Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~2~8~36
Case 59
Tumbling Apparatus
Background of the In~ention
Field of the Invention
This in~ention relates to tumbling apparatus
and, in particularl to impro~ed vibrating tumbling
machines for mixing materials and for cleaning or
~hake-out of parts to be processed, such as castings,
moldings or bulk material with~or without a working
media.
The Problem and the Prior Art
In many foundry operations, separation of ~and
and scale from castings is required. Typically, the
castings are initially tumbled to dislod~e foreign matter
adhering to the castings. To assist this dislodgingt
shot may be caused to impinge upon the castings as they
are tumbled. An exemplary ~tructure through which
dislodging of foreign matter according to the aboye can
be accomplished is shown ~n U.S. Patent 3,793,780 to
Musschoot.
In the Musschoot ~780 patentr a tipped,
U-shaped hopper is provided and has independently
operable, vibratory Lmparting mechanisms associated with
each leg of the hopper. Operation of the vibratory
imparting mechanism~is coordinated to move the casting
towards a dead zone ~or tumbling an1 chot ~reating and
,
~2fi7~
Case 59
away from the dead zone upon completion of the tumbling
and treatiny operations to discharge the castings.
The principal difficulty with this type of
equipment is that the vibration is not imparted
continuously during the separating operation. Rather,
the vibration imparting mechanisms are stopped and
started, requiring monitoring and coordination. Aside
from the above, the intermittent operation of the
vibration imparting mechanisms result in possible
excessive wear thereon.
Another drawback with the equipment in the
prior art is that intermixing of the castings with the
shot, the separated sand and the scale occurs. In some
prior art, it is intended that sand and shot remain in
the hopper with the castings as the castings are agitated `
and transported for discharge. The discharged castings
ther~fore can retain some of the shot, sand and scale.
In the event that engine blocks or the like are cast,
complete removal of sand, scale, shot and other ~oreign
matter is absolutely essential. Thus, with the prior art
structures, a subsequent cleaning operation would have to
be performed in the cast parts.
It was ~ound sometime ago that an improved
finish could be obtained on cast or molded parts by
adding a vibratory motion-to the tumbling apparatus. In
the early 1960's, I developed and patented under U.S.
Patent No. 3,157,004j an improved burnishing apparatus
using a U-shaped tub mounted on trunnions. Vibratory
force was applied directly to the U-shaped tub and passed
through the center of gravity of the tub. When the tub
was tilted about the trunnions, the vibratory force was
used to discharge the media and parts from the tub.
~IL26'7~386 case 59
Although improved burnishing of the parts
resulted from the above use of vibratory motion through
the center of gravity of the tumbling apparatus, problems
continued with the balance of the machine, with the wear
S on bearings, ana with the time it took to obtain the
finish.
The Invention
The present invention is specifically directed
to overcoming the above-enumera~ed problems in a novel
and simple manner.
According to the invention, a hopper is
vibrated to advance castings continuously in a path
between inlet and outlet ends. Simultaneously, shot,
sand, scale and other foreign matter are discharged from
the hopper separately from the castings. A preliminary
shake out of the castings takes place prior to the
introduction of the castings into the hopper and a
subsequent abrasive removal operation takes place
separately upon the castings being discharged from the
hopper. Shot can be propelled at the castings in the
hopper to enhance dislodging of foreign makter therefrom.
Castings leaving the system are effectively cleaned of
all foreign matter, i.e. shot, sand and/or scale.
According to the latest versions of the
invention, a vibrating tumbling apparatus comprises a
container, which may be a cylindrical drum, and a frame
which are resiliently mounted on a foundation. A bracket
on the container supports a vibration generator capable
of producing linear vibratory motion. The arrangement is
such that the container is vibrated along small segments
of an arcuate or circular path centered at a point offset
from ~he center of the container. The tumbling appara~us
~2678~36
will have a batch of material (which may be cas-tings with or
without media) in the container. The apparatus may also be
used to mix materials of different charac-teri.stics in a highly
efficient manner. The material in the container is moved or
conveyed and tumbled not only due to the coefficient of
friction of the material with the surface of the container, but
also due to the angle of attack between the material and the
surface of the container at any given point because of the
segmental circular path. A line from the center of rotation
through the center of gravity of the machine intersects the
linear line of force generated by the vibration generator at an
angle of 90. The angle of attack between the material and the
container can be varied to vary the rate or character of
mixing, to vary the rate of cleaning, to vary the amount of
lS tumbling, to vary the conveying and tumbling action between the
material and the surface of the container and the like.
