Abstract:
A blower for a particulate loader and transfer apparatus is provided. The blower comprises at least one blade having a proximal and a distal end. A drive mechanism rotates the at least one blade in a direction about an axis of rotation. The proximal end of the blade is nearer to the axis of rotation than the distal end of the blade is to the axis of rotation and the blade is angled so that as the blade rotates about the axis, the proximal end of the blade precedes the distal end of the blade.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a high capacity particulate loader and transfer apparatus of grain, fertilizer, chemicals, particulates and granular material (hereinafter referred to as “particulates”), and more particularly, relates to an improved blower for a particulate loader and transfer apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Particulate loader and transfer devices are well known, and as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,431,537, may be used by farmers and others to load and transfer grain and other particulate materials in a convenient manner. These devices may include, for example, one or more blowers to create suction within an air-materials separation chamber and a vacuum pickup hose attached thereto, to transport grain or other materials from one location, into the air-materials separation chamber in the bottom of which is positioned an auger for transferring the grain or other particulate material from the air-materials separation chamber into, for example an open truck, container or other location. 
     Generally, the blower includes either a radial or centrifugal blower which draws the air from the air-materials separation chamber and the vacuum pickup hose extending therefrom, and exhausts the air to the atmosphere in an area adjacent to the particulate loader and transfer device. The radial or centrifugal blowers are useful in transporting large volumes of air and particulate material quickly and efficiently, which is particularly desirable in the context of particulate loader and transfer devices. 
     It is desirable to provide a particulate loader and transfer device with improved suction characteristics, for example, to enhance suction in the air-materials separation chamber and the vacuum pickup hose extending therefrom, to increase the distance that the particulate material can travel within the vacuum pickup hose, and to provide additional suction at the open end of and along the length of the vacuum pickup hose in the event that the particulate material is difficult to move or is fully or partially blocking the vacuum pickup hose. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a particulate loader and transfer device with improved suction characteristics, for example, to enhance suction in the air-materials separation chamber and the vacuum pickup hose extending therefrom, to increase the distance that the particulate material can travel within the vacuum pickup hose. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a particulate loader and transfer device with improved suction characteristics, for example, to provide additional suction at the open end of and along the length of the vacuum pickup hose in the event that the particulate material is difficult to move or is fully or partially blocking the vacuum pickup hose. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a blower for a particulate loader and transfer apparatus, comprising, at least one blade having a proximal and distal end, means for rotating the at least one blade in a direction about an axis of rotation, wherein the proximal end of the blade is nearer to the axis of rotation than the distal end of the blade is to the axis of rotation and wherein the blade is angled so that as the blade rotates about the axis, the proximal end of the blade precedes the distal end of the blade. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a particulate loader and transfer device with improved suction characteristics, for example, to enhance suction in the air-materials separation chamber and the vacuum pickup hose extending therefrom, to increase the distance that the particulate material can travel within the vacuum pickup hose. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a particulate loader and transfer device with improved suction characteristics, for example, to provide additional suction at the open end of and along the length of the vacuum pickup hose in the event that the particulate material is difficult to move or is fully or partially blocking the vacuum pickup hose. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a front perspective view, partially in ghost, of a particulate loader and transfer apparatus; 
         FIG. 1B  is a rear perspective view, partially in ghost, of the particulate loader and transfer apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2   a  is a perspective view, partially in ghost, of a multiple straight blade blower of one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   b  is a plan view, partially in ghost, of a multiple straight blade blower of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 2   a;    
         FIG. 2   c  is a side view, partially in ghost, of a multiple straight blade blower of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 2   a;    
         FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view, partially in ghost, of a curved blade blower of one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3   b  is a plan view, partially in ghost, of a curved blade blower of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 3   a;    
         FIG. 3   c  is a side view, partially in ghost, of a curved blade blower of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 3   a;    
         FIG. 4   a  is a perspective view, partially in ghost, of a curved blade blower of one embodiment of the present invention having a set of long curved blades and a set of short curved blades; 
         FIG. 4   b  is a plan view, partially in ghost, of a curved blade blower of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 4   a;    
         FIG. 4   c  is a side view, partially in ghost, of a curved blade blower of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 4   a;    
         FIG. 5   a  is a perspective view, partially in ghost, of an extended curved blade blower of one embodiment of the present invention having a set of extended curved blades; 
         FIG. 5   b  is a plan view, partially in ghost, of an extended curved blade blower of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 5   a;    
         FIG. 5   c  is a side view, partially in ghost, of an extended curved blade blower of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 5   a;    
         FIG. 6   a  is a perspective view, partially in ghost, of an extended curved blade blower of one embodiment of the present invention having a set of extended curved blades that are gently angled in a forward direction at the proximal end thereof; 
         FIG. 6   b  is a plan view, partially in ghost, of an extended curved blade blower of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 6   a;    
         FIG. 6   c  is a side view, partially in ghost, of an extended curved blade blower of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 6   a;    
         FIG. 6   d  is a cross-sectional view of the proximal end of an extended curved blade blower of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 6   a.    
