GB2531647A

GB2531647A - A cleaning device for a screening apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2531647A
Application number: GB1516450.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mccourt Harry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-09-16
Filing date: 2015-09-16
Publication date: 2016-04-27
Also published as: IE20150374A1; GB201416376D0; GB201516450D0

Abstract

A rotary materials separation trommel 1 has one or more cleaning brushes or rollers 3, each with a rotary axis at an angle other than parallel to the rotational axis of the trommel 1, or similar parallel line. The angling of the brushes 3 may provide for an enhanced cleaning action in comparison with systems employing brushes with an axis parallel to the rotational axis of a materials separation trommel.

Description

A Cleaning Device for a Screening Apparatus The present invention relates to a screening apparatus for automatically separating large quantities of unconsolidated material (e.g. biological waste, recyclable aggregates, quarried materials, construction or demolition debris and the like) and in particular screening apparatus with a cleaning device located thereon.

Screening apparatus are used in industry to classify objects and separating different sizes of mixed solids from a multitude of processes e.g. recycling, quarrying and construction. These screening apparatus include rotary screens such as trommels or the like which are provided with apertures to allow particulates of lesser size to these openings to pass through whilst maintaining objects of greater size within the screen. These larger objects will become discharged from the screen during the process as waste bi-products for further processing.

The efficiency of screening apparatus such as trommels or the like can be significantly reduced when aggregates which are slightly greater in size than the apertures screening apparatus become wedged within these screening apertures. Furthermore aggregates to be screened are often left exposed to the environment for periods of time. This exposure enables the build up of moisture on and within the materials. This leads to further problems of clogging the apertures of the screens as the moist materials tend to bond together and become bound to the screen. These solidified masses not only clog the apertures but can also impede the flow of materials through the apparatus, further compromising the efficiency of the screening process. In order to increase the efficiency of screening apparatus many devices maintain a mounted cleaning device, generally a rotating brush with rigid cleaning spikes. This cleaning device contacts the apparatus wall during use to force the wedged particulates out of the apertures. While these mounted cleaning devices do aid in the prevention of the clogging of the apertures of the apparatus, they also maintain drawbacks.

Conventional cleaning devices for screening apparatus such as trommels have their axes of rotation positioned parallel to the axis of rotation of the trommel itself to dislodge any particulates which maybe clogging the apparatus' functional apertures. This positioning of the cleaning device has been found to be inefficient and over time the cleaning capabilities of the cleaning device is greatly reduced. This ultimately impacts upon the reliability and efficiency of the screening apparatus itself.

It is an object of the present invention to further increase the production rate of screening apparatus and further mitigate the effect of particulates clogging the apertures of the device by providing a cleaning device with increased cleaning efficiency above that of the

prior art.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a screening apparatus comprising a rotatable trommel having a rotatable brushing arrangement, the rotatable brushing arrangement being operably engagable with the rotatable trommel along a cleaning contact portion of a screening surface of the trommel for cleaning the rotatable trommel, the cleaning contact portion being orientated at an inclined angle relative to a straight line connecting two points on a leading end circumference and a trailing end circumference of the trommel, the points being located at the same angular orientation on the leading end circumference and the trailing end circumference.

Advantageously, when the cleaning contact portion is orientated on the trommel in this way, there is provided a cleaning efficiency which is well in advance of cleaning provided with brushing arrangements where the cleaning contact portion of the brushing arrangement is orientated parallel to a straight line connecting the two points on a leading end circumference and a trailing end circumference of the trommel, the points being at the same angular orientation of the leading end circumference and the trailing end circumference. By the same angular orientation we mean that if the point on the leading end circumference is at twelve o'clock the point on the trailing edge will also be at twelve o'clock. The benefit of the invention is gained because the brush is actually brushing the trommel when at the inclined angle. This keeps the mesh of the trommel clean. The inline brushes, where the cleaning contact portion is parallel to a straight line connecting the two points on a leading end circumference and a trailing end circumference of the trommel, the points being at the same angular orientation of the leading end circumference and the trailing end circumference, are moving about parallel axis where the contact occurs without brushing, rather than a brushing effect created by the present invention. With inline brushes, the brush fills up with waste material and mesh of the trommel becomes blocked losing screening capacity with time.

Preferably, the axis of rotation of the rotatable brushing arrangement is orientated so as to be in a non parallel configuration relative to the axis of rotation of the rotatable trommel.

