US2735510A

US2735510A - Stationary condenser

Info

Publication number: US2735510A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1956-02-21
Anticipated expiration: 1973-02-21

Description

Feb. 21, 1956 w p DOOLEY STATIONARY C-ONDENSER Filed April 28, 1953 United States Patent STATIONARY CONDENSER William P. Dooley, South Charleston, W. Va., assignor to American Viscose Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application April 28, 1953, Serial No. 351,676

3 Claims. (Cl. 183-57) The present invention relates to a novel and improved means for condensing or separating fibrous materials from suspenisons thereof in air or other gaseous medium. More particularly, the present invention relates to a novel and improved fiber condensing device of such construction that undue fiber accumulation adjacent moving parts is effectively eliminated.

In the textile art, the so-called fiber condenser. is, in many of the fiber processing operations, a very useful and oftentimes essential piece of apparatus. It is commonly employed to filter the various fibrous materials from a turbulent body or stream of air in which they are carried or suspended. Thus, for example, in conveying fibers from a conventional fiber-opening or other fiber? handling operation to a subsequent stage. of operation, such as packaging, relatively brisk currents'or blasts of air are oftentimes used and a fiber condenser is employed to settle or condense the fibers at the desired point of destination so that they can be readily processed thereafter in bulk or packaged, such as by baling.v M V In a similar manner, the fiber condenser finds ready application in fiber drying,.mixing, blending, and many other textile processing operations where currents or. blasts of air or the like are applied to the fibrous material. m

Fiber condensers used prior to the present invention commonly consisted of a perforated drum rotatably mounted in a casing to which the air-blown fibers are supplied. The interior of the drum is ordinarily divided into a suitable number of sections by a plurality of stationary valve plates or baffies which are secured one to the other adjacent the axis of the drum and project in a radial manner therefrom. At any given instant during rotation of the drum, some of the radial sections of the drum interior are connected to a suitable source of suction while others are not. Thus, as the drum rotates at a predetermined rate about the various stationary radial sections thereof, the air-blown fibers delivered to the casing are successively collected and discharged from the periphery of the drum. Considerable difiiculty has been experienced in preventing stray fibers from short-circuiting the evacuated interior portions of the drum and collecting adjacent its bearings in the casing thereby impeding its free movement and creating a fire hazard.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved fiber condenser wherein the undesired collection of stray fibers and the like adjacent its moving parts is substantially eliminated. 7

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.

In the drawing, which is illustrative of the improved fiber condenser,

Figure 1 is a section on reference line II in Figure 2 of one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a section on reference line II.II in Figure 1; and

Figure 2a is a perspective of a driving system.

2,735,510 Patented Feb. 21, 1956 In general, the improved fiber condenser of the present invention comprises an enclosed chamber with a fiber collecting screen defining a wall portion thereof, means fordelivering air-blown fibers to the chamber, and means externally of the chamber for alternately collecting the fibers on, and discharging the fibers from the screen. It has been found that in the use of such a device, the abovementioned undesired collection of stray fibers adjacent its moving parts is eifectively minimized. More particularly, preferred embodiments of the invention are concernedwith apparatus for condensing fibers suspended in a gaseous fiuid. Such apparatus comprises a receptacle, the upper wall of which has a plurality of fiber collecting screens spaced from each other. A discharge out-. let for the receptacle is connected to the bottom thereof. Means are provided for introducing a fiber suspension into the receptacle, and means are provided for periodically enclosing a region above each fiber collecting screen or pervious portion. Suitable mechanisms are also provided for alternately subjecting each enclosed region to suction and pressure to collect the fibers on the screens and to discharge the fibers from the screens. 1

One preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing. As illustrated therein, the air-blown fibers are supplied from a source not shown on the drawing and conducted upwardly through the conduit or the like 3 into the enclosed chamber or receptacle 4. The chamber is preferably constructed as a hopper having steep-side walls to reduce the tendency ,ofthe fibers to cling thereto. .The discharge outlet 4a at the bottom of the hopper extends down wardly to a suitable fiber-collecting means such as to a feed hopper for a baling press (not shown).

The condenser comprises a valve assembly generally designated as 5 and is preferably but not necessarily positioned above the hopper-like chamber 4 as shown in Figure 1 of the drawing. Accordingly, its housing member 6 is secured as by cap screws 7 and a gasket, if desired, to the top of the chamber 4. -The housing partition member 8 is secured, such as by the screws 9, to the ceiling of the housing 6 and extends downwardly therefrom, providing a support for a stationary cylindrical member 10 of the valve assembly 5. Top partition 8 and the diametrically disposed bottompartition 8a and member 10 divide the space within housing 6 into two compartments 11 and 12 preferably of about equal volumetric size.

