Control system for a decanter centrifuge
AssigneeHilFlo, LLC
InventorJeffrey L. Hilpert
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A torque sensing device capable of measuring the force exerted by a torque arm on a lever is positioned between the torque arm and the lever. The torque arm is connected to the pinion of a planetary gearbox for rotating the bowl and screw conveyer of a decanter centrifuge at different speeds. The torque sensing device measures the torque between the pinion gear and the planetary gearbox. The sensor can be connected to a controller which can reduce the flow of the liquid/solid mixture to the decanter centrifuge thereby/reducing the torque and avoiding substantial damage to the planetary gearbox.
Claims15
A torque sensor for measuring the torque applied to a pinion gear of a planetary gearbox for a decanter centrifuge comprising:
- a body having a first stem portion having a first cross-sectional area and a head portion having a second cross-sectional area larger than that of the stem portion;
- and
- a force sensor embedded in the body and having a pair of electrical contacts.
A method of controlling the liquid/solid mixture flow rate to a decanter centrifuge, the decanter centrifuge including a planetary gearbox having a central pinion gear, a torque arm fixed to the pinion gear and a pivoted lever arm connected at one end to an over center spring mechanism and engaging the torque arm at a second portion comprising:
- positioning a torque sensor between the torque arm fixed to the pinion gear and the second portion of the lever arm;
- measuring the torque force applied to the lever arm;
- and
- varying the flow rate of the liquid solid mixture to the decanter centrifuge in response to the force applied to the lever arm.
A method of controlling the liquid/solid mixture flow rate to a decanter centrifuge, the decanter centrifuge including a planetary gearbox having a central pinion gear, a torque arm fixed to the pinion gear and a pivoted lever arm connected at one end to a support and engaging the torque arm at a second portion comprising:
- positioning a torque sensor between the torque arm fixed to the pinion gear and the second portion of the lever arm;
- measuring the torque force applied to the lever arm;
- and
- varying the flow rate of the liquid solid mixture to the decanter centrifuge in response to the force applied to the lever arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.