US3642255A

US3642255A - Circulating device for loose materials, especially aerobic decomposing organic waste materials

Info

Publication number: US3642255A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hans Gujer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-05-28
Filing date: 1970-05-27
Publication date: 1972-02-15
Anticipated expiration: 1989-02-15
Also published as: BE751041A; DE2026105A1; GB1289277A; JPS491867B1; AT303432B; AU1567470A; ZA703520B; DE7019838U; FR2048964A5; NL7007724A; DK123809B; CH491798A

Abstract

A circulating device for loose materials, especially for aerobic decomposing organic waste materials comprising a freely suspended, revolving, endless heavy link or jointed mat or conveyor structure which is guided over two upper deflecting devices arranged in spaced relationship from one another at an undercarriage, at least one of such deflecting devices being driven. The link mat is equipped at its outside surface or face with entrainment devices for the loose material, such entrainment devices being divided over its surface. The direction of rotation or revolving of the link mat occurring from the top towards the bottom at the side situated in the direction of advance of the circulation device.

Description

United States Patent 1 Feb. 15, 1927 Gujer [541 CIRCULATING DEVICE FOR LOOSE MATERIALS, ESPECIALLY AEROBIC DECOMPOSING ORGANIC WASTE MATERIALS [72] Inventor: Hans Gujer, Glattalstrasse 149, Rumlang Zurich, Switzerland [22] Filed: May 27, 1970 [21] App]. No.: 40,962

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 28, 1969 Switzerland 8089/69 [52] US. Cl ..259/ 183 [51] Int. Cl. ..B01f 7/00 58 Field of Search ..259/182, 183, 184, 99, 1 R,

259/2; 172/100; 37/191R, 191 A, 192 R, 192 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,622,280 3/1927 Fasting ..259/l84X 1,092,086 3/1914 Wilson 1 72/100 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 325,105 7/1918 Germany ..l72/100 Primary Examiner-Walter A. Scheel Assistant ExaminerPhilip R. Coe AttorneyWerner W. Kleeman ABSTRACT A circulating device for loose materials, especially for aerobic decomposing organic waste materials comprising a freely suspended, revolving, endless heavy link or jointed mat or conveyor structure which is guided over two upper deflecting devices arranged in spaced relationship from one another at an undercarriage, at least one of such deflecting devices being driven. The link mat is equipped at its outside surface or face with entrainment devices for the loose material, such entrainment devices being divided over its surface. The direction of rotation or revolving of the link mat occurring from the top towards the bottom at the side situated in the direction of advance of the circulation device.

21 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures CIRCULATING DEVICE FOR LOOSE MATERIALS, ESPECIALLY AEROBIC DECOMPOSING ORGANIC WASTE MATERIALS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved circulation device for loose materials, especially for aerobic decomposing organic waste materials.

There are already known to the art a whole series of circulating devices for the mixing or circulation of loose materials, especially also for the periodic circulation of organic waste materials during their aerobic decomposition.

A known apparatus for this purposes uses vertically arranged feed worms which upwardly convey the material in vertical direction and then eject such opposite to the direction of advance of the circulation apparatus. Furthermore, an additional prior art circulation device is known employing a revolving endlessconveyor band which is suspended between an upper and a lower deflecting device. The conveyor band is equipped with prongs or teeth which scrape away the material to be circulated in a vertical direction from the bottom towards the top of a heap of loose material and rearwardly eject such material opposite to the direction of advance of the circulation device. What is common to these prior art circula tion devices is that they all possess a relatively complicated construction. Additionally, they require not only a drive mechanism for the feed worms or the revolving conveyor band, respectively, but furthermore need a drive mechanism for the forward movement of the circulation device. Therefore, the known physical manifestations of prior art circulation devices of this type are relatively expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, there is a real need in the art for an improved circulation device for loose materials which is not associated with the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art constructions. It is a primary object of the present invention to provide just such an improved circulation device which fulfills this need quite capably.

Another, more specific object of the present invention relates to an improved circulation device for the agitation or mixing of loose materials, especially aerobic decomposing waste matter, which possesses an extremely simple construction, can be produced economically, and yet still possesses great effectiveness and operational reliability.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the present invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the inventive circulation device for loose materials, especially aerobic decomposing organic waste materials, is generally manifested by the features that it comprises a freely suspended, revolving, endless, heavy link or jointed mat which is guided over two upper deflecting devices arranged at a spacing from one another at an undercarriage or wheel frame. At least one of these deflecting devices is driven. Furthermore, the link mat is equipped at its outer side with entrainment devices for the loose material which are distributed over its surface andthe direction of revolving of the link mat occurs from the top towards the bottom at the side thereof situated in the direction of feed or advance of the circulating device.

