U.S. patent application number 11/906880 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-07 for feeder for uniformly supplying a mixture of particulate solids.
This patent application is currently assigned to JENIKE & JOHANSON, INC.. Invention is credited to Dean Lance Brone, Scott A. Clement, Bruno Caspar Hancock, David Bruce Hedden, Michael A. McCall, James K. Prescott, Thomas G. Troxel.
Application Number | 20080029555 11/906880 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38171854 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080029555 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brone; Dean Lance ; et
al. |
February 7, 2008 |
Feeder for uniformly supplying a mixture of particulate solids
Abstract
A minimally-shearing feeder mechanism supplies a desired flow of
particulate solids mixture, with minimal to no sifting segregation,
to a desired location. The feeder mechanism maintains a uniform
concentration of each size of particle within the mixture.
Inventors: |
Brone; Dean Lance; (Ann
Arbor, MI) ; Clement; Scott A.; (Atascadero, CA)
; Hancock; Bruno Caspar; (North Stonington, CT) ;
Hedden; David Bruce; (Ann Arbor, MI) ; McCall;
Michael A.; (Atascadero, CA) ; Prescott; James
K.; (Shrewsbury, MA) ; Troxel; Thomas G.; (San
Luis Obispo, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAHIVE & COCKFIELD, LLP
ONE POST OFFICE SQUARE
BOSTON
MA
02109-2127
US
|
Assignee: |
JENIKE & JOHANSON, INC.
Tyngsboro
MA
01879
|
Family ID: |
38171854 |
Appl. No.: |
11/906880 |
Filed: |
October 3, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11304424 |
Dec 15, 2005 |
|
|
|
11906880 |
Oct 3, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/484 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 1/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/484 |
International
Class: |
B67D 3/00 20060101
B67D003/00 |
Claims
1. A feeder for a mixture of particulate solids, comprising: a
fixed bottom plate having a discharge aperture therethrough; a
second plate rotatably slidable over the bottom plate, having a
plurality of pass through apertures disposed therein, and having
its rotational axis spaced to cause the plurality of pass through
apertures to pass sequentially over the discharge aperture of the
bottom plate; a deposition aperture configured to receive the
mixture and deposit the mixture on the rotatably slidable second
plate in a deposited trail as the second plate rotates; and a fixed
cam plate slidably mounted over the rotatably slidable second
plate, the cam plate having a contoured periphery configured to
displace the deposited trail radially and progressively outward to
the pass through apertures of the second plate as the second plate
rotates, supplying the mixture forming the deposited trail to the
discharge aperture.
2. The feeder of claim 1, wherein the deposition aperture is
integral with the cam plate.
3. The feeder of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pass through
apertures are uniformly spaced.
4. The feeder of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pass through
apertures have equal dimensions to one another.
5. The feeder of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pass through
apertures are sized sufficiently large enough to prohibit the
mixture from arching over the pass through aperture due to particle
size or particle cohesion.
6. The feeder of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pass through
apertures are disposed in a substantially circular pattern in the
second plate.
7. The feeder of claim 1, wherein the second plate has a
substantially circular shape.
8. The feeder of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pass through
apertures are disposed along a periphery of the second plate.
9. The feeder of claim 1, wherein the deposited trail is of uniform
cross-section.
10. The feeder of claim 1, wherein the cam plate is configured to
displace the deposited trail radially and progressively outward
with minimal shearing of the mixture forming the deposited
trail.
11. The feeder of claim 1, further comprising a supply hopper
disposed to supply the mixture of particulate solids to the
feeder.
12. The feeder of claim 1, further comprising a motor configured to
rotatably drive the second plate.
13. The feeder of claim 1, wherein the second plate rotates at a
rate of between about 2 RPM and about 20 RPM.
14. The feeder of claim 1, wherein the feeder supplies a
substantially constant stream of the mixture through the discharge
aperture.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a division of and claims the benefit of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/304,424, filed Dec. 15, 2005,
which is expressly and entirely incorporated herein by
reference.
[0002] This application is being filed in conjunction with, and in
addition to, divisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______
(Attorney Docket Number JJK-046DV1) and divisional U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket Number JJK-046DV3),
all of which claim priority to the above-identified pending patent
application.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to a feeder mechanism, and
more particularly to a minimally-shearing feeder mechanism that
regulates and controls the supply of a particulate mixture received
from a supply hopper.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Mixtures of solid particles can separate or segregate during
handling. The non-uniformity of the mixture can result in quality
control problems, such as the waste of raw materials, lost
production, and increased maintenance and capital costs required to
retrofit existing facilities where unwanted segregation of solid
particle flows is occurring. Segregation problems can occur with a
number of different types of solid particle mixtures, including
larger particles, such as coal or rocks, to smaller particles, such
as powders, including pharmaceutical powders.
[0005] Segregation can occur in a number of different ways, based
primarily on various physical properties of the mixture and
environmental or handling conditions. Sifting is a prevalent form
of segregation. Sifting can be defined as the movement of smaller
particles through a mixture of larger particles. This can occur
during formation of a pile, as smaller particles percolate into the
pile, while coarse particles slide or roll to the perimeter of the
pile. In order for sifting segregation to occur, several conditions
are required. There must be a difference in particle size, for
example, ratios as small as 1.3:1 can induce sifting segregation.
Sifting is generally most pronounced when the mean particle
diameter is greater than 100 microns. The mixture must be
sufficiently free flowing to allow interparticle motion. Finally,
there must be movement of the particles relative to one another or
portions of the flow within the mixture.
[0006] Bulk storage containers, such as hoppers, silos, bunkers and
bins, are conventionally used for the storage of quantities of
loose particulate solids, including particulate solid mixtures. For
the purposes of the present application, the term "hopper" will be
used to cover all such differing forms of storage containers for
particulate material, where the material fills or partially fills
the container and moves during the discharge process to an outlet
situated in the lower regions of the container. If all of the
material is in motion during discharge, this is referred to as mass
flow of the material.
[0007] Bulk solids are generally comprised of particles of
different sizes. It is commonly desirable to maintain a uniform
concentration of each size throughout the mixture during industrial
processing, storage, and packaging. However, segregation of the
particles by size frequently occurs during processing steps such as
the filling or discharge of a hopper. Such actions can lead to
segregation by sifting. Accordingly, different regions within a
mixture of particulate solids within a hopper can have different
proportions of fine and coarse particles. Thus, uniformity of the
mixture is lost.
[0008] For numerous reasons it can be desirable to be able to
handle and move bulk solids with different size particles while
maintaining a uniform concentration of each size, including
sampling, measurement, and testing processes as well as general
handling of the material. Feeder mechanisms can be utilized to
supply mixtures of bulk solids to hoppers or other locations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] There is a need for a feeder mechanism that maintains a good
mixture of solid particulates of different size and composition for
processes such as segregation testing and the like. The present
invention is directed toward further solutions to address this
need.
[0010] In accordance with one example embodiment of the present
invention, a feeder for a mixture of particulate solids includes a
fixed bottom plate having a discharge aperture therethrough. A
second plate is rotatably slidable over the bottom plate, and has a
plurality of pass through apertures disposed therein. Its
rotational axis is spaced to cause the plurality of apertures to
pass sequentially over the discharge aperture of the bottom plate.
A deposition aperture is configured to receive the mixture and
deposit the mixture on the rotatable second plate in a deposited
trail as the second plate rotates. A fixed cam plate is slidably
mounted over the rotatable second plate; the cam plate having a
contoured periphery configured to displace the deposited trail
radially and progressively outward to the pass through apertures of
the second plate as the second plate rotates, supplying the mixture
forming the deposited trail to the discharge aperture.
[0011] In accordance with aspects of the present invention, the
deposition aperture is integral with the cam plate. The plurality
of pass through apertures are uniformly spaced. The plurality of
pass through apertures can have equal dimensions to one another.
The plurality of pass through apertures can likewise be sized
sufficiently large enough to prohibit the mixture from arching over
the pass through aperture due to particle size or particle
cohesion. The plurality of pass through apertures can further be
disposed in a substantially circular pattern in the second plate.
The second plate can have a substantially circular shape. The
plurality of apertures can be disposed along a periphery of the
second plate.
[0012] In accordance with further aspects of the present invention,
the deposited trail is of uniform cross-section. The cam plate can
be configured to displace the deposited trail radially and
progressively outward with minimal shearing of the mixture forming
the deposited trail. A supply hopper can be disposed to supply the
mixture of particulate solids to the feeder. A motor can be
configured to rotatably drive the second plate. The second plate
can rotate at a rate of between about 2 RPM and about 20 RPM. The
feeder can supply a substantially constant stream of the mixture
through the discharge aperture.
[0013] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
a method of uniformly supplying a mixture of particulate solids
includes receiving a supply of the mixture from a supply source.
The mixture is directed to a deposition aperture configured to
receive the mixture and deposit the mixture on a rotating plate in
the form of a deposited trail as the rotating plate rotates. The
deposited trail is displaced radially and progressively outwardly
along the rotating plate to a plurality of pass through apertures
disposed in the plate. The mixture is discharged from the plurality
of pass through apertures and through a discharge aperture.
[0014] In accordance with aspects of the present invention, the
supply source comprises a bin or hopper. The deposition aperture
can be disposed in a fixed cam plate slidably mounted over the
rotating plate. Displacing the deposited trail can include forming
the deposited trail on the rotating plate with a uniform
cross-sectional area. Displacing the deposited trail can further
include using a fixed cam plate having a contoured periphery
configured to displace the deposited trail radially and
progressively outward to the plurality of pass through apertures of
the rotating plate as the rotating plate rotates, supplying the
mixture forming the deposited trail to the discharge aperture. The
cam plate can be configured to displace the deposited trail
radially and progressively outward with minimal shearing of the
mixture forming the deposited trail.
