US3175735A

US3175735A - Sand blowing apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3175735A
Application number: US284088A
Authority: US
Inventors: Roy C Hathorn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-05-29
Filing date: 1963-05-29
Publication date: 1965-03-30
Anticipated expiration: 1982-03-30

Description

March 30, 1965 R. c. HATHORN 3,175,735

SAND BLOWING APPARATUS Filed May 29, 1963 TOR.

Affarngms ited tates Patent 3,175,735 SAM) BLOWING APPARATUS Ray C. Hathorn, 1309 Kilby Terrace, Anniston, Ala. Filed May 29, 1963, Ser. No. 284,088 Claims. (61. 222-193) This invention relates to sand blowing apparatus and more particularly to such apparatus which shall be adapted to force sand in a positive manner from a sand supply means to a sand receiving member, such as a core box, a mold to be sand-lined and the like.

An object of my invention is to provide sand blowing apparatus in which the sand is conveyed into the sand receiving member with a minimum of compressed air, thereby eliminating sand blasting.

Another object of my invention is to provide sand blowing apparatus of the character designated in which the mass of sand is not introduced into an open space or voids in the apparatus prior to reaching the sand receiving member, thereby providing a constant sand to air ratio as the sand is introduced into the sand receiving member.

Another object of my invention is to provide sand blowing apparatus of the character designated in which there are no large expansion chambers Which tend to lower the temperature of the sand prior to being introduced into the sand receiving member.

A further object of my invention is to provide sand blowing apparatus of the character designated which is simple of construction, economical of manufacture and which requires no conveyors or the like for supplying sand to the apparatus.

Briefly, my improved sand blowing apparatus comprises sand supply means communicating with a blow head by a conduit which extends downwardly from the sand supply means and terminates in an upwardly extending portion which is connected to the blow head. Air supply means communicates with the conduit subjacent the sand supply means and means is provided to control the flow of air from the air supply means to the conduit whereby the supply of compressed air may be interrupted. Valve means is provided which is operable in response to introduction of air into the conduit to block the flow of sand from the sand supply means and to block the fiow of air from the conduit into the sand supply means to thereby force the sand through the blow head into the sand receiving member, Also, the valve member is disposed to permit gravity flow of sand from the sand supply means to the conduit in response to interruption of the flow of air from the air supply means to the conduit to thereby fill the conduit with sand.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the sand blowing apparatus;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmental view showing the means for introducing air and sand into the conduit which supplies sand to the blow head; and,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

Referring now to the drawing for a better understanding of my invention, I shoW a sand supply hopper which preferably has a downwardly converging bottom wall 11. The lower end of the sand hopper 10 is provided with an internally threaded member 12 which is adapted to receive the upper end of threaded sleeve 13.

The lower end of the threaded sleeve 13 is connected to the upper end of a valve housing 14 by suitable threads, as shown in FIG. 2. Projecting radially inwardly from the inner walls of the valve housing 14 are angularly spaced support members 16 which are adapted to support a ball-like member 17. The lower end of the sleeve vupwardly in a manner to be described hereinafter. erably, the ball-like member is formed of a rubber-like Patented Mar. 30, 1955 material whereby the outer surface thereof conforms to the surfaces of any sand particles which become lodged between the ball-like member and the valve seat 18 while the ball-like member is in sealing engagement with the valve seat.

The upper end of a downwardly extending conduit 19 is connected to the lower end of the valve housing 14 by a threaded joint 21. As shown in FIG. 1, the conduit 19 extends downwardly from the valve housing 14 as at 22 and terminates in an upwardly extending portion 23 which is connected to a blow head 24 by a suitable threaded joint 26.

The blow head 24 is moved toward and away from a sand receiving member 27 by suitable means, such as a cam member 28 which engages an annular recess 29 provided in the blow head. Accordingly, upon rotation of the cam member 28, the blow head is moved toward or away from the sand receiving member 27. That is, the cam member 2-8 moves the blow head 24 into air-tight sealing relation with the sand receiving member 27 just prior to introduction of said therein. The sand receiving member 27 may be in the form of a core or any other member which receives sand, such as a sand-lined mold.

A lateral opening 31 is provided in the valve housing 14 slightly above the radially extending support members 16, as shown in FIG. 2, for receiving a conduit 32 which is connected to an air supply conduit 33 by a solenoid actuated valve indicated generally at 34. The opening 31 is so positioned relative to the ball-like member 17 that upon introduction of compressed air into the valve housing 14, the ball-like member 17 is forced upwardly into sealing engagement with the valve seat 18. From the foregoing description, the operation of my improved apparatus for blowing sand into a sand receiving member will be readily understood. At the beginning of the cycle of operation, the entire apparatus from the sand hopper 11) to the discharge end of the blow head 24 is filled with sand. With the solenoid actuated valve 34 closed, the rubber ball-like member 17 is supported on the radially extending members 16 whereby sand is free to flow by gravity around the ball-like member and between the radially extending members 16 into the conduit 19 whereby the conduit 19 is automatically filled each time the solenoid actuated valve 34 is closed.

To begin a cycle of operation, the cam member 28 is actuated by suitable means whereupon the blow head 24 is forced upwardly into sealing engagement with the bottom of the sand receiving member 27 to thereby form an air-tight seal. The solenoid actuated valve 34 is then opened whereupon compressed air enters the valve hous ing 14 through the conduit 32. This results in a rapid pressure rise beneath the rubber ball 17 which forces it upwardly into sealing engagement with the valve seat 18 whereby air cannot pass from the housing 14 into the hopper 10 and sand cannot pass from the hopper 10 into the valve housing 14. With the ball 17 in sealing relation with the valve seat 18, the compressed air moves downwardly between the radially extending support members 16 to thus force the column of sand through the conduit 19 to the sand receiving member 27 to thus create a void area to the point V. A suitable timer is associated with the apparatus whereby when the sand receiving member 27 is filled with sand, the timer times out and the solenoid actuated valve 34 is again closed. In view of the fact that the timer mechanism forms no part of my invention and such apparatus is well known entering the sand receiving member.

in the art, not further detailed description thereof is deemed necessary.

Immediately upon movement of the solenoid actuated valve 34 to closed position, there is a pressure drop within the housing 14 to atmospheric pressure whereby the blow head 24 may be retracted by actuating the cam 28. Also, as the pressure within the valve housing 14 decreases to atmospheric pressure, the rubber ball-like member 17 returns to seated position on the radially extending support members 16, thus permitting the sand to flow by gravity around the ball-like member 17 and between the radially extending support members 16 into the conduit 19 whereupon the void area is filled. The apparatus is then ready for another cycle of operation.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have devised an improved apparatus for blowing sand into a sand receiving member. By transferring the sand from a source of supply to the sand receiving member with a minimum of compressed air, the apparatus is not subjected to air blasting, thereby greatly increasing the life of the apparatus. Also, by forcing the column of sand in a positive manner through the conduit into the sand receiving member, I provide a constant sand to air ratio Furthermore, by positively forcing the column of sand through the conduit to the sand receiving chamber there are no large expansion chambers.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus for blowing sand into a sand receiving member comprising:

(a) a blow head adapted to communicate with the sand receiving member and supply sand thereto,

(b) sand supply means,

(c) a conduit communicating at one end with said sand supply means and extending downwardly therefrom with the other end thereof extending upwardly and communicating with said blow head in position to retain a column of sand in said other end and thereby prevent discharge of sand by gravity from said other end,

(d) air supply means communicating with said one end of said conduit,

(e) means to control the flow of air from said air supply means to said conduit, and

(f) valve means operable in response to introduction of air into said conduit to block the flow of sand from said sand supply means to said conduit and to block the flow of air from said conduit to said sand supply means to force sand through said blow head into said sand receiving member and disposed to permit gravity flow of sand from said sand supply means to said conduit in response to interruption of the flow of air from said air supply means to said conduit to fill said conduit with sand.

2. Apparatus for blowing sand into a sand receiving member as defined in claim 1 in which the valve means comprises:

(a) a valve housing communicating adjacent its upper end with said sand supply means and communicating adjacent its lower end with said conduit,

(b) there being a lateral passageway through said housing intermediate said sand supply means and said conduit in communication with said air supply means,

(0) inwardly extending support means within said housing,

(d) a ball-like member adapted to be supported by said support means within said housing,

(e) said ball-like member and said support means being of a size to permit free flow of sand from said sand supply means to said conduit while the balllike member is supported by said support means, and

(f) a valve seat in said housing above said ball-like member disposed to receive said ball-like member as it is forced upwardly in response to introduction of air into said housing through said lateral passageway.

3. Apparatus for blowing sand into a sand receiving member as defined in claim 2 in which the ball-like member is formed of a rubber-like material whereby the outer surface thereof conforms to the surfaces of any sand particles between said ball-like member and said valve seat while the ball-like member is in sealing engagement with the valve seat.

4. Apparatus for blowing sand into a sand receiving member as defined in claim 2 in which the inwardly extending support means is in the form of radially extending members which are spaced angularly from each other to permit free flow of sand through said housing to said conduit while the ball-like member is supported by said radially extending members.

5. Apparatus for blowing sand into a sand receiving member as defined in claim 2 in which means is operatively connected to said blow head to move said blow head into sealing engagement with the sand receiving member prior to introduction of air into said housing.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,458,852 6/23 Russell 222373 X 2,578,994 12/51 Dunaway 222-493 X 2,734,667 2/56 Conklin 222-380 X 3,095,018 6/63 Moreland 222-373 X 3,102,666 9/63 Fresnard 222373 3,104,782 9/63 Von Funk 222-373 X LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. APPARATUS FOR BLOWING SAID INTO A SAND RECEIVING MEMBER COMPRISING: (A) A BLOW HEAD ADAPTED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE SAND RECEIVING MEMBER AND SUPPLY SAID THERETO, (B) SAND SUPPLY MEANS, (C) A CONDUIT COMMUNICATING AT ONE END WITH SAID SAND SUPPLY MEANS AND EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY THEREFROM WITH THE OTHER END THEREBY EXTENDING UPWARDLY AND COMMUNICATING WITH SAID BELOW HEAD IN POSITION TO RETAIN A COLUMN OF SAND IN SAID OTHER END AND THEREBY PREVENT DISCHARGE OF AND BY GRAVITY FROM SAID OTHER, END, (B) AIR SUPPLY MEANS COMMUNICATION WITH SAID ONE END OF SAID CONDUIT, (E) MEANS TO CONTROL THE FLOW OF AIR FROM SAID AIR SUPPLY MEANS TO SAID CONDUIT, AND (F) VALVE MEANS OPERABLE IN RESPONSE TO INTRODUCTION OF AIR INTO SAID CONDUIT TO BLOCK THE FLOW OF SAND FROM SAID SAND SUPPLY MEANS TO SAID CONDUIT AND TO BLOCK THE FLOW OF AIR FROM SAID CONDUIT TO SAID SAND SUPPLY MEANS TO FORCE SAND THROUGH SAID BLOW HEAD INTO SAID SAND RECEIVING MEMBER AND DISPOSED TO PERMIT GRAVITY FLOW OF SAND FROM SAID SAND SUPPLY MEANS TO SAID CONDUIT IN RESPONSE TO INTERRUPTION OF THE FLOW OF AIR FROM SAID AIR SUPPLY MEANS TO SAND CONDUIT TO FILL SAID CONDUIT WITH SAND.