4 d, or be drawn down by the
bolts 4 e, 4 e.
The top bearing consists of the suspension bead 4 D, with the sleeve 4 N fitted
snugly into it, but so that it can be pushed down by means of the nut 4 M or
drawn up by the bolts and nuts 4 n, 4 n, 4 m, 4 m. The internal surface of the
sleeve 4 N is made tapering to conform to the shape of the spindle. It is important
that the upper and lower bearings of the spindle shall fit so closely into their
bearings as not to permit of any lateral movement, and at the same time not so
close as to cause the bearings to heat. By the devices herein described these
adjustments can be readily and accurately made in the following manner, that is to
say, they can be effected by pushing up the sleeve 4 P by means of the set screws
4 d, 4 d, until the friction is slightly felt by turning the basket 4 A, then slacking
them a trifle and drawing the sleeve back again by the bolts 4 e, 4 e. The upper
bearing is adjusted in a similar manner, that is to say, by pushing the sleeve 4 N
down by the nut 4 M until the friction is slightly felt when turning the basket,
then drawing the sleeve back again by slacking the nut and tightening the
nuts 4 m, 4 m.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. Two or more valves connected with the underside or bottom of the basket
of a centrifugal machine by separate pivots or bolts passing through the said
bottom out of its centre, in combination with mechanism for operating them
simultaneously from the inside of the said basket, substantially as herein
described.
Second. The valve J supported when closed by a pivot J¹ upon its inner side
and a flange P upon its outer side, substantially as above described.
Third. The combination of the valve J, the quadrant K, the pinion M, the
sleeve L, and the wheel N, substantially as herein described.
Fourth. The combination of the box. S and the ring V having curved recesses
with the cylindrical india-rubber springs U, substantially as above described.
Fifth. The combination of the plates W and X and the ring V with the india-
rubber springs U, substantially as herein described.
Sixth. The combination of the oscillating sleeve 2 K having the joint 2 K' in
the fixed frame of the machine, and the flange 2 L with the bearing 2 P of the
spindle and the springs 20, 201, substantially as above described.
Seventh. The combination of the fixed base plate 2 J, the oscillating sleeve 2 K,

page_text: the ball and socket 2 R, and the springs 20, 20, to form an elastic or flexible
pedestal in a centrifugal machine, substantially as above described.
Eighth. The oscillating sleeve 2 K provided with the ball joint 2 K¹ at the
bottom and suitable springs to maintain its equilibrium, and to serve as an elastic
support for the upper bearing of the spindle of a centrifugal machine, substantially
as described.
Ninth. The notched rings 2 S and 2 T operating as set forth in combination with
the oscillating sleeve 2 K and the fixed frame of the machine, substantially as
herein described.
Tenth. In a centrifugal machine driven from below the basket, the independently
suspended curb and gutter provided with a flexible joint for the upper bearing
of the spindle, substantially as above described.
Eleventh. The combination of the revolving basket and spindle of a centrifugal
machine with a flexibly suspended part 3 J containing the upper bearing of the
spindle, substantially as above described.
Twelfth. In a centrifugal machine driven from below the basket, the combination
of the independently suspended curb and gutter and the elastic bands with the
basket and spindle, which curb sustains the upper flexible bearing, substantially as
above described.
Thirteenth. In combination with the flexibly suspended part 3 J, the sides 3 S,
and cone 3 T attached to the said part 3 J, and moving with it and forming guides
for the descending sugar, substantially as herein described.
Fourteenth. The combination of the suspension socket 4 F having the lugs 4 c
with the suspension head 4 D, having the rib 46 constructed and arranged
substantially as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Fifteenth. The combination of the brake having the strap 4 H, the adjusting
nuts 4 I, 4 I, the link 4 L, and the cam lever 4 K, with the pulley 4 C, and the
head 4 D, substantially as herein described.
Sixteenth. The combination of the adjustable sleeve 4 P, the bearing 4 Q, the
oil chamber 4 R, the set screws 4 d, 4 d, and the bolts 4 e, 4 e, with the spindle 4 B
and curb 40, substantially as above described.
Seventeenth. The combination of the bearing 4 N, the nut 4 M, the bolts and
nuts 4 n, 4 n, 4 m, 4 m, the bead 4 D, and the spindle 4 B; substantially as herein
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
W. ROB. LAKE. (L.S.)