US3067672A - Expressing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

A. W. FRENCH EXPRESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed March l1. l1957 Dec. l1, 1962 y' l M/ M9@ ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,067,672 EXPRESSING APPARATUS AND MECH-l!) Alfred W. French, Piqua, Ohio, assignor to The French Gil Mill Machinery Company, Piqua, Ghia, a corporation of @hie Filed Mar. 1l., 1957, Ser. No. 645,165 Claims. (Cl. Mtl-75) This invention relates to a method and apparatus for treating liquid containing material and more particularly to an improved method for removing liquid from liquid containing materials such as brous vegetable materials like wood chips, sugar cane and the like and to novel apparatus for carrying out the improved method.

In utilizing a screw type expressing press having an expression cage with drainage openings in the walls through which liquid flows as it is expressed from material being forced through the cage by the compacting screw the presence of excessive amounts of expressed liquid or moisture often impairs the operating capacity and efficiency of the press. On the other hand the addition of suitable treating fluid to the material is advantageous in acquiring a more thorough treatment of the material and a better expression of liquid therefrom.

Another problem sometimes encountered is the presence of excessive lateral forces against the expressing shaft caused by the feeding of raw material into the press at a rate sufficient to keep it operating properly. This problem has particular significance where the shaft is supported only at the driving end and is somewhat dependent upon the material passing through the press to maintain its position in the cage.

It is therefore one of the principal objects of this invention to provide a novel method for treatment of liquid bearing materials prior to entry into the main press of a screw type expression press and to provide improved apparatus for carrying out the novel method.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for introducing liquid containing materials into a screw type expressing press and maintaining low lateral yforces against the main expressing screw shaft.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

In the drawings- FIG. 1 is a cross sectional side view of the improved apparatus -for carrying out the present process;

FIG. 2 is a slightly enlarged fragmentary View of the screen bar cage, shown in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a fluid infusion manifold used to supply treating fluid to material between the two expressing cages; and Y FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a ring-like split cone which defines a restricted orifice and of the clamping ring which retains the cone in assembled position.

Referring to FIG. 1 of `the drawings which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for effecting the present process, a charging press P for feeding material into a main expression press E includes a generally coneshaped hopper 10, surrounded by a similarly shaped cover '11, defines means for receiving a quantity of suitable raw material which is to be treated. A drive motor 12 is positioned above hopper it) and has its drive shaft connected `to a gear box 13 while the output shaft 15 of the gear box is in turn connected to the shaft 16 of a screw conveyor 17 through a connecting spline sleeve 18. The upper portion of shaft 16 carries a continuous spiral feeding vane 20, the center portion of which has been broken away on the drawing as indicated, for moving material through hopper while that portion of shaft i6 extend- "ice ing below the lower limit of the hopper carries a series of interrupted feeding vane nights 2i which have spaces 22 between the adjacent ends of successive flights.

A substantially vertically disposed expression cage 25 surrounds the lower portion of shaft 1d and the interrupted vane flights 2l and includes a plurality of vertically disposed radially spaced screen bars 26 (FIG. 2). Screen bars 26 are held in position by wedge bars Z7, the wedge bars being adjustably secured to cage 25 by nuts 28 which are mounted on the threaded end portions of the outwardly extending shanks 29 of the wedge bars. Screen bars 26 are separated by suitable spacers 30 to define fluid drainage openings between adjacent bars so that expressed juice can flow outwardly from the expression chamber 31 formed by the bars.

Extending through screen bars 26 to the chamber 31 Iare a number of vertically spaced breaker bars 35 which `are adjustably secured to cage 25, through holding strip 36, by means of threaded fasteners 37. The threaded fasteners 37 on the outer ends of the breaker bars provide means for adjusting them radially into or out of the chamber 3l within the vertical spaces 22 between interrupted vane ights 2i to stop rotary movement of material present in the chamber and cause it to move axially downwardly therethrough. For a more detailed description of the aforementioned type of expression cage and breaker bar arrangement reference is made to applicants copending application Serial No. 631,698 filed on December 31, 1956, now abandoned.

Expression cage 25 is enclosed within an imperforate wall 40 which receives any liquid expressed from the material passing through the cage and directs the liquid downwardly to a collecting trough il adjacent the lower end of the cage structure where it can be withdrawn for collection in a suitable receptacle.

A ring-like split cone d5 is positioned adjacent the inner end of expression cage 25 and has a tapered inner surface 46 which defines a restricting' orifice 47 of less diameter than the inner diameter of cage 25. A clamping ring Sil, which has a hinge 5l on one side and fastening means 52 on the other, surrounds split cone 45 to maintain the two halves thereof in their assembled position. By using a split cone and clamping ring in this manner, i.e., as a unit separate from the cage 25, it is possible to easily and rapidly change the size of restricting orifice 47 simply by substituting a split cone having the desired size orifice. This adjustability is desirable where various materials are run through the apparatus at different periods of time.

FlG. 3 of the drawings shows an infusion manifold 55 which has a plurality of radially disposed inwardly directed nozzle like openings 56 (FIG. l) for directing treating fluid of the desired type into the material as it leaves the lower limit of restricting orifice 47. In some instances it may be desirable to introduce a heated fluid such as steam into the manifold while in other situations liquids such as water or caustic solution may be more appropriate. Manifold 55 is provided with a number of intake openings 57, these openings being fed from tfeeder tubes 5S which are attached to a manifold bar 60.

Beneath restricting orifice 47 and infusion manifold 55 a vertically extending wall d5 defines a further chamber 66, of greater diameter than the orifice, where material passing through the orifice is permitted to expand as it drops into press inlet chamber 67. A suitable drive 70 is operably connected to main shaft 71 and to shaft 72 which can drive feed screw 73 at a higher rate of speed than that at which the main shaft normally operates. Following feed screw 73 a plurality of the alternately arranged screw flights '75, 77, '79, 8l, 83 and 85 and pressure collars 76, 7S, t), 82 and 84 and a final discharge collar 36 are enamore "s 9 all keyed or otherwise suitably attached to the shaft 7l for rotation therewith.

A preliminary expression cage 9h begins at vertically extending wall o and surrounds a portion of feed screw 73 and screw fiight 75 to define a preliminary expression zone 91. The expression at this point is accomplish-ed by rotating feed screw 73 at a higher rate of speed than the remainder of the screw flights and pressure collars carried by shaft 7l so that the material is packed into the inlet of the main expression chamber 95.

A plurality of screen bar sections 95, 97, 93 and 99 make up an expression cage idd, the aforementioned alternately arranged screw flights and pressure collars being located inwardly thereof. The areas between the collars and the expression cage ldd define zones lill where primarily compacting and expression occur while the areas between the worm flights and the cage ldd define zones iltlZ where primarily a mixing or reorienting of the material occurs. Expression cage lili? includes screen bars with drainage openings between them like those of expression cage 25 as well as breaker bars 165, which have a plurality of longitudinally and radially extending lugs 105 terminating just short of the outer surface of pressure collars 76, 78, Sti, 32 and Se to cause longitudinal movement of mateiral vover these collars with no more than limited rotary motion.

Generally the present process for treating and/ or rcmoving liquid from liquid containing materials comprises feeding the material into hopper lli and moving it downwardly through the hopper through the action of spiral feeding vane Zti. As the material leaves hopper l@ it enters expression cage 25 where the interrupted vane flights 2,1 and the breaker bars 35 cause the material to be compacted between the varies and the inner surface 45 of split cone 45 while feeding a portion of the material through restricting orifice 47. In advancing the cane through restricting orifice 47 a back pressure is built up in the material within the cage thus causing an initial expression of liquid from the material outwardly through the drainage openings between screen bars 26.

Upon passing through restricting orifice d'7 the partially expressed material drops through infusion mani- `fold 55 where the pressure is released and the material allowed to expand to substantially its original size. During this period of expansion suitable treating fluid can be advantageously added to the material since it is normally much more absorbent during this period and the liquid content can be elevated to near the natural inherent amount. From infusion manifold 55 the material passes through further chamber 66 and into the press inlet chamber d'7 where feed screw 73 imnieoiu ately begins to pack it into the expression chamber 95. Since the material in passing through further chamber 66 is not under direct pressure from the charging press P there is no tendency for a large lateral force to be exerted against shaft 7l.

