Abstract:
This invention relates to a feeder tube for bulk product which comprises a cylindrical drum or tube ( 2 ) in which there are accommodated a large number of inlet openings ( 8 ) distributed along the length of the tube, a screw conveyer ( 3 ) disposed coaxially within the tube ( 2 ), a first arrangement for rotating the tube about its axis, a second arrangement for rotating the screw conveyer ( 3 ) relative to the tube ( 2 ), a third arrangement for moving the feeder tube ( 1 ) in the lateral direction, and activators ( 9 A,  9 B) for the bulk product, which activators form projections on the outer side of the tube ( 2 ) and are disposed on the tube in association with said inlet openings ( 8 ), wherein each cross section along at least 40% of the length of the tube ( 2 ), preferably at least 70%, more preferred at least 90%, there are disposed at least two inlet openings ( 8 ) wherein that at least two actively positioned activators ( 9 A,  9 B) are also positioned in each cross section and that for a feeder tube ( 1 ) having a desired average volumetric capacity (V′) the slot width (d) of the majority of the openings ( 8 ) is chosen by means of V′˜d n , wherein n is between 2-3, in combination with that in a portion comprising at least 30% of the length of the tube ( 2 ) the total sum of the width (Σd) of all openings ( 8 ) in each cross-section is between 150-700 mm.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0001]    This invention relates to a feeder tube, for bulk products, which comprises a cylindrical drum or tube in which there are accommodated a large number of inlet openings distributed along the length of the tube, a screw conveyer disposed coaxially within the tube, a first arrangement for rotating the tube about its axis, a second arrangement for rotating the screw conveyer relative to the tube, a third arrangement for moving the feeder tube in the lateral direction, and activators for the bulk product, which activators form projections on the outer side of the tube and are disposed on the tube in association with said inlet openings.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Feeder tubes of the above stated kind are previously known and commonly used. Example of such feeder tubes are described in Swedish Patent Applications 7611862-9, 8004499-8 and in EP-751904. This kind of feeder tube, requires an extremely low amount of power input (compared to other kind of prior art feeder tubes) to the feed-out of bulk, from a buffer storage vessel, e.g. as a silo. In some known installations it has happened that jamming has occurred after shut down, which is believed to be caused by uncontrolled flow through the tube inlet openings, and flow of bulk material through the tube and thereby causing jamming of the screw conveyer.  
           [0003]    Another disadvantage with the known kind of design is that the maximum lateral velocity of tube, within the pile of bulk products in the silo, is rather limited. A velocity exceeding 30 mm/min is mostly not feasibly, because the bulk material then acts as a barrier making it impossible to move faster even if the lateral force is drastically increased. It is evident that if the limit velocity is reached and the lateral force is increased further, this could result in undesirably high stress within some parts of the feeder tube, e.g. leading to premature wear and failure.  
           [0004]    It has been believed that this limited lateral velocity is a kind of implicit feature of the design related to the extremely low power consumption. Accordingly it has been believed that if the velocity would be increased this could only be achieved at the price of drastically increased energy consumption. Indeed tests have been performed which imply that changes such as increasing the rotational speed of the tube and/or increasing the width of the slots have not improved the performance of the feeder tube without drastic negative consequences.  
         BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    Now it has been found that considerable improvements of the performance of a feeder tube of this specific kind may be achieved by providing a feeder tube characterized in that in each cross section along at least 40% of the length of the tube, preferably at least 70%, more preferred at least 90%, there are disposed at least two inlet openings. Thanks to this arrangements the feeder tube may be moved through the bulk product at considerably higher speed than is known from prior art. Furthermore this also leads to minimised risk of jamming after shut down.  
           [0006]    According to further aspects of the invention;  
           [0007]    there are disposed at least three inlet openings in each of said cross sections,  
           [0008]    said tube feeder is designed for feeding bulk products of wood chips, and/or fibrous material and/or powder, said bulk product having an average size with a maximum extension/width (X) and wherein the width (d) of each slot is 1,5-30 X, preferably 3-10 X and more preferred 4-8 X,  
           [0009]    in each of said cross section said openings are disposed along the circumference of the tube such that the bending resistance of said tube in said cross section is the same irrespective of which diametrical centreline (y) is chosen within said cross section, i.e. the number openings being 3 or 4 or any multiple of 3 or 4,  
           [0010]    the diameter of said tube is between 200-1500 mm, more preferred 500-1000 mm and most preferred 600-900 mm,  
           [0011]    said activators are detachably arranged on said tube,  
           [0012]    the total length of said tube is between 3-30 m, more preferred 4-25 m and most preferred 10-18 m,  
           [0013]    said first arrangement for rotating the tube about its axis provides for a rotational speed of the tube of 0-20 rpm, preferably 0,5-15 rpm and more preferred 1-8 rpm,  
           [0014]    in a portion comprising at least 30% of the length of the tube the total sum of the width (Σ d) of all openings in each cross-section is between 150-700 mm, preferably at least 250 mm, more preferred at least 350 mm,  
           [0015]    a detachably arranged cover device is positioned to cover a part of at least one of said openings such that the width (d) of said opening may be adjusted,  
           [0016]    at least one of said activators, preferably the majority of said activators, comprises at least one discrete protruding element, preferably a number of discrete protruding elements acting as an agitator.  
           [0017]    said tube is arranged with a number of discrete protruding elements which are positioned at a distance in relation to said inlet openings.  
           [0018]    said activator comprises plate like structure that extends across the opening at a distance from each lengthwise extending edge of the opening in a direction substantially parallel to the extension of the tube, wherein the width (b) of said plate like structure is substantially smaller than slot width (d) of said opening, such that preferably 10 mm&lt;2b&lt;d. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    In the following the invention will be described in more detail in relation to the attached drawings, in which;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a feeder tube arrangement which may be used in connection with the invention,  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of a feeder tube according to FIG. 1, along II-II in  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is a detailed front view of a slot/opening of FIG. 1,  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 shows a graph representing the capacity in relation to slot width,  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 shows a feeder tube according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 shows a cross section of a tube of FIG. 5,  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 shows a fold-up of a modified embodiment of a tube according to the invention,  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 8 shows a first modification of a cross section of a tube in FIG. 5,  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 9 shows a second modification of a cross section of a tube according to the invention,  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 10 shows a further modification of an opening of a tube according to the invention,  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 11 shows another modification of an opening of a tube according to the invention,  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 12 shows a further modified embodiment of a feeder tube according to the invention, seen in a cross sectional view perpendicular to the extension of the tube,  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view as indicated in FIG. 12,  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 14 shows a further alternate embodiment in a similar view as FIG. 12,  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 15 shows an alternate embodiment of a feeder tube which moves laterally by rotation  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 16 is an end view of an alternate feeder tube as shown in FIG. 15, and  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 17 shows a further alternate embodiment of an end of a feeder tube, and  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 18 shows a further alternate embodiment in a similar view as FIG. 12,  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 19 shows a cross-sectional view along the indication of FIG. 18, and  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 20 shows a view from above of FIG. 18,  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 21 shows a view from above of a tube of a modified embodiment,  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 22 shows a tube from above of a further modified embodiment, and  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 23 shows a view from above of still a further embodiment according to the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0044]    With reference first to FIG. 1, a feeder tube having a known basic construction is denoted in general by the reference numeral  1 . The arrangement comprises a cylindrical tube  2  and a screw conveyer  3  disposed coaxially within the tube  2 . Further, there is one motor for rotating the tube  2  about its axis, another motor for rotating the screw conveyor  3  relative to the tube and a so-called “traversing gear” for moving the entire feeder tube in the lateral direction. This lateral displacement can be effected directly at right-angels to the axis of the feeder tube I or about a centre of rotation, i.e. along an arc-shaped direction of travel. A silo for bulk product  4  is denoted by Sand the bottom of the silo is denoted by  6 .  
