US2836519A - Sugar diffusing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

y 1958 4 P. RUTH 2,836,519

SUGAR DIFFUSING APPARATUS- Filed Jan. 16, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

Joseph P. Ruth ATTORNEY y 27, 1958 J. P. RUTH 2,836,519

, SUGAR DIFFUSING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 16, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

Joseph R Ruth AT TORNE Y May 27, 1958 J. P. RUTH 2,836,519

SUGAR DIFFUSING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 16, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY y 27, 1953 J. P. RUTH SUGAR DIFFUSING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 16, 1956 hill INVENTOR.

Fig. 9

ATTORNEY SUGAR DH FUSING APPARATUS Joseph P. Ruth, Denver, Col-o.

Application January 16, 1956, Serial No. 559,479

18 Claims. (Cl. 127-7) As a development from and an improvement in certain respects over the apparatus disclosed in my pending application for United States Patent filed August 1, 1952, Serial No. 392,151, new Patent No. 2,749,258, this invention relates to apparatus for the extraction of sugar content from sugar beet material, and the like, and has as an object to provide a novel and improved means for the continuous leaching of sugar content from such material with expedition and eliiciency.

sugar beet or analogous material for extraction of the sugar content therefrom.

A farther object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved construction and operative correlation of elements constituting a diflusing cell, or unit, for the continuous leaching of sugar content from sugar beet material, or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved diffusing cell, or unit, for the continuous extraction of sugar content from sugar beet material, or the like, that is promotive in operation of novel circulation of its contents and enhancive of the sugar content recovery accomplished therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel improved diffusing cell, or unit, for extraction of sugar content from sugar beet material, or the like, that accommodates regulation and control of various factors pertinent to the eificient recovery of sugar content during continuous operation thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved diffusing cell, or unit, for the continuous recovery of sugar content from sugar beet material, or

the like, that is characterized by means inhibitive of con estion within thevapparatus which tends to interrupt the eflicient operation thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved diffusing apparatus adapted for continuous operathat is simple and relatively inexpensive of construction and operative installation, that is economical of power required for its operation, that is susceptible of practical development in a wide range of sizes and capacities amenable to operative correlation with conventional auxiliary equipment, that is readily regulaole to accommodate variation of the material feed thereto without interruption of continuous operation, that is free from onerous maintenance and servicing requirements, and that is positive and efiicient in attainment of the ends for which designed.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and operative combination of elements as hereinafter set forth, point d out in my claims, and i lustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical section taken substantially axially through a typical embodiment of the invention as arranged ready for practical use, certain associated elements States atent not essential to an understanding of the invention being but diagrammatically represented.

Figure 2 is a cross section taken substantially on the indicated line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary, detail section, on an enlarged scale, vertically and axially through a fluid outflow assembly illustrated in elevation in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross section, on a further enlarged scale, taken substantially on the indicated line 44 of Fig. ure 3.

Figure 5 is a vertical section similar to Figure 1 taken substantially axially through a modified embodiment of t the invention.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary, detail section taken substantially on the indicated line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary, detail elevation, on a relatively enlarged scale, of an adjustable control means included in the organization according to Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary, detail elevation of means adjustably reactive to the control shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a vertical section, similar and on an enlarged scale relative to Figures 1 and 5, taken axially through an alternatively modified embodiment of the invention, an intermediate portion of the view being broken away to conserve space.

Operable to better accomplish the functions of the apparatus disclosed in my application above noted through structures generally analogous to that shown in said application, the instant invention includes a preferably-cylindrical, axially-upright tank ll} of appropriate size and material, closed save as hereinafter specified and formed with a circular opening centrally of its top end closure for the loose accommodation of a tubular, open-' end well 11 depending therethrough comially and interiorly of the tank. The open upper end of the well 11 projects above the upper end of the tank 10 and is supported by the latter for rotation about its axis in any expedient manner, as by means of an anti-friction bearing 12 operatively between the tank top closure and an annular flange 13 adjacent the upper end of the well above said tank closure, and any suitable power means, typified by an electric motor 14, is arranged in any expedient manner to steadily and uniformly rotate the well 11 about its axis as, for example, through a gear train 15 in driving relation with a gear 16 peripherally of the flange 13. In further analogy with the disclosure of my earlier application, the well 11 carries a continuous spiral flight 17 fixedly outstanding radially and exteriorly of the well to substantially bridge the area between said Well and the interior wall of the tank 10 in a pitch, or inclination,

productive of elevating etfect when the well is rotated in a predetermined direction characteristic of apparatus operation, and the inner cylindrical Wall or" the tank 10 is expediently vertically ribbed, as at 18, to minimize circulatory effects within said tank deriving from rotation of the well and its associated flight 17.

As in my earlier application above noted, feed of material to be treated is led to and through the open upper end of the well 11 in any expedient manner and through any appropriate means, such as a conduit 19 disposed for delivery to and centrally of the upper end of the well, as in Figure 1, a conveyor 2-0 arranged for similar delivery, as in Figure 9, or a hopper chute 21, as in Figure 5, and the water supply to the tank is had and maintained through a line 22 leading from any suitable source or supply of water through a flow-regulating valve 23 to deliver interiorly and adjacent the upper end of the tank 10 exteriorly of the well 11 therein. As in the case of my earlier disclosure, withdrawal of solution from the apparatus is bad at the zone of maximum solution concentration through an out-flow line 24 sealed through the bottom of the tank Ill to upstand in coaxial relationwith and upwardly through a majorlengthofthe well" 11" to terminate below the liquid level normally obtaining within said well during operation of the apparatus, and such liquid level is regulably determined and controlled by means of anadjustable weir trap 25, ex-

pediently of the general type and construction shown in my earlier application, wherethrough flow from the line 24 is received and directed to a delivery line 26 ina manner to apply adjustments of the trap weir for regulation and control of liquid level within the well 11, all in an obviousmanner. Feed of material to be treated through the upper end of the well 11, supply of water to the tank adjacent the upper end thereof and exteriorly of the well, withdrawal of solution from an upper zone of the well interior, and rotation of said well for elevating efiect characteristic of its spiral fiight 17,, combine to establish a circulation of thematerial to be treated downwardly through said well and upwardly through the areas of the tank exterior to said well in opposition to the cir; culation of water from the supply line 22 and, to the intake end of the outflow line 24, and to concentrate the leached'material in the upper end of the space within 'the tank and about the well 11 in position to be removed from the apparatus bymeans of a sweep 27, or, equivalent, carried by and for rotation with the well 11 in a disposition effective to divert the leached material ,for countercurrent circulation of water and material in and as a Charge of regulableflevel in a manner'facilitating continuous operation characterized by withdrawal of solution from a Zone ofmaximum solution'concentration, and the improvements of the instant invention, hereinafter set forth, are directed to'novelties of structure,

structural relationships; and operative correlations effective within the general organization above described to enhance the eiliciency and to promote the utility of the operations therein accomplished.

