Abstract: An automated bulk tank pressure exhaust valve automatically exhaust air pressure from a bulk tank of a bulk tank trailer in response to a sensor operatively communicating with the exhaust valve sensing an absence of air pressure or air flow in a tank pipe communicating with the bulk tank. The sensor is also operatively communicated with in alarm that is activated in response to the sensor sensing air pressure or air flow in the tank pipe or a truck coupled to the bulk tank trailer.

Abstract: A dust filtering and collection system for filtering dust and other debris particles from an incoming dust laden air stream, such air stream generally being used for conveying granular material into or from a bulk tank trailer, a railroad car, or other conveying vehicle, the filtering system designed to be functioned by vacuum air pressure, operatively generated by a blower, to draw in the soiled air into the filter system, to cleanse such air for further use in the conveying of the granular material. The air flow may be reversed, to provide for a dislodging of any dust particles from the filtering system, and to cleanse the filter for further efficient usage of the system in conveying granular material into or out of the tank trailer, or other vehicle during usage. The filter system includes a pod of filter tubes encapsulated by a polymer header that mounts to a transverse plate that secures to the approximate upper end of the filter canister of the filtration system.

Abstract: A dust filtering and collection system for filtering dust and other debris particles from an incoming dust laden air stream, such air stream generally being used for conveying granular material into or from a bulk tank trailer, a railroad car, or other conveying vehicle, the filtering system designed to be functioned by vacuum air pressure, operatively generated by a blower, to draw in the soiled air into the system, to cleanse such air for further use in the conveying of the granular material. The air flow may be reversed, to provide for a dislodging of any dust particles from the filtering system, and to cleanse the filter for further efficient usage of the system in conveying granular material into or out of the tank trailer, or other vehicle during usage.

Abstract: A cam assembly of a cam and a cam post replace each threaded fastener used in attaching a tube plate to a support ring of a bulk tank filter canister. A plurality of cam assemblies replace the threaded fasteners of the filter canister and enable the tube plate to be easily and quickly separated from the support ring when servicing the filter tubes suspended by the tube plate in the filter canister.

Abstract: A filtration system for a dry bulk tank trailer includes a filter canister containing a filter media in the interior volume of the filter canister. The filter media divides the interior volume of the filter canister into a dusty air side and a clean air side of the interior volume on opposite sides of the filter media. A dusty air line operatively communicates the dusty air side of the interior volume with the dry bulk tank. A fitting operatively communicates with the clean air side of the interior volume. The fitting is operable to selectively communicate a vacuum pressure and a positive pressure to the clean air side of the interior volume.

Abstract: A pressure and heat molded polymer tube, formed of miniscule polyethylene beads, each in the vicinity of 115 um powder in diameter, which when compression molded forms pores that are of uniform diameter throughout their length within the range of 5 um-10 um, the tube having an upper flange, that mates within a correspondently shaped grommet, which when applied to the transverse plate of an air filtration housing, functions to cleanse highly efficiently the dust particles and debris from the air being filtered, when passing through the filtration system, so that such purified air can be discharged safely.

Abstract: A dust filtering and collection system for filtering dust and other debris particles from an incoming dust laden air stream, such air stream generally being used for conveying granular material into or from a bulk tank trailer, a railroad car, or other conveying vehicle, the filtering system designed to be functioned by vacuum air pressure, operatively generated by a blower, to draw in the soiled air into the filter system, to cleanse such air for further use in the conveying of the granular material. The air flow may be reversed, to provide for a dislodging of any dust particles from the filtering system, and to cleanse the filter for further efficient usage of the system in conveying granular material into or out of the tank trailer, or other vehicle during usage. The filter system includes a pod of filter tubes encapsulated by a polymer header that mounts to a transverse plate that secures to the approximate upper end of the filter canister of the filtration system.

Abstract: A dust filtering and collection system for filtering dust and other particles from an air stream generally being used for conveying granular material into or from a bulk tank, with the filtering system designed to incorporate structure, such as a specially designed grommet, for holding a porous filter tube for filtering out such dust particles, with a grommet having structure to provide for its interlocking and engagement with and through an aperture in a transverse plate within the system. The grommet has an upper flange, that engages the upper surface of the transverse plate, and has an inner flange for engagement with the upper edge of the filter tube, while the bottom of the grommet has resilient fingers and associated detents for engaging the bottom of the transverse plate, to furnish an interlocking of the grommet, with its supported filter tube, onto and through the transverse plate.

Abstract: A dust filtering and collection system for filtering dust and other particles from an incoming air stream generally used for conveying granular material, the filtering system receives the air from within the tank trailer, pre-separates the heavy dust particles and other debris at the bottom of a filter housing, without its impingement upon the filter tube(s) contained upwardly therein, and then passes the partially filtered air upwardly through filter tube(s) for purifying the air before discharge to atmosphere. The filter housing for the system includes a cylindrical housing upwardly, an integral cone shaped housing at its bottom, into which the dust particles settle, it has a transverse plate at its upper segment, which supports the filter tube(s), an air inlet being centrifugally and integrally formed at the bottom of the cylindrical member of the filtration system.

