Imperforate bowl: centrifugal separators – With cyclic or time control means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-16
2001-06-05
Cooley, Charles E. (Department: 1723)
Imperforate bowl: centrifugal separators
With cyclic or time control means
C494S012000, C494S014000, C494S016000, C494S024000, C494S025000, C494S036000, C494S084000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241650
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a centrifuge comprising a chamber, a rotor arranged therein, and means for driving the rotation of the rotor.
The invention applies in particular to the centrifuging of products liable to release dangerous substances, for example toxic or explosive substances.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hitherto, such products have been placed in leak-tight containers which are arranged in housings, themselves leak-tight, in the rotor. The leak-tightness of the containers and of the housings is ensured, in particular, using seals.
It is thus possible to limit the risks of emission of dangerous substances from the chamber of the centrifuge.
However, these precautions do not make it possible to eliminate the risks of such emissions if, for example, the housings and/or the containers are not closed correctly or if their seals are worn.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to solve this problem by providing a centrifuge capable of centrifuging, under improved conditions of safety, products liable to release dangerous substances.
To this end, the subject of the invention is a centrifuge comprising a chamber, a rotor arranged therein, and means for driving the rotation of the rotor, characterized in that the means for driving the rotation of the rotor are pneumatic drive means, the centrifuge comprising a circuit for supplying the said pneumatic drive means with pressurized gas, which supply circuit is intended to be connected to a source of pressurized gas, and in that the centrifuge comprises a gas-purification unit, one inlet of this unit being connected to an outlet for drawing gas from the chamber, and one outlet of this unit being connected to a suction device controlled by the pressurized gas supplied to the pneumatic means for driving the rotation of the rotor.
According to particular embodiments of the invention, the centrifuge may comprise one or more of the following features, taken in isolation or in any technically feasible combination:
the pneumatic means for driving the rotation of the rotor comprise a turbine,
the said outlet of the purification unit is connected to the circuit for supplying pressurized gas to the pneumatic means for driving the rotation of the rotor,
the suction device comprises a venturi injection system including an injector of entraining fluid intended to be connected to the said source of pressurized gas, an inlet for entrained fluid connected to the said outlet of the purification unit, and an outlet for entraining fluid and entrained fluid which is connected to the pneumatic means for driving the rotor,
the centrifuge comprises means for cooling the atmosphere of the chamber,
the means for cooling the atmosphere of the chamber comprise means for introducing a cooling gas into the chamber,
the means for introducing a cooling gas into the chamber comprise an outlet for cooling gas arranged under the rotor to direct the cooling gas towards the latter,
the means for introducing a cooling gas comprise a Ranque vortex tube, a cold outlet of which is connected to one inlet of the chamber,
one inlet of the said Ranque vortex tube is connected to the said pressurized-gas supply circuit,
the centrifuge comprises a source of decontamination gas connected to one inlet of the chamber,
the purification unit comprises at least one filter,
the purification unit comprises at least one device for the chemical treatment of gas,
the chamber is leak-tight,
the centrifuge comprises a pneumatic device for braking the rotor connected to the said pressurized-gas supply circuit,
the pressurized-gas supply circuit comprises a timer-controlled valve,
the centrifuge comprises a door which can move between an open position for access to the inside of the chamber and a closed position, the centrifuge further comprises a pneumatic device for locking the door in its closed position, and the locking device is connected to the pressurized-gas supply circuit,
the locking device comprises a first lock which can move between a position for locking and a position for unlocking the door, the first lock being secured to the rod of a first pneumatic ram connected via at least one individual pipe to the said pressurized-gas supply circuit, and the locking device comprises a valve for selectively switching the individual pipe or pipes to the pressurized-gas supply circuit,
the supply circuit comprises an automatic-locking valve which itself includes a shut-off member which can move between a position for opening and a position for closing the automatic-locking valve, one outlet of this locking valve is connected to the said switching valve, and the said shut-off member of the automatic-locking valve is in the open position when the door of the centrifuge is in the closed position, and in the closed position when the door is in the open position, and the said switching valve, when at rest, places the said outlet of the automatic-locking valve and the first ram in communication so that the first lock is driven towards its locking position,
the automatic-locking valve is intended to be permanently connected to the said source of pressurized gas,
the said timer-controlled valve is connected to one outlet of the said automatic-locking valve,
the locking device comprises a second lock which can move between a position of immobilizing the first lock in its locking position and a position of releasing the first lock, and the second lock is secured to the rod of a second pneumatic ram permanently connected to one outlet of the said timer-controlled valve.
REFERENCES:
patent: 731215 (1903-06-01), Patterson
patent: 773220 (1904-10-01), Patterson
patent: 1989213 (1935-01-01), Schenck
patent: 2733857 (1956-02-01), Beams
patent: 2875949 (1959-03-01), Tarsoly
patent: 2899131 (1959-08-01), Wohler
patent: 3108955 (1963-10-01), Boyland
patent: 3958753 (1976-05-01), Durland et al.
patent: 4036428 (1977-07-01), Durland
patent: 4941866 (1990-07-01), Gorodissky et al.
patent: 5280975 (1994-01-01), Tscheu et al.
patent: 648 769 (1985-04-01), None
patent: 10 34 550 (1958-07-01), None
Cooley Charles E.
Jouan
Larson & Taylor PLC
LandOfFree
Centifuge with pneumatic drive and filtration of the... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Centifuge with pneumatic drive and filtration of the..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Centifuge with pneumatic drive and filtration of the... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2449271