U.S. patent number RE35,307 [Application Number 08/190,800] was granted by the patent office on 1996-07-30 for chip wringer bowl/blade improvement.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Inter-Source Recovery Systems, Inc.. Invention is credited to William D. Nemedi.
United States Patent |
RE35,307 |
Nemedi |
July 30, 1996 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Chip wringer bowl/blade improvement
Abstract
A separator bowl and blade assembly for a centrifugal separator
device in which a rotatable separator bowl has a plurality of
recesses therein and a blade assembly or blank is adapted to be
releasably disposed in the recesses. The blade assembly includes a
pad having a structural configuration which corresponds and mates
with the bowl recess. A blade extends outwardly from the pad and is
connected to a bottom pad portion and an outwardly extending pad
portion with the blade assembly being either an integral or
releasably connected assembly.
Inventors: |
Nemedi; William D. (Vicksburg,
MI) |
Assignee: |
Inter-Source Recovery Systems,
Inc. (Kalamazoo, MI)
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Family
ID: |
23398262 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/190,800 |
Filed: |
February 2, 1994 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
355649 |
May 22, 1989 |
04936822 |
Jun 26, 1990 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
494/43; 210/373;
210/512.1; 494/74 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B04B
3/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B04B
3/00 (20060101); B04B 001/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;494/43,58,59,67,74
;210/373,512.1,372,781,782 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Other References
Drawing--Titan Systems, Kalamazoo, Michigan (Division French
Systems, Inc.) labelled "Centrifuge Assembly" and having a date
appearing to be Mar. 19, 1987. .
Photograph--Titan System illustrated in drawing of Exhibit A. (No
Date). .
Photograph--Titan System illustrated in drawing of Exhibit A
bearing date legend of Mar. 29, 1985. .
Photograph--Titan System illustrated in Exhibit A. (No Date). .
Photograph--Titan System illustrated in Exhibit A. (No Date). .
Drawing--Titan Div./French Systems, Inc. labelled "T1-30 Centrifuge
Assy"; dated Jan. 2, 1985; Drawing No. 1001-DA. .
Drawing--Titan Systems labelled "T1-30 Sect Thru Bowl"; dated Jan.
6, 1985; Drawing No. 1002-DA. .
Drawing--Titan Systems, Kalamazoo, Michigan (Division French
Systems, Inc.) labelled "Vanes-Clamp Plate T1-42"; dated Apr. 2,
1987; Drawing No. 1185-D ..
|
Primary Examiner: Jenkins; Robert W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Marshall, O'Toole, Gerstein, Murray
& Borun
Claims
What is claimed is: .[.
1. A centrifuge device for separating a lubricating or other fluid
from fluid impregnated metal shavings or the like comprising:
a separator bowl disposed within said centrifuge;
drive means for rotating said separator bowl within said
centrifuge;
said bowl having a bowl wall having an inner wall surface and outer
wall surface;
at least one recess disposed in said bowl wall on the inner wall
surface;
at least one blade assembly comprising a pad and a blade extending
outward from said pad;
said pad being releasably disposed within said recess;
whereupon said pad is adapted to be removed from said recess and
another of said blade assemblies is adapted to be releasably
disposed in said recess..].
2. .[.A centrifuge device in accordance with claim 1.]. .Iadd.A
centrifuge device for separating a lubricating or other fluid from
fluid impregnated metal shavings or the like comprising:
a separator bowl disposed within said centrifuge;
drive means for rotating said separator bowl within said
centrifuge;
said bowl having a bowl wall having an inner wall surface and outer
wall surface;
at least one recess disposed in said bowl wall on the inner wall
surface;
at least one blade assembly comprising a pad and a blade extending
outward from said pad;
said pad being releasably disposed within said recess;
whereupon said pad is adapted to be removed from said recess and
another of said blade assemblies is adapted to be releasably
disposed in said recess; and,
wherein said bowl wall has a plurality of spaced recesses disposed
on the inner wall surface; and,
said blade assemblies are disposed within two or more of said
recesses.
3. A centrifuge device in accordance with claim .[.1 or .]. 2 and
further including at least one blank means releasably disposed
within one of said recesses.
4. A centrifuge device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said
blank .Iadd.means .Iaddend.includes a pad which has a structural
configuration that corresponds to and is alignable with the
structural configuration of a recess in said bowl and, said blank
has a relatively smooth, inner surface, whereby when said blank is
disposed within a recess in said bowl, said blank serves to fill in
said recess and provide a relatively continuous extension of said
inner wall surface of said bowl.
5. A centrifuge device in accordance with claim .[.2.]. .Iadd.3
.Iaddend.wherein said bowl has a plurality of blade assemblies and
blank means alternately disposed in recesses disposed in said
bowl.
