Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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This invention relates to apparatus for processing ;~
materials. Specifically, it relates to apparatus which may be -~
used for comminuting particulate material, or which may be used ~-
for mixing materials or for other purposes, as will be described.
; Numerous devices exist for obtaining very fine
material by comminution. These devices are generally complex `
and expensive, and the degree of fineness to which they can
comminute material is usually limited.
The present invention provides an improvement which is
partially disclosed, but not independently claimed, in my copending
Canadian patent application Serial No. 130,928, now Canadian
patent ~7~,95~. According to this improvement, a mass is
rotated in a chamber, the mass being mounted on a flexible
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axle, for example a wire rope. This provides good support
for the mass, yet permi-ts it to move radially under centri-
fugal force and to tilt on its axis. Thus, as the mass
rotates, a combination of centrifugal and gyroscopic forces
act on it to crush or otherwise process material located `
between it and the chamber wall. ~ ``
Although devices according to the invention are ~`-
intended primarily to provide finely comminuted material, -
they may also be used for mixing or homogenizing liquids,
mixing solid particles, mixing particles with liquids, or ;
they may be used as chemical reactors, comminuting material
to provide reactive surfaces which may react with other
materials present.
Furthér features of the invention will appear from `
the following description, taken with the accompanying
drawings, in which: - ~
Fig. 1 is a schematic top view, partly in section, ~-
showing the first embodiment disclosed in my said copending
Canadian patent application;
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Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the Fig. 1 i~
device7
Fig. 3 is a cross-sec~ion of an alternative
embodiment of the device of Figs. 1 and 2, having a flexible
mounting in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a ~ ,
modification of the Fig. 3 embodiment;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a support for
a non-helical rotating mass;
Fig. 6 is a side sectional view of a portion of the
Fig. S support and showing rings in place thereon;
Fig. 7 is a top sectional view showing how the
Fig. S support is clamped to a wire rope;
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an alter-
native surface for a rotating mass;
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion
of another alternative surface for a rotating mass; -
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of an
insert for the Fig. 9 surface;
Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a ~`
modification of the Fig. 4 device;
Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a
modification of the Fig. 11 device; and ;~
Fig. 13 is a top view showing an alternative form
of chamber and rotating mass
Reference is first made to Figs. 1 and 2, which
show~a device having a circular chamber 1, as shown in my
said Canadian patent application. The chamber 1 has an
interior surface 2 which is cylindrical and symmetrical
about the central axis 3 of the device. A central axle 4
is provided, carrying two pairs of support rings 5 spaced `
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in pairs on the axle, approximately at the upper and lower
limits of the chamber 1.
Three pairs of swinging arms 6 are provided. The
arms 6 of each pair are vertically spaced apart and are
opposed to each other, and the pairs are spaced at 120
intervals around the support rings 5. Each arm 6 is mounted
between a pair of support rings 5 and is held in place by a
pin 7 passing through aligned holes in the rings and through
the inner end of the swinging arm 6, so that the arms 6 are
10 free to rotate about the pin 7.
The outer ends of each pair of swinging arms 6
house the ends of an axle 9 of a rotatable mass 10. The mass
10 is rotatably suspended on the axle 9 by a suitable bearing
mechanism, not shown. Axial movement of the mass 10 is
prevented by stop rings 11.
As shown, the swinging arms 6 are slightly longer
than the minimum length required to allow the outer portion
of the mass 10 to touch ~he inner surface 2. Therefore,
each pair of arms extends at an angle to a radius drawn
20 from the central axis 3 through the pins 7 of the pair of ;
arms 6. The direction of rotation of the assembly in operation
i~s indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1 (clockwise), and preferably ~ ;
the arms 6 trail rearwardly of the direction of rotation.
In Figs. 1 and 2 the mass 10 is formed as a
` cylindrical helix of any heavy durable materLal such as
hardened steel. Each turn of the helix lies tightly against
the other as shown in Fig. 2.
When the central axle 4 is rotated (by means not
shown), the support rings 5, arms 6, and masses 10 all revolve
30 as an assembly about the central axis 3. Centrifugal force
tends to straighten the arms 6 and press the masses 10 against
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the inner surface 2 of the chamber 1. In addition, since
each mass 10 is free to rotate about its own axis, the
contact between each mass 10 and surface 2 causes each mass
10 to roll around the inner surface while rotating about
its own axis. Each mass 10 exerts against the surface 2
a pressure due to centrifugal force, the extent of such
pressure depending on the weight of the mass and the speed
; of rotation of the assembly. This pressure may be utilized
for crushing particulate material to a very fine powder, or
as previously indicated it may be used to mix materials,
or homogenize liquids, or for other material processing as
required. The material to be processed may be fed into the
chamber 1 and the processed material removed by any conven-
tional means, not shown.
When the mass 10 is a closely wound helical coil -
as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, each turn may be of generally
circular cross-section so that each turn presents a point
of contact with the inner surface 2 at any given position.