By way of example, the invention in one broad aspect
pertains to vibratory apparatus comprising a container having a
material supporting surface, means mounting the con-tainer for
vibratory movement and a vibration gene.rator secu~ed to the
container, the generator producing a vibratory force along a
linear path extending on one side of the center of gravity of
the container whereby each point on the material supporting
surface will vibrate in paths lying on segments of circles
having a common center at a point lying on a line normal to the
linear path and passing through the center of gravity, the
point being located on the other side of the center of gravity.
Ano-ther aspect of the invention pertains to a
vibratory apparatus having a frame, resilient means mounting
the frame on a foundation and a container having an inlet port
at one end and an outlet port at the other end, the container
being mounted on the frame with the axis of the container
tilted from the inlet end toward the outlet end at an angle of
a few degrees from the horizontal. A vibration generator is
mounted on the container with the vibrational forces extending
along an axis of the vibration generator, offset from the
center of the container on one side of the center of gravi-ty
thereof, to produce a center of rotation on the other side of
the center of gravity to produce rotational forces acting
perpendicular to radii drawn from the center of rotation to a
point on the inside surface of the container whereby media and
parts being tumbled in the container will be moved up the
inside surface of the container settin~ up a path of tumbling
r- ~
9L26781!36
~ -~A-
movement.
Another exemplary aspect of the invention comprehends
vibratory apparatus comprising a generally horizontally
arranged container defining an inside, curved material
supporting surface and having a central axis and including
mounting means for resiliently mounting the container rela-tive
to a mounting surface and a vibration generator mounted on the
container, the container having a center of gravity and having
unconstrained movement relative to the mounting surface. Means
is provided for directing the vibratory forces generated by the
vibration generator along a linear path displaced from not only
the central axis of the container but also from the center of
gravity of the container, the linear path oE vibratory forces
passing on the side of the center of gravity removed from the
central axis to cause points on the curved material supporting
surface of the container to rotate along segments`of circles.
Each of the segments of the circles has a center located at a
position displaced from the central axis and from -the center of
gravity on the other side of the central axis from the center
of gravity so that the segments of the circles do not conform
to the curvature of the curved material supporting surface.
Still further, the invention comprehends vibratory
apparatus comprising a container having a central axis and a
material supporting surface, mounting means for resiliently
mounting the container for unconstrained vibratory movernent
relative to a mounting surface and vibration generator means
for generating vibratory forces along a linear path displaced
from the central axis and from a center of gravity of the
container on the side of the center of gravity spaced from the
central axis. The vibration generator means is mounted on the
container with the vlbratory forces vibrating each point on the
material supporting surface along segments of circles, each
segment having a center at a position spaced from the central
axis and from the center of gravity on the side of the central
axis spaced ~rom the center oE gravity.
The invention also comprehends the method of
operating vibratory apparatus comprising a container with a
center of gravity and having a material supporting surface,
means mounting the container for vibratory movement and a
vibration generator secured to the container, the method
comprising the s~ep of generating a vibratory force along a
linear path extending on one side of the center of gravi-ty oE
the container whereby each point on the material supporting
!~9
~2671~
-4B-
surface will vibrate in paths lying on segments of circles
having a common center at a point lying on a line normal to the
linear path and passing through the center of gravity, the
point being located on the other side of the center of gravity.