6. A centrifuge device in accordance with claim 5 wherein said
blade assemblies are releasably disposed in said recesses by means
of fasteners.
7. A centrifuge device in accordance with claim 3 wherein a
plurality of said recesses are equally spaced from one another in
said bowl.
8. A centrifuge device in accordance with claim 7 wherein a blade
assembly is releasably disposed in each recess in said bowl.
9. A centrifuge device in accordance with claim 7 wherein a
plurality of blade assemblies and blanks are alternatively,
releasably disposed in said recesses in said bowl.
10. A centrifuge device in accordance with claim 8 or 9 wherein
each blade assembly comprises a one-piece member in which said
blade and pad are integral.
11. A centrifuge device in accordance with claim 10 wherein each
blade assembly is cast.
12. A centrifuge device in accordance with claim 8 or 9 wherein
each blade is releasably attached to said pad.
13. A centrifuge device in accordance with claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.2
.Iaddend.wherein .Iadd.each of .Iaddend.said blade assembly
.[.pad.]. .Iadd.pads .Iaddend.and .[.blade comprises.].
.Iadd.blades comprise .Iaddend.an integral one-piece unit.
14. .[.A centrifuge device in accordance with claim 1.]. .Iadd.A
centrifuge device for separating a lubricating or other fluid from
fluid impregnated metal shavings or the like comprising:
a separator bowl disposed within said centrifuge;
drive means for rotating said separator bowl within said
centrifuge;
said bowl having a bowl wall having an inner wall surface and outer
wall surface;
at least one recess disposed in said bowl wall on the inner wall
surface;
at least one blade assembly comprising a pad and a blade extending
outward from said pad;
said pad being releasably disposed within said recess;
whereupon said pad is adapted to be removed from said recess and
another of said blade assemblies is adapted to be releasably
disposed in said recess; and, .Iaddend.
wherein said blade assembly pad comprises a first pad portion and a
second pad portion which is integral with and angled away from said
first pad portion.
15. A centrifuge device in accordance with claim 14 wherein said
blade is integral with said first and second pad portions.
16. .[.A centrifuge device in accordance with claim 1.]. .Iadd.A
centrifuge device for separating a lubricating or other fluid from
fluid impregnated metal shavings or the like comprising:
a separator bowl disposed within said centrifuge;
drive means for rotating said separator bowl within said
centrifuge;
said bowl having a bowl wall having an inner wall surface and outer
wall surface;
at least one recess disposed in said bowl wall on the inner wall
surface;
at least one blade assembly comprising a pad and a blade extending
outward from said pad;
said pad being releasably disposed within said recess;
whereupon said pad is adapted to be removed from said recess and
another of said blade assemblies is adapted to be releasably
disposed in said recess; and, .Iaddend.
wherein said blade is releasably connected to said pad.
17. .[.A centrifuge device in accordance with claim 1.]. .Iadd.A
centrifuge device for separating a lubricating or other fluid from
fluid impregnated metal shavings or the like comprising:
a separator bowl disposed within said centrifuge;
drive means for rotating said separator bowl within said
centrifuge;
said bowl having a bowl wall having an inner wall surface and outer
wall surface;
at least one recess disposed in said bowl wall on the inner wall
surface;
at least one blade assembly comprising a pad and a blade extending
outward from said pad;
said pad being releasably disposed within said recess;
whereupon said pad is adapted to be removed from said recess and
another of said blade assemblies is adapted to be releasably
disposed in said recess; and, .Iaddend.
wherein said bowl is a cast one-piece member having a plurality of
recesses disposed in the inner wall of said bowl. .[.
18. A rotatable separator bowl and blade assembly for use with a
centrifugal separator device wherein said bowl comprises a
wall-shaped member having an inner wall surface and an outer wall
surface spaced from said inner wall surface;
at least one recess disposed on said wall on said inner wall
surface;
a blade assembly adapted to be releasably disposed within said
recess, said blade assembly including
a pad having a structural configuration which corresponds with the
structural configuration in said recess; and
a blade connected to and extending out from said pad..].
19. A bowl and blade assembly in accordance with claim .[.18.].
.Iadd.26 .Iaddend.wherein said blade is integrally connected to
said pad to form a one-piece member.
20. A bowl and blade assembly in accordance with claim 19 wherein
said blade and pad are cast iron or steel.
21. .[.A bowl and blade assembly in accordance with claim 18.].
.Iadd.A rotatable separator bowl and blade assembly for use with a
centrifugal separator device wherein said bowl comprises a
wall-shaped member having an inner wall surface and an outer wall
surface spaced from said inner wall surface;
at least one recess disposed on said wall on said inner wall
surface;
a blade assembly adapted to be releasably disposed within said
recess, said blade assembly including a pad having a structural
configuration which corresponds with the structural configuration
in said recess;
a blade connected to and extending out from said pad; and,
.Iaddend.
wherein said blade is releasably connected to said pad.
22. .[.A bowl and blade assembly in accordance with claim 18.].
.Iadd.A rotatable separator bowl and blade assembly for use with a
centrifugal separator device wherein said bowl comprises a
wall-shaped member having an inner wall surface and an outer wall
surface spaced from said inner wall surface;
at least one recess disposed on said wall on said inner wall
surface;
a blade assembly adapted to be releasably disposed within said
recess, said blade assembly including a pad having a structural
configuration which corresponds with the structural configuration
in said recess;
a blade connected to and extending out from said pad; and,
.Iaddend.
wherein said bowl wall member includes a bottom wall and an
outwardly and upwardly extending wall;
said bottom and outwardly and upwardly extending walls have a
recess on the inner wall surfaces thereof; and,
said blade assembly pad includes a pad portion having a structural
configuration which corresponds to the structural configuration of
said recess in said bottom wall; and,
a second pad portion having a structural configuration
corresponding to the structural configuration of said recess in
said outwardly and upwardly extending wall.
23. A blade and bowl assembly in accordance with claim 22 wherein
said blade is attached to said bottom wall pad portion and said
outwardly and upwardly extending wall pad portion. .[.
24. A rotatable separator bowl in accordance with claim 18 wherein
said recess is continuous in said bowl and a plurality of said
blade assemblies are disposed in said recess..].
25. .[.A rotatable separator bowl in accordance with claim 24.].
.Iadd.A rotatable separator bowl and blade assembly for use with a
centrifugal separator device wherein said bowl comprises a
wall-shaped member having an inner wall surface and an outer wall
surface spaced from said inner wall surface;
at least one recess disposed on said wall on said inner wall
surface;
a blade assembly adapted to be releasably disposed within said
recess, said blade assembly including a pad having a structural
configuration which corresponds with the structural configuration
in said recess;
a blade connected to and extending out from said pad;
wherein said recess is continuous in said bowl and a plurality of
said blade assemblies are disposed in said recess; and,
.Iaddend.
wherein a plurality of blade assemblies and a plurality of blank
means are disposed in said recess.
26. .[.A rotatable separator bowl in accordance with claim 24.].
.Iadd.A rotatable separator bowl and blade assembly for use with a
centrifugal separator device wherein said bowl comprises a
wall-shaped member having an inner wall surface and an outer wall
surface spaced from said inner wall surface;
at least one recess disposed on said wall on said inner wall
surface;
a blade assembly adapted to be releasably disposed within said
recess, said blade assembly including a pad having a structural
configuration which corresponds with the structural configuration
in said recess;
a blade connected to and extending out from said pad;
wherein said recess is continuous in said bowl and a plurality of
said blade assemblies are disposed in said recess; and,
.Iaddend.
in which the pad of each blade assembly is contiguous to the pad of
adjacent blade assemblies. .[.
27. A blade assembly for use in a separator bowl in a separator
device in which said bowl has a wall and at least one recess
disposed on the inner surface of said wall; said assembly
comprising:
a pad having a structural configuration corresponding to and
alignable with the structural configuration of said recess; and
a blade connected to and extending outwardly from said pad..].
28. A blade assembly in accordance with claim .[.27.]. .Iadd.31
.Iaddend.which said pad and blade form an integral one-piece
member.
29. .[.A blade assembly in accordance with claim 27.]. .Iadd.A
blade assembly for use in a separator bowl in a separator device in
which said bowl has a wall and at least one recess disposed on the
inner surface of said wall; said assembly comprising:
a pad having a structural configuration corresponding to and
alignable with the structural configuration of said recess;
a blade connected to and extending outwardly from said pad; and,
.Iaddend.
in which said blade is releasably connected to said pad.
30. A blade assembly in accordance with claim .[.27.]. .Iadd.31
.Iaddend.in which said blade and pad are cast as a one-piece
unit.
31. .[.A blade assembly in accordance with claim 27.]. .Iadd.A
blade assembly for use in a separator bowl in a separator device in
which said bowl has a wall and at least one recess disposed on the
inner surface of said wall; said assembly comprising:
a pad having a structural configuration corresponding to and
alignable with the structural configuration of said recess;
a blade connected to and extending outwardly from said pad; and,
.Iaddend.
in which said pad comprises a bottom portion and an outwardly and
upwardly extending portion and said blade is attached to both said
pad portions. .Iadd.
32. A centrifuge device in accordance with claim 2 and further
including fastening means for independently, releasably fastening
each of said blade assemblies in one of said recesses.
.Iaddend..Iadd.
