GB1389422A - Industrial-type variable-speed centrifuges - Google Patents

Abstract

1389422 Centrifuges GLOBE-UNION Inc 28 March 1972 [4 June 1971] 14484/72 Heading F4G A load of lead-acid batteries 180 are centrifuged in a basket 160 rotated at variable speed within a resiliently-mounted housing 10 by means of an hydraulic motor 80 supplied with fluid directly by an electric pump 90 (or via an accumulator 222), at a pressure and flow which are limited by an adjustable relief valve 100 and control valve 104, a throttling valve 208 being operated when the pump is stopped to throttle the flow of fluid pumped by the motor 80 into the reservoir 94 to brake the basket dynamically. The batteries 180 are supported in pivoted perforated cradles 143 on a two-tier holder E which rests on flange 168 of the basket 160 during centrifuging and is lifted bodily out of the basket 160 by hoists 38, 40 on a rotatable jib 36 for delivery to a load/unload table C. Operation (Fig 12).-When pump 90 is energized, pressure transmitted by line 124 moves the spool of the adjustable throttling valve 208 against its spring to a non-throttling position so that fluid passes to the motor 80 (to rotate the basket 160 by belts 78), and returns to the reservoir 94 via lines 110, pressure relief valve 200, throttling valve 208, filter 116 and line 206. When the pump 90 is de-energized, the basket is braked dynamically and also mechanically by friction bands urged by springs to engage a portion 74a of hub 74 which is secured to the basket 160. Fluid is supplied to the motor 80 by the opening of a check valve 122. The speed of the centrifuge is detected at 84 by photo-electric or metal detecting means. Forming acid centrifuged from the batteries is drained from the housing 10 at 22. In another embodiment (Fig. 13), fluid is taken from the line 110 during dynamic braking and passed to a constant pressure hydraulic accumulator 222 until the pressure in it equals that in the line 110. Fluid may be supplied to the motor 60 via pressure reducing valve 224, to brake cylinder 232 and cover cylinder 248. The solenoid valve 230 is in circuit with the starter circuit of the electric pump motor 88. The centrifuge cover 12 is spring-biased to the open position and closed by supplying fluid to the cylinder 248. Switch 256 corresponds to the safety latch 68 (Fig. 2). The cover cannot be opened until rotation has stopped. On starting with zero accumulator pressure, the friction brakes and the cover are operated manually; alternatively the accumulator is pressurized from another source or by pump 90. In a further embodiment, the accumulator is pressurized by the pump 90, and the motor 80 is driven only by fluid from the accumulator.