Still further, the invention comprehends a method of
vibration handling materials wherein the apparatus includes a
container having a central axis, a material supporting surface
and vibration generator means mounted on the container, the
container being resiliently mounted for unconstrained vibratory
movement r-elative to a mounting surface. The improvement in
the method comprises the step of generating vibratory forces by
the vibrator generating means along a linear path displaced
from the central axis and from a center of gravity of the
container on the side of the center of gravity spaced from the
central axis wherein the vibratory forces vibrate each point on
the material supporting surface along segements of circles,
each segment having a center at a position spaced from the
central a~is and from the center of gravity on the side of -the
central axis spaced from the center of gravity.
Preferred forms of the invention are shown in -the
accompanying drawings.
Description of the Drawings
E'igure L is a plan view showing schernatically an
overall system for separating foreign matter from castings with
the present invention incorporated;
Figure 2 is a side elevation view of a continuous
hopper section in the system of Fig. l;
Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the hopper
taken along line 2 - 2 of Fig. l;
Figure 4 is an end view of one preferred form of a
vibratory tumbling machine with some parts shown in cross-
section and some parts shown in phantom,
;-
''' ~
~L%~i7~3~36
Case 59
--5--
Figure 5 is an elevation view of the machine of
Figure 4 as viewed from the right in Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a view like Fig. 4 but with a
difference in the line of application of the ~ibratory
force.
Figure 7 is a view of one form of deck for
mounting the vibration generator of Figure 4 showing
alternate positions of the deck:
Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing
a modified form of the invention;
Figure 9 is a view like Fig. S of the modified
form of the invention;
Figure 10 is a copy of a chart of the paths of
movement of material in the machine of Figure 4 in
operation;
Figure 11 is a copy of a chart of the paths of
movement oP material in the machine of Figure 8 in
operation; and
Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of a
cylindrical deflector with openings or ports :
therethrough;as shown with Flgure 8.
Detailed Description of t ~
In Fig. 1, a depiction of an overall system
appears for loading castings into a primary separation
structure 10, in which ~oreign matter such as ~cale
and/or sand is dislod~ed ~rom the castings, and unloading
of the castings upon treatment in the primary separation
structure 10 for subseguent cleaning occurs. High
frequency shaXe-out structure is indicated~at 12 and is
responsible for initial breakup of mold bound castings.
~he castings, after initial breakup of the molds occurs,
are directed to an~inlet 14 ~or the separ~tlon structure
:~ :
~Z6~886 Case 59
--6--
. .
10 and are operated upon in a manner that will be
described in detail below. The castings discharge from
the separation structure 10 at an outlet 16 and are
directed to a casting roll-over, abrasive removal station
18 whereat final casting cleaning is carried out.
The details of the primary separation
structure, wherein the present invention resides, are
shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The primary separation structure
has a hopper 20 with a bottom surface 22 for supporting
the castings as they travel between the inlet and outlet
ends. A typical casting 24 is shown in Fig. 3 and may
be, for example, an engine block. The bottom surface 22
is supported in an inclined attitude as shown in Fig. 2
ana slopes downwardly from the inlet end 14 towards the
outlet end 16. The hopper 20 has attached, reinforced
; end walls 26, 2g with bottom surfaces 30 borne upon by
isolation springs 32 interposed between the surfaces 30
and the system support surface 34. Spaced longitudinally
directed tubes 35 are fit between the facing surfaces 37
of the end walls 26,28. Coaxial tie rods 39, internally
of the tubes, draw the end walls 26,28 towards each other
and agains the tube ends so that a unitary assembly
results. The hopper 20 is fixed captively between the
end walls 26,28.
The bottom sur~ace 22 of the hopper has a
substantially V-shaped configuration in cross~section, as
seen clearly in ~ig. 3, and is skewed with respect to the
vertical so as to define a substantially horizontal leg
36 and a vertical leg 38 having an upstanding wall
surface 40. The hopper 2Q is sealed by a removable hood
42 between the end walls 26,28. The end walls 26~28 have
cur~ed cutouts 44 (one shown) defining passages ~or the
castings at the inlet 14 and outlet 16.