33. A centrifuge device in accordance with claim 3 and further
including means for independently, releasably fastening said blank
means in one of said recesses. .Iaddend..Iadd.
34. A centrifuge device in accordance with claim 2 wherein a
plurality of said recesses are equally spaced from one another in
said bowl. .Iaddend..Iadd.
35. A centrifuge device in accordance with claim 34 where one of
said blade assemblies is releasably disposed in each recess in said
bowl. .Iaddend..Iadd.
36. A centrifuge device in accordance with claim 35 and further
including fastening means for independently, releasably fastening
each of said blade assemblies in one of said recesses.
.Iaddend..Iadd.
37. A centrifuge device for separating a lubricating or other fluid
from fluid impregnated metal shavings or the like comprising:
a separator bowl disposed within said centrifuge device;
drive means for rotating said separator bowl within said centrifuge
device;
said bowl having a bowl wall having an inner wall surface and outer
wall surface;
at least two discontinuous recesses disposed in said bowl wall;
at least one blade assembly comprising a pad and a blade extending
outward from said pad;
said pad being releasably disposed within one of said recesses and
having the structural configuration of said recess whereby said pad
seats in said recess; and,
fastening means for independently, releasably mounting said blade
assembly in said recess;
whereupon said pad is adapted to be removed from said recess and
another of said blade assemblies is adapted to be releasably
disposed in said recess. .Iaddend..Iadd.
38. A centrifugal device in accordance with claim 37 where one of
said blade assemblies is releasably disposed in each of said
recesses;
each of said blade assemblies includes a pad and a blade extending
from said pad, said pad having the structural configuration of the
recess in which said pad is seated; and,
fastening means for independently, releasably fastening each of
said blade assemblies in one of said recesses. .Iaddend..Iadd.
39. A centrifugal separator device in accordance with claims 37 or
38 wherein said pad of said blade assembly has at least one
opening; and,
said fastening means extends through said pad opening into said
bowl wall to releasably and independently fasten a blade assembly
in said recess. .Iaddend..Iadd.
40. A centrifugal separator device in accordance with claim 38 and
further including at least one blank means releasably disposed in
one of said recesses. .Iaddend..Iadd.
41. A centrifugal separator device in accordance with claim 40 and
further including a plurality of blade assemblies and blank
means;
each blade assembly and each blank means being seated in one of
said recesses; and,
fastening means for independently releasably mounting each of said
blade assemblies and blank means in said recesses.
.Iaddend..Iadd.
42. A centrifuge device for separating a lubricating or other fluid
from fluid impregnated metal shavings or the like comprising:
a separator bowl disposed within said centrifuge device;
drive means for rotating said separator bowl within said centrifuge
device;
said bowl having a bowl wall having a bottom wall surface and an
outward wall surface extending outwardly and upwardly from said
bottom wall surface;
a continuous recess on the inner wall surface of said bowl
wall;
a plurality of blade assemblies disposed in said recess;
each blade assembly comprising a pad having a first edge and a
second edge and a blade extending outward from said pad;
each pad being positioned in said recess relative to an adjacent
pad whereby a first edge of one pad is contiguous to a second edge
of an adjacent pad and said second edge of said one pad is
contiguous to a first edge of an adjacent pad;
fastening means for releasably mounting each of said blade
assemblies to said bowl wall. .Iaddend..Iadd.
43. A centrifugal device in accordance with claim 42 wherein said
bowl wall has a bottom wall surface and an outwardly and upwardly
extending surface; and,
said pads of said blade assemblies at least cover substantially
said bottom wall surface and are exposed to contact with metal
shavings adapted to enter said centrifuge device.
.Iaddend..Iadd.
44. A centrifugal device in accordance with claim 43 wherein said
pads of said blade assemblies cover a substantial portion of both
said bottom and outward wall surfaces and are exposed to contact
with metal shavings adapted to enter said centrifuge device.
.Iaddend..Iadd.
45. A centrifugal device in accordance with claims 43 or 44 wherein
each of said pads has an opening therein; and said fastening means
extends through said pad opening and releasably, fastens a blade
assembly in said recess. .Iaddend..Iadd.
46. A centrifugal device in accordance with claim 45 and further
including one or more blank means disposed within said recess.
.Iaddend..Iadd.
47. A rotatable separator bowl in accordance with claim 26 and
further including means for releasably fastening each of said blade
assemblies in said continuous recess. .Iaddend..Iadd.
48. A rotatable separator bowl in accordance with claim 26 and
further including a plurality of blank means disposed in said
recess; and,
fastening means for independently, releasably fastening each of
said blank means to said bowl. .Iaddend..Iadd.
49. A rotatable separator bowl in accordance with claim 48 wherein
said blade assemblies and said blank means are alternately,
releasably disposed in said recess. .Iaddend..Iadd.
