US2968310A - Lime feeding apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 17, 1961 H. D. LETTS LIME FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 2'7, 1957 .5 Sheets-Sheet 1 HAzcmD D. LETTS ATTOE M EYS Jan. 17,1961 H. D.-LETTS LIME FEEDING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 27, 1957 INVENTOR-Q Hmzou: D LET-rs W ATTOQMEYS LIME FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 27, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG-.3

INVENTOR. Hmao 1.1: D. LET-v.5

72mm wmm ATTOEHEYs Jan. 17, 1961 H. D. LETTS LIME FEEDING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 2'7, 1957 \0 INVENTOR. HP QLD D. LETTS ATTOBUEYS United States Patent O LIME FEEDING APPARATUS Harold D. Letts, Zelienople, Pa., assignor to Tasa Coal Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvama Filed Sept. 27, 1957, SB!- No. 686,676

15 Claims. c1. 137-10117 This invention relates to apparatus for feeding lime in a slurry form, into a quanhty of water to produce a chemical action that will de-acidify the water.

By way of background, almost all states and other governmental authorities are concerned, to an ever-increasing extent, with the pollution of the natural water supply. In this connection, one form of pollution which has very serious effects upon a stream or other natural supply of water is that which makes the stream acid. In these circumstances, the stream becomes unfit for use as a source of home or industrial water supply, or for fishing or swimming. A stream thus polluted is ruined for all practical purposes for many years, due to the fact that the acidity tends to remain in the stream even after the initial cause of the acidity has long disappeared.

A situation in which this occurs is that resulting from coal mining operations conducted in close proximity to a natural supply of water. Almost all coal mining operations fall within this category, it should be noted, and it is desirable to have an understanding as to how the natural water supply adjacent a coal mine becomes acid.

In the mining of coal, it is known that the coal and adjacent strata lying buried in the earth have sulphur in various forms associated with the same. During the mining process, the sulfuritic materials are uncovered and exposed to air and moisture. These three elements, when in combination, oxidize to produce acid making substances. These substances, as they drain out of the mine, form sulfuric acid in the water and deposit oxides of iron, commonly known as yellow boy, on the bottom of the stream.

Should acid be deposited in a stream in a suflicient amount, the stream becomes what is known as a mine acid stream, unfit for any of the normal uses indicated above. A depressing aspect of this type of pollution is that the acid mine water continues to flow many years after the mining has ceased.

In view of the above, many state governments, having become acutely aware of the danger of polluting water by the deposit of mine acids therein, have passed legislation intended to remedy the situation. Stringent laws have been passed relative to the discharge of waste acids and coal mine acid water into the natural water supplies. A typical law, that of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, provides that no coal mine water containing as much as one part of acid per m'llion of water shall be discharged into a clean stream. The law further requires that every coal mine operator shall obtain a permit to discharge mine Water. The conditions of the permits are generally such as to prohibit the discharge of water containing even the slightest amount of acid.

Various methods are used to provide compliance with the laws, and of course, the method chosen will depend, to a great extent, on the type of mining operation, that is, whether the coal is being mined by strip mining or in socalled deep mines, the latter including all mines worked with labor and equipment underground, such as shaft, drift, and slope mines. In strip mining, one method is to keep the water out of the working. Then again, an other method is to keep drainage moving as regards that water which does get into the working strip. Still further, it is common practice to segregate sulfuric materials, to keep the same from contact with air and moisture, since only in these circumstances are the acid substances formed. Then again, where water collects in pools on the mine floor or in sumps, and becomes acid, it is a practice to neutralize these casual pools, through the use of lime.

In the controlling of the formation of acid water in strip mining, back-filling and planting methods are employed at the completion of the stripping operations.

Much the same methods are employed in connection with deep mines, and in particular the neutralization of pools is employed. This, however, is a relatively expensive process, since it has been the practice to form a slurry of lime by manual action and including the stirring of the slurry with a paddle, said slurry being fed to the input side of a pump which pumps the acid water into a settling basin.

In this regard, while it is physically possible to neutralize water with hydrated lime, the economics of the problem are difiicult of solution. The requirement of a gasoline or diesel engine-driven pump or other equipment, and the requirement of the constant labor or attendance of at least one man for stirring the lime slurry,

obviously militates against a cheap, effective solution, particularly in view of the fact that it is necessary to provide an almost constant feeding of the slurry into the water rather than a heavy discharge of the slurry thereinto at relatively infrequent intervals.

Further, with respect to backfilling, the basic acid forming conditions are eliminated, it is true, and after a period of time acid is no longer formed. However, there is a period of time after backfilling during which acid water will seep or issue from ofi or under the backfill. Again, the treatment of the acid water through the use of pumps, manually stirred slurries, etc., is expensive. This is especial-ly true where there may be numerous small discharges scattered over a considerable area that prevents the ready distribution of heavy equipment.

In view of the above, it is proposed to provide means for forming a slurry of lime, and for feeding the slurry in predetermined, metered amounts, to a supply of water, wh'ch means will not require attendance or servicing except at prescribed, relatively infrequent intervals by a single worker, travelling on foot. Thus, the single worker, following a daily servicing routine, can service a large number of feeders formed according to the present invention and located at widely scattered po'nts.

Another object is to provide lime feeding apparatus of the character stated which will be relatively light in weight, so as to be easily transported by a few men on foot to the point of installation.

Still another object is to operate the device by means of a source of power which will be no more than the water itself, operable whenever there is a slight difference in elevation.

It is ap ropriate to note at this point that the ingredient in lime which unites chemically with the acid to neutralize the same is calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH) Commercially available lime is called dehydrated lime, which is in powder form and which has to calcium hydroxide. Water is added to the dry or dehydrated lime to make a slurry.

In this regard, a characteristic of dehydrated lime is its aflinity for moisture found in ambient air. Thus, upon being removed from its shipping bag, the lime begins to attract moisture and therefore begins to harden almost immediately, and eventually reverts almost to a rock-like condition. While the hardening process does take a car-.-

tain amount of time, the lime will remain in a powder form for several days, depending upon the humidity of ambient air. This characteristic of lime makes it a difficult substance to feed in metered quantities and further, the lime has a decided tendency to adhere to the walls of any container. The sticking and caking tendencies of lime thus present a problem, which is overcome by the present invention.

The problem which has been encountered in neutralizing mine acid water, thus, is to feed metered quantities of lime, which lime has the characteristics noted immediately above, at frequent intervals into a quantity of water in a place where no source of power is available except the passage of the water from a certain elevation to a slightly lower elevation, with a minimum of labor, a maximum amount of dependability, and a characteristic of operating every day, 24 hours a day. The object of the present invention is to provide a solution to such a problem. In this connection, while the apparatus of the invention is intended mainly for the feeding of lime to water, it is not limited to this particular function and the device can be used to feed any powdered or granular substance to a wide variety of liquids under the conditions described above.