         [0045]    The feeder tube shown in FIG. 1 is primarily intended for difficult-to-handle and/or fibrous material, e.g. fuel consisting of forest products, particularly so-called “crushed forest fuel”, in which occasional larger fragments can occur and/or in which material is easily entwined such that bridging can easily arise. In order to prevent such bridges and in order also to be able to handle occasional larger, often longer fragments, the tube  2 , along its length according to prior art has been provided with a number of helically distributed inlet openings  8 , which are relatively few and relatively large. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate in greater detail how such an inlet opening  8  may be arranged. The length  1  can measure up to 500 mm, whilst the width d can measure up to 300 mm, Along the one longitudinal side, the hole edge is designed along half its length as a first activator  9 A in the form of a projection of the tube wall at the hole edge. On the opposite side and within the second half of the hole edge there is a second activator  9 B. The two activators  9 A and  9 B are thus disposed diagonally relative to each other and accommodate each half of the longitudinal side of the inlet opening  8 . As a result of this geometry, there is always, regardless of the direction of rotation of the tube  2 , a portion  10 A or  10 B, i.e. the one or the other half of the inlet opening  8 , which is limited in the direction of rotation by a slot edge  11 A or  11 B, which has no activator, and by a hole edge  12 A or  12 B, which is provided with an activator  9 A or  9 B.  
         [0046]    In FIG. 4 there is shown a graph representing the capacity of flow (V′) through a tube  2  having a certain slot width d. As can be noted the reclaim rate is not linear in relation to the slot width d, In relation to the length  1  of the opening  8 , however, the reclaim rate is linear, i.e. V′=k  1 . Practical experience carried out with a tube feeder according to basic design of the feeder tube shows that the flow capacity V′ is exponential, in relation to slot width d, wherein V′=k d n +L, where d is slot width, and K and L are constants depending on bulk material. Tests have shown that the exponent n preferably should be between 2-3, depending on bulk material. Accordingly the reclaim rate increases drastically above a critical point. If this critical point is passed there is no possibility to control the flow rate, which will lead to over loading the feeder tube. Accordingly the size of the slot width d should be kept securely below this critical point. In the graph this maximum slot width is represented by a first vertical line B. A second vertical line A presents a lower limit for the slot width d, in order to achieve a sufficient flow through the tube.  
         [0047]    As a first consequence of the above findings it has been established tat according to a preferred design model there should be at least two inlet openings  8  and at least two actively positioned activators in each cross section along a substantial portion of the tube  2 . Thanks to this novel arrangement the tube feeder may more securely be controlled and also it may be moved with a considerably higher lateral speed through the bulk product, without any notable increase of power consumption  
         [0048]    According to further test that have been carried out it has been found that the slot width advantageously may be related to the maximum extension X of an averaged sized specimen of the bulk product that is to be conveyed. Preferably the slot width d is between 3-10 X more preferred 4-8 X.  
         [0049]    In FIG. 5 there is shown a feeder tube  1  according to the invention. There is shown a first drive  15  for driving the tube  2  and a second drive  17  for rotating the screw conveyer  3 . The feeder tube is positioned in a silo  4  having wall parts  5  and bottom  6 . The preferred size of the tube  2  is 500-1000 mm (diameter). The preferred length of the tube is 4-25 m. The rotational speed of the tube should be kept within 0-20 rpm, preferably 0,5-15 rpm.  
         [0050]    In FIG. 6 there is shown a cross section of a tube  2  in FIG. 5. As can be seen there are arranged three openings  8  and also three active activators  9  when rotating the tube  2  according to the indicated direction of rotation. Furthermore the design of FIG. 6 presents the advantage of having the openings  8  disposed along the circumference of the tube such that the bending resistance of said tube is the same irrespective of which diametrical centreline Y is chosen within said cross section. The advantages of this feature is possible when using three or four or any multiple of three or four openings in each cross section.  
         [0051]    A tube feeder according to the novel design provides many advantages. Thanks to the optimised slot width d there will be created a material bridge over each opening  8  when the tube feeder is not in operation and accordingly covered as a consequence of shut down operation of the conveyer. Thanks to the design, the bulk material is evenly distributed along the entire length of the tube, which provides for an optimised operation of the conveyer and an optimised flow of the bulk product through the feeder tube. Furthermore the screw inside the tube is protected from the surrounding material pressure, which eliminates shear forces in the material, leads to low power requirement/material pressure and provides for small forces in screw operation and no travelling forces. All in all it provides for a very secure and energy efficient system of conveying bulk product.  
