US2065500A - Grain scouring and cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 29, 11936. A. C. BARBEAU' GRAIN SCOURING AND CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 14, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTQR Dec. 29, 1936. BARBEAU 2,065,U@

GRAIN SCOURING AND CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 14, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Y A ATTORNEYS Dec. 229, 191%. A. c. BARBEAU f GRAIN SCOURING AND CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 14, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 NTOR ATTORN EYS Patented Dec. 29, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GRAIN SCOURING AND CLEANING APPARATUS Application December 14, 1934, Serial No. 757,512

4 Claims. (01. 8330) This invention relates to an apparatus for scouring and cleaning wheat and other grains or materials.

In scourers as heretofore constructed, the wheat or other material to be scoured was usually passed lengthwise through an annular space between a stationary foraminous casing or cylinder and a rotary scouring drum provided on its periphery with a plurality of abrading teeth and flat heaters, whereby the grain or the like was not only propelled lengthwise through the scouring casing from the head end to the tail end thereof, but it was also stirred for the purpose of rubbing the particles of dust off the kernels of grain, which dust passed outwardly through the perforations in the casing-and was then carried away by an aspirating device.

In these prior constructions any dirt or dust removed from the grain would remain mixed therewith and only such portions of the dust or dirt in the mixture would be separated from the latter which had an opportunity to pass out through the openings in the casing, or be removed from the grain in the leg of the aspirating device arranged at the tail end or finishing end of the scouring casing.

This separation of the dust or dirt from the grain was necessarily limited due to the relatively packed condition of the grain and dust or dirt during this scouring operation, and as a result grain could only be imperfectly cleaned in this manner and in some cases, particularly when the grain was smutty or covered partly with smudge, the condition of the grain was made worse instead of better, because the smudge was distributed over the grain instead of being removed therefrom.

It is the object of this invention to provide a grain scouring and cleaning apparatus which avoids the objectionable features of the machines heretofore in use and effects a more thorough scouring and cleaning of the grain than has been attained heretofore.

To that end this invention consists generally of an apparatus or machine which includes a primary aspirating device wherein the grain is first subjected to a preliminary aspirating operation for the purpose of separating therefrom any light dust or dirt which may be mixed with the grain, and also any light or broken particles of grain which may be present in the mass of whole grain; an intermediate scouring and aspirating device which receives the grain from the primary aspirator, whereby the grain is constantly subjected. to the action of a plurality of scouring teeth or boaters which tend to lift the grain and separate the same so that it virtually floats or is suspended in the air and also receives blows from the beaters while thus suspended, and the attached particles of dust or dirt are withdrawn by the respective aspirating devices while the grain is thus agitated and in a state of suspension; and a final or finishing aspirator which receives the grain from the scourer and intermediate aspirator and removes from the grain any remaining particles of dirt or dust and also light grains and broken particles thereof, preparatory to discharging the cleaned grain from the machine.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of an approved form of grain scouring and cleaning apparatus embodying a practical form of my in-- vention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical transverse section of the same, taken on line 22 Fig. 1.

Figures 3 and 4 are vertical transverse sections taken on the correspondingly numbered lines in Fig. 1. 1

Figure 5 is a fragmentary horizontal section, taken on line '55 Fig. 1.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of the lower part of the chamber or hopper around the lower part of the securing casing.

Figure '7 is a horizontal section thereof, taken on line 1'! Fig. 6.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary vertical transverse section similar to Fig. 3, but showing a modified form of that part of the conduit which connects the upper part of the scouring casing with the intermediate aspirating fan.