A first significant feature distinguishing the instant in vention from the disclosure of my earlier application is accumulation of material diverted from its -cireulatory' path within the apparatus and'to stimulate the leaching of such material as an incident of its agitation within and repetitious free circulation through the liquid charge.

A further significant feature distinguishing the instant invention is the provision of means for maintaining free intake flow of solution to the receiving end of the outflow line 24'within an upper zone of the well 11. Since the input of material to be leached is had adjacent and past the intake end of ,the flow line 24. through a rather restricted zone of the well 11, there is a tendency for the material to collect about the intake end of-said line, and to compact against any screen protecting said in take end, in a manner undesirably obstructive of outflow through the line 24 .and interruptive of material circulation through the apparatus. Operable as an incident of well 11 rotation to maintain the intake end of the line 24 open to free inflow and to inhibit compaction of material in obstruction relation with said intake, a self-cleaning screen isexpedient ly associated with the intake end of, the line 24 in a form and, construction typified in Figures 1 1, 3, and 4, ior in alternative .form. and construction as represented by Figures 5 and 9. As best shown in Figures 3 and 4, a self-cleaning screenoperable to accomplish the purposes of the invention is constituted as an assembly of like rings 31 concentrically arranged in spaced super-f position through the agency of spacer block's 32'and clamped between an upper header 33 and a lower header 34 by means of bolts 35 engaged through-registered ears 36 angularly spaced about and projecting radially from said rings and headers. headers 33 and 34 is a hollow cylinder: regularly and transversely slotted bythegspac e's between vadjacent rings 31 occasioned by the spacer blocks 32 and is :connected by means of the header 3t4 ,to an d in coaxial relation with the intake end of ith,e line 241.to upstand interiorly theprovision at the lower end of thetank 10 of a lower end closure for the tank in the form of an annular trough of the well 11 below theliquid level obtaining therewith- V in. The lowerheader, 34 is formed-with a central throat adapted to register withtthefintake, end of thezlinev 24 and a spider 37- partially obstructing said throat supports a step bearing 38 coaxial with said throat and the ring and header assembly. The-upper header- 33,is formed with a bearing 39 therethrough which aligns axiallyof the ring and header assembly with the step bearing.38,.-and a shaft 40 is rotatably engaged through the bearing 39 and traverses the ring and header,assembly toirotatable engagement of its lower end within the step bearing38;,the

' said shaft lflprojecting upwardlyibeyondthe header 33 29'having the generalform of a hollowftor is bisected 7 by a plane perpendicular to the' axis of its generation,

which-annular trough 29 is conveniently semi-circular in an arc closing between the wall of the tank 10 and the surface of the outflow line 24 in an arrangement whereof the concavityregisters and combines with the tank interior, thus'to direct the trough convexity'outwardly and downwardly of the 'ta'nkythe concavity of the, annular:

in fixed engagement adjacent its upper endand above the liquid level normally obtaining within the well 11 with an arm 41 fixedly instanding from, and radially of the well 11 for rotation therewith; Thus, theassembly of rings 31 and headers 33 and 34 is fixed and held against a rotation interiorly of the well by virtue of its connection with the'fixed outflow line 24 and the shaft 49 is' held,

between the, headers 33and 34in individual registration with the spaces between adja-cent'rings' 31' are conditioned to rotate withsaid shaft relative to the associated nular trough 29 and to inhibitjcompactiori of suchijmaiterial within said trough andhenceQaweyIfrom, the di-'f rec't influence of the spiral flight 17', blades {3e fixedly de-. 2

pend in angularly spaced r'ela'tionf from the "lower end 1.

' of the well 11 within the said trough and in-"slightly,

spaced marginal confonnity therewith to each suhstan' tion effective to agitate andgdislodg within the tro gh and to circulate beyond the outer margiuof flieassociated ringfil, wherev by, 'as the fing'ers 42 are rotated vbetween andin clearing relation with adjacent .rings'31, the cam margins I material, w th e ced a hin de ied; a tnaiea'i iigby;

the" arrows in. Figure 1.

tank l0 and rotation of the yvell llcoact toinhibit ariy Thus, the conformation er, the

ringstandl to repetitiously clear the spaces.between the latter. Asjis "clearly shown in Figure '4, each of the fingers 42 is constituted as a web portion non-rotatably engageable withthe shaft 40Y-andan arcuate marginal portion eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation and conformed to .constitu te a cam :43 whereof the .end leading in the direction'of'r'ot ation registers substantiflly with theinner marginwof the associated ring 31 and the and trailing in theidirection of rotation overlaps outwardly 43 of said fingers .progressivelynrgematter encountered thereby outwardly-trons between the rings and exteriorly- The assembly of rings 32 and s away therefrom with a consequent clearing action on the screen assembly efiective to maintain an adequate path for the inflow of solution therethrough and to the intake end of the line 24. Inhibitive of material entrance to the ring assembly through the upper header 33, to prevent collection of infed material on said upper header, and to divert infed material to the well space exteriorly about the ring and header assembly, a frusto-conical shield 44 is fixed at its major base area to the header 33 and converges upwardly through the interior liquid level within the well 11 to a lesser upper end spacedly about the shaft 40. Promotive of positive material circulation through the upper portion of the well 11 and past the intake screen defined by the ring and header assembly, a spiral flight 45 is fixed interiorly of the Well 11 in an inclination such as to induce travel of material downwardly through the well as an incident of well rotation and in a uniform projection inwardly and radially of the well such as to leave clearance adequate for free circulation of liquid and material between inner margins of said flight and the exterior of the screen assembly just described.

