SEPARATOR

Abstract

A separator for centrifugally processing a flowable product includes a rotating system with at least one rotatable drum delimiting a centrifugal chamber and at least one drive spindle for rotating or driving the drum. At least one non-rotating housing surrounds the drum. A mounting device for mounting the drive spindle in a mounting receiving housing is arranged or formed on the housing. A support arrangement is configured between the outer circumference of the bearing device and the inner circumference of the bearing receiving housing. The support arrangement is designed to provide on the whole an elastic radial support of the bearing device on the bearing receiving housing, and thus on the housing.

Claims

1-34. (canceled)

35. A separator for the centrifugal processing of a flowable product, the separator comprising: a rotating system with i. at least one rotatable drum delimiting a centrifugal chamber; and ii. at least one drive spindle configured to rotate or drive the drum, a non-rotatable housing at least surrounding the drum; a bearing device configured for mounting the drive spindle in a bearing receiving housing, wherein the bearing device is arranged or configured on the non-rotatable housing, a support arrangement between an outer circumference of the bearing device and an inner circumference of the bearing receiving housing, wherein the support arrangement is configured to provide a flexible support of the bearing device on the bearing receiving housing and on the non-rotatable housing as a whole.

36. The separator of claim 35, wherein the rotating system is vertically supported on the bearing receiving housing.

37. The separator of claim 35, wherein the non-rotatable housing has at least one housing lower section and a housing upper section to which a covering ring body is secured.

38. The separator of claim 35, wherein the non-rotatable housing is supported on a machine stand and is wholly or largely vibrationally uncoupled therefrom using at least one support element.

39. The separator of claim 38, wherein one or more round bearings are provided as the support element or support elements, which are configured or distributed over the circumference between a flange of the non-rotatable housing and an edge of the machine stand.

40. The separator of claim 35, wherein the drum is mounted on an upper end of the drive spindle and connected thereto in a non-rotational manner.

41. The separator of claim 35, wherein a seal is arranged between the outer circumference of the drive spindle and the inner circumference of a bushing in the non-rotatable housing.

42. The separator of claim 35, wherein the bearing receiving housing is fixed using one or a plurality of screw bolts to the housing lower section.

43. The separator of claim 35, wherein the bearing device for mounting the drive spindle is arranged within the bearing receiving housing and the bearing device has a single bearing or two or more bearings.

44. The separator of claim 43, wherein one or more spacer sleeves are arranged between the bearings.

45. The separator of claim 43, wherein a bearing or a lowest of the bearings is supported vertically downwardly on a radial wall of the bearing receiving housing via an elastomer ring.

46. The separator of claim 45, wherein the radial wall of the bearing receiving housing has a central bushing passing through the drive spindle downwardly.

47. The separator of claim 35, wherein the support arrangement is formed from a single ultra-bushing which surrounds the bearing device radially on the outside.

48. The separator of claim 35, wherein the drive spindle projects vertically downwards from the non-rotatable housing and/or with the bearing receiving housing and transmission of a driving torque to the drive spindle occurs in this region.

49. The separator of claim 35, wherein the drive spindle is driven by a belt pulley and a continuous belt drive is connected to the drive spindle in a non-rotatable manner.

50. The separator of claim 49, wherein a drive belt of the continuous belt drive lies vertically at a height of the bearing device in the drive housing.

51. The separator of claim 35, wherein the drive spindle is driven by a direct drive.

52. The separator of claim 35, wherein a drive motor is fastened to the machine stand.

53. The separator of claim 49, wherein the belt pulley is configured in such a manner that it has at least one radial wall and an axial casing, wherein the axial casing extends vertically upwards from the radial wall, and wherein the extension of the axial casing is such that the axial casing lies sectionally at a vertical height of the bearing device or at least of the bearing receiving housing, from which it is radially spaced apart.

54. The separator of claim 35, wherein the drum has an outer support device and an inner drum arranged in the outer support device.

55. The separator of claim 54, wherein a means for clarifying the product to be processed in the centrifugal field is arranged in the inner drum.

56. The separator of claim 54, wherein the outer support device is configured as an outer drum in which the inner drum is arranged.

