Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A flaker mill provides for the flaking or rolling of processed grains such as corn and milo for livestock feed. The mill is powered by a relatively small motor which turns at a higher speed than the drive sheaves for the two rollers within the machine. A speed reduction transmission, such as a planetary transmission, is used to reduce the motor output speed to the proper speed to drive an output sheave from the transmission and to provide the proper torque for the two rollers. Each of the rollers has a sheave extending therefrom, for a total of only three sheaves for the entire machine to drive the two rollers. The machine does not require an idler pulley or sheave for belt tension adjustment, as the arcuate adjustment motion of the rear roller bearing housings disposed between the fixed front roller bearing housings and the transmission output, substantially compensates for positional changes in the belt run. The motor and transmission are adjustably positioned, for belt replacement and to adjust for belt stretch. The lack of a separate idler pulley, and use of a geared transmission for speed reduction, reduces frictional losses in the drive system and allows a smaller motor to be used, thus resulting in substantial economies of operation. The nip space between the two rollers is adjusted using hydraulic struts between bearing housing extension arms on each side, with a spring providing additional compliance in the event of a non-crushable article passing through the roller nip.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim