Abstract: A proppant delivery assembly receives and supports a plurality of containers having proppant stored therein. A cradle has a top surface which receives and supports the plurality of containers when positioned thereon. The cradle enables the plurality of containers to dispense the proppant stored therein. A proppant mover is positioned to underlie and extend along the top surface of the cradle aligned with the plurality of containers to receive proppant from the plurality of containers. The proppant mover carries proppant away from the plurality of containers. A chute is coupled to the cradle for receiving proppant from the proppant mover and directing the proppant to a blender hopper. A hood assembly is disposed at an end of the chute opposite the proppant mover for directing a vacuum air flow that removes a volume of air containing proppant dust particles directed from the chute.

Abstract: A method and system for metering proppant discharged from a storage container is disclosed. In certain embodiments, a method may comprise loading a known amount of a first proppant type into a storage container, detecting proppant at or adjacent to a discharge outlet of the storage container via one or more sensors coupled to the storage container, operating a metering device at a predetermined speed, wherein the metering device may be coupled to the discharge outlet of the storage container, and wherein the metering device may comprise one or more pockets for receiving the first proppant type. In certain embodiments, the method may further comprise dispensing a known amount of the first proppant type from the storage container via the metering device, wherein an encoder coupled to the metering device may emit pulses during the dispensing.

Abstract: A receiver having a horizontally elongated chamber within a housing, the chamber having a convex triangular cross-section and a dump flap defining a bottom vertex of the triangular cross-section, with a horizontal air/vacuum resin material inlet connecting to the chamber, and a horizontal air/vacuum outlet leading from and connected to the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling a container with bulk material, in particular sand, comprises a storage container for the bulk material with a closable lid and an outlet, a metering device arranged beneath the storage container and a pneumatic feeding device arranged under the metering device for feeding the bulk material into the container to be filled with the aid of compressed air via a feed hose. The feeding device has an injector with a plurality of, preferably at least five, holes for the compressed air.

Abstract: A method for transporting a bitumen froth having coarse solids having a particle size>180 ?m through a pipeline is provided comprising injecting into the pipeline a bitumen froth slug having a lower temperature or a lower water content or both that the bitumen froth.

Abstract: An automated system for transferring articles from a container. An item transfer system includes a frame configured to receive a first tray and a second tray, a movable paddle assembly, a frame, and a plurality of actuators. The system is configured to transfer articles from the first tray to the second tray by an automated process including securing the articles within the first tray with the paddle assembly, moving a lifting assembly or an item support platform such that the articles are in a slidable configuration relative to the first tray, moving the paddle assembly and/or the item support platform in one or more linear translations to remove the items from the first tray and place the items above the second tray, and releasing the items into the second tray.

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 at least one cable configured to interface with the transportation pod, the at least one cable being driven by a motor to move the cable and the transportation pod through the transportation tube; 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: Embodiments are directed to conveyor systems and methods for controlling induction of items within the conveyor systems. In one scenario, a conveyor control system implements a hardware sensor in a conveyor system to generate sensor readings regarding an operational status of a first zone in an operational environment, where the first zone is an area where orders are fulfilled. The conveyor control system receives sensor data from the hardware sensor of the conveyor system. The sensor data includes feedback information for controlling the conveyor system. The conveyor control system then evaluates the received sensor data to determine which conveyable items are currently in the first zone and, based on the evaluation, induces the conveyable items onto the conveyor for the first zone.

Abstract: A unit for transferring horticultural products between at least one tank, in which the horticultural products float on a fluid mass, and at least one collection container, including a head provided with a plurality of walls normally arranged vertically. The head is movable between at least one collection position, in which the walls are interposed between respective horticultural products, which float on the fluid mass at a respective predefined section of the tank, and at least one unloading position, in which the walls face and are proximate to the collection container. In an active configuration, the transverse elements protrude transversely from the space occupation of the walls to ensure mechanical interference with the fall of the horticultural products as a consequence of the subsequent lifting of the head and of its transfer toward said unloading position.

Abstract: Some examples described herein include a flexible hopper for a conveyor system. The flexible hopper may include a hopper weldment attached to a frame of the conveyor, wherein the hopper weldment surrounds a charge end of the conveyor, a flexible frame configured to enable an opening of the flexible hopper to expand or contract, and/or a skirt attached to the flexible frame and configured to form an enclosure between the flexible frame and the hopper weldment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device comprising a stationary transfer station (3) and a trailer train (1) comprising at least one trailer-train trailer (2), for transferring loads (L) from the trailer-train trailer (2) into the stationary transfer station (3), the trailer-train trailer (2) being provided with a continuous conveyor (25) driven by a motor (27), for receiving the load (L). The motor (27) of the continuous conveyor (25) of the trailer-train trailer (2) is powered by a battery (6) of the trailer train (1). Another continuous conveyor (30) driven by another motor (32) is arranged in the transfer station (3), for receiving the load (L), the other motor (32) of the other continuous conveyor (30) being powered in the transfer station (3) in a pre-determined handling position by the battery (6) of the trailer train (1).

