Adjustment housing assembly and monitoring and support system for a rotary feeder in a cellulose chip feeding system for a continuous digester

A mounting and support mechanism for a rotary feeder gear motor having an adjusting housing, wherein the adjusting housing includes a support flange adjacent the gear motor, a hollow adjusting housing and a support flange adjacent a stationary feeder end cover. Contained within the adjusting housing is a carrier extension wherein the carrier extension at one end encases a stationary bushing, the stationary bushing houses an adjusting shaft to provide movement of a rotor assembly axially, and at the opposite end the carrier extension connects to a bearing carrier mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to a method and system for feeding comminuted cellulosic fibrous material (“chips”) to a treatment vessel, such as a continuous digester, which may produce cellulosic pulp. This disclosure particularly relates to the mounting and support mechanism for adjusting and monitoring a rotary feeder.

Rotary feeders, for example high-pressure feeders (HPFs) and low-pressure feeders (LPFs), asthma feeders, and other similar devices, transfer chips from a chip supply system to a chip processing system, such as a continuous digester system for chemical pulping of wood chips or other cellulosic material. HPFs are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,410 and transfer chips from a low-pressure chip supply system to a high-pressure chip supply system. Other rotary feeders such as LPFs transfer chips from atmospheric (or near atmospheric) pressure to a low-pressure chip supply system (such as 15 psig to 35 psig).

LPFs and HPFs are components of a continuous digester system. They provide the ability to change (increase) the pressure of the slurry of wood chips and liquor to be fed to the digester vessel. Without the high-pressure chip slurry provided by one or each of either of the LPF and HPF, the digester system is disabled. Other rotary feeders may also be used in other locations within a pulp mill to impact a change in pressure of the slurry material entering the rotary feeders versus the pressure of the slurry of material leaving the rotary feeders. When a rotary feeder is shut-down for repair or maintenance, the digesting process and the resultant production of pulp ceases until the rotary feeder is restarted.

Rotary feeders are conventionally mechanical rotary valve devices adjusted with manual or motor driven controls. A common control adjustment is to adjust the clearance between a rotating pocket rotor and a cylindrical chamber of the housing for a rotary feeder. The clearance is usually a gap between an outer cylindrical surface of the rotor and an inner cylindrical surface of the chamber. This clearance (gap) typically allows a small amount of liquid to serve as a lubricant between the pocket rotor and chamber. In this document, the terms “clearance” and “gap” are used taken to mean the same.

If the clearance is too wide, a pressure loss can occur in the rotary feeder fluid flowing through the rotary feeder, excessive liquid and cellulosic material may flow through the clearance (gap) and accumulate in the housing, e.g., in the end bells of the housing, and excessive liquid may leak through to a low-pressure outlet of the rotary feeder. If the clearance is too narrow, metal to metal contact may occur between the rotor and chamber and debris caught in the clearance (gap) may etch grooves in the rotor or chamber. Accordingly, the clearance between the pocket rotor and chamber should generally be maintained in an acceptable range. Support to prevent torsion and axial forces acting on the rotary feeder due to normal operation should generally be provided.

The clearance between the pocket rotor and chamber of the housing can be adjusted by moving the rotor axially with respect to the housing. The pocket rotor and chamber each are generally slightly tapered. Because of the taper, the clearance between the rotor and housing can be adjusted by axial movement of the rotor. Examples of a manual and motor driven controls are disclosed in EP 0732280-A1, a Bauer Rotary Valve Brochure published in 1969, Swedish Patent C503684, Great Britain Patent GB 503 710, German Patent DE 721 850, U.S. Pat. No. 4,372,338 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,350,674.

As described in these disclosures, axial movement of the rotor could be by manually turning a wheel at the end of a rotary feeder, or based on automatic computer control of a motor to impart axial movement of the rotor. In each of these disclosures the support mechanisms for the adjustment of the pocket rotor are located on the outside of the housing. Operator safety and adjustment mechanism accuracy concerns arise when the support mechanisms are located outside the housing.

