CA2227566A1 - Infeed chute - Google Patents
Infeed chute Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2227566A1 CA2227566A1 CA 2227566 CA2227566A CA2227566A1 CA 2227566 A1 CA2227566 A1 CA 2227566A1 CA 2227566 CA2227566 CA 2227566 CA 2227566 A CA2227566 A CA 2227566A CA 2227566 A1 CA2227566 A1 CA 2227566A1
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- chute
- blade
- wood chips
- interior
- disposed
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G69/00—Auxiliary measures taken, or devices used, in connection with loading or unloading
- B65G69/04—Spreading out the materials conveyed over the whole surface to be loaded; Trimming heaps of loose materials
- B65G69/0441—Spreading out the materials conveyed over the whole surface to be loaded; Trimming heaps of loose materials with chutes, deflector means or channels
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
- B07B—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS BY SIEVING, SCREENING, SIFTING OR BY USING GAS CURRENTS; SEPARATING BY OTHER DRY METHODS APPLICABLE TO BULK MATERIAL, e.g. LOOSE ARTICLES FIT TO BE HANDLED LIKE BULK MATERIAL
- B07B13/00—Grading or sorting solid materials by dry methods, not otherwise provided for; Sorting articles otherwise than by indirectly controlled devices
- B07B13/14—Details or accessories
- B07B13/16—Feed or discharge arrangements
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
- D21B—FIBROUS RAW MATERIALS OR THEIR MECHANICAL TREATMENT
- D21B1/00—Fibrous raw materials or their mechanical treatment
- D21B1/02—Pretreatment of the raw materials by chemical or physical means
- D21B1/023—Cleaning wood chips or other raw materials
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Combined Means For Separation Of Solids (AREA)
Abstract
An apparatus and method for uniformly distributing wood chips fed to the receiving end of a wood chip sorter, comprising a chute having an interior, an influent end, and an effluent end, a plurality of blades disposed within the interior of the chute, and a handle connected to each blade for rotating the blade to a desired rotational orientation to adjust the distribution of the chips. Wood chips pass through the influent end, through the interior of the chute, and out of the effluent end onto the receiving end of the wood chip sorter. Each blade is movable via the handle member to one of a plurality of desired rotational positions, in which each of the desired rotational positions diverts the wood chips differently relative to that blade as the wood chips pass through the chute. The present invention also includes openings to laterally move the blades relative to the flow of wood chips and locking nuts to lock each blade at the desired lateral and rotational orientation.
Description
Infeed Chute BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention This invention relates to a chip distribution device, and more particularly, to a distribution device for uniformly feeding wood chips onto a wood chip sorter, for use, as an a:xample, in making pulp for paper production.
Background Art Wood fiber is the basic ingredient used for paper production. More than half the fiber for paper manufacture comes from trees that are cut specifically for the production of pulp. These trees are cut into logs that are reduced to pulp either by being mechanically ground into pulp or by being chipped and cooked in a chemical solution.
Chemically digested wood chips generally result in a higher-quality paper than mechanically ground pulp.
Two common processes are used to chemically reduce wood chips into pulp, namely, the sulfite process and the sulfate, or kraft, process. In both of these processes, lignin is dissolved under heat and pressure in a digester, resulting in the separation of cellulose fibers. The processing time may be as long as twelve hours, depending upon the si~:e of the chips and the quality of the product desired. Processing chemicals, particles of undigested wood, and foreign materials are then removed, and the pulp is further processed into paper.
The processing time required depends upon the thickness of the wood chips used. Thicker wood chips require more time for the processing chemicals to penetrate and dissolve their lignin, and thus require a longer processing period to digest completely. Otherwise, the undigested pan of the thicker chips would have to be mechanically treated, resulting in an inferior product. Therefore, to ensure uniform processing time and paper quality, wood chips are sized before they are digested, with thicker wood chips being removed prior to pulping.
To size wood chips, the chips are dumped onto a screen of a wood chip sorter having; openings through which chips smaller than a preselected thickness may pass.
The chips are then agitated, causing the thinner chips to pass through the screen. The thicker chips may subsequently be sliced to the correct thickness, used in other ways or for other purposes, or discarded.
Several types of sorting screens are described in the background section of U.S.
Patent Nos. 5,398,819 and 5,560,729, which are hereby incorporated by reference. One sorter uses pairs of spiral rolls to separate chips of various sizes. Wood chips are dumpE;d onto the rotating spiral rolls so that the chips move longitudinally to an open area between the rolls. Chips of a small size fall into a gap and are collected for processing under the screen. The thicker chips that are too large to fall though the gap continue to move longitudinally along the screen. Numerous gaps exist along the length of the screen. The larger chips that reach the discharge end of the screen may be discarded or collected for another use.
A second type of screen comprises an array of hubs and disks on parallel, spaced-apart shafts. The chips are dumped on one end of the screen and, because of the rotation of the shafts, wood chips are brought into the region of intermeshed disks, where thinner chips fall through and are collected. Thicker chips remain on the screen and continue to move longitudinally off the end of the screen. In another similar embodiment, the intermeshed hubs and disks vary in size along the length of the shafts to provide an increased open area though which the smaller chips fall.
Still another type of screen comprises a series of parallel, elongated rectangular metal bars. An open area of a predetermined size separates adjacent bars to permit sufficiently thin wood chips to fall through for collection. The spaced-apart bars are held together by frame supports at each end. Agitation is provided by shaking the entire frame assembly.
Screens comprising relatively thin, tensioned blades instead of bars are also used. Often, this type of wood chip sorter is a dual-frame screen, in which alternate blades are supported on different frames (one inside the other). The frames move relative to one another to impart sufficient agitation to the wood chips to ensure efficient separation. This motion is imparted by moving the frames in a reciprocating motion relative to one another.
A11 the sorters require the wood chips to be fed onto the receiving end of the screen. One example of a prior art feed system is shown in U.S. Patent No.
5,305,891, in which reference numeral "34" shows an auger to distribute the chips on the receiving end of the bar screen. Other prior art devices include screw conveyors, rotary valves, and special feed chutes with various flow control devices. However, each of the prior art designs for feeding the chips have produced less than adequate results.
Using the prior art feed devices, wood chips tend to be concentrated at particular areas when they are dumped on the receiving end of the sorter. For example, the chips can be; concentrated at the center of the screen and the edges receive fewer chips, which reduces the efficiency of the screening operation. Chips of the desired size or smaller in the concentrated area are more likely to reach the discharge end of the screen without falling; through the gaps because of the large chip volume passing over the gaps.
Productivity is further lowered because the portion of the sorter having a less concentrated flow of chips could efficiently process more chips.
Because papermaking is a continuous process, the rate at which the thinner chips pass through the screen has proven to be a bottleneck that limits the rate at which paper can be produced. Evenly and efficiently increasing the percentage of chips being exposed to the open areas of a given sorter increases capacity of the screen and, therefore, alleviates the effects of this bottleneck in the papermaking process.
Therefore, a need exists in the art for a device that uniformly feeds wood chips across the width of the screen.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION .
The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention, which provides an apparatus and method for uniformly distributing wood chips onto a wood chip sorter. The apparatus comprises a chute disposed above the receiving end of the sorter. a plurality of blades disposed within the chute, and a means for rotating at least one blade, and preferably all of the blades, to one of a plurality of desired rotational positions.
The chute has an external surface, an interior, an influent end, and an effluent end which is disposed over the receiving end of a wood chip sorter. Wood chips enter the in:~luent end of the chute, fall longitudinally through the interior of the chute and exit the effluent end onto the receiving end of the wood chip sorter.
Each blade has a face portion and axis of rotation about which the face portion is rotatable. The blades are twisted by the rotating means to one of a plurality of desired rotational positions. Rotation of the respective blades changes the distribution of wood chips exiting the effluent end of the chute onto the receiving end of the wood chip sorter. The blades can be adjusted until a uniform distribution of wood chips is fed onto the receiving end of the wood chip screen. The blades can be locked into position when the uniform chip flow distribution is achieved.
The present invention also comprises a means for laterally moving the blades, preferably an opening through the chute along which the blade is laterally moved. The moving means, similar to the rotating means, affects the distribution of the wood chips exiting the effluent of the chute. Accordingly, the moving means and the rotating means ensure that the wood chips are uniformly fed onto the receiving end of the wood chip sorter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a front view partially in cross-section of a first embodiment of the present invention disposed over a wood chip separator.
Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the invention of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a side view partially in cross-section of a second embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 4 is a front view partially in cross-section of the invention of Fig. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1 S The present invention is more particularly described in the following examples that are intended as illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. As used in the specification and in the claims, "a" can mean one or more, depending upon the context in which it is used.
The preferred embodiment is now described with reference to the figures, in which like numbers indicate like parts throughout the figures.
Referring generally to Figs. 1-4, the present invention is shown, which is an apparatus 10 for uniformly distributing wood chips. The device 10 comprises a chute 20, a plurality of blades 40 disposed within the chute 20, and a means for rotating the 2S face portion 42 of each blade 40 to one of a plurality of desired rotational positions. A
first embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figs. l and 2 and a second embodiment is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The construction of the second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment and, accordingly, the same reference numerals designate the same parts.
The chute 20 has an external surface 22, an interior 24, an influent end 26) and an effluent end 28 which is disposed adjacent to and over the receiving end 17 of a wood chip sorter 1 ~ (shown in Figs. 1 and 2). Wood chips, which are shown schematically in Figs. 2 and 4 by feed arrow A, enter the influent end 26 of the chute 20, fall substantially longitudinally through the interior 24 of the chute 20 and exit the effluent end 28 onto the receiving end 17 of the wood chip sorter 15. The longitudinal axis L of the chute 20 is shown in Figs. 3 and 4.
The chute 20 has four sides, a first side 30, an opposite second side 32, and two opposed end sides 34, 36, defining and enclosing the interior 24. The first side 30 and the second side 32 are preferably parallel to each other. Each end side 34, 36 has a first edge attached to a portion of the first side 30.and a second edge attached to a portion of the second edge. The end sides 34, 36 are each substantially planar and are also spaced fizrthe:r apart from each other adjacent the effluent end 28 compared to the separation adjacent the influent end 26. Thus, the chute 20 laterally widens in the direction that the wood chips flow, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 4.
A plurality of blades 40 are disposed within the interior 24 of the chute 20.
