Of Stirrer Patents (Class 366/117)
  • Patent number: 9421504
    Abstract: An ultrasonic mixing system having a treatment chamber in which at least two separate phases can be mixed to prepare an emulsion is disclosed. The treatment chamber has an elongate housing through which the phases flow longitudinally from a first inlet port and a second inlet port, respectively, to an outlet port thereof. An elongate ultrasonic waveguide assembly extends within the housing and is operable at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency to ultrasonically energize the phases within the housing. An elongate ultrasonic horn of the waveguide assembly is disposed at least in part intermediate the inlet and outlet ports, and has a plurality of discrete agitating members in contact with and extending transversely outward from the horn intermediate the inlet and outlet ports in longitudinally spaced relationship with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Eugene Kieffer, Corey Thomas Cunningham, Steven Michael Hurley, Scott W. Wenzel, Shiming Zhuang
  • Patent number: 9411060
    Abstract: A marine vibrator has a housing that comprises a displacement member, the displacement member having a first position and a second position, the housing and the displacement member together defining an internal volume. A linear electromagnetic motor interacts with the displacement member so as to move the displacement member between a first position and a second position and correspondingly strokes the displacement member to cover a volume. The linear electromagnetic motor comprises magnets and coils that when energized create an electromagnetic force there between, wherein the linear electromagnetic motor comprises a piston and a guide that substantially surrounds the piston. The piston has incorporated therein either the coils or the magnets, and the guide having incorporated therein the other of the coils or the magnets. The piston is in interaction with the displacement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: Emmanuel Coste
  • Patent number: 8905624
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a mixing system at a peak energy efficiency point, maximum response point or reduced sound generation point based on displacement, velocity, acceleration or jerk operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventors: Harold W. Howe, Peter A. Lucon, Jeffrey D. Thornton, Brian Jay Seaholm
  • Publication number: 20140050044
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cosmetic raw material capsule for separating and accommodating cosmetic raw materials, including: an accommodating portion (110) for accommodating at least two cosmetic raw materials; a protective film (120) arranged on the accommodating portion (110) so as to cover and seal the accommodating portion (110); and a separation film (130) arranged on the accommodating portion (110) so as to separate at least two cosmetic raw materials. Thus, cosmetic raw materials required for producing cosmetics can be contained in a single container so as to enable the simple production of cosmetics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventors: Woong Jin Seo, You Young Jang
  • Patent number: 8425106
    Abstract: A reaction system and a reactor which comprises of two or more reaction cells wherein said cells are separated by inter cell conduits and having a means of causing agitation within the cells which does not require a mechanical connection of the agitating mechanism within the cell to a drive mechanism which is outside the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Ashe Morris Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Ashe
  • Patent number: 8329043
    Abstract: In a method of treating a liquid, a liquid to be treated is introduced into a space, a mechanical cavitation element acts upon the liquid while gas is supplied into the region of the surface of the cavitation element and introduces the gas into the liquid by moving the cavitation element, and sound waves are introduced directly into the liquid by at least one acoustic power transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Ultrasonic Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Guenter Poeschl
  • Patent number: 8313228
    Abstract: The present invention provides an agitation device (10) comprising a body portion (12) and at least one stirring element (14) extending from said body portion and for insertion into material in a receptacle which is to be agitated, wherein the body portion comprises a housing having located therein a motion element powered by way of a power source, and arranged to impart a vibrating action to the device and thus to the at least one stirring element, said vibrating action arranged to effect movement of the agitation device relative to the said material, and wherein said at least one stirring element extends from said body portion such that, in normal operation, the at least one stirring element extends downwardly from the body portion and serves to support the device on a surface of the said receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Inventor: Gavin Reay
  • Patent number: 8147118