Abstract: A material conveying system, comprising: one or more material sources for providing material to be transferred; one or more destination locations for receiving material from the one or more material sources; one or more material conveying lines; one or more vacuum pumps wherein each vacuum pump is operatively connected to one or more of the one or more destination locations via one or more vacuum source lines; a sensor disposed on, in or near each of the one or more material conveying lines; a programmable electronic control unit (ECU) connected, via wires or wirelessly, to each component of the material conveying system including the one or more material sources, the one or more destination locations, the one or more vacuum pumps and to the one or more sensors; wherein the ECU uses data from the one or more sensors to (i) determine flow patterns and/or stream density of the material being conveyed through the one or more material conveying lines; and (ii) make automatic adjustments for optimizing and maintai

Abstract: A conveyor for separating, singulating or conveying bulk material comprises a conveying plate, a substructure and a pulse generator for generating an oscillation. The substructure stands on a base surface. The conveying plate is arranged on the substructure at a distance from the base surface. The pulse generator is fixed on the substructure and is/can be brought into an operative connection with the conveying plate. The oscillation generated by the pulse generator can be transmitted to the conveying plate and a force is exerted on the substructure by the oscillation. The conveyor comprises an equalising pulse generator which is fixed on the substructure and creates a counter-oscillation. A counter-force which is in an opposite direction to the force is exerted on the substructure by the counter-oscillation. A resultant force which results from the force and the counter-force and which acts on the substructure is reduced by the counter-force.

Abstract: Some examples described herein include a flexible hopper for a conveyor system. The flexible hopper may include a hopper weldment attached to a frame of the conveyor, wherein the hopper weldment surrounds a charge end of the conveyor, a flexible connector that is attached to the hopper weldment and configured to enable an opening of the flexible hopper to expand or contract, and a flexible skirt that is folded over the flexible connector. The flexible skirt may include a plurality of flexible strips configured to form an enclosure between the flexible connector and the hopper weldment.

Abstract: A system for preparing a dry process material includes a sealed container that holds and seals the dry process material therein and prevents airborne dust or particles from the dry process material from escaping the sealed container. Sealed processing equipment receives the dry process material from the sealed container and prevents the airborne dust or particles from escaping the sealed processing equipment. A sealed connection sealingly couples the sealed container to the sealed processing equipment and prevents the airborne dust or particles from escaping while transferring the dry process material. A sealed transfer conduit is sealingly coupled to and extends from the sealed processing equipment.

Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor system including detectable markers disposed in a series on a moving component of the conveyor system. A stationary sensor disposed in close proximity to the markers generates a signal when the moving component is in a first range of motion to dispose the markers proximal to the sensor, and the sensor either fails to generate a signal when the moving component is not within the first range of motion. The sensor signal causes a current conditioning device to condition current from a current source to operate a motor to power the conveyor tray at a first rate of acceleration in a first mode, and the lack of the signal causes the current conditioning device to operate the motor to power the conveyor tray at a second rate of acceleration in a second mode. Markers may be positionable to optimize the timing of the current modes.

Abstract: A silo system includes a storage chamber, an intake pathway associated with the chamber, and a discharge pathway associated with the chamber. The system further includes one or more material sensors associated with the chamber, a plurality of actuators, and a controller that is communicatively coupled to the one or more material sensors and to the one or more actuators. The plurality of actuators enable a deposit of additional material from a transport container into the chamber through the intake pathway at least partially simultaneous with a discharge of material from the chamber through the discharge pathway into an operational silo. The material sensors provide indications of the amount of bulk material in the chamber and the controller is configured to control the one or more actuators in response to sensor data from the one or more material sensors to provide for deposit of material simultaneous with discharge of material.

Abstract: A conveying system for conveying a conveyable material from a hopper where the system includes a fluid port located below the hopper outlet and in a vertical flow path into hopper outlet that can be momentarily opened for an on the go release of a charge of compressed air directly upward into the hopper outlet and into the underside of the bridge in the hopper to either disintegrate or unlock the bridged particles from each other thereby causing the bridged material to fall into the hopper outlet and into the conveying system where the material can be transported to a remote location or to remove any material that may be adhering to the wall during an emptying phase.

Abstract: An assembly to distribute flowable particulate material, the assembly including: a conduit to which the material is delivered and to which an airstream is supplied to move the material along the conduit to a delivery downstream destination; material delivery means connected to the conduit for delivery of material to the downstream destination; control means operatively associated with the material delivery means to selectively deliver a pre-determined rate of the material to a separator to engage the airstream to concentrate the material in a portion of the airstream, the separator being positioned within the conduit upstream of the material delivery means; air distribution means in constant fluid communication with the separator and the material delivery means to control airflow to the material delivery means.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plenum configured to evenly separate and distribute airflow generated by a fan into distribution lines of an agricultural machine. The plenum can utilize angled vanes symmetrically or asymmetrically arranged to form plenum chambers to provide a balanced airflow which contributes to maximizing fan efficiency, including power consumption and performance (airflow and static pressure). Accordingly, the plenum can be configured to separate the airflow and minimize imbalance between the lines during sectional control. The plenum height can be maintained for increased manufacturability and to prevent additional expansion. The plenum length can be configured within allowable space constraints of the machine yet allow airflow to develop upon separation into the lines. Vanes throughout the span of the plenum initially divide the airflow from the fan and maintain separation until the outlets.