NEW AND USEFUL IMPROVEMENTS IN CENTRIFUGAL MACHINES FOR DRAINING SUGARS AND OTHER SUBSTANCES, AND IN THE MANNER OF THEIR SUPPORT, AND THE MEANS OF COMMUNICATING MOTION THERETO
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hugh Walbridge Lafferty and Robert Lafferty,
of Gloucester, in the County of Camden, State of New Jersey, and
United States of America, Sugar Refiners, for the Invention of "NEW
AND USEFUL IMPROVEMENTS IN CENTRIFUGAL MACHINES FOR DRAINING SUGARS
AND OTHER SUBSTANCES, AND IN THE MANNER OF THEIR SUPPORT, AND THE
MEANS OF COMMUNICATING MOTION THERETO."
Sealed the 13th April 1809, and dated the 25th January 1869.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Ilugh Walbridge Lafferty
and Robert Laffert; at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition and Declaration, on the 25th January 180,
pursuant to the 9th Section of the Patent Law Amendment Act,
1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, Iran
WALBRIDGE LAFFERTY and ROBERT LAFFERTY, of Gloucester, in the County
of Camden, State of New Jersey, and United States of America, Sugar
Refiners, sond greeting.
WHEREAS we are in possession of an Invention for "NEW AND
USEFUL IMPROVEMENTS IN CENTRIFUGAL MACHINES FOR DRAINING SUGARS AND
[Price 8d.]

page_text: OTHER SUBSTANCES, AND IN THE MANNER OF THEIR SUPPORT, AND THE MEANS OF
COMMUNICATING MOTION THERETO," and have petitioned Her Majesty to grant
unto us, our executors, administrators, and assigns, Her. Royal Letters
Patent for the same, and have made solemn Declaration that we are the
true and first Inventors thereof
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Hugh Walbridge Lafferty and
Robert Lafferty, do hereby declare that the following Complete Specifi-
cation, under our hands and seals, fully describes and ascertains the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed in
and by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings, forming a part of this Specification :-
'. Our Invention relates,―
1st. To improvements in the mode of supporting the spindle carrying
the drum or basket of a suspended centrifugal draining machine, viz.,
placing and securing an encircling hollow.nut or flanged cap in an
inverted position upon said spindle, and receiving and supporting the
projecting edge or rim of this nut or cap upon one or more washers in the
bottom of an annular oil cup encircling the spindle, but secured to and
resting upon an independent hanger, bracket, or other supporting device
arranged therefor. The spindle thus supported and suspended revolves
upon bearings submerged in oil, so that the friction thereof is consequently
reduced to the lowest degree.
Also interposing springs or an elastic packing of rubber between the feet
of the hangers or brackets from and upon which the spindle is suspended,
and the beams, frame, or other support to which they are secured, to
dissipate all jarring of the machine in starting and to give elasticity to the
movements of the spindle sufficient to promote and secure a proper balanc-
ing thereof under the influence of an unequal disposition of weight in its
basket.
-
2nd. To improvements in the means of steadying the spindle of such
suspended centrifugal machines in a rapid revolution thereof when
carrying. an unequally distributed load for the purpose of restraining
the excentricity of movement to which the basket is liable, and to
prevent such an undue strain as would cause the spindle to break.
These consist in applying a firm but elastic support or stay to the spindle
at a point intermediate between its basket and its bearings, or point of
suspension, and in devices for securing a close application of the
support,

page_text: 'Also in extending the spindle upwards sufficiently above the bearings
by which it is supported, and upon which it revolves, to pass through or
between auxilliary stays or encircling bearings placed about the upper end
or portion thereof.
3rd. To improvements in the manner of driving-the-spindles of centri-
fugal draining imachines to: render each machine independent of all
others in its movements and to reduce friction therein, viz., the com-
bination of a separate cone friction pulley with the spindle of each
machine, placing the loose division of the pulley carrying the driving
belt upon a-bearing distinct from and independent of said spindle instead
of directly upon the same, whether such bearing encircles the spindle or
is wholly apart from and above the end of the same, and-submerging the
bearing parts in oil.
4th. To improvements in the manner of oiling the auxilliary stay
bearings of the spindle and of preventing an escape or waste of oil into
or about the draining cylinder.or basket, viz., the combination of a self-
feeding oil cup with the upper end of the spindle above its bearings,
and of an encircling waste oil cup fixed thereon below its bearings, the
waste oil cup having an enlarged base and a contracted neck to prevent
an outflow of, oil centrifugally therefrom in the revolutions of the
spindle.
5th. To improvements in the mode of controlling and checking the
movements of the spindle by means of a brake applied to the lower end
thereof below the basket suspended thereon.
6th. To novel improved forms of baskets or drums for centrifugal sugar
draining machines, 'viz., baskets made of thin sheet metal corrugated or
grooved' circumferentially and pierced with outlet apertures along the
corrugations, and also baskets with sides made wholly of woven wire.
These improved baskets permit a quick ready discharge of fluids therefrom
without clogging.
"In the accompanying Drawings, Figure 1 (Sheet 1) represents an
elevation of our improved centrifugal machine for draining sugar in 'the
form which wo prefer to use, presenting our improvements under what
we consider the best combination and arrangement thereof; Figure 2, a
central vertical section thereof.
Figure 8 (Sheet 3) a central vertical section of a modified form of our
improved centrifugal machine illustrating another mode of suspending the

page_text: same, and of applying a friction pulley thereto, and also a second novel
and improved form of basket therefor.
Figure 4 (Sheet 3) is a detached view in elevation of the mode of
securing the hollow shaft staying the spindle below its bearings.
Figure 5 (Sheet 4) is a central vertical section of our improved machine
when supported in an elastic bearing seat and driven by an ordinary band
pulley encircling the bearing of the spindle illustrating the combination of
a waste oil cup with the spindle.
Figure 6 (Sheet 4) is a detached view in elevation of the bearing cup
and of its combination with a supporting bracket and beam; Figure 7 is
a plan view of Fig. 6. Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in
all of the Drawings.
Our improved centrifugal draining machines consist of a draining
cylinder or basket A of an improved form secured to and suspended
upon a solid vertical driving shaft or spindle B within an outer casing C
of the ordinary form. The vertical driving spindle B passes through
the bottom of the basket and extends down centrally through an
aperture c in the bottom of the casing C into the open space below the
same. lt may be provided with a shoulder a to support the basket A,
which in such case is secured and held fast thereon by means of a nut b
screwing down against the bottom of the basket upon a thread out on
the spindle, as illustrated in the Drawings, or the basket may be made
fast to the spindle otherwise if found more convenient. The aperture c
in the casing through which the spindle passes is of such a diameter as
to allow the spindle free play therein, but yet to restrict any excess
in the orbicular motion of the basket in its revolutions. It may be
advantageously lined with india-rubber or other elastic material. This
extension of the spindle down through the casing prevents all danger
' of injury to the operatives in charge of the machine from an accidental
breakage of the spindle, for in such case the basket will be at once
caught and supported by the casing. The casing C of the machine
rests and is supported in the usual manner upon the floor. The casings
of the ordinary forms of centrifugal machines may be used. with our
improved suspended baskets without alteration by a simple removal
of the journal bearings and devices used in such machines for supporting
the lower end of the spindle. The basket A may be made of thin sheet
metal corrugated circumferentially (see Figure 3), and covered inwardly
or outwardly in the customary manner with wire uettings. Numerous

