US3744676A

US3744676A - Means for suspending and vibration isolating flow promoting apparatus from a flowable material container

Info

Publication number: US3744676A
Application number: US00234077A
Authority: US
Inventors: G Dumbaugh
Original assignee: VIBRANETICS
Current assignee: VIBRANETICS; VIBRANETICS INC US
Priority date: 1972-03-13
Filing date: 1972-03-13
Publication date: 1973-07-10
Anticipated expiration: 1990-07-10
Also published as: JPS48100862A; DE2311499A1; CH557770A; CA989363A; JPS53579B2; GB1418184A; DE2311499B2

Abstract

This invention provides improved means for suspending and vibration isolating material flow promoting apparatus from a flowable material container. Basically, the improved means provided by the present invention comprises a member including a central portion, which can be arranged to extend generally vertically between the apparatus and the container, and first and second hollow end portions, located at the opposite ends of the central portion, which can be respectively interconnected to the apparatus and the container. Each of the hollow end portions contains a vibration isolator, and each of the isolators has a bore, which will be arranged generally horizontally when the central portion of the member is arranged generally vertically, for respectively receiving fastener means for securing the first end portion of the member to the apparatus and the second end portion of the member to the container. In particular accordance with the present invention, the isolator bores have their central axes offset from one another by an angle.

Description

United StateS Patent 1 Dumbaugh 11 3,744,676 [451 July 10,1973

[ MEANS FOR SUSPENDING AND VIBRATION ISOLATING FLOW PROMOTING APPARATUS FROM A FLOWABLE MATERIAL CONTAINER [75] Inventor: George D. Dumbaugh, Louisville,

[73] Assignee: Vibranetics, Inc., Louisville, Ky.

[22] Filed: Mar. 13, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 234,077

[52] US. Cl. a 222/161 [51] Int. Cl. 865g 3/12 [58] Field of Search 222/161, 196, 197-201;

[56] 2 References Cited 7 UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,278,081 10/1966 Carter 222/161 X 2,380,274 7/1945 Trott 3,248,076 4/1966 Ferguson 248/15 Primary Examir'ter-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner- Thomas E. Kocovsky Attorney-Harry B. ODonnell, 11! et a1.

[5 7] ABSTRACT This invention provides improvedmeans for suspending and vibration isolating material flow promoting apparatus from a flowable material container. Basically, the improved means provided by the present invention comprises a member including a central portion, which can be arranged to extend generally vertically between the apparatus and the container, and first and second hollow end portions, located at the opposite ends of the central portion, which can be respectively interconnected to the apparatus and the container. Each of the hollow end portions contains a vibration isolator, and each of the isolators has a bore, which will be arranged generally horizontally when the central portion of the member is arranged generally vertically, forrespectively receiving fastener means for securing thefirst end portion of the member to the apparatus and the isolator bores have their central axes offset from one another by an angle.

8 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures MEANS FOR SUSPENDING AND VIBRATION ISOLATING FLOW PROMOTING APPARATUS FROM A FLOWABLE MATERIAL CONTAINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to material storage means and, more particularly, to improved means for suspending and vibration isolating flow promoting apparatus from a generally vertically arranged flowable material container.

In the past, flowable means have been provided for promoting flow of stored fowable materials within and from a storage container. Frequently these flow promoting means are not integrally formed with the container and, instead, comprise separately manufactured apparatus which is subsequently connected with the container. Typically, such flow promoting means are suspended from the container adjacent a discharge opening that is usually provided in the bottom of the container.

Heretofore, various means have been provided for suspending the flow promoting apparatus from the container. These old flow promoting apparatus suspension means have also incorporated means for vibration isolating the apparatus from the container. One typical form of such prior-art suspending and vibration isolating means is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,173,583, while yet another old form is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 1A and 3-6 of the present drawings.