Abstract: A composite handle assembly has a primary handle bar having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the primary handle bar having a first offset bend and a second offset bend and a step portion between the offset bends, the distal end having a cored head portion and a retaining tab, a handle plate having a retaining slot for receiving the retaining tab, a lock lever member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the lock lever member having a first offset bend, a second offset bend, and a step portion between the offset bends, and a pivotal connection for connecting the lock lever member within the primary handle

Abstract: An unload elbow with spherical wear pocket is disclosed which comprises a body having an inlet end, an outlet end, and a spherical wear pocket formed near the outlet end. The spherical wear pocket is capable of trapping material that is being unloaded through the unload elbow to trap a portion of material being unloaded so that any other material being unloaded will contact the trapped material and not impact the wear pocket to prematurely wear out the unload elbow.

Abstract: An alternative bottom drop and straight tee discharge from bulk tank conveying granular material, the tee having extensions for the automatic and manual operations of a disc valve, pivotally located within the horizontal section of the tee, during functioning. The disc valve may be manually operated, or pivoted through motorized operations, to allow for the alternative flow of bulk material from the vehicle hopper. The disc valve has an annular disc, integrally formed with upright supports, that are bearing mounted by shafts to the sidewalls of the structured tee.

Abstract: An automatic unloading system for a tank trailer, or other bulk material transfer vehicles has a valve capable of being opened or closed, a solenoid connected to the valve to open or close the valve, a junction box having a connection to the solenoid, and a control box having a connection to the junction box, the control box having a control device that may be operated for controlling operation of the solenoid to open or close the valve with operation of the control device for opening the valve to initiate discharge of granular material stored within the tank trailer. Various electrical lines are provided between these operative components, and further control boxes may be provided along the sides of the vehicle, to furnish and allow further control by the operator, when viewing the unloading process.

Abstract: A hopper tee having a horizontal portion through which granular material is unloaded from a tank trailer or hopper car, the hopper tee integrally forms a vertical segment, that secures with the bottom of the hopper, to provide for unloading of granular material for usage or storage. The upper front portion of the tee, as it transitions from its vertical segment to the horizontal flow path has secured or cast therewith a ledge, that provides for accumulation of the unloading granular material therein, to function as a wear pad to resist against abrasion and accelerated wear out of the tee, at that location, during prolonged usage.

Abstract: A directional hopper tee has a fluted interior vertical pipe that merges into a horizontal pipe. The horizontal pipe has an inlet that may receive bulk material, and subject to pressurized air that conveys the bulk material through the hopper tee. Bulk material may be discharged from a hopper through the vertical pipe, for conveyance for discharge from the horizontal pipe of the tee. A closure gate or door is provided through the bottom of the tee, generally in alignment with the vertical pipe, to allow for discharge or dropping of the granular material directly downwardly through and from the tee. The arcuate door is hinged on one side, and is locked by a cam lock on the opposite side, when located into closure against the bottom of the tee, but can be forced opened, through its cam mechanism, to provide for opening of the arcuate door and allow a direct downward discharge of the granular bulk material, from any hopper, and through the drop opening of the tee, as required.

Abstract: A butterfly valve is disclosed which comprises a housing having an upper side having an upper valve seat member and a lower side having a lower valve seat member, an extension section having an extension shaft member that extends out of an opening formed in a flange, the extension shaft member having a shaft end that fits within a first shaft bearing formed in a movable disc member, the movable disc member having a second shaft bearing formed therein, and a shaft portion for fitting within the second shaft bearing.

Abstract: A grooved lock coupler for holding a tee to a flow line for forced air conveyance and unloading of dry bulk granular material from a storage container vehicle is disclosed which comprises a tee having a first end, a second end, an inlet end, and a circumferential groove provided on the first end and a coupler for interconnecting to a flow line from the tee, the coupler having a cam lock fastener pivotally mounted on the coupler, the cam lock fastener cooperating with an opening in the coupler proximate the fastener to allow for the cam lock to extend through the opening in the coupler and to engage within the groove to lock the flow line and coupler to the tee in preparation for an unloading process.

Abstract: A multi-angle butterfly valve extension assembly is disclosed which comprises a universal joint for attachment to a stem of a butterfly valve, a shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the universal joint, and an extension housing for supporting the shaft with the second end of the shaft extending out of the extension housing.

Abstract: An aeration butterfly valve including a butterfly disc valve, located within one or more configured valve housings, furnishes a disc valve that rotates about its own axis separate from the axis of rotation of the pivot stems that hold the disc valve in position for manipulation between opening and closure, with respect to the housing in which the disc valve mounts for operation. A ring seal provided within the housing is formed when the housing parts are engaged together, in the assembly of the housing, forcing a portion of the ring seal interiorly, within the housing passage and flow path, and in alignment with the circumferential periphery of the disc valve, to provide for complete sealing closure when the disc valve is pivoted into closure, thereby eliminating the need for the pivot stem and the disc connection to be sealed in their assembly within the aeration butterfly valve.