US2258634A - Apparatus for cleaning the various surfaces of metallic articles - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 14, 1941. D. c. TURNBULL 2,258,634

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING THE VARIOUS S'J RFACES OF METALLIC ARTICLES Filed Dec. 6, 19:57 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 \NVENTOR ATTORNEY 1 4 Shets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY I D. CATURN BULL APPARATUS FOR CLEANING THE vARIoUs simFAcEs OF METALLIC ARTICLES Filed Dec. 6, 1937 Dal/Ia 6' 1 707154] Z Oct."14, 1941. D. c. TURNBULL AP1 ARATUS FOR CLEANING THE VARIOUS SURFACES 0F METALLIJJ- ARTICLES 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 6, 1937 VENTO :15 llm'nhdl ATTORNEY Oct. 14,1941. D. c. TURNBULL 7 2,253,634

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING THE V ARIOUS SURFACES OF METALLIC ARTIQLE S Y Filed DgC. 5, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 'vivw INVENTOR Jag-6 7211M!!! ATTORNEY The invention Patented on. 14, 194i UNITED Aryans-ms roa CLEANING 'rm:

STATES PATEN T orries" SURFACES 0F METALLIC ARTICLE David C. Turnbull, Mishawaka, Ind., assignor in The American Foundry Equipment Company, Mishawalra, lnd., a corporation of Delaware Application December 6, 1937, Serial No. 178,237

7 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for clean-' ing the surfaces of metallicarticles, such as metal castings, forgings, sheets and the like, and is particularly adapted to the cleaning of the various surfaces of relatively flat metallic articles which cannot be readily tumbled in a tumbling mill.

In accordance with this invention a plurality of fan-like, divergent streams of abrasive particles are projected at abrading velocities over predetermined paths and at various angles. The meapparatus for cleaning metal articles whereby streams of abrasive particles of divergent shape are projected and are so'positioned that all portions of the selected surfaces, including depressions, cavities, projections and irregular surfaces, are thoroughly treated, as well as the faces and edge portions.

all of the surface portions including depressions,

elevations, irregular surfaces and edges, are swept by the abrasive blast and effectively cleaned and treated.

also provides apparatus for carrying out the above described treating of the articles.- In one embodiment of the invention preferably there is provided a plurality of rotary centrifugal throwing wheels, each having .associated therewith means for controlling the spread and direction of the particles to produce a divergent, fan-like stream. The throwing Another object of the invention is to providean apparatus which is highly effective and is relatively simple to operate and may be made automatic or semi-automatic in operation, thus minimizing the amount of attendants or skill required by the operators.

Various other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing particular description and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by re ferring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof. in which:

wheels are preferably arranged to project one of the streams in a. substantially vertically downj ward direction while the other stream is projected in a generally horizontal direction. The wheels are positioned so that the streams sweep a predetermined area and preferably at various angles with respect to the article under treatment. A conveyor is provided for transporting, articles through the streams and preferably includes a rotatable frame carrying one or more work piece supports which preferably-are rotatable on the frame. The frame is suitably driven to advance the supports through the streams of abrasive and a mechanism, such as a belt, is provided to engage the supports during at least a portion of their travel for effecting rotation of the supports during the period when they are advanced through the abrasive streams. Suitable apparatus is provided for supplying abrasive particles to the throwing wheels and for collecting the spent abrasive after it has been projected.

An object of the invention is to provide a convenient and simple, but highly eflective, ap-

paratus for cleaning or otherwise treating various f articles of which one dimension is relatively small as compared with the other dimensions such, for example, as plates and discs of various types.

Another object of the invention is to provide Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of one form 7 of apparatus suitable for carrying out the invent on;

a Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; i

Fig. sis a side elevational view, of the apparatus shown in F18. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2 and illustrating particlarly the details of construction of one of the work-piece supports and associated mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a somewhat diagrammatic top plan view illustrating the frame and work piece supports, together with the mechanism for rotating the supports and showing the parts at a point advanced along their path of movement beyond the position shown in Fig. '2';

Fig. 6 is a somewhat diagrammatic top plan view of one of the workpiece supports and the direction taken by the'abrasive streams projected by the abrasive throwing .wheels, this view illustrating particularly the position and direction of the abrasive streams with respect to the workber or backing 28 and secured tional view corresponding to the showing of In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, certain specific disclosure of the invention is made for purposes of explanation, but it will be understood that the details may be modified in various respects without departure from the broad aspect of the invention.

The present invention is disclosed, for the purpose of illustration in connection with the cleaning of disc-like work pieces, as for example, stove plates. However, it will be obvious that the invention is applicable to the cleaning of a large number of different types of workpieces and that the particular apparatus disclosed is well adapted to operate upon articles other than the specific articles disclosed.

A housing is provided which may be of any convenient shape, but preferably has a generally rectangular portion defined by side walls 2 and 8, rear wall 4 and a front wall 5. The housing may be supported on a suitable framework 8 and may have a hopper portion 1 depending therefrom and extending into a pit 8. Extending forwardly from the main portion of the housing is an extension 9 having a hood lll'provided with an inlet opening H and an outlet opening l2, which openings may be suitably closed by flexible curtains l3 and I4. The floor l5 of the extension 8, may be formed with perforations for a purpose hereinafter described.

Disposed in the housing I is a conveyor 28 for carrying the work pieces around in the housing for suitable treatment. The conveyor 20 preferably includes an upright shaft 2| rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 22 and 28 and carrying a frame 24 including a plurality of radially extending arms 25. Rotatably carried on each of the arms 25 is a work piece support 28 which preferably is formed as a table.

The details of the work piece support are shown particularly in Fig. 4 of. the drawings. The support 28 includes a disc-like upper memher or top 21 carried on a disc-like lower memthereto as by bolts 28. The top 21 preferably has a downturned peripheral flange 30 embracing the edge of the backing member preferably is suitably secured, for example, as by an adhesive to the top 2! and completely covers the upper surface thereof and the fiange 38.

The backing member 28 is secured as by bolts 8| to a base 32, having a web or top 83 connected to and preferably integral with a hub 84. A series of stiffening flanges 35, which may extend radially, are provided. The hub 34 is journaled, as .by one or more bearings 88, on a spindle 81 inserted in a socket 38 carried by the arm 25 of the frame 24.

The spindle may be positioned by one or more nuts 88 and the bearings positioned in a convenient manner as by collars 48 and 4|.

The hub is closed by a top cap 42 seated in a shoulder 43 and by a bottom cap 44 abutting a flange 45, and having a seal 48 around the sleeve 48.

The base 82 is provided with a cylindrical pul- 2,ase,es4

ley forming 'fiange 41 depending from the web 88 and adapted to cooperate with a belt 55 hereinafter more fully'described. A lateral flange 48 extends from the flange 41 for preventing the belt 55 fromriding up out of normal position.

The conveyor is suitably driven as by a motor 50 which may be conveniently mounted on the top wall of the housing I. The motor is connected by a suitable drive 5| to a variable speed reducer 5|. The speed reducer drives a sprocket 52 over which is trained a chain 58, also trained around a sprocket 54 secured on the shaft 2|. Energization of the motor 50 rotates the shaft 2|, which in turn rotates the frame 24 to advance the work supports 28 along a circular path.

The work supports 28 may be rotated on the frame, about their respective axes, in a suitable manner, it being desirable that these are rotated at least during their movement through their abrasive streams. A flexible endless belt 55 is passed around th drum-like flanges 4'! of the work supports 58 and 8| at housing.

The pulley 58 is carried on a shaft 51 mounted in a pair of arms 58 secured on a shaft 58 which is swingably supported in suitable brackets 88 carried by a suitable supporting framework 88.

The pulley 8| is carried on a vertical shaft 82 rotatably mounted in bearings 83 carried by a supporting framework 8| which is fixed relatively to the housing. The shaft 82 is driven from a motor 84 which may be connected, through a suitable drive belt 85, to a variable speed reducer 81 having a sprocket 88 over which is trained a chain 81', which is also trained over a sprocket 88 fixed on a shaft 82.

When th motor 84 is energized, the associated mechanism is operated to rotate the shaft 82 and the pulley 8| carried thereby.. The belt 55 thus is driven and thereby rotates the work piece supporting tables with which it has driving connection. It will be noted that the belt 55 is engaged by the pulley flanges 41 of those work piec supports which are rearward of the front of the housing. The support 28 which is in the forward portion of the housing between the inlet and outlet openings does not have its pulley flange 41 in engagement with the belt 55 and hence is not rotated about its axis. This support is merely driven along its path in the forward portion of the housing. Thus the loading and unloading of the work piece support can be carried out conveniently.