Each blade 40 has a face portion 42 and axis of rotation R about which the face portion 42 is rotatable. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the face portion 42 of the blades 40 do not extend the entire width of the interior 24 of the chute 20 separating the first side 30 and second side 32, although longer blades 40 are a contemplated option. The face portions 42 also depend downwardly in the preferred embodiment, but could be horizontally oriented if desired.
As shown for the first embodiment in Figs. 1 and 2, the face portion 42 of each blade 40 is a single member 43. Alternatively, as shown in the second embodiment in Figs. :3 and 4, each blade 40 comprises two members 44, in which each member 44 has a top end 46 and a bottom end 48. The respective top ends 46 of the two members 44 are connected to each other and the bottom ends 48 are spaced apart from each other so g that each blade 40 forms an inverted "V" in cross-section. The top end 46 of the two members 44 are preferably disposed along the axis of rotation R of that blade 40.
The rotating means enables rotation of the face portion 42 of each blade 40 to one of a plurality of desired rotational positions about the axis of rotation R. Each of the desired rotational positions for each face portion 42 diverts the wood chips differently in a spatial orientation relative to that blade 40 as the wood chips pass through the interior 24 of the chute 20. Accordingly, rotation of the blades 40 changes the distribution of wood chips exiting the effluent of the chute 20 onto the receiving end 17 of the wood chip sorter 15.
The rotating means can be automated or manually operable. As shown, the rotating means preferably comprises a plurality of handle members 50, in which a portion of each handle member 50 is disposed through either the first side 30 or the second side 32 of the chute 20. As shown for the first embodiment in Fig. 2, the handle members 50 are disposed through the first side 30 of the chute 20. In comparison, as shown for the second embodiment in Fig. 3, some of the handles members are disposed through first side 30 of the chute 20 and other handle members 50 are disposed though the second side 32.
Each handle member 50 has a connecting end 52 fixedly attached to a portion of one respective blade 40 and a gripping end 54 disposed adjacent and outside the external surface 22 of the chute 20. Rotation of the handle member 50, using the gripping end 54, rotates the face portion 42 of attached blade 40 about its axis of rotation R. The handle members are preferably independently movable.
The present invention preferably further comprises a means for locking each blade 40 at the desired position to which it has been rotated. In the preferred embodiment, each locking means comprises a lock nut 56 movable along a portion of the handle member 50 intermediate its connecting end 52 and the gripping end 54. The lock nut 56 preferably is located outside the external surface 22 of the chute 20. The lock nut 56 is movable between a locked position and a released_.position. In the locked position, a portion of the lock nut 56 contacts a portion of the external surface 22 of the chute ~?0 so that the blade 40 is held at the desired rotational position, e.g., the lock nut 56 is tightened so that the handle member 50 is locked into position against the first side 30 or second side 32 of the chute 20. In the released position, the lock nut 56 is loosened and spaced apart from the external surface 22 so that the blade 40 is rotatable about i.ts axis of rotation R. The locking means can be automated or manually operable.
The present invention also comprises a means for laterally moving at least one blade 40 relative to the longitudinal flow of the wood chips. As shown best in Figs. 1 and 4, the moving means comprises a laterally-extending opening 58 in the side 30, 32 of the chute 20 through which the handle member 50 is disposed. The handle member 50 is laterally slidable within the opening 58 to a desired lateral position relative to the flow of the wood chips. As shown in the Figs. 1 and 4, the openings 58 are oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the chute 20.
However, other angular alignments are contemplated to orient the laterally-extending openings relative to the longitudinal axis L. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the locking means, which preferably comprises a lock nut 56, can also lock the blade 40 in the desired lateral position in the opening 58 as well as lock the blade 40 at its desired rotational position. The moving means can be automated or manually operable.
Similar to the rotating means, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the moving means also affects the distribution of the wood chips exiting the effluent end 28 of the chute 20. Thus, the distribution of the wood chips is a function of both the lateral position of the blade 40 and its rotational orientation. Accordingly, the operator can adjust one or more blades 40 as necessary to ensure that the proper distribution of wood chips is fed onto the receiving end 17 of the wood chip sorter 15 for the most efficient operation of the sorter.
Referring again to Figs. 1-4, the blades 40 are laterally disposed in three tiers in the chute 20. A first tier 60 is disposed adjacent the influent end 26, a third tier 64 is disposed adjacent the effluent end 28, and a second tier 62 is disposed intermediate the first tier 60 and the third tier 64. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the first tier 60 has two blades 40, the second tier 62 has three blades and the third tier 64 has four blades. The second embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4, in comparison, has one 5 blade 40 in the first tier 60, two blades in the second tier 62, and three blades in the third tier 64.
In operation, wood chips are fed or dumped into the interior 24 of the chute through its influent end 26 using a conveyor (not shown) or other means known in the 10 art. Tile wood chips pass through the influent end 26 and initially fall longitudinally through the interior 24 of the chute 20. If unobstructed, the chips would fall straight through the chute 20 and reach the receiving end 17 with the chip being concentrated at its center. However, the blades 40 deflect the falling wood chips so that the chips are diverted, although their path is substantially longitudinal through the interior 24 of the chute Z0.
- The operator, accordingly, rotates selected blades 40 to one of a plurality of desired rotational positions. The different desired rotational positions for each blade 40 divert the wood chips differently relative to that blade 40 as a result of the chips contacting that blade 40 or other chips deflected from that blade 40.