Fiber collectors 13 and 14, which may comprise finemesh screens, extend between the sides of and the sides of the housing 6.

The cylindrical member 10 is enclosed at its opposite extremities as shown in Figure 2 of the drawing such as by the end plates 15 and 16 secured to the member 10 by screws,.the.- juncture therebetween being sealed by a gasket. The bearings 17 and 18 which are centrally-positioned in the end plates-support a fixed elongated tubular hollow shaft 19 which extends through the interior of the cylindrical member 10 and is closed at one end. by a cap 39. I

A hollow shaft or sleeve 20 carrying radially extending platesll and 22 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 19 between axially spaced collars 23 and 23a fixed on the partition 8a shaft 19. Drive gear 38 is secured to shaft 20. The

in alignment with the end walls 6a and 6b of housing 6. The perforations 10a of member 10 are located entirely in the peripheral zone of such member that lies between the planes of plates 29 and '31) regrsiess or howi far such platesarespaced froinw'alls 6darid6b'. The-peters tion's must also be disposed entirely betweenend walls 6aand 6b of the housing 6', a-coi'i'dnit 28 is co'r'ih'ecte'd to each end zone 26am 27 which zones ai' sufroiindedby non-perforated peripheral bands oftheifnmber 101 A source of suction is co'nn'ectedto conduits: -28 whieh suction pulls air from the ends of the cylindrical member 11) whereby reduced pressure can be produced in whichever half of the perforated zone o'f inember 10*(24 in the position showfin Figs. -1' and2') whichis in communication with endzones 2'6 and 27, I

The '

eriirircalar end plates

29 and 30 which are positionedfat' each end or the s'l'efidirfe'htbe'r serve with plates'21 and 22rd isolate one of the section's 24am] 25 from" the "othensec'tion' andfrorn the'ehd-chambers or z'o'nes 26"and'27. When one of'the" seetiafisza'er "25 is" so isolated; the suctionpulljlthro'ughthat-section is cut ort. One or "more we'ights'ZGa 'r' nay baseman to Shaft 20' to counterbalance the pla't'es29 and the positioa'shown 'in'Figure 1,- sections-5 i thus isolated and section 24 of the cylindrical ineinlier'lo isinkomffiunication with end zones 26,"27"and conduits"28' to the suctions ource or sources. The nelosed 'ofr isolated-se tion 25 il'r'tli'e position shown) tllylindi'iai member is adapted to be connected toanysiiita ble 's'oufceofpr'es sore notshown on the drawin -throu h apertures 34 in the portion of shaft 20' between plates '29and 30,- one of th'e' diametrically opposite sets 'of a'pertures 34a'- in fixed-shaft 19, and the bores Of Shaft 19, flanged coupling" 33; and pipe 31, the latter'being controlledby the valve 32.

The va'lve 32 in 'thepressnreline SI- is 'normallyurged to close the line by asprmg 32a which "acts againsta collar on the solenoid core 35 pivotally cohnect'ed"to a lever 35a which swingsthe valve core; I

flay suitatile r ans-may beprovided fonintermittntly' rotatir'ig the "shaft 20 with its -plates21,-22,- 29 and 30 which iniefie'ct' form a senii-eytindr'ical 'Valye core vvitliin theperfo'rated'zone of th'e'cylindrical member" 10; This rotating means is alsdopei'ativ'elyconnected with meansfor momentarily introducing ressure into the isolated Section (24' or '25 'within the iates-21, -2'2',- 29 and 30.- Tl'iis rotating ineans'cor'npris es an aec'triv'mororss (see Fi'gu'reila') connected-"iii a circuit comp'lris'in'glines 86 'iirid 87 connected to alsource iztf'pjo'wer indicatedby the legend Litre? -A- master swith' 88 is provided 'to s tart and stop'* the motor 85. During operation of the machine; the switch 88 rem'ains 'iiiclosed positionarid 'them'oto'r is driven continuously at a censtantcrteprspeedand i's connected through aredueiiori g'ear bx 8910 a cam-90. The iise'of'atii's'cam 90is' adapted to et switch91at periodic'intervais. This swim; 9l is onk nectdin serieswith'the fuse art-(tore solenoid-'92- 6f arelay h'aving a'retract'abl core 93 whichdhr'ing periods of-deenei'gization of the solenoid 9'2'i's'ur'ged in asuit'abl'e mannersu ch as By-spriri meaas or by grzifitwas shown-,- into e'ngagement with the notched control disc 94 for a single revolution clutch 95 the driving element of which'is' driven ontirruonsi -bya motor"96 w may gilsdbe c bjtlriie'dto the Line15y 'a iffi'if not ho in. Closure of the" switch 91 causesretraction ofthe core or l 93"and therotation of snares-r rat-a sifig'le' revol l the shaft at the comp etion of one retention beingstop d by there-engagement or the*di'sc94 by "the atten 3. The sh'aft'97 carries fixedly-secufed tlir'e n fon therewith a gean9'S'liavingha1f are iiifm'be'r rite-gear- 38 vvitlrvvhich it 'is "e' areas half? 20. A earn 99 is fixedly moiin ed on I ,7 rise as -adapted;magenta-toas ers of 'switc'h 1i a"- irchitcaaaprisiag'the solenoid 36. Thesivitch mafia v the rise of cam 99 are so disposed on shaft 97 that solenoid 36 is energized near the completion of each half revolution of the shaft 20. Preferably, switch 100 is reopened to de-energize solenoid 36 upon the completion of the half-revolution for reasons explained more fully hereinafter.

