EP0179842A1

EP0179842A1 - A conveyor apparatus.

Info

Publication number: EP0179842A1
Application number: EP85902197A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Richard Bruke
Original assignee: Spirac Engineering AB
Current assignee: Spirac Engineering AB
Priority date: 1984-04-19
Filing date: 1985-04-16
Publication date: 1986-05-07
Anticipated expiration: 2005-04-16
Also published as: DE8590051U1; SE446956B; WO1985004837A1; EP0179842B1; GB2169217A; SE8402202D0; DE3567597D1; DE8590093U1; GB8529528D0; GB2169217B; SE8402202L; EP0179842B2

Abstract

Appareil (1) de transport et de compactage de matériau, où le matériau comporte des fractions de différentes tailles, densités, élasticités, teneurs en humidité, etc.. L'appareil comporte au moins une spirale sans axe (3), chaque spirale étant disposée dans un boîtier de préférence fermé (2) par exemple en forme de U et/ou de section transversale circulaire. Un mécanisme d'entraînement (4) est prévu pour la rotation de la spirale et placé conjointement avec la partie de boîtier où le matériau est introduit dans le boîtier. A l'extrémité opposée du boîtier, c'est-à-dire à l'extrémité placée à proximité de la section de décharge (18) du boîtier, le boîtier entoure la spirale avec un faible jeu et comporte en outre, dans une extension de la spirale, une région terminale (23) dans laquelle la spirale n'est pas entourée du boîtier. En règle générale, des éléments de contre pression sont prévus pour freiner le mouvement du matériau. Dans certains modes de réalisation, l'effet de freinage considéré est réalisé par le fait que la région terminale (23) offre une friction suffisante par rapport au matériau.Apparatus (1) for conveying and compacting material, wherein the material has fractions of different sizes, densities, elasticities, moisture contents, etc. The apparatus comprises at least one axisless spiral (3), each spiral being arranged in a preferably closed housing (2) for example U-shaped and/or circular in cross-section. A drive mechanism (4) is provided for the rotation of the scroll and placed together with the housing part where the material is fed into the housing. At the opposite end of the casing, that is to say at the end placed close to the discharge section (18) of the casing, the casing surrounds the spiral with a small clearance and further comprises, in an extension of the spiral, an end region (23) in which the spiral is not surrounded by the casing. As a rule, counter pressure elements are provided to brake the movement of the material. In certain embodiments, the considered braking effect is achieved by the fact that the end region (23) provides sufficient friction with respect to the material.

Description

A CONVEYOR APPARATUS

The present invention relates to an apparatus for receiving, conveying and/or impacting of material in which are included f ac¬ tions of different sizes, densities, elasticity, moisture-content etc., the apparatus including at least one shaftless spiral in which each spiral is disposed in a preferably closed casing and, more precisely, there are provided drive means, for the rotation of the spiral or spirals, repectively, in conjunction with that por¬ tion of the casing where the material is received, and there are provided, at least for one of the combinations of casing - spiral, counterpressure members which arrest or brake the movement of the material in conjunction with that portion of the casing which serves as a discharge portion for the material.

Material of the type mentioned by way of introduction needs to be moved in many different contexts, both in industrial operations and in, for example, municipal refuse disposal and management (ref¬ use handling, screenings from the wastewater treatment plants and so on). Consequently, such material is handled in large quantities daily and it is a reality that this handling cannot be effected without meeting a number of problems. These are because the mat- erial is, as a rule, difficult to handle, for example in that it is bulky and needs to be compacted in order to attain an acceptable level of transport economy. When the material is wet, it needs to be compacted in order to reduce the moisture-content so as thereby to make for greater ease of handling. For compacting material of the above-indicated type, the prior Art calls for the employment of separate compactors or screw presses.

One disadvantage inherent in hitherto employed combinations of conveyors and compactors is that the combinations require a great deal of space and are costly. In certain applications, hydraulic compactors are used, and in other applications, screw presses. The hydraulic compactors take up a great deal of space and operate in¬ termittently, which occasions problems in, for example, the forma¬ tion of material "bridges" at the infeed section, while the conven¬ tional screw presses find difficulty in swallowing the bridge and plug forming materials here under discussion. This is because the screw presses have a centre shaft or axle about which ensnaring ma¬ terial such as textiles, plastic sheeting, strips etc. become wound and cause plug formation in the material flow.

The present invention constitutes a conveyor apparatus in which is included means for compaction of the material being con¬ veyed and in which the above-indicated disadvantages are obviated to a remarkable extent. The invention relates to a combination of shaftless spiral and a casing. The combination of spiral and casing creates a compact unit of equipment which makes for reliable con- veyance of the material and is used, according to the invention, to realise a compaction of the material at same time as the material is enclosed, which entails that the surrounding environment is not affected. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the em¬ ployment of compaction reduces the moisture-content in the ma- terial, while in other embodiments, the compaction of the material constitutes the basis of a batchwise discharging of the material from the apparatus.

The apparatus includes at least one shaftless spiral which is disposed in a preferably enclosed casing of, for example, U-shaped and/or circular cross-section. A drive means for the rotation of the spiral is disposed in conjunction with that portion of the cas¬ ing where the material is fed into the combination of casing and spiral, while in the other section of the casing, i.e. in con¬ junction with the discharge portion of the casing, there is pro- vided a zone in which the casing is of a cross-section which en¬ tails that the casing completely surrounds the spiral with slight play. Moreover, the casing is provided with an end region in the extension plane of the spiral, in which the spiral is not enclosed by the casing and/or in which a counterpressure member is disposed. In this zone and/or in conjunction with the end section, compaction of the material takes place. In that portion of the end section where the spiral is not enclosed by the casing, there is a braking or arresting effect on the material which leads to its compaction. in certain embodiments, the compaction is further amplified in that the spiral is provided with progressively diminishing pitch. The spiral is completely free, i.e. is not journalled in that end which is directed towards the discharge section of the casing.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the counter- pressure member consists of a spring-loaded counterpressure plate which is movably journalled in the upper defining surface of the casing and/or in conjunction with the discharge opening of the cas¬ ing. In certain embodiments, the counterpressure plate is disposed in a receptacle chamber. In other embodiments, the braking effect of the casing on the material is amplified in that the casing, most proximal the discharge opening, is provided with reduced inner . cross-section.

In yet a further embodiment, the counterpressure member con¬ sists of a receptacle device, for example a container, a hose etc., the member being shiftable in the axial direction of the casing. During rotation of the spiral, the material is conveyed into the receptacle device, the material moving the receptacle device in the axial direction of the spiral.

In still a further preferred embodiment of the apparatus, the counterpressure member consists of a shaftless spiral disposed in a casing, this casing having an infeed opening connected to the discharge opening of the delivering casing. That casing which discharges the material is, in this instance, of an orientation which entails that its axis is directed towards the centre axis of the spiral and the receiving combina- tion of casing and spiral. The pitch, speed and/or radial extent of the spiral blades are, in the receiving combination, adapted so as to occasion a braking of the material movement before the material reaches the dis¬ charge opening of the disclosed casing. Hereby, it is possible in such operation to attain a substantially complete filling of the space in the re ceiving casing. The substantially complete filling constitutes a precondition for being able to convey the material upwardly in a more or less vertical direction. Thus, according to the present in¬ vention, it is possible to dispose the receiving combination with its axis directed, for example, horizontally, vertically, or there¬ between.

In certain embodiments, the casing is provided with drainage openings which, preferably, are located in that region of the cas¬ ing where compaction of the material takes place. In such an in- stance, an orientation of the casing is advantageously selected so as to entail that the discharge section of the casing is placed higher than its infeed section, whereby, on compaction, the pressed out liquid is conveyed in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the material and is drained out from the casing through the previously-mentioned drainage openings.

The nature of the present invention and its aspects will be more readily understood from the following brief description of the accompanying Drawings, and discussion relating thereto.

In the accompanying Drawings:- F g« 1 is an axial section through an apparatus according to the present invention;

Figs, la-c are sections taken along the lines A-A, B-B, and C-C in Fig. 1;

Fig. 2 shows the material distribution in the longitudinal di- rection of the apparatus;

Figs. 3-5 illustrate embodiments of the apparatus according to the present invention in which this is provided with counter¬ pressure members for braking the material on its movement;

Figs. 6a and b are partial sections through embodiments of the apparatus according to the present invention, in which the casing of the apparatus is provided with drainage openings;

Figs. 7a and b are partial sections through embodiments of the apparatus according to the present invention, in which this is pro¬ vided, in conjunction with its discharge opening with a shif able receptacle member;

Figs. 8a and b are partial sections through one embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, in which this, in conjunction with its discharge opening, cooperates with a conveyor apparatus which includes a casing surrounding a shaftless spiral; and

Figs. 9a-c show details of the free end of the spiral.

