US3899964A

US3899964A - Rotary hay-briqueting machine for compacting fibrous material

Info

Publication number: US3899964A
Application number: US327678A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph Molitorisz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-01-29
Filing date: 1973-01-29
Publication date: 1975-08-19
Anticipated expiration: 1992-08-19
Also published as: DE2400107A1; IT1004804B; FR2215311B1; DE2400107C2; FR2215311A1; CA1011593A; GB1466305A

Abstract

In a rotary hay briqueting machine using rolling-compressing techniques, sheets of loose fibrous material rolled into a dense cylindrical core in a double sectioned compression channel, each channel section being confined by power driven boundary skewed compression rollers. The circumferentially spaced plurality of skewed compression rollers impart to the material of the core radial, tangential and axial forces. The loose fibrous material is fed to the first or receiving section of the compression channel from where the compressed core moves to the interspace separating the two compression channel sections. At this interspace the continuous core is cut to desired length briquets. The cut core of adjacent briquets then enters the secondary section of the compression channel for additional compression. The skewing positions of the compression rollers are automatically regulated and adjusted to obtain the desired density of the core.

Description

[4 1 Aug. 19,1975

Primary Examiner-Peter Feldman 57 ABSTRACT In a rotary hay briqueting machine using rollingcompressing techniques, sheets of loose fibrous material rolled into a dense cylindrical core in a double sectioned compression channel, each channel section being confined by power driven boundary skewed ROTARY HAY-BRIQUETING MACHINE FOR COMPACTING FIBROUS MATERIAL Inventor: Joseph Molitorisz, 624 81st Ave.

N.E., Bellevue, Wash. 98004 Filed: Jan. 29, 1973 Appl. No.: 327,678

United States Patent Molitorisz compression rollers. The circumferentially spaced plurallty of skewed compression rollers impart to the material of the core radial, tangential and axial forces. The loose fibrous material is fed to the first or receiving section of the compression channel from where the compressed core moves to the interspace separating the two compression channel sections. At this interspace the continuous core is cut to desired length briquets. The cut core of adjacent briquets then enters the secondary section of the compression channel for additional compression. The skewing positions of the compression rollers are automatically regulated and adjusted to obtain the desired density of the core.

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INV'EN TOR I JOSEPH MOL ITORISZ ROTARY HAY-BRIQUETING MACHINE FOR COMPACTING FIBROUS MATERIAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention pertains to apparatus for compressing fibrous materials. The invention has particular application to agricultural uses such as the compaction of hay or the like into self-contained cylindrical briquets, and the invention also has industrial utility for the compaction of other materials. The compaction technique is of the type in which sheets of fibrous material are continuously rolled into a core by the imposition of radial, axial and tangential forces in the core-forming channel confined by circumferentially spaced rollers. This technique is known in the art as rolling-compressing.

2. Description of the prior art The rolling-compressing technique of forming loose fibrous material into dense cylindrical body had its origin in the early part of this century, when several patents were issued on this process. The U.S. Pat. Office issued a patent to Mr. T. A. Killman in 1910, U.S. Pat. No. 963,775, on his baling machine. Another patent was issued to Mr. E. U. G. Reagan in 191 l, U.S. Pat. No. 983,086, on his roller press.

The same basic technique was applied for the forming of loose fibrous material into dense cylindrical core suitable for cutting into wafers, at Michigan State University in the late l950s. The U.S. Patent Office issued a patent to McColly and Molitorisz on their Crop Pelleter, U.S. Pat. No. 3,316,694.

Roll-forming and compressing apparatus of cylindrical, conical and hyperboloid channel configurations have been developed using skewed rollers, channels with large cone angles, or mechanical means in the channel to induce axial displacements of the formed core.

A U.S. Patent issued in 1882, U.S. Pat. No. 260,246, clearly defines the application of skewed hyperboloidal rollers for the introduction of the axial forces on the rotating core in the channel. This inventor in 1882 then said, The principle of my invention consists in the arrangement to be hereafter described, in a common frame of a set of two or more rollers arranged with their axis at an angle to each other and to the axis of the article to be rolled, thereby said article receives not only a rotary but also a progressive movement while revolving between the rolls... Thus when said rolls revolve the said article receives a spiral or combined rotary and progressive movement, which results in forming it to the true cylindrical shape which is the object of this machine to impart, and at the same time feeding it forward through the rolls.

