US2276402A - Propeller blade for log washers - Google Patents

Description

March 17, 1942. e. E. KRIDER ,2

PROPELLER BLADE FOR LOG WASHERS 1 Filed Fe 13. 1940 Patented Mar. 17, 1942 rrso STAT s r or ies 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to propeller blades, or paddles for log washers used for agitating and washing clay and other earthen particles from gravel, phosphate rock and similar materials.

The present blade is for use with my'improved log washer as illustrated in my co-pending application Serial No. 315,824, filed January 26, 1940.

The log washer is a well-known and reliable apparatus. Briefly the machine comprises an elongated, slightly inclined horizontal tank, having a pair of rotating members known as logs extending the full length of the tank and rotating in opposite directions. Attached and distributed throughout the length of the logs are propeller blades which move the material along the tank toward the raised end and toward the material outlet. With respect to the top of the rotating logs, they rotate in an outwardly direction, and with respect to the bottom of the logs, they rotate in an inwardly direction. This inwardly rotating motion adjacent the bottom of the logs has a tendency to draw the material inwardly from the sides of the tank between the logs as the propeller blades move the material along the tank.

The material to be washed is deposited in the lower end of the tank and is moved along the tank in the presence of water or other washing fluids toward the discharge outlet.

In washing gravel and the like these materials are usually mixed with clay which forms in small balls and as such are diflicult to break up and will pass out with the material from which it has been originally separated.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide an improved propeller blade and agitator which will more readily break up the balls of clay and more efficiently wash the materials.

Another object of the invention is to provide a more adequate anchorage for propeller blades.

While several objects of the invention have been specifically pointed out, other objects will be perceivable from the specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this application and in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in elevation of one end of a log showing several tached thereto.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in elevation of the opposite end of the log.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the log on line 3-3 of Fig. l.

of the blades at- Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a view in side elevation of the improved blade and agitating member.

The invention therefore comprises a propeller bladeland a support 6, which isadapted to fit about one corner of a square log member 2. However, the support may be designed to take anypreferred shape in order to conform with the cross-sectional shape of the log upon which it is to be secured.

In practical use, it has been found that square logs have a great deal more rigidity than either round, octagonal or other shapes. Therefore, the present support is only illustrated with this particular shape.

Referring more in detail to the blade 4 and its supporting element 6, the blade is first formed into its proper length and shape. The lower end of the blade at the junction between the blade and support, is preferably welded in a line which is perpendicular to the axis of the log when the support is secured in position thereon. The blade extends outwardly from the support and is set at a predetermined angle relative to the rotating axis of the log. A line passing through the greater axis of the blade intersects the junction of the blade and support at substantially the central point of the support. This construction provides a blade unit that may be used on either log. As the logs rotate in opposite directions, the angles of the blades on each of. the logs must be set at opposite angles in order to move the material in the same direction along the tank. In this respect the blades are adaptable for use on either log.

The blade supporting member 6 is secured to the log by suitable bolts, or studs l2, which are receivable through the holes 8 of the support. The support may be secured to the log by any number of these bolts, or studs, although only two are shown for illustration.

In the form of the invention as shown in Fig. 5, the support is provided at one end thereof with an outwardly extended member 6'. This member is somewhat shorter in length than the blade and is usually constructed as a part of the support 6, which is extended outwardly so as to be in radial relationship with the longitudinal axis of the log, although this member may be located at any convenient point along the support where it will best perform its designed function. This member is not usually utilized as a propelling implement, but is designed to pick up and carry the small clay balls formed in the washing process over and under the log for the purpose of smashing and disintegrating them, by crushing them against other material, against each other. However, these members 6', may be provided with a slight angle for aiding in propelling the material but the angle must not be so great as to defeat the primary purpose of lifting and carrying the clay balls over the logs.

In operation of a log washer equipped with this latter type blade, including the member 6', for crushing the clay balls, the machine is operated in substantially the same manner as described in my co-pending application noted above. Thus logs may be equipped in Whole, or in part, with these blades, but particularly at the material receiving end of the tank. As al-- ready stated these small clay balls form and cling in the vicinity of the log. The member 6 acts as a scoop catching the balls and carrying over and under the log, crushing them against other clay balls or the gravel, or whatever they may come in contact with.

The advantages of a washer equipped with this scoop member are that by breaking up the clay.

balls, the length of the tank may be decreased, or the capacity of the tank may be increased as the time required for the washing process is greatly reduced.

The improvement is simple, economical to manufacture and sturdy in its construction.

There are no working parts to wear out, or get out of order. The scoops being a part of the blade and support unit may be obviously installed without any extra labor and very small cost.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in a specific form, it is not intended that the same be limited thereto. For instance, the blade and support may be cast in one piece if desirable. The projecting member 6' may be secured to the log independently of the support 6 and various other changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

A propelling and agitating implement for rotating logs in log washing machines comprising an angularly shaped support formed by diverging flanges adapted to engage diverging surfaces of the log, an elongated agitating and propelling blade extending radially of the log and carried by the flanges of the angularly shaped support and set at an angle to the plane of rotation, means for fastening said support to the log, the outer end of one of the diverging flanges of the support terminating in an outwardly extending agitating member extending across the plane of rotation of the blade and radially disposed in relation to the axis of the log.

GEORGE E. KRIDER.

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