Abstract: A drive system for cleaning debris within a medical tube. The drive system includes a housing defining an interior and an elongated guide wire residing at least partially within the interior. A roller is disposed in said interior in frictional engagement with the guide wire, said roller being configured to rotate about an axis. The drive system also includes a motor operable to drive the roller in order to both advance or withdraw said guide wire via said frictional engagement therewith through said inlet.

Abstract: A device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube includes a housing defining an interior, an exterior, and a port providing fluid communication therebetween. The device further includes an elongated guide wire residing at least partially within the housing, and first and second rollers defining a nip therebetween that are located within the housing. A guide wire extends through the nip and is drivable for advancement and retraction thereof through the port via rotation of the rollers.

Abstract: A mobile vehicular mounted pneumatic conveying apparatus is disclosed which comprises a self-propelled vehicle having an elongated boom capable of being elevated and rotated relative to the vehicle, with the boom having a nozzle structure mounted on the other end thereof for engaging dry particulate material to be conveyed. The apparatus also has a material transfer assembly which includes at least one closed vessel for receiving material from said nozzle under vacuum pressure and for subsequently expelling material into a conveying line under positive pressure. The transfer assembly can be easily removed from the vehicle and a rearward carriage that is attached to the transfer assembly can similarly be removed. The apparatus is particularly adapted for conveying large quantities of dry, particulate material such as Portland cement from a large horizontal storage building as opposed to a vertical silo or the like.

Abstract: A mobile vehicular mounted pneumatic conveying apparatus is disclosed which comprises a self-propelled vehicle having an elongated boom capable of being elevated and rotated relative to the vehicle, with the boom having a nozzle structure mounted on the other end thereof for engaging dry particulate material to be conveyed. The apparatus also has a material transfer assembly which includes at least one closed vessel for receiving material from said nozzle under vacuum pressure and for subsequently expelling material into a conveying line under positive pressure. The transfer assembly can be easily removed from the vehicle and a rearward carriage that is attached to the transfer assembly can similarly be removed. The apparatus is particularly adapted for conveying large quantities of dry, particulate material such as Portland cement from a large horizontal storage building as opposed to a vertical silo or the like.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for unloading dry, bulk, particulate material from a ship, barge or the like into a pressure vessel and thereafter transferring the material into a storage container such as a silo. A venturi has primary and secondary inlets with the primary inlet connected to a blower and the secondary inlet connected to the pressure vessel. Air from the blower is forced through the venturi primary inlet to create a flow of primary air through the venturi and to induce a suction at the venturi secondary inlet. The suction is coupled to the pressure vessel thus drawing the particulate material into the pressure vessel. After the pressure vessel is full, air from the blower is forced into the pressure vessel to transfer the material from the pressure vessel to the silo. The steps of filling the pressure vessel and transferring the material from the pressure vessel to the silo are repeated in alternating sequence.

Abstract: An improved automatic feeder apparatus is described for cyclically receiving dry particulate or powdered material from a source and feeding the same into a conveying line under fluid pressure. The feeder apparatus comprises a transfer vessel having a material inlet for receiving materials from the source and a material outlet coupled into an outlet chamber where the materials are fluidized and fed into the conveying line. Pressure generating means including appropriate valving are provided for continuously supplying a positive air pressure to the chamber for fluidizing the materials, and for alternatively establishing a positive and negative air pressure within the transfer vessel several times a minute to assist in unloading and loading, respectively. The flow of materials into the chamber is controlled by a hinged flap valve which automatically opens and closes in response to changes in pressure within the transfer vessel and chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for assisting the pneumatic conveying of generally dry particulate matter through a closed conduit is disclosed. The apparatus is for use where vacuum pressure applied at one end of the conduit creates a suction force which moves the dry particulate matter through the conduit, and involves the use of a small tube or the like for injecting a gaseous fluid under positive pressure into the particulate matter to loosen it and enable it to be conveyed through the conduit.