US3358939A - Feeder for cone crushers and the like - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 19,- 1967 R.J. GASPAR/xc ET Al-A FEEDER FOR GONE CRUSHERS AND THB LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 1l, 1965 .d @my QN wf Mak/fm l ww l.. M/M/ uw NN W wmfw. F fw o HH Nl .PLT Q Q www. E lQL Dec. 19, 1967 R.J GASPARAC ET AL 3,358,939

FEEDER FOR CONE CRUSHERS AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet B Filed Aug. 11, 1965 Dec. 19, 1967 l R. J. GAsPARAc ET AL 3,358,939

FEEDER FOR GONE CRUSHERS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 1l, 1965v 5 sheets-sheet United States Patent O 3,358,939 FEEDER EUR CNE CRUSHERS ANI) THE LIKE Rudolph J. Gasparac, Milwaukee, and Howard M. Zoerb, Cudahy, Wis., assigucrs to Nordberg Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Aug. 11, 1965, Ser. No. 478,805 12 Claims. (Cl. 241-202) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE The invention relates to a centrifugal feed distributor which is particularly adaptable for use with Crushers in which a head is gyrated within a normally fixed bowl. The crushing cavity between the head and bowl has an annular upper inlet aperture to which the material to be crushed is delivered, properly mixed, by the rotation of a centrifugal feeding device located with an axis generally coincidental with the axis of the gyrated head. If desired, a feed-directing, circumferential wall or hopper may be employed to guide the centrifugally delivered material into the circumferential crushing cavity inlet.

This invention is in the field of material reduction rnachines and is concerned with a cone crusher. More specifically, the invention is concerned with a means and method for independently feeding and distributing material in accordance with a pre-arranged rate or schedule to a crushing cavity defined between the liner and mantle of a cone Crusher for maximum crushing efficiency relative to the crushing action in the cavity.

A primary object of the invention is to provide an independent and independently operable feed mixer and distributor for a cone crusher.

Another object is to provide a `method of feeding and distributing material to the crushing cavity for a maximum reduction efficiency.

Another object is to provide an independent feed distributor which may be set at a rate independent of the Arate of operation of the head of a cone crusher.

Another object is a feed distributor for cone Crushers which insures that the feed is distributed in a generally horizontal plane at all times, regardless of the operation of the crusher head.

Another object is to provide a new and improved crushing method.

Other objects will appear from time to time in the ensuing specification, drawings and claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE l is a vertical section of the upper portion of the Crusher;

FIGURE 2 is an axial section on an enlarged scale of the feed distributor of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a plan View of a varient form of feed distributor;

FIGURE 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of another form of feed distributor;

FIGURE 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 7 is an axial section through a variant form.

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

In FIGURE l the upper part of a cone Crusher has been shown including a main frame 10 supporting a tilting ring 12 on a flange 14 at the upper end of the main frame. The tilting ring is pulled down and held in the position in which it is shown by a plurality of springs 16 or the like disposed about the crusher. A bowl 18 is screwthreaded into the tilting ring 12 and removably supports a liner 20 which defines part of a crushing cavity 22 in 3,358,939 Patented Dec. 19, 1967 cooperation with a mantle 24 supported on a suitable head 26 which, in turn, is mounted on a shaft 28. The shaft may be mounted in an eccentric 29 which is rotated through a suitable drive to gyrate the head about a focal point 30, the head swiveling in a spherical socket, not herein shown, so as to be gyrated without being rotated. The mantle is held in place through suitable lock rings and sleeves which are held down by a head nut 32 above which is positioned an extension cap 33. It will be noted that the head nut and extension cap rise above the crushing cavity. They are more or less on a level with the feed cone or conic wall 34, which has or is associated with the more or less cylindrical upper wall portion 34a. It will be noted that the conic Wall 34 is truncated or tapered inwardly in such fashion as to direct material to the crushing cavity 22. Where the crushing is carried on between the members 20 and 24 crushing takes place in the cavity 22. It will be understood that where the upper part of the head, in some forms of cone crusher, is relied upon to perform a crushing function, an upper crushing cavity 22a may be provided. It will be understood, of course, that there is room for a wide variety of changes in form of cone and mantle, and that what is essential is that whether the crushing cavity 22 or 22a is employed, or whether both are employed, they are defined by an outer conic liner and an inner mantle appropriately formed and of appropriate material to perform their crushing function. Thus, while a particular type of Crusher has been shown and described, it should be understood that this is merely representative of a number 0f Crushers which may include or incorporate the invention.

Referring to the form of FIGURES l and 2, the material to be crushed is fed from above by an inlet spout 40 which, in FIGURES l and 2, is shown as a tubular curved elbow having an upper inlet 41, generally coaxial with the Crusher head, and an outlet aperture 42, which, under some circumstances, as shown in the figures, may be located radially a substantial distance from the axis of the head. It may, for example, miss the extension cap 33 altogether. As will be below described, suitable means are employed for rotating the member 40 at a suiiicient speed to impart centrifugal movement to the material fed downwardly and outwardly therethrough.

It will be understood that the crushing head of the cone Crusher is not rotated but only gyrates, and any rotation that it has is caused by a slight frictional drag with the bowl liner during operation. Segregation of feed takes place which results in non-uniform crushing around the crushing cavity. It has been customary in the past to use a feeding plate at the top of the crushing head, but, in practice, it is advantageous to avoid the use of a feeding plate in order to distribute feed and to employ an entirely separate feeding mechanism. Thus the feed member 40 is provided with an outlet 42 which is radially exterior to and completely clears the extension cap 33, and itself constitutes the sole means for feeding material outwardly and downwardly toward the crushing cavity 22 or 22a. Actually, the liner and mantle shown in FIG- URE 1 are such as will define the lower crushing cavity 22, and a modification of the form of bowl liner and mantle would be necessary in order to define a crushing cavity including the upper portion 22a. The showing will therefore be taken as diagrammatic.

As shown in FIGURE l, we provide suitable supporting bolts 48 or the like which support a cross or top platform 50, which, in turn, supports the upper part of the feed distributor generally indicated at 52. This distributor is suspended or extends downwardly from the top plate or platform 50 and is employed to discharge or distribute material in a generally horizontal direction or plane at a point within the feed cone 34, or its upper wall portion 34a. The material to be crushed is initially fed downwardly through an upper passage which may have an upper flange 54 and which may, if desirable, be removable and replaceable. The distributor and its support are shown in detail in FIGURE 2 and may include an upper ange 55 bolted or otherwise connected to the top plate 50a. A depending sleeve 56 integral with or connected to the flange 55 forms the inner frame or foundation of the distributor. A sleeve S is supported for rotation on the frame by suitable bearings 59 or the like with a bottom plate 60 removably connected by bolts 51 or the like to the sleeve 5S. We may provide any suitable seals 62, which may be labyrinths or otherwise, at the top and bottom of the rotatable sleeve 58 so that the space around the bearings is totally enclosed and may be supplied with lubricant or grease by a suitable fitting 63. A flange or plate 70 at the lower end of the bottom plate 60 rotates with it and may be connected to it and to outer sleeve 58 by bolts 71 or the like. The plate '70 carries, or has secured to it, or may be made integral with, the centrifugal discharge passage 40. The outer sleeve 58 may have or include a suitable gear 72 which is driven by any suitable means, such as a cog belt or the like 73 from a separate drive motor 74 having a drive pinion 75, the whole being mounted on the top plate 50a.

The drive motor 74 or the like may be electric, hydraulic, or otherwise, but an essential characteristic is that it is totally separate from whatever motor is used to drive or gyrate the crushing head, and, accordingly, may be set to drive the feed distributor at a rate which is totally independent of the crushing rate.

Referring to FIGURE 2, any suitable means may be employed to feed particles of mixed size, to be reduced, into the upper end of the tube or passage 53. The particles so fed are delivered by `gravity downwardly through the entry aperture 41 of the member 40. In the form of FIGURES 1 and 2 the member 40 is shown as a tube forming a curvilinear elbow. The result of the entry of particles of mixed size into a passage of this type and shape, taken in connection with its rotation at a suitable rate, is such as to provide a thorough mixture of particles by size. In the structure as shown these mixed particles do not impinge upon the member 33 at all. They are delivered centrifugally generally outwardly through the outlet 42 which is axially substantially spaced from the indicated axis 30a of the head. There is no tendency for material to gather or pack or segregate in the passage 40.

Whereas we have illustrated the passage 40 as a tube, it will be understood that under some circumstances the upper part of the tube may be omitted, and that it may consist, in a broad sense, of a species of trough. However, the tubular form is practical, strong, wear-resistant and efficient as a mixing element.