Ideally, the rotatable brushing arrangement being mounted relative to the trommel so that the axis of rotation of the rotatable brushing arrangement is in a non-parallel orientation relative to the axis of rotation of the trommel.

Preferably, the rotatable brushing arrangement comprises a plurality of brushes mounted along the length of the trommel.

Ideally, each brush creates its own cleaning contact portion with the trommel being orientated at an inclined angle relative to a straight line connecting the two points on the leading end circumference and the trailing end circumference of the trommel, the points being located at the same angular orientation on the leading end circumference and the trailing end circumference.

Preferably, the angle of incline of each brush is orientated at an inclined angle relative to a straight line connecting the two points on the leading end circumference and the trailing end circumference of the trommel, the points being located at the same angular orientation on the leading end circumference and the trailing end circumference.

Ideally, the angle of incline of each brush is the same.

Ideally, the angle of incline of the axis of rotation of each brush is the same.

Ideally, a line running from the leading end of the first brush proximal to the leading end of the trommel to the last brush proximal to the trailing end of the trommel is orientated parallel to a straight line connecting the two points on a leading end circumference and a trailing end circumference of the trommel, the points being at the same angular orientation of the leading end circumference and the trailing end circumference.

Ideally, the brushing arrangement has a mounting arrangement for mounting the brushing arrangement onto the screening apparatus.

Preferably, each brush has a mounting arrangement for mounting the brushing onto the screening apparatus.

Preferably, the mounting bracket is a bifurcated arrangement having a leading end member for mounting the brushing arrangement to the screening apparatus and a trailing end member for mounting the brushing arrangement to the screening apparatus.

Ideally, the leading end member and the trailing end member are cranked members. Preferably, the overall length of one member is greater than the overall length of the other member. Advantageously, the short and long cranked members allow the brushing arrangement to be mounted at an inclined angle on the trommel.

Ideally, the mounting arrangement is configured so that the cleaning contact portion is orientated at an inclined angle between 1 degree and 40 degrees relative to a straight line connecting two points on a leading end circumference and a trailing end circumference of the trommel, the points being located at the same angular orientation on the leading end circumference and the trailing end circumference.

Preferably, the mounting arrangement is configured so that the cleaning contact portion is orientated at an inclined angle between 1 degree and 40 degrees relative to the axis of rotation of the trommel.

Most preferably, the angle of incline is between 10 and 30 degrees with a preferred angle of approximately 20 degrees.

Ideally, the brushes have a shaft and the members have journaling means for receiving a shaft.

Ideally, the brushing arrangement is powered.

Preferably, each brush is independently powered.

Ideally, the brushing arrangement comprises a central drum with a plurality of densely packed cleaning spikes protruding substantially radially outwardly from the drum.

Preferably, the brushing arrangement and the trommel are positioned relative to one another so that the free ends of the cleaning spikes penetrate through the screening apertures of the trommel along the cleaning contact portion.

By cleaning contact portion we mean the longitudinal extent of the cleaning contact portion.

Ideally, the axis of rotation of the rotatable brushing arrangement is orientated so as to be in a non-parallel configuration relative to the straight line connecting the two points on a leading end circumference and a trailing end circumference of the trommel, the points being at the same angular orientation of the leading end circumference and the trailing end circumference.

Ideally, at least part of the cleaning contact surface swept out by adjacent inclined brushes overlaps. Advantageously, this results in the parts of the trommel sweeping past the overlapping brushes being cleaned twice. Advantageously, the inclined orientation of the brushes also reduces material build up in the brush, allowing the brush to run cleaner for extended periods of time.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a screening apparatus comprising a rotatable trommel having a rotatable brushing arrangement, the rotatable brushing arrangement being operably engagable with the rotatable trommel along a cleaning contact portion of a screening surface of the trommel for cleaning the rotatable trommel, the cleaning contact portion being orientated at an inclined angle relative to the axis of rotation of the trommel.

The skilled man will appreciate that all preferred or optional features of the invention described with reference to only some aspects or embodiments of the invention may be applied to all aspects of the invention.

It will be appreciated that optional features applicable to one aspect of the invention can be used in any combination, and in any number. Moreover, they can also be used with any of the other aspects of the invention in any combination and in any number. This includes, but is not limited to, the dependent claims from any claim being used as dependent claims for any other claim in the claims of this application.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing 10 which shows by way of example only one embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention.

