Centrifuge with clutch mechanism for synchronous blade and bowl rotation

A centrifuge for separating solids from a liquid, comprising:

• a spindle configured to rotate about an axis;
• a bowl attached to said spindle to rotate therewith, said bowl being configured to receive the liquid containing the solids;
• a drive shaft received through a passageway defined by said spindle, said drive shaft being configured to rotate about said axis;
• a scraper blade attached to said drive shaft to rotate therewith, said scraper blade being positioned in said bowl to selectively remove the solids accumulated on an interior surface of said bowl;
• and
• means for selectively engaging and disengaging an engaging surface of a first engaging member non-rotatably affixed to said drive shaft directly with an engaging surface of a second engaging member non-rotatably affixed to said spindle to permit said drive shaft and said spindle to rotate in tandem when engaged or independently when disengaged.

A centrifuge for separating solids from a liquid, comprising:

• a rotatable bowl assembly, rotatable about an axis and having a first engaging member non-rotatably affixed thereto;
• a scraper blade assembly positioned to rotate in said bowl assembly on the same axis as said bowl assembly and having a second engaging member non-rotatably affixed thereto;
• a coupling mechanism for selectively interlocking an engaging surface of said first engaging member directly with an engaging surface of said second engaging member;
• and
• a single drive motor rotatably connected to said rotatable bowl assembly to impart rotation thereto upon activation of said motor, wherein said motor is selectively rotatably connected to said scraper blade assembly by said coupling mechanism.

A centrifuge for separating solids from a liquid, comprising:

• a rotatable bowl assembly, rotatable about an axis;
• a scraper blade assembly positioned to rotate in said bowl assembly on the same axis as said bowl assembly and having a first engaging member non-rotatably affixed thereto;
• a second engaging member mounted on a surface of a support structure of said centrifuge;
• a coupling mechanism for selectively engaging an interlocking surface of said first engaging member directly with an interlocking surface of said second engaging member;
• and
• a single drive motor rotatably connected to said rotatable bowl assembly to impart rotation thereto upon activation of said motor.