Centrifugal separator apparatus having a vibration sensor

A centrifugal separator, comprising:

• a bowl for receiving a composition of liquid and solids therein, said bowl having a liquid discharge, a particle discharge and an outer wall member extending therebetween;
• a first motor coupled to said bowl for rotating said bowl to substantially separate the liquid and solids during a separation mode;
• a directing member positioned within said bowl proximate said liquid discharge for directing said composition outwardly toward said wall member during rotation so as to increase the separation of the liquid and solids, said directing member remains stationary with respect to said bowl during the separation of the liquid and solids;
• a plow blade rotatable within said bowl for dislodging solids accumulated within said bowl, said plow blade being rotatable relative to said bowl not during said separation mode;
• a vibration sensor associated with said bowl for sensing radial vibration of said bowl while said bowl is rotated by said motor, and upon said vibration sensor sensing radial vibration above a first predetermined threshold said bowl rotation being stopped.

A centrifugal separator, comprising:

• a motor;
• a shaft coupled to said motor;
• a frame including a member, said member having a portion of said shaft rotatable coupled thereto;
• a bowl for receiving a composition of liquid and solids therein, said bowl coupled to said shaft and rotatable therewith to substantially separate the liquid and solids during a separation mode;
• and
• a dual output vibration sensor coupled to said frame and spaced radially outward from said shaft for sensing radial vibration of said bowl while said bowl is rotated.

A centrifugal separator, comprising:

• a frame including a member;
• a bowl for receiving a composition of liquid and solids therein, said bowl rotatably coupled with said member;
• a motor coupled to said bowl for rotating said bowl relative to said frame so as to substantially separate the liquid and solids during a separation mode;
• a plow blade assembly disposed within and rotatable relative to said bowl for dislodging material accumulated within said bowl, said plow blade being rotatable relative to said bowl not during said separation mode;
• a vibration sensor coupled to said frame for sensing radial vibration of said bowl during said separation mode, and said vibration sensor is spaced radially from said bowl, said vibration sensor having a first predetermined threshold and a second predetermined threshold, and upon said vibration sensor sensing radial vibration above one of said first predetermined threshold and said second predetermined threshold said bowl rotation is stopped.