US1441577A - Cotton unloader and cleaner - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 9,1923.

1. L. HART.

conow UNLOADER'ANDCLEANER.

2 SHEETSSHEET l.

ORIGINALFILED AUG-7,1915.

mgwssm; ,Q/

J. L, HART.

COTTON UNLOADER AND CLEANER.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ORIGINAL FILED AUG-7,1915.

wagon or the like.

Patented Jan. 9, 1923.

UNITED STATES JOSEPH LUTHER HART, 0F GHICKASHA, OKLAHOMA.

COTTON UNLOADER AND CLEANER.

Applicatioh filed August 7, 1915, Serial No. 44,226. Renewed June 19, 1922. Serial No. 569,324.

To all whom it may camera:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH L. HART, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chickasha, in the county of Grady and State of Oklahoma, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Cotton Unloaders and Cleaners, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement in cotton unloading and cleaning apparatus,'and the invention has for its object to provide mechanism of the character specified, adapted to be arranged in a gin house or the like, wherein mechanism is provided for unloading the cotton and passing it to a place of storage, and wherein a plurality of cleaning mechanisms is provided, together with means for handling the cotton with fluid under pressure, and so arranged that the cotton may pass from the gin' house to the place of storage without cleaning, or the-cotton may be subjected to a slngle cleansing operation or a double cleansing operation, while in either case it is necessary to handle the cotton but once.

In the drawings:

I Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the entire mechanism;

Figure 2 is a rear view of the cleaning mechanism; a I

Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 2, looking 'in the direction of the arrow adjacent to the line, and

Figure 4 is a vertical modified construction. 7

The present embodiment "of the lnventioncomprises a plurality of cleaners, llldlcated generally at 1 and 1, and to be later described in detail, the casing of the cleaning mechanism 1 having aninlet telescoping pipe 2. for drawing the cotton from a This casing is also provided with anoutlet pipe 5, which is connected at its outer end with the small end of a reducing union 6, and pipes 9 and 18 are connected with the large end of the reducing union.

The pipe 9 is a telescoping pipe, and leads to a suitable source of discharge. The pipe 18 is arched as shown, and the end remote from the union 6 is connected with the large end of a reducing-union 13, whose small end is connected with the inlet of the casing of the cleaning mechanism 1.

A pipe 15 is also connected with the large end of the union 13, and the outer end of section through a the pipe 15 1s connected to the small end of a union 17 Pipes 20 and 21 are connected with the'large end of this union 17,and valves are arranged in the respective unions 6, 13 and 21, for cutting oif either pipe connected with the large end of the union from" the pipe connected with the small end of the union.

The valves in the union 6, have oppositely extending operating arms 7 and 8, and flexible members, as for instance, cords or wires are connected with the respective arms, a flexible member 10 being connected with the arm 7, while a flexible member 11 .is connected with the arm 8. By pulling the proper cord, either pipe 9 or 18 may be cut oif from the pipe 5.

The valves in the union 13 have arms 22 and 23 respectively, to which are connected flexible members 24 and 25, and either valve may be operated by pulling the proper cord. The union 17 also has valves, which have arms 26 and 27, and flexible members 28 and 29 are connected with the arms. The operation ofthese'valves is the -same as the valves cohnected with the arms 7, 8, 22 and 23.

The arrangement is 2 from the wagon, or other place of supply, into the cleaner casing 1, and from this may pass by way of the pipe 9 to the place of storage, or by way of the pipe 18 to the casing 1% for a second cleaning operation. When it is desired to use the cleaners 1 and 1 independently of each other, the valves are arranged to cut ofl the pipe 18 from both casings 1 and 1*, that is, from both unions 6 and 13, and to permit the cotton to discharge through the pipe 9. The cotton now feeds by way of the pipe 2 to the cleaner 1 and is discharged by way of the pipe 9.

' The cleaner 1 may be fed through the pipe such that the cotton may be drawn through the telescoping pipe are connected together and with the inlet and outlet ports, but a single cleanerwvill be described, and the said cleaner is shown in detail in Figures 2 and 3.

A screen 40 1s arranged longitudinally of the casing, dividing the said Leasing into two compartments, and the screen is archedto correspond to the casing. The screen ex= tends the entire width of the casing and consists of a hub 64 having radial bladesfrom the inlet end to near the outlet end. and at the inlet end the adjacent end of the screen is arranged just above the inlet 39.

Abar 41 is arranged transversely of the casing at the inner end of the screen, and the said inner end of the screen is connected with the bar. At this point a shaft 42 is journaled transversely of the casing, and the --concave side of the casing is shaped or curved coaxial with the shaft. The casing is branched at this point, to form an outlet 43, for the compartment above the screen 40, and an outlet 44 for the com partment below the screen, and the shaft 42 is arranged just above the outlet 44.

