Patent ID: 6398012
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
In a screw conveyor comprising first and second screw conveyor lengths aligned axially along an axial axis, a support and coupling assembly comprising:first deflection-accommodating means for accommodating deflection off the axial axis between the first screw conveyor length and the second screw conveyor length; second deflection-accommodating means for accommodating deflection off the axial axis between the first screw conveyor length and the second screw conveyor length; first connecting means for connecting the first deflection-accommodating means to the first screw conveyor length; second connecting means for connecting the second deflection-accommodating means to the second screw conveyor length; a drive shaft connecting the first deflection-accommodating means to the second deflection-accommodating means; and support means for supporting the drive shaft; wherein the first deflection-accommodating means comprises: an outer member aligned axially and concentrically with the second length of screw conveyor along the axial axis, and having an outer diameter substantially the same as an outer diameter of the first screw conveyor; an inner member aligned axially and concentrically within the outer member along the axial axis, and having an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the drive shaft; a first plurality of blades wherein each blade extends radially inwardly from the outer member and axially along the outer member; a second plurality of blades wherein each blade extends radially outwardly from the inner member and axially along the inner member; wherein the blades of the first plurality of inwardly-extending blades are spaced alternately with and angularly from the blades of the second plurality of outwardly-extending blades to form angular spaces between blades; and a resilient material in the angular spaces between blades; wherein the second deflection-accommodating means comprises: an outer member aligned axially and concentrically with the second length of screw conveyor along the axial axis, and having an outer diameter substantially the same as an outer diameter of the second screw conveyor; an inner member aligned axially and concentrically within the outer member along the axial axis, and having an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the drive shaft; a first plurality of blades wherein each blade extends radially inwardly from the outer member and axially along the outer member; a second plurality of blades wherein each blade extends radially outwardly from the inner member and axially along the inner member; wherein the blades of the first plurality of inwardly-extending blades are spaced alternately with and angularly from the blades of the second plurality of outwardly-extending blades to form angular spaces between blades; and a resilient material in the angular spaces between blades; wherein a first end of the drive shaft is fixed within the inner member of the first deflection-accommodating means; wherein a second end of the drive shaft is fixed within the inner member of the second deflection-accommodating means; and wherein the support means comprises a support bearing supporting the drive shaft intermediate of the first end and the second end of the drive shaft and a support member supporting the support bearing to a fixed object.