Conveyors: power-driven – Conveyor section – Screw
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-31
2001-02-27
Bidwell, James R. (Department: 3651)
Conveyors: power-driven
Conveyor section
Screw
C198S658000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193053
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of material conveying systems, and more particularly to conveying systems using multiple augers.
2. Description of Related Art
The prior art is replete with myriad and diverse material conveying systems. While most prior art constructions are more than adequate for the basic purpose and function for which they have been specifically designed, they are deficient with respect to their failure to provide a simple, efficient, and practical material conveying system that provides both speed and accuracy in conveying a predetermined amount of an ingredient.
When conveying ingredients, a common problem is delivering large amounts of ingredients in a short period of time with maximum accuracy. A large diameter screw conveyor by itself may achieve desired flow rates, but not desired accuracy. A small diameter auger will have very slow flow rates but will maximize accuracy.
As a consequence of the foregoing situation, there has existed a longstanding need for a new and improved concentric auger feeder material conveying system and the provision of such a construction is a stated objective of the present invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the present invention provides a concentric auger feeder. The larger diameter outer auger has a flighting direction opposite that of the small or inner auger installed in the core of the outer auger. The two screw conveyors are connected to a reversible motor drive by a reversing clutch with the inner auger driven by the motor. To convey large amounts of ingredients, the clutch is engaged by a reversal of the driven input and the large screw conveyor conveys the ingredient at a large flow rate. As the desired amount of ingredient is approached, the motor is reversed, the clutch then disengages, and the inner screw conveyor will then convey the final amount of ingredient with a much more accurate cut off weight. This amount of ingredient is accessible to the inner auger because the slots in the tube core of the outer auger allow material to flow into the inner screw conveyor. Both inner and outer screw conveyors convey material to the same outlet point of the hopper.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4351627 (1982-09-01), Forsberg
patent: 5524796 (1996-06-01), Hyer
patent: 5709296 (1998-01-01), Forsberg
patent: 5871081 (1999-02-01), Gaalswyk et al.
Bidwell James R.
Henderson & Sturm LLP
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