US601728A - Scouring - Google Patents

Description

(N0 Model.) a Sheets Sheet 1;

J. M. GA-SE. SGOURING, DISINTEGRATINQ, AND SEPARATING MACHINE.

No. 601,728. Patented Apr. 5, 1898.

5-68 o Azaeni'r (No Model.) I v 3 SheetsSheet 2 J. M. CASE.

7 SGOURING,DISINTEGRATING, AND SBPARATING MACHINE. No 601,728. I Patented Apr. 55, 1898.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN M. CASE, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

sooumNc, DISINTEGRATING, AND SEPARATINGF MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 601,728, dated April 5, 1898.

Application 5155 April 15, 1896. Serial No. 587,655. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN M. CASE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Universal Scouring, Disintegrating, and Separating Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My machine has for its objects to provide an effective means for scouring substances of various kinds, such as grain, or for separating impure or light material from heavier or pure material-such, for instance, as in the process of milling or for separating flour, middlings,or other granular substances into grades of fineness according to their specific gravity, or for cleaning the fiber from cottonseed and separating the same from the grain and collecting it, or for grinding grain or middlings and continuously removing the ground product during the process of reduction, or for milling hominy and separating thedetached bran, germ, and grits from the hominy during the process of milling. ,In carrying out these various objects for which my machine is adapted I make slight modifications in the surfaces, the fan, and the settling chambers;- but the general principle of the machine and mode of operation remain the same forall the different usesto which it may be put.

The leading feature of this invention consists in causing the air-current from the fan to continuously cross the path of the material being operated upon in such a manner that.

the lighter material is carried away into set tling-chambers, while the heaviermaterial returns for further treatmentwithout again coming in contact with any of the substances which have been separated from it. I find it impracticable to separate by throwing the mixed material into a vertical chimney or tube in which the air-current is delivered, because the momentum of the heavy material causes it to pass many feet beyond *the light material to be separated, and in its return it drives 1 back the light material which has become separated instead of permitting it to pass off with the air. Moreover, when the fan is run up to a sufficient speed to produce an air-current for removing cheat and smut-balls from wheatunless the tube is obstructed the wheat will be thrown not less than thirty feet high. These difiiculties render the unobstructed vertical-tube machines impractical. In my machine I do not depend upon-throwing the material upward or in any special direction, but I provide a means for deflecting the material, so as to arrest its momentum and direct it across the outgoing current of air in a thin sheet and cause it to return by another path for further treatment, as hereinafter more fully described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical transverse section, on' the line 1 1, Fig. 2, of one form of a machine adapted for cleaning, scouring, or disintegrating wheat or other material. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same on the two planes indicated by the broken line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse section of a machine embodying the invention adapted for grindingand separating products into four grades, the lower ends of the four settling-chambers being shown by the section represented at 3 and which is taken on the line 3 3, Fig. 3. Fig. 4 isa detail view illustrating the operation of the machine when in operation, the material being thrown out of the mouth of the fan and deflected across the outgoing current of air, whereby the light material is removed and the heavier returns for further treatment. Figs. 5 to 9, inclusive, represent fragments of the concave lining and the operating-surface of the machine for treating the grain or other material. Fig. 5 represents surfaces adapted for reducing wheat to middlings. Fig. 6 represents such parts constructed with an abrading-surface, such as emery, and adapted for delinting cotton-seed. Fig. 7 shows surfaces adapted for reducing wheat to flour. Fig. 8

shows surfaces suitable for cleaning wheat per orspont upon a riddle 1, Figs. 1 and 2, v

which separates small refuse and discharges this through an opening 2, the material to be treated in the machine passingover the tail of the riddle 1, through a lateral opening 3, into a spout 4. near one end of the machine, by which it is delivered in a vertical chute and air-trunk 5, which trunk extends longiries of oblique partitions 8 8 8 for the pur-' pose of gradually forwarding the material from end to end of the machine as it is successively thrown upwardly by the scouring and aspiratin g apparatus,now to be described. At the back of the chutes formed between the deflecting-partitions 8 is a vertical longitudinal deflecting-board 9, inclined at the lower edge, as shown in Fig. 1, for the purpose of directing into the fan-case 1O material passing through the chutes between said partitions 8. The interior surface of the fan-case 10 is suitably corrugated or roughened, as shown in Fig. 1, to adapt it for scouring or disintegrating purposes. The rotary fan consists of a series of curved blades 11, mounted upon a shaft 13, upon the outer edges with concentric scouring-surfaces 12. The outer edges of the blades 11 12 are connected to the hub of the fan by radial brace-rods 15 through the medium of a pair of nuts 16 and 17, by the adjustment of which the scouring-surfaces 12 may be set at any desired proximity to the scouring interior surface of the fancase 10. The fan being rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow a in Fig. 1, its centrifugal action causes a forcible current of air up through the trunk 7, and the centrifugal force of the blades likewise projects upwardly into the trunkthe material subjected to the scouring action. The rear Wall 7" of the trunk 7 is curved forward above the deflecting-partition 9, as shown in Fig. 1, so as to act in conjunction with the front wall 7 in deflecting and returning to the fan-case the heavier materials which are thrown upwardly into the chute 7 by the centrifugal action of the fan.

From the description it will be apparent that the material projected upwardly into the chute 7 will be impelled in a thin sheet across the ascending air-current in the cylindrical chamber formed between the curved walls 7 a 7", from which the heavier material will be returned over and over into the interior of thefan-case, while the lighter particles will be carried by the air-current into the receiving-chamber 18, the lightest portions being carried out through the discharge air-spout 19, while all refuse, excepting the light dust, is deposited into the receptacle 18. Valves 20, one for each of the compartments into which the trunks 5 5 are divided by partitions 6, are employed to regulate the capacity of the openings between the trunks 5 5 and the receiving chamber or chambers 18, as required. By regulating the velocity of the air through the respective trunks by setting the valves it is apparent that the grain may be relieved of cheat or other impurities as it is fed in, and this, together with smut, may be collected in trunk 5, while the material subjected to the scouring action of the blades 11 is driven up into the trunk 5, and the lighter portions being removed by the scouring action being continuously carried out by the action of the air-blast, while the heavier portions return by their own gravity through the chambers formed by the curved rear wall 7" of the chute and by the oblique position of the partitions 8 are gradually forwarded longitudinally through the scouring apparatus. On reaching the farther end of the spaces through which the material is introduced the heavier material gradually escapes through an opening 21 into the vertical chute 22 and from thence to the inlet-trunk 23, through which air is admitted to the eye of the fan. A deflector 24 turns the descending current of scoured and cleaned material away from the eye of the fan, so as to prevent the heavier portions being drawn into the fan-case and at the same time to cause any light impurities which may still remain in the material to be carried back into the fan-case by theinflowing air.

An important principle in the operation of this apparatus is that the materials under treatment are subjected to aspiration by the action of an air-blast forced through the material in a direction transverse to the latters movement, while the material itself is constantly returned for further action of the fan by the curved form of the walls of the chamber into which the material is projected by the impact of the fan-blades.

In Fig. 3 I have shown in vertical section, on a plane taken near the receiving end of the machine,an apparatus which is well adapted for reducing middlings to flour and forall disintegrating operations. As here shown and as further illustrated by the detail horizontal section, Fig. 3", which is taken on the plane near the lower end of the settling or flour-receiving chambers, the apparatus is adapted for the gradual and complete reduction of middlings to flour and delivering the ground product in four grades.

The rotary fan is constructed and operated as described with reference to Figs. land 2, the interior surface of the fan-case 10 being .suitably roughened and the outer disintegrating-surfaces of the blades 11 12 being adjusted as close as desired to the-roughened interior surface of the fan-case. The fan being rapidly rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow 1), Fig. 3, material fed in spout or hopper 4 near one end will be sent through the trunk 5, the interior of the fan-case, passing first into a trough 25 and thence through the first of a series of openings 27, which extend along the bottom of said trough from end to end, or the passage 27 may consist, practically, of a continuouslongitudinal slot in the bottom of the trough 25. The material is ground between the roughened surfaces 10, and as it is carried up through the top of the fan-case the centrifugal force of the fan-blades drives the material with great force through the tangential passage above the trough 25 and upward against the curved front wall '7 of the cylindrical chamber 7 7 in which it receives the vertical or rapid motion as above described, while the finer particles of the material are carried upward by the force of the air-blast through the trunk 5 and over into the first settling-chamber 28. The larger particles, whose weight adapts them to overcome the weight of the blast, fall back into the trough 25 andthence into the fan-case through the apertures 27, While the continuous screw conveyer 26 gradually forwards the material received .by the trough 25 longitudinally in the machine, so that at each return the unfinished heavy particles reach the fan-case at different points. The receiving and settling chambers may be divided into any number of compartments. two compartments 28 29 longitudinally of the machine, divided by a transverse partition 30, and these subdivided into compartments 31 32 by longitudinal compartment 33. It is apparent that the heaviest particles, which longest resist the upward current of the airblast in the trunk 5, so as to be returned the oftener to the fan-case, will be delivered into the second receiving and settling compartment 29. The entrance to each of the compartments 28 29 is guarded by a choke-valve 34 to regulate the force of the blast. From the settling-compartments 2,8 29 the air-blast passes upward between deflecting-slats 35 over the top of thelongitudinal partition 33 and is then carrieddownward by a curved deflector 36 into the respective chamber 31 32, in the top of which are deflecting-slats 35*,

, between which the air passes on its way to the outlet 37. The function of the oblique deflecting-slats 35 35 is to prevent direct drafts'between the introduction and outlet passages and distribute the air-currents uniformly over the area of the respective settling-chambers 28 29 31 32.