The alternative, functionally-analogous, self-cleaning, intake screen arrangement represented in Figure 9 is constituted as a cylindrical, open-bottom hood 46 of a size to be received within the spiral flight 45 of the well 11 with adequate clearance for circulation therebetween, which hood is formed with a conical extension 47 rising from its upper end to terminate in a capped air vent 48 of usual construction. The hood 46 is telescoped over and secured to the intake portion of the line 24 to dispose the intake end of said line within the upward, conical extension of said hood and to dispose the upper end of the vent 48 above the normal liquid level obtaining within the well 11, whereby to provide for circulation of solution through the open lower end of the hood 46 and upwardly therewithin to the intake end of the line 24. The hood 46 and its extension 47 are so proportioned with respect to the well 11 and outflow line 24 as to provide, when said hood and extension are associated with the outflow line in a manner to dispose the intake end of said line well within the convergent zone established by said extension, that uprise of solution through the open lower end of said hood and through said hood and its extension to the intake end of said line 24 will be at a rate substantially less than the rate of material descent through the liquid charge and past said hood, thereby to obviate any tendency of the liquid uprising Within the hood to entrain material infed to the well. In the leaching of sugar beet material, it has been determined that such material settles through a water body at a rate from which the rate of solution uprise within a hood 46 and extension 47 assembly properly proportioned and correlated with the outflow line 24 may be difierentiated to such degree as substantially inhibits any entrainment of material with the solution uprising to outflow through said line. Automatically operable in reaction to rotation of the well 11, means for the dispersion of any material tending to collect beneath the open lower end of the hood 46 is expediently provided as indicated in Figure 9, and is typified as a spider 49 fixed to and bridging transversely of the well 11 in free rotatable relation with the line 24 just below the open end of the hood 46, and an angularly spaced series of screen finger assemblies supported by said spider. Each of the finger assemblies 59 is constituted as a succession of spacedly parallel, straight tines progressively greater in length from the line 24 and toward the wall of the well 11 disposed to trail at a downward inclination in the direction of well rotation and to spacedly underlie at their trailing ends the leading ends of the tines in the next and relatively trailing assembly. The hood 46 being fixed to the line 24 which is in turn fixed to the tank 10, and the screen finger assemblies 50 being fixed to the Well 11 to rotate therewith, it is obvious that rotation of said well operates to sweep the successive screen finger as semblies about and across the open lower end of the fixed hood 46 with dispersive efiect upon material tending to collect beneath said hood and with an initial impulse urging the material in the desired direction of further circulation.

Alternative to the foregoing, and as represented in Figure 5, the means for inhibiting entrainment of material with the solution outflow through the line 24 may take the form of a cylindrical screen unit 51, of any desired particular type and construction appropriate to pass solution free from the associated material, coaxially engaged with and to upstand from the intake end of the line 24 to terminate in a conical upper end closure below the liquid level normally obtaining within the well 11 effective to divert infed material to the open areas of well about the unit 51. Impairment of solution inflow through the screen unit 51 resulting from accumula- Lion of material about and against the intersticed walls thereof may be obviated through the provision of a pulsator of suitable type, such as a flexible diaphragm 5'2 vibratively reactive to a powered, eccentric drive 53, arranged, as through a mounting of the diaphragm transversely of and in contact with the liquid column confined within the portion'of the line 24 coaxially uprising Within the tank it, to cyclically pulsate the column of solution in the outflow line immediately below the screen unit 51 for the generation of impulses acting outwardly through the intersticed walls of the unit with dislodging effect upon the material collected thereagainst. When the pulsator is utilized to clear the intake screen, it is-expedient to provide a return bend 24 in the outflow line 24 between the pulsator and the weir trap 25 and to arrange said bend 24 as an inverted U whereof the closed base is above the level of intake at the screer unit 51 and below the overflow level of the weir trap, thus to provide a relatively longer liquid column adjacent and in balancing relation with the relatively shorter liquid column immediately below the screen unit which operates to concentrate pulsator effects in and through the shorter column and to substantially eliminate pulsator reactions at the weir trap A bleeder valve, or vent, 54 in the closed end and at the maximum elevation of the return bend 24' provides means to relieve airlock within and to assure full liquid charge of the solution outflow system just described.

While the spiral flight 45 in the upper portion of the well ll at an inclination to urge material downwardly of the well as the latter is rotated may be continued to the lower end of the well, or may be interrupted just below the self-cleaning screen comprised from the rings 31 and headers 33 and 34 to permit free settling of the material through the lower portion of the Well under the influence of gravity, a feature of the invention productive of circulations facilitating enhanced leaching of the material is the provision of a spiral flight 55, similar to the flight 45, fixed interiorly to and rotatable with the Well 11 in an inclination opposite to that of the flight 45 .effective to elevate material as the Well is rotated and as a reversed continuation of said flight 45 from a termination of the latter just below the self-cleaning screen and to the lower end of the well. The convolutions of the flight 55 intrude radially within the well a distance such as to leave a substantial open space between inner margins of said flight and the outlet line 24, through which space the material elevated by the flight 55 is free to descend and circulate in the manner represented by the arrows in Figure l, and elongated flat vanes 56 are fixed in angularly-spaced relation to and longitudinally of the line 24 to traverse the length of said line from the lower end of the well 11 and to the base of the selfcleaning screen in such projection radially of the associated line as to freely clear the inner margins of the flight 55; said vanes 56 functioning as the well 11 with its flight 55 is rotated to minimize rotational circulation or" the material and liquid within the lower portion of the well were stimulate :andxenha-nce the desired: circulation and agitation of the-material descending-through theawell-tsw Whereas represented by Figure 9, the ielevatingrspir al i With the lobes 56') present in partially-obstructing :re-

lation with the annular trough'ZJ, the blades 3%, hereto- 1 fore described, arenecessarily modified in shape to clear the endsof said lob s as said blades rotate with the well 11, or, alternatively, aidblades may bediscarded in favor of a tongue 57'," represented by broken lines in Figure 9, projecting from andtextending. the lower end of the spiral-flight 17 in conformable, clearing relation with the endsbf said lobes: and the arcuate portion of the trough 29 unobstructed by thelobes; said tongue functioning in an obvious manner to lift'and agitate material received within the trough and to recirculate such ma: terial as an incident of well rotation.

While the spiral flights 45. andSS have been-herein above described and are shown in'certain views of the drawings asiixedtothe interior wall of the well 11 in a predetermined direction anddegree of pitch. or inclination, it iswithin .the contemplation of the invention that said flightsrnay be arranged for selective variation of both direction and degreeof pitch in a manner accommodating selective adjustment thereof during operation of the apparatus; one practical organization of means effective .for such purpose being typified in Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8. Adapting the spiral flights 45 and 55 for selective adjustment of direction and degree of pitch, said flights may lexpediently be constructed as a succession of separate, .arcuate sired angular extent within a maximum of one hundred and eighty degrees, and each of said segments is fixed at the midpoint of its convex margin to a stub shaft 59 segments 58 of any dewhich projects radially from and in the plane of the associated segment to engagement at its free end in a hearing as radiaily of and opening-inwardly through the inner wall of the /ell 1 whereby to mount the segment within said well, expediently :adjacent' and in clearing relation With .thewinners.Wall thereof, and for rotation about an axis radially iof thewwells The bearings 66 are so distributedfcircumferentiallyland. asially' of the well 11 as to position. the segmentSiSEi-therebysupported in a desired and practical .relationshipuandoperative correlation with the screen and vanesassernblyl centrally of the well; it being expedient tosarrange said. segments forcoaction as spiral flights substantially. continuous in either direction of segment inclination. Adjustment of the segments .58 to, and retention of saidsegrnents in,a desired direction and degree. of inclinationnis the function of anendlesschain 61, or equivalent fiexibleconnection; engaged about .a sprocketfiz'fixed toxthmstubshaft 59 of a given segment 53 in the space between the latter; and the adjacent wall of the well 11 and extended upwardly along said innertwall. of thewell to engagement about a second sproclzetS fused to the inner end of a stub shaft fi 'jonrnalled in and through thewall of said well above the annular flange 13 supporting said well from and in rotatable relation with the tank 18. Eritefforly of the well 11, each shaft 64 fixedly engages with an actuating arm 65 whereby said shaft, and consequently the chain 51, sprockets 62 and 63, and associated shaft 59 and segment. 53, may be adjusted to reflect angular displacement of the shaft 64Pas.corresponding.angularndis;

"andentrainment iof -such-...materia-l wit p 7 .through the intake end. of said .line,.said latterv mean 7 placement of the associated shaft 59 and segment 58, and graduations, 66zamawbezprovidecleon .-the. .exteriorssurfac e-: of tthe wellioncoactionswith; one :endeofz thesarms 65in anyt expedient imanner; towisually uregister and; if desired; to yieldablyaetaintthe'. adjusted tpositiontof the :elementsli.. reactive'stotsaidi-tarmig With :a pluralityoofi'segmentsx53 coactingstoiconstitute raspiral flightin'zexcessof; one con-:1 volutiohstheasegments 10f :thesuccessive='convolutions areconveniently fligli6iid.:i0i1glillldlilflll=O @the welliin interconne on; of their :rsuccessive,:; soaaligned shafts =59.

by meansiot'aendless' chainshiiiniengagementoverrand 1. a

operatively betweenwsprockets 68 ZfiXedz-to.ssaidtrshafts; whereby angular adjustmentrof the uppermost shaft 1 and: segment :unit deriving fromamanipulation of ;thet.actuatis: transmittedato.=.andflvvitlricorrespondingtade justment t of tithe successive lower-segments; ofthe. night.

in a constructioncharacterizedgby thez chainsaoh and: as sociated;spr.ockets; within; the iuppenzportiontof: the wellw; j' 11 above-the; normal-,liquid;leveltherein', :it is prac cal-to a deliver the infed-fltaterid wsaidswell-i through chute,,-z-.or, operativelyeqn alentefacilitge h ring afixed; depending skirtiintersectings thei normal iliquid' levella 'ot the well through which material may pass to 1the' liquidii. charge-gob the apparatus; without[entanglementp in the chain. and vsprocket :assemblies adjacent the inner. at 'allpf t thGTf CH, such arrangement being typified bynthe :hoppen; chute ZI-Qf Eigure-S. V a

Asshould ,be manifest; the: variousginorel featnres r shown in one-or anotherofthe -several yiewsiof the'drai ings may. be separately utilized or variously; combined; in -=particular practical installations as ma ---.-be-,dee1ned' most-practical and expedient? Any of the formsof; he intake screen-herein disclcsedmay be utilized :with;eit hei= fixed or adjustable spiral flights-on the Well interior, with n or-without the pulsator adjunct, andwith or-withont=thc.=.rannularitrough 29 in 'operativeassociation with the blad 30 01 lobe and tongue arrangement 56 57; Eachaor the features hereinabove emphasized-contributes"to'en, hanced efficiency of sugarextraction from sugar beet ma utilized, and all of said features in operative combination contribute to an efiiciency ofextraction and a facilityofm precise operative regulationvof'major practical and eco;- nomic importance.

.Since changes, variations,- 7 and modification in the s form,'. construction, and arrangement -of the elements shownand described may be had Without departing from the spirit of my invention, I Wish to be understood being limitedsolely by the scope of the appendedclaims,- rather than by any. details of the illustrative showing and; forcgoingdescription.

I claim as my invention:

l. in sugar difiusing' apparatushavinga tank adapted 1 p to contain liquid, an open-ended, tubular well rotatable about its vertically-disposed axis in-a spacing of itslower end above the tank'fioor and an upward extension beeyond the tank, means for the infeed of sugar-bearing 2 material through the upper end andto the interior-of said: well, a continuousspiral flightfixcdexteriorly about and. rotatable for elevating-effect with said well, means; forthe continuous removal of elevated material from the. tank area exterior-to the-welhmeans for supply-or" water, to upper-regions of the: tank area exterior to the well an outflow line fixed.through-the'floor of the tank andzc n r trally of the we'llwith its intake end in anupper zoneoftthe well interior, a trap in said line exteriorly' of the, determinative of a normal tank liquid level-above the-in i5 take end of said line, and means for rotating saidwell V meansf or inhibiting gpngestion :o-f infed material.,about c .=outfiov comprising a tubular, circularlyaslotted screenfixed coaxially to, about, and rising above -theintake, f

endiof gaidiinefia conical uppert end closure on said.

screen.- :a emb1y i tersecting the; liquid. l vel planewde-r assume termined by said trap, a shaft coaxially journaled in and rotatably traversing the length of said screen assembly in upward projection through said upper end closure, an arm connecting the upper end of said shaft and said well for simultaneous rotation, fingers fixed to said shaft in rotatable engagement within the circular slots of the screen assembly, and eccentric outer margins on said fingers adapted to project at their ends trailing in the direction of rotation radially beyond the screen assembly.

