US2661068A - Air circulator for orchards and field crops - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 1, 1953 L. B. GASKILL 2,661,068

AIR CIRCULATOR FOR ORCHARDS AND FIELD CROP S Filed Sept. 2, 1950 v 3 Sheeqs-Sheet l 450 B. G'HSH/L z.

IN V EN TOR.

HTI'dEA/EV L. B. GASKILL AIR CIRCULATOR FOR ORCHARDS AND FIELD CROPS Dec. 1, 1953 3 Sheets-Shes Filed Sept. 2, 1950 50 5. GQS/d/LL INVENTOR.

QTTOQNEV Patented Dec. 1, 1953 UNITED ES PATENT OFFICE AIR GIRCULATQB FOR ORGHARDS- AND FIELD CROPS This invention relates to a device "for the {an culation of air, and which is particularly adapted for usein orchards, field crops, or the lik'e,'t'o prevent frost damage. 1 7

Traditionally, the heating of orchards, fields, or groves, whereinit is desired-to protect tender trees and crops from freezing temperatures, has been accomplished-by the use of individual orchard heaters utilizing the heating "efie'ct of the combustion of ma oil, and the like. This system isoften used "for citrus groves. Such use of orchard heaters is disadvantageous, operation being cumbersomerand undesirable 's'mud'ge is produced. Accordingly, some attempts have been made to supersede the use of such or'chard heaters by the use of devices for the production of the circulation of air masses, it being well known that the circulation of 'air will elevate the atmospheric temperature.

It is one object of this invention to provide a novel and improved mechanism for the circulation of air designed to protect trees and crops "from freezing temperatures.

In achieving an improved operation, use is made of a novel design'oi impeller blades whereby a pressure is imposed broadly iipbn the lower levels of air in order to prevent the rise'of air that has been warmed durin the day, rather than recreate extreme turbulence that Will'di'sisipate this warmed air. Accordingly, the inlp'eller blades are of substantial "anguiar width, and'a're designed to extend "generallyat an angle to the axis of rotation, and to b rotated at relatively slow speeds.

It is another object of this inventionto 'p'rovide a device of this'character that is eubstan- "tially noiseless in operation. This object is achieved by providing a device that can be rotated "at relatively low speeds and yet produce th'e'des'ired results. v 7

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device of this character that can be adfjuste'd to control the'fiow pattern of air in order to meet the particularrequirements of groves or orchards designed to be heated, Accordingly, novel means are provided for adjusting the angle of the 'impellerblade's to'the aids of rotation of the device according 'to the extent and topography of the grove or orchard designed to be heated. v I

It'is still a 'further ob'ject of this invention to provide a device of this character that can be adjusted to'bbntrol the velocity of air being 'cir- 'culat'ed, and the'pre's'siire 'being'iriipos'ed on the lower levels -bf air, all in accordance with the needs orthe system.

It' is sun a further objector 'thisinve'n'tionto p'rovide'a device-f characterfthat afiectsthe surrounding air 'fli'n a no directional fnanr er, fiifiifii)aiiliilg bfitiiiiidiis pressure and *velbenw conditions 'onthe surrounding air. For this purpose, the mechanism is "designed to be rotated about a vertical axis.

'It is "still a further object of this invention to provide a device of this character that is simple in structure, but yet sturdy and efiicient in operation. I

It is 'still a further object of this invention to provide a device of this character that ha'snovel provisions whereby the operative parts of the device can 'be readily reached for maintenance and repair, and that facilitates the installation or the device. For this purpose, means ar'ep'rovid'ed whereby the entire apparatus may be moved to horizontal position.

This invention possesses many "other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of severalembodiments'of the invention. For this purpose there are shown a few forms in the drawingsaccompanying and forming part of the presexit specification. These forms will now be de scribed in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to b taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is "a plan View of a device incorporatingone form of this'invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevation, with parts partly broken away, showing the entire apparatus;

Fig. 3 is asecti'ona'l view, taken along th plane indicated byline33 of Fig. 2;

Fig.4 is a view taken in the direction of the plane indicated by line 1-4 of Fig. 2, some of the blades being'omitted;

' Fig. 5 is an elevation, a portion of which'is broken away to illustrate the manner in which the pitch offthe blade maybe selectively adjusted, andalso partly in section along a plane corresponding to line '5'-'-5 of Fig. 4 to illustrate themanner in which the upper supporting means for the tiltable mechanism may be selectively adjusted;

Fig. -6 is a sectional view, taken along the planeindic'atedby line 6-6 of Fig. 5, the view diagrammatically illustrating one of the adjustments of the mechanism;

Fig. [7 is a view, partly in section, illustrating =-a-modi'i'ied form of this invention;

Fig. 8 is a view, partly in section. taken in the direction indicated by arrows 8 8 of Fig. '7, "scine'o'ff-the blades being omitted; and

Fig. 9 is a view of the drivingapparatus, partly in sectiomtaken in the direction-of the arrows t -"9 of Fig. 7.

k The surrounding mass of air 'iscirculated for fheatingfpurpcses by a pluralityof impellerblades $8 (in-this iilstance, there are three), These 3 blades are mounted in such a manner that they are rotatable about a vertical axis A, so that they may set up a how of air in the surrounding vicinity.

In the form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, such mounting is provided by the support ii, a cylindrical housing l2 forming a mast mounted on the support II, a support or hub member [3 joined to a rotary shaft 48, and mounted on the housing [2, as by the aid of an appropriate thrust bearing structure H (see Figs. 4 and 5), and a plurality of plates 15 secured to the hub l3 and substantially equiangularly spaced thereof. To each impeller blade it is secured a base or disc i6, respectively adapted to be adjustably supported on the plates i5 carried by the hub i3 in a manner to be hereinafter more fully described.

Each of the plates i5 is mounted on the hub it in such a manner that they may be adjusted to control the angle of each blade ill with respect to the vertical axis A. The control of the angle of the blade ill to the vertical will, in turn, control the flow pattern of the air. Thus, depending upon the angle which the blade it makes with the axis of rotation A, the air can be directed to reach a larger or smaller area of land, all depending upon the particular needs of the installation. Further, this adjustment can compensate for the particular topography of the land designed to be affected.

For this purpose of adjusting the angle of the blades it with respect to the axis of rotation A, each of the plates 15 is angularly adjustable about an axis displaced from the axis of rotation of the hub I3, and transverse thereto. Accordingly, the hub I3 carries near its periphcry a plurality of pairs of ears I! that may be welded, or otherwise secured, to the hub [3. Short shafts ii: are attached, at their ends, within the ears i'i. Plates it carry brackets lil through which the shafts pass. The shafts thus pivotally support the plates IS on horizontal axes, adjacent the periphery of these plates.

For fixing the particular desired angle at which plates it are inclined, a central sleeve 2i secured to the hub 43, carried a plurality of brackets M, respectively cooperating with the plates it. Each bracket has a face Zia at a substantially constant distance from the axis of adjustment of the respective plate, as defined by cars it (Fig. 5). Each plate i5, at its inner face, carries a right-angle extension 22, adapted to cooperate with the bracket 2!. The adjacent faces of each bracket 21 and cooperating extension 22 have clearance for permitting relative adjustment thereof. This extension 22 provides a through aperture The bracket 21 has a plurality of apertures 24 adapted selectively to register with the aperture 23 of the extension 22. The extension 22 is adapted thereby to be pin-connected to the bracket 2!, as by the aid of bolt assembly 25. Proper choice of an aperture determines the angular position of plate I5.

Any suitable type of blade may be incorporated in the structure. In this instance, as shown most clearly in Figs. 1, 2, and 5, the blade If! is formed of plane surfaces, there being a tip portion 26 that may be formed by bending the tip about an axis transverse to the axis of the blade, the axis of bending being preferably inclined to provide a leading edge for the blade I0,

shown most clearly in Fig. 1.

Each blade is provided with turned-up edges 28. A channel rib 29 forms the basic structural support for the blade l0, and the rib 29 may be substantially centrally disposed thereof, and secured to the blade in as by the use of rivets, or by welding.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 4 and 5, the rib 29 is secured to the disc is near the periphery of the disc, as by welding, and an auxiliary brace 39 serves to add rigidity to the system by con necting the rib 29 to the plate it at a place on the disc [6 opposite the rib 29.

The disc i6 is adjustably attached to the adjustable plate 15, as by the aid of a bolt asses bly 31, extending through substantially centrally disposed through apertures of the plate It and the disc l6, respectively. By this connection any angular adjustment of the plate is about the axis formed by the shaft l8 will be transmitted to the blade Ill, and a rotation of the hub I3 will cause corresponding rotation of the blades ID.

The particular mounting of the blades ii), utilizing the plate I5 and disc ii is such that, with comparative ease, provisions can be made to adjust the pitch of the blades it! in order further to control the flow characteristics of air designed to be circulated. Thus, as shown most clearly in Figs. 4 and 6, one of the members coupled by the bolt assembly 3!, in this instance, the plate :5, is provided with a plurality of through apertures 32 spaced at intervals along an arc of which the bolt assembly 31 forms the center. The other member, in this instance the disc it, carries a removable pin 33 having a shank portion adapted to extend through any one of the apertures 32. To render possible such adjustment, the bolt assembly 31 is first loosened. To retain the pin 33 in place, suitable means, such as a key connection (it, may be used. The blade iii being joined to the disc I 6 illustrates that, by appropriate positioning of the pin 33, the pitch of the blade I0 can be varied.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 2, the blades it may be supported in the desired position by the use of support members 35, extending respectively between each adjacent blade it, and suitably adjustably secured thereto. Also provided are the support members at, extending from the blades is to a central ring 3'2 and designed to resist the forces acting on blades it due to their rotation.

The support ii for the device is mounted on a base 38 in a manner permissive of rotation about a horizontal axis in order that the mechanism may be reached for repair or adjustment, and also to facilitate the original installation of the device. For this purpose, as shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, the base 38 and support ii are hinged together. The base 38 carries a beam 39 v hi h, in turn, carries a horizontal shaft it by the aid of brackets ii. Appropriate brackets -32, cooperable with the shaft iii, are secured to the base H, as by the aid of bolt assemblies at. For securing the support H in horizontal position, the base 38 also carries a beam i i with which bolt assemblies 55 may cooperate.

In the vertical position of the mechanism, suitable guy wires or the like, may be attached to the housing It by the aid of a collar ii.

For imparting rotation to the hub is and the blades iii, the shaft is, appropriately coupled to the hub i3 and extending through the housing :2, is adapted to be rotated by a driving mechanism including, in this instance, a motor is mounted on the base 38 (see Figs. 2 and 3). In-

terposed between the housing 12 and the support H is a gear housing 50 accommodating a pair of intermeshing bevel gears 5| and 52, the gear 52 being secured to the shaft 48. The bevel gear 5i is suitably supported in the gear housing 55, and secured to the gear 5i is a drive shaft 53 extending through the housing 50. The shaft 53 carries a sprocket wheel 54 adapted to cooperate with a continuous chain 55. For moving the chain 55, the motor is also carries a sprocket wheel 56 cooperable with the chain 55. The use of the chain drive mechanism permits ready disassembly of the motor :39 from the remainder of the drive mechanism so that, when desired, the support H carrying the mechanism can be rotated about the hinge 40, 42.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 7, 8, and 9, the blade assembly is illustrated as substantially identical to the form shown in the form of Figs. 1 to 6. However, in the present instance, the supporting structure for the blade 10 is simplified.

A blade support 60, generally of hollow, frustoconical shape, provides a plurality of substantially plane faces 5| substantially equiangularly disposed about the support 60. These faces 6| cooperate respectively the blade discs 15 in a manner not dissimilar from the manner in which the plates [5 of the form of Figs. 1 to 6 cooperate therewith, for the purpose of permitting ready adjustment of the pitch of the blades [0 to control the flow characteristics of the air designed to be circulated.