Roller systems with adjustable of self-adjusting skew angles have also been developed in the past. In the disclosure of their invention McColly and Molitorisz described the application of adjustable skew angle of the roller system. This disclosure was dated in July 1960. In the U.S. Pat. No. 3,269,098, issued to R. W. Bushmeyer et al., the application of automatically adjusting skew angle control systems was described, where a sensing device in combination with an actuating mechanism served to control the skew angle. The magnitude of the torsional or skew angle of the axis of the compression rollers relative to the axis of the core forming channel was adjustable within predetermined range.

Means have also been provided to produce axial resistance forces to achieve a desired core density.

T. A. Killmans invention applies a cylindrical chamber for the control of density of the core. Molitoriszs invention, U.S. Pat. No. 3,691,94l applies density control valve exerting adjustable axial resistance force on the formed core.

Rolling-compressing systems consisting of separate receiving and finishing rollers have been developed, and patent has been issued to R. W. Bushmeyer, U.S. Pat. No. 3,323,445.

Molitoriszs invention, U.S. Pat. No. 3,691,941, has a single channel system performing both the receiving and the finishing phases of the process.

Slicing and metering mechanisms for the cutting of the continuous core into the desired length wafers were developed. One inherent problem with those mechanisms was the severe damage on the surface of the core.

Major difficulties have been experienced with those rolling-compressing systems covered by the prior art, because of the limited flexibility of the channels to accept sudden changes in the rate of intake of the loose material to be compressed into dense core. Plugging of the compression channel, causing frequent interruption in the operation, mechanical breakdowns because of the overloading of the power drive, were severe limitations on the commercial use of the process.

To achieve broad commercial acceptance, the rolling-compressing machine must have adequate throughput capacity, for example, a field machine for hay briqueting should have a capacity of at least eight tons per hour. The prior art machines lacked this capability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed toward various uniuqe features employed to produce a practical, commercially feasible mobile or stationary compacting machine which uses the rolling-compressing technique. While the various features uniquely work in combination to provide an overall optimum machine they are also useful individually and provide unique advantages over similar features of prior art machines.

The first unique feature of my machine is the main gear box which receives the drive from the power source and distributes the power to the compression rollers. Through the unique design the drive system allows at least one of the driven rollers to move radially relative to the confined compression channel in the entire length of the core forming channel, allowing the increase of the diameter of the formed core if and when the rate of intake of the loose material exceed the rate of discharge of the formed core at a given diameter. Prior art machines had flexible support for the compression rollers at the discharge end of the channel only, lacking the necessary flexibility at the entire length of the roller system.

Using the unique system of the main drive, consisting of meshed gears enclosed in the gear box and chain drive for the compression rollers, the power distribution is continuous and uninterrrupted while the radial movement of the rollers takes place with the increase of the core diameter. A biasing spring force applied to the deflecting chain-powered rollers exerts the necessary compressive radial forces on the core. The magnitude of this biasing force is made adjustable.

The gear box is pivotably supported in journal bearings allowing a limited rotation for the entire power distribution system to form a skew angle by the rollers relative to the core for the axial discharge of the compressed material. The limited rotation of the power distribution system is achieved automatically by utilizing the input torque, or can be introduced by some actuating mechanism.

The basic differentiations between the automatic skew-mechanism of the prior art machines and this invention can be seen when it is considered that those prior art systems used either some external sensing elements which actuated a control mechanism causing the limited rotation of the supporting plate of the rollers, or as in Molitoriszs pending application Ser. No. 243,641, a closed planetary gear system was applied not allowing any radial displacement of the compression rollers at the drive end.

In this invention the main power input shaft of the main drive is at a larger distance from the axis of rotation of the drive system than the axis of the compression rollers are relative to that rotational axis, resulting in a greater torque to cause the limited rotation of the system, than if the torque input is at the sun gear of a planetary drive.

To force the main drive system to return to its initial position when the input torque is small, a bias spring is applied causing the counter acting torque. Until the magnitude of the input torque is smaller than the exerted torque by the biasing spring, the rollers remain in parallel position relative to the longitudinal axis of the compression channel, causing the rotation of the confined core, but not exerting axial forces on it. When the increasing rolling resistance in the compression channel calls for an increased input torque at the main drive input the magnitude of the input torque will gradually exceed the magnitude of the biasing torque of the spring and the limited rotation of the main drive system will occur. An adjustable limiting means is applied to determine the extreme positions of the rotatable supported main drive system.

As a unique feature of this invention both the drive and the discharge end of the compression rollers are flexible supported to allow substantial increase of the diameter of the core without interfering with the rolling-compressing process. Having both ends of the roller system flexible supported, this machine has the capability of absorbing substantial fluctuations in the rate of intake, reducing the sensitivity of the machine to the unavoidable unevenness of the feeding rate of the channel, reducing the probability and frequency of the plugging of the channel, reducing the fluctuation in the power requirement, and thus maintaining the continuous and uninterrupted operation of the machine.

The unique design of the roller suspension allows the wider opening of the otherwise substantially closed, confined channel, for servicing and repair. The The servicing and repair of the prior art machines was rather difficult because of the inexcessibility of the core forming channel.

Another unique feature of this invention is the suspension and drive of the individual rollers. In the prior art machines complicated and expensive components were applied to support and drive the rollers. Telescopic drive shafts and specially built elements were needed to provide both radil support and torque input to the rollers.

In this invention a unique system of the combination of commercial components and simple elements provides both the radial support and the power input. This unique design of the suspension of the rollers allows the introduction of a skew angle without limiting the radial flexibility of the rollers. The power input is through a conventional universal joint which maintains the power transfer regardless of the actual position of the compression rollers.

Another important feature of this invention is the unique compression channel. It consists of two distinctly separated roller groups; the first is the primary or receiving section where the loose sheets of fibrous material are introduced and partially compressed into a cylindrical core. As the result of the axial forces produced by the skewed position of these primary rollers, this precompressed core moves from this primary channel section and passes through the cutting or slicing zone, where the continuous core is cut into the desired length briquets. Then precompressed and cut core enters the secondary or finishing channel where the forming of the core is completed. This secondary compressing of the core corrects some of the damages caused by the cutting on periphery of the initially compressed core.

In the prior art rolling-compressing machines either a single channel system was used where both the receiving and finishing phase of the process was accomplished in one channel, or double sectioned channels were applied with two interconnected but independently suspended rollers systems. While the first method had the inherent difficulty of not producing good quality briquets because of the inadequate work on the outer layers of the core, the second method had the inherent problem of the accumulation of fibers at the intersection of the two rollers systems causing frequent plugging of the channel.

It is generally observed that during the cutting of the core into individual briquets the surface of the core is damaged by the increased torque while the cutter knife engages the core. In this invention the arrangement of the cutter, the method of cutting and the additional rolling of the cut core provides the means for producing good quality briquets.

In this invention the receiving or primary roller system is entirely separated from the discharging or secondary roller system. An adequate interspace for the cutter operation divides the two groups of roller systems. The two sections of each compression roller are mounted on a common shaft providing support and power transmission for both of them. the accumulation of fibers at the interspace is prevented by the action of the cutter knife.

The cutting mechanism represents another major feature of this invention. It is uniquely designed to fit within the bodies of the primary and secondary rollers of one group of the roller systems, the said roller bodies shielding the cutting mechanism. The cutter blade of the cutting mechanism is mounted on a supporting frame for rotational motion and is allowed to move axially during its contact with the core. The radial forces imposed on the core by the cutting blade are counteracted by the compressing rollers which support the core as it is being cut into briquets. The core is positively driven during cutting both by the primary and the secondary rollers. The rotational speed of the cutterblade supporting frame determines the frequency at which the knife enters the core-forming channel, thus in combination with the axial speed of said core the actual length of the cut briquets is determined and it can be adjusted. After leaving the coreforming volume of the channel, where the cutting is undertaken, the cutter blade is forced by using a biasing spring, to move axially back to its initial cutting entry position.

In the prior art rolling-compressing machines the cutting of the core has been accomplished, either within the core forming channel as shown in the US. Pat. No. 3,323,445, where the space limitations and the method of cutting could cause severe damage on the core, and also could interfere with the rotation of the core, causing operational difficulties. Or as set forth in Molitoriszs U.S. Pat. No. 3,691,941, cutting is accomplished after the core left the compression channel, thus any damage caused by the cutter on the core can not be corrected.

