Load indicator for centrifugal separator

Claim 2

In a load indicator for centrifugal separators, the combination comprising a shaft extending into the separator and rotatably supported thereon, a feeler element extending outwardly from said shaft at one end thereof, means for adjustably attaching said element to said shaft, cam means mounted on said shaft at the other end thereof, means for adjustably attaching said cam means to said shaft for movement therewith between limiting set and triggered positions, said feeler and said shaft being constructed and arranged to rotate the cam means from said set to said triggered positions in response to a buildup of cake on the separator to a predetermined thickness stop means engageable with said cam means for limiting the angular rotation of said cam and shaft, reciprocable piston means engageable with said cam means for moving said cam means from said triggered to said set positions and spring means eccentrically connected to said cam means for moving the cam means to either of its limiting positions upon rotation of the cam means by said piston means beyond a dead center position.

Claim 3

A combination as defined in claim 1 in which hydraulically operated piston means provides for rotating said cam means from one of its limiting positions to a position past said dead center position.

Claim 4

A combination as defined in claim 2 in which said means for limiting angular rotation of said shaft comprises a pair of threaded stop members separately adjustable to control and limit the arcuate movement of the shaft.

Claim 5

A combination as defined in claim 2 in which a switch means including a shaft is positioned adjacent said cam means, an arm on an end of said shaft, said arm being engageable by said caM means in its movement from one limiting position to the other for operating said switch means.

Claim 6

A combination as defined in claim 2 in which said means for attaching said cam means to the shaft provides for angular adjustment of said shaft and feeler element relative to the cam means.

Claim 7

A combination as defined in claim 1 in which said feeler element comprises an elongated relatively stiff strip of sheet material having substantial width in a direction parallel with the axis of said shaft to provide a paddlelike member immersed within and movable through the slurry within said separator and engageable with the cake formed on a sidewall thereof.

Claim 8

A combination as defined in claim 6 in which said means for attaching said feeler element to said shaft includes means for varying the distance which an end of said elongated strip of sheet material extends outwardly from the shaft.

Claim 9

A combination as defined in claim 7 in which said elongated strip of sheet material is provided with a knifelike extension at one end thereof, said knifelike extension being selectively adapted to cut through a layer of liquid and be engaged by a layer of solids formed on a sidewall of a separator.

Claim 10

A combination as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for varying the distance which an end of said elongated strip of sheet material extends outwardly from said shaft includes a plurality of openings provided in said strip and arranged longitudinally of the strip.

Claim 11

In a centrifugal separator, the combination comprising, a basket, means including an electrically operated valve for feeding a slurry to said basket, load indicating means including a feeler means attached to one end of a shaft mounted on said separator and extending into said basket, cam means attached to the other end of said shaft for movement therewith between limiting set and triggered positions, said feeler and said shaft being constructed and arranged to rotate the cam means from said set to said triggered positions in response to a buildup of cake on the separator to a predetermined thickness stop means engageable with said cam means for limiting the rotation of said cam and shaft between said set and triggered positions, hydraulic cylinder means having a piston therein for returning said cam means to said set position, spring means associated with said piston for returning said hydraulic means to a normal position, switch means operated by said cam means upon movement to said triggered position, and circuit means including said electrically operated valve and said switch means for controlling filling of said basket.

Claim 12

In a centrifugal separator, the combination comprising, a basket, means including an electrically operated valve for feeding a slurry to said basket, load indicating means including a feeler means attached to one end of a shaft mounted on said separator and extending into said basket, cam means attached to the other end of said shaft for movement therewith between limiting set and triggered positions, said feeler and said shaft being constructed and arranged to rotate the cam means from said set to said triggered positions in response to a buildup of cake on the separator to a predetermined thickness stop means engageable with said cam means for limiting the rotation of said cam and shaft between said set and triggered positions, hydraulic cylinder means having a piston therein for returning said cam means to said set position, spring means associated with said piston for returning said hydraulic means to a normal position, switch means operated by said cam means upon movement to said triggered position, and circuit means including said electrically operated valve and said switch means for controlling filling of said basket.

Claim 13

A combination as defined in claim 10 in which said circuit means includes timer means for controlling the filling of said basket.