United States Patent (19) (11) 3,889,885

Couture (45) June 17, 1975

(54) PULPNG APPARATUS 2,769,623 l l / 1956 Cawood............................ 241 fa6 X
75 Inventor: J. Walter Couture, Dorval, P.Q., 3,073,535 l/1963 Vokes.............................. 24/46.1
Canada 3,085,756 4, 1963 Danforth et al............. 24 146.7 X
3, 145,936 8/1964 Monks............................. 24 1/46.7
73) Assignee: The Black Clawson Company,
Middletown, Ohio Primary Examiner-Granville Y. Custer, Jr.
22 Filed: Jan. 11, 1974 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Biebel, French & Bugg
(21) Appl. No.: 432,576
57 ABSTRACT
52 U.S. C. ....... 241 f46.11; 24 1/46. 7, 24 1/292.1; A rotor assembly for use in pulping apparatus is simi
241/.297 lar in general construction to the disclosure of Vokes
(5) Int. Cl............................................. B02c13/28 U.S. Pat. No. 3,073,535, but the thickness of its defi
58) Field of Search............ 24lf46 R, 46.1 1, 46.17, bering vanes is reduced to minimize their pumping ac
241/292. 1, 297 tion, and pumping vanes are provided on the outer
surfaces of certain of the defibering vanes to increase
(56) References Cited the vortical circulation effect created by the rotor in
UNITED STATES PATENTS
operation.
2,289,612 7|1942 Wells................................ 241 fa6 X 6 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures
 PATENTED JUN 17 1975 8,889,885
SHEET 1

OR ART
FIG - Prior
 1
3,889,885
2
PULPING APPARATUS
Brief Description Of The Drawings
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Flo. 1 is a fragmentary view in prospective illustrat
ing a rotor of the Vokes patent construction and its co
This invention relates to pulping apparatus for liquid operating bedplate;
slurry stocks such as paper making stock, and more FIG. 2 is a fragmentary section on the line 2-2 of
particularly to rotors for use in such pulping apparatus. FIG. 1 and on a larger scale;
The invention has special relation to pulping appara FIG. 3 is a plan view of a rotor constructed in accor
tus of the type wherein the stock to be pulped is con dance with the invention;
tained in a tub which is provided with a rotor or impel 0. FIG. 4 is an enlarged section on the line 4-4 of FIG.
ler mounted in the bottom or side wall thereof for rota 3;
tion on an axis causing outward circulatory movement FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view taken as indicated by the
of the stock in a generally vortical pattern which cre line 5-5 of FIG. 3 and on a larger scale;
ates hydraulic shearing forces in the stock and thereby FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section on the line
15 6-6 of FIG. 5;
effects the desired pulping or defibering action. Pulping
apparatus of this general type is employed in both FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but showing a modi
batch and continuous operations, and the invention is fied construction;
equally applicable to both types of operation. FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing another
In the experience of the present inventor, the rotors rotor constructed in accordance with the invention;
having the most effective defibering action for the uses FIG. 9 is a partial section taken as indicated by the
outlined above are constructed in accordance with line 9-9 of FIG. 8:
Vokes U.S. Pat. No. 3,073,535. As pointed out in that FIGS. 10 and 11 are fragmentary views similar to
patent, however, the pumping action of the rotor is pro tion;FIG. 8 and showing further modifications of the inven
vided only by the leading edge surfaces of its vanes and and
FIG.
is therefore maintained in close proximity to the coop modification 12 is a veiw similar to FIG. 4 showing another
of the invention.
