Abstract: An assembly for a cylindrical cage which includes vanes made up of blades and end lugs. The end lugs and vanes are attached to a frame by a ring element with a fastener securing the ring element, end lug and blade to the frame. The end lugs are dimensioned and shaped so that when the end lugs of adjacent vanes are nested together, the vanes are spaced apart the desired amount and the angular relationship between vanes is maintained so that the gas flow path between adjacent vanes has the desired configuration. The blades can be made separate from or integral with the end lugs. The invention is particularly designed for use in mounting guide vanes in a cage type air classifier for classifying particulate materials.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for roasting fine material which includes recirculation of at least partially roasted material through the roasting furnace for further roasting. An adjustable gate is included in the recirculation system for controlling the quantity of material recirculated. A high temperature fluidizing gravity conveyor is used in the recirculation system to maintain a low profile for the system. The invention utilizing a system for classifying large particles so that they may be removed from the recirculation system. Gas locks are included for preventing the short circuiting of hot gases. The system also includes overflow conduit in the event of a plug or blockage in the system.

Abstract: A pneumatic system for exerting a downward grinding force on the roller assemblies of a roller type grinding mill. The pneumatic system consists of a plurality of resilient and flexible pneumatic cylinders or bellows operatively connected through a crank arm, a horizontal rotatable shaft and lever to the roller assembly. The flexible pneumatic cylinders exert an upward force on the crank arm which in turn exerts a downward force through the rotatable shaft and lever on the grinding roll. Vertical movement and vibration of the roller assembly is absorbed by the flexible cylinder to maintain a steady grinding force on the rollers.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus includes a casing having a bore therethrough with an inlet for solid particulate material to be conveyed and an outlet. A screw impeller is rotatably mounted in the casing by front and rear bearings with the rear bearings being positioned near the inlet. Material is discharged from the casing through a coaxial outlet into a discharge chamber. Gaseous fluid under pressure is supplied to the discharge chamber for entraining and conveying the particulate material through a pneumatic conveying line which is flow connected to the outlet of the discharge chamber. A valve, which closes the outlet of the casing, is biased closed by a weight and opened by material being advanced by the screw impeller. The valve includes a valve plate with an opening which surrounds the shaft of the screw impeller and provides a seal at the casing to substantially prevent gaseous fluid from entering the casing.

Abstract: A flap valve used for selectively closing an open-end of a material conduit. The flap valve is particularly adapted for use in high temperature installations such as at the discharge of a high temperature cyclone separator. The valve includes a shaft rotatably mounted in a fixture properly positioned relative to the conduit to be closed. The shaft includes a polygonal central section and a flap with a top surface adapted to close the open end of the conduit and one end of the flap lies atop the polygonal section of the shaft. The back of the flap is bent perpendicular to the top surface to overhang the shaft. A dog having a similarly shaped polygonal opening slides over the central section of the shaft and has a leg which lies atop the top surface of the flap. This dog serves to transmit rotational forces between the shaft and the flap while allowing relative movement between the shaft on the flap in a direction parallel to the shaft axis to permit relative thermal expansion.