These aforenoted prior-art suspending and vibration isolating means have all left quite a bit to be desired in the degree of vibration isolation they have provided between the container and the material flow promoting apparatus. I i

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides improved means for suspending and vibration isolating material flow promoting apparatus from a flowable material container. Basically, the improved means provided by the present invention comprises a member including a central portion, which can be arranged to extend generally vertically between the apparatus and the container, and first and second hollow end portions, located at the opposite ends of the central portion, which can be respectively intercon nected to the apparatus and the container. Each of the hollow end portions contains a vibration isolator, and each of the isolators has a bore, which will be arranged generally horizontally when the central portion of the member is arranged generally vertically, for respectively receiving fastener means for securing the first end portion of the member to the apparatus and the second end portion of the member to the container. In particular accordance with the present invention, the isolator bores have their central axes offset from one another by an angle.

Preferably, this offsetting angle is substantially a right angle (a 90 angle) and the isolator bores are each lined with a sleeve and have their central axes arranged substantially at a right angle (a 90 angle) with respect to the major axis of the central portion of the member, which is rigid and integrally formed with the two hollow end portions.

The improved means of the present invention provide vastly improved connection and vibration isolation between the container and the flow promoting apparatus since the angular offsetting between the central axes of the two isolator bores allows torsional movement of the apparatus withrespect to the container in two different directions about the generally vertical axis of the member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic partly broken elevational perspective view of a generally vertically arranged flowable material storage cont'ainer utilizing one well-known prior-art form of means for suspending and vibration isolating flow promoting means from it;

FIG. 1A is an enlarged elevational perspective view showing details of construction of the prior-art suspending and vibration isolating means shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 2 and 2A are views respectively generally simI- lar to FIGS. 1 and 1A, but instead illustrating a presently preferred form of improved suspending and vibration isolator means provided in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 36 are diagrammatic views respectively showing the operation, force vectorial relationships and constructon of the prior-art means illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 1A, with FIG. 3 being a sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 1, with FIG. 4 being a force vector diagram of two operational conditions while FIG. 5 illustrates the force vector relationships of two other operational conditions, and with FIG. 6 being a smaller and diagrammatic elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 1A as seen from a different angle; and

FIGS. 7-10 are views respectively similar to FIGS. 3-6 of improved means of the present invntion shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A. ii

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 1A thereof, there is illustrated a generaly vertically arranged flowable material storage container 10 utilizing a well-known prior-art form of means 11 for suspending and vibration isolating flow promoting apparaus 12 from it.

The container 10 comprises a generally vertically arranged hollow frusto-conical storage hopper or bin having a bottom opening surrounded by a downwardly extending skirt 13 through which material can be dis charged from the container 10.

The flow promoting apparatus 12 is of a well-known type that is manufactured separately from the container 10 and includes another generally vertically arranged hollow frusto-conical discharge section 14 which has a bottom discharge opening that is surrounded by another skirt 15 and. an open upper end that is interonnected tothe container skirt 13 by seal means, such as a flexible sleeve 16 which is tightly banded about it and the container skirt 13 by fastener means such as bands 17. The flow promoting apparatus 12 further includes a rotar motor 18 that is connected to the apparatus discharge section 14 by a bracket 19, with the motor 18 having its rotary output shaft 20 generally vertically arranged. The motor output shaft 20 has generally horizontally arranged weights 21 eccentrically mounted on its opposite upper and lower ends.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 1., 1A and 3-6, the ap paratus 12 is suspended and vibration isolated from the container 10 by a well-known prior-art means 11. As illustrated, these prior-art suspending and viration isolating means 11 include four suspension and vibraton isolating members 22A-D, each of which is of substantially identical construction, and which are arranged with their generally vertical or major axes spaced apart from one another by approximately 90 angles around the lower outer circumference of the container 10 (FIG. 3).

As shown in detail in FIGS. 1A and 6, each of the conventional members 22A-D includes a central portion 23, which can be arranged to extend generally vertically between the apparatus 12 and the container 10, and first and second

hollow end portions

25 and 25 located at the opposite ends of the central portion 23 which can be respectively interconnected to the apparatus 12 and the container 10. Each of the

hollow end portions

24 and 25 respectively contains a

vibration isolator

26 and 27, and each of the

isolators

26 and 27 respectively has a lined

bore

28 and 29 which will be arranged generally horizontally when the central portion 23 of the member 22 is arranged generally vertically. These

bores

28 and 29 respectively receive fastener means, such as lower through bolts 30, for securing the first or lower end portion 24 of the member 23 to the apparatus 12, as by connecting it to one of four right-angularly spaced apart brackets 31 which extend radially outwardly from the upper outer periphery of the apparatus discharge section 14 and upper through bolts 30' for securing the second end portion 25 to the container 10, as by connecting it to one of four other right-angularly spaced apart brackets 32 which extend radially outwardly from the lower outer periphery of the container 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 1A and 3-6, each of these prior-art suspending and vibration isolating members 22A-D has the central axes 28' and 29 of both of its

isolator bores

28 and 29 arranged parallel to one another.

As best shown in FIG. 3, two of these prior-

art members

22A and 22D are arranged with the central axes 28' and 29' of both

isolator bores

28 and 29 of each member respectively aligned in two generally vertical planes AA and DD, both of which planes A-A and DD'intersect at a first angle of approximately 45 another generally vertical plane E-E which passes through the radial centers of both thecontainer and the motor output shaft 20. And, the other two of these prior-art members 22B and 22C are arranged with the central axes 28 and 29' of both

isolator bores

28 and 29 of each member respectively aligned in two other generally vertical planes B-B and C-C, both of which planes. intersect at a second angle B of approximately 45 the aforenoted plane BE which passes through the radial centers of both the container 10 and the motor output shaft 20.

In operation of the prior-art mechanism shown in FIGS. l-lA and 3-6, the motor 18 of the flowpromoting apparatus 12 is energized to cause rotation of its output shaft and the weights 2] eccentrically mounted thereon (in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3). This, in turn, causes generally horizontal movement of the apparatus 12 with respect to the container 10. As best shown in FIG. 3, the weights 21 are rotated through four major points of the compass, which are respectively indicated as

points

1,2,3 and 4, and each of which is disposed at a 45angle with respect to both of the bore central axes 28' and 29' of all four of the old prior-art type suspending and vibration isolating members 22A-D.

When the motor shaft-carried eccentric weights 21 are rotated into either positions 1 or 3 (FIG. 3), the force vectors will be as shown in FIG. 4 and vibration isolation will be provided between the apparatus 12 and the container 10 only in a generally horizontal direction that is disposed generally parallel to the planes AA and DD, while substantially no such isolation will be provided in the direction parallel to the planes B-B and C-C, whereas, when the weights 21 are in either positions 2 or 4 (FIG. 3), the force vectors will be as shown in FIG. 5 and vibration isolation will be provided between the apparatus 12 and container 10 only in a generally horizontal direction that is disposed generally parallel to the planes BB and C-C, while substantially no such isolation will be provided in the direction parallel to the other planes A-A and DD.

Turning now to FIGS. 2, 2A and 7-10, there is illustrated in detail a presently preferred form of improved means 111 provided in accordance with the present invention for suspending and vibration isolating flowpromoting apparatus 112 from generally vertically arranged flowable material storage container 110, which provide vastly improved connection and vibration isolation between the container 1 10 and the flow promoting apparatus 112.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A, the container comprises a generally vertically arranged hollow frustoconical storage hopper or bin having a bottom opening surrounded by a downwardly extending skirt 13 through which material can be discharged from the container 110.

The flow promoting apparatus 1 12 is of a well-known type that is manufactured separately from the container 110 and includes another generally vertically arranged hollow fusto-conical discharge section 114 which has a bottom discharge opening that is surrounded by another skirt 115 and an open upper end that is interconnected to the container skirt 1 13 by seal means, such as a flexible sleeve 116 which is tightly banded about it and the container skirt 1 13 by fastener means such as bands 117. The flow promoting apparatus 112 further includes a rotary motor 1 18 that is connected to the apparatus discharge section 114 by a bracket 119, with the motor 118 having its rotary output shaft 120 generally vertically arranged. The motor output shaft 120 has generally horizontally arranged weights 121 eccentrically mounted on its opposite upper and lower ends.

However, as further illustrated in FIGS. 2, 2A and 7-10, the apparatus 1 12 is suspended and vibration isolated from the container 110 by the improved means 111 of the present invention. As ilustrated, these improved suspending and vibration isolation means 111 include four suspension and vibration isolation members 122a-d, each of which is of substantially identical construction, and which are arranged with their major axes generally vertical and spaced apart from one another by approximately 90 angles around the lower outer circumference of the container 110 (FIG. 7).

As shown in detail in FIGS. 2A and 10, each of the improved members l22a-d provided in accordance with the present invention includes a central portion 123 which can be arranged to extend generally vertically between the apparatus 112 and the container 110, and first and second

hollow end portions

124 and 125 located at the opposite ends of the central portion 123 which can be respectively interconnected to the apparatus 112 and the container 110. Each of the

hollow end portions

124 and 125 respectively contains a

vibration isolator

126 and 127, typically formed of an elastomeric compound, and each of the

isolators

126 and 127 respectively has a metallic sleeve-lined

bore

128 and 129 which will be arranged generally horizontally when the central portion 123 of the member 122 is arranged generally vertically. These

bores

128 and 129 respectively receive fastener means, such as lower through bolts 130, for securing the first or lower end portion 124 of the member 123 to the apparatus 112, as by connecting it toone of four right-angularly spaced apart brackets 13] whlch extend radially outwardly rrom the upper outer periphery of the apparatus discharge section 114 and upper through bolts 130 for securing the second end portion 125 to the container 110, as by connecting it to one of four other rightangularly spaced apart brackets 132 which extend radially outwardly from the lower outer periphery of the container 110.

However, in particular accordance with the present invention, and as shown in FIGS. 2, 2A and 7-10, each of these improved suspending and viration isolating members 122a-d has its two isolator bores 128 and 129 constructed with their central axes 128' and 129' offset from one another by an angle a. Preferably, this offsetting angle a issubstantially a right angle (a 90 angle) and the bore central axes 128' and. 129' are arranged substantially at a right angle (a 90? angle) with respect to the generally vertically arranged major axis of the central portion 123 of the member 122a-d, which is rigid and integrally formed with the two

hollow end portions

124 and 125.

As best shown in FIG. 7, two of the

improved members

122a and 122d are arranged with the central axes 129 of their upper isolator bores 129 each respectively arranged in two generally vertically arranged planes a a and dd, both of which planes a a and d-d intersect at the first angle 0 of approximately 45 another generally .vertically arranged plane e e, which passes through the radial centers of both the container 110 and the motor output shaft 120. And, the other two of these improved members 122b and 1220 are arranged with the central axes 129' of their upper isolator bores 129 each respectively arranged in two generally verically arranged planes bb and c-c, both of which planes b-b and c-c intersect at the second angle [-1 of approximately 45 the aforenoted plane ae, which passes through the radial centers of both the container 1 10 and the motor output shaft 120. However, in particular accordance with the present invention, two of the

improved members

122a and 122d also have their lower end portions 124 interconnected by lower through bolts 130 to the apparatus with angularly offset central axes 128' of their lower isolator bores 128 arranged in a generally vertical plane f-f that is also disposed at the second angle [3 with respect to the plane e-e, while the other two of the improved members 1221; and 122c have their lower end portions 124 interconnected to the apparatus 112 with the angularly offset central axes 128 of their lower isolator bores 128 arranged in a generally vertical plane g--g thatis disposed at thefirst angle 0 with respect to the plane e-e, which passes through the radial centers of both the container 110 and the motor output shaft 120.

In operation of the improved mechanism in FIGS. 2, 2A and 7-10, the motor 118 of the flow-promotingapparatus 112 is energized to cause rotation of its output shaft 120 and the weights 121 eccentrically mounted thereon (in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 7). This, in turn, causes generally horizontal movement of the apparatus 1 12 with respect to the container 1 10. As best shown in FIG. 7, the weights 121 are rotated through four major points of the compass, which are respectively indicated as

points

1,2,3 and 4 and each of which is disposed at a 45 angle with respect to all eight of the bore central axes 128 and 129' of the four improved suspending and vibration isolating members 122a-d of the present invention. When the motor shaftcarried eccentric weights 121 are rotated into either positions 1 or 3 (FIG. 7), the force vectors will be as shown in FIG. 8, and, because the central axes 128' and 129 of each of the

improved members

122a and 122d are angularly offset from one another by the angle a of approximately (FIGS. 7 and 10), vibration isolation will be provided between the apparatus 112 and the container in generally horizontal directions that are disposed generally parallel to all six of the planes aa, b--b, cc,-dd, f-f and g"g. Similarly, when the motor shaft-carried eccentric weights 121 are rotated into either positions 2 or 4 (FIG. 7), the force vectors will be as shown in FIG. 9, and, because th central axes 128 and 129' of each of the

improved members

122a and 122d are angularlly offset from one another by the angle a of approximately 90 (FIGS. 7 and 10), vibration isolation will be provided between the apparatus 112 and the container 110 in generally horizontal directions that are disposed generally parallel to all six of the planes aa, b-b, c-c, d-d, f-f, and

Thus, the improved means of the present invention provide vastly improved connection and vibration isolation between the container 110 and the flowpromoting apparatus 112 when weights 121 are in

positions

1,2,3 or 4, since the angular offsetting (angle a) between the central axes 12 8 and 129' of the two iso- Iator bores 128 and 129 of each of the improved members 122a-d allows torsional movement of the apparatus 112 with respect to the container 1 10 in two different directions about the generally vertical axis 123 of each member 122a-d.

It should be apparent that while there have been described what are presently considered to be a presently I lating material flowpromoting apparatus from agenen ally vertically arranged flowable material container, said improved means comprising:

a. a member including a rigid central portion, which can be arranged to extend generally vertically bcposite ends of said central portion, which can be,

respectively interconnected to said apparatus and said container,

b. each of said hollow end portions containing a vibration isolator,

c. each of said isolators having a bore, which will be arranged generally horizontally when said central portion is arranged generally vertically, for respectively receiving fastener means for eecuring said first end portion to said apparatus and said second end portion to said container, and

(I. said bores having their central axes offset from one another by an angle.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein said central axes of said bores are arranged substantially at a right angle to the major axis of said central portion.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein said hollow end portions and said central portion are formed integrally bores is lined with a sleeve.

Claims

1. Improved means for suspending and vibration isolating material flow promoting apparatus from a generally vertically arranged flowable material container, said improved means comprising: a. a member including a rigid central portion, which can be arranged to extend generally vertically between said apparatus and said container, and first and second hollow end portions, located at the opposite ends of said central portion, which can be respectively interconnected to said apparatus and said container, b. each of said hollow end portions containing a vibration isolator, c. each of said isolators having a bore, which will be arranged generally horizontally when said central portion is arranged generally vertically, for respectively receiving fastener means for securing said first end portion to said apparatus and said second end portion to said container, and d. said bores having their central axes offset from one another by an angle.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein said hollow end portions and said central portion are formed integrally with one another.

4. The invention of claim 1, wherein each of said bores is lined with a sleeve.

5. The invention of claim 1, wherein said angle is substantially a right angle.

6. The invention of claim 5, wherein said central axes of said bores are arranged substantially at a right angle to the major axis of said central portion.

7. The invention of claim 6, wherein said hollow end portions and said central portion are formed integrally with one another.

8. The invention of claim 7, wherein each of said bores is lined with a sleeve.