Abstract: An improved material flow rail construction of the type employed to transmit containers or articles from one location to another gravity force. The improved material flow rail comprises a substantially U-shaped channel within which a multiplicity of mounting bolts are attached. Individual bearing assemblies are placed on the mounting bolts. By placing the individual bearing assemblies closely adjacent one another in a longitudinal direction with respect to the support channel, the flow rail has the ability to transmit parts having very small "footprint" areas since a large space between rollers is not presented for parts or components thereof to become caught. By providing a loose fit between the bearing inner races and the supporting mounting bolts, the inner race is permitted to rotate slightly with respect to the mounting bolts thereby presenting new wear surfaces as the flow rail is put into use.

Abstract: An end stop for restraining the motion of a pallet in a cargo loading system, such as might be employed in an aircraft. A pair of similar left and right-hand pieces are removably mounted in a track or mounting channel having alternate lip and cutout portions. Each of these members has a main body portion having an elongated tension lug extending normally along the bottom edge thereof and a plurality of shear lugs directly above the tension lugs and extending substantially parallel thereto, such lugs being spaced from each other along the longitudinal extent of the main body. Each body portion further includes an overhanging restraining arm extending along the top edge of the body in a direction substantially normal to that in which the shear and tension lugs extend, a stop plate extending downwardly from the inner edge of the restraining arm in a direction normal thereto and a sloped shoulder which extends outwardly from the bottom edge of the stop plate towards the bottom edge of the body portion.

Abstract: This invention features a manifold that divides a stream of coal particles and liquid into several smaller streams maintaining equal or nearly equal mass compositions. The manifold consists of a horizontal, variable area header having sharp-edged, right-angled take-offs which are oriented on the bottom of the header.

Abstract: A method of distributing powdered or granular material to a plurality of feeding ends in a system having a pressurizing tank for pressurizing and fluidizing a powdered or granular material, a plurality of transportation pipes having one ends constituting discharge nozzles opening above a fluidized bed in the tank and the other ends connected to different feeding ends so as to introduce the material to the feeding ends, and a plurality of booster gas supply pipes for supplying respective transportation pipes with a booster gas. The internal pressure of the tank is controlled by a controller provided with a set valve in accordance with the mean value of the terminal pressures at the feeding ends, the mean value of predetermined set flow rates of the booster gas in the booster gas supplying pipes, and the mean value of predetermined set rates of transportation of material to the feeding ends.

Abstract: A method of adjusting the mass stream and flow density of a finely divided, fine-grained solid fuel is described. The method uses a dosing container having a fluidized bed at its bottom part and into which the solid fuel is charged above the fluidized bed. A fluidizing gas is adjustably fed to the bottom part of the container and a compensation gas is fed to the upper part of the latter. Mass stream parameters and density are measured in the discharge or supply pipe communicating with the fluidizing bed and the required weight of flow of the fluidizing gas is computed by a computer. In this manner, the regulation of the mass stream is effected by adjusting the loose density of the charge of the dusty material in the container.

Abstract: A high-pressure transfer device, utilizable with wood chips or particulate material, includes low-pressure inlet and outlet ports, with low-pressure shoes associated therewith, and high-pressure inlet and outlet ports with high-pressure shoes associated therewith. A rotor containing a plurality of diametrically through-going pockets operatively communicates with the ports. The low-pressure ports, and shoes, are quadrate in cross-section, and retainers are provided surrounding the low-pressure shoes for guiding radial movement thereof. The retainers include end portions which engage side walls of the high-pressure shoes for guiding radial movement thereof. Biasing means bias the shoes into operative association with the rotor to maintain effective sealing between the rotor and housing, unaffected by radial deflection of the housing.

Abstract: Present conveyors such as portable grain augers are most commonly positioned, raised and lowered manually and are powered by a small air-cooled engine, electric motor or a tractor power take-off. The disclosed conveyor system utilizes a tractor for all modes of transport, positioning, raising and lowering, and powering the conveyor. The undercarriage configuration allows a tractor to be coupled beside and in parallel with the conveyor. The undercarriage moves as a unit with the tractor but is freestanding when uncoupled. The tractor power take-off is utilized to drive the conveyor through the use of any one of several drive systems and the tractor electrical and hydraulic systems may be used to power controls for raising and lowering the conveyor. In grain augers, in addition to the mechanical auger flighting used to move the grain, a pneumatic system may also be adapted to this unit.

