This invention relates generally to a device for comminuting or grinding material. More specifically, the invention is especially useful for use as a hammer in a rotatable hammermill assembly.
No federal funds were used to develop or create the invention disclosed and described in the patent application.
Not Applicable
A number of different industries rely on impact grinders or hammermills to reduce materials to a smaller size. For example, hammermills are often used to process forestry and agricultural products as well as to process minerals, and for recycling materials. Specific examples of materials processed by hammermills include grains, animal food, pet food, food ingredients, mulch and even bark. This invention although not limited to grains, has been specifically developed for use in the grain industry. Whole grain corn essentially must be cracked before it can be processed further. Dependent upon the process, whole corn may be cracked after tempering yet before conditioning. A common way to carry out particle size reduction is to use a hammermill where successive rows of rotating hammer like devices spinning on a common rotor next to one another comminute the grain product. For example, methods for size reduction as applied to grain and animal products are described in Watson, S. A. & P. E. Ramstad, ed. (1987, Corn: Chemistry and Technology, Chapter 11, American Association of Cereal Chemist, Inc., St. Paul, Minn.), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The application of the invention as disclosed and herein claimed, however, is not limited to grain products or animal products.
Hammermills are generally constructed around a rotating shaft that has a plurality of disks provided thereon. A plurality of free-swinging hammers is typically attached to the periphery of each disk using hammer rods extending the length of the rotor. With this structure, a portion of the kinetic energy stored in the rotating disks is transferred to the product to be comminuted through the rotating hammers. The hammers strike the product, driving into a sized screen, in order to reduce the material. Once the comminuted product is reduced to the desired size, the material passes out of the housing of the hammermill for subsequent use and further processing. A hammer mill will break up grain, pallets, paper products, construction materials, and small tree branches. Because the swinging hammers do not use a sharp edge to cut the waste material, the hammer mill is more suited for processing products which may contain metal or stone contamination wherein the product may be commonly referred to as “dirty”. A hammer mill has the advantage that the rotatable hammers will recoil backwardly if the hammer cannot break the material on impact. One significant problem with hammer mills is the wear of the hammers over a relatively short period of operation in reducing “dirty” products which include materials such as nails, dirt, sand, metal, and the like. As found in the prior art, even though a hammermill is designed to better handle the entry of a “dirty” object, the possibility exists for catastrophic failure of a hammer causing severe damage to the hammermill and requiring immediate maintenance and repairs.
Hammermills may also be generally referred to as crushers—which typically include a steel housing or chamber containing a plurality of hammers mounted on a rotor and a suitable drive train for rotating the rotor. As the rotor turns, the correspondingly rotating hammers come into engagement with the material to be comminuted or reduced in size. Hammermills typically use screens formed into and circumscribing a portion of the interior surface of the housing. The size of the particulate material is controlled by the size of the screen apertures against which the rotating hammers force the material. Exemplary embodiments of hammermills are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,904,306; 5,842,653; 5,377,919; and 3,627,212.
The four metrics of strength, capacity, run time and the amount of force delivered are typically considered by users of hammermill hammers to evaluate any hammer to be installed in a hammermill. A hammer to be installed is first evaluated on its strength. Typically, hammermill machines employing hammers of this type are operated twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. This punishing environment requires strong and resilient material that will not prematurely or unexpectedly deteriorate. Next, the hammer is evaluated for capacity, or more specifically, how the weight of the hammer affects the capacity of the hammermill. The heavier the hammer, the fewer hammers that may be used in the hammermill by the available horsepower. A lighter hammer then increases the number of hammers that may be mounted within the hammermill for the same available horsepower. The more force that can be delivered by the hammer to the material to be comminuted against the screen increases effective comminution (i.e. cracking or breaking down of the material) and thus the efficiency of the entire comminution process is increased. In the prior art, the amount of force delivered is evaluated with respect to the weight of the hammer.
Finally, the length of run time for the hammer is also considered. The longer the hammer lasts, the longer the machine run time, the larger profits presented by continuous processing of the material in the hammermill through reduced maintenance costs and lower necessary capital inputs. The four metrics are interrelated and typically tradeoffs are necessary to improve performance. For example, to increase the amount of force delivered, the weight of the hammer could be increased. However, because the weight of the hammer increased, the capacity of the unit typically will be decreased because of horsepower limitations. There is a need to improve upon the design of hammermill hammers available in the prior art for optimization of the four (4) metrics listed above.
