Year: 1889

page_text: 1, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
M.I.M.E., 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 :-
The object of the invention is to design a simple and light-running machine for
scouring and cleaning grain; and it consists essentially of a peculiarly-constructed
revolving conveyor located within a perforated cylinder surrounded by a cbamber
containing a suction fan situated at the upper end of the conveyor the chamber
containing the fan being arranged to communicate with other chambers in such a
manner that the dust and impurities from the grain shall be drawn out and discharged
while a complete circulation is maintained through the machine substantially in the
manner hereinafter more particularly explained.
In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective sectional elevation of this improved
scourer and cleaner.
Fig. 2 is a perspective detail of the air-regulating valves for regulating the passage
of the air between the chambers having an upward draft and the chainbers having a
downward draft.
Fig. 3 is a detail showing the plan of connecting a brush to the perforated
cylinder.
A represents a conveyor formed of any suitable material and connected to a shaft B
preferably made large in diameter and hollow where the conveyor is connected to it.
This shaft B is supported in suitable bearings in a vertical position and on the bottom
end of the shaft a driving pulley C is fixed while on its upper end a fan D is
attached. E is a perforated cylinder fixed within the inner chainber F and designed
to contain the conveyor A. The suction fan D is situated within the chamber F

page_text: immediately above the perforated cylinder E.
An opening G is made in the wall of
the chamber F immediately opposite to the fan Q. The fan D is formed so that when
it revolves an upward draft is created in the chamber F and discharges through the
opening G into the blast chamber H. A shaft I is placed immediately below each
opening G and projects into the chamber E so as to protect the openings J which form
a communication between the chamber H and the chamber K which surrounds the
chamber F. L is an air-leg. The upper end of this leg is connected by the passage-
ways M with the inner chamber F and its lower end is shaped so as to extend through
the walls of the chambers K and F into the perforated cylinder E.
N is the grain
spout connecting with the air-leg L and 0 is the discharge spout communicating with
the chamber F through the passage-way P. Q represents the valves for regulating
the passage of the air from the chamber K into the air-leg L; and R are the valves
for regulating the passage of the air from the chamber K into the discharge spout O.
Having now referred to the, mechanical parts involved in this invention I shall
proceed to briefly describe the operation of the machine. Before doing so I beg
to draw attention to the fact that this machine is vertical and it, will, be, noticed as
proceed with the description that the grain which enters the bottom of the machine
is elevated by the conveyor and is discharged from the top of the machine thereby
obviating the necessity of using elevators for elevating the grain after it has been
scoured and cleaned. The grain, which enters through, the grain-spout N into the
air-leg L falls and enters the bottom end of the perforated cylinder E and as the
conveyor A revolves in the direction indicated by arrow within the said perforated
cylinder the grain falling into the bottom end of the revolving conveyor A is
elevated to its top and is discharged through the passage-way S into the discharge
spout O. It will be noticed that the outer edge of the conveyor A is cut or shaped
to form a series of fingers a each finger being slightly curved so that one edge of each
finger shall be above the edge of the finger next to it. This shape of conveyor in
revolving acts against the grain so as to roll each. kernel and thus by thoroughly
agitating the grain ensures its perfect scouring.
Owing to the motion of the fan D and the arrangement of the passage-ways between
the chambers as herein described an upward draft is produced within the chamber F,
air-leg L, and discharge spout 0; while a downward blast is created through the
chamber K and a side blast within the chamber H. The passage-ways or openings
between the chambers air-leg and spout ensures a complete circulation of a draft
within the machine. The upward draft in the air-leg L raises the dust and light
refuse from the grain as it enters the leg L and the said dust is discharged into the
chamber H where it falls on the slanting bottom T of the said chamber and the
upward draft in the chamber F raises the dust and cleanings shaken from the grain
during the period that it is being elevated by the conveyor A and discharges the said
dust and cleanings into the chamber H where they fall by their own gravity onto the
bottom T of the said chamber from which they are withdrawn through the doors U.
The openings J permit the air blown into the chamber H to find an escape through
the chamber K and through an opening V at the bottom of the said chamber, back
into the chamber F thus maintaining the desired circulation.
With the view of maintaining the necessary circulation through the air-leg L and
discharge spout 0 openings are made between them and the air-chamber K, valves Q
and R being placed on the said openings so that the strength of the draft may be
regulated by the miller.
Instead of making the cylinder E entirely of perforated metal, a series of brushes W
(see Fig. 3) may sometimes be introduced at such points as may be desired. It will
be observed that the shelves I prevent the dust and cleanings from falling into the
chamber K and it will-further be observed that the grain entering the bottom of the
machine is more thoroughly separated and therefore better cleaned than it would be
were it to be entered at the top of the machine as of course this revolving elevating
conveyor works against gravitation whereas if the grain entered at its top it would be
working with gravitation and, would, therefore have a tendency to compress the grain
rather than separate it as it now does...

page_text: By making the shaft B hollow a large surface is secured for connecting the
conveyor to the shaft and additional strength is obtained without materially increasing
the weight.
In referring to the conveyor as vertical I do not wish to imply that it must be
exactly perpendicular.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, 1 declare that what I claim is ;-
1. A vertical conveyor revolving within a perforated cylinder in combination with
passage-ways designed to spout the grain into the bottom of the conveyor and to
discharge it out of the top of the cylinder substantially as and for the
specified.
purpose
2. A conveyor revolving within a perforated cylinder and having its outer edge
formed into a series of fingers each finger being curved or bent so that one edge
shall project slightly above the edge of the finger next to it, in combination with
passage-ways designed to spout the grain into one end of the conveyor and to discharge
it out of the other end substantially as and for the purpose specified.
3. A vertical conveyor revolving within a perforated cylinder and having its outer
edge formed into a series of fingers each finger being curved or bent so that one
edge shall project slightly above the edge of the finger next to it in combination
with passage-ways designed to spout the grain into the bottom of the conveyor and
to discharge it out of the top of the conveyor substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
4. A vertical conveyor revolving within a perforated cylinder in combination with
passage-ways designed to convey the grain into the bottom of the conveyor and to
discharge it out of the top of the conveyor a suction fan located above the conveyor
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
5. A vertical conveyor revolving within a perforated cylinder and having its outer
edge formed into a series of fingers each finger being curved or bent so that one
edge shall project slightly above the edge of the finger next to it in combination with
passage-ways designed to convey the grain into the bottom of the conveyor and to
discharge it out of the top of the conveyor and with a suction fan located above the
conveyor substantially as and for the purpose specified.
6. A vertical conveyor revolving within a perforated cylinder contained within a
chamber a revolving suction fan contained within the said chamber in which it is
designed to produce an upward draft and an outward blast through the sides of the
said chamber in combination with passage-ways designed to spout the grain into the
bottom of the conveyor and to discharge it out of the top of the conveyor substantially
as and for the purpose specified.
7. A vertical conveyor revolving within a perforated cylinder contained within a
chamber the edges of the said conveyor being formed into a series of fingers each
finger being curved or bent so that one edge shall project slightly above the edge of
the finger next to it a revolving suction fan contained within the said chamber in
which it is designed to produce an upward draft. and an outward blast through the
sides of the said chamber in combination with passage-ways designed to spout the
grain into the bottom of the conveyor and to discharge it out of the top of
the conveyor substantially as and for the purpose specified.
8. A vertical conveyor revolving within a perforated cylinder contained within a
chamber a revolving suction fan contained within the said chamber in which it is
designed to produce an upward draft and an outward blast through the sides of the
said chamber into a chamber arranged to communicate with a chamber connected to
the chamber containing the conveyor at or near its bottom end, in combination
with passage-ways designed to spout the grain into the bottom of the conveyor and
to discharge it out of the top of the conveyor substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
9. A vertical conveyor revolving within a perforated cylinder contained within a

page_text: chamber a revolving suction fan contained within the said chamber in which it is
designed to produce an upward draft and an outward blast through the sides of the
said chamber into the chamber H arranged to communicate with the chamber K
connected to the chamber containing the conveyor at or near its bottom end shelves
projecting over the openings between the chamber H and chamber K being provided
in combination with passage-ways designed to spout the grain into the bottom of the
conveyor and to discharge it out of the top of the conveyor substantially as and for
the purpose specified.
10. A vertical conveyor revolving within a perforated cylinder contained within a
chamber a revolving suction fan contained within the said chamber in which it is
designed to produce an upward draft and an outward blast through the sides of the
said chamber into the chamber H arranged to communicate with the chamber K
connected to the chamber containing the conveyor at or near its bottom end shelves
projecting over the openings between the chamber H and chamber K being provided.
in combination with the air-leg I, connected at its upper end with the chamber
containing the suction fan and at its bottom end with the interior of the perforated
cylinder at or near the bottom end of the revolving conveyor a grain spout being
connected to the said air-leg near its bottom and a discharge spout communicating
with the interior of the perforated cylinder at the top of the conveyor substantially
as and for the purpose specified.
11. A vertical conveyor revolving within a perforated cylinder having a series of
brushes arranged in it, said perforated cylinder being contained within a chamber
a revolving suction fan contained within the said chamber in which it is designed to
produce an upward draft and an outward blast through the sides of the said chamber
into the chamber H arranged to communicate with the chamber K connected to
the chamber containing the conveyor at or near its bottom end in combination
with the air-leg L connected at its upper end with the chamber containing the
suction fan and at its bottom end with the interior of the perforated cylinder at or
near the bottom end of the revolving conveyor a grain spout being connected to the
said air-leg near its bottom and a discharge spout communicating with the interior
of the perforated cylinder at the top of the conveyor substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
12. A vertical conveyor revolving within a perforated cylinder having a series of
brushes arranged in it said perforated cylinder being contained within a chamber a
revolving suction fan contained within the said chamber in which it is designed to
produce an upward draft and an outward blast through the sides of the said chamber
into the chamber H arranged to communicate with the chamber K connected to the
chamber containing the conveyor at or near its bottom end in combination with
an air-leg L connected at its upper end with the chamber containing the suction fan
and at its bottom end with the interior of the perforated cylinder at or near the
bottom end of the revolving conveyor a grain spout being connected to the said
air-leg near its bottom and above one or more air-regulating valves placed on an
opening or openings connecting the air-leg with the chamber K and a discharge spout
communicating with the interior of the perforated cylinder at the top of the conveyor
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
13. A vertical conveyor revolving within a perforated cylinder having a series of
brushes arranged in it said perforated cylinder being contained within a chamber a
revolving suction fan contained within the said chamber in which it is designed to
produce an upward draft and an outward blast through the sides of the said chamber
into the chamber H arranged to communicate with the chamber K connected to the
chamber containing the conveyor at or near its bottom end in combination with the
air-leg L connected at its upper end with the chamber containing the suction fan
and at its bottom end with the interior of the perforated cylinder at or near the
bottom end of the revolving conveyor a grain spout being connected to the said air-leg
near its bottom and above one or more air-regulating valves placed on an opening
or openings connecting the air-leg with the chamber K and a discharge spout
communicating with the interior of the perforated cylinder at the top of the conveyor

page_text: and with the interior of the chamber containing the suction fan regulating air valve
or valves being placed on an opening or openings made between the discharge spout
and chamber K below the passage-way leading between the said discharge spout and
the interior of the perforated cylinder substantially as and for the purpose specified.
14. A conveyor revolving within a perforated cylinder and having a suction fan
located at one of its ends, in combination with passage-ways designed to spout the
grain into one end of the conveyor and to discharge it out of the other end substantially
as and for the purpose specified.
15. An improved grain scourer and cleaner constructed substantially as herein
shown and described.