SELF-CLEANING ROTARY VIEWING HOLE AND CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE PROVIDED WITH SAID ROTARY VIEWING HOLE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a self-cleaning rotary viewing hole and a centrifugal machine provided with said rotary viewing hole. The proposed rotary viewing hole includes a stationary frame (10); a transparent stationary panel (11) attached to said stationary frame by means of a leak-tight joint (41); a rotary frame (20) connected to said stationary frame (10) by means of a rotary joint (40); a transparent rotary panel (21) attached to said rotary frame (20) by means of a joint, said transparent rotary panel (21) being arranged opposite and spaced apart from the transparent stationary panel (11) by means of an intermediate chamber (1); and a motor (30) connected to said transparent rotary panel (21) or to said rotary frame (20), wherein the joint between the transparent rotary panel (21) and the rotary frame (20) is an interference joint (43) attached by means of a dimensional interference fit.

Claims

1. A self-cleaning rotary viewing hole for a centrifugal machine including: a stationary frame; a transparent stationary panel attached to said stationary frame by means of a leak-tight joint; a rotary frame connected to said stationary frame by means of a rotary joint; a transparent rotary panel attached to said rotary frame by means of a joint, said transparent rotary panel being arranged opposite and spaced apart from the transparent stationary panel by an intermediate chamber; and, a motor connected to said transparent rotary panel or to said rotary frame to cause the rotation thereof with respect to the stationary frame about an axis of rotation perpendicular to said transparent rotary panel; wherein the joint between the transparent rotary panel and the rotary frame is an interference attachment obtained by a dimensional interference fit produced between a transparent rotary panel perimetral face and a rotary frame coupling face facing said transparent rotary panel perimetral face the transparent rotary panel being fitted into the rotary frame, wherein the transparent rotary panel has a size larger than a cavity defined by said rotary frame coupling face before the coupling thereof, and wherein once coupled the transparent rotary panel is compressed by the rotary frame and said rotary frame is elastically pulled all around assuring a secure and leak-tight attachment without adhesives; and wherein the coupling of the transparent rotary panel in the rotary frame is obtained by said transparent rotary panel being cooled, causing it to shrink, and being inserted into the cavity defined by the rotary frame coupling face, being the rotary frame heated causing it to expand, leaving a clearance between both which disappears when the transparent rotary panel and the rotary frame reach one and the same temperature.

2. The viewing hole according to claim 1, wherein the transparent rotary panel is circular.

3. The viewing hole according to claim 2, wherein the transparent rotary panel perimetral face and the rotary frame coupling face are both cylindrical and concentric with said axis of rotation.

4. The rotary viewing hole according to claim 1, wherein the transparent rotary panel perimetral face and the rotary frame coupling face are faces rectified to precise dimensions within established tolerances.

5. The rotary viewing hole according to claim 1, wherein the rotary joint is a labyrinth seal.

6. The rotary viewing hole according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate chamber contains a modified atmosphere, with positive pressure from inside to outside through the labyrinth seal, supplied by a modified atmosphere supply device connected to said intermediate chamber.

7. The rotary viewing hole according to claim 1, wherein the stationary frame is attached to a casing of a fluid treatment chamber by means of a leak-tight joint, so that the transparent rotary panel being in contact with the inside of said fluid treatment chamber.

8. The rotary viewing hole according to claim 7, wherein said fluid treatment chamber is configured for treating fluid solvents.

9. The rotary viewing hole according to claim 7, wherein the fluid treatment chamber further contains a modified atmosphere supplied by a modified atmosphere supply device connected to said fluid treatment chamber.

10. The rotary viewing hole according to claim 9, wherein the intermediate chamber contains a modified atmosphere supplied by said modified atmosphere supply device connected to said intermediate chamber.

11. The rotary viewing hole according to claim 10, wherein the modified atmosphere contained in the intermediate chamber is at a pressure greater than the pressure of the modified atmosphere contained in the fluid treatment chamber.