page_text: apertures are pierced along the corrugations in the outer curves thereof
to, permit a free egress of liquids from the basket. By disposing the
corrugations circumferentially instead of transversely they will retain
their form notwithstanding the rapid revolution of the basket. By
piercing the outlet holes or apertures in the outer curves thereof all
tendency to clog up is prevented, and as the holes are connected by the
grooves of the corrugations which form channels allowing a flow of the
liquid from the ono to the other they will remain always open and
mobstructed. This improved corrugated basket is not only lighter
than the old forms thereof but stronger, because of the corrugations
and because fewer perforations are required theroin, and as the liquids
will flow therefrom more freely than in the old forms the basket will
attain an equilibrium more quickly, and its contents be also more
rapidly dried.
In order to obtain a basket still lighter and more pervious to the
contained liquid in the mass to be dried therein than oven the corrugated
basket A just described we construct and use a basket A', Figure 2, of
woven wire sufficiently strong to resist the centrifugal strain thereon
when in operation. This woven wire is rolled so that it shall be as flat
as possible on both sides, and is firmly secured in any suitable manner to
a suitable bottom plate d and to an upper annular rim o. The wire
basket so formed is then lined interiorly with fine gauze wire; as usual
in the ordinary forms of baskets for sugar draining machines. The
spindle B of the revolving basket A may be suspended from and
supported by a collar and sleeve D, Figure 5, firmly secured thereto
near its upper end, and forming a journal therefor. This journal
sleeve 'D works upon annular washers to resting within an oil cup E
embracing the sleeve, the lower portion of the cup being extended into
a neck closely embracing the sleeve D, so as to provide it with an
extended bearing surface. We prefer however to suspend the spindle B
from and upon a hollow nut or cap F, Figures 1, 2, and 3, scrowed upon
a thread cut upon the spindle at the point at which it is desired to give
Aupport thereto, and whose annular flange projects downwards and rests
and works upon annular washers w' placed within an annular oil cup G
formed about a tube e made to fit closely upon the spindle B, and to
project not only within the cup to prevent the oil from escaping down
the spindle, but also below the same to form an extended bearing
between the spindle and cup, as illustrated in the Diawings. The width

page_text: of the annular washers 20, 1, 13 so much less than that of the annular
space within the cup as to leave an oil space between their outer cir-
cumference and the outer side of the cup, as shown in the Drawings.
The oil cups E or G thus made to form and enclose the bearings upon
which the spindle of the machine revolves may be supported directly
upon a fixed bracket or hanger H, as shown in Figure 3, or upon a beam
or other rigid support, and an elastic seat may if desired be interposed
between the bearings and such rigid support. To prevent the danger of
a fracture of the solid vertical spindle B from the effect of an uuequal
disposition of weight in its attached basket A, and at the same time to
steady it and prevent it in some measure a vibration and jar thereof, we
provide an auxilliary elastic stay bearing for the spindle at a point inter-
mediate between its suspensory bearing and its attached basket. Such
auxilliary support for the spindle may be obtained without obstructing
free access to the suspended basket by placing upon the spindle a fixed
hollow shaft I, firmly secured either rigidly (see Figure 1) or with an
elastic connection (see Figure 5) to a suitable support above it, as fully
illustrated in Figure 3, and which is made to extend down the spindle to
the desired point of support. To obtain a close bearing between the
lower end of the hollow shaft and the spindle the lower end of the shaft
is threaded exteriorly, and is interiorly bevelled to form a conical seat,
or is otherwise fitted with a circular conical seat to receive a split of
divided conically faced ring n inserted therein closely about the spindle.
This conical washer n is held in place and forced upward in its seat by
means of a hollow nut or cap L (see Figure 3) encircling the spindle B,
and which screws upon the thread on the exterior of the lower end or
the hollow shaft I. This hollow nut may be suitably packed to form a
close joint, and it is evident that the pressure of this conical ring n
(thus forming a bearing between the stay shaft I and spindle B) upon
the spindle may be adjusted and stiffened or relieved at pleasure by
screwing or unscrewing said nut. Instead of having independent
supports for the bearings of the spindle and for this fixed hollow stay
shaft I, as illustrated in Figure 3 of the Drawings, we prefer in some
cases to construct the support for this hollow shaft I with that of the
spindle B, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 5, so as to obtain greater
neatness and compactness therein. To this end we cause the upper end
of the hollow stay shaft I to embrace closely the extended neck
(f, Figure 5,) or projecting tube (e, Fig. 2,) of the annular oii cup
enclosing the bearings of the spindle, so that said cup shall rest uuon

