U.S. patent number 3,708,918 [Application Number 04/875,686] was granted by the patent office on 1973-01-09 for agitator for moving fluid suspended objects through abrasive motions.
Invention is credited to Clarence Pool.
United States Patent |
3,708,918 |
Pool |
January 9, 1973 |
AGITATOR FOR MOVING FLUID SUSPENDED OBJECTS THROUGH ABRASIVE
MOTIONS
Abstract
A self-contained agitating apparatus, primarily useful for batch
processing a multiplicity of objects suspended in a fluid and
contained in a vessel that is oscillated by a remote and stationary
prime mover, to cause said objects to progressively move through a
toroidal path and thereby roll into and out of interengagement and
into and out of engagement with the vessel walls, and which action
is enhanced by the presence of abrasives added to the fluid and/or
batch for the purpose of deburring, polishing and the like.
Secondarily, the apparatus is useful for lapping objects upon a
plate and by means of the above said oscillatory action, said
secondary utility being concurrent with said primary utility and
operative simultaneously in the one apparatus.
Inventors: |
Pool; Clarence (Pico Rivers,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
25366194 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/875,686 |
Filed: |
November 12, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
451/65; 451/163;
451/270; 451/327 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B24B
31/073 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B24B
31/073 (20060101); B24B 31/00 (20060101); B24b
007/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;51/163,3,58,6,119
;241/175 ;259/72,125 ;74/231 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Whitehead; Harold D.
Claims
Having described my invention, I claim:
1. An agitator for gyratably moving objects and including, a
stationary frame, a vessel with a bottom and for containing the
load and with a cover in supported engagement thereon, a carriage
having a central hub with a shaft journaled therein and carrying an
exposed sheave, the carriage being in fixed supporting engagement
with the vessel, yieldable support means extending between and
positioning the vessel supporting carriage upon the frame, gyrating
means comprising a laterally offset flyweight fixed to the shaft,
and drive means to revolve the shaft, and a lapping plate carried
by said cover and centered over the axis of the said shaft.
2. The agitator for gyratably moving objects as set forth in claim
1 wherein the cover has a peripheral weir, and wherein a lapping
plate is carried by said cover within the surrounding confines of
said weir and centered over the axis of the said shaft.
3. The agitator for gyrateably moving objects as set forth in claim
1 wherein the gyrating means comprises a laterally offset upper
flyweight fixed to the shaft and positioned substantially above the
bottom of the vessel and comprises a laterally offset lower
flyweight fixed to the shaft and positioned at the bottom of the
vessel, and wherein a lapping plate is carried by said cover and
centered over the axis of the said shaft.
4. The agitator for gyratably moving objects as set forth in claim
1 wherein the gyrating means comprises a laterally offset upper
flyweight fixed to the shaft and positioned substantially above the
bottom of the vessel and comprises a laterally offset lower
flyweight fixed to the shaft and positioned at the bottom of the
vessel, wherein the cover of the vessel has a peripheral weir, and
wherein a lapping plate is carried by said cover within the
surrounding confines of said weir and centered over the axis of the
said shaft.
5. An agitator for moving a load of fluid objects through toroidal
low amplitude vibratory motions and including, a load carrying
vessel of vertically disposed hollow configuration, a carriage
having a central hub with a shaft journaled vertically
therethrough, the carriage being in fixed supporting engagement
with the vessel, a support means comprised of a plurality of
circumferentially spaced rings of deformable high amplitude
impedance yieldable plastic material and each disposed between the
carriage and support therefor in a radial plane relative to said
shaft and fastened to the carriage and said support therefor at
their opposite peripheries and positioning the vessel supporting
carriage, a gyrating means comprising at least one offset flyweight
fixed to the shaft, and drive means to revolve the shaft and
flyweight carried thereby to gyrate the same and the carriage and
the vessel impressing low amplitude movements thereupon and below
the high amplitude deformation impeded by said support means.
