Technical Field
[0001] The invention relates to a spreader arrangement for spreading a mixture of granulated
material, preferably salt, and a liquid or a solution of salt and water, said arrangement
including a funnel attached to a vehicle and leading granulated material from a dosing
means on the vehicle to a rotatable spreader disc at the bottom part of the funnel.
Background Art
[0002] The use of a mixture of salt and water instead of salt alone offers several advantages.
Firstly, a saving in salt consumption of about 23 % is obtained. Secondly, moist salt
is not as sensitive to wind as dry salt. Thirdly, the moist salt does not bounce as
much when it hits the road during scattering, whereby a more accurate positioning
is obtained. Fourthly, the scattered moist salt remains on the road at subsequent
traffic. The scattered material is thus not as sensitive to subsequent traffic.
[0003] Various spreading mechanism for spreading a mixture of salt and water are known,
confer cg.
EP 427995 and
US 4442979. The mixing of salt and water is, however, not sufficiently effective.
Description of the Invention
[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a spreader arrangement rendering
a more effective mixture of granulated material and liquid.
[0005] A spreader arrangement of the above type is according to the invention characterised
by the features of claim 1.
[0006] The mixing chamber renders a more effective mixing of the granulated material and
the liquid than hitherto known.
[0007] Moreover, according to the invention, next to the funnel in the rotational direction
of the spreader disc the means for feeding the liquid to be mixed with the granulated
material may be provided, in the rotational direction of the spreader disc the liquid
feeding means preferably being arranged behind the funnel for feeding of granulated
material.
[0008] Furthermore according to the invention the spreader disc may comprise a motor cone
with a built-in motor, preferably a hydraulic motor.
[0009] Moreover according to the invention the hydraulic motor may drive the motor cone
and thus a hub plate in the mixing chamber connected thereto.
[0010] According to the invention the hub plate may be provided with frictional members
ensuring that a more uniform scattering of the mixture of salt and salt water.
[0011] The frictional members may according to the invention be formed of mixer blades on
the hub plate, preferably in form of involutes.
[0012] The maximum height of the mixer blades is 4 mm.
[0013] Furthermore according to the invention the mixing chamber is rounded at the bottom
to ensure that the material is conveyed up the chamber wall and then drops down onto
the mixer blades on the hub plate.
[0014] The mixing chamber is provided with an inwardly inclined or inwardly curved wall,
the material thereby falling back onto the mixer blades instead of being thrown out
of the mixing chamber.
[0015] The mixer blades may advantageously extend beyond the stationary part of the bottom
of the chamber.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0016] The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which
Fig. 1 shows a spreader arrangement according to the invention comprising a telescopic
funnel for granulated material and a spreader disc,
Fig. 2 shows the spreader disc in connection with a stationary upper part of the mixing
chamber,
Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a hydraulic motor built-in in the mixing chamber,
Fig. 4 shows the spreader disc in connection with the stationary upper part of the
mixing chamber, the cover of the stationary upper part being removed,
Fig. 5 illustrates how salt and salt water are mixed in the mixing chamber,
Fig. 6 illustrates the spreader arrangement in connection with a container for discharging
granulated material and with a container for discharging liquid,
Fig. 7 is a side view of the container for granulated material shown in Fig. 6, the
container for discharging liquid also being showed,
Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the container shown in Fig. 7 provided with a feed worm
at the bottom,
Fig. 9 shows the electronic circuit for controlling the spreader disc, the liquid
pump, the dosing means and the asymmetry, and
Fig. 10 illustrates a screen around the rotating spreader disc.
Best Mode(s) for carrying out the invention
[0017] The spreader arrangement according to the invention shown in Fig. 1 to be arranged
on a vehicle such as lorry includes a telescopic funnel 1 feeding granulated material
such as salt from an electronically controlled dosing means on the vehicle. Via a
bracket attached to the funnel 1 the spreader disc 5 is suspended at the lowermost
part of the funnel 1. In connection with the rotatable spreader disc 5 a relatively
stationary housing is provided, said housing having a cover 4 at the top with a comparatively
large opening 4a for feeding granulated material such as salt and liquid such as salt
water, respectively, a tube 1 a for feeding of the liquid being provided next to the
funnel 1. At the bottom of the housing a hub plate 2 is provided which is firmly connected
to the spreader disc 5 and rotates therewith, confer Fig. 2. The hub plate 2 is provided
with frictional members in form of involute-shaped blades 2a of a height of preferably
4 mm.
[0018] The spreader arrangement communicates with a container 11 for discharging granulated
material such as salt and a container 12 for discharging liquid such as salt water,
confer Fig. 6. Fig. 8 shows the container 11 for discharging salt, a conveying means
in form of a worm 13 being provided at the bottom of the container 11 for feeding
the salt to the end of the container 11 with the spreader arrangement. The discharge
of salt and the discharge of salt water are electronically controlled by means of
the control circuit shown in Fig. 9 and are described below.
The method of operation of the method of operation is as follows:
[0019] A hydraulic motor - confer Figs. 2 and 3 - inserted from below drives a motor cone
communicating with the hub plate 2 and the spreader disc 5 and rotating these elements.
The mixing chamber and the associated cover 4 are, however, stationary during the
rotation of the motor.
[0020] The mixing chamber is arranged concentrically in relation to the spreader disc 5.
[0021] Salt and salt water are now fed to the mixing chamber through the large opening 4a
in the cover of the mixing chamber and conveyed by the mixer blades 2a on the rotating
hub plate 2 to the wall 7 of the mixing chamber. The salt and the salt water obtain
such a high velocity towards the wall 7 that the mixture is thrown up onto the wall
7 and then drops down onto the mixer blades 2a, confer Fig. 5. The salt and salt water
are then conveyed once more to the wall 7 of the mixing chamber and follow the wall
until the mixture reaches an opening 8 in the wall 7 and is thrown out therefrom.
[0022] The mixing chamber has an inwardly inclined or inwardly curved wall 7 - confer Fig.
5 - so as to ensure that the material drops back onto the mixer blades 2a before being
thrown out through the said opening 8 in the wall 7.
[0023] Furthermore a curve is provided in the bottom of the mixing chamber at the transition
between the hub plate 2 and the inwardly inclined wall 7. As a result, the mixing
chamber is comparatively tight and the material is more easily thrown up the upwardly
inclined wall 7, whereby a more effective mixing of salt and salt water is obtained
before the mixture is thrown out through the opening 8 - confer Fig. 4, which illustrates
the mixing chamber with cover.
[0024] It is essential for obtaining an effective mixture that the liquid is supplied prior
to the supply of salt.
[0025] The mixing of salt and salt water is effected in several different manners:
- 1. The salt hits the already added salt water in the mixing chamber, the salt hitting
the hub plate 2 and the mixer blades 2a (salt water having been supplied shortly prior
to the supply of salt).
- 2. The salt and salt water are mixed by the mixer blades 2a not immediately conveying
all of the salt and all of the salt water to the wall 7 due to friction. As a result,
stirring takes place by some of the salt and salt water being thrown over the mixer
blades 2a before reaching the wall 7 of the chamber.
- 3. The impact with the wall 7 of the chamber provides a degree of mixing.
- 4. The salt and salt water again drop down onto the mixer blades 2a and the hub plate
2 which results in further mixing.
- 5. The salt and salt water are conveyed along the wall 7 of the chamber which results
in further mixing.
- 6. The salt and salt water remain inside the mixing chamber for 1/2 to 3/4 of a revolution
before being thrown out onto the spreader disc 5 through the opening 8 in the wall
7 of the mixing chamber.
[0026] The direction and speed of the material flow which is tangent in relation to the
chamber wall 7 renders the advantage that the material being thrown out of the chamber
has substantially the same tangential rate as the blades on the spreader disc 5. As
result, any splash of salt and salt water is minimised, whereby the risk of clogging
of the spreader arrangement is significantly reduced.
[0027] The blades 5a on the rotating spreader disc 5 are inclined in relation to vertical.
This means that the material flow is gradually cut and thrown down into the rims between
the spreader disc 5 and the blades 5a. The gradual cutting and throwing downwards
against the rims effect that the material is spread out along the blades 5a. This
in turn effects that the spread pattern obtains a wide angle of spread. The angle
of the blades 5a in relation to horizontal is about 45-55°. Furthermore, a sharp edge
between the spreader disc 5 and the blade 5a is to be provided, the material spreading
otherwise not being effected in a satisfactory manner.
[0028] An asymmetric setting may be provided by altering the position of the opening 8 in
the wall 7 of the mixing chamber by turning the mixing chamber such that the position
of the opening 8 is altered. By turning the opening 8 and thus the exit point of the
material from the mixing chamber onto the blades 5a on the spreader disc 5, the asymmetry
of the spread pattern may thus be adjusted. The means for adjusting the angularity
of the mixing chamber may for instance be formed of an articulated-rod mechanism which
optionally may be operated manually. Optionally a servomotor may be used. When the
mixing chamber is turned clockwise, spreading is effected further to the left when
seen in the direction of travel and vice versa. The most important aspect is, however,
that no change in the entire angle of spread and the entire spreading range occur.
[0029] Fig. 6 shows the spreader arrangement mounted in communication with an oblong V-shaped
container 11 for feeding granulate, while Fig. 7 shows the same in a side view. At
the bottom of the V-shaped container 11 a conveyor in form of a worm 13 is shown,
said worm conveying the granulate to the funnel 1 arranged at the end of the container
11 and wherefrom it is discharged to the mixing chamber. On the side of the V-shaped
container 11 a liquid container 12 is arranged wherefrom liquid is discharged to the
mixing chamber at the same time via a hose and a pump.
[0030] The actual flow of material is electronically controlled through a tachometer attached
to for instance one of the rear wheels of the vehicle in question. Remote adjustments
from the cab of the vehicle are employed, the driver adjusting the spreading range,
the dosage per area unit, etc. Fig. 9 illustrates the electronic circuit adapted to
adjust the dosage per area unit, the spreading range, the liquid pump and the symmetry
setting.
[0031] The supply of salt is controlled separately in relation to the supply of liquid.
The adjustment can be effected quite quickly within about 1 second. The adjustment
is performed by comparing an adjustment set value with the actual value, an error
signal being generated which is used as a feedback signal in a feedback loop with
negative feedback.
[0032] The supply of liquid is adjusted in a corresponding manner by comparing an adjusted
set value with the actual value, an error signal being generated at said comparison
and used as a feedback signal in a feedback loop.
[0033] The spreading range is adjusted by comparing a set value corresponding to the spreading
range of the spreader disc, ie the rpm of the hydraulic motor, with the actual value
so as to generate an error signal used in a feedback loop.
[0034] The symmetry position is adjusted in a similar manner by comparing a set value corresponding
to the desired symmetry position with the actual value so as to generate an error
signal which via a feedback signal is used to adjust a separate servomotor controlling
the angularity of the opening in the wall 8 of the mixing chamber.
[0035] An optional, adjustable screen 15 - confer Fig. 10 - around the spreader disc 5 serves
to further ensure that the spreading is effected away from the vehicle.
1. Spreader arrangement for spreading a mixture of granulated material, preferably salt,
and a liquid or a solution of salt and water, said arrangement including a funnel
(1), a spreader disc (5) at the bottom part of said funnel (1), and, a means (1a)
for feeding the liquid to be mixed with the granulated material, said funnel (1) being
attachable to a vehicle for leading granulated material from a dosing means on the
vehicle to said rotatable spreader disc (5) whereby a mixing chamber is provided in
connection with the spreader disc (5) to which the granulated material and the liquid
are fed, characterised in that said mixing chamber is provided with a rounded bottom and an inwardly inclined or
inwardly curved wall.
2. Spreader arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the means (1a) for the feeding liquid is provided next to the funnel (1) in the rotational
direction of the spreader disc (5) .
3. Spreader arrangement according to claim 2, characterised in that the means (1a) for feeding the liquid in the rotational direction of the spreader
disc (5) is arranged behind the funnel (1) for feeding the granulated material.
4. Spreader arrangement according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that the spreader disc (5) comprises a motor cone with a built-in motor, for driving the
motor cone and a hub plate (2) in the mixing chamber connected thereto
5. Spreader arrangement according to claim 4, characterised in that the hub plate (2) is provided with frictional members formed of mixer blades (2a)
provided on the hub plate (2).
6. Spreader arrangement according to claim 5, characterised in that the mixer blades (2a) are shaped as involutes.
7. Spreader arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the mixer blades (2a) extend beyond the stationary part of the bottom of the mixing
chamber.
8. Spreader arrangement according to claim 7, characterised in that mixer blades (2a) extend about 10 mm beyond the stationary part of the bottom of
the mixing chamber.
1. Verteilungsanordnung zum Verteilen eines Gemisches
eines granularen Materials, bevorzugt Salz, und einer Flüssigkeit oder
einer Lösung aus Salz und Wasser,
wobei die Anordnung einen Schacht (1), eine Verteilungsscheibe (5) an einem Unterteil
des Schachts (1) und Mittel (1a) zum Zuführen der mit dem granularen Material zu mischenden
Flüssigkeit umfasst,
wobei der Schacht (1) an ein Fahrzeug zum Leiten des granularen Materials von einem
Dosierungsmittel auf dem Fahrzeug zu der rotierbaren Verteilungsscheibe (5) anbringbar
ist,
wodurch eine Mischkammer in Verbindung mit der Verteilungsscheibe (5) bereitgestellt
ist, zu welcher das granulare Material und die Flüssigkeit geleitet werden,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Mischkammer mit einem gerundeten Boden und einer nach innen geneigten oder nach
innen gekrümmten Wand bereitgestellt ist.
2. Verteilungsanordnung nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass neben dem Schacht (1) in der Rotationsrichtung der Verteilungsscheibe (5) die Mittel
(1a) zum Leiten der Flüssigkeit bereitgestellt sind.
3. Verteilungsanordnung nach Anspruch 2,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Mittel (1a) zum Leiten der Flüssigkeit in die Rotationsrichtung der Verteilungsscheibe
(5) hinter dem Schacht (1) zum Leiten des granularen Materials angeordnet sind.
4. Verteilungsanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Verteilungsscheibe (5) einen Motor-Konus mit einem Einbaumotor umfasst, zum Antreiben
des Motor-Konus und einer Drehscheibe (2) in der damit verbundenen Mischkammer.
5. Verteilungsanordnung nach Anspruch 4,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Drehscheibe (2) mit Reibungselementen bereitgestellt ist, die aus Misch-Flügeln
(2a) gebildet sind, welche auf der Drehscheibe (2) bereitgestellt sind.
6. Verteilungsanordnung nach Anspruch 5,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Misch-Flügel (2) als Involute geformt sind.
7. Verteilungsanordnung nach Anspruch 5 oder 6,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Misch-Flügel (2a) sich über den unbeweglichen Teil des Bodens der Mischkammer
hinaus erstrecken.
8. Verteilungsanordnung nach Anspruch 7,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Mischer-Flügel (2a) sich etwa 10mm über den unbeweglichen Teil des Bodens der
Mischkammer hinaus erstrecken.
1. Système d'épandage pour épandre un mélange de matériau granulé, de préférence du sel,
et un liquide ou une solution de sel et d'eau, ledit agencement comprenant un entonnoir
(1), un disque d'épandage (5) au niveau de la partie inférieure dudit entonnoir (1),
et un moyen (1a) pour délivrer le liquide à mélanger avec le matériau granulé, ledit
entonnoir (1) pouvant s'attacher à un véhicule pour amener du matériau granulé d'un
moyen de dosage sur le véhicule vers ledit disque d'épandage (5) rotatif, moyennant
quoi une chambre de mélange est reliée au disque d'épandage (5) auquel sont fournis
le matériau granulé et le liquide, caractérisé en ce que ladite chambre de mélange est dotée d'un fond rond et d'une paroi inclinée vers l'intérieur
ou courbée vers l'intérieur.
2. Système d'épandage selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le moyen (la) pour fournir le liquide est disposé près de l'entonnoir (1) dans la
direction de rotation du disque d'épandage (5).
3. Système d'épandage selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que le moyen (la) pour fournir le liquide dans la direction de rotation du disque d'épandage
(5) est agencé derrière l'entonnoir (1) pour fournir le matériau granulé.
4. Système d'épandage selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le disque d'épandage (5) comprend un cône de moteur avec un moteur intégré, pour
entraîner le cône de moteur et un flasque de moyeu (2) dans la chambre de mélange
relié à celui-ci.
5. Système d'épandage selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que le flasque de moyeu (2) est doté d'éléments de frottement formés de pales de mélange
(2a) disposées sur le flasque de moyeu (2).
6. Système d'épandage selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que les pales de mélange (2a) sont formées sous forme de développantes.
7. Système d'épandage selon la revendication 5 ou 6, caractérisé en ce que les pales de mélange (2a) s'étendent au-delà de la partie stationnaire du fond de
la chambre de mélange.
8. Système d'épandage selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que les pales de mélange (2a) s'étendent d'environ 10 mm au-delà de la partie stationnaire
du fond de la chambre de mélange.