Abstract: A conveying system for conveying a conveyable material from a hopper where the system includes a fluid port located below the hopper outlet and in a vertical flow path into hopper outlet that can be momentarily opened for an on the go release of a charge of compressed air directly upward into the hopper outlet and into the underside of the bridge in the hopper to either disintegrate or unlock the bridged particles from each other thereby causing the bridged material to fall into the hopper outlet and into the conveying system where the material can be transported to a remote location or to remove any material that may be adhering to the wall during an emptying phase.

Abstract: An assembly to distribute flowable particulate material, the assembly including: a conduit to which the material is delivered and to which an airstream is supplied to move the material along the conduit to a delivery downstream destination; material delivery means connected to the conduit for delivery of material to the downstream destination; control means operatively associated with the material delivery means to selectively deliver a pre-determined rate of the material to a separator to engage the airstream to concentrate the material in a portion of the airstream, the separator being positioned within the conduit upstream of the material delivery means; air distribution means in constant fluid communication with the separator and the material delivery means to control airflow to the material delivery means.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plenum configured to evenly separate and distribute airflow generated by a fan into distribution lines of an agricultural machine. The plenum can utilize angled vanes symmetrically or asymmetrically arranged to form plenum chambers to provide a balanced airflow which contributes to maximizing fan efficiency, including power consumption and performance (airflow and static pressure). Accordingly, the plenum can be configured to separate the airflow and minimize imbalance between the lines during sectional control. The plenum height can be maintained for increased manufacturability and to prevent additional expansion. The plenum length can be configured within allowable space constraints of the machine yet allow airflow to develop upon separation into the lines. Vanes throughout the span of the plenum initially divide the airflow from the fan and maintain separation until the outlets.

Abstract: A powder conveying device for coating powder includes a powder conveyor having a powder outlet duct and a powder outlet valve for opening or for closing the powder outlet duct. Additionally, a setpoint value generator for specify a setpoint opening period of the powder outlet valve, and a sensor for determining the actual opening period of the powder outlet valve are provided. The powder conveying device furthermore includes an evaluation unit for determining the deviation between the setpoint opening period and the actual opening period.

Abstract: Agricultural implements are used to transport material, such as inputs in the form of fertilizer, seed, treatment, or some combination thereof, to row units that apply the material to an area of a field. Metering systems can aid in metering and providing a desired amount of material, such as on-demand, to the row units. The metering systems move the metered material to the row units, such as with pneumatics or other fluids. The metering system can be improved by having primary and secondary nozzles of different sizes, which aid in increasing the speed of the fluid moving the material towards the row units. For example, a smaller diameter for the secondary nozzle will provide improved suction and air speed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an air blaster 100 for removing jammed materials. The air blaster 100 includes a tank 110 filled with compressed air and a dual piston assembly 400 inside the tank 110 for triggering a blast with minimum energy loss and high impact force. The piston assembly 400 includes an inlet piston 320 connected to an outlet piston 250 with a coupling mechanism such that the inlet piston 320 and the outlet piston 250 move in tandem and pressure acting on the inlet piston 320 and outlet piston 250 pushes the assembly 400 towards top of the tank 110 thereby compressing a dampening device/spring 360. The force produced by the instant discharge of air creates a strong blast of air in the tank 110.

Abstract: A combination weighing apparatus includes a retaining hopper that retains an article and supplies the retained article onto a transport path. The retaining hopper has a coupling portion adapted to be inserted in along the support rails and pulled off from support rails disposed in a pair. The retaining hopper is thus supportable by the support rails and is readily mounted to and dismounted from the apparatus without using any tool for cleaning and other purposes.

Abstract: The invention is directed broadly to an entrainment unit for distributing seed, comprising: a seed chamber for seed in bulk; a mixing chamber for mixing seed and air, the mixing chamber having an outlet for discharging entrained seeds; and an air supply unit for: (a) supplying a first air flow to the seed chamber and entraining and transporting seed to the mixing chamber, and (b) supplying a second air flow to the mixing chamber for forming a combined air flow that entrains the seed and transports the seed through the discharge outlet.

Abstract: A trolley system for transferring cargo in relation to a cargo compartment of a vehicle includes a frame defining a cargo-retaining platform. The cargo-retaining platform is configured to receive and retain the cargo. At least a portion of a lower surface of the frame is formed of a low friction material. One or more handles are moveably coupled to the frame. The handle(s) are configured to be moved between a retracted position and an extended position. One or more attachments are configured to secure the cargo on the cargo-retaining platform.

Abstract: A conveyor employs an infeed assembly and outfeed assembly, each comprising a nosebar assembly that may be mounted to a conveyor frame to transition a conveyor belt between a returnway and a carryway, a belt guiding roller, such as a sprocket or brake, a position limiter for ensuring proper engagement between the belt guiding roller and the conveyor belt and a connecting plate that ensures proper placement of the position limiter relative to the guide roller. The infeed assembly and outfeed assembly components may be easily moved into engagement and out of engagement to facilitate replacement, cleaning or maintenance.

Abstract: A mass-flow hopper that stores solid particulates and provides gas assistance to readily discharge the particulate matter. The mass flow hopper has an upper conical section connected via an intermediate section to a lower conical section having a lower discharge orifice. The lower conical section has a frustoconical configured gas impermeable wall lined with a gas permeable fluidizing plate spaced therefrom to define a lower space. The upper conical section slope is steeper than the lower frusto-conically configured gas permeable wall slope. Gas injected into the lower space passes from the lower space through the gas permeable fluidizing plate into the hopper to form a fluidized layer of gas between the solid particulates in the hopper and the gas permeable fluidizing plate. The fluidized layer of gas reduces wall friction within the lower conical section to facilitate discharging the particulates from the hopper.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes an agricultural system having first and second product meters configured to meter product to first and second lines, respectively. First and second motors are coupled to the first and second product meters and configured to drive them at first and second metering rates, respectively. An air source is configured to provide first and second airflows to the first and second lines, respectively. A controller electrically coupled to the first and second motors is configured to receive first and second inputs indicative of first and second numbers of first and second outlets fluidly coupled to the first and second lines, respectively. The controller is configured to instruct the first and second motors to drive the first and second product meters at the first and second metering rates, respectively, based on the first and second inputs, and to instruct the air source to provide the first and second airflows with first and second dynamic pressures or first and second velocities.

Abstract: There is provided a vacuum volume reduction system having a volume reduction assembly of a fluid fill assembly coupled to a station wall of a vacuum tube vehicle station, to reduce a volume, under vacuum, in the vacuum tube vehicle station, when a vacuum transport tube vehicle is positioned in the volume at the vacuum tube vehicle station. The fluid fill assembly includes one or more containers, each containing a fluid, and fluid transport member(s), to transport the fluid from the container(s) to one or more enclosed volume portions formed between an exterior of the vacuum transport tube vehicle and an interior of the station wall. The fluid fill assembly further includes one or more fluid pump assemblies attached to the fluid transport member(s), and a control and power system. The vacuum volume reduction system further includes recessed area(s), a vent-to-vacuum assembly coupled to the recessed area(s), and seal elements.

Abstract: A continuous concentrate feeding equipment of the present invention, which can supply the concentrate to a smelting furnace continuously when the concentrate is received, includes a pressure-adjusting tank that temporarily accumulates granular concentrate; a lift tank that receives the concentrate from the pressure-adjusting tank and discharges the concentrate to a smelting furnace; an air passage for introducing compressed air into the pressure-adjusting tank and the lift tank, respectively; and control means for controlling the compressed air, and the concentrate is continuously supplied from the lift tank to the smelting furnace even when the lift tank receives the concentrate from the pressure-adjusting tank by the control means.

Abstract: A flotation conveyance apparatus according to an embodiment includes a flotation unit for floating a substrate by ejecting a gas to a lower surface of the substrate. The flotation unit includes a plurality of ejecting ports provided on a surface facing the substrate and configured to eject the gas, and slits penetrating the flotation unit in a vertical direction. The flotation conveyance apparatus is configured in such a way that the gas staying between a surface of the flotation unit facing the substrate and the substrate is discharged to a lower surface side of the flotation unit through the slits.

Abstract: A fluid manifold segment operable for detachably coupling with another instance of the fluid manifold segment to form a fluid manifold assembly. The fluid manifold segment may include a plurality of pressure exchangers each having a clean fluid inlet a clean fluid outlet, a dirty fluid inlet, and a dirty fluid outlet. The fluid manifold segment may further include a first fluid conduit having opposing end ports and intermediate ports, a second fluid conduit having opposing end ports and intermediate ports each fluidly connected with the clean fluid outlet of a corresponding pressure exchanger, a third fluid conduit having opposing end ports and intermediate ports each fluidly connected with the dirty fluid inlet of a corresponding pressure exchanger, and a fourth fluid conduit having opposing end ports and intermediate ports each fluidly connected with the dirty fluid outlet of a corresponding pressure exchanger.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for transferring fuel pellets from one container which may be at a location external to a building to a second container which may be at a location in an interior of the building. The system may include a first container positioned at a location remote from the building and a second container positioned proximate to the building. The first and second containers are connected to one another to permit the transfer of fuel pellets from the first container to the second container by a pneumatic apparatus.

Abstract: A holder transport apparatus according to an embodiment includes, an elevator device comprising a conveyance member which includes an ascending path and a descending path arranged along an ascending and descending circulation path that circulates, and a plurality of support plates which are attached to the conveyance member and support a holder which holds a sample container in an erect state.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes a commodity delivery system that distributes commodity from a commodity source between a plurality of delivery runs, a commodity container pressure delivery system that may deliver selected pressure to the commodity container, and an electric control system coordinating operation of the commodity container pressure delivery system with a commodity manifold valve member delivering the commodity into a selected delivery run helping to match or otherwise balance pressure within the container storing the commodity with the selected commodity delivery path for control of siphoning and/or floating of the commodity as it is dispersed from the commodity container and into selected ones of the plurality of delivery runs of the work vehicle.

Abstract: A noncontact support platform includes a plurality of pressure nozzles on an outer surface of a PV stage of the noncontact support platform. The pressure nozzles connected to a pressure source for creating an outflow of fluid through the pressure nozzles. A plurality of vacuum nozzles are interspersed with the pressure nozzles on the outer surface and are connected to a vacuum manifold via one or a plurality of hoses to create an inflow of the fluid through the vacuum nozzles. At least one flowmeter is configured to generate a signal that is indicative of a measured inflow via at least one hose of the hoses. A controller is configured to analyze the signal to determine whether the measured inflow is indicative of blockage of a vacuum nozzle and to generate a response when blockage is indicated.