U.S. patent number 3,552,721 [Application Number 04/766,853] was granted by the patent office on 1971-01-05 for particulate material mixing machine.
Invention is credited to Charles E. Phillips.
United States Patent |
3,552,721 |
Phillips |
January 5, 1971 |
PARTICULATE MATERIAL MIXING MACHINE
Abstract
A particulate material mixing machine having a rotatable open
ended drum with scoops attached thereto to elevate material within
a stationary hood enclosing the drum open end and material received
from a stationary hopper within the drum. Drum mechanism elevates
material and directs it into the hopper, a baffle attached to the
hood blocking any substantial flow of material from the drum to the
scoops except that which passes through the hopper. A hood
discharge chute receives material elevated by the scoops. The
scoops are stationary relative the drum in one embodiment and in
the other some of the scoops are pivotable. The drum has front
inclined troughs for directing material in a direction away from
the hood and rear inclined troughs for directing material in the
opposite direction.
Inventors: |
Phillips; Charles E.
(Downsville, WI) |
Family
ID: |
25077713 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/766,853 |
Filed: |
October 11, 1968 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
366/135;
366/225 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01F
15/0276 (20130101); B01F 9/06 (20130101); B01F
15/0266 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B01F
9/06 (20060101); B01F 9/00 (20060101); B01F
15/02 (20060101); B01f 009/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;259/3,14,30,50,81,89 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Roberts; Edward L.
Claims
I claim:
1. A machine for mixing particulate materials comprising a drum,
means for mounting the drum to revolve about a substantially
horizontal axis in one normal angular direction, said drum having a
tubular wall and a rear end wall at one axial end thereof, a
stationary hood enclosing the opposite end of the drum, said hood
having an end wall adjacent the end of the drum opposite the drum
rear wall, and hood and drum cooperating means in part mounted by
said hood and in part by said drum to rotate therewith for
elevating material from a low position to a higher position as the
drum is rotated and selectively discharging at least part of the
above mentioned elevated material exterior of the hood, the drum
cooperating means including a plurality of scoops, first generally
annular means for mounting said scoops on the drum in
circumferentially spaced relationship to rotate with said drum, and
second means for elevating material within the drum to an elevation
intermediate the lower and uppermost portions of the drum and
directing the last mentioned elevated material toward the hood end
wall, said second means being mounted in the drum to rotate
therewith and extending axially more closely adjacent to the rear
wall than said scoops, the hood cooperating means including a
discharge chute mounted on the hood wall, said chute having an
inlet axially beneath an upper portion of the drum cooperating
means to receive material from a scoop, and an outlet opening
exteriorly of the hood, baffle means joined to the hood end wall
and overhanging angularly lower scoops for directing material
axially away from the hood end wall and blocking any substantial
flow of material from the drum into the lower scoops, and hopper
means connected to at least one of the hood and the baffle means
for receiving material from the second means and directing it into
the path of movement of a scoop at an elevation vertically between
the chute inlet and the lowermost portion of the drum, said hopper
means having an outlet at a substantially higher elevation than the
lowermost portion of the drum and located angularly between the
lowermost portion of the drum and the chute inlet in the direction
of normal rotation of the drum.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that trough
means is mounted on the tubular wall to rotate therewith for
directing at least part of the material within the confines of the
tubular wall toward the rear wall.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that the first
means comprises an annular scoop mounting member axially remote
from the hood end wall that has an inside diameter substantially
less than the inside diameter of the drum, and that the baffle
means includes an angularly elongated flange overlaying a
substantial lower angular portion of the scoop mounting member and
extending a substantial axial distance on either side of the
mounting member.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 further characterized in that the
baffle means includes an inclined wall portion having one edge
joined to said hood, said wall portion being inclined downwardly in
a direction toward the drum rear wall, extending axially more
remote from the hood end wall than the scoops and extending in
overlying relationship to the lowermost scoops.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 further characterized in that said wall
portion extends transverse relative to said axis from adjacent the
hopper means to adjacent the annular mounting member at a location
horizontally opposite the hopper means.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 further characterized in that said hood
has an annular wall portion surrounding said scoops, an annular
flange joined to said hood wall portion axially opposite said hood
end wall, and a flexible seal member joined to said hood wall
portion for bearing against the drum.
7. The apparatus of claim 4 further characterized in that said hood
includes a sump portion underlying a substantial angular portion of
the drum cooperating means and an axial portion, said hood sump
portion and axial portion extending angularly around the part of
the drum cooperating means, and seal means joined to said hood
portions to seal against said drum, and that said first means
includes means for pivotally mounting said scoops to permit the
scoops to extend into said sump portion as the scoops are moved
angularly adjacent said sump portion.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 further characterized in that said sump
portion includes a lower wall portion underlying at least part of
the path of travel of the scoops, said sump wall portion at least
in part being curved about a radius of curvature that is lower than
said horizontal axis and horizontally on the opposite side of said
horizontal axis from the hopper means inlet.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 further characterized in that said sump
portion includes a linear wall portion adjacent and beneath the
path of travel of the scoops, said linear wall portion being joined
to said lower wall portion and inclined upwardly therefrom at an
acute angle relative the horizontal.
10. In a machine for mixing particulate material, a frame, an
elongated generally horizontal shaft mounted on said frame, a drum
having a tubular wall and a rear end wall mounted on said shaft to
revolve about the shaft axis, means connected to the drum for
drivingly rotating the drum in a given angular direction, a
stationary hood having an end wall at the opposite axial end of
said tubular wall from said rear wall, and an axially extending
wall to enclose the opposite end of said tubular wall, a discharge
chute mounted on the hood end wall and having an inlet opening
within the hood at a substantially higher elevation than said
shaft, a baffle fixedly secured to the hood and located within the
hood, a hopper fixedly mounted in the hood and joined to said
baffle, said hopper having an inlet at a substantially lower
elevation than said discharge chute inlet, at a substantially
higher elevation than the lowermost portion of the drum, and
substantially horizontally offset and spaced from the shaft, said
baffle including an arcuate section radially spaced from the hood
axially extending wall and angularly between the hopper and the
discharge chute, first means on the tubular wall for elevating
material in the drum and directing material to flow into the hopper
inlet as the drum is rotated, and generally annular second means
mounted on said opposite axial end of the tubular wall to rotate
with said drum for elevating material in the lower portion of the
hood and moving the elevated material to a location above the
discharge chute inlet, said second means including a plurality of
circumferentially spaced scoops and third means for mounting the
scoops and moving the scoops through a generally circular path
including between said baffle section and hood axial wall as the
drum rotates, said hopper having an outlet opening to the path of
movement of the scoops radially between the shaft and the annular
means and angularly between the lowermost portion of the hood axial
wall and the discharge chute inlet in said given angular direction
at a substantial angular distance in advance of the lowermost
portion of the hood axial wall, and said baffle and third means
having cooperating means for blocking any substantial flow of
material within the confines of the lower portion of the drum into
the path of movement of the scoops.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that the
first means comprises a plurality of mixing blades that are joined
to the tubular wall for moving material axially toward the hood as
the drum rotates in said given angular direction, and that there is
provided trough means secured to the tubular wall to rotate
therewith for feeding material in the drum toward the rear wall
after the drum has a substantial amount of material therein, said
trough means comprising a trough for conveying material rearwardly
and spaced from the tubular wall and the blades to permit the
blades feeding material forwardly for emptying the drum, and means
for mounting the trough on the drum wall in the above mentioned
spaced relationship to the drum to rotate therewith.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that the
baffle cooperating means includes a generally planar inclined plate
having a front edge joined to the hood end wall, said plate being
inclined downwardly toward the rear wall at a sufficiently steep
angle that the material will normally flow thereover through the
force of gravity, and extending transversely between the hopper and
the portion of the annular means that is located on the side of the
shaft horizontally opposite the hopper.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that the
third means includes an annular flange joined to the tubular wall
to rotate therewith, said annular flange having a substantially
smaller inside radius of curvature than that of the tubular wall,
and that the cooperating means includes an arcuate flange having an
outside radius of curvature slightly smaller than the radius of
curvature of the annular flange, said arcuate flange being of an
angular length of greater than 90.degree., and baffle means joined
to the hood end wall for mounting said arcuate flange closely
adjacent and overlying the inner circumferential edge of the lower
portion of the annular flange, said arcuate flange being of an
axial length to extend a distance substantially more closely
adjacent the rear wall than the annular flange.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 further characterized in that said
hood includes a sump extending to a substantially lower elevation
than the tubular wall, said sump having an arcuately curved bottom
wall that constitutes a part of said axial wall, that said scoops
have walls that extend in a direction parallel to the shaft, that
said third means comprises fourth means for mounting said scoops
for pivotal movement about axes parallel to the shaft axis to
permit the scoops moving angularly across the sump bottom wall as
the drum is rotated, and that said arcuate flange has a
circumferential edge that is axially more closely adjacent the hood
end wall than the annular flange and is spaced from the hood end
wall by a dimension that is greater than one-half of the dimension
of one of said scoop walls in the direction parallel to the
shaft.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 further characterized in that the
fourth means includes a generally planar baffle plate having a
front edge fixedly attached to the hood end wall at about the
elevation of the hopper inlet, said baffle plate being inclined
downwardly in a direction toward the rear wall and having a rear
edge located axially more closely adjacent the rear wall than said
annular flange.
