US2026510A - Centrifugal machine and the like - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 31, 1935. V-WHMOYER 2,026,510

CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE AND'TI IE LIKE Filed April 26 193 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 91 \\l \|L\|||| a a IIIIIIIWH WWII lllTlli llllll 0 19 'QOO QOOQO OOOOODO [000000000000 ooJoL OQOOOOOOOOOOOO INVENTOR:

mzzmmjim WCQ/Q W ATTORNE Dec. 31, 1935. w H, MQYER 2,026,510

CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE AND THE LIKE Filed April 26, 1934 5 Shiets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. mlliamji-jno e1;

Dec. 31,1935. h w H E 2,026,510

I CENTRIFUGALMACHINE AND THE LIKE Filed April 26, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR:

Dec. 31, 1935. w. H. MOYER CBNTRI FUGAL MACHINE AND THE LIKE Filed April 26, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR: IViZZiamJi-I'b ycz; 5

ATTORNE E E F Dec. 31, 1935.

w. H. MOY ER CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE AND THE LIKE Filed April 26, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 7/fiflfiw N. wn g ZM i r in a m% l in Z G x l i. F mm m- E m N T m'zzm 7 ATTORN m Al Patented "31, 1935' PATENT oFrIca 2.026.510 CENTRIFUGAL momma AND 'rna mm William H. Moyer, West Lawn, Pa., assignor to Textile Machine Works, Wyomissing, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 26, 1934, Serial No. 722,412

10 Claims.

This invention relates generally to rotary and centrifugal machines, and particularly to safety mechanism for machines of the type disclosed in -Meyer Patent No. 1,750,016, issued March 11, 1930,

5 and in a pending application of Christian F. Meyer, Serial No. 476,360, filed August 19, 1930, which application is assigned to the assignee of the present application.

In machines of various types, having units or parts thereof rotating at high speeds, especially in centrifugal machines, such as hydro-extractors, accidents frequently occur, when the hands or clothing of the operator come into contact with the revolving parts, and it is therefore important to prevent access to the machine while the unit is revolving. Usually, such machines are completely encased in a suitable housing, and heretofore it has been proposed to maintain the cover of the housing locked while the driving power is ;0 being supplied to the machine. In the case of high-speed machines, however, the machine may continue to run for a considerable period of time after the power has been discontinued, and the "lrlsk of injury is present'until the parts come 5 to a full stop."

One of the objects of my invention is to provide novel means for maintaining the cover closure. of the machine housing positively locked at all times, when the revolving unitis in motion,

0 and to automatically release said locking means when the unit has come to a full stop.

Another object is to provide, in a machine of the foregoing character, an actuating member movable or cscillatable between two positions for 5 controlling the condition of a device responsive thereto in accordance with the operating condition of the rotatable unit of themachine, the actuating member being operatively connected to the unit. at predetermined times during the rotation thereof, and moved to said second position by the moment of rotation of the rotating unit, or the action created by the operative connection of the actuating member to the rotatable unit. Specifically, and by way of example only, a mo- 5 tor-driven-centrifugal extractor has a. rod member associated with-the machine brake, and movable, from an unlocking position to a locking position, for locking the cover of the housing in which the machine is enclosed, the cover being locked by the rod when theunit is rotating, by reason of its momentumafter the switch, which controls the current supply to the driving motor, has been opened. At this time, the brake engages the rotating unit, and the unit, by reason of its moment of'rotation, exerts a torque on the brake, which action is transmitted to the rod member for moving it to locking position, in which position it is maintained until the rotating unit comes-to a full stop, after which the rod member is returned to unlocking position. 5

A further object is toutilize, in a machine of the type disclosed in the above-mentioned patent and copending application, a displacing movement of the rotating unit relative to a fixed housin8. which movement is the result of a torque developed by the reaction between the rotating unit and a member operatively associated therewith, such, for example, as the torque action set up by the application of a brake to the rotating unit, the displacing movement of the unit control.-

. ling a, locking or other responsive means, and automatically causing the release or other operation of the responsive, means by return of the unit, upon cessation of rotation thereof, to a position determined by its static axis.

A further object is to provide a brake mechanism coactlng with the housing locking mechanism, whereby unlocking and opening of the housing closure member is prevented, when the operating parts are in motion, notwithstanding that the brake is applied, and unlocking of the locking mechanism is possible only when the operating parts have come to a full stop.