Free-Swinging Hammermill Assemblies
Rotatable hammermill assemblies as found in the prior art, which are well known and therefore not pictured herein, generally includes two end plates on each end with at least one interior plate positioned between the two end plates. The end plates include an end plate drive shaft hole and the interior plates include an interior plate drive shaft hole. A hammermill drive shaft passes through the end plate drive shaft holes and the interior plate drive shaft holes. The end plates and interior plates are affixed to the hammermill drive shaft and rotatable therewith.
Each end plate also includes a plurality of end plate hammer rod holes, and each interior plate includes a plurality of interior plate hammer rod holes. A hammer rod passes through corresponding end plate hammer rod holes and interior plate hammer rod holes. A plurality of hammers is pivotally mounted to each hammer rod. The hammers are typically oriented in rows along each hammer rod, and each hammer rod is typically oriented parallel to one another and to the hammermill drive shaft.
The hammermill assembly and various elements thereof rotate about the longitudinal axis of the hammermill drive shaft. As the hammermill assembly rotates, centrifugal force causes the hammers to rotate about the hammer rod to which each hammer is mounted. Free-swinging hammers are often used instead of rigidly connected hammers in case lodged metal, foreign objects, or other non-crushable material enters the housing with the particulate material to be reduced, which material may be a cereal grain
For effective comminution in hammermill assemblies using free-swinging hammers, the rotational speed of the hammermill assembly must produce sufficient centrifugal force to hold the hammers as close to the fully extended position as possible when material is being communited. Depending on the type of material being processed, the minimum hammer tip speeds of the hammers are usually 5,000 to 11,000 feet per minute (FPM). In comparison, the maximum speeds depend on shaft and bearing design, but usually do not exceed 30,000 FPM. In special high-speed applications, the hammermill assemblies may be configured to operate up to 60,000 FPM.
In the case of disassembly for the purposes of repair and replacement of worn or damaged parts, the wear and tear causes considerable difficulty in realigning and reassembling the various elements of the hammermill assembly. Moreover, the elements of the hammermill assembly are typically keyed to one another, or at least to the hammermill drive shaft, which further complicates the assembly and disassembly process. For example, the replacement of a single hammer may require disassembly of the entire hammermill assembly. Given the frequency at which wear parts require replacement, replacement and repairs constitute an extremely difficult and time-consuming task that considerably reduces the operating time of the size reducing machine.
Applicant is the inventor on various other patents and patent applications relating to hammers for use in comminuting materials. Accordingly, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,140,569; 7,559,497; and 7,621,477 and U.S. Pub. App. No. 2009/0224090 are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
Although not shown in detail herein, one of ordinary skill will appreciate that the present art may be applied to the designs and inventions protected by patents held by Applicant or others without limitation, dependent only upon a particular need or application, including:
The preceding cited patents are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limited of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings.
Before the various embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that phraseology and terminology used herein with reference to device or element orientation (such as, for example, terms like “front”, “back”, “up”, “down”, “top”, “bottom”, and the like) are only used to simplify description of the present invention, and do not alone indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation. In addition, terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used herein and in the appended claims for purposes of description and are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance or significance. Furthermore, any dimensions recited or called out herein are for exemplary purposes only and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention in any way unless so recited in the claims.
1. Free-Swinging Hammermill Assemblies
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,
Each end plate 4 also includes a plurality of end plate hammer rod holes 5b, and each interior plate 6 includes a plurality of interior plate hammer rod holes 7b. A hammer rod 8 passes through corresponding end plate hammer rod holes 5b and interior plate hammer rod holes 7b. A plurality of hammers 9 are pivotally mounted to each hammer rod 8, which is shown in detail in
Each hammer 9 includes a hammer body 9a, hammer contact edge 9b, and a hammer rod hole 9c passing through the hammer body 9a, which is shown in detail in
The hammermill assembly 2 and various elements thereof rotate about the longitudinal axis of the hammermill drive shaft 3. As the hammermill assembly 2 rotates, centrifugal force causes the hammers 9 to rotate about the hammer rod 8 to which each hammer 9 is mounted. The hammermill assembly 2 is shown at rest in
For effective comminution in hammermill assemblies 2 using free-swinging hammers 9, the rotational speed of the hammermill assembly 2 must produce sufficient centrifugal force to hold the hammers 9 as close to the fully extended position as possible when material is being communited. Depending on the type of material being processed, the minimum hammer tip speeds of the hammers are usually 5,000 to 11,000 feet per minute (“FPM”). In comparison, the maximum speeds depend on shaft and bearing design, but usually do not exceed 30,000 FPM. In special high-speed applications, the hammermill assemblies 2 may be configured to operate up to 60,000 FPM.