Referring to the Drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate the inven¬ tion, in one embodiment which shows the fundamental construction and function of the invention. In these Drawing Figures, there is shown an apparatus 1 which includes an elongate, tube-like casing 2 in which is placed a shaftless spiral 3. At its one end, the casing is provided with an infeed opening 14 which connects to an up¬ wardly-directed drum 16. A motor 4 drives the spiral 3 by the in¬ termediary of a gearing and journalling unit 30. The other end of the casing constitutes the discharge portion 18 of the apparatus, which is provided with a discharge opening 24. The spiral is solely journalled in connection with the gearing and journalling unit, while that end of the spiral which is directed towards the dis¬ charge portion is fully free. Seen in the axial direction of the casing, the combination of spiral and casing is divided into an infeed zone 20, a transport zone 21, a precompaction zone 22 and a compaction zone 23. The cross-sections through each respective zone in the illustrated em¬ bodiment are apparent from Figs. la-c. It will be appreciated from these Figures that the cross-section of the casing in the precomp¬ action zone is substantially circular and surrounds the spiral with slight play. Fig. 1 also shows by solid line a relatively abrupt transition between the tranport zone 21 and the precompaction zone 22. However, in certain physical applications, the embodiment shown by broken lines is selected, with a relatively continuous tran¬ sition between the cross-sections of the transport zone and the precompaction zone. Fig. 2 shows in particular how the material flow 40 en¬ compasses a relatively small portion of the cross-section of the casing as long as the material is in the transport zone 21, and how the material, on its passage through the precompaction zone, takes up a steadily increasing part of the cross-section in order, in the compaction zone proper, substantially to fill out the entire cross- -sec ion.

Figs. 3 and 4 show how the combination of spiral and casing is provided with a counterpressure member 25, 8, for arresting or braking the movement of the material in the compaction zone 23 of the casing. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3, the counter- pressure member 25 is formed in that the movement of the material is braked during movement in the longitudinal direction of the cas¬ ing, because of friction against the inner surface of the casing. in certain physical applications, the braking effect is amplified in that the casing is, in the region of the compaction zone 23, provided with reduced inner cross-section.

Fig. 4a shows, first, one embodiment in which the counter¬ pressure member consists of a counterpressure plate 8a disposed in association with the discharge opening 24 and pivotally journalled in conjunction with the upper region of the discharge opening, and movable in the direction of the double-headed arrow A; and se¬ condly, an embodiment in which the counterpressure member consists of a counterpressure plate 8b which is pivotal and preferably re- turn spring-biased in the upper defining surface 27 of the casing 2. Fig. 4b shows a partial longitudinal section and Fig. 4c a view taken along the line D-D in Fig. 4b of one embodiment in which the counterpressure member consists of a split cone 34. For example, the cone comprises two halves 34a and 34b and is openable under the counteraction of springs 35 whose spring force is adapted to pro¬ vide that counterpressure which is requisite to attain the intended compaction of the material.

Fig. 5 shows one embodiment in which the counterpressure plate 8a, in conjunction with the discharge opening 24, is disposed in a receptacle chamber 7. In the embodiment illustrated in this Figure, the counterpressure plate is journalled in the upper defining sur¬ face of the chamber, but the journalling may, for example, corre¬ spond to that of those embodiments as shown in Fig. 4.

Figs. 6a and b show embodiments in which the casing 2, in con¬ junction with the precompaction zone 22 and the compaction zone 23, is provided with drainage openings 33.