Likewise, selected blades 40 can be laterally moved to a different position in interior 24 of the chute 20 relative to the downwardly flowing wood chips.
As the operator adjusts the blades 40 from outside the chute 20, he can observe the affects of the adjustment on the distribution of material across the width of the wood chip sorter 15. Once the desired uniformity of flow has been achieved, the blades 40 can be locked into place using the lock nut 56 or other locking means. The chute 20 will continue discharging wood chips from the effluent end 28 of the chute 20 onto the receiving end 17 of the wood chip sorter 15. Also, the operator can easily re-adjust the flow of wood chips if the distribution changes over time.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific details of certain embodiments thereof, it is not intended that such details should be regardE:d as limitations upon the scope of the invention except as and to the extent that they are included in the accompanying claims.
Field of the Invention This invention relates to a chip distribution device, and more particularly, to a distribution device for uniformly feeding wood chips onto a wood chip sorter, for use, as an a:xample, in making pulp for paper production.
Background Art Wood fiber is the basic ingredient used for paper production. More than half the fiber for paper manufacture comes from trees that are cut specifically for the production of pulp. These trees are cut into logs that are reduced to pulp either by being mechanically ground into pulp or by being chipped and cooked in a chemical solution.
Chemically digested wood chips generally result in a higher-quality paper than mechanically ground pulp.
Two common processes are used to chemically reduce wood chips into pulp, namely, the sulfite process and the sulfate, or kraft, process. In both of these processes, lignin is dissolved under heat and pressure in a digester, resulting in the separation of cellulose fibers. The processing time may be as long as twelve hours, depending upon the si~:e of the chips and the quality of the product desired. Processing chemicals, particles of undigested wood, and foreign materials are then removed, and the pulp is further processed into paper.
The processing time required depends upon the thickness of the wood chips used. Thicker wood chips require more time for the processing chemicals to penetrate and dissolve their lignin, and thus require a longer processing period to digest completely. Otherwise, the undigested pan of the thicker chips would have to be mechanically treated, resulting in an inferior product. Therefore, to ensure uniform processing time and paper quality, wood chips are sized before they are digested, with thicker wood chips being removed prior to pulping.
To size wood chips, the chips are dumped onto a screen of a wood chip sorter having; openings through which chips smaller than a preselected thickness may pass.
The chips are then agitated, causing the thinner chips to pass through the screen. The thicker chips may subsequently be sliced to the correct thickness, used in other ways or for other purposes, or discarded.
Several types of sorting screens are described in the background section of U.S.
Patent Nos. 5,398,819 and 5,560,729, which are hereby incorporated by reference. One sorter uses pairs of spiral rolls to separate chips of various sizes. Wood chips are dumpE;d onto the rotating spiral rolls so that the chips move longitudinally to an open area between the rolls. Chips of a small size fall into a gap and are collected for processing under the screen. The thicker chips that are too large to fall though the gap continue to move longitudinally along the screen. Numerous gaps exist along the length of the screen. The larger chips that reach the discharge end of the screen may be discarded or collected for another use.
A second type of screen comprises an array of hubs and disks on parallel, spaced-apart shafts. The chips are dumped on one end of the screen and, because of the rotation of the shafts, wood chips are brought into the region of intermeshed disks, where thinner chips fall through and are collected. Thicker chips remain on the screen and continue to move longitudinally off the end of the screen. In another similar embodiment, the intermeshed hubs and disks vary in size along the length of the shafts to provide an increased open area though which the smaller chips fall.
Still another type of screen comprises a series of parallel, elongated rectangular metal bars. An open area of a predetermined size separates adjacent bars to permit sufficiently thin wood chips to fall through for collection. The spaced-apart bars are held together by frame supports at each end. Agitation is provided by shaking the entire frame assembly.
Screens comprising relatively thin, tensioned blades instead of bars are also used. Often, this type of wood chip sorter is a dual-frame screen, in which alternate blades are supported on different frames (one inside the other). The frames move relative to one another to impart sufficient agitation to the wood chips to ensure efficient separation. This motion is imparted by moving the frames in a reciprocating motion relative to one another.
A11 the sorters require the wood chips to be fed onto the receiving end of the screen. One example of a prior art feed system is shown in U.S. Patent No.
5,305,891, in which reference numeral "34" shows an auger to distribute the chips on the receiving end of the bar screen. Other prior art devices include screw conveyors, rotary valves, and special feed chutes with various flow control devices. However, each of the prior art designs for feeding the chips have produced less than adequate results.
Using the prior art feed devices, wood chips tend to be concentrated at particular areas when they are dumped on the receiving end of the sorter. For example, the chips can be; concentrated at the center of the screen and the edges receive fewer chips, which reduces the efficiency of the screening operation. Chips of the desired size or smaller in the concentrated area are more likely to reach the discharge end of the screen without falling; through the gaps because of the large chip volume passing over the gaps.
Productivity is further lowered because the portion of the sorter having a less concentrated flow of chips could efficiently process more chips.
Because papermaking is a continuous process, the rate at which the thinner chips pass through the screen has proven to be a bottleneck that limits the rate at which paper can be produced. Evenly and efficiently increasing the percentage of chips being exposed to the open areas of a given sorter increases capacity of the screen and, therefore, alleviates the effects of this bottleneck in the papermaking process.
