Centrifugal extracting machine having balancing system

A method for balancing a machine for extracting fluids from liquid absorbent goods wherein the machine includes an inner drum rotatably mounted about its axis within a flexibly supported outer housing for receiving the liquid absorbent goods, a plurality of hollow balancing compartments spaced about the inner drum, and means for injecting a balancing fluid into each compartment, comprising the steps of:

• mounting an accelerometer on the flexibly supported outer housing for determining the magnitude of an imbalance in the inner drum during rotation;
• determining the location of said imbalance;
• and
• selecting and activating at least one injector means based upon said location in order that said balancing fluid injected into said balancing compartment sufficiently offsets said imbalance.

A machine for extracting fluids from liquid absorbent goods comprising:

• an outer housing;
• an inner drum rotatably mounted about its axis within said outer housing for receiving the liquid absorbent goods;
• a plurality of hollow balancing compartments spaced about the inner drum;
• means for injecting a balancing fluid into each compartment;
• means for determining passage of a target which is rotatable with said inner drum with respect to a reference point which is stationary relative to said inner drum;
• means for detecting the magnitude and location of an imbalance in said inner drum during rotation;
• means for determining a lapse of time to reach said imbalance location following passage of said target beyond said stationary reference point;
• means for determining when the magnitude of said imbalance reaches a threshold level;
• means operable, when the magnitude of said imbalance reaches said threshold level, to select and activate at least one injection means based upon said lapse of time in order that said balancing fluid injected into said balancing compartment substantially offsets said imbalance;
• and
• means for deactivating said injector means when the magnitude of said imbalance falls below said threshold level.

A method for balancing a machine for extracting fluids from liquid absorbent goods wherein the machine includes a inner drum rotatably mounted about its axis within a outer housing for receiving the liquid absorbent goods, a plurality of hollow balancing compartments spaced about the inner drum, and means for injecting a balancing fluid into each compartment, comprising the steps of:

• detecting passage of a target which is rotatable with said inner drum with respect to a reference point which is stationary relative to said inner drum;
• detecting the magnitude and location of an imbalance in the inner drum during rotation;
• determining a lapse of time to reach said imbalance location from said passage of said target point beyond said stationary reference point;
• determining when the magnitude of said imbalance reaches a threshold level;
• selecting and activating at least one injector means based upon said lapse of time when the magnitude of said imbalance reaches a threshold level, in order that said balancing fluid injected into said balancing compartment sufficiently offsets said imbalance;
• and
• deactivating said injector means when the magnitude of said imbalance falls below said threshold level.