The inventive circulating device manifests itself by virtue of its exceptionally simple construction since for the freely suspended, revolving, endless link mat there is only required two upper deflecting devices arranged at a spacing from one another upon a travelling undercarriage or the like. By virtue of the freely suspended or hanging arrangement of the link mat the use of lower deflecting devices becomes superfluous. This brings about a noteworthy simplification of the entire construction of the unit, and moreover, it is possible to dispense with just that or those deflecting devices which otherwise would be situated at the region of the loose material to be circulated. In that case, such deflecting device would be subject to contamination or soiling by the loose material and would be in danger of becoming damaged.

The immersion or introduction of the link mat into the loose material is ensured in that the link mat is constructed to be quite heavy and, therefore, during the circulating or revolving operation cannot climb or ascend. If desired, it is possible to provide an additional weighting mechanism at the lower turning or deflecting region of the link mat at its inner side. In that event such weighting mechanism can likewise possess an extremely simple construction. For instance, it is possible to use as the weighting mechanism a simply freely bearing rolle body.

Due to the freely suspended arrangement of the link mat at two upper deflecting devices arranged in spaced relationship from one another at an undercarriage or wheel frame, the direction of movement or orbit of the link mat approximates that of an inverted isosceles triangle. Furthermore, since the direction of revolving of the link-mat takes place from the top towards the bottom at the side thereof disposed in the direction of feed of the circulating device, the circulating device tends to automatically embed itself or eat into the loose material. Consequently, it is unnecessary to provide an additional drive mechanism for the circulating device for its further movement. On the other hand, it can be advantageous to equip the circulating device with a brake mechanism controlling its feed motion, so that, if necessary, a climbing of the link mat upon. the loose material can be prevented.

The circulating device of the present invention is especially suitable for the periodic circulation or mixing of organic waste materials during their aerobic decomposition, for instance has been described in may copending U.S. application, Ser. No. 780,829 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,553,844 filed Dec. 3, I968 and entitled Method and Means for Continuously Drying Wet Organic Waste Matter, Particularly Fresh Sludge, Through Aerobic Precompositing. In so doing, the circulating device is placed upon the upper edge of an elongate or circular ringshaped container and immerses into the loose material to be circulated with its freely suspended, revolving, endless heavy link mat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description'makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of inventive circulating device shown in its operable position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front view of an enlarged scale of the link mat used in the circulating device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the link mat depicted in FIG. 2, taken substantially along the line III-III thereof;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of a portion of the link mat depicted in FIG. 2, taken substantially along the line IV-IV thereof;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the portion of the link mat shown in FIG. 4, taken substantially along the line V-V thereof;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the circulation device depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the circulation device shown in FIGS. 1 and 6;

FIG. 8 is a front fragmentary view of a link chain for a modified form of link mat and employing inclined disposed DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawings, the exemplary embodiment of circulating device designed according to the teachings of the present invention and depicted in FIG. 1 comprises a so-called The link mat I is designed to be so heavy that when it revolves it tends to dig into the loose material 6 without having the tendency to climb or snake upwards. Furthermore, this link mat is equipped at its outer side with suitable entrainment devices 7 distributed over its surface. These entrainment devices 7, depending upon the intended use of the circulating device, can be differently constructed. It is particularly advantageous to use as the entrainment devices 7 prongs or teeth 7a which, once again, can have different configurations. When using the circulating device for the periodic circulation or mixing of organic waste matter during its aerobic decomposition it has been found to be particularly advantageous to construct these entrainment prongs or teeth 7a so as to be inclined opposite to the direction of revolving or travel of the link mat l, as generally indicated by reference character A in FIG. 1. Consequently, there is not only ensured for a good disintegration of the forwardly situated pile of loose material, but moreover an automatic cleaning of the prongs or teeth 7a.

As already mentioned briefly above, and best seen by referring to FIG. 1, the direction of revolving or travel of the link mat 1 occurs in the direction of the arrow A, that is to say the link mat moves at its side situated in the direction of advance or feed B of the circulating device from the top towards the bottom. Due to this construction it is ensured that the circulating device during its revolving movement of the link mat 1 automatically digs into the pile ofloose material 6. An additional drive mechanism for the forward movement of the circulating device is therefore not necessary. In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 the undercarriage or wheel frame 2 equipped with the travelling wheels 8 of the circulating device is mounted at the upper marginal portion or edge 9 of a container 10 housing the loose material 6.