Therefore, a need exists in the art for a device that uniformly feeds wood chips across the width of the screen.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION .
The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention, which provides an apparatus and method for uniformly distributing wood chips onto a wood chip sorter. The apparatus comprises a chute disposed above the receiving end of the sorter. a plurality of blades disposed within the chute, and a means for rotating at least one blade, and preferably all of the blades, to one of a plurality of desired rotational positions.
The chute has an external surface, an interior, an influent end, and an effluent end which is disposed over the receiving end of a wood chip sorter. Wood chips enter the in:~luent end of the chute, fall longitudinally through the interior of the chute and exit the effluent end onto the receiving end of the wood chip sorter.
Each blade has a face portion and axis of rotation about which the face portion is rotatable. The blades are twisted by the rotating means to one of a plurality of desired rotational positions. Rotation of the respective blades changes the distribution of wood chips exiting the effluent end of the chute onto the receiving end of the wood chip sorter. The blades can be adjusted until a uniform distribution of wood chips is fed onto the receiving end of the wood chip screen. The blades can be locked into position when the uniform chip flow distribution is achieved.
The present invention also comprises a means for laterally moving the blades, preferably an opening through the chute along which the blade is laterally moved. The moving means, similar to the rotating means, affects the distribution of the wood chips exiting the effluent of the chute. Accordingly, the moving means and the rotating means ensure that the wood chips are uniformly fed onto the receiving end of the wood chip sorter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a front view partially in cross-section of a first embodiment of the present invention disposed over a wood chip separator.
Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the invention of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a side view partially in cross-section of a second embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 4 is a front view partially in cross-section of the invention of Fig. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1 S The present invention is more particularly described in the following examples that are intended as illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. As used in the specification and in the claims, "a" can mean one or more, depending upon the context in which it is used.
The preferred embodiment is now described with reference to the figures, in which like numbers indicate like parts throughout the figures.
Referring generally to Figs. 1-4, the present invention is shown, which is an apparatus 10 for uniformly distributing wood chips. The device 10 comprises a chute 20, a plurality of blades 40 disposed within the chute 20, and a means for rotating the 2S face portion 42 of each blade 40 to one of a plurality of desired rotational positions. A
first embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figs. l and 2 and a second embodiment is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The construction of the second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment and, accordingly, the same reference numerals designate the same parts.
The chute 20 has an external surface 22, an interior 24, an influent end 26) and an effluent end 28 which is disposed adjacent to and over the receiving end 17 of a wood chip sorter 1 ~ (shown in Figs. 1 and 2). Wood chips, which are shown schematically in Figs. 2 and 4 by feed arrow A, enter the influent end 26 of the chute 20, fall substantially longitudinally through the interior 24 of the chute 20 and exit the effluent end 28 onto the receiving end 17 of the wood chip sorter 15. The longitudinal axis L of the chute 20 is shown in Figs. 3 and 4.
The chute 20 has four sides, a first side 30, an opposite second side 32, and two opposed end sides 34, 36, defining and enclosing the interior 24. The first side 30 and the second side 32 are preferably parallel to each other. Each end side 34, 36 has a first edge attached to a portion of the first side 30.and a second edge attached to a portion of the second edge. The end sides 34, 36 are each substantially planar and are also spaced fizrthe:r apart from each other adjacent the effluent end 28 compared to the separation adjacent the influent end 26. Thus, the chute 20 laterally widens in the direction that the wood chips flow, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 4.
A plurality of blades 40 are disposed within the interior 24 of the chute 20.
Each blade 40 has a face portion 42 and axis of rotation R about which the face portion 42 is rotatable. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the face portion 42 of the blades 40 do not extend the entire width of the interior 24 of the chute 20 separating the first side 30 and second side 32, although longer blades 40 are a contemplated option. The face portions 42 also depend downwardly in the preferred embodiment, but could be horizontally oriented if desired.
As shown for the first embodiment in Figs. 1 and 2, the face portion 42 of each blade 40 is a single member 43. Alternatively, as shown in the second embodiment in Figs. :3 and 4, each blade 40 comprises two members 44, in which each member 44 has a top end 46 and a bottom end 48. The respective top ends 46 of the two members 44 are connected to each other and the bottom ends 48 are spaced apart from each other so g that each blade 40 forms an inverted "V" in cross-section. The top end 46 of the two members 44 are preferably disposed along the axis of rotation R of that blade 40.
The rotating means enables rotation of the face portion 42 of each blade 40 to one of a plurality of desired rotational positions about the axis of rotation R. Each of the desired rotational positions for each face portion 42 diverts the wood chips differently in a spatial orientation relative to that blade 40 as the wood chips pass through the interior 24 of the chute 20. Accordingly, rotation of the blades 40 changes the distribution of wood chips exiting the effluent of the chute 20 onto the receiving end 17 of the wood chip sorter 15.
The rotating means can be automated or manually operable. As shown, the rotating means preferably comprises a plurality of handle members 50, in which a portion of each handle member 50 is disposed through either the first side 30 or the second side 32 of the chute 20. As shown for the first embodiment in Fig. 2, the handle members 50 are disposed through the first side 30 of the chute 20. In comparison, as shown for the second embodiment in Fig. 3, some of the handles members are disposed through first side 30 of the chute 20 and other handle members 50 are disposed though the second side 32.
