Apparatus for unloading material such as chips or the like from the bottom of a silo

Abstract

An apparatus for unloading material such as chips or the like from the bottom of a silo, comprising a conveyer screw which at its inner end is mounted in an annular frame. The frame surrounds a central outlet opening and is rotatable about the central axis of the silo for allowing a swinging motion of the screw along the bottom of the silo. The screw is also mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis for conveyance of material to the outlet opening, the rotation of the screw being accomplished by a drive means arranged stationary independently of the rotating frame. The power transmission for effecting the rotating and swinging motion of the conveyer screw is accomplished by a transmission means rotatably mounted in the frame, the axis of said transmission means coinciding with said central axis. The frame carries an outlet funnel having an upper opening arranged below the inner end of the screw and a lower opening arranged coaxially with the central axis. The transmission means takes the form of a ring having an inner opening adjoining the lower opening of the outlet funnel, thereby providing an unobstructed discharge of the material passed through the funnel. One of the parts which are moving upon rotation of the screw, drives a hydraulic pump on the frame, said pump providing hydraulic pressure to a device located at the outer end of the screw for the swinging thereof. The pump communicates with the swinging device through a conduit for hydraulic drive fluid extending through the conveyer screw.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.