Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A decanter centrifuge comprising a drum, a drum hydraulic drive motor, means operatively drivingly connecting said drum and said drum drive motor, a worm gear rotatably mounted inside said drum, a differential drive unit comprising a worm gear hydraulic motor for driving said worm gear at a rate of rotation different from that of the drum, a coupling pump operatively arranged in the power train between said worm gear drive motor and said worm gear, and a single pressure feed system feeding both said drum drive motor and said coupling pump of said differential drive unit with pressurized fluid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A decanter centrifuge comprising a drum, a drum hydraulic drive motor, means operatively drivingly connecting said drum and said drum drive motor, a worm gear rotatably mounted inside said drum, a differential drive unit comprising a worm gear hydraulic motor for driving said worm gear at a rate of rotation different from that of the drum, a coupling pump operatively arranged in the power train between said worm gear drive motor and said worm gear, and a single pressure feed system feeding both said drum drive motor and said coupling pump of said differential drive unit with pressurized fluid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said differential drive unit comprises a tandem arrangement of said worm gear drive motor, said coupling pump, and mechanical drive means for said worm gear in series.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said differential drive unit comprises a mechanical differential drive gear linkage interposed between, on one hand, mechanical drive means for said worm gear and, on the other hand, said worm gear drive motor and said coupling pump.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The combination of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said single pressure feed system comprises a pressure line interposed between said coupling pump and said drum drive motor, and at least one flow control element in said pressure line to control the differential rate of rotation of said worm gear with respect to that of said drum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination of claim 4, including means for deriving a nominal value for said at least one flow-control element from drive parameters, that is, from pressure, rotation rate and flow of pressurized fluid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of claim 4, including means for deriving a nominal value for said at least one flow control element from process parameters, that is, throughput, drying substance and turbidity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
The combination of claim 4, including means for deriving a nominal value for said at least one flow-control element from at least one of: drive parameters, that is, from pressure, rotation rate and flow of medium; and from process parameters, that is, throughput, drying substance, and turbidity; wherein said flow-control elements is a two-way flow-control valve containing a flow-control diaphragm and is located in said pressure line to adjust said differential rate of rotation in accordance with said nominal-value adjustment of said flow-control diaphragm and also correspondingly to control the rate of rotation of said drum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
The combination of claim 7, wherein said single pressure feed system comprises a flow-controlled, variable pump driven at a rate proportional to the rate of rotation of said drum and whose feed line leads into said pressure line to increase the flow and pressure of the pressure fluid available for said differential drive unit, and said two-way flow-control valve serving as a metering element for adjusting said flow-controlled, variable pump.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combination of claim 7, wherein a pressure balance which throttles an outlet of said pressure line is located on said pressure line to limit the differential torque by reducing the centrifugal force, and said two-way, flow-control valve serving as a metering element for adjusting said pressure balance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of any of claims 1 to 3, and wherein said coupling pump is adjustable, whereby said coupling pump can assist in regulating said differential rate of rotation.