Log barker

Claim 2

An improved log barker for scraping bark from logs of various sizes and shapes, comprising a frame, an annular rotor adapted to receive a log therethrough, means mounted on said frame and supporting said rotor for rotation, a plurality of barker arms pivotally mounted on said rotor for generally radial movement, a corresponding plurality of air motors mounted on said rotor and connected to bias said arms inwardly, wall means defining a circumferentially extending air chamber within said rotor and connected to said air motors, means for supplying pressurized air from a remote air source to said chamber while said rotor is rotating, remotely operable control means for regulating the pressure of air in said chamber and in said air motors while said rotor is rotating, exhaust valve means connected to said wall means defining said chamber and having a port effective to open said chamber directly to atmosphere, and remotely operable control means for opening said exhaust valve means to effect immediate release of pressurized air from said chamber and said air motors through said port.

Claim 3

A log barker as defined in claim 1 wherein said exhaust valve means comprise at least one diaphragm actuated exhaust valve, means defining a passage connecting said air chamber to said diaphragm valve, poppet valve means within said passage, and remotely operable control means for actuating said poppet valve means causing the pressurized air within said chamber to open said exhaust valve in response to opening of said poppet valve means.

Claim 4

A log barker as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for supplying air to said rotor chamber include at least one air transfer shoe slidably engaging said rotor, air actuated means for moving said shoe between a retracted position and an extended position engaging said rotor, an air supply line connected to said shoe, a pilot operated control valve in said supply line, and means for simultaneously supplying air to said air actuated means and said pilot operated valve.

Claim 5

A log barker as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for supplying air to said rotor chamber includes at least one air transfer shoe, air actuated means for moving said shoe between a retracted position and an extended position engaging said rotor, and rotor, and valve means for retaining air at a selected pressure within said rotor when said air shoe is moved to said retracted position.

Claim 6

A log barker as defined in claim 1 wherein said means supporting said rotor for rotation comprises an annular bearing having an axis common to said rotor and positioned to receive the log therethrough.

Claim 7

A log barker as defined in claim 5 wherein said rotor includes an inner generally cylindrical hub portion, and an anti-friction said bearing having an inner race mounted on said hub portion and an outer race secured to said frame.

Claim 8

A log barker as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for supplying air to said rotor chamber include at least one air transfer shoe, and air actuated diaphragm means supporting said shoe for movement between a retracted position and an extended position engaging said shoe.

Claim 9

An improved log barker for scraping bark from logs of various sizes and shapes, comprising a frame, an annular rotor adapted to receive a log therethrough, means mounted on said frame and supporting said rotor for rotation, a plurality of barker arms pivotally mounted on said rotor for generally radial movement, a corresponding plurality of air motors mounted on said rotor and connected to bias said arms inwardly, means defining an air chamber within said rotor and connected to said air motors, means for supplying pressurized air from a remote air soUrce to said chamber while said rotor is rotating, remotely operable control means for regulating the pressure of air in said chamber and in said air motors while said rotor is rotating, said rotor including an inner generally cylindrical hub portion, and said supporting means including an anti-friction bearing having an inner race mounted on said hub portion and an outer race secured to said frame.

Claim 10

An improved log barker for scraping bark from logs of various sizes and shapes, comprising a frame, an annular rotor adapted to receive a log therethrough, means mounted on said frame and supporting said rotor for rotation, a plurality of barker arms pivotally mounted on said rotor for generally radial movement, a corresponding plurality of air motors mounted on said rotor and connected to bias said arms inwardly, means defining an air chamber within said rotor and connected to said air motors, means for supplying pressurized air from a remote air soUrce to said chamber while said rotor is rotating, remotely operable control means for regulating the pressure of air in said chamber and in said air motors while said rotor is rotating, said rotor including an inner generally cylindrical hub portion, and said supporting means including an anti-friction bearing having an inner race mounted on said hub portion and an outer race secured to said frame.

Claim 11

A log barker as defined in claim 8 including exhaust valve means connected to said air chamber and effective to exhaust air directly from said chamber and said air motors, remotely operable control means for actuating said exhaust valve means, and said control means being effective to open said exhaust valve means in response to an air pulse supplied to said exhaust valve means.

Claim 12

An improved log barker for scraping bark from logs of various sizes and shapes, comprising a frame, an annular rotor adapted to receive a log therethrough, means mounted on said frame and supporting said rotor for rotation, a plurality of barker arms pivotally mounted on said rotor for generally radial movement, a corresponding plurality of air motors mounted on said rotor and connected to bias said arms inwardly, means defining an air chamber within said rotor and connected to said air motors, means for conducting pressurized air to and from said chamber while said rotor is rotating and including a plurality of normally closed poppet valves mounted on said rotor to retain the air within said chamber and said air motors, remotely operable control means for regulating the pressure of air in said conducting means and in said chamber and air motors while said rotor is rotating, and said poppet valves including means to cause opening of said valves in response to air pressure within said conducting means below the air pressure within said rotor chamber to provide for reducing the air pressure within said motors in response to actuation of said control means.

Claim 13

An improved log barker for scraping bark from logs of various sizes and shapes, comprising a frame, an annular rotor adapted to receive a log therethrough, means mounted on said frame and supporting said rotor for rotation, a plurality of barker arms pivotally mounted on said rotor for generally radial movement, a corresponding plurality of air motors mounted on said rotor and connected to bias said arms inwardly, means defining an air chamber within said rotor and connected to said air motors, means for conducting pressurized air to and from said chamber while said rotor is rotating and including a plurality of normally closed poppet valves mounted on said rotor to retain the air within said chamber and said air motors, remotely operable control means for regulating the pressure of air in said conducting means and in said chamber and air motors while said rotor is rotating, and said poppet valves including means to cause opening of said valves in response to air pressure within said conducting means below the air pressure within said rotor chamber to provide for reducing the air pressure within said motors in response to actuation of said control means.

Claim 14

A log barker as defined in claim 10 wherein each said poppet valve includes a movable valve member connected to a diaphragm, and means for directing the air pressure within said chamber against said diaphragm to balance part of the air pressure acting on said valve member.

Claim 15

A log barker as defined in claim 10 wherein said means for conducting air to and from said rotor chamber include at least one air transfer shoe and air actuated means for moving said shoe between a retracted position and an extended position engaging said rotor, and said poppet valves are effective to retain a selected air pressure within said rotor when said air shoe is moved to said retracted position.

Claim 16

A log barker as defined in claim 12 including control means for automatically operating said air actuated means in response to the absence of a log from said rotor to move said shoe to said extended position and to reset the selected air pressure within said chamber.