GB1562232A

GB1562232A - Mehtods and apparatus for the treatment of products such as by mixing or finishing

Info

Publication number: GB1562232A
Application number: GB14957/76A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: BOULTON Ltd W
Current assignee: BOULTON Ltd W
Priority date: 1976-04-13
Filing date: 1976-04-13
Publication date: 1980-03-05
Also published as: AT354986B; BE846460A; SE430320B; BR7606353A; JPS52125873A; AU511561B2; ES451754A1; FR2347988B1; ATA463076A; AU1840876A; SE7610251L; NL7610500A; CH600939A5; FR2347988A1; JPS5933412B2; DE2642501A1; HU176206B

Description

(54) METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF PRODUCTS, SUCH AS BY MIXING OR FINISHING (71) We, WILLIAM BOULTON LIMITED, a British Company, of Providence Engineering Works, Navigation Road, B urslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The invention relates to methods and apparatus for the treatment of products.

The invention is primarily applicable to the mixing of materials but may also be used for drying or for effecting finishing operations such as grinding, de-burring or polishing.

According to the invention there is provided a method of treating products or materials by mixing, drying, grinding, deburring, polishing or finishing same, the method comprising subjecting a charge of at least two products or materials to a vibratory movement in the form of a rotary oscillation about a generally vertical axis with an up and down component superimposed thereon while constraining the charge to travel along and around a spiral path having a gradually increasing radius and disposed in a generally horizontal plane from a central receiving zone to a peripheral discharge zone.

The invention also provides apparatus for use in the treatment of products or materials by mixing, drying, grinding, de-burring, polishing or finishing same, the apparatus comprising a chamber defining a spiral treatment path of gradually increasing radius disposed in a generally horizontal plane, an inlet opening disposed centrally of the spiral path, a peripheral discharge opening and means for subjecting the chamber to a vibratory movement comprising a rotary oscillation about a generally vertical axis with an up and down component superimposed thereon to constrain a mixture of at least two products or materials to travel along and around the spiral path from the central region thereof to the discharge opening.

When used for mixing, the products will consist of at least two materials to be mixed together. When used for grinding or finishing operations the products will consist of parts or components to be treated together with grinding or finishing media which, during movement of the charge around the spiral path are brought into rubbing contact with the parts or components to effect the desired finishing operation thereon.

Preferably the treatment chamber is resiliently mounted on a fixed base and subjected to vibratory movement transmitted thereto from a drive motor having a vertical shaft fitted with at least one eccentric weight. In a preferred arrangement the treatment chamber is supported on an annular series of coil springs and the drive motor is carried by the treatment chamber and fitted with upper and lower eccentric weights at least one of which is angularly adjustable about the motor shaft.

The treatment chamber may comprise two or more sections disposed one above the other and arranged such that products discharged from the discharge outlet of the -or each upper section are delivered to the inlet opening of the section below. In this way continuous mixing or other treatment may be carried out by continuously supplying products to the inlet opening of the uppermost treatment chamber and continuously removing the mixed or otherwise treated products from the discharge outlet of the lowermost chamber.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-section through a vibratory mixing machine according to the invention and Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 1 with the top cover removed Referring to the drawings, the apparatus comprises a base 5 of generally cylindrical shape having an outwardly directed horizontal flange 6 at its upper end on which are located a number of vertical coil springs 7 forming an annular series. The upper ends of the springs 7 are connected to an annular horizontal plate 8 having attached to it a central cylindrical sleeve 9.Upper and lower mounting brackets or collars 10, 11 are mounted within the sleeve 9 and carry an electric motor 12 having a shaft 13 which is vertically disposed on the central axis of the machine. The shaft 13 carries upper and lower eccentric weights 14 and 15 which are independently adjustable angularly so that they can be set out of balance to create or vary the vibratory motion applied to the plate 8 and the superstructure mounted on it. The rotating out of balance masses represented by the weights. together with the springs 7, set up a vibratory motion about the axis of the shaft 13 with upward and downward components in the movement which is of high frequency and low amplitude.