1267131~6
--7--
Vibration imparting structure for the hopper 20
comprises motors 46 mounted resiliently, as by coil springs
47, to an inclined exciting wall 48 carried by the hopper 20
midway between the end walls 26, 28. The disclosed
arrangement is a two mass vibratory system. The exciting
mass at 50 comprises the motors 46 and associated mounting
base 52. The second mass comprises the hopper 20, end walls
26, 28, hood 42 and discharge section 54 which diverts
separated foreign matter. Each motor 46 has a shaft 56
offset from the vertical and substantially perpendicular to
the line of movement of the castings between the hopper
outlet and inlet. Each shaft 56 carries a pair of eccentric
weights 58 at its ends. As the shafts 55 rotate, the hopper
20 is caused to move reciprocatively substantially along the
line 60 so that conveyance of the castings 24 towards the
right tFig. 2) occurs.
Lines X and Y in Figure 3 effectively divide the
hopper into quadrants A, B, C and D with quadrants B and D
be/ing diagonally opposite quadrants and in ~ d~é~o~ ar
20 ~ _tl vibratory~mot~on as ~epresentedby line 60. Quadrant C is
a quadrant on the same level as "opposite quadrant" D.
Resilient means 47 between vibration imparting means 46 and
hopper 20 effectively mounts the vibration imparting means
46 in quadrant B for directing vibratory forces into the
diametric opposite quadrant D and into quadrant C which is
on the same level as the opposite quadrant D.
The path of an exemplary casting 24 will now be
described. ~s the motors 46 are activated, the casting
follows the curvature of the bottom sur~ace 22 and in effect
begins climbing the upstanding wall 38. As the casting 24
moves vertically, gravitational forces on the casting due to
the incline of the bottom surface 22 at the same time cause
the casting 25 to vibrate towards the outlet 16. The
casting 25 climbs until it ultimately tumbles over itself.
As this operation continues, the casting 25 traces a
- substantially helical path. As the casting follows the
described path, the foreign matter such as the scale and
mold material tends to progressively dislodge~
The invention also contemplates that the
separation of foreign matter be assisted by propelling
shot towards the castings progressing through the
;78~
Case 59
structure 10 at a shot treatment station 61. A
conventional wheel 62 directs shot centrifugally through
an opening 64 in the hood 42. The impinging shot jolts
the castings to effect separation of foreign matter that
might otherwise not occur through tumbling alone.
It is a further aspect of the invention to
provide structure for diverting foreign matter, separated
from the castings in the hopper, away from the hopper.
To accomplish this end, openings 66 are provided in the
wall of the hopper. A shelf 68 resides at the openings
66 and is fed by a ramp 70 inclined downwardly away from
the hopper opening 66. The vibration of the hopper tends
to shift the separated foreign matter towards the shelf.
The ramp and shelf vibrate in conjunction with the hopper
so that the foreign matter tends in the direction of
arrow 72 by the combined effect of gravity and the
vibratory conveying force imparted by motor 46.
The shelf 68 resides in a chamber 71 above a
floor 74 at the bottom of the chamber and has openings 76
to permit passage of a first size material which drops to
the floor 74 and moves in the direction of arrow 78 to a
point of collection. Material unable to pass through the
shelf discharges from the upper portion of the chamber
separately from the smaller size particles. By
separating the foreign ma* er as the castings move along
the length of the separating structure, the foreign
matter does not find its way back into chambers and/or
crevices defined by the castings or reattach to the
castings. Upon exiting the separation structure, the
castings are rolled over and any remaining foreign matter
separated at station 18.
- In one preferred form of the invention shown in
Figs. 4-6, a tumbling apparatus for mixing, cleaning,
~Z6~ i ca se 59
_g_
and/or shake out of parts is designated by the numeral
llO and comprises a container 112 which in the
illustrated form is a cylindrical drum and a vibration
generator 114. The container 112 could be an open top
member, an ova7 member or any desired shaped member as
long as it has a horizontal axis. The container 112 is
attached at each end to end plates 116 of a frame 118.