16. The apparatus of claim 14 further characterized in that said
arcuately curved bottom wall is curved about an axis at a lower
elevation than the shaft axis and substantially horizontally offset
therefrom in a direction opposite the hopper.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 further characterized in that said
sump has a linear wall portion that constitutes a part of said
axial wall, said linear wall portion being joined to said arcuately
curved wall portion, inclined upwardly and at least in part being
vertically beneath the hopper.
18. The apparatus of claim 13 further characterized in that said
annular flange has an outside diameter substantially greater than
the outside diameter of the tubular wall, and that said hood end
wall has an inlet port at a substantially lower elevation than the
hopper outlet, and that there is provided a feed chute attached to
the lower portion of the hood for feeding material through said
inlet port into the interior of the hood.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 further characterized in that there
is provided a closure mounted on the hood end wall for selectively
blocking the discharge chute inlet, and that said baffle has a
terminal edge horizontal opposite the hopper that is substantially
angularly spaced from the discharge chute to permit material moved
by the scoops to an elevation above the discharge chute inlet to
fall onto said baffle when the closure is blocking the discharge
chute inlet.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 further characterized in that said
third means comprises a second annular flange that is axially
adjacent the hood end wall, said scoops extending between and being
fixedly attached to said annular flanges, and that said second
annular flange has cutouts to permit material flowing through said
port to a location axially between said annular flanges.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 further characterized in that said
baffle includes a second arcuate section extending between said
hopper and discharge chute inlet and closely adjacent the path of
movement of the scoops radially between the shaft and axial wall to
block the flow of material to a lower level as the scoops move
angularly toward the discharge chute inlet.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 further characterized in that the
hopper includes a first generally planar inclined plate parallel to
the shaft axis and inclined downwardly to extend progressively
further away from a vertical plane intermediate the shaft and the
plate and parallel to the shaft axis, the upper portion of said
first plate being horizontally intermediate a part of the arcuate
baffle section and the shaft.
23. The apparatus of claim 22 further characterized in that said
hopper includes a second vertical plate, said second plate being
perpendicular to the shaft axis and extending horizontal between
the first plate upper edge and the horizontal opposite part of the
arcuate baffle section and being axially on the opposite side of
the hood end wall from the first plate, and having a top edge at
the level of the hopper inlet, said hopper outlet being axially
intermediate the hood end wall and the second plate and having a
lower edge defined by said first plate.
24. The apparatus of claim 22 further characterized in that a
plurality of angularly spaced, elongated, inclined trough means are
mounted in the tubular wall to rotate therewith for conveying
material within the drum rearwardly as the drum rotates after the
drum is partially filled, said first trough means each including a
first-trough front-end portion axially adjacent said opposite end
of the tubular wall and radially spaced from the tubular wall and a
first rear-end portion further axially remote from the first
front-end portion, each trough having a portion intermediate its
end portions more radially closely adjacent the shaft than the
front-end portion.
25. The apparatus of claim 24 further characterized in that there
is provided a plurality of elongated, inclined second trough means
for conveying material axially forwardly in the drum as the drum
rotates, each of said second trough means including a front-end
portion and a rear-end portion radially adjacent the tubular wall
and a discharge end portion axially intermediate the hood and the
rear wall, each second trough means having a portion intermediate
its end portions more radially closely adjacent the shaft than its
rear-end portion.
26. The apparatus of claim 25 further characterized in that each
trough front-end portion is angularly rearwardly of the trough
rear-end portion in said given angular direction and that each
second trough means front-end portion is angularly in advance of
its rear-end portion.
27. In a machine for mixing particulate material, a frame, an
elongated horizontal shaft mounted on said frame, a drum having a
tubular wall and a rear-end wall mounted on said shaft to revolve
about the shaft axis, means connected to said drum for drivingly
rotating said drum in a given angular direction, said drum having a
0.degree. drum rotary position at the lowermost part of the drum, a
stationary hood having an end wall axially spaced from the end of
the tubular wall opposite said rear wall, and an axial wall
enclosing the end of the drum opposite the rear wall, said shaft
extending through the hood end wall, a plurality of scoops, first
means for mounting said scoops axially between the tubular wall in
circumferentially spaced relationship radially adjacent the hood
axial wall to rotate with the drum for elevating material from the
lowermost portion of the hood, said hood having an inlet opening to
the lowermost portion of the hood axial wall, a feed chute exterior
of the hood for directing material through the hood inlet and into
the path of movement of the scoops, a discharge chute attached to
said hood end wall and having an inlet radially between the path of
movement of the scoops and the shaft at a substantially higher
elevation than the shaft, a hopper fixedly attached to the hood
radially between the path of movement of the scoops and the shaft,
and angularly between the hood inlet and the discharge chute inlet
in the direction the drum is driven, said hopper having an outlet
opening adjacent the path of travel of the scoops and angularly in
advance of the lowermost portion of the path of travel of the
scoops for directing material to the scoops and an inlet at an
elevation intermediate that of the discharge chute inlet and the
hood inlet, means attached to the drum to rotate therewith for
directing material within the drum to the hopper inlet and baffle
means mounted by the hood and extending transversely above the
lowermost scoops for blocking any substantial flow of material
within the confines of the drum into the path of travel of the
scoops other than that flowing through the hopper.
28. The apparatus of claim 26 further characterized in that the
hopper outlet is located about 40.degree.--75.degree. in advance of
said 0.degree. drum position.
29. In a machine for mixing particulate material, a frame, a
generally horizontal shaft mounted on said frame, a drum having a
tubular wall and a rear wall mounted on said shaft to revolve about
the shaft axis, means for normally rotating the drum in a given
direction, a stationary hood having an end wall at the opposite
axial end of said tubular wall to enclose the opposite end of said
tubular wall, hood and drum cooperating means, in part mounted by
said hood, and in part by said drum to rotate therewith, for
elevating material from a vertically lower position as the drum is
rotated, and selectively discharging the elevated material
exteriorly of said hood and alternately into the drum, said
cooperating means including spiral mixing blades attached to the
drum to rotate therewith for directing material in the drum toward
the hood end wall, and first trough means mounted in the drum to
rotate therewith for directing material in the drum toward the rear
end wall after the drum is partially filled and is rotating, said
trough means including a trough first front end portion radially
spaced from the tubular wall to provide a clearance space to permit
material in the drum being fed toward the hood by the spiral blades
when the drum is in a near empty condition to allow substantially
emptying the drum.
30. The apparatus of claim 29 further characterized in that said
trough means comprises a plurality of elongated, inclined,
circumferentially-spaced troughs, each trough having a rear-end
portion and a front-end portion that in the direction of normal
rotation of the drum is substantially angularly more rearwardly
than the rear-end portion.
31. The apparatus of claim 30 further characterized in that the
spiral blades have one end portion axially adjacent the hood and
that the cooperating means comprises a hopper fixedly attached to
the hood and having an outlet, and an inlet adjacent the one end
portions of the spiral blades to receive material elevated thereby,
said hopper outlet being a substantial angular distance in advance
of the lowermost portion of the drum, and scoop means attached to
the drum to rotate therewith for receiving material discharged
through the hopper outlet and elevating the received material as
the drum rotates.
32. The apparatus of claim 31 further characterized in that the
cooperating means comprises a baffle fixedly attached to the hood,
said baffle having an inclined plate that overhangs the substantial
angular part of the lower part of the path of travel of the scoops
and is inclined downwardly in a direction toward the rear wall and
that there is provided second trough means mounted in the drum to
rotate therewith for conveying material axially forwardly, said
second trough means having a discharge end portion axially
intermediate about one-half the axial length of the tubular wall
and said tubular wall opposite end.
33. The apparatus of claim 29 further characterized in that said
first trough means includes a trough first rear-end portion and an
intermediate portion between its end portions that is radially more
closely adjacent the shaft than the trough first front-end portion
and a substantial distance axially rearwardly of the first
front-end portion.
34. The apparatus of claim 33 further characterized in that there
is provided second trough means mounted in the drum to rotate
therewith for conveying material axially forwardly in the drum as
the drum rotates in said given angular direction, said second
trough means including a second rear-end portion radially adjacent
the tubular wall and axially between the rear wall and the first
rear-end portion, and a second front-end portion located
substantially closer to the hood than the second rear-end
portion.
35. The apparatus of claim 34 further characterized in that the
first front-end portion is located a substantial angular distance
rearwardly of the first rear-end portion in said given angular
direction, and that the second rear-end portion is angularly
rearwardly of the second front end portion in said given angular
direction.
36. The apparatus of claim 35 further characterized in that each
trough means includes an elongated inclined planar plate having a
trailing edge, the direction of elongation of the inclined plate
being predominantly in an axial direction, and an elongated leg
joined to the trailing edge of said plate, the width of said leg
being less than the width of said plate.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A particulate material mixing machine having a stationary hood
enclosing the one end of a rotary drum, said drum and hood having
cooperating mechanisms for feeding material from the hood into the
drum and alternately discharging material from the drum through the
hood discharge chute.
With types of material such as starch and fertilizer, material has
backed up against the seal between the hood and drum of the
machines disclosed in my U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,259,372 and 3,269,707
granted Jul. 5, 1966 and Aug. 30, 1966 respectively, resulting in
undue wearing of the seal between the drum and hood. Also, in the
pivotal mounted scoop embodiment of U.S. Pat. No. 3,269,707, at
times when the machine is stopped in a partially emptied condition,
the drum will rotate opposite the direction of normal rotation due
to the weight of material being elevated by the scoops and result
in damage to the scoops. In order to solve problems of the above
mentioned nature as well as obtain other advantages, this invention
has been made.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to providing structure attached to a
fixed hood for blocking any substantial flow of material in the
rotary drum into the path of movement of the lower scoops attached
to the drum and a stationary hopper for receiving material from the
drum and discharging the material into the path of movement of the
scoops at a location intermediate the upper and lowermost scoops in
the normal direction of rotation of the drum .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is illustrated with reference to the drawings in
which corresponding numerals refer to the same parts and in
which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective, somewhat schematic view of the first
embodiment of the particulate material mixing machine of this
invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical transverse sectional view generally
taken along the line and in the direction of arrows 2-2 of FIG. 1
and 2-2 of FIG. 3 with a central portion broken away, said view
more clearly illustrating the mechanism for transferring material
in the stationary hood into the rotary drum and for positively
conveying the material to a substantial elevation where it is
selectively discharged or permitted to descend to the general level
of the material in the drum and also the structure for causing the
material in the drum to be more thoroughly mixed and directed into
the transfer mechanism;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical transverse sectional view generally
taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 3-3 of FIG.
4 to more fully illustrate the transfer mechanism including
mechanism for controlling the discharge of material, portions of
said view being broken away at various axial positions to more
fully illustrate other portions of the transfer mechanism;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical longitudinal
cross-sectional view generally taken along the line and in the
direction of arrows 4-4 of FIG. 3, the control door being shown in
the solid lines in a position for preventing flow of material into
the discharge chute, and in dotted lines for permitting material
elevated by the scoops to descend into said chute;
FIG. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view generally taken
along the line and in the direction of arrows 5-5 of FIG. 6 to
illustrate the second embodiment of the particulate material mixing
machine of this invention, parts being broken away at various axial
positions whereby most of the mixing blades, spider and adjacent
scoop mounting flange structure and rear portion of the sump are
not shown;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view
generally taken along the line and in the direction of arrows 6-6
of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a somewhat diagrammatic view generally taken along the
line and in the direction of the arrows 7-7 of FIGS. 2 and 8 to
illustrate the mixing troughs;
FIG. 8 is a vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view generally
taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 8-8 of FIG.
7; and
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a trough generally taken along
the line and in the direction of arrows 9-9 of FIG. 7 in a plane
perpendicular to the web portion of the trough and the direction of
elongation of said web portion.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is illustrated a
perspective view and a longitudinal horizontal cross-sectional view
of the particulate material mixing machine, generally designated
10, of the first embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 10
includes a large cylindrical drum 11 having a tubular outer wall 12
and a rear end wall 13 mounted to revolve on its axis and supported
on a shaft 21. The shaft 21 at either axial end is mounted on
appropriate portions of the frame members of the frame generally
designated 14, by mounting members 24.
There is provided a stationary hood, generally designated 15,
having a tubular outer wall 16 and a stationary end wall 17, the
tubular outer wall 16 being of a substantially larger diameter than
tubular wall 12 and concentrically located relative to the front
axial end-portion of the drum. As may be noted from FIGS. 2 and 4,
a portion of a tubular wall 16 overlays a portion of the tubular
drum wall. Extending axially through the drum and at one end
projecting through the end wall 13 and at the opposite end through
the end wall 17 is the shaft 21. Rotatably mounted on the shaft
adjacent the end wall 17 is a mounting member 28. A plurality of
radial spider members 26 at their one ends are fixedly connected to
the member 28 and at the opposite ends to drum wall 12. The
adjacent edges of the spider members may also be welded to the drum
end wall 13. At the opposite axial end of the drum wall 12 there is
provided a plurality of radially extending spider members 27 that
at the one ends are welded to the annular members 29 which mounts
said spider members 27 on the shaft and at the opposite ends are
welded to the drum wall 12. As may be noted from FIG. 4, the spider
members 27 are located a substantial distance axially rearwardly of
the hood end wall 17. If shaft 21 is stationary as disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 3,269,707, then members 28, 29 are bearing members
while if the shaft is rotatably mounted then members 28, 29 may be
welded to the shaft.
