GB2061487A

GB2061487A - Energy Saving Damper in a Pneumatic System Sucking Waste From a Machine-treated Workpiece

Info

Publication number: GB2061487A
Application number: GB8003273A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-02-01
Filing date: 1980-01-31
Publication date: 1981-05-13
Also published as: DK42079A; SE8000839L; NO800244L; DE3003406A1

Abstract

In a machine for treating workpieces where waste material (e.g. timber shavings and sawdust) is produced a pneumatic transport system is provided for removing the waste material by suction. The system comprises a suction pipe interrupted by a throttle member, e.g. in the form of an apertured plate A, translationally slidable across the pipe whereby the pipe can be fully or partially open automatically in response to the presence or absence of a workpiece so as to save energy while a workpiece is not being treated. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Energy Saving Damper for Pneumatic Transportation Systems This invention relates to a machine for treating workpieces in such a manner that waste material is produced and a pneumatic transport system within the machine, for removing the waste material by suction.

At present it is usual only to close off individual suction heads when the machine is switched off and to do this manually. It is difficult to close off the suction heads during the periods of operation of the machine between workpiece treatments and the fact that these suction heads remain fully open during these periods represents a waste of energy.

An object of the invention is to mitigate this disadvantage.

According to the invention there is provided a machine for treating workpieces in such a manner that waste material is produced, comprising a pneumatic transport system for removing the waste material by means of suction, the pneumatic transport system comprising a suction pipe interrupted by a throttle member which can be moved between first and second positions where the suction pipe is respectively fully and partially open, means for moving the throttle member between the two positions, and a control means for sensing the presence of a workpiece and to operate the throttle-moving means to move the throttle member into a first position when a workpiece is present and into the second position when a workpiece is absent.

The suction pipe remains partially open during the periods between work treatments since otherwise the pipe would collapse.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a suction pipe interrupted by a throttle member; and Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic representation showing the throttle member in each of two positions.

A throttle member in the form of an apertured plate A slides translationally between connection heads B and C in a suction pipe. The gap in which the plate slides is provided between heads B and C with rails D which also provide lateral guidance for the plate. The compressed air rams E are fixed at points G and the end of the piston rods are bolted to holes in a bent-up edge of the plate.

A control unit F is shown diagrammatically and is built up of the necessary standard components, that can carry out the fundamental functions of the invention. A control switch is placed at the machine's inlet side and is activated by an entering workpiece. If the switch is not activated within short adjustable time intervals, the control unit automatically partially closes the energysaving throttle. As soon as the control switch is activated again by a workpiece the control unit opens the throttle instantaneously.

The sketch Fig. 2 shows diagrammatically the plate A in partially open position a and fully open position b.

Alternatively, the plate A may be slidable in a swingable or a rotary manner.

The invention may be used within timber industry concerns, where the pneumatic transport system sucks away shavings and saw-dust from the timber treating machine.

On the timber treating machine, there can be mounted several work tools. Each of these requires a suction head with associated pipe, which is connected with the pipes from other work tools to a central pipe. The central pipe is connected to the suction side of a centrifugal ventilator, and the pressure side of the ventilator is connected to a filter plant or cyclone.

Under present working conditions a suction head will be constantly open, even though the utilization of the machine is for example only 40% spread over the total work period.

By utilising the invention in the central pipe, during remaining 60% of the work period the air volume through the plant will be reduced with 75% and electrical power consumption with 50%.

Claims

1. A machine for treating workpieces in such a manner that waste material is produced, comprising a pneumatic transport system for removing the waste material by means of suction, the pneumatic transport system comprising a suction pipe interrupted by a throttle member which can be moved between first and second positions where the suction pipe is perspectively fully and partially open, means for moving the throttle member between the two positions, and a control means for sensing the presence of a workpiece and to operate the throttle-moving means to move the throttle member into the first position when a workpiece is present and into the second position when a workpiece is absent.

2. A machine according to Claim 1, wherein the throttle member is an apertured plate slidable in a plane across the suction pipe.

3. A machine according to Claim 2, wherein the plate is slidable in a translational manner.

4. A machine according to Claim 2, wherein the plate is slidable in a swingable manner.

5. A machine according to Claim 2, wherein the plate is slidable in a rotary manner.

6. A machine for treating workpiece in such a manner that waste material is produced comprising a pneumatic transport system for removing the waste material by means of suction, the system being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Energy Saving Damper for Pneumatic Transportation Systems This invention relates to a machine for treating workpieces in such a manner that waste material is produced and a pneumatic transport system within the machine, for removing the waste material by suction. At present it is usual only to close off individual suction heads when the machine is switched off and to do this manually. It is difficult to close off the suction heads during the periods of operation of the machine between workpiece treatments and the fact that these suction heads remain fully open during these periods represents a waste of energy. An object of the invention is to mitigate this disadvantage. According to the invention there is provided a machine for treating workpieces in such a manner that waste material is produced, comprising a pneumatic transport system for removing the waste material by means of suction, the pneumatic transport system comprising a suction pipe interrupted by a throttle member which can be moved between first and second positions where the suction pipe is respectively fully and partially open, means for moving the throttle member between the two positions, and a control means for sensing the presence of a workpiece and to operate the throttle-moving means to move the throttle member into a first position when a workpiece is present and into the second position when a workpiece is absent. The suction pipe remains partially open during the periods between work treatments since otherwise the pipe would collapse. An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a suction pipe interrupted by a throttle member; and Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic representation showing the throttle member in each of two positions. A throttle member in the form of an apertured plate A slides translationally between connection heads B and C in a suction pipe. The gap in which the plate slides is provided between heads B and C with rails D which also provide lateral guidance for the plate. The compressed air rams E are fixed at points G and the end of the piston rods are bolted to holes in a bent-up edge of the plate. A control unit F is shown diagrammatically and is built up of the necessary standard components, that can carry out the fundamental functions of the invention. A control switch is placed at the machine's inlet side and is activated by an entering workpiece. If the switch is not activated within short adjustable time intervals, the control unit automatically partially closes the energysaving throttle. As soon as the control switch is activated again by a workpiece the control unit opens the throttle instantaneously. The sketch Fig. 2 shows diagrammatically the plate A in partially open position a and fully open position b. Alternatively, the plate A may be slidable in a swingable or a rotary manner. The invention may be used within timber industry concerns, where the pneumatic transport system sucks away shavings and saw-dust from the timber treating machine. On the timber treating machine, there can be mounted several work tools. Each of these requires a suction head with associated pipe, which is connected with the pipes from other work tools to a central pipe. The central pipe is connected to the suction side of a centrifugal ventilator, and the pressure side of the ventilator is connected to a filter plant or cyclone. Under present working conditions a suction head will be constantly open, even though the utilization of the machine is for example only 40% spread over the total work period. By utilising the invention in the central pipe, during remaining 60% of the work period the air volume through the plant will be reduced with 75% and electrical power consumption with 50%. Claims