Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A decanter centrifuge for separating a slurry into a heavier phase and a lighter phase, which comprises: an axially symmetrical bowl; and a screw conveyor, rotatably located in the bowl, having a body with at least one flight, wherein a specific density of the screw conveyor is lower than a specific density of the lighter liquid phase of the slurry and, in operation, at least one end of the screw conveyor is radially unsupported.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A decanter centrifuge for separating a slurry into a heavier phase and a lighter phase, which comprises: an axially symmetrical bowl; and a screw conveyor, rotatably located in the bowl, having a body with at least one flight, wherein a specific density of the screw conveyor is lower than a specific density of the lighter liquid phase of the slurry and, in operation, at least one end of the screw conveyor is radially unsupported.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A decanter centrifuge as in claim 1, further comprising means, disposed on the centrifuge, for radially supporting one end of the screw conveyor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A decanter centrifuge as in claim 1, further comprising means, arranged at the at least one unsupported end of the screw conveyor, for preventing contact between the at least one flight of the screw conveyor and the bowl during starting and stopping of the centrifuge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
101 words
A decanter centrifuge for separating a slurry into a heavier phase and a lighter phase, which comprises: an axially symmetrical bowl; and a screw conveyor, rotatably located in the bowl, having a body with flights, wherein a specific density of the screw conveyor is lower than a specific density of the lighter liquid phase of the slurry, and, in operation, at least one end of the screw conveyor is radially unsupported, and whereby, when in operation, the at least one unsupported end of the screw conveyor is centered in relation to the bowl by buoyancy forces acting on the screw conveyor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
101 words
A decanter centrifuge for separating a slurry into a heavier phase and a lighter phase, which comprises: an axially symmetrical bowl; and a screw conveyor, rotatably located in the bowl, having a body with flights, wherein a specific density of the screw conveyor is lower than a specific density of the lighter liquid phase of the slurry, and, in operation, at least one end of the screw conveyor is radially unsupported, and whereby, when in operation, the at least one unsupported end of the screw conveyor is centered in relation to the bowl by buoyancy forces acting on the screw conveyor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A decanter centrifuge as in claim 4, further comprising a bearing, disposed on the centrifuge, for radially supporting one end of the screen conveyor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A decanter centrifuge as in claim 4, further comprising a limiting device, arranged at the at least one unsupported end of the screw conveyor, for preventing contact between the flights of the screw conveyor and the bowl during starting and stopping of the centrifuge.