U.S. patent number 3,787,093 [Application Number 05/186,847] was granted by the patent office on 1974-01-22 for apparatus for separating fiber flocks from a transporting air stream.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Maschinenfabrik Rieter AG. Invention is credited to Daniel Hanselmann, Rudolf Wildbolz.
United States Patent |
3,787,093 |
Hanselmann , et al. |
January 22, 1974 |
APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING FIBER FLOCKS FROM A TRANSPORTING AIR
STREAM
Abstract
An apparatus for separating opened fiber flocks from a
transporting air stream charged with such fiber flocks at a feed
chute connected with a pneumatic flock transporting duct wherein
the upper part of the feed chute is equipped with at least two
inlet openings for the transporting air stream carrying the fiber
flocks. A centrifugal wheel is provided for each such inlet
opening.
Inventors: |
Hanselmann; Daniel (Oberwil,
CH), Wildbolz; Rudolf (Winterthur, CH) |
Assignee: |
Maschinenfabrik Rieter AG
(Winterthur, CH)
|
Family
ID: |
4405730 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/186,847 |
Filed: |
October 6, 1971 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Oct 12, 1970 [CH] |
|
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15031/70 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
406/71; 55/406;
131/110; 406/154; 406/181; 414/287; 414/300 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D01G
23/08 (20130101); D01G 23/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
D01G
23/08 (20060101); D01G 23/00 (20060101); D01G
23/02 (20060101); B65g 053/40 () |
Field of
Search: |
;19/205 ;55/406-408
;131/84B,84C,110,146 ;214/17CB,17C ;222/142,270,272,330
;302/28,59,60,61,64 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Blunk; Evon C.
Assistant Examiner: Carson; W. Scott
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kleeman; Werner W.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In an appuratus for separating opened fiber flocks from a
transporting air stream carrying the fiber flocks at a feed chute
connected with a pneumatic flock transporting duct, the improvement
comprising an upper chute portion, said upper chute portion being
provided with at least two inlet openings for the flock carrying
transporting air, and a respective centrifugal wheel provided for
each inlet opening rotatably mounted on a substantially horizontal
axis and substantially concentrically arranged with respect to its
associated inlet opening, means for driving said centrifugal wheels
of each two neighboring inlet openings so as to rotate in opposite
directions.
2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said centrifugal
wheel of each inlet opening comprises a fan wheel.
3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including a
respective deflecting wall member partially surrounding each
centrifugal wheel, each such deflecting wall member extending over
at least the upper half of its associated centrifugal wheel, each
said deflecting wall member being arranged such that its radial
spacing from the periphery of its associated centrifugal wheel
increases in the direction of rotation of such centrifical
wheel.
4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein each said
deflecting wall member possesses a substantially spirally-shaped
configuration.
5. The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said deflecting
wall members define at least one exit location for the transporting
air stream, and an adjustable guide member for the transporting air
stream provided at said exit location.
6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said exit location
is disposed at an end of the associated deflecting wall member
possessing the greatest radial spacing from the periphery of its
associated centrifugal wheel.
7. The apparatus as defined in claim 3, further including a
pivotably mounted guide blade disposed between said deflecting wall
members, said guide blade being pivotable at right angles with
respect to the transporting air stream and serving as a guide
member for said transporting air stream.
8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including a duct
connecting member for connecting said inlet openings with a flock
transporting duct.
9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said duct
connecting member possesses a substantially forked-shaped
configuration having a pair of duct legs.
10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9, further including means
provided for said fork-shaped duct connecting member for altering
the distribution of the transporting air stream to both legs of
said forked-shaped duct connecting member.
11. In an apparatus for separating opened fiber flocks from a
transporting air stream carrying the fiber flocks at a feed chute
connected with a pneumatic flock transporting duct, the improvement
comprising an upper chute portion, said upper chute portion being
provided with at least two inlet openings for the flock carrying
transporting air, and a respective centrifugal wheel provided for
each inlet opening and substantially concentrically arranged with
respect to its associated inlet opening, means for driving said
centrifugal wheels of each two neighboring inlet openings so as to
rotate in opposite directions, and wherein each said centrifugal
wheel rotates about an associated axis of rotation and wherein said
opposite directions of rotation of said centrifugal wheels are
directed downwardly between said two axes of rotation.
