US319788A - Grain-scourer - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

W. A. GOGKRELL.

GRAIN SGOURER.

Paten'ted'Ju-ne `9, 1885.

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(o Model.)

4W. A. GOOKRELL.

GRAIN SGOURBB..

l No. 319,788. Patented June 9, 1885.

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iIlIHIIHIIIIIIHIHlllll IIIIHIIIIHHHIIHII UNTTan STATES i WILLIAM acooKnELL, Aor cLEvELAND, oHIo.

GRAIN-SCOURER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 319,788, dated lTune 9, 1885.

Application tiled February 13, 1885. (No model.)

To all whom it may concer/'n.-

Be it known that I,WILLIAM A. CocKRnLL, of Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grain-Scourers; and

I do hereby declare that the following is a full,

clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, mak; ing part of this application.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in that kind of grain cleaning or scouring machines in which there is used a cylindrical case, within which revolvea series of either brush-like devices or mere beaters, or both, rotating in proximity to the inner surface of said cylindrical case, and a suitable fan-like contrivance to create a suction-blast, to ventilate the grain and carry off the dust and other impurities resulting from the cleaning or scouring of the kernels. Previous to my invention machines of this type chinescontaining either wholly or partiallyv the several features o f my improvement, I

will now proceed to more fully describe thel same, referring by letters of reference to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, and in which I have shown each of the features of my invention carried out in that form in which I have so far successfully practiced it.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional vieuT of a machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a top or plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a 'horizontal section taken at the line x x of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a face View, on an enlarged scale, of portion of the screen or case. Fig. 5 is a cross-section taken at the line y y of what is shown at Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a partial sectional elevation, on an enlarged scale, of one of the brushes employed; and Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively a side and an edge view (same scale) of the wirebristles used inthe brush partially shown at Fig. 6.

In the several views the same part willv b c found designated by the same letter of reference. A is a vertical shaft arranged centrally of the case A* of the machine, and so as to turn freely in suitable bearings. At the lower end, preferably, of said shaft is secured a pulley, A', through the medium of which motive power is applied to the working parts of the machine.

Surrounding the main shaftAis a sleeve or hollow shaft, B, which is provided at its up,

per end with a .perforated flange or collar, b. The upper end of the shaft A is screw-threaded, and over this portion a threaded hub or nut, c, works, which is provided with a collar,

b', similar to that on the end of the sleeve B.

Bolts b2 b2 connect the collars b and b', and thus the shafts A and B are made to turn together. The nut c is provided with a hand-wheel, c',

by which it may be turned when it and its connections are to be raised or lowered, for

' a purpose-which will be hereinafter explained.

Above the nut c is arranged a jam-nut, e, that is also provided with a handwheel,.e', for convenience of manipulation.

From the shaft B, at each end, project radially ak series of lugs or ear-pieces, d d, to which are pivoted one set of ends of a series of rods or arms, G, the other ends of which are jointed in a similar manner to a series of lugs, d',

that project inwardly from the backs D of the v IOO bined, be used, (according to the kind of work peculiarlyconstructed scouring-surface will be obtained. By this mode of hanging the brushes E to the hollow shaft B Vsaid brushes, which are confined endwiseonly between the upper4 and lower heads,fandf, of the cylinder, are rendered capable of adjustment radially by raising or lowering said hollow shaft. Each of the brushes E is composed (see Figs. 6, 7, 8) of a strip of cardclothing formed with staple -shaped straight wire teeth arranged close together in parallel lines, and secured at their roots in aleather holder-strip, e2, that in turn is securely cemented or otherwise fastened to the wooden backing D. A brushthus made I have found to work best in my improved machine, beeause,while presenting a comparatively stiffworking-face,no grain can enter between the parallel wire bristles arranged close together, and the working-face acts just right on the kernels of the grain.

F is the metallic cylinder or case ofthe machine, which, as shown, is composed of a wire woven fabric of the peculiar structure illustrated, (see Figs. 4 and 5,) and is fastened at its upper and lower portions to the wooden case or frame A.

Immediately over the main shaft A is arranged, axially in line with it, a secondary shaft, a5, the lower end of which is stepped at h'pin the top of shaft A, and which is provided at its upper end ,with a drive-pulley, B2.