In the following description similar characters of reference indicate like parts in the several figures of the drawings:

In its general organization this scouring and cleaning machine comprises a primary or initial grain cleaning device which includes an individual aspirator whereby the grain to be treated upon being fed at the head end of the machine to the scouring and cleaning apparatus; is first subjected to an aspirating action for the purpose of removing therefrom all or nearly all loose dust or dirt which may be mingled with the grain, together with any light or imperfect grain, and also any broken grain; a central scouring device associated with a separate central or intermediate aspirator whereby the grain, as it passes from the head end of this scourer to the tail end thereof, is subjected to a vigorous beating and scouring action and the grain is tossed so that it is loosely suspended in the air and receives a thorough beating while thus suspended, so that any dirt or dust is removed therefrom and the central or intermediate aspirator is permitted to carry this dust away from the grain while the latter .is in a suspended state; and a final or finishing aspirator which is arranged at the rear end of the machine and receives the grain from the tail end of the securing apparatus and operates to remove from this grain any loose particles of dirt or dust as well as any broken grain or light grain which may be mixed with the whole grain as the latter leaves the machine,

Referring to the drawings:

The numeral l0 represents the main frame of the machine which may be of any suitable construction to support the several working parts of the grain scouring .and cleaning apparatus.

The means whereby the primary or initial cleaning of the grain is effected by aspiration is mounted on the front end of the main frame and constructed as follows:

The numerals H and [2 represent the front and rear sections of a grain feed spout which are arranged one above the other. The inclined bottom l3 of the front section overlaps the inclined bottom l4 of the rear section and is separated therefrom so as to form an air inlet passage |5 between the bottoms of these spout sec: tions. The grain to be scoured and cleaned is introduced through the open upper end of the front spout section II and flows from the inner edge of its bottom l3 downwardly upon the bottom M of the rear spout section, and thence through an opening "5 at the inner end of the rear spout section to the devices which operate to scour the grain and effect a secondary or intermediate aspirating action thereon.

As the grain flows from the bottom of the front feed spout section to the rear section thereof a current of air is drawn into the machine through the air inlet I5 and through this stream of grain for the purpose of removing therefrom any light particles of dust, dirt, small or light wheat and broken wheat or grain.

The air current for this purpose is produced by a primary aspirating device which includes a fan casing I1 mounted on the upper front part of the main frame and having its front eye connected by means of a suction leg l8 with the upper side of the two sections of the grain feed spout, and rotary fan blades l9 arranged within the fan casing for the purpose of producing a suction of air from the exterior of the machine through the air inlet [5 and through the stream of grain flowing from the front feed spout section to the rear section of the same. Any impurities, such as dirt or dust, which are removed from the grain, as well as any light or broken grain which is removed from the whole grain by the aspirating action of the blades 19, are drawn through the leg l8 into the fan casing ll, and these solid particles in passing from the leg IE to the fan casing are separated from the air and delivered into a primary separator 20 which communicates with the suction leg and thereby enables these impurities which are separated from the air to be discharged from this tip independently of the air which is discharged from the fan case H, in the usual and well-known manner.

At its inner end the bottom [3 of the front feed spout section is provided with an upwardly turned lip 2 l, as shown in Fig. 1, whereby the grain as it flows from the upper feed spout section to the rear feed spout section, is caused to flow with a cascade action, as indicated by dotted lines 22 in Fig. 1, thereby separating or spreading the grain for permitting the stream of air coming in through the inlet E5 to thoroughly mingle with the cascading grain and effectively separate therefrom particles of dirt and dust, light grain and broken grain which are carried away by the primary aspirator. By thus separating the loose dust and dirt, light grain and broken grain from the heavy grain with which it is mixed, by this primary aspirator, less work devolves upon the apparatus which subsequently operates upon the whole grain and thereby expedites the cleaning and scouring operation.

The capacity of the outlet I6 of the rear feed spout section l2 may be regulated by means of a valve which preferably has the form of a vertically sliding plate or shutter 23 arranged between the inner wall of the suction leg l8 and the front head 24 of the scouring casing, and having its upper end accessible from the exterior of the machine to permit of manually raising and lowering the same, and a clamping screw or bolt 25 whereby this gate valve is held in its adjusted position on said wall of the suction leg.

In practice this valve 23 is so adjusted that the flow of grain from the rear feed spout section to the inlet or head end of the scouring casing will always keep this feed opening 16 covered with grain so that the suction effect of the primary fan blades IQ of the primary aspirator will not in fluence the air or material within the securing casing, nor will the suction effect of the aspirator associated with the securing mechanism affect the air or flow of material in the grain feed spout,

thus assuring independent action on the part of r the primary aspirator from the action of the scouring mechanism and the aspirator associated with the latter, thereby maintaining these aspirating operations distinctly separate from each other and enabling each of these operations to be controlled perfectly, independently of the other.

The grain scouring mechanism and the central or intermediate aspirator associated therewith are mounted on the central part of the main frame and constructed as follows:

The numeral 25 represents the lower foraminous part or section of a horizontal longitudinal scouring cylinder, and 27 the upper imperforate part thereof, said lower scouring section consisting preferably of a semi-cylindrical sheet of woven wire, while the upper section 21 is preferably constructed of a semi-cylindrical sheet of metal.

The head 24 forms the front end of this scouring casing and its rear end is closed by a rear head 28 which is provided in its lower part with an outlet opening or passage 29. The grain to be scoured and cleaned enters the upper front part of the scouring casing through the feed opening I6, then passes lengthwise rearwardly through the scouring casing, and then escapes from the latter through the outlet opening 29. The longitudinal passage of the grain is effected by means which also operate to scour the same, and in the preferred construction these means comprise a longitudinal horizontal shaft 39 extending axially through the securing casing and journaled adjacent to its opposite ends in bear ings 3|, 32 mounted on the adjacent part of the main frame, and a plurality of beaters or paddles 33 mounted on this shaft at different points throughout the length thereof within the casing so that each paddle projects radially or laterally from the shaft.

Each of these paddles is preferably provided on its flat front side with a plurality of corrugations 3 4 which are inclined relative to the direction of rotation, and each paddle is capable of being adjusted for varying the angularity of its position with reference to the axis of the shaft by providing the inner end of each paddle or beater with a tapering shank 35 which is rtatable in a diametrical opening 36 in the shaft 35 for the purpose of adjusting its angular position with reference thereto, and after such adjustment this beater or paddle is held in place by means of a clamping nut 31 applied to the small end of the shank 35 and bearing against the adjacent part of the shaft, as shown in Fig. 3.

Rotary motion may be imparted to the scourer shaft 30 and its blades or beaters in any suitable manner, for example by a belt 38 passing around a pulley 39 on the front end of this shaft, as shown in Fig.1.

As the grain enters the front end of the scour ing casing through the inlet IE it is gradually moved lengthwise of this casing toward the rear end thereof and discharged through the outlet 29 thereof by the propelling action of the beaters or blades which engage their inclined front sides with the grain during their rotary movement with the driving shaft. By adjusting the angularity of these blades with reference to said shaft the propelling effect of the blades can be adjusted in accordance with different conditions or requirements and the character of the grain which is being operated upon, and if desired some of these blades may be so adjusted that they produce a propelling effect on the grain while others are either neutral and do not exert any propelling effect and still other blades may be so adjusted as to actually retard the flow of grain through the securing casing and thereby cause the scouring action of the blades on the grain to be prolonged.

By forming the front side of the blades with corrugations or ribs 34 the same exert a more effective abrading action on the surface of the grain for the purpose of detaching any dirt or dust therefrom, and by inclining these corrugations relative to the direction of rotation of these blades they also exert a wedging or cam action against the grain and thus assist in propelling the same lengthwise through the casing.

Although the speed at which the heaters are rotated may be varied it has been found in practice that anywhere from 400 to 500 revolutions per minute produce very satisfactory results.

As the grain passes lengthwise through the casing from the head end to the tail end thereof it is constantly subjected to the action of the several rotary heaters or blades which tend to lift the grain and separate it so that the same virtually floats or is suspended in the air, and while the grain is thus suspended it receives repeated blows from the heaters whereby the dust particles adhering to the kernels of grain, particularly those particles which are lodged in the creases thereof, are detached therefrom.