12. In an apparatus for separating opened fiber flocks from a
transporting air stream carrying the fiber flocks at a feed chute
connected with a pneumatic flock transporting duct, the improvement
comprising an upper chute portion, said upper chute portion being
provided with at least two inlet openings for the flock carrying
transporting air, and a respective centrifugal wheel provided for
each inlet opening and substantially concentrically arranged with
respect to its associated inlet opening, means for driving said
centrifugal wheels of each two neighboring inlet openings so as to
rotate in opposite directions, a respective deflecting wall member
partially surrounding each centfifugal wheel, each such deflecting
wall member extending over at least the upper half of its
associated centrifugal wheel, each said deflecting wall member
being arranged such that its radial spacing from the periphery of
its associated centrifugal wheel increases in the direction of
rotation of each centrifugal wheel, and further including a sliding
baffle adjustable in the direction of the vertical chute axis and
disposed between said deflecting wall members, said sliding baffle
serving as a guide member for the transporting air stream.
13. In an apparatus for separating opened fiber flocks from a
transporting air stream carrying the fiber flocks at a feed chute
connected with a pneumatic flock transporting duct, the improvement
comprising an upper chute portion, said upper chute portion being
provided with at least two inlet openings for the flock carrying
transporting air, and a respective centrifugal wheel provided for
each inlet opening and substantially concentrically arranged with
respect to its associated inlet opening, means for driving said
centrifugal wheels of each two neighboring inlet openings so as to
rotate in opposite directions, and wherein said drive means serves
to drive said centrifugal wheels such that the directions of
rotation point upwardly between the two axes of rotation
thereof.
14. In an apparatus for separating opened fiber flocks from a
transporting air stream carrying the fiber flocks at a feed chute
connected with a pneumatic flock transporting duct, the improvement
comprising an upper chute portion, said upper chute portion being
provided with at least two inlet openings for the flock carrying
transporting air, and a respective centrifugal wheel provided for
each inlet opening and substantially concentrically arranged with
respect to its associated inlet opening, each centrifugal wheel
rotates about an associated axis of rotation wherein said opposite
directions of rotation of said centrifugal wheels are directed
downwardly between said two axes of rotation.
15. In an apparatus for separating opened fiber flocks from a
transporting air stream carrying the fiber flocks at a feed chute
connected with a pneumatic flock transporting duct, the improvement
comprising an upper chute portion, said upper chute portion being
provided with at least two inlet openings for the flock carrying
transporting air, and a respective centrifugal wheel provided for
each inlet opening and substantially concentrically arranged with
respect to its associated inlet opening, a respective deflecting
wall member partially surrounding each centrifugal wheel, each such
deflecting wall member extending over at least the upper half of
its associated centrifugal wheel, each deflecting wall member being
arranged such that its radial spacing from the periphery of its
associated centrifugal wheel increases in the direction of rotation
of such centrifugal wheel, a sliding baffle adjustable in the
direction of the vertical chute axis and disposed between said
deflecting wall members, said sliding baffle serving as a guide
member for the transporting air stream.
16. In an apparatus for separating opened fiber flocks from a
transporting air stream carrying the fiber flocks at a feed chute
connected with a pneumatic flock transporting duct, the improvement
comprising an upper chute portion, said upper chute portion being
provided with at least two inlet openings for the flock carrying
transporting air, and a respective centrifugal wheel provided for
each inlet opening and substantially concentrically arranged with
respect to its associated inlet opening, including means for
driving said centrifugal wheels of each two neighboring inlet
openings so as to rotate in opposite directions, said drive means
serves to drive said centrifugal wheels such that the directions of
rotation point upwardly between the two axes of rotation thereof.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and improved apparatus for
separating opened fiber flocks from a fiber flock carrying
transporting air stream at a stationary feed chute connected with a
pneumatic flock transporting duct, the stationary feed chute being
provided with a perforated wall and forming a fiber flock layer
which is to be supplied to a spinning preparatory machine.
Devices of this type are commonly employed in spinning plants for
feeding cards and cleaning machines in order to separate the fiber
flocks which are pneumatically delivered through transport air
ducts from the transporting air stream before they enter the
machine, these fiber flocks having previously been opened by
mechanical bale plucking machines or blending openers. In order to
be able to maintain as constant as possible the sliver weight of a
sliver delivered by a card for instance, the uniformity of the card
feed, that is to say, the weight of the input fiber flock layer is
of decisive importance as is well known to those versed in the art.
