Self-purging centrifuge

Claim 2

A self-purging centrifuge, comprising: a. a drum having a side wall and a top wall member, mounted for rotation about a generally vertical axis; b. a rotor assembly coaxially mounted in said drum for independent rotation with respect to said drum, said rotor assembly comprising a plurality of vanes havinG the outer edges thereof spaced a substantial distance from said side wall of said drum; c. means for introducing a fluid containing solid particles to be separated therefrom, into said rotor assembly; d. means for driving said rotor assembly at a predetermined rotational speed to throw the fluid and solid particles outwardly toward said drum side wall, said fluid rotating therewith, and said rotating fluid in turn causing rotation of said drum; e. said top wall having openings therein for discharging clarified fluid, said openings each having an outer edge spaced from said side wall; f. an annular baffle extending inwardly from the bottom of said drum side wall, to define with said top wall, said side wall and said outer edges of said vanes a particle collection area therebetween, said baffle having an inner edge spaced from said side wall a greater distance than the outermost edges of said openings in said top wall; and g. means for abruptly slowing the rotation of said drum, to initiate a purge cycle by disrupting the rotating fluid and thereby resuspending the separated particles in the fluid, said liquid and resuspended particles draining from said drum over said baffle during the purge cycle.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said openings in said top wall are arranged in a circle formed about said axis.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said rotor assembly comprises a plurality of radially extending flat vanes each having a vertical outer edge thereof terminating between said openings in said top wall and said side wall.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said outer edges of said vanes are positioned closer to said openings than to said side wall to thereby provide an open annular collection area of substantial depth between said vanes and said side wall.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1 including louver means mounted inside said top wall member and over said openings, said louver means having louver openings aimed in the direction of fluid rotation, said louver means thereby blocking passage of fluid and resuspended particles through the openings during the purge cycle while permitting flow through said louver openings during normal operation.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said baffle is a rim-like member removably secured to said drum side wall.

Claim 8

A self-purging centrifuge, comprising: a. a housing having a vertical axis; b. a drum having a cylindrical side wall, and top and bottom wall members, mounted for rotation in said housing about said axis; c. a rotor assembly coaxially mounted in said drum for independent rotation with respect to said drum, said rotor assembly comprising a plurality of radially extending flat vanes each having a vertical outer edge thereof spaced a substantial distance from said side wall of said drum to define a particle collection area therebetween; d. means for introducing a fluid containing solid particles to be separated therefrom, into said rotor assembly; e. means for driving said rotor assembly at a predetermined rotational speed to throw the fluid and solid particles outwardly toward said drum side wall, said fluid rotating therewith, and said rotating fluid in turn causing rotation of said drum; f. said top wall having openings therein, spaced from said side wall, for discharging clarified fluid, said drum side wall collecting the solid particles being centrifugally removed therefrom; g. an annular rim extending inwardly from said drum side wall and adjacent said bottom wall, to further define with said top walls said particle collection area therebetween, said rim having an inner lip spaced from said side wall a greater distance than said openings in said top wall; h. means for abruptly slowing the rotation of said drum to initiate a purge cycle by disrupting the rotating fluid and thereby resuspending the separated particles in the fluid; and i. drain means in said drum below said rim for draining the fluid and reSuspended particles from said drum during the purge cycle.

Claim 9

A self-purging centrifuge, comprising: a. a housing having a vertical axis; b. a drum having a cylindrical side wall, and top and bottom wall members, mounted for rotation in said housing about said axis; c. a rotor assembly coaxially mounted in said drum for independent rotation with respect to said drum, said rotor assembly comprising a plurality of radially extending flat vanes each having a vertical outer edge thereof spaced a substantial distance from said side wall of said drum to define a particle collection area therebetween; d. means for introducing a fluid containing solid particles to be separated therefrom, into said rotor assembly; e. means for driving said rotor assembly at a predetermined rotational speed to throw the fluid and solid particles outwardly toward said drum side wall, said fluid rotating therewith, and said rotating fluid in turn causing rotation of said drum; f. said top wall having openings therein, spaced from said side wall, for discharging clarified fluid, said drum side wall collecting the solid particles being centrifugally removed therefrom; g. an annular rim extending inwardly from said drum side wall and adjacent said bottom wall, to further define with said top walls said particle collection area therebetween, said rim having an inner lip spaced from said side wall a greater distance than said openings in said top wall; h. means for abruptly slowing the rotation of said drum to initiate a purge cycle by disrupting the rotating fluid and thereby resuspending the separated particles in the fluid; and i. drain means in said drum below said rim for draining the fluid and reSuspended particles from said drum during the purge cycle.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 7 including louver means mounted inside said top wall member and over said openings, said louver means having louver openings aimed in the direction of fluid rotation, said louver means thereby blocking passage of fluid and resuspended particles through the openings during the purge cycle while permitting flow through said louver openings during normal operation.

Claim 11

A self-purging centrifuge for clarifying contaminated fluid, comprising: a. housing; b. a drum rotatably mounted within the housing, the drum having top and side walls, the top wall containing ports for the discharge of clarified fluid, the drum containing a bottom opening for draining purged fluid; c. a rotor assembly rotatably mounted in the drum for directing contaminated fluid toward the side wall of the drum, said drum side wall collecting a layer of solid particles being centrifuged from the fluid, the rotor assembly including vanes, the outer edges of which extend outward beyond the discharge ports and are located a substantial distance from the side wall so as not to become embedded in the layer of particles, the outer portions of the vanes and the side wall of the drum generally defining a volume within which the contaminated fluid is centrifuged; d. means for driving the rotor assembly; e. means for introducing contaminated fluid into the rotor assembly; f. a rim mounted on the side wall of the drum at the lower end of the centrifuging volume, the rim extending inward beyond at least the outer edges of the discharge ports and providing a radial surface; g. means for collecting the clarified fluid; h. means for braking one of the drum and rotor assembly; and i. louver means for deterring the discharge of fluid through the discharge ports when braking occurs.

Claim 12

A self-purging centrifuge for clarifying contaminated fluid, comprising: a. housing; b. a drum rotatably mounted within the housing, the drum having top and side walls, the top wall containing ports for the discharge of clarified fluid, the drum containing a bottom opening for draining purged fluid; c. a rotor assembly rotatably mounted in the drum for directing contaminated fluid toward the side wall of the drum, said drum side wall collecting a layer of solid particles being centrifuged from the fluid, the rotor assembly including vanes, the outer edges of which extend outward beyond the discharge ports and are located a substantial distance from the side wall so as not to become embedded in the layer of particles, the outer portions of the vanes and the side wall of the drum generally defining a volume within which the contaminated fluid is centrifuged; d. means for driving the rotor assembly; e. means for introducing contaminated fluid into the rotor assembly; f. a rim mounted on the side wall of the drum at the lower end of the centrifuging volume, the rim extending inward beyond at least the outer edges of the discharge ports and providing a radial surface; g. means for collecting the clarified fluid; h. means for braking one of the drum and rotor assembly; and i. louver means for deterring the discharge of fluid through the discharge ports when braking occurs.