Abstract: A diverter valve is provided for use in directing a flow of bulk material from a source to at least one receiver. Included in the present diverter valve is an inlet housing having an inlet port and partially defining a valve chamber, an outlet housing connected to the inlet housing, having at least one outlet port and defining an end of the valve chamber. A rotating disc is rotatably disposed in the chamber and constructed and arranged for selectively creating fluid communication between the inlet port and diverting the flow to a selected one of the at least one outlet port.

Abstract: A separation device is provided for use with a locomotive sanding system, and includes a body defining a chamber and having an intake port connected to an inlet tube with a free end spaced from a floor of the body, an outlet port at an opposite end of the body from the intake port, a sand fill hose connected to the outlet, and a sand nozzle connected to the sand fill hose.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in unloading bulk material from containers that is vertically adjustable and provides a mechanism for maintaining a coupling engagement with an outlet on a container. The apparatus has a plurality of inflatable flexible members configured and arranged to maintain the coupling engagement of the apparatus to the container outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in unloading bulk material from containers that is vertically adjustable and provides a mechanism for maintaining a coupling engagement with an outlet on a container. The apparatus has a plurality of inflatable flexible members configured and arranged to maintain the coupling engagement of the apparatus to the container outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for pneumatically conveying dry particulate material from a source to a destination by cyclically loading and unloading a transfer vessel. The loading stage is accomplishing by creating a vacuum pressure within the transfer vessel to pull material into it, and after it is filled to its optimum capacity, switch a number of valves to convert the apparatus to the unloading stage wherein positive pressure is applied to the interior of the vessel to push the material down the output conveying line to its destination. The motive force in the operation of both stages is positive air pressure. The vacuum is generating by a high velocity venturi structure in combination with valving and piping which uses the positive air pressure. The unloading stage of operation utilizes the dense phase conveying, which is high pressure, low volume conveying.

Abstract: An injector valve for passing air into a pneumatic conveying system for particulate solids includes a housing having an inlet chamber and a discharge chamber. A hollow seating element is mounted in the discharge chamber. The seating element has a hollow cylindrical section in fluid communication with the inlet chamber and a conical forward section. At least one fluid outlet opening extends from the hollow within the seating element to the outer surface of the seating element cylindrical section. A flexible elastomeric annular boot is mounted on the outside surface of the seating element.

Abstract: A diverter valve for use in a pneumatic conveying system includes a valve plate and a seal plate which have juxtaposed surfaces and are supported for relative movement therebetween so as to enable alignment of an input convey line port in the valve plate between alternate discharge convey line ports in the seal plate. Annular seals are supported in seal grooves circumferentially of the ports in the seal plate and are adapted for fluid pressure biasing into sealing engagement with the opposed valve plate by means of a fluid pressure control circuit. The seals are adapted to be subject to vacuum by the pressure control circuit so as to retract the seals from sealing relation with the valve plate during shifting movement of the valve plate. The seal plate and fluid pressure control circuit are further adapted to effect fluid pressure flow across the sealing surfaces of the seals during retraction thereof so as to clean the seals while in their retracted positions.

Abstract: A mobile vehicular mounted pneumatic conveying apparatus is disclosed which comprises a self-propelled vehicle having an elongated boom capable of being elevated and rotated relative to the vehicle, with the boom having a nozzle structure mounted on the other end thereof for engaging dry particulate material to be conveyed. The apparatus also has a material transfer assembly which includes at least one closed vessel for receiving material from said nozzle under vacuum pressure and for subsequently expelling material into a conveying line under positive pressure. The transfer assembly can be easily removed from the vehicle and a rearward carriage that is attached to the transfer assembly can similarly be removed. The apparatus is particularly adapted for conveying large quantities of dry, particulate material such as Portland cement from a large horizontal storage building as opposed to a vertical silo or the like.

Abstract: A system for transferring dry flowable material includes a substantially closed vessel having an inlet and a discharge end. A cycle valve and venturi are arranged between a source of fluid pressure and the vessel such that the cycle valve may be selectively actuated to pass pressurized fluid directly to the vessel or through the venturi. A suction line interconnects the vessel to the throat section of the venturi such that passage of fluid flow through the venturi establishes a suction within the vessel.

Abstract: A mobile vehicular mounted pneumatic conveying apparatus is disclosed which comprises a self-propelled vehicle having an elongated boom capable of being elevated and rotated relative to the vehicle, with the boom having a nozzle structure mounted on the other end thereof for engaging dry particulate material to be conveyed. The apparatus also has a material transfer assembly which includes at least one closed vessel for receiving material from said nozzle under vacuum pressure and for subsequently expelling material into a conveying line under positive pressure. The transfer assembly can be easily removed from the vehicle and a rearward carriage that is attached to the transfer assembly can similarly be removed. The apparatus is particularly adapted for conveying large quantities of dry, particulate material such as Portland cement from a large horizontal storage building as opposed to a vertical silo or the like.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for unloading dry, bulk, particulate material from a ship, barge or the like into a pressure vessel and thereafter transferring the material into a storage container such as a silo. A venturi has primary and secondary inlets with the primary inlet connected to a blower and the secondary inlet connected to the pressure vessel. Air from the blower is forced through the venturi primary inlet to create a flow of primary air through the venturi and to induce a suction at the venturi secondary inlet. The suction is coupled to the pressure vessel thus drawing the particulate material into the pressure vessel. After the pressure vessel is full, air from the blower is forced into the pressure vessel to transfer the material from the pressure vessel to the silo. The steps of filling the pressure vessel and transferring the material from the pressure vessel to the silo are repeated in alternating sequence.

Abstract: An improved automatic feeder apparatus is described for cyclically receiving dry particulate or powdered material from a source and feeding the same into a conveying line under fluid pressure. The feeder apparatus comprises a transfer vessel having a material inlet for receiving materials from the source and a material outlet coupled into an outlet chamber where the materials are fluidized and fed into the conveying line. Pressure generating means including appropriate valving are provided for continuously supplying a positive air pressure to the chamber for fluidizing the materials, and for alternatively establishing a positive and negative air pressure within the transfer vessel several times a minute to assist in unloading and loading, respectively. The flow of materials into the chamber is controlled by a hinged flap valve which automatically opens and closes in response to changes in pressure within the transfer vessel and chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for assisting the pneumatic conveying of generally dry particulate matter through a closed conduit is disclosed. The apparatus is for use where vacuum pressure applied at one end of the conduit creates a suction force which moves the dry particulate matter through the conduit, and involves the use of a small tube or the like for injecting a gaseous fluid under positive pressure into the particulate matter to loosen it and enable it to be conveyed through the conduit.