Substantially centrally of each face 6|, as seen most clearly in Fig. 8, there is provided an aperture 62 with which a bolt assembly 63 cooperates to secure the blade disc l6 thereto. Any one of a number of arcuately spaced apertures 54 cooperates with the removable pin 33 of the blade disc I6, whereby the pitch of the blade I0 is capable of adjustment.

The support 60 is mounted for rotation with a hollow drive shaft 65. The support 60 rests on a shaft casing 66 for relative rotation with respect thereto. For this purpose, a roller bearing support is provided. One race 61 is carried by the end of the casing 66, and another race 68 is carried interiorly of the support 60 by means of an annular flange 69 and a shoulder 10 thereof. Disposed between the race members 61 and 68 are suitable rolling elements H.

Forming a driving connection between the shaft 65 and the support 60 are a pair of semicircular coupling elements 12, each having depending lugs 13 cooperable with corresponding slots 14 in a driving extension 15 of the upper base 16 of the support 60. The coupling elements 12 are clamped to the shaft 65 by means of bolt assemblies 11 passing through opposed ears 18 of the elements 12.

The shaft 65 may be rotated by suitable means, such as is illustrated in connection with the forms shown in Figs. 1 to 6.

While the angle of the support for the blades 10 is not capable of adjustment in the construction illustrated, the support member 50 has faces 6| inclined at the particular angle thatthe installation requires. Different support members 60 can, of course, be used in this construction. The construction promotes interchangeability of supports 60, assembly of the apparatus being easily accomplished.

The inventor claims:

1. In apparatus of the character described: a hub rotary about a first axis; means supported by the hub providing a second axis spaced from the first axis and in a direction at a right angle to a plane including the first axis; a plate pivoted on said means about said second axis for tilting movement of said plate; adjustable means interconnecting the hub and the plate for maintaining said plate in any of a number of angular posi tions about said second axis; and a blade structure having a base; said plate having means providing a third axis about which the blade base is angularly adjustable, said third axis and the first axis lying in a plane normal to the second axis.

2. In a device of the character described: a hub rotary about a first axis; a plate having a surface; means mounting said plate on said hub for tilting movement of said surface about a second axis normal to one plane including said first axis, said second axis being spaced from said first axis; adjustable means interconnecting the hub and the plate remote from said second axis for maintaining said plate in any of a number of angular positions about said second axis; a blade structure having a base, said base having a surface substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the blade and in engagement With said surface of said plate; said plate having means providing a third axis normal to surfaces about which said blade base is angularly adjustable; means interconnecting said plate and base remote from said third axis for maintaining said base in any one of a number of angular positions about said third axis with respect to said plate; said third axis lying in said one plane.

3. In a device of the character described: a hub rotary about a first axis; a plate having a surface; means mounting said plate on said hub for tilting movement of said surface about a second axis normal to one plane including said first axis, said second axis being spaced from said first axis; means remote from said second axis for maintaining said plate in any of a number of angular positions about said second axis including an adjustable removable connection between said plate and said hub; a blade structure having a base, said base having a surface substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the blade and in engagement with said surface of said plate; said plate having means providing a third axis normal to surfaces about which said blade base is angularly adjustable; means remote from said third axis for maintaining said base in any one of a number of angular positions about said. third axis with respect to said plate including a removable connection between said base and said plate; said third axis lying in said one plane.

LEO B. GASKILL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 316,655 Pittman Apr. 28, 1885 483,545 Cutten Oct. 4, 1892 794,010 Hayden July 4, 1905 851,660 Harding Apr. 30, 1907 1,583,864 Tucker .May 11, 1926 2,529,339 Irvine et a1. Nov. 7, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 113,324 Great Britain Feb. 21, 1918 321,725 France July 24, 1905 474,747 Germany Apr. 13, 1929

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