Back to results
US 2004/0069693 A1Published application
Apparatus and method to separate elements or materials of different sizes
AssigneePal S.R.L.
InventorRomeo Paladin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
AssigneePal S.R.L.
InventorRomeo Paladin
Estimating the term…
Apparatus (10) and method to separate a loose mass formed by elements or materials (11) of different sizes, such as woody strands or wafers, comprising a separation chamber (13) into which the mass is inserted, a plurality of riddling rolls (16), mounted inside the chamber (13) rotating on axes of rotation parallel to each other and lying sybstantially on a same plane (X). Each of the riddling rolls (16) comprises a plurality of riddling elements (20), each of which is substantially square in shape, so as to form four cusps (22) in correspondence with the four tips of the square. The riddling elements (20) are adjacent to each other so that the cusps (22) form a plurality of grooves (24), and the riddling rolls (16) are axially staggered therebetween so that the cusps (22) of each roll (16) are constantly inserted, more or less deeply into the corresponding grooves (24) of the adjacent riddling roll (16), so as to define discharge apertures (25) with an alternated profile.
1- Apparatus to separate a loose mass formed by elements or materials (11) of different sizes, advantageously of the type with large surfaces in proportion to their volume, such as woody strands or wafers, comprising a separation chamber (13) into which said mass is able to be inserted, a plurality of riddling rolls (16), mounted inside said chamber (13), rotating on axes of rotation parallel to each other and lying substantially on a same plane (X), wherein each of said riddling rolls (16) comprises a plurality of riddling elements (20), characterized in that each of said riddling elements is substantially square in shape, so as to form four cusps (22) disposed at 900 with respect to each other, that said riddling elements (20) are adjacent to each other so that said cusps (22) form a plurality of grooves (24), and that said riddling rolls (16) are axially staggered therebetween so that the cusps (22) of the riddling elements (20) of each roll (16) are constantly inserted, more or less deeply, into the corresponding grooves (24) of the adjacent riddling roll (16), so as to define discharge apertures (25) with an alternated profile.
2- Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that the lateral surfaces (21a, 21b) of said riddling elements (20) converge from the center towards the periphery, whereby said grooves (24) are substantially V-shaped and said alternated profile has a zig-zag shape.
3- Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that the lateral surfaces (21a, 21b) of said riddling elements (20) are substantially parallel therebetween, whereby said grooves (24) are substantially U-shaped and said alternated profile has a right-angles shape.
4- Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that said cups (22) are pointed with a sharp edge.
5- Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that said cusps (22) have joined, bevelled or rounded tips.
6- Apparatus as in claim 2, characterized in that the angle of inclination (α) formed by said converging lateral surfaces (21a, 21b) is advantageously comprised between 25° and 50°.
7- Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that the riddling elements (20) of each of said rolls (16) are mounted on a central shaft (17), adjacent to each other, possibly with spacer rings (23) disposed therebetween.
8- Apparatus as in claim 7, characterized in that said riddling elements (20) are mounted on said shafts (17) in such a manner that the riddling elements (20) of each of said rolls (16) are angularly staggered with respect to the riddling elements (20) of the adjacent roll (16) so that the cusps (22) of the riddling elements (20) of each roll (16) are in correspondence with one of the sides of the square of the facing riddling element (20).
9- Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that said discharge apertures (25) and the gaps (26) have variable sizes according to the interaxis between said riddling rolls (16).
10- Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that said gaps (26) are advantageously variable between about 0.5 and 20 mm.
11- Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that said lateral surfaces (21a, 21b) are provided with a plurality of irregular elements (27), consisting of dips, hollows, protuberances, protrusions or faceted parts.
12- Apparatus as in claim 7, characterized in that the ends of said central shafts (17) are mounted rotating on guide means (28) arranged sliding in grooved guides (29) of two lateral walls (18, 19) of said separation chamber (13), and that at one end of each shaft (17), outside said separation chamber (13), a toothed wheel (30) is keyed, engaged with a distribution chain (31), made to rotate by a corresponding drive member (33).
13- Apparatus as in claim 12, characterized in that said toothed wheels (30) are arranged, alternately staggered, on opposite sides with respect to said separation chamber (13), each row of toothed wheels (30) being constantly associated with a corresponding distribution chain (31) commanded by said drive member (33).
14- Apparatus as in claim 12, characterized in that the distance between said riddling rolls (16), and consequently the entity of said discharge apertures (25), is defined by a plurality of spacer elements (35) mounted in removable manner in said grooved guides (29) of said lateral walls (18, 19).
15- Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that below said riddling rolls (16) at least a deflector element (38) is arranged, able to be positioned angularly and to divide said separation chamber (13) into at least two selection zones.
16- Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that said separation chamber (13) is able to be inclined up to about 40° with respect to the horizontal plane, in order to orientate upwards the plane (X) on which the axes of rotation of said riddling rolls (16) lie and define an upwards travel of said material (11).
17- Method to separate a loose mass formed by elements or materials (11) of different sizes, advantageously of the type with large surfaces in proportion to their volume, such as woody strands or wafers, comprising a step wherein said mass of material (11) is inserted in proximity with one side of a separation chamber (13) in which a plurality of riddling rolls (16) is rotatably mounted with their axes of rotation parallel to each other and lying substantially on a same plane (X), characterized in that it comprises the following steps: