Chain bucket skimmer

Abstract

This invention provides a chain bucket skimmer that can efficiently recover substances to be removed from a liquid. [Solution] The chain bucket skimmer 10 includes an extension member 50 extending vertically along the chain 20, a fan unit 60 provided on the extension member 50, a first flow control plate 81, and a second flow control plate 82. A first inlet 85 is formed on the inside of the first flow control plate 81 (the side on which the bucket 21 rises). A second inlet 86 is formed on the inside of the second flow control plate 82 (the side on which the bucket 21 descends). The extension member 50 is positioned between the first inlet 85 and the second inlet 86 and extends downward from above the liquid surface Q1. The fan unit 60 includes a fan support member 62 whose vertical position can be adjusted along a guide portion 55 of the extension member 50, a first fan 71, and a second fan 72.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a chain bucket skimmer for removing objects to be removed such as floating substances contained in a liquid.

Background Art

[0002] Coolant is used to cool a machine tool. The used coolant is returned from the machine tool to a tank and supplied again to the machine tool by a pump. Therefore, it is inevitable that oil adhering to the surface of the workpiece, hydraulic oil, lubricating oil, etc. of the machine tool are mixed into the coolant. The oil mixed into the coolant floats on the liquid surface of the coolant. Also, fine objects to be removed such as sludge may float on the liquid surface or in the liquid.

[0003] In order to remove objects to be removed such as oil and sludge floating on the liquid surface of a liquid such as coolant, a device called an oil skimmer has been conventionally used. A typical example of an oil skimmer includes an endless belt for adhering oil floating near the liquid surface, a motor for moving the belt between inside and outside the liquid, a scraper for scraping off the oil adhering to the surface of the belt, etc.

[0004] An example of an oil skimmer is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The oil skimmer of Patent Document 1 includes a fan. By rotating the fan, a flow is generated in the liquid in the tank, and the oil floating on the liquid surface is adhered to the belt. It is explained that an oil skimmer using a fan can improve the oil recovery efficiency compared with a conventional oil skimmer that does not use a fan.

[0005] Instead of using the belt for adhering oil, an oil skimmer using a chain bucket is also known. This type of oil skimmer is called a chain bucket skimmer. An example of a chain bucket skimmer is disclosed in Patent Document 2.

[0006] The chain bucket skimmer described in Patent Document 2 has an endless chain that is moved by a motor and a bucket attached to the chain. By moving the bucket upward from the liquid, substances to be removed, such as oil floating on the liquid surface, are collected in the bucket. After the bucket reaches the upper end, it moves toward the lower end. At that time, the bucket inverts and the opening faces downward, so that the liquid and substances to be removed inside the bucket are discharged onto a chute.

[0007] The chain bucket skimmer described in Patent Document 2 has a higher oil recovery efficiency compared to conventional oil skimmers that use belts. Moreover, the chain bucket skimmer does not suffer from problems such as belt wear or breakage. Therefore, it has the advantage of requiring less effort for maintenance such as belt replacement. The chain bucket skimmer described in Patent Document 3 has a first fan and a second fan and is configured to recover the target material even more efficiently. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Korean Registered Utility Model Publication No. 20-0330860 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-14127 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-77355 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] Even when using a fan, as in the oil skimmer described in Patent Document 1, it is not always possible to efficiently direct oil floating on the liquid surface towards the belt. The belt-based oil skimmer described in Patent Document 1 has low oil recovery efficiency. These conventional oil skimmers have the problem of not being able to recover all the oil in machine tools that use a large amount of liquid (e.g., coolant).

[0010] In contrast, the chain bucket skimmer described in Patent Document 3 has the advantage of higher oil recovery efficiency compared to conventional oil skimmers. However, depending on the specifications of the tank containing the liquid, the liquid level in the tank varies. If the fan position is not appropriate for the liquid in the tank, the liquid containing the material to be removed cannot be efficiently drawn into the bucket. Therefore, it was desirable to maintain the appropriate fan height according to the liquid level. Moreover, it is also important for the chain bucket skimmer to efficiently guide the material to be removed into the bucket.

[0011] The objective of this invention is to provide a chain bucket skimmer that can efficiently recover substances to be removed, such as oil and sludge, contained in a liquid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] One embodiment is a chain bucket skimmer having a housing, a fan section located below the housing, and a fan drive section located above the housing, and having a chain bucket unit. This chain bucket unit comprises an endless chain and buckets attached to the chain. The chain moves between a lower rotating member located below the liquid surface and an upper rotating member located above the liquid surface. The buckets have a liquid inlet into which the liquid flows and a liquid containment section for containing the liquid. The chain bucket unit has a bucket raising section that moves from the lower rotating member toward the upper rotating member and a bucket lowering section that moves from the upper rotating member toward the lower rotating member.

[0013] Furthermore, the chain bucket skimmer of this embodiment includes an extension member extending downward from above the liquid surface along the chain, a fan support member attached to the extension member, and a fan unit. The fan support member is movable vertically along the guide portion of the extension member and is fixed to the extension member by a fixing member. The fan unit includes a first fan and a second fan supported by the fan support member. The first fan has a first blade in contact with the liquid, and the rotation of the first blade moves the liquid toward the chain bucket unit. The second fan is positioned on the opposite side of the chain bucket unit from the first fan. The second fan has a second blade. The twist direction of the second blade is opposite to that of the first blade. The rotation of the first and second blades in the same direction moves the liquid in the tank toward the chain bucket unit.

[0014] The chain bucket skimmer of this embodiment also includes a first flow control plate, a second flow control plate, a first inlet, and a second inlet. The first flow control plate is positioned on the side opposite to the bucket riser, is at a height corresponding to the first and second fans, and extends vertically through the liquid along the bucket riser. The second flow control plate is positioned on the side opposite to the bucket lowering section, is at a height corresponding to the first and second fans, and extends vertically through the liquid along the bucket lowering section. The first inlet is formed on the inside of the first flow control plate (the side where the bucket riser is located). The second inlet is formed on the inside of the second flow control plate (the side where the bucket lowering section is located).

[0015] In a chain bucket skimmer according to one embodiment, a tension mechanism for adjusting the tension of the chain may be further provided. This tension mechanism includes a base member fixed to the housing, a slide member movable vertically with respect to the base member, and a spring that biases the slide member downward. The extension member is connected to the lower end of the slide member. In the chain bucket skimmer of this embodiment, a bearing member provided at the lower end of the extension member and the lower rotating member provided on this bearing member may be provided.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to the chain bucket skimmer of this embodiment, the height of the fan unit can be adjusted according to the height of the liquid level in the tank, and the objects to be removed contained in the liquid in the tank can be efficiently recovered by the chain bucket.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] Perspective view of a chain bucket skimmer according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Front view showing the lower part of the chain bucket skimmer and a part of the tank. [Figure 3] Perspective view of the lower part of the chain bucket skimmer seen from below. [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view of the upper part of the chain bucket skimmer. [Figure 5] Side view of the lower part of the chain bucket skimmer seen from the direction of arrow F5 in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] Bottom view of the lower part of the chain bucket skimmer seen from below. [Figure 7] Longitudinal sectional view of the bucket of the chain bucket skimmer. [Figure 8] Longitudinal sectional view showing the state where the bucket shown in FIG. 7 is inverted.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] One embodiment of a chain bucket skimmer will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chain bucket skimmer 10. A fan arrangement portion 11 is provided at the lower part of the chain bucket skimmer 10. A chain drive portion 12 is provided at the upper part of the chain bucket skimmer 10. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the lower part of the chain bucket skimmer 10 and a part of a tank 13. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fan arrangement portion 11 seen from below. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the chain drive portion 12.

[0019] The chain bucket skimmer 10 is installed in a tank 13 (only partly shown in FIGS. 2 and 5) that contains a liquid Q to be purified, such as a coolant. In the liquid surface Q1 of the liquid Q contained in the tank 13 and in the liquid, there are objects Q2 to be removed, such as oil and sludge. The chain bucket skimmer 10 has a function of removing the objects Q2 to be removed. The liquid Q contained in the tank 13 is supplied by a pump to a liquid usage portion, such as a machine tool. The liquid Q used in the liquid usage portion is returned to the tank 13 again.

[0020] The chain bucket skimmer 10 includes an endless chain 20 that continuously moves in the direction indicated by an arrow V1 in FIG. 2, and a plurality of buckets 21 attached to the chain 20. The chain 20 and the buckets 21 constitute a chain bucket unit 22. The chain bucket unit 22 is arranged inside a housing 23. The chain 20 is wound between a lower rotating member 25 located below the liquid surface Q1 and an upper rotating member 26 (shown in FIG. 4) located above the liquid surface Q1. An example of the lower rotating member 25 is a pulley. An example of the upper rotating member 26 is a sprocket.

[0021] The upper rotating member 26 shown in FIG. 4 rotates in a certain direction by a motor 30 with a speed reducer. The upper rotating member 26 and the motor 30 constitute a chain drive portion 12 for moving the chain bucket unit 22. Electric power is supplied to the motor 30 by an electric cable 31 (partly shown in FIG. 4).

[0022] A chute 35 is positioned at the top of the housing 23. The chute 35 is sloped downwards from a first end 35a (shown in Figure 4) near the upper rotating member 26 to a second end 35b located outside the housing 23. An oil-water separator is positioned below the second end 35b.

[0023] The chain bucket unit 22 includes a bucket lifting section 22a that moves the bucket 21 upward and a bucket lowering section 22b that moves the bucket 21 downward. The bucket lifting section 22a moves upward from the lower rotating member 25, which is the lowering end, toward the upper rotating member 26, which is the raising end. The bucket lowering section 22b moves downward from the upper rotating member 26 toward the lower rotating member 25.

[0024] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a tension mechanism 40 for automatically adjusting the tension of the chain 20 is provided between the lower rotating member 25 and the upper rotating member 26. The tension mechanism 40 includes a base member 41 fixed to the housing 23, a slide member 42 inserted into the base member 41, and a spring 43 that biases the slide member 42 downward. The slide member 42 can move vertically relative to the base member 41.

[0025] A slit 45 extending in the vertical direction is provided in the base member 41. A pin 46 is attached to the slide member 42. With the pin 46 inserted into the slit 45, the slide member 42 is movable in the vertical direction relative to the base member 41. The slide member 42 is biased downward by the spring 43, thereby providing appropriate tension to the chain 20.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, an extension member 50 is attached to the lower end of the slide member 42. The extension member 50 extends vertically along the chain 20. The extension member 50 has a lower part 50a located below the liquid surface Q1 and an upper part 50b located above the liquid surface Q1. In other words, the extension member 50 has a vertically elongated shape that extends continuously downward from above the liquid surface Q1.

[0027] The extension member 50 includes a main plate portion 51 facing the chain 20 and a pair of side plate portions 52 and 53 formed on both sides of the main plate portion 51. Guide portions 55 extending in the vertical direction are formed on each of the side plate portions 52 and 53. In this embodiment, the guide portion 55 is a slit-shaped groove extending in the vertical direction, but the guide portion 55 may be in a form other than a groove. A bearing member 56 is provided at the lower end of the extension member 50. A lower rotating member 25, such as a pulley, is attached to the bearing member 56.

[0028] Figure 5 is a side view of the fan arrangement section 11 as seen from the direction of arrow F5 in Figure 1. Figure 6 is a bottom view of the fan arrangement section 11 as seen from below. The fan arrangement section 11 includes an extension member 50, a fan unit 60 attached to the extension member 50 in the middle of its vertical direction, a bearing member 56 attached to the lower end of the extension member 50, and a rotating member 25.

[0029] The fan unit 60 includes a fan support member 62 attached to the extension member 50, a first fan 71, a second fan 72, a rotating shaft 73, a fan drive sprocket 74, and the like. The fan support member 62 is fixed to the extension member 50 by bolts 61 which serve as fixing members. The fixing members may take a form other than bolts 61.

[0030] The rotation shafts 73 of the first fan 71 and the second fan 72 are common to each other, extend horizontally, and are rotatably supported by the fan support member 62. A fan drive sprocket 74 is fixed to the rotation shaft 73. The fan drive sprocket 74 meshes with the chain 20 and rotates (driven rotation) as the chain 20 moves. When the fan drive sprocket 74 rotates, the rotation shaft 73 rotates, causing the first fan 71 and the second fan 72 to rotate in the same direction.

[0031] The first fan 71 has a first blade 71a that rotates around a rotation axis 73. The second fan 72 is positioned on the opposite side of the chain bucket unit 22 from the first fan 71. The second fan 72 has a second blade 72a. The twist direction of the second blade 72a is opposite to that of the first blade 71a. The first blade 71a and the second blade 72a are each positioned in contact with the liquid surface Q1.

[0032] The fan support member 62 is fixed to the extension member 50 by a bolt 61, which is an example of a fixing member. When the bolt 61 is loosened, the fan support member 62 can move vertically along the guide portion 55. As a result, the fan unit 60 is movable in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the extension member 50 relative to the liquid level Q1. The fan unit 60 can be moved to a desired height within a height-adjustable range L1 (shown in Figure 2).

[0033] With the fan unit 60 moved to a desired height according to the expected liquid level Q1, the fan support member 62 is fixed to the extension member 50 by bolts 61. According to the chain bucket skimmer 10 of this embodiment, the fan unit 60 can be positioned at an optimal location according to the liquid level Q1.

[0034] A first flow control plate 81 and a second flow control plate 82 are arranged in the fan arrangement section 11. The first flow control plate 81 and the second flow control plate 82 are each fixed to the circuit board 83. A fan unit 60 is arranged between the first flow control plate 81 and the second flow control plate 82.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 6, the first flow control plate 81 is positioned on the side horizontally opposite to the bucket lifting section 22a. The first flow control plate 81 is located at a height corresponding to the first fan 71 and the second fan 72 and extends vertically through the liquid Q along the bucket lifting section 22a. The second flow control plate 82 is positioned on the side horizontally opposite to the bucket lowering section 22b. The second flow control plate 82 is located at a height corresponding to the first fan 71 and the second fan 72 and extends vertically through the liquid Q along the bucket lowering section 22b.

[0036] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a first flange 81a and a second flange 81b are formed at both ends of the first flow control plate 81 in the width direction. These flanges 81a and 81b are bent at approximately right angles to the direction of the second flow control plate 82. A third flange 82a and a fourth flange 82b are formed at both ends of the second flow control plate 82 in the width direction. These flanges 82a and 82b are bent at approximately right angles to the direction of the first flow control plate 81.

[0037] A first inlet 85 is formed on the inside of the first flow control plate 81, that is, on the side where the bucket lifting section 22a is located. A second inlet 86 is formed on the inside of the second flow control plate 82, that is, on the side where the bucket lowering section 22b is located.

[0038] As shown in Figure 6, a first opening 91 is formed between the first flange 81a and the third flange 82a. The first opening 91 is located facing the first fan 71 and communicates with the first inlet 85 and the second inlet 86. A second opening 92 is formed between the second flange 81b and the fourth flange 82b. The second opening 92 is located facing the second fan 72 and communicates with the first inlet 85 and the second inlet 86.

[0039] Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the bucket 21. Figure 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the bucket 21 in an inverted state. The bucket 21 has a bottom plate 101 that forms the liquid storage section 100 and a liquid intake port 102. The bucket 21 can rotate vertically (in the direction indicated by the double-headed arrow A1 in Figure 7) around the bucket mounting pin 103.

[0040] As shown in Figure 7, when the bucket 21 moves along the bucket lifting section 22a, the liquid intake port 102 faces upward, allowing the liquid Q and the object to be removed Q2 to be contained in the liquid storage section 100. When the bucket 21 moves through the upper rotating member 26 to the bucket lowering section 22b, the bucket 21 rotates around the bucket mounting pin 103. That is, the bucket 21 rotates in the directions indicated by arrows R2 and R3 in Figure 8, reversing from the position indicated by the solid line B1 to the position indicated by the dashed line B2. As a result, the liquid Q and the object to be removed Q2 contained in the liquid storage section 100 are discharged into the chute 35.

[0041] Next, the operation of the chain bucket skimmer 10 of this embodiment will be described. When the upper rotating member 26 is rotated by the motor 30, the chain 20 moves in the direction indicated by arrow V1 in Figure 2. As a result, the chain bucket unit 22 moves in the direction indicated by arrow V1. When the chain 20 moves in the direction indicated by arrow V1, the fan drive sprocket 74 rotates, causing the first fan 71 and the second fan 72 to rotate in the direction indicated by arrow R1 in Figure 2.

[0042] When the first fan 71 and the second fan 72 rotate in the direction indicated by arrow R1 in Figure 2, the liquid Q near the first fan 71 moves toward the chain bucket unit 22 in a first direction M1 (shown in Figure 5). Simultaneously, the liquid Q near the second fan 72 moves toward the chain bucket unit 22 in a second direction M2 (shown in Figure 5).

[0043] In the first inlet 85 where the bucket lifting section 22a is located, the bucket 21 containing the liquid Q moves upward from the liquid surface Q1. As a result, liquid Q flows into the first inlet 85 from all sides. In contrast, in the second inlet 86 where the bucket lowering section 22b is located, the empty bucket 21 enters the liquid Q from above the liquid surface Q1. As a result, a portion of the liquid Q, equivalent to the volume of the bucket 21, moves from the second inlet 86 to the first inlet 85.

[0044] As a result, a liquid flow from the second inlet 86 toward the first inlet 85 occurs between the first flow control plate 81 and the second flow control plate 82, causing the object to be removed Q2 to move to the liquid surface Q1 or into the liquid at the first inlet 85. The object to be removed Q2 that has moved to the liquid surface Q1 or into the liquid at the first inlet 85 is efficiently collected by the bucket 21 of the bucket lifting section 22a.

[0045] The chain 20 moves continuously in a certain direction V1 (shown in Figure 2). That is, in the first inlet 85, the chain 20 continuously rises from the liquid towards the liquid surface Q1. In contrast, in the second inlet 86, the chain 20 continuously descends from above the liquid surface Q1 towards the liquid. As a result of this continuous movement of the chain 20, a portion of the object to be removed Q2 floating in the liquid surface or liquid in the second inlet 86 tends to move towards the first inlet 85.

[0046] In this embodiment, the chain bucket skimmer 10 has an extension member 50 that extends vertically between the first inlet 85 and the second inlet 86. Therefore, the extension member 50 can suppress to some extent the movement of some of the material to be removed floating near the liquid surface of the first inlet 85 toward the second inlet 86. As a result, the material to be removed contained near the liquid surface of the first inlet 85 is prevented from moving toward the second inlet 86, and the material to be removed can be efficiently recovered by the bucket riser 22a located in the first inlet 85.

[0047] As shown in Figure 8, when the bucket 21 passes its upper end and moves to the bucket lowering section 22b, the liquid intake port 102 of the bucket 21 faces downward. At this time, the liquid containing the material to be removed Q2 that was in the liquid storage section 100 is discharged from the bucket 21 and falls onto the chute 35. The liquid containing the material to be removed Q2 that falls onto the chute 35 flows into the oil-water separator and is processed.

[0048] The liquid level Q1 in tank 13 fluctuates slightly depending on the operating status of the machine tool. For example, when liquid Q is used due to the operation of the machine tool, the liquid level Q1 will be lower than when the machine tool was stopped. The liquid level varies depending on the specifications of the tank, etc. The chain bucket skimmer 10 of this embodiment is equipped with a fan unit 60 that can move vertically along the guide portion 55 of the extension member 50. Therefore, the fan unit 60 can be fixed at a desired height according to the expected liquid level for each tank.

[0049] In carrying out the present invention, the liquid may be something other than coolant. The chain bucket skimmer of the present invention is suitable for removing suspended matter such as oil floating on the liquid surface and objects to be removed floating in the liquid. Needless to say, the form of the elements constituting the chain bucket skimmer according to the present invention, such as the chain, buckets, extension members, fan unit, first flow control plate, second flow control plate, etc., can be changed as needed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] Q...Liquid, Q1...Liquid level, Q2...Object to be removed, 10...Chain bucket skimmer, 11...Fan placement section, 12...Chain drive section, 13...Tank, 20...Chain, 21...Bucket, 22...Chain bucket unit, 22a...Bucket lifting section, 22b...Bucket lowering section, 23...Housing, 25...Lower rotating member, 26...Upper rotating member, 40...Tension mechanism, 41...Base member, 42...Sliding 43... spring, 50... extension member, 55... guide part, 56... bearing member, 60... fan unit, 61... bolt (fixing member), 62... fan support member, 71... first fan, 71a... first blade, 72... second fan, 72a... second blade, 73... rotating shaft, 74... fan drive sprocket, 81... first flow control plate, 82... second flow control plate, 85... first inlet, 86... second inlet.

Claims

1. A chain bucket skimmer for removing substances contained in a liquid, An endless chain that moves between a lower rotating member located below the liquid surface and an upper rotating member located above the liquid surface, A bucket attached to the aforementioned chain, A chain bucket unit having the chain and the bucket, including a bucket lifting section that moves from the lower rotating member toward the upper rotating member, and a bucket lowering section that moves from the upper rotating member toward the lower rotating member, An extension member extending from above to below the liquid surface along the chain, A fan support member that is movable vertically along a guide portion provided on the extension member and is fixed to the extension member by a fixing member, A first fan is supported by the fan support member and has first blades that come into contact with the liquid, and the rotation of the first blades moves the liquid toward the chain bucket unit. A second fan is positioned on the opposite side of the chain bucket unit from the first fan, and has a second blade that contacts the liquid, the twist direction of the second blade being opposite to the twist direction of the first blade, and the second fan moves the liquid toward the chain bucket unit by rotating the second blade in the same direction as the first blade. A first flow control plate is positioned on the side opposite to the bucket lifting section, at a height corresponding to the first fan and the second fan, and extends vertically through the liquid along the bucket lifting section. A second flow control plate is positioned on the side opposite to the bucket lowering section, is located at a height corresponding to the first fan and the second fan, and extends vertically through the liquid along the bucket lowering section. A first inlet formed inside the first flow control plate, A second inlet formed inside the second flow control plate, A chain bucket skimmer characterized by being equipped with the following.

2. In the chain bucket skimmer according to claim 1, The system further includes a tension mechanism for adjusting the tension of the chain, The tension mechanism, A base member fixed to the housing, A slide member that is movable vertically relative to the base member, The slide member is equipped with a spring that biases it downward, A chain bucket skimmer in which the extension member is connected to the lower end of the slide member.

3. In the chain bucket skimmer according to claim 2, A bearing member provided at the lower end of the extension member, The lower rotating member provided on the bearing member, A chain bucket skimmer.

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