In the case of disassembly for the purposes of repair and replacement of worn or damaged parts, the wear and tear causes considerable difficulty in realigning and reassembling the various elements of the hammermill assembly 2. Moreover, the elements of the hammermill assembly 2 are typically keyed to one another, or at least to the hammermill drive shaft 3, which further complicates the assembly and disassembly process. For example, the replacement of a single hammer 9 may require disassembly of the entire hammermill assembly 2. Given the frequency at which wear parts require replacement, replacement and repairs constitute an extremely difficult and time-consuming task that considerably reduces the operating time of the size reducing machine. Removing a single damaged hammer 9 may take in excess of five (5) hours due to both the hammermill assembly 2 design and the realignment difficulties related to the problems caused by impact of debris with the non-impact surfaces of the hammermill assembly 2.
Another problem found in the prior art hammermill assemblies 2 shown in
2. Illustrative Embodiments of Notched Hammer
As shown generally in
As shown in
The first embodiment of the notched hammer 10 also includes a hardened contact edge 20 welded on the periphery of the notched hammer second end 16. The hardened contact edge 20 is positioned on the portion of the notched hammer second end 16 that is most often in contact with the material to be comminuted during operation of the hammermill assembly 2. The hardened contact edge 20 may be comprised of any suitable material known to those skilled in the art, and it is contemplated that one such material is tungsten carbide. In other embodiments of the notched hammer 10 a hardened contact edge 20 is not positioned on the notched hammer second end 16.
A second embodiment of the notched hammer 10 is shown in
The notched hammer neck 11 in the second embodiment is not as thick as the notched hammer first end 12 or the notched hammer second end 16. This configuration of the notched hammer neck 11 allows for reduction in the overall weight of the notched hammer 10, to which attribute the neck voids 11a also contribute. The mechanical energy imparted to the notched hammer second end 16 with respect to the mechanical energy imparted to the notched hammer neck 11 is also increased with this configuration. The neck voids 11a also allow for greater agitation of the material to be comminuted during operation of the hammermill assembly 2.
A third embodiment of the notched hammer 10 is shown in
The edges of the notched hammer neck 11 in the third embodiment are non-parallel with respect to one another, and instead form an hourglass shape. This shape starts just below the notched hammer rod hole 15 and continues through the notched hammer neck 11 to the notched hammer second end 16. This hourglass shape yields a reduction in weight of the notched hammer 10 and also reduces the vibration of the notched hammer 10 during operation.
A forth embodiment of the notched hammer 10 is shown in
A fifth embodiment of the notched hammer is shown in
A sixth embodiment of the notched hammer is shown in
A seventh embodiment of the notched hammer is shown in
During operation, two of the three contact surfaces 22a, 24a, 26a are working, depending on the direction of rotation of the notched hammer 10. The notched hammer 10 may be used bi-directionally by either changing the direction of rotation of the hammermill assembly 2 or by removing the notched hammer 10 and reinstalling it facing the opposite direction. For example, during normal operation in a first direction of rotation, primarily the first and second contact surfaces 22a, 24a will contact the material to be comminuted, and the first and second contact points 22b, 24b will likely comprise the primary working areas. Accordingly, the third contact surface 26a will be the trailing surface so that the third and fourth contact points 26b, 28 will exhibit very little wear.
If the direction of rotation of the notched hammer 10 is reversed either by reversing the direction of rotation of the hammermill assembly 10 or be reinstalling each notched hammer 10 in the opposite orientation, primarily the second and third contact surfaces 24a, 26a will contact the material to be communicated, and the third and fourth contact points 26b, 28 will likely comprise the primary working areas. Accordingly, the first contact surface 22a will be the trailing surface so that the first and second contact points 22b, 24b will likely exhibit very little wear.
