Abstract: A threshing and separating system for an agricultural harvester includes a rotor configured to rotate about a rotor axis, a rotor cage at least partially enclosing the rotor and including a tailings return inlet formed therein and configured to couple to a tailings return elevator and an insert opening formed therein that is at least partially circumferentially aligned with the tailings return inlet relative to the rotor axis, at least one concave coupled to the rotor cage and defining a plurality of concave perforations, and a threshing insert removably coupled to the rotor cage and including at least one mounting opening. The threshing insert at least partially covers the insert opening and is positioned such that material from the tailings return inlet travels past the threshing insert before reaching the concave.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the separation of mixtures of plastics, contaminated with, among other things, mineral heavy materials such as e.g. sand or metal refuse. Separation occurs according to density in a separating liquid in the centrifugal field of the rotating suspension. The present invention provides the connection of a hydrocyclone before a separating centrifuge. The mineral heavy materials are separated in advance in the hydrocyclone and the plastic mixture is further separated in the centrifuge. Wear on components of the separating centrifuge caused by these heavy materials can be avoided, and in some applications a second separating stage at a higher separation density can be eliminated.

Abstract: A raw material is dispersed around a rotating separator main body having a plurality of classifying blades annularly arranged on the main body and is exposed on a rising flow of classifying air so as to sift off crude powder which cannot be entrained on the flow of the classifying air. The remaining raw material entrained on the classifying air is peripherally introduced into the separator main body for classification into fine and crude powders, the fine power being the powder which is allowed to pass through the classifying blades while the crude powder is the powder which is not allowed to pass. A dispersion plate is arranged between the separator main body and a raw material inlet above the separator main body to receive and disperse the raw material from the inlet. The dispersion plate is rotatable at number of revolutions different from that of the separator main body.

Abstract: Apparatus for classifying tobacco includes a plurality of vertical lift, single-pass, closed loop apparatus projecting a stream of mixed tobacco components across a classifying chamber of each module, and a portion thereof directly into the infeed apparatus of the next downstream module. A common porous conveyor extending through the modules of the closed loop air stream removes tobacco heavies. A second lower reversible conveyor removes overflow and dust or other particles falling out of suspension and deposits same in the heavier discharge or in another collection point. The modules as well as the infeed apparatus are interchangeable.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating fine particulates from a particle flow having a generally vertically disposed column with a particle flow channel. A particle flow inlet and outlet are located at opposite ends of the column in which an airstream is produced. Alternatively arranged downwardly slopping baffles are exposed on opposite sides of the channel for receiving and distributing the particle flow to the airstream. Each successive baffle is longitudinally spaced from the previous baffle. A mechanism is provided adjacent the bottom of each baffle for fanning out the particle flow and for removing the fine particulates from the fanned out particle flow into the airstream.

Abstract: A portable hull separator includes a closed housing defining a pair of apertures which support removable drawers together with a plurality of air apertures. An air flow chamber within the housing is subjected to an air flow created by a motor driven fan. A seed bin within the housing is coupled to a descending air passage such that seed and hull material within the bin is caused to flow downwardly through the passage in which it is subjected to a transverse air flow. Adjustable gates are provided which alter the air flow characteristics and thereby the hull separation characteristics of the separator in accordance with an external adjustment.

Abstract: Intermixed light leaf and heavy stem tobacco particles are fed or propelled inwardly and across a vertical separator chamber of the classifier while forced air is directed upwardly through the intermixed particles and at varying velocities across the length of the separator chamber to gently separate the leaf particles from the heavier stem particles. The stream of intermixed particles is projected across the separator chamber at a variable initial velocity and the varying velocities of the upwardly directed forced air streams are correlated with the velocity of the stream of particles being fed across the separator chamber to gently separate the light leaf particles from the heavier stem particles. An adjustable deflector plate is supported adjacent the inlet feed for varying the angular position of the feeding of the stream of intermixed particles across the separator chamber to thereby vary the classifying plane in which the particles are projected across the separator chamber.

Abstract: A pneumatic separator for separating lighter particles from heavier stem particles and the like, as in tobacco threshing, including a separating chamber having air circulating in a generally upward path therethrough, an inlet rotary impeller mounted on one side of the separating chamber for thrusting particles to be separated into and across the chamber toward a generally upwardly extending opposite wall of the chamber, an inclined perforated plate member below the level of the impeller for directing larger particles discharged toward or falling onto the inclined plate member for collecting and carrying heavier particles from the chamber, and an air jet impeller located immediately above the inclined plate to discharge an air jet therefrom for directing material into a high arc trajectory into the chamber.

Abstract: In the mechanism for supplying waste metal cuttings from machine operations to a centrifuge having air suction means for separation and recovery of the cutting oils, a driven paddle-wheel type feed gate is provided in an inclined, gravity operated feed conduit for both maintaining a generally uniform rate of feed to the centrifuge and for serving as a barrier against the entry of air through the infeed end of the conduit. An air aspiration port is provided adjacent to and on the centrifuge side of the paddle wheel through which large metal chunks are discharged by gravity while smaller cuttings are entrained by the incoming air stream and transported past the port to the centrifuge. The bottom of the conduit at the feed gate is movably mounted to permit the passage of large, chunky material and means are provided to assure discharge of long pieces of material.

Abstract: For separating nuts from orchard trash in a windrow, the mixture of nuts and trash is picked up and deposited on the forward end of a foraminous conveyor enclosed by a housing connected to a fan inducing a vigorous flow of air through the conveyor. Variously arranged baffles, walls and guide plates direct the air rearwardly to enhance separation capacity and form settling zones to increase separation efficiency. Provision is also made for abruptly changing the direction of movement of the nut and trash supporting upper run of the conveyor to dislodge and tumble the nuts and the trash as they traverse the separation zone where the flow of air emerges through the upper run, thereby effecting even more rapid and efficient separation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an installation for the treatment and handling of metallurgical slag which includes means for the disintegration of a flow of pyroplastic slag by mechanical impacts and cooling means for the cooling of the particles of slag formed by the disintegration. The installation comprises at least one perforated endless band positioned in the path of fall of the particles of slag projected by the disintegration means and cooled by the said cooling means. The installation also comprises an insulating enclosure positioned immediately above the perforated band and which contains the disintegration and cooling means, and means for trapping the ascending gaseous and/or solid by-products.

Abstract: Raw and uncomminuted refuse is introduced through an entrance port into a substantially closed chamber as a horizontally flowing stream so that the refuse drops in the chamber along a path. A current of air is circulated in a closed circuit through the chamber and is directed in the chamber generally perpendicular to the path of the falling refuse and is inspired in the chamber through a sieve oriented substantially perpendicular to the current in the chamber. A minor portion of the air is withdrawn from the circuit, filtered, and released to the atmosphere. This withdrawn portion is replaced in the circuit by drawing air into the chamber substantially only through the entrance port so that slight subatmosphere pressure is created in the chamber to prevent the generation of unwanted dust or smell.

Abstract: A metering surge bin airlock feed device having a conveyor which extends from a surge bin to the interior of a pneumatic materials separator is disclosed. Airlock inlet and outlet means are provided at the points where the conveyor passes through a wall of the separator so that gas cannot pass through the wall at those points.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for separating lighter and heavier portions of threshed tobacco by creating two adjacent vortices circulating in opposite directions the turbulence of which separates the threshed tobacco; the vortices coacting to form rising column of high velocity air for carrying off lighter portions of tobacco while heavier portions of tobacco drop to a pneumatic take-off.

Abstract: The threshed material leaving the threshing cylinder of a grain harvester or combine is accelerated into a transverse air stream by a pair of rolls. The rolls are disposed on parallel axes and are rotated at a relatively high speed in opposite directions whereby their confronting peripheries engage and accelerate the threshed material to a velocity substantially in excess of the speed at which such material would fall by gravity. A wide band of relatively high speed air is directed transversely through the accelerated material to provide a precleaning of straw and chaff from the material normally passing to the grain separation or cleaning shoe section of the combine. The grain in the accelerated material continues in a relatively straight line trajectory and the straw and chaff are separated from the grain by the transverse air stream.