Abstract: A mixer having two or more concentric cylindrical flow channels is placed in a supply conduit for a combustion chamber to mix airborne particulate coal prior to entering a manifold supplying four parallel branch conduits. Vanes are mounted in the mixer channels for imparting spin to the coal/air flow. The spin direction in one channel is opposite the spin direction of the adjacent channels(s). A turbulence-producing transition section is located downstream of the mixer.

Abstract: A diffuser for a pulverized coal delivery pipe near an elbow connection to a burner nozzle. A diffuser structure is located in the pipe adjacent the elbow outlet, with both radial and axial diffuser elements for diffusing radial and axial components of coal concentrations between the elbow and the nozzle. In a preferred form, the elbow is formed with an access hatch aligned with the pipe at the elbow outlet, and the diffuser structure is formed as a drop-in insert that can be installed and accessed through the hatch. The diffuser has a venturi inlet that produces an initial diffusion effect with minimal pressure drop before the coal flow reaches the radial and axial collision-style diffuser elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for promoting biaxially uniform distribution of coal particle size in an airstream supplying combustible mixture to a firebox by way of a header having a quadrangular arrangement of feed pipes. A conduit or duct which receives the coal air mix from a bowl mill pulverizer uses first and second single axis mixer elements in series, the operating or mixing axes of the two elements being disposed orthogonal to one another and at right angles to the air flow direction in the vicinity of the mixer elements. Deflector bars are disposed immediately upstream of the mixer elements.

Abstract: A diffuser system for multi-outlet pipe structures of the type found in coal pulverizer classifier skirts and in the piping between such classifiers and combustion chambers in coal-fired power plant delivery systems. A plurality of vertical and horizontal diffuser elements comprising toothed bars and rings are arranged in the “skirt” or plenum just prior to the multiple pipe outlets so as to effectively diffuse both axial and radial components of uneven flow distributions.

Abstract: A discharge valve plate of the type used in the conduit between an exhauster fan and a riffle box in a coal fine delivery system for a coal-fired combustion chamber in a power plant. The axis of rotation of the discharge valve plate is oriented generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the exhauster fan, such that the valve plate bisects the flow of coal fines from the exhauster fan into upper and lower flows, each having heavy and light distributions across the width of the conduit. The discharge valve plate is provided with diffuser elements engaging the upper and lower flows to cause the heavy and light flow distributions to mix prior to reaching the riffle box.

Abstract: A deflectable vane member for a coal mill pulverizer throat. The vane is yieldingly mounted in the throat with a spring support member whose force is designed to hold the vane rigidly in place during normal operations, and to yield when the vane is struck by large debris with sufficient force. The spring support member causes the vane to spring back into its operative position after it has yielded to the debris.

Abstract: A deflectable vane member for a coal mill pulverizer throat. The vane is yieldingly mounted in the throat with a spring support member whose force is designed to hold the vane rigidly in place during normal operations, and to yield when the vane is struck by large debris with sufficient force. The spring support member causes the vane to spring back into its operative position after it has yielded to the debris.

Abstract: A diffuser system for multi-outlet pipe structures of the type found in coal pulverizer classifier skirts and in the piping between such classifiers and combustion chambers in coal-fired power plant delivery systems. A plurality of vertical and horizontal diffuser elements comprising toothed bars and rings are arranged in the “skirt” or plenum just prior to the multiple pipe outlets so as to effectively diffuse both axial and radial components of uneven flow distributions.

Abstract: A burner isolation valve or gate for use in the coal-delivery pipes of coal-fired power plants. Safety regulations often require that two valves be placed in the coal delivery line between a combustion chamber and an exhauster or pulverizer type deliver source to isolate the section of pipe in between for maintenance and other access. The invention includes a novel valve plate and actuation assembly, a novel housing adapted to sealingly enclose the valve plate, and a novel sealing mechanism for the valve plate and housing adapted to keep coal fines and dust out of the outboard portion of the housing in which the valve plate rests in the valve-open position.

Abstract: A burner isolation valve or gate for use in the coal-delivery pipes of coal-fired power plants. Safety regulations often require that two valves be placed in the coal delivery line between a combustion chamber and an exhauster or pulverizer type deliver source to isolate the section of pipe in between for maintenance and other access. The invention includes a novel valve plate and actuation assembly, a novel housing adapted to sealingly enclose the valve plate, and a novel sealing mechanism for the valve plate and housing adapted to keep coal fines and dust out of the outboard portion of the housing in which the valve plate rests in the valve-open position.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing uneven distributions of coal fines in the upper, outlet end of a coal mill classifier. A plurality of static diffuser elements is positioned in the upper end of the classifier, preferably within the classifier skirt if the classifier includes such structure, adjacent the inlets of multiple coal discharge pipes leading from the upper end of the classifier to a combustion chamber. In a preferred form the diffuser elements comprise vertically-arranged toothed bars mounted on the inside wall surfaces of the skirt.

Abstract: In a delivery pipe for pulverized coal fines from a coal mill to a combustion chamber, a device for diffusing unevenly distributed coal flow evenly across the pipe. In a first form, the invention comprises a plurality of static, lateral, linear diffuser elements comprising rows of protrusions or teeth spaced laterally across the coal flow path in the pipe, preferably in a staggered and overlapping relationship. In a second form, the diffuser elements are rotatably mounted across the coal flow path in the pipe, and may be rotated at different speeds and in different directions. The diffuser elements spaced across the coal flow path in the pipe may be supplemented by peripherally-mounted diffuser elements at the inlet of that portion of the pipe or housing to provide an angled pre-diffusion of the coal flow from the sides of the pipe toward the lateral elements extending across the interior of the pipe.

Abstract: In a delivery pipe for pulverized coal fines from a coal mill to a combustion chamber, a device for diffusing unevenly distributed coal flow evenly across the pipe. In a first form, the invention comprises a plurality of static, lateral, linear diffuser elements comprising rows of protrusions or teeth spaced laterally across the coal flow path in the pipe, preferably in a staggered and overlapping relationship. In a second form, the diffuser elements are rotatably mounted across the coal flow path in the pipe, and may be rotated at different speeds and in different directions. The diffuser elements spaced across the coal flow path in the pipe may be supplemented by peripherally-mounted diffuser elements at the inlet of that portion of the pipe or housing to provide an angled pre-diffusion of the coal flow from the sides of the pipe toward the lateral elements extending across the interior of the pipe.

Abstract: In a coal-fired power plant having an exhauster fan for delivering coal/air flow through a discharge chute to a combustion chamber and further having a riffle box in the discharge chute, a mixing device located in the discharge chute between the exhauster fan and the riffle box for causing heavy and light distribution regions of the coal/air flow from the fan to converge upstream of the riffle box, thereby mixing them into a more homogeneous flow. In a preferred form, the device comprises a plurality of concentric, inwardly-angled rings located in the discharge chute to cause the heavy and light distribution regions of coal/air flow to converge after passing through the rings.

Abstract: An improved dispensing system for gasoline cans, comprising a hose adapter which replaces at least the typical spout and sealing disk associated with the gasoline can cap. The hose adapter is designed to accept common garden hose couplings, such that an ordinary piece of garden hose can be securely attached to the adapter and then cut to length for convenient pouring from any distance. In a first embodiment the hose adapter operates with the original cap. In a second embodiment the hose adapter has a built-in cap portion, and replaces the original cap.

Abstract: A system for linking adjacent cuff sets for boiler tubes in parallel. A pair of contoured, plate-like adapter links is shaped to fit over the endmost cuff portions of two endwise mated cuff sets, and then secured to the endwise mated cuff sets to hold them in parallel. In a preferred form the adapter links are radially connected by a male throughpiece such as a bolt or bar extending through a keyway formed integrally in the end faces of the mated cuff sets. In a further preferred form, the end cuff portions of the mated cuff sets include welding tangs adapted to fit into welding slots formed in the adapter links so that the adapter links can be welded to the tangs, thereby locking the mated cuff sets together in a lengthwise direction.

Abstract: An improved coal mill exhauster fan having an elongated, conical hub welded to the blades and engaging the rear shroud plate to eliminate air gaps along the rear of the fan assembly and to assist in axial to radial directional changes of the coal flow; two-piece blade assemblies having a sub-blade welded directly to the hub and shroud plates, and a protective liner removably secured to the sub-blades only, for example by bolts; a plurality of swept-back stiffener ribs welded to the rear undersides of the sub-blades, hub and shroud to increase rigidity, and with angled deflector faces to reduce erosion; and an improved hub cap or spinner seal which extends further toward the housing inlet than traditional Cooley caps and which forms a smooth, non-turbulent extension of the hub relative to the incoming coal flow.

Abstract: An improved vane of the type adapted for use in the classifier cage of a bowl mill type coal pulverizer. The improved vane is designed such that its lower end extends below the classifier cage inlet when the vane is mounted in the inlet. In a preferred form, the vane has a generally trapezoidal shape with a longer lower edge. The vane is additionally bent or curved over a major portion to direct coal tangentially toward the surface of the classifier cone.

Abstract: An improved dispensing system for gasoline cans, comprising a hose adapter which replaces at least the typical spout and sealing disk associated with the gasoline can cap. The hose adapter is designed to accept common garden hose couplings, such that an ordinary piece of garden hose can be securely attached to the adapter and then cut to length for convenient pouring from any distance. In a first embodiment the hose adapter operates with the original cap. In a second embodiment the hose adapter has a built-in cap portion, and replaces the original cap.

Abstract: An improved coal pulverizer classifying system including a classifier cone extension to protect coal flow into the pulverizer from the annular fine-lifting airflow from the pulverizer throat. The classifier cone extension replaces traditional intermittent discharge structure, improving flow through the classifier system and reducing the disruptive effects of the discharge on the annular flow from the pulverizer throat. The pulverizer feedpipe outlet is located in the classifier cone extension, but above the throat of the extension to prevent interference between the feedpipe and the flow of coal through the extension. In a preferred form an adjustable clearance cone is mounted for vertical adjustment on the lower end of the feedpipe.