Junction device for auger conveyors

A junction for torque transmittingly connecting adjacent sections of an auger type conveyor eliminates the need for hanger bearings between conveyor sections. The junction includes a cylindrical sleeve having an external helix inclined to force conveyed material in an upstream direction in the area between the sleeve and trough and thus exert a lifting force on the junction. The sleeve includes a flow passage in registry with the helix and may include internal auger segments which mate with the conveyor sections.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention: 
The present invention is in the field of auger feed devices and is directed 
more particularly to a junction for the torque-coupling connection of 
adjacent auger sections and the resultant auger conveyor. 
2. The Prior Art 
Auger conveyors are typically comprised of a trough within which an auger 
section or sections are mounted for rotation. Auger type conveyors may 
extend for great lengths. 
Typically an elongate conveyor device is comprised of a number of auger 
sections linked in end-to-end torque transmitting relation. In accordance 
with conventional practice each adjacent pair of conveyor sections is 
supported in the area of coupling by a hanger bearing. By way of example, 
an advanced form of hanger bearing is disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 
4,217,980 of Aug. 19, 1980 entitled Sealed Hanger Bearing for Auger 
Conveyor. The noted patent discloses a multiple section auger assembly 
whereby contamination resistant bearings suspended above the trough 
rotatably support the junction between the ends of auger sections. 
The use of hanger bearings, even of the advanced type disclosed in the 
above referenced patent, is disadvantageous in that after a period time, 
the extent of which is dependent upon the nature of the material conveyed, 
the bearings will wear to the point that frictional build-up militates 
bearing replacement. 
An additional drawback inherent in the use of hanger bearings resides in 
the fact that the spacing of auger sections necessitated by the 
interposition of a hanger bearing creates a significant frictional 
resistance to the flow of material in the conveyor. An efficiency loss of 
15% or more is estimated to occur as a result of such interruption. Since, 
as noted above, it is not uncommon for a single conveyor to be comprised 
of a multiplicity of individual interconnected auger sections, it will be 
readily perceived that a 15% frictional loss at the interface between each 
such section drastically increases the required torque to effect material 
feed. 
Attempts have been made to eliminate hanger bearings by applying 
anti-friction projections on portions of the auger flutes, which 
projections are in wiping contact with the floor of the trough. This 
procedure is successful in a relatively narrow range of applications, and 
should only be made when the material being handled is uniform and 
non-abrasive. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention may be summarized as directed to the provision of a 
junction for auger sections which eliminates the need for providing hanger 
bearings, thereby eliminating the "down" time inherent in their frequent 
replacement. 
The invention is further directed to a device of the type described which 
increases the auger feed efficiency by eliminating the frictional losses 
inherent in constructions in which the end of one auger section is spaced 
a distance from the beginning of the next adjacent section. 
More particularly, the present invention may be summarized as directed to a 
junction for securing adjacent auger sections, the junctions comprising a 
cylindrical member having a central shaft supported by radially directed 
auger segments. The sleeve includes adjacent its upstream end a peripheral 
helix configuration arrayed in such manner that when the junction is 
rotated the helix tends to feed material entrapped between the trough and 
sleeve periphery in an upstream direction. The sleeve includes a radially 
extending aperture or apertures in registry with the helix. 
The described device eliminate the necessity for providing a hanger bearing 
between adjacent auger sections while at the same time avoiding wear 
between the exterior of the sleeve and the trough. This surprising and 
unexpected result is accomplished by virtue of the helix functioning to 
draw material through the apertures in the sleeve and pump the same in an 
upstream direction, which action results in a lifting force reacting 
between the sleeve and trough and lifting the sleeve clear of the trough, 
whereby the sleeve "floats" during the feeding operation. 
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a second helix is mounted on the 
periphery of the sleeve at the downstream end thereof, which second helix 
is preferably arrayed to effect feed in a downstream direction. 
The noted device, in addition to eliminating the use of hanger bearings 
with their attendant drawbacks, avoids the frictional losses described 
above since the internal auger segments of the junction blend with the 
ends of the connected auger sections to define, in effect, a continuous 
auger configuration. 
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a junction for 
auger sections which eliminates the need for hanger bearings, and an auger 
conveyor assembly embodying the same. 
A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of the type 
described which eliminates the frictional losses inherent in the use of 
hanger bearings.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 2 in 
semi-diagrammatic fashion an auger feed assembly 10 which is comprised of 
two or more auger members or sections 11, 12, 13. As is conventional, the 
auger sections each comprise a helical auger or feed screw 14 mounted on a 
carrier in the form of a pipe 15. The pipe ends or junctions 16 include a 
pair of radially directed keying apertures 17, 17 and 18, 18 which 
function to receive the torque transmitting drive keys 19, 20, 
respectively. 
The junction assembly, illustrated generally at 21, is comprised of a 
cylindrical shell 22. A drive shaft 23 is concentrically mounted within 
the shell 22, the shaft being suspended by radially inwardly extending 
flute or auger segments 24, 25. As best seen in FIG. 3, the innermost ends 
of the segments are secured to a central hub 26 encompassing and keyed to 
the shaft 23. The shell 22 may include a central reinforcing annulus 27. 
The shell adjacent its upstream end 28 includes on its outer periphery a 
helix member 29 preferably formed of an anti-friction material, such as 
nylon or like polymeric material. 
Alternatively, and depending upon the nature of the material to be fed, the 
helix 29 may be formed of metallic components such as stainless steel or 
like wear resistant compositions. 
The helix 29 is oriented such as to effect a feed of material in an 
upstream (see arrow 30, FIG. 2) when the auger assembly is driven in the 
rotary sense indicated by arrow 31, FIG. 1. 
As will be apparent, the feed direction of the helix 29 is thus opposite 
the direction of feed imparted by the auger sections 11, 12, 13 when the 
same are rotated in the direction of the arrow 31. 
The shell 22 includes one or more radially directed flow apertures 32, 32' 
in registry with the helix 29. 
Preferably a second helix 33 is affixed to the periphery of the downstream 
end 34 of the shell 22, the shell being provided with flow apertures 35, 
35' which register with the helix 33. 
It will be appreciated that both helices 29 and 33 are preferably formed of 
the same wear resistant material and are secured as by recessed machine 
screws 36 to the outer periphery of the shell. 
The junction member 21 is assembled between adjacent auger sections, e.g. 
11, 12, by sleeving the hollow pipe end portions 16 of the pipes 15 over 
the oppositely directed ends of shaft 23. The drive apertures 17 and 18 of 
the auger sections are thereafter aligned with the cross drive apertures 
17', 18' formed in the shaft 23 and the keying means 19,20 inserted so as 
non-rotatably couple the junction 21 and auger sections 11 and 12. 
In the assembled condition as described, the downstream end of auger 
section 11 will define a continuation of one or the other of flute 
segments 24, 25, with the upstream end of auger section 12, forming a 
continuation of the other of the said segments 24, 25. 
In the static or unfilled condition of the auger device (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4) 
the junction assembly 21 will rest on the floor 37 of the trough 38, the 
junction being supported by the polymeric peripheral helices 29, and 33, 
with the flutes of the auger remaining clear of the trough. When material 
is loaded into the trough and torque applied to the auger sections, the 
same will rotate in a direction of arrow 31, driving material in a 
downstream direction, i.e. from right to left as shown in FIG. 2. 
In the course of feeding movement the junction 21 will be bodily lifted 
from the floor 37 of the trough (i.e. in the direction of the arrows 39 
and "float" in spaced relation to the floor, as shown for example in FIGS. 
5 and 6 which represent the position of the parts in the driving and 
trough filled mode. The lifting action is engendered by the outflow of the 
fed material through the apertures 32, 32' and the rearward or upstream 
feed imparted to such material by the helix 29. In other words, the 
compressive forces generated by the upstream feed of helix 29 cause 
pressure in the area in registry with helix 29, which in turn induces the 
junction 21 to "float", whereby wear against the surface of the trough is 
minimized. 
The helix 33 is arrayed to feed material passing outwardly through 
apertures 35, 35' in a downstream direction. While the device will 
function without the use of a second helix 33, the employment of both 
helices 29 and 33 is preferred since a single helix 29 tends to generate a 
canting force which would tend to tilt the shaft 23 laterally relative to 
the main feed direction. The employment of a second helix arranged in the 
noted downstream feed direction counteracts the noted canting force. 
The device in accordance with the invention may be employed in conjunction 
with auger assemblies comprising a multiplicity of individual end-to-end 
linked auger sections. While the starting torque necessary to effect 
initial rotation may be somewhat higher than a conventional hanger bearing 
suspended auger assembly, the running torque is normally significantly 
lower than such conventional assemblies due to the reduced friction, as 
above noted. 
Additionally and importantly, auger devices employing the junction may be 
used over protracted periods with no "down" time as encountered in 
conveyors of the auger type which employ hanger bearings. 
As will be evident to those skilled in the art and familiarized with the 
instant disclosure, numerous changes may be made in details of 
construction without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
Accordingly, the invention is to be broadly construed within the scope of 
the appended claims.