2. in sugar diffusing apparatus having a tank adapted to contain liquid, an open-ended, tubular well rotatable about its vertically-disposed axis in a spacing of its lower end above the tank floor and an upward extension beyond the tank, means for the infeed of sugar-bearing material through the upper end and to the interior of said well, a continuous spiral flight fixed exteriorly about and rotatable for elevating effect with said well, means for the continuous removal of elevated material from the tank area exterior to the well, means for supply of water to upper regions of the tank area exterior to the well, an outflow line fixed through the floor of the tank and centrally of the well with its intake end in an upper zone of the well interior, a. trap in said line exteriorly of the tank determinative of a normal tank liquid level above the intake end of said line, and means for rotating said well, means for inhibiting congestion of infed material about and entrainment of such material with the outflow through the intake end of said line, said latter means comprising a tubular, circularlyslotted screen assembly fixed coaxially to, about, and rising above the intake end of said line, a conical upper end closure on said screen assembly intersecting the liquid level plane determined by said trap, a shaft coaxially journaled in and rotatably traversing the length of said screen assembly in upward projection through said upper end closure, an arm connecting the upper end of said shaft and said well for simultaneous rotation, fingers fixed to said shaft in rotatable engagement within the circular slots of the screen assembly, eccentric outer margins on said fingers adapted to project at their ends trailing in the direction of rotation radially beyond the screen assembly, and a spiral fixed flight interiorly about and rotatable for depressing efiect with said well marginally spaced outwardly from and substantialy coextensive in length with said screen assembly.

3. In sugar diffusing apparatus having a tank adapted to contain liquid, an open-ended, tubular well rotatable about its vertically-disposed axis in a spacing of its lower end above the tank floor and an upward extension beyond the tank, means for the infeed of sugar-bearing material through the upper end and to the interior of said well, a continuous spiral flight fixed exteriorly about and rotatable for elevating efiect with said well, means for the continuous removal of elevated material from the tank area exterior to the well, means for supply of water i to upper regions of the tank area exterior to the well, an

outflow line fixed through the floor of the tank and centrally of the well with its intake end in an upper zone of the well interior, a trap in said line exteriorly of the tank determinative of a normal tank liquid level above the intake end of said line, and means for rotating said well, means for inhibiting congestion of infed material about and entrainment of such material with the outflow through the intake end of said line, said latter means comprising a screen assembly fixed coaxially to, about, and rising above the intake end of said line, a conical upper end closure on said screen assembly intersecting the liquid level plane determined by said trap, a pulsator including a vibratory element operatively associated with said line below the intake end thereof with said element exposed interiorly of the line to altitudinally vibrate the contents of that portion of the line immediately subjacent the screen assembly, and a spiral flight fixed interiorly about and rotatable for depressing effect with .said well marginally spaced outwardly from and substantially coextensive in length with said screen assembly.

4. In sugar difiusing apparatus having a tank adapted to contain liquid, an open-ended, tubular well rotatable about its vertically-disposed axis in a spacing of its lower end above the tank floor and an upward extension beyond the tank, means for the infeed of sugar-bearing material through the upper end and to the interior of said well, a continuous spiral flight fixed exteriorly about and rotatable for elevating eflfect with said well, means for the continuous removal of elevated material from the tank area exterior to the well, means for supply of water to upper regions of the tank area exterior to the well, an outflow line fixed through the floor of the tank and centrally of the well with its intake end in an upper zone of the well interior, a trap in said line exteriorly of the tank determinative of a normal tank liquid level above the intake end of said line, and means for rotating said well, means for inhibiting congestion of infed material about and entrainment of such material with the outflow through the intake end of said line, said latter means comprising a screen assembly fixed coaxially to, about, and rising above the intake end of said line, a conical upper end closure on said screen assembly intersecting the liquid level plane determined by said trap, a pulsator including a vibratory element operatively associated with said line below the intake end thereof with said element exposed interiorly of the line to altitudinally vibrate the contents of that portion of the line immediately subjacent the screen assembly, and a return bend in said line between said pulsator and trap rising to a height above the intake end of the line, whereby to provide an outflow column in balancing, vibration-damping relation with the outflow column immediately subjacent the screen assembly.

5. In sugar difiusing apparatus having a tank adapted to contain liquid, an open-ended tubular well rotatable about its vertically-disposed axis in a spacing of its lower end above the tank floor and an upward extension beyond the tank, means for the infeed of sugar-bearing material through the upper end and to the interior of said well, a continuous spiral flight fixed exteriorly about and retatable for elevating effect with said well, means for the continuous removal of elevated material from the tank area exterior to the well, means for supply of water to upper regions of the tank area exterior to the well, an outflow line fixed through the floor of the tank and centrally of the well with its intake end in an upper zone of the well interior, a trap in said line exteriorly of the tank determinative of a normal tank liquid level above the intake end of said line, and means for rotating said well, means for inhibiting congestion of infed material about and entrainment of such material with the outflow through the intake end of said line, said latter means comprising a screen assembly fixed coaxially to, about, and rising above the intake end of said line, a conical upper end closure on said screen assembly intersecting the liquid level plane determined by said trap, a pulsator including a vibratory element operatively associated with said line below the intake end thereof with said element exposed interiorly of the line to altitudinally vibrate the contents of that portion of the line immediately subjacent the screen assembly, a return bend in said line between said pulsator and trap rising to a height above the intake end of the line, whereby to provide an outflow column in balancing, vibration-damping relation with the outflow column immediately subjacent the screen assembly, and a spiral flight fixed interiorly about and rotatable for depressing effect with said Well marginally spaced outwardly from and substantially coextensive in length with said screen assembly.