The shaft 42 supports a feeding cylinder 45 which is secured to the shaft and 65. The casing between the branches 43 and 44 has a re-entrant portion 46, the inner end of which is spaced apart from the .bar 41, and a screen 47 is arranged" between I thefbar and the re-entrant portion, the

screen being curved on an arc whose center is the shaft 42.

A discharge trunk 48 is arranged reotlyv below the shaft 42, and pipes 49 lead from the opposite ends of the trunk. A casing 50 is arranged between the trunk 48'and' the casing 38, and-the branch 44 of the casing communicates with and opens into the upper end of the casing 58, and the lower end of the casing 50 is provided with a lateral branch 51, and a curved screen 58 is arranged in vertical position between the branch 51 and the body of the casing, the blast from the fan, through '48 and 49 driving the dust and dirt not removed through the screen 40 out to the open space through 51 and not to any fan.

A cleaning cylinder 52- is 'journaled transversely of the casing 50, and has its axis parallel with the shaft 42, and the cylinder cooperates with the screen 58. The shaft 53 and the shaft 42 of the cleaning cylinder are extended beyond their respective In the cleaner casing 1, the pipe 2 is connected' with the inlet 39, and a suitable exhaust fan (not shown) is connected with the outlet 43 of the compartment above the screen. The ipe 5 is connected to the trunk '48, or one o the pipes 49. In the casing 1 the trunk 48 is connected to a pipe leading to the place of storage, and ifdesired .the cotton may be fed directly to the cleaner casing 1, by way'of the pipe 15.

In 0 eration, the cotton or bolls passes throug pipe2 by air pressure to cleaner casing 1, and the cotton passes down against I the screen 40 and 47. The air passes through screen 40 and 47 and out through tube 43 to suction fan, (not shown). The cottonor bolls after passing screen 40 and 47 is fed by flange feed cylinder 45 down into casing 50 and onto cylinder 52 and against screen 58. Cylinder 52 carries the cotton downward against screen 58, with considerable force, while the air pressure caused by the discharge of the suction fan (not shown) is pressing against and through screen 58 and the cotton as itipasses down against screen 58, driven also by .force oii cylinder, 52 agalnst screen 58 assisted by the air pressure is cleaned. The dirt, trash and other foreign matter is forced out through the' screen 58 and carried to its destination through pipe 51 by the force of the air.- The cotton after cleaning is passed on down by the force of the cylinder 52 into trunk 49, and carried by the exhaust air from suction fan, (not shown) out through pipe 5 to its place of storage or to a second cleaner of a similar kind or any other cleaner or vacuum box through pipe 18.

If desired, the cotton may be passed to the place of storage,'by properly'manipulating the valves in the unlon 6.' If it is de-,

sired to subject the cotton to asecond cleaning, the valve in the pipe 9 is clo'sed,-an'd the valve in the pipe 18 isopened. The valves are ordinary gate valves, audit will be evident that the cotton "may be thoroughly,

cleaned before it is ginned.

The removal of the heavier trash is brought about by the toothed cylinder 52 and the screen 58. The exhaust air passes around the cleaning cylinder'52 and through the cotton, thus blowing out all of the im purities.

- It will be noted that the airpressure moves.

in the directionof the arrows in Figure 3,

the pressure being approximately the same in the pipes 43; 51 and 49. The flow of the. cotton below the screen 40 to the cleaning cylinders is, howevenassisted 'not only by near gravity but by the operation of thefeeding fingers.

In Figure 4L is shown a modified construction of cleaner, wherein the cleaners 68, 69 take the place of the cleaner 52 while the other parts shown in Figure 3, including elements 42-64-65 must still remain in order to separate the suction and blast ends of the fan. In this construction the cotton enters over a breaker bar 73, which is adjustably mounted for movement toward and from a toothed cylinder, 68 journaled in the casing 67 The breaker bar is supported by a cross bar 75 and handled screws 74 are threaded through the bar 7 5 and are rotatably connected to the breaker bar. It will be evident that by means ofthe' cranks the bar may be adjusted toward and from the cylinder. A second toothed cylinder 69 is arranged below and behind the cylinder 68, and the dischar e pipe 48 corresponding to the pipe 48 of igure 3 is below and behind the cylinder 69. Curved screens 70 and 71 are supported adjacent to the c linders .68 and 69 by'means of cross bars 2, and the outlet for the dust 76 is on the opposite sides of the screens from the outlet 48 for the cotton. With this construction the cotton is thoroughly cleaned by the toothed cylinders in co-operation with the screens and the breaker bar, the dust passing out through the outlet 76, while the cleaned cotton passes out at the pipe 48.