57. The separator of claim 56, wherein the outer drum surrounds the inner drum axially only in sections.

58. The separator of claim 56, wherein the inner drum and the outer drum are made of different materials.

59. The separator of claim 54, wherein the inner drum is made completely or for the most part of plastic or a plastic composite material.

60. The separator of claim 56, wherein the outer drum is made of a metal.

61. The separator of claim 56, wherein the outer drum has an outer drum lower section and an outer drum upper section.

62. The separator of claim 61, wherein the outer drum upper section is configured as a ring and is configured to be upwardly open axially, so that the inner drum upper section projects axially from it.

63. The separator of claim 56, wherein the inner drum and the outer drum are connected to one another non-rotatably in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner.

64. The separator of claim 56, wherein the outer drum is driven by the drive spindle.

65. The separator of claim 54, wherein an intake system and an outlet system of the drum are configured exclusively on the inner drum.

66. The separator of claim 56, wherein the following parts are configured in single or double conical form: an upper section of the outer and inner drums and a lower section of the outer and inner drums.

67. The separator of claim 35, wherein a non-rotatable abutment is provided outside the drum, wherein between the abutment and the drum above the largest radial diameter of the drum is arranged at least one bearing device for mounting the drum, which bearing device has at least one bearing.

68. The separator of claim 67, wherein the abutment is a covering ring body or the non-rotatable housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0035] The invention is described in greater detail below with the help of exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures. In the figures:

[0036] FIG. 1 shows in a) a view of a first exemplary embodiment of a separator according to the invention with a drive having a continuous belt drive with the housing depicted in cross section and the drum depicted in cross section and in b) a detail enlargement of a bearing region from a);

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a view of a second exemplary embodiment of a separator according to the invention with a direct drive;

[0038] FIGS. 3a and 3b show a view of an upper housing section according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The following embodiments, up to reference number 27, relate both to the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1 and also to that in FIG. 2.

[0040] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a section through the region of a housing 1 and a drum 2 of a separator according to the invention, by means of which a liquid product can be separated into two phases in the centrifugal field. The drum 2 has a vertical rotational axis D. Terms used below such as top or bottom relate to the orientation of elements of the separator in relation to this vertical rotational axis.

[0041] The housing 1 has a housing lower section 3 and a housing upper section 4. In addition, a covering ring body 5 is secured to a central opening in the housing upper section. The covering ring body 5 covers a or the rotating system of the separator with the drum 2 upwardly and an intake and an outlet function are realized thereon. The function of the outlet ring body 5 is addressed in greater detail below.

[0042] An upper edge region of the housing lower section 3 forms a flange portion 6 for a lower flange portion 7 of the housing upper section 4. The housing lower section 3 and the housing upper section 4 are preferably screwed to one another in this flange region.

[0043] Additionally, the housing 1 is supported on a machine stand 8. In this case, the machine stand 8 has at least one plate or a frame 9 on which the housing 1 rests. Support elements 11 are preferably arranged distributed around the circumference between the lower side of the flange portion 6 of the housing 1 and an upper edge 10 of the frame 9 or of the table. The support elements 11 produce the best possible vibrational decoupling of the housing 1 from the frame 9 and the rest of the machine stand 8. It is advantageous and very appropriate in constructional terms for these support elements 11 to be configured as round bearings. The number of support elements 11 distributed around the circumference may be determined numerically or by testing. At least three or more support elements 11 distributed around the circumference 11 may advantageously be provided.

[0044] It should be noted in this connection that the machine stand 8 is only depicted sectionally. It is inherently achievable in various ways and may, for example, also be configured in the manner of a table or a closable cupboard. It is preferably fastened to a base (not shown in this case). FIG. 1a shows vertical struts 12, 13 of the machine stand. FIG. 2 only shows one of the vertical struts 12, 13 supporting the frame 9 or plate.

[0045] The housing lower section 3 has a bushing 14, which has a rotatable drive spindle 15 for the drum 2 passing through it. The drum 2 is mounted on an upper end of the drive spindle 15 and connected thereto in a non-rotational manner. In this case, a seal 16 is arranged between the outer circumference of the drive spindle 15 and the inner circumference of the bushing 14.