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described. 
     In a particulate loader and transfer apparatus of the present invention such as is illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , an air-material separating chamber  2  is generally provided, having an inlet  4  which is adapted to connect to a vacuum pickup hose (not shown), relatively low pressure being created within the air-material separating chamber  2  and the vacuum pickup hose by way of one or more blowers  6  in communication with the air-material separating chamber  2 , the particulate material being drawn through the vacuum pickup hose and inlet  4  and into the air-material separating chamber  2  as a result of the relatively low pressure within the air-material separating chamber  2 , the particulate material thereafter separating itself from the airflow within the air-material separating chamber  2  (the air-material separation being aided by a separating drum  10  within the air-material separating chamber  2  through which separating drum  10  only air and small particles may pass) the particulate material falling onto an auger  8  which extends generally upwardly and outwardly from the air-material separating chamber  2  and which transports the particulate material from the bottom of the air-material separating chamber  2 , within a tubular housing  12  enclosing the auger tube  8 , through an end-dump housing  14  to a waiting truck, container or other particulate storage area. As illustrated in  FIG. 1B , the blower  6  is, for example, driven by way of a series of pulleys  7 ,  9  and  11  and a belt arrangement  13  (preferably driven by a power takeoff (not shown) by way of a drive shaft  22  in a conventional manner), a pulley  11  being secured to the blower shaft  66  in a conventional manner to drive the blower shaft  66  and blower  6 . The air drawn from the air-material separating chamber  2  by the blower is exhausted to atmosphere by way of an exhaust outlet  24 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b , and  2   c , in one embodiment of the present invention, the particulate loader and transfer apparatus has a blower  6  as illustrated in  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b , and  2   c . In this embodiment of the present invention, the blower  6  preferably has a set of 12 straight steel blades  52 , each of which is angled (as illustrated by the arrow  86 ) relative to a radial reference line  88 , and each of which is welded, riveted or otherwise securely fastened to a rear steel rotor plate  58  and to a front steel rotor plate  56  (it being understood that while  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  illustrate 12 straight steel blades  52 , fewer than or more than 12 blades may alternatively be used, and while  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  illustrate the blades  52  at an angle of approximately 45° to the radial reference line  88 , a wide range of angles may alternatively be used, and that in alternative embodiments of the present invention, aluminum or other alternative materials may be used for the blades  52 , rear steel rotor plate  58  and front steel rotor plate  56 ). When the blower is rotated (as indicated by the arrow  60 ) about the blower shaft  66  to which the rear steel rotor plate  58  is securely fastened (by way of, for example a hub  71  to which the rear steel rotor plate  58  is securely fastened, by way of, for example bolts or rivets  69 , the hub  71  being bolted or otherwise securely fastened to the blower shaft in a conventional manner known to a person skilled in the art), air is drawn into the air inlet  50  (as generally indicated by the arrow  62 A) and is drawn through the blower to the air outlet  54  (as generally indicated by the arrows  62  and  62 B). 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b , and  3   c , in one embodiment of the present invention, the particulate loader and transfer apparatus has a blower  6  as illustrated in  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b , and  3   c . In this embodiment of the present invention, the blower  6  preferably has a set of 12 curved steel blades  70 , each of which is angled (as illustrated by the arrow  86 ) relative to a radial reference line  88 , and each of which is welded, riveted or otherwise securely fastened to a rear steel rotor plate  58  and to a front steel rotor plate  56  (it being understood that while  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  illustrate 12 curved steel blades  70 , fewer than or more than 12 blades may alternatively be used, and while  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  illustrate the proximal end of the blades  70  at an angle of approximately 45° to the radial reference line  88 , a wide range of angles may alternatively be used, and that in alternative embodiments of the present invention, aluminum or other alternative materials may be used for the blades  70 , rear steel rotor plate  58  and front steel rotor plate  56 ). When the blower is rotated (as indicated by the arrow  60 ) about the blower shaft  66  to which the rear steel rotor plate  58  is securely fastened (by way of, for example a hub  71  to which the rear steel rotor plate  58  is securely fastened, by way of, for example bolts or rivets  69 , the hub  71  being bolted or otherwise securely fastened to the blower shaft in a conventional manner known to a person skilled in the art), air is drawn into the air inlet  50  (as generally indicated by the arrow  62 A) and is drawn through the blower to the air outlet  54  (as generally indicated by the arrows  62  and  62 B). 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b , and  4   c , in one embodiment of the present invention, the particulate loader and transfer apparatus has a blower  6  as illustrated in  FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b , and  4   c . In this embodiment of the present invention, the blower  6  preferably has a set of 12 long curved steel blades  80 , each of which is angled (as illustrated by the arrow  86 ) relative to a radial reference line  88 , and each of which is welded, riveted or otherwise securely fastened to a rear steel rotor plate  58  and to a front steel rotor plate  56 , and additionally, has a set of 12 short curved steel blades  82 , each of which is alternately between the long curved steel blades  80  (it being understood that while  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  illustrate 12 long curved steel blades  80  and 12 short curved steel blades, fewer than or more than 12 long blades (and correspondingly fewer or more short blades) may alternatively be used, and while  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  illustrate the proximal end of the blades  80  at an angle of approximately 45° to the radial reference line  88 , a wide range of angles may alternatively be used, and that in alternative embodiments of the present invention, aluminum or other alternative materials may be used for the long curved blades  80 , the short curved blades  82 , the rear steel rotor plate  58  and front steel rotor plate  56 ). When the blower is rotated (as indicated by the arrow  60 ) about the blower shaft  66  to which the rear steel rotor plate  58  is securely fastened (by way of, for example a hub  71  to which the rear steel rotor plate  58  is securely fastened, by way of, for example bolts or rivets  69 , the hub  71  being bolted or otherwise securely fastened to the blower shaft in a conventional manner known to a person skilled in the art), air is drawn into the air inlet  50  (as generally indicated by the arrow  62 A) and is drawn through the blower to the air outlet  54  (as generally indicated by the arrows  62  and  62 B). 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b , and  5   c , in one embodiment of the present invention, the particulate loader and transfer apparatus has a blower  6  as illustrated in  FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b , and  5   c . In this embodiment of the present invention, the blower  6  preferably has a set of 12 extended curved steel blades  90 , each of which is angled (as illustrated by the arrow  86 ) relative to a radial reference line  88 , and each of which is welded, riveted or otherwise securely fastened to a rear steel rotor plate  58  and to a front steel rotor plate  56  (it being understood that while  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  illustrate 12 curved steel blades  90 , fewer than or more than 12 blades may alternatively be used, and while  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  illustrate the proximal end of the blades  90  at an angle of approximately 20.degree. −45.degree. to the radial reference line  88 , a wide range of angles may alternatively be used, and that in alternative embodiments of the present invention, aluminum or other alternative materials may be used for the blades  90 , rear steel rotor plate  58  and front steel rotor plate  56 ). In this embodiment of the present invention each of the blades  90  extends a short distance  91  beyond the circumference  51  of the inlet  50  (in an alternative embodiment while some of the blades  90  beyond the circumference  51  of the inlet  50 , some of the blades  90  extend only to the circumference  51 , it being understood that these blades are positioned on the blower  6  in a balanced way so that no portion of the blower is out of balance relative to the other portions of the blower). When the blower is rotated (as indicated by the arrow  60 ) about the blower shaft  66  to which the rear steel rotor plate  58  is securely fastened (by way of, for example a hub  71  to which the rear steel rotor plate  58  is securely fastened, by way of, for example bolts or rivets  69 , the hub  71  being bolted or otherwise securely fastened to the blower shaft in a conventional manner known to a person skilled in the art), air is drawn into the air inlet  50  (as generally indicated by the arrow  62 A) and is drawn through the blower to the air outlet  54  (as generally indicated by the arrows  62  and  62 B). 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c  and  6   d , in one embodiment of the present invention, the particulate loader and transfer apparatus has a blower  6  as illustrated in  FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c  and  6   d . In this embodiment of the present invention, the blower  6  preferably has a set of 12 extended curved steel blades  100 , each of which is angled (as illustrated by the arrow  86 ) relative to a radial reference line  88 , and each of which is welded, riveted or otherwise securely fastened to a rear steel rotor plate  58  and to a front steel rotor plate  56  (it being understood that while  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  illustrate 12 curved steel blades  100 , fewer than or more than 12 blades may alternatively be used, and while  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  illustrate the proximal end of the blades  90  at an angle of approximately 20°-45° to the radial reference line  88 , a wide range of angles may alternatively be used, and that in alternative embodiments of the present invention, aluminum or other alternative materials may be used for the blades  100 , rear steel rotor plate  58  and front steel rotor plate  56 ). In this embodiment of the present invention the proximal end  101  of each of the blades  100  extends a distance beyond the circumference  51  of the inlet  50  and near the proximal end thereof, the edge of the blade  63  nearest the rotational axis of the blower is gently angled or curved in the direction of rotation  60  as illustrated in the cross-sectional view of the proximal end of the blade illustrated in  FIG. 6D  (in an alternative embodiment while some of the blades  100  beyond the circumference  51  of the inlet  50 , some of the blades  100  extend only to the circumference  51 , it being understood that these blades are positioned on the blower  60  in a balanced way so that no portion of the blower is out of balance relative to the other portions of the blower). When the blower is rotated (as indicated by the arrow  60 ) about the blower shaft  66  to which the rear steel rotor plate  58  is securely fastened (by way of, for example a hub  71  to which the rear steel rotor plate  58  is securely fastened, by way of, for example bolts or rivets  69 , the hub  71  being bolted or otherwise securely fastened to the blower shaft in a conventional manner known to a person skilled in the art), air is drawn into the air inlet  50  (as generally indicated by the arrow  62 A) and is drawn through the blower to the air outlet  54  (as generally indicated by the arrows  62  and  62 B). 
     The present invention has been described herein with regard to preferred embodiments. However, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein.