Asphalt Mixing Apparatus

FIG. 1 is an end elevational view, partly cut away and in section showing a scoop feed embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the forward end of the drum apparatus of the invention showing product removal ports;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing means for recovering composition from the apparatus; and

FIG. 5 is side view showing the embodiments of FIG. 1-4 and moisture exhaust ports.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown the scoop feed embodiment for a cylindrical heating and mixing drum 12, preferably of the type disclosed in my aforesaid co-pending applications and patent. It will be noted by observing FIG. 5 that this scoop feed embodiment is provided at or adjacent the inlet or cold end of the apparatus into which composition is initially introduced and which composition is drawn gravitationally as it is gradually heated and mixed toward the opposite hot output end of the drum. As shown, six scoops four of which are designated 14, 16, 18 and 20 are spaced around the exterior of the drum 12 adjacent end plate 21. Each of the scoops protrude substantially from the exterior drum surface and are provided with openings 19 and an internal cavity 12. Interiorly of the scoops, a port 15 opens into the drum interior thereby providing an opening between the scoop cavity and the interior chamber of the drum. The lip or edge of the scoop provides a surface for engaging composition as the drum rotates and as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

In combination with the scoop is used a receptacle or other means for receiving composition and which receptacle is positioned adjacent the drum whereby the scoops will pass through the receptacle interior during drum rotation. A preferred type of such a receptacle comprises a trough 24 preferably having sides 27 and a bottom 25 forming a cavity into which the composition is fed. The size and shape of the trough should be such as to allow the scoops to pass therethrough and scoop or pick up composition which has been introduced into the trough cavity. The trough sides will preferably have edges which follow the general shape of the drum exterior around which they extend but which side edges are spaced at least slightly from the drum surface and avoid contact therewith since the drum rotates while the trough is maintained in a stationary position.

Means for introducing composition 31 into the trough is not especially critical and any convenient means may be used. For example, in FIG. 1, there is shown a hopper and chute member 22 which communicates with trough 24 and into which hopper composition is introduced utilizing a conveyor system 20. The composition 31 falls from the conveyor, through the chute and hopper gravitationally into trough 24. As drum 12 is rotated counterclockwise, observing FIGS. 1 and 2, the scoops will successively pass along the interior of trough 24 and composition will be forced into the scoop as lip 23 of each scoop engages the material. The size of the scoop opening is preferably sufficient to accommodate substantial amounts of composition as the scoop continues to pass through the trough. Thus, the edges of the scoop may form an opening only slightly smaller than the trough interior. For example, observing FIG. 1, scoop 18 shown in phantom is in a position whereby composition is forced gravitationally into the scoop as it continues to rise. Scoop 20 is in a position in which composition will have substantially emptied through port 15 into the drum interior.

The size and shape of both of the scoops and trough is not particularly critical. For example, the shape of the lips or edge of the scoops may be rounded or straight and preferably being the same as that of the interior trough cavity 29 but the latter being at least slightly enlarged so as to achieve maximum efficiency in introducing composition to the drum interior. The scoop walls are also preferably sloped as shown in order to provide a chute or passageway for directing composition to the port. For that purpose any convenient shape may be used The number of scoops and ports which they cover may also be varied depending on the size of the drum and the amount of material which is to be continually or intermittently intoduced into the drum for heating and mixing. It is also preferred that the scoops and ports are located on the drum adjacent end wall 21 rather than substantially forwardly thereof in order to utilize the maximum length of the drum in the heating and mixing process.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 there is shown another embodiment of the invention in which a plurality of ports 33 are spaced around the exterior surface of the drum 12 adjacent the forward drum end opposite the input end previously described. These ports communicate with the drum interior so that composition which has been heated and mixed in the drum as it is drawn toward the forward drum end will pass through the ports gravitationally. The size and spacing of the ports is not particularly critical so long as product recovery is suitably achieved. Preferably the ports are located next to, near or adjacent the forward drum end so as to avoid a substantial space between the ports and the forward drum end wall in which space heated material would be held and could not be readily recovered without reversing the tilt of the drum or scooping it out by hand through the ports. In the preferred embodiment shown, each of the ports is provided with a cover 34 which is secured to a hinge 32 on which the covers pivot. These hinges are designed so that the covers can swing or pivot freely about the hinge axis. In this manner, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-4, as the drum rotates and the ports pass through the horizontal plane extending across the diameter of the drum at approximately its center the covers will begin to open gravitationally. As the drum continues its rotation, the covers in the lower arc or segment of the drum are substantially opened so as to allow product to fall through the ports.

This embodiment is preferably utilized in combination with a trough member 36 having a cavity therein for receiving the product composition as it falls through the ports. FIG. 4 also illustrates a chute 42 adjacent the trough and under which extends a conveyor belt 40 for recovery of the composition. The specific size of the trough is not particularly critical but it is preferably designed with sloping sides so that the product will readily be directed gravitationally for removal. As is also shown, the upper sides will also terminate adjacent the drum exterior wall and are spaced therefrom so as not to interfere with the drum rotation since the trough is held in a stationary position. Moreover, any means for removing the composition which has been received in the trough, such as the use of the chute 42 and conveyor apparatus 40. Similar and equivalent means for removing the composition will be understood by those skilled in the art.

The use of the hinged covers also provides for closing of the ports gravitationally as the drum rotates. As is illustrated in FIG. 4, the covers located in the upper arc or segment of the drum are in a closed position. This offers the advantage in that hydrocarbon gases, smoke and the like given off from the heated asphalt near the hot forward end will not be vented into the atmosphere through the closed ports. Of course, the covers may not be fully closed until they are at least somewhat above the center horizontal plane.

FIG. 5 illustrates the use of an optional gas and vapor accumulator collar 52 that may be used where prevention of venting hydrocarbons into the atmosphere is important. The collar is hollow and extends around the upper drum exterior thereby covering the ports. One or both ends may meet the ends of trough 36 but a space between these ends along the side where product is first recovered through the ports is preferred for observation of the recovery process as illustrated. Moreover, a conduit or pipe 54 also communicates between the collar and the furnace 46 in which a burner 50 directs heat into the heating tubes. In this manner, the furnace heating chamber will cause a draft through the pipe to assist in pulling any gases from the collar to the furnace chamber. Moreover, it will be understood that composition passing through open ports in the lower portion of the drum will occlude the openings and further prevent significant venting of the vapors.

Referring further to FIG. 5, there are shown a plurality of exhaust ports 58 which extend around the drum exterior and which ports communicate with the drum interior. These ports are spaced around the drum at a location or position of the drum length at which the composition is heated near the point at which the water vapor begins to vaporize in substantial amounts. Preferably, each of the ports is provided with a cover in the form of a scoop 57 of a design substantially like that referred to in the scoop feed embodiment previously described. Another stationary trough 56 extending around the lower drum segment or half, again, similar to the trough previously described in FIG. 2, is also used. The purpose for the trough and the scoop shaped covers is to collect and pick up any composition that passes through the exhaust ports gravitationally as the drum is rotated. For example, as the ports pass through the lower arc during drum rotation, some composition will fall through the ports, out of the scoops and into the trough and will then be scooped up from the trough by the scoop shaped covers as they pass through the trough cavity in a manner substantially as described previously regarding the scoop feed embodiment.

The proper positioning of the water vapor exhaust ports is important so that optimum or near optimum advantage of venting of the water vapor is achieved. Again, positioning of the ports will be readily determined by selecting the position along the length of the drum mixer and heater at which extensive moisture vaporization is realized. The asphalt-aggregate is heated from ambient temperature at the cool input end to at least about 225.degree. F and preferably above about 300.degree. F at the hot output end. Thus, usually, composition temperature of about 210.degree.-215.degree. F is achieved somewhere between about one-half and about two-thirds of the length of the drum from the cool end. FIG. 5 shows the ports in such a position. As previously noted, this exhausting or venting of water vapor will obviate the problem of repeated vaporization and condensation within the drum heating and mixing chamber and the concomitant disadvantages of poor heating efficiency and energy requirements. These as well as other advantages of the apparatus and methods described herein will be evident to those skilled in the art as will variations and modifications within the purview of the inventions.