US3286937A

US3286937A - Homogenizer for mixing and fragmenting substances

Info

Publication number: US3286937A
Application number: US325415A
Authority: US
Inventors: Szego Laszlo Lazarus
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-11-27
Filing date: 1963-11-21
Publication date: 1966-11-22
Anticipated expiration: 1983-11-22
Also published as: DE1207190B; AT247692B; SE303081B; BE640416A; LU44810A1; CH410596A

Description

Nov. 22, 1966 L. SZEGO 3,

HOMOGENIZER FOR MIXING AND FRAGMENTING SUBSTANCES Filed Nov. 21, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet l FIG-l INVENTOR. HSZLO LRZHRUS .SZEGO L. szr-zeo r 3,286,937

Nov. 22, 1966 HOMOGENIZER FOR MIXING AND FRAGMENTING SUBSTANCES Filed Nov. 21, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-4 FIG-'5 Ila.

FIG-5 INVENTOR. LHSZLO LHZHRUS .SZEG'O Nov. 22, 1966 1.. L. SZEGO 3,286,937

HOMOGENIZER FOR MIXING AND FRAGMENTING SUBSTANCES Filed Nov. 21, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. LHSZLO LHZHFPUS SZEGO FIG-6 BY United States Patent 11 Claims. 61. 241-105 The present invention relates to an apparatus for comminuting and mixing of substances, especially of various solids, or solids and liquids, for producing a homogenous mixture of the various substances which in conformity with the requirements are uniformly distributed and comminuted.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus of the above mentioned type.

It is another object of this invention to provide an ap paratus of the type set forth above, which will be greatly superior to heretofore known similar devices with regard to the passage of substance per time unit through the apparatus and also with regard to the fineness and the homogeneity of the processed substance.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following specilcation in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a central longitudinal section through an apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows in top view the arrangement of the balls forming part of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIGS. '3 and 4 respectively illustrate one portion of the balls in side view.

FIG. 5 illustrates a central section through a modified apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustratesa central section through a comminuting and mixing apparatus according to the present invention which is modified over that of FIG. 1, in that it comprises a plurality of superimposed apparatuses of FIG. 1.

The apparatus according to the present invention 15 characterized primarily in that at least one series of balls arranged along a circle is provided between concave race surfaces of a stationary outer ring and a disc rotatably connected to a drive shaft, while a second series of balls arranged along a circle engages said first series of balls from the inside thereof, said second series of balls having a diameter less than the diameter of the balls of said first series. The arrangement is such that each one of the smaller diameter balls contacts two of the larger diameter balls.

Advantageously, the center points of the smaller diameter balls are located in a plane which is parallel to but oifset with regard to the plane in which the center points of the larger diameter balls are located. Preferably, the smaller diameter balls are secured against a radial inward movement by engagement with a pair of discs freely rotatable on the drive shaft and axially displaceable relative thereto.

More specifically, with reference to the drawings, the arrangement shown therein comprises a central shaft 8 having keyed thereto two pulley-shaped members 6 and 7 with outer peripheral grooves 6a and 7a respectively. The arrangement furthermore comprises two 3,286,937 Patented Nov. 22, 1966 "ice stationary outer rings 1 and 2 with inner peripheral grooves 111 and 2a. Arranged between the grooves 6a, 7a of members 6 and 7 respectively and the grooves 1a, 2a of the stationary outer rings 1 and 2 respectively there is arranged a number of

balls

3 and 4. Between the pairs of pulley-shaped members or discs 6, 7 on one hand and the outer rings 1, 2 on the other hand, a force is produced either by pressing discs 6 and 7 in a direction toward each other or by pulling the rings 1 and 2 away from each other.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the discs 6, 7 are keyed by

keys

15, 16 to shaft 8, and the two rings 1 and 2 are pressed in axial direction away from each other by a pressure medium passed through conduit means 22 made of rubber material and clamped between rings 1 and 2, said conduit means communicating with a source of pressure medium through a connecting conduit 23.

Between those sides of the two series of

balls

3, 4 which face each other, there is provided a third series of balls 5 which latter have a smaller diameter than the

balls

3 and 4. Balls 5 are interposed between the tapered surfaces 12a and 13a of freely

rotatable discs

12 and 13. The

discs

12 and 13 are journalled on ball bearings 9 and 9a which are so arranged on shaft 8 that they can freely rotate and are axially displaceable relative to the drive shaft 9. Each of the smaller diameter balls 5 is arranged between two adjacent

larger diameter balls

3, 4 so as to have two contact points with the lower row of the larger diameter balls 4 and two contact points with the upper row of larger diameter balls 3. Each of the said smaller diameter balls 5 has two additional contact points with the respective freely

rotatable discs

12 and 13. Thus, there are two contact points between the smaller diameter balls 5 and the upper row of the larger diameter balls 3 and two contact points between the smaller diameter balls 5 and the lower row of the larger diameter balls 4.

The two

discs

12, 13 are supported by flexible springs 11 and 11a and through the intervention of the tapered surfaces 12a, 13a of

discs

12 and 13 respectively exert a radially outwardly directed pressure upon the smaller diameter balls 5. This radially outwardly directed pressure is furthermore aided by the centrifugal force so that a certain distance is formed between the

balls

3 and 4. The centrifugal forces press the smaller diameter balls 5 outwardly and are aided by the contact points between

discs

12, 13 and balls 5. The centrifugal force maintains four contact points between each smaller diameter ball 5 and four of the

larger diameter balls

3, 4 as is clearly evident from FIG. 4. The smaller diameter balls 5 are satellite balls. The distances between the

larger diameter balls

3, 4 and the satellite balls 5 are precisely maintained within narrow limits by the flexibly supported

discs

12, 13, said narrow limits depending on the materials to be mixed or comminuted.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the importance of the dimensioning and the placing of the

larger diameter balls

3, 4 and the satellite balls 5 which form a suflicient framelike cover or cage 14 holding the balls in their precise desired locations. The power transfer between the surfaces of the

larger diameter balls

3, 4 and the stationary rings 1, 2 results in a sufficient pressure for carrying out the intended operation. The materials to be processed, to be mixed or to be comminuted are introduced between the inner groove 1a of ring 1 and the balls .3 and subsequently pass between the balls 4 and ring 2 Where the homogenizing process takes place. The entire material has to be passed between these circumferential grooves and the

larger diameter balls

3, 4. However, solids may to a minor extent accidentally drop or pass over the inner surface of the apparatus with the satellite balls. The centrifugal force will, however, constantly throw back any material and return the same into the space between the circumferential grooves and the balls where the transformation and processing of the material or substances takes place. As a result of the combined interaction'between the gravitationally falling material and the outwardly acting centrifugal force, the material preformed by the upper series of balls 3 and ring 1 .will reach the lower groove of ring 2 where the operation is repeated and whereby the degree of efficiency of the entire process is greatly increased.

Between rings 1 and 2 an axial pressure is maintained tending to press apart the two rings so that a pressure is exerted upon the rolling contact points between the stationary ring 1, the working balls 3 and the driving disc 6. The oppositely directed balancing pressure acts with the same magnitude upon ring 2 and exerts a similar pressure upon the contact points between ring 2, balls 4 and driving disc 7.

As a result of the harmonious adjustment of the distances, all of the balls rotate on their entire surfaces. Consequently, the wear of the balls, even after a long period of operation, is minute and remains uniform. It is for this reason that the balls retain their ball-shape which in turn imparts upon the device a high degree of mechanical efficiency. The letter Z in FIG. 3 indicates the distance between the centers of two grinding balls, whereas the letter Y indicates the structural dimensions between the perimeter of one grinding ball and the perimeter of the space-keepingball for determining the correct dimensions and distances for the safe-keeping of the central space-keeping ball between four grinding balls of two subsequent grinding grooves.

Referring now to the modification illustrated in FIG. 5, it will be seen that this device comprises one series only of larger diameter balls 3, and this single row of balls 3 is correctly positioned and maintained in the respective position by the satellite balls 5. The contact points of

discs

12, 13 assure the proper position of the satellite balls 5.

It will be appreciated that by this arrangement it is possible to build up a one-stage or multi-stage system, and each groove with working balls 3 will be properly distanced and correctly spun by the single groove of satellite balls 5.

FIGURE 6 shows an apparatus according to the present invention which is built up of three

apparatus sections

26, 27,28 in conformity with the so-called building block principle. The entire system is driven by an electromotor 14 through the intervention of a common shaft 8a, said electro-motor being fixedly connected to the ground by an annular flange 15. Each apparatus section or stage has its two end faces provided with

flanges

16 and 17 respectively which are fixedly connected to the adjacent flanges of the adjacent apparatus sections. The upper most apparatus section 26 is closed at the top by a lid 18 provided with an inlet sleeve or passage 19. The material introduced into the apparatus through passage 19 drops onto the top side of disc 6, which thus serves as distributing disc for the material. The lowermost apparatus section 28 is closed by a bottom 20 provided with two funnel-shaped discharge conduits 21 for the dis charge of the comminuted and intermixed material.

The rings 1 and 2 are axially displaceably arranged in the respective apparatus section and are axially displaceable with regard to each other by a small distance. The displacement of the rings with regard to each other is effected hydraulically through the intervention of an annular conduit 22 interposed between the rings 1 and 2 of the respective apparatus section and communicating with a conduit 23 which is connected to a source of a pressure medium (not shown). The ring 2 of the lowermost apparatus section 28 rests on an annular flange 24, while the movement of the ring 1 of the upper apparatus section 26 is limited by an annular flange 25 which prevents the rings 1 and 2 from moving too far apart, which would otherwise be possible, for instance, with increasing wear 1. In an apparatus for comminuting and mixing materials, especially different solids, and also solids and liquids, for producing a homogeneous mixture, which includes: a rotatable shaft, disc means connected to said shaft for rotation therewith and provided with a peripheral concave race surface, ring means coaxially arranged with regard to said disc means and having an inner peripheral race surface spaced from the race surface of said disc means and being curved inversely with regard to said concave race surface of said disc means, at least a first series of balls arranged along a circle and interposed between and in contact with the race surface of said disc means and the race surface of said .ring means, and a second series of balls arranged along a circle less in diameter than said first mentioned circle, each of the balls of said sec.-.

ond series of balls having a diameter less than the diameter of the balls of said first series of balls, the arrangement being such that each of said smaller diameter balls is in contact with two adjacent balls of said first series but is spaced from the adjacent smaller diameter balls.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, which includes means associated with said ring means and continuously urging the same in axial direction of said shaft so as to exert a pressure upon said first series of balls in contact therewith.

3. In an apparatus for comminuting and mixing materials, especially different solids, and also solids and liquids, for producing a homogeneous mixture, which includes: a rotatable shaft, disc means connected to said shaft for rotation therewith and provided with a peripheral concave race surface, ring means coaxially arranged with regard to said disc means and having an inner peripheral race surface spaced from the race surface of said disc means and being curved inversely with regard to said concave race surface of said disc means, at least a first series of balls arranged along a circle and interposed between and in contact with the race surface of said disc means and the race surface of said ring means, and a second series of balls arranged along a circle less in diameter than said first mentioned circle, each of the balls of said second series of balls having a diameter less than the diameter of the balls of said first series of balls, the arrangement being such that each of said smallerdia'ineter balls is in contact with two adjacent balls of said first series but is spaced from the adjacent smaller diameter balls, the center points of said small diameter, balls and a rotatable shaft, first disc means connected to said shaft for rotation therewith and provided with a peripheral concave race surface, ring means coaxially arranged with regard to said first disc means and having an inner pe-,

ripheral race surface spaced from the race surface of said first disc means and being curved inversely with regard to said concave race surface of said first disc means, at least a first series of balls arranged along a circle and interposed between and in contact with the race surface of said first disc means and the race surface of said ring means, second disc means coaxially arranged with regard to said first disc means and provided with peripheral outer race surface means, said second disc means being freely rotatably supported-by said shaft means, and a second series of balls arranged along a circle less in diameter than said first mentioned circle and in rolling engagement with said outer race surface means of said second disc means, each of the balls of said second series of balls having a diameter less than the diameter of the balls of said first series of balls, the arrangement being such that each of said smaller diameter balls is in contact with two adjacent balls of said first series but is spaced from the adjacent smaller diameter balls.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, in which said second disc means comprises spring means acting upon said race surface means for causing the latter resiliently to press said smaller diameter balls against the respective adjacent larger diameter balls.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4, which includes a bushing axially displaceably mounted on said shaft, and anti-friction bearing means mounted on said bushing and rotatably supporting said second disc means.

7. In an apparatus for comminuting and mixing materials, especially different solids, and also solids and liquids, for producing a homogeneous mixture, which includes: a first series of balls arranged along a first circle with the balls in spaced relationship to each other, said balls being located along a first plane, a second series of balls arranged along a second circle coaxial with said first circle and along a second plane parallel to but spaced from said first plane, the balls of each of said series being spaced from each other, means for guiding said balls of said first and second series along said first and second circles respectively, said means including means for exerting radial pressure on said balls, rotatable means operatively connected to said first mentioned means for moving said balls along said circles, a third series of balls arranged along a third circle having a diameter less than the diameter of said first and second circles, the balls of said third series having a diameter less than the diameters of said first and second series and being in contact with the balls of said first and second series, the balls of said third series being spaced from each other, and means operatively connected to the balls of said third series and continuously exerting a radial pressure thereon.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, in which the balls of said first and second series have a substantially identical diameter, and in which the circles along which said first and second series of balls are arranged are of substantially the same diameter.

9. In an apparatus for comminuting and mixing materials, especially different solids, and also solids and liquids, for producing a homogeneous mixture, which includes: a rotatable shaft, a pair of first disc means connected to said shaft for rotation therewith and spaced from each other in axial direction of said shaft, each of said first disc means being provided with an outer peripheral concave race surface, a pair of ring means coaxially arranged with regard to said first disc means for cooperation with the respective first disc means, each of said ring means having an inner peripheral race surface spaced from the race surface of the respective adjacent first disc means and being curved inversely with regard to said concave race surface of the respective adjacent first disc means, a first series of balls arranged along a circle and interposed between and in contact with the race surface of one of said first disc means and the race surface of the respective adjacent ring means, a second series of balls arranged along a circle and interposed between and in contact with the race surface of the other first disc means and the race surface of the respective adjacent ring means, second disc means coaxially arranged with regard to said first disc means and provided with peripheral outer race surface means, said second disc means being freely rotatable with regard to said rotatable shaft, a third series of balls arranged along a circle less in diameter than the circles along which said first and second series of balls are arranged and in rolling contact with said peripheral surface means, each of the balls of said third series of balls having a diameter less than the diameter of the balls of said first and second series of balls, the arrangement being such that each of said smaller diameter balls is in contact with two adjacent balls of said first and second series, and means associated with said pair of ring means and continuously urging the same away from each other in axial direction of said rotatable shaft.

