Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A centrifuge, comprising an annular peripheral wall arranged for rotation about an upright axis and having an open lower end; a bottom wall adjacent said lower end; motor means beneath said bottom wall and having an output shaft connected with the same for rotating said bottom wall about said axis; shifting means for raising said motor means to a first position in which said bottom wall closes said lower open end and is coupled with said peripheral wall for rotating the same, and for lowering said motor means to a second position in which said bottom wall is downwardly spaced from said lower open end; guide means engaging said motor means and guiding the same for raising and lowering but preventing rotation of said motor means, said guide means having a lower end wall extending transversely of said axis of rotation; elastic means fixedly mounted beneath said guide means; and a projection projecting centrally downwardly from said end wall into engagement with said elastic means so as to be permanently urged by the same to a position of coincidence with said axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A centrifuge, comprising an annular peripheral wall arranged for rotation about an upright axis and having an open lower end; a bottom wall adjacent said lower end; motor means beneath said bottom wall and having an output shaft connected with the same for rotating said bottom wall about said axis; shifting means for raising said motor means to a first position in which said bottom wall closes said lower open end and is coupled with said peripheral wall for rotating the same, and for lowering said motor means to a second position in which said bottom wall is downwardly spaced from said lower open end; guide means engaging said motor means and guiding the same for raising and lowering but preventing rotation of said motor means, said guide means having a lower end wall extending transversely of said axis of rotation; elastic means fixedly mounted beneath said guide means; and a projection projecting centrally downwardly from said end wall into engagement with said elastic means so as to be permanently urged by the same to a position of coincidence with said axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A centrifuge as defined in claim 1, said projection being a hydraulic cylinder and accommodating a piston; further comprising a mount for said motor means, located in said guide means for raising and lowering relative thereto and carrying said motor means; and wherein said piston is connected with said mount.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
A centrifuge as defined in claim 1, said guide means being a guide housing having an upper endportion; further comprising a mount for said motor means, located in said guide hoUsing for raising and lowering relative thereto and carrying said motor means; an annular portion on said upper endportion and having an outer conically downwardly diverging surface; and a contact face on said mount configurated for mating engagement with said surface and adapted to contact the same when said mount is raised.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
A centrifuge as defined in claim 1, said guide means being a guide housing; further comprising a ring mounted beneath said peripheral wall and configurated for engaging and supporting the same when said bottom wall is moved to said second position; and a funnel member mounted on said guide housing, said funnel member having a lower outlet and an upper inlet bounded by a marginal portion which carries said ring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A centrifuge as defined in claim 4, further comprising a centrifuge housing surrounding said walls and spaced from said funnel member so as not to interfere with tiltings movement performed by the same relative to said axis of rotation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
A centrifuge as defined in claim 1, said peripheral wall having in the region of said lower end a support surface; and further comprising a cylindrical guide ring beneath said surface; and wherein said bottom wall has a contact face adapted to engage said support surface, and a cylindrical guide wall portion below said contact face and matingly cooperating with said guide ring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A centrifuge as defined in claim 6; further comprising an additional support surface provided on a lower edge of said guide ring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A centrifuge as defined in claim 6, said guide ring having a mass which is equal to about one third of the mass of said peripheral wall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A centrifuge as defined in claim 6; and further comprising recesses provided in said guide wall portion and forming guide ribs thereon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
A centrifuge as defined in claim 1, said peripheral wall and said bottom wall having respective cooperating annular conical contact faces which each include with the horizontal an angle of between substantially 70* - 80*; and further comprising at least one annular sealing element of elastomeric material provided on at least one of said contact faces.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
A centrifuge as defined in claim 1; further comprising a funnel-shaped filling hopper for said centrifuge, said hopper having a major cross-section corresponding substantially to that bounded by said peripheral wall, and a minor cross-section at its outlet which corresponds substantially to that of an opening at the upper end of said peripheral wall.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
A centrifuge as defined in claim 11; further comprising an upwardly convergent conical closure member in said hopper adapted to move into and out of said outlet for respectively closing and opening the same; and moving means for moving said closure member.