Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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This invention relates in general to new and useful
improvements in particle throwing machines and especially
abrasive b]asting machines of the type including a runnerhead
having an exposed face provided with a plurality ofgenerally
radiating vanes. This invention constitutes an improvement
with respect to U.S. Patent No. 3,872,624 and like blasting
machines.
In some earlier blasting machine wheel constructions,
it is possible to remove a vane without removing the feed
parts, i.e. feed spout, impeller, impeller case and deflector.
This is possible because the pin attachment for retaining a
vane on the runnerhead is restricted to one pin installed
perpendicularly to the runnerhead on the back side of the vane.
Removal of this pin can be accomplished without vane movement.
After the pin is removed, the vane can then be pulled radially
out of the runnerhead.
In other constructions, double runnerheads are
provided and the vanes slide into slots in the double runner-
heads from the center of the wheel and are held in place by a
spacer bar which extends between and supports the runnerheads.
This arrangement requires removal of all feed parts as well as
removal of the vanes out through the feed spout opening.
In ye-t other arrangements, which are less popular, the
vanes are bolted to the runnerhead. Another method of securing
vanes to the runnerhead is that disclosed in the above-mentioned
U.S. Patent No. 3,872,624. In this arrangement, the retaining
pin is moved from the back of the vane to the bottom outer edge
of the vane base. In this position, the pin tends to hold the
vane perpendicularly in the runnerhead slot. This is necessary
because a tilting forc~e acts on the vane. The force is created
because the vane sits at an angle off of a radial line from the
center of rotaiion of the runnerhead. While this design is
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fail safe and holds the vane vertical, it requires 1) removal
of feed parts, 2) movement of the vane forward to release the
pin, 3) pin removal and 4) removal of the vane.
In accordance with this invention, an improved vane
retention apparatus is provided which provides for ready
removal of vanes and eliminates the need for removal of feed
parts, impeller, case and the like during vane replacement.
According to one aspect of this invention, a throwing vane
is provided with a recess at the outer end of the base of the
vane. This recess is made up of an axial pin retaining groove
and an angled pin insertion groove which intersects the pin
retaining groove. As will be explained in detail below, the
pin insertion groove allows ready inseriion and removal of
locking pins with a minimum of movement of the vane with
respect to the runnerhead. In this way vane replacement is
simplified.
In the preferred embodiments of this invention, a
rectangular locking pin is utilized instead of the usual round
pin, giving additional aid in holding a vane perpendicular to
the runnerhead. In addition, the rectangular pin places the
pin pull-out hole always in the same position for easy
insertion for a pin puller hook as opposed to the possibility
that the pull-out hole may be in any position with a round pin.
The use of a rectangular pin, for a given size pin recess,
gives a larger shear area for retaining the vane and thus a
greater safety ~actor. In addition, the pin recess in the
runnerhead is simpler to machine.
Yet another feature of the invention is the provision
of lugs on the impellar case which force the vane assembler to
lock the pin in place before one can rotate the wheel to the
next vane insertion position.
With the above, the other objects in view that will
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hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more
clearly understood by reference to the following detailed
description, the appended claims and the several views
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional view through an
abraslve blasting machine with the runnerhead being shown in
elevation and one vane in place and a second vane bein~
positioned, the view being taken generally along the line
1-1 oE Figure 2.
Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along
the line 2-2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view
taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2 of the underface of the
vane and illustrating the runnerhead and pin slot in phantom
lines, and a pin in position for insertion.
Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4
of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view
similar to Figure ~ but illustrating the pin cammed into its
locking position, there also being illustrated in dot-dash
lines the pin and its puller in the position they would assume
for withdrawal.
Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6
o Figure 5.
Figure 7 is another enlarged fragmentary sectional
view similar -to Figure 3 but showing thP vane withdrawn from
contact with the impellar case and in its opera-tive position.
Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8
of Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a fragmentary plan view of the underface
of a vane having a modified pin groove.
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Figure 10 is a sectional view taken generally along
the line 10-10 of Figure 9 and shows the relationship of the
pin groove of the vane with respect to the pin slot of the
runnerhead when the vane is in a position for receiving the
retaining pin.
Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 9 showing the
retaining pin in place in dotted lines and the vane retracted
radially outwardly relative to the runnerhead.