A plurality of centrifugal abrasive projectors are provided and at least one of these is adapted to project an abrasive stream in a direction generally perpendicular to the abrasive stream fired by another of the projectors, the streams preferably being arranged to impinge against th work pieces on the work piece supports. In the opposite sides of the front of the present illustrative embodiment of the invention two projectors are disclosed, the projector A being positioned to project a stream of abrasive a in a generally horizontal but slightly inclined direction. Depending upon the particular problems which are to be met, the projector A may project a stream in a slightly downwardly direction, exactly horizontally or in a slightly upward direction. A second projector B is provided to project a stream of abrasive particles generally in a downwardly direction so as to strike the top surface of the work pieces carried on the work piece supports.

The projectors A and B may be similar in con- 28 and is trained around pulleys I struction and vary only in the manner of mounting. In the present illustrative embodiment, only the projector A will be described in detail, it

being understood that the portions of the projector B, not speciiically described, may be generally similar to the correspondingportions oi the projector A.

Each projector comprises a rotatable centrifugal abrasive throwing wheel provided with meansminating inwardly short of the center to define a generally central space 82. Positioned within this space and rotatable with the blades 8| is an impeller 83 having radially arranged vanes 88. A tubular control member 85 is disposed in surrounding relation to the impeller and is provided with an outlet opening 88. The control member 85 is mounted stationary with respect to the impeller and throwing blades but its position may be adjusted relative thereto for the purpose of adjusting the direction of flight of the abrasive particles. The throwing blades may be secured to and carried by a plurality of spaced side plates 81 and 88 and the wheel itself may be carried on a hub 88 fixed to a. shaft 88. The

shaft 88 is journaled in asuitable bearing or bearings 8| adapted to bear the weight of the wheel and shaft. The wheel may be rotated by a motor 82 connected to the shaft 88, as by a suitable drive 88.

The wheel 88 is positioned to project the stream a into the interior of the housing and the wheel may be disposed either within the housing, or partially or entirely outside of the housing, provision being made for the passage of the stream a into the housing. In the illustratlve form of the invention, the wheel is partiaily within and-partially without the housing and a casing 88 surrounds the exposed portion of the wheel. i

The wheel may be supplied with abrasive v through a feed pipe 88 extending through an opening 85 in one of the side plates 81. The abrasive may be contained in a storage hopper 81 from which the abrasive is supplied to the feed pipe 88 by a conduit 88.

Upon energization of the motor 82 the impeller and throwing blades, together with the side plates rotate and the control member 85 remains stationary. Abrasive is suppliedto the impeller 83'through the feed pipe 88 and is thrown by the impeller 83 through the outlet opening 88 and into the path of the throwing blades 8|. The abrasive is urged along the faces of the throwing blades 8| and is projected therefrom adjacent the periphery of the wheel. The abrasive is projected at high velocity in a fanlike stream, the spread, direction of movement and the impingement pattern or which may be controlled by the control member 85. Thus, an elongated impingement pattern is produced on a plane spaced from the wheel and generally otherwise modifying the surface characteristics of the article to be treated.

The projector B includes a wheel88b similar to the wheel 88 carried on the shaft 881: journaled in bearings 8Ib.- Thewheel 88b is driven from a motor 828 connected through a drive 8812 to the shatt88b.

The wheel 88b is positioned to project a stream b into'the housing I and may be partially closed by a casing 88b. The wheel 88!) is supplied with abrasive by a feed spout 88b which is supplied with abrasive from the hopper 81 by a conduit 88b.

The bottom 01' the housing I preferably has the form of a hopper, such as the hopper 1 which leads to an elevator I85. I! desired, suitable conveyor devices (not shown), such as screw conveyors, may be provided for advancing the spent abrasiveirom the hopper to the elevator I85, but in many cases the movement of the spent abrasive can be eilected merely by gravity.

The elevator I85 includes an endless member I88 carrying a plurality of hit buckets I81 and trained over drums I88 and 8 carried on shafts I88 and III respectively. The elevator is driven by a motor II2 connected by a suitable drive II8 to a pulley |I4 carried on the shaft III.

If desired, suitable screening and/or cleaning devices (not shown) may be provided for insuring that only clean abrasive tree from foreign particles, is supplied to the projectors.

The supply of abrasive to the two projectors is suitably controlled, as by valves IN and |2Ib located at the end of the conduits 88 and 88b respectively, and actuated by mechanism I22 and |22b respectively.

parallel to the axis of rotation thereof.

Although the term abrasive is used therein The operation of the apparatus is as follows: The motors 82 and 82b are energized to rotate the wheels 88 and 88b and abrasive is supplied to the wheels from the hopper 81. The wheels 88 'and 88h project divergent, fan-like stream a andb respectively across the path of movement of the worksupports- 28. The direction of the streams and their relation with one of the work supports is illustrated somewhat diagrammatically in Figs. 5,6 and 7 and it will be seen that the streams intersect at a portion or the path of the work supports.

The motor 58 is energized to drive the frame 25 and carry the work supports 28 in succession around a circular path. The motor 85 is also energized and this eflects movement of the endless belt 55 and the work supports 28 thereby are rotated about their respective axes.

One or more work pieces wp'are disposedon the work support 28 as it passes-along the extension 8 of the housing in which position it is'accessible to the operator. Upon iurther movement of the work support 28 it passes through the curtain I3 and into the housing. As,the work support 28 passes toward the rear of the housing, the drum-like flange 81 engages the belt 55 and the work support 28 is rotated.

Upon further movement oi. the work support 28' it enters the streams a and b (see Figs. 5 to '7) and abrasive particles impinge upon both the top surfaces and the edges of the work piece wp. The streams are of divergent, fan-like shape of substantial spread and the several portions of the streams extend at diflerent angles and consequently the various portions of the surfaces of the work pieces are struck by particles hurled from various directions. Thus, not only are the flat surfaces of the work pieces thoroughly cleaned, but any depressions, projections or irthat such protection axis which is vertical regulanporti'ons of the surfaces are exposed to aaeaess the action of the abrasivemarticles and also are porting surface of the latter is shielded by rubher or like material, as described above, usually the frictional resistance of the rubber is sumcient to prevent displacement of the work piece by the force ofthe abrasive streams.

It will be seen that the spreads of the streams a and b are suflicient so that the streams sweep a wide zone and the impingement patterns of the streams extend entirely across the path of movement of the work supports. The projector A is shown as positioned to project its stream a of particles against not only the edges of the work piece, but also against the faces. This supplements the cleaning action of the projector B and thus the work piece is struck by particles from a wide range of directions. If desired, however, the stream a may be controlled so as to sweep only the edge of the work piece. Furthermore; the stream b, being divergent, may be so directed a 'to strike against both the face and the edge of the work stood, however, that the stream a in the present embodiment .primarily cleans the edges and the stream b primarily cleans the face.

The several streams may be suitably controlled and directed so that each work piece is struck either simultaneously by both streams, or passes successively through the streams. Generally, it is preferable that intersection of the streams-and consequent conflict between abrasive particles, be minimized or avoided so that maximum elliciency will be obtained and destruction of the abrasive minimized.

The work support 26 continues to advance and passes out of the stream, preferably continuing to rotate until his entirely out of thestreams; As the work support 26 passes toward the front of the housing, it is disengaged from the belt 55 and rotation is discontinued. The work support 26 passesout through the curtain l4 and the cleaned or otherwise treated work pieces wp can be readily removed therefrom.

Preferably, the various portions of the apparatus which are most subject to wear or injury due to the wearing eifect of the particles are protected by soft coatings, such as rubber. The top surfaces and edges of the work supports are thus protected as illustrated in Fig. 4. The protection of other portions of the apparatus is not specifically illustrated, but it will be understood can be provided wherever necessary.

The mounting of one of the projectors on an or slightly inclined to the vertical permits thorough cleaning of the edges of the work pieces while in a horizontal position and particularly the edges, such as the outermost edges, which may not in certain cases be thoroughly cleaned by the other projector. Thus the work pieces can be conveniently manipulated and carried through the that in certain cases piece. It will be under-,

' said framework, means said continuous drivinf e while certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is 1. In an abrading apparatus, a housing having an enclosing top wall. gene ally circumferentially extending side walls, and generally radially extending end walls spaced apart to define an open loading area which is approximately one-third to one-fourth the area enclosed within said housing, a rotatably mounted framework having from two-thirds to three-fourths thereof enclosed'within said housing and the remaining portion thereof plurality of work sup rting tables mounted on for rotating said framework to advance said tables along a continuous path, a continuous driving element encircling said tables and engageable with said tables to rotate said tables during their passage through the housing, means operable independently of the movement of said framework for actuating element, means for supporting said driving e ment out of engagement with said tables during. the passage thereof through said loading area, an abrasive throwing cleaning zone by relatively simple conveying and manipulating apparatus.

simple, rugged and'ei'fective and can be operated by relatively unskilled labor at low cost.

wheel having a portion thereof projecting through the top wall of said housing operative to project a downwardly directed fan-shaped stream of abrasive having an elongated impingement pattern against the workpieces supported on said tables, said wheel being so arranged that the longitudinal axis of said impingement pattern extends in the general direction of linear advance of said tables, and an abrasive throwing wheel having a portion thereof projecting through the side wall of said housing operative to project a shaped stream of abrasive against the workpieces supported on said tables during the linear advance of said tables through said housing.