A treatment chamber 16 is mounted on the plate 8 and comprises an upper section 16A and a lower section 16B. These sections are detachably connected to one another by bolts 17 passing through flanges l8A, 18B on the respective parts of the treatment chamber. A cover plate 19 is bolted to the upper section 16A in a similar manner and the lower section 16B is bolted to the flange 8.

Each section of the treatment chamber comprises a spiral treatment path defined by a baffle plate 20 as best seen in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Each section also has a conical floor which is raised in the centre and slopes downwardly and outwardly. By virtue of' this construction a charge of materials to be mixed introduced at the centre of either section of the treatment chamber is constrained to travel around and along the spiral treatment path in a generally longitudinal plane while being subjected to movement resulting from the vibration of the machine. Each section of the treatment chamber is provided with a peripheral discharge outlet, the outlet in the upper section 16A comprising an opening 21 (Fig.

2) in the floor thereof from which material is discharged into a conical collecting tray 22 having a central opening 23 serving to deliver material to the centre of the lower section of the treatment chamber. The peripheral outlet in the lower section of the chamber comprises a discharge chute 24 by means of which mixed material is discharged from the machine.

Materials to be mixed are introduced into the central region of the upper section of the treatment chamber by means of a feed inlet 25 supported on the top cover 19.

By virtue of the spiral construction of the upper and lower sections of the treatment chamber together with the vibratory movement provided by the motor and weights and the resilient mounting of the treatment chamber on the fixed base of the machine, the charge of materials to be mixed moves along and around each of the spiral sections of the chamber in turn and also undergoes orbital or circular movement in generally vertical planes substantially at right angles to the direction of movement round the chamber. This produces particularly effective mixing of the materials and, due to the relatively long treatment path provided, continuous mixing can be effected by introducing materials to be mixed continuously at the feed inlet 25 in the upper section of the treatment chamber and removing mixed material continuously from the discharge outlet 24 of the lower section.

The frequency and amplitude of the vibratory movement may be varied to meet different requirements but frequencies of the order of 900 to 3,000 cycles per minute and amplitudes of about 1/64 to 3/8 inch would be appropriate for most mixing operations. Different frequencies and/or amplitudes may be required in using machines of the kind described for grinding, polishing, de-burring or other surface finishing operations.

The nature of the vibratory movement may be varied to suit different materials by adjusting the relative angular positions of the upper and lower eccentric weights, by varying the speed of rotation of the motor or by altering the vertical position of the motor relative to the treatment chamber. While in the embodiment described the motor is mounted in a fixed position, provision may be included to allow for vertical adjustment of the motor within the sleeve 9 if required.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example only one spiral treatment chamber or more than two such chambers may be provided if required and the base of the spiral treatment path may be of flat rather than arcuate form. Since the treatment chamber is closed by means of the top cover, the temperature pressure or moisture content of the air in the chamber may be controlled to suit different requirements.

Moreover though reference has been made to vibration by use of an electric motor fitted with eccentric weights, the necessary movement may be induced in other ways, for example by use of electro-magnetic or piezo-electric vibrators or by the use of air or hydraulic motors fitted with weights. The angular positions of the weights could be arranged to be adjustable by remote control during operation to alter the nature of the vibration at different stages in the process.

The treatment chamber could also be mounted on air springs instead of coil springs or could be otherwise resiliently supported.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A method of treating products or materials by mixing, drying, grinding, deburring, polishing or finishing same. the method comprising subjecting a charge of at least two products or materials to a vibratory movement in the form of a rotary oscillation about a generally vertical axis with an up and down component superimposed thereon while constraining the charge to travel along and around a spiral path having a gradually increasing radius and disposed in a generally horizontal plane from a central receiving zone to a peripheral discharge zone.

2. A method according to claim I wherein the frequency of said movement is between 900 and 3,000 cycles per minute and the amplitude between 1/64 and 3/8 inch.

3. A method according to claim I or 2 wherein said products comprise parts or components to be ground or finished and grinding or finishing media.

4. A method of treating products substantially as hereinbefore described.

5. Apparatus for use in the treatment of products or materials by mixing, drying, grinding, deburring, polishing or finishing same, the apparatus comprising a chamber defining a spiral treatment path of gradually increasing radius disposed in a generally horizontal plane, an inlet opening disposed centrally of the spiral path, a peripheral discharge opening and means for subjecting the chamber to a vibratory movement comprising a rotary oscillation about a generally vertical axis with an up and down component superimposed thereon to constrain a mixture of at least two products or materials to travel along and around the spiral path from the central region thereof to the discharge opening.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the treatment chamber is resiliently mounted on a fixed base and subjected to vibratory movement transmitted thereto from a drive motor having a vertical shaft fitted with at least one eccentric weight.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the treatment chamber is supported on an annular series of coil springs and the drive motor is carried by the treatment chamber and fitted with upper and lower eccentric weights.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein at least one of said weights is angularly adjustable about the motor shaft.

9. Apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 8 wherein the motor is vertically moveable relative to the treatment chamber.

10. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 9 wherein said treatment chamber comprises two or more sections disposed one above the other and arranged such that products or materials discharged from the discharge outlet of the or each upper section are delivered to the inlet opening of the section below.

11. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 10 wherein said treatment chamber is closed by means of a top cover, means being provided for controlling the temperature, pressure and/or moisture content of the air in the chamber.

12. Apparatus for use in the treatment of products substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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Claims

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arranged to be adjustable by remote control during operation to alter the nature of the vibration at different stages in the process.

The treatment chamber could also be mounted on air springs instead of coil springs or could be otherwise resiliently supported.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A method of treating products or materials by mixing, drying, grinding, deburring, polishing or finishing same. the method comprising subjecting a charge of at least two products or materials to a vibratory movement in the form of a rotary oscillation about a generally vertical axis with an up and down component superimposed thereon while constraining the charge to travel along and around a spiral path having a gradually increasing radius and disposed in a generally horizontal plane from a central receiving zone to a peripheral discharge zone.
2. A method according to claim I wherein the frequency of said movement is between 900 and 3,000 cycles per minute and the amplitude between 1/64 and 3/8 inch.
3. A method according to claim I or 2 wherein said products comprise parts or components to be ground or finished and grinding or finishing media.
4. A method of treating products substantially as hereinbefore described.
5. Apparatus for use in the treatment of products or materials by mixing, drying, grinding, deburring, polishing or finishing same, the apparatus comprising a chamber defining a spiral treatment path of gradually increasing radius disposed in a generally horizontal plane, an inlet opening disposed centrally of the spiral path, a peripheral discharge opening and means for subjecting the chamber to a vibratory movement comprising a rotary oscillation about a generally vertical axis with an up and down component superimposed thereon to constrain a mixture of at least two products or materials to travel along and around the spiral path from the central region thereof to the discharge opening.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the treatment chamber is resiliently mounted on a fixed base and subjected to vibratory movement transmitted thereto from a drive motor having a vertical shaft fitted with at least one eccentric weight.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the treatment chamber is supported on an annular series of coil springs and the drive motor is carried by the treatment chamber and fitted with upper and lower eccentric weights.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein at least one of said weights is angularly adjustable about the motor shaft.
9. Apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 8 wherein the motor is vertically moveable relative to the treatment chamber.
10. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 9 wherein said treatment chamber comprises two or more sections disposed one above the other and arranged such that products or materials discharged from the discharge outlet of the or each upper section are delivered to the inlet opening of the section below.
11. Apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 10 wherein said treatment chamber is closed by means of a top cover, means being provided for controlling the temperature, pressure and/or moisture content of the air in the chamber.
12. Apparatus for use in the treatment of products substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.