50. A blade assembly in accordance with claim 47 wherein said blade
assembly pad has at least one opening in the pad and said fastening
means is adapted to enter said opening and releasably fasten said
assembly to said bowl. .Iaddend..Iadd.
51. A rotatable separator bowl and blade assembly for use with a
centrifugal separator device in which metal shavings are to be
separated from lubricating or other fluids,
said bowl comprises a wall-shaped member which includes a bottom
wall and an outwardly and upwardly extending wall having a recess
in said bowl;
a plurality of blade assemblies adapted to be releasably disposed
within said recess;
a blade assemblies each comprising a pad and a blade extending from
said pad;
said pad having first and second edges and a structural
configuration which corresponds with the structural configuration
in said recess;
a first edge of one pad being contiguous to a second edge of an
adjacent pad and the second edge of said one pad being contiguous
to a first edge of an adjacent pad whereby, when said blade
assemblies are seated in said bowl, said pads of said blade
assemblies cover substantially all of at least said bottom bowl
wall. .Iaddend..Iadd.
52. A rotatable separator bowl and blade assembly in accordance
with claim 51 wherein said pad includes a first portion which is
adapted to seat on said bottom bowl wall and a second portion which
is adapted to seat on said outwardly and upwardly bowl wall.
.Iaddend..Iadd.
53. A rotatable bowl and blade assembly in accordance with claim 51
and further including fastening means for releasably, independently
fastening each of said blade assemblies to said bowl whereby one
blade assembly may be removed independently of removing a fastening
means for another blade assembly. .Iaddend..Iadd.
54. A rotatable bowl and blade assembly in accordance with claim 53
and further including fastening means which extend through said pad
of said blade assembly for fastening said blade assembly in said
recess. .Iaddend..Iadd.
55. A rotatable bowl and blade assembly in accordance with claim 51
wherein said blade assembly pads disposed in said recess are
unobstructed from exposure to contact to shavings adapted to enter
said separator device. .Iaddend..Iadd.
56. A rotatable bowl and blade assembly in accordance with claim 51
and further including fastening means which extend through said pad
of said blade assembly for fastening said pad in said recess;
and,
said fastening means fasten both said first and second pad portions
to said bowl wall. .Iaddend..Iadd.
57. A rotatable bowl and blade assembly in accordance with claim 56
in which said fastener means comprises a threaded fastener which is
adapted to pass through such pad opening and into said bowl wall.
.Iaddend..Iadd.
58. A centrifuge device for separating a lubricating or other fluid
from fluid impregnated metal shavings or the like comprising:
a separator bowl disposed within said centrifuge;
drive means for rotating said separator bowl within said
centrifuge;
said bowl having a bowl wall having a bottom wall surface and an
outward wall surface extending outwardly and upwardly from said
bottom wall surface;
a continuous recess on the inner wall surface of said bowl
wall;
a plurality of blade assemblies disposed in said recess;
each blade assembly comprising a pad and a blade extending outward
from said pad;
fastening means for releasably, independently mounting each of said
blade assemblies whereby one blade assembly may be releasably
mounted in said continuous recess independent of releasing a
fastening means for another of said blade assemblies. .Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention relates generally to a centrifugal parts separator
for separating lubricating and other fluids from metal or other
scrap materials, and more particularly to a bowl and blade means
assembly utilized in the centrifugal parts separator in which blade
assemblies are releasably secured in recesses located on the
internal separator bowl wall whereupon normal blade wear, the worn
blade assembly comprising a blade and wear pad are removed from a
recess in the separator wall and another blade assembly is fastened
in place in the vacated recess.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Centrifuge systems for continuously feeding and removing liquid
from metal chips or other material impregnated with lubricating or
other fluids are known in the prior art. Such systems are
illustrated, for example, in Dudley U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,176 and
Areaux U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,096. In these systems, the centrifuge
includes a plurality of blades attached to the bottom wall of a
rotatable separator bowl disposed inside the centrifugal parts
separator unit. The blades are secured to a bowl liner which is a
metal plate which lines the bottom wall of the separator bowl. The
blades extend upward from the bottom wall along the vertical
internal separator bowl wall. The liner protects the bowl bottom
wall surface against wear. The blades are not connected to the
internal vertical bowl wall but rather are fastened, generally by
welding, to the liner on the bottom wall of the bowl.
It has been found that over a period of time, accumulated wear
often occurs at the intersection of the leading surface of a blade
and the internal vertical bowl wall as metal scraps contact the
blades and bowl during normal operation of the parts separator. The
surface of the bowl and blades are worn away over a period of time,
thus adversely affecting the life of the bowl and blades disposed
therein.
One method of overcoming this bowl and blade wear problem has been
to index the blades along the bowl wall surface. As a particular
portion of a bowl wall surface wears away, the liner with equally
spaced blades secured thereto is rotated and indexed to a desired
location whereupon the liner and blade assembly are refastened in
position so that a blade will cover a worn area on the bowl.
Unfortunately, bowl wear at the new location is regenerated after a
period of time and the liner again has to be moved to a new
location. As a result, after multiple indexing of the blade liner
assembly, a separator bowl wears out and has to be replaced which
is a time consuming and costly operation, particularly since such
repairs often take place out in the field where a new separator
bowl and a blade-liner assembly have to be shipped.
Additionally, the blades generally are secured to a bowl liner by
welding such that as blades wear out, an entire liner having a
plurality of blades thereon has to be removed from the bowl and
replaced.
Another problem sometimes found with bowl and blade systems
presently available is that the blades are attached solely to the
plate liner located on the bottom of the bowl. The blades are not
connected to the bowl along the outer or vertical blade edge
located adjacent the internal vertical bowl wall. As a result, in
some instances where particularly heavy scrap materials are
centrifuged in the separator, blades will bend or otherwise become
distorted. Bending of a blade can cause the blade and liner system
to become unbalanced and unstable such that the system must be
rebalanced for proper operation of the parts separator
apparatus.
What is desired is a centrifugal separator apparatus which allows
one or more worn blades in the separator bowl to be replaced as
required independently of replacing other blades.
Additionally, it is desired to have a bowl-blade arrangement
whereby the blades are securely connected along both the horizontal
and outer vertical blade edges to provide a more secure fastening
position and preclude blade distortion or bending.
It also is desired to have a bowl and blade arrangement whereby
bowl wear need not be obviated by utilizing the indexing system
presently employed.
It is also desired to be able to cast the bowl and/or blades, which
has not been available heretofore due to the requirements of the
indexing system utilized for obviating bowl wear problem.
Finally, it is desired to eliminate the need for utilizing a plate
liner having a plurality of blades attached thereto.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention disclosed and claimed herein serves to overcome or
otherwise obviate the above-described problems presently available
with bowl and blade systems utilized in centrifugal parts separator
devices presently available and to achieve the desires sought for a
bowl-blade assembly used in a centrifugal parts separator
device.
Briefly, the present invention utilizes a centrifugal separator
bowl, which preferably is cast, with a plurality of recesses
disposed in the internal vertical and bottom walls of the bowl. A
plurality of blade assemblies are disposed in the various recesses,
each blade assembly comprising a pad having a structural
configuration which corresponds to the structural configuration of
a bowl recess. A blade extends outwardly from the pad, the blade
being connected to the pad along both the bottom blade edge and a
substantial portion of the outer vertical blade edge. The blade and
pad assembly can either be a one-piece integral cast metal unit or
the pad and blade can be releasably secured to each other.
The inner pad surface, which is exposed to materials to be
separated when the pad is installed in a bowl recess, is configured
to blend or mate with the internal wall surface of the bowl. As a
wear spot occurs at the intersection of a blade and pad, the
blade-pad assembly is relatively readily and easily removed from a
bowl recess and another blade-pad assembly is releasably fastened
in the vacated bowl recess.
Additionally, the separator bowl can be utilized with different
blade assembly arrangements. For example, in instances where only
four blades are required for a particular centrifuge application as
opposed to another application which requires eight blades, blank
pads can be utilized in those bowl recesses which contain no blade
assemblies.
The present invention allows both the blade-pad assemblies as well
as the separator bowl to be cast which serves to reduce the cost of
the bowl and blade assemblies.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further advantages of the invention will become apparent upon a
reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a front, partial section view of the separator device of
the present invention and shows a plurality of blade assemblies
disposed in recesses in a rotatable separator bowl;
FIG. 2 is a top section view taken along lines 2--2 in FIG. 1 and
shows eight blade assemblies of the present invention disposed in
corresponding recesses in a rotatable separator bowl;
FIG. 3 shows the same view as FIG. 2 with the exception that four
blade assemblies are disposed in four recesses in the separator
bowl and four blanks are disposed in the four remaining separator
bowl recesses;
FIG. 4 shows a partial perspective view of a blade assembly
comprising a blade and pad adapted to be inserted in a
corresponding recess located in a separator bowl;
FIG. 5 shows a partial perspective view of a blank adapted to be
inserted in a corresponding recess located in a separator bowl;
FIG. 6 is a section view taken along lines 6--6 in FIG. 2 and shows
the blade assembly of the present invention releasably secured by
fasteners in a recess located in the separator bowl;
FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention in which
pie-shaped pads of the blade assemblies cover substantially the
entire internal area of the separator bowl which is recessed almost
entirely along the internal vertical and bottom walls;
FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of one of the blade assemblies of
FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 shows a blade releasably disposed in a pad of a blade
assembly;
FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the blade of FIG. 9 separated
from a corresponding pad in the blade assembly;
FIG. 11 is a section view taken along lines 11--11 in FIG. 9 and
shows the blade fastened in the slotted pad; and
FIG. 12 is a section view taken along lines 12--12 in FIG. 11 and
shows a partial section of the blade and pad fastened by threaded
fasteners.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, there is shown a
centrifugal separator device 10 which includes motor 12 which has a
drive shaft 13 connected by belt and pulley drive assembly 14 to
one end of centrifugal separator drive shaft 15. Shaft 15 is
disposed within two bearing assemblies 16, 17.