[0015] In accordance with further aspects of the present invention,
the method can include rotating the rotating plate at a rate that
at least substantially hinders the mixture from arching over the
plurality of pass through apertures. The rotating plate can rotate
at a rate of between about 2 RPM and about 20 RPM. A motor can
drive the rotating plate. The feeder can supply a substantially
constant stream of the mixture through the discharge aperture.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The present invention will become better understood with
reference to the following description and accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a segregation
testing apparatus, according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of a channel hopper
portion of the testing apparatus, according to one aspect of the
present invention;
[0019] FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D are front view, top view, bottom
view, and side view, respectively, of the channel hopper of FIG. 2,
according to one aspect of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of the channel hopper
partially filled with mixture for testing, according to one aspect
of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration of a collector portion
of the testing apparatus, according to one aspect of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective illustration of an alternative
collector portion of the testing apparatus, according to one aspect
of the present invention;
[0023] FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E are side view illustrations of
the collector portion of FIG. 6, according to one aspect of the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration of a feeder mechanism
portion of the testing apparatus, according to one aspect of the
present invention;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a perspective illustration of a cam portion of the
feeder mechanism of FIG. 7, according to one aspect of the present
invention; and
[0026] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of a basic sampling
procedure, according to one aspect of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] An illustrative embodiment of the present invention relates
to a specialized feeder mechanism, which provides a steady
minimally-shearing supply of the mixture to, for example, a channel
hopper. The feeder mechanism can vary in speed, thus varying flow
rate of the mixture as desired. The feeder mechanism further
operates with minimal sifting segregation of the mixture as it
passes through the feeder mechanism to the channel hopper. Prior to
entering the feeder mechanism, the mixture is well mixed by some
means unrelated to the apparatus of the present invention. The
operation of feeding the mixture with the feeder mechanism from a
supply hopper to the channel hopper for testing provides minimal
disruption of the mixture, while simultaneously enabling regulation
and control of the mixture feed to the channel hopper.
[0028] FIGS. 1 through 9, wherein like parts are designated by like
reference numerals throughout, illustrate example embodiments of a
particulate solids mixture segregation testing apparatus and
corresponding method of use, and a feeder mechanism and method of
use according to the present invention. Although the present
invention will be described with reference to the example
embodiments illustrated in the figures, it shall be understood that
many alternative forms can embody the present invention. One of
ordinary skill in the art will additionally appreciate different
ways to alter the parameters of the embodiments disclosed, such as
the size, shape, or type of elements or materials, in a manner
still in keeping with the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a particulate
solids mixture segregation testing apparatus 10 in accordance with
one embodiment of the present invention. The testing apparatus 10
in its simplest form includes a channel hopper 12 and a sample
collector 14. The channel hopper 12 is further depicted in FIG. 2,
and the collector 14 is later described in multiple embodiments
herein.
[0030] Generally, the channel hopper 12 receives a particulate
solids mixture 15 from a feeder mechanism 16, stores the mixture to
a predetermined level or amount in the channel hopper 12, and then
conveys or channels the mixture 15 to the collector 14 formed of a
plurality mixture sample receptacles 18. Additional details
regarding this apparatus and process will be described in further
detail below.
[0031] With regard to FIG. 2, the channel hopper 12 is depicted in
accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention.
The channel hopper 12 includes a first pair of opposed walls 21
formed of a first wall 20 and a second wall 22. The channel hopper
12 further includes a second pair of opposed walls 25 formed of a
third wall 24 and a fourth wall 26. The first pair of opposed walls
21 and the second pair of opposed walls 25 couple together to
create the channel hopper 12 with a supply opening 28 and a
discharge opening 30. The supply opening 28 is sufficiently sized
to enable supply of the mixture 15 to the channel hopper 12, and
the discharge opening is sufficiently sized to enable discharge of
the mixture 15 from the channel hopper 12, when desired. As
depicted, the supply opening 28 and the discharge opening 30 extend
across a complete length and width of the channel hopper 12.
However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the
supply opening 28 and discharge opening 30 need not be as large
relative to the channel hopper 12 size. Additional panels or walls
can be provided to reduce their respective sizes, if desired. It
shall further be noted that the discharge opening 30 can have a
tapering rectangular shape. However, this is merely representative
of one possible shape of the discharge opening 30 in accordance
with one example embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] The channel hopper 12 is formed of a series of convergently
and divergently angled walls. Looking at FIGS. 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, and
3D, one example embodiment of the channel hopper 12 is depicted to
illustrate the convergent and divergent relationships. The first
pair of opposed walls 21 are divergently angled relative to each
other from the supply opening 28 toward the discharge opening 30.
The purpose of the divergent relationship is to alter the stress
field within the mixture during discharge from the channel hopper
12, to promote mass flow with reduced velocity gradients, in order
to maintain the state of segregation as samples are collected. The
actual degree to which the divergent angle relationship occurs can
vary depending on the particular application and perhaps the
specific mixture 15 being tested. However, generally, the divergent
angle can be greater than about 1 degree from parallel to promote
mass flow.
[0033] The second pair of opposed walls 25 are convergently angled
relative to each other from the supply opening 28 toward the
discharge opening 30. The purpose of the convergent relationship is
twofold. The third wall 24 (which is proximal to a supply point of
the mixture 15 as later discussed) is angled relative to vertical
by an amount represented by angle A. The function of angle A is to
cause the third wall 24 to be at a sufficient angle such that
mixture 15 supplied to the supply opening 28 proximal the third
wall 24 slides along the first wall toward the discharge opening 30
and collects within the channel hopper 12 (the channel hopper
having the discharge opening 30 blocked during the fill stage of
the process, as later described). However, angle A should not be so
large as to cause a significant velocity gradient of the mixture
15. Angle A should be sufficient to merely direct and maintain
control of the flow of the mixture 15 to reduce the occurrence of
bouncing, spraying, or other creation of airborne mixture
particulates. Thus, angle A is sufficient to control the flow of
the mixture into the channel hopper 12, but does not create a
substantial hindrance to the flow of the mixture 15. As the channel
hopper 12 sits flat, an example measurement of angle A that often
provides the desired functionality is about 10-15 degrees from
vertical. However, during the fill or supply of the mixture 15 to
the channel hopper 12, the channel hopper 12 is pivoted (as later
described) to cause angle A to reduce to about 5 degrees from
vertical, in accordance with one example implementation.