I-claim: 1. In a cotton cleaner of the character specified, a plurality of cleaner casings, an

.inlet pipe leading to one of the casings, a

delivery pipe leading from the said casing and branchlng at its outer end, a pipe leading from one branch to a place of storage, a pipe leading from the other branch to the second cleaner casing, valves in the branches, an inlet pipe for the other casing and having branches at its outer end, one of the branches being connected with the last named pipe, an inlet pipe connected with the other branch, and valves for controlling the branches, said last named inlet pipe having branches, and valves for controlling the branches.

2. A cotton cleaner of the character specifi'ed, comprising in combination with the pipes for conveying the cotton from the receiving station to the place of storage, and the fluid pressure controlled means for moving the cotton through the pipes, of cleaning mechanism interposed in the length of sa1d pipes for cleaning the cotton during transit, said cleaning means comprising a casing having an inlet at one endand a plurality of outlets at the other end, a screen arranged between the inlet and one of the outlets, and extending longitudinally of the casing, a

feeding cylinder arranged between the cas-.

ing and the last named outlet, a cleaning cylinder to which the feeding cylinder delivers, a casing for the cylinder having a lateral brunch and an'outlet, and a screen between the branch and the casing, said screen cooperating with the cleaning cylinder.

3. A cotton cleaner comprising a plurality of cleaners, each of the said cleaners having an inlet for the cotton and the cicaner having a branched outlet, one of the branches leading to a place of storage and the other leading to the second cleaner, valves ror controlling the inlets and outlets, and fluid pressure controlled means for moving the cotton through the cleaners, the inlets and the outlets.

4. In a cotton unloader and cleaner of the class described, a plurality of cleaner casings, an inlet pipe leading to one of the casings, a delivery pipe leading from the sa1d casing. and branching at its outer end, a pipe leading from one branch to a place of storage, a pipe leading from the other branch to the second cleaner casing, valves in the branches, for independently opening or closing the same, and an inlet pipe for the other casing and connected with the last named 1 e. P In a cotton unloader and cleaner of the class described, a plurality o f cleaner, casings, an inlet pipe leading to one of the easings, a delivery pipe leading from the said casing and branching at its outer end, a pipe leading from one branch to a place of storage, a pipe leading from the other branch to the second. cleaner casing, valves in thebranches for independently opening or'closing the same, and an inlet pipe for the other casing and connected with the last named pipe, said inlet pipe havingbranches at its outer end.

6. In a cotton unloader and cleaner .of the class described, a plurality of cleaner casings, aninlet pipe leading to one of the casings, a delivery pipe leading from the said casing and branching at its'outer end, a pipe leading from one branch to a lace of stora e, a pipe leading from the ot rbranch to tlie second cleaner casing, valves in the branches for independently opening or closing the same, an inlet pipe for the other caspipes; of cleaning mechanisn. interposed in the length of said pipes for cleaning the cotton during transit, said cleaning means comprising a casing having an inlet at one end and a plurality of outlets at the other end, a

screen arranged between the inlet and one of the outlets and extending longitudinally of the casing, said last named outlet being adapted for connection with a suction fan, a feeding cylinder arranged in the casing and the last named outlet, a cleaning cylinder to which the feeding cylinder delivers, a casing for the cylinder having a lateral branch and an outlet, and a screen between the branch and the casing, said screen cooperating with the cleaning cylinder, the

branch andoutlet of the casing being adapted to be connected with exhaust or suction fans.

y 9. A combined unloader, cleaner and boll breaker, comprising in combination-with the pipes for conveying the cotton from the receiving station to the place of storage and the fluid suction controlled means for moving the cotton through the pipes; of cleaning mechanism interposed in the length of said pipes for cleaning the cotton during transit, said cleaning means comprising a casing having an inlet at one end and a plurality of outlets at the other end, a screen arranged between the inlet and one of the outlets, and extending longitudinally of the casing, the last named outlet being adapted for connection withva suction fan, and a feeding cylinder arranged between the casing and the last named outlet. V

10. In-a combined unloader, cleaner and boll breaker, the combination with pipes or like conveying means for conveying the cotton from the receiving station to the place of storage and fluid pressure controlled means for moving the cotton through the pipes, of aplurality of cleaning mechanisms interposed in the length of said pipes for cleaning the cotton during transit, and means for controlling said pipes whereby to cause the cotton to be discharged without passing through said cleaning mechanism, to pass through one of said cleaning mechanisms, or to pass through a plurality or all of said mechanisms for discharge tothe place of storage.

JOSEPH LUTHER HART.

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