US1796802A - Apparatus for charging retorts - Google Patents

Description

March 17, 1931; wt. NAYLOR APPARATUS FOR CHARGING RETORTS Filed Feb. 5, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet l March 17, 1931. w, E, NAYLQR I APPARATUS FOR CHARGING RETORTS s sheets-sheet 2 Filed Feb. 5, 1927 March 17, 1931. w. E. NAYLOR I APPARATUS FOR CHARGING RETORTS 5 sheets-sheet 5 Filed Feb. 5, 1927 March 17, 1931. w NAYLOR 1,796,802

APPARATUS FORCHARGING RETORTS Filed Feb. 5, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 iiiiiii March 17, 1931. I w Y o 1,796,802

APPARATUS FOR CHARGING RETORTS Filed Feb. 5, 1927 5 Sheets-Shet 5 liilli! iii-11mm i) us lliiiii Patented Mar. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES wanna PATENT OFFICE E. NAYLOB, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO THE BEABDBLEY & PI?

COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORIOBA'IION OF ILLINOIS APPARATUS FOR CHARGING RETOBTS .lpplication filed February 5, 1927. Serial 1T0. 188,053.

The invention relates to apparatus for chargin retortsi I The ject of the invention is to provide apparatus for expeditiously charging retorts, such, for exam 1e, as are used in the production of zinc. his object is attained primarily by providing a rotar projector which is adapted to sling forcib y or throw the material through inletsof the retorts and is conveniently movable so that it may be successivel brought, into position to charge all of t e retorts. Another object of the'invention is to provide improved aptudinal section through the paratus which is adapted to slmplify and expedite the charging of retorts with material to be smel Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present construction will appear from a reading of the following detailed descrip tion. The invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter set forth and more par-- ticularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof. 1 p Inthe drawings: Fig. 1 is a side elevation (parts being shown in section) of ,a machine embodylng the invention. Figs.

, 2 and 3 are oppositely viewed end e1eva- $0 The invention is exemplified in appara-.

tus for chargin -a,zinc smelting furnace, the front wall a: of'which is provided with a series of horizontal rowsof inlets w, through which the material is delivered into the smelting chambers of the furnace. The apparatus comprises mainly, a carriage A upon which the charging apparatus is mounted so it may be transporte to receive a supply of material and deliver it to a one or more furnaces to be charged; a

so reservoir or contalner B mounted on the two central beams a of the carriage Fig.-

carriage and adapted to receive and hold sufiicient material to charge a number of retorts; an endless'conveyor C which forms the bottom of the reservoir and is adapted to feed the material from the reservoir in regulated quantity; an elevator D which receives the material from the conveyor C and elevates it; a vertically swinging arm or frame E; a belt conveyor F mounted on and to move with the arm E, which receives material from the elevator; a rotary projector G which is adapted to sling the material through the inlets 2: into the retorts of the furnace; mechanism J for raising and loweri the projector into diiferent'positions to c arge the inlets at different elevations; an electric motor H, mounted on the carriage, for driving a shaft h; reversible transmission gearing K driven by the motor H, for pro elling the carriage; driving -mechanism 12 for the elevator D; driving .mechanism M for the conveyor C; a control lever N for the transmission fearing K and .7

a control lever O for the nisms L and M. y

In the use of the apparatus for charging smelting furnaces, the ore is first ulverized and mixed with coke and a su cient percentage of soda for a flux, and this pulverized material is usually delivered or stored in an overhead bin from which it may be quickly discharged into the reservoir B on the carriage A. This reservoir has a sufficient capacity to charge a large number of retorts so as to minimize the trlps necessary between the overhead storage bin and the furnace.

The carriage comprises a frame composed of. longitudinal beams a and end-beams a, all of which are secured together to form a rigid supporting frame; axles a mounted in wheels 41' which are adapted to run on rails a usually laid in and extending longitudinall of the floor of thefurnace room.