However, experience has shown that when directly feeding a card by
means of an appropriate feed chute at a high air throughput it is
extremely difficult to produce a sufficiently uniformly condensed
fiber flock layer in a satisfactory manner through the use of the
measures known heretofore.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Hence, from what has been stated above it will be seen that a real
need still exists in the art for apparatus for separting fiber
flocks from a transporting air stream which is not associated with
the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art constructions. Hence,
a primary object of this invention is to provide just such type
apparatus which effectively and reliably fulfills the existing need
in the art and overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks.
Another and more specific object of the present invention relates
to an improved apparatus for separating fiber flocks from a
transporting air stream so as to produce a sufficiently uniformly
condensed fiber flock layer.
Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the
invention, which will become more readily apparent as the
description proceeds, the inventive apparatus for separating open
fiber flocks from a fiber flock carrying transporting air stream in
a feed chute connected with a penumatic flock transporting duct is
generally manifested by the features that the upper part of the
feed chute is equipped with at least two inlet openings for the
fiber flock carrying transporting air stream and a centrifugal
wheel is concentrically arranged at each such inlet opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than
those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is
given to the following detailed description thereof. Such
description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a first embodiment
of inventive apparatus, taken substantially along the line B--B of
FIg. 2;
FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the apparatus
depicted in FIG. 1, taken substantially along the line A--A
thereof;
FIg. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of inventive apparatus
similar to the showing of FIG. 1, but illustrating a modified
construction thereof; and
FIG. 4 is a further embodiment of the inventive apparatus for
separating fiber flocks from a transporting air stream as
contemplated by this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings it is to be understood that
throughout the various embodiments of inventive apparatus as
disclosed herein such apparatus is shown and described purely by
way of example as arranged at a flock feed chute 1 located at the
input side of any suitable and therefore not particularly
illustrated card. The flock feed chute 1 is preferably of the type
previously discussed and possesses a perforated wall equipped, for
instance, with slots 1' serving as discharge or exit openings for
the air. Now as clearly seen by referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 chute 1
is advantageously provided with a detachable upper part 2. At a
large side wall of this detachable upper chute portion or part 2 of
the fiber flock feed chute 1 and to each of the vertical chute axis
3 there is arranged a respective inlet opening 4 and 5, in other
words a total of at least two inlet openings 4 and 5 are provided
for the transporting air stream laden with the opened fiber
flocks.
Now at each of both inlet openings 4 and 5 there is rotatably
mounted at the upper chute part 2 a respective centrifugal wheel 6
and 7 disposed concentrically with respect to their associated
inlet openings 4 and 5. These centrifugal wheels 6 and 7 can be
constructed, for instance, as round discs provided with smooth
surfaces or with radial ribs or, as experiments have proven, can
suitably consist of centrifugal fan wheels.
Continuing, it should be understood that for the purpose of
obtaining a column of fiber flocks in the feed chute 1 possessing
the best possible uniform density and weight during the separation
of the flocks from the transporting air stream the centrifugal
wheels 6 and 7 are driven so as to rotate in opposite rotational
directions. Furthermore, these centrifugal wheels 6 and 7 are
preferably driven in such a manner that the directions of rotation
of the wheels 6 and 7 between their axes of rotation are directed
downwards. In order to impart to the transporting air stream
charged with the fiber flocks a flow direction which is as
favorable as possible for the purpose of obtaining as uniform as
possible filling of the feed chute 1 it is contemplated to surround
each of the two centrifugal or fan wheels 6 and 7 with a respective
curved deflecting or diverting wall member 8 and 9. These curved
deflecting walls 8 and 9 extend approximately at least over the
upper half of the associated wheel 6 and 7 and possess an
approximately semi-circular configuration or preferably a
spirally-shaped configuration. As best seen by referring to FIg. 1
both deflecting walls 8 and 9 are arranged in such a fashion that
their radial spacing from the periphery of the associated wheels 6
and 7 and from their axes of rotation increases in the directions
of rotation of these wheels 6 and 7 as indicated by the arrows of
FIG. 1.
