The present subject matter is generally directed to vibrating screen separator systems. In a conventional screen separator, an elongated, box-like like frame of upright rigid characteristics may be inclined over a supporting surface, and a screen captivated within the frame may be vigorously shaken as material passes over the screen. Material having a predetermined size drops through the screen for conveyance to alternative separators or product bins and the like. Exemplary vibrators include pneumatic, hydraulic, and rotary types vibration mechanisms.
Screening effectiveness of a vibrating wire screen is generally a function of gravity and the movement of material relative to the wire screen. For example, too little movement of the particles may allow material to wedge in the wire cloth, and too much movement may bounce the particles excessively and reduce screening capacity while increasing dust level. Generally, conveying capacity of a material on a vibrating wire screen is a function of slope, amplitude, frequency, load, and flow characteristics of the material. An optimum flow, amplitude, frequency, and slope relation would be one that loads the wire cloth with the maximum amount of material but does not impede the free movement of the material. An increase in the slope of the machine, an increase in the amplitude or frequency of vibration, and/or a reduction of the load may increase free movement of a material through an exemplary machine.
Due to the input of relatively large amounts of vibrational energy in conventional screen separator machines, however, damage to the screening cloth, particularly along the mounting edges and at the mesh cloth and backing wire screen interface occurs. Additionally, as more energy is inputted to an exemplary vibrating system, the greater the possibility of fatigue and destruction to the screen may be incurred. For example, conventional vibrating wire screening machines employ a screening mesh cloth with a backing wire screen adjacent thereto. The screening mesh cloth typically possesses a finer mesh than the backing wire screen. At every point in the mesh cloth to wire screen interface where there is a cross wire in the weave, a knuckling effect may be imparted on the adjacent mesh cloth. Subsequent vibration of the screening machine may thus prematurely wear out the mesh cloth and/or wire screen.
It is also known that vibrating wire screening machines exhibit varying amplitude rates across the face of the wire cloth (i.e., loops and nodes), and the position of these loops and nodes will vary with the type of wire and wire tension. It is, however, difficult to obtain uniform distribution of force energy upon the surface of the screen, and failure to properly distribute the energy vibrations may result in regions of high vibration separated from regions of low vibrations resulting in unequal wear patterns. Thus, unless the forces are balanced and properly distributed, wear and tear upon vibrated components may lead to early failure and increased maintenance. Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a proper distribution of such vibrational energy and provide an improved vibrating wire screening machine
In view of these needs, embodiments of the present subject matter may thus provide a vibrating screen separator machine comprising a frame bounding a first screening assembly, the first screening assembly forming a first sifting plane. The first screening assembly may include a mesh screen and a planar backing panel proximate the mesh screen, the backing panel having a plurality of perforations. The separator machine further comprises a material input slot on the frame and an un-sifted material output slot and a sifted material output slot on the frame where material travels from the material input slot into the screening assembly and where un-sifted material exits the frame through the un-sifted material output slot and sifted material exits the frame through the first sifted material output slot. The separator machine also includes a vibration mechanism supported by the frame and connected to the screening assembly, the vibration mechanism imparting vibrational energy to the screening assembly to sift material passing through the screening assembly.
Another embodiment of the present subject matter provides a screening assembly for a vibrating screen separator machine. The screening assembly includes a mesh screen and a planar backing panel proximate and underlying the mesh screen, the backing panel having a plurality of perforations. The screening assembly further includes one or more vibrating members extending longitudinally in a direction of material travel over the screening assembly, the one or more vibrating members securing the mesh screen and backing panel to a fastening member centrally located with respect to the mesh screen and backing panel. Opposing lateral sides of the mesh screen are inserted in a double bent, elongated hook strip, and a vibration dampening insert is positioned between the hook strip and underlying backing screen panel to protect the mesh screen and backing panel from wear.
A further embodiment of the present subject matter provides a vibrating screen separator machine having a frame bounding a first screening assembly, the first screening assembly forming a sifting plane set at a predetermined angle. The first screening assembly includes a mesh screen and a planar backing panel underlying the mesh screen, the backing panel having a plurality of perforations. The separator machine also includes a material input slot on the frame and a plurality of material output slots and a vibration mechanism supported by the frame and connected to the first screening assembly, the vibration mechanism imparting vibrational energy to the first screening assembly to sift material pass through the first screening assembly to the plurality of material output slots. Granularity of material passing to each of the plurality of material output slots may be a function of a fineness of the mesh screen and the perforations of the backing panel.
With reference to the figures, where like elements have been given like numerical designations to facilitate an understanding of the present subject matter, the various embodiments for backing screen panels for vibration screen separators are described.
The following description of the present subject matter is provided as an enabling teaching of the present subject matter and its best, currently-known embodiment. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made to the embodiments described herein while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present subject matter. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present subject matter may be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present subject matter without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations of the present subject matter are possible and may even be desirable in certain circumstances and are part of the present subject matter. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present subject matter and not in limitation thereof. While the following exemplary discussion of embodiments of the present subject matter may be directed towards or references specific telecommunications systems, it is to be understood that the discussion is not intended to limit the scope of the present subject matter in any way and that the principles presented are equally applicable to other communications networks, systems and associated protocols.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications to the exemplary embodiments described herein are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter. Thus, the description is not intended and should not be construed to be limited to the examples given but should be granted the full breadth of protection afforded by the appended claims and equivalents thereto. In addition, it is possible to use some of the features of the present subject matter without the corresponding use of the other features. Accordingly, the foregoing description of exemplary or illustrative embodiments is provided for the purpose of illustrating the principles of the present subject matter and not in limitation thereof and may include modification thereto and permutations thereof.
While various embodiments of the present subject matter may provide a multi- or single-deck screen separator machine 100 to screen materials of different dimensions, the embodiment depicted in
In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of sequential screen systems may be employed in each of two decks 120, 125 disposed within the frame 110 to sift and separate material flowing through the separator machine 100. Material that does not drop through any of the screens in the upper deck 120 may be conveyed as desired through a first output chute 118a. Material that drops through the upper deck 120 but does not drop through the lower deck 125 may be conveyed through a second output chute 118b. Material that drops through both the upper and lower decks 120, 125 may collect in a hopper 119 disposed beneath the frame 110. In other embodiments of the present subject matter, the hopper 119 may be substituted with a third output chute for providing the finer grade material.
Exemplary vibration mechanisms 130 may be mounted on a transverse bridge 150 disposed on the top of the frame 110 and connected to the frame cover 208. In some embodiments, a vibration mechanism 130 may include a ruggedized electric, rotary vibrator having a casing in which an eccentrically weighted internal shaft rotates about an axis of rotation aligned with the direction of material travel. These eccentric weights may be adjustable so output force is varied. While not shown, the vibration mechanism may be provided with buffering or dampening components to provide quiet operation of the machine 100 and localize vibrations to only the respective sifting planes.
Exemplary mesh screens 410 may be comprised of a resilient, planar wire cloth in some embodiments (e.g., having a fine porosity) or a planar wire mesh depending upon the size of the desired material to be screened. In the embodiment depicted in
As illustrated in
The elongated and bent sides of the screening assembly 400 may be appropriately secured and/or buffered to the internal sides of the frame. Suitable buffering mechanisms include rubber and/or silicone strips, inserts and the like. In one embodiment, the screening assembly is provided with tensioning rails such that portions or all of the screening assembly 400 may be tensioned by an operator of the system. In embodiments of the present subject matter that involve sifting material having temperatures greater than 200 degrees Fahrenheit, suitable buffering mechanisms and dampening inserts may be formed from more resilient material such as metals or the like. In additional embodiments, the edges of exemplary screen assemblies and/or tensioning rails may contact a subframe such that tensioning forces applied to the assembly are distributed evenly into the assembly. Thus, exemplary screen assemblies 400 may extend between the inner sides of a frame 110 within a screen receptive region 210 (see
In some embodiments of the present subject matter an exemplary vibrating screen separator machine comprises a frame bounding a first screening assembly, the first screening assembly forming a first sifting plane. The first screening assembly includes a mesh screen and a planar backing panel proximate the mesh screen, the backing panel having a plurality of perforations. Exemplary mesh screens include, but are not limited to, a wire cloth screen or a wire mesh screen, the wire cloth screen having a finer degree of porosity than the wire mesh screen. In some embodiments, the planar backing panel may be a planar sheet of material and the plural perforations therein may be provided in an arrangement selected from the group consisting of rectangular, circular, oblong or oval perforations positioned in aligned rows and columns or positioned in aligned rows and offset columns. In some embodiments, the first sifting plane may be canted at an angle such as, but not limited to, approximately 20, 25, 30, 34.5, 35, 40, 45 degrees from a horizontal plane. The separator machine may also include a material input slot on the frame and an un-sifted material output slot and a sifted material output slot on the frame, where material travels from the material input slot into the screening assembly and where un-sifted material exits the frame through the un-sifted material output slot and sifted material exits the frame through the first sifted material output slot. The separator machine also includes a vibration mechanism supported by the frame and connected to the screening assembly, the vibration mechanism imparting vibrational energy to the screening assembly to sift material passing through the screening assembly. In another embodiment, the frame may further bound a second screening assembly, the second screening assembly comprising a mesh screen and a planar backing panel proximate the mesh screen, the backing panel having a plurality of perforations. This second screening assembly may be positioned on the first sifting plane and downstream of the first screening assembly or may be positioned on a second sifting plane parallel to the first sifting plane, the second screening assembly accepting sifted material passing through the first screening assembly. In such an embodiment, the material exiting the frame through the second sifted material output slot is substantially finer than material exiting the frame through the first sifted material output slot. In an additional embodiment, the screening assembly may further include one or more vibrating members extending longitudinally in a direction of material travel over the screening assembly, the one or more vibrating members securing the mesh screen and backing panel to a fastening member centrally located with respect to the mesh screen and backing panel and the one or more vibrating members are connected to the vibration mechanism. In such an embodiment, opposing lateral sides of the mesh screen may be inserted in a double bent, elongated hook strip, and a vibration dampening insert may be positioned between the hook strip and backing screen panel to protect the mesh screen and backing panel from wear.
