The "Eclipse" Mixer is a rotary machine of . the batch type, with several special features.
The revolving steel drum is surrounded by two gear bands provided with flare for wheels. The drum is supported by two iron wheels turning against the flare of these bands, and is revolved by two gear wheels on one shaft, the wheels meshing into the gear bands; the power is ap plied to the shaft upon which these gear wheels are placed. When a gasoline engine is used, a friction clutch is placed between engine and drum so that the mixer can be started and stopped quickly.
In the interior of the drum are a plow and blades, firmly attached to the drum and revolv ing with it. The plow being V-shaped and placed in the center, throws the material to the sides, where it is acted upon by the blades placed at an angle so that the material is thrown back to the center, and here it is again divided by the plow and thrown back to the sides. The material in this way is combined and divided several times by the action of the plow and blades, as well as by the mixing which it receives by the drum revolving.
The drum is provided with a chute which is kept covered by a door that is operated semi automatically by moving a lever at either end of the drum. When ready to discharge, the lever is thrown, drawing the door back across the wall of the drum, so that the material is lifted by this door and quickly discharged through the chute, either in wheelbarrow loads or all at the same time. The door is then thrown back by the lever operating it, so that the chute is covered, when the drum is ready to receive another batch. Charging is done from a low platform, the mate rial being drawn into the center by the charging blades as the drum revolves.
The Chain Belt Mixer is another example of a rotary batch mixer. The ends of the drum are so shaped as to project the material toward the center; and on the discharge side the end of the drum is enlarged to facilitate rapid and complete delivery of material. There are interior blades and buckets specially designed to prevent pocketing. Mixing is effected by means of a swirling movement caused by the spirally in clined flights and elevator buckets, and facilitated by what may be described as a action from the shield of the dis charge spout. This spout is stationary, and con
nected with the interior by means of a tilting shield, delivery being effected by a simple lever movement which may be operated by the man behind the wheelbarrow.
The main drive consists of sprocket teeth seg ments and a steel thimble roller chain belt with case-hardened bushings and pins. The chain engages the center of the drum and allows it to float upon the track wheels.
A powei loader is provided, which is filled at ground level and will take in a full batch. This loader is raised and lowered by means of wire cable and a grooved pulley suspended from a steel arm extending above the machine; and the mechanism is operated by a simple friction hoist thrown into action by a lever.
Water from an adjustably regulated supply tank is drawn into the drum as the loader is discharged.
In the "Chicago" Mixer, the rotating drum, resting on roller bearings, is operated by a single central ring gear, and discharges by means of a simple scoop claimed to require but a few pounds pressure in its operation. Charging may be done from wheelbarrows under all conditions; but, if desired, an automatic charging elevator is pro vided, which is loaded at ground level and handles a full batch at a time.
The Hayden Mixer is an automatically meas uring, continuous machine. The drum—which is cylindrical in form, mounted horizontally, and has a hinged door on one side that may be opened for inspection of the interior—does not revolve. Mixing is effected by a series of steel blades rapidly revolving inside the drum, which cut, stir, and throw the material, and, by their spiral action, force it out at the discharge end. The water supply is controlled by a valve on a pipe (with sprayer) extending from the feed tank down into the drum. The automatic meas uring is done by feed-worms or screws. Imme diately below, and connected with the hoppers, are two feed-channels of cast iron, evenly fitting the feed-worms. These channels extend into the drum-head, tight-fitted, so that no leakage is pos sible. The sand worm is driven by gear wheels, and the cement worm by compound sprockets. Change of proportion is made by changing the sprocket wheel on the cement side.