MODULAR LINT CLEANING ROLLER WITH REMOVEABLE AND REPLACEABLE OPPOSING SHAFT COMPONENTS

Abstract

Improved lint-cleaning cotton gin rollers feature protruding end shafts that may be removed and replaced without having to replace the entire roller, thereby saving considerable time and expense. A pair of hub components are configured for installation into respective open ends of an elongated cylindrical tube, and removeable and replaceable shaft components are configured for installation into the hub components. Each hub component may have a recess with a predetermined shape, and each shaft component has a peripheral shape that corresponds to the shape of each recess. The shafts that extend from the ends of hub components may terminate in a wrench-receiving geometry enabling manual rotation of the assembled roller. Each hub component may comprise at least one flange with an outer diameter that matches the inner diameter of the elongated cylindrical tube. The hub components may be configured to receive counterweights for operational balancing.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to cotton gins and, in particular, to a modular lint cleaning assembly that eases maintenance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The cotton gin, famously innovated by Eli Whitney, is a machine that separates the cotton seeds from the fibers or “lint.” Modern gins have added additional cleaning and refining stages but the basic operation remains the same: the cotton is pulled through a series of “ginning ribs” which pull the fibers from the seeds which are too large to pass through the ribs. A lint cleaning roller having an outer surface with fine teeth is typically used to pull the cotton through the ribs.

Lint cleaning rollers are large, precisely machined and expensive. A typical roller may be 10 feet in length, 15 inches in diameter, and may cost over $10 thousand USD. Existing rollers are manufactured and sold as a unit, including a shaft that runs the entire length of the unit, with ends that protrude from both sides and received by bearings. Per existing practice, if a part of the roller wears out, the entire assembly must be replaced. Unfortunately, it is most often the protruding end shafts that wear out first, requiring replacement of the more expensive roller portion which may still be serviceable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention improves upon existing lint-cleaning cotton gin rollers through use of a modular assembly wherein the protruding end shafts of the roller are replaceable. When assembled, the roller is physical dimensioned to function in place of existing, non-modular rollers. However, if one or both of the shaft ends of the roller exhibits wear, the shaft components can be removed and replaced separately without having to swap out the entire roller, thereby saving considerable time and cost.

A modular, lint cleaning roller constructed in accordance with the invention comprises an elongated cylindrical tube having two open ends and an outer surface adapted to extract cotton lint in a cotton gin. A pair of hub components are configured for installation into respective open ends of the tube, and a pair of removeable and replaceable shaft components are configured for installation into a respective one of the hub components.

Each shaft component comprises an insert portion and a shaft portion. The insert of each shaft component is attached to a respective one of the hub components such that the shafts extend outwardly, and in axial alignment from, the ends of the elongated cylindrical tube.

In preferred embodiments, each hub component has a recess with a predetermined shape, and the insert of each shaft component has a peripheral shape that corresponds to the predetermined shape of each recess. The recesses are axially non-round to resist unwanted rotation of the shaft components relative to the cylindrical tube. As such, the recesses and inserts may have a shape including a plurality of rounded lobes. The shafts extending from the ends of cylindrical tube may terminate in a wrench-receiving geometry enabling manual rotation of the assembled roller.

The elongated cylindrical tube has an inner diameter. Each hub component may comprise at least one flange with an outer diameter that matches the inner diameter of the elongated cylindrical tube, whereby the flanges of the hub components are inserted and fastened into respective ends of the elongated cylindrical tube. Alternatively, each hub component may comprise a plurality of spaced-apart flanges attached to a rigid member, whereby the hub components are inserted and fastened into respective ends of the elongated cylindrical tube such that one flange of each hub component is flush with a respective end of the elongated cylindrical tube.

The hub components may be configured to receive counterweights for operational balancing. For example, each hub component may include a circular array of threaded holes associated with counterweight mounting. The assembly may further include a pair of endplates adapted to cover the hub components on each end of the elongated cylindrical tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a modular shaft and hub according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing illustrating the way in which the hubs and shafts mount into the ends of a roller; and

FIG. 3 is a detail drawing showing the way in which an end shaft is received and retained by one of the hubs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention improves upon existing lint cleaning rollers through use of a modular assembly wherein the protruding end shafts are replaceable. As such, if and when one or both of the shaft ends exhibit wear, they can be removed and replaced without having to swap out the entire roller.

FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a modular shaft component 104 and a hub component 102 according to the invention. The hub component 102 comprises an inner flange 101 and an outer flange 103 welded to a cylindrical member 105, resulting in a rigid, stable configuration wherein the inner and outer flanges are spaced apart to maintain axial alignment of the shaft components when the assemblies are installed into the ends of the roller 200 as shown in FIG. 2.