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, my invention resides in the novel elements of construction, mechanisms, and combination of parts in cooperative relationship, as hereinafter more particularlypointed out inthe claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevationof a centrifugal drying machine embodying my invention, part of the casing being broken away to more clearly show the drying mechanism proper, and having certain other parts in section;

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view taken on line .2-"2

of Fig. 1; I

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail, in elevation, of latch mechanism for controlling the lock for the cover guard of the machine, looking in the direction of the arrows 3-3, Fig. 2, the machine housing having been removed;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section, taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, viewed in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan similar to Fig. 2, showgig the several parts in another operating posion; I

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail in elevation, similar to Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows 6--6 in Fig. 5, the housing having been removed;

parts illustrated in Fig. 1. showing them in different positions;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional .plan view taken on the line of Fig. 10, and

Fig. 12 is a diagram of a modified form of the invention.

A practical application of" my invention is to centrifugal extractors (shown in the present instance as of the portable type) used in dyehouses, laundries and homes for extracting water or other fluids from fabrics, during or after the process of dyeing or laundering.

Referring to the drawings, the machine, as shown, comprises a housing 20 of suitable design having a hinged safety cover or guard device 2|, and a hinged mounting 23, and which cover, when raised, provides access to a container or basket 24 for receiving the fabrics to be dried, the container having its side walls perforated, as shown, to permit the passing therethrough of water or other fluid.

The container 24 is part of a gyrating unit, which further comprises a driven shaft 26, to which the basket is attached, a driving shaft 21, a centrifugal clutch mechanism 28, interposed between the driving and driven shafts, and attached to the former, and an electric drivin motor 29, all suitably housed and suspended within the machine housing 20, by a plurality of rods 30 suspended from stationarysupporting members 3|. The rods are provided with universal bearings 33 and 35 at the upper and lower ends thereof, respectively, the lower ends carrying yielding pads 35a, of live rubber, cooperating with brackets 34 that are attached to the housing of the gyrating unit, the pads 35a absorbing or damping out vibrations set up in the gyrating unit.

The detail construction of the centrifugal clutch 28 is not illustrated in the drawings, but any clutch suitable for the purpose may be employed as, for example, the clutch disclosed in my Patent No. 1,910,352, issued May 23, 1933.

The gyrating unit is enclosed in a housing 36, on which are carried a pair of stanchions 31 providing pivots for arms 38. Each arm 38 has pivotaliy connected thereto, a brake shoe member 39 for engagement with the rotatable face of the clutch mechanism 28, and, when in the positions indicated in Figs. 2 and 5, to hold it against rotation. The arms 38 are conformingly curved about the housing, and the outer free ends thereof are disposed adjacent to each other at a position 43 substantially equidistant between the respective pivots 31.

The outer free ends ofthe arms are each provided with a roller 4| for coaction with the inclined faces 42a, Fig. 9, of a cam block 42 fixed to a vertically-reciprccable shaft 43. The shaft 43 is reciprocated in bearings 45, and cam 42 is maintained in a proper plane by a guide pin 44 fixed to the cam and slidable in the top bearing 45. Close to the outer free end of each of the arms 88, is an apertured lug 46, through which a guide rod 41 extends. The outer ends of this rod are provided with stops 49, and, mounted upon the rod 41 between the stops 46 and 49, are expansion springs 49 of equal strength. This 5 structure forms an equalizing device, which tends to hold the rollers 4| in continuous contact with the faces 42a of the cam block 42.

Vertical movement of the shaft 43 causes the cam block 42 to either permit the arms 39, and 10 therewith the brake shoes 39, to come closer together to stop the clutch housing 28 from rotating, or to move-them apart, and permit the clutch to operate to rotate the container 24. The normal tendency of the springs 49 is to cause the 15 cam block 42 and the shaft 43 to rise, thus facilitating application of the brake.

Mounted upon the housing wall 36 of the gyrating unit, is a pivot pin 5|, upon which is mounted a lever 52. One end of the lever 52 has 20 a yoke 53 embracing the vertically reciprocable shaft 43, and the yoke has a bifurcated portion 54 embracing a pin 55, whichextends through the shaft 43. Turning the arm 52 in either direction imparts motion to the shaft 43 to operate 26 the brake shoes 39. The opposite end of the arm 52 is provided with an open boss 56 providing a -socket seat for the ball end 51a. of a link rod 51. The opposite end of the rod 51 is provided with a ball 56 seated loosely in a socket on the to outer free end of a rocker arm 59. The lower end of rod 51 is further provided with nuts for adjusting the rod relative to the arms 52 and 59.

Horizontally mounted in suitable bosses Ila 35 fixed to supports 3|, is a shaft 6| adapted to be turned in the direction of arrow A, Fig. 6, for starting the motor, this shaft being turnable in its bearings and normally urged in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow A, Fig. 40 6, by a coiled spring 62 surrounding it and having anchorage, at one end, in the fixed support 3|a and, at its opposite end, in a lever 63 that is fixed to the shaft 6|.

The lever 63 is the starting lever, which controls the clutch operation, and thereby, the rotation of the basket 24, and, when in the position, indicated in Figs. 6 and 7, is inoperative, the normal tendency of the spring 62 being to hold it thus. The lever 63 has attached thereto a suit- 60 able connection to an electric switch 64 whereby, when the lever is partially depressed, and prior to attaining its latched position, an electric circuit is completed to start the motor.

An auxiliary or stopping lever unit, in cooperation with the lever 63, comprises a frame support 65, supporting a short shaft 66, on one end of which is secured a lever 61, and, on the other end of which is secured a substantially bell crank structure 68, Fig. '7. A latch lever 69, secured to the shaft 66, is provided, at its upper free end, with an overhanging finger 19, which coacts with a lug portion ll of the lever 63. A second lug portion Ila of the lever 63, limits the movement of lever 69 to prevent the finger Hi 65 from moving out of the path of the lug H.

The lever 61, the bell crank 68 and the latch lever 69 are all held in the positions shown in Fig. 7, by a spring 13, one end of which is attached to one arm of bell crank structure 68, and 70 the other end of which is attached to a fixed stud on the stationary frame of the unit 65.

The shaft 6| extends beyond one of its supports 3|a, on which extension it carries an arm '15 fixed thereto for movement with the shaft. 76

The outer free end 18 of the arm 15 is forked to embrace a vertically reciprocable shaft 'l'|,

the tines of which engage a pin 18 extending transversely through the shaft 11, as indicated in Fig. 6. Rocking motion, which is imparted to the shaft 8| through the.lever 83; causes the arm 15 to engage the pin 18, and to thereby move the shaft 'l'l upwardly. The shaft ll is maintained in its vertical path by means of a fixed cylindricalguide 19, supported, at its lower end, by a bracket structure 88, and terminating, at its upper end, ina shoulder-and-pin structure 8|, the function of which is, like that of the slide rod 49 in said pending application, i. e., to lock the cover or guard 2| in its closed position.

The cover 2| is connected to the housing 20, by the hinge mounting 23, comprising a link member 82, the ends of which are pivotally connected, respectively, to the cover and 'to the housing, as shown in Figs. 1 and 10, to permit the cover to be shifted horizontally a limited distance, while closed, and swung into open position, as indicated by the dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 10. A projection 83, on the upper end of the link 82, serves as a stop for the cover, when the latter is in its raised or open position, and a fiat face 84, on the lower end thereof, acts as a stop against the face of the housing 20, when the cover is shifted horizontally for unlatching.

A slide plate 85 is movably mounted in a guide slot 88 of a bearing member 81 (see Figs. 1 and 11) and connected, for movement with the link 82, by projections 88 fixed to the plate and extending into grooves 89 in the link 85. An aperture 99 is provided in the plate 85 for permitting the upper reduced end 8| of the shaft I1 -to pass therethrough, when the cover 2| is in the properly closed position, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1. In this position, a latch member 9|, at the left-hand side of the cover 2|, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 10, engages a flange portion of the housing 28, and prevents the cover from being raised to open position.

In order to open the cover, it is necessary to first permit thewithdrawal of the pin 8| from the aperture 80 in the slide plate 85, and then shift the cover horizontally until the latch member 9| disengages the housing flange, before the cover can be raised for access to the container 24. In orderthat the pin 8| may be positively positioned in the aperture 98, an opening 92 is provided, in the bearing member 81, which extends entirely therethrough and permits'the pin 8| to pass entirely through the aperture 90 and into the portion of the opening 92 above 'the sliding plate 85, thereby providing a positive lock against the shifting of the cover.

When the lever 83 is unlatched, and in its' inoperative position, the shaft l'l will have dropped by its own weight to the position shown in Fig. 6. The bracket 89 further provides a slot 85 which cooperates with a pin 86, in the shaft 'l'l, to insure proper alignment between the pin 18 and the fork I8.

The shaft 11 is free to be raised independently of the lever mechanism, above described, through the movement of a cam surface I08, Figs. 3 and 4, that is operated by a torsional movement of the gyrating unit, as the unit moves upon its supporting rods 30 under the influence of the braking action.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8, a bracket 88 is attached to the same support that carries the bracket 88. The free end of the bracket 98 pivotally supports an arm 99, the outer freeend of which carries the cam face I88 for-cooperation with the lower end of rod Fast to the arm 99,

adjacent to its pivot, is aspring contact finger projecting from the pivot substantially oppositely to the direction of projection of the arm 99 to a position normally opposite or engaging a portion of the gyrating unit support for movement thereby, as indicated in Fig. 8. Upon electrically dis- I connecting the motorand applying the brake shoes 89, the inertia of the basket causes torsional movement of the basket support against the spring finger IN. This action causes the arm -99 to move about its pivot, on the bracket 98, to thereby move the cam face I88 from the 15 position, shown in Fig. 6, to the position, shown in Fig. 3, whereby the rod 11 is actuated, and the pin 8| is raised within the aperture 90 to lock the cover 2| in closed position.

As soon as the brake is applied, the resultant torque acts, as above indicated, to keep the cover locked, whereby access to the basket 24 cannot be haduntil it has come to a dead stop.

The bell crank structure 68, Fig. 7, operates to trip-the latch lever 88 when the basket is unevenly 25 loaded, or when the load shifts, to prevent excessive vibration, which is sometimes set up, and is objectionable not only in its noise but as detrimentalto the life of the machine.

The longer arm of the bell crank 88 is constructed and positioned to lie close to the face ,of the gyrating unit support,'with sumcient clearance to avoid contact therewith under normal operation but to engage the same should excessive vibration occur, whereupon the shaft 88, upon which the arm is mounted, will be rocked to cause the latch lever 88 to move, to release the starting lever 83, and to operate electric switch 84, and thereby move the brake shoes to brake the clutch 28.

A drip shelf or trough I82 is arranged within 40 the casing 28, beneath the container 24 and above the operating mechanisms, for catching the liquid as it is forced out of the fabric and through the perforations in the side wall of the container to an outlet I03 in the wall of the housing 20,

In operation, with the'cover 2| raised, the fabrics to be dried are placed in the container 24.

- At this time, the vertical-shaft latching member TI rests in its lowermost position and is blocked against upward movement by the slide plate 85 of. the hinge structure 23. The lower end of the shaft 11' occupies the position, as illustrated in Fig. 6, and the pin 18 cooperates with the forked end 18 of the lever 15 to hold the shaft 8|, and to thereby hold the starting lever 83 in inoperative position, in which the brake shoes 38 are in holding engagement with the drum of the clutch mechanism 28, and rotation of the container 24 is prevented (see Fig. 5). Manipulation of the starting lever 83, at this time, is thus obstructed, and rotation of the container 24 rendered impossible.

When the container has been loaded, the cover is'lowered and drawn into. the latched position,

shown in Fig. 1, at which time the openings 98 and 82 are aligned to permit the free passage of the restricted upper end 8| of shaft 17.

With the machine thus ready for power application, the lever 63 is depressed to engage the notch 12 in the lever 88, during which lowering 7o movement and prior to latching in the notch, it engages the arm of the electric switch 84, thereby c..osing the circuit of the motor 29. The motor drive shaft 21 rotates to turn the attached elements of the centrifugal clutch 28, which, when sufilcient momentum is obtained,- grips the inner walls of that portion of the clutch attached to the driven shaft 20.

when the lever 83 is depressed to the limit of its movement, against the action of spring 02, it rocks the shaft 6 I ,.and the lug II is then engaged, and held in the notch II of lever 00. Movement of shaft BI has a dual result. The arm I5, at one end of the shaft, engages the pin 18 in the latching shaft TI to lift the latter and cause its restricted upper end 8| to enter the aligned openings 90 and 92-01 the hinge structure 23 of cover 2|, thereby locking the shaft 'II in its latched position. At the same time, the arm 09, at the opposite end of the'shaft GI, is raised (see Figs. 8 and 9) to exert a pull on the rod 51, thereby rocking the arm 52 on its pivot ii and, through the connection with the shaft 43, causing the latter to move downwardly to lower the cam block 02. This action moves the arms 38, and moves the brake shoes 30 away from the dnun of the clutch mechanism 28, against the action of the springs 40, to release the brakes.

With the brakes released, the centrifugal clutch 28 imparts motion to the driven shaft 26, and to the container 24 to expel the liquid from the fabric.

Gyrating motion of the unit causes it to gradually depart from its static axis, and as the maximum speed is approached to seek a balance about a definite dynamic axis, which is maintained throughout the normal operation of the unit.

The relative positions assumed by the various parts when the brakes are first applied, and prior to the cessation of rotation of the container, and the resultant position of the supporting rods 30 and other elements are illustrated in Fig. 2.

The spring finger IOI, that is supported from one of the relatively fixed elements is moved at this time by the torque action causing the arm 89 to swing on its pivot, and carry its cam face I00 into contact with the bottom of locking shaft I1, (see Fig. 3), thereby holding the upper end of the shaft in position in the openings and 92 to prevent imlatching of the cover 2 I.

Assuming, the unit inoperation, when the switch is opened, to stop the unit, the brakes are instantaneously applied to the centrifugal unit. By reason of the moment of rotation of the centrifugal unit when the brakes are applied, a reaction occurs between the centrifugal unit and its stationary support through the flexible mounting such that the mounting is rotated, in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, to the position there shown, which action through the cam face I00 actuates and maintains the shaft 11 in locking position, which position is maintained until the centrifugal unit comes to a dead stop, at which time the flexible mounting and the centrifugal unit return to their normal static positions (Fig. 5), and the pressure on the spring finger IN is released. The weight of the rod I! causes it to act against the cam face I00 on the arm 99 and, as the spring finger IOI releases its pressure on the latter, the arm moves away, causing the rod IT to slide down the cam face I00, and out of the aperture in the slide plate 05. The several parts then have relative positions, as indicated in Fig. 6. With the rotations of the basket completely stopped, the restricted portion 8| has automatically disengaged the slide plate 85, and it is possible to slide the cover laterally from its latched position, in order that it may be raised to its open position, indicated in Fig. 10. Access to the open top of container 24 is now possible for the removal of the treated fabrics, and releading the container for a subsequent operation.

If during the rotation of the container, excessive vibrations be set up, by the shifting of the load therein, from initial faulty loading, or from 5 other cause, the gyrating unit will engage and move-the bell crank lever 00, to cause it to rock the shaft' 80, thereby moving the arm 00 to release the starting lever 03, to interrupt the motor circuit, and to apply the brakes, thus causing m the machine to stop.

The bell crank lever 00 operates in unison with the release lever 01, since both are fixedly mounted on the shaft 00, and the crank is held in normal position by the spring I8. Movement of the u crank in the opposite direction is limited by engggegent of the lever II with thestop II (see Whether the machine is stopped by vibration, or by manual manipulation, the torque action of an the'gyrating unit is the same, and the cover 2i may not be opened, by reason of the actions of the finger IOI the arm 09 and cam face I00, which act upon the vertical latching shaft 11, to maintain it in its raised, locked position until the a: basket 24 has come to a complete stop.

As indicated in Fig. 12, the movement of the shaft 'I'I maybe utilized to operate any other suitable safety device, control means or indicator, such as a lamp I05, by suitable means such as a a: pin I08 projecting laterally from the shaft, thru' a slotted portion 19a of the guide member 10. and cooperating with an electric switch I01 controlling a circuit I08 for the lamp, energized from a source of current supply I 00, in accordance 3; with the operation of the device as above set forth. Preferably, and as shown, when the shaft I1 is in unlocking position, the lamp is lighted, thus indicating that the centrifugal unit has come to a complete stop, at which time the cover 44 2 I may be opened.

Of course, the improvements specifically shown and described, by which I obtain the above results, can be changed and modified. in various ways without departing from the scope of the a invention herein disclosed and hereinafter claimed.

I claim: 7

1. A centrifuge comprising a housing, a basket therein, a cover for the housing, means for lock- 5( ing the cover, a motor for rotating the basket, elements for mounting the basket to shift laterally of its rotative axis, by which shifting movement it may move between positions of static and dynamic balance, and means responsive to a pre- 5; determined degree of said shifting movement of the basket for controlling the motor and releasing the locking means.

2. In combination, a rotatable unit, driving means therefor, elements for mounting the unit 64 to have movement other than movement about a fixed axis, a safety device for the unit, means for braking the rotative movement of the unit, means for preventing operation of the unit when the safety device is inoperative, said means providing for operation of the unit when the safety device is operating and said last means maintaining the safety device in operation when the unit is being driven, and resilient means responsive to operation of said braking means to maintain the 7 safety device in operation after the drive is discontinued from the unit and until the unit has come substantially to rest.