An annular mounting flange 32 is welded to the forward edge of the
tubular wall 12. The outer diameter of the flange 32 is slightly
less than the inner diameter of the hood tubular wall 16; and the
inner diameter is substantially larger than the maximum diameter of
member 29 but substantially less than the inner diameter of the
drum tubular wall 12. Thus member 29 and flange 32 provide an
annular opening 31, other than for spider members 27, to permit
axial movement of material into and out of the confines of the drum
tubular wall.
Referring to FIG. 4, it is to be noted that the hood has an
inwardly extending annular flange 16a located axially opposite the
mounting flange 32 from the hood end wall, a resilient annular seal
member 34 being mounted on said annular flange 16a to bear against
the tubular outer wall 12 of the drum to form a seal therewith.
In order to permit loading the drum while it is rotating, a chute
38 is welded to the hood end wall for directing material downwardly
through the rectangular opening 39 provided in said end wall
adjacent the lowermost axially extending portion of the hood
tubular wall. The lowermost horizontal edge of the opening 39 is
located at a lower elevation than the lowermost portion of the
tubular drum wall. In order to permit particulate material being
moved through the chute 38 and port 39, and thence transferred into
the tubular drum housing while the said drum housing is rotating
and at the same time to selectively permit discharge of material,
there is provided the transfer mechanism generally designated 50
that includes control mechanism which will be described
hereinafter.
The transfer mechanism includes the aforementioned annular mounting
flange 32 and a second annular mounting flange 51 that has
substantially the same inside and outside diameters as that of
flange 32. Mounting flange 51 is fixedly attached to flange 32 and
retained in axial spaced relationship by the structure to be
described hereinafter. However, at this time it is to be noted that
the mounting flange 51 is retained axially adjacent the hood end
wall as shown in FIG. 4 and that it is of a greater radial
dimension than the maximum radial distance to the lower edge of the
inlet port 39. Further the inner peripheral edge of flange 51 is
located radially more adjacent the shaft 21 than any portion of the
peripheral edge of port 39. In order to permit the flow of the
material from port 39 onto the hood tubular wall in the space
axially between the flanges 32 and 51, flange 51 has a plurality of
circumferentially spaced cutouts 52.
A plurality of scoop members 54 are welded at axially opposite
edges to flanges 32 and 51 respectively in circumferentially spaced
relationship to extend completely around the circumference of the
hood within the confines of said hood. As may be noted from FIG. 3,
each of the scoops is arcuate in transverse cross section. The
adjacent portions of the mounting flanges 32, 51 form end walls for
the scoop members. Each of the scoops opens in the direction of
rotation of the drum which is indicated by arrow 56.
Secured to the hood end wall and made up of a plurality of joined
together sections is a baffle, said baffle including an arcuate
section 58 that extends arcuately adjacent to the inner
circumferential edges of the scoop mounting members, has an arcuate
edge joined to the hood end wall, and has a terminal axially
extending top edge at about the same elevation as the axis of
rotation of the drum. A generally planar baffle section 59 has its
front edge joined to the hood end wall, is inclined downwardly at a
relatively steep angle in a direction toward the rear wall, and has
its rear edge substantially more closely axially adjacent to the
rear wall than the mounting member 32, and has one edge joined to
the lower edge of arcuate section 58. The rear edge of inclined
section 59 is at a lower elevation than shaft 21. A vertical,
transverse section 60 has its upper edge joined to the rear edge of
section 59 and has a circumferential edge joined to the rear edge
of arcuate flange section 61. Section 61 has an outer radius of
curvature slightly less than the inner radius of curvature of
mounting member 32, is closely adjacent an arcuate portion of
mounting member 32, and extends distances both axially
substantially more closely adjacent and more remote of the hood end
wall than mounting member 32. The axial length of flange section 61
that extends on each axial side of mounting member 32 is many times
greater than the clearance between the flange section and the
mounting member. One transverse edge of flange section 61 is joined
to section 58 and the opposite transverse edge is joined to a
transverse edge portion of an arcuate baffle section 62 at about
the elevation of the juncture of sections 59, 60. One arcuate edge
of section 62 is joined to the hood end wall while the opposite
arcuate edge is spaced about the same distance from the hood end
wall as section 60. The axially extending edge of section 62 that
is opposite flange section 61 in part terminates above the
discharge chute 81. Further, section 62, flange section 61 and
arcuate section 58 have substantially the same radii of
curvature.
In order to permit material in the drum being fed into the path of
movement of the scoops 54, there is provided a hopper that has a
vertical axially extending plate 64. Plate 64 is triangular and has
one edge joined to inclined baffle section 59, a vertical second
edge, and a third top edge at the elevation of the front edge of
section 59. A second hopper plate 63 has a vertical first edge
joined to the second edge of plate 64 and the vertical edge of
section 60, a second top edge at the elevation of the top edge of
plate 64 and an arcuate third edge joined to the adjacent portion
of the edges of flange section 61 and arcuate section 62 that are
remote from the hood end wall. Plate 63 is parallel to the hood end
wall and perpendicular to plate 64.
An inclined planar plate 65 is joined to and extends between the
hood end wall and plate 63, has a top edge adjacent the top edge of
plate 64 and has a bottom edge that in part is extended along the
juncture of baffle sections 61, 62. Plate 65 extends parallel to
the axis of rotation of the drum and is inclined downwardly and
away from the vertical plane of said axis. The lower corner portion
of baffle section 62 that is adjacent the hood end wall is cut away
to, in conjunction with the bottom edge of plate 65, provide a
hopper outlet 66 that opens into the path of movement of the
scoops. The axial length of the cutout is the same as the spacing
of flange section 61 from the hood end wall, the arcuate edge
portion 62a of section 62 forming one edge of the hopper outlet. A
second plate 67 has a top edge adjacent the top edge of plate 63
and is inclined downwardly toward the hood end wall. Plate 67 has a
second edge joined to the adjacent portion of plate 65, an
arcuately curved third edge joined to baffle section 62 along edge
62a, and a fourth edge joined to baffle section 62 and extending
between the first and third edges. Plates 65, 67 are inclined at
angles that the particulate material normally will flow freely
downwardly along the surface thereof. Further plates 63, 64 are
joined to the adjacent portions of baffle sections and the inclined
plates; and serve as reinforcing members.
The top edges of plates 65, 67 along with the portions of baffle
section 62 and the hood end wall at the same elevation provide a
hopper inlet, the hopper inlet being located horizontally on the
opposite side of shaft 21 from baffle section 58 and at a slightly
lower elevation than shaft 21. Further, the hopper inlet is located
in a horizontal direction more remote from shaft 21 than the
discharge chute inlet and at a substantially lower elevation. The
hopper outlet is located at a substantially higher elevation than
port 39, and angularly between port 39 and the inlet of discharge
chute 81 in the direction of arrow 56 angularly in advance of port
39.
An arcuate discharge closure member (door) 70 is provided to
selectively block the discharge chute inlet. As may be noted from
FIG. 3, the trailing edge of the closure member underlies the
leading edge portion of baffle section 62. The closure 70 is
slidably extended through an arcuate slot provided in the hood end
wall, is of an axial length to, in the closed solid line position
of FIG. 4, be closely adjacent and underlie a portion of mounting
flange 32, and has an axially extending end portion located
exteriorly of the hood end wall. The closure 70 may be provided
with handles, or appropriate lever mechanism connected thereto, for
moving the closure between the solid line position of FIG. 4 and
the withdrawn dotted line position to at least partially unblock
the discharge chute inlet. In order to mount the closure 70 for
slidably movement, there are provided bracket members 68 and 69 at
opposite longitudinal edges of the closure 70, said brackets having
shoulders against which said closure abuts.
The chute 81 has an inclined bottom wall 81b that extends axially
adjacent the spider members 27 and a top wall 81c that extends
axially slightly inwardly of the end wall 17. The chute also
includes sidewalls 81d. To the angular advanced sidewall there is
joined an upwardly extending rectangular portion and to the bottom
wall there is joined an upright arcuate portion 81e. The last two
mentioned portions extend to a higher elevation than the maximum
elevation of the bottom wall to preclude a substantial amount of
material that moves over the leading edge of baffle section 62
being carried by inertia beyond the confines of the discharge
chute. The chute 81 is mounted to have an intermediate portion
extend through the port 82 formed in the hood end wall 17, the
inner portion being located within the confines of the hood, and
the remaining portion extending forwardly of the hood end wall. The
chute 81 has the discharge opening 81f which is located at
approximately the same elevation as the shaft 21.
In order to facilitate the mixing of material and movement of
material from within the confines of the drum tubular wall 12 to a
location axially between mounting flanges 32 and 51, especially
when the drum is in a near empty state, there is provided a
plurality of spiral mixing blades 86. For the particular machine
illustrated there are provided three spiral mixing blades 86 that
are fixed on and projected inwardly from the interior surface of
the drum wall 12. These blades are preferably made in spiral form
as indicated and angularly shaped so that each blade preferably
extends circumferentially in the drum in the general neighborhood
of 180.degree. at an angle approximately 45.degree. to a plane
perpendicular to the axis of the rotation of the drum. Each blade
has one end closely adjacent the drum rear end wall and an opposite
end extending closely adjacent mounting member 32. Further, each of
said blades opposite end portions has a notch 86a whereby the blade
does not strike the baffle but at the same time extends a
substantial distance more closely adjacent the shaft than flange
section 61 and arcuate section 62. As the drum rotates, these
blades feed material toward the hood end wall, and at the same time
the material falling over the inner radial edges of the blades
becomes more thoroughly mixed than if said blades were not
provided. Additionally, the end portions of the blades adjacent
mounting member 32 elevate material in the drum to the elevation of
the hopper inlet, baffle section 60 and plate 63 serving to prevent
any substantial flow of material off the ends of the blades until
the end of the respective blade is at the elevation of the hopper
inlet. Thence material flows axially off the end of the blade to
fall into the hopper inlet. Preferably each blade end adjacent the
mounting member is inclined relative a radial line of the drum such
as shown in FIG. 3 so as to elevate a greater amount of material to
the elevation of the hopper inlet than if said blades were not so
inclined. Advantageously the width of the end portions (dimension
W) of FIG. 3 of the spiral blades adjacent the hood may be greater
than the corresponding dimension of said blades at a location
axially rearwardly in the drum.
Mounted in the rear end of the drum are a pair of baffles 90, one
being on either diametric side of member 28 and having a
longitudinal edge attached thereto. Each of the baffles 90 includes
a generally planar portion 90a located substantially in a common
plane of the axis of rotation of the drum, the rearward edge of the
portion 90a being secured to an edge of the adjacent spider member
26 or else overlying the respective spider member. Each of the
baffles 90 also includes an inclined triangular portion 90b that
has a rearward edge integral with the forward edge of the
respective portion 90a. Portions 90b form an obtuse angle with
portions 90a to open in a direction opposite the direction of
rotation of the drum. The portions 90a are diametrically opposed to
one another and the triangular portions 90b are oppositely inclined
in an axial direction away from the stationary hood. As an example
of the slope of surface portion 90b but not as a limitation
thereon, the edge 90c may extend about a 45.degree. angle relative
to the axis of rotation of the drum while the upper planar surface
90b of the left-hand baffle of FIG. 2 forms approximately a
30.degree. angle with the horizontal when the plane of portion 90a
is horizontal. Advantages of using baffles 90 are set forth in my
patent, U.S. Pat. No. 3,269,707.
Suitable power actuating mechanism for the drum 10 is
diagrammatically shown in FIG. 1 and may comprise an electric motor
95 operably connected through suitable speed reduction mechanism 96
to a sprocket, chain and a ring gear 97 affixed on the outer
periphery of the tubular wall of the drum. Thus, the drum may be
rotated at a suitable speed, usually in the order of 2 to 5 r.p.m.
in the direction of the arrow 56.
Mounted on the tubular drum wall to rotate therewith are a first
plurality of inclined, elongated troughs 84, each trough having an
elongated, planar, web portion 84a, a short width leg 84b joined to
the leading edge of the web portion and a longer width leg 84c
joined to the trailing edge of the web portion which is parallel to
the leading edge. In a horizontal plane passing through the trough,
the point of intersection of the plane with the leading edge is
axially more closely adjacent the hood than the point of
intersection of the plane with the trailing edge. Both legs are
elongated in the direction of the web portion and extend outwardly
therefrom in the same direction at, for example, right angles to
the web portion. Further, the legs extend away from the web portion
in generally the normal direction of rotation of the drum
member.
Braces 84d and 84e are provided to mount the troughs 84 as set
forth hereinafter, the braces for only one trough 84 being
illustrated. The front edge 84f (edge at the front end of the
trough that is most closely adjacent the tubular wall) of each
trough is radially spaced from the tubular drum wall by a
substantial distance, for example, about one-half of or greater
than the radial distance that the inner radial edge of a spiral
blade is spaced from the tubular wall. Further, when the front end
portion of a trough 84 is closely adjacent its lowermost position
during the rotation of the drum, the front edge preferably lies in,
or tilted a few degrees from, a horizontal plane parallel to the
shaft axis. Additionally the front end portion is located so as not
to interfere with a spiral blade directing material forwardly; i.e.
either the front edge is radially spaced the same or a greater
distance from the tubular wall than the inner radially edge of the
transversely adjacent portion of the spiral blades, or else the
trough front end portion is located more closely adjacent the
transversely adjacent part of the mixing blade angularly in advance
thereof than it is to the corresponding portion of the next blade
angularly rearwardly thereof. Also the front edge of each trough is
axially spaced from the hood end wall about the same or a slightly
greater distance than spider members 27. The rear edge of each
trough 84 is preferably located more closely adjacent rear wall 13
than flange 32 but spaced from the rear wall by a substantial
distance, for example, by at least one third of the axial length of
the tubular wall 12.
The troughs 84 are inclined to, as the drum rotates in its normal
direction of rotation, direct material toward the drum rear wall,
the troughs not being movable relative to the drum. That is, as the
troughs 84 extend rearwardly they more closely approach the shaft,
and if of sufficient length such as illustrated so as to extend
beyond the minimum spacing of the trough from the shaft axis, to
extend further away from the shaft. Additionally, in the direction
of arrow 56, the front end portion of each trough is angularly
rearwardly of the rear end portion.
The troughs 84 are equally circumferentially spaced and have their
front end portions adjacent and angularly rearwardly of the
transversely adjacent portion of a mixing blade. Due to the spacing
of the trough front end portions from the tubular wall, when the
drum is in a near empty state, the material is free to move
relative the tubular wall whereby the mixing blades will cause the
material to be angularly advanced and moved axially toward the
hood. Thus troughs 84 do not prevent the drum being emptied.
However, when the drum is about one third or more filled with
material and rotating in the direction of arrow 56, material has
built up on the tubular wall in the direction of arrow 56
sufficiently to be "scooped up" by the front end portion of a
trough 84 and a substantial part of the scooped up material thereon
slides along the length of the trough to descend axially rearwardly
of the midportion of the tubular wall and on the transverse
opposite side of the shaft from the respective trough front end
portion. Additionally the troughs 84 are inclined such that
material starts to discharge off the rear end portion when the rear
end portion is at a higher elevation than the shaft. Desirably the
width dimension of the web portion is substantially greater than
the width dimension of either of the trough legs and is offset a
few degrees relative a plane containing the shaft axis. The short
legs 84b aid in retaining material on the troughs so that a greater
amount will move to the rearward end of the troughs than if said
legs were not provided.
A plurality of elongated inclined second troughs 85 are provided in
the drum to rotate therewith. Each trough 85 has an elongated
planar plate 85a, and elongated short width leg 85b joined to the
leading edge of plate 85a to extend at right angles to plate 85a,
and an elongated long leg 85c joined to the trailing edge. Thus,
troughs 85 may be generally of the same cross-sectional size and
shape throughout a major portion of their lengths as troughs 84.
However, troughs 85 are mounted by braces 85d, 85e attached to the
drum to direct material axially forwardly as the drum rotates in
its normal direction of rotation, only the braces for one trough 85
being illustrated.
The rearward edge of each trough 85 abuts against, and may be
welded to the drum adjacent the juncture of walls 12, 13. Thus the
rearward edge of plate 85a is welded to the junction of the rear
wall and the tubular wall, and the rear edges of legs 85b, 85c are
welded to the tubular wall. In order that troughs 85 will pick up
more material as the drum rotates, each trough 85 has an angle
plate 85m with one edge added to the edge of leg 85c opposite web
85a, a second edge welded to the tubular wall and a free third edge
generally parallel to the rear wall. The angle plate extends a
maximum distance away from the rear wall that is much less than the
axially spacing of the front edge of trough 85 from the rear wall.
Advantageously plate 85m is coplanar with leg 85c.
The rear end portion of each trough 85 is a substantial distance
angularly rearwardly of the front end portion. Additionally, each
trough 85 is inclined to, as it extends forwardly, be progressively
closer to the shaft; and if of sufficient length to extend beyond
the minimum radial spacing from the shaft, then extend further away
from the shaft. Preferably the troughs 85 are of a length to have
their front edges 85f located axially between the midpoint of the
tubular wall and the flange 32 and not closer to flange 32 than
about one third of the axial length of the tubular wall. Thus,
preferably the troughs 85 discharge material axially forwardly of
the location that troughs 84 discharge material; and at the time
the trough is inclined to have material discharge off the front end
thereof, the front end portion is higher than the shaft. Through
the provision of troughs 84, 85, which rotate with the drum,
material is mixed substantially faster and more thoroughly than if
the troughs were not provided. Additionally, through the use of
troughs 84, 85, for a given diameter drum, tubular walls of
substantially greater axial lengths may be used and still obtain
good mixing than if the troughs were not provided. There are three
equally circumferentially spaced troughs 84 and three equally
circumferentially spaced troughs 85 for the model of the first
embodiment of the drum assembly that is illustrated in the
drawings.
The structure of the first embodiment of the invention having been
described, the operation thereof will now be briefly set forth.
Assuming that the drum is in an emptied condition, and being
rotated and closure member 70 is closed, the particulate material
to be mixed is dumped into chute 38 where under the action of
gravity it flows through the hood inlet port 39 and thence through
the cutouts 52 of the mounting flange 51 that are located adjacent
to and open to the inlet port 39. The material flows through the
cutouts under the action of the gravity to the bottom of the hood
tubular wall 16 to be located adjacent position j (0.degree. drum
rotary position) axially between flanges 32, 51 and
circumferentially between an angularly adjacent pair of scoops 54.
As the drum rotates to move a scoop from position j angularly in
the direction of rotation of the drum (arrow 56) to a more elevated
condition, the material is precluded from falling into the confines
of the drum wall 12 by mounting member 32 and baffle sections 60,
61. As a scoop 54 is angularly advanced from a position generally
in the area of position j, the material being moved over the hood
tubular wall moves radially inwardly over the scoop toward the
radially inner edge thereof. When the scoop has been advanced to
position k (about 65.degree. drum rotary position), the inner edge
of the scoop is adjacent the lower edge of plate 65; and as the
scoop advances past the hopper inlet, a small quantity of material
may fall over the inner edge of the scoop into the path of movement
of the following scoop. At the time the scoop has been advanced to
position m (about 80.degree. drum rotary position), the inner edge
of the scoop is adjacent the upper edge of the hopper outlet, and
thence as the scoop continues to be rotated in the direction of
arrow 56, the material is moved over the surface of baffle section
62.
As the scoop advances the material angularly to position n (about
165.degree. drum rotary position), it moves over closure member 70,
provided said closure member is in a closed position, and thence to
position p (about 180.degree. drum rotary position) where the
material descends to fall upon baffle section 59 and then slides
thereover to fall within the confines of the drum wall 12.
As material falls onto drum wall 12, the spiral blades 86 will
cause such material to flow toward mounting member 32 and be
elevated to fall off the ends of the spiral blades into the hopper
inlet. However, due to the axial length of flange section 61, no
significant amount of material passes between the clearance space
between said flange section and mounting member 32.
The material flowing into the hopper inlet passes through the
hopper outlet onto a scoop carrying material that had flowed
through port 39 and cut out 52; or if the scoop does not have
additional carrying capacity, the hopper fills up and material
flows over the top edges of the hopper. However due to the size of
the cutouts 52 and the fact that at least one scoop is always
located angular between angularly adjacent edges of port 39 and the
hopper outlet, an insufficient amount of material builds up on the
lower portion of the hood wall 16 whereby sufficient material would
flow under annular member 32 to have a material buildup to the
elevation of the lowermost part of seal 16a. This precludes undue
wearing of the seal such as would occur if there were a buildup of
material adjacent the seal. As additional material is fed through
the chute 38 and transferred into the drum in the aforementioned
manner, the level builds-up in the drum adjacent mounting member 32
and baffle section 60 sufficiently to be of a greater depth than
the height of the mixing blades at their lowermost angular position
and accordingly falls over the top of the mixing blades and
gradually works to the end 13 of the drum. At this time the troughs
85 direct (convey) material forwardly to cause the material to
become thoroughly mixed. Also troughs 84 aid in mixing the
material. This procedure will continue until the drum is loaded,
all the time the material being continuously mixed.
After loading through chute 38 is discontinued, the scoops remove
substantially all the material on hood wall 16 adjacent port 39
whereby the material is transferred into the drum. Thereafter,
mixing may be continued with material flowing through the hopper
being elevated and then the elevated material descending onto
baffle section 59 at angular position p. However, the scoops
angularly between the hopper outlet and port 39 prevent any
significant flow of material that has passed through the hopper
moving generally in a direction opposite arrow 56 to a position
adjacent port 39, i.e. the scoops at this time keeping the
lowermost portion of the hood substantially free of material.
After mixing is complete, the closure 70 is at least partially
opened whereby material elevated to position n is free to flow into
the discharge chute inlet axially between the closure and chute
portion 81e. If the closure is only partially open, some of the
material elevated to position n will be discharged through chute 81
and the rest will be moved over the closure to position p to
descend onto baffle section 59.
The material falling through the inlet of the chute 81 passes
through the outlet 81f into a bag or a suitable receptacle. The
spiral blades continuously feed material axially forwardly and
elevate the material to pass through the hopper to be subsequently
moved by the scoops to an elevated position to be discharged
through chute 81.