T e reservoir B consim a of a hopper having downwardly convergent side walls 12' and end walls 22. The hopper is supported by beams a which are supported b the me riving mechabearings a on said frame; and flanged The bottom of the reservoir B is formed by the endless feed conveyor C, and the latter is composed of a series of overlapping slats c on sprocket chains which extend respectively around a pair of drive sprockets 0 on a cross-shaft and around idler sprockets c Said shafts are journalled-in bearings c (Fig. 5) which are fixed to the beams 0. Adjacent the discharge end of the conveyor 0, an adjustable gate 6 is provided to form an opening of variable size, through which the material will be discharged from the reservoir so as to regulate the rate at which the material will be fed from the reservoir and to the projector. The elevator D for the material comprises a vertically extending casing d at one end of the reservoir B andsuitably secured to the'carriage; an endless chain (1 carrying the elevator buckets (1 an overhead idler sprocket d for the chain 03 a drive sprocket d at one side of and in the lower material from the conveyor C is discharged ing (Z tor d directs the discharged material into through an opening in one side of the easonto the bottom thereof. A deflecsaid casing. Sprocket d is fixed to a shaft d which'is journalled in bearings (Z which are secured to the carriage frame. The shaft for overhead sprocket d is mounted -in adjustable bearings d so that the elevator chain may be kept taut. The upper part of the casing cl is provided with a (lischarge spout. (Z through which the material, elevated by the buckets d will be dis"- charged in a downwardly. direction at one side of the elevator casing 03.-

The material projector G comprises a caslng g and a rotor g fprovided with an inclined plate g which is adapted to pack.

the material under the influence of centrifugal force against the rim of the casing and to discharge it laterally from the cas-.

ing through a spout g projecting from one side of the casing and at the correct angle to cause the material to be thrown through the usual inclined inletsm of the furnace. The projector casing is fixed to the distal end of the. arm E so that the projector may be raised and lowered into position to discharge the material into inlets located at different elevations in the front wall of the furnace.- The arm comprises a tubular member e, to the outer end of which the projector casing g is fixed, and a gear housing e to which the inner end of the member is attached. An electric motor 6 has its casing secured to the gear casing e to form a unitary part of the arm. The motor casing is bolted to a bracket 6 which is fixed to a shaft 0 which is journalled in bearings e which are fixed to one end of the elevator casing df. This exemplifies a projector which is pivotally supported so as to swing vertically to permit the material to be discharged into inlets of retorts lo cated at different elevations. The shaft 6 of the electric motor 6 extends through the gear-case e and" tubular member 6', and the hub of the rotor g is fixedly secured to the outer end of said shaft inside of the casing g.

The conveyor F for delivering the material from theelevator into the projector casing comprises an endless belt f, an idler pulley f journalled adjacent the inner side of the projector casing g, and a driven pulley f mounted adjacent the gear-casing 0 A hopper f is supported by bars 6 which are suitably supported from the member a to-direct the material from the discharge spout d of the elevator onto the conveyorbelt 7 which delivers the material into an opening in the inner side of the projector casing g where it will be caught by the rapidly rotating projector blade 9 The speed of the latter ranges around 1200 re'volutions per minute, so that the pulverized material will be packed into wads by centrifugal force and forcibly projected through spout 9 into the rotor. Belt f is constantly driven from the -motor 6 while the projector is in operation, by means of gearing comprising a bevelled gear f fixed to the shaft 6", bevelled gear f meshing with gear F, a sprocket-wheel f fixed to rotate with gear f, a' sprocket chain f driven by sprocket f and a sprocket wheel f fixed to rotate the drive pulley f for the belt f. This exemplifies a pivotally-1nova ble supporting unit for the projector. head which carries a conveyor and in which the several parts are enclosed, so that the pulj verized material will not work into the driving mechanism.

The projector is raised and lowered by means of a cable 6 which passes around overhead sheaves e mounted on cross-head e fixed to the upper end of a standard 6 which is supported by the carriage, a drum 6 on which the cable is wound, so that thecable may be raised to lift the projector or paid out to lower it, and a crank 6 by which the drum may be operated. A ratchet e is provided to prevent the cable from unwinding. This exemplifies means for raising and lowering the supporting arm for the projector which is pivoted to swingv vertically and for locking it in desired elevation. I

The. motor H is mounted at one end of the carriage-frame and is adapted to furnish the power to drive the transmission gearing for the carriage and the elevator and the feed conveyor C. The shaft h of the motor H is provided with a pinion If. The transmission gearing K comprises a gear is which meshes with the pinion 11. a shaft 10 to which the gear is is fixed, and which is rotatably mounted and longitudinally slidable in bearings 70 of the gearcase; two oppositely facing conoidial friction integrally formed with an extension of said case; two oppositely facing conoidial friction pulleys k" and k", which are fixed to the shaft 10 and rotatable and longitudinally movable therewith; a large tapered friction pulley 7: with the opposite sides of which pulleys 7s and 7c are adapted to engage to drive it in either direction; a cross-shaft 10 which is journalled in bearings 70 which are fixed to the beams c; a sprocket wheel k fixed to shaft k a sprocket chain is driven by said sprocket-wheel and a sprocket-wheel k which is keyed to rotate the axle a of one pair of the wheels (1 which serve as traction wheels. A collar n is fixed to one end of the shaft 70 and is adapted to be shiftedlongitudinally by the controller lever N to shift the drive pulley is into engagement with the pulley k and in reverse direction to bring the drive-pulley [a into engagement with the pulley in", as well as into a neutral position, in which both of the pulleys In and 70 will be disen aged from the pulley is. Lever N is fixe to a cross-shaft n which is pivoted in bearings 71. which are fixed to one of the end beams of. The operating connection for lever N comprises an arm 41. fixed to the cross shaft; a link a pivoted to the free end of arm n; and a lever n? which is pivoted to the link, fulcrumed on the carriage frame at n and pivoted at n to a ring n? which is confined in an annular groove in the collar n. This exemplifies reversible transmission gearing for driving the truck in opposite directions and for controlling the gearing by means of a lever. An operators platform a is suitably supported from the carriage frame at one end thereof, so that the operator may ride on the carriage and conven-- iently control its movements.

The mechanism L for driving the elevator comprises a pinion Z fixed to rotate with the shaft a gear Z meshing with pinion Z and enclosed in the gear-case is; a shaft Z journalled in the gear-case k and in a bearing bracket Z fixed to the carriage frame, and on which gear-wheel Z is loosely mounted so it may rotate independently of the shaft; a sprocket wheel Z fixed to the shaft Z a sprocket chain .Z; and a sprocket wheel Z fixed to the shaft d tto which the elevator drive-sprocket d is secured.

The mechanism M for driving the conveyor 0 comprises an eccentric m fixed to rotate with the shaft Z a collar m held in a groove in the eccentric m links 721. pivoted at m to collar m; a lever on, to one end of which the links 072* are pivoted, a pawl 11?. operated b the level m"; and a ratchet wheel m which is fixed to the shaft 0 which carries the drive sprocket c for the chains 0 of the feed conveyor 0. This mechanism serves to intermittently operate the conveyor which forms the bottom of the reservoir to discharge a regulated quantity of the material from the reservoir into the elevator casing cl.

Lever O for controlling the elevator and 0 secured to one cndvof the reservoir B.

The operating connections for the lever comprise a depending arm 0 fixed to shaft 0', a link 0", pivoted to the free end of arm 0 an arm 0 pivotally connected to link 0* and fixed to a shaft 0 which is ournalled in the gear-case 70, an, arm 0, fixed to the shaft 0 inside of the crank case and forked to shift a movable clutch member 0 which is'splined to the shaft Z and adapted to interlock with complementary clutch teeth on the gear P, so that when said clutch-members interengage, the gear wheel Z will drive the shaft Z through the clutch, and when the clutch members are disengaged, the shaft Z, the elevator and the feed conveyor will be idle.

The operation will be as follows: Assuming the machine to be in position to receive a load of pulverized material with which the retorts are to be charged, the reservoir 13 will be filled with such material. The operator, by means of lever N will control the reversible transmission gearing to propel the carriage from the loading place across thefront of the furnaces orretorts until it is positioned adjacent the retorts to be charged. The projector head G may then be raised or lowered, if necessary, to bring the discharge spout g of the projector into substantial registry with one of the inlets to a retort. The operator will then shift the lever O to couple the gear Z and the clutch member 0, so that shaft Z will be continuously driven. The mechanism M will slowly operate the feed conveyor C to deliver pulverized material from the reservoir to the elevator D. The latter will deliver the material as received from the feed conveyor and discharge it through the spout d into hopper f on the projector arm E and onto the endless feed belt f which will feed the material into the casing g. The

'ery ofthe casing g and then forcibly discharged laterally through the spout g and the inlet m into the retort. The retort will then be closed as well understood in the art until the material has been properly smelted. The machine may, through the reversible transmission gearing K, be propelled into position adjacent different vertical rows of inlets w, and by raising and lowering the projector head, it may be positioned to project the material through the inlets at different elevations. Thus, the machine is adapted to fill any of the usual vertical or horizontal series of retorts with material from the reservoir B, until the load of material has been used. The operator will then operate the control lever O to stop the feed conveyor C and elevator H, and then manipulate the lever N to control the reversible transmission gearing K to propel the machine into position to receive another load of material from the overhead bin or other suitable source of supply. I .The invention exemplifies a machine for charging zinc smelting furnaces and the like, in which the charges are expeditiously thrown into the retorts by means of a high speed projector; in which the projector is mounted on a movable carriage which may -be readily propelled between different furnaces and to and from the source of supply of pulverized material; which is adapted to transport a large quantity of the material so that a large number of retorts may be charged from a single load to minimize the trips necessary .in loading the reservoir; in which the projector-is vertically adjustable to charge retorts located at different heights from the floor, and which is well adapted for use in charging zinc'smelting furnaces to expedite the charging and prevent losses which result from delay in char ing.

The invention is not to be un erstood as restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the a pended claims, without departing from t e spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In apparatus for charging furnaces, the combination of a movable carriage, a reservoir for'the material mounted on the carriage, an endless conveyor for feeding mate rial from the reservoir, a rotary projector for throwing material, provided with means to discharge laterally, into the furnace, and means for delivering material from the conveyor to the projector comprising an elevator.. I I

2. In apparatus for charging furnaces, the combination of a' movable carriage, a reservoir mounted on the carriage, an. endless conveyor forming the bottom of the c5 reservoir, a vertically movable-rotary pro- 3. In apparatus for charging furnaces,

the combination of a movablecarriage, a reservoir for the material on the carriage, an arm pivotally supported on the carriage to swing vertically, a rotary projector on and movable with the arm, an elevator at 7 one end of the reservoir for receiving material therefrom, a conveyor mounted on and movable with the arm for delivering the material from the elevator to the projector, and a motor movable with the arm for driving the projector.

4. In apparatus for charging furnaces having side inlets at different elevations, the combination of a movable carriage, a reservoir for the material mounted fixedly on the carriage, a projector for the material, comprising a rotor and a casing for the rotor having a single discharge nozzle arranged to project the material laterally, means mounted on the carriage for supporting the projector so that it may be moved vertically into position to project the material through said inlets, and means for delivering the material from the reservoir to the projector, comprising a conveyor movable with said projector.

5. In apparatus for char 'ng furnaces, the combination of a movabfie carriage, an arm pivotally connected to the carriage so as to swing verticall alon ide of one side thereof, a rotary pro ector or throwing material, mounted on the distal end of said arm, and means for feeding material to the projector.

6.'In apparatus for char 'ng furnaces, the combination of a movab e carriage, an arm pivotally connected to the carriage. so as to swing vertically alo 'de of one side thereof,.a rotary pro ector or throwing material, mounted on the distal end of said arm and provided witha discharge nozzle arranged to project the material laterally with respect to said carriage, and means for feeding material to the projector.

7. In charging apparatus, the tion of a movable carriage having laterally extending shaft at one side thereof, an arm pivoted to said shaft and adapted to swing vertically alongside of said side of the car.- riage, a rotary projector forthrowing mate rial mounted on the distal end of said arm, and means for feeding material to the projector. i

8. In if tion of a'movablecarriage having a later ally extending shaft at one side'thereof, an arm pivoted to said shaft and adapted to combinacharging apparatus, the combinaswing vertically alongside of said side of,

, rotary projector for throwing material mounted on the other end of the arm, means for feeding material to the projector, and

means for raising and lowerin the arm to shift the points of delivery of t e projector.

10. In charging apparatus, the combination of a movable carr1age,an arm arranged alongside of and substantially coextensive with one side of the carriage, one end of the arm being pivoted at one end of the carriage so that it may be swung vertically adjacent said side, a rotary pro ector for throwin material mounted on the other end of t e arm, means for feeding material to the projector, and means at the other end of the carriage for raising and lowering the arm to shift the points of delivery of the projector.

11. In charging apparatus of the character described, the combination of a wheeled carriage, a reservoir for the material mounted on the carriage, an arm pivotally supported at one end of said carriage to swing vertically adjacent one, side of the reservoir, a rotary projector for throwin the material mounted on the distal end 0 the arm, an elevator for the material at said one end of the carriage, a conveyor mounted on and movable with the arm for delivering the material from the elevator to the projector, and means at the other end of the carria e for raising and lowering the arm to shi t the points of dehvery of the projector.

12. A machine for charging retorts comprising a frame, a pivot on which said frame is supported for vert cal swinging movements, a projector at one end of said frame, a motor at the opposite end of sa1d frame, a

- conveyor supported by said frame for conveying materials to said projector, a recep tacle extending below the plane of sa d conveyor, elevator mechanism for del vering materials fromsaid receptacle to sa1d conveyor, and mechanism for operating sa1d elevator mechanism.

13. A machine for charging retorts comprising a pivotally supported pro ector, means for supporting said projector at different heights, a motor for operatlng sa1d projector, a conveyor for conveying materials to said projector, elevator mechanism for delivering materials to said conveyor, 'a container for the materials to be projected by said projector, and-a conveyor for conveyin said materials from said container to sa1d e evator mechanism.

14. A machine for charging retorts comprising a pivotally supported projector, means for supporting sa1d projector at different heights, a motor for operating said projector, a conveyor for conveying materials to said projector, elevator mechanism for delivering materials to said conveyor, a container for the materials to be projected by said projector, a conveyor for conveyin said materials from said container to sai elevator mechanism, amotor, and mechanism operated by said motor for operating said elevator mechanism -and said last named conveyor.-

15. A machine for charging retorts arranged in tiers comprising a conveyor operating transversely of the lanes of the axes of the retorts to be charged a discharge nozzle extending approximately parallel with the plane of the axes of the retorts, a projector for throwing through said discharge nozzle the material dumped from said conveyor, and means for supporting said projector and said nozzle at different heights in each of which said nozzle extends in a direction approximately parallel with its direction of extension at any other height.

16. A machine for charging retorts arranged in tiers comprising a conve or operating transversely of the planes 0 the axes of the retorts to be charged, a projector, an approximately horizontal nozzle for said projector extending approximately parallel with the plane of the axes of the retorts, a horizonta pivot supporting and permitting the projector to be moved vertically while the nozzle remains approximately horizontal, a device for moving the pro ector vertically, and mechanism for conveying material to and operating the projector in any of the ositions thereof.

17. machine for charging retorts arranged in tiers comprising a conveyor operative transversely of the planes of the axes of the retorts to be charged, a rotary projector for discharging material delivered thereto from said conveyor, an approximately horizontal nozzle for said projector, means for supporting the projector and the nozzle and permitting movements thereof to different vertical positions in each of which positions said nozzle extends in a direction approximately parallel with the direction of extension in an other position, means for moving the pro ector and the nozzle in different vertical positions, and mechanism for operating the projector in any of said positions. 4

18. 'A. machine for charging retorts arranged in ,tiers comprising a conveyor operating transversely of the planes of the axes of the retorts to be charged, a projector for discharging materials delivered tliereto from said conveyor, means for supporting the projector in different vertical positions, a discharge nozzle extending toward said retorts for charging the retorts with materials thrown by said projector, mechanism for operating said conveyor and said projector, a container for the materials to be conveyed to the projector, mechanism for conveying the materials from said container to said conveyor, and a device for regulating the amount of materials conveyed by said last-named mechanism from said container during a given period of operation.

19. A machine for charging retorts arranged in tiers comprising a stationary support, a frame ivoted on said support for vertical swinging movements transversely of the planes, of the axes of the retorts to be charged, means for supporting said frame in the different positions to which it is moved,

a nozzle extending laterally from one end of said frame toward the retorts, a projector in said frame adjacent to said nozzle, 'a. motor at the opposite end of said frame, a conveyor supported bysaid frame for con' veying materials to said projector, and mechanism for operatingisaid projector and saidv conveyor by said motor.

- Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 21st day of January, 1927.

WALTER E. NAYLOR.

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