From the above description it will be clearly understood that the heaviest and most Valuable parts of the ground or finished material willbe arrested in the settling-chambers 28 29, from which they will be discharged from the spouts 38 39, while. any valuable material which is light enough to be carried over to the second settling-chambers 31 32 and light enough to be carried off to the final dischargespout 37 by the air-current, which is reduced.

in force by the larger area of the chambers 31 32, will be arrested in these chambers and discharged through the spouts 41 42. V

This machine is especially valuable for reducing maize to hominy, since by its construction the detached bran, starch, and germ is immediately separated from any heavier material. By this immediate separation I am enabled to take out the germ substantially whole and in such a condition as to be used It is also true that by the instantaneous removal of starchy particles as they are scoured off from the I have shown in Fig. 3,

grains they do not become intermingled or conglomerated with the germ and disinte-.

grated bran, but pass out. so free and pure that by a suitable separating-reel the starch may be removed from the grain and germ in a substantially pure condition, whereby the value of the products commonly called offal orfeed is very materially increased. In adapting my machine to the manufacture of hominy I use sharp cutting-surfaces upon the periphery of the revolving fan and preferably cone-shaped projections from the inner surface of the fan-case; but any mode that will produce a retarding of the material so that the cutting-surfaces on the periphery of the fan must come continuously in contact with the grain performs the same function as the projectingcone-shaped teeth.

In the operation of all classes of material tobe scoured my machine removes-the material in more granular and mcrchantable condition, owing to the continuous separation the instant that the reduction is produced. As a machine for reducing wheat to middlings,I am enabled to accomplish the same in this one machine that is ordinarily produced infrom three to six reductions in the present system of milling, and also to dispense with separating-screens and to produce a much higher grade of middlings.

In my drawings I have shown that the fan maybe operated in opposite directions. The construction whereby the material is thrown upward and then deflected across the ascending air-current is the preferable form for all heavy materials; but the construction of the fan showing the material thrown horizontally operates well in the reduction of middlings and other fine material to flour; .but I do not confine myself to either mode of construction or to any special angle or direction to the mouth of the discharge fan.

' Having thus described my invention,the following is what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. The combination of a fan-casing having an abrading inner surface, a combined fan and abrader comprising air-lolast-producing blades and abrading-surfaces, an approximately circular chamber and a straight outer wall provided with an overhanging upper IIO portion which deflects the material upward and forward into said chamber across the airblast, said chamber and wall being located on the upgoin g side of the fan, the deflectin board 9 and theadjustable partitions 8 which receive the descending material in the deadair space formed by the curvature of the chamber and the said deflecting-board 9.

2. The combination of acombined fan and disintegrator comprising blast producing blade's,-outer scouring, abrading or grinding surfaces,-a fan-case having an inner scour-- ing, abradlng or grinding surface, and a tangential outlet and an approximately curved chamber provided with an outer straight wall having an overhanging upper portion situated on the upgoing side of the fan, the adjustable partitions, and the dead-air space formed by the deflecting-board 9.

3. The combination of a fan-casing having an abrading inner surface, and a combined fan and abrader comprising blast-producing blades,and abrading-surfaces,bothin said casing, radial brace-bars connecting the outer ends of the bladesto the hub of the fan, adjusting-nuts on said rod adapted to engage the blades whereby the fan-arms may be adjusted to variable distances to the fan-case to simultaneously vary the abrading and fan action; said fan-casing having a tangential discharge-opening, and a chamber formed with a front straight wall provided with an overhanging upper portion, and a curved rear wall, adjustable partitions, and a deflectingboard 9 arranged in said chamber, the curvature of the chamber and the deflectingboard forming a dead-air space whereby the material is continuously deflected across the upgoing blast of air delivered by said fan simultaneously with the material.

4. In a combined disintegrating and sepasisting of a dead-air space formed by a deflecting-board 9 and the curved rear wall of said chamber, also making communication between the fan-casing and the said circular chamber, an escape-passage for the air-blast and light materials beyond said circular chamber, and settling-chambers; all substantially as set forth.

JOHN M. CASE.

Witnesses:

GEO. E. CRUsE, H. S. KNIGHT.

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