WO2018134835A1

WO2018134835A1 - "modular drum and method of manufacturing thereof"

Info

Publication number: WO2018134835A1
Application number: PCT/IN2017/050292
Authority: WO
Inventors: Balraj PAWAR
Original assignee: Pawar Balraj
Priority date: 2017-01-21
Filing date: 2017-07-14
Publication date: 2018-07-26

Abstract

The present invention provides a method to manufacture a modular drum with a helical fin disposed in between to transport material from one end of the drum to the other. For this multiple drum units are made. For making a single drum unit, a metallic sheet having two transverse ends are joined together to form a circular unit having an inner wall and an outer wall wherein the inner wall defines a circular cavity. A helical fin is disposed in between the circular cavity wherein the inner edge of the helical fin is welded to the inner wall of the circular cavity of the drum unit. Multiple drum units can be made and welded together to form a complete modular drum of required length.

Description

MODULAR DRUM AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THEREOF

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a method of manufacturing a drum, more particularly the invention relates to manufacturing of a drum including a helical fin disposed within the drum for material washing and drying.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Drums are widely used for myriad applications in various industries. The major application of drums that have an in-built helical fixture is to facilitate coherent mixing, washing and drying of material from the inlet to outlet. The material dries off efficiently as it has to spiral along the helical fixture that is fixed along with the inner wall of the drum.

The helical fixture placed within the drum is precarious to fix and hence these drums are extremely difficult to manufacture. Various solutions exist to secure the full helical fixture along the inner wall of the drum. One among such solutions is to perform spot welding/riveting/brazing/arch-welding inside the drum. However, using this solution, only drums with large enough diameter that can allow a person to enter inside for welding can be manufactured. Making drums with smaller diameter and longer length would be hindered by the inability of the welder to completely enter the drum and in such a scenario it would be impossible to achieve an unabridged and precise welding of the helical fixture to the drum. Therefore, since the fixture is welded only at certain spots there are places wherein there is open space available between the fixture and inner wall of the drum. In such spaces, material may get caught or may fall off etc. Hence, it is not an efficient solution to the problem.

Another solution has been provided in US 8133048 and US 20100038211. According to this solution, the drum is made by folding of a metallic sheet including various transverse vanes. The folding of the metallic sheet is at such places so that the vanes form a spiral or a helical part. However, the folding needs to be performed at a specific angle which is difficult and time consuming. Also, the vanes might get damaged while the metallic sheet is being folded. Hence, this is also not an efficient solution for the problem.

Therefore, there exists the need for a better solution to conveniently manufacture drums with small inner diameter and for precisely welding inner helical fixtures for effective mixing, drying and conveying of material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a drum and a method for manufacturing of the drum having one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/or one or more of the following features, which alone or in any combination may comprise patentable subject matter:

The objective of the invention is to conveniently and accurately manufacture such drums with small diameter and large length.

Accordingly, in an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a modular drum, wherein the modular drum includes a plurality of drum units, wherein each of the plurality of drum units includes an elongated and flattened metallic sheet that has two transverse ends of a specific length that is lesser than length of the modular drum. The metallic sheet is turned into a circular unit to join the two transverse ends. This circular unit further, defines an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the inner wall surrounds a circular cavity. The modular drum furthermore, includes a helical fin. The helical fin includes an inner edge and an outer edge. The inner edge is joined to the inner wall of the circular unit and the outer edge is oriented towards the center of the circular cavity. The helical fin is configured to form at least one helix within the length of the transverse ends.

Accordingly, in another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a drum comprising a plurality of drum modules. The method includes forming a drum module wherein each of the drum module is formed by a method that includes providing a flattened metallic sheet that has two transverse ends of a length lesser than the length of the drum. Further, method includes turning the flattened metallic sheet into a circular unit and then joining the two transverse ends to define a circular unit having an inner wall and an outer wall. The method further includes providing a helical fin that comprises an inner edge and an outer edge. The method further includes disposing of the helical fin within the circular cavity with the inner edge of the helical fin joined to the inner wall of the circular cavity and outer edge is oriented towards the center of the circular cavity. The helical fin forms at least one helix within the length of the transverse ends. The method further includes repeating the above steps to form number of drum modules required for the desired length of the drum and joining such produced drum modules together to produce the drum completely. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the present disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure with advantages and features, refer to the description and to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of various embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the drawings provided herein. For the purpose of illustration, there is shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments; however, the presently disclosed subject matter is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed. FIG. 1 is a line diagram illustrating a modular drum, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2a, 2b, 2c are line diagrams illustrating a drum unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a line diagram illustrating a helical fin in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4a, 4b are line diagrams illustrating placement of helical fin within the drum unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method of manufacturing a drum, in accordance to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The presently disclosed subject matter is described with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or elements similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the term "step" may be used herein to connote different aspects of methods employed, the term should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described. Referring now to FIG.l, a line diagram illustrating a modular drum 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The drum 100 may be used, in an embodiment of the invention, for drying plastic pellets. The drum 100 includes a helical fin (not shown in the figure). The helical fin runs from the top of the modular drum 100 to the bottom and transports the plastic pellets fed from the top and released from bottom of the modular drum 100. Modular drum 100 further includes drum units 102a-102n. Each individual drum unit of the drum units 102a-102n includes a helical fin that forms at least one helix or turn through length of the drum unit.

Now referring to FIG. 2a, a line diagram illustrating a metallic sheet 200 that is utilized for making of drum unit. The metallic sheet 200 includes two transverse ends 202a and 202b. Each of the transverse ends 202a and 202b include a top end like 2022a, 2022b and a bottom end like 2024a and 2024b. The metallic sheet 200 is a flattened and rectangular metallic sheet. As shown in FIG. 2b, the metallic sheet 200 is turned along an axis XX' to form a circular drum unit 102a. On turning the metallic sheet 200, the transverse ends 202a and 202b are joined in order to achieve the drum unit 102a. The drum unit 102a includes an outer wall 206 and an inner wall 204 that defines a circular cavity 208. The metallic sheet 200 is turned to form the circular drum unit 102a such that the top end 2022a and bottom end 2024a of the transverse end 202a meets top end 2022b and bottom end 2024b of the transverse end 202b. However, in other embodiment as depicted in FIG. 2c, the top end 2022a of the transverse end 202a is joined to the bottom end 2024b to form the circular drum unit 102a and the bottom end 2024a of transverse end 202a and top end 2024b of the transverse end 202b are left free.

Now referring to FIG. 3, a line diagram illustrating a helical vane 300. In an embodiment of the invention, the helical vane 300 is formed of a metallic compound suitable for welding. The helical vane includes an inner edge 302 and an outer edge 304. The helical fin 300 is configured to be fitted inside the drum unit 102a fully through its length. The helical fin 300 is also configured to have at least one helix or turn so that the drum unit 102a including the helical fin 300 has at least one turn per the full length of the drum unit 102a. Now referring to FIG. 4a, a line diagram illustrating placement of the helical fin 300 within the drum unit 102a. The helical fin 300 can be fitted by welding the inner edge 302 of the helical fin 300 to the inner wall 204 of the drum unit 102a. The welding may be any one of the available options like arc welding, oxy-fuel gas welding, resistance welding, solid-state welding, or any other type of welding. It is to be noted that there may be other means of fixing the helical fin 300 as well. The outer edge 304 of the helical fin 300 is oriented towards the centre of the circular cavity 208 of the drum unit 102a. The modular drum 100 is formed by welding a plurality of such drum units to form composite drum resulting in the modular drum 100. Helical fins of such plurality of drum units 102a-102n when joined together serve the function of transporting material from one end of the modular drum 100 to another end. Now referring to FIG. 4b wherein, placement of helical fin 300 on the circular drum unit 201 is depicted. In this embodiment, the helical fin can be placed on top end 204a of the drum unit 201. Now referring to FIG. 5, a flow chart, depicting a method 500 for manufacturing of a modular drum like the modular drum 100 as shown in FIG. 1. Reference will be made to FIG. 1- FIG. 4 while describing various steps of the method 500. The method begins at step 502, wherein a metallic sheet 200 like as shown in FIG. 2a. The metallic sheet 200, as described above, includes two transverse ends 202a and 202b. Now at step 504, the metallic sheet 200 is turned and further at step, 506, the transverse ends 202a and 202b are joined together to form a circular cavity similar to circular cavity 208 as shown in FIG. 2b.

Further, at step 508, a helical fin is provided similar to the one shown and described in conjunction with FIG. 3. The helical fin 300, at step 510, is disposed within the circular cavity 208. Inner edge 302 of the helical fin 300 is welded to the inner wall 204 of the drum unit 201. The outer edge 304 of the helical fin 300 is oriented towards the center of the circular cavity 208 of the drum unit 201. At step 512, the steps 502-510 are repeated to form multiple drum units which, at step 514 are welded together to from the modular drum 100 of required length.

Aspects of the present subject matter are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods and apparatus (systems) according to embodiments of the subject matter. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.

While there has been shown, and described herein what are presently considered the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present subject matter. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware -based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods, devices, and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods, devices, and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

Claims

Claims:

1. A modular drum comprising a plurality of drum units, wherein each of the plurality of drum units comprising;

an elongated and flattened metallic sheet having two longitudinal ends and two transverse ends of specific length lesser than length of the modular drum, and each of the two transverse ends includes a top end and a bottom end, wherein the metallic sheet is turned into a circular unit to join the two transverse ends;

wherein the circular unit further defines an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the inner wall further defines a circular cavity; and

a helical fin, comprising an inner edge and an outer edge, disposed within the circular unit;

wherein the helical fin is configured to form at least one helix within the length of the transverse ends.

2. The modular drum of claim 1, wherein the circular unit is formed by either joining top end of one transverse end to top end of other transverse end and the bottom of the one transverse end and bottom end of the other transverse end or by only j oining top end of the one transverse end to the bottom end of the other transverse end.

3. The modular drum of claim 2, wherein the helical fin is disposed within the circular unit by joining the inner edge of the helical fin on to the inner wall of the circular unit.

4. The modular drum of claim 2, wherein the helical fin is disposed along top longitudinal end from the two longitudinal ends of the metallic sheet.

5. The modular drum of claim 1, wherein the plurality of drum units are joined to complete the modular drum forming a composite and continuous helical fin.

6. The modular drum of claim 1, wherein the modular drum comprises a material inlet at one end of top most drum unit.

7. The modular drum of claim 1, wherein the modular drum comprises a material outlet at one end of lowest drum unit.

8. The modular drum of claim 1, wherein the composite and continuous helical fin is configured to transport material from one end of the modular drum to other end.

9. The modular drum of claim 1, wherein the plurality of drum modules are combined by anyone of a welding, a riveting, brazing, or arch-welding.

10. The method of manufacturing a modular drum comprising a plurality of drum units, method comprising;

forming a drum unit, wherein the drum unit is formed by a method comprising; providing a flattened metallic sheet, having two transverse ends of a length lesser than length of the modular drum, and two longitudinal ends,

turning the flattened metallic sheet into a circular unit;

joining the two transverse ends to define a circular unit having an inner wall and an outer wall;

providing a helical fin, comprising an inner edge and an outer edge; disposing the helical fin within the circular cavity, wherein the helical fin is configured to form at least one helix within the length of the transverse ends; repeating the above steps to produce number of drum units for required length of the modular drum; and

joining the produced drum units together to produce the modular drum.

11. The method of manufacturing of claim 10, wherein the modular drum units are combined by anyone of a welding, a riveting, brazing, or arch-welding.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the inner edge of the helical fin is welded to the inner wall of the circular cavity.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the inner edge of the helical fin is welded along top longitudinal end from the two longitudinal ends of the metallic sheet.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein helical fins of combined drum units form a progressive helical fin to transport material from one end of the modular drum to other end.