Abstract: A pipe switch of the type having a stationary cylindrical housing enclosing a rotary cylindrical plug. The housing has a feeding connection for receiving pulverized or granular material and juxtaposed two discharging connections. The plug is formed with two diametral channels extending side-by-side so that in respective switching positions of the plug one of the channels connects the feeding connection to one of the discharging connections. The outlets and the inlets of the channels are surrounded by continuous sealing straps in such a manner that the distance in circumferential direction from the sealing strap and the adjoining side of the inlet or outlet openings is larger than the breadth of the inlet or outlet openings so that the sealing straps do not cross the edges of the mouth of the feeding and discharging connection pieces in the housing.

Abstract: In the air track system disclosed herein, reticles used in a microlithographic imaging system are transported on an air track and are guided from one side by means of vertically directed air jets which maintain an essentially controlled gap between the edge of the reticle and a side rail extending along the track.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a reception tube chamber closed at one end and a transit tube chamber open at both ends can be displaced in common, whereby, in the reception position of the pneumatic mail station, the reception tube chamber closed at one end is located with its open end area in front of a tube section associated with a forwarding tube path entering the pneumatic mail station from below. The disclosure is especially favorable in pneumatic mail systems with relatively large or, respectively, heavy pneumatic dispatch cases which are to be received in the pneumatic mail station pneumatically decelerated.

Abstract: A slurry feed pump which delivers a highly pressurized suspension of coal particles, coal oil and a catalyst to a liquefaction reactor is installed in a plenum chamber which is filled with pressurized coal oil and surrounds the pump housing. The suspension-supplying conduit sealingly extends into the chamber and is connected with the inlet of the pump housing, and a second conduit which delivers pressurized suspension to the reactor sealingly extends into the plenum chamber and is connected with the outlet of the pump housing. The pump is a vertical cantilevered centrifugal pump which is operated below first critical speed and its housing has holes for admission of coal oil from the plenum chamber to those parts in the pump housing which are most likely to undergo extensive wear under the action of coal particles in the suspension.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a folding mechanism for the discharge spout system (12) of a pneumatic conveyor (10). The folding mechanism includes a hinge mechanism (55) having an axis (66) which is skewed with respect to a plane perpendicular to the alignment axis (26) of lower and upper tubes (20, 22). Such a hinge mechanism (55) allows the upper portion of upper tube (22) to pass the lower portion of lower tube (20) while upper tube (22) is pivoting from an operational configuration to a transit configuration. An hydraulic cylinder (68) powers the pivotal movement of upper tube (22). An over-center locking mechanism (84) latches lower and upper tubes (20, 22) in the operational configuration.

Abstract: A mobile vehicular mounted pneumatic conveying apparatus is disclosed which comprises a self-propelled vehicle having an elongated boom capable of being elevated and rotated relative to the vehicle, with the boom having a nozzle structure mounted on the other end thereof for engaging dry particulate material to be conveyed. The apparatus also has a material transfer assembly which includes at least one closed vessel for receiving material from said nozzle under vacuum pressure and for subsequently expelling material into a conveying line under positive pressure. The transfer assembly can be easily removed from the vehicle and a rearward carriage that is attached to the transfer assembly can similarly be removed. The apparatus is particularly adapted for conveying large quantities of dry, particulate material such as Portland cement from a large horizontal storage building as opposed to a vertical silo or the like.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a particle generating system which is capable of breaking up agglomerations of particles and producing a cloud of uniform, submicron-sized particles at high pressure and high flow rates. This is achieved by utilizing a tubular structure 11 which has injection microslits 12 on its periphery to accept and disperse the desired particle feed 16. By supplying a carrying fluid 19 at a pressure, P.sub.in, of approximately twice the ambient pressure of the velocimeter's settling chamber 20, P.sub.sc, the microslits 12 will operate at choked flow conditions. The shearing action of this choked flow is sufficient to overcome interparticle bonding forces, thereby breaking up the agglomerates of the particle feed 16 into individual particles.

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: This invention relates to pneumatic suction devices for removing slowly movable material from enclosed storage spaces, of the kind in which a suction pipe secured to a pivotable arm and having a supply of air arranged to be fed to a suction aperture thereof, is provided with peripherally distributed driven tools for loosening the material. According to the invention, at least three axially parallel drivable spindles are distributed around the end of the suction pipe, the spindles carrying, at least at the lower end thereof, tools for loosening the material and conveying it to the suction aperture and the suction pipe. Adjacent ones of the spindles are preferably rotatable in opposite directions, but at least two adjacent spindles out of an odd number of the spindles are rotatable in the same direction. The tools may include strip-shaped radial vane surfaces with bent-over ends substantially parallel to the spindles and arranged at an angle to the direction of rotation.

Abstract: A flow splitter for dividing a single stream of pulverulent material entrained in air into a multiplicity of substantially equal substreams for delivery to a multiplicity of receiving stations.

Abstract: A substantially continuous flow is attained in the unloading of a bulk particulate from a storage hopper by monitoring the pressure differential between the hopper and a point in the discharge line downstream of the hopper outlet. The pressure differential is sensed by a pressure switch in the discharge line which activates a vibrator on the hopper near the outlet when the differential is at a first predetermined value and deactivates the vibrator when the differential is at a second predetermined value, thereby maintaining the flow and reducing mechanical damage to the hopper.

Abstract: A conveyor device useful also as a bulkhead in a storage compartment for trucks, railroad cars and cargo holds in airplanes, boats and the like. The conveyor device comprises a frame having adjustable bar means carried by the frame, to be pressed against the walls of the storage compartment to secure the frame as a bulkhead across the width of the storage compartment. Article conveyor track means are removably carried by the frame. Typically, in the bulkhead mode the track means serve as part of the bulkhead wall, while during loading or unloading the track means may be used to convey articles.

Abstract: A pneumatic hopper discharge outlet is fastened to the bottom of railway hopper cars for controlling the discharge of lading. The outlet includes a pair of side walls, a pair of sloping side walls, and a valve shaft which is rotatably mounted in the end walls and extends longitudinally between the side walls. An eccentric valveshaft mounting is disposed on each end wall for rotation about a valve shaft mounting axis and includes a valve shaft receiving bore disposed eccentric to the valve shaft mounting axis. By rotating the eccentric valve shaft mounting, the lateral position of the valve shaft relative to the side walls is adjusted. Lading which has passed the valve shaft is received in a trough and is conveyed through a transition tube to conventional pneumatic off-loading equipment. In transit, the transition tube is closed by a closure cap assembly.

Abstract: Transportation apparatus comprising a vehicle, a track supported on the vehicle, a travelling device movable on the track, a plurality of pivotally movable piston-cylinder units driven by a pressure medium interspaced along the track in the longitudinal direction, one end of each of the piston-cylinder units is supported on the vehicle and the other end of each of the units is engageable with an engagement part connected to the travelling device. Cam rails extend along the track and cooperate with portions at the other end of the piston-cylinder units to cause alternating coupling operations of the other end of the piston-cylinder units with the travelling device.

Abstract: A radial ply pneumatic tire is provided with a tread reinforcement including a first layer of at least one ply of tire cord fabric wherein the cords have a high modulus of elasticity. A second layer which overlies said first layer is at least one composite ply of tire cord fabric including a central strip of steel cords oriented at an angle of from 60.degree. to 90.degree. with the equatorial plane of the pneumatic tire, and two lateral strips abutting the central strip having cords formed from material possessing a low modulus of elasticity.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method and apparatus for continuously transferring particulates from a liquid conveying medium to a gaseous conveying medium in which a liquid medium containing solid particulates is injected into a rotating centrifuge basket where the particulates are removed with the aid of centrifugal and pneumatic force. The deliquified particulates are continuously emitted from the centrifuge into a pick-up chamber where they are instantly received by a flowing gaseous conveying medium which transports them to a desired location. The method and apparatus of this invention are particularly useful in the mining industry.

Abstract: In a pneumatic conveyor system comprising a plurality of parallel transport pipes and a blower for passing air through the pipes at a high velocity to transport particulate solids, each of the transport pipes is provided with a flow regulator. The flow regulator in a first embodiment is a manual flow regulator which is preset to a predetermined airflow and allows fine adjustment in response to a variation of particulate-air ratio to keep the airflow constant. The flow regulator in a second embodiment cooperates with a process control computer so as to provide the air stream through each pipe with an optimum air flow velocity. Air flows at a rate sufficient to transport particulate solids at varying particulate-air ratios, reducing the capacity of a blower as well as saving power comsumption.

Abstract: A method for adding and removing fine particles from a pressurized reactor is provided, which comprises connecting the reactor to a container, sealing the container from the reactor, filling the container with particles and a liquid material compatible with the reactants, pressurizing the container to substantially the reactor pressure, removing the seal between the reactor and the container, permitting particles to fall into or out of the reactor, and resealing the container from the reactor. An apparatus for adding and removing particles is also disclosed.

Abstract: A powered vehicle for tending low-growing vegetation comprising a frame having intersecting cross-braces; a platform mounted to the frame having an engine mounted thereon; front and rear center swing tubes having a torsion bar spring suspension and a double articulated steering system; and four legs, each adjustably mounted within one of the swing tubes, having a motor connected by hydraulic lines to the engine, and supporting a wheel and tire.

Abstract: In a telescopic crane comprising a telescopic shaft and a variable length boom pivotally mounted on the end of the shaft, the position of the boom relative to the shaft is controlled by a jack pivotally connected at one end to the shaft and at the other end to one end of a mast, the other end of the mast being connected to the boom, and ties connect the one end of the mast to the boom outwardly of the connection of the boom to the other end of the mask.