Patent GB-1158277-A (GB)
Title: Continuous Cleaning Apparatus.
IPC: B24C3/08
Filed: 1967-04-20
Abstract: 1,158,277. Blasting. PANGBORN CORP. 20 April, 1967 [26 May, 1966], No. 18196/67. Heading B3D. A continuous blast cleaning apparatus comprises a barrel open at both ends to permit the axial flow of workpieces therethrough, feed means at one end of the barrel for supplying workpieces one at a time into the barrel, and discharge means at the other end of the barrel for receiving the workpieces one at a time from the barrel. According to one aspect of the invention, the barrel is mounted for rotation, and the apparatus comprises positive rotational control means for varying the rate of rotation of the barrel. According to another aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises means for rotating the barrel and workpieces therein and means for holding the workpieces in a fixed position relative to the barrel to provide a positive control of the disposition of the workpieces as they flow through the barrel. According to another aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises means for rotating the barrel and workpieces therein and a plurality of treating means disposed at different locations with respect to the circumferential periphery of the barrel for applying treating media into the barrel from different radial directions. Workpieces 10 are fed by conveyers 12 to the open feed end of a rotatable barrel 14, being pushed one at a time into the barrel by a piston-cylinder 16 thus advancing the workpieces in the barrel. As a new workpiece is inserted a cleaned workpiece is discharged from the opposite end of the barrel. Positive discharge is effected by a kick-out roller 17 vertically adjustable by jack screw 66. The cleaned workpieces are received on conveyer 18 and transferred by piston-cylinder 20 to oscillator conveyer 22 for facilitating removal of spent abrasive which is conveyed to a storage bin. The workpieces are removed by conveyer 26. While the workpieces are being advanced the barrel 14 is not rotating; when the advance is completed, the barrel 14 makes one or more revolutions before stopping for the next advance. With workpieces of circular or near circular shape the barrel 14 may continue rotating during the advance stroke. When the workpieces are advanced with the rotation stopped, the blast wheels 28 are positioned to hit the most critical cleaning area, e.g. the blast is directed into the ports of intake manifolds during the advance. The barrel rotation can be varied to give a different rate of rotation within a revolution, e.g. by a cam 30 operating a valve 60 to control an hydraulic rotating actuator 54. The barrel 14 is a removable unit having a replaceable ring gear 40 at each end. Replaceable tires 42 are mounted adjacent the gears and centrally. The tires ride on rollers 44, the gears 40 meshing with pinions 46. The barrel body is slotted to permit blasting therethrough and has a cross-section suitable for particular workpieces; work guide bars 48 are secured to plates 52 in end supports 50 and central tire 42. Most workpieces are shaped at their ends in such a way that the ends can be cleaned. If space is needed between workpieces for end cleaning, lugs 32 may be provided on castings; alternatively, spacing balls 34 may be inserted between the workpieces. The ends of workpieces may be blast-cleaned before they enter the cabinet 38. In the case of workpieces having ends which are flat or irregular so that they will not push each other if placed in the barrel horizontally, the workpieces are inserted into the barrel at right angles to each other so that positive non-jamming thrust is obtained.