Additional embodiments of the present subject matter may provide a screening assembly for a vibrating screen separator machine including a mesh screen, a planar backing panel proximate and underlying the mesh screen, the backing panel having a plurality of perforations, and one or more vibrating members extending longitudinally in a direction of material travel over the screening assembly, the one or more vibrating members securing the mesh screen and backing panel to a fastening member centrally located with respect to the mesh screen and backing panel. Opposing lateral sides of the mesh screen may be inserted in a double bent, elongated hook strip, and a vibration dampening insert may be positioned between the hook strip and underlying backing screen panel to protect the mesh screen and backing panel from wear. Exemplary dampening inserts include, but are not limited to, silicon tape, silicon strips, rubber tape, rubber strips, rubber inserts and combinations thereof. Further exemplary mesh screens include, but are not limited to, a wire cloth screen or a wire mesh screen, the wire cloth screen having a finer degree of porosity than the wire mesh screen. In some embodiments, the planar backing panel may be a planar sheet of material and the plural perforations therein may be provided in an arrangement selected from the group consisting of rectangular, circular, oblong or oval perforations positioned in aligned rows and columns or positioned in aligned rows and offset columns.
Various embodiments of the present subject matter may provide a vibrating screen separator machine having a frame bounding a first screening assembly, the first screening assembly forming a sifting plane set at a predetermined angle. The first screening assembly may include a mesh screen and a planar backing panel underlying the mesh screen, the backing panel having a plurality of perforations. The separator machine may also include a material input slot on the frame and a plurality of material output slots and a vibration mechanism supported by the frame and connected to the first screening assembly, the vibration mechanism imparting vibrational energy to the first screening assembly to sift material pass through the first screening assembly to the plurality of material output slots. Granularity of material passing to each of the plurality of material output slots may be a function of a fineness of the mesh screen and the perforations of the backing panel. Exemplary mesh screens include, but are not limited to, a wire cloth screen or a wire mesh screen, the wire cloth screen having a finer degree of porosity than the wire mesh screen. In some embodiments, the planar backing panel may be a planar sheet of material and the plural perforations therein may be provided in an arrangement selected from the group consisting of rectangular, circular, oblong or oval perforations positioned in aligned rows and columns or positioned in aligned rows and offset columns. In additional embodiments, the granularity of material passing to each of the plurality of material output slots may further be a function of the predetermined angle of the sifting plane and amplitude of vibrational energy provided to the first screening assembly. In a further embodiment, the frame may further bound a second screening assembly, the second screening assembly comprising a mesh screen and a planar backing panel proximate the mesh screen, the backing panel having a plurality of perforations. In one such embodiment, the second screening assembly may be positioned on the first sifting plane and downstream of the first screening assembly where granularity of material passing to each of the plurality of material output slots is a function of a fineness of the mesh screen and the perforations of the backing panel for the second screening assembly. In another such embodiment, the second screening assembly may be positioned on a second sifting plane parallel to the first sifting plane, the second screening assembly accepting sifted material passing through the first screening assembly and where granularity of material passing to each of the plurality of material output slots is a function of a fineness of the mesh screen and the perforations of the backing panel for the second screening assembly.
While this description may contain many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope thereof, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that have been heretofore described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and may even be initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination may in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings or figures in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems may generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.
As shown by the various configurations and embodiments illustrated in
While preferred embodiments of the present subject matter have been described, it is to be understood that the embodiments described are illustrative only and that the scope of the invention is to be defined solely by the appended claims when accorded a full range of equivalence, many variations and modifications naturally occurring to those of skill in the art from a perusal hereof.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20140262975 A1 | Sep 2014 | US |