10. In an apparatus for comminuting and mixing materials, especially different solids, and also solids and liquids, for producing a homogeneous mixture, which includes: a rotatable shaft, a pair of first disc means connected to said shaft for rotation therewith and spaced from each other in axial direction of said shaft, each of said first disc means being provided with an outer peripheral concave race surface, a pair of ring means coaxially arranged with regard to said first disc means for cooperation with the respective first disc means, each of said ring means having an inner peripheral race surface spaced from the race surface of the respective adjacent first disc means and being curved inversely with regard to said concave race surface of the respective adjacent first disc means, a first series of balls arranged along a circle and interposed between and in contact with the race surface of one of said first disc means and the race surface of the respective adjacent ring means, a second series of balls arranged along a circle and interposed between and in contact with the race surface of the other first disc means and the race surface of the respective adjacent ring means, second disc means coaxially arranged with regard to said first disc means and provided with peripheral outer race surface means, said second disc means being freely rotatable with regard to said rotatable shaft, a third series of balls arranged along a circle less in diameter than the circles along which said first and second series of balls are arranged and in rolling contact with said peripheral surface means, each of the balls of said third series of balls having a diameter less than the diameter of the balls of said first and second series of balls, the arrangement being such that each of said smaller diameter balls is in contact with two adjacent balls of said first and second series, and means operatively connected to said pair of first disc means and operable to act thereupon in opposite direction to each other for exerting radial pressure on said first and second series of balls.

11. In an apparatus for comminuting and mixing materials, especially different solids, and also solids and liquids, for producing a homogeneous mixture, which includes: a rotatable shaft, first disc means connected to said shaft for rotation therewith and provided with a peripheral concave race surface, ring means coaxially arranged with regard to said first disc means and having an inner peripheral race surface spaced from the race surface of said first disc means and being curved inversely with regard to said concave race surface of said first disc means, a first series of balls arranged along a circle coaxial with said rotatable shaft, said first series of balls being interposed between and in contact with the race surface of said first disc means and the race surface of said ring means, second disc means coaxially arranged with regard to said rotatable shaft and provided with peripheral outer race surface means, said second disc means being freely rotatable about said rotatable shaft and also being axially displaceable with regard to said shaft, a second series of balls arranged along a circle having a diameter less than the circle along which said 7 8 first series of balls is arranged, each of said balls of said References Cited by the Examiner second series of balls having a diameter less than the UNITED STATES PATENTS diameter of the balls of said first series of balls, the arrangement being such that each of said smaller di- 1255319 2/1918 f 241*105 ameter balls is in contact with two adjacent balls of said 5 2,573,163 5/1954 Phlnlps. X first series of balls but is spaced from the adjacent smaller 2,792,994 5/1957 Szego 241-105a diameter balls, and means operatively connected with said first disc means and said ring means and operable to ROBERT RIORDON, Exqminerexert pressure upon said first disc means and said ring means in oppoite direction to each other but in a direc- 10 PEPPER Asslstant Emmmer' tion toward each other.

Claims

1. IN AN APPARATUS FOR COMMUNICATING AND MIXING MATERIALS, ESPECIALLY DIFFERENT SOLIDS, AND ALSO SOLIDS AND LIQUIDS, FOR PRODUCING A HOMOGENEOUS MIXTURE, WHICH INCLUDES: A ROTATABLE SHAFT, DISC MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID SHAFT FOR ROTATION THEREWITH AND PROVIDED WITH A PERIPHERAL CONCAVE RACE SURFACE, RING MEANS COAXIALLY ARRANGED WITH REGARD TO SAID DISC MEANS AND HAVING AN INNER PERIPHERAL RACE SURFACE SPACED FROM THE RACE SURFACE OF SAID DISC MEANS AND BEING CURVED INVERSELY WITH REGARD TO SAID CONCAVE RACE SURFACE OF SAID DISC MEANS, AT LEAST A FIRST SERIES OF BALLS ARRANGED ALONG A CIRCLE AND INTERPOSED BETWEEN AND IN CONTACT WITH THE RACE SURFACE OF SAID DISC MEANS