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for homogenizing powder, which includes a drive device and a homogenization unit. The drive device moves the homogenization unit back and forth in at least one horizontal direction. The homogenization unit has a multitude of essentially vertically arranged, rod-shaped elements which are immersed at least partly into a powder to be homogenized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Schmied, Heinrich Loecht
  • Patent number: 8016477
    Abstract: A rotary throttle assembly is disclosed for operating a power unit such as an engine or a motor in either a first power setting or a second power setting. The rotary throttle assembly may be used in a concrete vibrator to operate the vibrator in either an idle power setting or a desired power setting. The throttle assembly includes a rotatable throttle handle, a linkage mechanism contained in a casing, and means for urging the throttle assembly selectively to adopt a first position or a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventor: Fred Oswald
  • Publication number: 20100157721
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for homogenizing powder, which includes a drive device and a homogenization unit. The drive device moves the homogenization unit back and forth in at least one horizontal direction. The homogenization unit has a multitude of essentially vertically arranged, rod-shaped elements which are immersed at least partly into a powder to be homogenized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Ralf Schmied, Heinrich Loecht
  • Patent number: 7665633
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing small quantities of particles, the apparatus comprises a hopper (20) provided with a sieve (21) at a bottom portion thereof, the hoper defining a powder-containing zone (42) above the sieve which in use contains powder to be dispensed therefrom trough the sieve (21), a support for the hopper, the support holding a portion of the hopper so that the hopper can in use be held above a container into which the dispensed powder is to be received, at least one actuator for delivering impact energy to the hopper for causing powder to be dispensed through the sieve when the hopper receives the impact energy, and a deagglomeration device (58) disposed in the powder-containing zone (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Meridica Limited
    Inventors: Donald Bruce Atherton MacMichael, Ian Joseph Smith
  • Publication number: 20090245015
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for applying oscillatory motion to a substance in a vessel to provide improved mixing, in particular to enable different mixing patterns to be applied to a substance in a vessel without “stop, change and start” protocol, has a member and a control means operatively linked such that the movement of the member is determined by a control signal generated by the control means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Xiongwei Ni, Andrew Fitch, Ian Laird
  • Publication number: 20090092518
    Abstract: A stirrer is for stirring by sound waves a liquid held by a vessel. The stirrer includes a sound wave generator that generates sound waves to be applied to the liquid; and a controller that controls a temperature of the liquid, increased by the sound waves emitted by the sound wave generator, at a predetermined temperature or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Miyuki MURAKAMI
  • Patent number: 7510321
    Abstract: A cavitation system for forming and imploding cavities within a cavitation chamber is provided. The system includes a hydraulically actuated driver coupled to the cavitation chamber. A cavitation piston, coupled to a hydraulic piston, forms the desired cavities during piston retraction and then implodes the cavities during piston extension. Preferably the cavitation fluid is degassed prior to hydraulically driving cavitation within the chamber. Degassing can be performed within the cavitation chamber or within a separate degassing chamber which is preferably connected to the cavitation chamber. In one aspect, a coupling sleeve is interposed between the hydraulic driver and the cavitation chamber, the coupling sleeve housing at least a portion of the cavitation piston drive rod. Preferably the coupling sleeve can be evacuated. In another aspect, a cavitation fluid circulatory system is coupled to the cavitation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Impulse Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Ross Alan Tessien
  • Patent number: 7448792
    Abstract: A method for initiating cavitation within the fluid within a cavitation chamber is provided. In the cavitation preparatory steps, a hydraulically actuated piston is partially withdrawn and then the cavitation chamber is isolated. Once the chamber is isolated, the hydraulic piston is further withdrawn in order to form the desired cavities and then extended to implode the cavities. At least one impeller, located within the cavitation chamber, is rotated in order to stabilize the cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Impulse Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Ross Alan Tessien
  • Patent number: 7404666
    Abstract: A method for forming and imploding cavities within a cavitation chamber is provided. The method uses a cavitation piston, coupled to a hydraulically actuated piston, to form the desired cavities during piston retraction and then implode the cavities during piston extension. The cavitation fluid is degassed prior to hydraulically driving cavitation within the chamber. Degassing can be performed within the cavitation chamber or within a separate degassing chamber. In one aspect, a coupling sleeve is interposed between the hydraulic driver and the cavitation chamber. Preferably the coupling sleeve is evacuated. In another aspect, a cavitation fluid circulatory system is coupled to the cavitation chamber. In-line valves on the chamber inlets allow the chamber to be isolated, when desired, from the circulatory system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Impulse Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Ross Alan Tessien
  • Publication number: 20080137473
    Abstract: A method for forming and imploding cavities within a cavitation chamber is provided. The method uses a cavitation piston, coupled to a hydraulically actuated piston, to form the desired cavities during piston retraction and then implode the cavities during piston extension. The cavitation fluid is degassed prior to hydraulically driving cavitation within the chamber. Degassing can be performed within the cavitation chamber or within a separate degassing chamber. In one aspect, a coupling sleeve is interposed between the hydraulic driver and the cavitation chamber. Preferably the coupling sleeve is evacuated. In another aspect, a cavitation fluid circulatory system is coupled to the cavitation chamber. In-line valves on the chamber inlets allow the chamber to be isolated, when desired, from the circulatory system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Impulse Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Ross Alan Tessien
  • Patent number: 7380974
    Abstract: A method for forming and imploding stabilized cavities within a cavitation chamber is provided. A hydraulically actuated piston is withdrawn to form the desired cavities and then extended to implode the cavities. At least one impeller is rotated in order to stabilize the cavities, the impeller being located within the cavitation chamber and magnetically coupled to an external drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Impulse Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Ross Alan Tessien
  • Patent number: 7380975
    Abstract: A method for initiating cavitation within the fluid within a cavitation chamber is provided. In the cavitation preparatory steps, a hydraulically actuated piston is fully retracted and then the cavitation chamber is isolated. The hydraulic piston is then fully extended after which the chamber is partially opened until a predetermined cavitation piston position is obtained. After the chamber is once again isolated, cavities are formed and imploded by retracting and then extending the cavitation piston. At least one impeller, located within the cavitation chamber, is rotated in order to stabilize the cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Impulse Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Ross Alan Tessien
  • Patent number: 7329391
    Abstract: Microfluidic devices for manipulating relatively dense materials, such as colloidal rod particles, are provided. Microfluidic devices for separating a denser first material from a less-dense second material are provided. Methods of manipulating a relatively dense first material, for example, colloidal rod particles, and separating the first material from a less-dense second material, are provided. Methods of marking samples or sample components with relatively dense materials, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Applera Corporation
    Inventor: David Cox
  • Patent number: 7278777
    Abstract: A concrete vibrator powered by a portable drill includes a housing having a contacting pad at one end and an axial bore. A camshaft is received within the bore. A transverse retainer is secured on the camshaft for retaining the camshaft within the bore. The camshaft includes a pair of cam surfaces at one end. A cam follower is disposed within the bore for engaging the cam surfaces when the camshaft is rotated. The cam follower and cam surfaces cooperatively cause axial reciprocation of the rotating camshaft for producing axial vibration of the housing face. The axial bore includes a radially expanded portion to receive the retainer and prevent complete withdrawal of the camshaft. The camshaft includes a transverse bore for receiving the retainer within the radially expanded portion. The retainer has a spring bearing against a trapped ball projecting beyond the cylindrical surface of the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Inventor: Stanley E. Elsten
  • Patent number: 7185648
    Abstract: A medicament dispenser including a medicament container having a dispensing outlet; an agitator for agitating the contents; and a driver for driving the agitator independent of any container movement. The medicament container may be a metered dose inhaler or delivering a suitable inhalable medicament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Paul Kenneth Rand
  • Patent number: 7008796
    Abstract: An assay apparatus includes a cell with a working electrode and a sonicating device structurally coupled to the cell for sonication the contents of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: MesoScale Technologies, LLC.
    Inventors: Jacob N. Wohlstadter, James Wilbur, George Sigal, Mark Martin, Alan Fischer, Larry R. Helms, Ramin Darvari
  • Patent number: 6416212
    Abstract: Building materials such as concrete, mortar and plaster are placed in a bag which is suspended in a bottomless drum. A handle is used to move a plunger up-and-down through the bottom of the drum such that the plunger repeatedly moves part of the bag upwardly through the materials contained in the bag to cause mixing thereof. The drum is rotationally indexed with reciprocal movements of the plunger, which also moves laterally. The plunger has an interchangeable head having a leading face which is inclined with respect to the direction of lateral movement on the upward stroke, and at least one inclined downwardly-facing facet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Inventors: Christopher Roy Rogers, Richard Tipton Smith
  • Patent number: 6273600
    Abstract: A microbe suspender for determination of the microbiological quality of foods comprises a beater which beats the outside of a plastic bag containing test sample and suspending liquid at a frequency high enough that the bag does not completely follow the beater movement so that microbe suspending shock waves are transmitted into the liquid at each impact of the beater with the bag, yet low enough in frequency that on each impact the beater remains in contact with the bag long enough to transfer stirring energy to the liquid and test sample to aid the removal of deep-seated microbes. As additional improvements over the art the suspender provides a collecting tray which prevents hazardous microbial suspensions reaching the bench in the event that a bag leaks, and an operator-protecting door that does not comprise part of the beating/suspending mechanism so that it can be transparent and permit the action to be viewed, and additionally the door is completely removable to improve the cleanability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Filtaflex Limited
    Inventor: Anthony Nelson Sharpe
  • Patent number: 6214294
    Abstract: A stirring device has an actuator like a plate, a cover shaped like a rectangular box and covering the actuator, a blade designed to be vibrated by the actuator, and a connecting device connecting the blade to the actuator, positioning an axis of vibration amplitude of the blade substantially in one side of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hitoshi Shibutani, Kazuyoshi Ikeda, Kyuji Rokugawa
  • Patent number: 6062720
    Abstract: Screw-feeder dosage unit particularly for the dosage of solid or powdered products, which includes a frame which supports a hopper in which the product to be dosed is introduced, and an extractor for the product which is driven by a gearmotor. The unit includes a stirrer which is suspended inside the hopper, above the extractor, and is driven by an actuation means, the stirrer producing vibrations which allow separation of the product from the walls of the hopper for the descent of the product toward the extractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Andantex S.p.A.
    Inventor: Francesco Ionadi
  • Patent number: 5788367
    Abstract: A pneumatic vibrator having reduced noise levels is provided with an exhaust chamber in a baseplate thereof. The exhaust chamber is limited by walls of the baseplate, a bushing, and the outer surface of a hollow elastic element. The elastic element is a truncated cone, the smaller base of which firmly encompasses a bushing around a tie element, while the larger base bears against the baseplate. The exhaust chamber is in communication with an above-membrane chamber via a central through duct. The above-membrane chamber connects with the atmosphere by radial ducts in the cover of the baseplate, in which an annular collector is made, communicating with the radial ducts. The flow area of each of the ducts is less than the flow area of the collector. Coaxial axial ducts made in the cover and in the baseplate communicate with a second annular collector made in the baseplate and exhaust air to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Jury Alexeevich Budaev
    Inventors: Jury Alexeevich Budaev, Viktor Konstantinovich Kazantsev, Jury Petrovich Shelkovnikov, Viktor Grigorievich Shishmarev, Igor Samsonovich Grinberg, Sergey Arkadievich Kokhanovsky, Vladimir Iliich Skornyakov, Petr Ivanovich Elagin
  • Patent number: 5439288
    Abstract: A mixing and delivery system for supplying small particles suspended in a liquid to form a slurry for delivery and recirculation which includes a mixing tank having an inlet and an outlet, a pump having an inlet and an outlet, a sample cell having an inlet and an outlet, an ultrasonic flow cell having an inlet and an outlet, and a transition bushing having an inlet and an outlet. The sample cell has first and second generally rectangular planar opposed faces, the inlet of the sample cell is rectangular and defined by two opposed sides which are respectively part of the first and second generally rectangular planar opposed faces. The opposed sides are much longer in length than the intermediate opposed sides of the rectangular inlet. The outlet of the mixing tank is connected to the inlet of the pump and the outlet of the pump is connected to the inlet of the transition bushing by a circular cross section tube, that is coupled directly to the inlet of the sample cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: General Signal Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey G. Hoffman, Mary E. Gerrard, Alex H. Clark
  • Patent number: 5302018
    Abstract: The present invention aims to evenly and surely knead a concrete material comprising less water amount. Concrete material layer entered into a kneading tank is cut in an up-and-down direction and divided into a plurality of layer sections arrayed side by side along a right-and-left direction,, and one of the divided layer sections is piled up another one of the divided layer sections in the up-and-down direction, then the piled up concrete layer sections are compacted, in other words are pressed in the up-and-down direction and extended in a horizontal direction, and further these steps are repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Inventor: Kenji Maeda