Another unique feature of this invention is the actuating mechanism for the cutter. In prior art rollingcompressing machines such as Molitoriszs US. Pat. No. 3,691,941, a rather complicated metering mechanism was applied to measure the length of the discharged core and to actuate an electromechanical device to release the power transmission clutch for the rotating of the cutter-blade. In Bushmeyers US. Pat. No. 3,3 23,445, the rotation of the knife supporting disk was caused by the axially advancing core. In this invention a simple mechanical clutch is applied which is actuated by the position of the rollers system. If and when the skew angle of the roller system is small or zero the clutch disengages the drive to the cutter, keeping the cutter-blade in a fixed position outside the core forming channel. As the skew angle increases and reaches a predetermined magnitude the clutch is released transmitting the power to the cutter causing the rotation of the blade. In reverse, as the skew angle of the roller system decreases because of the reduced rate of intake of the loose material, the clutch disengages the power drive and stops the rotation of the blade, holding it in a fixed position.

The discharge end of the roller system is uniquely designed to allow the skewing of the rollers and in combination with the drive end of the roller system it allows the radial movement of the rollers for an increased diameter core. The discharged briquets are received by a concave sheel attached to the lower arm of the roller supporting system, thus said shell follows the changes in the diameter of the core. Said shell provides support for the briquets and guides said briquets into the recepticle or conveyer of the machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is an overall perspective view of a rolling compressing machine embodying the principles of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an isometric schematic view illustrating the general arrangement of the drive train and the compression rollers of the machine shown on FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the equalizer system pivotedly supported roller supporting arms of the machine shown on FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the main gear box showing the power distribution system to the compression rollers, and showing the direction of the acting torques causing the rotation of the compression rollers and inducing the limited rotation of the main drive system.

FIG. 5 is a vertical transverse section of the double sectioned compression roller system with its primary and secondary compression rollers, and also showing the coupling means for the driving and the suspension of the compression rollers at the drive end.

FIG. 6 is a schematic vertical transverse section of the cutter mechanism and its power drive system.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation showing the automatic actuating mechanism of the power cutter system drive.

FIG. 8 is a schematic vertical longitudinal section showing the position S and the working plane of the cutter blade of the cutter mechanism relative to the position of the compression rollers and the core.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Generally stated, the invention is practiced by providing a pick-up and conveyor means P for directing the loose material into a roller-compresser mechanism where the loose fibrous material is formed into continuous dense cylindrical core C which is being cut into desired size briquets B and is expelled from the rollingcompressing unit.

The mobile Rotary Briqueting Machine illustrated on FIG. 1 comprising a frame structure F which is supported by wheels W. The machine can be drawn by a prime mover such as a tractor. In the embodiment illus trated, the means for compressing the fibrous material into a cylindrical core 0 includes four compression rollers CRP CRP CRP;,, and CRP,,, each consisting of a primary or receiving and a secondary or finishing roller distinctly separated by the interspace I for the cutter blade BL. The rollers are powered by a suitable drive train D which is connected to the power takeoff, a prime mover. The rollers are circumferentially spaced to confine the core forming channel. A space is provided between two adjacent rollers as a transverse inlet into the channel. The skewing of the roller system provides the core formed in the channel with an axial force to move the core toward the discharge exit E of the channel. Both the driver and the discharge ends of at least one of the rollers are mounted for radial movement relative to the core forming channel and are spring biased inwardly by biasing springs S. The channel confined by the skewed rollers has a complex geometrical form.

The primary or receiving section of the channel has a length suitable to receive the loose sheet of material at the desired rate. The suitable surface configuration of the compression rollers provide the necessary torque transfer for maintaining the rotation of the core in the channel. The radial flexibility of the roller suspension allows a substantial increase of the core diameter and thus permits a significant increase in the intake capacity of the machine. As an example, when the 5 inch core diameter is allowed to increase to 6 inches, the through-put capacity of the machine increases by 44 percent.

The significance of the radial flexibility of both the drive and the discharge ends of the channel is demonstrated by a more uniform density of the core across its cross section and by the reduced fluctuation of the power requirement at uneven intake of the machine.

For improved torque transfer between the compression rollers and the core, the outside surface of the compression rollers is covered with vulcanized rubber, having a configuration of adequate protrusions.

The suspension of the compression rollers at the drive end is provided by the protruding shafts of the gear box and of the pivotedly secured roller supporting arms RSP,, and RSP on FIG. 2. The torque is transmitted through the universal joints U on FIG. 5, and the connected shafts CS. The shaft is anchored to the body of the compression roller with the flange FL. The radial support for the rollers at the drive end is provided by the hub H which is attached to the universal joint. The ring R with its spherical sectioned periphery is attached to the hub H and is in sliding contact with the ring RR which is solidly attached to the body of the compression roller. The small relative motion between the two rings allows the application of non-lubricated contact. The relatively small axial forces present in the roller system are counter-acted by the universal joints U, thus maintaining the axial positions of the rollers during operation.