12. A centrifugal machine provided with a self-cleaning rotary viewing hole, characterized in that said rotary viewing, hole comprises a stationary frame; a transparent stationary panel attached to said stationary frame by means of a leak-tight joint; a rotary frame connected to said stationary frame by means of a rotary joint; a transparent rotary panel attached to said rotary frame by means of a joint, said transparent rotary being arranged opposite and spaced apart from the transparent stationary panel by an intermediate chamber; and a motor connected to said transparent rotary panel or to said rotary frame to cause the rotation thereof with respect to the stationary frame about an axis of rotation perpendicular to said transparent rotary panel; wherein the joint between the transparent rotary panel and the rotary frame is an interference attachment obtained by a dimensional interference fit produced between a transparent rotary panel perimetral face and a rotary frame coupling face facing said transparent rotary panel perimetral face, the transparent rotary panel being fitted into the rotary frame; wherein the transparent rotary panel has a size larger than a cavity defined by said rotary frame, coupling face before the coupling thereof, and wherein once coupled the transparent rotary panel is compressed by the rotary frame and said rotary frame is elastically pulled all around assuring a secure and leak-tight attachment without adhesives; and wherein the coupling of the transparent rotary panel in the rotary frame is obtained by said transparent rotary panel being cooled, causing it to shrink, and being inserted into the cavity defined by the rotary frame coupling face, being the rotary frame heated causing it to expand, leaving a clearance between both which disappears when the transparent rotary panel and the rotary frame reach one and the same temperature.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The foregoing and other advantages and features will be better understood based on the following detailed description of an embodiment in reference to the attached drawings which must be interpreted in an illustrative and non-limiting manner, in which:

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the proposed rotary viewing hole, seen from the side of its transparent stationary panel, and anchored to a casing portion of a centrifugal machine, shown herein in a simplified manner in the form of a ring;

[0039] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the rotary viewing hole shown in FIG. 1;

[0040] FIG. 3 shows a cross-section along the axis of the rotary viewing hole, said viewing hole being connected to the casing of a centrifugal machine provided with a fluid treatment chamber schematically shown in a simplified manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0041] The attached drawings show an illustrative and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] According to that embodiment, the proposed self-cleaning rotary viewing hole for a centrifugal machine consists of a stationary frame 10 formed by a first annular stationary frame 10a and a second annular stationary frame 10b superimposed on one another.

[0043] The first annular stationary frame 10a is intended for being fixed around an opening in the casing 50 of a centrifugal machine provided with a fluid treatment chamber 51 by means of a leak-tight joint 41, for example, in the form of one or two elastic rings pressed between said first stationary frame 10 and the casing 50 of the centrifugal machine, the first stationary frame 10a being fixed by means of screws. Preferably, the screws will be placed outside the area demarcated by said elastic rings, thereby assuring that the screws do not lead to the leak-tight joint 41 breaking.

[0044] The second stationary frame 10b consists of two halves which, when attached, define an annular channel in which the perimeter of a circular transparent stationary panel 11 is fitted. The attachment between the transparent stationary panel 11 and the second stationary frame 10b also consists of a leak-tight joint 41, for example, in the form of one or two elastic rings pressed between said second stationary frame 10b and the transparent stationary panel 11. Several screws fix said second stationary frame 10b to the first stationary frame 10a in a leak-tight manner by means of a leak-tight joint 41 in the form of an elastic ring.

[0045] Each of said leak-tight joints 41 will preferably include said elastic ring inserted into an annular groove provided for such purpose.

[0046] The rotary viewing hole further includes an annular rotary frame 20 connected to said first annular stationary frame 10a through a rotary joint 40.

[0047] Said rotary joint 40 consists of a labyrinth 42, in the form of a plurality of lubrication-free circular channels in which a plurality of circular flanges are fitted, thereby guiding a rotational movement of the rotary frame 20 while at the same time making the passage of fluids and gases through said rotary joint 40 difficult as a result of the labyrinthine configuration of the labyrinth seal 42.

[0048] The rotary frame 20 is in turn connected to a flat, circular transparent rotary panel 21 through an interference joint 43. Said interference joint 43 is made up of a circular stepped recess in the entire inner perimeter of the rotary frame, defining a cylindrical-shaped rotary frame coupling face 23, said rotary frame coupling face 23 being arranged opposite an also cylindrical transparent rotary panel perimetral face 22.

[0049] The transparent rotary panel 21 and the rotary frame 20 have been rectified by means of cutting and/or polishing tools until the outer diameter of the transparent rotary panel 21, defined by said transparent rotary panel perimetral face 22, is slightly greater than the inner diameter of the cavity defined by the rotary frame coupling face 23 before coupling and at room temperature. The rotary frame 20 is then heated, causing it to expand, and the transparent rotary panel 21 is cooled, causing it to shrink, thereby allowing the transparent rotary panel 21 to be loosely inserted into the cavity defined by the rotary frame coupling face 23. The subsequent thermal equalization will cause the rotary frame 20 to shrink and the transparent rotary panel 21 to expand, the transparent rotary panel 21 thus being fitted into and pressed by the rotary frame 20, producing hermetic sealing between both without requiring the use of any kind of adhesives.

[0050] The transparent rotary panel 21 and the transparent stationary panel 11 are arranged parallel to and spaced apart from one another by an intermediate chamber 1.

[0051] To cause the rotation of the transparent rotary panel 21, it is proposed to include a motor 30, for example, a pneumatic motor, connected to said transparent rotary panel 21. In the present embodiment, the motor 30 is arranged at least partially outside the intermediate chamber 1, and going through the transparent stationary panel 11 through a circular central opening by means of a stationary connector 31, with a leak-tight joint 41 such as those described above formed by annular elastic joints, said motor being fixed to said circular central opening.

[0052] In this embodiment, said stationary connector 31 consists of a first stationary connector ala arranged inside the intermediate chamber 1 and linked to the first stationary frame 10a by means of two radial arms 32, and a second stationary connector 31h screwed on the first stationary connector 10a from outside the intermediate chamber 1 through said central opening of the transparent stationary panel 11, the motor 30 being supported and centered by means of said stationary connector 31.

[0053] A rotor shaft which is connected to the center of the transparent rotary panel 21 projects from the end of the motor 30, such that the operation of the motor 30 causes rotation of its rotor shaft and the resulting rotation of the transparent rotary panel 21 together with its corresponding rotary frame 20. It is proposed for said connection with the transparent rotary panel 21 to be done by means of a rotary connector 33, with a leak-tight joint 41 such as those described above formed by annular elastic joints, being fixed to a circular central opening of the transparent rotary panel 21. Said rotary connector 33 can consist of a first rotary connector 33a arranged inside the intermediate chamber 1 and centered with respect to the circular central opening, attached to a second rotary connector 33b arranged on the opposite side of the transparent rotary panel 21 and attached to the first rotary connector 33a through said central opening of the transparent rotary panel 21, for example, by means of a thread. In such case, the direction of rotation of the transparent rotary panel and the direction for loosening said threaded attachment will be opposite directions.

[0054] It is further proposed to include a conduit CO in connection with a modified atmosphere supply device and with said intermediate chamber 1, such that it allows introducing a modified atmosphere inside the intermediate chamber 1, preferably an inert atmosphere, such as a pressurized nitrogen atmosphere, to prevent the entry of oxygen and any other product from the outside which may cause an explosion.

[0055] The proposed rotary viewing hole is anchored to the casing 50 of a centrifugal machine provided with a fluid treatment chamber 51, in this case a centrifugation treatment chamber. Said fluid treatment chamber 51 will also contain a modified atmosphere supplied through ducts from said modified atmosphere supply device, preferably at a pressure less than the pressure of the modified atmosphere contained in the intermediate chamber of the rotary viewing hole.

[0056] The modified atmosphere contained inside the intermediate chamber will leak little by little through the labyrinth 42 into the fluid treatment chamber 51, preventing the fluid treatment chamber 51 from contaminating the inside of the intermediate chamber 1.