[0046] A bearing receiving housing 17 is preferably configured below the housing 1, in particular the housing lower section 3. This bearing receiving housing 17 may, for example, be fixed using one or a plurality of screw bolts 18 to the housing 1, in particular to the housing lower section 3.

[0047] A bearing device 19 for mounting the drive spindle 15 is arranged within the bearing receiving housing 17 (see also FIG. 1b). This bearing device 19 has at least a single bearing or two or more bearings. In this case, the bearing device 19 has two bearings 20, 21 lying vertically one above the other. These bearings are preferably each configured as roller bearings. One or more spacer sleeves 22, 23 are arranged between the bearings 20, 21 in this case, in order to axially space the bearings 20, 21 in a simply defined manner.

[0048] The lower bearing 21see also FIG. 2is supported vertically outwardly on the bearing receiving housing 17, in particular on a radial wall 24 of the bearing receiving housing 17, preferably via an elastomer ring 56. In this way, the rotating system is vertically supported on the bearing receiving housing 17. This site of the vertical support is therefore just below the drum 2. A second bearing device, in addition to the two bearings 20, 21 of the first step-bearing-like bearing device, can be dispensed with.

[0049] The radial wall 24 (FIG. 1b) of the bearing receiving housing 17 has, in addition, a central bushing 25 which passes through the drive spindle 15 downwardly.

[0050] A support arrangement 26 is arranged between the outer circumference of the bearing device 19 and the inner circumference of the bearing receiving housing 17. This support arrangement 26 is configured so that a flexible support of the bearing device on the bearing receiving housing 17, and therefore on the housing 1 as a whole, can be achieved.

[0051] It is advantageous for this support arrangement 26 to be formed from a (preferably single) ultra-bushing. On the inner diameter of the ultra-bushing, this is placed on the outer circumference of the bearing device 19. On the outer circumference, this ultra-bushing is arranged in the inner circumference of the bearing receiving housing 17. The bearing receiving housing 17 may also form an integral portion of the housing lower section 3 (now shown here). It is structurally simpler, however, for it to be fastened to the housing lower section 3. The ultra-bushing preferably has a variable stiffness. Right around the drive spindle, it may possibly exhibit portions of different cross section for this purpose, preferably produced by hollow chambers, grooves or the like.

[0052] In this way, the weight of the drum 2 is supported vertically on the housing 1 and a radial vibrational decoupling of the rotating system from the housing 1 is achieved by simple means.

[0053] The drive spindle 15 projects vertically downwards from the housing 1 with the bearing receiving housing 17. The transmission of a driving torque to the drive spindle 15 takes place in this region.

[0054] According to FIGS. 1a and b, a belt pulley 27 is connected for this purpose in a non-rotational manner to the drive spindle 15, for example with the help of one or more torque transfer elements 28 between the drive spindle 15 and the belt pulley 27.

[0055] The belt pulley 27 is surrounded by a continuous belt drive, in particular a drive belt 29 (also see again FIG. 1a), which further encloses a drive plate 30 on a drive motor 31. The drive motor 31 is fastened to the machine stand 8, in this case to one of the vertical struts 12 of the machine stand 8.

[0056] The belt pulley 27 is preferably configured in such a manner that it has at least one radial wall 32 and an axial casing 33, wherein the axial casing 33 extends vertically upwards from the radial wall 32. This extension is preferably such that the axial casing 33 or else the axial sleeve portion in any case lies sectionally at a vertical height (in a perpendicular direction to the rotational axis D) of the bearing device 19 or at least of the bearing receiving housing 17, from which it is radially spaced apart. In this way, it is possible for the drive belt 29 to vertically enclose the axial casing 33 on the outside completely or sectionally at the height of the bearing device 19, which is advantageous during operation.

[0057] A spring, in particular a plate spring 55, may be secured to the lowermost portion of the drive spindle which may project vertically downwards out of the belt pulley 27, which spring is supported on the drive spindle 15 or a ring secured on the drive spindle 15in this case a nut 57and, on the other hand, on the drive pulley 27, so that in this way the belt pulley 27 can easily be pretensioned vertically in the direction of the bearing device.