6. in sugar diffusing apparatus having a tank adapted to contain liquid, an open-ended tubular well rotatable about its vertically-disposed axis in a spacing of its lower endabove the tank floor and an upward extension beyond the tank, means for the infeed of sugar-bearing material to contain liquid, anopen-endeitubularwell rotatable upper regions of'theetank area exterior1 to,:thelwell, an;

' centrally. ofgthe well .with its intake; endinan upper zoneof the well interionra trappin said linefexteriorly pf :the tank determinative of-a normal tank liquid level above: the intake end of said line, andmeans for rotating saidlr well, means for inhibiting. congestion of inlfed material 7 about and entrainment, of such material, with the outflow through the intake end of ,saidline, said latter means; comprising van open-bottom hood, formed, with. an uppers end closure fixedly ::and-.;0axially associated with said f. outflow, line to shroud, the; intake: end thereof,-;and a vent; from said upper -end;.;closure intersecting .and opening; above .the liquid levelzfplanedetermined: by :said, trap, whereby to establish a rateof,solution uprisethroughsaid hood to outflow throughithe: intake end ofi-said-line:lessi than the rate at which infed materiaksettlcs-through,the;. liquid charge withini th61-W61L5 7. In sugar diflusingrapparatus having a tank adapted about its vertically-disposed axis ina spacingtof its lower; end above the tank floor. and an upward, extension beyond, 7 the tank, means, for theinfeed of. sugar-bearingemateriali through the uppenend and to the, interior of said "well, a continuous spiral; flight fixedexteriorly about and-rotate. able for elevatingueifect, with said twell ,-1means .for, the continuous .removaltof elevated materia1:from'the: -tank areaexterior ,to, tllEZWfiiL' meansfor supply of iwaterztol,

outflow line fixed through the floor of'the tankJandcentrally ofthe well with its intake end in an upper zone of the weH interior,,a trap .in said linetexteriorlyof-the 1; tank determinative of a normal tank liquid level above the intake-end of said line, and meansfor rotating said-r well, means for inhibiting congestion of infedmaterial; about andrentrainment of such material with, the outflow:.' throughntheintake end of said, linegsaidglatter; means comprising .an' open-bottom hoodxformed with an upper;

, end closure and: a vent upstanding from the latter fixedly and coaxially assooiatedtwith said outflow line to shroud the intake tend thereofand to. dispose saidvent throughe? and to openuabove theliquid level plane determinediby-g said trap, wherebyto 'establisha rate of solutionwuprise through :saidhoodto outflow through the=intake end; of. said line less than the rate at which infed material settles" through the liquid charge withinrthe'wellgand a seriessofm like assemblies of spaced, parallel fingers fixedly-1 sup; ported by and for rotation with saidtwell dis'posedin over? lapped, trailing succession to sweep over-theiopen loweru end area of said hood as an incident of wellrotation.

8, in sugar diflusingapparatus having a tank adapted 'to contain liquid, an open-ended, tubular well rotatableabout its vertically-disposed axis in a spacing1of:its*lower-- end above the tank floor and an upward extension beyond-v the tank, means for the infeed of sugar-bearingmaterial 60 through the upper end and tozthe interior of said -well,'a

continuous spiral flight fixedsexteriorly. aboutiand r0 tatahie for elevating e'fiect withisaid well means for the. continuous removal of eleavted material from the1.tank

' area exterior to the well, .means for supply ofilwatentii to upper regions of the tank area exterior tothe well, an

well, means for inhibiting congestion ofiinfed material about and entrainment of such material withrthe outflow a through the intakeend of said iline, =saidt latter means-9 comprising, anxopen-bo'ttom hood formed with an upper :275

end closure and a vent upstanding from the latter fixedly V and, coaxially; associated with said outflow line tovshroud.

the intake end thereof and, to'dispose said vent :through;

and to open above the liquid level plane determinedabya said trap,rwhereby to establish a rate of solution uprisewthrough said hood and to outflow through the intake end of said line lessthan the rate at whichinfed material: settles through the liquid charge within thewell, anda spiral flight fixed interiorlyabout and rotatable for =depressing effect with said well marginally spaced outward-- ly from and substantially coextensive indengthriwithgsaid' hood and the upper end .closureth ereofi;

9. In sugar diffusing apparatus-havingia'tankadaptedii to contain liquid, an open-ended, tubular; welllrotatable about its vertically-disposed axis-in a spacing-of its ale-wen: cud above the tank floor and; an upward extension beyondir thetank, means for the infeed;:ofisuganbearing materiall;

through the intake encl- 10f said line, said latter =means:.: V

comprising-an open-bottom hood formed :with an upper: end closure and-1a vent upstanding. from the-latter fixedlyu' and coaxially: associated with .said outflow line: tosh'roudz'z the intake end thereof and ,to dispose said ventizthrougltrf and to open above the liquid level plane determinedabyi said.-trap, whereby to establisha rate of solutioncuprisere through said hood and to outflow through theintakeziend 'si ofrsaid line less than the rate at which ainfeds-materialsz settles through theliquid charge. Within therawell g-a tspiralezil flight fixed interiorly about'and rotatable fdmdepressin'gsn effect with said well marginally spacedoutwardlyi fro'mei and substantially coextensive :in length;wvith saiduhood and the upper end closure thereof, and a serieS-eofilikb assemblies; of spaced, parallel fingers fixedly, SllPPQPtCd'ibYI' and for rotation With-said -,well disposedjn, overlappethu trailing succession to sweepover the open ilower endrarea of said hood as an incidentof well rotation.;-.

10. Inlsugar difiusing apparatus having a tanlcnadaptedd to .contain'liquid, an open ended; tubularswellrotatable;- aboutits vertically-disposed axis in a spacingiof its lower-c end above the tankfloor and upward extension g-be'yondizc the tank, means for the infeed or" sugar-bearingmateriali: through the upperend and to the interior, of'said well-,1 a continuous spiral flight fixed exteriorly aboutand I011, tatable for elevating effect with saidwell, means foniheze continuous removal of elevated material from: the tank area exterior to the well, means for supply j of water to. upper regions of the tank area exterior to the:well,3an outflow line fixed through the'floor'of the tank and centrally of the well with. its intake end in anupper zouey of the welltinterior, a trapjn said line-exteriorlyaof; the."