A hub 18 is fixedly disposed on the remaining end of drive shaft 15
and a substantially bell-shaped separator bowl 20 is seated on
flange 21 of hub 18. Separator bowl 20 has an opening 22 (FIG. 2)
which, when bowl 20 is seated on hub 18, provides a close fit
between the bowl opening and hub 18. A plurality of bolts 23 serve
to releasably fasten the bowl to hub 18 whereby, upon actuation of
motor 12, bowl 20 connected to shaft 15, rotates.
Bottom wall 24 of separator bowl 20, which has inner and outer wall
surfaces, extends outwardly and terminates in bowl wall 25 which
extends vertically upwardly and outwardly with a mounting flange 26
located at end 27 of bowl wall 25. Bowl wall 25 also has an inner
and outer wall surface.
A substantially cylindrical and porous separator screen 30, which
is defined by a wire mesh or the like having openings therein to
permit passage of lubricant or other fluids therethrough without
permitting passage of shavings, chips or other materials, extends
upward from flange 26 to permit discharge of lubricating liquid to
be separated from the metal chips in the separator bowl. Screen 30
is secured to flange 26 by means of a plurality of fasteners
28.
A conical portion 32 is secured to the upper edge of screen 30 and
extends radially outward in an upward direction to a dispensing
edge 33.
A radially extending flange 34 is secured to the centrifugal
separator bowl 20 intermediate the juncture between the conical
portion 32 and screen 30.
Liquid discharged through the openings in screen 30 will be
collected in a suitable collection chamber, not shown, preferably
disposed within casing chamber 38 in which the parts separator
device is disposed.
A radially, inwardly directed flange 40 is secured to cylindrical
wall member 41 which depends from and is attached to the top of
chamber 38 as seen in FIG. 1.
Cover 44 is fixed in any desired manner to the upper edge of
chamber 38. In this particular embodiment, cover 44 includes an
upper conical member 45 which is fixedly attached to and depends
from cover 44. Conical member 45 comprises two pivotable
cone-shaped portions 46, 47 whereby the outer wall of conical
member 45 defines the inner wall of a second annular chip
collecting chamber 48 and the cylindrical wall member 41 defines
the outer wall thereof.
Cone 45 converges in a downward direction to a location spaced
immediately above and within separator bowl 20. Opening 49 at the
bowl end of conical member 45 defines an air inlet as well as a
material inlet for shavings, chips or the like into centrifuge
10.
Spaced blade assemblies 50 are securely fastened to and rotate with
rotatable separator bowl 20.
In a typical operation, metal chips and lubricating fluids are
delivered to the top of centrifuge 10. The mixed chips and fluids
enter centrifuge 10 and pass through conical member 45 which, as
illustrated in FIG. 1, is in an open position with hinged cone
portion 46 pivoted at 55, in the position located in the direction
of arrow A.
The fluid mixed with the metal chips passes into rotating separator
bowl 20 where the materials to be separated are forced outwardly
and upwardly along the internal wall of bowl 20 and the leading
surface of the blades 60. The lubricating fluid is separated from
the chips and passes through screen 30 to a collection chamber (not
shown) where the lubricating fluid is collected. The metal chips
separated from the fluid are directed upward over screen 30, pass
dispensing edge 33 and are blown out of chamber 48 and exit chute
56 on to a collecting site.
Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, separator bowl 20 is shown with
eight blade assemblies 50 disposed within and releasably fixed to
the bowl. Each blade assembly 50 includes a blade 60 and a pad 61.
Blade 60 extends outward from pad 61 so that when assembly 50 is
installed in bowl 20, blade 60 projects upward over screen 30 into
chamber 48 as shown in FIG. 1. Blade 60 includes outer edge 62,
inner edge 63, first top edge 64, second top edge 64' and bottom
edge 65. As seen more clearly in FIG. 4, bottom blade edge 65 is
fixed to bottom pad portion 67. Additionally, a substantial portion
of outer edge 62, which is normally disposed within separator bowl
20, is fixed to inclined pad portion 66. Pad portions 66 and 67
form a structural configuration which is adapted to correspond and
mate with the structural configuration of recess 70 located in
separator bowl 20. For example, pad portions 66, 67 are each
rectangular shaped and seat in the rectangular-shaped recess
portions in bowl walls 24, 25. Other shapes could, of course, be
utilized.
