Abstract: A granular material supply system has a granular material supply unit and a granular material feed unit. The granular material supply unit delivers a granular material through an inlet formed in a pressure case included in the granular material feed unit onto a conveying device disposed in the pressure case. The conveying device conveys the granular material to an outlet formed in the pressure case to feed the granular material through the outlet into a granular material using apparatus. The granular material supply unit, and the pressure case of the granular material feed unit can be immovably installed. Therefore the granular material supply system can be formed in a closed system without placing any special joints, such as expansion joints, in a line connecting the granular material supply unit and the pressure case and in a line connecting the pressure case and the granular material using apparatus. Only the conveying device needs to be disposed in the pressure case.

Abstract: A fastening bolt fastens flanges between a bolt head and a nut attached on the threaded portion of the shaft via spherical washers. The fastening bolt has a cavity formed within the shaft. By application of pressure in the cavity with a hydraulic fluid supplied through a hydraulic pressure port in a plug, the shaft is extended and the fastening bolt becomes unfastened condition. In the unfastened condition, a gap is created between flange and nut, and the nut and the fastening bolt are free to rotate each other, therefore, the nut can be removed easily by hand from the fastening bolt, even the bolt is large in size. The fastening force is adjustable by the width of the gap before releasing hydraulic pressure in the cavity. By releasing hydraulic pressure in the cavity, the fastened condition is obtained. Conversion between fastened condition and unfastened condition can be made quickly and easily.

Abstract: An edge plate 11 of prescribed height is provided around three sides except a free end side of a swinging plate 5 that can close the lower end of an ore fines inlet pipe 2 which is tilted at a prescribed angle. By the edge plate 11 of prescribed height, when the swinging plate 5 is opened, the ore fines are allowed to flow out only from the free end side of the swinging plate 5 provided that the opening height is held within the height of the edge plate 11, and an accurate flow control of ore fines can thus be achieved.