In operation, the various parts of the system may be assumed to be disposed in the relationship shown in Figures 1 and 2, The gaseous suspension of fibers enters the chamber 4 through the conduit 3 and is sucked up against the perforated screen 13 by virture ofthe fact that reduced pressure is communicated into the region 12 through the a ertures on the leftside of cylindrical member 10 (as viewed in Figure 1). The reduced pressure within the left half of cylindrical member 10 is communicated thereto through the

end chambers

26 and 27 and the suction conduits 28. After a predetermined rvaly a reasonably thick blanket of fibers is colwas the screens: and thecam 9t) closes the switch 91. The fre cjui'ericyof 'closureof switch'91 is determined by selection'of "the speed of themotor 85 and the reduction'g'ear 89 and these detailsare selected in accordance with the density"and' rateoffiow of the fiber suspension. Upon the closure of switch 91, latch 93 isretra'cted and the single-revohitioncluteh 95 rotates gear 98 through a single revolution"which rotates gear '38 and shaft 20 through ahalf-frevolut'i' so that the valve assembly comprising snarmoand '

p ates

21, 22, 29 and 30 is rotated from the position shown to'a position therefrom. Near the-end-of that half-revolution, cam 99 closses switch 100. This energiies solenoid 36 and opens valve 32. connecting the 'high pressure line 31 to the bore of shaft 19 andcausirigasiidden increase in pressure within the isolatedch'aniber 24' defined by

plates

21, 22, 29 and lftfarid thepe'rfo'ra'tedwall' at the left of cylindrical mam-- b'er'10 as'viewed'iiiFigure 1. This high pressure is communicated from the zone-M'through the apertures 10a to the regi'6n12- whicl'r eau's'es the mat of fibers held against the screen 13*to 'suddently released and to fall downwardly to thecollection receptacle. The setting of cam 99 inay'be sddispbsed that the introduction of the high pressure air into the zone 24 occurs as partition 22 passes the-iipperm'ost rowof the perforations 1011 on the left h de of cylindrical'm'ember 10, such row of perforaing spaced*from the top of the member10 by ziaunperfdratd strip of' 'substantial width x. For example; this' 'rnay be e'flect'ed when partition 22 passes through tlie'dotted liiie' position shown. Similarly, on

, conduits28- ig-"gradssny traitsfef'r'e'd from one region such I tirs-mamas region, suchas re ion gorebnrs'egat are sonar-anon or the half-revolution of the isolatingvalve core,-'thesuction is continuously applied to tli bac'li of the new -s'creen surface, such 1 as at 14 in theiiistance iust'n'ientioned.

Thil's,-fibers arealt'einately collected on one of the screens 13 and 14 and alternately discharged from such s'cre ris aft'r building-up to predetermined thickness during predetermined n'iintefva'ls coritro'lledby the cam 90. All of tirelaoyiiigpins' in thesysteni'a're spaced b'akfof the collecting screens 13 and 14, thereby avoiding the tendency of fibers i6 testaetfac'ked throiigh "the spaces between relatively moving parts as occurred in prior devices where the collecting screen itself was moved.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, the description is intended to be illustrative only and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for condensing fibers suspended in a gaseous fluid comprising a chamber having a pervious wall, a fiber introducing conduit connected with the chamber, a housing enclosing the pervious wall of the chamber, end plates for the housing, a perforated cylindrical member within the housing, a mounting for the cylindrical member, the cylindrical member and its mounting dividing the housing into a pair of compartments, a hollow fixed shaft within the cylindrical member which shaft lies concentrically with the member and is supported by the housing end plates, one end of said shaft being connected with a pressure source, a tubular shaft rotatably mounted on the fixed shaft, radially and axially extending plates se cured to the tubular shaft which plates extend into close clearance with the inner periphery of the cylindrical member to divide the interior of the cylindrical member into two compartments, two semicircular plates secured to the rotatable tubular shaft at points spaced inwardly from the housing end plates and extending radially to the inner periphery of the cylindrical member, said axially extending plates and semicircular plates forming with the shaft an isolation valve adapted to divide an intermediate zone within the cylindrical member into two semicylindrical sections isolated from one another and to provide end chambers in the cylindrical member which communicate with only one of the semicylindrical sections, the periphery of the cylindrical member being perforated in the intermediate zone only; means for intermittently rotating the tubular shaft, suction conduits leading into the end chambers, apertures in the fixed hollow shaft and in the rotatable tubular shaft for providing intercommunication between the bore of the fixed shaft and the semicylindrical section of the cylindrical member which is not in commnnication with the end chambers whereby air under pressure may be introduced into the non-communicating section of the cylindrical member a normally closed valve positioned in the hollow shaft; and means for periodically opening the valve.

