Centrifugal feed distributor
US5975021A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 20, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 2, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 20, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02A40/81
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A centrifugal feed distributor or feeder (10) to distribute feed (16) in a substantially circular distribution array (58) for fish or livestock. Feeder (10) includes a domed housing (20), a fan assembly (32), and a rotating base (34). The domed housing (20) includes a substantially cylindrical sidewall (22), a closed upper end (24), and a large open lower end (26), which together define a inner chamber (28) and an exterior (30). The fan assembly (32) includes a plurality of fan blades (36) each connected to a vertical shaft (40) that rotates about a center of shaft when an external force (18) is applied to the fan blades. The shaft (40) is also connected to base (34), which rotates about shaft center at the same speed the fan blades rotate. The fan assembly (32) is positioned within domed housing chamber (28). An output gap (52) is defined by the position of the lower end (26) of the housing (20) in relationship to the rotating base (34). An inlet (66) provides a substantially tangential inflow of air and feed (16) to the inner chamber (28) near the upper end (24). The air carries the feed (16) into the inner chamber (28) and moves the fan blades (36) to drive the fan assembly (32)…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.