Figure 12 is a vertical sectional view taken generally
along the line 12-12 of Figure 11 and shows specifically the
position of the retaining pin in position locking the vane
against radial outward movement.
Rererring now to the drawings in detail, it will be
seen that there is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 components
of an abrasive blasting machine in which the vane mounting
arrangement of this invention is incorporatad. The machine is
generally identified by the numeral 10 and includes a shaft 12
which has fixedly mounted thereon for rotation therewith a
hub 14. The hub has secured thereto by bolts 16 a runnerhead 18.
The apparatus 10 also includes an impellar case 20
which is fixed. The impellar case 20 is spaced from -the hub 14
and is provided about the periphery thereof with short lugs 22
to be described hereinafter.
As will be readily apparent from Figure 1, the face
of the runnerhead 18 has formed therein a plurality of slots 24
which may be of a suitable dovetail or other undercut configura-
tion. It is to be noted that the slots 24 are disposed at an
angle to a radial line.
It is intended that each slot 24 receive a base 26
of a curved vane 28 with the base 26 being inserted into the
slot 24 and removed therefrom from the exterior of the
runnerhead. Once the base 26 is inserted in an associated
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slot, it is retained therein by a pin 30. The specific pin 30
and the mounting thereof in interlocking engagement between the
runnerhead 18 and the vane base 26 constitute the principal
features of this invention.
First of all, the pin 30 is of a rectangular cross
section as opposed to the customary circular cross section
previously used. The pin 30 is provided with a transverse
bore 32 into which a suitable removal tool may be engaged to
effect the pulling thereof.
At the base of each of the slots 24 and adjacent the
outer periphery of the runnerhead 18, as is clearly shown in
Figures 1 and 2, there is a further slot 34 for receiving the
pin 30. The slot 34 is rectangular in cross section and of a
width greater than that of the pin 30. It will be seen from
Figure 2 that the slot increases in depth rom a zero depth
at its outer end to a maximum depth at its inner end and that
the slot 34 is of a rounded configuration 36 at its inner end.
The slot 34 thus may be made by a suitable rotary milling tool.
At this time it is pointed out that the vane 28 extends
radially outwardly beyond the major portion of the ~ase 26 and
that the base 26 has a projection 38 which extends radially
outwardly of the runnerhead when the vane is in its properly
seated position, as is clearly shown in Figure ~.
It is also -to be no-ted from Figures 3, 5 and 7 that
the underside o~ the base 26 has a generally U-shap~d depending
support surface 40 at the outer end the-eof. Into this
supporting surface there are formed two grooves arranged Oll
different levels. The first and de~pest of these grooves is
identified by the numeral 42 and it is generally centered on
the axis of the base 26, as is best shown in Figure 3. A
second groove, 44, extends into the base from the outer end
thereof at an angle on the order of 20 and is separated from
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the groove 42 by a shoulder 43. It is to be noted that the
grooves 42, 44 slope downwardly and inwardly at the same angle
as the slot 34. It is further to be noted that the spacing of
the upper surface of the groove 42 and the lower surface of
the slot 34 correspond generally to the thickness of the pin 30
when the vane 28 is in its operating position, as is shown in
Figure 8, and that when the vane 28 is in its innermost position,
as shown in Figure 6, -the spacing between the upper surface of
the groove 44 and the lower surface of the slot 34 i5 greater
than that of the thickness of the pin 30.
With reference to Figure 5, in particular, it will be
also seen that the base 26 has a curved inner surface 46 which
is disposed concentric with the outer surface of the impeller
case 20. Further, it will be seen that the inner end of the
vane 28 projects radially inwardly beyond the curved surface 46
Referring now to Figures 3 - 8, it will be seen that
when a vane 28 is to be installed, the base 26 is slid into its
respective groove until the inner end of the vane 28 strikes
the outer surface of the impellar case 20. A~ this time the
spacing between the remote surfaces of the groove 44 and the
slot 34 pexmits the insertion of the pin 30, as is shown in
Figures 3 and 4. When the pin 30 is fully seated, as is shown
in phantom lines in Figure 5, due to the rounded inner end 36
oE the slot 3~, the pin 30 may be readily ro~ated in the
direction of the arrow in Figure 5 to its seated full line
position. It is now aligned with the groove 42.