erating bedplate. As a result, the defibering action,
which is caused both by hydraulic shear in the zone Description Of The Preferred Embodiments
above the rotor and by mechanical action between the FIGs. and 2 show one commercial form of rotor 10
rotor and bedplate, is extremely effective, but only a 30
relatively small volume of stock is subjected to this ac aconstructed in accordance with the Vokes patent and
cooperating perforated bedplate 11 such as are in
tion during any given time interval, and the power re stalled in the bottom or side wall of a pulper tub. For
quirements for adequate treatment of a given batch or convenience,
for a given period of continuous operation are rela the bed platethewillsurface be
of the rotor which is adjacent
referred to hereinafter as the
tively high. 35
under surface, and the exposed surface will be referred
Another result of the limiting pumping action of the to as the upper surface, irrespective of the orientation
rotors of the Vokes patent construction is that because of the rotor axis. The rotor 10 includes a hub (not
it is primarily confined to the vicinity of the bedplate, shown) on which are mounted the vane ring 13 and
it may not develop a complete vortex in the stock smoothly domed cover plate 15. Each of the vanes 20
above the rotor, especially if the liquid level is rela 40 is of essentially the configuration shown in FIG. 2, com
tively high. This in turn can lead to a tendency for float prising a bottom surface 21 substantially parallel with
ing material to remain on or near the surface of the the bedplate 11, but including a trailing portion 22
stock without reaching the vicinity of the rotor for sub curved away from the bedplate. The top surface 23 of
jection to its defibering action. 45 each vane 20 is curved smoothly from its leading edge
The objective of the present invention is therefore to to meet the trailing edge of the bottom surface, and the
provide a rotor of improved construction which is ca flat leading face 25 which connects the surfaces 21 and
pable of defibering action equal to that of the rotors of 23 is tilted forwardly and downwardly toward the sur
the Vokes patent construction, which maintains its high face of the bedplate, commonly at an angle in the range
effectiveness over a wide range of consistencies, and 50 of 5 to 15.
which will operate at relatively low power requirements In operation this rotor is maintained with a fixed axial
clearance between the vane under surfaces 21 and the
per volumetric unit on a batch basis and per time inter bedplate
val on a continuous basis. 11, e.g. one-eighth inch, and the leading faces
25 of the vanes serve several purposes. In the first
Summary of The Invention 55 place, they constitute the only pumping means on the
The principles of the invention are best explained in stockrotor for producing centrifugally outward flow of the
connection with the description of the preferred em tion and thus promoting the desired vortical circula
bodiments, but they can be summarized as comprising tent pattern. They are therefore of substantial axial ex
(thickness) e.g. 2.00 to 2.25 inches at the outer
primarily two modifications of the rotor construction
shown in the Vokes patent, namely, decrease in the end, and of increasing thickness toward their radially
inner ends in order to provide adequate area for pump
axial dimensions (thickness) of the defibering vanes, ing action.
and addition of true circumferential pumping vanes on Note also in FIG. 1 that in order to provide adequate
the outer surface of the rotor to increase its pumping space between adjacent vanes through which to expose
action without sacrifice of its defibering ability while 65 the surface of the bedplate, and to urge stock into the
maintaining its power requirements lower than for a desired rubbing contact with the bedplate, each face 25
rotor of the same diameter of the Vokes patent con extends tangentially of the rotor in such direction as to
struction.
form a relatively small angle with a radius to its outer
 3,889,885 4
3
most point, shown as 30. Since this angle is substan The primary difference between the rotor 30 and the
tially less than 45, and its complementary angle is cor rotor 10 lies in the provision of pumping vanes 40 on
respondingly greater than 45 along the radially outer the outer surface of rotor 30, four of these vanes being
part of each of faces 25 which has the highest linear ve provided on alternate vanes 33. Each of the pumping
locity, their pumping efficiency is relatively low, and a vanes 40 is curved about a radius as viewed axially of
substantial proportion of the power consumed by the the rotor and is of substantially greater height than the
rotor in developing its pumping action is lost' so far reduction in thickness of the vanes 33 as compared
as useful results are concerned. with vanes 20.
The curvature of each vane 40 and its location on the
In addition to the pumping action of the vane faces O vane ring are that while its leading end is substantially
25, their downwardly tilted arrangement has the effect tangent to a projection of the face 35 of the associated
of urging the stock toward the surface of the bedplate vane, its trailing end extends to a point 41 adjacent the
so that some of it will pass between the under surface trailing outer corner of the associated vane 33. A tan
21 of each vane and the roughened working surfaces of gent to this point 41 will therefore define with a radius
the bedplate provided by the perforations there 5 from the rotor axis to point 41 a substantially larger
through, the resulting rubbing action on the stock being angle b, e.g. 45 to 55, than the angle C defined by the
highly effective in defibering. Still another action of the face 35 and a radius to its outermost point 42, which
faces 25 is to apply mechanical force to solid materials is shown as 30'. The complement of this angle b, which
in the slurry under treatment in the form of repeated is designated a and is defined by a radius 44 from the
mechanical blows which are in addition to the mechan center of curvature of the vane and a radius 45 from
ical rubbing action which takes place in the spaces be the axis of the rotor, will therefore more closely ap
tween the vanes and the bedplate. proach the 45 value at which a centrifugal pumping
The upper surface 23 of each vane also contributes vane operates at highest efficiency.
to the defibering action of the rotor, in that the rela Tests show that the rotor 30 is fully as effective from
tively large area of each of these surfaces develops high 25 the standpoint of its difibering action as a rotor of the
forces of hydraulic shear in the layer of stock overlying same diameter constructed as shown in FIGS. 1-2.
the rotor, due to the differential velocity between the Thus there is essentially the same rubbing action be
surfaces of the vanes and the stock. Thus this rotor and tween the under surface of each vane and the cooperat
bedplate combination carries out the desired defibering ing bedplate, and the upper surfaces of the vanes are
action by combination of the forces of hydraulic shear, 30 comparably effective in the development of hydraulic
mechanical contact, and rubbing between the vanes shear in the adjacent zone. Similarly, the front faces of
and the bedplate. These defibering forces are relatively the vanes impart comparable mechanical action to
intense in the zone in which they are created, but this solid materials which they encounter in the stock, the
zone is of limited extent, and the rotor is not as effec reduction in the thickness of the vanes producing no
tive as could be desired in circulating the stock in such 35 significant reduction in their ability to apply mechani
manner as to bring large volumes of stock into the cal force to the stock.
treatment zone in an acceptable short time interval. In The major distinctions between the operation of the
other words, this rotor and bedplate combination is rotor 30 and the prior construction illustrated by FIGS.
highly effective for defibering, but its total power re 40 1-2 lie in the reduction in the power required by the
quirements, for pumping and defibering, are relatively rotor 30 to accomplish the same defibering action on
high when considered on a per unit volume basis for a unit volume or time basis, and the greatly increased
batch operation or per time interval for continuous op pumping efficiency of the rotor 30. This reduction in
eration. power appears to be initially a direct result of the re
The rotor 30 in accordance with the invention as 45 duction in thickness of the vanes, which reduces by a
shown in FIGS. 3-7 is of the same general construction comparable amount the aggregate area of the leading
as the rotor 10 and is intended for similar installations faces of the vanes which have a pumping effect. In fact,
with a cooperating bedplate. It includes a cover plate this reduction in power appears to be on an essentially
31 and a vane ring 32 which constitutes the main com straight line basis, so that if each vane is half as thick
ponent of the rotor body and supports a similar ar 50 in the prior construction, the power requirements will
rangement of projecting vanes 33. As shown in FIG. 4, similarly be halved.
This initial reduction in the power requirements will
however, the thickness of each vane is substantially re
duced as compared with that of the vane 20, the com of course be offset to some extent by the pumping
parison being illustrated in FIG. 4 by the dotted line 34 power
power
required by the pumping vanes 40, but the total
requirements will still be substantially less than
which represents the corresponding section in FIG. 2, 55 for a rotor 10 of the same diameter. It appears that this
and which shows the reduction as of the order of 50
percent. Each vane leading face 35 is therefore of cor tion advantageous result is due to the curvature and loca
respondingly reduced area, but it otherwise has the of the vanes 40, especially their radially outer
same functions as the leading faces 25 of the vanes 20. parts,cient
which causes them to be substantially more effi
in their pumping action, on a comparative area
The under surface 36 of each vane 33 is shown as of 60
the same contour as that of the vane 20, including the basis, than the leading faces 25 of vanes of the con
trailing portion 37. The upper surface 38 is also similar struction of FIGS. 1-2.
in contour to the corresponding surface of vane 20, but The practical effect and result of these conditions is
since its attitude is different because of the reduced dis that a rotor constructed as shown in FIGS. 3-7 will re
tance between its leading edge and that of the under 65
quire substantially less horsepower per ton, for either
surface 36, it appears relatively flat except for the trail batch or continuous operation, than a rotor of the same
ing portion 39 which is curved to blend with the trailing diameter constracted as illustrated by FIGS. 1-2, to
produce substantially the same effective defibering ac
edge 37 of the under surface 36.
 3,889,885
5 6
tion on any of a wide variety of furnishes, ranging all Rotors constructed as shown in FIGS. 8-9 have
the way from clean broke or pulp lap to waste papers proved to be so effective and efficient, from the stand
of low and dirty grades, and at any handable consis point of the pumping action of the vanes 55 and 58,
tency. In fact, it appears that the increased centrifugal that for larger rotors, the same vane arrangement can
pumping ability of the rotors of the invention enhances be used even if the defibering vanes are extended in
their defibering ability, because the deep vortex which length. Such an arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 10,
they produce causes the stock to recirculate to the wherein the fragment of the rotor 60 is shown as of the
rotor zone from such substantial heights that the mo same construction as in FIGS. 8-9 except that the defi
mentum with which it impinges on the rotor and bed bering vanes 61 are further extended, for example to an
plate supplements their defibering action. O outer diameter of 81 inches. lt will be noted that with
The dimensions of the defibering and pumping vanes this extended vane construction having the same angu
of the rotor 30 are subject to some variation in accor lar relation with the rotor body as in FIG. 8, the leading
dance with specific desired operating conditions, and face 62 of each vane 61 will form with a radius to its
only a typical set of values will be given to provide guid trailing edge an angle c smaller than 20, so that the
ance for the benefit of those skilled in the art. In gen 5 pumping efficiency of the faces 62 will be even lower
eral, it appears that the limiting factor on the thickness than for the vane faces 52 in FIG. 8. Nevertheless, the
of the defibering vanes 33 at their outermost ends is the same arrangement and dimensions of pumping vanes
requirement of sufficient rigidity to withstand all nor 65 and 66 can be used on this rotor as shown for the
mal working stresses. For example, in a rotor of the rotor 55, the pumping efficiency of this vane arrange
construction shown in FIGS. 1-2 having a maximum 20 ment being such that it requires no supplementing on
diameter of 57 inches a typical thickness of each vane the larger rotor. -
20 at the location shown in FIG. 2 is 2. 150 inches, as While the curved pumping vanes shown in FIGS. 3,
compared with 7.75 inches for the horizontal dimen 8 and 10 are advantageous for smooth operation, it is
sion. also possible in accordance with the invention to utilize
The same dimensions for a rotor of the invention of 25 straight pumping vanes, which offer some advantages
the same maximum diameter at the location shown in from the standpoint of ease of fabrication. FIG. 11
FIG. 4 may be 1.00 to 1.125 by 7.75 inches, or a reduc shows such an arrangement, wherein the fragment of a
tion of approximately 50 percent in area, while the rotor 70 includes defibering vanes 71 of the same con
pumping vanes 40 may have a similar axial dimension struction described in connection with FIG. 3 and a
of 2 inches or more, e.g. 4 inches. The pumping vanes 30 pumping vane comprising an outer section 72 arranged
40 may extend parallel with the axis of the rotor, as for the most effective pumping action, namely defining
shown in FIG. 6, or they may be inclined in their direc an angle b of approximately 45 with a radius to its trail
tion of rotation similarly to the vane faces 38, as shown ing end 75, and an inner section 73 the primary pur
in FIG. 7, preferably in the angular range of 10 to 15, pose of which is to complete the vane without a leading
to provide a downward component to the stock pro 35 edge on which elongated materials could hang up. Note
pelled thereby which will supplement the action of the that this arrangement makes it possible and practical to
tilted faces of the defibering vanes, at least along their have the outer pumping vane section 72 define angles
inner portions, in directing stock toward the surface of close to 45 with radii thereto.
the bedplate. It is also not essential to the practice of the invention
FIGS. 8-9 illustrate modifications of the invention in 40 that the defibering vanes have flat leading faces, so long
conjunction with a one-piece rotor 50 incorporating as the leading face of each defibering vane is essentially
radially projecting vanes 51 of essentially the same in straight and includes a portion diverging from the
dividual construction as the vanes 33 except that each under surface of the vane which will urge stock into the
vane is so arranged that its leading face 52 forms an space between the vane and the cooperating bedplate.
