Device for sorting raw, pre-treated or recycled bulk material

• US 6,234,317 B1
• Filed: 04/15/1999
• Issued: 05/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kammann Optosort GmbH & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Wolfgang Sommer
• Inventors: Sommer, Wolfgang
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tuan N.
• Application Number:
  US09/292,505
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 209/3, 209/4, 209/5, 209/576, 209/577, 209/587, 209/938, 362/208, 362/247, 362/222, 362/294, 241/15, 241/20
• US Class Current: 209/3
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/3422 using video scanning devices, e.g. TV-cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/19 having means for controlling material flow, e.g. to prevent overloading
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 209/938 Illuminating means facilitating visual inspection

Abstract

A device for sorting raw, pre-treated or recycled bulk materials, which are comprised of individual components to be sorted, wherein the classification of the parts to be sorted occurs along empirically determined classification parameters and the material which is sorted is removed, the device including a conveyance device for supplying the bulk material, a conditioning device for wetting the bulk material, a break-down device for breaking down the bulk material into individual parts to be sorted, a sensor device for sensing the classification-relevant characteristics of the components to be sorted and for production of measurement data, which includes at least one camera, which is connected to a device for evaluation of electronically measured values with at least one micro computer for classification of the components to be sorted and for achievement of a control signal by means of a control unit, wherein the camera is associated with at least one even diffused light emitting light source. The device includes means for cleaning the light source.

Claims

1. A device for sorting of raw, pre-treated or recycled bulk material, having individual components to be sorted, wherein the classification of the components to be sorted occurs according to empirical determined classification parameters, and the bulk material to be sorted out is diverted, comprising, in combination:

a bulk material conveyor for supplying the bulk material;

a conditioning unit for wetting the bulk material;

a breakdown unit for breaking down the bulk material into individual components to be sorted;

a sensor device for detection of the characteristics relevant for the classification of the components to be sorted and for production of measurement data;

at least one camera, which is included with the sensor device;

an evaluation device connected to the camera for evaluating electronic measurements having at least one microprocessor or microcomputer for classification of the components to be sorted and for production of control signals by means of a control unit;

an even diffused light emitting light source, which is associated with the camera;

a pair of brushes situated within a housing, the brushes provided coaxially to each other and extending over the breadth of the housing, said housing open towards the bottom;

a drive unit to coaxially displace the brushes relative to each other;

a pair of bristle tufts provided within the brushes and arranged side-by-side with sideways separation with respect to the bulk material conveyor; and

at least one light transmissive generally cylindrical body in which a light source is mounted, driven by at least one of compressed air and pressurized water.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit is comprised of two counter running pendulum stroke drives, which are respectively connected with one of the brushes.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the pendulum stroke drive is connected with a frequency converter.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein at least one end section of the cylindrical body includes a service lid.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body is rotatably mounted and connected with the drive unit.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the cylindrical body is rotatably mounted on curved rollers.

7. A device according to claim 5, wherein the drive unit is formed as an electrical drive motor.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the drive motor is connected to a friction wheel.

9. A device according to claim 7, wherein the drive motor is provided on a rotating shaft or a rocker arm.

10. A device according to claim 7, wherein the cylindrical body of the upper light sources and the cylindrical body of the lower light sources are respectively associated with a drive motor.

11. A device according to claim 4, wherein centrifugal or spin-dry rings are formed on the end section of the bodies opposite to the service lids.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein, on an outer jacket of the cylindrical body and extending along the length thereof at least one lip (39) of an elastic material is provided as water deflector.

13. Device according to claim 12, wherein the lips are made of rubber or plastic.

14. A device according to claim 1, wherein, the cylindrical body of the lower light sources is provided with a water tank (40) having a plurality of cleaning jets.

15. A device according to claim 14, wherein the at least one water tank is formed as a capturing tank and drain.

16. A device according to claim 14, wherein on each water tank elastic lips of rubber or plastic are formed, which respectively lie against one cylindrical body.

17. A device according to claim 1, wherein, each cylindrical body is covered with a light transmissive foil or film.

18. Device according to claim 17, wherein the foil or film is entirely or sectionally removable from the respective cylindrical body.

19. Device according to claim 18, wherein the foils or films removed from the body after cleaning can again be connected with the bodies.

20. Device according to claim 17, wherein the foil or film is formed of an antistatic material.

21. A device according to claim 1, wherein the separation of the two bristle tufts of one of said brushes corresponds approximately to the diameter of bristle tuft of the other brush.