         [0052]    In FIG. 7 there is shown a fold-up of a modified design of the tube  2  according to the invention. As can be seen there are less openings at the left hand side of the tube  2  than at the right hand side thereof. This is due to the tube being intended for use in connection with a feeder tube wherein the lateral displacement is achieved by rotating the tube about a centre of rotation. The left hand side being positioned closer to the centre of rotation. Accordingly the right hand side, where the speed is higher, the tube  2  will move at a higher lateral speed through the bulk product than the left hand side. Hence the larger number of openings at the right hand side of the tube provides for a larger capacity of flow, i.e. the maximal volumetric flow capacity at a position far away from the centre of rotation is greater than near the centre of rotation.  
         [0053]    In FIG. 8 there is shown a reversible tube  2  being equipped with three openings  8  and two active activators  9  in one direction as indicated in the figure and one active activator in the opposite direction.  
         [0054]    In FIG. 9 there is shown a further modification according to the invention showing the use of two inlet openings  8  and two active activators  9 .  
         [0055]    In FIG. 10 there is shown a tube  2  having a detachably arranged cover device  80 , (preferably fastened by means of screws  81 ) in order to provide for the possibility of adjusting the width d of the opening  8 , either by taking it away or replacing it with a cover device  80  of another width,  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 11 presents that also the activator  9  may be detachably arranged, which is not merely advantageous if wear occurs but which also provides for the possibility of changing place for all activators  9  such that the direction of rotation may be altered.  
         [0057]    In FIG. 12 and  13  there is shown a modified embodiment where the activators  9  consist of a plate like structure  9 C on top of which there are positioned a number of discrete elements  9 D. This kind of activator  9 D,  9 C will have the same kind of function as that kind of activator having a continues extension (see FIG. 3) in the axial direction of the tube. However, depending on the material an activator  9  having discrete elements  9 D as shown in FIG. 13 or continues plate like elements may be preferred in one of the other situation. In a case where the bulk material is compact and/or interlaced there can exist cavities within the bulk material, which do not fall down against the tube, since the compact/bonded material around the cavity does not allow this. The bulk material which will be treated by the rotating tube, in such a situation, may obtain a kind of hardened surface, which may hinder the tube from advancing forward into the bulk material. By the use of discrete elements  9 D as shown in FIG. 13 this kind of hardened surface may be eliminated. The length of these elements  9 D may vary, also on the very same tube. Normally the extension in a radial direction is between 30-90 mm above the surface of the tube  2 .  
         [0058]    As shown in FIG. 12 the same kind of discrete details  9 D may also be positioned at a distance from the inlet hole  8 , wherein these elements  13  will have a function as agitators  13 . It is evident that this kind of agitators  13  may also be used in combination with an activator  9  having a continues extension as shown in for example FIG. 3.  
         [0059]    In FIG. 14 it is shown that the activator elements  9 D as well as the agitators  13  may take the form of cylindrical elements The elements may be attached in different manners depending on the situation, e.g. by welding or by threads.  
         [0060]    In FIG. 15 it is schematically shown a tube  2  which on top of its rotation around its axis also is rotated in the horizontal direction, i,e. a lateral displacement about the centre of rotation at the middle of the extension of the tube  2 . Accordingly the end  2 A of the tube  2  will move close to the wall  20  of the storage vessel. In order to avoid material from getting stuck between the end  2 A and the wall  20  it is shown that the end of the tube  2  is arranged with a number of agitators  15 . These agitators may take any appropriate form in general, as described above.  
         [0061]    In FIG. 16 there is shown an end view of the tube  2  in FIG. 15, As can be seen a number of agitator elements  15  are arranged onto the adjoining parts  2 C of the end wall  2 A of the tube  2 . In this case there is shown an embodiment of the tube with three openings  2 B at the end and where the agitators  15  are centrally positioned on each one of the adjoining/supporting elements extending from the centre to the periphery of the tube end  2 A.  
         [0062]    In FIG. 17 there is shown a similar design of the end  2 A of a tube  2  as in FIG. 16. A difference is that at the periphery there are arranged, plates which will displace bulk material inwardly and radially while the tube rotates, such that bulk material will be forced into the openings  2 B at the tube end  2 A.  
         [0063]    In FIG. 18, 19 and  20  there is shown a further modified embodiment where the activators  9  consist of a plate like structure  9 C which extends in the axial extension of the tube  2 , and which bridges over the inlet opening  8 . On top of the plate like structure  9 C there are positioned a number of discrete elements  9 D. These elements  9 D are preferably formed symmetrically, such that the direction of rotation may be altered without the need of rearranging the elements  9 D. Furthermore the plate like structure  9 C is positioned across the centre of the opening  8 , which also provides for the possibility of changing direction of rotation without any rearrangements being needed,  
         [0064]    In FIG. 21 there is shown a modified embodiment of a feeder tube  2  according to the invention. On the top surface of the tube  2  between two neighbouring openings  8  there are arranged two upwardly protruding ridges  21 ,  22 . The front end of the ridges  21 ,  22  are joined at a distance from the openings in a direction corresponding to the direction of rotation of the tube  2 . The other end of each ridge  21 ,  22  terminates at the side edge of each opening  8  respectively, such that a sharp angle α is formed between the two ridges  21 ,  22 . The ridges  21 ,  22  will have a plough-like influence on the bulk material that is in contact with the tube  2 , such that it will be forced sideways into the openings  8 . An advantage of the plough-like form is that the lateral forces acting thereon will be equalised. It is evident for the skilled man that the angle a between the ridges may vary within wide ranges, e.g. 30-90°.  
         [0065]    In FIG. 22 there is shown a further embodiment according to the invention, where the tube  2  is arranged with the same kind of openings  8  and activators  9 A,  9 B as in FIG. 3 and wherein the openings  8  are more closely arranged than the openings  8  in FIG. 21.  
         [0066]    Also in FIG. 22 there is shown the use of ridges  23  providing a similar function as the ridges  21 ,  22  in FIG. 21. In this case, however, the ridges  23  merely pushes the bulk material in one lateral direction, by extending from one side edge of an opening  8  to another side edge of an opening in front of it. Accordingly one ridge  23  extends from the left hand side edge of a first opening  8  to the right hand side edge of an opening being positioned laterally displaced and in front of the first opening. (Or vice versa if the lateral movement of the bulk material is intended in the other lateral direction). The extension of each ridge  23  forms an angle β in relation to a plane that is perpendicular in relation to the extensional tube  2 . The angle β preferably varies within a range of about 10-50°.  
         [0067]    In FIG. 23 there is shown a further embodiment of how ridges  23  may be positioned in relation to the openings  8  of the tube  2 . Each opening  8  has been provided with a pair ridges  23  which extend from each of its side edge in a sharp angle β (preferably within a range of about 10-50°) in relation to a plane being perpendicular in relation to the extension of the tube  2 .  
         [0068]    The invention is not limited to what is described above but may be varied within the scope of the claims, accordingly it is evident that more than two, three or even four slots may be used in order to optimist the flow capacity in the different situations. The activators may not be integral with the tube  2 , but may be detachable, which provides for the advantage that the direction of rotation may be changed. The feeding rate may also be adjusted by varying individual activators and/or slot opening sizes in the feeder tube. A further evident embodiment which may be combined with the invention is to use an inner screw within the tube  2  that is lacking a shaft i.e. a screw without shaft. Especially when very long tubes are being used there may be problems with the bending of the shaft of the screw within the tube. In order to avoid problems due to the bending, the shaft has to be relatively thick. As a consequence the whole tube will have to made wider, which accordingly will lead to increased cost. In such a situation it may be advantages to use a screw without shaft. The inner surface of the tube  2  may be arranged with low friction lining to support the rotating periphery of a screw without shaft, By eliminating the shaft of the screw, substantially smaller dimensions may be used an accordingly also the tube may be made smaller, which substantially reduces the cost. Moreover it is evident that a variety of combinations of different above described configurations are obvious options for the skilled person, e.g. the use of agitators  13  in combination with any of the other tube designs shown or described, the use of agitators  15  at the end of the tube  2  in combination with any of the other tube designs shown or described, the use of ridges  21 , 22 , 23  in combination with any of the other tube designs shown in or described, etc. Furthermore it is evident that the extension of the openings and activators respectively, may be varied in relation to the extension of the take, i.e. not being totally parallel in relation to each other, e.g. using an angle of about 10-30° between the extension of tube  2  and the extension of the opening  8  and/or the activator  9 .