While the grain and dust are separated from each other and thus floating or in a state of suspension in the upper part of the scouring casing, the dust and dirt particles removed from the kernels of grain are carried away by the suction effect of an intermediate aspirator which draws air upwardly through the foraminous lower part of the scouring casing and then through a longitudinal outlet slot or passage 4! in the top of the scouring casing. The intermediate aspirator which produces this upward suction effect upon the dust or impurities removed from the grain in the scouring casing: preferably consists of a central fan case 4| arranged within the upper part of the main frame of the machine; two suction legs 42; 43 arranged on opposite sides of the central fan case 4| and extending from the upper front and rear parts of the space within the scouring casing to two separators 58 which in turn communicate with the eyes in the front and rear sides of the central fan case 4|; and rotary fan blades 44 arranged within said fan case.

As the dust and dirt detached from the grain within the securing casing are withdrawn through the suction legs 42, 43 by the central fan, this dirt is separated from the air by separators 58, one of which is interposed between the upper end of each of these legs, and an eye on one side of the fan case 4|. Each of these separators is provided with a tip 45 so that clarified air can escape through the outlet 46 of the respective fan case, and the dirt or dust removed therefrom is discharged from each tip 45 through a discharge opening in the latter which is automatically closed by gravity valves 4?, 43, as is usual in aspirators or separators of this type.

The construction of the suction leg and the separator 20 and its tip which are employed in connection with the fan case I! and rotating blades i9 forming parts of the primary aspirator are substantially like that described with reference to the two suction legs, separators and tips which are used in connection with the fan of the central aspirator.

The air which is supplied to the perforated or .foraminous lower part of the scouring chamber is preferably drawn from an air supply chamber 49, which latter is formed between two downwardly converging longitudinal walls 59 which are connected at their upper ends with the lateral sides of the scouring casing and are provided between their lower ends with an air inlet having the form of a longitudinal slot and each of the side walls '55 being provided with an air inlet having the form of a longitudinal row of vertical slots 52. The effective area of the lower or inlet opening 5| may be regulated by means of a valve having the form of a transversely movable sliding gate |52 which is guided on the lower ends of the walls 50, and the air inlet openings 52 in each of the side walls may be regulated by means of a longitudinally movable shutter 53 which is guided on the outer side of the respective side Wall 56 of the air supply chamber and provided with a plurality of vertical slots 54 which are adapted to move relatively to the slots 52 in the respective side Wall 55 for regulating the amount of air passing through this wall.

By means of these air inlets of the air supply chamber and the valves for regulating the same it is possible to control the air supply to the underside of the scouring casing, as best suits the requirements for the particular grain which is being scoured and also to meet other conditions.

In the preferred construction each of the legs or conduits which connect the outlet 40 in the top of the scouring casing with the top of its separator 45 is comparatively narrow at its lower or inlet end 55 where it communicates with the scouring casing, and also comparatively narrow at its upper or outlet end 56 where it communicates with the inlet of the respective separator, but that part 51 of the respective leg or conduit is enlarged laterally as compared with the inlet 55 and outlet 55, as shown in Fig. 3. By this means the air laden with dust, light grain, broken grain and whole grain which have been removed from the scouring chamber, is permitted to. expand and thereby liberate any heavy or solid grain which may be entrained in this mixture so that this solid grain is permitted to fall back into the scouring casing, while the dust, broken and light grain pass on to the companion separator 58. If, however, the character of the grain which is being cleaned is such that some of the solid or heavy grain is not liable to be drawn from the scoring casing into the central aspirator associated with the scouring mechanism, then the enlargement 51 in this suction leg may be omitted and instead this part of said suction leg may be made of straight or unenlarged form, as shown at 51| in Fig. 8.