Both the primary and the secondary rollers have vulcanized rubber surface for improved torque transfer and for the prevention of adherance of fibers or particles especially when material with adhesive characteristics is compressed. For the protection of the vulcanized surface on each ends on the rollers a steel rim is provided.

The cutting mechanism consists of two units; the mechanical clutch CL on FIG. 6, and FIG. 7, as a power transmission element between the main drive input and the cutter, and the carrier BLC on FIG. 6, for the blade BL which is built into the roller system. The clutch with its chain drive CD is attached to the main gear box MG. The pawl PW is actuated by a block CB which is fastened, adjustably, to the frame of the machine. When the main gear box is in the zero skew angle position, the pawl PW is disengaged from the ratchet RA and locks the drive shaft of the cutter in a fixed position. As the main gear box rotates as the result of the increased input torque, the pawl moves away from the block and after release it engages the ratchet, causing the rotation of the drive shaft DS. A telescopic shaft with universal joints transmit the power to the input shaft of the cutter assembly CA. The chain drive CD transmits the power to the hollow shaft HS joumally supported by the roller shaft CS, and in turn transmits the power to the carriage frame of the cutter. The secondary compression roller CRS of the roller unit which carries the cutter, is journally supported by the hollow shaft of the cutter drive. The cutter blade BL is supported on the carriage positively forcing the blade for rotation, and allowing the blade carriage to slide axially when engaged with the moving core. A biasing spring means is provided to return the blade to its initial position after it disengages from the core. The cutter-blade carriage is built to fit within the internal boundaries of the compression rollers, and it is covered by a protective shield SP to prevent the accumulation of fiber particles. The effective cutting radius of the blade CR on FIG. 8, intersects the boundaries of the core forming channel and also enters the boundary lines of the rollers. For this reason the interspace I between the primary and secondary rollers is provided.

The roller supporting arms RSP,, and RSP both at the drive and discharge ends are pivotedly supported, allowing the increase of the diameter of the core. As a unique feature of this invention each pair of the supporting arms are interconnected with an equalizing coupler ECP and ECS, which keeps the two arms in a symmetrical position relative to the axis of the core. The significance of this feature can be understood if the weight of the rollers and the action of the torque acting on the rollers is assumed. The coupler consists of an arm with a cylindrical pin ECP, and an ear ECS on the opposite roller-supporting-arm, said ear having a longitudinal opening for the engaging of the pin. The elements of the coupler are securely fastened to the rollersupporting arms, and are positioned to maintain the symmetrical arrangement of said roller-supporting arms within their range of angular motion.

At least one of the compression rollers, consisting one primary and one secondary roller, can be radially moved to the extent that the core forming channel is readily excessible for cleaning and servicing.

The main power drive transmission system consists of an input shaft with an attached gear GI on FIG. 4, which is meshed with two other journally supported gears G1, and G2 transmitting the power to two compression rollers and also driving the pivotedly supported compression rollers by chain drive CD. The rotatable suspension of the main gear box is being provided by the supporting shaft MGS. A biasing spring means SS urges the main gear box in an angular position limited by some adjustable means, while the input torque which is acting on the input gear GI tends to cause a rotation T of the main gear box in a direction opposite to the action of the biasing spring SS. When the magnitude of the input torque exceeds the magnitude of the torque, exerted by the biasing spring, a limited rotation of the main gear box occurs producing the skewing of the compression rollers. By using an adjustable biasing spring SS the limited rotation of the main gear box caused by the input torque can be controlled and adjusted to the desired density of the formed core. The limits of the skew angle can be determined by adjustable limiting means.

The discharged briquets are received by a short trough T securely attached to the lower roller supporting arm at the discharge end, to guide the briquets to the conveyor elevator of the machine. The trough being secured to the pivotedly supported roller supporting arm remains in an optimum position relative to the discharged briquets, regardless of the variations in the diameter of the briquets. If desired an inverted trough can be secured to the upper roller supporting arm to form an enclosed guide channel for the briquets.