' tank determinative of a normal tankfliquid 'level'above' f the'int-ake end of said line, andmeans 'for;rotating;,said-? well, means 'forrinhibiting congestion; of infed' material :1 about andentrainment-of such ,material with the foutflow through the intak e'end of said line, said latter meanse: comprising an open-bottomhoodformedwith .an upper,

end closure and a vent upstanding fromthe latter fixedly f and coaxially associatedtwith said outflow line'to shroud:

theiintake endthereof andito disposersaid ventzthr ouglt i andgto opedxahbve the:liquid levelplanner-determined 'by said .trap,'.lwhereby to: establishia ratelof s'olution uprise through said hood andto outflow= through the im'- take end of; said i line; less: than the rate at which infedf 7 l3 material settles through the liquid charge within the well, a spiral flight fixed interiorly about and rotatable for depressing effect with said well marginally spaced outwardly from and substantially coextensive in length with said hood and the upper end closure thereof, and series of like assemblies of spaced parallel fingers fixedly supported by and for rotation with said well disposed at an upward inclination to the vertical in the direction of their rotation and in overlapped, trailing succession to sweep with depressing effect upon material thereby engaged over the open lower end area of said hood as an incident of well rotation.

11. In sugar diffusing apparatus having a tank adapted to contain liquid, an open-ended, tubular well rotatable about its vertically-disposed axis in a spacing of its lower end above the tank floor and an upward extension beyond the tank, means for the infeed of sugar-bearing material through the upper end and to the interior of said well, a continuous spiral flight fixed exteriorly about and rotatable for elevating efiect with said well, means for the continuous removal of elevated material from the tank area exterior to the well, means for supply of water to upper regions of the tank area exterior to the well, an outflow line fixed through the floor of the tank and centrally of the well with its intake end in an upper zone of the well interior, means inhibitive of material congestion about and entrainment through the intake end of said line fixedly associated with and rising above said intake end, a trap in said line exteriorly of the tank determinative of a normal tank liquid level above said last-named means, and means for rotating said well, means promotive of material dispersion and circulation within the liquid charge of the well as an incident of well rotation, said latter means comprising a spiral flight fixed interiorly about and rotatable for elevating efiect with said well marginally spaced outwardly from and substantially coextensive in length with the outflow line portion between its intake end and the lower end of the well.

12. In sugar diffusing apparatus having a tank adapted to contain liquid, an open-ended, tubular well rotatable about its vertically-disposed axis in a spacing of its lower end above the tank floor and an upward extension beyond the tank, means for the infeed of sugar-bearing material through the upper end and to the interior of said well, a continuous spiral flight fixed exteriorly about and rotatable for elevating eifect with said well, means for the continuous removal of elevated material from the tank area exterior to the well, means for supply of water to upper regions of the tank area exterior to the well, an outflow line fixed through the floor of the tank and centrally of the well with its intake end in an upper zone of the well interior, means inhibitive of material congestion about and entrainment through the intake end of said line fixedly associated with and rising above said intake end, a trap in said line exteriorly of the tank determinative of a normal tank liquid level above said lastnamed means, and means for rotating said well, means promotive of material dispersion and circulation within the liquid charge of the well as an incident of well rotation, said latter means comprising a spiral flight fixed interiorly about and rotatable for elevating eflect with said well marginally spaced outwardly from and substantially coextensive in length with the fixed outflow line portion between its intake end and the lower end of the well, and vanes longitudinally of, spaced angularly about, and fixedly projecting radially from said portion of the outflow line subjacent its intake end in marginallyclearing relation with the spiral flight therea-bout.

13. In sugar difiusing apparatus having a tank adapted to contain liquid, an open-ended, tubular well rotatable about its vertically-disposed axis in a spacing of its lower end above the tank floor and an upward extension beyond the tank; means for the infeed of sugar-bearing material through the upper end and to the interior of said well, a continuous spiral flight fixed exteriorly about and rotatable for elevating effect with said well, means for the continuous removal of elevated material from the tank area exterior to the well, means for supply of water to upper regions of the tank area exterior to the well, an outflow line fixed through the floor of the tank and centrally of the well with its intake end in an upper zone of the well interior, means inhibitive of material congestion about and entrainment through .the intake end of said line fixedly associated with and rising above said intake end, a trap in said line exteriorly of the tank determinative of a normal tank liquid level above said lastnamed means, and means for rotating said well, means promotive of material dispersion and circulation within the liquid charge of the well as an incident of well rotation, said latter means comprising a spiral flight fixed interiorly about and rotatable for depressing effect with the length portion of said well above the intake end of the outflow line in a spacing of its inner margins from the means carried by said line, and a second spiral flight fixed interiorly about and rotatable for elevating effect with said well marginally spaced outwardly from and substantially coextensive in length with the outflow line portion between its intake end and the lower end of the well.

14. In sugar diffusing apparatus having a tank adapted to contain liquid, an open-ended, tubular well rotatable about its vertically-disposed axis in a spacing of its lower end above the tank floor and an upward extension beyond the tank, means for the infeed of sugar-bearing material through the upper end and to the interior of said well, a continuous spiral flight fixed exteriorly about and rotatable for elevating effect with said well, means for the continuous removal of elevated material from the tank area exterior to the well, means for supply of water to upper regions of the tank area exterior to the well, an outflow line fixed through the floor of the tank and centrally of the well with its intake end in an upper zone of the well interior, means inhibitive of material congestion about and entrainment through the intake end of said line fixedly associated with and rising above said intake end, a trap in said line exteriorly of the tank determinative of a normal tank liquid level above said lastnamed means, and means for rotating said well, means promotive of material dispersion and circulation within the liquid charge of the well as an incident of well rotation, said latter means comprising a spiral flight fixed interiorly about and rotatable for depressing effect with the length portion or" said well above the intake end of the outflow line in a spacing of its inner margins from the means carried by said line, a second spiral flight fixed interiorly about and rotatable for elevating eflect with said well marginally spaced outwardly from and substantially coextensive in length with the fixed outflow line portion between its intake end and the lower end of the well, and vanes longitudinally of, spaced angularly about, and fixedly projecting radially from said portion of the outflow line in marginally-clearing relation with the spiral flight thereabout.

15. The organization according to claim 14, wherein the spiral flights interiorly of the well are constituted as successions of independent arcuate segments each pivoted at its midlength to the well for adjustment of degree and direction of inclination about an axis radial of the well.

16. The organization according to claim 15, wherein the spiral flights interiorly of the well are constituted as successions of independent arcuate segments each pivoted at its midlength to the well for adjustment of degree and direction of inclination about an axis radial of the well, and separate positioning and control means engage the segments of the upper and lower flights, respec tively, for independent, selective adjustment thereof about their mounting axes.

17. In sugar diflusing apparatus having a tank adapted to contain liquid, an open-ended, tubular well rotatable about its vertically-disposed axis a spacing of its lower end above the tank floor and an upward extension beyond the tank, means for the infeed of sugar-bearing material through the upper end and to the interior of said well, a continuous spiral flight fixed exteriorly about and rotatable for elevating'efie ct with said well, means for the centrally of the well with its intake end in an upper,

Zone of the well interior, means inhibitive of material congestion aboutan entrainment through the intake end ofsaid line fixedly associated with and rising above said intake end, a trap in said line exteriorly of the tankdeterminative of a normal tank liquid level above said last named means, and means for rotating said well, means promotive of material dispersion and circulation within the liquid charge adjacent the floor of the tank, said latter means comprising a concave, annular trough arcuately bridging beneath the lower end of the wellbetween the tank and outflow line as a bottom closure for the tank, and blades fixedly depending from and rotatable with said well in marginally-conforming, marginallyclearing relation within the trough concavity.

18. In sugar diltusing apparatus having a tank adapted to contain liquid, an open-ended, tubular well rotatable about'its vertically-disposed axis in a spacing of itstlower end above the tank floor and an upward extension beyond the tank, means/for the infeed of sugar-bearing ma terial through the upperend and to the interior 'of said well, a continuous spiral flight fixed exteriorly about and rotatable for elevating efiect with said well, means'for the continuous removal of elevated material from the tank area exterior to the well, means for supply of water to upper regions of the tankyarea exterior to the well, an outflow line fixed through the floor=of the tank and centrally of the well with its intake end in an upper zone of thetwell v interior, means inhibitive of material congestion about and entrainment through the intake end of said line fixedly associated with and rising above said intake end, a trap in said line exteriorly of the tank determinative of a normal tank liquid level above said last-named means,

and means for rotating said well, means promotive of material dispersion and' circulation within the liquid charge adjacent the floor of the tank, said latter means comprising-a concave, annular trough arcuately bridging beneath the lower end of the, well between the tank and fixed outflow line as a bottom closure for the tank,

vanes longitudinally of, spaced angularly about, and fixed ly projecting radially from the lower portion of said out flow line, radially and longitudinally extended lobes at lower ends of said vanes closing to and across the inner concave arc of said trough in clearing relation with the lower end of the well, and a tongue extension at the lower end of the flight exterior to the well marginally conformed to engage between outer ends of said lobes and the outer concave arc of said trough and in clearing relation therewith as the well is rotated.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Ruth 'June 5;, 1956 OTHER REFERENCES Serial No. 255,849, Suss '(A. P. 0.), published June 1, 1943.

Claims (1)

1. IN SUGAR DIFFUSING APPARATUS HAVING A TANK ADAPTED TO CONTAIN LIQUID, AN OPEN-ENDED, TUBULAR WELL ROTATABLE ABOUT ITS VERTICALLY-DISPOSED AXIS IN A SPACING OF ITS LOWER END ABOVE THE TANK FLOOR AND AN UPWARD EXTENSION BEYOND THE TANK, MEANS FOR THE INFEED OF SUGAR-BEARING MATERIAL THROUGH THE UPPER END AND TO THE INTERIOR OF SAID WELL, A CONTINUOUS SPIRAL FLIGHT FIXED EXTERIORLY ABOUT AND ROTATABLE FOR ELEVATING EFFECT WITH SAID WELL, MEANS FOR THE CONTINUOUS REMOVAL OF ELEVATED MATERIAL FROM THE TANK AREA EXTERIOR TO THE WELL, MEANS FOR SUPPLY OF WATER TO UPPER REGIONS OF THE TANK AREA EXTERIOR TO THE WELL, AN OUTFLOW LINE FIXED THROUGH THE FLOOR OF THE TANK AND CENTRALLY OF THE WELL WITH ITS INTAKE END IN AN UPPER ZONE OF THE WELL INTERIOR, A TRAP IN SAID LINE EXTERIORLY OF THE TANK DETERMINATIVE OF A NORMAL TANK LIQUID LEVEL ABOVE THE INTAKE END OF SAID LINE, AND MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID WELL, MEANS FOR INHIBITING CONGESTION OF INFED MATERIAL ABOUT AND ENTRAINMENT OF SUCH MATERIAL WITH THE OUTFLOW THROUGH THE INTAKE END OF SAID LINE, SAID LATTER MEANS COMPRISING A TUBULAR, CIRCULARLY-SLOTTED SCREEN ASSEMBLY FIXED COAXIALLY TO, ABOUT, AND RISING ABOVE THE INTAKE END OF SAID LINE, A CONICAL UPPER END CLOSURE ON SAID SCREEN ASSEMBLY INTERSECTING THE LIQUID LEVEL PLANE DETERMINED BY SAID TRAP, A SHAFT COAXIALLY JOURNALED IN AND ROTATABLY TRAVERSING THE LENGTH OF SAID SCREEN ASSEMBLY IN UPWARD PROJECTION THROUGH SAID UPPER END CLOSURE, AN ARM CONNECTING THE UPPER END OF SAID SHAFT AND SAID WELL FOR SIMULTANEOUS ROTATION, FINGERS FIXED TO SAID SHAFT IN ROTATABLE ENGAGEMENT WITHIN THE CIRCULAR SLOTS OF THE SCREEN ASSEMBLY, AND ECCENTRIC OUTER MARGINS ON SAID FINGERS ADAPTED TO PROJECT AT THEIR ENDS TRAILING IN THE DIRECTION OF ROTATION RADICALLY BEYOND THE SCREEN ASSEMBLY.

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