[0034] The fourth wall 26, which makes up the other portion of the
second pair of opposed walls 25 is also angled convergently. The
purpose of a convergent slope for the fourth wall 26 is to provide
a surface that can form plus or minus 20 degrees in the vicinity of
a right angle with an angle of repose R (see FIG. 4) when the
channel hopper 12 is in its fill position, which may require a
pivoting of the channel hopper 12 as later described. This geometry
provides a relatively long sliding length for the mixture during a
fill operation, while still providing a reasonably small outlet to
collect appropriate sized samples.
[0035] The first pair of opposed walls 21 are also divergently
angled relative to each other from the third wall 24 toward the
fourth wall 26, as can be seen in FIG. 3B. The purpose of the
divergent relationship is to substantially minimize or eliminate
the frictional surface effects of the first wall 20 and the second
wall 22 on the flow of the mixture 15 as it is supplied to the
channel hopper 12 and avalanches to a settled position. The actual
degree to which the divergent angle relationship occurs can vary
depending on the particular application and perhaps the specific
mixture 15 being tested. However, generally, the divergent angle
can be greater than about 1 degree from parallel to substantially
minimize the frictional effects of the first and second walls 20
and 22 on the mixture. One result of the first pair of opposed
walls 21 being divergently angled is that the supply opening 28
forms an elongate trapezoidal shape.
[0036] Briefly, and with reference to FIG. 1, the channel hopper 12
can have its overall orientation pivoted in one direction or the
other. Specifically, a first pivot positioner 40, a second pivot
positioner 42, a third pivot positioner 44, and a fourth pivot
positioner 46, can work together to orient the channel hopper 12 as
desired. As shown in the figure, the first pivot positioner 40 and
the third pivot positioner 44 are being utilized to tilt or pivot
the channel hopper 12 during a fill operation. The pivoting action
enables the variation of the angle A (of FIG. 3A) relative to
vertical, and also the variation of the slope of the opposite wall,
namely the fourth wall 26, so that avalanching mixture 15 will
approach the fourth wall 26 at about a perpendicular relationship.
Then, after the fill operation is completed, the channel hopper 12
can be moved to the second pivot positioner 42 to orient the
channel hopper 12 in a flat or horizontal orientation for sampling,
as later described. One of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that the first pivot positioner 40, second pivot
positioner 42, third pivot positioner 44, and fourth pivot
positioner 46 are merely representative of one example embodiment.
The channel hopper 12 can be pivoted during the fill operation
using only the third pivot positioner 44 and the first pivot
positioner 40. If the channel hopper 12 is oriented in the opposite
direction, or is filled on the opposite side, then the second pivot
positioner 42 and the fourth pivot positioner 46 can work together
to provide the appropriate pivot. Accordingly, one of ordinary
skill in the art will appreciate that the illustrated embodiment
merely demonstrates a number of different positioner options, not
all of which are required in any one embodiment.
[0037] Returning now to FIGS. 3A-3D, the discharge opening 30 is
formed by the combination of the first wall 20, the second wall 22,
the third wall 24, and the fourth wall 26. The combination of the
four walls of the channel hopper 12 can come together to form a
rectilinear discharge opening 30, or a slightly trapezoidally
shaped, or tapering rectangular shaped, discharge opening 30. The
discharge opening is sized, dimensioned, and configured to support
mass flow of the mixture through the channel hopper 12. Because the
channel hopper 12 has a relatively smaller width, as viewed from
the top, nearer the third wall 24 and a relatively larger width
nearer the fourth wall 26, the discharge opening 30 can vary in
width to allow less volumetric flow nearer the third wall 24 and
more volumetric flow nearer the fourth wall 26. This is achieved by
having a slight taper or alternatively a trapezoidal shape to the
discharge opening 30, wherein the narrower end is proximal the
third wall 24 and the wider end is proximal the fourth wall 26.
Thus, as mixture flows through the channel hopper, there is
preferably no change in flow velocity at the third wall 24 side of
the channel hopper 12 relative to flow velocity at the fourth wall
26 side of the channel hopper 12. It shall be noted that if the
cross-sectional area sliced through the channel hopper 12 at
various horizontal locations is substantially the same (i.e., the
convergent and divergent walls combine in some manner that results
in a consistent length and width across a particular horizontal
slice), then the discharge opening 30 can be a rectilinear shape.
Furthermore, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that
the discharge opening 30 can take a number of different forms or
shapes to adjust the mass flow rate of the mixture across all
sections of the channel hopper 12 in accordance with concepts
expressed herein.
