GB683297A - Improvements relating to flight conveyors - Google Patents

Abstract

683,297. Endless conveyers. HAPMAN, H. W. Jan. 31, 1950. [July 2, 1949] No. 2476/50. Class 78 (i). A pressure-sealing apparatus for flight conveyers comprises a tubular casing adapted to be installed in the conveyer conduit and having an opening in the wall thereof, a closure member for said opening configured to fit the conveyer flights, and a resilient element yieldingly urging said closure member into closing relationship with said opening, the casing and closure member having co-extensive substantially cylindrical inner wall surfaces snugly engageable with the conveyer flights. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, material from a hopper 17 Fig. 9, is fed to a flight conveyer operating in conduits 13, 14 and delivered to alimekiln or other treating chamber 11. The conveyer chain, Fig. 2, is built-up of links 24, 25, the links 25 carrying flights 27 curved or dished at their peripheres 29, and the chain sprocket 30, Figs. 8, 9, is driven by an electric motor. The shaft of the sprocket 30 is journalled in sliding blocks 36 which may be adjusted by screws 37. A sealing device 15 is incorporated in each run of the conveyer and comprises a tubular casing 42 with flanges 43, 44 bolted at 45, 46 to flanges 40, 41 welded to conduit sections 14, 19 and having a central bore 49 of diameter corresponding with that of the flights with flared end portions 50, 51. The casing is cut away at 52 and the opening so formed covered by a semi-cylindrical closure member 55 having bosses 56 with packing grooves 57 and side ribs 58 parallel with ribs 48 on the casing provided with packing grooves 59. The casing and ribs 48 have interconnecting grooves 60, 61 fitted-with an elongated resilient sealing member 62 of a silicone derivative. The ribs 48, 58 are secured together by bolts 65 carrying compression springs 66 held in position by washers 67 and nuts 68. The springs normally urge the member 55 and casing 42 together, but permit the member 55 to yield in an upwardly direction should a lump of material force one or more of the flights against its surface 69 or an explosion takes place in the conveyer conduit, in the latter case allowing release of the gas generated. The sealing devices prevent loss of pressure should the pressure in the apparatus 11 be greater than atmosphere and in the case of an explosion, prevent the exploded gases travelling through the conveyer conduit to the incoming material. In a modification, the casing of the sealing device is formed with an annular chamber for circulating a heating or cooling liquid.