[0058] Alternatively, instead of a continuous belt drive for driving the drive spindle 15 or the drum, a direct drive may also be achieved (see FIG. 2).

[0059] The design of the drive with the direct drive largely corresponds to that in FIG. 1. The essential difference is that the drive motor 31 is provided directly in a vertical extension of the drive spindles 15. A coupling 68 may be provided between the drive spindle 15 and the drive motor 31. The drive motor may, in turn, preferably be fixed to the machine stand 8, for example using one or more struts 69.

[0060] This construction is simple and robust and very well suited to the lightweight drum construction.

[0061] The drum 2 is in turn mounted on the vertically upper end of the drive spindle 15 in a non-rotatable manner relative to the drive spindle 15, so that it can be set in rotation by the drive spindle 15.

[0062] The two drives presented with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are inherently suitable for rotatable separator drums of various kinds. It is particularly suitable for the drum presented below which is explained with reference to FIG. 2, but is constructed in FIG. 2 as in FIG. 1.

[0063] The drum 2 has an outer drum 34, which may also be configured as an outer drum section, and an inner drum 35. The inner drum 35 is inserted in an exchangeable manner in the outer drum 34.

[0064] The outer drum portion or else the outer drum 34 and the inner drum 35 are preferably made of different materials. The outer drum 34 is particularly preferably made of metal, in particular steel, and the inner drum 35 is preferably made completely or at least partially from a plastic or a plastic composite material.

[0065] The outer drum 34 in this case is used as a kind of holder into which the inner drum 35 is inserted and which surrounds or encloses the inner drum 35 in its entirety in a vertical or axial direction at least in sections. The outer drum 34 and the inner drum 35 are particularly preferably connected to one another in a non-rotatable manner. This may, in particular, be achieved through a form-fitting and/or force-fitting connection between the outer drum 34 and the inner drum 35.

[0066] The outer drum 34 has an outer drum lower section 36 which may be, or in this case is, configured substantially like the drum lower section of known separators without an inner drum. The outer drum lower section 36 is mounted on the drive spindle 15 in a non-rotatable manner and preferably has on the inside a simple or, in this case, particularly preferred double-conical inner form. The outer drum 34 preferably has, in addition, an outer drum upper section 37. The outer drum lower section 36 and the outer drum upper section 37 preferably exhibit corresponding threads, in the region whereof they are directly screwed to one another. However, a locking ring may also be provided.

[0067] For a drum of this kind with an inner drum and an outer drum 35, 34, the structurally simple and vertically compact drive presented in FIGS. 1 and 2 has proved very quiet-running.

[0068] The outer drum upper section 37 likewise has a conical design. In addition, it is configured as a ring connected to the outer drum lower section 36 at the bottom in a non-rotatable manner and which is configured to be upwardly open, so that the inner drum 35 projects vertically or axially upwards out of the outer drum, in this case out of the outer drum upper section 37.

[0069] Because the outer drum lower section 36 and the outer drum upper section 37 are preferably made of metal, in particular steel, and at least the drum lower section is preferably configured like the one separator drum without an inner drum 35, they can largely offer the quietness and stability and reliability of a known modern separator drum made of metal. Because the outer drum 34 surrounds the inner drum 35 externally in sections or entirely, the outer drum stabilizes the inner drum 35. In particular, the outer drum 34 advantageously helps to optimize the running properties of the entire drum 2 when operating at a high speed. In addition, the chosen wall thickness of the inner drum 35 may also be very much thinner than the one separator drum without an outer drum 34 made solely from plastic, as proposed in PCT International patent document WO 2014/00829 A1.

[0070] The inner drum 35, on the other hand, outwardly delimits the actual separating or centrifuging chamber 38 for the centrifugal processing of a flowable product.

[0071] The inner drum 35 is configured in relation to its shaping in such a manner that it preferably directly abuts the inner circumference of the outer drum in a largely form-fitting manner.

[0072] The inner drum 35 preferably has an inner drum lower section 39 and an inner drum upper section 40. The inner drum lower section 39 and the inner drum upper section 40 are each preferably conical in design, so that a double-conical body is formed. The parts 39 and 40 are made of plastic or a plastic composite material and are connected to one another in a liquid-tight manner, particularly in upper flange regions.