While the preferred forms of the invention have been illustrated, and described, it should be understood that changes may be made without departing from the principles thereof. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited l by a literal interpretation of the claims appended hereto. I claim:

1. A rolling-compacting machine for forming loose fibrous material, such as hay, into a dense cylindrical core which is cut into briquets, comprising: both a primary roller system and a secondary roller system of an overall core forming channel, said overall core forming channel confined by and having a plurality of at least four circumferentially spaced skewed power driven compression rollers, there being at least four sets of aligned rollers each set having a primary and one secondary compression roller of each system arranged in aligned pairs and mounted on a common shaft, said primary and secondary rollers of each set being distinctly separated by an interspace, a cutting mechanism located in said interspace to sever the oncoming continuous dense core of fibrous material after it is formed in the primary roller system, into desired length briquets. said briquets remaining close together and receiving additional rolling compressing by performing a plurality of revolutions in said secondary roller system of the core forming channel, before the briquets are discharged at the exit of the overall core forming channel, said primary roller system having an axial extending material inlet between two adjacent primary skewed power driven compression rollers, the primary and secondary roller systems being coaxial.

2. A rolling-compacting machine, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cutting mechanism that is positioned in said interspace between the primary and secondary roller systems, comprises a carriage frame journally supported on one of the common shafts of a primary compression roller and a secondary compression roller, the carriage frame being power driven independently from the compression rollers, and urging the rotation of the cutter blade, the cutter blade being journally and slideable supported by the carriage allowing the cutter blade to move axially the said core when said cutter blade is in contact with the core, and a biasing spring urging said cutter blade to its initial axial position when not in engagement with the core, the cutter blade rotating in a plane intersecting the imaginary extended boundaries of the primary and secondary compression roller systems at the interspace located between them and also intersecting the core forming channel to sever the continuous core to desired length briquets, the cutter blade having adjustable rotational speed determining the frequency of its entering the core forming channel, the core being positively supported and driven by both the primary and secondary compression roller systems during and after the cutter blade engages the core, and a shielding housing, for the cutting mechanism, being partially covered by both the primary and secondary compression rollers.

3. A mobile or stationary compacting machine having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compression rollers confining the core forming channel, said compression rollers being driven and flexible supported by a power transmission means consisting of an enclosed pivotedly supported main gear box with pivotedly secured compression roller supporting arms, said main gear box having a power input 'shaft connected by meshed gears to a plurality of drive shafts for the drive and suspension of said compression rollers and said drive shafts transmitting the power to the drive shafts of said pivotedly secured compression roller supporting arms by means of chain drive, said roller supporting arms pivotedly secured to said main gear box are forced by an adjustable biasing spring means to exert radial pressure on said formed core, allowing said core to increase its diameter when the rate of axial discharge becomes smaller than the rate of intake of the loose fibrous material, said pivotedly secured roller supporting arms being coupled to each other by an equalizer coupling means to position said compression rollers symmetrically relative to said core forming channel, said equalizer means consisting of coupling elements secured to said roller supporting arms, said coupling elements being engaged with each other by means of a pin and a longitudinal slot, said equalizer means urging the angular motion of said roller supporting arms in equal magnitude but in opposite direction maintaining an equal radial distance of said roller supporting arms from said core forming channel.

4. A mobile or stationary rolling compressing machine having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compression rollers confining a core forming channel, said compression rollers being power driven and flexible supported by a power transmission means of the type having no planetary gear drive, said power transmission means consisting of an enclosed main gear box journally supported, comprising a set of meshed gears for the drive of the protruding shafts of the gear box and having chain drive to a plurality of shafts journally supported by said roller supporting arms pivotedly secured to said main gear box, said main gear box being allowed to make a limited and adjustable rotational displacement about its supporting axis and being urged by an adjustable biasing means into a position where said compression rollers remain parallel with each other and with the confined core forming channel, said main gear box having a power input shaft being at a greater radial distance from said main gear box supporting shaft than said protruding roller supporting shafts are, said power input shaft exerting a torque urging said main gear box to rotate in a direction opposite to the torque exerted by said adjustable biasing means when the magnitude of the torque applied at the power input shaft is greater than the torque exerted by the adjustable biasing means, said rotational displacement of said main gear box causing the skewed arrangement of said compression rollers relative to said core forming channel urging the axial movement of said core in said core forming channel.

5. A rolling-compressing compacting machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein the plurality of circumferentially arranged compression rollers confining a core forming channel for the compaction of loose sheets of material into continuous dense cylindrical core have at least one of said compression rollers pivotedly suspended allowing its radial movement relative to said core forming channel in the entire length of said core forming channel providing free access to said core forming channel for cleaning and servicing, pivotally secured roller supporting arms positioning the said compression roller so it is pivotally supported at both the drive end and at the discharge end of said core forming channel, an equalizing coupler holding the said pivotally secured roller supporting arms at both the drive and at the discharge end of said core forming channel, and an adjustable biasing means to urge said pivotedly secured roller supporting arms to exert radial forces on said core.