All during the filling of the drum and the mixing of the material,
material radially adjacent the front edges of troughs 84 can move
relative to said front edges in a direction opposite arrow 56, i.e.
not advanced angularly as fast as the trough. After the drum has
been filled to a level that is about the same as the radial spacing
of the front edges of troughs 84, from the tubular wall 12,
material is moved by the troughs 84. About the time the drum is
one-third filled, material builds along the tubular wall in the
direction of arrow 56 to a sufficient height that the front end
portions of troughs 84 will "scoop up" material which, for the most
part slides rearwardly along the trough as the drum rotates.
However, when the drum is in a near empty state, the material
radially adjacent a trough 84 front edge when the trough is in its
lower angular position is not axially moved rearwardly but rather
passes therebeneath to be axially moved forwardly by the next
angularly rearward mixing blade.
The emptying process is continued until the drum is emptied. Then
the closure 70 is moved to a closed position to ready the apparatus
of this invention for mixing another batch of material.
The first embodiment of the invention having been described, the
structure of the second embodiment, generally designated 125, will
now be set forth. The second embodiment of the invention is
illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The machine 125 includes a large
cylindrical drum having a tubular outer wall 127 and a rear end
wall (not shown) mounted on the shaft 128 by spider members 133, a
mounting member 134 at the front end portion of the shaft, and
spider members (not shown) at the opposite axial end of said shaft.
The shaft 128 at either axial end is mounted on the frame 132 by
shaft mounting members 129. The shaft may be stationary or
rotatable as described in my aforementioned patents, the drum being
rotatable.
There is provided a stationary hood, generally designated 130,
having an axially extending arcuate wall portion 131 that extends
over a portion of approximately the upper angular one-half of the
tubular drum wall 127 in a manner corresponding to the extension of
the upper half of the hood tubular wall over the drum tubular wall
of the first embodiment. Vertical, axially extending flanges 135a,
135b are joined to opposite lower edges portions respectively of
the arcuate wall 131 to depend therefrom, there being a hood end
wall 136 joined to the forward edges of the arcuate wall 131 and
vertical flanges 135a, 135b. One end portion of shaft 128 extends
through the central portion of the hood end wall 136, while the
opposite end extends through the drum rear end wall (not
shown).
Located generally diametrically opposite the top portion of arcuate
wall 131 is a loading bin (sump) 139 into which the material to be
transferred into the drum is fed. The bin has an arcuate bottom
wall section 139a, preferably having a radius of curvature
corresponding to that of drum wall 127, but curved about a point D
that is at a substantially lower elevation than shaft 128 and
horizontally offset a substantial distance from the shaft on the
opposite side of the shaft from the hopper 173--177. One
longitudinal edge of portion 139a is joined to flange 135a at a
substantially lower elevation than wall 131, the opposite edge of
portion 139a being joined to the lower edge of inclined portion
139c on the same transverse side of shaft 128 that the hopper is
located. Inclined portion 139c extends linearly upwardly toward
flange 135b at an angle to the horizontal, for example, an angle of
about 45.degree.--60.degree. is satisfactory although it may be
varied somewhat depending on the size of the drum. The upper edge
of portion 139c is joined to the adjacent lower edge of wall
portion 131 at a substantially higher elevation than the juncture
of portions 135a, 139a but at a lower elevation than shaft 128.
Thus portions 139a, 139c each in part extend to higher elevations
than the lowermost part of the tubular drum wall 127.
The hood end wall has an inlet port 146 opening onto the inner
surface of the bottom wall 139a, there being a chute 138 with a
grilled floor plate 138a through which material is fed into the
chute by gravity flow to be directed through inlet port 146 onto
the loading bin bottom wall. To be noted is that the upper
horizontal edge of inlet port 146 is located at a lower elevation
than the lowermost portion of the drum tubular wall.
A generally annular resilient seal member 142 is fixedly attached
to the rearward edge of the arcuate wall 131 and the flange portion
of the loading bin rear wall 139b, which is shaped to form a
continuation of the axial rear portion of wall 131, to generally
form a fluid seal with the drum outer wall 127 as the drum rotates
relative to said seal and members 131 and 139b. The lower edge of
wall 139b is joined to the adjacent edges of portions 139a, 139c.
Thus the hood which includes the loading bin encloses the forward
end of the drum.
In order to transfer material from the loading bin to an area
within the confines of the drum tubular wall 127 there is provided
the transfer mechanism generally designated 150. The transfer
mechanism 150 includes axially spaced annular mounting flanges 151
and 152, the mounting flange 152 being closely adjacent the hood
end wall 136. The mounting flange 151 at its outer peripheral edge
is welded to the front edge of the drum outer wall 127. A plurality
of circumferentially spaced scoops 158 are provided, the forward
edge of each scoop 158 being welded to the adjacent outer
peripheral edge of the mounting flange 152 and the opposite edge
being welded to mounting flange 151.
A series of swing scoops (generally of the construction described
in U.S. Pat. No. 3,269,707), generally designated 156, are
pivotally supported on circumferentially spaced horizontal rods 159
which are located adjacent the radially outer edge portions of
flanges 151, 152. Each scoop 156 has an outer axial edge 160
adapted to slide along the arcuate wall 139a of the loading bin to
gather material through an outer opening 164 at the outer edges of
the scoop. There is also an inner opening 162 at the inner side of
the scoop from which the material is discharged as hereinafter
described.
Each swing scoop has axially spaced somewhat triangular shaped wall
portions (plates) 155, the rod 159 being extended through the apex
portions thereof, and a curved wall 153 joined to the
correspondingly curved base edges of portions 155. Wall 153 is
curved such that the radially outer end portion thereof is of about
the same curvature as wall portion 139a, while the upper end
portion extends nearly vertical when the scoop is at the lowermost
position in the loading bin. The inner edge of each generally
triangular plate is of about the same length as the outer edge. A
flanged cross brace 157 is attached to the apexed portions of the
plates 155.
The leading edge 160 of the scoop curved wall 153, the outer edges
of the plates 155 and a longitudinal edge of the cross brace define
the outer opening 164 of a scoop. The inner opening 162 is defined
by the inner edges of the plates 155, the inner edge 161 of the
scoop curved wall and the respective edge of the cross brace
157.
Secured to the adjacent portions of the hood end wall is a hopper
and a baffle. Since the baffles and hoppers are of the same
construction as that described relative the first embodiment, they
will only be briefly described with reference to the second
embodiment.
The baffle of the second embodiment includes an arcuate section 166
extending adjacent the mounting members 151, 152 and having a
slightly smaller radius of curvature than the inner radius of
curvature of said members, a generally planar, inclined baffle
section 167, a vertical transverse section 168 and an arcuate
flange section 169. Sections 166--169 are joined together and
mounted by the hood end wall 136 the same as members 58--61 of the
first embodiment. The baffle of the second embodiment also includes
an arcuate baffle section 170 which extends from the discharge
chute 181 to flange section 169 and corresponds to the flange
section 62 of the first embodiment.
The hopper of the second embodiment includes a transverse vertical
plate 173; a vertical plate 174 joined to baffle section 167, plate
173 and the hood end wall 136; an inclined plate 175 extending
between plate 173 and the hood end wall; and an inclined plate 176.
The hopper outlet 177 is provided in baffle section 170 and is in
part bounded on the top by an edge of said section 170, an edge of
plate 176, an edge of plate 175 and by a portion of the hood end
wall.
The baffle section 170 is angularly larger than section 62 since
the discharge chute 181 is located horizontally on the opposite
side of shaft 128 from the hopper 173--176. The discharge chute has
a top wall 181a, a bottom wall 181b, sidewalls 181d, an outlet 181f
located exterior of the hood, a vertical portion 181e joined to the
bottom wall, and an inlet located beneath the scoop mounting member
portions adjacent the location of the maximum elevation of said
scoop mounting members 151, 152. Thus the hopper inlet is at a
substantially lower elevation than the discharge chute inlet. A
closure 182 for blocking the inlet of the discharge chute 181 is
mounted by the hood end wall to extend outwardly thereof, there
being provided brackets 183, 184 on the interior of the hood for
slidably supporting the closure. The trailing edge of the closure
underlies the leading edge of the baffle section 170, the closure
being arcuately curved so that the scoops will move material
thereover when the closure is in a closed condition.
The second embodiment of the mixing machine 125 also includes a
plurality of troughs 184, a second set of troughs (not shown) and
spiral mixing blades 186 that are of a construction and mounted
similarly to troughs 84, 85 and mixing blades 86 respectively of
the first embodiment of the invention. Likewise the machine 125
includes baffles at the rearward end of the drum (not shown) that
correspond to baffles 90 of the first embodiment. As the
construction of the rearward end of the drum of the machine 125 and
the structure mounted therein advantageously may be of the same
construction as that described relative to the corresponding parts
of the first embodiment of the invention it has not been
illustrated nor will be further described. Also the structure for
drivingly rotating the drum of the machine 125 relative to shaft
128 and the stationary hood 130 is the same as that illustrated and
described relative to the first embodiment.
The structure of the second embodiment of the invention having been
described, the operation thereof will now be briefly set forth.
Assuming that the drum is in an emptied condition and being
rotated, and that closure member 182 is in a closed solid line
condition; the particulate material to be mixed is dumped into the
loading chute 138 through the grilled top plate 138a where under
the action of gravity the material flows through the hood inlet
port 146 and thence onto the floor 139a of the loading bin 139 to
be located adjacent position s (0.degree. rotary position of the
drum) beneath and axially between flanges 151 and 152. As the drum
rotates, the scoop 156 angularly rearwardly of the port 146 is
advanced to be adjacent port 146 and has its outer edge 160
abutting against the bottom wall 139a of the loading bin to gather
material into opening 164 and to drag the material over the loading
bin bottom wall. As this scoop is carried by the rotation of the
drum angularly toward the t position, due to the curvature of the
bin bottom wall, and thereafter due to the angle of inclination of
inclined wall 139c, the scoop 156 pivots about rod 159. As a result
the scoop edge 160 moves more closely adjacent the outer peripheral
edges of mounting members 152. Due to the horizontal offset of
bottom wall 139a and the angle of inclination of inclined wall
139c, the amount of material falling over the radial inner edge of
scoop wall 153 is substantially decreased from the amount that
would fall over said edge if wall portion 139c were not offset and
wall portion 139c inclined. That is, the hopper outlet opens to the
path of travel of the scoops angularly in advance of the angularly
rearward, but adjacent, swing scoop when the curved wall of said
scoop is radially adjacent the minimum radial spacing between wall
portion 139c and the inner peripheral edge of members 151, 152.
As this scoop 156 is advanced angularly past the t position,
through the action of gravity, said scoop pivots such that its
inner edge 161 abuts against the baffle section 170 to thereby
prevent material falling out of the scoop and thence descending to
a lower level. Also at about this time the material carried by the
scoop 156 moves over the scoop arcuate wall 153 to be more closely
adjacent baffle section 170 and subsequently through the inner
scoop opening 162 to be dragged over baffle section 170.
As the scoop 156 advances the material angularly from the t
position to position u, the material is moved over closure member
182, provided said closure member is in a closed position, and
thence to position w where it descends to fall on inclined baffle
section 167 and slide thereover to fall within the confines of the
tubular drum wall 127. At this time the material in the drum is
elevated by the spiral blades 186 to, for the most part, fall into
the inlet of the hopper and flow through the hopper outlet to fall
onto a scoop 158, and/or a scoop 156 angularly rearwardly
(direction opposite arrow 190) of the hopper outlet, and/or the
inclined wall 139c angularly intermediate port 146 and flange 35;
provided the scoops moving rearwardly adjacent the hopper outlet
are not moving sufficient material adjacent the hopper outlet to
prevent the flow of material downwardly therethrough. The scoops in
being moved in the direction of arrow 190 prevent any substantial
amount of material that flows downwardly through the hopper outlet
moving to a location axially opposite port 146.
Subsequently the level of material builds up throughout the drum in
the manner described relative the first embodiment. After the
material has been thoroughly mixed, the closure 181 is moved to an
open condition, and the material elevated by the scoops to position
u discharges through the discharge chute. During this time the
spiral blades continuously feed material axially forwardly (arrow
191) and elevate the material in the drum to fall into the hopper
inlet, then the material is elevated by the scoops to position u,
and thence to be discharged through the discharge chute 181.
For the most part of the rotary cycle of the drum, the scoops 156
are limited in their "inward radial pivotal movement" about their
respective pivot rods 159 through the provision of baffle sections
166, 169 and 170. During a portion of the angular movement of the
scoops 156 adjacent positions t and x, the maximum outward movement
of the scoops about their pivots 159 is limited by the angularly
adjacent portions of the vertical flanges of the hood, while
between positions x and w the inward movement of the scoops may be
limited by an axially short arcuate flange (not shown) mounted on
the hood end wall adjacent the inner peripheral edge portion of the
mounting member 152.
To be mentioned is that scoops 158 do not have to be provided as
long as there is structure for retaining mounting member 152
axially spaced from mounting member 151 and rotating said mounting
members together.
In the first embodiment the flange 61 may be forwardly elongated to
be joined to the hood end wall. However with the second embodiment
it is preferred that the flange 169 extend forwardly only a short
distance axially more closely adjacent to the hood end wall than
mounting member 151. The reason for this is that in event the drive
to the drum is stopped with material being elevated by the scoops,
and no braking mechanism is provided, the weight of material on the
scoops will cause the drum to rotate in the direction opposite
arrow 190. If there were sufficient material in the lower portion
of the hood, the flange 169 extended to the hood end wall and such
reverse rotation occurred, the material in the lower portion of the
hood would become packed and occasionally result in scoops 156
being damaged. However, due to the spacing of the flange 169 from
the hood end wall, material can be pushed up into the space axially
between baffle sections 168, 167 and the hood end wall, and thus
avoid such damage to the scoops 156.
With reference to each embodiment the hopper outlet opens to the
scoops in the range of about 40.degree.--75.degree. angularly in
advance of the lowermost position of the scoops of the first
embodiment and the swing scoops 156 of the second embodiment.
With reference to both embodiments, with drums of relatively short
axial lengths the front troughs (84, 184) may be dispensed with,
and faster mixing is obtained through the provision of the rear
troughs than if no rear troughs were provided. Also with reference
to both embodiments, the front troughs may be mounted to have their
rear-end portions angularly rearwardly of their front-end portions
and still direct material axially rearwardly as the drum rotates,
and the rear troughs mounted to have their rear-end portions
angularly in advance of their front-end portions to direct material
axially forwardly. However this is not as desirable as the
previously described manner of mounting since the material sliding
along the web portions in a direction to be discharged off the
front-trough rear-end portion and the rear-trough front-end portion
is discharged off the front-trough rear-end portion and the
rear-trough front-end portion is discharged at a lower elevation
than the shaft; and thus are not as effective, particularly as the
level of material in the drum (in a drum stationary condition)
approaches the elevation of the shaft. However with both manners of
mounting the troughs, the troughs are inclined to convey material
both axially and transversely as the drum rotates to move the
front-trough front-end portion and the rear-trough rear-end portion
in the direction of normal rotation between their lowermost
elevations and their uppermost elevations.
* * * * *