Archimedes screw with flexible-bottomed trough for processing and handling fragile seeds

Abstract

This addition concerns a sequential slide-type device on an Archimedes screw with a flexible-bottom hopper. Its purpose is to control the volume and weight of grain to be processed, as well as the corresponding volume of liquid. The control system can be electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic, the objective remaining the same: counting pulses related to a predetermined quantity of grain to be processed, in conjunction with a liquid metering device that dispenses the corresponding quantity. This addition consists of a grain receiving hopper 1 with its safety grid 2. The cylinder 3 pushes the piston and the hopper's closing plate, emptying the grain contained in the slide into the receiving chamber of the hopper screw, and then immediately returns to its starting position. The slide capacity is adjustable via the gate 5, and the pulse frequency (piston strokes) is also adjustable by setting a timer located in the control cabinet 7 with a counter 8.A remote control device located near the piston will allow the descent of a predetermined quantity of liquid 9.

Description

This addition concerns a sequential drawer device adaptable to complement the soft-bottom screw for seed treatment. Its purpose is the control of the volume and weight of grain to be processed and the corresponding liquid product by mechanical or pneumatic counting of the number of pulses, the capacity of the drawer being adjustable by advancing a simple hatch located above, and the frequency of the pulses also being adjustable by action inside the control cabinet, a great flexibility of use will be obtained. The control system can be mechanical (electric), hydraulic, or pneumatic. However, it seems that for reasons of cost and convenience, the pneumatic solution is preferable. In all cases, at each activation, a corresponding quantity of liquid (adjustable as desired) must flow from the distributor via remote control. Originally, the combination of liquid doser and flexible bottom screw mixer was done by comparing flow rates, which was a bit tricky at first. This addition, without calling into question the previous principle, may constitute an option for use. In this addition the device consists of - A grain receiving hopper with its safety grid. Below, there is a drawer whose capacity is adjustable by moving a top hatch. The drawer will be emptied with each pulse by the push of a cylinder, or by any other means, the grain thus twisting in a re-sorting chamber above the screw. The cylinder's movement back and forth will be instantaneous to allow the drawer to be refilled. At a specific point during the drawer's movement, a mechanical or other control will remotely trigger the opening of a valve, allowing a predetermined quantity of liquid to flow into an adjustable-capacity container located inside the dispensing tank. The product will then flow by gravity into the mixing chamber. The required solution quantities should be between 1 and 1.5 liters per quintal of grain to be treated (cereals, soybeans, broad beans, etc.). The invention will be better understood by reading the following description in relation to the attached drawings which schematically represent an example of an embodiment. Figure 1 shows a bird's-eye view of the assembly according to the invention. Note: the grain receiving hopper (1) in the upper part with its safety grid (2). In the central part is the drawer with its cylinder (3) which pushes the grain forward; this drawer is not closed on the outlet side. Behind the cavity of drawer 1, the cylinder-piston assembly consists, at the front of the cylinder, of a movable push plate (4) bent at 90°, the horizontal return allowing the drawer to be closed as the cylinder advances to prevent the grain from falling behind the piston. In this cavalier perspective, the piston is presented at mid-stroke. The trapdoor for adjusting the drawer capacity (5), located at the top towards the front, allows the drawer's capacity to be reduced by partially closing the hopper. a graduated scale allowing the drawer capacity to be determined and the pcids of the grain to be evaluated according to its specific weight. The side plates (6) located on either side of the drawer form a funnel below the latter to facilitate the flow of grain into the auger. The control cabinet (7) located under the hopper for protection purposes includes in pneumatic version: a distributor, an adjustable timer device and a pulse counter (8) visible from the outside with a push button for resetting. The liquid distributor (9) is positioned at the upper level on the frame of the soft-bottom screw; details of this can be found in Figure 3. Referring to figure 2, which represents a side view according to the present addition, we will note the drawer in the open position, the grain has flowed inside the drawer in front of the piston (4) and its closing plate. The adjustment hatch (5) with graduated markings allowed its capacity to be determined (the smaller the capacity, the more frequent the emptying must be for the same efficiency). The lateral channels (6) located on either side of the drawer, forming a funnel at the lower level, are connected to the base of the drawer by a heavy-duty plate welded on each side; this forms the fixed part of its base (6b). Referring to Figure 3, it will be noted that the cylinder (3) has pushed the piston-upper closing plate assembly (4), the grease flows between the lateral plates (E), into the receiving chamber of the bucket screw. At the start of the piston push, a lever device (10) located at the base of the closing plate (4) remotely opens the valve or solenoid valve (11) and closes it again. The quantity of liquid to be dispensed is contained in a small container with adjustable capacity (12) which is continuously filled by pumping. By design, this device requires only minimal additional height. The screw's electro-reducer can be positioned at the top, allowing the hopper to be lowered and facilitating overall balance.

Claims

DEMANDS 1 - A device with an Archimedes screw and a flexible-bottomed trough for seed treatment according to claim 1 of the main patent, characterized in that beneath the grain receiving hopper (1) is placed a drawer actuated by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder (3) which pushes the grain contained in the drawer via the piston (4) which closes the hopper with each push. The seed to be treated is emptied onto the screw, and the moving assembly returns to the open position. 2 - Device according to claim 1 in which the capacity of the drawer is adjustable by moving a horizontal upper hatch (5) which allows the volume of grain to be processed to be determined, the stroke of the cylinder remaining identical in all cases. 3 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the presence of a device in relation to a liquid doser allowing the opening of a valve or solenoid valve for the simultaneous supply of a determined quantity of product on the basis of 1 litre to 15 litres of solution per quintal, the latter being contained in a distribution tank (11 and 12) with electro-pump unit located in a raised position. 4 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the presence of a control cabinet (with electric or pneumatic timer) which allows the pulse frequency to be adjusted, and a counter visible from the outside which allows control by counting the pulses.