Abstract A new system for overcoming particle-flow deficiencies is readily applicable to most conventional feed grinding and mixing machines now in use by addition and connection of a minimal number of components. Said grinder mixers employ, in addition to the feed mixing mechanism and tank, a grinder, such as a hammermill, having its bottom discharge transport-connected to the lower portion of the feed mixing tank, usually by means of an enclosed screw conveyor. Said combination machines also employ an upstanding dust collector interspersed between the grinder and the screw conveyor and equipped with a power fan to remove the finer comminuted particles and dust from the interior of the grinder and to collect and communicate the same to an intermediate portion of the screw conveyor and into the stream of the larger ground particles. The screw conveyor builds up pressure throughout its length with the result that upward air pressure is applied at the communication point with the depending discharge of the dust collector, producing upward blowout and often clogging. Also, in present machines back pressure is created at the extreme discharge of the screw conveyor into the tank. The new system applies a predetermined degree of suction to the pressure build up area near or at the discharge tube of the dust collector, thereby relieving the accumulated pressure in said conveyor at the point of connection with the dust collector and also at the ultimate discharge of the conveyor into the bottom portion of the mixing tank.
A system for overcoming particle-flow deficiencies in a conventional grinder-mixer for feed rations, of the type having mixing mechanism mounted within a tank, an adjacent grinding device, an enclosed conveyor for transporting ground feed particles from said grinder to the interior of said tank, a conventional dust collector having a fan provided with an intake conduit communicating with the interior of said grinder to withdraw the finer particles therefrom, said fan having a discharge communicating with the upper portion of said dust collector; and said dust collector having a depending discharge connected in open communication with said enclosed conveyor intermediately of the position of said grinder and said mixing tank, said system comprising means actuated by the air-flow pattern of said fan-intake for relieving pressure built up at the communication area between said collector discharge and said enclosed conveyor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
139 words
A system for overcoming particle-flow deficiencies in a conventional grinder-mixer for feed rations, of the type having mixing mechanism mounted within a tank, an adjacent grinding device, an enclosed conveyor for transporting ground feed particles from said grinder to the interior of said tank, a conventional dust collector having a fan provided with an intake conduit communicating with the interior of said grinder to withdraw the finer particles therefrom, said fan having a discharge communicating with the upper portion of said dust collector; and said dust collector having a depending discharge connected in open communication with said enclosed conveyor intermediately of the position of said grinder and said mixing tank, said system comprising means actuated by the air-flow pattern of said fan-intake for relieving pressure built up at the communication area between said collector discharge and said enclosed conveyor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The combination and system defined in claim 1 wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a conduit having a substantially sealed communication at one end wiTh the intake of said fan and having sealed communication in its opposite end with said conveyor in an area close to the inflow communication between said collector discharge and said enclosed conveyor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The combination and system defined in claim 1 further characterized by said means comprising a conduit of smaller diameter than the intake conduit for said fan communicating at one end with the intake of said fan and communicating at the opposite end with the enclosure of said conveyor at an area adjacent the communication area of said collector discharge and said enclosed conveyor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
87 words
The structure and combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said enclosed conveyor comprises a sleeve having operating therein a screw or auger conveyor, and wherein for accomplishment of the invention purposes hereof a tubular element is employed with one of its ends connected to the fan intake of said dust collector and wherein the opposite end thereof is connected in sealed relation with the interior of said enclosed conveyor at a point slightly upstream of said communication intake with the depending discharge of said dust collector.