As best observed by referring to FIGS. 2-7, the link mat preferably is composed of individual juxtapositioned endless chain members 11, with the links 12 of neighboring chains being articulated to one another through the agency ofa suitable coupling mechanism 13. The individual links 12 of the link chains 11 support the entrainment devices or members 7, which in the present embodiment have been constructed as prongs or teeth 7a, as particularly recognized by referring to FIG. 2. The inclination of these teeth or prongs 7a is best observed by referring to the sectional view of the link mat depicted in FIG. 3. The rakelike link elements 12as viewed in their direction of revolving-starting from their center are inclined towards the rear at both sides, so that they improve the circulation or mixing of the bulk or loose material.

The mutual coupling of the individual chains 11 forming the link mat or chain arrangement 1 is undertaken by means of the coupling devices 13 more definitively shown with regard to FIGS. 4 and 5. These coupling devices or mechanisms 13 possess an elongate or substantially horseshoe-shaped eyelet 14. The links 12 of the chains 11 are equipped at their outer sides with bolt members or the like which piercingly extend through the elongate eyelet 14 of the associated coupling device 13. This type of coupling mechanism renders it possible to have the chains 11, in each instance, possess sufficiently great play so that they can laterally deviate somewhat towards one another.

As particularly apparent by referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, each chain 11 is guided per se over two

upper deflecting devices

3 and 4. One of the deflecting devices, such as member 3 of both deflecting

devices

3 and 4, is driven by a suitable drive mechanism 16.

As particularly evident by referring to FIG. 7, it is ad vantageous to adjustably arrange the deflecting devices of the

individual deflecting mechanisms

3 and 4 forming the link mat I, so that the planes of revolving for the individual chains 11 can be adjusted independently of one another. In the exemplary embodiment of inventive circulating device as shown in FIG. 7 each chain 1 1 is not adjustable in its plane of revolution with respect to the other, rather, here in each instance two chains 11 are assembled together into an adjustable chain pair. To carry out convenient adjustment of the planes of revolution of the neighboring chain pairs it will be seen that the

deflecting devices

3 and 4 associated with each pair of chains 1 l are carried by a suitable support frame 40 which. in turn, is displaceably mounted at the movable undercarriage 0: wheel frame 2. For instance, the undercarriage or wheel frame 2 can be provided at the supporting struts or girders 2a with suitably configured, such as arcuate shaped elongate holes which are not particularly shown in the drawings, and with which movably engage the individual support frames 40 so that such can be selectively shifted in these elongate holes to thereby conveniently vary the relative disposition of the respective planes of revolution of the individual chains 11 with respect to one another as explained above. The same arrangement could be obviously also provided for the adjustment of each single chain 11. By virtue of the adjustment possibility of the revolving planes of the chains it is possible to regulate the discharge direction of the individual chains or chain pairs with respect to the other chains or chain pairs. This is particularly then of importance when the circulating device is arranged upon a circular ring-shaped container or the like and then is aligned at an inclination to the radii of the container such that in addition tothe purely circulatory movement of the loose material such experiences an additional conveying movement from one side of the container to the other. By virtue of the additional adjustability of the revolving planes of the individual chains it is therefore possible to regulate in an extremely fine or precise manner the feed movement of the loose material from one side of the container to the other and to accommodate the circulating device to the momentarily required circulating conditions. Thus, for instance, it is possible during the circulating of organic waste materials to bring about a more intense feeding of the material, depending upon the degree of the decomposition process. If the circulating device then is operated in conjunction with a return feed device, this construction enables obtaining a very individual circulation of the material to be treated.