[0073] A substance-bonded connection between the inner drum lower section 39 and the inner drum upper section 40 and possibly further elements of the inner drum 35 are preferably provided, which can be achieved within the meaning of this document, for example by fusion, but also by adhesion.

[0074] Other kinds of connection are also conceivable, however, such as a bayonet catch between the elements to be connectedthe inner drum lower section 39 and the inner drum upper section 40 (not shown).

[0075] Other connection variants are also advantageously achievable between the inner drum lower section 39 and the inner drum upper section 40, such as screw connections with plastic screws and nuts or the like (not shown here). It is also an appropriate connection for the inner drum lower section and the inner drum upper section to be clamped together at their outer circumference using one or multiple clamps (not shown here). These kinds of connections between the inner drum parts 39, 40 are easy to handle, can be produced cost-effectively and yet are very functionally reliable.

[0076] A distributor 41 is configured in the inner drum 35. An intake pipe 42 projects into the inner drum. Separating means or means for clarifying such as, in particular, a one-part or preferably a multi-part plate pack 43 are arranged in the centrifuging chamber 38 and are configured as a stack of axially spaced separating plates having a conical basic shape and which are preferably fitted to the distributor 41 in a non-rotatable manner. The separating means for clarifying could also be configured in another shape, such as a ribbed body with radial or arcuate ribs. The separating plates have the same or different radii.

[0077] During operation when the drum 2 rotates, a lighter liquid phase flows radially upwards into an annular channel 44 which is configured between the outer circumference of the intake pipe 42 and a pipe section 45 with a greater diameter which likewise projects from above into the inner drum upper section 40.

[0078] A conical plate is attached, in particular adhered or molded, to the bottom of this pipe section 45, which plate is arranged in the manner of an upper separating plate 46 above the plate pack 43, wherein it is spaced apart from the inner drum upper section 40, so that a gap 47 is formed between the inner drum upper 40 and the separating plate.

[0079] A heavier liquid phase (or a still dischargeable, in particular a still slightly flowable, liquid phase) is conducted from the region of the greatest inner circumference of the drum inner chamber through one or a plurality of bores in the radially outer region of the separating plate into the gap 47 acting as a channel between the inner drum upper section 40 and the separating plate 46, namely preferably into a second annular channel 48or into one or a plurality of channels which are preferably spaced apart by ribsbetween the pipe section surrounding the intake pipe and an axial pipe attachment 49 of the inner drum upper section 40.

[0080] The heavier and lighter liquid phases flow upwards in each case in annular chambers 50, 51 arranged axially above one another in the covering annular body 5, which is fastened to the housing 1 in a non-rotatable manner. It is advantageous for nozzles or the like leading radially from the drum 2 in this way for fluid discharge to be dispensed with, so that there is no contact between the inside of the drum 2 and the surroundings in the container. Alternatively, however, the discharge could also take place with skimmer discs (not shown in this case).

[0081] The covering ring body 5 preferably has a stepped design and preferably has connecting pieces 52, 53, 54 for the incoming and outgoing phase. Tubes can be attached to these, for example adhesively.

[0082] In order to connect the inner drum 35 and the outer drum 34 to one another simply in a non-rotatable but detachable manner when at a standstill, the inner drum 35 can be connected to the outer drum 34 in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner. Hence, form-fitting means such as ribs, for example, may be provided on the outer surface of the inner drum and corresponding grooves on the inner circumference of the outer drum 34, which engage with one another and connect the two elementsthe inner drum 35 and the outer drum 34to one another in a non-rotatable manner (not shown here).

[0083] During operation, the inner drum 35 is, in addition, placed in a radially expanding manner on the inner circumference of the outer drum 34, which improves the torque transmission and rotating entrainment of the inner drum 35 through the driven outer drum 34. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable for sections of the outer drum to be connected to one another detachably by other means, such as using screw bolts or the like or by means of a bayonet catch.