6. A rolling-compacting machine as claimed in claim 4 having a cutting mechanism inclusive of a cutter blade for the severing of said formed continuous core into desired length briquets, having a suitable power transmission means to transmit power to said cutting mechanism from said main gear box, said power transmission means having a positive clutch means actuated by the angular position of said main gear box to disengage said power transmission when said main gear box is in an angular position providing a skew angle for said compression rollers smaller than desired, and holding said cutter blade of the said cutting mechanism in a fixed position outside said core forming channel, said clutch engaging said power transmission when the angular position of said main gear box provides the desired skewed position of said compression rollers, causing the rotation of said cutter blade to uniformly cut said briquets.

7. A mobile or stationary rolling-compressing compacting machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein the said plurality of circumferentially arranged compression rollers confining a core forming channel, have a transverse inlet and an axial discharge, a suitable cutter mechanism to sever said formed continuous dense cylindrical core into desired length briquets universal joints flexible securing the said rollers to said drive shafts, thereby providing torque transfer and axial support to said compression rollers, a hub, secured to said universal joint to radially support the said compression rollers, a spherical sectioned ring of the hub slidable engaging the internal surface of said compression roller, with the center of the ring radius located at the axis of rotation of said universal joint.

8. A rolling-compressing machine as claimed in claim 6 having a briquet receiving means securely attached to the pivotedly secured roller supporting arms and remaining in a nearly constant position relative to said core forming channel providing optimum support and transfer of said cut briquets from the discharge end of said core forming channel to a receptacle or conveyin means of said rolling compressing machine.

9. A mobile or stationary rolling-compressing com pacting machine having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compression rollers, common shafts supporting the rollers to confine and to distinctly form separated primary and secondary core forming channel sections having an interspace between them for accommodating the action of a cutting mechanism to sever the continuous dense cylindrical core formed in said core forming channels into desired length briquets, a main power transmission system to drive the compression roller having no planetary gear transmission means, an adjustable biasing means to counteract the input torque of the main power transmission system causing its adjustable and limited rotational movement changing the skew angle of said compression rollers being flexible supported at both the drive and the discharge end of said core forming channel allowing the change of the diameter of said core, an adjustable biasing means to urge the said flexible supported compression rollers to exert a radial force on said core, pivotal supporting arms for flexibly supporting compression rollers, an

equalizing coupler coupling the pivotal supporting arms and compression rollers symmetrically relative to said core forming channel, a cutting mechanism having a cutter blade, journally mounted on the shaft of one of said compression rollers and power driven independently of said compression rollers and consisting of a cutter blade carriage frame urging the rotation of said cutter blade and allowing limited axial movement of said cutter blade when engaged with said axially moving core, said cutting blade rotating in a plane intersecting the imaginary extended boundaries of said compression rollers and said core forming channel, at the interspace between said compression rollers and said core forming channel, at the interspace between said primary and secondary compression rollers, a biasing means urging said cutter blade to return to its initial axial position after disengaging said core, a clutch means to hold said cutter blade in a fixed position outside the boundaries of said core forming channel, said clutch means being actuated by the angular position of said main power transmission, wherein it disengages when the angular position of said main power transmission system is smaller than desired, and it engages, to transfer power drive to said cutting mechanism when the angular position of said main power transmission system is adequate to cause the desired skewing of said compression rollers, the axially and radially supporting shafts said compression rollers regardless of the angular position of said compression rollers, said cut length briquets receiving additional rolling compressing in said secondary core forming channel, said core being supported during and after cutting, by both said primary and secondary compression rollers, said cutting mechanism having adjustable rotational speed to determine desired cut lengths of said core, a protective shield covering said cutting mechanism and being partially confined by said primary and secondary. compression rollers, at least one of said compression rollers consisting one primary and one secondary compression roller being pivotedly suspended at both the drive and discharge ends allowing free access to said core forming channel for cleaning and servicing.

Claims

1. A rolling-compacting machine for forming loose fibrous material, such as hay, into a dense cylindrical core which is cut into briquets, comprising: both a primary roller system and a secondary roller system of an overall core forming channel, said overall core forming channel confined by and having a plurality of at least four circumferentially spaced skewed power driven compression rollers, there being at least four sets of aligned rollers each set having a primary and one secondary compression roller of each system arranged in aligned pairs and mounted on a common shaft, said primary and secondary rollers of each set being distinctly separated by an interspace, a cutting mechanism located in said interspace to sever the oncoming continuous dense core of fibrous material after it is formed in the primary roller system, into desired length briquets, said briquets remaining close together and receiving additional rolling compressing by performing a plurality of revolutions in said secondary roller system of the core forming channel, before the briquets are discharged at the exit of the overall core forming channel, said primary roller system having an axial extending material inlet between two adjacent primary skewed power driven compression rollers, the primary and secondary roller systems being coaxial.

3. A mobile or stationary compacting machine having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compression rollers confining the core forming channel, said compression rollers being driven and flexible supported by a power transmission means consisting of an enclosed pivotedly supported main gear box with pivotedly secured compression roller supporting arms, said main gear box having a power input shaft connected by meshed gears to a plurality of drive shafts for the drive and suspension of said compression rollers and said drive shafts transmitting the power to the drive shafts of said pivotedly secured compression roller supporting arms by means of chain drive, said roller supporting arms pivotedly secured to said main gear box are forced by an adjustable biasing spring means to exert radial pressure on said formed core, allowIng said core to increase its diameter when the rate of axial discharge becomes smaller than the rate of intake of the loose fibrous material, said pivotedly secured roller supporting arms being coupled to each other by an equalizer coupling means to position said compression rollers symmetrically relative to said core forming channel, said equalizer means consisting of coupling elements secured to said roller supporting arms, said coupling elements being engaged with each other by means of a pin and a longitudinal slot, said equalizer means urging the angular motion of said roller supporting arms in equal magnitude but in opposite direction maintaining an equal radial distance of said roller supporting arms from said core forming channel.

8. A rolling-compressing machine as claimed in claim 6 having a briquet receiving means securely attached to the pivotedly secured roller supporting arms and remaining in a nearly constant position relative to said core forming channel providing optimum support and transfer of said cut briquets from the discharge end of said core forming channel to a receptacle or conveying means of said rolling compressing machine.

9. A mobile or stationary rolling-compressing compacting machine having a plurality of circumferentially arranged compression rollers, common shafts supporting the rollers to confine and to distinctly form separated primary and secondary core forming channel sections having an interspace between them for accommodating the action of a cutting mechanism to sever the continuous dense cylindrical core formed in said core forming channels into desired length briquets, a main power transmission system to drive the compression roller having no planetary gear transmission means, an adjustable biasing means to counteract the input torque of the main power transmission system causing its adjustable and limited rotational movement changing the skew angle of said compression rollers being flexible supported at both the drive and the discharge end of said core forming channel allowing the change of the diameter of said core, an adjustable biasing means to urge the said flexible supported compression rollers to exert a radial force on said core, pivotal supporting arms for flexibly supporting compression rollers, an equalizing coupler coupling the pivotal supporting arms and compression rollers symmetrically relative to said core forming channel, a cutting mechanism having a cutter blade, journally mounted on the shaft of one of said compression rollers and power driven independently of said compression rollers and consisting of a cutter blade carriage frame urging the rotation of said cutter blade and allowing limited axial movement of said cutter blade when engaged with said axially moving core, said cutting blade rotating in a plane intersecting the imaginary extended boundaries of said compression rollers and said core forming channel, at the interspace between said compression rollers and said core forming channel, at the interspace between said primary and secondary compression rollers, a biasing means urging said cutter blade to return to its initial axial position after disengaging said core, a clutch means to hold said cutter blade in a fixed position outside the boundaries of said core forming channel, said clutch means being actuated by the angular position of said main power transmission, wherein it disengages when the angular position of said main power transmission system is smaller than desired, and it engages, to transfer power drive to said cutting mechanism when the angular position of said main power transmission system is adequate to cause the desired skewing of said compression rollers, the axially and radially supporting shafts said compression rollers regardless of tHe angular position of said compression rollers, said cut length briquets receiving additional rolling compressing in said secondary core forming channel, said core being supported during and after cutting, by both said primary and secondary compression rollers, said cutting mechanism having adjustable rotational speed to determine desired cut lengths of said core, a protective shield covering said cutting mechanism and being partially confined by said primary and secondary compression rollers, at least one of said compression rollers consisting one primary and one secondary compression roller being pivotedly suspended at both the drive and discharge ends allowing free access to said core forming channel for cleaning and servicing.