Improvements in or relating to Machines for Breaking and Cleaning Grain and other Material.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Oct., 1898-Accepted, 28th Oct., 1899
Improvements in or relating to Machines for Breaking and Cleaning
Grain and other Material.
A communication from PAUL NYs, Engineer, of 25, Rue Auguste Orts, Brussels,
in Belgium.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 111, Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:―
This invention relates to an apparatus for breaking and cleaning or husking
grain and other similar material.
The apparatus, all the operations of which take place automatically, exercises
an action only on the outer portion or hull, and thus enables the speed of work-
ing of the devices for effecting the introduction, distribution, breaking and
cleaning or husking of the material to be considerably increased.
In the accompanying drawings:.
-
Figure 1 is a cross section of the machine, all its essential parts being shown
in section.
Figures 2 and 2 show a longitudinal view partly in section on larger scale,
showing the external driving and regulating parts.
Figure 3 is an enlarged section of the distributing cylinder, and of the feed
plates.
Figure 4 is an elevation of a portion of said distributing cylinder with circular
and parallel flutes.
Figure 5 is a side elevation of the combined sectors, on an enlarged scale.
Figure 6 is a longitudinal elevation of said sectors.
Figure 7 is a development of the ribs or teeth of the sectors and the flutes of
the cylinder, on an enlarged scale.
Figure 8 shows the bosses or hubs of the sectors, driven by eccentrics, in
section on the line aa of Figure 2.
Figure 9 is a detail view of an eccentric with the boss of the sector in section,
constituting the eccentric strap.
On entering the apparatus the grain or material is directed from each side of
the apparatus between two inclined plates M and N (Figures 1 and 3) whence
it falls on to a distributing cylinder R (Figures 1 and 3), upon the circumference
of which are cut two endless grooves, inclined preferably in opposite directions
to each other (Figure 2), so as to obtain two opposite screw threads. By this
arrangement the grain is prevented from travelling longitudinally on the
cylinder, which would happen if the grooves of the distributor formed only one
screw-thread, and which would be a disadvantage. Or a series of annular
grooves (Figure 4) may be employed.
In order to prevent the grain from leaving the cylinder R during the stoppage
of the apparatus, the axis of the opening between the plates or inclined admission
planes M and N is arranged laterally relatively to the vertical axis of the

page_text: cylinder R, one of the plates, if desired, being cut out at its lower edge to conform
to the profile of the cylinder; the other plate being bent inwardly and almost
touching the cylinder.
The grain resting on the fluted distributing cylinder is not submitted to any
pressure and cannot form a heap, and is carried away by the rotation of the
cylinder and falls divided, that is to say, one by one or separately into the
apparatus without having undergone any mechanical action.
The distributor may be driven by step pulleys mounted on the cylinder and
distributor.
It will be seen that this distribution is automatic, it is sufficient to suitably
adjust the speed of the cylinder relatively to that of the distributor.
The quantity fed by the distributing cylinder depends therefore on the speed
of rotation of the cylinder.
The absence of any heaping or jambing of the grain not only improves the
quality of the product, but the avoidance of the resistance occasioned by such
jambing enables the driving power to be considerably reduced.
On leaving the cylinder R, the grain enters between the sectors ST and the
cylinder (Figures 1 and 5), the arrangement of said three parts constituting the
chief characteristic feature of the apparatus according to this invention.
Instead of effecting the double operation of splitting and cleaning or husking
by the same sector, which would require a complicated arrangement of ribs, the
inventor has discovered that it will answer the purpose much better to have a
separate part for each operation, and therefore two sectors are used, with a single
cylinder, one of which sectors, S, effects the splitting, and the other T, imine-
diately following it, effects the cleaning or husking of the grain or material.
Each sector is jointed or pivotted to a screw-threaded rod n adjustable by
means of a screw-threaded hand wheel (Figure 1) which serves to regulate the
position of said sector relatively to the cylinder. Figures 1 and 2 show
sufficiently clearly the manner of mounting and of working of these rods.
The grain after being split by the splitting sector S (Figures 1, 5 and 6)
automatically continues its course and arrives under the sector T.
The ribs or teeth of the splitting sector are larger than those of the second
sector, and more distant from the cylinder, but they may also be arranged at
the same distance if desired. Figure 7 shows on an enlarged scale a development
of the toothed edges of the sector S, and of the rotary cylinder, the parallel lines
indicating the path of the material. It will be observed that each tooth com-
prises a curved side and a straight side meeting in a point.
To facilitate the passage of the grain to the splitting sector, the sides of the
teeth of the sectors are so formed as to admit of the entrance of the grain between
the sector and main cylinder, and the desired action thereon.
As regards its working the husking sector T differs from the splitting sector
only by its position on the cylinder behind the splitting sector, and by its teeth
which are finer than those of the splitting sector.
The successive working of the two sectors is attained, in this invention, by
mounting them on a common spindle P, see Figures 5 and 6, and by causing the
carrier arm of the splitting sector to pass over that of the husking sector, as
shown in Figures 5 and 6, a space being left at the lower part of the support of
the sector T for receiving the support for the splitting sector S, which thus
oscillates on the same spindle as the sector T (Figure 6).
An important device for regulating the degree of fineness and precision of the
operation consists in the use of an eccentric, the constituent elements of which
are shown in Figures 2, 8, and 9.
These figures show that the distance of the lower sector, that is to say, of
the one acting after the splitting sector, from the cylinder is regulated by
means of the screw n. This sector turns by means of its two bosses BC (Figures 2,
8 and 9) on two eccentric sheaves D and E (Figures 2, 8 and 9), secured to the
shaft operated by the lever F (Figure 2). The distance is therefore first approxi-

page_text: mately regulated by means of the screw, and then finally adjusted with great
nicety by means of the said lever operating the eccentrics so as to attain the
desired degree of fineness and precision in treatment.
It must be understood that only the lower sector is acted upon in this manner,
there being no necessity for adjusting the distance of the splitting sector from
the cylinder to such a degree of nicety.
To prevent grain from escaping at the sides of the cylinder, the sector-holders
are each provided with two side-plates UV, one at each side, which also cover the
splitting sector (Figures 1 and 5).
Two plates J and J¹ serve as a hopper for directing the grain to the splitting
sector.
Owing to this arrangement of splitting and cleaning sectors co-operating with
each other and with the cylinder, a very favourable result is obtained. The
working of the machine is as follows:-
The grain is at first split by the first sector S by the strong ribs or teeth
arranged at a determined distance from the cylinder, thence it passes between
the cylinder and the sector T, where it is seized about the centre of the back of
the flutes of the cylinder.
It is necessary to simply break up the grain but not to crush it, and this result
is obtained according to this invention, owing to the fact that the grooves or
flutes of the cylinder being arranged as described, the contact of the back and
the summit of two adjoining grooves lasts only a very short time, immediately
after which the grain, which, as it will be easily understood, is then broken up
in small pieces, is simply rolled between the summits of the groove of the
cylinder and the backs of the ribs of the cleaning or husking sector T.
In this way, if it has not been sufficiently reduced it will be brought between
the back and the summit of two corresponding following grooves, and so on,
as will be easily understood by those acquainted with similar machines.
If desired, the distance between the teeth of the splitting segment may gradu-
ally diminish from front to back.
The numerous advantages of the apparatus according to this invention may be
summed up as follows:-
1: The apparatus gives by a single passage 80 per cent. of middlings free
from flour, and consequently, avoids the necessity of three passages in grinding.
2: The reduction effected by the apparatus according to this invention is much
better as regards quality and efficiency.
3: The products destined for distilleries and breweries are much more suit-
able for manufacture, and their use offers great advantages as regards efficiency.
4: The motive power required for driving the apparatus is much smaller than
that required for apparatus hitherto used.
5: The products do not become heated as the work is effected without pressure.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A splitting and cleaning or husking machine provided with an eccentric
device for regulating the degree of precision and fineness of treatment charac-
terised by a distributing cylinder having grooves for quickly effecting and
regulating the admission of the material into the machine without jambing,
combined with two inclined planes terminating at the side of the vertical axis
of said cylinder, in order to guide the material on to the distributing cylinder,
and a lever operating eccentrics for the purpose of adjusting with great pre-
cision the distance between the surfaces between which the operation takes
place.
2. In a machine of the kind described a distributing cylinder with grooves
arranged in opposite directions, two inclined planes or plates, one of which is
cut out to conform to the shape of the cylinder, and terminates at a distance

page_text: from said cylinder so that, without there being any friction or contact between
it and the cylinder, the plates will prevent the material from escaping, the other
plate serving as a guide and having its end bent in the direction of the other
plate and being very nearly in contact with the cylinder, substantially as and
for the purpose described.
3. In a machine of the kind described the arrangement on the same cylinder
of two sectors, one in front of the other, and serving respectively to split and
clean or husk the grain or material.
4. In a machine of the kind described a splitting sector, the teeth of which
co-operate with the grooves on the main cylinder to split the grain or material,
the sector being mounted on an arm passing above the cleaning sector, and a
cleaning sector, the teeth of which cooperate with the grooves of the cylinder in
such a manner that the material on issuing from the splitting sector is imprisoned
between about the centre of the convex back of the teeth of the sector and the
summit of the grooves of the cylinder, in such manner that it is only broken
up without being ground, the material immediately after being simply rolled
between the convex faces of the grooves of the cylinder and of the cleaning
sector, the position of the latter relatively to the cylinder being first approxi-
mately regulated by means of a screw and afterwards finally adjusted by means of
a lever operating eccentrics on the shaft carrying the sector.
5. In a machine of the kind described means for regulating the position of the
sectors comprising screw-threaded rods connected to said sectors and operated
by hand wheels, in combination with an eccentric and an operating lever, for
effecting the final exact adjustment of the reducing sector, substantially as
described.
6. In a machine of the kind described the configuration of the grooves as here-
inbefore described with reference to Figure 7, the teeth of the splitting sector
being wider than those of the cleaning sector, and if desired gradually decreasing
in size.
7. In a machine of the kind described the arrangement of cheeks or side-plates
on the sector-holders for preventing material from escaping at the sides of the
cylinder.
8. In a machine of the kind described the arrangement of plates forming a
hopper for guiding the material towards the splitting sector, substantially as
described.
9. In a machine of the kind described the arrangement of a lever acting on
an eccentric mounted on the shaft of the cleaning sector of the machine for the
purpose of obtaining, after the first preliminary adjustment of the distance of the
sector from the cylinder, a second final exact." adjustment, substantially as
described.
10. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete
splitting and cleaning or husking machine substantially as described or illus-
trated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 29th day of October 1898.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for Applicant.