The first screw flight 7S takes the material from preliminary expression cage 9) and moves it inwardly toward pressure collar 76 in a generally helical path which creates a mixing and reorienting action under pressure to achieve a rearrangement of the material aiding the expression of liquid, therefrom through the walls of preliminary expression cage 90. Screw flight 77 operates in much the same manner as screw flight '75 in that it takes compacted material from an expressing zone, viz., that Zone between collar 76 and cage itltl, and mixes the material while moving onward to collar 78. The worms and collars following worm 77 and collar 78 operate on the material in much the same manner except that the increased body diameters cause a greater packing of the material at the outlet end of the press. Following passage over the discharge collar 35 the material is ready for subsequent treating operations or storage,

.d depending upon the final result to be obtained. Additionally, the liquid expressed from the material at the various stages can be collected for appropriate handling also.

While the process and form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to this precise process and form of apparatus and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for expressing liquid from liquid-containing solids material comprising the combination of a main expressing press including a press cylinder having a feed opening provided by means defining an inlet chamber of predetermined cross-sectional area at one end thereof and having a discharge opening at the opposite end, a feed screw extending within said cylinder and in cooperative relation with said inlet chamber to accept material passed into said chamber and force the material into said cylinder, means for rotating said screw in a direction to move material from said inlet chamber into said cylinder, means defining a relaxation chamber of substantial height mounted on said inlet chamber providing for expansion and substantially unobstructed flow of solids material therethrough a charging press construction mounted on said relaxation chamber means and spaced from said inlet chamber and discharging di* rectly into said inlet chamber at an angular relation relative to said feed screw, said press including a cage of constant inner diameter throughout a substantial portion of its length and a cage outlet opening at one end thereof, means defining drainage openings in the walls of said cage for passage therethrough of liquid expressed from the material, an annular collar mounted between said cage outlet opening and said relaxation chamber and in spaced relation to said feed scr-ew defining a restricted orifice of substantially less cross-sectional area than said cage and said relaxation chamber, and feeding means including a screw ight within said charging press cage for compressing the material received therein against said collar to compact the material in said cage under mechanical pressure to express liquid therefrom and to pass the solids material after such initial expression through said orifice into said relaxation chamber for minimizing pressure against said feed screw by the material passed thereto.

2. Apparatus for expressing liquid from liquid-containing solids material comprising the combination of a main expressing press including a press cylinder having a feed opening provided by means defining a chamber of predetermined cross-sectional area at one end thereof and having a discharge opening at the opposite end, a feed screw extending within said cylinder and in cooperative relation with said chamber to accept material passed into said chamber and force the material into said cylinder, means for rotating said screw in a direction to move material from said chamber into said cylinder, a charging press construction mounted on said chamber and discharging directly therein at an angle to said feed screw including a cage of constant inner diameter throughout a substantial portion of its length, means defining drainage openings in the Walls of said cage for passage therethrough of liquid expressed from the material, an annular collar mounted between said cage outlet opening and said chamber and in spaced relation to said feed screw defining a restricted orifice of substantially less cross-sectional area than said cage and said chamber, feeding means including a screw flight within said charging press cage for compressing the material received therein against said collar to compact the material in said cage under mechanical pressure to express liquid therefrom and to pass the solids material after such initial expression through said orifice into said chamber for relaxation of the mechanical pressure thereon to minimize pressure against said feed screw by the material passed thereto, an infusion manifold supported between said collar and said chamber including passages opening into said chamber for introduction of treating fluid, and means for supplying treating fluid through said passages for absorption by material in the area of relaxed mechanical pressure within said chamber.

3. Apparatus for expressing liquid from liquid-containing solids material comprising the combination of a main expressing press including a press cylinder having a feed opening pro-vided by means defining an inlet chamber of predetermined cross-sectional area at one end thereof and having a discharge opening at the opposite end thereof opening into said press cylinder from one side thereof, a feed screw extending within said cylinder and across said opposite end of said inlet chamber to accept material passed into said inlet chamber and to convey the material forcibly into said cylinder, means for rotating said screw in a direction to move material from said inlet chamber into said cylinder, means defining a relaxation chamber of substantial height opening into said inlet chamber providing for expansion and substantially unobstructed flow of solids material therethrough, a charging press construction mounted on said relaxation chamber and discharging directly thereinto including a cylindrical cage of constant inner diameter throughout a substantial portion of its length having a closed connection at its lower end with said relaxation chamber, means defining drainage openings in the walls of said cage for passage therethrough of liquid expressed from the material, an annular collar mounted between said cage and said relaxation chamber and in spaced relation to said feed screw defining a restricted orifice of substantially less cross-sectional area than said cage and both said relaxation chamber and said inlet chamber, and feeding means including a screw flight within said charging press cage for compressing the material received therein against said collar for compacting the material under mechanical pressure to effect expression of liquid therefrom and to pass the solids material after such initial expression through said orifice into said relaxation chamber for minimizing pressure exerted against said feed screw transversely to the axis thereof by the material passed thereto.

4. Apparatus of the character described comprising the combination of a main expressing press including a press cage of generally cylindrical configuration mounted with its longitudinal axis substantially horizontal and having a vertically extending feed opening adjacent one end thereof, a feed screw extending within said cylinder across said opening and having means for rotation thereof to accept material passed into said opening and force the material into said cylinder, a relaxation chamber mounted on said feed opening for passage of solids material thereinto, a charging press construction mounted above said feed opening and spaced therefrom by said relaxation chamber to discharge thereinto, said press construction including a cage having an outlet opening discharging through said chamber into said feed opening of said main press and being of constant diameter throughout a maior portion of its length, means defining drainage openings in the walls of said cage for passage of expressed liquid therethrough, an annular collar mounted between said outlet opening of said charging press cage and said relaxation chamber defining a restricted orifice of less diameter than said diameter of said cage and of less diameter than said feed opening, said relaxation chamber having a diameter greater than said collar, a shaft of substantially constant diameter extending through said cage and having a plurality of screw feed flights mounted thereon in spaced relation to each other axially of said shaft, means for rotating said shaft in a direction to cause said flights to pass material toward said collar and said feed opening through said restricted orifice and said relaxation chamber, and breaker bar means extending inwardly of the interior of said cage toward said shaft in locations between said flights for resisting rotational movement of material in the areas between said flights and t'nus providing for longitudinal movement of the material toward said restricted orifices compacting the material and feeding it through said orifice to express liquid therefrom for passage through said drainage openings to effect initial expression of the material in said charging press while minimizing pressure on said feed screw transverse to the axis thereof from the material passed thereto.

5. Apparatus of the character described comprising the combination of a main expressing press including a press cage of generally cylindrical configuration mounted with its longitudinal axis substantially horizontal and having the vertically extending feed opening adjacent one end thereof, a feed screw extending within said cylinder across said opening and having means for rotation thereof to accept material passed into said opening and force the material into said cylinder, a -charging press construction mounted above said feed opening and discharging thereinto against said screw including a cage having an outlet opening discharging into said feed opening of said main press and being of substantially constant diameter throughout substantially a portion of its length, means defining drainage openings in the walls of said cage for passage of expressed liquid therethrough, an annular collar mounted between said outlet opening of said discharging press cage and said opening of said main cylinder defining a restricted orifice of less diameter than said diameter of said cage and of less diameter than said feed opening, a shaft of substantially constant diameter extending through said cage and having a plurality of screw feed flights mounted thereon Iin spaced relation to each other axially of said shaft, means for rotating said shaft in a direction to cause said flights to pass material toward said collar and said feed opening through said restricted orifice, breaker bar means extending inwardly of the interior of said cage toward said shaft in locations between said flights for resisting rotational movement of material in the areas between said flights and thus providing for longitudinal movement of the material toward said restricted orifices compacting the material and feeding it through said orifice to express liquid therefrom for passage through said drainage openings to effect initial expression of the material in said charging press while minimizing pressure on said feed screw transverse to the axis thereof from the material passed thereto, an infusion manifold supported between said restricted orifice and said feed opening to said main press cylinder including passages opening into said feed opening for introduction of treating fluid, and means for supplying treating fluid through said passages for treatment of material passed through said orifices into an area of relaxed pressure within said feed opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 239,222 Burgess Mar. 22, 1881 594,013 Holthaus Nov. 23, 1897 960,143 Anderson May 31, 1910 1,151,186 Johnson Aug. 24, 1915 1,778,342 Thompson Oct. 14, 1930 1,881,186 Hegenbarth Oct. 4, 1932 2,098,110 Schertz et al. Nov. 2, 1937 2,149,017 Gordon Feb. 28, 1939 2,149,736 Hiller et al. Mar. 7, 1939 2,280,880 Anderson Apr. 28, 1942 2,335,819 Upton Nov. 30, 1943 2,355,091 McDonald Aug. 8, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS 30,392 France May 7, 1926

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