Abstract: A system and method for enabling a commodity trailer having conventional gravity discharge slide gates to operate with a pneumatic discharge configuration on an as-needed basis is provided. A pneumatic discharge gate, which supports a pneumatic discharge assembly, is configured to directly replace the gravity fed hopper gate and to be retained on the same hopper structure that supported the slide gate so that the slide gate and the pneumatic discharge gate, and the uses thereof, are fully interchangeable.

Abstract: A particulate feeding apparatus for applying particulate, such as super-absorbent materials, to a substrate, such as a fibrous web. A feeder tube for the powder and a rotary gate valve, including one or more holes is provided. This structure may then intermittently feed particulate to an eductor or venturi nozzle. The rotary valve provides an intermittent supply of particulate to a relatively low-pressure zone at the nozzle formed by the venturi action of the passing air stream and the particulate may be distributed precisely where desired. A process for delivering powder to a substrate in precise amounts and distribution patterns is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive system includes a supply container for storing adhesive particulate, a transfer pump operatively connected to the supply container, a transfer hose operatively coupled to the transfer pump, and a blocking member. The blocking member is movable between a first position in which stored adhesive particulate and air are permitted to be withdrawn from the supply container into the transfer hose, and a second position in which the stored adhesive particulate is blocked from passing through the transfer hose while air is permitted to pass therethrough to flush the transfer hose of residual adhesive particulate.

Abstract: A method and system for pneumatically conveying waste material through a conveying system which includes an input point for introducing waste material, at least one main conveying pipe section, at least one branch conveying pipe section, at least one separating device, and at least one pump unit for producing a pressure differential and air current within the operating system, whereby in a first phase, the main conveying pipe section functions as a material reservoir and in a second phase, the waste material is transferred to the separating device by the suction/pressure difference and/or conveying air flow produced by the pump device.

Abstract: A bulk bag unloading system generally consisting of a support means; a hopper mounted on the support means; filtering means mounted on the support means at a level above the hopper; means intercommunicating the interior of the hopper and an inlet of the filtering means; a means for suspending the bulk bag on the support means wherein a spout of the bulk bag communicates with an inlet of the hopper.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided fluidising apparatus comprising: a flow chamber 2 having a fluid inlet 4 and a fluid outlet 6; means 18 for establishing a swirling flow in a fluid passing out of the fluid outlet; and a transport outlet 30 for transporting fluidised material away from the flow chamber 2, the transport outlet 30 being situated externally of the flow chamber 2.

Abstract: A pneumatic particulate dispensing system having a hopper for storing particulate material, such as animal feed, fertilizers, pesticides and the like. The hopper is connected to a T-fitting which encloses a velocity tube. An air blowing unit is connected to the T-fitting and the velocity tube through an interchangeable adaptor allowing for a variety of air blowing units to be installed. An adjustable rotary valve extends into the interior of the hopper from the T-fitting allowing for a user to adjust the amount of particulate material to be dispensed adjacent the velocity tube. A discharge tube is connected to the T-fitting downstream of the velocity tube, wherein the discharge tube has a rotating elbow for allowing the user to adjust the dispensing direction. A variety of nozzles can be attached to the end of the discharge tube. A support frame having a hitch insert and cradles is used to support and transport the particulate dispensing system to remote locations.

Abstract: A gate assembly for a railroad hopper car is disclosed. The gate assembly includes a frame defining a discharge opening, a slidable door mounted on the frame for movement between a closed position, wherein the door closes the discharge opening, and an open position, wherein the door is positioned to allow commodity to pass through the discharge opening. Either of two modular components can be arranged in combination with the door on the gate assembly to allow the gate assembly to be conditioned for either pneumatic and/or gravitational discharge or gravitational discharge only of commodity from the gate assembly. A drive mechanism including an apparatus for selectively engaging either the door or either of the modular elements arranged in association with the door is mounted on the frame of the gate assembly, with the apparatus of the drive mechanism preferably being lost motion connected to the door.

