Abstract: A snowblower comprises an auger housing extending along a longitudinal axis and being configurable in a compacted configuration and in an extended configuration wherein a length of the auger housing considered along the longitudinal axis is greater in the at least one extended configuration than in the compacted configuration; and an auger assembly mounted to the auger housing and comprising: a telescopic drive shaft assembly including at least first and second shaft sections slidably mounted to each other to substantially conform to the length of the auger housing in each one of the compacted configuration and the at least one extended configuration; and snow-gathering devices mounted to the at least first and second shaft sections and rotatable therewith.

Abstract: A telescoping rotatable tool includes a first shaft and a second shaft. The first shaft has a first material-engaging element extending from an exterior surface of the first shaft. The second shaft has a second material-engaging element extending from an exterior surface of the second shaft. The second shaft is configured to extend from and retract within an interior space presented by the first shaft. The first shaft includes at least one helical-shaped groove extending along an interior surface of the first shaft. The second shaft includes at least one guide element extending from the exterior surface of the second shaft. The guide element is configured to engage with the groove, such that as the second shaft extends from and retracts within the first shaft, the second shaft is configured to rotate with respect to the first shaft.

Abstract: A telescoping rotatable tool includes a first shaft and a second shaft. The first shaft has a first material-engaging element extending from an exterior surface of the first shaft. The second shaft has a second material-engaging element extending from an exterior surface of the second shaft. The second shaft is configured to extend from and retract within an interior space presented by the first shaft. The first shaft includes at least one helical-shaped groove extending along an interior surface of the first shaft. The second shaft includes at least one guide element extending from the exterior surface of the second shaft. The guide element is configured to engage with the groove, such that as the second shaft extends from and retracts within the first shaft, the second shaft is configured to rotate with respect to the first shaft.

Abstract: A helical auger flight has an inner edge, an outer edge, an inner face, an outer face, and a leading extremity that includes a prominence and a leading edge that extends from the outer edge to the prominence. The prominence extends outward from the leading edge of the leading extremity to an outer end having an upturned jut. A wear plate is releasably connected to the inner face of the helical auger flight. The wear plate extends from the outer edge of the helical auger flight to the prominence. A front extremity of the wear plate extends forwardly of the leading edge of the helical auger flight so as to be in a shielding relationship with respect to the leading edge of the helical auger flight, and a nose of the front extremity of the wear plated is seated in direct contact against a contact surface of the jut.

Abstract: A variable width distribution apparatus (1) for distributing asphalt hot-mix, or similar material, across the full width of a surface to be paved comprises at least two auger support members (9), each auger support member positioned coaxially with each other and configured to engage with an adjacent auger support member (9) to form a combined support of variable length; and at least two auger slide sections (3) comprising an outboard auger slide section (3B) coupled to an outboard auger support section at an outboard end via a hanger, each auger slide section positioned coaxially with each other and configured to engage with an adjacent auger slide section to form a combined auger of variable length; such that extension or retraction of the auger support members (9) along a path of least resistance as the apparatus (1) moves over a surface to be paved causes a corresponding extension or retraction of the auger slide sections (3) with respect to an adjacent auger slide section (3) and such that each auger slid

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved feed mechanism of a smoke generating device, and in particular to a feed mechanism having an adjustable auger that allows smoke generating materials of selected sizes to fall from a deposit tube in an improved manner. According to one advantage of the present invention, the feed mechanism has a bin with opposed sides, the first of which having a smokehouse mount with an air hole therein and the second side having a motor mount thereon. A tube extends from the smokehouse mount. An auger is adjustably received within the tube to advance material from the bin to a hole in the tube at the opposite end of the auger. Bearings are provided for allowing the height of the auger within the tube to be adjusted to accommodate smoking materials of a selected size.

Abstract: A feed auger assembly which conveys particular material to an implement includes a first auger housing with a first auger flight rotatable therein, a second auger housing concentrically receiving the first auger housing therein so as to define an annular space therebetween, and a second auger flight rotatable within the annular space. The discharge end of the first auger housing is arranged to discharge into the annular space between the intermediate end and the outlet end of the second auger housing as the first auger housing is longitudinally slidable relative to the second auger housing in the longitudinal direction. The distance between the inlet end of first auger housing and the outlet end of the second auger housing is thus adjustable during a conveying operation of the augers being rotated within the respective housings.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a system for feeding biomass into a pressured vessel, the system includes a screw-feeding housing, a drive motor, a rotary airlock, a first conveyor screw, a second conveyor screw, a barrel, a low friction liner attached to a substantial portion of the inside surface of the barrel, a pressure sensor positioned within the screw-feeding housing for monitoring backpressure, a compression disk, an actuator, a function controller which controls the pressure sensor, the drive motor and the actuator, and a control loop which comprises the function controller, the actuator, the drive motor, and the pressure sensor for monitoring backpressure within the screw-feeding housing and for controlling and adjusting the force applied by the actuator to the compression disk and the torque applied by the drive motor to the first conveyor screw, thereby effectuating an effectively sealed biomass plug.

Abstract: A scoping auger of adjustable length is described. The scoping auger includes two conventional augers interconnected to each other in with a sliding connection mounting the two augers to each other with their longitudinal axes parallel with one auger section above the other. A longitudinally extended opening is formed in the top of the auger tube of the lower auger section so that particulate material being conveyed by the upper auger section can be deposited for further conveying of the particulate material anywhere within the length of the opening.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved safety overload prevention device for a material conveying auger which includes an auger casing, a main drive shaft journalled therein and a main auger flight secured around the shaft, an intake flight section 11 secured to and extending along a tubular support sleeve 12 rotatably mounted on an intake drive shaft portion 14 which is adapted for connection to the main drive shaft of the auger so as to rotate therewith, and a clutch device 18 operatively interconnecting the tubular sleeve 12 and the drive shaft portion 14, the clutch device 18 including a radially displaceable spring loaded detent 19 movable between an engaged position wherein the tubular sleeve 12 is fast with the drive shaft portion 14 and rotates therewith, and a disengaged position wherein drive to the tubular sleeve 12 is disengaged in the event of an obstruction, such as a leg or arm being trapped in the flighting.

Abstract: A helical screw conveyor having a helical screw rotatably mounted within a casing and cooperating with a chain of platens to convey objects from one end of the casing to the other end or to selected locations therebetween. A thermodynamic combustion engine is provided having a helical screw rotatably mounted within a casing and cooperating with a platen chain to draw a combustible mixture into the casing, compress the mixture for ignition, and exhaust the burned mixture therefrom.

Abstract: This patent application concerns a device for the collection, transfer and automatic unloading, using a single actuator, of garment hangers between two adjacent overhead transport lines (A, B), of the sort that are commonly used in the clothing industry or in their storage or shipment warehouses, where the handling of the garments from one operating station to an other occurs by means of closed loop overhead transport lines, on which the garments are hung each with a garment hanger. This device uses guide rails (9, 10) specially profiled where the hanger is collected and a special hook-carrier trolley (2) with a pair of rams (6a) suited to cooperate with appropriate matching cams.

Abstract: An helical worm gear conveyor (10, 110) for conveying a succession of articles (C) along a travel path (A), the conveyor having a first worm conveyor (14, 114) surrounded by a second worm conveyor (16, 116). The helixes of the second conveyor are positioned between the helixes of the first conveyor to divide the pockets (18, 118) defined by the helixes of the first conveyor into a first, article receiving portion and a second portion. The helixes of the second conveyor are laterally translatable relative to the first conveyor, by rotation (16) or without rotation (116), to vary the longitudinal extent of the article receiving portions of the pockets, as required for proper conveying of articles of a given size that differs from articles of another size.

Abstract: A drive (D) for an auger conveyor (FC) is disclosed where the auger conveyor comprises a conveyor conduit (11) and a centerless helical coil auger (15) disposed within the conduit. The auger has a longitudinal axis and a plurality of spaced, helical flights (17). The drive (D) is a drive screw (23) substantially coaxial with the auger and having a plurality of flights in face-to-face engagement with corresponding flights of the auger. A drive member (47) is in driving engagement with the drive screw with the drive screw and the drive member being mounted for rotation about the longitudinal axis. A power drive (27) is rotatably drives the drive screw about its longitudinal axis so as to effect movement (either axial or rotational movement) of the auger relative to the conveyor conduit. A method of driving the auger is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for the control of an auger, such as for conveying agricultural particulate materials, is disclosed in which a discharge spout is attached to the discharge end of the auger tube, the discharge spout is both freely movable and adjustable in length, and the rotation of the auger may be controlled from a location on and adjacent to the discharge end of the discharge spout. Such control is accomplished by an electrical switch which controls a normally open hydraulic solenoid valve for in the alternative selectively bypassing or porting the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motor of the auger.

Abstract: A clean-out auger for a grain bin has a main auger, a telescoping sweep and a rotary joint connecting the two. The sweep may be adjusted in length to accomodate bins of different sizes. The use of a flexible screw section through the rotary joint allows the sweep to rotate through 360.degree. during operation. A sweep transporting mechanism is fixed to the outer end of the sweep for producing the rotation about the rotary joint.

Abstract: A feed-screw support structure is adapted to absorb thermal expansion of a feed screw in a machine tool. It comprises a main-body member, a bearing-holder at the one end of the feed screw slidably arranged in the main-body member, a clamping member provided between the bearing-holder member and the main-body member and adapted to fix these members, and a device for operating the clamping member in accordance with factors and matters related to heat generation in the feed-screw. The bearing-holder member being normally held in a stationary condition by the clamping member, the feed screw being allowed to relieve thermal expansion by temporarily releasing the stationary condition when heat generation in the feed screw takes place to a relatively large degree.

Abstract: Conveying apparatus for use in an environment having significant variations in temperature, and having a molded plastic screw conveyor on a metal drive shaft is disclosed. The molded plastic screw conveyor includes a non-circular axial aperture which receives a cooperating drive shaft with a coefficient of expansion different than the plastic screw conveyor. The cross-sectional shapes of the drive shaft and the axial aperture extending through the plastic screw conveyor are such that rotation of the drive shaft results in rotation of the plastic screw conveyor. However, axial motion between the plastic screw conveyor and the drive shaft can occur to accommodate variations in length due to changes in temperature. A journal plug or end means is also included which may receive rotational forces from a motor or other source. The journal plug is joined to the drive shaft such that rotation of the journal plug results in rotation of the drive shaft and consequently in rotation of the plastic screw conveyor.

Abstract: An auger housing assembly for converging material along a path has a conduit within which is located a rotary auger. The conduit has at its lower side an elongate slot through which it may pass. Such slot normally is closed by a split sleeve member carried by the conduit and which is rotatable from a first position in which it covers the slot to a second position in which the slot is uncovered.

Abstract: An apparatus for unloading bulk material from ships includes a vertical conveyor arranged on a pivotable jib of a rising scaffold bridge. Since in the case of known vertical conveyors it is not possible to take up the bulk material to the very bottom a ship to be unloaded, the apparatus provides a bulk material unloading apparatus for ships in which in the bottom area the vertical conveyor cooperates with a horizontal conveyor arranged in a casing, which is open in the bulk material receiving area along the horizontal conveyor. The bulk material taken up by the horizontal conveyor is conveyed into the receiving area of the vertical conveyor at the end of the conveying zone by a guide plate. This apparatus makes it possible to take up bulk material to the very bottom of the ship to be unloaded, while ensuring a high working efficiency and capacity.

Abstract: An extensible grain auger includes a casing defined by co-axial telescoping sections, with an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end of the casing, a pair of inter-connected auger tubes rotatably mounted in the casing, the flight of one tube being threadable into the auger flight of the other tube; and an extension tube and screw assembly rotatably mounted in the auger tubes, the extension tube extending out of the casing at one end and the screw being connected to a nut in the tube and to the other end of the casing, so that one casing section can be extended and retracted relative to the other casing section.

Abstract: An expandable and retractable conveyor system which comprises a main spiral-type tube conveyor which includes a cylindrical shell containing a screw element which is integral with the cylindrical shell and extends radially from said shell toward the center thereof and at least one additional spiral-type tube conveyor which includes a cylindrical shell containing a screw element which is integral with the cylindrical shell and extends radially from said shell toward the center thereof, said additional spiral-type tube conveyor being slightly smaller than the main spiral-type tube conveyor, with the screw element thereof being in screw-engaging relationship with the screw element of the main spiral-type tube conveyor.