Each handle member 50 has a connecting end 52 fixedly attached to a portion of one respective blade 40 and a gripping end 54 disposed adjacent and outside the external surface 22 of the chute 20. Rotation of the handle member 50, using the gripping end 54, rotates the face portion 42 of attached blade 40 about its axis of rotation R. The handle members are preferably independently movable.
The present invention preferably further comprises a means for locking each blade 40 at the desired position to which it has been rotated. In the preferred embodiment, each locking means comprises a lock nut 56 movable along a portion of the handle member 50 intermediate its connecting end 52 and the gripping end 54. The lock nut 56 preferably is located outside the external surface 22 of the chute 20. The lock nut 56 is movable between a locked position and a released_.position. In the locked position, a portion of the lock nut 56 contacts a portion of the external surface 22 of the chute ~?0 so that the blade 40 is held at the desired rotational position, e.g., the lock nut 56 is tightened so that the handle member 50 is locked into position against the first side 30 or second side 32 of the chute 20. In the released position, the lock nut 56 is loosened and spaced apart from the external surface 22 so that the blade 40 is rotatable about i.ts axis of rotation R. The locking means can be automated or manually operable.
The present invention also comprises a means for laterally moving at least one blade 40 relative to the longitudinal flow of the wood chips. As shown best in Figs. 1 and 4, the moving means comprises a laterally-extending opening 58 in the side 30, 32 of the chute 20 through which the handle member 50 is disposed. The handle member 50 is laterally slidable within the opening 58 to a desired lateral position relative to the flow of the wood chips. As shown in the Figs. 1 and 4, the openings 58 are oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the chute 20.
However, other angular alignments are contemplated to orient the laterally-extending openings relative to the longitudinal axis L. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the locking means, which preferably comprises a lock nut 56, can also lock the blade 40 in the desired lateral position in the opening 58 as well as lock the blade 40 at its desired rotational position. The moving means can be automated or manually operable.
Similar to the rotating means, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the moving means also affects the distribution of the wood chips exiting the effluent end 28 of the chute 20. Thus, the distribution of the wood chips is a function of both the lateral position of the blade 40 and its rotational orientation. Accordingly, the operator can adjust one or more blades 40 as necessary to ensure that the proper distribution of wood chips is fed onto the receiving end 17 of the wood chip sorter 15 for the most efficient operation of the sorter.
Referring again to Figs. 1-4, the blades 40 are laterally disposed in three tiers in the chute 20. A first tier 60 is disposed adjacent the influent end 26, a third tier 64 is disposed adjacent the effluent end 28, and a second tier 62 is disposed intermediate the first tier 60 and the third tier 64. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the first tier 60 has two blades 40, the second tier 62 has three blades and the third tier 64 has four blades. The second embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4, in comparison, has one 5 blade 40 in the first tier 60, two blades in the second tier 62, and three blades in the third tier 64.
In operation, wood chips are fed or dumped into the interior 24 of the chute through its influent end 26 using a conveyor (not shown) or other means known in the 10 art. Tile wood chips pass through the influent end 26 and initially fall longitudinally through the interior 24 of the chute 20. If unobstructed, the chips would fall straight through the chute 20 and reach the receiving end 17 with the chip being concentrated at its center. However, the blades 40 deflect the falling wood chips so that the chips are diverted, although their path is substantially longitudinal through the interior 24 of the chute Z0.
- The operator, accordingly, rotates selected blades 40 to one of a plurality of desired rotational positions. The different desired rotational positions for each blade 40 divert the wood chips differently relative to that blade 40 as a result of the chips contacting that blade 40 or other chips deflected from that blade 40.
Likewise, selected blades 40 can be laterally moved to a different position in interior 24 of the chute 20 relative to the downwardly flowing wood chips.
As the operator adjusts the blades 40 from outside the chute 20, he can observe the affects of the adjustment on the distribution of material across the width of the wood chip sorter 15. Once the desired uniformity of flow has been achieved, the blades 40 can be locked into place using the lock nut 56 or other locking means. The chute 20 will continue discharging wood chips from the effluent end 28 of the chute 20 onto the receiving end 17 of the wood chip sorter 15. Also, the operator can easily re-adjust the flow of wood chips if the distribution changes over time.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific details of certain embodiments thereof, it is not intended that such details should be regardE:d as limitations upon the scope of the invention except as and to the extent that they are included in the accompanying claims.
Claims (20)
1. A device for uniformly distributing wood chips onto a wood chip sorter, comprising:
a. a chute having an external surface, an interior, an influent end, an effluent end to be disposed adjacent a receiving end of the wood chip sorter, a first side, and an opposite second side, wherein wood chips pass through the influent end, substantially longitudinally through the interior of the chute intermediate the first and second sides, and out of the effluent end;
b. a blade disposed within. the interior of the chute intermediate the first side and the second side thereof and having a face portion and axis of rotation through the first side and the second side about which the face portion is rotatable;
and c. means for rotating the face portion of the blade from a first position to at least one desired rotational position about the axis of rotation, in which the desired rotational position diverts the wood chips in a different spatial orientation form the first position relative to the blade as the wood chips pass from the influent end of the chute to the effluent end.
a. a chute having an external surface, an interior, an influent end, an effluent end to be disposed adjacent a receiving end of the wood chip sorter, a first side, and an opposite second side, wherein wood chips pass through the influent end, substantially longitudinally through the interior of the chute intermediate the first and second sides, and out of the effluent end;
b. a blade disposed within. the interior of the chute intermediate the first side and the second side thereof and having a face portion and axis of rotation through the first side and the second side about which the face portion is rotatable;
and c. means for rotating the face portion of the blade from a first position to at least one desired rotational position about the axis of rotation, in which the desired rotational position diverts the wood chips in a different spatial orientation form the first position relative to the blade as the wood chips pass from the influent end of the chute to the effluent end.
2. The device of Claim 1, further comprising means for locking the blade at the desired rotational position.
3. The device of Claim 1, wherein the rotating means comprises at least one handle member, a portion of the handle member disposed through a selected one of the first side or the second side of the chute, the handle member having a connecting end fixedly attached to a portion of the blade and a gripping end disposed adjacent the external surface of the chute, wherein rotation of the handle member rotates the face portion of the attached blade about the axis of rotation of the blade.
4. The device of Claim 3, further comprising means for locking the blade at the desired rotational position, the locking means comprising a lock nut movable along a portion of the handle member intermediate the connecting end and the gripping end thereof between a locked position, in which a portion of the lock nut contacts a portion of the external surface of the chute so that the blade is held at the desired rotational position, and a released position, in which the lock nut is spaced apart from the external surface so that the blade is rotatable about its axis of rotation.
5. The device of Claim 3, further comprising means for laterally moving the blade relative to the substantially longitudinal flow of the wood chips.
6. The device of Claim 5, wherein the moving means comprises a laterally-extending opening in the selected first side or second side of the chute through which the handle member is disposed, wherein the handle member is laterally slidable within the opening to a desired lateral position relative to the flow of the wood chips.
7. The device of Claim 1, comprising a plurality of blades and further comprising means for laterally moving at least one blade relative to the substantially longitudinal flow of the wood chips.
8. The device of Claim 1, wherein the face portion of the blade comprises two elongated members, the face portion having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the respective top end of the two members are connected to each other and the bottom ends of the two members are spaced apart from each other so that each face portion is substantially "V" shaped in cross section.
9. The device of Claim 8, wherein the top end of each of the two members are disposed along the axis of rotation of the blade.
10. The device of Claim 1, wherein the chute further comprises opposed end sides, each end side having a first edge attached to a portion of the first side and a second edge attached to a portion of the second edge, wherein the end sides are each substantially planar and spaced further apart from each other at the effluent end than the influent end so that the chute laterally widens in the direction that the wood chips flow.
11. The device of Claim 10, comprising a plurality of the blades, wherein the blades are disposed in three spaced-apart, laterally extending tiers in the chute, a first tier disposed adjacent the influent end, a third tier disposed adjacent the effluent end, and a second tier disposed intermediate the first tier and the third tier.
12. The device of Claim 11, wherein the rotating means comprises a plurality of handle members in which each handle member is connected to a respective blade, wherein the handle members for blades in the first tier and third tier are disposed through the first side of the chute and the handle members for blades in the second tier are disposed through the second side of the chute.
13. A device for uniformly distributing wood chips, comprising:
a. a chute having an external surface, an interior, an influent end, an effluent end to be disposed adjacent a receiving end of a wood chip sorter, a first side, and an opposite second side, wherein wood chips pass through the influent end, substantially longitudinally through the interior of the chute intermediate the first and second sides, and out of the effluent end;
b. a plurality of blades disposed within the interior of the chute intermediate the first side and the second side thereof, each blade having a face portion and axis of rotation about which the face portion is rotatable; and c. a plurality of handle members in which one handle member is connected to one blade, wherein each handle member has a connecting end fixedly attached to a portion of the respective blade and a gripping end disposed adjacent the external surface of the chute so that a portion of the handle member is disposed through the chute, wherein rotation of the handle member rotates the face portion of the attached blade to one of a plurality of desired rotational positions about its axis of rotation, in which each of the desired rotational positions for each face portion diverts the wood chips differently relative to that blade as the wood chips pass from the influent end of the chute to the effluent end.
a. a chute having an external surface, an interior, an influent end, an effluent end to be disposed adjacent a receiving end of a wood chip sorter, a first side, and an opposite second side, wherein wood chips pass through the influent end, substantially longitudinally through the interior of the chute intermediate the first and second sides, and out of the effluent end;
b. a plurality of blades disposed within the interior of the chute intermediate the first side and the second side thereof, each blade having a face portion and axis of rotation about which the face portion is rotatable; and c. a plurality of handle members in which one handle member is connected to one blade, wherein each handle member has a connecting end fixedly attached to a portion of the respective blade and a gripping end disposed adjacent the external surface of the chute so that a portion of the handle member is disposed through the chute, wherein rotation of the handle member rotates the face portion of the attached blade to one of a plurality of desired rotational positions about its axis of rotation, in which each of the desired rotational positions for each face portion diverts the wood chips differently relative to that blade as the wood chips pass from the influent end of the chute to the effluent end.
14. The device of Claim 13, further comprising a plurality of lock nuts, each lock nut movable along a portion of the handle member intermediate the connecting end and the gripping end thereof, the lock nut movable between a locked position, in which a portion of the lock nut contacts a portion of the external surface of the chute so that the blade is held at the desired rotational position, and a released position, in which the lock nut is spaced apart from the external surface so that the blade is movable about its axis of rotation.
15. The device of Claim 13, wherein further comprising a plurality of laterally-extending opening in the side of the chute through which a portion of the handle member is disposed, wherein the handle member is laterally slidable within the opening to a desired lateral position relative to the flow of the wood chips.
16. A device for uniformly distributing wood chips, comprising:
a. a chute having an interior, an influent end, an effluent end to be disposed adjacent a receiving end of a wood chip sorter, a first side, and an opposite second side, wherein wood chips pass through the influent end, substantially longitudinally through the interior of the chute intermediate the first and second sides, and out of the effluent end;
b. a plurality of blades disposed within the interior of the chute intermediate the first side and the second side thereof, each blade having a face portion and axis of rotation about which the face portion is rotatable; and c. means for laterally moving at least one blade relative to the substantially longitudinal flow of the wood chips.
a. a chute having an interior, an influent end, an effluent end to be disposed adjacent a receiving end of a wood chip sorter, a first side, and an opposite second side, wherein wood chips pass through the influent end, substantially longitudinally through the interior of the chute intermediate the first and second sides, and out of the effluent end;
b. a plurality of blades disposed within the interior of the chute intermediate the first side and the second side thereof, each blade having a face portion and axis of rotation about which the face portion is rotatable; and c. means for laterally moving at least one blade relative to the substantially longitudinal flow of the wood chips.
17. In combination:
a. a wood chip sorter having a receiving end;
b. a chute having an interior, an influent end, and an effluent end disposed over the receiving end of the wood chip sorter, wherein wood chips pass through the influent end, substantially longitudinally through the interior of the chute, and out of the effluent end onto the receiving end of the wood chip sorter;
c. a plurality of blades disposed within the interior of the chute, each blade having a face portion and axis of rotation about which the face portion is rotatable; and d. means for rotating the face portion of each blade to one of a plurality of desired rotational positions about the axis of rotation, in which each of the desired rotational positions for each face portion diverts the wood chips differently relative to that blade as the wood chips pass from the influent end of the chute to the effluent end.
a. a wood chip sorter having a receiving end;
b. a chute having an interior, an influent end, and an effluent end disposed over the receiving end of the wood chip sorter, wherein wood chips pass through the influent end, substantially longitudinally through the interior of the chute, and out of the effluent end onto the receiving end of the wood chip sorter;
c. a plurality of blades disposed within the interior of the chute, each blade having a face portion and axis of rotation about which the face portion is rotatable; and d. means for rotating the face portion of each blade to one of a plurality of desired rotational positions about the axis of rotation, in which each of the desired rotational positions for each face portion diverts the wood chips differently relative to that blade as the wood chips pass from the influent end of the chute to the effluent end.
18. A method of distributing wood chips onto a wood chip sorter having a chip receiving end, comprising the steps of:
a. directing the wood chips into an interior of a chute through an influent end thereof, the chute having an effluent end disposed adjacent and over the chip receiving end of the wood chips pass through the influent end, substantially longitudinally through the interior of the chute intermediate the first and second sides;
b. rotating at least one blade of a plurality of blades disposed within the interior of the chute as wood chips pass therethrough to one of a plurality of desired rotational positions, in which each of the desired rotational positions for each blade spatially orients the wood chips differently relative to that blade as the wood chips pass from the influent end of the chute to the effluent end thereof; and c. discharging wood chips exiting the effluent end of the chute onto the chip receiving end of the wood chip sorter.
a. directing the wood chips into an interior of a chute through an influent end thereof, the chute having an effluent end disposed adjacent and over the chip receiving end of the wood chips pass through the influent end, substantially longitudinally through the interior of the chute intermediate the first and second sides;
b. rotating at least one blade of a plurality of blades disposed within the interior of the chute as wood chips pass therethrough to one of a plurality of desired rotational positions, in which each of the desired rotational positions for each blade spatially orients the wood chips differently relative to that blade as the wood chips pass from the influent end of the chute to the effluent end thereof; and c. discharging wood chips exiting the effluent end of the chute onto the chip receiving end of the wood chip sorter.
19. The method of Claim 18, further comprising the step of laterally moving at least one of the blades to a different lateral position in the interior of the chute relative to the substantially longitudinally flowing wood chips.
20. The method of Claim 18, further comprising the step of locking the blade in the desired rotational position.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2227566 CA2227566A1 (en) | 1998-01-20 | 1998-01-20 | Infeed chute |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2227566 CA2227566A1 (en) | 1998-01-20 | 1998-01-20 | Infeed chute |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2227566A1 true CA2227566A1 (en) | 1999-07-20 |
Family
ID=29409129
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2227566 Abandoned CA2227566A1 (en) | 1998-01-20 | 1998-01-20 | Infeed chute |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2227566A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN111170036A (en) * | 2020-02-25 | 2020-05-19 | 淮北矿业股份有限公司 | Automatic positioning bin matching system for moving belt of clean coal bin |
-
1998
- 1998-01-20 CA CA 2227566 patent/CA2227566A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN111170036A (en) * | 2020-02-25 | 2020-05-19 | 淮北矿业股份有限公司 | Automatic positioning bin matching system for moving belt of clean coal bin |
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