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US 6,149,573 AGranted
Centrifugal separator having a clutch assembly
AssigneeBalcon, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey L. Berger, Scott Behrens
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A centrifugal separator includes a bowl for receiving a composition of liquid and solids therein. A first drive is coupled to the bowl for rotating the bowl during a high speed separation mode to substantially separate the liquid and solids. A member is rotatable within the bowl during a cleaning mode for dislodging the solids accumulated on the bowl. The member is bowl driven by the rotation of the bowl via a clutch during the separation mode so as to prevent the relative movement between the bowl and the member during the separation mode.
Claims15
A centrifugal separator, comprising:
- a bowl for receiving a composition of liquid and solids therein;
- a first drive coupled to said bowl for rotating said bowl during a high speed separation mode to substantially separate the liquid and solids;
- a member rotatable within said bowl during a cleaning mode for dislodging the solids accumulated on said bowl;
- said bowl and said member being mechanically coupled together by a centrifugal clutch so as to prevent the relative movement therebetween during said separation mode;
- and
- wherein said centrifugal clutch includes at least one clutch pad coupled to said bowl and a clutch pad engaging surface coupled to said member, said at least one clutch pad during said separation mode engaging said clutch pad engaging surface.
3 more elements
A centrifugal separator, comprising:
- a bowl for receiving a composition of liquid and solids therein;
- a first drive coupled to said bowl for rotating said bowl during a high speed separation mode to substantially separate the liquid and solids;
- a member rotatable within said bowl during a cleaning mode for dislodging the solids accumulated on said bowl;
- said bowl and said member being mechanically coupled together by a centrifugal clutch so as to prevent the relative movement therebetween during said separation mode;
- wherein said centrifugal clutch includes at least one clutch pad coupled to said bowl and a clutch pad engaging surface coupled to said member, said at least one clutch pad during said separation mode engaging said clutch pad engaging surface;
- and
- wherein said at least one clutch pad and said clutch pad engaging surface having dissimilar coefficients of friction.
4 more elements
A centrifugal separator, comprising:
- a main drive spindle;
- a bowl for receiving a composition of liquid and solids therein, said bowl coupled to said main drive spindle;
- a first motor coupled to said main drive spindle for rotating said bowl during a separation mode to substantially separate the liquid and solids;
- a plow positioned within and rotatable relative to said bowl for dislodging solids accumulated on said bowl during a clean mode;
- at least one engagement member coupled to said main drive spindle and moveable during said separation mode to mechanically couple together said plow and said main drive spindle and prevent the relative movement therebetween during said separation mode;
- and
- wherein said plow includes a plow drive shaft having at least a portion extending through said main drive spindle, and which further comprises a hub coupled to said plow drive shaft, said hub having an inner wall member and wherein said at least one engagement member is moveable to engage said inner wall member.
4 more elements
A centrifugal separator, comprising:
- a main drive spindle;
- a bowl for receiving a composition of liquid and solids therein, said bowl coupled to said main drive spindle;
- a first motor coupled to said main drive spindle for rotating said bowl during a separation mode to substantially separate the liquid and solids;
- a plow positioned within and rotatable relative to said bowl for dislodging solids accumulated on said bowl during a clean mode;
- at least one engagement member coupled to said main drive spindle and moveable during said separation mode to mechanically couple together said plow and said main drive spindle and prevent the relative movement therebetween during said separation mode;
- and
- wherein said plow includes a plow drive shaft extending through said main drive spindle;
- wherein said plow further comprises a hub coupled to said plow drive shaft, said hub having an inner wall member;
- and
- said at least one engagement member defines a plurality of engagement members, said plurality of engagement members are pivotally coupled to an end of said main drive spindle, and wherein during said separation mode said plurality of engagement members contact said inner wall member.
7 more elements
A centrifugal separator, comprising:
- a main drive spindle;
- a frame;
- a main spindle housing for supporting said main drive spindle, said main spindle housing coupled to said frame;
- a bowl for receiving a composition of liquid and solids therein, said bowl coupled to said main drive spindle;
- a first motor coupled to said main drive spindle for rotating said bowl during a separation mode to substantially separate the liquid and solids;
- a plow blade assembly having at least one plow blade positioned within said bowl;
- a second motor coupled to said plow blade assembly for rotating said at least one plow blade relative to said bowl during a clean mode;
- means for coupling said plow blade assembly and said main drive spindle together during said separation mode;
- and
- said means for coupling comprising:
- an enlarged end on said main drive spindle;
- a substantially cylindrical hub coupled to said plow blade assembly, said hub having an inner surface;
- and
- a plurality of clutch pad members that are rotatably mounted to said enlarged end, said plurality of clutch pad members engaging said inner surface during at least a portion of said separation mode.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.