Abstract: A system for moving particles across a floor surface of a storage bin having a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the floor surface. The system may comprise a bin sweep apparatus having an inboard end for locating toward to a central area of the bin and an outboard end for locating toward a peripheral area of the bin. The system may also comprise a peripheral sweeping apparatus configured to mount on the bin sweep apparatus to sweep particles on the floor surface adjacent to the peripheral wall toward the bin sweep apparatus. The peripheral sweeping apparatus may be mounted on the bin sweep apparatus toward the outboard end thereof.

Abstract: A proofing air jet having a hollow elongated body having an air outlet and a suction inlet, the air outlet opposing the suction inlet, a pressurized air inlet into the body between the air outlet and the suction inlet, the pressurized air inlet being angled with respect to the hollow elongated body to flow pressurized air in a direction from the pressurized air inlet to the air outlet and provide a suction at the suction inlet, the air outlet having an innerduct/microduct connector for connecting to an opening of the innerduct/microduct, and the suction inlet having a string inlet configured to accept string. A plurality of the proofing air jets can be connected to a manifold.

Abstract: A seed distributor evenly delivers seed from a bulk seed tank via hoses to seed bins on row planter units. The distributor has a circular chamber for receiving seeds from the seed tank. An internal cone in the distributor deposits the seeds 360° around the chamber. Seed tubes extend through the sidewall of the chamber. Pressurized air is introduced into the chamber and picks up seeds on the floor of the chamber and pass through the seed tubes for delivery by the hoses to the bins. The distributor may also include air tubes aligned with the seed tubes to further assure even distribution of seeds to the bins.

Abstract: An independent mover transport system and related method. The system comprises a mover having an axis, and a track. The track includes first and second track segments, and a controller operative to drive a first coil of the first track segment to control movement of the mover along the first track segment towards the second track segment. The controller is further operative to define a first zone for the first track segment, define a second zone for the first track segment, drive the first coil to control movement of the mover with the first set of controller gain values when the location of the axis is in the first zone, and drive the first coil to control movement of the mover with second set of controller gain values when the location of the axis is in the second zone.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for facilitating selective delivery of aggregate material in bulk from a back of a dump truck or other truck bed to one or more wheelbarrows in a controlled manner. The disclosed embodiments further provide a system that could be operated by a single individual, including the single individual that is then manually moving the wheelbarrow from the truck to the particular location of the delivery site where the aggregate material is to be finally dispensed. The disclosed systems provide a self-contained mechanical device that is comparatively-easily mountable to the back of a dump truck or other truck bed for use, and is electrically, or electric over hydraulically, powered through the electrical system of the vehicle in order to avoid any need for additional power requirements.

Abstract: A sweep auger shield assembly for inhibiting grain from being spilled over a sweep auger in a grain bin includes a sweep auger that has a back shield which is coupled to the sweep auger. An extension shield is provided that is mountable to the back shield of the sweep auger. Thus, the extension shield increases the overall height of the back shield. In this way the extension shield inhibits grain from passing over the back shield when the sweep auger is removing grain from a floor of a grain bin.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for feeding and conveying material in a sorted manner in a pneumatic material conveying system, in which at least two material fractions re fed from a feed aperture and conveyed in a channel space further to a delivery end of a material conveying channel by gravity and/or suction Material is fed from at least one feed aperture of at least one input point and a first material fraction is conducted to the channel space and stored temporarily in the channel space or conducted to the outside of the channel space, and material is fed into a feed-in container, in which a second material fraction fed therein is held in temporary storage by a stopper means.

Abstract: Cargo may be optimally placed within a cargo hold using a cargo mover comprising a flexible conveyor belt extending from a ground location to a cargo hold, data defining a dimensional map of available space existing within the cargo hold for placement of cargo, a conveyor controller operatively in communication with the flexible conveyer belt and comprising packing software, and a smart loader comprising a predetermined set of scanning sensors operative to scan the cargo hold and a processor operatively in communication with the predetermined set of sensors and the conveyor controller. An interior of the cargo hold is scanned to create a dimensional map of the cargo hold and cargo placed onto the flexible conveyor belt where certain of each piece is cargo's physical dimensions are scanned.

Abstract: A particular embodiment of the invention relates to a conveyor system (10) for conveying material (for example: particulate material such as a catalyst) from a particular storage area (such as drum (18)) to a second location (such as a reactor (13)). In accordance with the present embodiment of the invention, the conveyor system (10) is adapted to isolate from the environment the particular material to be conveyed; thus, avoiding that the particular material enters in contact with, for example, the atmosphere. Isolating the particular material is particular advantageous; because, for example, the isolation process suppresses activation of the material (such as the catalyst) due to coming in direct contact with the oxygen and moisture content of the atmosphere.

Abstract: A system for transporting one or more items is provided. The system includes: a transportation tube disposed at least partially underground or at least partially above ground; a transportation pod to secure items therein for transport; a transportation actuator to propel the transportation pod through the transportation tube, the transportation actuator including a track extending through the transportation tube and a cable disposed at least partially inside the track, the cable configured to be coupled to the transportation pod as the transportation pod is propelled along the track; a first access point located proximate a first end of the transportation tube; and a second access point located proximate a second end of the transportation tube. Each of the first and second access points includes an opening configured to allow the transportation pod to be received into or removed from the transportation tube.

Abstract: Methods and system for waste collection and transport systems are provided. Systems of the present disclosure comprise at least one of a loading station and a chute providing a point of ingress for materials into a larger system. A plurality of vertical risers or branches are provided. The system and related methods generate a priority order of emptying loading stations based at least in part on loading stations that are provided on the same riser.

Abstract: A method of minimizing material mixing in a piping system during a transition between a first material and a second material includes providing a plurality of pipe pigs in a first pipe section with the plurality of pipe pigs being sufficient to substantially fill a cross-section of the first pipe section and to define a plug having a leading edge and a trailing edge such that the leading edge is in contact with a first material and the trailing edge is in contact with a second material. Each pipe pig has a nominal size that is smaller than an effective diameter of the first pipe section. The plug is moved through the piping system by moving the second material. Advantageously, mixing of the first material and the second material is inhibited by the plug.

Abstract: A support apparatus can comprise a cylindrical rod extending along a first rotation axis and comprising a first end portion provided with a first convex spherical segment and a second end portion provided with a second convex spherical segment. A first area can be configured to receive a portion of the first convex spherical segment. A second area can be configured to receive a portion of the second convex spherical segment. The cylindrical rod can be pivotable about a first pivot axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis. In some embodiments, methods of supporting an object can comprise engaging a surface of the object with the outer surface of the cylindrical rod wherein the first cylindrical rod supports a weight of the object while the first cylindrical rod is supported by the first fluid cushion and the second fluid cushion.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism for transferring food product from a compartment of a food processing system includes a conduit having a first end portion configured to be in communication with the compartment and a second end portion, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge. The pressurized fluid source is operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move the food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing conveyor boom includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, hingedly connected to the proximal portion, the proximal and distal portions supporting a laterally flexible endless conveyor belt. The distal portion is pivotal in a generally horizontal plane, and is biased toward longitudinal alignment with the proximal portion, whereby physical shock applied to the distal portion can be absorbed by lateral deflection of the distal portion.

Abstract: To provide a method for quantitatively and stably feeding fine powder and a system for carrying out the method. The present invention is characterized in that a gas transfer type fine powder quantitative feeding method for quantitatively transferring and feeding fine powder filled in a gas transfer type fine powder quantitative feeder to a fine powder using device by a carrier gas, wherein when a mixed fluid of the fine powder and the carrier gas is transferred from the gas transfer type fine powder quantitative feeder to the fine powder using device, a water content in the carrier gas is adjusted to suppress an amount of static electricity that is generated in the mixed fluid.

Abstract: An air flow system for an air seeding machine includes a tank configured to store an agricultural commodity, a plenum, conduits, and a blower configured to push air flow through the plenum and the conduits to the tank. The plenum includes a uniformly-sloped side wall and geometric first and second ends bounding the side wall. The plenum further includes bleed ports coupled to bleed conduits and configured to conduct air flow to an interior volume of the tanks. The plenum further includes primary ports coupled to primary conduits and configured to conduct air flow to the tanks. The primary conduits receive commodity from the tanks to be deposited in the soil. The geometry of the plenum facilitates an adequate balance of air flow between the primary and bleed conduits so that the commodity most-effectively enters the air stream conducted by the primary conduits.

Abstract: A system including a hydrocarbon recovery system integrated with a fluff transfer system, the hydrocarbon recovery system comprising a purge column, a separator, a purge gas-hydrocarbon recovery unit, and a waste gas outlet line, and the fluff transfer system comprising a fluff transfer blower, and an extruder feed tank fluidly connected with the fluff transfer blower via a fluff transfer blower outlet line and fluidly connected with the purge column. The hydrocarbon recovery system can be integrated with the fluff transfer system via a purge column fluff transfer gas inlet line fluidly connecting a purge gas inlet of the purge column with the fluff transfer blower outlet line, such that a portion of the fluff transfer gas in the fluff transfer blower outlet line is introduced into the purge column as purge gas. Make-up gas to the fluff transfer system can come from the hydrocarbon recovery system.

Abstract: A vibratory drum includes a tubular drum having a longitudinal axis, and first and second vibratory generators disposed laterally relative to the longitudinal axis and opposite each other across the tubular drum. The drum also includes a frame to which the first and second vibratory generators are attached; and a plurality of resilient elements attached at a first end to the tubular drum and at a second end to the frame, whereby the vibratory motion of the generators is transferred to the tubular drum to impart a circular motion to material disposed in the tubular drum.

Abstract: A drive roller assembly for a conveyor system includes a drive roller having a longitudinal axis, the drive roller having a roller body and a shaft. A support structure rotatably supports a second axial end portion of the shaft and a drive for rotatably driving the drive roller. A first axial end portion of the shaft and the drive are rotatably coupled in an axially engaged condition in which the drive roller is in rotatable engagement with the drive and in which the drive is axially releasable. The support is configured and adapted to be detachably attached to an attachment portion of the support structure to maintain the drive roller rotatably supported when attached and to allow the drive roller to be removed from the support structure when detached.