Abstract: An assembly for processing wood chips has a rotatable drum with a plurality of blades circumferentially spaced from one another fed by a feed chute assembly. The feed chute assembly comprises a moveable element mounted so as to be dynamically moveable between a first position and a second position. The feed chute assembly may include a downwardly angled feed chute and a redirecting wall disposed downstream thereof. The moveable element may be all or part of either or both of the main chute and the redirecting wall. Wood chips are directed toward the rotating drum at a rotational position that varies depending on the position of the moveable element. The wood chips fed to the drum are flung therefrom in a pattern that varies in a side view along the axis depending on the position of the element. There may be multiple moveable elements.

Abstract: An assembly for processing wood chips with a novel blade profile allows wood chips to be packed great density. The profile may be a stepped profile with a plurality sections forming a rotationally forward face. Neighboring sections are non-collinear and at least one of the sections is parallel to a rotational axis. The profile may include a generally centrally disposed first section of ?¼ of a relevant dimension; a third section of ?? of the relevant dimension; a second section disposed between the first section and a third section and non-collinear with the third section; with the sections disposed relative to the rotational axis in advantageous positions. The profile may be such that second and third sections of the blade have approximately equal longitudinal extents, but the tilt-angle-weighted surface area of the second section is substantially less than the third tilt-angle-weighted surface area of the third section.

Abstract: An assembly for processing wood chips has a rotatable drum with a plurality of blades circumferentially spaced from one another fed by a feed chute assembly. The feed chute assembly comprises a moveable element mounted so as to be dynamically moveable between a first position and a second position. The feed chute assembly may include a downwardly angled feed chute and a redirecting wall disposed downstream thereof. The moveable element may be all or part of either or both of the main chute and the redirecting wall. Wood chips are directed toward the rotating drum at a rotational position that varies depending on the position of the moveable element. The wood chips fed to the drum are flung therefrom in a pattern that varies in a side view along the axis depending on the position of the element. There may be multiple moveable elements.

Abstract: An assembly for processing wood chips with a novel blade profile allows wood chips to be packed great density. The profile may be a stepped profile with a plurality sections forming a rotationally forward face. Neighboring sections are non-collinear and at least one of the sections is parallel to a rotational axis. The profile may include a generally centrally disposed first section of ?¼ of a relevant dimension; a third section of ?? of the relevant dimension; a second section disposed between the first section and a third section and non-collinear with the third section; with the sections disposed relative to the rotational axis in advantageous positions. The profile may be such that second and third sections of the blade have approximately equal longitudinal extents, but the tilt-angle-weighted surface area of the second section is substantially less than the third tilt-angle-weighted surface area of the third section.

Abstract: A handling device packs wood chips with a density greater than that achieved using conventional free-fall techniques by ?20%-35%. The device includes a drum rotating about a generally horizontal axis that includes a plurality of outwardly extending blades that act to fling the wood chips so as to land with a substantially uniform orientation. The blades may comprise a leading face with at least a first face section that extends in a first direction and at least a second face section extending at a forward angle relative to the first section. The first direction may be generally normal to the drum core's peripheral surface. The output from the drum, when an input stream of wood chips is fed to the drum, covers an arc of at least 90°, typically in the range of 90°-120° and generally downwardly facing, when viewed from the side along the axis.

Abstract: A wood chip loading device loads wood chips into a container with a density greater than that achieved using conventional free-fall techniques by 20%-35% or more. The wood chip loading device may include a drum rotating about a generally horizontal axis. The drum includes a plurality of outwardly extending blades that act to fling the wood chips out in a truncated sector pattern. The wood chips form a wide-based stack in the container such that the wood chips have a substantially uniform orientation, thereby allowing for greater packing densities. The device may also include a feed chute assembly that allows for adjustment of the ratio of the input stream that is delivered to the middle and side portions of the spinning drum. In some of these embodiments, this adjustment may be made while the device is operating, thereby allowing for on-the-fly adjustments by the operator.

Abstract: A handling device packs wood chips with a density greater than that achieved using conventional free-fall techniques by ≧20%-35%. The device includes a drum rotating about a generally horizontal axis that includes a plurality of outwardly extending blades that act to fling the wood chips so as to land with a substantially uniform orientation. The blades may comprise a leading face with at least a first face section that extends in a first direction and at least a second face section extending at a forward angle relative to the first section. The first direction may be generally normal to the drum core's peripheral surface. The output from the drum, when an input stream of wood chips is fed to the drum, covers an arc of at least 90°, typically in the range of 90°-120° and generally downwardly facing, when viewed from the side along the axis.

Abstract: A handling device allows wood chips to be packed with a density greater than that achieved using conventional free-fall techniques by 20%-35% or more. The device includes a drum rotating about a generally horizontal axis that includes a plurality of outwardly extending blades that act to fling the wood chips so as to land with a substantially uniform orientation. The device may be attached to a movable boom and form a pile on the ground. The device may be used to pack a wood chip digestion chamber more densely. The device may also include a feed chute assembly that allows for adjustment of the ratio of the input stream that is delivered to the middle and side portions of the spinning drum. In some of these embodiments, this adjustment may be made while the device is operating, thereby allowing for on-the-fly adjustments by the operator.

Abstract: A wood chip loading device loads wood chips into a container with a density greater than that achieved using conventional free-fall techniques by 20%-35% or more. The wood chip loading device may include a drum rotating about a generally horizontal axis. The drum includes a plurality of outwardly extending blades that act to fling the wood chips out in a truncated sector pattern. The wood chips form a wide-based stack in the container such that the wood chips have a substantially uniform orientation, thereby allowing for greater packing densities. The device may also include a feed chute assembly that allows for adjustment of the ratio of the input stream that is delivered to the middle and side portions of the spinning drum. In some of these embodiments, this adjustment may be made while the device is operating, thereby allowing for on-the-fly adjustments by the operator.