Abstract: Methods and apparatus to receive and discharge bulk materials are disclosed. An example method for treating gaseous fluid includes filling a device with ceramic granular material, a ceramic heat storage body, a catalyst body and a particle-shaped bulk material including calcium and/or carbon. The method also includes supplying gaseous fluid to be treated into a bulk material container and acting upon the bulk material in the bulk material container with the supplied gaseous fluid while discharging the bulk material out of the bulk material receiving apparatus.

Abstract: Output device for a container (6) which includes a bottom and a surrounding wall, having a hub (1) and at least two arms (3) fixed to the hub (1). The invention is characterized in that each arm (3) is designed with at least one outer section designed and arranged to at use being capable of essentially preventing material from being brought towards the wall of the container, and at least one inner section connected to the outer section, designed and arranged to at use being capable of bringing the material essentially in the direction of feed for the device, at which the at least two arms (3) present essentially concave surfaces facing the direction of feed.

Abstract: Apparatus suitable for use in the treatment of waste and/or organic materials which includes a main body having a treatment chamber therein having a base which when the apparatus is in a harvesting mode is arranged with a space there below. The base includes a plurality of generally parallel spaced apart support elements, the support elements being spaced apart at a distance sufficient to support the material within the chamber during the treatment process and enable extraction of the treated material through the spaces between the support elements during a harvesting process. There is also disclosed a harvesting device comprising a plurality of extraction elements which are adapted to project through the spaces between the support elements to dislodge and extract the treated material through the base. The apparatus and harvesting device is particularly useful for removing worm casting in vermiculture.

Abstract: A gantry crane has first and second side support frames spaced by a pair of trolley beams. A lifting mechanism is connected to the trolley beams and includes a lift frame for engaging a load to be lifted. An operator cab is mounted on the first side support frame and is vertically moveable between a lowermost position and an uppermost position in an operational plane defined by the first side support frame. A cab lift cable has a length and a first end fixed to the operator cab and a second end fixed to the side support frame. A hydraulic cylinder urges the cable between its fixed first and second ends in a direction transverse to a portion of its length.

Abstract: A broaching device for a silo is comprised of a rotor and at least one broaching arm connected to the rotor. The broaching arm comprises leaf springs that are stacked on top one another to form a leaf spring packet. The broaching arm further comprises brackets for holding the leaf springs together. The broaching arm extends to the wall of the silo and is curved opposite to a direction of rotation of the rotor. A holder is connected to one of the leaf springs arranged in a center position of the leaf spring packet at a free end thereof. Outwardly positioned leaf springs of the leaf spring packet are slidably supported at the holder. A broaching tool is attached to the holder of the broaching arm.

Abstract: A bottom discharge system for upright storage vessels adapted to contain solid, particulate and/or fibrous materials includes a flail chain type unloader for dislodging the material to be discharged including a rotary shaft extending upwardly through a central opening in the bottom wall of the storage vessel for moving material out of the lower end portion of the vessel when the shaft is rotated to swing the flail chains. The improved bottom discharge system includes a material outlet opening formed adjacent the bottom wall of the vessel extending radially outwardly of the shaft and a discharge gate that is movable radially inwardly and outwardly of the shaft for closing and opening the outlet.

Abstract: A flail chain unloader for discharging particulate material from a lower output of an upright storage vessel includes a rotating shaft extending upwardly of the central portion of the vessel above the outlet and flail chains secured to the shaft at different levels thereon to rotate with the shaft and loosen the particulate materials in the vessel to flow downwardly for discharge through the lower outlet. One or more upper flail chains are secured adjacent an upper level portion of the shaft and have outer ends movable in a generally circular path closely adjacent the inside wall surface of the vessel for loosening the material adjacent the vessel wall. At least one set of intermediate flail chains of a relatively short length is provided at spaced apart lower levels below the upper flail chains in order to dig out the material in the central portion of the vessel around the shaft.

Abstract: A flexible whip or a system of whips with novel attachments is suspended in a hopper and is caused to impact against fibrous and irregularly shaped particulates in the hopper to fluidize the particulates and facilitate the flow of the particulates through the hopper. The invention provides for the flow of particulates at a substantially constant mass flow rate and uses a minimum of energy.

Abstract: A silage-tunneling apparatus (1) including a skid (2) on which is mounted an electric motor (30) arranged to drive a drive shaft (44) that has its axis arranged horizontally. Inner and outer hinged rigid cutter arms (45) are attached to the drive shaft and flexible chain cutter arms (60) are attached to the drive shaft between the hinged rigid cutter arms. Silage cutting elements (54, 63) are attached to the outer ends of the cutter arms. The apparatus forms a vertical tunnel (71) in silage (72) stored in a silo (70) upon being moved upwardly along the inside surface of the wall of the silo, the tunnel providing an opening for the discharge of silage through the bottom of the silo.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning out material which remains within a confined space, such as silos, hoppers and the like, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a power driven device for impacting the material which is hung up within the silo to loosen it and allow it to fall downwardly of the silo. The device for impacting the material is suspended from and powered by a cable/hose which is reeled onto a drum supported above the material in the silo. The drum is rotatable to payout or rewind the cable/hose in positioning the impacting device in the area of the material to be loosened. The apparatus includes provision for automatically reciprocating the impacting device along the material face and in the event of a material avalanche, releasing the drum to allow the impacting device to fall downwardly with the flowing material.