page_text: and be supported by the hollow shaft. The hollow shaft is then upheld
and supported by means of an outer flange m upon and about its upper
edge, which rests upon the seat of a suitable bracket or hinger H'. The
bracket or hanger H' may be closed upon the shaft I below said flange
by means of a detachable plate secured by bolts and nuts, as shown in
Figures 4, 6, and 7, so that the hollow shaft (with the enclosed
spindle A).may be readily placed and secured thereon or removed
therefrom. Where great elasticity is desired in the suspension of the
spindle a thick band K of india-rubber or other elastic material may
be interposed between the jaws or divisions of the bracket and the
hollow shaft, and be firmly bound or clamped against the shaft by
means of bolts and nuts, as shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the Drawings.
Although we prefer to obtain an intermediate elastic stay or support
for the revolving spindle B carrying the basket in our centrifugal
'machine at a point removed from the suspensory bearing thereof by
means of a hollow shaft I arranged as described, which affords an
elastic restraining force at the point of greatest strain upon the revolving
spindle, yet we contemplate obtaining the same end by other equivalent
devices, as, for instance, by diagonal or horizontal braces provided with
springs or elastic cushions, and extending from outer supports to, and
against the revolving spindle at the point which it is deemed best to stay
and support. The use of an intermediate stay as described enables us
to use without fear of breakage a solid spindle of comparatively very
small diameter, and which will consequently possess in itself far more
clasticity than the larger and heavier spindles heretofore employed.
Motion may be imparted to the spindle B and its basket A by means
of a pulley O secured to its upper end, and made to extend in cap form
down over the bearings of the spindle, as illustrated in Figure 5 of the
Drawings, so as to bring the driving belt placed thereon in the same
plane as the point of suspension and support of the revolving spindle.
We prefer, however, to impart motion to the spindle B by means of a
hollow cone friction pulley M, N, Figure 8, placed upon the spindlo,
either above or below the point ofits suspension.
In Figure 8 we have illustrated the pulley as applied to the spindle
below its point of suspension and support. The fixed division M of the
pulley is slipped down upon and firmly secured to the spindle, and its
movable division M (carrying the band from a driving shaft and pulley
and revolving about the spindle B) is made to engage therewith or

page_text: disconnected therefrom by means of a lever P pivotted to an arm of
the hanger supporting the machine. In using the friction pulley
thus secured upon the spindle B we so arrange the driving belt con-
necting the pulley with the main shaft from which motion is derived
as that when the loose division N of the pulley is disconnected from
the fixed division M the band shall be slackened sufficiently to prevent
its farther movement, and thus prevent any unnecessary revolution of
the loose division of the pulley upon the spindle and the wear of the
belt incident to a constant tension thereof. Instead of causing the
loose division of the pulley to revolve directly upon the spindle B, as
just described and as illustrated in Figure 3, we prefer to place the loose
division upon an independent bearing or journal separate and distinct
from the spindle, although combined with the frame or hanger from
which the spindle is suspended, and such a bearing independent of the
spindle may be obtained in the machine illustrated in Figure 3 of the
Drawings by extending the tube e down through the journal apertures
of the loose division M of the pulley, so that said loose division shall
revolve upon said tube instead of upon the spindle. In applying this
feature of our Invention to the old forms of centrifugal machines
having a dead spindle supporting a hollow shaft carrying the draining
basket, the loose division of the cone pulley may be placed upon the
dead spindle or upon a bearing formed about the same or upon a hanger
or support immediately over the hollow driving shaft or spindle to
which the fixed division of the pulley is secured. In such case the
independent bearing of the loose division of the pulley will afford an
additional stay or support to the driving shaft or spindle operating to
steady the same.
The application of a cone friction pulley having an independent
bearing to our suspended centrifugals is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.
In this form of our improved machine the solid driving spindle B is
extended up above its point of suspension through an aperture in a
cross piece of the hanger or frame H supporting the same and through
a tube or sleeve r fitted therein and formed to embrace the spindle
closely. The loose division N of the pulley carrying the driving belt
is slipped down over the tuber and revolves thereon. Its lower end
is extended in the form of a neck which rests upon the bottom of a
cup or groovet encircling the tube r. One or more annular washers v
may be interposed between the pulley and the bottom of the cup in

