Apparatus and method for selecting between multiple feed material processing operations

In a machine having an inlet, multiple processing mechanisms for performing multiple feed material processing operations, and a discharge mechanism disposed in flow communication with said processing mechanisms, said processing mechanism including a hammermill for performing a grinding operation, a sheller for performing a separating operation and a roller mill for performing a rolling operation, an apparatus for selecting between said multiple feed material processing operations, said apparatus comprising:

• (a) a first diverter structure at an infeed side thereof being disposed in flow communication with said machine inlet and at a discharge side thereof being disposed in flow communication with an infeed side of said hammermill;
• and
• (b) a second diverter structure at an infeed side thereof being disposed in flow communication with said discharge side of said first diverter structure and at a discharge side thereof being disposed in flow communication with respective infeed sides of said sheller and said roller mill;
• (c) said first diverter structure including a first gate shiftable selectively to either one of first or second displaced positions for respectively providing flow communication through said first diverter structure from said machine inlet to said infeed side of said hammermill or to said infeed side of said second diverter structure;
• (d) said second diverter structure including a second gate shiftable selectively to either one of third or fourth displaced positions for respectively providing flow communication through said second diverter structure from said discharge side of said first diverter structure to said infeed side of said sheller or to said infeed side of said roller mill.

In a machine having an inlet, multiple processing mechanisms for performing multiple feed material processing operations and a discharge mechanism disposed in flow communication with said processing mechanisms, said processing mechanism including a hammermill for performing a grinding operation, a sheller for performing a separating operation and a roller mill for performing a rolling operation, an apparatus for selecting between said multiple feed material processing operations, said apparatus comprising:

• (a) a first diverter structure at an infeed side thereof being disposed in flow communication with said machine inlet and at a discharge side thereof being disposed in flow communication with an infeed side of said hammermill;
• and
• (b) a second diverter structure at an infeed side thereof being disposed in flow communication with said discharge side of said first diverter structure and at a discharge side thereof being disposed in flow communication with respective infeed sides of said sheller and said roller mill;
• (c) said first diverter structure including a first gate shiftable selectively to either one of first or second displaced positions for respectively providing flow communication through said first diverter structure from said machine inlet to said infeed side of said hammermill or to said infeed side of said second diverter structure;
• (d) said second diverter structure including a second gate shiftable selectively to either one of third or fourth displaced positions for respectively providing flow communication through said second diverter structure from said discharge side of said first diverter structure to said infeed side of said sheller or to said infeed side of said roller mill;
• (e) said first diverter structure further including a primary chute portion defining said machine inlet and a primary passage extending generally upstream of said first gate, and a pair of secondary chute portions defining a pair of secondary passages branching in flow communication from said primary passage generally downstream of said first gate, said first gate being mounted for pivotal movement across said primary chute portion to block one and open the other of said secondary passages when pivotally moved to its first displaced position and to open said one and block said other of said secondary passages when pivotally moved to its second displaced position;
• (f) said second diverter structure further including a pair of tertiary chute portions connected to one of said secondary chutes of said first diverter structure and defining a pair of tertiary passages branching in flow communication from the corresponding one of said secondary passages of said first diverter structure and extending generally downstream of said second gate, said one secondary passage extending generally upstream of said second gate, said second gate being mounted for pivotal movement across said one secondary chute portion to block one and open the other of said tertiary passages when pivotally moved to its third displaced position and to open said one and block said other of said tertiary passages when pivotally moved to its fourth displaced position.