The first, second, and third contact surfaces 22a, 24a, 26a are symmetrical with respect to the notched hammer 10 in the seventh embodiment. In the seventh embodiment, the linear distance from the center of the notched hammer rod hole 15 to the first, second, third, and fourth contact points 22b, 24b, 26b, 28, respectively, is equal. However, in other embodiments not pictured herein those distances may be different, or the contact surfaces 22a, 24a, 26a, and/or the contact points 22b, 24b, 26b, 28 may be different. In such embodiments the contact surfaces 22a, 24a, 26a are not symmetrical. In still other embodiments not pictured herein, the notched hammer 10 includes only two contact surfaces 22a, 24a, or more than three contact surfaces. Accordingly, the precise number of contact surfaces used in any embodiment of the notched hammer 10 in no way limits the scope of the notched hammer 10.
In the seventh embodiment, the thickness of the notched hammer first end 12, notched hammer neck 11, and notched hammer second end 16 is substantially equal. Furthermore, a hardened contact edge 20 has been welded to the notched hammer second end 16 to cover the first, second, and third contact surfaces 22a, 24a, 26a.
An eighth embodiment of the notched hammer 10 is shown in
The depth of each edge pocket 29 may be proportional to the difference between the hammer swing length and the distance from the center of the notched hammer rod hole 15 to the first and third contact surfaces 22a, 26a. In many applications the depth of the edge pocket 29 is from 0.25 to twice the thickness of the notched hammer first end 12. The shape of the edge pocket 29 may be rounded, as shown in
A ninth embodiment of the notched hammer 10 is shown in
The various features and or elements that differentiate one embodiment of the notched hammer 10 from another embodiment may be added or removed from various other embodiments to result in a nearly infinite number of embodiments. Whether shown in the various figures herein, all embodiments may include a notched hammer first shoulder 14a alone or in combination with a notched hammer second shoulder 14a having an infinite number of configurations, which may or may not be symmetrical with one another and/or the notched hammer rod hole 15.
Furthermore, any embodiment may have notched hammer first and/or second shoulders 14a, 14b on both sides of the notched hammer 10.
Other features/configurations that may be included on any embodiments alone or in combination include: (1) curved or straight edges on the notched hammer neck 11; (2) reduced thickness of the notched hammer neck 11 with respect to the notched hammer first end 12 and/or notched hammer second end 16; (3) curved or angular notched hammer first ends 12; (4) hardened contact edges 20; (5) neck voids 11a; (6) multiple contact points; (7) multiple contact surfaces; (8) edge pockets 29; and, (9) multiple blades, which is described in detail below, or any combinations thereof. Furthermore, any embodiment may be bidirectional. Any embodiment of the notched hammer 10 may be heat treated if such heat treatment will impart desirable characteristics to the notched hammer 10 for the particular application.
In embodiments of the notched hammer 10 having a notched hammer neck 11 that is reduced in width (i.e., wherein the edges are curved) or thickness, it is contemplated that the notched hammer 10 will be manufactured by forging the steel used to produce the notched hammer 10. This is because forging typically in a finer grain structure that is much stronger than casting the notched hammer 10 from steel or rolling it from bar stock as found in the prior art. However, the notched hammer 10 is not so limited by the method of construction, and any method of construction known to those of ordinary skill in the art may be used including casting, rolling, stamping, machining, and welding.
Another benefit of some of the embodiments of the notched hammer 10 is that the amount of surface area supporting attachment of the notched hammer 10 to the hammer rod 8 is dramatically increased. This eliminates or reduces the wear or grooving of the hammer rod 8 caused by rotation of the notched hammer 10 during use. The ratio of surface area available to support the notched hammer 10 to the weight and/or overall thickness of the notched hammer 10 may be optimized with less material using various embodiments disclosed herein. Increasing the surface area available to support the notched hammer 10 on the hammer rod 8 while improving securement of the notched hammer 10 to the hammer rod 8 also increases the amount of material in the notched hammer 10 available to absorb or distribute operational stresses while still providing the benefits of the free-swinging hammer design (i.e., recoil to non-destructible foreign objects).
Embodiments of the notched hammer 10 having only a notched hammer first shoulder 14a or notched hammer first and second shoulders 14a, 14b (oriented either non-symmetrical with respect to the notched hammer rod hole 15, such as the ninth embodiment shown in
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments pictured and described herein, but is intended to apply to all similar apparatuses for improving hammermill hammer structure and operation. Modifications and alterations from the described embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of the notched hammer 10.
