Improvements in Machines for Clipping, Scouring, Cleaning, Grading, and Separating Grain.
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Clipping, Scouring, Cleaning,
Grading, and Separating Grain.
1, WILLIAM WALLACE INGRAHAM, of 62 Centre Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, United
States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR CLIPPING, SCOURING, CLEANING, GRADING AND
SEPARATING GRAIN," and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to machines for clipping oats barley, and other bearded
grain, and also for cleaning, grading, and separating grain. My said invention
consists
Firstly In the construction of the hopper and connecting devices, through which
the grain is fed into the machine.
Secondly In the construction of the screen frame for feeding the grain through
the side spouts or through the clipping or scouring cylinder.
Thirdly In the construction of the clipping and scouring apparatus.
Fourthly In the construction of the valves for regulating the discharge of the
grain from the clipping and scouring cylinder.
Fifthly In the construction by which passages are made for the admission of air
into the cleaning cylinder.
Sixthly In the construction of a duct and discharge spouts and fans whereby the
separations are made of the grain.
My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings the figures of which are
hereinafter referred to.
In figure 1, of the drawing, I show a front elevation of my machine, parts thereof
being broken away to show internal construction. Figure 2, is a side elevation,
also partly broken away. A is a hopper into which the grain to be treated is fed, and
from which the grain passes upon the screen or sieves (C) in the shaker B. The
shaker B is vibrated in the usual well-known manner, by means of a belt and pulley.
Beneath the hopper (A) there is the passage, as clearly shown in figure 4, sheet 2,
leading into the suction-trunk or chute D. This suction-trunk or chute D opens into the
fan case (E) and provides a separation of chaff and light material to be made from the
grain as it passes from the hopper (A) on to the sieves in the shaker (B). The
passage from the bottom of the hopper (A) to the suction-trunk (D), is upwardly
inclined, and has upon its under side a rib or cleat (a¹) to prevent any
kernels of grain from being drawn over into the chute (D). The shaker B is
provided with several sieves of varying meshes, and the grain passing through these
sieves, is carried off into the inclined chute (F), and the grain which does not pass
through all of the sieves is carried off into the inclined chute (G). The grain
in one of these chutes F, is carried to one side of the machine, and the grain that is
delivered into the inclined chute G is carried to the other side of 'the machine. The
grain is conducted from either side of the machine through the spouts H into the
cylindrical casing I, when it is desired to clip or scour the grain. There are valves J
in the spouts H, which, when turned across the spouts H, cause the grain to pass
down passages K, when it is desired to simply separate the grain, as hereinafter
specified.
The clipping or scouring cylinder or drum L is constructed preferably of wood,
but may
be made of any suitable material, and is securely and rigidly attached to
the shaft M, so as to revolve with it. This drum L carries on its outer surface what
I term "willowers" N. O represents a base plate arranged immediately below the
drum Land cylindrical casing I, and serves to support the casing I which surrounds
the drum L. The casing I is double, there being an inner casing and an outer casing,

page_text: both imperforate, the former arranged close to the clipping or scouring drum I, and
the latter surrounding the former and arranged at some little distance from the same
forming an air space P between them. This air space is closed at the top by a
ring or cover Q. The casing I is provided on its inner face with a lining Ŕ, con-
structed in the manner hereinafter set forth, and forms a concave, which co-operates
with the wallowers N on the outer surface of the drum L. A space of of an
inch is left between the faces of the concave lining R and wallowers N at their
nearest point. The drum L does not extend upward quite so far as the casing I,
there being thus formed a clear space in the top of the casing into which the grain
is fed by means of the inclined spouts, H. On each side of the machine there is
arranged a valve chamber S, extending to the front and rear a distance nearly equal
to the diameter of the casing I, immediately below the base-plate O. The side walls
of each valve chamber are formed with the framing T of the machine. The top is
formed by the base-plate O, and the bottom by an inclined plate U, which serves to
discharge the grain into the separating-trunks V on each side of the machine.
Within each of the valve-chambers S is arranged a valve ✗, which is secured upon
the shaft (Y), which extends forward to the front of the machine, and is provided with
an arm or lever Z, upon which is mounted an adjustable weight A', by means of
which the discharge of the grain through the valve X is regulated. The shaft Y,
which forms the fulcrum of the valve X, is, however, not arranged at the top of the
valve, but at the point near the bottom of one side of the valve, for the purposes
hereinafter specified. These valves X are of somewhat less width than the valve-
chambers in which they are located, as clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, so
that a clear space is left on each side of said valve for the passage of air through
the discharge-opening in the base-plate O.
Above each valve X there is formed through the base-plate O a slot or opening a
about the length of the width of the valve X, and of a width about equal to the
width of the space between the face of the concave or lining R and the drum L, and
conforming in curvature to that space. There are also formed through the base-
plate a series of slots b and d, arranged below the space P in the cylindrical
casing. The slots bare formed in those portions of said base-plate, which are above
the valves X, while the slots d are located at the front and rear, where the bottom
of the plate is not covered by the valve-chambers, and these latter slots establish
communication between the space P and the outer air. The wallowers N are
omitted from the extreme lower portion of the drum L, and there are mounted on
this portion of said drum sweeps c, which project from the face thereof outward far
.enough to extend about half-way over the slots or openings a, as clearly shown in
Figs. 3 and 6. The wallowers Ň are constructed in the manner shown in detail in
Figs. 7, 8, and 9. Each wallower consists of a base, by means of which it is
connected to the drum L, and the horizontal body f, provided with radial corruga-
tions or grooves. The forward edge of this body is notched, as shown at 9.
Extending from the front inner edge of this horizontal body diagonally outward is
a row of vertical pins h, and in the rear of these pins there is formed a diagonal
vertical rib i, both on the upper and under side of the horizontal body, these ribs
terminating in an enlargement j, the front face of which is substantially radial to the
cylindrical drum and consequently parallel to the corrugations of the body f. These
wallowers are arranged in spiral rows around the cylindrical drum, so that, beginning
at the bottom, each wallower is arranged slightly in the. rear of the one below it in the
same row. The bodies of the wallowers being shorter than their bases, there is
thus formed between the spiral rows of wallowers corresponding spiral air-spaces
on the face of the drum, extending from the bottom to the top thereof. The
lining R is preferably constructed in sections, and may be either such as is shown
in Figs. 10 and 11, or as shown in Figs. 12 and 13. In each case it is grooved or
corrugated. In the former construction each section is provided except at its ends,
with vertical grooves k, intercepted by horizontal rib 1. The end portions of each
section are provided with horizontal grooves m, and are beveled off at their
extremities, as shown at n. These sections are mounted upon the inner face of the

page_text: cylindrical casing I in horizontal rows end to end, so that the beveled ends of the
sections form, where they meet, vertical pockets, the sections of each row being
arranged to break joints with the section comprising the rows above and below it,
so that these pockets do not extend continuously from top to bottom of the casing.
In a modified form of lining shown in Figs. 12 and 13, each section is provided
with corrugations or grooves extending both horizontally and vertically, as shown,
these corrugations, where they meet or intercept, forming a series of pockets over the
whole face of the section. These two forms of lining may be employed either singly
or in combination, and in this latter case I prefer to employ for the upper part of the
casing, the form shown in figures 10 and 11, for the reason that it admits the grain
more freely than the form shown in Figs. 12 and 12. This part of my machine thus
constructed operates in the following manner:
.
The
By properly turning valves J the grain from either or both of the spouts H may
be directed into the casing I and will pass down slowly between the drum and casing,
at the same time being carried around at a high rate of speed. The blast-fan in the
case chamber E by its suction exhausts the air in the upper part of the casing thereby
causing a strong current of air to pass upward between the casing I and drum I,
chiefly through the spiral air-spaces between the wallowers of the drum. The arrange-
ment of wallowers with spiral air-spaces between them, in conjunction with the
high rate of speed at which the drum revolves, also tends to cause a current of air to
pass upward through said air-spaces independently of the suction of the fan.
notched front edges g of the wallowers engage with the grain, and, as it passes over
the horizontal body of the wallowers, the pins and ribs thereof tend to throw the grain
out towards, the lining or the radial corrugations cause the grain to assume such a
position that each individual grain has its longitudinal axis radial to the cylinder.
The object of this is to cause the grain to be tumbled end over end between the
wallowers and the concave lining of the casing, so as to clip or break off the spur or
barb thereon. The grain which is not thus carried radially outward, passes off at the
rear end of each wallower, and diagonally downward across the air-space between
the wallowers into the next row. While thus passing through said space, the
grain is of course subjected to the action of the current of air passing upward
through the same, and impurities are thus carried off. The enlargement j
at the end of the ribs i is for the purpose of preventing the end of the
rib from being rapidly worn away by the friction of grain. The action of the lining
or concave upon the grain is somewhat similar to that just described. When the form
shown in figures 10 and 11 is used, the grain accumulates in the pockets formed by
the meeting of the beveled ends of the sections, and, being carried out of said
pockets as it accumulates, it is caused to assume an end wise position by the horizontal
grooves, being then tumbled end over end over the vertical groove surface with
which the rest of the section is provided.. When the form in Figs. 12 and 13. is
used, the grain simply tumbles endwise from pocket to pocket. When the grain
rests in a pocket, it remains there until forced out by the accumulation of other
grain and during this process the friction of the grain upon itself serves to
thoroughly scour and polish the same. It will be understood, of course, that during
this portion of the operation the valves ✗ are closed so that the grain accumulates in
the casing, and the drum revolves with the wallowers in a mass of grain. As the
grain passes downward and reaches the bottom of the cylinder, it passes out through
the slots or openings a in the following manner:
The sweeps c when they engage with the grain at the bottom of the cylinder throw
it radially outward, their action in this respect being to give the grain a centrifugal
tendency, while at the same time it is carried around until it reaches the slots a.
The grain passes downward through the slots, the sweeps passing over the slots keep
them comparatively clear of grain, and prevent the clogging of the grain in the
This leaves a clear space extending along the inner balf of each slot a
through which air is drawn up from the valve chamber S into the casing, and passes
upwardly as previously described. The valves X, being shorter, than the valve-
chambers, leave an air space at each end of said valve through which air may pass
sluts.

page_text: i
:
from the separating trunk into the casing I. A further supply of air for the valve-
chamber is obtained by means of the slots b and d, the air being drawn from the outer
atmosphere through the slots d'into the space P, and down from said space into the
valve-chamber through the slots b. A plentiful supply of air is thus obtained which
enters the casing at the bottom through the same orifices at which the grain is
discharged, and passes upwards between the casing and drum directly through the
grain as it is being operated upon, thereby carrying off all impurities and light
particles.
.
The resistance which the valves X offer to the discharge of the grain, is
regulated by adjusting the weight A' upon the arms Z of the valve rod Y.
By locating the fulcra of these valves below instead of at the top of the
valves, not only renders them much more sensitive, but the heel of the valve
is also prevented from swinging inward toward the wall of the valve-casing, as
it does when the valve is suspended from the top.. In which latter case portions of
grain are frequently jammed between the heel of the valve and the wall of the valve-
casing, thereby preventing the valve from opening to its full extent, clogging the
machine and damaging the grain. The grain accumulates in the valves ✗ until a
sufficient quantity rests there to overcome the weights A' when the valves open and
allow the grain to pass out. This regulates the rapidity in which the grain is
discharged from the machine, the weights being adjusted to detain the grain until
it is sufficiently operated upon to produce the desired results.
I will now describe the parts of my machine which pertain to the separation and
grading of the grain.
The shaker B is provided with an upper screen C, upon which the grain passes
the light impurities being drawn from it through the passage back of the hopper A
into the trunk D.
This upper screen is of comparatively coarse mesh and the screens below it have
finer mesh. The lower or short screen is the usual cockle-sieve, and has finer mesh
than the middle-screen. The shaker B has a rapid vibratory motion, and has at its
front end inclined boxes G and F for conveying the grain to either side of the
machine, as heretofore described. The middle screen which is shorter than the upper
screen, terminates just in front of the front box G so that the portion of the grain
which is too large to pass through this screen, is discharged into the box G. The
smaller grain which passes through this middle screen falls upon the cockle-sieve or
screen and is discharged into the rear box F. The cockle, sand, grass-seed, and other
small impurities pass through the cockle-sieve and are discharged into a receptacle o,
and from thence into the hopper p at the upper end of the pipe, through which they
are discharged at either side of the machine. Each of the boxes G and F is provided
at the lower end of its inclined bottom with a discharge aperture q, through which
the grain passes in trunks r. Each trunk is connected at its rear end to the
corresponding trunks, which leads back to the separating chamber and blast-fan, so
that a blast of air is passed from said trunks in the direction indicated by the arrows.
These trunks serve to effect a further separation of the chaff and other light impurities
from the grain as it passes downward through the same. Each trunk r is provided
at its front end from the bottom thereof with an opening which communicates with a
downward conductor K, as well as with an opening, which communicatos with inclined
spouts H, and which leads to the clipping or polishing drum above described.
Valves J serve to close either one of these openings, at the same time leaving the
other one open for the passage of the grain, so that the grain may pass either directly
down through the conductors K without passing through the clipping drum; or may
be directed through the inclined spouts H to said drum, according to the position of
the valves J. In the former case, the grain is discharged directly through the
passages K into the valve-chambers S, and in the latter case, after having passed
through the clipping and scouring process, is discharged through the bottom plate O
into the same valve-chambers. In either case the grain is discharged by the valves X
on either side of the machine into separating trunks V, open at the lower end and
connected at their upper ends by means of an opening u with the separating chamber.

page_text: As the grain is discharged from the valves X int. the separating trunk V, the sound
grain which is heavier, passes out at the bottom of said trunk while the grain, along
with any imperfect grain, and other impurities is drawn upward through the said
trunks into the separating chamber. The separating-chamber A³ is constructed with
a series of interior partitions over which the grain is drawn, the grain of varying
weight falling into different chambers, and being separated into as many grades as
there are partitions.
From the preceding description, the operating part of my apparatus will be readily
understood. It will be observed that not only is a separation obtained, as the grain
passes from the receiving hopper to the screen, but a second separation is also obtained
as the grain passes through the trunks r, and a third separation as the grain passes
into the lower end of the separating-trunk V. The grain is also graded by means of
the screens, and the co-operating boxes connected therewith, in such a manner that
the heavier grain is handled and delivered on one side of the apparatus, while the lighter
grain is handled and delivered at the other side. Moreover the grain may be delivered
directly from the screens without passing through the clipping and scouring mechanism,
or may be passed through the clipping or scouring mechanism before the delivery, either
in part or wholly. It is obvious that various modifications in details of construction of
my machine may be made without departing from the principle of my invention. As,
for instance, the wallowers of the clipping drum may be made integral with the walls
of the drain, or the enclosing case may be made singly instead of doubly. The
different parts of the operating mechanism of the machine, such as the driving of the
suction-fan, the shaking of the shaker B and the rotation of the clipping and scouring
drum L, are driven by the pulleys on the shaft M by the usual belts or other means
for transmitting power.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1-The combination with the receiving hopper of the suction-trunk or chute, the
two being connected together by an upwardly inclined passage, with a transverse
strip, substantially as specified.
2-The combination with the screens in the shaker of the oppositely inclined boxes
adapted to deliver grain from different screens at opposite sides of the apparatus
substantially as described.
3-The combination of the shaker, and its screens of the separating-trunks r, and
the inclined spouts H, and passages K whereby the grain may be conducted either to
the clipping or scouring mechanism, or directly to the third separation.
4-The combination of the feeding-spouts H inclosing case I, the drum carrying
the wallowers, the base-plate provided with suitable openings, and the discharge
valves ✗, substantially as described.
5-The combination with the drum L with its casing I the valve chambers and air
inlets between said chambers and casing, whereby air is admitted into the said
chambers when the valves are closed, substantially as specified.
6-The combination with the drum L, the cylinder or casing I, made double, the
valve-chambers, the intermediate base-plate provided with slots as described, whereby
the air is readily admitted through the grain as it is operated upon by the clipping
and scouring mechanism, substantially as specified.
7-The combination with the drum and its casing of the valves to receive the grain
as it passes from said clipping and scouring mechanism, and the valve-shafts,
carrying said valves, and provided with weighted arms, said shafts being connected
to the valves upon the side and near its bottom, substantially as specified.
8-The scouring drum and casing, the wallowers mounted on said drum, and each
consisting of an horizontal body provided with diagonal series of vertical pins,
substantially as specified,

page_text: 9 The combination with the drum and casing of wallowers mounted on the drum
or forming a part thereof, arranged spirally with air-spaces between them, each
wallower having grooved or inclined ribs, substantially as specified.
10-The combination with the wallower carrying mechanism mounted on a shaft,
the wallowers having horizontal bodies provided with ribs and pins, and the outer
casing provided with grooved and ribbed linings, substantially as specified and shown.
Dated 22nd day of February 1890.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.