2. An apparatus for condensing fibers which are suspended in a gaseous fluid comprising a chamber having a pervious wall, a fiber introducing conduit connected with the chamber, a housing positioned over the chamber and enclosing the pervious chamber wall, end plates for the housing, a perforated cylindrical member positioned within the housing, a mounting for the cylindrical member, said cylindrical member and mounting dividing the housing into two compartments, suction conduits leading into the housing interior adjacent the housing end plates whereby air may be withdrawn upwardly through the pervious wall of the chamber into the housing and the cylindrical member and outwardly through the ends of the cylindrical member to draw the fibers against the pervious chamber wall, means within the cylindrical member supported by the housing end plates for alternately directing air under pressure into each compartment to blast the fibers from the pervious chamber wall, and intermittently rotating closure plates secured to the means for supplying air under pressure for alternately closing off the suction through one-half of the cylindrical member.

3. An apparatus for condensing fibers which are suspended in a gaseous fluid comprising a chamber having a pervious wall, a fiber introducing conduit connected with the chamber, a housing positioned over the chamber and enclosing the pervious chamber wall, end plates for the housing, a perforated cylindrical member positioned Within the housing, a mounting for the cylindrical member, said cylindrical member and mounting dividing the housing into two compartments, suction conduits leading into the housing interior adjacent the housing end plates whereby air may be withdrawn upwardly through the pervious wall of the chamber into the housing and cylindrical member and outwardly through the ends of the cylindrical member to draw fibers against the pervious wall of the chamber, a hollow shaft extending through the cylindrical member and supported by the end plates, diametrically opposed apertures in the shaft opening into each compartment, an apertured rotatable sleeve mounted on the shaft, means for intermittently rotating the hollow shaft, said apertures of the rotatable sleeve being adapted to lie in alignment with the shaft apertures when the sleeve is at rest whereby air under pressure may be alternately introduced within each compartment of the cylindrical member through the hollow shaft and the sleeve apertures to blast the fibers from the pervious wall, and closure plates secured to the rotatable sleeve for alternately closing off the suction through one-half of the cylindrical member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,031,454 Bilde Feb. 18, 1936 2,500,747 Ellis Mar 14, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 205,462 Switzerland Sept. 1, 1939 729,916 France May 3, 1932

Claims

1. APPARATUS FOR CONDENSING FIBERS SUSPENDED IN A GASEOUS FLUID COMPRISING A CHAMBER HAVING A PERVIOUS WALL. A FIBER INTRODUCING CONDUIT CONNECTED WITH THE CHAMBER, A HOUSING ENCLOSING THE PERVIOUS WALL OF THE CHAMBER, END PLATES FOR THE HOUSING, A PERFORATED CYLINDRICAL MEMBER WITHIN THE HOUSING, A MOUNTING FOR THE CYLINDRICAL MEMBER, THE CYLINDRICAL MEMBER AND ITS MOUNTING DIVIDING THE HOUSING INTO A PAIR OF COMPARTMENTS, A HOLLOW FIXED SHAFT WITHIN THE CYLINDRICAL MEMBER WHICH SHAFT LIES CONCENTRICALLY WITH THE MEMBER AND IS SUPPORTED BY THE HOUSING END PLATES, ONE END OF SAID SHAFT BEING CONNECTED WITH A PRESSURE SOURCE, A TUBULAR SHAFT ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON THE FIXED SHAFT, RADIALLY AND AXIALLY EXTENDING PLATES SECURED TO THE TUBULAR SHAFT WHICH PLATES EXTEND INTO CLOSE CLEARANCE WITH THE INNER PERIPHERY OF THE CYLINDRICAL MEMBER TO DIVIDE THE INTERIOR OF THE CYLINDRICAL MEMBER INTO TWO COMPARTMENTS, TWO SEMICIRCULAR PLATES SECURED TO THE ROTATABLE TUBULAR SHAFT AT POINTS SPACED INWARDLY FROM THE HOUSING END PLATES AND EXTENDING RADIALLY TO THE INNER PERIPHERY OF THE CYLINDRICAL MEMBER, SAID AXIALLY EXTENDING