Drive for rotating multi-cell unit - extracting material from solids by sprayed solvents, used esp. to extract oils from seeds

摘要

A unit continuously extracts required materials from solids by solvent sprayed from above into a series of radical cell sectors in a casing rotating about a central vertical axis. The enriched soln. is extracted from a tapered chamber at the unit base and can be recycled, while the solid residues are expelled after almost completing a circuit. On the casing exterior is a continuous ring of rollers rotated by a series of outwardly fitted drive cogs uniformly spaced round the casing and held in resilient contact with the ring. Each drive cog is mounted on an arm held by meshing gears and which can rock through e.g. 20-70 deg. about a fixed vertical shaft. Rotation of the cell unit applies a torque which keeps the drive cog in contact with the rollers. A chain drive may be used instead of the meshing gears, with a spring to ensure engagement with the rollers. Used e.g. in extn. of oil from seeds. Less dimensional accuracy is needed in drive components than with known devices. Defective drive units can be replaced without stopping the complete operation.