[0038] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic front view illustration of the
channel hopper 12 in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention. This figure shows the channel hopper 12 partially filled
with mixture 15. The mixture 15 is provided to the channel hopper
12 at a fill region 36, which is essentially proximal the third
wall 24, such that the mixture 15 can slide down the third wall 24
to fill the channel hopper 12 during a fill operation. The mixture
15 fills the channel hopper 12 by sliding down the third wall 24
and impacting with previously supplied mixture, then avalanching
down toward the fourth wall 26. As the mixture avalanches, it does
so at an angle of repose R related to the particular properties of
the mixture 15, and the angle at which the channel hopper is
oriented or pivoted. The channel hopper 12 can be substantially
transparent, enabling a user to view the mixture 15 as it collects
in the channel hopper 12. As such, the channel hopper 12 can
additionally support use of angle of repose markings 34 so that a
user may quickly reference the angle of repose. The angle of repose
markings 34 can indicate, for example, angle measurements of
between about 20 degrees and about 45 degrees from horizontal
during a filling operation when the channel hopper 12 is
pivoted.
[0039] When the channel hopper 12 has a sufficient amount of
mixture 15 contained therein, a series of samples of the mixture 15
can be taken using the plurality of mixture sample receptacles 18
disposed in the collector 14 to receive mixture supplied to the
channel hopper 12 for analysis of mixture segregation. Turning now
to FIG. 5, the collector 14 and the plurality of sample receptacles
18 are shown in accordance with one example embodiment of the
present invention. The sample receptacles 18 are resident within a
shuttle 50. The shuttle 50 is reciprocally slidable between a first
position 52 and a second position 54. When the shuttle is disposed
in its first position 52, the plurality of sample receptacles are
disposed beneath the discharge opening 30 of the channel hopper 12,
enabling the mixture 15 to flow from the channel hopper 12 to the
plurality of sample receptacles 18. The sample receptacles 18 are
broken into five sections or segments in the illustrative
embodiment. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that a greater or fewer number of sample receptacles can
form the plurality of sample receptacles 18 to vary the granularity
of the sample rate.
[0040] As the mixture 15 flows into the plurality of sample
receptacles 18, the plurality of sample receptacles fills until it
is full, thus stopping mixture flow. The shuttle is then moved to
the second position 54 where the user has access to the plurality
of sample receptacles 18 and can remove the mixture 15 samples from
each of the plurality of sample receptacles 18 for segregation
testing. When the shuttle 50 is in the second position 54, the
shuttle 50 acts as a channel block, blocking the discharge opening
30 of the channel hopper 12 so that no mixture 15 can flow. The
process is repeated with the shuttle 50 reciprocating between first
and second positions 52 and 54 to remove samples of the mixture 15
from the channel hopper 12 until all of the mixture 15 is removed
from the channel hopper 12, or alternatively, until a sufficient
amount is removed for the desired testing procedure. The
arrangement of the samples receptacles allows for matrix sampling
(rows and columns) by the test apparatus, if desired.
[0041] FIGS. 6, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E are illustrations of an
alternative, and more elaborate, implementation to the collector 14
depicted in FIG. 5. In the present example, a collector 14'
provides a more automated approach to obtaining the samples of the
mixture 15 from the channel hopper 12. The configuration depicted
also eliminates free-fall from the channel hopper 12 into the
collector 14, and eliminates counter-flow of air up through the
channel hopper 12, which can otherwise disrupt the segregation
pattern in the channel hopper 12. The channel hopper 12 is not
shown in this figure, but sits positioned atop a fixed base 56 as
in other described implementations. A piston channel block 58 is
sized and dimensioned to snugly fit within a first receptacle 62 of
a first shuttle 60 (see FIG. 6A) passing through a piston
receptacle or second receptacle 65 of a second shuttle 64. When it
is desired for the mixture 15 to flow from the channel hopper 12 to
be sampled, the piston channel block 58 lowers into the second
receptacle 65 to reveal the first receptacle 62 (see FIG. 6B). The
mixture 15 fills the first receptacle 62. The first shuttle 60, the
second shuttle 64, and the piston channel block 58 (disposed in the
second receptacle 65) reciprocally slide to close the discharge
opening 30. The second shuttle 64 and the piston channel block 58
are then fixed in place, while the first shuttle 60 with the
mixture 15 in the first receptacle 62 continues to reciprocally
slide (see FIG. 6C). The mixture 15 transfers from the first
receptacle 62 to a plurality of sample receptacles 18 in a third
shuttle 68 (see FIG. 6D). The third shuttle 68 then reciprocally
slides over each of a plurality of staggered apertures 72 in a
fixed plate 70. As the third shuttle 68 slides over the staggered
apertures 72, each individual receptacle of the plurality of sample
receptacles 18 deposits the sample mixture 15 into one of a
plurality of collection containers 74 (see FIG. 6E). Thus, the
plurality of staggered apertures 72 aligns with the plurality of
mixture sample receptacles 18 to incrementally enable flow of
mixture from each of the plurality of mixture sample receptacles 18
one at a time into separate collection containers 74 as the third
shuttle 68 slides over the fixed plate 70.
[0042] The mixture samples in each of the collection containers 74
can then each be analyzed for segregation or other testing. The
first shuttle 60, the second shuttle 64, the third shuttle 68, the
fixed plate 70, and the piston channel block 58 then reset to the
positions shown in FIG. 6 to prepare for the next sampling of
mixture 15 from the channel hopper 12. The return sequence is
different from the initial sequence. The third shuttle 68 returns
to its original position. The piston channel block 58 rises to fill
the first receptacle 62 making the top face of the piston channel
block 58 flush with the top of the first shuttle 60. Then, the
first shuttle 60 and second shuttle 64 return to their original
starting position. In this manner, the mixture 15 does not
free-fall into the first receptacle 62. One of ordinary skill in
the art will appreciate that the example of FIG. 6 is merely an
alternative and more elaborate collection mechanism relative to the
mechanism shown in FIG. 5. However, the present invention is not
limited to the two variations of mechanisms described herein. These
are simply intended as illustrative of mechanisms or devices that
can form a part of the testing apparatus of the present invention
to aid in the acquisition of mixture samples from the channel
hopper 12 in a manner that is predicable, repeatable, and can
obtain samples without substantially disrupting the mixture 15 in
the channel hopper 12.
[0043] The collectors 14 and 14' of FIGS. 5 and 6 are useful in
that they can repeatedly remove samples of mixture 15 from the
channel hopper 12 without substantially disturbing or disrupting
the physical position of the solid particles of the mixture
relative to one another as they came to rest in the channel hopper
12. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other
methods for removing the mixture 15 from the hopper may be more
disruptive of the mixture 15. For example, if the mixture is
scooped out from the supply opening 28 of the channel hopper 12,
then the location of the removed mixture 15 would be filled in with
additional avalanching of the mixture 15, thus highly disrupting
the mixture 15. Alternatively, if the channel hopper 12 were tilted
to pour the mixture 15 from the supply opening 28, again the
mixture 15 as it settled or collected in the channel hopper 12
would be completely re-mixed and re-distributed. As such, accurate
samples of how the mixture 15 came to rest within the channel
hopper 12 would not be obtainable. The inventors of the present
invention have devised the collectors 14 and 14' as described and
depicted herein to remove mixture samples from the discharge
opening 30 of the channel hopper 12 in a manner that maintains
sufficient order of solid particles in the mixture 15 as they are
deposited during the fill operation of the channel hopper 12. In so
doing, the segregation pattern developed within the channel hopper
12 is maintained during the sample collection process. The
collectors 14 and 14' further provide the ability to sample the
entire mixture 15 contained in the channel hopper 12, in that
repeated horizontal levels of mixture samples can be removed until
the entire mixture 15 is removed from the channel hopper 12. Thus,
the samples are highly demonstrative of the actual segregation of
particles within all portions or locations of the channel hopper
12.
[0044] The testing apparatus 10 of the present invention as
depicted in FIG. 1 further includes the feeder mechanism 16. In
order to ensure a more accurate test of the segregation of solid
particles in a mixture 15 as a result of being loaded into a bin or
hopper, it is useful to maintain a good mixture of the solid
particles as they are fed to the channel hopper 12. It can be
desirable to maintain a steady controlled feed of the mixture 15 to
the channel hopper 12. Mixtures of solid particles can have varying
pockets of larger or smaller particles if not well mixed. In
addition, some feeding mechanisms can cause shearing of the solid
particles, breaking them up into half particles or smaller
particles, which can be undesirable. In addition, some mixtures of
solid particles can have relatively high cohesive strengths. The
cohesive strength of a powder is a measure of the forces of
attraction between the molecules. Mixtures with high cohesive
strengths can be subject to clumping of the mixture. Accordingly, a
feeder mechanism 16 is required that can maintain a mixture in its
well-mixed condition while distributing or supplying a measurable
or predicable amount of the mixture 15 to the channel hopper 12 for
collection and subsequent testing. The feeder mechanism 16 should
also operate with minimal shearing of the particles of the mixture
15 during distribution.
[0045] Accordingly, the feeder mechanism 16 is depicted in FIGS. 1,
7, and 8, in accordance with one example embodiment of the present
invention. The feeder mechanism 16 is a minimally-shearing
mechanism that regulates and controls the supply of the mixture 15
from the supply hopper 78 where the mixture is well mixed, to the
channel hopper 12 of the testing apparatus 10. The feeder mechanism
16 includes a motor 80 for powering the feeder mechanism 16. A
fixed bottom plate 82 supports a rotatably slidable second plate
86. The fixed bottom plate 82 includes a discharge aperture 84,
which provides the mixture 15 to a fill tube 104 that is ultimately
positioned in the fill region 36 of the channel hopper 12.
[0046] The rotatably slidable second plate 86 includes a plurality
of pass through apertures 88 formed with a plurality of dividers
90. In the example embodiment illustrated, the plurality of pass
through apertures 88 are disposed about a periphery of the second
plate 86, which is substantially circular in shape. However, one of
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the plurality of
pass through apertures 88 can take the form of complete holes
drilled through the second plate 86, or some other variation that
enables an aperture that passes completely through the second plate
86 in a manner that the mixture 15 can pass through as desired.