Depending upon the type of material to be circulated or agitated it can occur that the circulating device becomes accelerated due to the revolving of the link mat l to such an extent that the link mat climbs up upon the material to be treated and moves over such in the manner of a roller mat. If that should occur, the circulation or agitation effect of the circulating device is suppressed and this device more readily functions as a compacting mechanism for the loose material. In order to prevent this from occurring, it is advantageous to equip the circulating device with a braking mechanism in order to control the feed or advancing movement. To this end, it is possible to equip one of the revolving or travelling wheels 8 of the undercarriage 2 with a brake which can be more or less strongly adjusted depending upon the requirements. However, it is advantageous to equip the circulating device with an additional friction wheel 17, acting as a brake, which bears upon the travelling surface or container rim 9 and which is coupled via a transmission 18 with the driven deflecting device 3. Owing to the action of the transmission 18 the fr iction wheel 17 can be driven at a lower rotational speed than the deflecting devices 3 for the driven chains 11, so that the friction wheel 17 which frictionally bears upon the upper container rim 9 exerts a braking force upon the circulating device. By virtue of this measure, it is ensured that the fraction wheel 17 automatically adjusts itself to the driven velocity or speed of the link or articulated mat I and, therefore, the feed velocity or speed of the circulating device is accommodated to the revolving velocity of the link mat 1. It is here mentioned that in the exemplary embodiment the deflecting

members

3 and 4 are shown as rollers.

A further measure to prevent climbing of the link mat I resides in providing at the inside of the link mat 1 at the lower deflecting region S a suitable weighting mechanism. This weighting mechanism can be of extremely simple construction FIGS. 8 and 9 depict a further exemplary embodiment of links 12a for the chain 11 of the link or chain mat. These likewise rakelike constructed links 12a are arranged at an inclination with respect to the direction of revolution A of the mat. The inclined position of the links 12a is chosen such that-viewed in the direction of revolution-these links extend at an inclination to rearwardly to that side in which there is intended a transverse transport of the loose material to be circulated.

As best shown by referring to FIG. 9, the mode of operation of such type constructed link mat is as follows: During the downward movement of the links 12a the entrainment prongs or teeth 7, viewed in the direction of advance B of the circulating device, scratch away material from the top towards the bottom from the forwardly disposed compacted heap of material 6a. The loosened material falls downwardly between the teeth or prongs. A transverse feed or transport of this material does not yet occur. At the rear side of the circulating device the links 12a move from the bottom towards the top. The prongs immerse into the loose continuously following rolling material 6b and continuously entrain this loose material upwards, whereby parts of the material laterally roll off of the inclined positioned links 12a. Hence, in addition to a circulatory movement there is also achieved a transverse transport or feed of this material.

The inclined position of the links 12a can either for themselves bring about the transverse transport of the material or can serve to assist or support the transverse feed or transport of the material brought about by the inclined position of the entire circulating device as previously explained.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A circulating device for loose materials, especially for aerobic-decomposing organic waste materials, comprising an undercarriage movable in a predetermined direction of advance, two upper deflecting devices mounted in spaced relationship at said movable undercarriage, a freely suspended, revolving, endless heavy link mat structure guided over said two upper deflecting devices, means for driving at least one of said deflecting devices, entrainment means for the loose material provided at the outside surface of said link mat structure, said entrainment means being distributed over said surface of said link mat structure, the direction of revolving of said endless link' mat occurring from its top towards the bottom at the side situated in the direction of advance of the circulation device, said link mat structure being composed of individual adjacently arranged endless chains formed of link elements, and coupling means for hingedly connecting together said link elements of neighboring chains.

2. A circulating device for loose materials as defined in claim 1, wherein said coupling means couples together neighboring link elements with play.

3. A circulating device as defined in claim 2, wherein said two upper deflecting devices comprises individual deflecting elements for each revolving chain moving through a respective associated revolving plane which are adjustably mounted so that it is possible to regulate independently of one another the said revolving planes of the individual chains.

4. A circulating device for loose materials as defined in claim 1, wherein said entrainment means comprise prong members arranged at said individual link elements.

5. A circulating device for loose materials as defined in claim 4, wherein said prong members are inclined opposite to the direction of revolving of said link mat structure.

6. A circulating device as defined in claim 4, wherein said link elements are constructed to possess the configuration of substantially rakelike members which from their centerline are inclined rearwardly to both sides viewed in the direction of revolution of said link mat structure.

7. A circulating device for loose materials as defined in claim 4, wherein said link elements are constructed to define substantially rakelike members and are positioned rearwardly at an inclination towards that side where there is desired :1 transverse feed of the loose material to be circulated as viewed in the direction of revolution of the link mat structure.

8. A circulating device for loose materials as defined in claim 1, wherein said link mat structure includes a deflecting region at its lower end, and weighting means disposed at the inside surface of said deflecting region.

9. A circulating device for loose materials as defined in claim 8, wherein said weighting means comprises a freely supported roller body.

10. A circulating device for loose materials, especially for aerobic decomposing organic wastematerials, comprising a movable undercarriage movable in a predetermined direction of travel and located above the loose material to be acted upon, scraper conveyor means arranged at said undercarriage, said scraper conveyor means comprising a conveyor band equipped with entrainment means, said conveyor band extending into the loose material in the form of a substantially triangular conveyor band structure which tapers downwardly, said conveyor band being formed as a link conveyor composed of heavy links, and means mounting said link conveyor to be freely suspended beneath said undercarriage.

11. The circulating device as defined in claim 10, wherein said link conveyor is formed of a plurality of individual, adjacently arranged, link chains defined by said heavy links and which are hingedly connected with another, and means for connecting together with play neighboring link elements which extend substantially transversely with respect to the direction of travel of said neighboring link chains of said link conveyor.

12. The circulating device as defined in claim 11, further including a separate support frame for at least each of said link chains, said support frames being individually and independently adjustable relative to one another with respect to said undercarriage.

13. The circulating device as defined in claim 11, further including a separate support frame foreach given group of link chains, said support frames being individually and independently adjustable relative to one another with respect to said undercarriage.

14. The circulating device as defined in claim 11, wherein said chain links are constructed as substantially rakelike elements and, viewed in the direction of travel of the link conveyor, are rearwardly inclined to both sides of their center line.

15. The circulating device as defined in claim 14, wherein said chain links are constructed as substantially rakelike elements and, viewed in the direction of travel of the link conveyor, are rearwardly inclined towards that side where there is intended to be imparted a substantially transverse conveying motion to the circulating loose material.

16. The circulating device as defined in claim 10, wherein said entrainment means comprises prong members inclined opposite to the direction of travel of said link conveyor.

17. The circulating device as defined in claim 10, wherein said link conveyor includes a deflecting region. at its lower end, and weighting means disposed at the inside surface of said deflecting region.

18. The circulating device as defined in claim 17, .wherein said weighting means comprises a freely supported roller body.

19. The circulating device as defined in claim 10, further including drive means for revolving said link conveyor in the direction of travel of said undercarriage and further including brake means for controlling said speed of travel of said undercarriage.

20. The circulating device as defined in claim 19, further including a supporting surface for said brake means, said brake means comprises a friction wheel mounted to travel upon said supporting surface, and means operatively connecting said friction wheel with said drive means.

21. The circulating device as defined in claim 20, wherein said operatively connecting means incorporates a drive roller with which said friction wheel is connected.

Claims

1. A circulating device for loose materials, especially for aerobic-decomposing organic waste materials, comprising an undercarriage movable in a predetermined direction of advance, two upper deflecting devices mounted in spaced relationship at said movable undercarriage, a freely suspended, revolving, endless heavy link mat structure guided over said two upper deflecting devices, means for driving at least one of said deflecting devices, entrainment means for the loose material provided at the outside surface of said link mat structure, said entrainment means being distributed over said surface of said link mat structure, the direction of revolving of said endless link mat occurring from its top towards the bottom at the side situated in the direction of advance of the circulation device, said link mat structure being composed of individual adjacently arranged endless chains formed of link elements, and coupling means for hingedly connecting together said link elements of neighboring chains.

7. A circulating device for loose materials as defined in claim 4, wherein said link elements are constructed to define substantially rakelike members and are positioned rearwardly at an inclination towards that side where there is desired a transverse feed of the loose material to be circulated as viewed in the direction of revolution of the link mat structure.

10. A circulating device for loose materials, especially for aerobic decomposing organic waste materials, comprising a movable undercarriage movable in a predetermined direction of travel and located above the loose material to be acted upon, scraper conveyor means arranged at said undercarriage, said scraper conveyor means comprising a conveyor band equipped with entrainment means, said conveyor band extending into the loose material in the form of a substantially triangular conveyor band structure which tapers downwardly, said conveyor band being formed as a link conveyor composed of heavy links, and means mounting said link conveyor to be freely suspended beneath said undercarriage.

13. The circulating device as defined in claim 11, further including a separate support frame for each given group of link chains, said support frames being individually and independently adjustable relative to one another with respect to said undercarriage.

17. The circulating device as defined in claim 10, wherein said link conveyor includes a deflecting region at its lower end, and weighting means disposed at the inside surface of said deflecting region.

18. The circulating device as defined in claim 17, wherein said weighting means comprises a freely supported roller body.