Abstract: A gate assembly for a railroad hopper car is disclosed. The gate assembly includes a frame defining a discharge opening, a slidable door mounted on the frame for movement between a closed position, wherein the door closes the discharge opening, and an open position, wherein the door is positioned to allow commodity to pass through the discharge opening. Either of two modular components can be arranged in combination with the door on the gate assembly to allow the gate assembly to be conditioned for either pneumatic and/or gravitational discharge or gravitational discharge only of commodity from the gate assembly. A drive mechanism including an apparatus for selectively engaging either the door or either of the modular elements arranged in association with the door is mounted on the frame of the gate assembly, with the apparatus of the drive mechanism preferably being lost motion connected to the door.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying granular plastic materials, for example silicone granulate, including a storage tank, a device for loosening granular plastic material positioned within the storage tank, as well as a discharge device for indirectly or directly transporting granular material to an extruder antechamber. Even granular plastic materials that are difficult to pour can be conveyed in a reliable and economical way due to the process of loosening the granular plastic materials by means of a suitable device.

Abstract: An assembly for selectively closing a pneumatic discharge outlet is disclosed. Such assembly includes a closure cap which, in a closed position, fits about and partially along to cover a free end of the discharge outlet and which is movable to an open position relative to the free end of the discharge outlet. Structure connects the closure cap to one side of the free end of the discharge outlet in a manner permitting pivotal and sliding movements of the closure cap relative to the free end of the discharge outlet, and wherein the sliding movements of said closure cap are limited to a fixed path of travel relative to the discharge outlet. A manually operated lock assembly attached at an opposite side of the free end of the discharge outlet cooperates with the structure in releasably maintaining the closure cap in the closed position while allowing for one-handed operation to move the closure cap to an open position.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a particulate material having an upstream source of particulate material, a delivery device disposed downstream of the upstream source of particulate material and communicable with the source for delivering the particulate material from the source to a discharge conduit, conveying device communicable with the discharge conduit for conveying the particulate material through the discharge conduit, the delivery device and the conveying device being cooperable to form an incremental batch of dischargeable particulate material downstream of the delivery device.

Abstract: An apparatus for pneumatically conveying granular material such as gravel. The apparatus includes a vehicle base mounting plate, a prime mover such as a diesel engine, a hydraulically driven air blower, a hopper for receiving gravel to be conveyed, and a hydraulically driven auger assembly for moving gravel from the hopper to a pneumatic pick-up point. After pneumatic pickup, the gravel is transported through an extended network of suitable pneumatic tubing such as low friction, thick wall, PVC pipe sections, to a desired discharge location, where the material is discharged into a catch can for downward placement at a desired point. In a preferred embodiment, the auger assembly comprises a three piece unit, with a shaft, an inner auger section, and an outer auger section. The outer auger section is a replaceable wear part which can be repaired, rebuilt, or replaced as necessary due to frictional wear on the auger due to contact with the solid being conveyed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for delivering dry bulk material (21) to a drilling mud system (50) of an oil and gas well comprises a plurality of collapsible bags (30) for holding a quantity of dry bulk material (21), each bag (30) being supported on a bag storage rack (20) having a discharge outlet (22) connected to the bags (30), the discharge outlets (22) having bag discharge valves (24); a hopper (40) for receiving and collecting material from the bags (30) and for discharging material into the drilling mud system (50) by means of a hopper discharge valve (48); a length of material discharge hose (70) connected to the discharge outlets (22) and to the hopper (40); and a vacuum pump (60) having a vacuum hose (47) to the hopper (40) for producing a vacuum in the hopper (40) and the hose (70) and thereby drawing material (21) from the bags (30) into the hopper (40) for discharge into the mud system (50).

