GB977701A - Improvements in or relating to machines for use in clearing or relaying sludge beds or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

977,701. Sludge bed clearing apparatus. WILLIAM JONES Ltd. Aug. 16, 1963 [May 16, 1962], No. 18901/62. Heading B8E. A machine for clearing or relaying sludge or similar beds of the type wherein the beds are arranged in rows with dividing walls and common parallel side walls 2, comprises a boom 21 mounting a conveyer belt 22 and spanning the bed to be supported by wheels 26 running on rails 11 on the side walls 2. The conveyer 22 discharges on to a conveyer mounted on cantilevers 23 at one or both ends so that the sludge can be deposited in a trailer 47 or other container outside a side wall. In order that the conveyer may be positioned near the sludge surface for loading and yet may pass over the dividing walls, the boom 21 can be raised and lowered relative to the supporting wheels 26 as by hydraulic rams. To transfer the machine to the next row of beds it is positioned on extensions of the tracks 11 adjacent one end of the beds and the boom 21 is raised until transfer wheels 37 can be lowered on to a transfer track running at right angles to the trucks 11. A similar arrangement with transfer wheels and track parallel to the tracks 11 may be used to transfer the machine from one bed to the next if it is at a different level. The conveyer 22 when lowered may be handloaded but if desired a mechanical pick-up may be provided, Fig. 6, comprising one or two elevators 50, 51 mounted on booms 57 on a trolley 62 running on the boom 21 and having elevating conveyers 58, scraper bars 63, plough plate 64 and a rake 65. The sludge falls from the top of the conveyer 58 on to an upper conveyer 66 which carries it to the conveyer 22. The boom 57 is raised and lowered by pivoting about its top end on operation of a hydraulic ram 70. The machine may be used for relaying a bed by reversing the conveyer 22 and providing an inclined blade to deflect the material on to the bed. The machine may be provided with a supporting turntable at one end in place of wheels 26 to operate with bed having a semicircular end as described in Specification 698,804.