[0084] In this way, part or preferably even all, of the product-contacting regions of the rotating system are made of plastic or a plastic composite material, in particular the inner drum lower section 39 and the inner drum upper section 40. Particularly preferably, the separating plates, in addition, are made of plastic and also all the product-contacting regions of the intake system and the outlet system, also insofar as these do not rotate during operation. If necessary, a small number of parts of the inner drum may also be made of another material.

[0085] In this way, the inner drum 35 can be disposed of once a sufficiently large product batch has been processed. The preferably metallic outer drum 34, on the other hand, is reused because it cannot come into contact with the product during operation, and thus its cleaning is very simple or else less important. Through the outer drum 34, the inner drum 35 may have quite a thin-walled design. In case of complete disposal, a very small amount of waste plastic is accordingly produced.

[0086] The figures show an embodiment as a two-phase separating machine (separation of a product into the liquid/liquid phases), three-phase machines (for separating into three phases) are likewise achievable (not shown here). The product is preferably, but not necessarily, a fermentation stock requiring concentration.

[0087] The entire or whole inner drum 35 or, in any event, most of the elements of the inner drum 35, in addition to the intake and outlet system, are preferably designed as a replaceable, preassembled module made of plastic or a plastic composite material. Only a small number of individual elements, such as sleeves on seals or the like, can be made of metal, in order to receive and/or discharge thermal energyparticularly when starting the drum.

[0088] The outer drum 34 in this case is substantially used as a holder for the inner drum 35 which particularly improves the running properties of the inner drum 35.

[0089] As illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3b, between the covering ring body 5 and the plastic drum, in particular the inner drum 35, a (further) bearing device is preferably configured, particularly with a single bearing 58. This bearing device is particularly advantageous in further optimizing the running properties of the rotating system, particularly when interacting with the bearing device 19 vertically below the drum. A single bearing 58 has proved sufficient in itself. However, it is also conceivable for two or more bearings to be provided instead of the one bearing 58. The bearing 58 is preferably a roller body bearing, in particular a ball bearing. A roller body bearing ensures particularly quiet running and sets the radial distance between the covering ring body 5 and the drum 2 in a defined manner. It is possible, however, for a different bearing to be provided in this region, such as an air bearing or a magnet bearing or, in some cases, a friction bearing. The bearing 58 may be made of plastic or of a plastic composite material. However, it is also conceivable for it to be produced from metal and/or plastic and/or from a plurality of different materials.

[0090] The bearing 58 is preferably retained below a seal arrangement 59 between the covering ring body 5 and the inner drum 35 in the covering ring body 5. The inner part of the bearing 58 is externally connected in a non-rotatable manner to the inner drum upper section 40, in particular to the tubular attachment 49 thereof.

[0091] The covering ring body 5 preferably has a correspondingly shaped bearing receiving means 60 for receiving the bearing 58. This allows the arrangement and receiving of the bearing 58 in a simple manner. The bearing receiving means 60 is preferably configured as an axially downwardly open graduation in the covering ring body 5. It preferably lies below the lower seal arrangement 59.

[0092] The bearing 58 is retained downwardly in the covering ring body 5 by a web or a completely or partially surrounding ring 61 made of plastic which projects inwards radially from the covering ring body and is secured thereto following the insertion of the bearing, e.g., in an adhesive or locking manner to a groove of the covering ring body 5.

[0093] On the tubular attachment 49 of the inner drum 35, the bearing 58 is preferably retained downwardly by a radially outwardly projecting collar 62 and upwardly preferably by a radially outwardly projecting web or ring 63 which is inserted in this case into a groove in the attachment and can be fastened there in addition in an adhesive manner.

[0094] The covering ring body or the covering ring housing 5 expands further radially outwards to the bearing receiving means 60. It ends radially outwardly in a flange portion 64 acting as a fastening region that is fastened in this case to the housing 1, which does not rotate during operation. This happens here with screws 65 passing through bores in the housing upper section 4 of the housing 1 in a circumferentially distributed manner and which are screwed into the screw receiving means 66 which are formed on the covering ring body 5. This kind of fastening is preferred. However, other kinds of fastening of the covering ring body 5 to the housing 1 can be achieved. The housing upper section 4 may be configured in one piece (FIG. 2). According to FIG. 3a, it comprises two portions 4a and 4b connected to one another, e.g., by screws 4c, wherein the portion 4b has screws 65 passing through it. The portion 4a may be mounted on the covering ring body 5 in this manner beforehand and then fastened to the portion 4b. Both portions 4a and 4b or the one-piece housing upper section 4 is/are mounted vertically from above on the covering ring body 5.

