Improvements in the Method and Apparatus for Cleaning Wheat and other Grain.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Feb., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 20th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 20th Feb., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method and Apparatus for Cleaning Wheat
and other Grain.
ALBERT EDWARD RODGERS of 2 Marquess Road, Canonbury London N. in
the County of Middlesex, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
For cleaning wheat and other grain it is usual to employ strong currents of air
produced by a fan to blow or aspirate through the grain as it falls from a hopper
or spout to carry off dust separated by beaters brushes or otherwise. In carrying
on this operation the air becomes charged with dust which is noxious and dangerous.
My invention relates to an improved method of separating this dust from the air,
which will enable the air to be repeatedly used over again in cleaning the grain.
I make a one sided fau which takes air at a central aperture, this fan is placed at
one end of a longitudinal cylinder which is perforated; at the other end of this
cylinder is a recess the dust-laden air leaving the fan moves in a forward
direction along the perforated cylinder to the recess after which it returns
backwards fiually entering the channel by which it is conveyed to aspirate or
blow the dirty wheat or other grain and back to the central aperture of the
fan. In order that the air circulating may be cleared of part of the dust,
I provide the perforated cylinder as stated above, so that a portion of the dust
and small quantity of air passes through the perforated cylinder, thus leaving
the clean air to be drawn from the centre of the perforated cylinder for cleaning
the grain. At such distance as may be necessary a casing which in cross section
would resemble a cone with circular top, hereinafter called A, so that the dust
passing through the perforated cylinder will fall to the bottom of the case A,
where it is collected. On the outside of the case A, there is placed another or
outer case hereinafter called B, at a suitable distance from the case A to allow for
an upcurrent, so that the small quantity of air which passes with the dust, to the
bottom of case A may expand and escape by means of the space between the
cases A & B, and outlet at the top of case B into the open air free from impurities.
To allow for the discharge of the small quantity of air which passes through the
outlet of case B, fresh air may be taken in where the grain is fed, or leaves the
apparatus or by apertures in parts of the air channels. Suitable valves are
provided where necessary to adjust the currents.
Dated this 10th day of tahouane 1904
Improvements in the Method and Apparatus for Cleaning Wheat
and other Grain.
ALBERT EDWARD RODGERS, Carnarvon Villa Green Leaf Road Walthamstow
Essex, late of 2 Marquess Road Canonbury N., and 40 West Avenue Road
Walthamstow Essex, Engineer 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 improved method of separating dust which is noxious

page_text: and dangerous, from the air used in the operation of cleaning grain, which enables
the air to be repeatedly used over again.
Referring to the drawings
Fig. 1 & 6 is a longitudinal elevation.
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of separating chamber.
Fig. 3 is a transverse section of separating chamber.
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal elevation part section.
Fig. 5 is plan.
Fig. 7 & 8 end elevations.
Fig. 1 shows an arrangement where for instance the apparatus can be applied.
A is the separating chamber. The grain is fed into the machine at B and is
operated upon by the fan to exhaust the dust and light particles, the air passing
through the grain is allowed to expand in the chamber C. so that the heaviest
particles are deposited at D. after the grain passes through B it falls on to a
sieve E, and is delivered into the leg F, where it is operated on again by the fan
the heaviest particles fall at G. The separating chamber Figs. 2 & 3 consists of a
onesided fan H revolving within a perforated case I. the dust laden air having
greater specific gravity, hence higher centrifugal force, and adheres more closely to
the case I, Figs. 2 & 3 which being perforated of various designs, except for a
small portion as shown at the bottom lets the dust pass through, into the space J,
the heaviest particles falling into the bottom of casing K, which may be removed
at intervals or automatically by spiral worm, the air is then allowed to expand
again and after passing the deflectors L leaves the separating chamber at M,
comparatively pure, clean air being taken into the machine for what leaves at M.
The air which is taken into the fan chamber Fig. 3 at H to be purified, and
leaves the said chamber at N Fig. 3 enters into the machine by the trunk 0.01
Fig. 4 and O Fig. 5 at P. P 1, Fig. 4 for aspirating the grain at the feed and
delivery ends of the machine, the energy of the air being reduced by the
expanding chambers Q. Q 1 Fig. 4 enabling the heaviest of the dust to fall for
collection in these chambers, the air then enters the fan chambers to be purified as
aforesaid and completes the cycle as shown by the arrows Fig. 4 suitable valves
are provided to adjust the current of air where necessary.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is.
1. For a combination of a onesided fan working in a perforated cylinder and by
means of expanding and deflecting the air the heaviest and impure particles are
deposited, so that the air leaving the machine is comparatively pure, as herein
described thus obviating the use of dust collectors and stive rooms.
Dated this 20th day of November 1894.
ALBERT EDWARD RODGERS.