Abstract: An appliance for dispensing of bulk material includes a circular-cylindrical stationary cellular housing with individual chambers of a cross-section in the form of a segment of a circle, which are closed in an upper and lower region by respective upper and lower rotating cover plates each having an orifice in the form of a segment of an annulus, the dispensing appliance having in its upper and lower region respective receiving flanges for supporting and guiding the rotating cover plates external of the housing. The upper receiving flange and the lower receiving flange for the respective cover plates are formed by respective flanged plates facing away from the cellular housing and respective flanged plates confronting the cellular housing, between which the respective cover plates are supported and mounted rotatably on bearings provided in each of the respective flanged plates axially opposite one another.

Abstract: Rail hopper cars have loading gates which is a way of controlling the flow of material that is in hopper cars out through a connection tube. There are control rods for opening and closing the loading gate. There is an end cap that fits over the open end of the connection tube. The cap, in the present invention, has outwardly extending radially spaced locking lugs each having a locking convex surface. A separate locking lug concave surface is positioned on each handle of the control rods for mating with the convex surfaces on the cap. When the end cap is placed over the tube and is rotated to a position where the locking convex surfaces are adjacent the locking lugs on the operating handles of the control rods, the control rod handles cannot turn. Also when in this position the locking lugs on the handles prevent the cap from being removed. A spring loaded locking lever on the end cap engages a locking slot on the end tube and prevents rotation of the end cap when it is positioned thereon.

Abstract: A pneumatic conveying system for particulate material. An upper vessel includes an inlet for the material. An intermediate housing is open to and located under the inlet. A primary check valve is located in the intermediate housing and will receive the material from the inlet. A lower housing is located beneath the intermediate housing. The lower housing includes a secondary check valve therein which receives the material from the primary check valve. A material exit is located below the secondary check valve. Each of the check valves includes an opening through which the material may flow. This opening is oblique to vertical, and a movable closure member is connected to alternatively open or seal the opening. Pressurized air is supplied to the check valves in an alternating manner.

Abstract: A combination mechanical/pneumatic fuel feeder for feeding particulate fuel into a furnace and having a closely coupled hopper, fuel metering device, rotor and air swept delivery plate.

Abstract: A low profile pneumatic outlet for a covered hopper railway car is disclosed which allows the bottom slope sheets of the hopper car to be moved downwardly closer to the rail thereby increasing the cubic capacity of the car while maintaining the car within AAR clearances. The low profile aspects of the pneumatic outlet result from the provision of an outlet opening in the bottom of the outlet which is opened and closed by a slidable, translatable gate operated by gate opening and closing cam mechanisms positioned generally horizontally with respect to the gate. The preferred gate operating mechanism is a cam operated mechanism which generates a high mechanical advantage initially upon effecting opening movement of the gate thereby to overcome lading and static friction loads, and then, after movement of the gate has been initiated, a lower mechanical advantage is provided so as to more rapidly move the gate toward its open position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for splitting a mass of fluidizable powder into a plurality of powder streams and conveying the powder streams through a plurality of ducts. The apparatus comprises a powder splitter defining a chamber, a plurality of hollow ducts each having an entrance communicating with the chamber, and a gas source including a plurality of gas nozzles within the ducts and directed outwardly of the chamber. The gas nozzles propel gas jets into the ducts so that portions of the fluidizable powder are conveyed through the ducts. A particularly preferred apparatus is utilized for conveying a plurality of alumina powder streams to an aluminum electrolysis cell.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling communited materials including a material hopper defining a zone into which the material may be deposited, a filter device having an inlet communicating with the material depositing zone, a pump defining a chamber for receiving material from the hopper, a valve for controlling the supply of material from the hopper to the pump chamber, a device for injecting fluid under pressure into the pump chamber to flush material disposed therein through a pump outlet, a valve for controlling the supply of fluid into the pump chamber, a venting conduit intercommunicating the pump chamber and the inlet of the filter device, and a valve for controlling the flow of fluid through the venting conduit.

Abstract: A fish hold construction for a fishing vessel, wherein the vessel is provided with a longitudinally extending water flume fish alley. Fish move with the help of gravity and water or brine into such fish alley from a plurality of fish storage holds. Water or brine is continuously recirculated through the fish alley to urge the fish along such alley into a fish elevating conveyor for removal from the vessel. A 'tween deck located in vertical alignment with, and above, the fish alley houses pipes, pumps and refrigeration components.