3. Illustrative Embodiments of Multiple Blade Hammer
Several exemplary embodiments of a multiple blade hammer 30 will now be described. The preferred embodiment will vary depending on the particular application for the multiple blade hammer 30, and the exemplary embodiments described and disclosed herein represent just some of an infinite number of variations to the multiple blade hammer 30 that will naturally occur to those skilled in the art.
A perspective view of a first embodiment of a multiple blade hammer 30 is shown in
The multiple blade hammer 30 includes a multiple blade hammer first end 32 and a multiple blade hammer second end 36, which are connected to one another via a multiple blade hammer neck 11. The multiple blade hammer 30 in the first embodiment includes a multiple blade hammer rod hole 35 formed in the multiple blade hammer first end 32. Multiple blade hammer first and second shoulders 34a, 34b both surround the multiple blade hammer rod hold 35, which is shown most clearly in
In other embodiments of the multiple blade hammer 30 not pictured herein, the multiple blade hammer first and second shoulders 34a, 34b may be symmetrical with respect to the multiple blade hammer rod hole 35. In such embodiments of the multiple blade hammer 30, the multiple blade hammer first end 32 would be configured in a manner similar to the notched hammer first end 12 in the third embodiment thereof, which is shown in
The multiple blade hammer second end 36, which is the contact end, in the first embodiment includes a first, second, and third blade 37a, 37b, 37c. These three blades 37a, 37b, 37c provide for three distinct contact surfaces in the axial direction, which is best seen in
In other embodiments not pictured herein, the multiple blade hammer 30 structure may undergo further manufacturing work and have tungsten carbide welded to the periphery of each of the hammer blades 37a, 37b, 37c for increased hardness and abrasion resistance. Furthermore, the multiple blade hammer first end 32, second end 36, and neck 31 may be heat-treated for hardness. It is contemplated that in many embodiments of the multiple blade hammer 30 it will be beneficial to construct the multiple blade hammer 30 using forging techniques. However, the scope of the multiple blade hammer 30 is not so limited, and other methods of construction known to those of ordinary skill in the art may be used including casting, machining and welding.
In other embodiments of the multiple blade hammer 30 not pictured herein, the multiple blade hammer 30 may have neck voids 11a placed in the multiple blade hammer neck 31. In still other embodiments of the multiple blade hammer 30 not pictured herein, the thickness of the multiple blade hammer neck 31 may be less than the thickness of either the multiple blade hammer first end 32 or second end 36. In such embodiments of the multiple blade hammer 30, the multiple blade hammer first end 32 and neck 31 would be configured substantially similar to the notched hammer first end 12 and 11 in the fourth embodiment thereof, which is shown in
In still other embodiments of the multiple blade hammer 30 not pictured herein, each blade 37a, 37b, 37c may be configured to have more than one distinct contact point. In such embodiments of the multiple blade hammer 30, each blade 37a, 37b, 37c would be configured substantially similar to the notched hammer second end 16 in the seventh embodiment thereof, which is shown in
A second embodiment of the multiple blade hammer 30 is shown in
The various features and or elements that differentiate one embodiment of the multiple blade hammer 30 from another embodiment may be added or removed from various other embodiments to result in a nearly infinite number of embodiments. Whether shown in the various figures herein, all embodiments may include a multiple blade hammer first shoulder 34a alone or in combination with a multiple blade hammer second shoulder 34a having an infinite number of configurations, which may or may not be symmetrical with one another and/or the multiple blade hammer rod hole 35. Furthermore, any embodiment may have multiple blade hammer first and/or second shoulders 34a, 34b on both sides of the multiple blade hammer 30.
Other features/configurations that may be included on any embodiments alone or in combination include: (1) curved or straight edges on the multiple blade hammer neck 31; (2) reduced thickness of the multiple blade hammer neck 31 with respect to the multiple blade hammer first end 32 and/or any blades 37a, 37b, 37c; (3) curved or angular multiple blade hammer first ends 32; (4) hardened contact edges 20 positioned on and/or adjacent to the blade edges 38; (5) neck voids 11a; (6) multiple contact points on any blade 37a, 37b, 37c; (7) multiple contact surfaces; (8) edge pockets 29; and, (9) multiple blades 37a, 37b, 37c, which is described in detail below, or any combinations thereof. Furthermore, any embodiment may be bidirectional. Any embodiment of the multiple blade hammer 30 may be heat treated if such heat treatment will impart desirable characteristics to the multiple blade hammer 30 for the particular application.
In embodiments of the multiple blade hammer 30 having a multiple blade hammer neck 31 that is reduced in width (i.e., wherein the edges are curved) or thickness, it is contemplated that the multiple blade hammer 30 will be manufactured by forging the steel used to produce the multiple blade hammer 30. This is because forging typically in a finer grain structure that is much stronger than casting the multiple blade hammer 30 from steel or rolling it from bar stock as found in the prior art. However, the multiple blade hammer 30 is not so limited by the method of construction, and any method of construction known to those of ordinary skill in the art may be used including casting, rolling, stamping, machining, and welding.
Another benefit of some of the embodiments of the multiple blade hammer 30 is that the amount of surface area supporting attachment of the multiple blade hammer 30 to the hammer rod 8 is dramatically increased. This eliminates or reduces the wear or grooving of the hammer rod 8 caused by rotation of the multiple blade hammer 30 during use. The ratio of surface area available to support the multiple blade hammer 30 to the weight and/or overall thickness of the multiple blade hammer 30 may be optimized with less material using various embodiments disclosed herein. Increasing the surface area available to support the multiple blade hammer 30 on the hammer rod 8 while improving securement of the multiple blade hammer 30 to the hammer rod 8 also increases the amount of material in the multiple blade hammer 30 available to absorb or distribute operational stresses while still providing the benefits of the free-swinging hammer design (i.e., recoil to non-destructible foreign objects).
Embodiments of the multiple blade hammer 30 having only a multiple blade hammer first shoulder 34a or multiple blade hammer first and second shoulders 34a, 34b (oriented either non-symmetrical with respect to the multiple blade hammer rod hole 35 or symmetrical) may be especially useful with the rod hole notch 15a. In such embodiments it is contemplated that the thickness of the multiple blade hammer first and second shoulders 34a, 34b will be 0.5 inches or greater, but may be less for other embodiments.
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments pictured and described herein, but is intended to apply to all similar apparatuses for improving hammermill hammer structure and operation. Modifications and alterations from the described embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of the multiple blade hammer 30.
4. Illustrative Embodiments of Dual-Blade Hammer
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,
The connector end 120 in the embodiment pictured herein is formed with a rod hole 122 therethrough. The rod hole 122 may be formed with a notch 126 therein as well, as best shown in
The connector end 120 may also include a first shoulder 124a positioned around the periphery of the rod hole 122. The notch 126 may protrude into the first shoulder 124a, as shown in the embodiment of the dual-blade hammer 110 pictured in
As shown herein, the first shoulder 124a is not generally circular in shape, but rather it is generally triangular in shape with a rounded vertex adjacent the notch 126, and the thicknesses of the first and second shoulders 124a, 124b are approximately equal. This configuration allows for discrepancies in the location of the rod hole 122 to account for machining differences within the hammermill. That is, the precise location of the rod hole 122 and notch 126 may be adjusted by a predetermined amount along the length of the connector end 120 to adjust the swing length of the dual-blade hammer 110. That is, an area exists in the connector end 120 in which the rod hole 122 may be positioned such that the rod hole 122 is within the periphery of the first and second shoulders 124a, 124b. In such a case, the dual blade hammer 110 would be formed without a rod hole 122, and the rod hole 122 would be added just prior to installation in a hammermill so that the swing length of the dual-blade hammer 110 could be precisely set. The area in which the rod hole 122 could be formed may have a different size in one embodiment of the dual-blade hammer 110 to the next, and the amount of swing-length adjustment will also depend on the size of the rod hole 122. However, it is contemplated that the most critical dimension of this area will be along the length of the dual-blade hammer 110, and the amount of adjustment in that dimension may be as small or as large as required by the tolerances of the hammermill, and is therefore in no way limiting to the scope of the dual-blade hammer 110.