Referring to the form of FIGURES 3 and 4, a somewhat diferent form of more or less tubular feed distributor is indicated which may be substituted for the member 40. A top plate or ring 170 is shown as carrying a generally vertical, downwardly extending tube 171 shown as terminating in a downwardly and outwardly inclined bottom plate 172. The tube 171 is cut away, as at 173, to provide a single discharge outlet. The bottom 172 is downwardly and outwardly inclined toward the opening 173 and is outwardly, radially continued, as at 172g, to increase the carrying distance of the particles fed. To prevent any gathering or packing we show an inclined baffle 174 against which the falling material drops and as a result of which it is more or less cammed or urged toward and through the opening 173.` The outward extension 17211 of the inclined bottom member 170 adds to the centrifugal acceleration of the fed material.

Another form is indicated in FIGURES 5 and 6. The top plate 270, corresponding to 70 and 170 of the other forms, carries a downwardly and outwardly inclined element 271, indicated as rectilinear and having a top receiving aperture 272 generally concentric with the axis of the crusher head, and a bottom discharge outlet 273 downwardly and outwardly spaced from 272 and radially extending substantially outwardly of the indicated axis of the head. The axis of the head is diagrammatically iillustrated at 30a in the various forms of the various figures. It will be realized, of course, that the angle of the member 271 may be varied, and likewise its length. While we prefer to have it in tubular form, it will be understood that a trough, at least partly open at the top, may be employed. The relationship with the counterweight may be as shown in FIGURE 2.

The form of FIGURE 7 illustrates the use of an opentopped trough. As shown, any suitable motor means, generally indicated as 300, drives a pulley 301 which, through belts 302, rotates the feeder structure. 303, 304 and 305 indicate the components of a fixed structure suitably supported above the crushing cavity and coaxial with the crusher axis. The internal space 306 provides ample room for the feed of the material to be crushed. The parts 303, 304 and 305 are held together, for example, by bolts 307. The part 304- includes a shelf 304:1 to receive a single ball bearing unit, generally indicated as 308. The rotated ring 309 is outwardly grooved to receive the belts 302, `whereby it is rotated. Any suitable seals are employed, such as` are shown at 310 and 311. The feeder proper includes the ring 312 connected by bolts 313 to the lower outwardly extending flange 3:03a of the ring 308. Extending downwardly from the ring 312 are chute sides 314 connected at their lower edges by any suitable bottom portion or member 315. The chute is completed by the downward extension 316 from the ring 312, which may be suitably secured to the part 315. Alternatively, the entire chute structure may be unitary; for example, it may be cast of one piece. Preferably, the part 315 includes a relatively highly inclined portion 315a and a less `inclined portion 315b, Covering the bottom 315 may be any suitable liner, indicated as 316, which may be of rubber or a suitable rubber substitute, or a metal of high wear resistance. If desired, such a resistant liner may be applied also to the sides 314, but, normally, a wear resistant bottom portion, such as is shown at 316, is adequate.

As the material to be crushed is fed downwardly through the axial aperture 306 it impinges on the inclined bottom portion, and tends to slide down the slope and out across the less inclined portion, which may even be horizontal, if desired. The effect of the rotation of the feeder is to impart centrifugal movement to the particles sliding or moving down through the chute. As in the other forms, the centrifugally fed particles move outwardly toward the directing portions 34, 34a as shown in FIGURE l, and are thereby directed downwardly into the crushing cavity.

The use, operation and function of our invention are as follows:

According to certain crushing methods, it is desirable that the feed to the crushing cavity be made up of a certain proportion and distribution of coarser particles and finer particles to prevent segregation and uneven crushing. It is quite important that segregation does not take place and that the thorough intermixing of coarse and fine particles should be delivered and distributed to the crushing cavity on a cyclical basis which is releated to the crushing action. It is highly important that a thorough intermixing of particles of different sizes be maintained and distributed to the cavity of a uniform cyclical basis. This has been difficult in the past, since the slow creeping rotation of the head or the somewhat more rapid rotation of the eccentric has required a complicated gearing to a distributor arrangement which was directly dependent upon the rate of operation of the crushing head.

