Segmented auger conveyor
AssigneeTiger Industries, Inc.
InventorMarion E. Hutchison
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Auger conveyor apparatus is described which is adapted to convey bulk material. The conveyor includes a plurality of axially aligned and connected segments which are coupled in such a manner that one segment drives an adjacent segment after limited rotation relative to the adjacent segment. The connected segments are self-supporting, and incoming bulk material has access to the apparatus essentially along its full length. The apparatus may be used in a variety of applications including, among others, bottom unloading devices for storage structures.
Claims25
Auger conveyor apparatus adapted to convey bulk material, said apparatus comprising reversible drive means, a plurality of axially aligned and connected segments which are adapted to be driven by said drive means, and coupling means between adjacent segments, said coupling means being adapted to transmit rotational motion from one said segment to a said adjacent segment, wherein said coupling means is further adapted to permit limited angular movement between said adjacent segments when the direction of drive rotation of said auger conveyor apparatus is reversed, wherein the total angular movement between a first said segment at one end of said apparatus and the last said segment at the opposite end of said apparatus is at least 360.degree., and wherein said connected segments are self-supporting.
An unloading apparatus of the type adapted to unload bulk material from a generally cylindrical storage structure having a central opening in the floor thereof, wherein said apparatus includes (a) a sweep arm adapted to extend radially from said central opening to a point near the wall of said structure and being further adapted to loosen and transport said material from said storage structure to said opening, (b) conveyor means which is operatively associated with sweep arm and having a portion which is adapted to be disposed beneath said central opening and further adapted to convey said material from said opening to a point beyond the wall of said structure, and (c) drive means;
- wherein said drive means is reversible;
- wherein said sweep arm comprises auger conveyor apparatus which comprises a plurality of axially aligned and connected segments, wherein coupling means are adapted to transmit rotational motion from one said segment to an adjacent said segment, wherein said coupling means is further adapted to permit limited angular movement between adjacent said segments when the direction of drive rotation of said auger conveyor apparatus by said drive means is reversed, wherein the total angular movement between a first said segment at one end of said apparatus and the last said segment at the opposite end of said apparatus is at least 360.degree., and wherein said connected segments are self-supporting.
Auger conveyor apparatus adapted to convey bulk material, said apparatus comprising reversible drive means, a plurality of axially aligned segments which are adapted to be driven by said drive means, retention means adapted to hold said segments in end-to-end arrangement, coupling means between adjacent segments, said coupling means being adapted to transmit rotational motion from one said segment to a said adjacent segment, wherein said coupling means is further adapted to permit limited angular movement between said adjacent segments when the direction of drive rotation of said auger conveyor apparatus is reversed, and wherein the total angular movement between a first said segment at one end of said apparatus and the last said segment at the opposite end of said apparatus is at least 360.degree..
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.