US1690668A - Disintegrating device - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 6, 1928. y 1,690,666

F. J. E. CHINA DISINTEGRATING DEVICE Original Filed Dec. 10, 1925 2 SheetS-Sheet l Nov. 6, 1928,. F. J. CHINA DISINTEGRATINGDEVICE @riginal Filed Dec. 10, 1923 j 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l A elftoznutd Patented .Novi 6, 19278.` f

" ,UNITED l STATES Pivrn'lrrv o-FricE.

FREDERICK 'JOHN CHINA, 0I ESI-IEB, ENGLAND.

-fnismrnena'rme mivIeE.

Original application led Ibeeember 10, 1923, Serial No 879,748. and inGreat Britain latch 8, 1922.

Divided and this application med lllarch 18, 1926. Serial No. 85,349.

My invention relates to improvements in mills adapted to act on suspensions 1n hquids, and is a division of my application, Serial No. 67 9,7 48, filed December 10, 1923. -The present'application also embodies in part my Brit-ish applications Nos. 14,864/23 and 8,284/24, both filed on the 6th dayof June 1923.

An object of my invention is to increase the forces acting in a thin film of the liquid containing the particles, liquid or solid, which are yto be acted up n, which exist between surfaces closely adja' ent to each other and relatively movable one past the other at high velocity.'

A further object of my invention is to increase the eiiiciency with which the forces act,

whereby a larger output may f into practical effect, without limiting the 'imbe obtained with relatively small increase in power.

VA still further object of my invention is to showhow to construct such a device so that it will be easy` and cheap to manufacture and simple land inexpensive to repair and replace.

With these and other obj ects in view which may be incident to my improvements, the invention consists .in the parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed,

` with the understanding that the several nec-4 essary elements comprising `'my invention, may-be' varied in construction, proportions and arrangement, without departing froml the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Inorder to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown in the accompanying drawings means for carryingY the same provements in their useful applications to the particular constructions, which for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings:

lFigure l is a longitudinal sectional view' taken on the axis of the rotor of my devicez.

. Fig. 2 is a detail view of a modication of rotors which may be employed in connection rvith the form of invention disclosed in ig. 1; l

Fig. 3 is a detail viewfof another modification of rotors which 'may be employed with .the form of invention diclosed in Fig. 1

Fig. 4 is a detail view of another modifica-A tion of rotors which may be employed with the form of invention disclosed in Fig. 1; i Fig. 5 is a detail view of a .further modification of'rotors which may be employed with the form of invention disclosed in Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a detailview of yet another modilicationfof rotors which may be employed.

modification of rotors which may be employed with the form vof invention disclosed in Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 diagrammatically indicates the direction of some of the forces acting on the n liquid in my device.

.Intlie drawings is illustrated a form of' millin which both of the working surfacesA maybe rotated in either' the same or in opposite directions.

Referring particularly to Figure 1, I have shown two rotating hollow shafts, the upper hollow shaft being numbered 125 and the lower hollow shaft 126. For supporting my machine, I have provided upright supports 105 which are obliquely inclined and preferably integrally formed with an annular support 103 having'bolt holes 104 through which the annular support may be firmly bolted to a suitable base. Between the upright obliquely inclined supports 105 is a connect-ing web 106 which carries the lower bearing structure A,

. which is adapted to support the shaft 126 and prevent it from any axial movement.

There isalso provided an upper bearing tov structure B for the lower hollow shaft V126,

.which is housed in the lower base casting 128, which may be integrally formed with the supports 105. The bearing struct-ure forthe lower shaft 126, which I have shown in Figure 1, comprising upper bearing structure B' and-lowerbearing struct ure"=.-Ai` is adapted to 'supporltle lower shaft 12 hout longitudinal movement, and inthe orm shown, the Y shaft is not adjustable. This might well be able, as such may be found desirable.

Resting on the lower base casting is an upper cover plate structure 127 which is suitably boited by bolts 127 to the lower base with a flange 23. rests on the cover plate structure 127, and is firmly bolted thereto by means 1 changed and the lower shaft made adjustcasting 128. An upper support 22, provided 'Y of bolts 24. Adapted to slidably fit within an aperture in the cover plate structure is a lower bearing structure C, which allows the shaft 125 to slide longitudinally when adjustment is made. l

Supported on the support 22 at 'its top is a bearing4 support piece 29 fwhich is screwthreaded into the support 22 and carries with it an upper bearing structure D. The upper bearing structure firmly revents anypossible axial displacement of Jdiie upper shaft '125 with respect to the bearing support piece 29. However, by rotating the bearing support vpiece, 29, by reason of itsscrew-threaded en. gagement with the support .22, the whole upper bearing D and the shaft with it may be moved axially to effect adjustment between the working surfaces of the rotors (as will later be apparent). The shafts 125 and 126 are rotated by pulleys 55. The lower base casting 128 which may be integrally formed with the supports 105 forns with the cover plate 127 an output chamber 129 having an outlet 131. The upper end of hollow shaft 126 and the lower end of .hollow shaft-126 are provided with similarl journal box covers 132. The journal box cov-l ers 132 are provided with partitions 133 through which the ends of the hollow shafts 125 and 126 project. The partitions 133 have formed in them packing glands comprising 'frusto-c'onicalsurfaces 134, surroundmg the shafts. Adapted to engage with screw-threads 135 formed on the interior of the' packing glands, are screw-threads 136 formed on packing compressor members 137. Between the frustoeconical surfaces134 and the packing compressing members 137 is placed packing 138, which will preventleakage'of any material along the outside of the shafts 125 and Between the partitions 133, formed in the journal box covers 132, and cover plates 139 preferably integrally formed with ,thejournal box covers, are receiving chambers 141. Screwed into the cover plates 139 are input pipes 142y leading from pumps or other sources of feed pressure (not shown) into the receiving chambers 141. The packing gland structure in the journal box covers 132 per- VFmits liquid that is introduced `through the input pipes 142 into the chambers 141 to flow through the hollow shafts 125 and 126, without coming in contact with any of the bearing structure. j

The upper end of the shaft 126 is formed with ashoul'der 143, and above the shoulder the shaft is tapered to form a frufsto-conical surface 144. The tipend of the shaft has screw-threads 145 formed thereon. Adapted to have its lower facerest against the shoulder 143 on the shaft 126 isalower rotor 146 having a hollowed out section 147 into which projects theupper. extremity of the hollow shaft 126. A nut 148 fits over the screwthreaded portion 145 of thel shaft 126, and holds the lower rotor member 146 tight against the'shoulder 143 so that the rotor,

will rotate with the shaft without any give or vibration. Formed on the upper surface of the lower rotor 146 is an annular smooth working surface 149, which in the form I have shown, extends substantially at right angles to the axis of rotation of the shaft 126. The lower end of the shaft 125 has a complementary upper rotor 151, whose upper surface abuts against a shoulder 152 formed on the shaft 125. In this construction, the shaft 125 is formed with a frusto-conicalsurface 153, similar to the frusto-conical portion-144 formed on the shaft 126. The lower end of the shaft 125 is formed with screw-threads to receive a nut 154. My upper rotor 152 has a hollowed out portion 155 into which projects the lower end of the shaft 125, and the nut 154 holds the upper rotor 151 firmly in place on the shaft 125.l

- ing through the upper rotor isan inlet duct 157 whereby the material to be disintegrated may be fed directly on the film itself which exists between the working surfaces. A screw valve 158 can be used to regulate or prevent the flow of liquid through the duct 157, or the duct may be omitted entirely, if desired.

The duct 157'communicates with a duct 159 leading from the duct passing down the middle of the hollow shaft 125. By this system of ducts, materialmay .be fed directly from the center ofn the shaft 125 to the film itself. A screw valve 161 located below the entrance of the duct 159 into the central aperture of the shaft 125 can be used to regulate the flow of liquid down the center of the shaft 125, and

the fiow of liquid through the end o-f the shaft into the chamber formed bythe hollowed out spaces 147 and `155 of the lower'and upper rotors, respectively, can thus be regulated or entirely prevented.

By reason of the screw valves 158 and 161, material can be fed through the center oft-he shaft or directly on the filmor both, as de sired. Since the working surfaces can be rotated in opposite directions,-it is possible to obtain an extremely high relative velocity.A The working surfaces. however, are held fixedly apart, and the distance between them can be accurately adjusted by means of regulating the position of the upper working surface. As this modification of the mill is designed, the lower working surface is not adjustable. It is possible toghold 'one of the working surfaces stationary; or even to reshown in The u per shaft 125 supports a rotor 165 having a ollowed out portion 166, and a frustoconical working surface 167. As in the type of working surfaces shown in Fig. 1, it is possible to rotate the working surfaces in the same or in opposite directions, or to maintain onelof ,them at rest. By these various changes in the relative speeds of the working surfaces, different efectsmay be obtained, since by rotating. the working surfaces in the same direction, but at different speeds,

the total centrifugal effect may be increased,

Ordinarily in the form shown in Fig. 2, however, the working surfaces are adapted to be rotated in opposite directions. The centrifugal force acts outwardlyT and presses the particles tightly against the working surface 164, which is the outer working surface.' The centrifugal force then operates to hold the particles tightly `in contact with the moving y surface instead of tending to push the particle away from the moving surface, as for instance is the case inthe form of mill having a conical rotor surrounded by a conical stator. The

' particle, therefore, since it is held against a moving working surface is more strongly' acted upon by the disruptive forces existing in the film. To express the idea roughly, the

` particle is held to its job by the forces exerted upon it and theparticle and the film are given a greater circumferential velocity than is the 'case where the outer working surface is stationary.'

It`was found Iby computation based upon experimentation, as before stated, that inthe form of'mill where the outer or enclosing surface isstationary,'the velocity of the particle along its ath between the working surfaces' was coiisi erably lessi than h alf the velocity of y y l speeds, the forces at work within the film, inn Y the moving working surface. -Even. at high this type of niill havingan outer enclosing stator, were generally not sufficient to disintegrate hard substances such as barytes.

The essential feature of any apparatus producing disruptive forces in films of liquid, or suspensions of substances in liquid, confined between closely adiacent surfaces,- moving relatively .to one another at highspeeds, is to bring about the disruptive forces at as high a speed as possible, The. form of mill shown in'Fig. 2, and other forms vworking on a sim- 'ilar principle, since it holds the particles to the moving surface, tends to bring about the disruptive forces at a greater speed forFany away from the moving surface.

'te-nds" to force the liquid onthe rotating case of the large` rotor.

given speed of rotation, than is thecase where centrifugal force tends to carry the particles To makethis plain, referring tolFi 9, it can be stated that liquid entering the lm-or clearance space between the. surface R or vS moves in the. direction shown by the arrow X. When inside the film, the main forces at work'on the liquid are as follows: When the liquid comes-in c`ntact with the rotor, the latter imparts to it avelocity in a' circumferential d-ire ct1on,.and in fact, tends to carry the film around with it. Centrifugal force, however, is also imparted tothe liquid, tending to throw the liquid against the surface S, as indicated by the arrow 'l` The final component of this force along the direction indicated by the arrow V ejects the liquid from the film confines.

If instead of rotating the portionR of the apparatus diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 9 of the drawings,'this portion is allowed to remain stationary and the portion S isrotated, it will be found that the conditions lwill be changed when liquid passes through the film. Theliquid entering the film now comes in contactwith the revolving surface S, which tends to carry the film around with it circumferentially, as did the rotor 'R of the type in which R moved and S was stationary. lVhere the portion S is rotating, the centrifugal force surface S. It is clear, therefore, that the orces at work are all helping to maintainand increase the circumferential velocity of the liquid within the film.

The essential point 1n the improved method vof producing disruptive forces in films of liquid, or suspensions of liquids,- confined between closely adjacent surfaces rotating rela-l This insures that centrifugal force ruptive forces becomes more marked as the diameter of the rotating member xis reduced and the relative peripheral speeds kept the same.

It can be very simply shown that in two* ext-reine cases 'as mentioned below, the cen-y trifu'gal'forces at work are scarcely comf parable.

Take the case of one machinev in which the rotor is* 1'. in diameter and ro ating at sixty thousand revolutionsqper minute'and that of a rotor 15, diameter and rotating at four thousand revolutions per-minute.

While the peripheral speeds 'are thesame, thecentrifugal forces atwork in the case of thesmall rotor are many'times'thatfin-the this invention showstha't by :adoptin Vthe Aprinciple described herein, small mac ines can be made which will sults.V`

The-type of mill in which the outer working surfacey rotates causes, as has been eX- plained, a particle acted upon by the disruptive forces to beftightly pressed against give excellentl resuch working surface and in many instances er shaft 126 supports a rotor 172,- having a hollowed out portion 178, and a cylindrical working surface 174 adapted to lie adjacent to and overlap the working surface 171.- In

this form ofA mill it is obvious that an adjustmeiit of tlie thickness of the film has to be determined before the parts are assembled, since the longitudinal adjustment of the shafts will not vary the distance between the working surfaces, In this form of mill, as in Fig. 2, when the outer working surface only is rotated, suchsurface generates the entire centrifugal force, and such force tends to hold the particles tightly against this surface.

Evenv where both rotors are rotated, whatever centrifugal force is generatedV tends to press the particles against a surface which is itself moving, and under certain conditionsthe form of mill shown in Fig. 3has been found to hav-e increased efficiency over; the form in which the outer rotor. is stationary.

In the formf shown in Fig. 4`, the material is adapted to be fed between the working surface -of a disk-shaped upper rotor '175, fastenedto the upper shaft 125, and

the working surface of a lower, disk shaped rotor 176,l fastened to the lower shaft 126. The disk surfaces, as in otherforms of the mill having tw'o rotors adapted to rotate, may be made to rotate in the same or opposite directions or one" of them may be held still;` the working surfaces must move relatively at high velocity..y Surrounding the outer peripheries of the disk shaped rotors is a confining band 177, having preferably integrally formed therewith a lower confining fiange 178, and an upper confining fiange 179. The confining band 177 and the upper and lowerconfining flanges fit closely around lthe periphery of the disk shaped rotors,

and around the upper surface of theupper rotor, and the lower surface of the lower' rotor.

This confining structure retards the issuance of the film with the material to be f disintegrated therein, and tends to retain the film between the working surfaces for a greater length of time than would ordinarily bethe case. v to subject the vparticles to be acted u on to the disruptive forces for, a consi erable length oftime, and the action of the film` may thereby be increased.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a form havingv an upper rotor 181 with a cone shaped hollowed out portion 182, which latter constitutesthe input chamber of the mill. The rotor 181 is fastened tothe upper shaft 125, which in this particular type is not shown as hollowed out, though it may be provided with a duct.

.,In all forms having two movable working,

surfaces, ducts may be provided through both supporting shafts. The rotor 181 is made with a downwardly projecting fiange 183, having a smooth cylindrical working surface 184 enclosing a smooth cylindrical working surface 185, of a rotor 186 mounted on the lower shaft 126.

In Fig. 6 I haveshown a type of mill in which the members having the working surfaces may both be rotated. An upper rotor 187 is mounted on the upper shaft 125. A

hollowed out portion 188 provides the in-4 take chamber of the mill.

The intake chamber is shown somewhat larger than the type shown in Fig. 5, and is of frusto-conical shape. The upper rotor 187 is provided with a downwardly projecting annular flange 189 havinga horizontally projecting 'flange 191.

Suitably attached' by means at its bottoni. of bolts or-screws (not shown) t the flange 191, is an annular retarding member 192 whose inner edge projects beyond the cylindrical working surface 193 formed on the interior of theL downwardly projecting flange 189 of the upper rotor.

Mounted on the lower shaft 126 is a. lower rotor 194, whse working surface 195 is adapted to lie adjacent the cylindrical working surface 193 of the upper rotor. The annular retarding member 192 retards the passage of the film with its suspended particles therein from bet-Ween the confines of the working surfaces. V i

In the forms shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the outer vworking` surface may be. rotated, which causes the particles acted' upon to be firmly lheld againstvthe outer moving surface by In the form. shown in Fig. i. the outer` working surface is also adapted to rotate and the centrifugal force acts to hold the particles against the surface which is genera ting at least a portion o'f the film shear. In

Thus, the operator is enabled llO Fig. 7 I have shown an upper rctor 196 mounted on the upper shaft 125. The upper rotor 196 is lprovided with a small conical input chamber 197, and a frusto-conical downwardly :flaring wall 198, `On the inyterior of this downwardly flaring wall is a smooth frusto-conical working surface 199. Adapted to rotate within the smoot-h frustoconical working surface 199 is a lower rotor 201, having a smooth frust-o-conical working surface 202 adapted to lie adjacent the working surface 199. The lower rotor 201 is mounted on the lower shaft 126.

In Fig. 8 is illustrated still another type of mill which combines the frusto-conical features. y The form shown 'in Fig. 8 is practically the same as the form shown in Fig. 7,

withthe addition that the downwardly eX- tending wall 198 is provided with a horizontally extending flange 203 at its lower end, to which is fastened an annular retarding member 204, which lies adjacent to the? lower surface of the lower rotor and tends to hold the film for a relatively longer period within its confines between the working surfaces.

If the inner edge of the annular retarding member 204 be so arranged that it is vertically below the entrance to the clearance space between the two coacting working surfaces,

then the centrifugal force will no longer have a tendency to dispel the contents from the film confines, and the pressure of liquid in the film will be dependent upon the centrifugal force impartedto the'liquid by virtue of its coming .in contact with the rotating surface. To pass the liquid or suspension through the confines of the film, it will not be necessary to .apply pressure to it, o'r tosuck the liquid through the film from either side.

In the form of mill 'shown in Figure 1 and ure 1 are not self-feeding, but'the feed is controlled entirely by pressure applied' to the liquid in the input pipes. The rate of feed being, in this case, independent of rotor speed, it follows that the time during which the material is subjected to the action of the rotors iscontrolled entirely by pressure applied to the liquid in the in'put pipes before it enters the mill. In this way, the rotor speed and time of treatment can be made to bear almost any relation desired. For example, in treating very resistant material; it may be desired to have a high rotor speed and at the same time a long periodduring which the material is underA the action of the working surfaces of the rotors. This combination is only possible when rate of -feed is independent of rotor speed, as in the form of mill shown in Figure 1.

it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein set forth, by way of illustration, as it is 'appare-nt that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention, or exceeding .the'scope of the appended claims.

I claim 1. An apparatus for disintegrating particles, liquid or solid, comprising, rotatable members having ann'ular working surfaces, means for fixedly spacinfr said surfaces in very close proximity, shafts upon which the rotatable members are mounted; means for rotating the shafts so that the working surfaces move past each other at high velocity, and

means for introducing the liquid with susl pended particles therein in a thin film be-j tween the working surfaces at their inner peripheries, whereby the particles are disintegrated by reason of the disruptive forces within the film. y

2. An apparatus for disintegrating particles, liquid or solid, suspended in a liquid, comprising, rotatable members having annular working surfaces, means for fiXedly spac` ing said surfaces in very close proximity, hollow shafts upon which the rotatable members are mounted, means for rotating the shafts so that the working surfaces move past eazh other at high velocity, and means for introvferred embodiment of my invention,- I wish ducing the liquid in a thin film between the velocity, whereby particles subjected to theV film of liquid existing between the working surfaces are disintegrated by reason of the disruptive forces within the film.

4. An apparatus fordisintegrating particles, liquid or solid, suspended in a liquid comprising, rotatable members having annular working surfaces and coacting hollowed portions, means for fixedly spacing said surfaces in very close proximity, hollowedshafts upon which the rotatable members are mounted and through which substances may beintroduced into a chamber formed between the hollows 1n said rotatable members, and means for rotatlos` ing the shafts so that the working surfaces move past each other at high velocity.

5. An apparatus for disintegrating particles, liquid or solid, suspended in a liquid comprising, rotatable members having frustoconical working surfaces, means for fixedly spacing said surfaces in very close proximity, shafts on which the rotatable members are mounted, means for rotating the shafts so that the working surfaces move past each other at high velocity, and means for introducing liquid in a thin film between the working surfaces at their inner peripheries whereby the particles are disintegrated by reason of the disruptive forces within the film. l 6. An apparatus for disintegrating particles, liquid or solid, suspended in a liquid comprising, rotatable members, having frustoconical working surfaces provided with an input chamber between said members, means for fixedly spacing said surfaces in very close proximity, shafts upon which the rotatable members are mounted, means for rotating the shafts so that the working surfaces move past each other at high velocity, and means for introducing liquid in a thin film between the working surfaces, whereby the particles are disintegrated by reason of the disruptive forces within the film.

7. An apparatus for disintegrating particles, liquid or solid, suspended in a liquid comprising, rotatable members having smooth frusto-conical working surfaces provided with an input chamber between said members, means for fixedly spacing said surfaces in vvery close proximity, shafts upon which the rotatable members are mounted, means for rotating the shafts so that the workingsurfaces move past each other at high velocity, and means for introducing liquid in a thin film between the working surfaces, whereby the particles are disintegrated by reason of the disruptive forces within the film.

8. An apparatus for disintegrating particles, liquid or solid, suspended in a liquid comprising, rotatable members having cylindrical working surfaces, means for iixedly spacing said surfaces in close proximity, shafts upon which the rotatablemembers are mounted, means for rotating the shafts so that the working surfaces move past each other at high velocity, and means for introducing liquid in a thin film between the working surfaces, whereby the particles are disintegrated by reason of the disruptive forces within the film.

9. An apparatus for disintegrating particles, liquid or solid, suspendedAin afliquid comprising, rotatable members having cylindri-` cal working surfaces, an input chamber between said members, means for ixedly spacy ing-said surfaces in very close proximity,

shafts upon which the rotatable members are mounted, means for rotating the 'shafts so that the Working surfaces move past 'each other at high velocity, and means for introducing liquid in a thin film between the working surfaces, whereby theparticles are disintegrated by reason of the disruptive forces within the film.

l0. An apparatus for disintegrating particles, liquid or solid, suspended in a liquid comprising, rotatable members havingsmooth cylindrical working surfaces, an input cham'- ber between said members means for fixedly spacing said surfaces in very close proximity, shafts upon which the rotatable members are mounted, means for rotating the shafts so that the working surfaces move past each other' at high velocity, and means forintroducing liquid in a thin film between lthe working surfaces, whereby the particles are disintegrated by reason of the disruptive forces within the film.

ll. An apparatus for disintegrating parti- -cles, liquid or solid, suspended in a liquid comprising, rotatable members having annular working surfaces, means for fixedly spacing said surfaces in very close proximity, shafts upon which the rotatable members are mounted, means for rotating the shafts so that the working surfaces move past each other at high velocity, and impeding means adjacent the output side of the working surfaces for preventing the free flow of the film from between the surfaces.

12. An apparatus for disintegrating particles, liquid or solid, suspended in a liquid comprising, disk shaped rotatablemembers having annular working surfaces, means for fixedly spacing said surfaces in very close proximity, shafts upon which the rotatable members are mounted, means for rotating the shafts so that the working surfaces move past each other at high velocity, and a coniin- I ing band closely adjacent to the output side of said working surfaces for preventing the free flow of the film from between said surfaces.

13. An apparatus for disintegrating particles, liquid or solid, suspended in a liquid comprising, disk shaped rotatable members having annular working surfaces, means for ixedly spacing said surfaces in very close proximity, shafts upon which the rotatable members are mounted, means for rotating the shafts so that the working surfaces move past each other at high velocity, a confining band adjacent the output side of the working surfaces, and confining flanges pfoj ecting inward towards the axis of rotation of said members beyond their periphery and adjacent to their outer surfaces.

ducing the liquid in a film between said surfaces, and a retardin member adjacent the point of egress of the j lm, whereby .the particles are .disintegrated byreason of the disrupbtive forces within the film.

15. An apparatus foi'disintegrating particles, liquid vor solid, suspended in a liquid,

comprising, rotatable members having cylin drical working surfaces, means for lixedly spacing said surfaces in very close proximity,

shafts upon which the rotatable members are mounted, means for rotating the shafts so that the working surfaces move past each other at high velocity, and an annular retarding memthat the working surfaces ,move pasteach other at high velocity', and a retarding member adjacent the pointof egress of the film from its confines between the working surfaces. ,I

'17. An apparatus for disintegrating particles, liquid or solid, suspended in a liquid comprising, rotatable members having smooth conical working surface means foil iixedly spacing said surfaces in ery close proximity,

shafts u on which the rotatable members are inounte means for rotating the shafts so that the Working surfaces move. past each otherat high velocity, and a retarding member adjajent the point of egressof the film from its confines between the working surfaces. l 18. An apparatus for dismtegratmg particles, liquidl or solid, comprising, rotatable members having annular working surfaces,V

means for fixedly spacing said surfaces in very close proximity, shafts upon which the rotatable members are mounted, means for rotating the shafts so that the working surfaces move past each other at hi h velocity,

land means for introducing the iquid with suspended particles therein in a thin film between the working surfaces at their` inner perpheries, whereby the particles aredisin tegrated by reason of the disruptive forces within the film.

19. An apparatus for disintggrating particles, liquid or solid, suspended in a liquid comprising, rotatable members havinannular working surfaces, means for fixed y spacing said surfaces in very close proximity, hollow sliafts'upon which the rotatable members are mounted, means for rotating the shaftsso that the working surfaces move past each other at high velocity, and means for introducing liquid inl a thin lm between the working surfaces at their inner peripheries, -whereby the particles are ted b `reason of the disruptive forces wit inthe film.

20. AnA apparatusfor disintegrating particles, liquid or solid, suspended in a liquid comprising, closely adjusted adjacent surfaces oth relatively movable in either direction past the other .at high velocity, means for holding the surfaces ixedly spaced, means for causing such movement of said surfaces, and

means for introducin the fluid in a film between said surfaces w ereby the particles are disintegrated f by reason of. the disruptive forces within therlm.

21. An apparatus for disintegrating particles, liquid or solid, suspended in aliquid comprising, smooth clgsely adjacent surfaces both relatively movable in either direction ast the other at high velocity, means for hol g the surfaces fxedly spaced, means for causing such movement of said surfaces, and means for introduc' the fluid in Va film between saidsurfaces w ereby the particles are disintegrated by 22. An apparatus for disintegrating particles, liqiid or solid, suspended in a liquid com; A

prising, closely adjacent equi-distanti spaced surfaces both relatively movable in either direction past t-lieother at high velocity, means for holding the surfaces fixedly spaced,ineans for causing such movement of said surfaces,

, and means for introducing the fluid in a film .between said surfaces whereby the Aparticles are disintegrated by reason of the disruptive forces within the film."

23. `An apparatus for disintegrating parti cles, liquid or solid, suspended in a liquid comprising, smooth closely adjacent equi-distantly spaced surfaces both relatively movable in either direction past the other at high velocity, means for holding the surfaces fixedsol reason of thev disruptive' forces p within the film.

ly spaced, means for causing such movement 0f said surfaces, and means for introducing the fluid in a iilni between said surfaces whereby the particles are disintegrated by reason of the disruptive forces within the film.

24. An apparatus for disintegrating particles, liquid or solid, suspended in a liquid comprising two rotatable members havin smooth annular working surfaces closely adjacent to each other, means for holding the surfaces iixedly spaced, means for causing both mem-- bers to rotate with respect to the other, and

means fo'r introducing the liquid in a film between said woiking sui-faces, -whereby the particles are disintegrated by reason of the disruptive forces within the, film.

25. An apparatus for disintegrating particles, liquid` or solid, suspended in a liquid, cqmprising a member-having a smooth annular working surface, a second member having a smooth annular working surface, closely adjacent to, coextensive with, and equi-dis.

tantly spaced from the rstmentioneJd surface, means for holding the surfaces xedly spaced, means for causing each member to rotate in either direction with respect to the other, and means for introducing the liquid in a filmv between said working surfaces, whereby the articles are disintegrated by reason of the disruptive forces within the film.

26. An' apparatus for disintegrating particles, liquid or solid, suspended in a liquid, comprising'a member havin a smooth annular working surface, a secon member having a smooth annular workin surface,closely adjacent to, coextensive with, and equi-dis-` tantly spaced from the first mentioned surface, but having no points of contact therewith, means for holding the surfaces fixedly spaced, means for causing each member to rotate in either` direction with respect to the tween the working surfaces at their peripheries, whereby the particles 'are disintegrated by reason of the disruptive forces within the' film.

28.. An apparatus for'disintegratin ticles, liquid or solid, suspended in a liquid, comprising, rotatable members having annular working surfaces, means for fixedlyspacing said surfaces in very close proximity,

shafts, one of which is hollow, upon which the rotatable members are mounted, means for rotating lthe, shafts so that the working surfaces move past each other at high velocity, and means for introducing the i liquid in a thin film between the Working surfaces at their peripheries, whereby the particles are disintegrated by 'reason of the disruptive forces within thefilm.

29. An apparatus for disintegratingparticles, liquid or solid, suspended in la liquid comprising, rotatable members having annu- .lar working surfaces, means for {ixedly spac- -ing said surfaces in very close proximity,

shafts, one of which is hollow, upon which the rotatable membersare mounted, means for introducing substances on the working surfaces, and means Afor rotating both the shafts in eitherdirection, so that the working surfaces move past each other at high velocity, whereby particles subjected-to the film of liquid existing between the working surfaces are disintegrated by reason of the disruptive forces within the film.

par-4 which the rotatable members are mounted,

means whereby substances to be treated may be introduced into a chamber formed between the hollows in said rotatable members, and means for rotating both the shafts so that the working 4surfaces move past each other at high velocit-y. l

' 31. An apparatus for /disintegrating particles liquid or solid, suspended in a liquid comprising, rotatable members having annular working surfaces, means for ixedly spacing said surfaces in very closepi'oximity, shafts on which, the rotatable members are' mounted, means for rotating the shafts so that the working surfaces move past each other at high velocity, and means for introducing liquid in a thin film between the working surfaces at their peripheries, whereby the particlesare disintegrated by reason of the disruptive forces within th'e film.

32. An apparatus for disintegrating particles, liquid or solid, suspended in a liquid comprising, rotatable members, having annular working surfaces provided with an input chamber between said members, means for fixedly spacing said surfaces in very close proximity, shafts upon which the rotatable members are mounted, means for rotating the shafts so that the working surfaces move past each other at high velocity, and means for introducingfliquid in a thin film between the working surfaces, whereby the particles are disintegrated by reason of the disruptive forces within the film. i

83. An, apparatus for disintegrating par-` ticles, liquid or solid, suspended in a liquid comprising, rotatable members having smooth annular working surfaces provided with an input chamber between said'members, means for fiXedly spacing said surfaces in very close proximity, (shafts upon 4which 'the rotatablemembers are mounted, means IIN) for'rotating both the shafts in either direetion so that'the working siiyfaces move past each other at high velocit ,and means for introducing liquid ina thin film between the working surfaces, whereby the particles are disintegrated by reason'of the disruptive forces within the film.

34. An apparatus for disintegrating particles, liquid or solid, suspended in a liquid comprising-rotatable members having annular-working surfaces, means for fixedly spacing said surfaces in close proximity, shafts "upon which the rotatable members are mount'- ed, means for rotating the shafts so that the working surfaces move past each other at high velocity, and means for introducing liquid ina thin film between the Working Alao so that theworking surfaces move past each other at high velocity, means for. passing the liquid with suspended particles therein into and out of the input chamber, and means for introducing said liquid 4in a thin film between the working surfaces, whereby the particles are` disintegrated'by reason of the disruptive forces withinthe film.

36. An apparatus for disintegrating particles, liquid or solid, suspended in a liquid comprising, rotatable members having smooth annular working surfaces, an input chamber between said members, meansfor fiXedly spacing. said surfaces in very close proximity, shafts upon which the rotatable.

members are mounted, means for rotating both the shafts. in either direction 'so that the working surfaces move past each other at high velocity, and means for introducing liquid in a thin film between the working surface of one member being coextensivel surfaces', whereby the particles are disintegrated by reason of the disruptive forces within the film.

37.4 An apparatus for disintegrating particles, liquid or solid, suspended in a liquid comprising, disk shaped rotatable-members each having a bevelled edge and an annular working surface, means for fixedly spacing said surfaces in very close proximity, shafts uporr which the .rotatable members are mounted, means for rotating the shafts so that the working surfaces move past each other at high velocity, and means whereby one of said members may be adjusted with reference to the other so as to vary the 'space between their working surfaces.

38. An apparatus for disintegrating par-` ticles, liquid or solid, suspended in aliquid comprising, two members with closely adjacent annular working surfaces, the working with the working surface of theI Aother member, means for causing said surfaces to move in opposite directions at high and equal velocities, means Vfor introducing the liquidin a film between lsaid surfaces, and means for axially adjusting one of said members with reference to the other to varythe thickness of the liquid containing the particles to .theA

VInova le-one past the other in either direcperipheries and adjacent surfaces of two closely adjacent, annular members each rotating at high and equal velocity `in opposite directions, whereby the liquid is reduced to a thin film and the centrifugal action of said surfaces on the liquid film is substantially V neutralizedj and said liquid film is subjected to the shearing action of the rapidly moving closely spaced working surfaces of the annular members and the particles disintegrated by the disruptive forces within the film itself.

40. A method of disintegrating particles suspended in a liquid, comprising passing the liquidv containing the particles between two closely adjacent, annular members each rotating at high and equal ve? locity in opposite directions whereby a very thin film of the liquid is subjected to the ac# tion of the closely adjacent working surfaces of the annular members, the centrifugal action of said surfaces on the liquid film is substantially neutralized and the particles of said liquid film are disintegrated by reason of the disruptive forces within the -flrn itself. i 41. A method of disintegrating particles suspended in a liquid comprising the "subjection of a very thin film of the liquid with the suspended particles therein to the action of closely adjacent fixedly spaced surfaces each relatively movable one past the other in either direction at highl velocity, applying pressure to the liquid entering the film and retarding` by back pressure the ejection of the film to increase internal friction in the film, whereby the particles are disintegrated by reasqn of the disruptive forces within the film itsel 42. A method of disintegrating particles suspended in a liquid comprising theA subjection of a very thin film of the liquid with the suspended particles therein to the action of closely adjacent fixedly spaced surfaces each relatively movable one past the other in either direction at high velocity, applying pressure to the li uid entering the film and additionally impeding the ejection of the film by a resisting pressure, the particles being disintegrated by the disruptive forces thus creaated Within the film itself. i

43. A method of disintegrating particles suspended in a liquid comprising the subjection of a very thin film of the liquid with the suspended particles thereinto the action of closel `'adjacent fixedly spaced surfaces each tion at'high velocity, applying pressure to the liquid entering the film and additionally reducing the speed of ejection of the film by a countcrpressure whereby the particles are retainedbetween the working surfaces for a longer time than when normal ffow of the film is permitted, and the disruptive forces within the film are thereby increased.

44. A method of disintegrating particles suspended ina liquidlcompiising the subjection of a very thin film of the liquid with the suspended particles therein to the action of closely adjacent iixedly spaced surfaces each relatively movable one past the other in either direction at high velocity, applying pressure to the liquid entering the film and partially obstructing the normal iow lof the film between the moving surfaces by a resisting counterforce so as to increase the action of th(` disruptive forces within the film itself.

45. A method of disintegrating particles suspended in a liquid comprising the su jec.

tion of a very thin lin of the liquid with the suspended particles therein lto the action ofr closely adjacent fixedly spaced surfaces each movable one past the other in either direction at high velocity, applying pressure to the liquid entering the film and additionally impeding the velocity of ejection of the film by a counter pressure, the particles being-disintegrated by the disruptive forces within the film, said disintegration increasing with the increase of said counterpressure by reason of the increased time during which said dis-I `r1111p1tive forces' act on the particles within the 4d. l Arv method .of disintegrating particles" suspended in a liquid comprising the subjection of a very thin film ofthe liquid with tlie suspended particles' therein to the action of closely adjacent fixedly spaced surfaces each movable one past the other in either direction. at high velocity, and substantially neutralizing the centrifugall actioni of the moving surfaces on the film by rotating them at the 'same speed in fpposite directions.

v 47. A method of isintegrating particles suspended in a li uid comprising the subjection of a very thin film of the liquid with the suspended particles therein to the action of closel adjacent xedly spaced surfaces each mova le one past theotherin eitherdirction vat high velocity, substantially neutralizing the centrifugal action ofthe moving ,surfaces on the film by rotating them at the same speed in o posite directions and applyingpressure to t e liquid entering the film to force-it between said moving surfaces and control the rate-of flow of said liquid.

48.. A' method of disintegrating particles suspended in a liquid comprising the subjection of a very thin film of the li uid with the suspendedparticles therein to t e laction-of closely adjacent fixedly spaced 'surfaces each movable one past the other in either direction at high velocity, lsubstantially neutralizing the centrifugal actior. of the moving surfaces on the film by rotating them at the same speed in opposite directions, and controlling the time of action of said moving surfaces on said film by ing the 49. An apparatus for disintegrating parpli-:lssure ,appliedito the liquid enter-v ticles suspended in a liquid fihn comprising closely adjacent fixedly spaced working surfaces, both movable in either direction past the other at high velocity, means for causing such movement of such surfaces, and means for substantially neutralizing the centrifugal action of the moving surfaceson thefilm.

50. An apparatus for disintegrating particles suspended in a liquid film comprising closely adjacent'fixedly spaced working surfaces both movable in either direction past the other at high velocity, and means for moving said surfaces at high and equal velocities in opposite directions so as to subthe vmoving surfaces on the film.

51. An ap aratus for disintegrating particles suspended in a liquid film comprising closely adjacent fixedly spaced :working surfaces, both movable in either direction past *the other at high velocity, means for moving said surfaces at highand equal velocities in opposite directions so as to substantially neutralize the centrifugal effect of the moving surfaces on the film, and means for apllying pressure tothe liquid enterin the in to force it to flow between said wor ing surfaces ailirclrl1 lcontrol the rate of flow of said liquid l 52. An apparatus for disintegrating particles suspended in a liquid film comprising closely adjacent :tixedly spaced workingsurfaces, both movable in either direction past the other at high velocity, means for moving said surfaces athigh and equal velocities in opposite directions so as to substantially neutralize the centrifugal effect of the moving surfaces on the film, and means for controlling the time of action of said working surfaces on said film independent of the motion of said moving surfaces. j

53. An apparatus for disintegrating particles suspended in a liquid film comprising closely adjacent fixedly spaced working surfaces,` both movable in either direction .past the other/'at high velocity, means for' moving said surfaces at high and equal velocities in opposite directions so as to .substantially neu- Itralize the centrifugal effect of the moving surfaces on the film, and means for controlling the time of action of said working surfaces on said film by applying pressure to the stantially neutralize the centrifugal eii'ect of one of said members with reference to the other to vary the thickness of the lm, whereby the particles are disintegrated by reason of the disruptive forces within the film.

55. An apparatus for disintegrating particles, liquid or solid, suspended in a liquid comprising', two members with closely adjacent annular working surfaces, the working surface of one member being coextensive with the working surface of the other member,

means for causing said 4surfaces to move in opposite directions at high and equal velocities, means for putting pressure on the liquid to force the film between said surfaces, and means for axially adjusting one of said members with reference to the other to vary the thickness of the lm, whereby the particlesare disintegrated by reason of the disruptive forces within the film.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

FREDERICK iouu EDWIN cum.

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