Abstract: An in-line valve assembly for a tubular drag conveyer system includes a first tube segment having a first end and defining a first passageway, a second tube segment having a second end and defining a second passageway, and a tubular valve body translatably disposed relative to the second tube segment and defining a valve passageway. The first end of the first tube segment is spaced apart from the second end of the second tube segment by a gap. The valve body is selectively adjustable between a closed position wherein the valve passageway spans the gap and connects the first passageway to the second passageway and an open position wherein the valve passageway is spaced apart from the first passageway by at least a portion of the gap.

Abstract: An in-line valve assembly for a tubular drag conveyer system includes a first tube segment having a first end and defining a first passageway, a second tube segment having a second end and defining a second passageway, and a tubular valve body translatably disposed relative to the second tube segment and defining a valve passageway. The first end of the first tube segment is spaced apart from the second end of the second tube segment by a gap. The valve body is selectively adjustable between a closed position wherein the valve passageway spans the gap and connects the first passageway to the second passageway and an open position wherein the valve passageway is spaced apart from the first passageway by at least a portion of the gap.

Abstract: A magnetic particle separating valve that includes a valve body adapted for allowing particulate matter to flow vertically through the valve from an upstream to a downstream side. A discharge flow control apparatus is positioned in the valve body and includes a plurality of blades positioned in the valve body and movable between a fully open to a fully closed position to control the rate of discharge of material from the valve. Each of the plurality of blades includes a magnet positioned on the respective blade in a flow proximity position to attract and remove magnetically attractable particles from the particulate matter flowing past the blades.

Abstract: An apparatus for densifying particulate contents of a bulk bag, that includes a support element and a pressure-applying element for supporting between them a bulk bag containing particulate contents with a pressure to the bag supplied by the pressure-applying element, and a vibrator carried by one or the other of the support element and the pressure-applying element for transmitting vibratory energy through the contents of the bag back and forth between the support element and the pressure applying element for densifying the contents of the bag and leveling a top surface of contents of the bag at a top end of the bag. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tensioning assembly for a cable drag conveyor. The conveyor includes a head pulley mounted on a head pulley shaft positioned in a head pulley housing and a tail pulley mounted on a tail pulley shaft positioned in a tail pulley housing, infeed and discharge conveyor tubes interconnecting the head pulley housing and the tail pulley housing, and an endless rope having conveying disks attached to the rope positioned in the infeed and discharge conveyor tubes and around the head pulley and tail pulley. The tail pulley housing is positioned in a stationary position in relation to the head pulley and the head pulley housing. The tail pulley shaft and tail pulley is positioned on the tail pulley housing for movement in relation to the tail pulley housing, the head pulley and the head pulley housing. A tensioner moves the tail pulley to maintain the tail pulley at a distance in relation to the head pulley that results in correct tension on the rope during its travel through the cable drag conveyor.

Abstract: A tensioning assembly for a cable drag conveyor. The conveyor includes a head pulley mounted on a head pulley shaft positioned in a head pulley housing and a tail pulley mounted on a tail pulley shaft positioned in a tail pulley housing, infeed and discharge conveyor tubes interconnecting the head pulley housing and the tail pulley housing, and an endless rope having conveying disks attached to the rope positioned in the infeed and discharge conveyor tubes and around the head pulley and tail pulley. The tail pulley housing is positioned in a stationary position in relation to the head pulley and the head pulley housing. The tail pulley shaft and tail pulley is positioned on the tail pulley housing for movement in relation to the tail pulley housing, the head pulley and the head pulley housing. A tensioner moves the tail pulley to maintain the tail pulley at a distance in relation to the head pulley that results in correct tension on the rope during its travel through the cable drag conveyor.

Abstract: A chain link for a tubular conveyor, including an elongate endless loop having first and second opposed, spaced-apart link segments that each include a respective opposing, inwardly extending anchoring recess on an outer surface adapted to receive and retain a conveyor chain flight on the chain link.

Abstract: A bag spout retainer apparatus for a bulk bag discharger is the disclosure of the type wherein a frame suspends a bulk bag with a side-secured discharge spout, and the spout is held in a closed position against the bag. A bag-engaging member is mounted on the frame in a position laterally-displaced from a lower end of the bag above the discharge spout. A reciprocating driver is attached to the bag-engaging member and is adapted for moving the bag-engaging member between a retracted position out of engagement with the lower end of the bag and an extended bag engaging position for engaging and holding the bag spout in a closed position against the side of the bag during release of the spout against the side of the bag.

Abstract: A tensioning assembly for use in an aero-mechanical conveyor for moving bulk materials. The conveyor includes upper and lower housings having head and tail pulley assemblies mounted therein. The tensioning assembly includes first and second extendable tubes that define sections of inflow and outflow conveyor tubes that interconnect the upper and lower housings. An endless rope assembly is disposed within the conveyor tubes and around the head and tail pulleys. An adjustable actuator is positioned in cooperative engagement with the first and second extendable tubes. When the actuator is in a first position, the extendable tubes have a first length and when the actuator is in a second position, the extendable tubes have a second length. The actuator is configured to move between the first position and the second position in response to changes in tension within the endless rope assembly as indicated by a signal from a tension measuring device.

Abstract: A tensioning assembly for use in an aero-mechanical conveyor for moving bulk materials. The conveyor includes upper and lower housings having head and tail pulley assemblies mounted therein. The tensioning assembly includes first and second extendable tubes that define sections of inflow and outflow conveyor tubes that interconnect the upper and lower housings. An endless rope assembly is disposed within the conveyor tubes and around the head and tail pulleys. An adjustable actuator is positioned in cooperative engagement with the first and second extendable tubes. When the actuator is in a first position, the extendable tubes have a first length and when the actuator is in a second position, the extendable tubes have a second length. The actuator is configured to move between the first position and the second position in response to changes in tension within the endless rope assembly as indicated by a signal from a tension measuring device.

Abstract: An improved tension control apparatus for use in an aero-mechanical conveyor for moving bulk materials includes spaced-apart inflow and outflow conveyor tubes interconnecting the upper and lower housings of the conveyor. A bracket cooperates with the conveyor tubes. A guide sleeve is carried by the bracket for receiving a push rod. The push rod extends along the length of the conveyor tubes from the guide sleeve to the upper housing and includes an upper end engaging the head pulley assembly and a lower end extending through the guide sleeve. A tensioning assembly engages the push rod and is carried by the bracket for urging the push rod against the head pulley assembly, thereby urging the head pulley assembly away from the tail pulley assembly and maintaining tension in the rope assembly. Two dust cap seals interconnect the conveyor tubes with the upper housing to reduce particulate emissions.

Abstract: An improved tension control apparatus for use in an aero-mechanical conveyor for moving bulk materials, the conveyor including upper and lower housings, head and tail pulley assemblies mounted on respective shafts positioned within the upper and lower housings, respectively, spaced-apart inflow and outflow conveyor tubes interconnecting the upper and lower housings, and an endless rope assembly disposed within the conveyor tubes and around the head and tail pulleys. The improvement includes a bracket cooperating with the inflow and outflow conveyor tubes. A guide sleeve is carried by the bracket for receiving a push rod. The push rod extends along the length of the conveyor tubes from the guide sleeve to the upper housing and includes an upper end engaging the head pulley assembly and a lower end extending through the guide sleeve.