Now as illustrated for the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 at the inner
ends of the deflecting walls 8 and 9, in other words approximately
at the central region of the chute 1 as indicated by the vertical
chute axis 3, and at the location where the transporting air flows
together with the fiber flocks into chute 1, there can be provided,
if necessary, an appropriately displaceable or moveable flow guide
member for the purpose of evening-out possible irregularities of
the flock distribution which may arise. This guide member can be
constructed, for intance, in the form of a sliding plate or baffle
10 or, as shown for the modified embodiment of FIG. 3, can be
constituted as a pivotal guide blade 11 which can be rocked or
pivoted in a direction transverse to the air flow indicated in such
drawing by the arrows.
Apart from the previously described preferred arrangement where the
direction of rotation of the wheels 6 and 7 is directed downwardly
between their axes of rotation, it is of course also possible to
drive the wheels 6 and 7 in the opposite rotational sense, in other
words wherein the direction of rotation of each of these wheels 6
and 7 is upwardly directed between their respective axes of
rotation as indicated in the embodiment of FIG. 4. In this instance
and analogous to the considerations mentioned previously in the
discussion of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, with the arrangement
of FIG. 4 the rdial distance of the curved deflecting walls 8 and 9
from the periphery of such wheels and from the axes of rotation of
wheels 6 and 7 here likewise increases in the direction of
rotation, so that in this case the outflow or exit ends of the
deflecting walls 8 and 9 extend towards the side walls of the feed
chute 12 and a respective guide blade 11 is suitably mounted at
both sides within the chute 1, as shown.
At this point it is to be mentioned that the connection of both
inlet openings 4 and 5 with the non-illustrated pneumatic
transporting duct carrying the fiber flocks basically can be
perfected in any optional, suitable and known manner. However,
experiments have shown that a bifurcated or fork-shaped duct
connector 12 possessing substantially symmetrical legs 12a, for
instance approximately of the shape shown in FIG. 2, is not of
inconsequential significance as concerns the uniformity of the
flock distribution at the feed chute 1 and thus, under
circumstances, alsofavorably influences the sought for uniformity
in the density of the fiber flock layer.
It is not crucial to the invention how the drive for the
centrifugal wheels 6 and 7 is achieved, but such can be driven for
instance through the agency of a suitable electric motor 13 and
belts, or in fact in any other appropriate manner. The control and
actuation of the guide elements 10 and 11 as well as the drive 13
does not constitute part of the subject matter of this invention,
yet it is to be mentioned that such can be controlled and actuated,
for instance manually, mechanically or automatically, by means of
any suitable adjusting mechanism. One such possible type of
adjusting mechanism 15 has been shown as a pinion and rack drive
which, in the arrangement of FIG. 1, can be used for selectively
positioning the guide baffle or slide 10.
In the event that a number of chutes are connected with a common
flock transporting duct via a branch duct, then, there can also be
provided centrifical wheels 6 and 7 which do not have any fan
action, since a fan or ventilator in the flock transporting duct
can be sufficient for conveying the fiber flocks.
In order to be able to adapt the apparatus to all possible
different duct guide path conditions of the pneumatic transport
duct there can be provided adapting or adjustment means at the
region of the fork-shaped connection duct 12 for the purpose of
altering the distribution of the transport air stream at both of
the legs 12a of such fork-shaped duct 12. Thus, as best seen by
referring to FIG. 2, for this purpose there can be provided, for
instance, at the fork-shaped duct 12 an adjustable air flow
separating wall 15' formed of a material of limited flexibility,
adjustment of such separating wall being possible at substantially
right angles to the axes of the inlet openings 4 and 5
respectively. This separating wall 15' is movable in a plane
defined by such two axes of the inlet openings 4 and 5 through the
action of an eccentrically mounted eccentric cam 14 or similar
device. Hence, when the eccentric cam 14 is eccentrically rotated
by means of the operating handle 16 to move between the full and
phantom line positions shown in FIG. 2, then, the air flow
separating wall 15' can be correspondingly displaced between its
depicted full and phantom line positions so as to adjust or
regulate the effective flow cross-sectional areas of the two legs
12a of the connection duct 12 as should be readily apparent.
While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of
the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention
is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and
practiced within the scope of the following claims.
Accordingly,
* * * * *