APPARATUS FOR DEPOSITING FIBER FLOCK IN A CHUTE

• US 3,865,439 A
• Filed: 12/29/1972
• Issued: 02/11/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Paul Staheli, Robert Moser
• Original Assignee: Paul Staheli, Robert Moser
• Inventors: Moser, Robert, Staheli, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Blunk, Evon C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Carson, W. Scott
• Application Number:
  US05/319,869
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 137/825,832 214/17CA,17CB,18.2 302/28,59-61
• US Class Current: 406/28
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 53/60 Devices for separating the materials from propellant gas
• CPC Class Codes: D01G 23/08 Air draught or like pneumatic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2218 Means [e.g., valve] in control input

Abstract

An air stream deflecting means is positioned near the entrance to the depositing chute so as to regulate the depositing of the flock across the width of the chute to obtain a uniform deposit. Sensors are positioned in the chute at various horizontally spaced points in a common plane to sense the height of the accumulated flock in the chute and to activate the deflecting means in accordance with the height variations of the deposited flock so as to obtain a smooth even surface.

Claims

1. Apparatus for separating opened fiber flocks from a fiberflock-laden transporting air stream into a stationary depositing chute connected to a stationary pneumatic transporting duct, said chute having an entrance at one end and means for draining air therefrom below said entrance and retaining a fiber flock column therein characterized in having an adjustable deflecting means for deflecting the fiber-flock-laden transporting air stream in a direction across the width of said chute, said deflecting means being located between a portion of said chute connected to said duct and a flock deposit position in said chute, and at least two sensing means in said chute for sensing the height of a flock column in said chute, said sensing means being disposed at the same height relative to said chute and in spaced relation to each other, each said sensing means being connected to said deflecting means to individually activate said deflecting means in response to the detection of a portion of the flock column at said height.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said deflecting means is pneumatically actuated in response to a deviation of the fiber flocks column from a uniform height level.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 which is further characterized in that said portion of said chute is a connecting piece and in that at least one passage opening is provided in said connecting piece on at least one side thereof for passage of a secondary air stream therethrough into said chute at an angle to the transporting air stream to deflect the transporting air stream in a direction across the width of said chute and in that a sealing element is provided in said opening to selectively seal said opening to said duct.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further characterized in that said deflecting means includes two centrifugal fan rotors in said chute for drawing the transporting air stream into said chute and a pair of controllable drive motors, each motor being connected to a respective rotor to vary the rotational speed of said respective rotor.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further characterized in that said deflecting means includes two centrifugal fan rotors in said chute for drawing the transporting air stream into said chute and at least oNe speed variator connected to at least one of said rotors.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further characterized in having at least one guide blade movably mounted in an upper part of said chute for movement across the width of said chute to deflect the transporting air stream across the width of said chute and an adjusting element connected to said blade to move said blade across said chute.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said deflecting means is mechanically actuated.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said deflecting means is manually actuated.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein each said sensing means is an optical barrier.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein each sensing means is an ultrasonic barrier.

11. In combination, a vertical stationary rectangular chute for receiving fiber flocks to be deposited in a column at an entrance end;

a stationary duct for delivering a fiber-flock-laden transporting air stream to said chute;

an air discharge in at least one wall of said chute below said entrance;

means for deflecting the transporting air stream in a direction across the width of said chute; and

two sensing means in said chute for sensing the height of a flock column in said chute, said sensing means being disposed at the same height relative to said chute and in spaced relation to each other, each said sensing means being connected to said deflecting means to individually activate said deflecting means in response to the detection of a portion of the flock column at said height.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means means includes at least one passage opening in at least one side of said chute for passage of a secondary air stream therethrough onto said transporting air stream at an angle and means for selectively sealing said passage to said secondary air stream.

13. The combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein said deflecting means includes at least one compressed air line on at least one side of said chute for passing a secondary air stream into said transporting air stream at an angle thereto.

14. The combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein said deflecting means includes at least one movably mounted guide blade in said chute.

15. The combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein said deflecting means includes a pair of suction fans in said chute for drawing in said transporting air stream, and means for rotating said fans at variable rates relative to each other.