3. In combination, a rotatable unit, actuating means therefor, a safety device for the unit, ele- 7 2,028,510 I ments for mounting the unit to have movement other than about a fixed axis, means for preventing operation of the unit when the safetydevice is inoperative, said preventing means providing for operation of the unit when the safety device is operating and said last means maintaining the safety device in operation when the unit is being actuated, and means responsive to said other movement of the unit to maintain the safety device in operation after discontinuance of actuation of the unit by said actuating means and until the unit has come substantially to rest, said last means being operable-independ-' ently of said preventing means.

4. In combination, a rotatable unit, driving means, a safety device for the unit, elements for mounting the unit to have movement other'than movement about a fixed axis, means for preventing operation of the unit when the safety device is inoperative, said preventing means providing for operation of the unit when the safety device is operating and said last means maintaining the safety device in operation when the unit is being driven, and means including an element movable by the unit for maintaining the safety device in operation after discontinuance of operation of the unit by said driving means and until the unit has comeisubstantially to rest.

5. In combination, a rotatable unit, driving and safety elements for the unit, means for mounting the unit to have movement other than rotative movement about a fixed axis, means for preventing rotation of the unit when the safety element is inoperative, said preventing means providing for operation of the unit when the safety element is operating and maintaining the safety element in operation when the unit is'being driven, means responsive to said other movement for controlling one of said elements, and resilient means operative after the drive is discontinued from the unit to maintain the safety element in operation and until the unit has come substantially to rest.

6. In combination, a rotatable unit. driving means, a safety device for the unit, elements for mounting the unit to shift laterally of its axis, by which movement it may move between positions of static and dynamic balance, a brake for the unit, means for preventing operation of the unit when the safety device is inoperative, said means providing for operation of the unit when the safety device is operating and maintaining the safety device in operation when the unit is operating, means responsive to a predetermined degree of said shifting movement of the unit adapted to provide a supplemental control for the safety device, and resilient means responsive to operation of the brake and cooperative with said last means to maintain the safety device in operation after the discontinuance of the unit drive and until the unit has come substantially to rest.

7. In' combination, in a centrifuge, a housing, a unit including a support shiftably mounted in the housing and carrying a motor, a motordriven load element; a brake element rotatable with the load element and a brake shoe on said unit is rotating, for maintaining the 1 cover in support, a cover for the housing, a lock on the housing for the cover, control means operable when the cover is closed to energize and deenergize the motor, said control means operating to apply the brake shoe to said brake element when 5 the motor is deenergized to cause shifting movement of said unit, and mechanism operating between the lock and the control means for biasing the lock to locking position when the motor is energized and between the lock and said unit to 10 bias the lock to locking position in response to said shifting movement.

- 8. In combination, in'a centrifuge, a structure including a main base and a housing, aunit in the housing comprising a support fioatingly 15 mounted on the base by suspended rods spaced about the vertical axis'of the housing and connected between the main base and the unit support, said unit comprising a rotary element on said support including a motor, a motor-oper- 20 ated load member and a brake member, a'cooperating brake element on the unit support, a cover for the housing, a latch for holding the cover to the housing, means for mounting the cover on the housing to have opening and clos- 25 ing movement relative thereto and having shifting movement relative thereto to release said latch, a lock element movable with the opening and closing movements of the cover, a lock rod for locking cooperation with said lock element when 30 the cover is closed, a motor switch, operating means for closing the switch and moving the lock rod to locking position, a lock-control device operatingbetween the lock rod and a portion of said unit, and means for opening the 35 switch and applying the brakes, causing floating movement of said unit support affecting said brake-control ,device to bias the brake rod to locking position and to maintain the rod in locking position until the load member has come to 40' housing, a rotatable unit in the housing, a drive motor for the unit, a brake for the unit, means 45 operable upon relative pivotal conditions-for. said hinge for preventing operation of theunit when the cover is open, means associated with said first means providing for the operation of the unit when the cover is closed, said several means 00- 60 operating to lock said cover closed when said unit isbein'gdriven. ..andadditional means responsive to the operation of'thebrake'while the locked condition. v

' 10. In combination, a rotatable unit, driving means therefor, a safety device, a brake for the I unit, means for preventing operation of the unit when the safety device is inoperative, said pre-.

vventing means providing for operation of the unit when the safety. device is operating, and said means maintaining the safety device in opera tion during operation of the unit, and means responsive to operation of the brake while the unit is rotating for controlling the operation of said safety device independently of said preventing-means. Y

' WILLIAM H. MOYER.

Images