GB917415A - Improvements relating to storage and feed apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

917,415. Storage bins. CLARK, J. D'A. Feb. 3, 1959, No. 3850/59. Class 20 (1). [Also in Group XXX] Storage and feed apparatus comprises a bin providing a relatively deep storage chamber therein, means for depositing material circumferentially uniformly about the chamber, and discharging means operative to raise material within the chamber from across substantially an entire radial vertical cross-section of the chamber. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the annular bin 10 is bounded by inner and outer cylindrical walls 21 and 12 and floor 11, and can rotate on wheels 32 and ball race 28. The standard 25 supports an assembly 55, comprising hopper 79, conveyer 72 driven by motor 78, and counterweight 68, the whole assembly being rotatable by motor 61. Material from the hopper 79 is carried by the conveyer 72 between guide walls 80, which prevent it falling into the well 20. Portions of it are removed from the conveyer by the blades 83 and 84, and the remainder falls over the outer end of the conveyer. Thus by rotating the assembly 55, material is distributed over the whole of the interior of the bin. A bucket conveyer 85 is suspended from arms 86 and 87 which are supported at one end by the standard 25, and at the other by a post 90 rising from the ground or floor. It is driver by a motor (not shown) and lifts material from the bin and through a shoot (not shown) on to a discharge conveyer 111. The mechanism mounted on plate 53 serves to rotate the bin when the conveyer 85 is hanging vertically. When, however, this conveyer is tilted into en oblique position by the force of the material in the bin, it operates a switch that stops the rotation of the bin. As shown in Fig. 8, material fed through a pipe 12 falls on to a conical distributer 121, which is rapidly rotated by a motor 123, so that vanes 122 on the distributer 121 fling the material around a bin 124. The bin 124 is slowly rotated by a motor 126<SP>1</SP> and worm-gear. The material is pushed or ploughed towards a narrow elevator 130 by a large vertical plate 131 which is fixed at its top to a cross-bar 132 so that it just clears the bottom of the bin. The elevator 130 delivers to a conveyer 136. The switch 137 stops the motor 126<SP>1</SP> when the material builds up to a predetermined height. The apparatus evens out variations in the quality of the material supplied.