Classifying – separating – and assorting solids – Sorting special items – and certain methods and apparatus for... – Separating means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-15
2001-06-26
Walsh, Donald P. (Department: 3653)
Classifying, separating, and assorting solids
Sorting special items, and certain methods and apparatus for...
Separating means
C209S481000, C209S696000, C209S503000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250479
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a separator for separating mixed rice into unhulled rice and unpolished rice after the rice have passed through a rice huller to remove the hulls from rice, and more particularly, to a separator of a type of rotationally oscillating a separating vessel having segmental separating plates for such separation.
Japanese patent application Heisei 10-51482 filed by the same assignee as in the present application, discloses this type of rotationally oscillating separator comprising a separating vessel suspended by means of a plurality of stays extending radially downwardly from their apex defining a fulcrum at the top of a stationary support frame,and having a plurality of segmental separating plates disposed in a cone-shaped configuration within the vessel, a vertical shaft positioned below the support frame and having an eccentric portion coupled to the bottom of the vessel via an universal joint, and drive means for rotatively driving the shaft. During operation of the separator, rotation of the shaft causes the separating vessel to be eccentrically rotated about the fulcrum, thereby rotationally oscillating the separating plates for separation of mixed rice into the unhulled rice and the unpolished rice. In this arrangement, there are disadvantages of increasing a height of the machine and a space where the machine is installed due to the fact that the separating vessel is suspended by the plurality of stays. The presence of fulcrum makes it difficult to install the separating vessels in a stacked relation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a rotationally oscillating separator of being capable of rotationally oscillating separating vessels disposed at multiple steps, simultaneously, without any increase in height of the machine and installation space for the machine.
An other object of the invention is to provide a rotationally oscillating separator of this type that the unhulled rice and unpolished rice are separated from each other on separating plates within the separating vessels so that the unhulled rice can be efficiently discharged through the separating vessel.
A further object of the invention is to provide a rotationally oscillating separator of this type that a layer of mixed rice on the separating plates can be maintained at a substantially constant thickness.
The above-mentioned object can be achieved in accordance with the invention, by providing a rotationally oscillating separator comprising a vertical rotating shaft supported for rotation and having an axis, means for rotatively driving the rotating shaft, said rotating shaft including eccentric sections offset from the axis of the rotating shaft, separating vessels rotatably mounted on the eccentric sections and having a plurality of segmental separating plates disposed in a cone-shaped configuration within the separating vessels, retaining means on the separating vessels for preventing them from freely rotating, each of the eccentric sections having its axis, an upward extension of which is at a slight angle to the axis of the rotating shaft such that it intersects an extension of the axis of the rotating shaft at a point above its eccentric section, whereby the separating vessels are inclined relative to a horizon so that they are rotationally oscillated around the points of intersection between the extensions of the axes of the eccentric sections and the axis of the rotating shaft as phantom fulcrums, as the rotating shaft is rotated.
According to the invention, each of the eccentric sections includes eccentric upper and lower portions on which the separating vessels are rotatably mounted. In an alternative embodiment, each of the eccentric sections is defined by a smaller diameter eccentric cam and a larger diameter eccentric cam fixed to a straight rotating shaft at a slight inclination relative to a horizon and defining eccentric upper and lower portions.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the separator further includes an annular weir positioned on the segmental separating plates at the center of each of the separating vessels and having an opening for discharging unhulled rice, a shutter on the weir for opening and closing the opening in the weir, and means for operating the shutter. The latter means is actuated in response to output signals from a sensor for sensing unhulled rice and unpolished rice in the mixed rice on the separating plates.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the separator includes means for adjusting an angle of inclination of the segmental separating plates within the separating vessels. There is provided a level sensor for sensing the thickness of the layer of mixed rice on the separating plates. When the level sensor senses deviation of the layer from a predetermined thickness, the adjusting means is operated to adjust the angle of inclination of the separating plates sharply or gently.
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Bajyo Kazutaka
Fukuhara Akira
Ikuta Chozaburo
Kono Kiminori
Masukane Hideaki
Pillsbury & Winthrop LLP
Satake Corporation
Schlak Daniel K
Walsh Donald P.
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