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 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 filter silencer with quick disconnect lid has a cylindrical hollow casing, an inlet, a filter within the casing, a spring loaded seal plate beneath the filter, a flange opposite the inlet, and a lid turning to connect to the flange. The inlet admits blower air into the casing generally beneath the spring loaded seal and the air enters the sides of the filter. The air travels upwards through the filter and exits through the lid. Wear pads beneath a locking ring engage the tapered ears upon the lid. The lid has an outlet through which filtered air discharges. The lid has ports for monitoring differential pressure and air temperature while the casing has a port for a pressure relief valve.

Abstract: A remotely operated manhole cover for a tanker or trailer is provided. The manhole cover includes a hollow neck which is welded in place in the shell of the tanker or trailer. The neck defines an opening which allows access to the interior of the tanker or trailer for filling or cleaning of the tanker. A lid is pivotable about an axis between a closed position in which the manhole cover is closed, and an open position in which the lid is clear of the neck opening to allow access to the interior of the tanker. The lid is provided with an inflatable seal and locking flanges which extend from a rim of the lid. Pivotal locking members are provided on the neck and are movable between a locked position in which locking member engages the lid locking flange and an unlocked position in which the locking members are disengaged from the lid locking flange. Separate actuators are provide for the cover and the locking members.

Abstract: A remotely operated manhole cover for a tanker, trailer, or other storage unit is provided. The manhole cover includes a hollow neck which is welded in place in the shell of the tanker or trailer. The neck defines an opening which allows access to the interior of the tanker or trailer for filling or cleaning of the tanker. A lid is pivotable about an axis between a closed position in which the manhole cover is closed, and an open position in which the lid is clear of the neck opening to allow access to the interior of the tanker. The lid is provided with an inflatable seal and locking flanges which extend from a rim of the lid. Movable locking members are provided on the neck and are movable between a locked position in which locking member engages the lid locking flange and an unlocked position in which the locking members are disengaged from the lid locking flange. Separate actuators are provide for the cover and the locking members.

Abstract: A swing-away hopper tee assembly comprises a mounting frame, tee assembly, and a valve assembly. The hopper tee assembly is removably mountable to a flange at the discharge end of a hopper. The mounting frame includes a bottom wall, a top wall spaced from the bottom wall, and an outer wall extending between the top and bottom walls to define a channel sized and shaped to receive the hopper flange. The flange includes at least one opening, and a corresponding opening is formed in the channel. A fastener extends through the aligned flange and channel openings to removably secure the mounting frame to the hopper.

Abstract: A swing-away hopper tee assembly comprises a mounting frame, tee assembly, and a valve assembly. The hopper tee assembly is removably mountable to a flange at the discharge end of a hopper. The mounting frame includes a bottom wall, a top wall spaced from the bottom wall, and an outer wall extending between the top and bottom walls to define a channel sized and shaped to receive the hopper flange. The flange includes at least one opening, and a corresponding opening is formed in the channel. A fastener extends through the aligned flange and channel openings to removably secure the mounting frame to the hopper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light weight check valve for use in bulk material transfers that incorporates a smooth, generally spherical interior cavity to minimize flow inefficiencies. The check valve is made from two portions: a body portion and a lid assembly which is removably mounted to the body portion. The gate valve, or poppet, is hingedly mounted to the lid assembly. Hence, when the check valve assembly is opened for inspection, by removing the lid assembly, the poppet is removed along with the lid assembly, to allow for easy inspection of the poppet.

Abstract: A remotely operated manhole cover for a tanker, trailer, or other storage unit is provided. The manhole cover includes a hollow neck which is welded in place in the shell of the tanker or trailer. The neck defines an opening which allows access to the interior of the tanker or trailer for filling or cleaning of the tanker. A lid is pivotable about an axis between a closed position in which the manhole cover is closed, and an open position in which the lid is clear of the neck opening to allow access to the interior of the tanker. The lid is provided with an inflatable seal and locking flanges which extend from a rim of the lid. Movable locking members are provided on the neck and are movable between a locked position in which locking member engages the lid locking flange and an unlocked position in which the locking members are disengaged from the lid locking flange. Separate actuators are provide for the cover and the locking members.