  • Patent number: 5082632
    Abstract: In the reaction vessel in the form of a cell for optical investigations of small quantities of liquid, the floor (4) of the reaction vessel exhibits a circular depression (6), in which a cylindrical body (9) is disposed so as to be moveable. The depression (6) exhibits arcuately extending channels (7), which extend from the depression (6) towards the walls (3) and/or the corners (8) of the reaction vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jurgen Gross, Hugo Wilmes
  • Patent number: 5069258
    Abstract: A simple device for the vibration filling of porous fiber structure electrode plaques for voltaic cells includes a vibrating plate having a principal extension arranged substantially vertical within a filling chamber. An electrode plaque is arranged with a principal surface substantially parallel to the principal surface of the vibrating plate at a distance of about 2 to 50 mm from the vibrating plate (when swung in to the maximum extent). The distance of the vibrating plate from the base of the filling chamber is at least about 1 mm. It is possible to fill a series of electrode plaques with one charge of the filling chamber, the filling operation for the electrode plaque proceeding very rapidly and with considerably less noise then known devices, in which the entire filling vessel is vibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Deutsche Automobilgesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Otwin Imhof
  • Patent number: 4983045
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mixer having a duct into which a fluid (or fluids) is (or are) inducted and a stirrer disposed within the duct and adapted to stir and/or mix the fluid (or fluids) by repeating division and join on the fluid (or fluids) when the fluid (or fluids) moves (move) through the duct. The stirrer has a vane device dividing the interior of the duct into a plurality of spaces and openings formed in the vane device and through which the fluid (or fluids) moves (move) from one space to another. The mixer further includes a vibrator for vibrating the stirrer at a desired frequency. The vibrator may be of any one of various types vibrators such as an electromagnetically driven type vibrator consisting a coil and a permanent magnet, a motor drive type vibrator consisting of a motor-cam mechanism of a cam-follower mechanism and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Reica Corporation
    Inventor: Toru Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 4653323
    Abstract: An apparatus for moving an object in an isolated environment may be employed as a high pressure and temperature facility for testing steam generator tubes. A tube to be tested extends through an opening in a plate that is mounted in a test vessel. The vessel is partially filled with water having selected contaminants, and heated water under high pressure is circulated through the tube to raise the temperature and pressure within the vessel. A lever arm having an inner end and an outer end extends through an opening in the test vessel. A vibration-coupler connects the inner end of the arm to the tube under test, and a fulcrum-former operationally connects an intermediate portion of the arm to the test vessel. The outer end of the lever arm is connected to a plug element which is shaken, so that the arm pivots about a fixed point at the fulcrum-former and the vibration-coupler moves the tube under test with respect to the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Fritz Ottenheimer
  • Patent number: 4611921
    Abstract: A debridger for finely divided solids fed from a hopper to a screw feed by gravity. It has a heavy base that can rest on the threads of the screw feed and will be moved up and down over succeeding threads. There is a member attached to the base for extending up centrally in the hopper with radial arms reaching near the walls of the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Jitendra A. Patel
  • Patent number: 4513515
    Abstract: A vertical container holds and treats particulate material, such as comminuted cellulosic fibrous material like wood chips. The container includes a vertical interior wall, an open top, and a discharge outlet at the bottom. A top interior wall structure directs particulate material to a first false bottom concentric with it. The first false bottom is mounted for oscillation with respect to the vertical container and discharges particulate material through a discharge opening in the generally conical bottom thereof into a second false bottom structure. The second false bottom structure also includes a generally conical bottom with a discharge opening, and is also mounted for oscillation with respect to the container. Steam is preferably introduced into the second false bottom to effect steaming of the particulate material within it, and the container is held at super-atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: Kamyr AB
    Inventors: Johan C. F. C. Richter, Ole J. Richter
  • Patent number: 4475671
    Abstract: A vibrator feeder for causing piled up granular material to move down its own slope and off the edge of a shelf-like structure for unloading. The vibration is limited to material resting on a small edge, or lip, of the material support structure. This lip is formed as an extension of the floor of the bin. A series of rods supported from a vibration generator extend into the material resting on the lip. The vibrations disturb the angle of the repose of the material which feeds off the lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Assignee: Aggregates Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Franklin M. McCorkel
  • Patent number: 4252444
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for agitating liquids, maintaining solids in suspension and breaking up surface ice on waterways is provided in which a base plate having a plurality of dependent probes adapted to be immersed in a liquid to be agitated in subject to vibratory energy produced by selectively rotating eccentric weights in a vibratory case fixed on top of said base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1981
    Assignee: L. B. Foster Company
    Inventor: Alvin E. Herz