Improvements in Apparatus for Separating Moisture from Grain.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 29th June, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 30th Mar., 1896-Accepted, 2nd May, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Separating Moisture from Grain.
We CHARLES JOHN ROBINSON Engineer, and THOMAS BIRKS, Miller, both of
Railway Works Kochdale in the County of Lancaster, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The main object is to provide simple and efficient apparatus for removing adhering
or surface moisture from washed, damped or wetted grain without subjecting the
said grain to undue friction or rubbing off the outer skin or cuticle.
Apparatus under our invention consists essentially of an openwork container
within which rotates on a vertical or nearly vertical axis a drum or device having
gathering beating, and lifting surfaces.
A further improvement consists in making the container of perforated metal or
suitable material having a smooth internal surface.
An additional improvement consists in making the drum or device and container
of decreasing diameter from above downwards so as to allow dispersed moisture to
flow away freely.
The container is surrounded with a case to collect the moisture driven off and
a feed way is provided at the bottom and a discharge way at the top of the
container.
Natal the 00th J... S T1005
J. JOHNSON,
Agent.
Improvements in Apparatus for Separating Moisture from Grain.
We CHARLES JOHN ROBINSON Engineer, and THOMAS BIRKS, Miller, both of
Railway Works Rochdale in the County of Lancaster, 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 main object is to provide simple and efficient apparatus for removing
adhering or surface moisture from washed, damped, or wetted grain without
subjecting the said grain to undue friction or rubbing off the outer skin or cuticle.
Apparatus under our invention consists essentially of an openwork container
within which rotates on a vertical or nearly vertical axis a drum or device having
gathering, beating, and lifting surfaces.
A further improvement consists in making the container of perforated metal or
suitable material having a smooth internal surface.
An additional improvement consists in making the drum or device and container
of decreasing diameter from above downwards so as to allow dispersed moisture to
flow away freely.
The container is surrounded with a case to collect the moisture driven off, and
a feed way is provided at the bottom, and a discharge way at the top of the
container.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is an elevation,-parts being removed, and Fig. 2 is a horizontal section
at the line A B. of apparatus constructed in accordance with our invention. a is
the framework which carries a sheet metal or other suitable case closed at the
top and terminating at its lower end in a basin or trough c. Within the case b
and basin or trough c is a conical container of woven wire, perforated metal or
like openwork material d, the wider end of the said container being above. e is a
way passing through the case into the lower end of the container d. f is a way
leading from the top of the container d down through the case b. Within the
container d is a shaft g free to rotate in bearings in the frame a. The said
shaft g is fitted with a conical star-shaped drum or device i, having advancing
faces and retiring faces k. The advancing faces j each carry a series of semi-
circular blades 1. Each blade is set at an angle so as to rise from front to rear of
the face and the top edge of a lower blade is at about the same level as the bottom
edge of the blade above. The drum or device i rotates in the direction of the
arrow. The interior face of the container d should be smooth so as not to abrade
the grain.
The moist grain is fed into the apparatus through the way e where it is struck
by the advancing faces j and thrown against the inner surface of the perforated
container d from which it rebounds into the spaces formed by the retiring faces k
which gather it together so as to be caught by the inclined blades which raise
the said grain to the advancing faces j. The faces j again fling the grain against
the inner surface of the container d, and the operation is repeated until the grain
reaches the top and is thrown out through the way . Each time the grain comes
in contact with the inner surface of the container d, some of the adhering moisture
flies through the perforations and falls or trickles down into the basin or trough e
whence it is run off through a suitable opening m. In this way the grain is
practically freed from adhering moisture when it descends the way f. Owing to
the perforated container d being of larger diameter above, the water passing through
the perforations cannot again enter the chamber.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
First. Apparatus for drying grain substantially as set forth.
Second. The combination of the perforated container d, having an inlet way e
and outlet way, with an internal star shaped drum i fitted with blades for the
purpose set forth.
Third. The combination of the case
container d, with inlet way e and outlet
blades for the purpose set forth.
Dated the 28th March 1896.
basin or trough c, outlet m, perforated
way fand star-shaped drum i fitted with