Other objects will appear from the following description, the claims appended thereto, and from the annexed drawings, in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the apparatus as seen from the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional view through the apparatus substantially on line 33 of Figure 2, the component parts of the device being shown in full and dotted lines in opposite extreme positions to which they are movable;

Figure 4 is a vertical, transverse sectional view through the device, substantially on line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a transverse, sectional view through the device, substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary longitudinal sectional view substantially on line 6-6 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view looking upwardly from line 7-7 of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a view on the same cutting plane as Figure 6, in which the parts are shown in full lines as they appear when nearing the end of the downward motion of the feeding assembly, and in dotted lines as they appear in their extreme lower position; and

Figure 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary longitudinal sectional view substantially on line 9-9 of Figure 2, with the parts in the position assumed thereby when nearing the end of the movement in an upward direction, a striking assembly being shown in full and dotted lines in opposite extreme positions to which it is movable relative to an adjacent lime hopper.

Referring to the drawing in detail, a housing generally designated 10 includes a flat, rectangular, normally horizontally disposed bottom wall 12, supported at a low elevation above the ground surface G by downwardly bowed feet 14 fixedly secured to bottom wall 12 at the several corners of the housing. Integral with the bottom wall 12 are end walls 16, 18 respectively and side walls 20, 20 reinforced by horizontally extending angle irons 21 fixedly secured thereto.

A support frame, generally designated 22, projecting upwardly from and rigid with housing 10, includes vertical, elongated corner posts 24 of angle iron material, which may constitute extensions of corner members of the frame of the housing. Fixedly connected between the corner posts at the respective ends of the device are end cross bars 26, 28 of the frame, cross bar 26 being of angle iron material and cross bar 28 being of strap iron. Fixedly connected between the posts and extending horizontally ill along the respective sides of the frame, are side frame members 30, 30 of angle iron material.

A hopper support frame generally designated 32, at one end of the device, includes vertical hopper support posts 34, fixedly connected between the respective sides of the housing and the longitudinal frame members 30. The members 34 cooperate with the adjacent posts 34 in providing a rectangular enclosure for the hopper, and bounding said enclosure at its opposite sides are side hopper frame members 36 constituting extensions of the members 30, though formed of strap iron to facilitate insertion in the wall of the hopper.

At the base of the frame 22, there are provided, on the frame and housing respectively, oppositely disposed, longitudinally contacting, angle iron side reinforcing bars 38, 38 (see Figures 2 and 4). These are fixedly secured to the housing and frame 22, and are also rigid with end reinforcing bars 40 (see Figure 2). Internal side reinforcing bars 42 (see Figure 5) rigidify the upper edge of the upwardly opening housing.

The various framing arrangements, of course, might be varied in a commercial embodiment. It is mainly important to note, for the purpose of the present application, that the invention includes an upwardly opening housing in the form of a container, adapted to hold a liquid in a manner to be described hereafter, and a skeleton type support frame projecting over the housing and having incorporated therein a hopper support frame in which a hopper 44 is removably inserted in position over the housing, all as clearly shown in Figure 3.

Referring to Figure 3, a pair of angle iron brace or reinforcing bars 46 are rigid with the lower portion of the hopper 44, and rigid with the posts 34, 24, are horizontally extending abutment or stop bars 48 extending transversely of the hopper support frame and adapted to underlie the bars 46 to limit downward movement of the hopper when it is inserted in the support frame.

The hopper has a downwardly tapering lower portion 50, and fixedly secured to the downwardly convergent opposite sides of said portion 50 are identical but opposite hangers 52 of wide strap metal or the like, having vertically depending bottom portions formed with transversely aligned, large circular openings 56 (Figure 3) loosely receiving the ends of a cross-pin 54 welded to the underside of a feeder plate rigid at its back end with a transversely extending, vertically disposed strike plate 58.

The plate 58, as shown in Figure 9, is connected to the rear end of a forwardly declining feeder plate 60, which is of channeled formation. The plate 60 is disposed below the bottom, dispensing opening 61 of hopper 44, and to regulate the quantity of lime fed per stroke, the feeder plate is adjustable upwardly or downwardly through the provision of a threaded U bolt 62, the legs of which extend through smooth-walled openings of angle brackets 64 fixedly secured to the front wall of the hopper, with nuts 66 being threaded upon the legs of the U bolt and being supported upon the brackets. The U bolt is in embracing relation to the plate 69 as best shown in Figure 7 and it will thus be seen that the plate is loosely suspended in position below the opening 61, and is free to move both horizontally in Figure 9 and vertically, by reason of the disposition of the small diameter pin 54 and the large diameter openings 56.

The adjustment of the U bolt 62 upwardly or downwardly has the effect of reducing or enlarging the dispensing passage defined between the lower end of the hopper and the feeder plate and also reduces or increases, as the case may be, the inclination of the feeder plate.

Another adjustment of the feeder plate is provided for by an adjustable slide plate 68, which constitutes a gate (see Figure 2) having slots in its opposite sides through which extend studs that project outwardly from the front wall or" the hopper. Wing nuts are threaded on the studs, and when tightened hold the slide plate 68 in selected positions of adjustment toward or away from the feeder plate.

Subsequently herein, the manner of function of the feeder plate, during its horizontal and vertical movements, and the manner in which said movements are imparted thereto, will be discussed in detail herein. Ad justments in the quantity of lime fed are effected not only by means of the adjustments previously specified, but also by varying the stroke of a striking assembly which will also be described in detail hereinafter.

In any event, when the lime is caused to flow out of the hopper onto the feeder plate, it drops from the feeder plate both by gravity and by being jarred loose therefrom, into a vertically extending lime conduit 70 (see Figure 3), the lime being designated by the reference letter L and being caused to drop into the discharge end portion of an elongated, substantially horizontally extending water discharge channel 72 that underlies the bottom wall 12.

Within the housing, the majorpart of the housing space is used as a water compartment 74, into which water flows through inclined water inlet troughs 76. Immediately below the troughs 76 there are horizontally extending, short lengths of pipe 78 fixedly secured to the wall 16 and designed to facilitate transportation of the device, hoisting the same, etc. Similar pipes 80 are secured to the forward end wall 18, as shown in Figure 1.

Rigidly secured to the bottom wall 12, adjacent the rear wall thereof, is an upwardly opening socket 82, in which is fixedly engaged the lower end of an elongated, vertically disposed guide support bar 84 the upper end of which is fixedly connected to an angular bracket 86, attached fixedly to a transversely extending support bar 88 of inverted channel formation.