At one side of the frame or box of the machine is located and arranged to turn in suitable bearing-boxes a vertical shaft, a, which is provided near its lower and upper ends, respect-ively, with fast pulleys A3 and B3, so that by an endless band or belt passing around pulleys A2 and A3 the power and motion of shaft A will be imparted to shaft a, and also so that by means of another belt passing around pulleys B2 and B3 the rotary motion of shaft a6 will be imparted to the secondary shaft a5. As the drivers A2 and B3 are each of greater diameter than the pulleys A3 and B2, that are respectively driven by them, it follows that this system of pulleys operates to speed up77 and cause the secondary shaft a5 to run considerably faster than the main shaft A. The object of thus speeding up is to drive the fan H, mounted on shaft a5, with sufficient velocity.

In the general operation of the machine the grain to be cleaned falls from a supply-hop per, thence through a spout, e2, then falls into the interior of the scouring-cylinder F and in between the combined beaters and brushes, by

which the grain is thrown outwardly by centrifugal force toward and against the internal surface of the said cylinder F, between which and the rapidly-revolving brushes Ethe grain is scoured during its descent to the bottom of the cylinder, where it escapes from the machine through the exit-spout or discharge-conduit m, the grain passing thence downward, while the dust is drawn upward through p,its heavier parts or the chaff being dropped at g.

By reason of the use of a cylinder, F, composed of awoven wire fabric having its superficial projections flattened, as shown and described, the maximum number of small perforations to effect a perfect ventilation is obtained, while at the same time no deep or large cavities occur in the workingsnrface of the cylinder to permit any lodgment of the kernels of grain, and the best possible character of scouring edges and surfaces is obtained under the most desirable conditions.

As shown at Figs. 4 and 5, (where I have illustrated the character of the wire cylinder fabric by showing a piece drawn lon* an exaggerated scala) the fabric of cylinder F isa warp and one set of weft strands, each set of strands being arranged about equidistant, so as to form rectangular meshes of' such size as topreclude the entrance or vlodgment therein of any kernel of the grain, and at the same time afford opportunity for the passage of the maximum quantity of air or air-blast through the fabric. On the working side or surface of this cylinder all the projecting bends of all the strands are fiattened, so as to form a series of facets, as it were, as seen atl 2 3,

woven wire fabric composed of one set of l &c., which operate to render the face of the fabric flatter, while at the same time reducing the depths of the interstices between the crossing strands, and also forming a series of both vertical and horizontal edges and ledges, the former of which act as cleaners or scrapers, and the latter to retard the descent of the grain being operated upon; but if only the bends of those strands which run lengthwise of the cylindrical case be attened the main advantages of the kind of scouring-surface will be attained. Therefore I wish it to be understood that in carrying out my invention the facets formed by flattening the bends of those wires running cireumferentially ofthe ease may be omitted, though I prefer the form of flattened wire fabric shown.

The straight wire brushes, such as shown, acting in conjunction with a cylinder, such as I have shown and described, I have found to be stiff enough to act ,eiiciently in removing all adhering impurities from the entire surface of the grain, while at the same time they will not scratch or abrade the bran, and I therefore deem it desirable in carrying out my invention to use this kind of brushes.

By means of the combination of devices shown and described for adjusting the hollow shaft B vertically,and thus moving the brushes and beaters radially, I am enabled to quickly, easily, and perfectly adj ust the brushes relatively to the scouring-cylinder F, to compensate for wear in the working-surfaces. Of course the exact degree of fineness to which the wire fabric of cylinder F should be woven, and the degree of flattening of the workingsurface of the fabric, whether both or only one set of strands be attened, may

more or less, in the judgment of the maker of the machine, according to the nature or character of the grain to be operated upon IOO be varied by the machine, and many variations in the details of construction of the machine may be made Without departing from the gist of my invention. For instance, for the purposes,

merely, of a smut-machine, the flattened Woven Wire fabric may be used for the cylindrical case in a machine having no brushes at all, and provided only with beaters operating to throw the descending grain constantly against the Working (internal) surface of said case.

Of course my invention may be applied to machines in which the cylindrical casel may occupy an oblique and nearly horizontal position, instead of a vertical one, as shown herein. Having now so fully explained the several features of my improved machine that those skilled in the art can practice my invention, either as to one or more of said features, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letzo ters Patent, is-

l. In a machine for cleaning grain, the combination of a scouring-cylinder composed of erated upon, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In combination with a scouring-cylinder,

F, composed of a Woven Wire fabric having the bends of its Working-surfaces flattened, as specified, a series of revolving brushes composed of wire, the strands of Which are arranged about parallel, and which are backed, 3 5

as shown and described, to render them comparatively stiff, all as set forth.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 5th day of February, 1885.

WILLIAM A. COCKRELL.

In presence of- A. D. DANA, T. S. MILLER.

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