Abstract: A preload-clamp nut device is provided which securely mounts to a shaft having a plurality of shaft-mounted tools and provides a preload against the tools. A preferred embodiment of the device comprises a sleeve with a threaded bore and a slitted, tapered surface and a flange having a plurality of threaded holes, a clamp ring having a tapered bore and a plurality of openings that can be aligned with the plurality of threaded holes in the flange, and a plurality of bolts each having a set nut and a lock nut. When the bolts are inserted through the openings in the clamp ring into the threaded holes in the flange the set nuts and bolts can be tightened to clamp onto the shaft and preload the shaft-mounted tools. An alternative embodiment of the present invention provides a flange having a two-portion bore with a tapered portion and a constant diameter portion and a plurality of threaded holes, and a multipiece lockring having beveled edges that fit into the flange's tapered bore portion.

Abstract: An apparatus shreds hazardous waste drums and their contents in an oxygen-limited environment, transports the shredded material to a dispenser that dispenses metered amounts of the material into fire pails. The apparatus has two vertically separated shredders that are located in an enclosed shell that has an inert gas fed into it in a controlled manner by a purge system. A lift in an enclosed shaft raises the drums, two at a time, and deposits them into an airlock from which they are released one at a time into the upper shredder. A control system automatically processes the material through the apparatus from when the containers are placed into the lift until the material reaches the dispenser and insures that no stage of the process will commence until the proceeding and following stages are completed. The control system also provides safety checks at each stage to prevent handling or processing accidents.

Abstract: A shredder having a hopper for funneling material to the cutting blades of the shredder is provided with a ram assist within the hopper to push material into the cutting blades. The ram is shielded from the material passing through the hopper by an intermediate partial wall extending from the infeed of the hopper to the mid portion of the hopper. In its retracted position the ram is positioned behind the partial wall out of the stream of material passing through the hopper. In its extended position the ram is proximate the outfeed of the hopper within the flow of material. A ram controller senses the load upon the cutting blades of the shredder and selectively activates and deactivates the ram.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for its use for protecting an electric motor and the mechanical drive line of a material comminuting machine of the type having intermeshing overlapping cutters on rotary shafts, against damage caused by overloading. A torque-limiting coupling located in the drive line between the motor and the cutter shafts is provided with rotation sensors on both the input and output sides of the torque-limiting coupling. A motor controller is responsive to significant differences in the amounts of rotation of the input and output sides of the torque-limiting coupling to stop the motor in case of excessive slippage, in order to protect the motor and the torque-limiting coupling. Where a current-sensing overload device is provided in the case of use of the device with an electric motor, the motor controller can be programmed to respond with sensitivity different from that of the electrical overload protection device.