Continuous centrifugal machine

Abstract

An improved continuous centrifugal machine includes a rigid base structure, a bearing housing, a normally vertical basket shaft journalled for rotation on bearings in the bearing housing, an upwardly open frusto-conical centrifugal basket secured to the upper end of the basket shaft for rotation therewith, a stationary curb wall mounted on the base structure and surrounding the basket, buffering assemblies for resiliently mounting the bearing housing on the base structure to permit gyration of the basket, and a motor mounted to one side of the curb wall and connected by an improved system to the lower end of the shaft for rotating the basket. The system for connecting the motor to the basket shaft comprises a support shaft mounted in a fixed position beneath and substantially aligned with the basket shaft. A belt pulley is supported for rotation on a bearing carried on the support shaft and a driving belt connects the belt pulley with a second pulley driven by the motor. The belt pulley carries a stub shaft that is coaxial with the support shaft and a structure mounting the support shaft holds its axis vertical and is displaceable and settable horizontally to being its axis into exact alignment with the axis of the basket shaft in rest position. A flexible coupling interconnects the stub shaft and the lower end of the basket shaft to directly transmit torque yet permit angular and parallel misalignment therebetween, whereby moment loads are removed from the bearing housing mounting assemblies and gyration of the basket is unrestrained by and does not alter the driving moment of the belt.