In addition to the end plates 116, the rame has a bottom
plate 120 connected to the end plates with corner
reinforcing gussets 122 extendin~ between the container,
an end plate and the bottom plate for supporting the
container 112. Gussets 124 extend between a flange 126
and the end plates in the vicinity of the corners of the
machine to provide reinforced pads at the corners. The
lS machine is resiliently supported on a ~oundation or base
128 by means of springs 130 attached to the pads on the
flanges 126 and to the foundation. The springs 130 may
be coil springs, as shown, or may be air springs or the
like.
The container 112 has an inlet port 132 near
the high point o~ the container at one end portion and is
comprised of a flanged opening 134 having a funnel shaped
hoppe~ 136. The inlet port 132 could be through the high
part of the end plate 116 just as well. An outlet port
138 is formed through the-side wall of the container
upward of the low point of the container and at the
opposite end of the container from the inlet port. The
outlet port 138 can be opened or closed, but when opened,
has a platform 140 over which the discharged parts and/or
media flows. A conveyor 1~2 communicates with the outlet
port for conveying discharged parts and/or media away
from the machine. The discharge or outlet port 138 could
be through the low point of the cylinder of the container
~L2~7!386 case 59
--10--
for certain applications. It will be noted in Figure 5
that the horizontal axis 139 of the container angles a
few degrees from the horizontal so that the outlet end of
the container is lower than the inlet end. This
accommodates flow of the material through the container
as the tumbling, mixing, polishing and/or shake-out is
taking place.
A bracket 144 includes a pair of spaced apart
mounting supports 146 is affixed to the container on one
side of the vertical axis of the container. The ends of
the supports 146 spaced from the container have a
substantially horizontal edge 148 with an aperture 150
through an end portion of each support in horizontal
alignment with each other. A horizontal axis 152
connecting the centers of the two apertures 150 is
parallel to the horizontal axis 139 of the container. As
shown in Figure 1, a line 154 drawn through the center
~at the horiz~ntal axis 139) of the container 112 and the
center (horizontal axis 152) of the apertures 15~ of the
bracket 144 forms an angle A to the vertical axis 156 of
the machine. As shown, the angle A between line 154 and
vertical axis 156 of the container is approximately 45
The bracket 144 also has a mounting deck 158 between the
supports 146 and, as shown, the deck is pivotally mounted
to the supports 146 by pi~vot pins 160 passing through
apertures 162 in depending flanges 164 on the deck and
through the aper~ures I50 in the supports 146. The deck
158 is locked in position relative to supports 146 by
means of a pair of bolts 166 passing through arcuate
slots 168 in the supports 146. When the bol~s 166 are
tightened down, the~deck 158 is locked in place on the
supports on the container. For the purposes of Figure 1,
the s-7rface of the deck 158 lies in a plane perpendicular
~7886 Case 59
to the vertical axis 156 and parallel to the horizontal
axis 152 of the pivot pins 160.
The vibration generator 114 comprises a support
plate 169 resiliently mounted on the deck 15~ of the
bracket 144 by a plurality of springs 170. A motor 172
is mounted on the support plate 169 with the axis of the
double ended drive shaft 174 lying substantially parallel
to the longitudinal axis 139 of the container. Eccentric
weights 176 are mounted on each ena of the double ended
shaft and are encased in covers 178. Variable force
vibration generators such as the types shown ln my U.S.
Patent No. 4,495,826 and 3,358,8I5 may be substituted for
the eccentric weighks 176 on each end of the shaft 174.
As illustrated in Figures 4-6, the linear vibratory
forces are generated by a two mass system, the motor 172,
plate 169 and weights 176 being one mass, and the
container 112, bracket 144 and frame 118 being the sPcond
mass. The vibration generator I14 as shown in Figure 4
has an axis 180 which is vertical and intersects the axis
154 of the pivot pins 160 and is perpendicular to the
support surface or foundation 128.