Description
The present invention relates to machines heretofore referred to as
polishers, vibrators and/or shakers that are powered to affect a
load or mass of loose and/or fluid objects contained therein.
Although such machines are continuously supplied with objects and
consequently have a continuous discharge, it is fundamentally a
batch process that is involved and wherein a multitude of
relatively small objects are processed for polishing or deburring
and the like. Depending upon the nature of objects to be processed,
a carrier fluid is often employed and most often a liquid with an
abrasive material suspended therein. Consequently, the mass of
objects to be processed is usually mixed with a liquid carrier and
abrasives, however it is to be understood that there are objects
which are by themselves sufficiently fluid to be moved by the
machine without the added carrier. For example, the machine of the
present invention is intended for use is polishing gem stones of
various description and in deburring machine parts and to affect
the surfaces thereof to advantage as circumstances require.
An object of this invention is to provide an apparatus in the form
of a machine unit which is capable of efficient application of
power that is converted into motion so as to agitate a fluid mass
directly as a result of inertial gyrations, whereby objects within
the fluid mass are caused to migrate abrasively through a toroidal
path.
Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus wherein
flyweights are revolved and the angular momentum thereof utilized
to impart motion into a fluid mass containing objects to be
processed, while minimizing structural impediments intermediate
said flyweights and said fluid mass. In the present invention it is
the location of gyrating weights relative to the center of gyration
of the fluid mass which is of importance, and as well the
lightweight construction of the containment vessel and its gyrating
carriage.
It is another object of this invention to provide a gyrating
carriage of minimized inertia and combined with motion damping
supports which permit low amplitude high frequency motion while
preventing excessive and/or prolonged displacements of the
carriage. That is, the gyrating carriage has a normal frequency and
range of amplitude within which oscillatory movements are most
efficiently impressed upon the load or fluid mass processed
thereby.
It is still another object of this invention to provide an
apparatus or machine unit of the type thus far referred to that
isolates the prime mover from the gyratory motions imposed upon the
gyrating carriage and load or fluid mass carried thereby for
processing. With the present invention an elastic transmission is
provided, and together with the vibration damping supports
hereinabove referred to the prime mover and surrounding frame of
the unit are effectively isolated from oscillatory movements,
thereby assuring longevity and quietness of operation.
It is also an object to provide a dual purpose apparatus of the
character hereinabove described, wherein the primary process
involved relates to the said agitation and movement of a fluid mass
contained within a vessel, and wherein a second process is involved
relating to lapping of objects upon the surface of a plate
incorporated in the said apparatus; the said primary and secondary
processes being simultaneously operative.
The various objects and features of this invention will be fully
understood from the following detailed description of the typical
preferred form and application thereof, throughout which
description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the agitator, indicating the
migratory toroidal motion impressed upon the load or fluid mass
contained and processed therein.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 2--2 on FIG.
1.
FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken as indicated by lines 3--3
and 4--4 on FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective illustrating the axes and
radii and gyration that are involved.
FIG. 6 is an exploded view illustrating the relationship and
angular displacement of the two flyweights involved.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of the agitator shown in FIG. 1 and modified
with the installation of the lapping plate which is incorporated on
the cover.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 8--8 on FIG.
7.
In the drawings I have shown a machine unit of moderate size which
embodies the features of the present invention; and which involves
generally, a frame A, a carriage B carried in the frame by
yieldable support means C, a vessel D upon the carriage B and
adapted to receive and contain a load or fluid mass of material or
objects to be processed and caused to migrate toroidally, and
gyrating means E to so affect the load of fluid mass to cause said
migration, there being a prime mover F isolated by a transmission G
from the movements impressed upon the load or fluid mass. The
machine unit is essentially a lightweight apparatus, although the
apparent lack of body therein has little effect upon the capability
of handling a substantial load or a heavy fluid mass, since the
amplitude of oscillatory motion is rather small and the frequency
thereof relatively high, and all of which is directly applied to
the load or fluid mass; for example approximately one-eighth inch
amplitude at the center of gyration of the toroidal mass and from
1,500 to 4,000 cycles per minute in a machine having a vessel D 10
inches in diameter and accommodating a normal 8-pound load. As
shown, the machine unit is motor driven and wherein the gyrating
means E is rotatably operative and characterized by flyweights 40
and 41 advantageously positioned on a revolving shaft 12 for most
efficient application of the effects of angular momentum and the
resultant forces thereof upon the load or fluid mass being
processed.
The frame A is essentially a base for the mounting of and tying
together of the other elements of the machine unit. Accordingly,
the frame involves a platform 13 supported by legs 14, the platform
being a horizontally exposed part held spaced above a supporting
surface by four corner legs 14, thereby leaving space beneath the
platform 13 to accommodate the prime mover F in the form of an
electrical motor M. The machine unit has a central vertical axis on
which the gyrating means E is operative and about which the vessel
D is formed to contain the load or fluid mass. In practice, the
legs 14 are of tubular members, there being two pairs of legs and
each being joined in one piece of tubing respectively, the joining
sections of tubing being disposed in each instance to establish
handles as shown. The operational axis of the prime mover F is
laterally offset from the above mentioned central axis, the axes
being parallel and the electrical motor M fixedly mounted to depend
from the platform 13. The motor shaft 15 projects through and above
the platform where it carries a drive pulley 16 preferably a
multi-sheave pulley adapted to effect a variation in speed by
selection of the desired sheave.
The carriage B that is carried by the frame A is supported from and
to move independently of the frame and in a plane disposed
horizontally and vertically above the platform 13. In accordance
with the invention, the carriage B is a lightweight member having
for its functions the carrying of the vessel D and gyrating means E
so as to directly couple the operational effect of said means E
upon the load or fluid mass contained in said vessel D. In
practice, the carriage B is a spider member comprised of a hub 20
and radiating arms 25. The hub 20 is of substantial vertical extent
and is normally disposed concentric and in alignment with the
central axis of the machine unit; it being understood that
operational gyrations displace the axis of the hub. The arms 25 are
radial extensions of the hub and project from the hub to place and
support the vessel D, with the bottom of the vessel at the lower
end of the hub 20 and with the top of the vessel at the upper end
of hub 20. The number of arms 25 can vary, eight such arms being
shown, and each of which embraces the inner, outer and bottom walls
of the vessel D which is characteristically a hollow cylinder.
Thus, each arm 25 has a seat 26 with conforming configuration to
the vessel shape that is supports, the arms being symmetrically and
concentrically disposed about the hub 20, while the hub 20 has a
vertical bore 21 therethrough and with a bearing or upper and lower
space bearings 22 and 23 fixed therein to supportably and rotatably
carry the shaft 12.
The yieldable support means C functions to position and damp the
gyrating movements of the carriage B, means E and the load or fluid
mass being processed. The means C can vary in design, a simple,
direct and practical support means being the multiple deformable
plastic rings 30 fastened at opposite peripheral portions to the
platform 13 and carriage B respectively. The rings are vertically
disposed and have enlarged portions that pass the fasteners 31
which secure the rings to the frame and to the carriage, there
being several spaced rings for stability. In practice,
polyurethane, nylon or other flexible material is used in forming
the rings, giving suitable flexibility coupled with the cross
sectional modulus of the rings, as shown, to permit deflection
thereof and consequent movement of the carriage B relative to the
frame A. It is preferred that the rings 30 of the support means C
be fastened at the outer end portions of the arms 25 and
correspondingly fastened to the underlying portions of the platform
13.
The vessel D is removably carried upon the structure hereinabove
described and is shaped so as to be conducive of directing the
toroidal path through which the load or fluid mass migrates.
Characteristically therefore the vessel D is of hollow
configuration, for example it can be polygonal in plan view, and it
is preferably cylindrical having inner and outer concentric walls
35 and 36 closed by a bottom 37 extending therebetween. The bottom
37 is disposed in a horizontal plane at the lower end of the hub 20
while the walls 35 and 36 extend upwardly to the upper end of the
hub 20, the hub being substantially coextensive with the depth of
the vessel D. The seats 26 of the arms 25 have embraced supporting
engagement with the walls and bottom of the vessel and a feature of
the vessel configuration is the semi-toroidal formation of the
bottom 37 that merges integrally and tangentially with the
concentric inner and outer walls 35 and 36, the radial center a of
the torus establishing the approximate and theoretically ideal
center of gyration when the vessel D is loaded to a level of about
one radius b above the said center a. In carrying out the
operational process of impressing gyrating motions to cause
migration of the load of fluid mass, the said mass is usually of
sufficient stiffness or viscosity to turn naturally in a more or
less toroidal path, separating from one cylindrical vessel wall as
it moves upwardly, and approaching toward the other cylindrical
vessel wall as it moves downwardly (see FIG. 2). The vessel D is
closed by a cover 38, transparent in the first form of the
invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and several keepers 39 in the
form of hooked tension springs secure the cover 38 and vessel to
the arms 25 of the carriage B.
The gyrating means E involves revolving flyweights 40 and 41 that
are readily adjustable in rotative position relative to each other
so as to control gyration of the bodies making up the load of fluid
mass. The shaft 12 extends above and below the hub 20 and is a free
turning shaft on antifrictional bearings 22 and 23. The upper
flyweight 40 has its center of gravity laterally to one side of the
shaft 12 and axis c and has a first center of gyration X, while the
lower flyweight 41 has its center of gravity laterally to one side
of the shaft 12 and axis c and has a second center of gyration Y
(see FIG. 5). The flyweights 40 are adjustably locked onto the
shaft 12 by means of set screws 42 and 43, as best illustrated in
FIG. 6. Although a diametrically opposite setting of the flyweights
is feasible for agitating the load or fluid mass into toroidal
motion, further adjustment to other angular displacement settings
of the two flyweights relative to each other provides for control
over movement and especially circumferential migration of the load
or fluid mass. Therefore and in accordance with the invention, the
two longitudinally separated flyweights 40 and 41 are infinitely
adjustable with respect to their angular alignment and/or
displacement relative to each other. For example, the flyweights 40
and 41 are angularly displaced and separated by less than
180.degree. and for example 165.degree. (see FIGS. 5 and 6).
Consequently, a mean chord d drawn between the centers of gravity
of the two flyweights 40 and 41 is displaced from the rotational
axis c by the distance of radius e thereto, thereby establishing a
third center of gyration Z having an orbital path f intermediate
the two centers of gyration of said two flyweights (see FIG. 5).
However for another example, the flyweights 40 and 41 can be
positioned laterally to one side of the shaft 12 and in angular
alignment (see FIG. 8), in which case the chord d run parallel with
the axis c and the center of gyration Z and orbital path f are at a
maximum radius. Still further for example, there are infinitely
variable relations of said adjustment intermediate an angular
alignment of the weights and an angular displacement thereof to
180.degree.. In practice, the flyweights 40 and 41 are of equal
mass and the third center of gyration Z and orbital path thereof is
thereby located midway therebetween.
As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 the upper flyweight 40 and shaft 12
are calibrated, so that the angular position of the flyweight 40 is
determinable as it is related to the angular position of flyweight
41 which is obscured beneath the vessel and platform. Therefore,
flyweight 41 is locked onto the shaft 12 by the set screw 43
engaged upon a flat 43' in the shaft 12; while flyweight 40 is
locked onto the shaft by the set screw 42 engaged upon the normal
cylindrical periphery of the shaft. In accordance with the
invention, the terminal upper end of shaft 12 is coplanar with the
top face of flyweight 40 and it is marked with at least one
calibration 44 that is in alignment with the flat 43'. In practice,
the normal calibration 44 is positioned diametrically opposite the
flat 43', and intermediate calibrations can be provided for
discriminate angular positioning of weight 40.