Fixedly secured to and projecting forwardly from rod 84 are vertically spaced guides 90 in which is vertically reciprocable a bulb support rod 92, to the lower end of which is connected a rubber ball valve or bulb 94 movable into and out of seated position on a low, upwardly opening valve seat 96, that is disposed about an inlet opening 97 communicating between compartment 74 and channel 72.

The upper end of rod 92 is threaded and referring to Figures 3 and 8, a pair of nuts 98 are threadedly engaged with the rod 92, to provide an adjustable stop.

The rod 92 is extended through a diametrically disposed opening of a cylindrical, transversely extending, connector block 100, that extends between and is rotatably engaged in a pair of laterally spaced arms 102 rigid with and projecting forwardly from a transversely disposed sleeve 104 (see Figure 7) extending between and rotatably supported upon vertically, upwardly extending standards 106 fixedly secured at their lower ends to the support bar 88. Extending through the sleeve and through openings of the standards to provide for the rotatable mounting of the sleeve is a shaft or pin 108.

Expansion springs 110 at their upper ends are hooked on the ends of a pin 112 that extends between and is carried by standards 106. Springs 110, at their lower ends, are connected to one end of links 114, the other ends of which are pivotally connected at 115 (see Figure 3) to the outer ends of crank arms 116. Crank arms 116 are secured to the sleeve 104 for rotation therewith, so that the crank arms 116 and the arms 102 swing as a unit, as may be readily noted by comparing the full and dotted line positions of these components in Figure 3.

Limiting upward swinging movement of the arms 102 is a transversely extending stop bar 118 fixedly connected between standards 106 and shown to best advantage in Figures 3 and 8.

Extending transversely of the housing, and fixedly secured to thehousing frame, is a horizontal support bar 120. Rigid with and extending upwardly from bar 120 are vertical, transversely spaced standards 122 (see Figures 5 and 9), and as shown in Figure 3, connected between the upper ends of the standards 106, 122 are parallel, horizontal side frame members 124, constituting with the members 106 and 122 components of an inner framework generally designated 123. Also constituting parts of the inner framework, and reinforcing the same, are cross or brace plates 126, 128 fixedly connected to the members 106, 124. Further reinforcing the framing structure is an inclined plate 130 supported upon and extending between the members 124 in overlying relation thereto. Plate 130 is in upwardly converging relation to and is fixedly secured to a vertical, transversely disposed plate 132, also supported upon and extending between the members 124.

Plate 132 is extended upwardly above plate 130 and has a smooth-walled opening at its upper end, in which is freely slidable an elongated, horizontal bolt 134 extending in a fore-and-aft direction. A nut 136 threaded on bolt 134 bears against plate 132 to limit forward movement of the bolt toward the hopper.

Bolt 134 is an eye bolt and at its forward end is pivotally connected at 138 to the upper end of an inclined guide plate 140, the lower end of which is connected to pins 142 carried by the members 124, whereby the plate is rockable upon the horizontal transverse axis defined by the pins 142, to selected positions of inclination. In other words, plate 140 may be adjusted as to its angle of inclination by adjustment of the rod 134 in an axial direction, which adjustment will tend to swing the plate 140 about its pivot axis to the selected, adjusted position.

Referring to Figures 3, 5 and 8, a pair of push rods 144 of elongated, straight formation are inclined in substantial correspondence with the inclination of the plate 140, and at their upper ends are provided with rollers 146 that roll upon the plate 140. The lower ends of the push rods are pivotally connected at 148 to a pair of identical, transversely spaced lever or float support arms 150, which extend almost the full distance between the back wall 16 and the line conduit 70, said arms 150 being pivotally connected at their rear ends to the back wall 16 through the provision of pins 152.

Arms 150 are swingable about the axis defined by the pins 152, in vertical planes between the full and dotted line positions shown in Figure 3. To the free ends of the arms there is fixedly connected, in position below the arms, a large float 54 that rises and falls with the level of the water W (see Figure 3).

Fixedly secured at their lower ends to the arms 150 intermediate the ends of the arms are upwardly projecting push bars 156. These are inclined out of perpendicularity to the length of the arms 150 and are in upwardly diverging relation to the elongated push rods 144. The push bars 156, intermediate their ends, have short longitudinal slots and extending between the slots is a lower cross pin 158 the ends of which are engaged in the slot. Similar slots are disposed near the upper ends of the push bars, and engaged in the same are the ends of an upper cross pin 160. Thus the pins have lost motion connections to the push bar.

Referring now to Figure 9, connected between the arms 102 is a pin 162, and overlying pin 162 is a floating lever 164 straight at its forward end but having at its rear end an upwardly arched end portion 165 overlying the block 100 in contact therewith. A pair of upper stop nuts 166 are threaded on the rod 92 above the floating lever, with the floating lever having a longitudinal slot 167 receiving the rod 92.

Further referring to Figure 9, a pivot pin 168 is connected between the upper ends of the standards 122, supporting a striker or hammer assembly generally designated 169. This includes an elongated hanger arm 170 to the lower end of which is fixedly secured an elongated, heavy, solidly constituted, cylindrical hammer or striker 172, having a tapered forward arm 173 adapted to be brought forcibly against plate 58 on swinging of the assembly 169 to the dotted line position shown in Figure 9.

The hanger arm 170 is formed with a rearwardly projecting extension 173 intermediate its ends, formed with a transversely disposed sleeve 174 (see Figure through which extends a pin 175 carrying rollers 176.

Further referring to Figure 5 and referring also to Figures 3 and 9, fixedly secured to the inner surfaces of the push rods 144 are inclined cams 178 of triangular formation, having their lengths oblique to the lengths of the push rods. Both the top and bottom surfaces of the cams constitute cam surfaces engageable by the rollers 176, depending upon whether the push rods are being moved downwardly or upwardly.

Considering now the use of the device, it will be understood that -it can be employed wherever there is even a very small amount of running water. This will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter. It is sufiicient to note at this time, that assuming that float 154 is in its uppermost position shown in full lines in Figure 3, all the other movable components will also be in the full line position shown in this figure in the drawings. In other words, valve 94 will be open, and the striker 172 will be in engagement with striker plate or anvil 58, having just delivered a blow thereto. The level of the water W will have reached its maximum at this point.

The arms 102 of the floating lever 164, the members 156, the springs 110, links 114 and crank arms 116 all constitute part of a bulb actuator assembly generally designated at 180. The assembly 180 is adapted for actuating the bulb or valve assembly generally designated 1S2, constituted by rod 92 and valve 94, between the upper and lower positions thereof shown in full and dotted lines, respectively, in Figure 3.

The assembly 180 is held in its raised position shown in full lines in Figure 3 by the tension of the springs 110, which are exerting upward pull on links 114 tending to swing the crank arms 116 upwardly, counter-clockwise in Figure 3. This of course holds the arms 102 upwardly, and as shown in Figure 3 arms 2 have the pin 162 bearing against the underside of the floating lever 164. Floating lever 164, at this time, is thus tilted to the position shown in Figure 3 and also shown in Figure 6. The slotted end of the lever 164 bears against the upper stop 166 of rod 92 and is held in this position by the block 100.

Therefore, when this point is reached in the cycle of operation, the ball valve 94 will be held off its seat 96 and the water will now run out of the compartment 74 through the channel 72. As the water passes out of the channel 72, it picks up the lime which was previously deposited in the channel, mixes with the lime, and proceeds therewith to discharge, providing a lime slurry that is discharged into the acid water to neutralize the same.

Continuing the cycle of operation: as the water empties from the tank, the float 154 moves downwardly. Therefore, the upper pin 160 moves downwardly and first contacts the floating lever 164. Since several pounds of force are required to force the bulb actuating assembly 180 over center against the tension of springs 110, the first result of this is that the pressure of the pin 160 on the floating lever 164 causes the floating lever 164 to rock upon its fulcrum, that is, upon the pin 162. The result is that the ball valve 94 is held suspended off its seat in its upper position until the link 114 moves over center, that is, across the center defined by pin 108 (see Figure 6). The link 114 is moved over center, of course, by the rotational movement of the crank arms 116 caused by the downward swinging of the members 102.

When the links travel over center, they snap into their new position shown in Figure 9.

This position of the parts is also shown in dotted lines in Figure B and it will be seen that as the spring 110 contracts following movement of the links 114 over center, the members 102 are snapped downward to their lower, dotted line positions of Figure 3. Block 100, as a result, now bears against the stop means defined by the nuts 98, forcing rod 92 downwardly to snap the ball valve to its lower, seated position.

Since water is continuously entering compartment 74 through the inlet 76, the water entering the compartment begins to fill the same and the float 154 again begins to rise. In a short time, the lower pin 158 contacts the arms 102 and begins to swing the same upwardly. During this part of the cycle the lever 164 simply floats and the ball valve remains seated because the nuts 98, 166 of the rods 92 are spaced apart a distance to permit a certain amount of lost motion of the components of the bulb actuating assembly. Further, the bulb or ball valve is being held down during this period by the force of water pressure within the tank.

When the water has filled sufliciently, float 154 swings the arms 102 upwardly sufliciently to cause the crank arms 116 and link 114 to travel over center. As a result, once again the snap action results, whereby the ball valve 94 is snapped to its upper position. The cycle is thus completed.

It has been found in practice that the floating lever has an important part in producing the action described above. In the cycle the upward motion of the float 154 can be compensated for, by adjustment in the spacing of the upper and lower sets of nuts 98, 166 of the rod 92. This is important since the ball valve must not be lifted until the float has nearly completed its upward movement. The reason for this is that if the ball valve is lifted even a slight amount before the push rods 144 have moved upwardly and tripped the striker assembly 169, the leakage of water out of the compartment will balance the inflow of water and the float 154 will stop rising. As a result, the striker would not operate and the cycle would come to a halt. Therefore, the upward movement of the components can be controlled by adjusting the distance between the rods 98, 166, with the space being adjusted so that the ball valve will not be lifted at all until after the push rods 154 have swung the striker assembly 169 from its dotted to its full line position of Figure 9, and have released said striker assembly to permit the same to return to its normal position shown in dotted lines in Figure 9 to cause a charge of lime to be fed from the hopper off the feeder plate into the conduit 70.

The spacing between the upper and lower nuts 166 and 98 creates a problem with respect to the downward motion of the float 154, that is, with respect to the discharge half of the cycle of operation. Were it not for the floating lever 164, the ball valve 94 would follow the downward motion of the float causing the ball valve to seat before the push rods 144 have reached their initial or cocking position with respect to the striking assembly. If this were to happen, the water level would begin to rise and the float 154 would start upwardly without operating the striker means.

The bulb actuating means having the floating lever thus has a very important part in proper operation of the invention. A predetermined time lag is provided by the arrangemnet, to assure the proper operation of the striker means and to insure complete reliability of operation.

Considering now the cycle of the striker means: starting 7 with the lowest position of the float 154 (see the dotted lines in Figure 3) as the float rises the cams 178 engage the rollers 176 which would be mounted on ball bearings. During the upward movement of the float, the push rods 144 will move upwardly, and as a result, the top surfaces of the cams 178 engage the rollers, so that the rollers roll upon said top surfaces, causing the striker assembly to swing from its full to its dotted line positions of Figure 3. When the striker assembly has been swung rearwardly and upwardly, the rollers travel off the rear edges of the cams 178 and the striker assembly now swings free, delivering a strong blow to the platel58.

The height to which the hammer 172 is lifted is adjusted by the adjustment of the plate 140, which when adjusted to a more nearly vertical position will cause the rollers 176 to pass off the rear edges of the cams at a later time. Consequently, the hammer is raised to a higher elevation, thus causing the hammer to swing toward the plate 58 over a greater distance, thus delivering a heavier blow.

After the hammer delivers its blow to the plate 58, it remains in the dotted line position shown in Figure 9, and as the push rods 144 move downwardly, the inclined lower cam surfaces of cams 178 contact the top surfaces of the rollers 176. Further downward movement of the push rods thus causes said push rods to swing rearwardly and to pass behind rollers 176 until the cams clear the rollers and move to positions below the same. Then, since the mounting of the push rods is such that their own weight causes them to fall forwardly until the rollers 146 again bear upon the inclined guide plate 140, the push rods will have returned to the cocked position, completing the cycle of the striker mechanism.

Since the hangers 52 are welded to the hopper 44, the hopper absorbs some of the impact or blow delivered by the hammer 172. The rest of the impact, in fact, the main portion thereof, is transmitted directly to the feeder plate. The plate 58 and hence the feeder plate 60, under the impact received from the hammer 172, are forcibly shifted forwardly, that is, to the right in Figure 9. Therefore, the feeder plate 60 will be shifted horizontally, with the direction of movement of the feeder plate under the blow of the hammer also having a vertical component, by reason of the fact that the pin 54 tends to ride upwardly on the edges of the openings 56, moved in either direction from its Figure 9 position.

The shock absorbed by the hopper is intentionally designed to overcome the caking and sticking tendency of the lime, so that the lime within the hopper is continuously, by reasons of the periodic blows, shaken loose. This is an important feature of the invention because even with an electric vibrator on the hopper, which vibrator is provided on some power-driven feeders, the lime tends to cake and bridge over, stopping the flow. In the present invention, however, thorough experimental testing, through the use of a full-sized device under true working conditions actually experienced in the field, has shown that without any type of power other than that supplied by the water moving into the compartment 74, all functions are carried out efliciently, including the function of continuously preventing caking of the lime.

