Apparatus for Controlling Solids Build Up in a Mixer, Submerged Flight Conveyor, Unloader or Similar Device

Abstract

The apparatus of the present invention comprises a plurality of flexible impact elements for controlling the buildup of solids in a mixer, submerged flight conveyor, unloader or similar device. The device for use with the impact elements has at least one shaft and a plurality of rotating elements which rotate around a drive sprocket or extend radially from a shaft for moving ash or similar particulate solids. The flexible impact elements communicate with the device so as to limit or control the buildup of solids on the rotating elements, thus enabling a more efficient throughput of materials by the device.

Claims

1. An improved submerged flight conveyor system comprising: a) a drive sprocket; b) a drive chain engaged with the drive sprocket; c) a first and second flight attached at regular intervals along the length of the drive chain; and d) a plurality of impact chains for striking the flights upon rotation around the drive sprocket; whereby the first and second flights are spaced at sufficiently close intervals such that the gravitational discharge of the second flight begins prior to the rotational clearance of the first flight around the drive sprocket.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the impact chains contact the flights during the gravitational discharge of particulate located on the flights.

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Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a cross sectional view of a piece of processing equipment using a preferred embodiment of the present invention as seen along the axis of the shaft.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of a piece of processing equipment using a preferred embodiment of the present invention as seen perpendicular to the axis of the shaft.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows an exposed side view of an example submerged flight conveyor system which may be used in practicing an embodiment of the flexible impact elements of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows an exposed side view of the drive sprocket area of an example submerged flight conveyor system in combination with the flexible impact elements of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Set forth below is a description of what is currently believed to be the preferred embodiment or best examples of the invention claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications to this preferred embodiment are contemplated. Any alternatives or modifications which make insubstantial changes in function, in purpose, in structure or in result are intended to be covered by the claims in this patent.

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a first preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown in a piece of processing equipment which in this example is mixer/unloader 10. The mixer/unloader 10 comprises a shaft 12, which is supported by a frame 14, which includes a base 16 and an overhead structure or support 18. The base 16 and overhead support 18 may be integrally manufactured or may be directly or indirectly connected to one another. The shaft 12 is rotated by a motor 20 or similar drive mechanism which, when rotated, turn the rotating elements 22 in order to mix the PRB coal ash or other particulate with water which may be provided by spray nozzles 24. The rotating elements 22 most preferably include a combination of pins 26 and paddles

28, though those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that differently configured rotating elements may be used in the practicing of the present invention. One example of an existing commercial embodiment which may be retrofitted or otherwise modified in the practice of the present invention is the United Conveyor Corporation Pin Paddle Mixer/Unloader Model 4050.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention also requires the use of a number of flexible impact elements 30. In this preferred embodiment, the flexible impact elements 30 are a series of chain lengths spaced along the length of the shaft 12, most preferably including a axial spacing between each chain aligned on a given shaft 12, with each chain hanging from the overhead structure or support 18 via a bracket or other common connector known to those of skill in the art. The most preferred embodiment of the invention will entail an in situ communication between the impact elements 30 and the rotating elements 22. This most preferred embodiment calls for the distal end of the chain (i.e., the one furthest away from support 18) to go no further than above the bottom or proximal end of the rotating element 22 (i.e., the end of the rotating element 22 connected to shaft 12). In addition, this most preferred embodiment calls for in situ communication between rotating elements 22 and flexible impact elements 30 such that the length of the flexible impact element 30 is at least twice the length of the rotating element 22.

[0030] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the present invention can be employed in a piece of processing equipment 10 including two shafts 12. Each shaft 12 in such an embodiment will have its own set of corresponding impact elements 30 displaced along the axis of each respective shaft 12 such that the rotating elements 22 of each shaft 12 will communicate with their respective flexible impact elements 30 so as to prevent the buildup of hardened particulate thereon.

[0031] As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the present invention may be employed with a drag chain system such as a submerged flight conveyor (SFC). Such SFCs include those of the type sold by the assignees of the present invention, with an example of the components of such SFC systems being disclosed presently at http://unitedconveyor.com/uploadedFiles/Systems/(M0999-116) %20MAX%20Type%20SFC.pdf, and the teaching of that disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. In the SFC embodiment of the present invention, the process equipment 40 includes a frame 42, which can alternatively be any of a variety of enclosed spaces, such as a container, trough, transition hopper, or the like, through which a drag chain 44 (or alternative, similar conveyors such as cables, belts or the like) extends. At a first end 46 of the frame 42, pulley 48 is attached to the frame 42 through a pulley support, and the pulley rotates around a drive sprocket 52, which is operatively connected to a motor or similar drive mechanism (not shown) which causes the entire system to operate when desired. The system 40 extends the drag chain 44 from a first end 46 at the pulley 48, to a second end 54, which in one preferred embodiment may be a chain tensioner 56. The chain tensioner 56 is operated with a hydraulic cylinder or the like (not shown), and may also be a spring adjustment whereby the tension in the chain 44 may be increased or decreased to operate within predetermined acceptable limits.

[0032] The operation of the present invention with the SFC embodiment incorporates a series of flights 58 which are preferably spaced at regular intervals along the chain 44 via horns (not shown) or similar connectors known to those of skill in the art. The flights come into in situ contact with flexible impact elements 60 rotate around the drive sprocket 52, with the flexible impact elements 60 dangling from the frame 42 or a separated overhead support (not shown) as desired. As a result of facilitating the in situ contact of the flexible impact elements 60 and the flights 58, there exists the ability to improve the transport efficiency of the SFC, as the flights 58 may be more closely spaced together. That is, in the absence of the flexible impact elements 60 of the present invention, the spacing of flights 58 would be limited insofar as a given flight would dump or deposit particulate onto the preceding flight as it rotated around the drive sprocket, rather than into the intended deposit location. As a result, such particulate would agglomerate on the preceding flight, thus reducing efficiency of the SFC system 40 and creating problems with cleanup and maintenance.

[0033] By contrast, with the addition of the flexible impact elements 60, flights 58 may be spaced closer together and thus provide for a more efficient transport of particulate. Specifically, a given flight can now begin to rotate around the drive sprocket 52 before the preceding flight has cleared the rotational area of the drive sprocket 52. This improvement in efficiency is enabled because the continued in situ engagement of the preceding flight and the flexible impact elements 60 prevents the agglomeration of particulate due to dumping or deposition from following flights.

[0034] The above description is not intended to limit the meaning of the words used in the following claims that define the invention. Rather, it is contemplated that future modifications in structure, function or result will exist that are not substantial changes and that all such insubstantial changes in what is claimed are intended to be covered by the claims. For instance, the present invention could also work with another preferred embodiment which uses processing equipment including a generally vertical shaft unlike the horizontal shaft embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Those of ordinary skill would use the disclosure of the present invention with a vertically extending shaft, for instance, by having flexible impact elements hanging from a support and extending in a direction parallel to the shaft. Likewise, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, additions, omissions, and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be covered by the following claims.