Operation personnel or others in close proximity to the rotor housing could be injured when the axially moving gearbox is operated without warning. This situation creates a pinch point where persons could become injured. Another disadvantage of the support and control mechanisms being on the outside of the rotary housing is the accuracy of the adjustments made.

Because the gearbox for the adjusting mechanism slides on bolt heads, a less than precise adjustment is made. As the sliding area is exposed to the outside environment, dirt, grime, and elements of the weather can be deposited on the sliding area resulting in obstructions on the metal surface of sliding area. The obstructions on the metal surface can inhibit the smooth movement of the gearbox on the sliding area and increase the opportunity for personnel injury when trying to clean or remove obstructions. In addition, exposure to the environment increases the wear of the metal to metal surfaces of the support and control mechanism of prior art systems.

An example of a suitable automatic computer control method for the prior art systems currently in use can be found in US 2009-0142147 (incorporated here by reference).

Maintaining an optimal clearance between the pocket rotor and chamber of the housing can be helpful to extend the operational life of the rotary feeder, particularly the pocket rotor and surface of the chamber. Additionally, it is important to maintain an optimal clearance between the pocket rotor and chamber of the housing to avoid damage to the rotor and chamber, to minimize the power load of the rotary feeder, and to minimize the fluid pressure loss due to fluid leakage through the clearance between the pocket rotor and the chamber of the housing. There is a long felt need is to provide an effective and simple support mechanism (structural support) for the rotary feeder adjustment mechanism including the power source for the adjustment mechanism. Additionally, there is a long felt need to protect the adjustment mechanism of the rotary feeder from exposure to the environmental elements existing in the location of the rotary feeder.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A rotary feeder having the ability to allow for pressure changes typically requires an adjusting mechanism having a motor, an adjusting shaft, a stationary bushing, and a bearing carrier mechanism. A mounting and support mechanism for the rotary feeder adjusting mechanism having a gear motor, adjusting shaft, stationary bushing, and bearing carrier mechanism has been developed to provide the necessary torsional and axial support while locating the mounting and support mechanism within the housing of the rotary feeder.

The mounting and support mechanism includes a hollow adjusting housing, which is typically stationary, made up of a support flange attached to the rotary feeder gear motor body end where the adjusting shaft can move toward a bearing carrier mechanism, a flange adjacent a rotary feeder stationary feeder end cover, and a hollow adjusting housing extending between the support flange and the flange adjacent the rotary feeder stationary feeder end cover. Contained within the hollow adjusting housing is a carrier extension wherein the carrier extension at one end encases a stationary bushing, the stationary bushing houses an adjusting shaft to provide movement of a rotor assembly axially, and at the opposite end the carrier extension connects to a bearing carrier mechanism.

By locating the mounting and support mechanism inside the hollow adjusting housing personnel proximate to the rotary feeder are protected from injuries caused by the sudden and often unannounced movement of the adjusting shaft. Additionally, reduced wear of the metal surface of previously exposed mechanisms is realized. Also, less damage from the environment due to exposure of the adjusting shaft to the environment (dirt, grime, water, weather, etc.) is realized. The accuracy of the adjustment made is improved as the mounting and support mechanism is internal to the hollow adjusting housing and protected from the environment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments is presented only for illustrative and descriptive purposes and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiments were selected and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize many variations can be made to the invention disclosed in this specification without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

A rotary feeder typically has the ability to adjust the rotor axially to allow for proper operation of the rotary feeder. Adjusting the rotor axially allows for fluid control and control of the clearance (gap) between the rotary feeder pocket rotor and a housing chamber of the rotary feeder, thereby allowing for pressure changes to be accomplished as the slurry of material flows through the rotary feeder. To control parameters, a rotary feeder adjusting mechanism is needed. The adjusting mechanism includes a rotary feeder gear motor, an adjusting shaft, a stationary bushing, and a bearing carrier mechanism.

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram of a conventional feed system10for providing a slurry of comminuted cellulosic material, e.g., wood chips, to a rotary feeder known as a high-pressure feeder (HPF)12and to a high-pressure outlet port38and to a high-pressure output conduit14leading to an inlet16, e.g., a top separator, of a continuous digester vessel17. The HPF12receives a low-pressure slurry or low-level feed, via a chip chute18, of comminuted cellulosic fibrous material (“chip slurry”) and outputs a high-pressure chip slurry via high-pressure output conduit14. The high-pressure slurry is suitable for introduction into a continuous digester, chip steaming vessel and other high-pressure chip processing systems. A flow meter15may measure the rate of slurry flow through the high-pressure output conduit14and to the inlet16of the continuous digester vessel17.

The low-pressure slurry is fed to the chip chute18through a chip flow meter20from a chip bin22or other chip supply system, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,598. Additional liquor may be added to the chip flow in the chip chute18through conduit23. The slurry of comminuted cellulosic material from the chip chute18, enters the HPF12through a low-pressure inlet port40.

The HPF12has a low-pressure outlet port24for liquor which flows through the HPF12but does not exit to the high-pressure stream in high-pressure output conduit14. The liquor from the low-pressure outlet port24flows through conduit26to a liquor recovery system28that may circulate the liquor to, for example, the low-pressure side of the chip feed system. Liquor from the low-pressure outlet port24after flowing through conduit26may be returned to the HPF12. If liquor from the low-pressure outlet port24is returned to the HPF12, the liquor from the low-pressure outlet port24is pressurized by a high-pressure hydraulic pump32and flows at high-pressure through conduit30to the high-pressure inlet port33of the HPF12. The high-pressure liquor in the HPF12pressurizes the chip slurry from the chip chute18such that the chip slurry exits the HPF12at high-pressure into high-pressure output conduit14.

FIG. 2shows a high-pressure feeder (HPF)12comprising a stationary housing34with a pocketed cylindrical rotor35mounted for rotation in a tapered cylindrical housing chamber48of the stationary housing34. The stationary housing34includes four ports: a high-pressure inlet port33(in rear of stationary housing34and shown inFIG. 1); a high-pressure outlet port38; a low-pressure inlet port40and a low-pressure outlet port24(in bottom of housing and shown inFIG. 1). The low-pressure inlet port40is located on the stationary housing34opposite from the low-pressure outlet port24. The high-pressure inlet port33is located on the stationary housing34opposite from the high-pressure outlet port38.

The pocketed cylindrical rotor35is rotated by a variable speed motor and gear reducer37coupled to a drive shaft42. The pocketed cylindrical rotor35is driven to rotate in the tapered cylindrical housing chamber48, such that the through-going pockets36of the pocketed cylindrical rotor35sequentially communicate with the four ports of the stationary housing34.

Also shown inFIG. 2, is a controller and motor assembly62and a shaft58that is coupled to and adjusts the axial position of the pocketed cylindrical rotor35. While the controller, gear motor and gear box may be separate, they are depicted inFIG. 2as the controller and motor assembly62. The controller housing has an end that couples to an end bell chamber56of the HPF12. The controller and motor assembly62supports an actuator for axially moving the shaft58and pocketed cylindrical rotor35. The actuator includes a gear motor and gearbox that controls the axial position of the shaft58and hence the axial position of the pocketed cylindrical rotor35. The gearbox engages spiral threads on the shaft58to rotate the shaft58. The rotation of the shaft58by the gearbox causes axial movement of the shaft58and pocketed cylindrical rotor35.

As shown inFIG. 3, the pocketed cylindrical rotor35contains two or more through-going pockets36such that different pockets communicate with different high and low-pressure ports as the rotor rotates. Each pocket in the rotor defines a passage through the rotor with openings on opposite sides of the passage. The pocketed cylindrical rotor35typically rotates at a speed of between about 5 to 15 revolutions per minute (rpm), preferably, between about 7 to 10 rpm, depending upon the capacity of the HPF12and the production rate of the pulping system it is used to feed.

The low-pressure outlet port of the HPF12is typically provided with a screen element54, for example, a cast horizontal bar type screen element such as the screen element29in U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,162. The screen element54retains the chips in the slurry within the HPF12and allows some of the liquid in the slurry to pass out of the second end of the pocket, through the screen and out through the low-pressure outlet port24.

Chips flow into a through-going pocket(s)36of the pocketed cylindrical rotor35when the openings of the through-going pocket36align with the low-pressure inlet port40and low-pressure outlet port24of the HPF12, e.g., the pocket is vertical. The chips flow into the through-going pocket(s)36from the chip chute18and mix with any remaining chips retained in the through-going pocket36by the screen element54. The screen element54prevents chips from flowing through the through-going pocket36and out the low-pressure outlet port24.

As the through-going pocket36rotates 90 degrees, e.g., a quarter turn, the chips in the through-going pocket36are transported from a low-pressure flow to a high-pressure flow as the openings in the through-going pocket36align with the high-pressure inlet port33and high-pressure outlet port38of the HPF12. After this one-quarter revolution of the pocketed cylindrical rotor35, the first end of the through-going pocket36that was once in communication with the low-pressure inlet port40is placed in communication with the high-pressure outlet port38. The high-pressure outlet port38typically communicates with the inlet of a continuous digester vessel17, either a continuous or batch digester, via one or more conduits. At the same time, this quarter-turn rotation of the pocketed cylindrical rotor35also places the second end of the through-going pocket36, which was just in communication with the low-pressure outlet port24, in communication with the high-pressure inlet port33.

The high-pressure inlet port33typically receives a flow of high-pressure liquid from a high-pressure hydraulic pump32. The pressure of this high-pressure liquid from a high-pressure hydraulic pump32typically ranges from about 5 to 15 bar gauge, and is typically about 7 to 10 bar gauge. This high-pressure liquid displaces the slurry of chips and liquid from the through-going pocket36and out of the high-pressure outlet port38and ultimately to the inlet of the continuous digester vessel17.

As the pocketed cylindrical rotor35continues to rotate, the second end of the through-going pocket36which received the high-pressure fluid is placed in communication with the low-pressure inlet port40and receives another supply of slurry from the conduit connected to the low-pressure inlet port40. Similarly, the first end of the through-going pocket36is rotated into communication with the low-pressure outlet port24of the stationary housing34, having the screen element54.

The process described above repeats such that during one complete revolution of the pocketed cylindrical rotor35each through-going pocket36receives and discharges two charges of chips and liquid. The pocketed cylindrical rotor35typically contains at least two, typically four, through-going pockets36such that the pocketed cylindrical rotor35is repeatedly receiving slurry from the low-pressure inlet port40and discharging slurry out the high-pressure outlet port38. The ends of these through-going pockets36act as each of either an inlet for slurry and an outlet depending upon the orientation of the pocketed cylindrical rotor35.

FIG. 3shows the pocketed cylindrical rotor35having a cylindrical shape with a slight taper extending from the first end44of the pocketed cylindrical rotor35to the second end46opposite the first end44of the pocketed cylindrical rotor35. The first end44of the pocketed cylindrical rotor35may a smaller diameter than the second end46of the pocketed cylindrical rotor35. The pocketed cylindrical rotor35fits in a tapered cylindrical housing chamber48(FIG. 2) fixed to the stationary housing34. The tapered cylindrical housing chamber48has a taper similar to the taper of the pocketed cylindrical rotor35. A housing first end50of the tapered cylindrical housing chamber48has a smaller diameter than a housing second end52located opposite the housing first end50of the tapered cylindrical housing chamber48.

The tapered cylindrical housing chamber48has openings49(FIG. 2) that are aligned with the inlets and outlets of the stationary housing34(FIG. 2) of the HPF12(FIG. 2). The chip slurry flows through openings49(FIG. 2) in the tapered cylindrical housing chamber48to enter the through-going pockets36of the pocketed cylindrical rotor35and exit the pocketed cylindrical rotor35through openings49(FIG. 2) in the tapered cylindrical chamber48to the high-pressure outlet port38(FIG. 2) of the HPF12(FIG. 2). Similar, high-pressure liquid passes through the openings49(FIG. 2) in the tapered cylindrical chamber48to enter the through-going pockets36of the pocketed cylindrical rotor35and discharge through openings49(FIG. 2) in the tapered cylindrical housing chamber48to exit through the low-pressure outlet port24(FIG. 2) of the HPF12(FIG. 2).

An annular gap51(FIG. 2) is formed between the pocketed cylindrical rotor35and the tapered cylindrical housing chamber48, when the pocketed cylindrical rotor35is inserted into the tapered cylindrical housing chamber48. The annular gap51may be small and tapered and may allow the pocketed cylindrical rotor35to rotate within the tapered cylindrical housing chamber48. The width of the annular gap51(FIG. 2) is determined by the axial position of the pocketed cylindrical rotor35with respect to the tapered cylindrical housing chamber48.

Due to the complementary conical shapes of the pocketed cylindrical rotor35and tapered cylindrical housing chamber48, the annular gap51(FIG. 2) may be narrowed by moving the pocketed cylindrical rotor35axially towards the small diameter end of the tapered cylindrical housing chamber48. Similarly, the annular gap51(FIG. 2) may be expanded by moving the pocketed cylindrical rotor35axially towards the large diameter end of the tapered cylindrical housing chamber48. During its axial movement, the pocketed cylindrical rotor35remains within the tapered cylindrical housing chamber48.

The width of the annular gap51(FIG. 2) may be changed by automatically or manually adjusting the axial position of the pocketed cylindrical rotor35within tapered cylindrical housing chamber48. The high-pressure feeder12(FIG. 2) disclosed herein includes a motor driven shaft58that is coupled to an end of the pocketed cylindrical rotor35. The shaft58(FIG. 2) is axially aligned with the pocketed cylindrical rotor35.

A small amount of liquid flows through the annular gap51, such as from outlets in the pocketed cylindrical rotor35. This liquid serves as a lubricant between the pocketed cylindrical rotor35and the tapered cylindrical housing chamber48. The liquid drains through the screen element54below the tapered cylindrical housing chamber48and adjacent the low-pressure outlet port24of the stationary housing34. The liquid from the low-pressure outlet port24may be reused in, for example, the conventional feed system10.

In addition, liquid may collect in end bell chambers56(FIG. 2) of the stationary housing34(FIG. 2) that are adjacent opposite ends of the pocketed cylindrical rotor35and tapered cylindrical housing chamber48. The liquid in the end bell chambers56(FIG. 2) is preferably maintained under pressure to prevent additional flow, which may include fines, into the end bell chambers56.

A conduit57(FIG. 2), for the addition of liquid such as white liquor or other suitable liquid, is connected to an inlet port to each of the end bell chambers56at opposite ends of the stationary housing34(FIG. 2) for the HPF12(FIG. 2). The liquid is provided under pressure from the conduit57(FIG. 2) to pressurize the liquid in the end bell chambers56(FIG. 2) and to prevent a flow of liquor and fines from the pocketed cylindrical rotor35into the end bell chambers56(FIG. 2).

If the annular gap51(FIG. 2) is too large, excessive liquid and small particles (such as fiber fines, sand and other small debris, especially metal, rock and sand) may be present in the annular gap51. The presence of excess liquid and small particles in the annular gap51may cause grooves to form in the outer surface of the pocketed cylindrical rotor35and in the inner surface of the tapered cylindrical housing chamber48. Grooves in the outer surface of the pocketed cylindrical rotor35and in the inner surface of the tapered cylindrical housing chamber48may cause adverse operations of the HPF12and eventually cause the HPF12to be shut down.

Additionally, if the annular gap51(FIG. 2) between the pocketed cylindrical rotor35and the tapered cylindrical housing chamber48is too large, excess liquid and small particles may enter the annular gap51(FIG. 2) through openings in the through-going pockets36in the pocketed cylindrical rotor35. The small particles (for example fines and debris) may flow through the annular gap51(FIG. 2) and collect in interior end bell chambers56(FIG. 2) adjacent the axial ends of the pocketed cylindrical rotor35. If excessive amounts of small particles (fines and debris) collect in the end bell chambers56(FIG. 2), the small particles may resist the rotation of the pocketed cylindrical rotor35, causing the pocketed cylindrical rotor35components to wear and increase the power consumption of the HPF12(FIG. 2).

FIG. 4shows a mounting and support mechanism100for a rotary feeder gear motor120, hollow adjusting housing180and a stationary feeder end cover150fixed to one of the end bell chambers56(ofFIG. 2). The hollow adjusting housing180encloses a portion of an adjusting shaft110extending from the rotary feeder gear motor120, a carrier extension170, a stationary bushing130, and a bearing carrier mechanism140that supports an end of a shaft142fixed to the pocketed cylindrical rotor35.

The bearing carrier mechanism140allows the shaft142to rotate while the hollow adjusting housing180and carrier extension170do not rotate. The bearing carrier mechanism140may include a pair of opposing thrust bearings144that support the shaft142in a cylindrical cage146of the bearing carrier mechanism140. An end of the bearing carrier mechanism140attaches to44the carrier extension170.

The carrier extension170may be a generally cylindrical piece including a center opening that supports the stationary bushing130. The brushing130may be a generally cylindrical piece (brass or other suitable material) having annular flanges135at opposite ends of the stationary bushing130. The annular flanges135at opposite ends of stationary bushing130allow seating of the adjusting shaft110within the carrier extension170.

The bearing carrier mechanism140slides axially within the hollow adjusting housing180which may include a cylindrical inner bearing surface that supports and abuts an outer cylindrical surface of the bearing carrier mechanism140. To adjust the axial position of the pocketed cylindrical rotor35, the rotary feeder gear motor120turns the adjusting shaft110which rotates via threads within an assembly including the brushing130, carrier extension170, bearing carrier mechanism140and shaft142.

The hollow adjusting housing180includes a support flange190located adjacent the rotary feeder gear motor120(such as a circular mounting plate with an opening for the adjusting shaft110), a hollow adjusting housing180and stationary feeder support flange160. The support flange190is at an opposite end of the hollow adjusting housing180to the stationary feeder support flange160. The stationary feeder support flange160is fixed to the stationary feeder end cover150on the end bell chamber56.

The stationary feeder support flange160, support flange190, and hollow adjusting housing180may be welded, bolted or otherwise fasten together. The hollow adjusting housing180may be round, elliptical, rectangular or other shape in cross section. The hollow adjusting housing180may be coaxial with the pocketed cylindrical rotor35. Support flange190may be attached to the rotary feeder gear motor120by bolts (not shown). A thrust bearing192may be adjacent support flange190inside the hollow adjusting housing180. If the thrust bearing192is present, it protects the rotary feeder gear motor120should an upset condition occur where the shaft142is forced though the hollow adjusting housing180toward support flange190. Stationary feeder support flange160may be attached to the stationary feeder end cover150by bolts (not shown). The mounting and support mechanism100allows for a support mechanism not requiring a torsion bar or a mounting surface or a bar as are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,350,674.

Inside the hollow adjusting housing180is the carrier extension170. Carrier extension170encases the stationary bushing130and at one end connects to the bearing carrier mechanism140. The stationary bushing130is threaded and allows the threaded section of the adjusting shaft110to move the rotor assembly axially inside the hollow adjusting housing180for proper operation.

The stationary bushing130does not rotate but moves axially with the carrier extension170. The carrier extension170is sized such that the adjusting shaft110is allowed to thread through (and rotate) and between stationary bushing130and bearing carrier mechanism140. Carrier extension170allows shaft142to move axially in the HPF housing.

An exemplary embodiment of a mounting and support mechanism for the rotary feeder adjusting mechanism having a rotary feeder gear motor, adjusting shaft, stationary bushing, and bearing carrier mechanism has been developed to provide the necessary torsional and axial support. The mounting and support mechanism includes an adjusting housing assembly made up of a support flange attached to the rotary feeder gear motor end. Within the adjusting housing assembly the adjusting shaft can move toward a bearing carrier mechanism. The bearing carrier mechanism allows a rotor axially inside a stationary bushing where the adjusting shaft can move toward a bearing carrier mechanism, a stationary feeder support flange adjacent a rotary feeder stationary feeder end cover, and a hollow adjusting housing extending between the support flange and the stationary feeder support flange. The stationary feeder support flange and the support flange may each have bolts to secure the flanges to the rotary feeder stationary feeder end cover and the rotary feeder gear motor. Alternatively, either flange may have bolts to secure the flange to the rotary feeder stationary feeder end cover and the rotary feeder gear motor. Any suitable means of securing the flanges to the rotary feeder stationary feeder end cover and the rotary feeder gear motor may be used.

The adjusting housing assembly including the support flange, the stationary feeder support flange and the hollow housing between the flanges may be made of any number of suitable construction materials such as carbon or stainless steel or alternate metals, alloys or composites or other suitable material. The hollow adjusting housing of the adjusting housing assembly may be cylindrical or of a similar shape so as to encase/encircle the adjusting shaft from the support flange at the gear motor end to the stationary feeder support flange adjacent the rotary feeder stationary feeder end cover.

An exemplary embodiment of an adjustment mechanism for a rotary feeder includes a hollow adjusting housing, a gear motor, external to the hollow adjusting housing, mounted to a first end of the hollow adjusting housing, a rotating adjusting shaft enclosed by the hollow adjusting housing, and a rotor coupling between the adjusting shaft and a first end of the cylindrical pocketed rotor of the rotary feeder. The hollow adjusting housing may include a cylindrical sidewall having at one end a connection to the stationary feeder end cover and therefore the end bell chamber of the rotary feeder and a support flange at an opposite end of the sidewall. The support flange supports a gear motor that rotates the adjusting shaft.

A threaded end of the adjusting shaft engages a threaded, stationary bushing in the carrier extension. The rotation of the adjusting shaft in the stationary bushing forces the rotor coupling to move the rotor in an axial direction. The carrier extension at one end encases a threaded, stationary bushing. This rotating adjusting shaft engages the stationary bushing and causes the carrier extension and the rotor assembly to which the carrier extension is attached to move axially. Additionally, the carrier extension is sized such that the adjusting shaft is allowed to thread through and between the stationary bushing and a bearing carrier mechanism.

The carrier extension may be attached at one end to a threaded, stationary bushing and at the opposite end an interior wall of the hollow adjusting housing. The carrier extension may be made of any number of suitable construction materials such as carbon or stainless steel or alternate metals, alloys or composites or other suitable material to withstand the environment within the hollow adjusting housing. The purpose of the carrier extension can be to provide support for the adjusting shaft and the bearing carrier mechanism.

An exemplary embodiment of a mounting and support mechanism for a rotary feeder gear motor has been developed comprising: an adjusting housing assembly wherein the adjusting housing assembly is comprised of a support flange adjacent the rotary feeder gear motor, a hollow adjusting housing and a stationary feeder support flange adjacent a rotary feeder stationary feeder end cover. The hollow adjusting housing has internal components, including an adjusting shaft, a bearing carrier mechanism, a carrier extension and a threaded, stationary bushing. The adjusting housing assembly is typically cylindrical or other similar shape and encases the bearing carrier mechanism.

The bearing carrier mechanism follows a rotor axially inside the hollow adjusting housing. The hollow adjusting housing extends between the support flange and the support stationary feeder flange. The support flange and the stationary feeder support flange may each have bolts to secure the flanges to the rotary feeder stationary feeder end cover and the rotary feeder gear motor, respectively. The adjusting housing assembly including the support flange, the stationary feeder support flange and the hollow adjusting housing may be made of any number of suitable material of construction such as carbon or stainless steel or alternate metals, alloys, or composite material or other suitable material. A suitable material is one capable of withstanding the environment within the hollow adjusting housing.

An exemplary hollow adjusting housing for a rotary feeder has been developed comprising: a carrier extension wherein the carrier extension at one end encases a threaded, stationary bushing, and an adjusting shaft wherein the adjusting shaft rotates and engages the stationary bushing thereby moving axially the carrier extension and the adjusting shaft to which the carrier extension is attached. The carrier extension is sized such that the adjusting shaft is allowed to thread through and between the stationary bushing and a bearing carrier mechanism. The carrier extension may be made of any number of suitable material of construction such as carbon or stainless steel or alternate metals, alloys, or composite materials, or other suitable material. A suitable material is one capable of withstanding the environment within the hollow adjusting housing.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and exemplary embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.