Outer flange 103 includes a central recess 106 with a shape to receive a corresponding insert 108 on the distal ends of shaft component 104. Insert 108 has a plurality of through-holes 109 that align with threaded holes 111 within recess 106, with fasteners (not shown) provided to hold the insert 108 within the recess 106. Preferably through-holes 109 are countersunk, such that the heads of the fasteners are flush with the outer surface of the outer flange 103.

In theory, the shape of the recess 106 and insert 108 may be any shape (other than a concentric, on-axis circle) that transfers rotational torque while resisting shear stress on the fasteners. Thus, an eccentric or oval shape, polygonal shapes, star shapes and irregular shapes may be used. However, it has been determined that a shape with a plurality of rounded lobes is more effective and, in particular, given the dimensions of the attachment, a shape with an odd number of lobes such as seven rounded lobes as shown provides a good balance in terms of strength and reduced shears stress on the fasteners.

The shaft component 104 typically includes a keyway 112 for attachment to the drive mechanism. Also, unique to the invention, outermost end of the shaft 104 terminates in a geometric shape such as a square or hex head (shown) enabling a box- or open-end wrench to be used to manually rotate the roller in position if desired. Currently pipe wrenches are placed on the shaft causing marring of the smooth outer shaft surface.

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing illustrating the way in which the hubs and shaft components mount into the ends of a roller. The hub components are installed in both ends of the roller 200 and held in position with set screws 202 or other fasteners. Once installed, the hub components need not be removed. The outer surface of roller 200 would typically include a plurality of outwardly extending teeth adapted to lint cleaning. However, these structures are not shown, with the understanding that the invention is not limited in terms of the precise lint-removing structure or texture.

The shaft components 104 are installed in the hub components and balanced using procedures described with referenced to FIG. 3. Once the shaft components are balanced, the ends of the roller are covered with end plates 204 using fasteners 206 that cooperate with threaded openings 110 in the outer flange 103 (FIG. 1). Once the cover plates are installed, the completed roller assembly looks similar if not identical to existing rollers wherein a singular shaft runs the entire length of the assembly.

FIG. 3 is a detail drawing showing the way in which each shaft component is received and retained by a respective one of the hubs. The outer flange 302 includes a plurality of passageways 302. These passageways 302 enable a user to position one or more threaded counterweights (not shown) on the back surface of flange 302, and hold the counterweights in position with fasteners 304 that extend through holes 306 and into the counterweights. As with holes 111 used to hold the shaft component 104, holes 306 are also preferably countersunk such that the heads of fasteners 304 are flush with the outer surface of flange 103.

All of the components described herein are fabricated from metal, preferably machined steel.

Claims

1. A modular, lint cleaning roller adapted for use in cotton gins, comprising: an elongated cylindrical tube having two open ends and an outer surface adapted to cotton lint extraction;a pair of hub components configured for installation into respective open ends of the tube;a pair of removeable and replaceable shaft components, each shaft component having an insert and a shaft; andwherein the insert of each shaft component is configured for installation into a respective one of the hub components such that the shafts extend outwardly and in axial alignment from the ends of the elongated cylindrical tube.

2. The modular, lint cleaning roller of claim 1, wherein: each hub component has a recess with a predetermined shape; andthe insert of each shaft component has a peripheral shape that corresponds to the predetermined shape of each recess.

3. The modular, lint cleaning roller of claim 2, wherein the recesses are axially non-round to resist unwanted rotation of the shaft components relative to the cylindrical tube.

4. The modular, lint cleaning roller of claim 2, wherein the recesses and inserts have a shape including a plurality of rounded lobes.

5. The modular, lint cleaning roller of claim 2, wherein the recesses and inserts have a shape including an odd number of rounded lobes.

6. The modular, lint cleaning roller of claim 2, wherein the shafts extending from the ends of cylindrical tube terminate in a wrench-receiving geometry.

7. The modular, lint cleaning roller of claim 1, wherein: the elongated cylindrical tube has an inner diameter;each hub component comprises at least one flange with an outer diameter that matches the inner diameter of the elongated cylindrical tube; andthe flanges of the hub components are inserted and fastened into respective ends of the elongated cylindrical tube.

8. The modular, lint cleaning roller of claim 1, wherein: the elongated cylindrical tube has an inner diameter;each hub component comprises a plurality of spaced-apart flanges attached to a rigid member;wherein all of the flanges have an outer diameter that matches the inner diameter of the elongated cylindrical tube; andthe hub components are inserted and fastened into respective ends of the elongated cylindrical tube such that one flange of each hub component is flush with a respective end of the elongated cylindrical tube.

9. The modular, lint cleaning roller of claim 1, wherein the hub components are configured to receive counterweights for operational balancing.

10. The modular, lint cleaning roller of claim 9, wherein each hub component includes a circular array of threaded holes associated with counterweight mounting.

11. The modular, lint cleaning roller of claim 10, further including a pair of endplates adapted to cover the hub components on each end of the elongated cylindrical tube.