US2083032A - Fluid pressure operated curb press - Google Patents

Description

June 8, 1937. F. MaoMlLLlN ET AL 2,083,032

FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED CURB PRESS Filed Oct. 10, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l /a /7 25 I9 -/6 /5. 2a 20 24 W Q INVENTORS HOWARD F MAc MILL/N LEsL/E J. HUBBERT A TTOR NE Y.

June 8, 1937.

H. F. M MlLLlN ET AL FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED CURB PRESS Fil ed Oct. 10

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1X! 'EXTORJ How/mo E MAc MILL/N Lssus 3. HUBBEHT A TTORXE) I Patented June 8, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,083,032 rwm PRESSURE OPERATED cums muss Delaware Application October 10, 1932, Serial No. 637,110

2 Claims.

' The invention to be hereinafter described relates to fluid pressure operated curb presses.

This type of press has wide use for extracting grease, oil, etc., from the waste in packing plants; and for extracting oil from fish in the fish industry. While the above uses are general and wide spread, applicants refer to them merely as illustrations of several uses of the invention. There are many other uses. In using such 'presses. in packing plants, the curb or cage is charged with the'material and pressure applied to extract the grease or oil which flows away through suitable drains. As is well known, heat assists extraction of oils, grease, etc. Accordingly, it is usual to provide a steam Jacket or the like to heat the contents of the curb, during the operation. Near or at the baseof the curb, a reservoir or saucer is provided to gather the accumulation, between the periods of removal. Necessarily, pressing to extract grease, oil, etc.,

, is far slower than pressing for the purpose of compressing or reducing size. The grease or oil must be given time to fiow. So, since each pressing operation must be slow, it is desirable to have the curb as completely and as compactly filled as practicable, before the pressing starts. At the present time, in one type of .curb press, the curb is first loosely filled by simply dumping or otherwise filling the material in from the top, either through an opening through the head .of the machine, or directly into the upper open end of the curb or cage. When thus loosely filled, the upper plunger or ram head is swung over the open end of the curb and the whole curb and contents is lifted up, by power, against it, to tamp the contents. This is repeated as often as desired. Among the serious disadvantages of such a construction are the total lifting of the entire curb and all its contents for every tamping of the contents. .Other obvious disadvantages are the multiplicity of operating parts and their controls.

The main purposes, of the-present invention are to overcome the above and other objections and provide a simple, eificient, compact, and 45 economical curb press which will answer fully all possible requirements. c

In order to more clearly disclose the construction, operation, and use of the invention, reference should be had to the, accompanying drawings forming part of the present application.

Throughout the several figures of the drawings, like reference characters designate the same partsin the several views.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a central vertical cross section;

' mounted on a suitable base or framework vary- Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the curb;'

Fig. 3 is a central vertical cross section of the curb; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail of the curb struc! ture.

For purposes of illustration, a simple, medium sized press has been shown, of the type used in packing plants. The operation and construction of the compressing or extracting plunger is well known and need not be referred to in detail. It will, therefore, be mentioned only in brief orskel eton statement. The power may be air,-s team, water or any other fluid, and controlled in any well known manner. The term fluid will be understood as including all such, whether liquid or 15 gaseous. Obviously too, a wide.range of materials, designs, and proportions may be resorted to according to the work to be done by the particular press.

Such machinery, of'course, when installed, is

ing according to the \particular circumstances. No such foundation or framework is shown, as those skilled in the art will readily supply the one desired, according to individual taste and re- 25 quirements.

Referring to the drawings in detail, I indicates the cylindrical or other shaped metal body or press chamber of the press. It is formed with parallel longitudinal or vertical grooves 2, or 0 channels, separated by webs or ribs 3, for a. purpose to be later disclosed. Within the press chamber or body l is mounted the curb or cage which really constitutes a liner or inner sleeve for the chamber. It is made of a plurality of 3 spaced narrow plates 4 shaped tofitthe inside Wall of the press body (here shown as cylindrical). To the inner, faces or edges of these plates are welded or otherwise secured a plurality of strong metal staves 5 extending, preferably, the 40 to provide very narrow vertical or lengthwise openings through the inner or operative. wall of the, curb-between the successive staves. The staves, as shown in the drawings, especially Fig. 50 4, may be of the same horizontal width throughout, outwardly from the centre of the press chamber. This would result in the inner curbwall of each stave having the same width as the outer curb wall of the same stave. The staves, 55

to give the desired strength, must be of appreciable dimensions, outwardly from the centre of the press chamber. Consequently, the distance between the inner and outer face of each stave, in a cylindrical press chamber, the width of those two faces being the same, results in greater spacing between the outer or rear vertical edges of adjacent staves than between the corresponding inner vertical edges. The spaces between staves in cylindrical press chambers are wedges or wedge shaped, increasing in radially outward di-' rection; Obviously, material forced through the inner and narrower openings will have increasingly greater freedom of passage outwardly. The curb, therefore, is self clearing and cannot become choked or clogged. To support the curb in place, so that it will not drop through the chamber, each web or rib 3, or a considerable number of them, is provided with a shoulder 6 so positioned as to engage the lower horizontal band or plate 4, as the curb or cage ,becomes completely seated-actually, the curb seats, vertically, on those shoulders. To prevent the curb being carried upwardly out of position, during operation of the press, a retainer bar or plate 1 is provided.

The upper end of the body I is bored out, in the case illustrated, and threaded internally to receive this plate flush with the press chamber end.

It extends inwardly to partially overlie the upper 0 ends of the staves 5. To the extent that it does so overlie the staves, each stave is notched to provide a shoulder, the depth of the notches being such as to exactly receive the plate flush with the stave end when it is screwed in and seated flush with the press chamber end. So, when the curb has been seated on shoulders 6, and the plate 1 has been made flush with the press chamber end, the curb will extend from end to end thereof, flush with the ends and will present a continuous self-clearing grid or strainer surface.

The lower ends of the grooves or channels 2 are open, as clearly shown. To allow quick and free escape of air upwardly through the channels 2, during pressing, the retainer plate may be pro- 5 vided with suitable openings 48, preferably, one above the upper end of each of the grooves.

After considerable use, if it is desired to clean the curb, or the chamber, or both, it is only nec- 0 essary to remove plate I and remove the curb.

Or they may be cleaned in place by a jet. Also, in case of repair, or renewal, or change, the curb is quickly and easily removable.

In order to warm the contents of the curb during pressing, to assist the flow, it is steam-jacketed in usual manner, as is. well understood. In this instance, the wall is cored out to form a steam chamber 8, leaving a partition or web 9 to assure circulationthe steam inlet being con- 0 nected at one side of the web and the outlet at the opposite side, though not necessarily very close to the web. The outer wall of the steam chamber is formed by a sheet metal plate l0 welded or otherwise suitably secured in place. 65 To properly insulate this steam jacket, an air chamberor space H is provided by securing an asbestos backed or covered shell or sheet metal plate I 2 to the press chamber, slightly spaced relatively to the plate Ill. The asbestos may be 70 as a separate sheetagainst the plate i2, it may.

be as a layer or coating on the plate, or it may g be entirely independent. One eflicient arrangepipe I 3, passing about the body or press chamber to the opposite side of the web 9. Near the web 9 but at the opposite side to the inlet, is an outlet pipe l4. That heats the press chamber, only, however.

To receive and accumulate the liquid pressed out, a reservoir I5 is provided. It has an outlet 4|, bywhich the entire contents may be periodically drawn off. This reservoir may be in the form of a U-shaped channel of an annular saucer having an outer wall or flange I1 and being of form and dimensions as indicated at 41 adapted to fit snugly between the strain rods to seat on the collars 28 thereof, and engage the lower edge of the press chamber at points 8 to support it. Fitting of the saucer wall snugly about the strain rods also acts to definitely retain the saucer in proper operative position, as will be understood. Corresponding to the wall H and forming the opposite leg of the U-channel, is the inner wall or flange I9. Chilling of oil or grease in the saucer causes clogging and interruption of production. To avoid this, the saucer I5 is heated by a steam chamber 20 underlying the U-shaped channel l6. Steam for heating this chamber is led from the outlet H, through a pipe 2|. After circulating through chamber 20, the steam exhausts through the outlet 26. Pipe 2|, leading from the outlet l4, as will be seen, connects to the inlet pipe 22, leading into the chamber 20 beneath the saucer channel IS. The central opening through the saucer is large enough to fully receive the main plunger 23 of the press, as

it operates, but of considerably less area than the inside cross section of the cage or curb. Likewise, the inside cross section of the curb is of substantially the same cross sectional area as that of the ram head carried by the main operating plunger. But, the outside dimension of the flange I9 is considerably less than the inside dimension of the curb. So, the plunger or piston 23 carries a ram head 24 having a maximum area substantially equal to the inside cross section of the curb. This head, therefore, extends outwardly beyond the piston and beyond flange l9. Where it overlaps flange l9 it is provided with a skirt flange 25, the two flanges cooperating to form a closure or seal to lessen chance of back flow of the saucer contents between the flange l9 and piston.

Suitable strain rods 21 are provided for assembling and for sustaining the operating strains, babbitted guide blocks on the chamber serving to maintain it in proper position relatively to the rods and other parts of the press,

in well known manner.

Removably connected to the lower ends of the strain rods, through any suitable means, is the power or pressure chamber 29 in which the main plunger or piston operates in usual and well known manner, fluid pressure being alternately admitted to and exhausted from the lower side of the plunger at aperture by operation of the well known two-way valvewhlch requires no further disclosure.

The press head 30 with filling opening 3| is mounted in usual and well known manner, on

the upper ends of the strain rods above the curb, which may be filled through such opening. In the present invention, the head of the press carries a laterally traverslble head-ram head which, in turn, carries, therewithin, a vertically reciprocable tamping plunger for repeatedly downwardly tamping the curb contents. To the underside of the press head, are secured suitable tracks 32 which are extended far enough to enable the ram head to be run bodily out from above the curb end, as. will be clearly understood.

Suitable rollers, wheels, or other anti-friction I devices 33, travelling freely on said rails and secured to the upper part of the ram head 34, carry it back and forth as desired. When in position directly above the curb, it may cooperate with plunger 23 in the operation of the press in the well known manner. Within the body of the ram head 34 is the cylinder 35 of the tamping mechanism. This comprises a piston 36 reciprocable within cylinder 35, with a piston rod 31 1 actually comprises the central portion of the ram head 34 and that it is shouldered to seat on cooperating shoulders of the ram head so that it can not be forced beyond a predetermined upward position relatively to that ram head. The piston is reciprocated by fluid pressure admitted to and exhausted from the cylinder through suitable ports 39 and 40. These ports each are both inlet "and exhaust, alternately, as will be readily understood. Fluid pressure is alternately admitted to and exhausted from them by the well known four-way .valve commonly used in 35 the press industry. These fluid pressure circuits and the four-way valve control are well known in the art and need no further disclosure or illustration here.

It will be noticed that the body of the saucer is of appreciably greater dimension than the in- 40 terior of the press chamber. At the point where the press is mounted on its strain rods, however, the saucer dimension must be reduced to that of the exterior of the press chamber.

0n reference to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the ram head 34 is slightly greater in area than the inside area of the curb-cross sectional area.

It overlaps the retaining plate.

makes a very complete and sure closure and avoids possible squeezing out of the material of the cake between the apposed heads.. Also, when operating at maximum capacity, should there be any tendency to carry the press chamber upwardly with the main ram head, it will be positively engaged and stopped by the ram head 34, as will be obvious, so that there will be no lost motion and no defective operation.