During the operation of this scouring mechanism and the aspirator associated therewith the rotation of the scouring blades produces an abrading effect on the grain in the lower part of the scouring casing so as to detach dirt and dust therefrom, and the rotation of these blades also agitates and tosses this grain upwardly so that it floats or is loosely suspended in the upper part of the scouring casing, as previously explained, where these grains are repeatedly hit by the scouring blades or paddles and thus not only thoroughly scour the body of each grain of wheat but also reach deeply into the creases or crevices of the grains and remove any dirt and dust therefrom. As this dirt or dust is floating freely by itself in the upper part of the scouring casing together with the widely separated kernels of grain from which this refuse has been detached, each kernel is exposed on all sides to the current of air which permits the dirt suspended between the kernels of grain to be immediately withdrawn from the scouring casing by the respective as pirator and therefore from again mixing with the scoured grain.

It is therefore possible, by this method, to effeet a much more thorough scouring and cleaning of the grain and to obtain a much larger capacity for a given size of machine and also effeet a considerable saving in power as compared with machines heretofore employed for this purpose, thereby economizing in cost of operation in addition to cleaning the grain more thoroughly than has been possible heretofore.

Upon reaching the rear or tail end of the scouring casing the grain is discharged therefrom through the outlet 29 thereof into a discharge spout 59 which delivers the grain to a final or finishing aspirator whereby any remaining dust, dirt, light grains or broken grains which may be still mixed with the solid or whole grain is removed therefrom. The discharge or outlet 29 of the scouring chamber is controlled by a valve or gate which is opened automatically by the pressure of the grain against the same to permit part of the grain to escape but still hold back a part of the grain in the scouring casing so as to prolong the abrading or scouring action of the blades thereon.

In the preferred construction this automatic valve has the form of a vertically swinging gate 60 which is pivoted at its upper end adjacent to the upper side of the spout 59 and adapted to swing inwardly into its vertical or closed position until its lower end engages with a stop surface 6| on the lower part of the spout 59, as shown by full lines in Fig. 1, but when the pressure of the grain igainst this gate valve overcomes the force of gravity which normally holds this valve shut, then the latter is moved outwardly from its closed position to an outwardly inclined position. as

shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, so as to permit part of the grain to escape from the scouring casing to the discharge spout 59.

The aspirator whereby the operation of finishing or effecting the final cleaning of the grain is accomplished, may be of any suitable and wellknown construction but as shown in the drawings the same is mounted on the rear part of the main frame and constructed as follows:

, The numeral 62 represents an upright suction leg arranged in rear of the tail end of the scouring casing and having an open lower end, while its upper end connects with a separator 63 having a tip 64 and a dust or refuse outlet which is controlled by automatically opening valves 65, 66, similar to the corresponding parts shown in Fig. 3.

An upward suction is produced in the leg 62 and through the separator 63 by the rotary fan blades 68 in the fan casing 61. the discharge spout 59 projects into the front wall of the suction leg 62 whereby the grain delivered by this spout into the suction leg, and descending into the latter, will encounter an upwardly moving stream of air, which latter will thereof .are separated from the air and discharged into the tip 64, and the purified air is discharged to the exterior. The cleaned, solid or good grain is discharged from the lower end of the suction leg 62 and disposed of in any desired manner.

In order to enable the stream of air passing upwardly through the final suction leg 62 to operate most effectively on the material which is discharged into this leg by the spout 59, this material is separated as it flows through the spout 59 by providing the bottom of the latter with a plurality of deflectors, baffles or separators 69, which deflectors preferably have the form of strips or ribs which diverge from the scouring chamber toward the final suction leg 62, as shown in Fig. 5.

As the grain and anyundesirable material mixed therewith flows over the bottom of the spout 59- the same is spread out into a plurality of smaller streams which drop 01f from the rear end of this bottom and into the adjacent part of the suction leg 52, thereby enabling the upwardly fiowing stream of air in this leg to effectively remove from the solid or heavy kernels of grain any light impurities or undesirable material, such as dust,

dirt, light grains or broken grains.

This separation of the material discharged by the spout 59 into the final suction leg 62 is further promoted by providing the lower rear end of the bottom of the spout 59 with an upwardly turned lip 10, whereby the material flowing over the same is caused to assume a stream of cascade shape, which form of stream tends to further divide the material of this stream and thus enables the upwardly flowing current of air in this leg to separate from the solid or heavy grains the light undesirable material which may still be present.

Valve means are provided between the discharge spout 59 and the final suction leg 62 whereby the upwardly flowing stream of air in this leg is prevented from interfering with the discharge of grain from the spout to this leg, which control means preferably comprise a vertically movable slide valve or gate H which extends across the The rear end of opening between the rear end of a discharge spout 59 and the adjacent part of the final suction leg 62. Adjustment of this gate valve for varying the size of the opening between this discharge spout and the respective suction leg is preferably eifected by means of clamping screws 12 mounted on the inner wall of the final suction leg 62, and passing through vertical slots 13 in the slide valve 'H, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

By adjusting the valve H the size of the opening between the discharge spout 59 and the suction leg 62 may be so determined that a steady flow of grain from this spout to this leg may be maintained which will constantly cover this opening and thus permit free flow of grain from the spout into said leg, and at the same time prevent the air suction in this leg from influencing the flow of grain through this spout from the scouring casing to the discharge leg 62.

In the preferred construction the primary aspirator at the front of the machine, the intermediate or scouring aspirator in the central part of the machine, and the final or finishing aspirator in the rear part of the machine have their several fan cases arranged axially and horizontally in line lengthwise of the machine and the fan blades of these aspirators are all mounted on a single shaft 14 which extends lengthwise through these fan cases and is journaled at its front and rear ends on suitable bearings 15, 16 on the adjacent upper part of the main frame. Motion may be imparted to this fan shaft 14 in any approved manner but this is preferably accomplished in the present case by means of a belt TI passing around pulleys l8, 19 on the rear ends of the scouring shaft 30 and fan shaft 14, as shown in Fig. 1.

It Will be noted that in this machine a primary aspirator is employed for effecting the preliminary separation of refuse from the grain prior to scouring the same, another aspirator is employed for carrying away any dust, dirt and other material which is detached from the grain by the scouring mechanism, and still another aspirator is utilized to remove from the whole grain any light impurities or undesirable material which may be mixed with the whole or solid grain after the latter leaves the scouring mechanism, these several aspirators being wholly independent of each other and operating upon the grain without one aspirator influencing the action of another, thereby enabling each of these aspirators to be adjusted individually for producing the most desirable effect of the same on the grain, before it is scoured, while it is being scoured, and after it has been scoured, as necessity may require or as best suits the particular grain which is being treated, or to meet any other conditions.

The regulation of the effect of the primary aspirator on the grain is controlled by adjustment of the valve 23; the effect on the grain of the intermediate aspirator during the operation of scouring the grain is regulatable and controlled by the valves 52 and 53; and the regulation of the suction effect of the finishing aspirator upon the grain is controlled by the valve H these several valves being adjustable independently of each other, and thus enabling the action of each aspirator to be regulated or controlled without in any way affecting the operation of the other aspirators.

It will be noted that in this machine the kernels to be scoured and cleaned enter the front end of a horizontal space within the casing which has no stationary internal obstructions, that the stream of kernels while passing horizontally through this space to the rear outlet of the same is subjected to the action of an agitating device which lifts the kernels so that the same are loosely suspended or separated and receive blows While suspended for detaching dirt therefrom, that an intermediate suction device draws air into the casing at the underside of the same and upwardly through the stream of kernels so as to remove detached dust particles therefromand then carries the same away through the top of the casing, and that preliminary and final suction devices act upon the kernels at the inlet and outlet of the casing for removing dirt from the kernels before entering and after leaving the casing and thus ensure the most efiective separation of dirt from the kernels.