Operation of the vibration generator 114 will
produce vibratory forces 182 (illustrated generally by
the double ended arrow) along a linear path 180. As
shown, the path 180 and t-he linear forces 182 pass
exteriorly of the container 112. The path 180 may
intersect the container, but it should not go through the
center of gravity of the container.
When the apparatus shown in Figs. 4 and S is
operating and the vibration generator is producing linear
vibratory forces along the axis 182, the container 112
will move in an arcuate path, basically segments of a
circle, having a center of rotation offset from the
~7~86 Case 59
center of the container and located at point R. The
material within the container in contact with or close to
the inside surface will be moved along an angle of attack
with respect to the inside surface of the container. The
angle of attack is arcuate, basically a segment of a
circle centered at R.
The center of rotation R is either a point or a
small closed figure such as a small circle or ellipse
which for all practical purposes may be considered to be
a point. The point R will lie along a line passing
through the center of gravity CG of the container and
intersecting the linear line of force 182 at an angle of
90. That intersection is on one side of the center of
gravity CG and the point R will be on the other side of
the center of gravity.
The center of rotation R should be offset from
the center of the cylindrical container. If ~he contain-
; er is not cylindrical but has a concave material support-
ing surface, the center of rotation R should be offset
; 20 from the centers of circles osculating said concave
*
surface.
To illustrate the concept, see Fig. 10, a sheet
of paper was affixed to one end of the container 112 and
the vibration generator 114 was energized and tuned to
25 resonance, thereby producin~ a linear force 182 along the
axis 180. A stylus carried~by an immovably fixed support
on the foundation or statlonary surface 128 was engaged
* Webster's New Colleqiate Dictionary 1975 defines an
osculating circle as a ci ~ ter lies on
the concave side of a curve on the normal to a given
point of the curve and whose radius is equal to the
radius of curvature at that poin~n.
~267886 Case 59
~13-
with the paper at various points on the end plate in
alignment with the surface of the container. A tracin~
of the movement of the container, indicated at 184, was
subscribed on the paper by the stylus. The stylus was
spotted against the paper and container, a multiplicity
of times in the vicinity of the center of rotation until
the point R was located; that is, the point about which
the container rotated. By drawing radii 186 from point R
to the tracings, it was found that the ~racing segments
of a circle are centered at R.
The movements 184 along the bo~tom ~or low
point) of the container are directed inward into the mass
with an angle of attack to produce conveying action of
the media and parts. The movements 184 acting on the
working media 188 and/or parts 190 in the container
provide a vigorous and effective counter-clockwise path
of motion to the media and parts in the container. The
parts and media are conveyed up the inner surface of the
container adjacent the vibration generator before ~alling
back into the container. The vigorous circulatory motion
provides improved tumbliny of the parts in the media to
increase the speed and effectiveness of the mixing in the
container and of the burnishing and polishing of the
parts. Due to the slight tilt to the axis 139 of the
container 112 to the hori20ntal, the parts, as they are
tumbled, will migrate from the inlet end to ths discharge
end of the container. In the alternative, with the axis
139 of the container horizontal, the amount of material
added at the inlet 136 will determine the amount of
material discharged~at the outlet port 138. The outlet
port 138 can be open or closed (shown open in Figure 4).
When outlet port 138 is open, the media and parts will
exit the container on the ramp 140 at the upper portion
:
~%67~ Case 59
-14-
of the circulatory path. The ramp 140 can be foraminous
to permit the media to fall down into a collection
receptical prior to being ret~rned to the container or,
as shown, the parts and media are delivered onto the
conveyor 142 and will be conveyed to the next processing
station. The inner surface of the container may be
coatea or lined 183 with a material having a particular
coefficient of friction to aid in the conveying action
and to improve the tumbling of the parts~ The lining
acts as a wear surface and can be replaced when worn.
The character of movement of the container and
handling of the material within the container may be
altered or modified by moving the location of the center
of rotation R. The position of R will change if the
dir~ction of the linear vibratory forces change. Simi-
larly, the position of R will change if the center of
gravity CG is changed such as, for example, by adding
weights to the container. IncidentalIy, when the center
of gravity of the container is referred to, it includes
not only the container 112 but all parts attach d to the
container betwe0n the spxings 130 and the springs 170.
The effects of changing the direction B2 of the
vibratory foxces is illustrated in Fig. 7. In this case
the bolts 166 were loosened and the vibration generator
114 was tilted to inclin~ the line of vibratory forces
lB2 some 5 from vertical and the line of vibratory
forces angled toward the container. Inasmuch as the
center of rotation R lies on a line normal to the line of
force and passing through the center of gravity CG, R
will assume a new position as shown in Fig. 7. With R in
a new position, points on the inner surface of the
container will move in a arcuate path or segments of a
circle centered at the new location of R. This imparts a
-
~IL2~ 386 case 59
--15--
vibratory conveying movement to the material adjacent or
in contact with such point to move along such paths
thereby providing a different character of movement of
the mass of material inside the container. The effect
that will be first noted with the relocation of R is the
change in the slope of the material within fhe container.
A valuable and perhaps surprising characteris-
tic in the operation of the apparatus shown when used as
a vibrating tumbling apparatus where parts and a media
are placed within the container is that the parts them
selves will remain immersed in the media. This is of
importance no~ only in enhancing the cleaning and bur-
nlshing effect of the operation but also prevents damage
to the parts being treated which would occur if the parts
surfaced and vibrated directly against the interior
surfaces of the container and against each other.
Figs. 8 and 9 show the machine 110 with the
axis of the vibration generator 114 tilted to a 95 angle
as in Fig. 7. A baffle or deflector 92 is selectively
located in the container with Fig. 11 showing the flvw
pattern and forces acting on the material when the
deflector 192 is added to the system. All of the
structural elements of Fig. 8 that are the same as the
structural eIements of Figure 4 will bear the sa~e
reference numerals. The line of vibrational force 182 is
external of the container. The instantaneous center of
rotation R will be located at point R so that the
movements 184 acting on the material in the drum will
subscribe the appropriate angle of attack with the
surface of the container.
The baffle 192, which in Figs. 8 and 9 is ~
cylindrical but which could be square, rectangular, tear
drop shape or the like in cross section, extends from end
~2~7886 Case 5g
-16
-
to end of the container 112 between the end walls 116 and
can be adjusted to any desired position using appropriate
means. The baffle or deflector 192 deflects a portion of
the media over the outside of the deflector changing the
pattern of flow of media and parts 190 in the conta~ner.
The baffle can be set so that only media goes over the
deflector so that the parts remain submerged in the
media. The tumbling and mixing of the media was more
pronounced and the media and parts climbed higher in the
container before the media cascaded back down over the
deflector. With the deflector 192 adjusted so that it
was closer to the container walls, the parts were
sometimes exposed on the surface of the media but once
the parts 190 tumbled over the deflector, they
re-immersed in the media thereby minimizing scratching
and bumping between the parts.
The defIector 192 may be provided with
openings, or ports 193, see Figure 12, through which hot
air for heating the media or cold air for cooling the
media can be piped. Burner ~ets could be provided in the
deflector with the nozzles pointing into the media. When
ignited, the jets would burn off carbonaceous partiales
on sand being processed and cleaned.
The line of force 182 along the axis 180 of the
vibration generator passes e~terior of the~container or
intersects the container, but does not pass through the
center of gravity of the container.
Although I have described the improved tumbling
apparatus as employing a two mass system, such as shown
at 114 in Figure 4, the apparatus does operate
effectively with any linear vibratory force system
mounted directly on the container and producing a linear
line of force. The vibration g~enerator 114 is shown
Case 5g
~L267~86
-17-
upward and to the right of the container 112. It is to
be understood that the vibration generator may be located
at other positions as long as the line of force 182 is
substantially offset from the center of gravity of the
apparatus and so long as the center of rotation is not on
the vertical centerline of the container 112. Thus, as
all points on the material supporting surface of the
container are moved in segments or paths of different
circles having a common center at R, such segments or
paths are not parallel.
