TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure is related to a sugarcane carrier. More particularly relates to a self-cleaning device for a slat carrier in a sugarcane mill.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
In conventional sugarcane carrier, role of the carrier is to move the cane from tail to head end side. A slat type sugarcane conveyor is driven at discharge side of the conveyor. When the sugarcane is carried, a lot of dust and trash fall down between slats on an inner side of a slat carrier. All these trash come in contact with a sprocket tooth during operating condition which causes severe damage to tooth of the sprocket and also chain. The conveyor is equipped with rotary type preparatory devices over the slats which generate accumulation of trash and dirt on conveyor.

A conventional sugarcane carrier (102’) in an assembly (100’) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a problem of chain slippage on sprocket (103’) due to trash and dirt entrapped in between chain. The figures illustrate the conventional sugarcane carrier (102’) in which the trash gets accumulated at a bottom carrier (114’) which is located below a top carrier (112’) and contact the sprocket at a drum assembly (110’) while operation. Thus, sprocket tooth and the chain may get damaged, before the useful lifecycle of the sprocket and the chain.

Therefore, the present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more of the problems as set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure relates to a self-cleaning device for a slat carrier in a sugarcane mill. The self-cleaning device includes a drum assembly disposed onto a shaft member. The drum assembly includes an outer member having a cylindrical surface, the cylindrical surface is configured with a plurality of cut-out portions. The drum assembly further includes an inner member disposed inside the outer member, the inner member includes a frusto-conical portion, a plurality of rib members disposed on the frusto-conical portion forming a plurality of chutes, and a pair of side plates configured with a plurality of openings. The plurality of cut-out portions is configured to allow the trash material falling from the slat carrier to enter the plurality of chutes of the inner member, such that the frusto-conical portion along with the plurality of rib members are configured to guide the trash material to exit out from the plurality of openings of the side plates.

In an embodiment, the inner member includes a larger diameter at a center and reducing diameters towards the sides of the inner member.

In an embodiment, the plurality of cut-out portions in the outer member is aligned with the plurality of chutes of the inner member.

In an embodiment, the plurality of chutes connects with the plurality of openings of the pair of side plates, allowing the trash to exit out from the plurality of chutes.

In an embodiment, the plurality of ribs members is disposed in a transverse direction to the slat carrier.

In an embodiment, the inner member includes two frusto-conical portions.

In an embodiment, the frusto-conical portions include a convex outer surface, allowing smooth movement of the trash material on the convex outer surface.

In an embodiment, the inner chamber is adapted to enclose a larger portion of the shaft member, preventing contact of the trash material with the shaft member.

In an embodiment, the outer member includes a chain runner or a sprocket for coupling the drum assembly with the slat carrier.

In an embodiment, the inner member is adapted to couple with the shaft member by a key or friction coupling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a slat carrier having a conventional drum assembly, according to the prior art;
FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a sectional view of the conventional drum assembly shown in FIG. 1, according to the prior art;
FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a portion of an assembly of a slat carrier having a self-cleaning device with a drum assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the self-cleaning device shown in FIG. 3, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an outer member of the drum assembly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an inner member of the drum assembly shown in FIG. 4, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a shaft member of the drum assembly shown in FIG. 4, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of trash flow in the slat carrier having the drum assembly as shown in FIGS. 2-4, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
Provided below is a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention and a reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, corresponding or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts. Moreover, references to various elements described herein, are made collectively or individually when there may be more than one element of the same type. However, such references are merely exemplary in nature. It may be noted that any reference to elements in the singular may also be construed to relate to the plural and vice-versa without limiting the scope of the disclosure to the exact number or type of such elements unless set forth explicitly in the appended claim.

Referring to FIG. 3 which illustrates a schematic diagram of a portion of an assembly (100) of a slat carrier (102) and a self-cleaning device (104) of a sugarcane mill (not shown), according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The illustrated diagram shows the portion of the assembly (100), in which the self-cleaning device (102) is disposed, particularly at a tail end (106). However, it is to be understood that other end or the front end (not shown) of the assembly (100) may include a drum assembly (not shown) known in the art or may include a drum assembly as disclosed the present disclosure. The illustrated example of FIG. 3 is not meant to be limiting the scope of the present disclosure. For any chain or conveyor mechanism, two fixed points are provided for transferring motion or for transferring materials on the carrier. Hence, the disclosed portion of the assembly (100) is not meant to be limiting the scope of the present disclosure and it is taken into consideration only for the convenience of explanation purpose.

The schematic diagram illustrates the tail end (106) of the assembly (100), in which the slat carrier (102) is provided as a conveyor to rotate between the tail end (106) and the front end. The slat carrier (102) may include a plurality of slat members (not shown), which may be of non-overlapping, non-interlocking and equal spaced slats connected in series. The slat carrier (102) may typically be used for applications to carry a large mass/ heavy objects or sharp edged materials or objects, which needs to be transported from one location to another location. The plurality of slat members connected in series may be further connected to one or more endless chain member (not shown). The chain member is adapted to be driven by a shaft member (108) disposed inside a drum assembly (110) in the sugarcane mill. The shaft member (108) may be driven by a motor (not shown) in a controlled manner.

In the illustrated example, the slat carrier (102) may be adapted to perform a function of an endless conveyor for carrying a stack of raw material from one location to another location. That is to say, the slat carrier (102) in the illustrated figure including a top carrier (112) and a bottom carrier (114), forms the endless conveyor. The slat carrier (102) is driven by the drum assembly (110) having a chain runner or a sprocket (116) (shown in FIG. 4) disposed at an outer surface (118) of the drum assembly (110). The chain runner or the sprocket (116) provides a mechanical coupling between the slat carrier (102) and the drum assembly (110) for transferring power between the shaft member (108) and the drum assembly (110) for carrying and transportation of a stack of raw material.

The stack of raw material may be a heavy mass of material, including, but not limited to, a bulk material of sugarcane harvested from a farm. The stack of raw material may be made to carry along the slat carrier (102) for separating a debris or the trash material such as rocks, dirt, leaves and other unwanted materials that have been carried along the sugarcane after harvesting. The trash material passes through the sprocket zone, where the slat take overlap each other. At this location, a preparatory device (not shown) may be mounted to force the trash material to pass through the chain. However, dust keep on seeping through out the conveyor length.

Referring to FIG. 4 which illustrates a perspective view of the self-cleaning device (104) shown in FIG. 3, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The self-cleaning device (104) includes the drum assembly (110) disposed onto the shaft member (108). The drum assembly (110) is adapted to be driven by the shaft member (108) to drive the chain member for transporting operation. The drum assembly (110) in the illustrated embodiment includes an outer member (120) configured with a plurality of cut-out portions (122). The outer member (120) includes the chain runner or the sprocket runner (116) for coupling the drum assembly (110) with the slat carrier (102).

The drum assembly (110) is further provided with an inner member (124) disposed inside the outer member (120). The outer member (120) may be connected to the inner member (124) through a mechanism, including, but not limited to, welding or any other mechanism known in the art. The inner member (124) includes a frusto-conical portion (126) (shown in FIG. 6), a plurality of rib members (128) disposed on the frusto-conical portion (126) forming a plurality of chutes (130) (shown in FIG. 6). The inner member (124) further includes a pair of side plates (132) configured with a plurality of openings (134).

Further, the drum assembly (110) is adapted to be connected with the shaft member (108) through a key or a friction member (not shown). That is to say, the inner member (124) of the drum assembly (110) is adapted to be connected with the shaft member (108) through the key or the friction member. Thus, the outer member (120), the inner member (124) and the shaft member (108) forms a unified assembly.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the outer member (120) of the drum assembly (110) shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The outer member (120) as illustrated in the figure includes a cylindrical surface (136) at a middle portion (138) and the chain runner or the sprocket (116) at any one of the end portion for coupling the outer member (120) with the chain member and thereby connecting with the slat carrier (102). The cylindrical surface (136) is configured with the plurality of cut-out portions (122), for allowing the trash material from the outer member (120) to the inner member (124).

