Dust collection hood for sand reclaimer, cooling, and blending rotary drum

Claim 1

In a dust collection hood for use in conjunction with a rotary drum for use for sand cooling, blending, and reclaiming, wherein an elongated drum is rotated to provide for processing of mold sand as used in foundry casting while allowing for the collection of dust and sand fines, the improvement which comprises, said drum being of the type having an entrance end for delivery of the sand thereto, a screening segment, and a discharge end for the drum, a collection hood disposed in proximity with the said discharge end of the drum and arranged concentrically surrounding the same, said hood formed having an upper section and a lower section, said lower section incorporating a discharge opening approximately centrally and lowermost thereof and arranged for allowing the sand passing through the drum to discharge therefrom, said upper section incorporating a central opening therein and providing a flow path through the said upper section of the hood for conveyance of the dust and sand fines therethrough and to the means for drawing the reduced pressure, said discharge opening of the lower section and the central opening of the upper section being diametrically arranged with respect to the rotary drum arranged therethrough through the said collection hood, a series of ports arranged laterally and upwardly through the lower section of said hood to allow passage of air therethrough during operations of the said drum and hood, each port incorporating a diversion plate in association with its port opening, whereby the mold sand is diverted towards the discharge opening within the lower section of the hood, while the air is drawn through the ports and attracted into the hood upper section and towards its central opening for removal of dust and sand fines from the said hood and proximate drum, said diversion plates preventing the discharge of sand from the ports, during operations of the hood and drum.