2. In an abrading apparatus, a conveyor, means for advancing said conveyor along an endless predetermined path, a plurality of worksupporting tables rotatably mounted on said conveyor, a housing extending over a substantial section of the path of travel of said conveyor defining a cleaning area, a section of the path of travel of said conveyor exterior to said housing defining a loading area, a centrifugal throwing wheel for projecting a stream of abrasive against the workpieces supported on said tables while passing through said housing, and means for rotating said tables during their passage through said housing, said rotating means including a drum member fixed to each of said turntables, an endless belt encircling all of said drum membersfla section of said belt being in driving contact with the drum members of said turntables during their passage through said housing, spaced pulleys positioned adjacent the loading area for maintaining said belt out oi driving contact with said tables during the pas,-'

nected to' said speed reducer.

3'. In an .abrading apparatus, a conveyor,

within said loading area, a

generally horizontally directed fan- I endless predetermined path, a plurality of worksupporting tables rotatably mounted on said conveyor, a housing extending over a substantial section of the path of travel of said conveyor defining a cleaning area anda section of the path of travel of said conveyor exterior to said housing defining a loading area, a centrifugal throwing wheel for projecting a stream of abrasive against the workpieces supported on said tables while passing through said housing, and

means for rotating said tables during their passage through said housing, saidrotating means including a drum member fixed to each of said turntables, an endless belt in driving contact 'with the drum members of said turntables during their passage through said housing, spaced pulleys positioned adjacent the loading area for maintaining said belt out of driving contact with said tables during the passage of said tables through said loading area, a swingable arm rotatably supporting one of said pulleys, the other pressed web portion connecting said rim and hub of said pulleys being fixed to a generally verti- 'cally extending shaft, spaced bearings rotatably supporting said shaft, a variable speed reducer operatively connected to said shaft, and a motor operatively connected to said speed reducer for driving said belt.

4. In an abrading apparatus, a conveyor, means for advancing said conveyor along an endless predetermined path, a plurality of worksupporting tables rotatably mounted on said conveyor, and a centrifugal throwing wheel for projecting a stream of abrasive against the workpieces supported on said tables as said tables are advanced. by said conveyor-advancing means through said stream, each of said turntables comprising .a relatively circular discshaped member-having a fully exposed, worksupporting surface, a drum-shaped member having a generally circular' rim forming flange, a hollow hub portion, and a web portion connecting said flange and hub portion upon which said disc is supported, a shaft fixed to said conveyor having one end thereof extending upwardly, a

bearing positioned within the hub portion of said dium member, a cap member for closing one end of said hub portion, and a rubber mat carried by each of said work supporting tables.

5. In an abrading apparatus, aturntable construction including, a rotatably mounted frame, an upwardly projecting shaft fixed to said frame, a disc-shaped workpiece support having a flange extending around the periphery thereof, a back ing plate for said disc member, means for removably securing the disc member to said back-' ing plate, a drum-shaped member secured to said backing plate for supporting said disc memportions, a bearing positioned within said hub portion into which the end of said shaft extends.

a, sealing cap positioned within the depression in said web for sealing the open end of said hub portion, a workpiece-supporting table fixed to and overlying said drum member and substantially protecting said drum member from the abrasive stream, a continuous belt adapted to engage the rim portion of said drum member to rotate'said workpiece-supporting table, and means for driving said belt independently of the advancing speed of said conveyor.

'7. In an abrading apparatus, a vertically extending supporting pedestal, a supporting framework rotatably supported on said pedestal, means including a driving motor and a variable speed reducer for rotating said framework, a, plurality of article-supporting tables rotatably mounted on said framework, means including a driving element operatively connected to said tables for rotating them prior to, during, and after their travel through an abrading zone, a driving motor and. a variableJspeed reducer operative to drive said driving element and rotate said tables independently of the speed of rotation of said framework, a housing enclosing from two-thirds to three-fourths of said framework and tables defining a cleaning chamber surrounding said abrading zone, said housing leaving a generally V-shaped area uncovered which defines a loading zone, an abrasive throwing wheel rotatably mounted on the top wall of said housing operative to project a downwardly directed stream of abrasive particles upon the workpieces supported on' said tables during the advance of said tables through said abrading zone, and an abrasive throwing wheel rotatably mounted on a side wall of said housing operative to project a generally horizontally directed stream of abrasive against the workpieces supported on said tables during their passage through said abrading zone, and separate driving means for rotating said abrasive throwing wheels.

DAVID C. TURNBULL.

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