ABRASIVE ROLL ASSEMBLY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to milling machines, specifically vertical
abrasive type milling machines for food grains. The present invention particularly
relates to an abrasive roll assembly for the vertical abrasive type milling machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Abrasive roll assemblies are commonly used in a milling machine such as
vertical abrasive type milling machine, having a milling chamber for polishing or
whitening food grains, in particular rice grains. In the vertical abrasive type milling
machine, the food grains to be milled are freely supplied from a food grain
feeding system to the vicinity of the screw conveyor, through which the food
grains are supplied to the milling chamber. The food grains are milled in the
, milling chamber formed by abrasive roll assemblies and perforated arcute sheet
cover assemblies. The abrasive roll assemblies are assembled with abrasive
stones for milling or whitening food grains received from the screw conveyor. The
abrasive roll assemblies are configured as food grain polisher for the milling
machine and are driven by a main shaft to polish the food grains.
In the milling machine, each abrasive roll assembly are mounted on a
vertical main shaft extending vertically one over the other, and are rotated with
the help of main shaft during milling. The food grains hits the abrasive stones of
the abrasive roll assemblies in the milling chamber and milling action takes place
inside the milling chamber. The milled food grains collected at bottom of milling
chamber discharged through discharge disk. One of the conventional vertical
milling machines is provided with milling parts and the main shaft, which
discloses that the main shaft is present through out the milling machine and is
being connected to all the abrasive roll assemblies for its rotation to maintain
integrity of the milling machine.
Normally, the last or bottom most abrasive roll assembly can easily and
rapidly wears in comparison with other abrasive roll assemblies in the milling
machine during use. The worn-out last abrasive roll assembly affects overall
performance and efficiency of the milling machine, and therefore it has to be
replaced after the specific time. Since the existing milling machines consist of the
vertical main shaft on which all the abrasive roll assemblies are placed one over
the other, the entire vertical shaft along with abrasive roll assemblies should be
taken off during maintenance work, even for replacing the last abrasive roll
assembly.
With respect to all the conventional milling machines, it is necessary to
disassemble each abrasive roll assemblies of the milling machine in order to
access and replace the worn-out abrasive roll assembly, since all the roll
assemblies are directly coupled to the vertical main shaft throughout for its
rotation. Further, the disassembling of milling machine is very time and labor
consuming and too tedious, as the construction of rotor main shaft is complicated
and the replacement of bottom worn-out abrasive roll requires dismantling of
rotor shaft assembly and various other parts of the milling machine, which
increases repair and maintenance time and disturbs pulley and axial alignment of
the milling machine. For higher capacity milling machines, the volume of milling
chamber is changed by increasing the diameter of the abrasive roll assemblies
and screen assembly, thus increasing the weight of each components of the
milling machine. Hence, it increases the difficulty of assembly and disassembly of
each component, and also increases installation time and maintenance cost of
the milling machine.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide an improved and unique abrasive roll
assembly for a milling machine, which is capable of overcoming the
aforementioned drawbacks. The present arrangement of abrasive roll assembly
aids easy removal and replacing of the worn-out roll assembly without
dismantling all components of the milling machine and without altering pulley and
axial alignment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an abrasive roll assembly,
which facilitates easy removal and replacing of the worn-out roll assembly
without dismantling all components of the milling machine and without altering
pulley and axial alignment.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an abrasive roll
assembly, which is simple in construction and facilitates easy maintenance and
handling by single untrained person.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a milling machine
having an abrasive roll assembly, which minimizes labor, time and cost
consumption during maintenance and replacement of worn-out roll assembly.
According to one aspect, the present invention, which achieves the
objectives, relates to an abrasive roll assembly comprising an abrasive roll
element configured for milling food grains. An abrasive roll flange is composed of
a projecting member formed on its outer periphery, a set of through holes
configured for mounting the abrasive roll flange to an adjacent flange by means
of fasteners, a set of projecting lugs formed on its upper portion, with guiding and
resting portions, a set of projecting pads arranged with threaded holes for
mounting the adjacent flange, and a set of guiding members circumferentially
spaced apart each other to form a set of openings for entry and exit of the
adjacent flange. A supporting plate is placed in opposite to the projecting
member of the abrasive roll flange, such that the supporting plate is fastened to
the abrasive roll flange using fasteners to secure and hold the abrasive roll
element. After inserting the abrasive roll assembly from bottom through openings
of the adjacent flange, the abrasive roll assembly is rotated to make the resting
portion of each projecting lug of the abrasive roll flange resting on the surface of
each guiding member of the adjacent flange, such that each through hole of the
abrasive roll flange is aligned with threaded hole in each projecting pad of the
adjacent flange for mounting the abrasive roll assembly to the adjacent flange,
which ensures centre axial alignment of both the abrasive roll assembly and the
adjacent flange with respect to a main shaft of a milling machine. Such
arrangement of abrasive roll assembly facilitates easy removal and replacing of
the worn-out roll assembly without dismantling all components of the milling
machine and without altering pulley and axial alignment.
While fixing the abrasive roll assembly to the adjacent flange, the guiding
portion of each projecting lug of the abrasive roll assembly is axially guided and
aligned on guiding surface of each guiding member of the adjacent flange, such
that centre axial alignment in both the abrasive roll assembly and the adjacent
flange is maintained with respect to the main shaft of the milling machine. The
guiding portion of each projecting lug and the guiding surface of each guiding
member are formed of a combination of circular surface and conical surface. The
adjacent flange represents either a conveyor flange or an abrasive roll flange.
The abrasive roll flange is configured with a central air opening for free air
circulation inside a milling chamber from top and bottom side of the milling
machine. The through holes, the projecting lugs and the projecting pads are
circumferentially spaced apart each other.
According to another aspect, the present invention, which achieves the
objectives, relates to a conveyor assembly comprising an abrasive roll element
configured for milling food grains. A conveyor flange is assembled with a screw
conveyor and is coupled to a main shaft of a milling machine by means of locking
nut. The conveyor flange is composed of a projecting member formed on its
outer periphery, a set of projecting pads arranged with threaded holes for
mounting an adjacent abrasive roll flange, and a set of guiding members
circumferentially spaced apart each other to form a set of openings for entry and
exit of the adjacent abrasive roll flange. A supporting plate is placed in opposite
to the projecting member of the conveyor flange, such that the supporting plate is
fastened to the conveyor flange using fasteners to secure and hold the abrasive
roll element. After inserting the adjacent abrasive roll flange from bottom through
the openings of the conveyor flange, the adjacent abrasive roll flange is rotated
to make each projecting lug of the adjacent abrasive roll flange resting on the
surface of each guiding member of the conveyor flange, such that the threaded
hole in each projecting pad of the conveyor flange is aligned with each through
hole of the adjacent abrasive roll flange for mounting the adjacent abrasive roll
flange to the conveyor flange, which ensures centre axial alignment of both the
conveyor flange and the adjacent abrasive roll flange with respect to the main
shaft of the milling machine.
While fixing the adjacent abrasive roll flange to the conveyor assembly, a
guiding portion of each projecting lug of the adjacent abrasive roll flange is axially
guided and aligned on guiding surface of each guiding member of the conveyor
assembly, such that centre axial alignment in both the conveyor assembly and
the adjacent abrasive roll flange is maintained with respect to the main shaft of
the milling machine. The conveyor flange is configured with a set of air openings
for free air circulation inside a milling chamber from top and bottom side of the
milling machine. The projecting pads are circumferentially spaced apart each
other. The guiding members are placed in proximity to the projecting pads. The
guiding surface of each guiding member is formed of a combination of circular
surface and conical surface.
According to further aspect, the present invention, which achieves the
objectives, relates to a vertical abrasive type milling machine comprising a
bearing housing vertically mounted on a main structure of the milling machine. A
main shaft is rotatably supported in the bearing housing by means of upper and
lower bearings, the main shaft is mounted to a machine pulley that is connected
to a motor pulley by means of conveying belts. At lease one conveyor assembly,
comprising: an abrasive roll element configured for milling food grains. A
conveyor flange is assembled with a screw conveyor and coupled to the main
shaft by means of locking nut. The conveyor flange is composed of a projecting
member formed on its outer periphery, a set of projecting pads arranged with
threaded holes for mounting an adjacent abrasive roll flange, and a set of guiding
members circumferentially spaced apart each other to form a set of openings for
entry and exit of the adjacent abrasive roll flange. A supporting plate is placed in
opposite to the projecting member of the conveyor flange, such that the
supporting plate is fastened to the conveyor flange using fasteners to secure and
hold the abrasive roll element. After inserting the adjacent abrasive roll flange
from bottom through the openings of the conveyor flange, the adjacent abrasive
roll flange is rotated to make each projecting lug of the adjacent abrasive roll
flange resting on the surface of each guiding member of the conveyor flange,
such that the threaded hole in each projecting pad of the conveyor flange is
aligned with each through hole of the adjacent abrasive roll flange for mounting
the adjacent abrasive roll flange to the conveyor flange, which ensures centre
axial alignment of both the conveyor flange and the adjacent abrasive roll flange
with respect to the main shaft of the milling machine. One or more abrasive roll
assemblies, each comprising: an abrasive roll element configured for milling food
grains. An abrasive roll flange is composed of a projecting member formed on its
outer periphery, a set of through holes configured for mounting the abrasive roll
flange to an adjacent flange by means of fasteners, a set of projecting lugs
formed on its upper portion, with guiding and resting portions, a set of projecting
pads arranged with threaded holes for mounting the adjacent flange, and a set of
guiding members circumferentially spaced apart each other to form a set of
openings for entry and exit of the adjacent flange. A supporting plate is placed in
opposite to the projecting member of the abrasive roll flange, such that the
supporting plate is fastened to the abrasive roll flange using fasteners to secure
and hold the abrasive roll element. After inserting the abrasive roll assembly from
bottom through openings of the adjacent flange, the abrasive roll assembly is
rotated to make the resting portion of each projecting lug of the abrasive roll
flange resting on the surface of each guiding member of the adjacent flange,
such that each through hole of the abrasive roll flange is aligned with threaded
hole in each projecting pad of the adjacent flange for mounting the abrasive roll
assembly to the adjacent flange, which ensures centre axial alignment of both
the abrasive roll assembly and the adjacent flange with respect to the main shaft
of the milling machine.
The rotary movement of the main shaft is transferred to the conveyor
assembly for driving and rotating one or more abrasive roll assemblies attached
to it, which evenly distributes rotary motion from top to bottom of the milling
machine and ensures co-linearity of axial centre of the conveyor assembly and
the one or more abrasive roll assemblies in relation to the main shaft. The
arrangement of conveyor assembly and abrasive roll assemblies in this milling
machine minimizes labor, time and cost consumption during maintenance and
replacement of worn-out roll assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be discussed in greater detail with reference to the
accompanying Figures.
FIG. 1 illustrates a partial view of a screw conveyor flange, in accordance
with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional front view of the screw conveyor flange, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional front view of an abrasive roll assembly, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric sectional view of a set of abrasive roll
assemblies, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of an abrasive roll flange of the
abrasive roll assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of the abrasive roll flange of the abrasive
roll assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view of the abrasive roll flange of the abrasive
roll assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 8 illustrates a sectional view of the abrasive roll flange of the abrasive
roll assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention; and
FIG. 9 illustrates a partial vertical sectional view of a vertical abrasive
milling machine, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will be described herein below with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
Referring to FIG. 1, a partial view of a screw conveyor flange 11 is
illustrated, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. A conveyor assembly 10 comprises an abrasive roll element 40
configured for milling food grains, a screw conveyor flange and a supporting
plate 30. The conveyor flange 1 1 is assembled with a screw conveyor (not
shown) and is coupled to a main shaft 101 of a milling machine 00 by means of
locking nut 02 . The conveyor flange 11 has a central opening 5 for receiving the
main shaft 101 of the milling machine 100, as shown in FIG. 2 , which illustrates a
sectional front view of the screw conveyor flange 1 , in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The screw conveyor flange
consists of a projecting member 1, a set of circumferentially spaced projecting
pads 4 , a set of circumferentially spaced internal guiding members or lands 2 for
resting subsequent abrasive roll assemblies 20, and a set of circumferentially
spaced openings/cut-outs 3 for entry and exit of abrasive roll flange 21. The
conveyor flange 1 also consists of internal threads 7 for mounting top abrasive
roll element 4 0 using fasteners 50 such as bolts, and a set of air openings 6 for
air entry or circulation into the milling chamber area 103 from top to bottom of the
milling machine 100.
The projecting member 1 is formed on the outer periphery of the conveyor
flange 1 . The projecting pads 4 are arranged with circumferentially spaced
threaded holes 4a for mounting subsequent or adjacent abrasive roll assemblies
20. The guiding members 2 are circumferentially spaced apart each other to form
a set of openings 3 for entry and exit of the adjacent abrasive roll flange 21. The
guiding members 2 are placed in proximity to the projecting pads 4 . Each guiding
member 2 exhibits internal guiding surface 2b to guide and align external guiding
portion 23b of each abrasive roll projecting lug 23, where the guiding surface 2b
of the guiding member 2 is formed of a combination of circular surface and
conical surface. The supporting plate 30 is placed in opposite to the projecting
member 1 of the conveyor flange , such that the supporting plate 30 is
fastened to the conveyor flange using fasteners 50 to secure and hold the
abrasive roll element 40.
After inserting the adjacent abrasive roll flange 2 1 from bottom through the
openings 3 of the conveyor flange 11, the adjacent abrasive roll flange 2 1 is
rotated to make each projecting lug 23 of the adjacent abrasive roll flange 2 1
resting on the surface 2a of each guiding member 2 of the conveyor flange 11,
such that the threaded hole 4a in each projecting pad 4 of the conveyor flange 1
is aligned with each through hole 27 of the subsequent abrasive roll flange 2 1 for
mounting the subsequent abrasive roll flange 2 1 to the conveyor flange 11, which
ensures centre axial alignment of both the conveyor flange 11 and the
subsequent abrasive roll flange 2 1 with respect to the main shaft 101 of the
milling machine 100. While fixing the subsequent abrasive roll flange 2 1 to the
conveyor assembly 10, a guiding portion 23b of each projecting lug 23 of the
subsequent abrasive roll flange 2 1 is axially guided and aligned on the guiding
surface 2b of each guiding member 2 of the conveyor assembly 10, such that
centre axial alignment in both the conveyor assembly 10 and the subsequent
abrasive roll flange 2 1 is maintained with respect to the main shaft 101 of the
milling machine 100.
Referring to FIG. 3, a sectional front view of an abrasive roll assembly 20
is illustrated, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. The abrasive roll assembly 20 comprises an abrasive roll element 40
for milling food grains, an abrasive roll flange 2 1 and a supporting plate 30. The
abrasive roll flange 2 1 is arranged with a projecting member 22, a set of
circumferentially spaced clearance or through holes 27 for mounting abrasive roll
assemblies 20, a set of circumferentially spaced projecting lugs 23 for supporting
the abrasive roll assembly 20, a set of circumferentially spaced projecting pads
24, a set of circumferentially spaced guiding members or lands 25 for resting
subsequent abrasive roll flanges or assemblies 20, and a circumferentially
spaced openings/cut-outs 26 for entry and exit of subsequent abrasive roll
assemblies 20. The abrasive roll flange 2 1 also consists of internal threads 29 for
mounting the abrasive roll element 40 using the bolts 50, and a central air
opening 28 for air entry or circulation into the milling chamber 103 from top to
bottom of the milling machine 100. The guiding members 25 are circumferentially
spaced apart each other to form the openings 26 for entry an exit of the
adjacent abrasive roll flanges or assemblies 20. The supporting plate 30 is
placed in opposite to the projecting member 22 of the abrasive roll flange 2 ,
such that the supporting plate 30 is fastened to the abrasive roll flange 1 using
the bolts 50 to secure and hold the abrasive roll element.
Referring to FIG. 4, an isometric sectional view of a set of abrasive roll
assemblies 20 (20a or 20b) is illustrated, in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention. The subsequent abrasive roll assemblies
20 (20a or 20b) are configured with similar arrangement to lock with the previous
abrasive roll assemblies 20 (20a or 20b). The projecting member 22 is formed on
the outer periphery of the abrasive roll assembly 20. The abrasive roll assembly
20 is mounted to the previous abrasive roll assembly 20 (20a or 20b) or conveyor
assembly 10 by threading fasteners 5 1 like bolts, into the through holes 27 of
abrasive roll assembly 20 and the internal threads 24a in the pads 24 of the
previous abrasive roll assembly 20 (20a or 20b). The projecting lugs 23 are
formed on the upper portion of the abrasive roll assembly 20 and is arranged with
resting and guiding portions 23a, 23b, as shown in FIG. 5, which illustrates an
isometric view of the abrasive roll flange 2 1 of the abrasive roll assembly 20, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The guiding
portion 23b is formed of a combination of circular surface and conical surface.
Referring to FIG. 6-8, sectional and bottom views of the abrasive roll
flange 2 1 of the abrasive roll assembly 20 are respectively illustrated, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The
projecting pads 24 are arranged with threaded holes 24a for mounting the
subsequent abrasive roll flanges or assemblies 20 (20a or 20b). After inserting
the abrasive roll assembly 20 from bottom through openings 3 or 26 of the
adjacent flange 11 or 21, the abrasive roll assembly 20 is rotated to make the
resting portion 23a of each projecting lug 23 of the abrasive roll flange 2 1 resting
on the surface 2a or 25a of each guiding member 2 or 25 of the adjacent flange
11 or 21, such that each through hole 27 of the abrasive roll flange 2 1 is aligned
with threaded hole 4a or 24a in each projecting pad 4 or 24 of the adjacent flange
1 or 2 1 for mounting the abrasive roll assembly 20 to the adjacent flange 11 or
21, which ensures centre axial alignment of both the abrasive roll assembly 20
and the adjacent flange 11 or 2 1 with respect to the main shaft 101 of the milling
machine 100.
While fixing the abrasive roll assembly 20 to the adjacent flange 1 or 21,
the guiding portion 23b of each projecting lug 23 of the abrasive roll assembly 20
is axially guided and aligned on guiding surface 2b or 25b of each guiding
member 2 or 25 of the adjacent flange 11 or 2 1, such that centre axial alignment
in both the abrasive roll assembly 20 and the adjacent flange 11 or 2 1 is
maintained with respect to the main shaft 101 of the milling machine 100. The
adjacent flange represents either conveyor flange 1 or abrasive roll flange 2 1.
The guiding surface 2b or 25b of each guiding member 2 or 25 of the adjacent
flange 11 or 2 1 is designed as a combination of circular surface and conical
surface. Such arrangement of abrasive roll assembly 20 facilitates easy removal
and replacing of the worn-out roll assembly without dismantling all components of
the milling machine 100 and without altering pulley and axial alignment.
The rotary movement of the main shaft 101 is transferred to the conveyor
assembly 10 for driving and rotating one or more abrasive roll assemblies 20
attached to it, which evenly distributes rotary motion from top to bottom of the
milling machine 100 and ensures co-linearity of axial centre of the conveyor
assembly 10 and the one or more abrasive roll assemblies 20 in relation to the
main shaft 101 . The arrangement of conveyor assembly 10 and abrasive roll
assemblies 20 in this milling machine 100 minimizes labor, time and cost
consumption during maintenance and replacement of worn-out roll assembly.
Referring to FIG. 9, a partial vertical sectional view of a vertical abrasive
milling machine 100 is illustrated, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention. The vertical abrasive milling machine 100 consists of a
bearing housing that is vertically mounted on a main structure of the milling
machine 100. A main shaft 101 is rotatably supported in the bearing housing by
means of upper and lower bearings. A pulley is mounted on the upper portion of
main shaft 101 and is connected to motor pulley by means of conveying V-belts.
The main shaft 101 extends vertically up to a screw conveyor assembly 10
having a screw conveyor for feeding food grains. The milling machine 100 also
comprises an inlet connecting member for the granular material or food grains to
be treated, with the food grains discharged at the bottom side via a hopper after
the treatment. The inlet connecting member is associated with an inlet chute
through which the food grains to be treated is introduced into the milling chamber
103 via the screw conveyor. The milling chamber is enclosed by an outer body
structure 104 of the milling machine 100. In the present milling chamber
arrangement, first abrasive roll assembly 20a is mounted on the screw conveyor
assembly 10 an the subsequent abrasive roll assemblies 20b are mounted on
each other for polishing the food grains, which avoids extension of main shaft
101 throughout the milling chamber 03 for milling operation.
In the present milling machine, all the abrasive roll assemblies 20 (20a,
20b) are assembled from top to bottom fashion in comparison with the
conventional milling machine having bottom to top assembling. The screw
conveyor is fixed to the screw conveyor flange 11 that is coupled to the main
shaft 101 by means of ring nut 102. A rotary ring is mounted on the main
structure. The uppermost abrasive roll element 40 is mounted on the screw
conveyor flange 11 by bolts 50 threaded into the screw conveyor flange 11 and
the supporting plate 30. The intermediate abrasive roll assembly 20a is inserted
from bottom in the circumferentially spaced openings 3 of the screw conveyor
flange , such that the abrasive roll flange 20a enters the openings 3 of the
screw conveyor flange 11. Then, the abrasive roll assembly 20a is rotated to
place the abrasive roll flange 2 1 on the internal circular land 2 of the screw
conveyor flange 1 without bolting the abrasive roll assembly 20a. While placing,
the abrasive roll flange lug surface 23a sits on the internal circular land 2 of the
screw conveyor flange 11. The intermediate abrasive roll assembly 20a is fixed
to the screw conveyor flange 1 via bolt 51 by aligning axis of the abrasive roll
flange clearance hole 27 and the threaded hole 4a on the screw conveyor flange
1 . When the bolts 5 1 are rotated to fix, the bolts 5 1 push the intermediate
abrasive roll assembly 20a upwards. The internal surface 2b on the screw
conveyor flange locates and guides the axis of abrasive roll assembly 20a in
relation to the main shaft 101. The internal surface 2b of the conveyor flange 11
and the external surface 23b of the lug 23 consist of circular surface and conical
surface. The circular external surface 23b on lugs 23 acts as guiding member to
abrasive roll assembly 20a ensuring axis coaxial. The conical surface in the
internal surface 2b and the external surface 23b helps to rotate the abrasive roll
assembly 20 freely. The circular internal surface 2b acts as guiding member to
the abrasive roll assembly 20a ensuring axis coaxial. Hence, the first
intermediate abrasive roll assembly 20a is attached to the screw conveyor flange
11.
Next (second) intermediate abrasive roll assembly 20b is inserted from
bottom in the openings 26 of the abrasive roll flange 2 1 of the first abrasive roll
assembly 20a. The abrasive roll flange 2 1 of the second abrasive roll assembly
20b enters the openings 26 of the abrasive roll flange 2 of the first intermediate
abrasive roll assembly 20a. Then, the second abrasive roll assembly 20b is
rotated to place it on the internal circular land 25 of the abrasive roll flange 2 1 of
the fist assembly 20a without bolting the second abrasive roll assembly 20b.
While placing, the abrasive roll flange lug surface 23a of the second assembly
20b sits on the internal circular land 25 of the first intermediate abrasive roll
assembly 20a. The second intermediate abrasive roll assembly 20b is fixed to
the first intermediate roll assembly 20a via bolts 5 1 by aligning axis of the flange
clearance hole 27 of the second abrasive roll assembly 20b and the flange
threaded hole 24a of the first abrasive roll assembly 20a. When the bolts 5 1 are
rotated to fix, the bolts 5 1 push the second intermediate abrasive roll assembly
20b upwards, the internal surface 25b of the guiding member 25 of the first
abrasive roll assembly 20a locates and guides axis of the second abrasive roll
assembly 20b in relation to the main shaft 101. The internal surface 25b on the
guiding member 25 of the first assembly 20a acts as guiding member to the
second abrasive roll assembly 20b ensuring axis coaxial. The internal surface
25b on the guiding member of the first assembly 20a and the external surface
23b of the lugs 23 of the second assembly 20b consist of circular surface and
conical surface, which helps to rotate the abrasive roll assembly 20a, 20b freely.
Hence, the first intermediate abrasive roll assembly 20a is attached to the
second intermediate abrasive roll assembly 20b. Similarly, the subsequent
intermediate abrasive roll assemblies 20 are fixed alternatively to each other in
the above mentioned approach one after the other from top to bottom.
Such arrangement of milling machine 100 is simple in construction, Easy
to remove the worn out last abrasive roll assembly quickly and effortlessly
without dismantling the rotor shaft assembly and without altering pulley
alignment. It also improves aspiration/air circulation inside the milling chamber
and facilitates easy maintenance because of shaft less arrangement in the
abrasive roll assemblies inside the milling chamber. It reduces maintenance time
and manpower required for higher capacity machines, and also minimizes labor
and cost consumption during maintenance and replacement of worn-out roll
assembly.
The foregoing description is a specific embodiment of the present
invention. It should be appreciated that this embodiment is described for purpose
of illustration only. It is evident to those skilled in the art that although the
invention herein is described in terms of specific embodiments thereof, there
exist numerous alternatives, modifications and variations of the invention. It is
intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they
come within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed or the equivalents
thereof. Hence all variations, modifications and alternatives that falls within the
broad scope of the appended claims comes under the gamut of the invention.
WE CLAIM:
. An abrasive roll assembly, comprising:
an abrasive roll element configured for milling food grains;
an abrasive roll flange composed of a projecting member formed on its
outer periphery, a plurality of through holes configured for mounting said abrasive
roll flange to an adjacent flange by means of fasteners, a plurality of projecting
lugs formed on its upper portion, with guiding and resting portions, a plurality of
projecting pads arranged with threaded holes for mounting the adjacent flange,
and a plurality of guiding members circumferentially spaced apart each other to
form a plurality of openings for entry and exit of the adjacent flange; and
a supporting plate placed in opposite to the projecting member of said
abrasive roll flange, such that said supporting plate is fastened to said abrasive
roll flange using fasteners to secure and hold said abrasive roll element,
wherein after inserting said abrasive roll assembly from bottom through
openings of the adjacent flange, said abrasive roll assembly is rotated to make
the resting portion of each projecting lug of said abrasive roll flange resting on
the surface of each guiding member of the adjacent flange, such that each
through hole of said abrasive roll flange is aligned with threaded hole in each
projecting pad of the adjacent flange for mounting said abrasive roll assembly to
the adjacent flange, which ensures centre axial alignment of both said abrasive
roll assembly and the adjacent flange with respect to a main shaft of a milling
machine.
2 . The abrasive roll assembly as claimed in claim , wherein while fixing said
abrasive roll assembly to the adjacent flange, the guiding portion of each
projecting lug of said abrasive roll assembly is axially guided and aligned on
guiding surface of each guiding member of the adjacent flange, such that centre
axial alignment in both said abrasive roll assembly and the adjacent flange is
maintained with respect to the main shaft of the milling machine.
3. The abrasive roll assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the
adjacent flange represents either a conveyor flange or an abrasive roll flange.
4. The abrasive roll assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said abrasive
roll flange is configured with a central air opening for free air circulation inside a
milling chamber from top and bottom side of the milling machine.
5. The abrasive roll assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the through
holes, the projecting lugs and the projecting pads are circumferentially spaced
apart each other.
6. The abrasive roll assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guiding
portion of each projecting lug is formed of a combination of circular surface and
conical surface.
7. A conveyor assembly, comprising:
an abrasive roll element configured for milling food grains;
a conveyor flange assembled with a screw conveyor and coupled to a
main shaft of a milling machine by means of locking nut, said conveyor flange is
composed of a projecting member formed on its outer periphery, a plurality of
projecting pads arranged with threaded holes for mounting an adjacent abrasive
roll flange, and a plurality of guiding members circumferentially spaced apart
each other to form a plurality of openings for entry and exit of the adjacent
abrasive roll flange; and
a supporting plate placed in opposite to the projecting member of said
conveyor flange, such that said supporting plate is fastened to said conveyor
flange using fasteners to secure and hold said abrasive roll element,
wherein after inserting the adjacent abrasive roll flange from bottom
through the openings of said conveyor flange, the adjacent abrasive roll flange is
rotated to make each projecting lug of the adjacent abrasive roll flange resting on
the surface of each guiding member of said conveyor flange, such that the
threaded hole in each projecting pad of the conveyor flange is aligned with each
through hole of the adjacent abrasive roll flange for mounting the adjacent
abrasive roll flange to said conveyor flange, which ensures centre axial alignment
of both said conveyor flange and the adjacent abrasive roll flange with respect to
the main shaft of the milling machine.
8. The conveyor assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein while fixing the
adjacent abrasive roll flange to said conveyor assembly, a guiding portion of
each projecting lug of the adjacent abrasive roll flange is axially guided and
aligned on guiding surface of each guiding member of said conveyor assembly,
such that centre axial alignment in both said conveyor assembly and the adjacent
abrasive roll flange is maintained with respect to the main shaft of the milling
machine.
9. The conveyor assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein said conveyor
flange is configured with a plurality of air openings for free air circulation inside a
milling chamber from top and bottom side of the milling machine.
10. The conveyor assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the projecting pads
are circumferentially spaced apart each other.
1 . The assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 7, wherein the guiding members
are placed in proximity to the projecting pads.
12. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 7, wherein the guiding surface of
each guiding member is formed of a combination of circular surface and conical
surface.
13. A vertical abrasive type milling machine, comprising:
a bearing housing vertically mounted on a main structure of the milling
machine;
a main shaft rotatably supported in said bearing housing by means of
upper and lower bearings, said main shaft is mounted to a machine pulley that is
connected to a motor pulley by means of conveying belts; and
at lease one conveyor assembly, comprising: an abrasive roll element
configured for milling food grains; a conveyor flange assembled with a screw
conveyor and coupled to said main shaft by means of locking nut, said conveyor
flange is composed of a projecting member formed on its outer periphery, a
plurality of projecting pads arranged with threaded holes for mounting an
adjacent abrasive roll flange, and a plurality of guiding members circumferentially
spaced apart each other to form a plurality of openings for entry and exit of the
adjacent abrasive roll flange; and a supporting plate placed in opposite to the
projecting member of said conveyor flange, such that said supporting plate is
fastened to said conveyor flange using fasteners to secure and hold said
abrasive roll element, wherein after inserting the adjacent abrasive roll flange
from bottom through the openings of said conveyor flange, the adjacent abrasive
roll flange is rotated to make each projecting lug of the adjacent abrasive roll
flange resting oh the surface of each guiding member of said conveyor flange,
such that the threaded hole in each projecting pad of the conveyor flange is
aligned with each through hole of the adjacent abrasive roll flange for mounting
the adjacent abrasive roll flange to said conveyor flange, which ensures centre
axial alignment of both said conveyor flange and the adjacent abrasive roll flange
with respect to said main shaft of the milling machine; and
one or more abrasive roll assemblies, each comprising: an abrasive roll
element configured for milling food grains; an abrasive roll flange is composed of
a projecting member formed on its outer periphery, a plurality of through holes
configured for mounting said abrasive roll flange to an adjacent flange by means
of fasteners, a plurality of projecting lugs formed on its upper portion, with guiding
and resting portions, a plurality of projecting pads arranged with threaded holes
for mounting the adjacent flange, and a plurality of guiding members
circumferentially spaced apart each other to form a plurality of openings for entry
and exit of the adjacent flange; and a supporting plate placed in opposite to the
projecting member of said abrasive roll flange, such that said supporting plate is
fastened to said abrasive roll flange using fasteners to secure and hold said
abrasive roll element, wherein after inserting said abrasive roll assembly from
bottom through openings of the adjacent flange, said abrasive roll assembly is
rotated to make the resting portion of each projecting lug of said abrasive roll
flange resting on the surface of each guiding member of the adjacent flange,
such that each through hole of said abrasive roll flange is aligned with threaded
hole in each projecting pad of the adjacent flange for mounting said abrasive roll
assembly to the adjacent flange, which ensures centre axial alignment of both
said abrasive roll assembly and the adjacent flange with respect to said main
shaft of the milling machine.
14. The milling machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the rotary movement
of said main shaft is transferred to said conveyor assembly for driving and
rotating said one or more abrasive roll assemblies attached to it, which evenly
distributes rotary motion from top to bottom of the milling machine and ensures
co-linearity of axial centre of said conveyor assembly and said one or more
abrasive roll assemblies in relation to said main shaft.