Abstract: A remotely operated manhole cover for a tanker or trailer is provided. The manhole cover includes a hollow neck which is welded in place in the shell of the tanker or trailer. The neck defines an opening which allows access to the interior of the tanker or trailer for filling or cleaning of the tanker. A lid is pivotable about an axis between a closed position in which the manhole cover is closed, and an open position in which the lid is clear of the neck opening to allow access to the interior of the tanker. The lid is provided with an inflatable seal and locking flanges which extend from a rim of the lid. Pivotal locking members are provided on the neck and are movable between a locked position in which locking member engages the lid locking flange and an unlocked position in which the locking members are disengaged from the lid locking flange. Separate actuators are provide for the cover and the locking members.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light weight check valve for use in bulk material transfers that incorporates a smooth, generally spherical interior cavity to minimize flow inefficiencies. The check valve is made from two portions: a body portion and a lid assembly which is removably mounted to the body portion. The gate valve, or poppet, is hingedly mounted to the lid assembly. Hence, when the check valve assembly is opened for inspection, by removing the lid assembly, the poppet is removed along with the lid assembly, to allow for easy inspection of the poppet.

Abstract: A preassembled fluidizing device that incorporates an expansive air passage that stimulates the enhanced flow of granular materials to the discharge port of a tank trailer, vessel, bin, or other container, during usage. The fluidizing device includes an aerator housing having affixed thereto a wear plate, the upper end of the housing having a mount to which a resilient gasket may be applied, and prestressed against the wear plate, once assembled. A fastening rod extends from the aerator housing and mounting boss, and a positioning or clip secured thereto provides an initial fastening of the preassembled device in place, once installed. A nut or other fastener connects with the opposite end of the fastening rod in order to tightly secure and seal an air distributor in place, for final assembly of the fluidizing device of this invention.

Abstract: A preassembled fluidizing device that incorporates an expansive air passage that stimulates the enhanced flow of granular materials to the discharge port of a tank trailer, vessel, bin, or other container, during usage. The fluidizing device includes an aerator housing having affixed thereto a wear plate, the upper end of the housing having a mount to which a resilient gasket may be applied, and prestressed against the wear plate, once assembled. A fastening rod extends from the aerator housing and mounting boss, and a positioning or clip secured thereto provides an initial fastening of the preassembled device in place, once installed. A nut or other fastener connects with the opposite end of the fastening rod in order to tightly secure and seal an air distributor in place, for final assembly of the fluidizing device of this invention.

Abstract: A swing-away hopper tee assembly for attachment at the discharge end of a hopper. The hopper tee assembly has a mounting frame for attachment at the discharge opening of the hopper. The mounting frame associates with alignment pins on a bottom side for alignment of a valve housing. The valve housing is positioned below the mounting frame and receives the alignment pins. The valve housing cooperates with alignment pins of the hopper tee. The hopper tee is pivotally attached to the mounting frame by a pair of adjustable pivot arms and extends below the valve housing. The hopper tee has a camming handle and hook assembly on the front side. The hooks extend upward and engage slots on the mounting frame. The camming handle can be locked into place securing the hooks in the mounting frame and effectively securing the valve housing between the hopper tee and mounting frame.

Abstract: A pipe coupler for interconnecting pipes and components together, for transferring bulk and fluid materials, and useful for connecting sections of pipe-end-to-end. The coupler connects grooved pipe to ground pipe, smooth pipe to grooved pipe or smooth pipe to smooth pipe. Also tees, valves, and pipe sections can be secured together. The coupler has an adjustable bail that can be adjusted to assure a tight seal despite any wear. The coupler also eliminates any gaps that may trap material and lead to cross-contamination of subsequent loads.

Abstract: A one piece, low-profile hopper tee is provided having a transverse, elongated hollow pipe section with an inlet opening formed at a midpoint in the top side and an integral flange formed around the inlet opening for attaching the hopper tee to an outlet end of a hopper. The distance from the longitudinal axis of the elongated hollow pipe to the top of the flange is not greater than 1.25 times the distance from the longitudinal axis of the elongated pipe section to the top surface of the elongated pipe section. There are wear saddles formed on each side of the flange between the flange and the elongated pipe section. The elongated pipe section has an inner diameter that is uniform at each and gradually increases to the midpoint so as to create a ramp from the inlet opening into the hollow pipe at the area of the wear saddles to facilitate flow of material into the pipe.

Abstract: A shallow conic shaped outlet fitting for containers having material to discharge through a valve fitting into a flow directing pipe. The conic fitting and the flow directing pipe each have flanges to hold the valve fitting in position, and headed bolts serve to secure the pipe flange and the conic fitting in a compact assembly utilizing nut bars on the flange for the conic fitting to receive the threaded ends of the headed bolts thereby eliminating the usual undividual bulky nuts to engage the threaded ends of the bolts.