The plurality of cut-out portions (122) can be made in shape including, but not limited to, rectangular or square shape and oriented at angle from an axis (A-A’) of the drum assembly (110). The shape and orientation of the plurality of cut-out portions (122) facilitates the smooth and easy passage of the trash material. It is to be understood that shape and orientation of the plurality of cut-out portions (122) are made in order to facilitate the passage of the trash material and it is not meant to be limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the plurality of cut-out portions (122) may be provided in any other geometric or non-geometric shapes which serves the purpose of smooth entry of the trash material.

The outer member (120) further includes a hollow portion (140) inside the cylindrical surface (136) for allowing the inner member (124) for assembling with the outer member (120).

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the inner member (124) of the drum assembly (110) shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The inner member (124) includes the frusto-conical portions (126). The illustrated inner member (124) includes two frusto-conical portions, in which a larger diameter “D1” is located at a center (142) of the inner member (124) and a smaller diameter “D2” is located a portion away from the center (142) of the inner member (124). That is to say, the inner member (124) includes the larger diameter at the center (142) and reducing diameters towards sides (144) of the inner member (124). In an embodiment, the frusto-conical portions (126) of the inner member (124) include a convex outer surface.

The inner member (124) further includes the plurality of rib members (128) disposed on a surface of the frusto-conical portions (126). The plurality of rib members (128) is disposed in a transverse direction to the slat carrier (102), i.e., plane of each rib members is parallel with the axis (A-A’) of the drum assembly (110). In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of rib members (128) is configured to be a plate kind of structure which are fixed attached to the frusto-conical portions (126) of the inner member (124). In another embodiment, the plurality of rib members (128) may be twisted plates which may additionally aid in pushing the trash material out of the inner member (124). The plurality of rib members (128) may be fixed connected to the frusto-conical portions (126) through a process such as, but not limited to, welding or any method known in the art. In an alternate embodiment, the plurality of rib members (128) may be an integral member with the frusto-conical portions (126) of the inner member (124).

Each pair of the plurality of rib members (128) on the frusto-conical portion (126) is adapted to form the chute (130). During assembling of the inner member (124) with the outer member (120), the plurality of cut-out portions (122) in the outer member (120) is made to align with the plurality of chutes (130) configured in the inner member (124). The plurality of chutes (130) connects with the plurality of openings (134) of the pair of side plates (132), allowing the trash to exit out from the plurality of chutes (130). Further, the shaft member (108) (as shown in FIG. 7) may be provided inside the inner chamber (124) forming the drum assembly (110). The shaft member (108) may be fixedly connected through a key or a friction member (not shown) for making the unified assembly.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of the trash material flow from the slat carrier (102) and to the drum assembly (110) and thereafter existing out of the drum assembly (110) as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. When the trash material and/or dirt falls from the slat carrier (102), the plurality of cut-out portions (122) made on the outer member (120) allows the trash material and made to enter the plurality of chutes (130) configured on the inner member (124). After entering the plurality of chutes (130), having the frusto-conical portions (126) along with the plurality of rib members (128) guides the trash material to exit out from the plurality of openings (134) of the side plates (132). The convex outer surface of the inner member (124) and the frusto-conical portions (126) allows a smooth movement of the trash material.

Thus, most of the trash material from the raw material of stack of the sugarcane can be separated when the stack of raw material is transported on the slat carrier (102) since the chain member is adapted to be disposed at the tail end (106) of the self-cleaning device (104) and the chain member is driven by the shaft member (108) disposed at the tail end (106) of the self-cleaning device (104). The chain member is driven by the drum assembly (110) (shown in FIG. 4) of the self-cleaning device (104) for conveying operation and for separating operation of the trash material. In an embodiment, the inner member (124) is adapted to enclose a larger portion of the shaft member (108), preventing contact of the trash material with the shaft member (108) and other related transmission elements like, sprocket, sprocket tooth and gear arrangements.

Advantages
In an embodiment, the disclosed self-cleaning device increases life of sprocket used in the device since the trash material does not come in contact with the sprocket and other transmission elements.

In an embodiment, the disclosed self-cleaning device provides better trash collection in the sugarcane mill since the chute and the frusto-conical portions provide sloping and sliding surface for the trash material and the plurality of rib members is configured to guide the trash material to exit out of the drum assembly of the self-cleaning device.

In an embodiment, the disclosed self-cleaning device provides less maintenance since the trash in the sugarcane milling is not stuck or accumulated in the carrier.

In an embodiment, the disclosed self-cleaning device facilitates entire dirt particles and the trash material to slide down over the conical surface on both sides of the carrier. Thus avoids accumulation of the dust and the trash material on the carrier, resulting in clean of the carrier while running or operation.

In an embodiment, the disclosed self-cleaning device provides economical cleaning way or method as the device involves a gravity separation of the trash material.

In an embodiment, the disclosed self-cleaning device increases productivity of the sugarcane mill since the maintenance time or the repair time of the sprocket and other transmission elements in the slat carrier is reduced by the self-cleaning device.

Industrial Applicability
The disclosed self-cleaning device finds its potential application in the sugar industry where there is a requirement of separation of trash material is observed. However, the disclosed self-cleaning device may also find its application apart from sugar industry which includes, removal of trash material or debris, in industries such as, food processing industry involving removal of trash material from the raw material, which may prevent the trash material including the dirt to get accumulated in the transmission devices in the industry.

While aspects of the present invention have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by modification of the disclosed device without departing from the scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present invention as determined based upon claims and any equivalents thereof.

List of Referral numerals

100: Assembly
100’: Assembly according to prior art
102: Slat carrier
102’: Slat carrier according to prior art
103’: Sprocket of prior art
104: Self-Cleaning device
106: Tail end
108: Shaft member
110: Drum assembly
110’: Drum assembly according to prior art
112: Top carrier
112’: Top carrier according to prior art
114: Bottom carrier
114’ Bottom carrier according to prior art
116: Chain runner or sprocket
118: Outer surface
120: Outer member
122: Plurality of cut-out portions
124: Inner member
126: Frusto-conical portion
128: Plurality of rib members
130: Plurality of chutes
132: Side plates
134: Plurality of openings
136: Cylindrical surface
138: Middle portion
140: Hollow portion
142: Center
144: Sides
D1: Diameter
D2: Diameter
A-A’: Axis

We Claim:
1. A self-cleaning device (104) for a slat carrier (102) in a sugarcane mill, the self-cleaning device (104) comprising:
a drum assembly (110) disposed onto a shaft member (108), the drum assembly (110) comprising:
an outer member (120) having a cylindrical surface (136), the cylindrical surface (136) configured with a plurality of cut-out portions (122), and
an inner member (124) disposed inside the outer member (120), the inner member (124) comprises a frusto-conical portion (126), a plurality of rib members (128) disposed on the frusto-conical portion (126) forming a plurality of chutes (130), and a pair of side plates (132) configured with a plurality of openings (134),
wherein the plurality of cut-out portions (122) is configured to allow the trash material falling from the slat carrier (102) to enter the plurality of chutes (130) of the inner member (124), such that the frusto-conical portion (126) along with the plurality of rib members (128) are configured to guide the trash material to exit out from the plurality of openings of the side plates (132).

2. The self-cleaning device (104) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner member (124) comprises a larger diameter at a center (142) and reducing diameters towards the sides (144) of the inner member (124).

3. The self-cleaning device (104) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of cut-out portions (122) in the outer member (120) is aligned with the plurality of chutes (130) of the inner member (124).

4. The self-cleaning device (104) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of chutes (130) connects with the plurality of openings (134) of the pair of side plates (132), allowing the trash to exit out from the plurality of chutes (130).

5. The self-cleaning device (104) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs members (128) is disposed in a transverse direction to the slat carrier (102).

6. The self-cleaning device (104) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner member (124) comprises two frusto-conical portions (126).

7. The self-cleaning device (104) as claimed in claims 1 and 6, wherein the frusto-conical portions (126) include a convex outer surface, allowing smooth movement of the trash material on the convex outer surface.

8. The self-cleaning device (104) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner chamber (124) is adapted to enclose a larger portion of the shaft member (108), preventing contact of the trash material with the shaft member (108).

9. The self-cleaning device (104) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer member (120) comprises a chain runner or a sprocket (116) for coupling the drum assembly (110) with the slat carrier (102).

10. The self-cleaning device (104) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner member (124) is adapted to couple with the shaft member (108) by a key or friction coupling.