The transmission G provides the drive from the motor M to the shaft
12. As hereinabove described, the carriage B and shaft 12 are
permitted to shift relative to the frame A and motor sheave 16, and
to this end the transmission G permits lateral movements of a
sheave 17 on shaft 12. Shifting of the sheave 17 can be
accommodated by lengthening and shortening of a drive chain or belt
as permitted by a pressured idler pulley (not shown) or as is
preferable in machine unit of small dimension an elastic belt 18 is
employed and which permits high frequency changes in sheave
position, without adverse effects.
In FIGS. 7 and 8 I have shown the secondary and dual purpose
features of the present invention, wherein the cover 38' carries a
lapping plate P. In this modified form of the agitator the plate P
is incorporated in the cover 38' and the several keepers 39 secure
the combination to the vessel D. In accordance with this
modification, the plate P is a flat symmetrical stone or the like,
preferably disc-shaped and disposed horizontally and concentric
with the axis c when the cover is installed upon the vessel. The
rim of the cover is stepped for support and is raised to establish
a weir 50 from which the depressed cover wall 51 projects inwardly
and then upwardly to the bottom plane of the plate P which is
normal to the axis c. The vessel wall 35 is closed at its upper end
by an imperforate top 35' establishing a chamber in which the
flyweight 40 operates, and the cover wall has a center portion 52
disposed immediately over the top 35' and preferably with some
clearance, so as to avoid abrasive contact and/or wear. With the
weir 50 that surrounds the plate P abrasive laden fluids and
tailings or debris are contained while the cover 35' and plate P
are agitated bodily together in a generally horizontal plane. It
will be observed that the forceful movements are imposed upon the
cover 38' and plate P through the outer vessel wall 36 which is
inherently flexible to some degree and all of which is conductive
to shock isolation and smoothness of operation at the plate P.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the agitating machine unit
is basically simple and of durable construction. The members
thereof are for the most part metallic and of light alloys, unless
otherwise required and/or as specified. For instance, the vessel D
and its cover 38 are advantageously made of molded plastic. When
loading the vessel, an approximation of the level b is most
effective, and the presence of the load when operating the shaft 12
at speed (3,000 rpm) will ensure no damage as may be caused by
vibration in the event that no load were present. LOAD Assuming
that the motor M turns clockwise in plan view, so preferably does
the shaft 12 carrying the flyweights 40 and 41.
The relative angular displacements of the flyweights 40 and 41 tilt
the shaft 12 and causes a substantial and equal tendency toward
toroidal progression of bodies in the load or fluid mass contained
in the vessel D. Because the top surface of the load or fluid mass
remains unconfined, frictional engagement on the load or fluid mass
is through the contacting bottom and side walls, thereby imparting
upward flow at the outer wall 36 and downward flow in the inner
wall 35. As a consequence, toroidal movement or flow can be
observed as inward on the upward exposed surface of the load or
fluid mass.
Controlled positioning of the intermediate third center of gyration
is attained through the adjusted angular displacement of the
flyweight 40 relative to the flyweight 41, as shown, and puts the
shaft 12 into an orbital gyration to cause and control a
circumferential migration of the contained load or fluid mass in
the clockwise direction of orbit, as effected by the frictional
engagement of mass upon mass and of the vessel walls reacting upon
the load or fluid mass. The above described toroidal and migratory
movements of objects in the contained load or fluid mass is
effectively applied in varying degree to those objects which are
within the toroid of the mass. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the
combined cover 38' and plate P are incorporated with the agitator,
and operated with or without the presence of a toroidal load or
fluid mass, all as circumstances require. The flyweights are
readily adjustable for effecting the desired results, or will be
determined in each instance or application by the weights and
stiffness of the load or fluid mass and/or objects to be moved
and/or lapped.
Having described only a typical preferred form and application of
my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the
specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself
any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in
the art.
* * * * *