Furthermore, the shape of the second plate 86 is not required to be
circular, especially if the second plate 86 continues outwardly
beyond the path of pass through apertures 88. Accordingly, the
present invention is not limited to the specific implementation
depicted herein. Rather, other equivalent structures are
anticipated by the present invention, and are therefore included
within the scope of the present invention.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 8, a fixed cam plate 92 is mounted on top
of the second plate 86, in a manner allowing the second plate 86 to
rotate relative to the cam plate 92. The fixed cam plate 92 has a
contoured periphery 94 formed by an incrementally increasing radial
dimension from an inner radius to an outer radius, the outer radius
placing the contoured periphery or perimeter of the cam at about
the location of the plurality of pass through apertures 88, such
that any mixture deposited on the second plate 86 is pushed outward
to the plurality of pass through apertures 88, and the cam plate 92
at its outermost radial dimension covers the top surface plate
portion of the second plate. Further discussion of this
relationship is provided below. The fixed cam plate 92 further
includes a supply port 96 that leads to a deposition aperture 98.
The supply port 96 couples with the supply hopper 78 and passes the
mixture to the deposition aperture 98. The deposition aperture 98
deposits the mixture on the second plate 86 with a uniform
cross-sectional area. The uniform cross-sectional area enables
accurate regulation and control of the amount of mixture 15
ultimately being supplied to the channel hopper 12. The
cross-sectional area created by the deposition aperture 98 is sized
to regulate the flow rate to be below that provided by the pass
through apertures 88 to prevent overfilling of the pass through
apertures 88.
[0048] A fixed top plate 100 is disposed on top of the fixed cam
plate 92 and supports the motor 80. The fixed top plate 100 further
includes a supply aperture 102 that couples the supply hopper 78
with the supply port 96 of the fixed cam plate 92, enabling supply
of the mixture to the deposition aperture 98.
[0049] In operation, the following process occurs in accordance
with one example embodiment of the present invention, and as
illustrated in FIG. 9, as well as with reference to FIGS. 1-8. The
well-mixed mixture 15 is supplied to the supply hopper 78. The
motor 80 rotates the second plate 86 at a desired rate. It has been
found with most powder particulate solid mixtures that a rate of
between 2 RPM and 20 RPM is appropriate to keep a steady flow, but
to avoid going too fast and causing the mixture 15 to sweep past
the discharge aperture 84. One of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that the specific RPM of the second plate 86 is based at
least in part on the size of the particles in the mixture 15 and
their respective cohesive strength. In general, it is preferable to
produce a substantially steady stream of mixture flowing to the
channel hopper 12. Thus, if the RPM of the second plate 86 is too
slow, a pulsed output would result and this would be undesirable
for most applications. However, one of ordinary skill will
appreciate that such pulsed operation is achievable with the
present invention, thus such action is not beyond the scope of the
present invention.
[0050] The mixture passes through the supply aperture 102 of the
fixed top plate 100 to the supply port 96 in the fixed cam plate
92. The mixture 15 continues through to the deposition aperture 98
and as the second plate 86 rotates, the mixture 15 is deposited on
the top of the second plate 86 in a deposition trail having a
uniform cross-section shaped similarly to the shape of the
deposition aperture 98. In the example embodiment, the deposition
aperture 98 maintains an arch shape, but any appropriate shape may
be used. The second plate 86 continues its rotation and the
deposition trail brushes along the contoured periphery 94 of the
fixed cam plate 92. As the deposition trail of the mixture 15
continues around the contoured periphery 94 it is progressively
pushed radially outwardly until it eventually reaches and falls
through the plurality of pass through apertures 88 in the second
plate 86. The second plate 86 continues rotation and pushes the
mixture 15 in the pass through apertures 88 to the discharge
aperture 84, where the mixture 15 falls through to the fill tube
104 and then into the channel hopper 12 generally at the fill
region 36. This entire supply process is done with
minimally-shearing action that provides a substantially steady flow
rate of the mixture 15 into the channel hopper 12.
[0051] The channel hopper 12, prior to the introduction of the
mixture 15, is pivoted up on the end of the third wall 24 to create
a slope on the third wall of about 5 degrees from vertical (see
FIG. 9, step 1, angle P). The slope in the pivoted position is
closer to vertical than the slope of the third wall 24 when the
channel hopper 12 is sitting level, without pivoting. As the
mixture 15 passes through the fill tube 104 it makes minimal
contact with the third wall 24 of the channel hopper 12 and slides
down the third wall 24 until impacting either the channel blocking
portion of the shuttle 50 (or piston channel block 58), or as the
mixture collects, other already deposited mixture 15. The mixture
15 eventually begins avalanching down toward the fourth wall 26 as
the channel hopper 12 fills with mixture (see FIG. 9, step 2). The
angle of repose R of the mixture can be visually tracked with the
angle of repose markings 34 if desired.
[0052] Once the mixture 15 substantially fills the channel hopper
12, the feeder mechanism 16 is shut down to halt the flow of the
mixture 15 to the channel hopper 12. If the channel hopper 12 was
pivoted upward for the filling operation, the channel hopper 12 is
moved back down to an un-pivoted condition, where the collector 14
is substantially horizontal (see FIG. 9, step 3). The testing
apparatus 10 is then ready for the acquisition of samples from the
channel hopper 12. As previously discussed, several different
mechanisms and methods can be utilized to obtain samples from the
channel hopper 12. For purposes of this operational description,
the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6 will be referenced.
