TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a machine for cleaning grains, in particular grains
from agriculture, by granulometric separation using sieves and a vibration system,
for the processing of grains at a post-harvest stage.
STATE OF THE ART
[0002] A grain-cleaning machine, in particular grains from agriculture, is responsible for
processing a mixture of grains and residues, separating the grains from the residues,
such as stones, dust, straw, among other agricultural crop residues.
[0003] Particularly, the invention relates to a grain-cleaning machine which uses granulometric
separation by sieves. In this case, the mixture of grains and residues is processed
and separated into residues smaller than the grains, residues larger than the grains
and clean grains.
[0004] A grain-cleaning machine of this type comprises a housing having an inlet opening
for ingress of the mixture of grains and residues, a sieve arrangement disposed internally
of the housing, and a vibration system configured to oscillate the sieve arrangement.
[0005] A conventional arrangement of sieves comprises at least two main sieve levels, positioned
overlapping each other and inclined to the horizontal from a high side to a low side.
Each level of main sieve comprises a respective grain sieve having a mesh configured
to allow traversal of grains along with residues smaller than the grains. Below each
grain sieve is arranged a respective grain-carrying channel in communication with
at least one lower sieve level.
[0006] The lower sieve level is positioned below the respective main sieve levels and inclined
to the horizontal from a high side to a low side, such that the high side of the lower
sieve level is aligned to the low side of the main sieve levels and the low side of
the lower sieve level is aligned to the high side of the main sieve levels. The lower
sieve level comprises a fine sieve having a mesh configured to allow traversal of
residues smaller than grains. Below the fine sieve is arranged a fine-carrying channel
in communication with at least one outlet of residues smaller than the grains.
[0007] The low side of the lower sieve level is in communication with at least one grain
outlet. The low side of each main sieve level is in communication with at least one
outlet of residues larger than the grains.
[0008] In operation, the mixture of grains and residues enters the machine through the inlet
opening and accesses the high side of each main sieve level, forming a layer of mixture
on the respective grain sieves. Due to the inclination of each main sieve level and
due to the oscillating movement of the sieve arrangement produced by the vibration
system, each mixing layer moves toward the low side of the respective main sieve level.
As the mixture progresses, the grains and residues smaller than the grains cross the
grain sieve and fall onto the grain-carrying channel, and are then conveyed to the
lower sieve level, and the residues larger than the grains proceed over the grain
sieve until they reach the low side of each main sieve level, and are then conveyed
to the outlet of residues larger than the grains.
[0009] Further, on each main sieve level there is arranged a respective curtain having an
upper end fixed to a rod and a tail in contact with the grain sieve. The curtain is
positioned transversely, so that about a quarter of the sieve area of each main sieve
level is located behind the curtain, toward the low side. The curtain acts as a barrier
for the grains with higher kinetic energy and/or bouncing grains, so that they are
contained and accommodated on the grain sieve, so that they can pass through said
grain sieve rather than being unduly discarded through the outlet of residues larger
than the grains.
[0010] The grains and the residues smaller than the grains, which have passed through the
grain sieve of each main sieve level, access the high side of the lower sieve level,
forming a layer on the fine sieve. Due to the inclination of the lower sieve level
and due to the oscillating movement of the sieve arrangement produced by the vibration
system, the layer moves towards the low side of the lower sieve level. As the layer
advances, the residues smaller than the grains cross the fine sieve and fall onto
the fine-carrying channel, and then smaller residues are sent to the outlet of residues
smaller than the grains, and the grains proceed over the fine sieve until they reach
the low side of the lower sieve level, and are then conveyed to the grain outlet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The invention aims to provide a grain-cleaning machine wherein the processing rate
of the mixture of grains and residues is higher, for example expressed in tons per
hour, compared to the processing rate of the prior-art machine, occupying an equivalent
physical space.
[0012] According to the invention, the grain-cleaning machine has a sieve arrangement comprising
at least two main sieve levels, positioned overlapping each other and with an inclination
with respect to the horizontal from a high side to a low side, each main sieve level
comprising a respective fine sieve followed by a respective grain sieve.
[0013] Beneath each fine sieve is disposed a respective fine-carrying channel in communication
with at least one outlet of residues smaller than the grains, and below each grain
sieve is arranged a respective grain-carrying channel in communication with at least
one grain outlet.
[0014] The sieve arrangement further comprises at least one lower sieve level comprising
a respective lower grain sieve, wherein below the lower grain sieve is disposed a
lower grain-carrying channel in communication with at least one grain outlet. The
respective lower sieve level is positioned below the respective main sieve levels,
and inclined to the horizontal from a high side to a low side, the low side of each
main sieve level is in communication with the high side of the respective lower sieve
level through a vertical passage and the lower side of the lower sieve level is in
communication with at least one outlet of residues larger than the grains.
[0015] Each fine sieve has a mesh configured to allow traversal of residues smaller than
the grains, and each grain sieve has a mesh configured to allow traversal of grains.
[0016] In operation, the mixture of grains and residues enters the machine through an inlet
opening and accesses the high side of each main sieve level, forming a mixture layer
on the respective fine sieves. Due to the inclination of each main sieve level and
due to the oscillating movement of the sieve arrangement produced by the vibration
system, each mixture layer moves towards the low side of the respective main sieve
level.
[0017] As the mixture progresses, the residues smaller than the grains cross the fine sieve
and fall onto the fine-carrying channel, and are then directed to the outlet of residues
smaller than the grains. The grains and residues larger than the grains proceed over
the fine sieve and reach the grain sieve. The grains then pass through the grain sieve
and fall onto the grain-carrying channel, and are then conveyed to the grain outlet.
The residues larger than the grains, along with surplus grains that failed to cross
the grain sieve, including the grains with higher kinetic energy and/or bouncing grains,
proceed over the grain sieve until they reach the low side of each main sieve level,
and are then conveyed through the vertical passage to the high side of the lower sieve
level.
[0018] The surplus grains and the residues larger than the grains access the high side of
the lower sieve level, forming a layer on the lower grain sieve. Due to the inclination
of the lower sieve level, and due to the oscillating movement of the sieve arrangement
produced by the vibration system, the layer moves towards the low side of the lower
sieve level. As the layer progresses, the surplus grains cross the lower grain sieve
and fall onto the lower grain-carrying channel, and are then conveyed to the grain
outlet, and the residues larger than the grains proceed over the lower grain sieve
until they reach the low side of the lower sieve level and are then sent to the outlet
of residues larger than grains.
[0019] Advantageously, from the invention, the surplus grains, including the grains with
higher kinetic energy and/or bouncing grains that failed to cross the grain sieve
of the respective main sieve levels, have the possibility of being reprocessed at
the lower sieve level. Therefore, there is no need for the presence of a curtain on
each main sieve level. Thus, advantageously, the grain sieves of the main sieve levels
began to work at full sieving capacity, while in the prior-art machine the sieve area
of the grain sieve located behind the curtain, at each main sieve level, worked with
a reduced sieving capacity. Accordingly, advantageously, the grain-cleaning machine
of the invention is capable of achieving a higher processing rate of the mixture of
grains and residues, for example, expressed in tons per hour, compared to the processing
rate achieved by the prior-art machine, occupying an equivalent physical space.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The invention will be better understood with the following detailed description,
which will best be interpreted with the aid of the figures, namely:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a grain-cleaning machine.
Figure 2 shows a top view of the machine.
Figure 3 shows a front view of the machine.
Figure 4 shows a sectional view according to secant plane "B-B" shown in Figure 2.
Figure 5 shows a section cut according to secant plane "B-B" shown in Figure 2.
Figure 6 shows a section cut according to secant plane "F-F" shown in Figure 3. For
better understanding, the position of secant plane "F-F" is also indicated in Figure
4.
Figure 7 shows an enlarged view according to the "H" region shown in Figure 6.
Figure 8 shows a section cut according to the secant plane "E-E" shown in Figure 3.
For better understanding, the position of the secant plane "E-E" is also indicated
in Figure 4.
Figure 9 shows a section cut according to the sectional plane "G-G" shown in Figure
3. For better understanding, the position of the secant plane "G-G" is also indicated
in Figure 4.
Figure 10 shows a sectional view according to secant plane "A-A" shown in Figure 3.
For better understanding, the position of secant plane "A-A" is also indicated in
Figure 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The invention proposes a grain-cleaning machine (10) comprising a housing (12) having
an inlet opening (13). For example, the housing (12) may be formed by a frame (121)
which receives closing plates (122), and may include ports (123') for maintenance,
inspection, and cleaning of the machine (10), as desired.
[0022] The machine (10) further comprises a sieve arrangement disposed internally of the
housing (12) and a vibration system configured to oscillate the sieve arrangement.
[0023] According to the invention, the sieve arrangement comprises at least two main sieve
levels (14a, 14b, 14c) positioned overlapping each other and inclined to the horizontal
from a high side (L1) to a low side (L2), each main sieve level (14a, 14b, 14c) comprising
a respective fine sieve (141) followed by a respective grain sieve (142), wherein
below each fine sieve (141) is arranged a respective fine-carrying channel (143) in
communication with at least one outlet of residues smaller than grains (18) and below
each grain sieve (142) is disposed a respective grain-carrying channel (144) in communication
with at least one grain outlet (19).
[0024] The sieve arrangement further comprises at least one lower sieve level (16) comprising
a respective lower grain sieve (162), wherein a lower grain-carrying channel (164)
is disposed below the lower grain sieve (162) in communication with at least one grain
outlet (19). The respective lower sieve level (16) is positioned below the respective
main sieve levels (14a, 14b, 14c) and inclined to the horizontal from a high side
(L3) to a low side (L4), the low side (L2) of each main sieve level (14a, 14b, 14c)
is in communication with the high side (L3) of the respective lower sieve level (16)
through a vertical passage (17) and the low side (L4) of the lower sieve level (16)
is in communication with at least one outlet of residues larger than grains (20).
[0025] Further, each fine sieve (141) has a mesh configured to allow traversal of residues
smaller than grains (R<) and each grain sieve (142, 162) has a mesh configured to
allow traversal of grains (G, Ge).
[0026] In the embodiment shown, as best shown in Figures 4 to 6 and 8, the machine (10)
comprises a first level of main sieve (14a), on which is disposed a second level of
main sieve (14b), on which is arranged a third level of main sieve (14c). In the embodiment
shown, as best shown in Figures 4 and 5, the machine (10) is symmetrically shaped
along an axis of symmetry equivalent to the secant plane G-G shown in Figures 3 and
4. In this case, the components represented by a reference followed by a prime symbol
(') corresponds to the respective symmetrical components represented by the same reference
without the prime symbol ('). For example, the component represented by reference
[14a'] corresponds to the first main sieve level symmetrical to the first main sieve
level represented by reference [14a]. It should be understood that the machine (10)
may be configured both symmetrically, as in the embodiment shown, and in a simple
asymmetrical manner, which would be equivalent to a half machine in relation to the
embodiment shown, including a vibration system suitable for each embodiment, as discussed
below.
[0027] In operation, as can be seen from the schematic arrows shown in Figures 5, 6, 8,
and 9, a mixture of grains and residues (M) enters the machine (10) through the inlet
opening (13) and accesses the high side (L1) of each main sieve level (14a, 14b, 14c),
forming a mixture layer (M) on the respective fine sieves (141). Due to the inclination
of each main sieve level (14a, 14b, 14c) and due to the oscillating movement of the
sieve arrangement produced by the vibration system, each mixture layer (M) moves towards
the low side (L2) of the respective main sieve level (14a, 14b, 14c).
[0028] As the mixture (M) advances, the residues smaller than grains (R<) pass through the
fine sieve (141) and fall onto the fine-carrying channel (143), and are then conveyed
to the outlet of residues smaller than grains (18). According to the embodiment shown,
as can best be seen in Figure 6, each fine-carrying channel (143) is bifurcated in
two paths, according to a downward slope starting from the center towards the front
and back of the machine (10), each path being in communication with a respective outlet
of residues smaller than grains (18), through a respective vertical conduit of fine
(145).
[0029] The grains (G) and the residues larger than grains (R>) proceed to the fine sieve
(141) and reach the grain sieve (142). The grains (G) then pass through the grain
sieve (142) and fall onto the grain-carrying channel (144), and are then conveyed
to the grain outlet (19). According to the embodiment shown, as best shown in Figure
8, each grain-carrying channel (144) is bifurcated in two paths along a downward slope
from the center towards the front and back of the machine (10), each path being in
communication with the lower grain-carrying channel (164), through a respective vertical
conduit of grains (146). The lower grain-carrying channel (164) has a slope toward
the grain outlet (19). The grains (G) falling onto the grain-carrying channel (144)
proceed from the respective vertical conduits of grains (146) to the lower grain-carrying
channel (164), and are then conveyed to the grain outlet (19).
[0030] The residues larger than grains (R>), along with the surplus grains (Ge) that failed
to cross the grain sieve (142), including the grains with higher kinetic energy and/or
bouncing grains, proceed over the grain sieve (142) until they reach the low side
(L2) of each main sieve level (14a, 14b, 14c), and then are conveyed through the vertical
passage (17) to the high side (L3) of the lower sieve level (16).
[0031] The surplus grains (Ge) and the residues larger than grains (R>) access the upper
side (L3) of the lower sieve level (16), forming a layer on the lower grain sieve
(162). Due to the inclination of the lower sieve level (16) and due to the oscillating
movement of the sieve arrangement produced by the vibration system, the layer moves
toward the low side (L4) of the lower sieve level (16). As the layer progresses, the
surplus grains (Ge) pass through the lower grain sieve (162) and fall onto the lower
grain-carrying channel (164), and are then conveyed to the grain outlet (19) together
with the grains (G) coming from the main sieve levels (14a, 14b, 14c).
[0032] The residues larger than grains (R>) proceed over the lower grain sieve (162) until
they reach the low side (L4) of the lower sieve level (16), and are then sent to the
outlet of residues larger than grains (20). According to the embodiment shown, as
can best be seen in Figures 4, 5, and 9, the lower side (L4) of the lower sieve level
(16) is in communication with a carrying channel of residues larger than grains (166),
which is bifurcated in two paths along a downward slope from the center towards the
front and back of the machine (10), each path giving access to a respective outlet
of residues larger than grains (20), as can best be seen in Figure 9.
[0033] Advantageously, from the invention, the surplus grains (Ge), including the grains
with higher kinetic energy and/or bouncing grains, which failed to cross the grain
sieve (142) of the respective main sieve levels (14a, 14b, 14c), have the possibility
of being reprocessed at the lower sieve level (16). Thereby, there is no need for
the presence of a curtain on each main sieve level (14a, 14b, 14c). Thus, advantageously,
the grain sieves (142) of the main sieve levels (14a, 14b, 14c) started to work at
full sieving capacity, whereas in the prior-art machine the sieving area of the grain
sieve located after the curtain, at each main sieve level, worked with a reduced sieving
capacity. Accordingly, advantageously, the grain-cleaning machine (10) of the invention
is capable of achieving a higher processing rate of the mixture of grains and residues
(M), for example expressed in tons per hour, compared to the processing rate achieved
by the prior-art machine, occupying an equivalent physical space.
[0034] In the embodiment shown, as can be seen in Figures 4 to 6, the sieve arrangement
further comprises an upper sieve level (22) comprising a coarse sieve (222). The upper
sieve level (22) is positioned above the respective main sieve levels (14a, 14b, 14c),
and inclined to the horizontal from a high side (L5) to a low side (L6), the low side
(L6) of the upper sieve level (22) is in communication with at least one outlet of
residues larger than grains (21). Below the coarse sieve (222) is disposed at least
one mixture-carrying channel (228), preferably a pair of mixture-carrying channels
(228), as shown in Figures 4 and 5, having a slope toward the high side (L1) of the
respective main sieve levels (14a, 14b, 14c). The coarse sieve (222) has a mesh configured
to prevent the crossing of coarse residues larger than grains (RG), such as pieces
of wood, bricks, stones, among other objects of expressive size, which could become
stuck at subsequent sieve levels (14a, 14b, 14c, 16).
[0035] A machine (10) configured with an upper sieve level (22), in operation, as can be
seen from the schematic arrows shown in Figures 5 and 6, receives a mixture of grains
and residues (M) through the inlet opening (13). The mixture (M) accesses the upper
side (L5) of the upper sieve level (22), forming a mixture layer (M) on the coarse
sieve (222). Due to the inclination of the upper sieve level (22) and due to the oscillating
movement of the sieve arrangement produced by the vibration system, the mixture layer
(M) moves toward the low side (L6) of the upper sieve level (22). As the mixture (M)
advances, said mixture (M), with the exception of the coarse residues larger than
the grains (RG), passes through the coarse sieve (222) and falls onto the mixture-carrying
channel (228), then conveyed to the high side (L1) of each main sieve level (14a,
14b, 14c), then following the path described above. Note that the mixture (M) passing
through the coarse sieve (222) includes the grains (G), the residues smaller than
grains (R<) and the residues larger than grains (R>), the latter, however, smaller
than the coarse residues larger than grains (RG). The coarse residues larger than
grains (RG) follow over the coarse sieve (222) until they reach the lower side (L6)
of the upper sieve level (22), and then are sent to the outlet of coarse residues
larger than grains (21). According to the embodiment shown, as can be seen in Figures
4 to 6, the lower side (L6) of the upper sieve level (22) is in communication with
a coarse-carrying channel (224), which is bifurcated in two paths along a downward
slope from the center towards the front and back of the machine (10), each path being
in communication with a respective outlet of coarse residues larger than grains (21),
through a respective vertical conduit of coarse residues (226), as best shown in Figure
6. The upper sieve (22), along with its respective carrying channels (224, 228), conduits
(226), and outlets (21) are optional, in view of the fact that the mixture (M) may
be free of course residues larger than the grains (RG), before entering the machine
(10), for example because it has been pre-processed in another machine intended for
this purpose.
[0036] Preferably, a lower curtain (167) is disposed over the lower sieve level (16), the
lower curtain (167) having an upper end attached to a rod and a tail in contact with
the lower grain sieve (162). The lower curtain (167) is positioned transversely so
that a portion of the lower grain sieve (162) is located behind the lower curtain
(167) toward the low side (L4). The lower curtain (167) acts as a barrier for surplus
grains (Ge), including those with higher kinetic energy and/or bouncing grains, so
that they are contained and accommodated over the lower grain sieve (162) so as to
be able to pass through said lower grain sieve (162), rather than being unduly discarded
through the outlet of residues larger than grains (20).
[0037] Preferably, upon the upper sieve level (22), when the machine (10) is configured
therewith, there is disposed an upper curtain (227) having an upper end attached to
a rod and a tail in contact with the course sieve (222). The upper curtain (227) is
positioned transversely so that a portion of the coarse sieve (222) is located behind
the upper curtain (227) toward the low side (L6). The upper curtain (227) acts as
a barrier to the mixture of grains and residues (M), including grains (G) with higher
kinetic energy and/or bouncing grains, so that they are contained and accommodated
on the coarse sieve (222), so as to be able to pass through said coarse sieve (222)
rather than being unduly discarded through the outlet of coarse residues larger than
grains (21).
[0038] Preferably, between each fine sieve (141) and the respective fine-carrying channel
(143) is disposed a respective fine ball retaining plate (149), which retains a plurality
of fine balls (31). Preferably, between each grain sieve (142) and the respective
grain-carrying channel (144) is disposed a respective grain ball retaining plate (148),
which retains a plurality of grain balls (32). Preferably, between the lower grain
sieve (162) and the respective lower grain-carrying channel (164) is disposed a respective
lower grain ball retaining plate (169), which retains a plurality of lower grain balls
(33). Preferably, when the machine (10) is configured with the upper sieve level (22),
a respective coarse ball retaining plate (229) is disposed between the coarse sieve
(222) and the respective mixture-carrying channel (228), which retains a plurality
of coarse balls (34). Each plate (149, 148, 169, 229) has a mesh of holes, for example
squares, of suitable dimensions to retain the corresponding balls (31, 32, 33, 34),
and at the same time to allow traversal of material that has already passed through
the corresponding sieve (141, 142, 162, 222). In operation, due to the oscillating
movement of the sieve arrangement produced by the vibration system, the balls (31,
32, 33, 34) bounce and collide with the corresponding sieves (141, 142, 162, 222),
preventing any residues (R<, R>, RG) or grains (G, Ge) to become stuck in certain
holes of the mesh of the corresponding sieves (141, 142, 162, 222), which could unduly
interrupt the flow of material through the sieves (141, 142, 162, 222).
[0039] For example, each sieve (141, 142, 162, 222) and the respective retaining plate (149,
148, 169, 229) may be manufactured so as to form an assembly, for example screwed
and/or welded. Assemblies formed by sieves, retaining plates, and balls are known
in the prior art. Figure 7 shows an example of assembling the assembly and an example
of attaching the assembly to the machine (10) used in a fine sieve (141) of the second
main sieve level (14b). The other sieves (141, 142, 162, 222) of the other sieve levels
(14a, 14b, 14c, 16, 22) may follow a similar assembling of the assembly and attaching
the assembly in the machine (10). As can be seen in Figure 7, the assembly is formed
by the fine sieve (141) fixed to a corner bar (42), which is fixed on an "L" plate
(43) connected to the fine ball retaining plate (149). Further, a shim (44), for example
made of rubber, is attached below the "L" plate (43). In the machine (10), this assembly
is supported on an inverted U-shaped longitudinal support (45), which is secured to
a rear closure plate (122). Likewise, the assembly is also supported on a longitudinal
support secured to a front closure plate. The assembly may also be engaged or secured
in transverse supports.
[0040] For example, for a machine (10) configured for soybean cleaning, each fine sieve
(141) may have a mesh having a plurality of holes with a diameter of 3 mm, each grain
sieve (142) and each lower grain sieve (162) may have a mesh having a plurality of
holes with a diameter of 9 mm, and each coarse sieve (222) may have a mesh having
a plurality of oblong holes measuring 16 mm x 35 mm.
[0041] The machine (10) comprises a vibration system configured to oscillate the sieve arrangement.
Different vibration systems employed in a grain-cleaning machine that uses grain size
separation by sieves are already known in the prior art. In particular, the vibration
system used in the depicted embodiment is known in the prior art. As best shown in
Figures 1, 4, 9, and 10, this vibration system comprises an electric motor (52) supported
in a position external to the housing (12), in the front region of the machine (10).
The electric motor (52) has a shaft coupled to a pulley (53). A flywheel (54) is internally
secured to the housing (12), in a central position in the machine (10). The flywheel
(54) supports a counterweight (55) positioned in a decentralized manner. A belt (56)
connects the pulley (53) to the flywheel (54). In operation, the rotation of the electric
motor (52) is transmitted to the unbalanced rotating flywheel (54). The machine (10)
is integrally suspended in a gantry (not shown), by means of steel cables (not shown)
engaged in four suspension points (57) distributed around the machine (10). As the
machine (10) is suspended, the unbalanced rotation of the flywheel (54) produces an
oscillation throughout the machine (10), and thus an oscillation in the sieve arrangement.
[0042] Naturally, the machine (10) of the invention could be configured with other known
vibration systems. In case the machine (10) is configured asymmetrically, which would
be equivalent to a half machine in relation to the embodiment shown, and when a vibration
system equivalent to that described above is used, the flywheel (54) must be secured
in a central position relative to the dimensions of the half machine.
[0043] The preferred or alternate embodiments described herein are not to be construed as
limiting the present invention to structural forms, but there may be constructive
variations which are equivalent without, however, departing from the scope of protection
of the invention.