[0095] A deflection balancing region 67 is preferably configured on the covering ring body 5 radially between the bearing receiving means 60 and the fastening region of the covering ring body 5 for fastening to the housing 1, in particular to the housing upper part 4. This may comprise one or a plurality of folds. The folds preferably run radially, so that a concertina-like geometry and function results. Deflections of the rotational axis D of the rotating system with the drum are easily received or balanced in this way. In this case, the additional bearing 58 between the covering ring body 5 and the drum, in particular the inner drum upper section 40, leads to particularly good running properties of the rotating system.

[0096] As can further be seen in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the bearing 58 is preferably and advantageously used to set a defined relative position, in particular a defined fixed radial spacing, between the covering ring body 5, which does not rotate during operation, and the drum 2, in particular the inner drum 35. This makes it easier to precisely position the one or multiple seal arrangement(s) 59 on the inside of the covering ring body. The sealing arrangement(s) 59 is/are furthermore well protected from damage, as particularly the radial, but also the axial, distance between the covering ring body 5 and the rotating system with the drum 2 cannot change during operation. To this extent, it is also advantageous for the bearing 58 to be axially as close as possible to one of the, in particular the lowest, of the seal arrangements 59.

[0097] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by way of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the examples disclosed, and other variations can be derived from these by the person skilled in the art without leaving the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that there is a plurality of possible variations. It is also clear that embodiments stated by way of example are only really examples that are not to be seen as limiting the scope, application possibilities or configuration of the invention in any way. In fact, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete manner, wherein, with the knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, the person skilled in the art is able to undertake various changes, for example, with regard to the functioning or arrangement of individual elements stated in an exemplary embodiment without leaving the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0098] Housing 1 [0099] Drum 2 [0100] Housing upper section 3 [0101] Housing lower section 4 [0102] Portions 4a, b [0103] Covering ring body 5 [0104] Flange portions 6, 7 [0105] Machine stand 8 [0106] Frame 9 [0107] Edge 10 [0108] Support elements 11 [0109] Struts 12, 13 [0110] Bushing 14 [0111] Drive spindle 15 [0112] Seal 16 [0113] Bearing receiving housing 17 [0114] Screw bolt 18 [0115] Bearing device 19 [0116] Bearing 20, 21 [0117] Spacer sleeves 22, 23 [0118] Radial wall 24 [0119] Bushing 25 [0120] Support arrangement 26 [0121] Belt pulley 27 [0122] Torque transmission elements 28 [0123] Drive belt 29 [0124] Drive plate 30 [0125] Drive motor 31 [0126] Radial wall 32 [0127] Axial casing 33 [0128] Outer drum 34 [0129] Inner drum 35 [0130] Outer drum lower section 36 [0131] Outer drum upper section 37 [0132] Centrifuging chamber 38 [0133] Inner drum lower section 39 [0134] Inner drum upper section 40 [0135] Distributor 41 [0136] Intake pipe 42 [0137] Plate pack 43 [0138] Annular channel 44 [0139] Pipe section 45 [0140] Separating plate 46 [0141] Gap 47 [0142] Annular channel 48 [0143] Pipe attachment 49 [0144] Annular chambers 50, 51 [0145] Connection attachments 52, 53, 54 [0146] Plate spring 55 [0147] Elastomer ring 56 [0148] Nut 57 [0149] Bearing 58 [0150] Seal arrangement 59 [0151] Bearing receiving means 60 [0152] Ring 61 [0153] Collar 62 [0154] Ring 63 [0155] Flange portion 64 [0156] Screws 65 [0157] Screw receiving means 66 [0158] Deflection balancing region 67 [0159] Coupling 68 [0160] Struts 69 [0161] Vertical rotational axis D