As is clearly shown in Figure 5, the vane 28 must now
be withdrawn, otherwise when the runnerhead 18 is rotated,
the inner tip of the vane 28 will engage one of the lugs 22.
When the vane 28 is withdrawn in an outward radial direction,
as shown in Figure 7, the pin 30 becomes fully seated in the
groove 42 and the slot 34 as is clearly illustrated in Figure 8.
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The vane 28 is now prevented from moving further radially
outwardly during the operation of the apparatus.
It is also to be noted that the overhang 38, into
which the groove 42 merges, functions as a slot to prevent
the accidental outward movement of the pin 30 and shoulder 43
prevents sidewise movement after the vane is pulled out into
its running position. Thus the pin 30 is firmly locked in
place while it firmly locks the vane in place.
When it is desired to replace the vane 28, it is
merely necessary to first move the vane radially inwardly
until it engages the impellar case 20, as shown in Figure 5.
Then utilizing a conventi.onal tool 47 and engaging it in the
hole 32 and the pin 30, the pin 30 is first rotated out of
alignment with the groove 42 into alignment with the groove 44,
after which it may be radially ~ithdrawn, thereby freeing the
vane 28 for removal.
No other components of the apparatus need be dis-
assembled ln order to effect the removal and replacement of
the vane.
With reference to Figure 2, it is also pointed out
here that the underside of the base 26 is provided with other
support surfaces 48, 50 and 52 which are radially spaced
along the length of the base 26. In addition, the underside
of the base 26 may be provided with a groove 54 between the
support surfaces 48 and 50 and in this groove may be seated
a suitable leaf spring 56 which will bear against the
runnerhead 18 and cam the base ~6 away from the runnerhead 18
so as to firmly seat the base 26 in the slot 24~
Referring now to Figures 9 through 12, it will be
seen that there is illustrated a modified form of retaining
pin receiving groove which is generally identified by the
numeral 60. The groove 60 is of a two level construction
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and includes a primary groove portion 62 which tapers rom
a maximum depth at its outer end to zero depth at its inner
end. The primary groove portion 62 includes a generally
rectangular inner part 64 and an entrance part 66 which is
angularly disposed with respect to the inner part 64.
The groove 60 also includes a secondary portion 68
which is aligned with the primary groove 62. It is to be
understood that the secondary groove 68 is relatively narrow
and is primarily disposed to one side of the entrance part 66
of the primary groove portion. The secondary groove portion
68 has a top wall which is generally parallel to the support
surface 40 and is generally coplanar with the underside of
the vane 28. It thus will be seen that the top wall of the
secondary groove portion 68 intersects and terminates in the
top wall of the primary groove portion 62 into each of the
ends of the top wall of the groove portion 62 generally as
at 70.
When the vane is in its innermost position, a locking
pin 30 may be lreely inserted into the primary groove portion
62 by passing it through the entrance part 66 and down into
the slot 34, generally as is shown in Figures 9 and 10. When
the retaining pin 30 is in its fully inserted position, it is
then shifted out of alignment with the entrance part 66 and
into alignment with the secondaxy groove portion 68, as is
shown in Figure 11. The retaining pin 30 is now in a vane
retaining position and the vane is pulled outwardly until the
retaining pin 30 is wedged between the sloping top wall 72 of
the inner part of the primary groove portion 62 and the bottom
wall of the slot 34, as is shown in Figure 12. At this time
the retaining pin 30 is strapped in position by the top wall
of the secondary groove por~ion 68, which top wall is
identified by the reference numeral 74. The vane is thus
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retained in place until it is again shifted radially inwardly
and the pin 30 twisted to a position aligned with the entrance
part 66 for removal. On the other hand, the entrance part 66
provides access to the retaining pin 30 to effect the removal
thereof.
Of course, it should be understood that various
changes and modiEications can be made to the preferred
embodiments described above. For example, in some applications
it may be desirable to configure the pin retaining grooves,
the pin insertion grooves and the runnerhead wells to accept
a pin having a circular cross section rather than a rectangular
cross section. Furthermore, ~pecific angles and dimensions
of the vane recess and runnerhead well may be modified as
necessary in individual applications, and the locking lug
feature of the invention can be used with other types of
vanes using other means for locking the vanes to the runner-
head.