Figure 1 is a side view of the screening apparatus with the rotatable brushing arrangement in the orientation of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the trailing end of the screening apparatus.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the screening apparatus with the rotatable brushing arrangement in the orientation of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a detailed view of the mounting arrangement with the rotatable brushing arrangement in the orientation of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings generally there is shown a screening apparatus indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 having a rotatable trommel 2 with a rotatable brushing arrangement 3. The rotatable brushing arrangement 3 is operably engagable with the rotatable trommel 2 along a cleaning contact portion of a screening surface of the trommel 2 for cleaning the rotatable trommel 2. The cleaning contact portion being orientated at an inclined angle relative to a straight line 4 see Figure 2 connecting two points on a leading end circumference 5 and a trailing end circumference 6 of the trommel. The points being located at the same angular orientation on the leading end circumference 5 and the trailing end circumference 6.

Advantageously, when the cleaning contact portion is orientated on the trommel 2 in this way, there is provided a cleaning efficiency which is well in advance of cleaning provided with brushing arrangements where the cleaning contact portion of the brushing arrangement is orientated parallel to a straight line connecting the two points on a leading end circumference and a trailing end circumference of the trommel again where the points are at the same angular orientation of the leading end circumference and the trailing end circumference. By the same angular orientation we mean that if the point on the leading end circumference is at twelve o'clock the point on the trailing edge will also be at twelve o'clock.

The axis of rotation 7 of the rotatable brushing arrangement 3 is orientated so as to be in a non parallel configuration relative to the axis of rotation 8 of the rotatable trommel 2.

The rotatable brushing arrangement 3 is mounted relative to the trommel 2 so that the axis of rotation of the rotatable brushing arrangement 7 is in a non-parallel orientation relative to the axis of rotation 8 of the trommel 2. The rotatable brushing arrangement 3 has six brushes 9 mounted along the length of the trommel 2. Each brush 9 creates its own cleaning contact portion with the trommel 2 being orientated at an inclined angle relative to a straight line 4 connecting the two points on the leading end circumference 5 and the trailing end circumference 6 of the trommel 2, the points being located at the same angular orientation on the leading end circumference 5 and the trailing end circumference 6.

The angle of incline of each brush 9 is orientated at an inclined angle relative to a straight line 6 connecting the two points on the leading end circumference 5 and the trailing end circumference 6 of the trommel 2, the points being located at the same angular orientation on the leading end circumference 5 and the trailing end circumference 6. The angle of incline of each brush 9 is the same. The angle of incline of the axis of rotation 7 of each brush 3 is the same. A line running from the leading end of the first brush 12 proximal to the leading end of the trommel 2 to the last brush 14 proximal to the trailing end of the trommel 2 is orientated parallel to a straight line connecting the two points on a leading end circumference 5 and a trailing end circumference 6 of the trommel 2, the points again being at the same angular orientation of the leading end circumference and the trailing end circumference.

The brushing arrangement 3 has a mounting arrangement 21 for mounting the brushing arrangement 3 onto the screening apparatus 1. Each brush 9 has a mounting arrangement 21 for mounting the brush 9 onto the screening apparatus 1. The mounting bracket 22 is a bifurcated arrangement 22 having a leading end member 23 for mounting the brush 9 to the screening apparatus 1 and a trailing end member 24 for mounting the brush 3 to the screening apparatus 1. The leading end member 23 and the trailing end member 24 are cranked members. The overall length of the leading end cranked member 23 is greater than the overall length of the trailing end cranked member 24. Advantageously, the short and long cranked members 23, 24 allow the brushing arrangement to be mounted at an inclined angle on the trommel 2. The mounting arrangement 21 is configured so that the cleaning contact portion is orientated at an inclined angle between 1 degree and 40 degrees relative to a straight line connecting two points on a leading end circumference 4 and a trailing end circumference 6 of the trommel 2, the points being located at the same angular orientation on the leading end circumference and the trailing end circumference. The mounting arrangement is configured so that the cleaning contact portion is orientated at an inclined angle between 1 degree and 40 degrees relative to the axis of rotation of the trommel. The angle of incline is between 10 and 30 degrees with a preferred angle illustrated in the drawings of approximately 20 degrees. The brushes 9 have a shaft 25 and the members 23, 24 have journaling arrangements 26 for receiving the shaft 25. The brushing arrangement 3 is powered hydraulically. Each brush 9 is independently powered. The brushing arrangement 3 comprises a central drum with a plurality of densely packed cleaning spikes protruding substantially radially outwardly from the drum. The brushing arrangement 3 and the trommel 2 are positioned relative to one another so that the free ends of the cleaning spikes penetrate through the screening apertures of the trommel 2 along the cleaning contact portion.

In relation to the detailed description of the different embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that one or more technical features of one embodiment can be used in combination with one or more technical features of any other embodiment where the transferred use of the one or more technical features would be immediately apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art to carry out a similar function in a similar way on the other embodiment.

In the preceding discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of the said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the following drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing a disclosed function, or a method or a process of attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may separately, or in any combination of such features be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A screening apparatus comprising a rotatable trommel having a rotatable brushing arrangement, the rotatable brushing arrangement being operably engagable with the rotatable trommel along a cleaning contact portion of a screening surface of the trommel for cleaning the rotatable trommel, the cleaning contact portion being orientated at an inclined angle relative to a straight line connecting two points on a leading end circumference and a trailing end circumference of the trommel, the points being located at the same angular orientation on the leading end circumference and the trailing end circumference.
2. A screening apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the axis of rotation of the rotatable brushing arrangement is orientated so as to be in a non-parallel configuration relative to the axis of rotation of the rotatable trommel.
3. A screening apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the rotatable brushing arrangement is mounted relative to the trommel so that the axis of rotation of the rotatable brushing arrangement is in a non-parallel orientation relative to the axis of rotation of the trommel.
4. A screening apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotatable brushing arrangement comprises a plurality of brushes mounted along the length of the trommel.
5. A screening apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein each brush creates its own cleaning contact portion with the trommel, the cleaning contact portion being orientated at an inclined angle relative to a straight line connecting the two points on the leading end circumference and the trailing end circumference of the trommel, the points being located at the same angular orientation on the leading end circumference and the trailing end circumference.
6. A screening apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the angle of incline of an axis of rotation of each brush is orientated at an inclined angle relative to a straight line connecting the two points on the leading end circumference and the trailing end circumference of the trommel, the points being located at the same angular orientation on the leading end circumference and the trailing end circumference.
7. A screening apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the angle of incline of the axis of rotation of each brush is the same.
8. A screening apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a line running from the leading end of the first brush proximal to the leading end of the trommel to the last brush proximal to the trailing end of the trommel is orientated parallel to a straight line connecting the two points on a leading end circumference and a trailing end circumference of the trommel, the points being at the same angular orientation of the leading end circumference and the trailing end circumference.
9. A screening apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the brushing arrangement has a mounting arrangement for mounting the brushing arrangement onto the screening apparatus.
10. A screening apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the brushing arrangement has more than one brush and each brush has a mounting arrangement for mounting the brushing onto the screening apparatus.
11. A screening apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the mounting bracket is a bifurcated arrangement having a leading end member for mounting the brushing arrangement to the screening apparatus and a trailing end member for mounting the brushing arrangement to the screening apparatus.
12. A screening apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the leading end member and the trailing end member are cranked members.
13. A screening apparatus as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the overall length of one member is greater than the overall length of the other member.
14. A screening apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the short and long cranked members allow the brushing arrangement to be mounted at an inclined angle on the trommel.
15. A screening apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the mounting arrangement is configured so that the cleaning contact portion is orientated at an inclined angle between 1 degree and 80 degrees relative to a straight line connecting two points on a leading end circumference and a trailing end circumference of the trommel, the points being located at the same angular orientation on the leading end circumference and the trailing end circumference.
16. A screening apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the mounting arrangement is configured so that the cleaning contact portion is orientated at an inclined angle between 1 degree and 80 degrees relative to the axis of rotation of the trommel.
17. A screening apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the brushes have a shaft and the members have journaling means for receiving the shaft.
18. A screening apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the brushing arrangement is powered, each brush being independently powered.
19. A screening apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the brushing arrangement comprises a brush with a central drum having a plurality of densely packed cleaning spikes protruding substantially radially outwardly from the drum.
20. A screening apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the brushing arrangement and the trommel are positioned relative to one another so that the free ends of the cleaning spikes penetrate through screening apertures of the trommel along the cleaning contact portion.
21. A screening apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.