Centrifuge Control (Patent No: 615826)

Inventor: Coulson, Gordon Raymond

Location: Calgary

Comments: N/A

Description: The embodiments of the invention in which I claim an exclusive property or privilege are defined as follows:

1. In a continuous process centrifuge into which a liquid is introduced, liquid control means comprising a liquid inlet for said centrifuge, a flow control valve adapted to regulate the flow through said inlet, a separate chamber concentric with said centrifuge and adapted to rotate therewith, an inlet in said separate chamber in communication with said liquid inlet whereby a portion of the flow through the liquid inlet may be directed into said separate chamber, at least one outlet from said separate chamber communicating with said centrifuge, an air inlet located towards the outer periphery of said separate chamber communicating with a source of air under pressure, and means for actuating said flow control valve in response to variations in the air pressure required to overcome the liquid head in the separate chamber, whereby a constant liquid level may be maintained in said centrifuge.

2. In a centrifuge adapted to separate continuously at least two constituents in the presence of a liquid, liquid control means comprising a liquid inlet for said centrifuge, a flow control valve adapted to regulate the flow through said inlet, a separate chamber concentric with said centrifuge and integral therewith, an inlet in said separate chamber communicating with said liquid inlet whereby a portion of the flow through said liquid inlet may be directed into said separate chamber, at least one outlet from said separate chamber communicating with said centrifuge, an air inlet located towards the outer periphery of said separate chamber communicating with a source of air under pressure, and means for actuating said flow control valve in response to variations in the air pressure required to overcome the liquid head in the separate chamber, whereby a constant liquid level may be maintained in said centrifuge.

3. In a centrifuge adapted to separate continuously, two constituents in the presence of a liquid of intermediate specific gravity, and having separate outlets for the removal of the two separated constituents, liquid control means comprising a liquid inlet for said centrifuge, a flow control valve adapted to regulate the flow through said inlet, a separate chamber concentric with said centrifuge and integral therewith, an inlet in said separate chamber communicating with said liquid inlet whereby a portion of the flow through said liquid inlet may be directed into said separate chamber, at least one outlet from said separate chamber communicating with said centrifuge, an air inlet located towards the outer periphery of said separate chamber communicating with a source of air under pressure, and means for actuating said flow control valve in response to variations in the air pressure required to overcome the liquid head in the separate chamber, whereby a constant liquid level may be maintained in said centrifuge slightly below the centrifuge outlet for the separate constituent.

4. In a centrifuge adapted to separate continuously at least two constituents in the presence of a liquid, liquid control means as claimed in claim 2 wherein said outlets from said separate chamber communicate with the liquid strata set up in the centrifuge under process conditions.