It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed
description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting,
and that it be understood that it is the following claims,
including all equivalents, which define the scope of this
nventlon .
SUPPLEMENTARY DISCLOSVRE
Yet a further preferred embodim~nt of the present
invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 13 is a plan view of the underside of a vane
which incorporates a further preferred embodiment of this
invention.
Figures 14 through 1~ are fragmentary sectional views
taken along the respective section lines of Figure 130
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Figure 20 is a fragmentary end view taken along llne
20-20 of Figure 13.
Figure 21 is a fragmentary side view taken along
line 21-21 of Figure 13.
Figure 22 is a sectional view transverse to ~he
plane of the runnerhead showing the vane of ~igures 13 through
21 in position for insertion or removal of the retalning pin.
Figure 23 is a sectional view corresponding to
Figure 22 showing the vane of Figures 13 through 21 locked in
place on the runnerhead.
The vane illustrated is similar to that of Figures 9
through 12, except for the shape of certain interior surfaces
of the recess.
Figure 13 shows a vane 100 which comprises a vane
blade 102 which is secured to an elongated base 106 at one
edge 104 thereof. The base 106 defines first and second
ends 108,110. When mounted on a runnerhead such as the
runnerhead 18, the first end 108 is positioned radially
outward and the second end 110 is positioned radially inward.
The surface 112 shown in Figure 13 of the base 106 is opposed
to the vane blade 102.
The opposed surface 112 defines a recess 114 in the
first end 108. This recess 114 is a complex shape which can
be considered as being formed of two intersecting grooves
124,126. The first groov~ is a pin retaining groove 124
which is bounded at its inner portions by a planar base
surface 116 which intersects a planar ramp surface 18 at a
shoulder 122. In this embodiment, the retaining groove 124
is elongated and extends in an axial direction along the
length of the base 106. The base surface 116 is oriented
parallel to the opposed surace 112 of the base 106, and it
extends inwardly from the first end 108. The ramp surface 118
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intersects the base surface 116 at an angle of about 150 and
is rectangular in shape.
The second groove is a pin insertion groove 126 which
is defined at its innermost portion by a planar pin insertion
surface 120 which intersects the base surface 116 at an angle
o~ about 30 near the shoulder 122. The pin insertion groove
126 defines an axis which is oriented obliquely to the axis
of the pin retaining groove at an angle of about 45 as
measured in a plan~ parallel to the base surface 116.
In use, the vane of Figures 13 through 21 operates
in a manner similar to that of Figures 9 through 12. That
is, the vane base 106 is slideable in a slot 24 in the
runnerhead 18 between a radially inward position (as shown
in Figure 22) and a radially outward position (as shown in
Figure 23). When in the radially inward position, a retaining
pin such as pin 30 can be placed in the recess 114 via the
pin insertion groove 126. A side wall 128 adjacent the ramp
surface 118 aids in rotating the pin 30 from an orientation
aligned with the pin insertion groove 126 to an orientation
aligne~ with the pin retaining groove 124. As explained
above, the rounded lowermost end of the recess or well 34
further aids pin rotation.
Once the pin has rotated into alignment with the axis
of the pin retaining groove 124, the vane 100 can be moved
to i~s radially outward position, in which the pin 30 is
cap-tured between the recess 34 and the ramp surface 118. The
shoulder 122 prevents the pin 30 from moving out of the
recess 34. As captured, the pin 30 provides a firm interlock
between the vane 100 and the runnerhead 18, preventing further
movement of the vane 100 in a radially outward direction.
In order to remove the vane 100 from the runnerhead
18, the vane 100 is first moved to the radially inward
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position of Fiyure 22. The pin 30 is then shifted into
alignment with the pin insertion groove 126 and removed via
the pin insertion groove 126 from the recess 34. It should
be noted that, due to the orientation of the pin insertion
groove 126, the vane 100 need be moved inwardly only a small
distance to remove the pin 30, thereby allowing removal of
the vane 100 from the runnerhead 18 without disassembly of
centrally located components of the abrasive blasting machine.
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