Centrifugal separating apparatus

Claim 2

In centrifugal separating apparatus a rotatable drum, said drum comprising at least two parts, said parts having frusto-conical walls which cooperate to define a chamber to receive a component separated in the drum, the adjacent edges of the parts being spaced from each other to define a circular outlet opening from the chamber therebetween, the said edges comprising two lips of a deformable material about the said opening, and means cooperating with the lips to bring the lips selectively together or apart to open or close said opening.

Claim 3

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said parts of the drum are formed of a plastics material, and the lips are integral with the respective parts.

Claim 4

Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising bands, said bands reinforcing the said parts of the drum.

Claim 5

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for bringing the lips into an open or closed position comprises a soft-iron member fast with each lip, and annular coil means arranged between each said soft-iron member and its associated lip, each said annular coil means including a core, energisation of the coil means being operative to cause attraction of the soft iron members towards the cores whereby the lips are moved together to close the opening.

Claim 6

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said means for bringing the lips into an open or closed position comprises a plurality of electromagnets arranged around the drum, said electromagnets including actuator rods, the actuator rods contacting the lips upon energisation of the electromagnets whereby to move the lips together to close the opening.

Claim 7

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the lips is fixed, and the means for bringing the lips into an open or closed position comprises fluid-operated means for moving the other lip.

Claim 8

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the lips is fixed and the means for bringing the lips into an open or closed position comprises electromagnetic means for moving the other lip.

Claim 9

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drum comprises more than two said parts which co-operate to form a plurality of said chambers and associated openings.

Claim 10

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising linear motor means operative to drive the drum.

Claim 11

In centrifugal separating apparatus a rotatable drum, said drum comprising at least two axially-spaced annular parts, the adjacent portions of the adjacent parts of the drum being shaped to define a chamber in the peripheral portion of the drum, and the adjacent parts being axially spaced to define an outlet from the chamber, and a lip on each said part, the lips lying on opposite sides of the opening and being formed from a deformable material, and means associated with the lips to selectively block the opening.

Claim 12

In centrifugal separating apparatus a rotatable drum, said drum comprising at least two axially-spaced annular parts, the adjacent portions of the adjacent parts of the drum being shaped to define a chamber in the peripheral portion of the drum, and the adjacent parts being axially spaced to define an outlet from the chamber, and a lip on each said part, the lips lying on opposite sides of the opening and being formed from a deformable material, and means associated with the lips to selectively block the opening.

Claim 13

Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the said means associated with the lips comprises an annular member surrounding the lips, said member having outlet apertures and being slidable to move the apertures selectively into, and out of, communication with the opening.

Claim 14

A centrifuge comprising a housing divideD into two parts which combine to enclose a frusto-conically shaped chamber, means for adding to the chamber a material to be separated by centrifugal force, an annular flange about an end of each of said parts, the flange of one part being disposed in spaced face-to-face relation with the flange of the other part, means for securing the flanges together in said spaced face-to-face relationship, a deformable member carried by each of the flanges and disposed with respect to each other to define an outlet through which one of the components of the material separated by the centrifuge is discharged, said deformable members being adapted to be alternately pressed into contact with each other to close the said outlet and released to open the outlet, and means for pressing the deformable members together to close the outlet.

Claim 15

A centrifuge comprising a housing divideD into two parts which combine to enclose a frusto-conically shaped chamber, means for adding to the chamber a material to be separated by centrifugal force, an annular flange about an end of each of said parts, the flange of one part being disposed in spaced face-to-face relation with the flange of the other part, means for securing the flanges together in said spaced face-to-face relationship, a deformable member carried by each of the flanges and disposed with respect to each other to define an outlet through which one of the components of the material separated by the centrifuge is discharged, said deformable members being adapted to be alternately pressed into contact with each other to close the said outlet and released to open the outlet, and means for pressing the deformable members together to close the outlet.