AN IMPROVED MALT TURNING APPARATUS
Year: 1876

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Frank Wirth at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 9th June 1876. A communication from
Ritz Brothers, residing at Stuttgart, in the Empire of Germany.
FRANK WIRTH, of the Firm of Wirth and Company, Patent Agency, of Frankfort-
on the Main, in the Empire of Germany. "AN IMPROVED MALT TURNING
APPARATUS." A communication.
-
My Invention has for its object an improved malt turning apparatus which will
facilitate the operation of malting, and principally the drying of green malt, and
reduce the cost of manufacture.
This improved apparatus consists of the following three principal parts, namely
racks, a shovel drum, and lateral mechanism.
The said racks are fixed on two sides of the kiln by pieces which project into the
wall and guide the shovel drum by means of the said lateral mechanism extending
from one end of the malt kiln to the other. The shovel drum extends from one
rack to the other, and is moved by the lateral mechanism and the racks, and by
this movement turns the malt in proper manner. This drum may be made of any
suitable material and construction, which depends partly on the nature of the
lateral mechanism, partly on the number and form of the shovels. The shovel
drum is made of sheet iron with two ranges of shovels, the same consists of the
following parts: First, the central piece; second, the tongues; third, the shovels;
and fourth, the hinges uniting the shovels with the aforesaid parts.
First. The central piece gives additional strength to the shovel drum and
supports the shovels which are fixed to the same.
Second. The tongues which also increase the strength of the drum afford a proper
escapement of the malt, the same project over the circle which can be drawn round
the central piece, but in cases where less malt than usual is spread on the kiln they
may be shorter in order that as little possible free space may be left below the
drum. For this purpose the tongues can be regulated in length. If the sides of
said tongues are somewhat bent a more regular escapement of the malt is effected.
Third. The shovels, which work only in one direction, are hinged on both sides
of the central piece in such manner that they, if wholly opened, form an obtuse
angle with the said central piece. They project from the periphery of the drum so
that they can easily grasp the malt which is spread on the kiln.
Din 077

page_text: The length of the shovels corresponds to the width of the drum, whilst the
breadth of the paddles depends on the nature of the kiln. They may be made of
any suitable form. The simplest form that of a rectangularly cut sheet iron piece,
which is rounded on the front side in order that the joints shall not offer any
obstacle. The piece may be hammered in order to increase its stiffness. If the
shovels are on both sides bent upwards they may be somewhat apart, but the space
left must be closed by a subsequent shovel.
Fourth. The hinges give to the shovels a position which allows the shovels to
slide easily on the bottom of the kiln. In order that the shovels may not prevent
the falling off of the malt the movement of the said. hinges is arrested by a pin.
If the shovels are by a special mechanism held in their proper position the said
hinges may be dispensed with and hinges of ordinary construction may be used.
The lateral mechanism gives proper movement to the shovel drum, and is placed
on both sides of the kiln.
The same consists of the following parts:- The lower principal bearing, two half-
pinions, two arresters, a carriage, and bearing rollers, supports, a toothed wheel and
pinion, and a chain pulley.
The shaft of the shovel drum rests on the lower principal bearing, and the half-
pinion is keyed to the said axle in such manner that the same is placed in the
interior of the principal bearing, whilst the part of the half pinion moves the
side mechanism and in consequence also the shovel drum forward; the other part
arrests the same by the arrester. This latter operation has for its end to get raised
the shovels as strictly possible in order that a too strong pushing forward of the
malt may be prevented.
In certain cases the half pinions may be replaced by a undivided pinion. For
attaining the above-mentioned end in an effectual manner the shovel drum may by
levers, gearings, or excentrics be moved back whilst the shovels go upwards.
The sliding carriage with its bearing rollers sliding on the rack is by the supports
in connection with the lower mechanism and in consequence with the rack, and has
to bear the drum with its appendixes.
The toothed wheel, which at the same time forms the end of the shovel drum, is
also fixed on the latter. By the pinion and the chain pulley fixed on the same
shaft and placed in the opening of the carriage, and by an endless chain the whole
mechanism is brought in connection with a crank.
In order to prevent the falling of the malt on the racks or into the side
mechanism there is a guard over the edges of the toothed wheel. The side mechanism
is arranged in such manner that the change of temperature does not alter its movement.
In order that the drum may be turned several times on the ends of the rack, two
fixed teeth of the rack are replaced by two moveable teeth. The latter are held in
their position by a helical spring. The drum is arrested on the ends of the racks by
an arrester, and the arrester is provided with a bolt in which is fitted a piece on the
principal bearing, and which by the pressure of the helical spring prevents the
mechanism from being pushed forward too early by the endless chain. Brooms
may be arranged on the tongues or on the rear part of the shovels, or in the middle
piece of the drum.