In the present arrangement we completely divorce these two. The rate of crushing action and the operation of the crusher head may be made totally independent of the rate of feed and distribution. The reverse is also true. The intermixing of coarse and fine particles, and the rate of feed and distribution, and, in fact, the over-all operation of the feeder and distributor, may be made or set at a rate which is totally independent of the crushing action. The two may and should be related so that the crushing will be carried out at maximum efficiency.

In essence, we provide an independent distributor which is freely located more or less directly above the crushing head and vertically, at least in part, aligned with it. The separate distributor is located above and out of contact with the head. The separate distributor has its own independent drive which may be set to provide different rates of distribution, depending upon whether wet or dry material is being supplied, or depending upon other factors, so that the distribution to the crushing cavity will be at an optimum rate at all times.

It is also important to note that there is no gyration or oscillation, since the distributor is totally independent of and separated from the head. All forms of the distributor can be fully and evenly balanced. In the form of FIG- URE 2 the initial distribution may be generally in a horizontal plane. In the forms of FIGURES 4 and 6 the initial delivery is in a downward as well as in an outward direction. In any event, the material contacts the outer walls 34 and 34a, and enters the crushing cavity. Stating the invention in method terms, we traverse a downwardly and outwardly extending feed zone about the crushing cavity, while feeding material downwardly along the axis of the head and delivering it centrifugally outwardly over the crushing cavity at a rate entirely independent of the rate of gyration.

The basic distribution may be easily changed by the operator in the field, depending upon the over-all performance of the machine and the condition of the feed. The operator may observe the degree of reduction and separation and adjust the distribution accordingly.

All forms of the feed distributor are the essence of simplicity. In each example a distributor is rotated about a generally upright axis which is coincident with the crusher axis. The vmaterial fed down through the center chute or liner 53 may, due to the handling equipment used, be somewhat segregated. In each form there is only a single exit and, therefore, the coarse and fines leave together. In each form, whereas the inlet, as at 41, is axial, the outlet, as at 42, is radially spaced outwardly from the center of the crusher. Therefore, all of the material, in all the forms shown, must turn a corner, in the course of which coarse and fines are thoroughly and completely mixed. Thus each form of distributor provides a fully mixed, single spray of material, with no opportunity for the material to segregate itself between coarse and fines. Thus all portions of the crushing cavity will receive a fully intermixed supply of material which will result in uniform crushing action throughout, and an even wear throughout, the entire circumference of the crushing cavity.

With reference to the form of FIGURES 2 and 6, the axial distance from the center of the machine of the outlets 42 and 273 respectively is sufficient to impart a substantial centrifugal movement to the unsegregated material being fed toward the crushing cavity. Preferably, but not necessarily, the outlets are radially beyond the contour of the weight 33. If, under some circumstances, a feeding plate 4is employed then the spray lof material from the distributor may be interrupted in its free flight by the peripheral edge of the plate. In any event, the material is given sufficient velocity by the distributor to move outwardly above and into the crushing cavity.

Referring to the form of FIGURE 4, the inclined bottom wall 172 directs the material toward the single opening 173 and across the centrifugally accelerating shelf 17251. The baffle 174 prevents the accumulation and segregation of material.

It will be understood that an open-top trough may, under some circumstances, be preferable to a closed or tubular passage. Such a trough is shown in FIGURE 7.

While we have shown and described several forms of our invention it should be understood that suitable additional modifications, changes, substitutions and alterations may be :made without departing from the inventions fundamental theme. For example, if gyration is desired, which, under some circumstances, may be advantageous in preventing gathering of material in delivery passages, bearings for causing gyration, as well as rotation, may be employed. We therefore wish that the invention be unrestricted except as by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a Crusher having a gyrated head, a frame, a bowl mounted on the frame and defining, with the gyrated head, a crushing cavity, means for gyrating the head at a predetermined rate, a feed distribution above the head and generally aligned axially with the head and spaced upwardly from it, said feed distributor including a feed delivery element having an upper intake opening generally concentric with the axis of the head and an outlet spaced substantially downwardly from the intake and radially outwardly from the axis of the head, Said feed delivery element having a downwardly and outwardly sloping bottom portion underlying the intake opening and terminating radially outwardly of the circumference of the intake opening, and separate power means for rotating the feed distributor so that material will be fed to the cavity at a rate completely independent of the rate of gyration of the head, and sufficient to cause centrifugal movement of the material outwardly substantially beyond the outlet of the feed delivery element.

2. The structure of claim 1 characterized in that the feed distributor includes a downwardly and outwardly extending open-ended tube.

3. The structure of claim 1 characterized in that the feed distributor includes a downwardly and outwardly extending open-ended tube which is generally rectilinear.

4. The structure of claim 1 characterized in that the feed distributor includes a downwardly and outwardly extending open-ended tube which is at least in part longitudinally curvilinear.

5. The structure of claim 1 characterized in that the feed distributor includes a delivery element having an intermediate bend between its upper and lower ends.

6. The structure of claim 1 characterized in that the feed distributor includes a delivery element in the form of an open-topped chute having material guiding bottom and sides.

7. The structure of claim 1 characterized in that the feed distributor includes a delivery element in the forrn of an open-topped chute, said chute having a substantially inclined bottom portion axially aligned with the axis of the Crusher, and a terminal portion extending outwardly therefrom adapted for the centrifugal acceleration of the particles fed down the chute.

8. In a cone Crusher, a frame, an overhanging bowl in the frame, a gyrating head mounted in the frame defining a crushing cavity with the bowl, means for gyrating the head at a predetermined rate, a feed wall above the crushing cavity arranged to deliver material by gravity to the cavity, a feed distributor above the cavity generally within the wall and generally aligned axially with the head but spaced upwardly from it, said feed distributor including a feed delivery element having an upper intake end generally concentric with the head and an outlet radially substantially spaced downwardly from the intake, the feed delivery element being generally vertical but terminating in a downwardly and outwardly inclined bottom wall aligned with a single discharge aperture.

9. The structure of claim 8 characterized by the provision of an inclined baffle intermediate the ends of the feed delivery element and formed and adapted to prevent the gathering or segregation of material intermediate the ends of the feed element.

10. In a feeding assembly for cone Crushers and the like, a rotor and means for rotating it, said rotor having 7 8 an axially apertured portion and an open-topped chute 12. The structure of claim 1 characterized in that the depending therefrom, said chute having an inclined botdelivery element of the feed distributor includes a retorn portion aligned with the axis of the Crusher and a Paabl@ bOOm Surfacmg terminal portion extending outwardly therefrom and References Cited adapted for the centrifugal acceleration of particles mov- 5 ing down the Chut@ UNITED STATES PATENTS 11. In a feed assembly for cone Crushers and the like, 3,212,720 10/1965 Gasparac 241-30 a rotor and means for rotating 1t, said rotor having an WILLIAM W. DYER, JR., Primary Examiner.

axially apertured portion and a tubular delivery member extending downwardly and outwardly therefrom. 10 R- J- ZLATNIK, ASSSH'" Exflmll

Claims (1)

1. IN A CRUSHER HAVING A GYRATED HEAD, A FRAME, A BOWL MOUNTED ON THE FRAME AND DEFINING, WITH THE GYRATED HEAD, A CRUSHING CAVITY, MEANS FOR GYRATING THE HEAD AT A PREDETERMINED RATE, A FEED DISTRIBUTION ABOVE THE HEAD AND GENERALLY ALIGNED AXIALLY WITH THE HEAD AND SPACED UPWARDLY FROM ITS, SAID FEED DISTRIBUTOR INCLUDING A FEED DELIVERY ELEMENT HAVING AN UPPER INTAKE OPENING GENERALLY CONCENTRIC WITH THE AXIS OF THE HEAD AND AN OUTLET SPACED SUBSTANTIALLY DOWNWARDLY FROM THE INTAKE AND RADIALLY OUTWARDLY FROM THE AXIS OF THE HEAD, SAID FEED DELIVERY ELEMENT HAVING A DOWNWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY SLOPING BOTTOM PORTION UNDERLYING THE INTAKE OPENING AND TERMINATING RADIALLY OUTWARDLY OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE INTAKE OPENING, AND SEPARATE POWER MEANS FOR ROTATING THE FEED DISTRIBUTOR SO THAT MATERIAL WILL BE FED TO THE CAVITY AT A RATE COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT OF THE RATE OF GYRATION OF THE HEAD, AND SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE CENTRIFUGAL MOVEMENT OF THE MATERIAL OUTWARDLY SUBSTANTIALLY BEYOND THE OUTLET OF THE FEED DELIVERY ELEMENT.

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