Figs. 7a and b show embodiments of the present invention in which the counterpressure member consists of a receptacle device 26, 28, shiftable in the axial direction of the casing and, in Fig. 7a, comprising a container 26, while in Fig. 7b, a hose 28. in this instance, the hose 28 is drawn out from a magazine 29. In cer¬ tain embodiments, braking means 36 are provided for restricting the withdrawal of the hose from the magazine. In the Figures, an arrow F intimates a force which is counter-directed to the movement of the container. The arrow represents a device, for example a hydrau- lie cylinder. In Fig. 7a, it is shown that, in certain embodiments, ^■ the hose 28 cooperates with the container 26 (broken lines) and is brought into abutment with the inner surfaces of the container ac¬ cording as the hose is filled with material from the casing. Thus, Pigs. 7a and b show embodiments of the invention in which the mat- erial surrounded by the container and/or the hose is compacted.

Figs. 8a and b show one embodiment of the invention in which the apparatus 1 includes at least one supplementary conveyor ap¬ paratus 50 comprising a casing 52 and a shaftless spiral 53 placed therein. The spiral is driven by a motor 54 by the intermediary of a gearing and journalling unit 51 and its speed is, thus, for ex¬ ample by modification of the gear ratio, adjustable to any desired level. The direction of the first spiral 3 and/or a central shaft of the discharge end 18 of the casing is towards the central axis of the spiral 53 of the conveyor apparatus. The opening surface ar- ea of the discharge opening 24 of the casing 2 substantially agrees with the cross-sectional area of the receiving casing 52, both of the casings being substantially sealingly interconnected. The con¬ veyor apparatus 50, is, in certain embodiments, disposed to move the material essentially horizontally, while in other embodiments, movement is effected during alteration of the level of the ma¬ terial. There are also embodiments of the present invention in which the casing 52 of the conveyor apparatus 50 with the spiral placed therein, has a substantially vertical direction. In this in¬ stance, the free end of the spiral is directed upwardly.

Figs. 9a-c show embodiments of the free end 31-32 of the spi¬ ral 3. In Fig. 9a, the end 31 of the spiral terminates in such a manner that its blade height continuously diminishes from the inner and outwardly, i.e. the centre hole of the spiral increases pro¬ gressively. Figs. 9b and c show embodiments in which the end 32 of the spiral is disposed for a gradual reduction of its blade height. Material which is supplied to the apparatus 1 through the in¬ feed opening 14 in the casing- 2 is moved in a direction towards the discharge opening 24 by.rotation of the. spiral 3. ^"As will be ap¬ parent from Fig. 2, a gathering of material takes place in the pre¬ compaction zone 22 partly in that the spiral 3, in certain embodi¬ ments, has a smaller pitch than in the transport zone 21, and partly in that the movement of the material is braked in the com- paction zone 23 and/or by the counterpressure members 8, 25, 26, 28, and 50. As a result, the material, in the compaction zone, as a rule substantially fills out the entire cross-section of the cas¬ ing.

In Figs. 3-5, braking is effected of the movement of the ma- terial in the compaction zone 23 by friction against the inner wall of the casing in the compaction zone (Fig. 3), by the action of the counterpressure plates 8a, 8b (Figs. 4 and 5), or by a combination of friction and pressure which is obtained in that the cross-sec¬ tion (Fig. 3) of the casing diminishes, or alternatively in that the casing terminates in the cone 34 (Fig. 4b). -

In the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 6a and 6b, a reduction is effected of the liquid-content of the material, during passage through the precompaction zone 22 and the compaction zone 23. In many examples of physical application, the casing 2 is, in such instances, disposed such that the material is moved slightly up¬ wardly when it passes in a direction towards the discharge opening 24. Hereby, drainage of the material will be facilitated, since a portion of the liquid will pass in a direction opposite to the di- rection of movement of the material and substantially in the centre of the shaftless spiral, before the liquid runs out through the drainage openings 33. As a result, it will be possible for the liquid to reach the drainage openings of the casing in a region where the material has not yet had time to be compacted to any ap- preciable degree.

On movement of material into the container 26 or into the hose 28 (Cf. Figs. 7a and b), the container, the hose - or alternatively the hose in combination with the container - is progressively forced out from the casing 2 by the action of forces from the ma- terial, at the same time as the material is compacted and then attains, as a rule, a degree of compaction which is in addition to the previously-attained compaction.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 8a and b, the conveyor apparatus 50 constitutes a counterpressure member in that the di- mensions, pitch and speed of the spiral 53 have been selected such that the material is braked in its movement on passage out from the discharge opening 24 of the casing 2. There will hereby be obtained the desired compaction of the material when this is located in the casing 52 of the receiving combination, and thereby requisite fil- ϋng of the casing of the receiving combination.

The above-described counterpressure members are, in certain embodiments, combined so that, for example, there will be included in one and the same apparatus, a ccounterpressure plate 8a, b, and a terminating conical portion of the casing; a counterpressure plate 8a, b, and a shiftable receptacle member 26, 28; a cone 34 and the receiving casing 52 with spiral 53; and so on.

In certain physical applications of the invention, a braking of the material takes place in the precompaction zone to such a great extent that at least that section of the casing located most proximal the compaction zone will be as good as completely filled with material. The thus compacted material is thereafter caused to leave casing through its discharge opening 24 in batches whose size is determined by the rotation of the spiral (the angular alteration which the spiral undergoes), in conjunction with each discharge oc¬ casion. Hence, the present invention offers a simple and reliable technique for the batchwise discharge, with a relatively degree of accuracy, of material from an apparatus according to the present invention. The above detailed description refers only to a limited number of embodiments of the present invention, but the skilled reader of this Specification will readily perceive that many modifications and embodiments of the present invention are conceivable without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended Claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for moving material (40), the material in¬ cluding fractions of different sizes, densities, elasticity, moist¬ ure-content etc., in which the apparatus includes at least one shaftless spiral (3, 53), each spiral being disposed in a prefer¬ ably enclosed casing (2, 52) of, for example, circular or oval cross-section, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t a drive means (4) for rotation of the spiral is provided in conjunction with that portion (20) of the casing from which the material is conveyed; t h a one or more infeed openings (14) for the ma¬ terial are disposed in said portion of the casing; a n d h a t the casing, at its other end (22, 23), comprises a zone • (22) of a cross-section which surrounds, with slight play, the spi¬ ral (3) and in which zone the spiral is terminated by a free end (31, 32), and an end section (23) in the extension of the spiral in which the spiral is not surrounded by the casing, and/or in which there is disposed a counterpressure member (8, 25, 26, 28, 35, 50), whereby the material in said end section is braked or arrested in its conveyance movement during compaction.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i s e d i n t h a t the spiral is provided, in the zone (22), with a pitch which diminishes towards the discharge opening (24) of the casing.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, c a t a c t - e r i s e d i n t h a t the free end (31, 32) of the spiral has a blade height whose radial extent diminishes towards the end of the spiral, the radial extent of the end (31) diminishing con¬ tinually, or the radial extent of the end (32) diminishing step- wise.

4. The apparatus as claimed- in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t the counter¬ pressure member consists of a preferably spring-loaded counter- pressure plate (8a, 8b) which is movably journalled in the upper defining surface (27) of the casing and/or in the discharge opening (24) of the casing, and/or consists of a positively yieldable throttling (34), for example a cone (34) openable against spring action.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i s e d i n t h a t the counterpressure plate (8a) or the cone (34) is disposed in a receptacle chamber (7).

6. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 , c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t the counterpressure member (25) is formed by the end section (23) of the casing, the end sec¬ tion being of a cross-section which, in all parts of the end sec- tion, is substantially uniform or diminishes in the direction to¬ wards the discharge opening (24) of the casing.

7. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 or 6, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t the counterpressure member consists of a container (26) shiftable in the axial direction of the casing, of a withdrawable hose (28) surrounding the casing, or of the hose (28) disposed for movement into the container (26), the container, the hose or the combination of hose and container re¬ ceiving material discharged from the discharge opening (24) of the casing, the material moving the container, the hose or the combi- nation of hose and container in the axial direction of the casing.

8. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 6, c h a r ac t e r i s ed i n t h a t the counterpressure member consists of a device (50) in which there is included a shaftless spiral (53) disposed in a casing (52), the discharge opening (24) connecting substantially sealingly with the infeed opening of the device (50) and having an opening surface area which substantially agrees with the cross-sectional area of the casing (52) of the device (50) .

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, c h a r a c t e r - i s e d i n t h a t the pitch, speed, and/or radial extent of the spiral blades for the spiral (53) disposed in the receiving cas¬ ing. (52) are adapted so as to realise a braking of the material movement in the end section (23) of the casing (2) and/or in the zone (22).

10. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t the casing (2) is provided with drainage openings (33).