Solid bowl centrifuge with intermittent rim discharge

摘要

A continuous feed, solid bowl centrifuge with intermittent rim discharge. The centrifuge has first and second members mounted in fixed positions relative to each other for rotation about a common axis. Each member has a peripheral edge portion extending about the common rotational axis with the portions being spaced from each other to create an annular gap therebetween. A third or rim member is mounted for rotation with the first and second members about the common rotational axis. The rim member has a cylindrical surface extending between the peripheral edge portions of the first and second members and is dimensioned to close the gap therebetween. The rim member is supported with its cylindrical surface substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the centrifuge; and, an opening-closing mechanism is provided that maintains the cylindrical surface substantially parallel to the rotational axis as it is moved to open and close the gap. The cylindrical surface is the only portion of the rim member exposed to the high, multi-directional fluid pressures of material being centrifuged. In this manner, the opening-closing mechanism for the rim member does not have to work against any force components generated by the centrifuged material other than radially directed ones which are uniformly directed against the cylindrical surface and offer relatively inconsequential resistance to the movement of the rim member. The rim opening means does not rotate with the centrifuge thereby simplifying the power transfer to it and adding no weight and imbalance problems to the rotating centrifuge.