GB2116536A - Method of and device for propelling loads - Google Patents

Abstract

Machines are driven by a device producing movement of the machines by means of air reaction produced by high speed electric motor driven an air moving bladed fan. The device is of particular use for propelling circular distributor machines as used in the sewage treatment industry.

Description

SPECIFICATION Air driven distributor unit (A.D.D. unit) The Air Driven Distributor Unit has been devised as an alternative method of controlling the rotation of liquid distributing machines as used in the water industry for distributing sewage flow to biological filtration beds.

There are many types of biological filtration beds but the invention has particular, but not exclusive application to the circular filter bed, upon which a distribution machine rotates by means of a central column which in turn has distributing arms running radially out from the central column over the limits of the bacteria bed under consideration.

In order to obtain optimum treatment results, it is necessary that the distribution of the sewage flow over the bacteria bed be controlled and the usual way of accomplishing this is by means of an electric motor driving through a reduction gearbox and hence to a drive wheel.

Terminal drive may be achieved at the centre well of the bacteria bed or at the peripheral wall to the bacteria bed. Other means of control may be the drive wheel rotating over the filtering medium or by means of water reaction between the distributing arm and the filtering medium, generally known as "jet-reaction drive".

A method of achieving controlled drive has now been devised which simplifies the present methods of controlled rotation of the distribution machine which dispenses with the need to provide gearboxes and drive wheels to achieve the desired results.

By providing an electric motor, which size is determined by the type and size of distribution machine to be used, and incorporating a specifically designed bladed fan or propellor fixed to the motor drive shaft, controlled rotation of the distributor can be achieved.

To obtain variations in the speed of rotation required a variable speed motor may be provided or alternatively the size of the fan/propellor may be altered or a range of fixed speed motors with different r.p.m. can be used, or any combination of which, will produce the desired results.

The Air Drive Distributor Unit would be fixed to one of the distributor arms by means of a base plate and U-Bolts, the power source would be provided in the same way as used at the present time and the drive fan/propellor would be enclosed in a wire mesh guard to comply with safety regulations.

The position of the fan/propellor is such that it can be mounted either in front of, or behind the direction of rotation, thus either pulling the distributor machine forward, or pushing the machine from the back.

The bladed fan or propellor may be constructed from plastic, fibreglass, steel or any other suitable material used in the construction of such items.

The air driven method significantly reduces the capital and running costs of conventional systems as expenditure on gearboxes, shafts drive wheels are not required and subsequent maintenance requirements are greatly reduced.

Because the method requires that the electric motor drives a light fan/propellor only, power consumption and hence costs are also greatly reduced.

The main components of the air drive unit comprise.

(a) suitable electric motor (b) bladed fan or propellor (c) wire mesh guard All other control/operational equipment is similar to or a variation of existing proprietary or manufactured units already in use in the concept of motor driven distribution machines.

Claims(Filed on 4~3~83) 1. A drive unit for propelling a load around or along a predetermined route located on a depending support arm, said unit comprising:- 2. An electric motor (3) driving an air moving fan (4) thus producing movement or rotation of the depending support arm (10) the arrangement being such that by positioning the drive unit in its optimum position movement of the load is achieved.

3. A drive unit which uses the movement of air by means of electric fan (4) forcing air from the main body of the unit in the form of air jet causes air reaction which moves the load forward by reversing rotation of drive direction of movement is reversed.

4. A drive unit producing force by means of air movement which force can be determined by increasing or decreasing size of electric motor to be used.

5. A drive unit producing force by means of air movement which force can be determined by increasing or decreasing number of revolutions per minute of electric motor speeds.

6. A drive unit producing force by means of air movement which force can be determined by increasing or decreasing size and/or diameter, pitch or angle of air moving fan attached to electric motor.

7. A drive unit as claimed in claims 1 to 6 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.

8. A drive unit as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7 wherein the load is a bacteriorlogical filter bed distribution machine.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Air driven distributor unit (A.D.D. unit) The Air Driven Distributor Unit has been devised as an alternative method of controlling the rotation of liquid distributing machines as used in the water industry for distributing sewage flow to biological filtration beds. There are many types of biological filtration beds but the invention has particular, but not exclusive application to the circular filter bed, upon which a distribution machine rotates by means of a central column which in turn has distributing arms running radially out from the central column over the limits of the bacteria bed under consideration. In order to obtain optimum treatment results, it is necessary that the distribution of the sewage flow over the bacteria bed be controlled and the usual way of accomplishing this is by means of an electric motor driving through a reduction gearbox and hence to a drive wheel. Terminal drive may be achieved at the centre well of the bacteria bed or at the peripheral wall to the bacteria bed. Other means of control may be the drive wheel rotating over the filtering medium or by means of water reaction between the distributing arm and the filtering medium, generally known as "jet-reaction drive". A method of achieving controlled drive has now been devised which simplifies the present methods of controlled rotation of the distribution machine which dispenses with the need to provide gearboxes and drive wheels to achieve the desired results. By providing an electric motor, which size is determined by the type and size of distribution machine to be used, and incorporating a specifically designed bladed fan or propellor fixed to the motor drive shaft, controlled rotation of the distributor can be achieved. To obtain variations in the speed of rotation required a variable speed motor may be provided or alternatively the size of the fan/propellor may be altered or a range of fixed speed motors with different r.p.m. can be used, or any combination of which, will produce the desired results. The Air Drive Distributor Unit would be fixed to one of the distributor arms by means of a base plate and U-Bolts, the power source would be provided in the same way as used at the present time and the drive fan/propellor would be enclosed in a wire mesh guard to comply with safety regulations. The position of the fan/propellor is such that it can be mounted either in front of, or behind the direction of rotation, thus either pulling the distributor machine forward, or pushing the machine from the back. The bladed fan or propellor may be constructed from plastic, fibreglass, steel or any other suitable material used in the construction of such items. The air driven method significantly reduces the capital and running costs of conventional systems as expenditure on gearboxes, shafts drive wheels are not required and subsequent maintenance requirements are greatly reduced. Because the method requires that the electric motor drives a light fan/propellor only, power consumption and hence costs are also greatly reduced. The main components of the air drive unit comprise. (a) suitable electric motor (b) bladed fan or propellor (c) wire mesh guard All other control/operational equipment is similar to or a variation of existing proprietary or manufactured units already in use in the concept of motor driven distribution machines. Claims(Filed on 4~3~83)

1. A drive unit for propelling a load around or along a predetermined route located on a depending support arm, said unit comprising:-

2. An electric motor (3) driving an air moving fan (4) thus producing movement or rotation of the depending support arm (10) the arrangement being such that by positioning the drive unit in its optimum position movement of the load is achieved.

3. A drive unit which uses the movement of air by means of electric fan (4) forcing air from the main body of the unit in the form of air jet causes air reaction which moves the load forward by reversing rotation of drive direction of movement is reversed.

4. A drive unit producing force by means of air movement which force can be determined by increasing or decreasing size of electric motor to be used.

5. A drive unit producing force by means of air movement which force can be determined by increasing or decreasing number of revolutions per minute of electric motor speeds.

6. A drive unit producing force by means of air movement which force can be determined by increasing or decreasing size and/or diameter, pitch or angle of air moving fan attached to electric motor.

7. A drive unit as claimed in claims 1 to 6 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.

8. A drive unit as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7 wherein the load is a bacteriorlogical filter bed distribution machine.