Cyclical centrifugal machine

Abstract

An improved cyclical centrifugal machine includes a rigid support mounted above the basket of the machine, a bearing housing suspended from the support for gyratory motion, a basket-carrying spindle rotatable in fixed position relative to the housing on bearings therein, and an electric motor for bringing the spindle and basket to rotational speed. The improved centrifugal machine also comprises a system for controlling transmission of torque from the motor to the basket by means of a clutch having relatively rotatable clutch members adapted to transmit torque through liquid films between them. The clutch is operated to vary the torque transmitted from the motor to the basket so as to produce a maximum load to be placed on the motor for producing a desired basket speed. To so operate the clutch, signals proportionate respectively to the instantaneous load on the motor and the instantaneous speed of the basket, and reference signals representing respectively the maximum load to be placed on the motor and the desired operating speed, are compared to produce from them a resultant signal representing the instantaneous relationship of the actual load on the motor to the maximum load. The clutch is then operated to vary the torque transmitted through the liquid films between the clutch members in response to the resultant signal to produce the maximum load.