As seen more clearly in FIG. 4, pad 61 has a plurality of openings
68 which are adapted to be aligned with threaded openings 71 in
recess 70. Conventional fastening screws 72 (FIG. 6) are threaded
into openings 71 whereby blade assembly 50 is securely fastened to
the internal wall of separator bowl 20.
Normally, it has been found that the most extensive wear in
separator centrifuge systems presently available occurs at the
location of leading surface of blade edges 62 and 65 and pad
portions 66, 67. When such wear occurs with the centrifuge of the
present invention, one need only replace a particular worn blade
assembly 50 as opposed to either indexing all the blades or
completely replacing a blade-liner assembly. Replacement of a blade
assembly of the present invention can be accomplished simply by
withdrawing fastening screws 72, removing the worn blade assembly
50 and inserting a new blade assembly 50 in its place.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be observed that the bowl-blade
embodiment of FIG. 2 utilizes eight (8) blade assemblies 50.
Referring to FIG. 3, the bowl-blade embodiment depicted therein
utilizes only four (4) blade assemblies 50 even though separator
bowl 20 is the same unit for the embodiments of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.
In the event it is not necessary to have a blade assembly in each
bowl recess 70, a blank 80 may be placed in recess 70.
Blank 80, as seen in FIG. 5, comprises the same assembly as blade
assembly 50 shown in FIG. 4 except blade 60 has been removed. Blank
80 comprises vertical blank portion 86 which corresponds to pad
portion 66 and bottom blank portion 87 which corresponds with pad
portion 67. Blank 80 has openings 88 which are adapted to be
aligned with threaded openings 71 to receive threaded fasteners
72.
As seen in FIG. 3, four equally-spaced blade assemblies 50 have
been installed in separator bowl 20 and four equally-spaced blanks
80 also have been installed.
FIGS. 2 and 3 show recesses 70 spaced from one another, FIGS. 7 and
8 show another embodiment of a separator bowl in which recesses 70
are not spaced from each other, but rather one continuous recess
70' is disposed in bottom and vertical walls 24, 25 of separator
bowl 20. This particular embodiment features eight blade assemblies
50'. Each blade assembly 50' is substantially the same as
previously described for blade assembly 50 with the exception that
the pie-shaped pad portions 66', 67' each have a greater width than
corresponding pad portions 66, 67 shown in FIG. 4. Accordingly, in
the illustration depicted in FIG. 7, each blade assembly 50' has a
pad 61' which takes up one-eighth of the continuous recess area 70'
in bowl 20'. As a result, when all eight blade assemblies 50' are
installed, pad edges 90, 91 on one pad 61' will abut or be
contiguous to pad edges 92, 93 on an adjacent pad 61'.
Preferably, blade assembly 50 or 50' is a one-piece cast iron or
steel member with blade 60 or 60' being integral with the pad 61
and 61' respectively. If desired, however, blade 60 or 60' may be
releasably secured to pad 61 or 61'. FIGS. 9-12 show pad base 67"
and pad portion 66" having a slot 95 located on their respective
inner pad walls. Blade 60" is adapted to fit in slot 95 along the
outer blade edge 62" and bottom edge 65". Blade 60" has a plurality
of threaded openings 96 along outer edge 62" which are adapted to
align with openings 98 in pad 61". Threaded fasteners 99 serve to
securely fasten blade 60" to pad 61".
Utilizing the blade and bowl assembly of the present invention
allows for the replacement of one or more blade assemblies as
required inasmuch as the location of the maximum wear will occur at
the intersection of the outer blade edge and pad portions.
Moreover, the fact that a single blade assembly 50 can be replaced
as opposed to indexing a liner-blade assembly or replacing all the
blade assemblies obviates the present need for indexing the
liner-blade assembly. Moreover, the replacement of a blade assembly
can be relatively easily achieved merely by raising a cone portion
46, 47 to permit maintenance personnel to reach threaded fasteners
72. The fasteners can be released and a blade assembly 50 and 50'
withdrawn from open cone portion 46 or 47. Another blade assembly
50 or 50' can be inserted after which threaded fasteners 72 are
replaced to maintain the blade assembly in position.
Similarly, the availability of the blade assembly and blanks of the
present invention permits various combinations of blade assemblies
to be utilized in a separator bowl depending upon the particular
application.
While one or more embodiments of the invention have been herein
illustrated and described in detail, it will be understood that
modifications and variations thereof may be effected without
departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *