Device for densely loading a divided solid into a chamber

Abstract

A device for densely loading a divided solid into a chamber, intended to interact with a divided-solid supply device arranged to release the divided solid above an access to the chamber. The loading device contains a shaft rotated about an axis X 1 at an adjustable rotational speed, a plurality of deflecting elements rigidly connected in rotation with the shaft, the deflecting elements having an angle, relative to the shaft, which is separately adjustable from the rotational speed of the latter. According to a preferred embodiment, the shaft is hollow in order to define a passage for the divided solid, at least some of the deflecting element having an end arranged at a distance from the axis X 1 that is smaller than the distance separating the axis X 1 from the hollow shaft.

1 . A device ( 1 ) for densely loading a divided solid ( 2 ) into a chamber ( 7 ), intended to interact with a divided-solid supply device ( 3 ) designed so as to release said divided solid into said chamber in the form of a homogeneous rain distributed over the whole surface of said chamber, the loading device comprising
 a shaft ( 4 ) driven in rotation about an axis Xl at an adjustable rotational speed,   a plurality of deflecting elements ( 5 ) that are integral in rotation with said shaft, characterized in that said deflecting elements have an angle, with reference to said shaft, that can be adjusted independently of said rotational speed.   
     
     
         2 . The device ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said shaft ( 4 ) is hollow so as to define a passage for said divided solid ( 2 ), and in that at least some of said deflecting elements ( 5 ) have an end ( 16 ) arranged at a distance from said axis X 1  that is less than the distance separating said axis X 1  from said hollow shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The device ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that said hollow shaft ( 4 ) has a cylindrical general shape that is adapted to interact with a supply chute ( 3 ) of the supply device with a cylindrical general shape, and has a radius that is substantially equal to or less than that of the supply chute so as to be able to interact with the latter so that said passage is an exclusive passage for said divided solid. 
     
     
         4 . The device ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that said hollow shaft ( 4 ) has an opening ( 14 ) at its end that is intended to be situated in the vicinity of said chamber ( 7 ), and in that at least some of said deflecting elements ( 5 ) have an inner end ( 16 ) arranged in the extension of said shaft, opposite said opening. 
     
     
         5 . The device ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 4 , characterized in that it comprises an adjusting member ( 32 ) for said opening ( 14 ). 
     
     
         6 . The device ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 5 , characterized in that said adjusting member ( 32 ) is a diaphragm. 
     
     
         7 . The device ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 4 , characterized in that said hollow shaft ( 4 ) also has a plurality of lateral openings ( 34 ) arranged in alignment with said deflecting elements ( 5 ) in the direction of said axis X 1 . 
     
     
         8 . The device ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 4 , characterized in that it comprises a plurality of fastening elements ( 17 ) for the deflecting elements ( 5 ), each of which is connected to the periphery of said hollow shaft ( 4 ), on the one hand, and to a portion of one of said deflecting elements which is not said inner end ( 16 ). 
     
     
         9 . The device ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 8 , characterized in that each of said fastening elements ( 17 ) has an adjustable length. 
     
     
         10 . The device ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that each of said deflecting elements ( 5 ) has two substantially plane portions ( 28 ,  29 ) connected to each other so as to have the shape of a V in cross-section. 
     
     
         11 . The device ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 10 , characterized in that said plane portions ( 28 ,  29 ) are disconnected in the region of the inner end ( 16 ) of each of said deflecting elements ( 5 ) so as to define an additional passage ( 30 ) for said divided solid ( 2 ). 
     
     
         12 . The device ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one first member ( 22 ) for adjusting the inclination of said deflecting elements ( 5 ) about a first axis of rotation A 1  orthogonal to said axis X 1 . 
     
     
         13 . The device ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 12 , characterized in that it comprises at least one second member ( 24 ) for adjusting the inclination of said deflecting elements ( 5 ) about a second axis of rotation A 2  orthogonal to said first axis of rotation A 1 . 
     
     
         14 . The device ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said deflecting elements ( 5 ) are arranged in series of deflecting elements superposed one above the other, said series being evenly distributed around said hollow shaft ( 4 ). 
     
     
         15 . The device ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 14 , comprising at least one first member ( 22 ) for adjusting the inclination of said deflecting elements about a first axis of rotation A 1  orthogonal to said axis X 1 , characterized in that said first member ( 22 ) acts in a similar and simultaneous manner at least on all of the deflecting elements ( 5 ) forming part of the same series. 
     
     
         16 . The device ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 15 , comprising at least one second member ( 24 ) for adjusting the inclination of said deflecting elements ( 5 ) about a second axis of rotation A 2  orthogonal to said first axis A 1 , characterized in that said second member ( 24 ) acts in a similar and simultaneous manner at least on all of the deflecting elements ( 5 ) forming part of the same series.