It will be seen that the construction disclosed enables maximum capacity with minimum power consumption. In the tamping operation neither the press chamber nor its contents is lifted. The small tamping head is capable of relatively high speed operation and, being the only part poweroperatedin tamping, it consumes the minimum 65 of power. So, every charge of the curb may be completed in the least time; every charge may be the greatest possible contents and compactness of the material in its curb, and every charge may utilize the least power consumption. One reason 74;} for lower power use is that this press, in itstamping operations, cooperates with gravity instead of operating against it. i

It will be seen that the total number of parts is very small and that each part is very simple, 75 giving a total machine assembly of approximately This overlap this ram head is now out of the path of the pressmaximum simplicity, efliciency and economy, with minimum construction, operation and upkeep.

Friction, and the consequent wear by friction are greatly reduced, first by reducing the number of relatively moving parts; second, by reducing the size and contact areas of those parts; and, third, by reducing the load.

The assembly is extremely simple. The saucer is separate from the chamber which simply sets on it. The upper ram head and tamping head are a unit carried by and quickly removable from the head. The head isslipped on one end of the strain rods and the main cylinder with its piston and ram head are slipped on the opposite ends.

Briefly, the operation of the invention is as followsZ-Assume that the press has been erected and is ready for operation. The parts will be in the positions shown in Fig. l. #Ram head 34 is traversed bodily, from between the head 30 and curb. Material is now filled into the curb either through opening 3! or directly into the upper end of the curb. It gathers on the head 24 (in the bottom) of course. When sufficient has gathered to tamp or to be packed, the ram head 34 is rolled back above the curb. As it reaches position, the control valve of cylinder 35 is operated, performing the tamping operation. After that operation, the valve is operated to raise the head 38 and retain it raised. The ram head is then run out to inoperative position. This procedure is repeated until the curb is sufliciently filled and packed. At this point, the ram head is left in position above the curb and power is applied to piston 23 for the pressing operation. As it is forced upwardly toward the ram head 34, the liquids in the mass will be forced out through the openings between staves and into the grooves or channels in the inner wall of the press cham- I her. The heat of the jacket will keep them fluid and assist the flow. The oils, grease, etc., will accumulate in the saucer in which they will be kept fluid by the heat of chamber 20. From time to time, the accumulation in the saucer may be drawn off through the outlet 4i. As the pressing action reaches the limit, as may be readily determined by those skilled in the art, it is stopped, andthe ram head 34 is again run. out. When ing ram, the upward movement of piston 23 is resumed to upwardly eject the resulting cake, and the press chamber will be ready to receive another charge, as before. I

While a cylindrical press chamber has been illustrated it will be understood that any desired cross sectional shape may be used.

It is believed that the construction, operation and use of the invention will be clearfrom the preceding detailed description.

Many changes may be made -in the form, construction, arrangement and disposition of the various parts of the invention within the scope of the appended claims, without in any degree departing from the field and scope of the invention and it is meant to include all such within this application wherein only a single form has been disclosed in the drawings, purely by way of illustration and with no thought or intent to limit the application by such illustration.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A press comprising a press chamber open at both ends, a main ram operable therewithin, a ram head traversable across the path of operar tion of said main ram, said ram head having an aperture centrally thereof and a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly therein, a tamper connected to said pistonand countersunk in said ram head aperture wherebyduring one operation of press chamber, a tamping member mounted on said ram head, said'ram head having an aperture centrally thereof and a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly therein, said tamping member being connected to said piston and countersunk in said ram head aperture, whereby during one operation of the device the tamper contacts the material in the press chamber independent of the ram head and during another operation of the device coacts with the ram head for mutual engagement with the material in the chamber.

HOWARD F. MACMILLIN. LESLIE S. HUBBERT.

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