Abstract: An improved disc for a butterfly valve having reduced structure within the bore of the valve, so as to minimize obstruction to the flow of granular material therethrough. Accelerated flow of granular material through the valve is obtained because of the thin dimensions of the butterfly valve. The modified disc includes upper and lower sockets, most of its structure is outside the perimeter of the disc. The disc may be of arcuate shape.

Abstract: A directional hopper tee has a fluted interior vertical pipe that merges into a horizontal pipe. The horizontal pipe has an inlet that may receive bulk material, and subject to pressurized air that conveys the bulk material through the hopper tee. Bulk material may be discharged from a hopper through the vertical pipe, for conveyance for discharge from the horizontal pipe of the tee. A closure gate or door is provided through the bottom of the tee, generally in alignment with the vertical pipe, to allow for discharge or dropping of the granular material directly downwardly through and from the tee. The arcuate door is hinged on one side, and is locked by a cam lock on the opposite side, when located into closure against the bottom of the tee, but can be forced opened, through its cam mechanism, to provide for opening of the arcuate door and allow a direct downward discharge of the granular bulk material, from any hopper, and through the drop opening of the tee, as required.

Abstract: An elbow has an elongated inlet, an elongated outlet tube that merges with the inlet at a shallow angle, and an endwall opposite the inlet. The round inlet receives product and leads to a first chamber with a rounded bottom. Opposite the bottom, the inlet has a pitch at the transition to the outlet tube. The outlet tube continues upwardly from the pitch to an exit. Within the outlet, a third chamber extends from the first chamber. The first chamber and the third chamber intersect at the second chamber that provides a transition to the flow of product from the first chamber to the angle of the third chamber. Within the second chamber, conveyed product forms a shallow eddy so that additional product flows over the eddy enroute to the outlet.

Abstract: A hopper tee having a horizontal portion through which granular material is unloaded from a tank trailer or hopper car, the hopper tee integrally forms a vertical segment, that secures with the bottom of the hopper, to provide for unloading of granular material for usage or storage. The upper front portion of the tee, as it transitions from its vertical segment to the horizontal flow path has secured or cast therewith a ledge, that provides for accumulation of the unloading granular material therein, to function as a wear pad to resist against abrasion, and accelerated wear out, of the tee, at that location, during prolonged usage.

Abstract: An air filtration unit for conveying bulk granular material from a tank trailer, and uses air pressure to achieve granular flow, the air filtration unit incorporates an intake that induces a spiral flow, the unit incorporates a lid at the back end of the filter housing, and a baffle structure at the intake inlet of the unit, to dampen sound.

Abstract: A valve handle for a bulk commodity hopper valve, the handle including an extended handle bar member, with a valve stem socket opening near its distal end, a shorter lock lever member positioned to extend the handle bar member, the members have various bends to provide clearance from interfering with the equipment to which the handle mounts, and a lock lever member having a lever tip that can enter into engagement, or release, with valve lock notches at the end of the handle bar member.

Abstract: A butterfly valve for use with a tank trailer includes housing, a lateral extension, a shaft provided through the extension, the back end of the shaft having a seat for accommodating a handle thereon, and further extensions may connect with the first mentioned extension. The handle turns the butterfly valve between opened and closed positions.

Abstract: An elbow has an elongated inlet, an elongated outlet tube that merges with the inlet at a shallow angle, and an endwall opposite the inlet. The round inlet receives product and leads to a first chamber with a rounded bottom. Opposite the bottom, the inlet has a pitch at the transition to the outlet tube. The outlet tube continues upwardly from the pitch to an exit. Within the outlet, a third chamber extends from the first chamber. The first chamber and the third chamber intersect at the second chamber that provides a transition to the flow of product from the first chamber to the angle of the third chamber. Within the second chamber, conveyed product forms a shallow eddy so that additional product flows over the eddy enroute to the outlet.

Abstract: A directional hopper tee has a fluted interior vertical pipe that merges into a horizontal pipe. The vertical pipe has an opening that connects to a hopper to receive bulk material, or product, and a horizontal pipe centered upon the end of the vertical pipe. The horizontal pipe has an inlet that also receives bulk material and pressurized air from ahead of the hopper and an opposite outlet that discharges the bulk material from the hopper tee. The vertical pipe has a flange that abuts the hopper and an opening in the flange that matches the opening of a valve on the hopper itself. At the opening, the vertical pipe begins to turn towards the outlet of the lower pipe with an internal flute. The flute begins immediately at the flange resulting in a vertical pipe with a curved shape towards the outlet and a square shape towards the inlet. The present invention raises the ground clearance of the horizontal pipe by at least an inch resulting in a hopper tee that clears at least 7 inches above the ground.

Abstract: A pneumatic aerator aids in bulk material unloading, handling and transport using tank trailers, hopper cars, and other containers, as its aerator introduces a cyclonic air flow and vibration into the bulk material. This aerator has a housing, one or three guide tubes, an aerator extending through the housing, a gasket upon one end of the aerator generally within the container of the bulk material, and an optional wearplate beneath the gasket. The aerator has a stem with one vane, preferably three vanes, where the vanes and contiguous fins curve counterclockwise in a helical manner. The airflow past the fins and vanes acquires a counterclockwise rotation, rotating the air as it exits radially from the gasket increasing the bulk material unloaded per hour. This aerator also has various gasket thicknesses and edge conditions, guide tubes, and various shapes in the vanes and fins for alternate speeds and directions of airflow.

Abstract: A mounting assembly uses one hinge and one cam bolt mutually offset upon a two piece collar. A hopper tee has a member usually a vertical pipe and occasionally a horizontal pipe that connects to a hopper flange to receive bulk material. This assembly has two collars that mutually engage and surround a hopper flange. Pins pass through the collar pieces and the hopper flange then secure to tapped holes in the collar pieces to prevent rotation. A collar piece mounts a hook bolt and the other collar piece mounts a hinge in a spaced apart and offset manner. The other collar piece has a pivotal connection to a hinge arm and opposite the hinge arm, the hook bolt engages a cam. Opening the cam unfolds the tee downwardly while the hook bolt remains engaged. This partially open position allows for removal and installation of a valve. In opening and closing the assembly, the hinge arm spaces the flange below a hopper to admit a valve.

Abstract: A pipe coupler has two arms, a gasket lacking a centered ridge, and clips upon the arms that grip pipes regardless of their end condition. The hinged arms define an annular opening that encircles the gasket and the ends of coupled pipes. The arms connect with a hinge located to the interior of the arms and with a rounded internal edge that minimizes pinching. The arms secure using a cam lever or tee handle. The cylindrical gasket, solid or split, with securing buttons, has an even number of concentric ridges, no ridge extending between the pipes. The gasket's inner diameter fits a pipe's outer diameter. The gasket has ends with a wavy surface that mate completely upon a radius and a self lubricating material. The clips bite into the pipes' surface for continuous grounding.