Abstract: A pneumatic conveyor and related method for seeds or other particulate matter comprises a cyclone or vortex type discharge device, a blower for supplying a flow of air, a conduit coupled to the blower and to the discharge device for supplying a flow of air thereto, the conduit being primarily a flexible conduit, and a venturi in the conduit for pneumatic coupling to a supply of seeds whereby the seeds may be withdrawn from a supply container into the venturi for transport with the air stream to the discharge device. The venturi is connected to the container by a component that comprises a slide gate closure between the opening of the container and the intake of the venturi.

Abstract: The air seeder normally passes the contents of its hopper through metering devices that regulate the volume of materials moving into the transporting air streams of the machine, but the hopper is also provided with a series of normally closed drainage apertures which may be selectively opened when it is desired to rapidly dump the hopper contents instead of relatively slowly metering them to the air streams. When the apertures are opened, the hopper contents bypass the metering devices and gravitate directly into the air streams which can be quickly and easily diverted to a cyclone separator that exhausts the air from the streams and concentrates the particles for collection or storage.

Abstract: Solids drained from a fluidized bed 10 pass to a conical transition section 36 and through valve 50 to a pneumatic transport line 46. The flow of solids is controlled by controllably 56 introducing air 58 into the transition section 36.

Abstract: A slurry conveying system including a pressurizable tank into which particulate material is charged. A discharge opening enters the tank bottom and fluidizing water is directed upwardly through the discharge opening into the tank. The discharge opening is centered in a landing which has a diameter greater than 1.5 times and no greater than five times the diameter of the discharge opening. Arching of particles at the opening is prevented due to the landing and fluidizing water. The tank is emptied by the combination of air under pressure and a water rinse immediately after the fluidizing is accomplished.

Abstract: A hopper discharge structure is provided with slope sheets defining a throat over a pneumatic outlet tube. The throat is closed by two sliding valve plates. The valve plates are moved by crank arrangements which provide an operator with varying mechanical advantage in operating the valve means. The crank arrangements are mounted on operating shafts extending the length of the hopper. The operating shafts extend through the hopper end walls and are adjustably supported for rotation by reinforcement plates adjustably mounted on the end walls. The operating shafts are equipped with handles which accommodate the insertion of an extension bar from two different directions. The outlet tube is covered by a hinged cap and locking structure. The cap is cammingly sealed over the end of the outlet tube by a cam lock and handle mounted on the locking structure. Outward force on the handle unlocks and withdraws the cap from the end of the outlet tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding granular material into a gas stream, for example seed or fertilizer into multiple airstreams of an agricultural vehicle, includes a receptacle for granular material, a duct for a gas stream, and a pair of resiliently compressible surfaces which contact or almost contact to define a nip between them. The surfaces may be provided by contrarotatable rollers and are disposed so that granular material may pass from one side of the nip through a port into the duct, and are moveable into the nip from the other side. The apparatus further includes metering means defining a controllable outlet from the receptacle and positioned with respect to the nip for feeding granular material into the nip from said other side at an adjustable controlled rate. Also disclosed is a distributor for gas-entrained granular material which includes a conical, part-conical or inverted conical surface in a diverging housing.

Abstract: A manure handling unit comprising a manure holding tank having an inlet and an outlet and a conduit section leading from the outlet. An inlet valve is provided within the tank for closing the inlet. An operating device within the tank operates the inlet valve. The unit also has an outlet valve within a sleeve extending between the conduit and the tank. An operating device in the tank operates the outlet valve in the sleeve to close or open the conduit.

Abstract: An enclosed railroad car has hoppers at its underside for unloading a solid commodity. A pneumatic outlet trough is opened and closed by a slide valve or gate that is attached to operating rods supported in slide bearings. The gate can be safely removed from outside of the car by disengaging a pin that locks the gate to the operating rods.