angle c shown as 20” with a radius to its trailing end. 45 Such a modified construction is shown in FIG. 12,
The pumping efficiency of the vane faces 52 is accord wherein the vane 80 has a flat under surface 81, and its
ingly somewhat less than the vane faces 38. leading face is beveled in section to provide a forwardly
In accordance with the invention, therefore, the rotor inclined lower portion 82 and a rearwardly inclined
50 is provided with pumping vanes 55 similar in axial 50 upper portion 83. This construction offers the further
view with the pumping vanes 40 but of somewhat advantage that it minimizes the pumping action of the
greater axial dimensions. For example, in such a rotor defibering vanes and thus further contributes to mini
having an overall diameter of 63 inches, the defibering mizing power which would otherwise be lost by reason
vanes may have an axial dimension of 1.25 inches adja of the pumping inefficiency of the defibering vanes,
cent their trailing edge while the pumping vanes 55 and similar effects could be obtained with a bull nosed
have an axial dimension ranging from 4 inches at their 55 leading edge on each defibering vane.
trailing edges to zero at the points where they fair into While the forms of apparatus herein described con
the body of the rotor. The angular relation of their stitutes preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to
vanes to the rotor body establishes the angle a as very be understood that the invention is not limited to these
close to 45, and their pumping efficiency therefore ap precise forms of apparatus, and that changes may be
proaches the optimum. made therein without departing from the scope of the
The rotor 50 is also shown as provided with an inner invention.
set of four pumping vanes 58 having an axial dimension What is claimed is:
ranging from 3 inches at their trailing ends to zero at 1. A rotor assembly for use in pulping apparatus of
their radially inner ends. The purpose of these vanes 58 65 the character described for liquid slurry stock including
is primarily to prevent large pieces of material from be a tub for receiving a quantity of stock and a bedplate
coming trapped in the vortex by the vanes 55 and mounted in the tub and having a working surface, com
thereby failing to reach the defibering zone. prising:
 3,889,885 8
7
a. a rotor body adapted to be mounted for Totation the vortex created by said rotor assembly.
in predetermined direction in cooperative relation 5. A rotor assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the
with the bedplate and having a plurality of defiber axial dimensions of said defibering vanes are substan
ing vanes projecting outwardly there from in angu tially less than the axial dimensions of said pumping
larly spaced relation, Vanes to minimize the pumping action of said leading
b. each of said vanes having under and upper surface faces of said defibering vanes and the power required
portions of substantial area, thereby.
c. means forming an essentially straight leading face 6. A rotor assembly for use in pulping apparatus of
on each of said vanes connecting said upper and the character described for liquid slurry stock including
under surfaces thereof, O a tub for receiving a quantity of stock and a bedplate
d. the outer edge of said face extending in said direc mounted in the tub and having a working surface, com
tion of rotation from a radius to the radially outer prising:
end thereof and defining with said radius a first a. a rotor body adapted to be mounted for rotation
angle of substantially less than 45, and in predetermined direction in cooperative relation
e. a plurality of pumping vanes each mounted on said 15 with the bedplate and having a plurality of defiber
upper surface portion of one of said defibering ing vanes projecting outwardly therefrom in angu
vanes and of such curved configuration as viewed larly spaced relation,
axially of said rotor body that a second angle de b. each of said vanes having upper and outer surface
fined by a radius to said radially outer end thereof portions of substantial area,
and a tangent to said outer end is sufficiently larger c. means forming an essentially straight leading face
than said first angle to promote efficient vortical on each of said vanes connecting said outer and
circulation of the liquid slurry stock. under surfaces thereof,
2. A rotor assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein d. the outer edge of said face extending in said direc
said first angle is not greater than 30 and said second tion of rotation from a radius to the radially outer
angle is closer to 45 than said first angle. 25 end thereof and defining with said radius a first
3. A rotor assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the angle of substantially less than 45", and
leading end of each said pumping vane is substantially e. a plurality of pumping vanes each mounted on said
tangent to the leading end of said leading face on the upper surface portion of one of said defibering
associated said defibering vane and the trailing end vanes and of such straight configuration as viewed
thereof overlies the trailing outer corner of said associ 30 axially of said rotor body such that a second angle
ated defibering vane. defined by said pumping vane a radius to said radi
4. A rotor assembly as defined in claim 1 comprising ally outer end thereof is sufficiently larger than said
a plurality of supplemental pumping vanes located radi first angle to promote efficient vortical circulation
ally inwardly of said pumping vanes on said defibering of the liquid slurry
sk x
stock.
k k >k
wanes for dislodging solid materials from the center of 35

45

50

55

60

65