[0053] During the fill operation, the piston channel block 58 is in
place completely filling the first receptacle 62, creating the
channel block configuration. This enables the mixture 15 to collect
in the channel hopper 12. When the fill operation is complete and
it is time for sampling to begin, the piston channel block 58
lowers to reveal the first receptacle 62. It shall be noted that
the piston does not lower beyond the bottom surface of the first
receptacle 62. Thus, there are no gaps formed between the piston
channel block 58 and the first receptacle 62. Rather, a chamber is
formed within the first receptacle 62, with the only opening being
on the topside of the first receptacle 62 allowing mixture 15 to
flow from the channel hopper 12 to the first receptacle 62. The
first shuttle 60 (in its first position during the fill operation
and the lowering of the piston channel block 58), together with the
piston channel block 58 and the second shuttle 64, then slides to a
second position. At this second position, the piston channel block
58 and second shuttle 64 remain fixed in place. The first shuttle
60 is then moved to a third position, whereby the first receptacle
62 overlaps with the plurality of sample receptacles 18 in the
third shuttle 68. The mixture 15 flows from the first receptacle 62
to the plurality of sample receptacles 18 (see FIG. 9, step 4). The
plurality of sample receptacles 18 are walled off between one
another, such that sections of the channel hopper 12 can be
identified and sectioned out for analytical purposes. The number of
sample receptacles utilized is reflective of the level of
granularity or resolution desired for the particular test. The
sample size is important because it can be customized to equal that
needed for a particular analytical test, and thus obviate the need
for riffling and/or sub-sampling, which can skew the results. If
two sample receptacles are utilized, the granularity or resolution
is very low, and if twenty or thirty sample receptacles are
utilized, the granularity or resolution is quite high. The number
of sample receptacles can range from one to a maximum. The maximum
number of sample receptacles is limited only by the ability of the
mixture 15 to fit in each sample receptacle. If the width of the
sample receptacle is so small or narrow as to not allow all sizes
of solid particles in the mixture to fit within the sample
receptacle, then the number of sample receptacles must be reduced
until all particles can fit (alternatively, the width of the
discharge opening 30 and total width of the plurality of sample
receptacles can be increased with a re-designed testing
apparatus).
[0054] Once the plurality of sample receptacles 18 are filled with
the mixture 15, the third shuttle 68 (in its first position during
the transfer of the mixture 15 to the plurality of sample
receptacles 18) slides toward a second position. As the third
shuttle 68 slides, each individual sample receptacle of the
plurality of sample receptacles 18 comes across one of the
plurality of staggered apertures 72 in the fixed plate 70. As each
sample receptacle overlaps each staggered aperture, the mixture 15
flows from the sample receptacle to one of the plurality of
collection containers 74 (see FIG. 9, step 5). Thus, each
collection container (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E) repeatedly receives
mixture samples from a same vertical column of mixture from the
channel hopper 12. Additionally, the plurality of collection
containers 74 can be emptied, or new containers added, and their
contents quantified and logged so that each horizontal row of
sample taken from the mixture 15 in the channel hopper 12 can be
identified. Referring to FIG. 9, (step 4), the vertical and
horizontal gradations indicate each sample section that can be
attained, identified, quantified, and tested, using the testing
apparatus 10 of the present invention.
[0055] The testing apparatus 10 of the present invention, and
corresponding method of use, provides a user with the ability to
simulate the internal conditions of a particulate solid collection
within a storage hopper. The amount of particulate solid mixture
sample required to perform the test and obtain valid results is
substantially less than the amount of mixture stored in the hopper
being simulated (on the order of 1600 Kg). A typical testing
apparatus may hold on the order of 35 grams (or about 70 ml) of
sample mixture. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
that the precise weight quantifiers of the hopper being simulated
and the testing apparatus are merely exemplary. The present
invention is intended to relate generally to the provision of a
testing apparatus that requires substantially less particulate
solid mixture sample amounts relative to the storage bin or hopper
undergoing segregation testing. Thus, in instances where the
mixture is formed of relatively expensive material, the smaller
sample sizes (relative to the volume of material required in
previous segregation test methods) are highly advantageous, because
the overall costs of the segregation testing, especially with
regard to material, are dramatically reduced relative to other
testing methods. Furthermore, the testing apparatus 10 provides a
substantially uniform flow of the mixture as it passes through the
channel hopper 12 for sampling, thus making the testing apparatus
10 highly accurate in testing the conditions inside a larger hopper
collecting the mixture with regard to the occurrence of sifting
segregation. Also, the sample size (as collected from the tester)
is important because it can be customized to equal that needed for
a particular assay, and thus obviate the need for riffling and/or
sub-sampling, which can skew the results
[0056] In addition, the testing apparatus of the present invention
makes use of the feeder mechanism 16, which provides a steady
minimally-shearing supply of the mixture to the channel hopper 12.
The feeder mechanism can vary in speed, thus varying flow rate of
the mixture as desired. The feeder mechanism further operates with
minimal sifting segregation of the mixture as it passes through the
feeder mechanism to the channel hopper 12. Thus, the feeder
mechanism provides minimal disruption of the mixture from the
supply hopper, but enables regulation and control of the mixture
feed to the channel hopper.
[0057] Numerous modifications and alternative embodiments of the
present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in
view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is
to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of
teaching those skilled in the art the best mode for carrying out
the present invention. Details of the structure may vary
substantially without departing from the spirit of the present
invention, and exclusive use of all modifications that come within
the scope of the appended claims is reserved. It is intended that
the present invention be limited only to the extent required by the
appended claims and the applicable rules of law.
* * * * *