As a whole this machine is very compact in construction, its parts are all readily accessible for inspection, adjustment or repairs, and the same is capable of more thoroughly cleaning grain and the like than has been possible heretofore at a more rapid rate and with less expenditure of power, thereby enabling this work to be done with greater economy.

I claim as my invention:-

1. A machine for scouring and cleaning kernels of grain comprising a horizontal casing provided at its front end with a grain inlet for admitting into the casing the grain to be scoured and cleaned, at its rear end with a grain outlet for discharging the treated grain from the casing, in its bottom with a plurality of openings for admitting air into the casing, and at opposite ends of its top with air and dirt outlets; means for agitating and beating the grain in said casing so as to lift the kernels and suspend the same in the air and also strike the kernels while the same are suspended for detaching dirt therefrom; an individual suction fan having inlet eyes on its opposite sides connected respectively with the outlets in the top of the casing; a grain feed spout leading to the grain inlet of said casing, a grain discharge spout leading from the grain outlet of said casing, and separate suction fans having their inlets communicating respectively with said feed spout and discharge spout.

2. A machine for scouring and cleaning kernels of grain comprising a horizontal casing provided at its front end with a grain inlet for admitting into the casing the grain to be scoured and cleaned, at its rear end with a grain outlet for discharging the treated grain from the casing, in its bottom with a plurality of openings for admitting air into the casing, and at opposite ends of its top with air and dirt outlets, means for agitating and beating the grain in said casing so as to lift the kernels and suspend the same in the air and also strike the kernels while the same are suspended for detaching dirt therefrom, an individual suction fan having inlet eyes on its opposite sides connected respectively with the outlets in the top of the casing, a grain feed spout leading to the grain inlet of said casing, a grain discharge spout leading from the grain outlet of said casing, separate suction fans having their inlets communicating respectively with said feed spout and discharge spout, each of said fans including a housing and blades rotatable in said housing; and a single driving shaft operating the blades of the several fans.

3. A machine for scouring and cleaning kernels of grain comprising a horizontal casing provided at its front end with a grain inlet for admitting into the casing the grain to be scoured and cleaned, at its rear end with a grain outlet for discharging the treated grain from the casing, in its bottom with a plurality of openings for admitting air into the casing, and at opposite ends of its top with air and dirt outlets, means for agitating and beating the grain in said casing so as to lift the kernels and suspend the same in the air, and also strike the kernels while the same are suspended for detaching dirt therefrom, an individual suction fan having inlet eyes on its opposite sides connected respectively with the outlets in the top of the casing; a grain feed spout leading to the grain inlet of said casing, a grain discharge spout leading from the grain outlet of said casing, separate suction fans having their inlets communicating respectively with said feed spout and discharge spout, and means for controlling the flow of grain into and out of said casing.

4. A machine for scouring and cleaning kernels of grain comprising a horizontal casing provided at its front end with a grain inlet for admitting into the casing the grain to be scoured and. cleaned, at its rear end with a grain outlet for discharging the treated grain from the casing, at its bottom with an inlet for admitting air into the lower part of the casing and in its top with an upper outlet for air and dirt, means for agitating and beating the grain in said casing so as to lift the kernels and suspend the same freely in the air and also strike the kernels while the same are freely suspended and spaced from one another for detaching dirt therefrom, an intermediate individual suction fan having an inlet connected with the upper outlet of the casing for drawing air from the bottom inlet of the casing upwardly through the suspended grain and discharging said air and the dirt detached from the kernels upwardly through said upper outlet of the casing, a front individual suction fan adapted to operate upon the grain as it enters the front inlet of the casing and separate therefrom any loose dirt contained therein, and a rear individual suction fan adapted to operate upon the grain which is discharged from the rear outlet of the casing and remove therefrom any loose dirt which may be contained therein.

ALEXIS C. BARBEAU.

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