GB2203449A

GB2203449A - Metal finishing barrel

Info

Publication number: GB2203449A
Application number: GB08702235A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Hughes; Richard James Murgatroyd
Original assignee: Stein Atkinson Stordy Ltd
Current assignee: Stein Atkinson Stordy Ltd
Priority date: 1987-02-02
Filing date: 1987-02-02
Publication date: 1988-10-19
Also published as: GB8702235D0

Abstract

A barrel with closed ends which is rotatable about a horizontal axis and a lid in the side of the barrel which is releasable to unload the contents of the barrel, the lid being freely pivoted to the main body of the barrel and carrying a cam follower engageable with cam means constituting a lid release device, the cam means having a lead-in arrangement for the cam follower, which arrangement allows the lid to remain closed when the barrel rotates in one direction but allows the lid to open when the barrel rotates in the opposite direction. <IMAGE>

Description

NEW BARREL DESIGN INTRODUCTION In the Metal Finishing Industry, there is a requirement for a cylinder which rotates on a horizontal axis with or without a direct current (DC) carrying capacity and having a method in which the lid of the cylinder may be released by automatic or semi-automatic means for unloading the contents. The lid of the cylinder should also be capable of being secured either automatically or semi-automatically whether the cylinder is loaded with components or not.

The length and diameter of the cylinder, hexagon (or other desired shape) may be variable.

The above description shall be referred to as a "barrel" which may be driven through gear or by means of an indirect drive from a motor, powered by electricity or compressed air etc.

The barrel will be suspended by means of a top frame assembly which will be supported by the top of a tank or frame in which the barrel will be used.

The barrel may be fabricated from a wide range of materials including mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, polypropylene, polyethylene etc.

DESIGN OF BARREL UNIT The main barrel basically consists of two parts, the body with vertical sides and a lid. The lid is secured along the length on one side by a hinged mechanism to the body allowing it to pivot freely. On each corner, on the opposite length of the lid, is fixed a cam follower (see sketch number 1). This cam follower is in the form of a rod or form of freely rotating bush or bearing (and could be on the full length of the side of the lid). The cam followers extend beyond the length of the barrel (see sketch number 1).

The barrel cylinder is located with the side arms on each end of the barrel in main bearings (see sketch number 1) which will allow the barrel to rotate freely.

A cam plate is fixed to two side arms by means of3 (three) or more anchor points (see sketch number 1 - end elevation). On the drive end of the barrel, the cam plate is located but allowed to freely rotate around 8 (eight) "bobbins" which are fixed to the end of the barrel cylinder.

At the idler end (see sketch number 2) the cam plate is fixed to the side arm.

In order to drive the barrel in either a clockwise or anticlockwise direction, a barrel ring gear (see sketch number 2) is fixed to the side of the barrel by means of the 8 (eight) "bobbins".

METHOD OF OPERATION (Sketch number 3 refers) As may be seen in sketch number 3, the cam plate has a "lead in" with a pawl fabricated from a suitable material (metal or plastic) which is in the form of a spring or of loose pivot design.

ROTATION OF BARREL In order for the barrel to rotate with the lid in the closed position, the cam followers must be located in the cam plate groove.

Depending on the direction of the "lead in" (in this case, as shown in sketch number 3) the barrel, when rotating in a clockwise direction, will maintain the lid in a closed position. As the barrel rotates, the cam followers will follow the profile of the cam plate groove.

When the cam follower reaches the pawl, the drive of the barrel will push the follower thereby lifting the pawl and allowing the cam follower to continue following the cam plate groove profile.

As soon as the cam follower has passed the position of the pawl, the pawl will return to its original position either, by means of a spring, or a pivoting action.

AUTOMATIC LID OPENING AND UNLOADING/EMPTYING OF BARREL As mentioned earlier, the barrel will be driven by some suitable means but it will be necessary to reverse the rotation of the barrel. This may be carried out by a suitable combination of limit switches/timing/programmers which, at a predetermined time or signal will stop the rotation and/or reverse the direction.

In order to automatically open the barrel lid, the rotation of the barrel will be reversed and travel in an anticlockwise direction.

When the barrel lid cam reaches the pawl, the cam will follow the "lead in" and thus, as barrel rotation continues, the lid will be free to open and pivot on the hinge joining the lid and barrel (see sketch numbers 3b and 3c).

When the barrel lid is at the bottom (ie underneath the main bearing) the lid will automatically be fully open. At this stage, the barrel could remain stationary for a period of time to allow the contents of the barrel to empty or alternatively, continue rotating for a number of cycles as required (see sketch number 3d).

LOADING OF THE BARREL When the contents of the barrel have emptied, the barrel requires to be rotated until the lid is at a suitable position for loading ie directly above the main bearing or approximately 30 -45 from the vertical (in a clockwise direction). This can be achieved in either of two ways as follows: a) Once the lid is fully open for unloading, the barrel will continue to rotate in an anticlockwise direction (during which time, the barrel lid will remain fully open) and the barrel will (by a predetermined signal) stop rotating when the barrel is at the required position for loading.

The barrel will then be loaded and the lid lowered in the direction of closing, this can be achieved either manually, mechanically or by electr.ically operated means.

At this stage, the barrel is rotated in a clockwise direction and the cam followers will follow the "lead in" profile and continue to follow the cam plate groove.

b) When the barrel has been unloaded and the lid is fully open, the barrel is rotated in a clockwise direction until the barrel lid is in the loading position as outlined earlier.

The lid will now be almost closed and therefore would be opened manually, mechanically or by electrically operated means.

The barrel will then be loaded and the lid lowered in the direction of closing by the means described above. The barrel then continues to rotate in a clockwise direction and the cam follower once more engages in the cam plate groove.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A barrel with closed ends which is rotatable about a horizontal axis and a lid in the side of the barrel which is releasable to unload the contents of the barrel, the lid being freely pivoted to the main body of the barrel and carrying a cam follower engageable with cam means constituting a lid release device, said cam means having a lead-in arrangement for the cam follower, which arrangement allows the lid to remain closed when the barrel rotates in one direction but allows the lid to open when the barrel rotates in the opposite direction.

2. A barrel, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.