Abstract: An adaptor is disclosed for conveying fluidizable material to a pressurizer tank provided with a removable lid which selectively seals the tank. The adaptor comprises a lid for replacing the removable lid, a venturi mounted on the adaptor, a pipe for introducing fluid into an open end of the venturi to create at least a partial vacuum inside the tank, and a delivery conduit in fluid communicating relationship with the interior of the tank through which fluidized material such as sand is delivered to the tank as a result of the vacuum created in the tank by the venturi. The delivery conduit is provided with an opening through one of its side walls through which fluidizable material enters the delivery conduit, while a flow of pressurized air is introduced into the delivery conduit through an open end to at least partially fluidize the fluidizable material as it enters the delivery conduit.

Abstract: A chute for gravity feeding a plurality of like electrical components (1) to a pick-up station of a robotic controlled automatic assembly system comprises guide rails (2,3) down which components slide with their pins (13) extending between the rails. The rails are shaped to provide a downwardly inclined straight track (5) leading into a horizontal track (6) comprising the pick-up station from which the components are taken by the robot. The transition from the inclined track (approximately 30 degrees to the horizontal) to the straight track, although smooth, is quite abrupt and ensures that the next component is successfully fed from the inclined to the horizontal section of the chute each time its predecessor is removed from the pick-up station. Since the length of the horizontal track is such that only one component can be accommodated at a time, accurate positioning of the component in the pick-up station for access by the robot is guaranteed.

Abstract: The vapor space above a bed of fluidizable particles in a chamber is variably controlled by extending a moveable conduit through the upper portion of the chamber to position the conduit inlet at a selectable height above the bed. Fluid flows uniformly up through the bed of particles to fluidize particles to a desired density in the fluid and at a desired rate of flow of such particles through the inlet to the conduit from the so adjusted volume of fluidization space in the chamber. The conduit is externally driven relative to the bed to maintain the particle fluidization volume and flow rate substantially constant. In apparatus form the pick-up conduit is carried by a piston member with sealing means, such as an O-ring, between the piston wall and the chamber sidewall. In an alternate embodiment the fluidizing gas is recirculated in a loop that includes the piston which is fluid permeable to bypass the conduit inlet.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring solid particles to a receptacle comprises a primary loading tube (2) containing at its lower end an annular gas supply chamber (3) coaxially aligned within it. The innermost surface of the annular chamber (3) forms a secondary loading tube (6) which has a Coanda surface (12) at its lower end. A slot (11) is provided between the innermost surface of the gas supply chamber (3) and the Coanda surface (12) to form a Coanda nozzle.The apparatus is particularly suitable for use in loading catalyst to a reactor and achieving a high packing density with a low voidage.In use, particles falling near the center of the primary loading tube are entrained and separated by gas emerging from the Coanda nozzle and have a high velocity imparted to them.

Abstract: Method and device for pneumatic feeding of materials to be conveyed along a feeding line (10) supplied continually with conveying gas from conveying gas lines (18) discharging into the feeding line and spaced consecutively apart from each other. Each gas line (18) has at a distance from its opening (28) a short cross-sectional constriction (20), in the area of which the velocity of the conveying gas is increased to the velocity of sound and decreased again before the opening (28). A plurality of gas lines (18) are fed from a common supply line (16, 17) which runs adjacent to the feeding line (10). The gas lines (18) open into the feeding line (10) at an acute angle of approx. 35.degree. and have two sections (21, 23) detachably connected with each other by a sealing screw connection (24), an apertured diaphragm, forming the cross-sectional constriction (20), and a filter (22) being held interchangeably by the screw connection.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously measuring the flow rate of a fine material flowing through a transport pipe, which comprises: an integrator for integrating calculated values of the flow rate of a fine material flowing through a transport pipe, obtained by a flow rate calculating means; a correction controller, said correction controller being adapted to calculate the total weight of the fine material fed during a prescribed period of time while the fine material in a hopper is only decreasing in amount from said hopper into said transport pipe, on the basis of a measured value of the weight of the fine material in said hopper, and to actuate said integrator during said prescribed period of time; a divider for calculating the correction coefficient "k", i.e.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for feeding a crushed or pulverized solid supply material such as coal or the like, from a supply source under ambient pressure into a reactor or the like which is under significantly higher pressure; such as in connection with a hydrogenation/oxidation process producing so-called "fuel" or "synthesis" gases. A liquefied gas such as carbon dioxide or the like, is fed under pressure into a moving supply of such materials (as may be contained in a closed casing screw conveyor/extruder or the like) in order to form a slurry which is suitable to be pumped into the receiver against its superior pressure. Process temperatures are so controlled that as the input liquefied gas component of the slurry migrates toward the lower pressure feed inlet end of the conveyor in response to the superior pressure at the discharge end of the conveyor, it solidifies into solid particles which intermingle with and substantially fill the interstices between the supply material particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for lifting and swivelling a cover of a furnace away from a cauldron of the furnace is disclosed. The apparatus includes a longitudinally moveable and rotatable column housed in a cylinder. A bar, having a longitudinal axis which is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the column, is spaced apart from, and connected to, the column. A plate with an aperture is connected to an upper end of the cylinder. The bar may move through the aperture in the plate when the longitudinal axis of the bar is aligned with a center of the plate. A double-acting hydraulic cylinder is mounted on the plate. The cylinder includes a piston rod which is connected to a pivot head. The pivot head encircles the bar.

Abstract: A simplified construction of a customer terminal for a single conveyor tube visual banking service pneumatic tube system to which a teller terminal also is connected. The customer terminal has a cylindrical carrier-receiving pocket extension connected to the system tube. The pocket is formed by two molded plastic members, one fixed in the terminal cabinet and one a door. The members are hinged together so that the door may be opened for carrier placement or removal through a fixed member opening which provides access to the pocket when the door is opened. The door is biased open and is closed manually which automatically locks the door closed and pressurizes the system to send a carrier from the terminal. A carrier delivered to the terminal during system vacuum operation automatically opens the door. The system airflow terminal connection provides an air brake effect to abruptly arrest carrier movement avoiding noise and shock.

Abstract: A dolly is illustrated of the type generally employed for lifting and transporting vehicle wheels, especially the large wheel assemblies employed on truck rigs which utilizes longitudinally disposed tiltable frames for supporting the wheels, and a modified form of the invention contemplates a special leveling mechanism for the dolly.

Abstract: In a crop harvesting and threshing machine there is provided apparatus that will permit the unloading auger and tube to be automatically moved from at least an inboard first position to an outboard second position by the momentary manual engagement of the control apparatus for substantially less time than that required for the unloading auger and tube to move from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus for multiple injection of slurry from a plurality of mine faces into a slurry line comprises a unique method and apparatus for connecting each slurry injection point to the main slurry line by using a vortex junction apparatus. The vortex junction apparatus provides a means for passing the slurry from one junction point to the next junction point and at the same time provides a means for merging slurry from each injection point into the main slurry line. The junction apparatus also provides a source of water for each injection point, thus eliminating the need for a separate source of water. One embodiment provides for a junction where the main and branch slurry lines are at nearly the same pressure while a second embodiment provides for a junction where the branch slurry line is at a substantially lower pressure than the main slurry line.

Abstract: Aggregate, fragmented material and the like is transported in a pipeline by introducing foam under pressure into the pipeline along with the aggregate, fragmented material and the like to be transported and the foam and aggregate, fragmented material and the like are maintained at a pressure to move the aggregate, fragmented material and the like and foam along the pipeline. The foam may be regenerated at spaced positions along the pipeline by introducing additional foam into the pipeline or introducing gas under pressure into the pipeline to agitate the foam. The gas phase of the foam, as well as the gas employed to regenerate the foam consists essentially of one of the group consisting of air, nitrogen, natural gas or carbon dioxide and the liquid phase of the foam consists essentially of one of the group consisting of water, brine or oil.