In the pictured embodiment of the dual-blade hammer 110, a line of symmetry exists along the length of the dual-blade hammer from the view shown in
The first and/or second shoulders 124a, 124b provide increased strength and longevity to the dual-blade hammer 110 in many applications, as is well known to those skilled in the art. In the embodiment pictured herein, both the first and second shoulders 124a, 124b are positioned on both sides of the rod hole 122, which is best shown in
In the embodiments pictured herein, the connector end 120 is rounded, as best shown in
As best shown in
The neck 130 of the dual-blade hammer 110 includes at least one neck recess 136, which is best shown in
In the embodiment pictured herein, each neck recess 136 protrudes into the neck 130 by 0.075 inches, such that the width of the neck 130 between the two neck recesses 136 is 0.1 inch. Accordingly, the thickness of the neck 130 at a position thereof in which no neck recesses 136 protrude is 0.25 inches. However, the dimensions of the neck 130, including the thickness thereof adjacent to neck recesses 136, and the dimensions, configuration, and/or placement of neck recesses 136 is in no way limiting to the scope of the dual-blade hammer 110. The dual-blade hammer 110 may have any number of neck recesses 136 (e.g., a single neck recess 136 on one side of the neck 130, multiple neck recesses 136 on one side of the neck 130, multiple recesses 136 on both sides of the neck 130, etc.). Furthermore, the neck recesses 136 may have any shape without departing from the spirit and scope of the dual-blade hammer 110 as disclosed and claimed herein. In other embodiments of the dual-blade hammer 110 not pictured herein the neck recess(s) 136 may extend through the neck 130. In such embodiments, the neck recess(s) 136 would appear as voids positioned in the neck 130. Several such embodiments of such voids are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,559,497, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
The neck second end 134 is affixed to the contact end 140. The contact end 140, which delivers energy to the material to be comminuted, may have an infinite number of configurations, the optimal of which will depend on the particular application of the dual-blade hammer 110. For example in embodiments not pictured herein, the contact end 140 may be comprised of a single contact surface with multiple contact points, or it may be configured with multiple contact surfaces having multiple contact points. Certain embodiments of the contact end 140 that may be included with the dual-blade hammer 10 are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/398,007, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
In the embodiment pictured herein, the contact end 140 is formed with a first contact surface 142a and a second contact surface 142b, wherein the two contact surfaces 142a, 142b are separated from one another by an interstitial area 144. Other embodiments of the dual-blade hammer 110 may include a weld-hardened edge on one or more of the contact surfaces 142a, 142b. In the embodiment of the dual-blade hammer 110 pictured herein, the width of the contact end 140 is two inches, and the overall thickness of the contact end is 0.75 inches. The thickness of the interstitial area 144 is 0.1 inches. However, as stated above, the contact end 140 may take on any orientation and/or configuration without departing from the spirit and scope of the dual-blade hammer 110 as disclosed and claimed herein.
5. Illustrative Embodiments of a Recess Hammer
A first embodiment of a recess hammer 150 is shown in
The recess hammer 150 may include a recess hammer connection end 154 that is joined with a recess hammer second end 158 via a recess hammer neck 152. It is contemplated that the recess hammer neck 152 may be as contoured as possible so as to remove the maximum amount of material from the recess hammer 150 while still maintaining an acceptable level of durability. The recess hammer connection end 154 may be configured such that the recess hammer rod hole 154a may have a variety of positions in the recess hammer connection end 154. For example, in the first embodiment it is contemplated that the center of the recess hammer rod hole 154a may be located anywhere from 8.0 to 8.25 inches from the furthest point on the recess hammer second end 158. Other configurations of the recess hammer 150 allow for more or less adjustment in the position of the recess hammer rod hold 154a. Accordingly, the specific location of the recess hammer rod hold 154a in no way limits the scope of the recess hammer 154.
As shown in
The recess hammer cavity 158a is designed to catch material to be comminuted and accelerate it toward the screen. In the first embodiment of a recess hammer 150, the second end periphery 158b is configured so slope away from the recess hammer cavity 158a such that the second end periphery 158b substantially mimic the radius of a typical hammermill assembly 2 with which the recess hammer 150 may be used. That is, the second end periphery 158b may have a quasi-convex configuration. In the first embodiment of the recess hammer 150, the second end periphery 158b is angled so as to slope toward with recess hammer connection end 154 at an angle of 7 degrees. However, in other embodiments of the recess hammer 150 the angle of the second end periphery 158b with respect to the other elements of the recess hammer 150 will be different than 7 degrees. Accordingly, the specific angle of the second end periphery 158b with respect to the recess hammer cavity 158a is in no way limiting to the scope of the recess hammer 150.
In a second embodiment of the recess hammer 150 as shown in
6. Illustrative Embodiments of a Double End Hammer
A first embodiment of a double end hammer 200 is shown in
The first and second embodiments of the double end hammer 200 includes a connection portion 210 generally situated about the center of the double end hammer 200 with a slot 212 formed therein. Two contact ends 220 are positioned at either end of the slot 212. Accordingly, once one contact end 220 is not performing as desired, the user may simply reposition the double end hammer 200 so that the opposite contact end 220 is adjacent the screen during use. It is contemplated that centrifugal force will retain the desired contact end 220 in the desired location during use for most materials.
In the pictured examples of the first and second embodiments of the double end hammer 200, the overall length is 10 inches, and the width is 2.5 inches. The slot 212 is 1.28 inches wide and 6.82 inches in length. However, the specific dimensions of the first and second embodiments of the double end hammer 200 will vary from one application to the next and are therefore illustrative dimensions provided herein in no way limiting to the scope of the double end hammer 200 as disclosed and claimed herein.
A third embodiment of a double end hammer 200 is shown in
As with the other embodiments of hammers 10, 30, 110, 150, 200, the overall length of the third embodiment of a double end hammer 200 may be any length suitable for the particular application of the double end hammer 200, but in the pictured embodiment the overall length is 10 inches. The ridge 216 in the second embodiment of the double end hammer 200 may extend 0.682 inches outward from the linear portion of the corresponding edge of the slot 212. Correspondingly, the catch 214 in the second embodiment of the double end hammer 200 may extend 0.682 inches outward from the linear portion of its corresponding edge of the slot 212 so that the width of the slot 212 is approximately constant along its length. However, these dimensions are for illustrative purposes only and in no way limit the scope of the double end hammer 200 as disclosed and claimed herein.
A fourth embodiment of a double end hammer 200 is shown in
Any of the features described herein may be combined with any other feature without limitation, and the preferred configuration will vary from one application to the next. Accordingly, an infinite number of permutations and embodiments exist, which embodiments employ certain combinations of the disclosed features. The present disclosure is not limited in any way by the specific combinations of features.
The materials used to construct the various elements of the various hammers 10, 110, 150, 200 will vary depending on the specific application for the hammer 10, 110, 150, 200. Certain applications will require a high tensile strength material, such as steel, while others may require different materials, such as carbide-containing alloys. Accordingly, the above-referenced elements may be constructed of any material known to those skilled in the art, which material is appropriate for the specific application of the hammers 10, 110, 150, 200, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
The various dimensions, angles, and/or other configurations shown in the drawings or described herein are for illustrative purposes only and in no way limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other methods of using the hammers 10, 110, 150, 200 and embodiments thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the methods and embodiments pictured and described herein are for illustrative purposes only. The hammers 10, 110, 150, 200 also may be used in other manners, and therefore the specific hammermill in which the hammers 10, 110, 150, 200 are used in no way limits the scope of the hammers 10, 110, 150, 200.
It should be noted that the hammers 10, 110, 150, 200 are not limited to the specific embodiments pictured and described herein, but is intended to apply to all similar apparatuses for reducing the weight of a communiting instrument while retaining the strength thereof. It is understood that the hammers 10, 110, 150, 200 as disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the hammers 10, 110, 150, 200. Modifications and alterations from the described embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of the hammers 10, 110, 150, 200.
Applicant states that this utility patent application claims priority from and is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/676,599 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,201,814) filed on Aug. 14, 2017, which claims priority from and is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/470,946 filed on May 14, 2012, which application was a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/939,497 filed on Nov. 4, 2010, which application was a continuation in part and claimed priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/882,422 filed on Sep. 15, 2010 (U.S. Pat. No. 8,033,490), which patent application was a continuation of and claimed priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/398,007 filed on Mar. 4, 2009 (U.S. Pat. No. 7,819,352), which application was a continuation-in-part of and claimed priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/897,586 filed on Aug. 31, 2007 (U.S. Pat. No. 7,621,477), which application was a continuation-in-part of and claimed priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/544,526 (U.S. Pat. No. 7,559,497) filed on Oct. 6, 2006, which application was a continuation-in-part of and claimed priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/150,430 now (U.S. Pat. No. 7,140,569) filed on Jun. 11, 2005, which application was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/915,750 filed on Aug. 11, 2004, now abandoned, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. Applicant states that U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/470,946 also claimed priority from provisional U.S. Pat. App. No. 61/485,427 filed on May 12, 2011.
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Parent | 11544526 | Oct 2006 | US |
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Parent | 11150430 | Jun 2005 | US |
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