page_text: the oil with which the cup is filled, so that the friction of the pulley
will be reduced to the least possible degree. A conical seat is formed
within this loose division N to receive the counterpart conically formed
upper division M of the pulley. This upper division M is combined
with the spindle B by means of a longitudinal feather or projecting
key 8, Figure 2, working in a corresponding slot or groove upon the
inner circumference of said division, so that the division shall be free
to slide longitudinally upon the spindle, but will engage therewith when
revolving. Thus by dropping the upper division M into its conical
seat in the loose division N, the revolution of said lower division will
be imparted to the upper division and thus communicated to the
spindle B of the machine. The bearings of the spindle B within the
encircling tubes or sleeves of the oil cup G, friction pulley M, N, and
stay, shaft I are kept lubricated by means of a self-feeding oil cup S
upon the upper end of the spindle, from which the oil passes down a
groove or channel cut therefor upon the surface of the spindle to the
uppermost of said bearings, see dotted lines, Figures 2 and 3 The
escape of waste oil down the spindle into the basket is prevented by
means of a fixed waste oil cup R, Figure 5, encircling the spindle
either just above the casing O, Figure 5, or at any other desired point
along its length. To prevent an escape of the oil from such cup
centrifugally in the rapid revolution of the spindle, it is formed with
a very contracted opening, as illustrated in Figure 5 of the Drawings.
In order to check at pleasure the revolution of the basket A in our
machines we apply a brake to the lower extended end of the spindle B,
as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 8 of the Drawings. This brake consists
of a convex button or head Q upon the end of spindle B, upon and
against which a counterpart concave plate W is brought to bear at
will by means of a treadle lever T. Instead of using india-rubber or
other elastic packing in or about the bearings or to control or operato
upon the moving parts of our centrifugal machines, as is the case
in some of the machines of recent Invention now in use (and as
illustrated in one form in Figure 5 of the Drawings) we interpose
springs or strips of india-rubber or other elastic packing p, p, between
the hangers, brackets, or other supports from which the machines are
suspended and the beams to which they are secured. This elastic
packing will suffice to dissipate the slight jarring which may occur in
starting the machine, and in combination with the elasticity of the
Bolid spindle itself, consequent upon its small diameter, will permit a

page_text: sufficient deviation thereof from a true vertical line as a proper balancing
of the basket under any inequality of load therein may require to
prevent irregularity in its movements. Thus our machines are self-
balancing and self-centering in their movements, whilst the wear
incident to an excessive elasticity and freedom in the operative parts
is avoided.
We claim as new and as of our Invention in the foregoing centrifugal
machines for draining sugar and other substances,-
1st. Supporting and enclosing the bearings upon which the spindle
B revolves within an encircling oil cup G, substantially as herein
described.
2nd. The interposition of india-rubber or other elastic packing or of
equivalent springs with the supports of a centrifugal machine, and the
beams or base to which it is attached or from which it is supported,
substantially as herein described.
3rd. The application of an elastic stay to the swinging revolving
spindle B of a suspended centrifugal draining machine at a point inter-
mediate between the bearings upon which it revolves and its attached
basket A, substantially as herein described.
4th. The extension of the revolving spindle of a suspended centrifugal
machine above the bearings upon which it revolves, and the combination
therewith of auxiliary bearings to steady the same, substantially as
herein described and illustrated (see Figure 1 of the Drawings).
5th. The combination of a cone friction pulley M, N, with the revolving
spindle B of a suspended centrifugal draining machine, substantially as
and for the purpose herein set forth.
6th. The interposition of a sleeve or hollow shaft or tube between the
louse division N of the said cone friction pulley and the revolving
spindle B of the machine, substantially as herein described and
illustrated.
7th. The combination of an independent journal or bearing for the
loose division of a cone friction pulley actuating the spindle of a centri-
jagal machine with the hanger or other support for said spindle, sub-
stantially in the manner herein set forth.
8th. The combination of an oil cup with the bearings of the loose
division of a cone friction pulley actuating the spindle of a suspended

page_text: centrifugal machine, so that said bearings may be submerged in oil, sub-
stantially as herein described.
9th. The combination of a self-feeding oil cup S with the upper end
of the revolving spindle B of a centrifugal draining machine to supply oil
to the bearings of the spindle, substantially as herein described.
10th. The combination of a waste cup R with the shaft or spindle B
of a.centrifugal draining machine to prevent the passage of oil into the
basket thereof, substantially as herein described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Hugh Walbridge Lafferty and
Robert Lafferty, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this
Twenty-first day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
ROBERT LA
Personally at the British Consulate,
Philadelphia, the above-named
Hugh Walbridge Lafferty and
Robert Lafferty, who on being
duly identified did in my presence
sign, seal, and 'deliver this docu-
ment as their act and deed, and
requested that the same might
be recorded as such. In faith
and testimony whereof I do here-
unto set my haud and consular
seal, this Twenty-first day of
December 1868.