Centrifugal separator
US6424067B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 19, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 23, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 19, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF01M2001/1035
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A centrifugal separator comprises a housing through which extends a spindle on which is mounted a centrifuge rotor. The rotor is mounted on journal bearing bushes that are lubricated by the liquid supplied at pressure to the rotor and the weight of the liquid-filled rotor is carried by magnetic repulsion thrust bearing comprising permanent magnets secured one each to the housing and rotor. The spaced magnets run without contact noise and frictional losses, improving rotational speed available from the supply pressure, and lateral (radial) instability that is inherent between repelling magnets and normally disliked puts a radial bias on the journal bearings which may result in quieter running by inhibiting vibration, particularly when the journal bushes are starved of liquid supply during wind-down. Alternatively or additionally, supply pressure induced lift of the rotor may be borne by a magnetic repulsion thrust bearing. The magnets may be permanent and/or electromagnets.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.