Abstract: An enclosed railroad hopper car has a valve that controls the discharge of the commodity it carries. The valve is opened and closed by an operating mechanism that is subjected to vibration and inertial forces during transit. This can jar open the valve. A cap for the discharge hopper outlet opening interlocks with the valve operating mechanism when the valve is closed so as to prevent the valve from opening. The cap is held in its open position by a trap that prevents it from swinging closed while the car is being unloaded.

Abstract: A bottom assembly for a hopper vehicle is adapted to permit safe pneumatic unloading as well as gravity unloading of a hopper. The bottom assembly includes a membrane mounted to be moved over and away from a hopper bottom opening, and sealing devices for insuring a secure seal for the hopper which can be easily set. A discharge manifold is connected to the hopper at a location spaced from the hopper bottom opening, and the hopper bottom opening is contained in a plane which is tilted with respect to the horizontal.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying bulk material at a controlled rate includes a pressure vessel from which material may be fed downwardly into a container under the influence of pressure applied to the pressure vessel. Located below the container is a receptacle or delivery tube into which bulk material may be fed. The container has a transverse partition with at least one orifice member therein and means are provided for balancing the pressure at a position below the partition with a position above the material located on the partition.

Abstract: A method for pneumatically handling material having a slurry-like consistency such as chicken hatchery waste material includes a hopper for accepting the waste material, a receiver for accumulating the waste material and duct work which is connected between the hopper and the receiver. The system also includes a blower for creating reduced pressure in the receiver with respect to the hopper whereby the waste material is drawn from the hopper to the receiver. The system also includes a valving arrangement whereby a volumn of reduced pressure is maintained within the receiver above the accumulated waste material, the pressure being reduced with respect to the outside ambient, thereby causing air from the outside ambient to enter into a discharge aperture in the bottom of the receiver, through the accumulated waste material to the volumn of reduced pressure, thereby agitating, loosening and effecting the rapid discharge of the accumulated waste material through the discharge aperture.

Abstract: A pneumatic discharge arrangement for railway hopper cars includes a housing secured to a discharge end of a hopper including a chamber having an elongated opening. The opening is regulated by a sliding pivoting valve disposed beneath the opening within a trough that is adapted to be connected to a pneumatic conveyer. Movement of the sliding pivoting valve is accomplished by an operating mechanism from either side of the railway car.

Abstract: A self-adjusting powder distributor--which is particularly intended for use with alumina calcination apparatus--comprises a casing with a permeable partition, a plurality of outlets, and means for introducing preheated hydrate above the partition and fluidizing air therebelow. The fluidized hydrate withdraws through outlets of the casing for further treatment or partly as final product. The casing is provided with means by which the amounts and mutual ratios of the withdrawing material can be adjusted according to preselected values by altering the cross-sectional flow area or the level of the outlets.

Abstract: Apparatus for inhalation of medicinal agents as an aerosol effluent from the apparatus which includes a housing with a venturi-shaped interior configuration providing a venturi constriction between an air inlet chamber and a aerosol exhaust chamber including a dispenser zone; and with an arrangement for mounting a medicament container on the housing and including a connector member mounted on the housing and apertured for communication therewith, and a metering disk to carry the medicament container and rotatably mounted on the connector member by a related mounting and locking pin arrangement permitting rotation of the metering disk for dosage dispensing while separating a selected dosage chamber from the medicament container during dispensing; the mounting and locking pin arrangement permitting ready separation of the parts for cleaning of residual medicament and re-assembly for further dispensing as with a different medicament.

Abstract: a closed top railway hopper car of a type which is pneumatically unloaded including a pressure relief valve arrangement which is supported underneath the car between spaced slope sheets of adjacent hoppers. The relief valve arrangement includes a pipe which projects upwardly through a slope sheet into the interior of the car adjacent the upper end thereof. The relief valve is located in a protected V-shaped space beneath the hoppers where it is readily accessable to the operator standing on the ground when pneumatic devices are utilized for discharging the material from the hopper car.