Variable diameter, variable pitch auger with material scraper and breaker bar

摘要

A multi stage auger system having a hopper with a first diameter opening tapering to a second smaller diameter opening, coupled to an auger tube at the second smaller diameter opening. An auger entry spiral with generally helical shape and a sweep arm coupled thereto, the spiral and the sweep arm skimming inside the product hopper to entrain the semi-solid materials from the hopper wall and, through the shape of the spiral, moving materials through the hopper from the first opening towards the second smaller opening. During this entrainment and movement by the spiral and sweep arm a space is left between the spiral and the sweep arm to remove air and voids from the semi-solid material through the movement. The auger has a first coarse pitch providing further removal of air/void spaces and a second finer pitch providing further movement under higher pressures near an exit of the auger.

主权项

1. A multi stage auger system providing removal of air and void spaces from semi-solid material in an extrusion system comprising:
a motor coupled to an auger drive shaft and an electrical control panel; a product hopper with a first diameter opening tapering to a second smaller diameter opening and coupled to an auger tube at the second smaller diameter opening; an auger entry spiral with a substantially helical shape and at least one sweep arm coupled to the auger entry spiral and driven by the motor, the auger entry spiral and the at least one sweep arm skimming inside the product hopper to entrain the semi-solid materials from a hopper wall and, through the helical shape of the auger entry spiral, moving the semi-solid materials through the hopper from the first diameter opening towards the second diameter opening in an auger entry area within the hopper, wherein during such entrainment and movement of the semi-solid material by the auger entry spiral and the at least one sweep arm there is a space left between the auger entry spiral and the at least one sweep arm to remove air and voids from the semi-solid material through the entrainment and movement under increasing pressures at an exit of the auger tube; an least one stationary breaker bar disposed and extending at least into the product hopper, wherein the semi-solid material being moved by the auger entry spiral and the at least one sweep arm is passed across the at least one stationary breaker bar such that the breaker bar further assists in avoiding adherence of excess semi-solid material to the rotating auger entry spiral and sweep arm and further aids in removal of air from and movement of the semi-solid material down and thru the extrusion system; an auger coupled to the auger entry spiral and the at least one sweep arm, the auger having a first section with a first coarser pitch providing further removal of the air and the void spaces through the movement and agitation and a second finer pitch providing a further movement under higher pressures at the exit of the auger tube; and a die member coupled to the exit of the auger tube whereby the semi-solid materials are extruded through the die member.