To summarize the complete cycle of operation briefly: starting with the tank emply and float 154 on the bottom, bulb 94 is seated. The water entering compartment 74 through inlets '76 raises the float, which in turn causes the striker or hammer to be raised. The float continues to rise, bulb 94 remains seated, and the striker assembly is cleared by the upwardly moving cams 178, causing the assembly to swing toward the hopper, striking plate 58. This causes the measured or regulated charge of lime to fall into the water discharge conduit 72. Next, with the continued rise of float 154, the bulb actuating assembly 180 is tripped, and the over center spring action causes bulb 94 to be snapped to its unseated position, so that water leaves compartment 74 and rushes through channel 72, picking up the deposited charge of lime and mixing thoroughly therewith.

The over center spring-loaded action of the bulb actuating assembly 180, operating by means of the floating lever action, holds the bulb 94 off its seat while the water is being emptied from compartment 74 and float 154 is descending. When float 154 drops to a point near the bottom, the push rods 144 are returned to their cocked position. Then, the continued downward movement of the float causes the actuator assembly 180 to snap over center, seating the bulb 94 under the pressure of the springs 110, thus assuring the complete seal of the bulb on the seat and completing the operating cycle.

It is important to note that the stream of water entering the tank is never interrupted. It flows into the tank or compartment 74 constantly. In this connection, in considering the important features of the invention, and the reasons for the use of mechanisms such as have been described herein, it is worth noting that one might argue that having a constant flow of water over a diiference in elevation will deliver suflicient power to operate a device powered by a water wheel. However, it is to be noted that in case the volume of water should decrease to a minute quantity, which might possibly happen during periods of drought, etc. a water wheel would not give enough power to actuate a device such as the striker assembly, which is required to prevent caking and sticking of the lime. The instant invention, as distinguished from such an arrangement, will operate even if the flow of water is reduced to a minute trickle. Further, in such an instance, there is an automatic regulation of the amount of lime fed to the discharge conduit 72 in relation to the volume of water. This is due to the fact that the lime is fed at one charge per tankor compartmentfull of water. Further, the instant invention can handle the treatment of a larger volume of water than can be passed through the same, that is, the device can be used to treat a stream which in and of itself would normally be too great in quantity and speed of flow to pass through the device. In such an instance, it is possible to split the stream of water, taking part of it through the device, increasing the charge of lime per tankful of water and then bringing the divided streams into confluence downstream from the apparatus.

It is of importance to note that the float and striker mechanism of the invention constitutes a force accumulator. The force developed by the rising float at any particular instant is relatively small, but by means of said mechanism, such force is accumulated in the striker. By reason of the construction illustrated and described, the accumulated force is released instantly to deliver an instantaneous blow of many times the instantaneous force of the float. This multiplication of force is necessary in order to deliver an impact or blow against the plate 58 suflicient to insure completely reliable feeding, without caking or sticking of the material such as dehydrated lime.

Another feature of importance is that there is no direct connection between the actuating force and the material being fed. Therefore, a caking or sticking of the material being fed will not stop the operation of the mechanism. Even though the material should cake or bridge within the hopper, the device will continue to operate and eventually will break up the caking, since at periodic intervals the hopper will continue to be struck, as will the feeder plate, to eventually break up any lump or cake that may tend to form, thus to renew the feeding of the lime.

It is believed apparent that the invention is not necessarily confined to the specific use or uses thereof described above since it may be utilized for any purpose to which it may be suited. Nor is the invention to be necessarily limited to the specific construction illustrated and described, since such construction is only intended to be illustrative of the principles, it being considered that the invention comprehends any minor change in construction that may be permitted within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for intermixing a comminuted material with a liquid, comprising: a structure including a hopper assembly for said material, a tank for said liquid, and a discharge channel arranged for flow of said material and liquid thereinto from the hopper assembly and tank respectively, for inter-mixing of the material and liquid in the channel to form a slurry; valve means within the tank arranged to control the flow of liquid from the tank into the channel; valve operating means responding to rising of the liquid level in the tank for unseating the valve means on rising of the level to a predetermined height; and a striker mechanism connected with and actuated by the valve operating means to strike the hopper assembly at least not subsequent to the operation of the valve means, for agitating said material and shaking from the hopper assembly a charge of the material to be mixed in the channel with the liquid, said striker mechanism including a hammer assembly mounted upon said structure for movement between one position spaced from the hopper assembly and another position in engagement with said hopper assembly, said hammer assembly being under bias continuously tending to drive the same forcibly from said one to said other position against the hopper assembly, said valve operating means being mounted to effect biasing of the hammer assembly, before unseating of the valve means, to said one position and thereafter free the hammer assembly for travel to said other position.

2. Apparatus for mixing a comminuted material with a. liquid, comprising a structure including a hopper assembly for said material, a tank for said liquid, and a discharge channel arranged for flow of said material and liquid thereinto from the hopper assembly and tank respectively, for intermixing of the material and liquid in the channel to form a slurry, said hopper assembly including a hopper having a discharge opening and feeder plate means suspended from the hopper below the discharge opening; valve means within the tank arranged to control the flow of liquid from the tank into the channel; valve operating means responding to rising of the liquid level in the tank for unseating the valve means on rising of the level to a predetermined height; and a striker mechanism actuated by the valve operating means and arranged in position to strike the feeder plate means at least not subsequent to the operation of the valve means, for agitating said material and shaking a charge of the material through the discharge opening and off the feeder plate means to be mixed in the channel with the liquid, said striker mechanism including a hammer assembly mounted upon said structure for movement between one position spaced from the feeder plate means and another position in engagement with said feeder plate means, said hammer assembly being under continuous bias tending to drive the same forcibly from said one to said other position against the feeder plate means, the valve operating means being mounted to effect biasing of the hammer assembly, before unseating of the valve means, to said one pos1t1on and thereafter free the hammer assembly for travel to said other position. I

3. Apparatus for mixing a comminuted material with a liquid, comprising a structure including a hopper assembly for said material, a tank for said liquid, and a d1scharge channel arranged for how of said material and liquid thereinto from the hopper assembly and tank respectively, for intermixing of the material and liquid in the channel to form a slurry, said hopper assembly including a hopper having a discharge opening and feeder plate means suspended from the hopper below the discharge opening; valve means within the tank arranged to control the flow of liquid from the tank into the channel; valve operating means responding to rising of the liquid level in the tank for unseating the valve means on rising of the level to a predetermined height; and a striker mechanism swingably supported on said structure in position to be swung by the valve operating means, said mechanism being arranged in position to swing against and strike the feeder plate means at least not subsequent to operation of the valve means, for agitating said material and shaking a charge of the material through the discharge opening and off the feeder plate means to be mixed in the channel with the liquid.

4. Apparatus for mixing a comminuted material with a liquid, comprising a structure including a hopper assembly for said material, a tank for said liquid, and a discharge channel arranged for flow of said material and liquid thereinto from the hopper assembly and tank respectively, for intermixing of the material and liquid in the channel to form a slurry, said hopper assembly including a hopper having a discharge opening and feeder plate means suspended from the hopper below the discharge opening; valve means including a ball valve and a valve support rod extending upwardly therefrom, said valve and rod being mounted within the tank for vertical movement, the tank having an outlet in which the valve normally seats when shifted downwardly, said outlet opening into the channel for flow of liquid from the tank into the channel when the valve is unseated; valve operating means responding to rising of the liquid level in the tank for elevating the rod to unseat the valve, on rising of said level to a predetermined height; and a striker mechanism swingably supported on said stnlcture in position to be swung by the valve operating means, said mechanism being arranged in position to swing against and strike the feeder plate means at least not subsequent to operation of the valve means, for agitating said material and shaking a charge of the material through the discharge opening and oif the feeder plate means to be mixed in the channel with the liquid.

5. Apparatus for mixing a comminuted material with a liquid, comprising a structure including a hopper assembly for said material, a tank for said liquid, and a discharge channel arranged for flow of said material and liquid thereinto from the hopper assembly and tank respectively, for intermixing of the material and liquid in the channel to form a slurry, said hopper assembly including a hopper having a discharge opening and feeder plate means suspended from the hopper below the discharge opening; valve means including a ball valve and a valve support rod extending upwardly therefrom, said valve and rod being mounted within the tank for vertical movement, the tank having an outlet in which the valve normally seats when shifted downwardly, said outlet opening into the channel for fiow of liquid from the tank into the channel when the valve is unseated, valve operating means responding to rising of the liquid level in the tank for elevating the rod to unseat the valve, on rising of said level to a predetermined height, said valve operating means including an arm pivoted in the tank to swing in a vertical plane, and a float carried by said arm; and a striker mechanism swingably supported on said structure in position to be swung by the valve operating means, said mechanism being arranged in position to swing against and strike the feeder plate means at least not subsequent to operation of the valve means, for agitating said material and shaking a charge of the material through the discharge opening and off the feeder plate means to be mixed in the channel with the liquid.

6. Apparatus for mixing a comminuted material with a liquid, comprising a structure including a hopper assembly for said material, a tank for said liquid, and a discharge channel arranged for flow of said material and liquid thereinto from the hopper assembly and tank respectively, for intermixing of the material and liquid in the channel to form a slurry, said hopper assembly including a hopper having a discharge opening and feeder plate means suspended from the hopper below the discharge opening; valve means including a ball valve and a valve support rod extending upwardly therefrom, said valve and rod being mounted within the tank for vertical movement, the tank having an outlet in which the valve normally seats when shifted downwardly, said outlet opening into the channel for fiow of liquid from the tank into the channel when the valve is unseated, valve operating means responding to rising of the liquid level in the tank for elevating the rod to unseat the valve, on rising of said level to a predetermined height, said valve operating means including an arm pivoted in the tank to swing in a vertical plane, and a float carried by said arm, said valve operating means further including a push rod extending upwardly from the arm and a cam carried by the push rod; and a striker mechanism swingably supported in said structure in position to be biased by said cam away from the hopper on upward movement of the push rod, said cam being arranged to clear said striker mechanism upon continued movement of said push rod, said mechanism being arranged to swing in a return direction against the feeder plate means when cleared by the cam, for agitating said material and shaking a charge of the same through the discharge opening and off the feeder plate means once in each cycle of operation of the valve, for mixing of said charge in the channel with the liquid.

7. Apparatus for mixing a comminuted material with a liquid comprising: a structure including a hopper assembly for said material, a tank for the liquid, said tank having an inlet disposed for receiving the continuous flow of a stream of the liquid, said tank having a discharge channel arranged for flow of said material and liquids thereinto from the hopper assembly and tank respectively, the inlet being elevated above the discharge channel, said discharge channel being adapted for intermixing of the material and liquid therein to form a slurry, the hopper assembly including a hopper having a discharge opening and feeder plate means loosely suspended from the hopper below the discharge opening; valve means including a ball valve and a valve support rod extending upwardly therefrom, said valve and rod being mounted within the tank for vertical movement, the tank having an outlet in which the valve normally seats when shifted downwardly, said outlet opening into the channel for flow of liquid from the tank into the channel when the valve is nnseated, valve operating means responding to rising of the liquid level in the tank for elevating the rod to unseat the valve, on rising of said level to a predetermined height, said valve operating means including an arm pivoted in the tank to swing in a vertical plane, and a float carried by said arm, said valve operating means further including a push rod extending upwardly from the arm and a cam carried by the push rod; and a striker mechanism swingably supported in said structure in position to be biased by said cam away from the hopper on upward movement of the push rod, said cam being arranged to clear said striker mechanism upon continued movement of said push rod, said mechanism being arranged to swing in a return direction against the feeder plate means when cleared by the cam, for agitating said material and shaking a charge of the same through the discharge opening and off the feeder plate means once in each cycle of operation of the valve, for mixing of said charge in the channel with the liquid.

8. Apparatus for mixing a comminuted material with a liquid comprising: a structure including a hopper assembly for said material, a tank for the liquid, said tank having an inlet disposed for receiving the continuous flow of a stream of the liquid, said tank having a discharge channel arranged for flow of said material and liquids thereinto from the hopper assembly and tank respectively, the inlet being elevated above the discharge channel, said discharge channel being adapted for intermixing of the material and liquid therein to form a slurry, the hopper assembly including a hopper having a discharge opening and feeder plate means loosely suspended from the hopper below the discharge opening; valve means including a ball valve and a valve support rod extending upwardly therefrom, said valve and rod being mounted within the tank for vertical movement, the tank having an outlet in which the valve normally seats when shifted downwardly, said outlet opening into the channel for flow of liquid from the tank into the channel when the valve is unseated, valve operating means responding to rising of the liquid level in the tank for elevating the rod to unseat the valve, on rising of said level to a predetermined height, said valve operating means including an arm pivoted in the tank toswing in a vertical plane, and a float carried by said arm, said valve operating means further including a push rod extending upwardly from the arm and a cam carried by the push rod, the valve operating means additionally including a valve actuator assembly operated by said arm and disposed for actuating the valve to its seated and nnseated positions respectively by a snap action; and a striker mechanism swingably supported in said structure in position to be biased by said cam away from the hopper on upward movement of the push rod, said cam being arranged to clear said striker mechanism upon continued movement of said push rod, said mechanism being arranged to swing in a return direction against the feeder plate means when cleared by the cam, for agitating said material and shaking a charge of the same through the discharge opening and off the feeder plate means once in each cycle of operation of the valve, for mixing of said charge in the channel with the liquid.

9. Apparatus for mixing a comminuted material with a liquid comprising: a structure including a hopper assembly for said material, a tank for the liquid, said tank having an inlet disposed for receiving the continuous flow of a stream of the liquid, said tank having a discharge channel arranged for flow of said material and liquid thereinto from the hopper assembly and tank respectively, the inlet being elevated above the discharge channel, said discharge channel being adapted for intermixing of the material and liquid thereinto form a slurry, the hopper assembly including a hopper having a discharge opening and feeder plate means loosely suspended from the hopper below the discharge opening; valve means including a ball valve and a valve support rod extending upwardly therefrom, said valve and rod being mounted within the tank for vertical movement, the tank having an outlet in which the valve normally seats when shifted downwardly, said outlet opening into the channel for flow of liquid from the tank into the channel when the valve is nnseated, valve operating means responding to rising of the liquid level in the tank for elevating the rod to unseat the valve, on rising of said level to a predetermined height, said valve operating means including an arm pivoted in the tank to swing in a vertical plane, and a float carried by said arm, said valve operating means further including a push rod extending upwardly from the arm and a cam carried by the push rod, the valve operating means additionally including a valve actuator assembly operated by said arm and disposed for actuating the valve to its seated and nnseated positions respectively by a snap action, said valve actuator assembly including over center spring means movable over center during rising and falling of the float to effect said snap action; and a striker mechanism swingably supported in said structure in position to be biased by said cam away from the hopper on upward movement of the push rod, said cam being arranged to clear said striker mechanism upon continued movement of said push rod, said mechanism being arranged to swing in a return direction against the feeder plate means when cleared by the cam, for agitating said material and shaking a charge of the same through the discharge opening and off the feeder plate means once in each cycle of operation of the valve, for mixing of said charge in the channel with the liquid.

10. Apparatus for mixing a comminuted material with a liquid comprising: a structure including a hopper assembly for said material, a tank for the liquid, said tank having an inlet disposed for receiving the continuous flow of a stream of the liquid, said tank having a discharge channel arranged for flow of said material and liquids thereinto from the hopper assembly and tank respectively, the inlet being elevated above the discharge channel, said discharge channel being adapted for intermixing of the material and liquid therein to form a slurry, the hopper assembly including a hopper having a discharge opening and feeder plate means loosely suspended from the hopper below the discharge opening; valve means including a ball valve and a valve support rod extending upwardly therefrom, said valve and rod being mounted within the tank for vertical movement, the tank having an outlet in which the valve normally seats when shifted downwardly, said outlet opening into the channel for flow of liquid from the tank into the channel when the valve is unseated, valve operating means responding to rising of the liquid level in the tank for elevating the rod to unseat the valve, on rising of said level to a predetermined height, said valve operating means including an arm pivoted in the tank to swing in a vertical plane, and a float carried by said arm, said valve operating means further including a push rod extending upwardly from the arm and a cam carried by the push rod, the valve operating means additionally including a valve actuator assembly operated by said arm and disposed for actuating the valve to its seated and unseated positions respectively by a snap action, said valve actuator assembly including over center spring means movable over center during rising and falling of the float to effect said snap action, said valve actuator assembly further including an arm member pivoted on said structure and movable with the over center spring means, said rod including spaced abutments engageable by the arm member on upward and downward movement of the arm member to effect the vertical movement of the rod, said arm including stops engageable with the arm member to effect the swinging movement of the arm member responsive to the upward and downward movement of said arm; and a striker mechanism swingably supported in said structure in position to be biased by said cam away from the hopper on upward movement of the push rod, said cam being arranged to clear said striker mechanism upon continued movement of said push rod, said mechanism being arranged to swing in a return direction against the feeder plate means when cleared by the cam, for agitating said material and shaking a charge of the same through the discharge opening and off the feeder plate means once in each cycle of operation of the valve, for mixing of said charge in the channel with the liquid.

11. Apparatus for mixing a comminuted material with a liquid comprising: a structure including a hopper assembly for said material, a tank for the liquid, said tank having an inlet disposed for receiving the continuous flow of a stream of the liquid, said tank having a discharge channel arranged for flow of said material and liquids thereinto from the hopper assembly and tank respectively, the inlet being elevated above the discharge channel, said discharge channel being adapted for intermixing of the material and liquid therein to form a slurry, the hopper assembly including a hopper having a discharge opening and feeder plate means loosely suspended from the hopper below the discharge opening; valve means including a ball valve and a valve support rod extending upwardly therefrom, said valve and rod being mounted within the tank for vertical movement, the tank having an outlet in which the valve normally seats when shifted downwardly, said outlet opening into the channel for flow of liquid from the tank into the channel when the valve is unseated, valve operating means responding to rising of the liquid level in the tank for elevating the rod to unseat the valve, on rising or. said level to a predetermined height, said valve operating means including an arm pivoted in the tank to swing in a vertical plane, and a float carried by said arm, said valve operating means further including a push rod extending upwardly from the arm and a cam carried by the push rod, the valve operating means additionally in cluding a valve actuator assembly operated by said arm and disposed for actuating the valve to its seated and unseated positions respectively by a snap action, said valve actuator assembly including over center spring means movable over center during rising and falling of the float to effect said snap action, said valve actuator assembly further including an arm member pivoted on said structure and movable with the over center spring means, said rod including spaced abutments engageable by the arm member on upward and downward movement of the arm member to effect the vertical movement of the rod, said arm including stops engageable with the arm member to effect the swinging movement of the arm member responsive to the upward and downward movement of said arm, the valve actuator assembly further including a floating lever loosely, pivotally supported upon the rod and adapted for creating a time lag in the operation of the over center spring means to produce the snap action of the valve to the seated and unseated positions thereof at prescribed times during the cycle of operation of the valve means; and a striker mechanism swingably supported in said structure in position to be biased by said cam away from the hopper on upward movement of the push rod, said cam being arranged to clear said striker mechanism upon continued movement of said push rod, said mechanism being arranged to swing in a return direction against the feeder plate means when cleared by the cam, for agitating said material and shaking a charge of the same through the discharge opening and off the feeder plate means once in each cycle of operation of the valve, for mixing of said charge in the channel with the liquid.

12. Apparatus for mixing a comminuted material with a liquid, comprising a structure including a hopper assembly for said material, a tank for said liquid, and a discharge channel arranged for flow of said material and liquid thereinto from the hopper assembly and tank respectively, for intermixing of the material and liquid in the channel to form a slurry, said hopper assembly including a hopper having a discharge opening and feeder plate means suspended from the hopper below the discharge opening; valve means within the tank arranged to control the flow of liquid from the tank into the channel; valve operating means responding to rising of the liquid level in the tank for unseating the valve means on rising of the level to a predetermined height; and a striker mechanism swingably supported on said structure in position to be swung by the valve operating means, said mechanism being arranged in position to swing against and strike the feeder plate means at least not subsequent to operation of the valve means, for agitating said material and shaking a charge of the material through the discharge opening and off the feeder plate means to be mixed in the channel with the liquid, said mechanism including a hammer swinging toward and away from the hopper assembly in a vertical plane and having a free lower end formed with a head comprising the portion of the hammer striking the hopper assembly, the axis of the hammer being disposed at the upper end thereof, said hammer being moved away from the hopper assembly by the valve operating means, said operating means freeing the hammer for movement toward the hopper assembly following said movement away from the hopper assembly, the hammer having free swinging movement by gravitational action when so freed to deliver a sudden, heavy blow to the hopper assembly.

13. Apparatus for mixing a comminuted material with a liquid, comprising a structure including a hopper assembly for said material, a tank for said liquid, and a discharge channel arranged for flow of said material and liquid thereinto from the hopper assembly and tank respectively, for intermixing of the material and liquid in the channel to form a slurry, said hopper assembly including a hopper having a discharge opening and feeder plate means suspended from the hopper below the discharge opening; valve means within the tank arranged to control the flow of liquid from the tank into the channel; valve operating means responding to rising of the liquid level in the tank for unseating the valve means on rising of the level to a predetermined height; and a striker mechanism swingably supported on said structure in position to be swung by the valve operating means, said mech anism being arranged in position to swing against and strike the feeder plate means at least not subsequent to operation of the valve means, for agitating said material and shaking a charge of the material through the discharge opening and off the feeder plate means to be mixed in the channel with the liquid, said mechanism including a hammer swinging toward and away from the hopper assembly in a vertical plane and having a free lower end formed with a head comprising the portion of the hammer striking the hopper assembly, the axis of the hammer being disposed at the upper end thereof, said hammer being moved away from the hopper assembly by the valve operating means, said operating means freeing the hammer for movement toward the hopper assembly following said movement away from the hopper assembly, the hammer having free swinging movement by gravitational action when so freed to deliver a sudden, heavy blow to the hopper assembly, the valve operating means including a rod projecting upwardly adjacent the hammer and having up-and-down movement in the general direction of its length during regular operation of the valve operating means, and a cam on the rod cammingly biasing the hammer away from the hopper assembly on movement of the rod in one direction.

14. Apparatus for mixing a comminuted material with a liquid, comprising a structure including a hopper assembly for said material, a tank for said liquid, and a discharge channel arranged for flow of said material and liquid thereinto from the hopper assembly and tank respectively, for intermixing of the material and liquid in the channel to form a slurry, said hopper assembly including a hopper having a discharge opening and feeder plate means suspended from the hopper below the discharge opening; valve means within the tank arranged to control the flow of liquid from the tank into the channel; valve operating means responding to rising of the liquid level in the tank for unseating the valve means on rising of the level to a predetermined height; and a striker mechanism swingably supported on said structure in position to be swung by the valve operating means, said mechanism being arranged in position to swing against and strike the feeder plate means at least not subsequent to operation of the valve means, for agitating said material and shaking a charge of the material through the discharge opening and off the feeder plate means to be mixed in the channel wtih the liquid, said mechanism including a hammer swinging toward and away from the hopper assembly in a vertical plane and having a free lower end formed with a head comprising the portion of the hammer striking the hopper assembly, the axis of the hammer being disposed at the upper end thereof, said hammer being moved away from the hopper assembly by the valve operating means, said operating means freeing the hammer for movement toward the hopper assembly following said movement away from the hopper assembly, the hammer having free swinging movement by gravitational action when so freed to deliver a sudden, heavy blow to the hopper assembly, the valve operating means including a rod projecting upwardly adjacent the hammer and having up-and-down movement in the general direction of its length during regular operation of the valve operating means, and a cam on the rod cammingly biasing the hammer away from the hopper assembly on movement of the rod in one direction, said cam being triangularly shaped with a sloped surface constituting the hammer-biasing cam surface thereof.

15. Apparatus for mixing a comminuted material with a liquid, comprising a structure including a hopper assembly for said material, a tank for said liquid, and a discharge channel arranged for flow of said material and liquid thereinto from the hopper assembly and tank respectively, for intermixing of the material and liquid in the channel to form a slurry, said hopper assembly including a hopper having a discharge opening and feeder plate means suspended from the hopper below the discharge opening; valve means within the tank arranged to control the flow of liquid from the tank into the channel; valve operating means responding to rising of the liquid level in the tank for unseating the valve means on rising of the level to a predetermined height; and a striker mechanism swingably supported on said structure in position to be swung by the valve operating means, said mechanism being arranged in position to swing against and strike the feeder plate means at least not subsequent to operation of the valve means, for agitating said material and shaking a charge of the material through the discharge opening and off the feeder plate means to be mixed in the channel with the liquid, said mechanism including a hammer swinging toward and away from the hopper assembly in a vertical plane and having a free lower end formed with a head comprising the portion of the hammer striking the hopper assembly, the axis of the hammer being disposed at the upper end thereof, said hammer being moved away from the hopper assembly by the valve operating means, said operating means freeing the hammer for movement toward the hopper assembly following said movement away from the hopper assembly, the hammer having free swinging movement by gravitational action when sofreed to deliver a sudden,

heavyblow to the hopper assembly, the valve operating means including a rod projecting upwardly adjacent the hammer and having up-and-down movement in the general direction of its length during regular operation of the valve operating means, and a cam on the rod cammingly biasing the hammer away from the hopper assembly on movement of the rod in one direction, said cam being triangularly shaped with a sloped surface constituting the hammer-biasing cam surface thereof, said cam having a high point on said surface thereof off of which the hammer rides to be freed for its gravitational swinging movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,133,092 Buckley Mar. 23, 1915 2,044,326 Pickell June 16, 1936 2,116,105 Eaton May 3, 1938 2,145,052 Lund Jan. 24, 1939 2,626,728 Harper Jan. 27, 1953 2,678,917 Schoenfeld May 18, 1954 2,732,850 Tewksbury Jan. 31, 1956 2,750,073 Coffman June 12, 1956 2,760,820 Cirese Aug. 28, 1956 2,793,940 Bennett May 28, 1957

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