Because of the flexible nature of the helix, some turns may
be displaced from the inner surface 2 by the particles being
crushed, without removing the other turns from contact with
the inner surface. Further, because each turn of the helix~ i
is connected to all of the other turns, when any particular
point of contact encounters a particle to be crushed, ~
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there will be a pressure exerted on a particle being crushed
which is greater than the force that would be exerted by
the mass of a single turn. There will be a force contributed
by the surrounding turns of the helix.
The configuration of the helix can be arranged so
that the progressive points of contact move progressively ;
in the direction of the particle flow as the mass rolls, thus ~ ;
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assisting movement of the material from the inlet ~o the
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outlet of the chamber as it passes through the chamber 1.
Alternatively, the helix may be mounted so that when rolled,
the turns of the helix tend to retard the progression of
particulate material from the inlet to the outlet, thereby
subjecting the material to a longer period of treatment and
resulting in finer crushing or more complete mixing.
Although three masses 10 are shown in Figs. 1 and 2, ~ -
only one mass 10 may be used, although in such event a
counterweight would normally be provided to restore the
balance provided by the omitted masses 10.
The improvement provided by the invention is
shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows a flexible mounting ;
for suspending each mass 10. Fig. 3 also shows a helical
mass 10, but other forms for the mass 10 may also be used, ` ~
as will be described. ; ;
In the Fig. 3 design the swinging arms 6 are replaced
by rigid arms 21 radially extending from an axle such as the
~ .; . , .
;~i axle 4 of Fig. 1. The mass 10 is supported on the arms 21 ~
by two cone shaped members 22, 23 which are in turn mounted ~ ~;
on a flexible axle 24 journalled in the ends of the arms 21.
The cone shaped members 22, 23 are maintained in position by
a central collar 25 clamped to the axle 24 at its mid point, `
and by the thrust of springs 26 and 27 which bias the
cone-shaped members 22, 23 towards each other. Bearings 28,
29 are provided at the ends of the arms 21 to journal the ;
axle 24 for rotation.
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The axle 24 is a slender rod of spring steel or ;
other flexible material which allows the mass 10 to tilt
slightly on its axis of rotation. The dimensions of the arms
` 21 are such that the mass 10 is normally in contact, with
moderate pressure, against the surface 2 of the crushing
chamber 1.
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~ hen the arms 21 of the Fig. 3 em~odiment are
rotated, the masses 10 again rotate about the central axis
of the device, and each mass 10 also rotates about its own
axis. However, when a particle to be crushed moves between `
one end of the mass 10 and the surface 2, this tends to cause
the mass 10 to tilt. The tilting of the rapidly rotating
mass about its own axis creates a gyroscopic restoring force
which tends to restore the axis of the mass to its original
position, causing an additional crushing force to be exerted
on the particle.
Instead of using as the axle 24 a flexible rod or
shaft as shown in Fig. 3, alternatively a wire rope may be
used. Such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 4, which shows
a device similar to that of Fig. 3 except that each mass 10
is now supported on a wire rope 30, which serves as an axle
; for the mass 10. The rope 30 is clamped at each end in
bearings 32 which in turn are journalled at the outer ends
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of the arms 21. Any suitable securing means may be employed -
for the wire rope, for example semi-circular wedges 34 held ^
- 20 in position by set screws 36.
The mass 10 is held to the axle on rope 30 as
follows. An hour-glass shaped support 38 (similar to the two
cone shaped members 21, 23) is provided, welded or clamped
(by means not shown) at its centre 40 to the mid-point of
` rope 30. The diameter of~the support 38 at its ends is less
than the interior diameter of the helical coil 39, to allow
the coil 39 to be slipped onto the support 38. Studs 42 ~ -
project vertically from the support 38 through holes in
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retaining caps 44 which retain the mass 10 in position on
the support. Nuts 46 secure the caps 44 to the studs 42.
The caps 44 include holes 47 through which the wire rope 30 ; ;
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The wire rope 30 provides considerably improved
flexibility as compared with the flexible rod shown in Fig. 3.
The wire rope 30 allows the masses 10 to be mounted so that ~ ~ -
when they are at rest, they are only in very light contact
with the interior surface 2 of the chamber 1, or are spaced
very slightly inwardly of the surface 2. When the arms 21
are` rotated, the flexibility and resilience of the wire rope
30 is sufficient to allow the masses 10 to move outwardly -
into contact with the surface 2. If desired, a small amount
.
of slack can be left in the wire rope to ensure adequate ~
radial movement of the mass~10. The added flexibility of ~ ;
the wire rope further permits increased tilting of the
crushing masses 10 on their axés of rotation. This enables
comminution of larger particles, increases the gyroscopic
forces available and reduces the accuracy of the tolerances
needed.
If desired, a flexible axle mounting, such as that
provided by axle 24 or wire rope 3b, may be used with the
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swinging arms 6 instead of with fixed arms 21.
The mass 10 has been shown as a helix, but other
forms of the mass 10 may be used with the flexible axle
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mounting. An example of an alternative form for the mass 10
is shown in Figs. 5 to 7. In Fig. 5 there is shown a frame
50, having upper and lower rings 52, 54 joined by three
longitudinal struts 56. Secured to each strut 56 is an ~ -
inwardly extending generally U-shaped strut 58 having a central ;
straight portion 60 the interior surface of which is concave -
to fit the outer surface of the rope 30. The central
straight portions 60 together define a close-fitting gap 62 - -
(Fig. 7) through which the wire rope 30 may pass. A clamp
ring 64 operated by a screw 65 is provided to draw the
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1068G62
straight portions 60 into close engagement with the wire
rope, to secure the frame 50 on the wire rope.
The exterior surface of the crushing mass
is constituted by a number of stacked rings 66 (Fig. 6~.
The rings 66 are located in their correct position by the
longitudinal struts 56 and are prevented from sliding off
the top or bottom of the frame 50 by end caps 68. The end
caps 68, which include apertures 70 through which the wire
rope may pass, are mounted on studs 72 projecting from the
rings 52, 54 and are held in place by nuts 74.
It will be appreciated that a helical coil or
other form of crushing mass may also be placed on the
frame 50.
A still further configuration for the crushing
mass is shown at 76 in Fig. 8. The crushing mass 76 is
.
~ a unitary sleeve having an exterior surface formed in the
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shape of ridges 78 and grooves 80. The ridges and grooves
~-~ 78, 80 may assume a sinusoidal configuration as viewed in
cross-section, or other appropriate contours may be used,
depending on the application. The sleeve 76 may be used ~`
with the frame 50 shown in Fig. 5/ or with other suitable
support means.
A portion of a still further modification of the
crushing surface is shown in Fig. 9. Pig. 9 shows three
turns of a helically wound coil 82. The turns of the helix
are spaced apart, permitting insertion between the turns of ;
an insert 84. The insert 84 is formed of specially hardened
material, e.g. hardened steel, and is generally T-shaped in : ~
cross-section. The sides of the leg of the T, and the bottom ;;;
of the bar of the T, have a curved-contour indicated at
86, to accommodate closely the turns of the coil 82,
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while the outer surface of the bar of the T is formed with
a gently curved crushing surface 88. The insert 84 may
be formed as a single unitary strip, or it may be formed
in short sections as shown in Fig. 10, so that when
individual sections of the insert become worn, they may
be replaced without replacing the entire insert. The
exterior surface 88 of the insert may be formed with any
appropriate contour, depending on the application of the
unit.
If desired, the mass 10 may be mounted for rotation
on its own axle, and the axles may be fixed relative to
their supporting arms. Such an arrangement is shown in
Fig. 11, which shows an arrangement identical with that of ~`
Fig. 4 except for this change. In Fig. 11 the inner race
90 of a bearing 92 is welded or otherwise secured to the
mid-point of the wire rope 30. The outer race 94 of the
bearing 92 is bolted or otherwise secured to the support or
frame 40. The support or frame 40 is now free to rotate
on the wire rope, and the wire rope 30 is therefore simply
clamped or otherwise secured in the ends of the arms 21.
Reference is next made to Fig. 12 , which shows
the crushing mass 10 as being in the form of a helically
wound coil having a convex outer surface 90. The inner
.
surface of the chamber 1 is indicated at 92 and is concave,
having a curvature corresponding axially to that of the
mass 10. Other non-linear configurations may be used,
depending on the application. Normally, however, the
mass 10 will have the contour of a body of revolution
(i.e. any cross-section taken at right angles to its axis
will be a circle), but if desired, the mass 10 may have a
different contour, so long as the chamber 1 has a cooperating
contour so that there will be continual rotary contact
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between the mass 10 and the chamber's inner surface. An
example of such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 13, where
the chamber 1 has a polygonal inner surface 100 having
facets 102. The masses lO have faces 104 which match in
circumferential extent the facets 102.
In addition, if desired the inner surface of the
chamber 1 may be made slightly elliptical, preferably with '`
sufficient scope for radial movement of the masses lO so
that they will remain in contact with the inner surface '
of the chamber as they are rotated. This arrangement leads
to oscillating forces, which are no sally undesirable, but
it creates a crushing or mixing force which varies around
the chamber circumference (and which may fall to zero at the '~
long ends of the ellipse). This is a situation which may ~ '
' be desirable in special applications. ' ' '
~l Although it is preferred, when the masses 10 ~ - -
'' are supported by a flexible axle, that the masses be clamped . '
' to *he mid-point'of the axle, nevertheless the masses 10 can' '
~' if desired be p'rovided with clamps e.g. on the end caps 47. '
`' The end caps 47 would then be clamped to the axle. However ''
this arrangement is less desirable since it reduces the ;
tilting that the mass 10 can undergo. ' '
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