US2507291A - Proportional mixing means - Google Patents

Description

May 9, 1950 H. WRIGHT ET AL, 2,57,29l

PROPORTIONAL MIXING MEANS Filed March 27, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet l OOO OOO

.May 9, 1950 H. WRIGHT ET AL. 2,507,291

PROPORTIONAL MIXNG MEANS Filed March 27, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 9, 1950 PROPORTIONAL MIXING MEANS Harold Wright, De Kalb, and Charles E. Blackman, Waterman, Ill., assignors to De Kalb Agricultural Association, nc., De Kalb, lll., a corporation of Delaware Application March 27, 1947, Serial No. 737,640

This invention relates to an apparatus and a method for mixing materials. It has for one object to apply material to grain. This material may be a fungicide or any other material which it is desired to add to grain. An object is to provide means for mixing a dry ingredient with dry grain in measured proportions.

Another object is to provide a mechanism which will automatically mix and proportion grain and fungicide.

Other objects will appear from time to time throughout the specification and claims.

This invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Y

Figure 1 is a plan View of one form of the device;

Figure 2 is a side elevation with parts broken away and parts in section;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on v`an enlarged scale at line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken at line 4 5-4 of Figure 3 on a further enlarged scale; and

Figure 5 is a section taken at line 5-5 of Figure 2 on an enlarged scale.

Like parts are indicated by like characters throughout the specification and the drawings.

In the form shown, the invention comprises a rotary mixing member or assembly and two hoppers through which two types of material may be furnished for mixing. It also includes a conveyor for carrying material from one hopper and .for introducing it into the rotary member or assembly.

The device may conveniently be supported on a foundation I and comprises a xed outer drum or cylinder 2 which may be made in any manner. As shown, it is made of a single sheet given a cylindrical shape, and it is provided with members 3 which are secured together by bolts 4. At each end the drum or cylinder 2 is provided with supporting and closing plates. At the receiving end a plate 5 is secured to the drum 2 in any desired manner, and at the discharge end a plate 6 is similarly secured.

Mounted within the member 2 is a rotating cylinder 'l within which is a driving shaft 8. Spokes 3 connect the cylinder to the shaft. At its outer end the shaft 8 passes through a discharge or outlet housing I which is open at its 13 Claims. (Cl. 259-3) bottom, as at II. The shaft is carried in bearings I2Z I2 and carries a driving pulley I3. At the inlet end the cylinder I is carried on rollers I4, I4 which are supported on pins or shafts I xed to the end wall 5. The cylinder 1 is thus carried at one end by the shaft 8 on the bearings I2 and at the other end on the rollers I4. The cylinder 'l may be driven in any manner. As shown it is .v driven by a belt I 6 which is positioned about the pulley I3 and is also positioned about a smaller pulley I'I which is mounted on a shaft I8 carried in bearings I9, I9. Power is applied to the shaft I8 by the pulley 20. Within the cylinder 'I are xed several helically arranged conveying and mixing vanes 2|. They may be interrupted, as at 22, if desired.

`Since the machine operates with dry ingredients, dust may be present or may be generated and, if desired, a vent pipe 23 may be in communication with the housing I0 and suction may be applied to the pipe 23 to establish an air current. The housing 2 is made dust-tight so that dust does not escape through it.

Generally the material which is to be treated is grain and a hopper 24 is provided. It is conveniently carried upon a support 25 which may be xed to the end plate 5. The support, if desired, may be integral with the hopper 24. A slidable shutter or valve 26 is provided with an opening 27 and is positioned beneath the hopper 24 and may be provided with a handle portion 28 by means of which it may be moved back and forth to a position of adjustment suitable for the quantity of grain or other material which is passed through.

Beneath the hopper 24 is positioned a chute 29 which communicates with an opening 30 in the end wall 5. A ring-like member 3| may be positioned in the opening 30 to extend into the cylinder 'I. If desired, the cylinder 'I is provided with an end wall 32 through which the member 3I extends.

The control valve 33 is mounted on a. shaft 34 and lies under the opening 2'I of the shutter or valve 26 and correspondingly under the open bottom of the hopper 24. A counterweight 35 is adjustably mounted on an arm 36 which is fixed on the shaft 34 by means of a collar 31. At its opposite end, particularly as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the shaft 34 carries a switch 38. This switch may conveniently be a mercury switch. Whatever its construction, it is opened and closed by variations in its angular position as determined by movement of the shaitr34 under the influence of the grain falling upon the member 33. The-switch St controls the operation of the feeding device which wili be described below.

rhe means for feeding the second ingredient or material include a hopper 3e which is provided with a discharge opening 40 in its bottom. Material passing through the opening 49 is deposited upon the'upper surface of a conveying member l, which may bepro'vided withL a flexible cover 42. rhemember l is carried upon a'plurality of springs which are xed to it, as at 44, and which at their opposite ends, as at 45, are xed upon a base member fit. An electro'rnagnet.el` carried on a suitable base te and an armature li is fixed adjacent the maget'fhsshowr'i, itisV carried upon one of the springs @3fy 'Arheostat 5E) is in circuit with the magnet 41,' whichis also in circuit with the switch 38. A switch 5I is in circuit with the magnet i? and may be 'operated' to turn the current oii and on. A handle. 512 is provided for the rheostat and by means f the handle the rheostat may be adjusted to vary the amount of current reaching the "magneti Automatic meansV are provided in the electric assemblyto cau'sea pulsating'currentso that the magnet is constantlyenergized' and der-energized. When'it is energized it attracts ther armature "i9 and moves the member iii tov the right from the position shown Figure 2. `When` the mag--V net is cle-energized thesprings B3 return 'the member fili to the position shown in Figure 2.' Thus the pulsating baclvva'rdv and forward move: ment of the member el is effective to vcarry ma'-v terial from theY hopper 39 forwardly to the left. as shown in ligures 2 and 3, and to deposit the, material inside ofthe cylinder i whereit 'is mixed' with the material entering from the hopper 2lir through the Chute 2.9.- The quantity of material fed alongl the conveying` 'of 'mberll is determined and may be varied bythe. setting off the"rheofV satan.'

Wires. connect the rheostat, the magnet, the switch 28 and the other Darts Qfi the? lctrf4 assembly in circuit.l if desired, a hou 'ng 54 may', bek provided for the, svviibchji- Whlai't. word/ik narily not necessary'V in 'av dry system, heatingV means such as the heating bar'r' shown'in Fi 4 may be added, if desired'. 'v

The conveying memberwhich includesthe part el andthe electrical assembly is not' the' object ofy the present invention; and :such conveying.' assemblies are available on the marl'et` today.

'Although we have shownAV an operative'form of our invention, it willbe recognized that many changes in the form, vshape and arrangement off parts vcan be made without departing yfrom,"'the spirit of the invention, and ourshowinfg isftherefore to be taken as, in a sense', diagrammatic.`

'The use "and operation of this inventionzare as follows:

With the device assembled asshown, one mate- Yrial is furnished tothe hopper 2e andfanother to the hopper 39. The cylinder u'l i'sl'ro'tatd; the electric circuit is completed-to the magnet ALeXp-t for the positionering switches:

As the material falls 'through the Vhopper 24, it comes upon the member 3`3'and itsweight, tilts that member downwardly, thusmoving the switch Beto' a positionin which' the'circuitto the magnet il is completed; With'zthe ,circuittopthe' magnet thus completed, thecQnveyor/ i `is actu?M to. pcgetlvemehamcal meant for conveying. m eated and material is conveyed from the hopper 39 to the cylinder i. Thus so long as material is fed through the hopper '2e and the switch 38 is held in the position to complete the circuit, the two classes of material are fed in predetermined proportions to the cylinder 1.

Thus so long as material is fed through the hopper 21% and the switch 38 is held in the position to complete the circuit, the two classes of material are fed in predetermined proportions to the cylinder 5. In that cylinder they are moved and mixed from the right to the l'eIty toward the discharge end and are discharged into the housing It. The heavier materials fail outwardly through the opening H. Suction will generally be'applied through the pipe 23 to establish the direction of air ow through the device and to prevent any baci;v current or back iiow through the opening at the inlet and where the grain and otherrnaterial enter. The degree of suction may becontrolled by an adjustable butterfly valve 23', it desired.

' Should theow of` material through the hopper a@ stop, the counterweight 35 will carry the member 4Stilmithe position of Figure 3, and in that position the switch er will be moved to the position in4 which it will break the circuit, and the magnet i will be de-energized -and the convey eiwill be stopped. The rheostat 53 may be, a justed to control the operation of the conveyor filA 'and thus to controi'the relative quahtity'of;

40. Iit into said member, a gravity responsive memo, member V''positioned"in )thefpath of. saidl"ma hopper, and a' switch mounted material from the hopper 39 which is mixedwith the material from the hopperY 2,4. d' We claim: Y Y

l. In combination in a mixing and proportion@ ing apparatus, a combined mixing and conveying member, and-means for movingF it, a main hoppen and means for conveying material from itirit said member, a secondary hopper, and positive mechanical means for conveying material rfrom ber positioned inthe path of said'main hopper, and a member adapted to be moved by.Ik f gravity responsivev means to stop the mechanical conveyor. A y

2. In combination in a mixing and proportion; ing apparatus, a combined mixing and 'conveying' Cylinder" and' pearls?. f'rl 'rotating it. a main hopper, and meansfo'r conveying material from it into said cylinder, a seeondary hopper and rial from it into said cylinder, a` gravity rfepnff, sive member positioned inthe path of s'aidmain hopper, and member adapted to be inovedby said gravinevV responsive meansjte step them Clinical Colli/.eveil '3'. Incombination in a mixing andproport' ing apparatus, a combined afrmixing 'and ing" cylinder, and means forv rotating it," af,

.ry 'ebrea electricalfmeans'lfor convey ngfmaterial, from it,

into' said avancer, electric @ligue means for a ating said electricalmeans', a.v gravity 'respons te be.. ired Y" S'to bfeafl-ttfqt saidffgravityv responsiveniean cuit) to Stop' the 'electricalfconveyorg"` 4. In combination for use in mixing. anlfprof.,

portioningA apparatus having'afmainhopp r, nd,

ingandconveying member, asecondary hopper,`

and mechanical means ,for conveying mate Aal,` from it intosaid-member, a gravity responsive;

hopper, a combined mixing and conveying member, and means for moving it, a member adapted to be moved Iby said gravity responsive means to stop the mechanical conveyor, and an airtight housing about said apparatus, and means i'or exhausting dust and air therefrom.

5. In combination for use in a mixing and proportioning apparatus having a. main hopper, and means l'or conveying material i'rom it into said cylinder, a secondary hopper and mechanical means for conveying material irom it into said cylinder, a gravity responsive member positioned in the path oi' said main hopper, a mixing and conveying cylinder, and means ior rotating it, a member adapted to be moved by said gravity responsive means to stop the mechanical conveyor, and an airtight housing about said apparatus, and means for exhausting dust and air therefrom, said exhausting means establishing a current of air in the direction in which material is moved by said conveying cylinder.

6. In combination in a mixing and proportioning means, a mixing and conveying cylinder, and means ior rotating it, members defining an inlet opening to said cylinder, and a discharge opening therefrom, a main and an auxiliary hopper, and means ior conveying material from each of them to the interior of said cylinder, electrically operated conveying means from said auxiliary hopper, and a member positioned in the path oi' material owing from said main hopper, a switch positioned to `be actuated by said member, and means adapted, when the material passing through said rst hopper falls below a predetermined minimum, to move said switch to break said circuit.

7. In combination in a mixing and proportioning means, a mixing and conveying cylinder, and means for rotating it, an airtight housing positioned about said cylinder, members dening an inlet opening to said cylinder, and a discharge opening therefrom, a main and an auxiliary hopper, and means for conveying material from each of them to the interior of said cylinder, electrically operated conveying means from said auxiliary hopper, and a member positioned in the path of material flowing from said main hopper, a switch positioned to be actuated by said member, said switch being in circuit with the means for operating said electrically operated conveyor, and means adapted, when the material passing through said rst hopper falls below a predetermined minimum, to move said switch to break said circuit.

8. In combination in a mixing and proportioning device, a cylinder, means for rotating it, means for conveying a plurality of materials to said cylinder in :predetermined proportions, one of said means including a hopper, and gravity directing means `for directing material from said hopper to said cylinder, and a second hopper, and a positive conveying means for conveying material from said second hopper to said cylinder, and a valve member .positioned in the rpath of material moving from said rst hopper to said cylinder, and means effective in response to variation of flow of material through said first hopper to interrupt the operation of said positive conveyor when flow of material through said rst hopper falls below a predetermined quantity.

9. In combination in a mixing and proportioning device, a conveying cylinder, means for rotating it, :an airtight housing about said cylnder means for maintaining a current of air through said housing in the direction oi move-fment of material conveyed by said cylinder, means ior conveying a plurality o1` materials to said cylinder, in predetermined proportions, one oi said means including a hopper, and gravity directing means -or directing material from vsaid hopper to said cylinder, and a second hopper, and a positive conveying means for conveying material tt'rom said second hopper to said cylinder, and a valve member positioned in the path oi material moving i'rom said iirst hopper to said cylinder, and means eiective in response to variation 0I' flow of material through said rst hopper to interrupt the operation of said positive conveyor when iiow of material through said iirst hopper falls below a predetermined quantity.

l0. In combination in a mixing and proportioning apparatus, a mixing and conveying member, and means for moving it, a main hopper, and means for conveying material from it into said member, a secondary hopper, and mechanical means for conveying material from it into said member, said mechanical means comprising a vibratory part and means for vibrating said part, a gravity responsive member positioned in the path of said main hopper, a member adapted to be moved by said gravity responsive means and thus to stop the mechanical conveyor, and an airtight housing about said apparatus, and means i'or exhausting dust therefrom, in the direction of movement of material passing through said apparatus.

11. In combination in a. mixing and proportioning apparatus, a mixing and conveying member, and means dor moving it, a main hopper, and means for conveying material from it into said member, a secondary hopper, and mechanical means for conveying material from it into said member, said mechanical means comprising a vibratory part and means for vibrating said part, a gravity responsive member positioned in the path of said main hopper, a member adapted to be moved by said gravity responsive means and thus to stop the mechanical conveyor, and an airtight housing about said apparatus, and means for exhausting dust therefrom at a variable speed, in the direction of movement of material .passing through said apparatus.

12. In combination in .a mixing and pro-portioning apparatus, a mixing and conveying member, and .means for moving it, a main hopper, and means for conveying material from it into said member, a secondary hopper, and mechanical means for conveying material from it into said member, said mechanical means comprising a vibratory part and means for vibrating said part, a gravity responsive member positioned in the path of said main hopper, a member adapted to be moved by said gravity responsive means and thus to stop the mechanical conveyor, and an airtight housing about said apparatus, and means for exhausting dust therefrom in the direction of movement of material passing through said apparatus, said vibratory part positioned to Withdraw material from said secondary hopper.

13. In combination in a mixing and proportioning apparatus, a mixing and conveying member, and means for moving it, a main hopper, and means for conveying material from it into said member, a secondary hopper, and mechanical means for conveying material from it into said member, said mechanical means comprising a vibratory part and means for vibrating 2mm-imei Said parir -a gravity `respnsive lmen/aberI` Y-positonedin thepath obsad-main-hoppenfa member. adapted to Jbe 1moved tby` said, .gravity mesponsve means and thus -to stop. the kmeclmnical conveyor, and an airtight housing Aabout 4said apparatus, Namel-meansfior exhausting. dust there, frm at .3, variable speed .in .thel .direction yof movement of .material Ypassingthrough said .21,11-V

paratus, said Yvibraizory-part positioned to. withdrawfvmaterial nfromsaid second-ary hopper.

HAR-QLDWRIGHT. CHARLES E. BLACKMAN.

UNITEDSTMES PATENTS

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