Abstract: A powder supply system including a powder replenishment device as a powder source, a suction device and a plurality of powder supply units connected in series. Each of the powder supply units sprinkles powders toward an object mounted on each processing device. An upstream end powder supply unit is fluidly connected to the powder replenishment device, and a downstream end powder supply unit is fluidly connected to the suction device. A suction force generated by the suction device sucks powders from the powder replenishment device through the powder supply units, and powders are successively accumulated in the powder supply units in the order from the upstream end powder supply unit to the downstream end powder supply unit. A powder sensor is provided between the rearmost powder supply unit and the suction device. If all powder supply units are filled with powders, residual powders are discharged out of the downstream end powder supply unit.

Abstract: A material delivery system conveys material from a supply location at or above an area surface to a working location below the area surface. The delivery system includes a supply hopper located at the supply location and having an inlet for receiving material to be conveyed and an outlet for discharging material. An injection hopper is adapted for mounting on a movable working arm of a self-propelled vehicle, and has an inlet for receiving material and an outlet for discharging material. The arm of the vehicle carries the injection hopper below the area surface to the working location. A supply line is connected to the outlet of the supply hopper and to the inlet of the injection hopper for conveying material from the supply location to the working location.

Abstract: A unidirectional gate disposed between interconnecting fluid transport regions in a manufacturing process. The gate allows workpieces to pass from a first transport region to a second transport region but prevents them from returning to the first region after having passed into the second region. The gate may specifically be used in semiconductor wafer manufacturing, especially where wafers exit a water track into a cassette.

Abstract: The present apparatus relates to a pneumatic transport system to transport samples of grain between a filling station in a grain handling and storage structure and a receiving station in an office or inspection laboratory.

Abstract: A pneumatic material transporter includes a material hopper (2), a screw conveyor (3) to transport the material (supplied from the hopper) from the rear portion to a front portion of the screw conveyor, a pressure chamber portion (5) to receive the materials from the screw conveyor and to press the materials down while adding a limited amount of water, a horizontal mixer (6) adapted to mix the material supplied from the pressure chamber portion with pressurized air, and then push the mixture to a material transporting conduit portion (8) connected to the mixer through a check valve portion, so that the material transporting conduit portion transports the materials to a yard.

Abstract: A pneumatic transport system for powdered materials for quantifying and pneumatically transferring powdered materials. When materials are fed above an inclined guide plate in a material feeder with its bottom opening closed by a valve plug, a slide damper is slid to divide the materials in the feeder vertically. An open space is formed under the inclined guide plate so that the materials aren't damaged when the slide damper is moved. When the valve plug is retracted, the materials under the slide damper are fed into a transport plug housed in a plug setting portion. The transport plug is pneumatically transported into a material discharge port by compressed air supplied by an air supply. After the transportation is finished, the transport plug is returned into the plug setting portion.

Abstract: A catalyst feed system is described for intermittent delivery of supported and/or prepolymerized supported catalyst to a polymerization reactor. The system incorporates valves with cylindrical sealing surfaces as well as a venting stage incorporating a filter arranged such that it is self-cleaning.

Abstract: A pneumatic conveying system for particulate material. An upper vessel includes an inlet for the material. An intermediate housing is open to and located under the inlet. A primary check valve is located in the intermediate housing and will receive the material from the inlet. A lower housing is located beneath the intermediate housing. The lower housing includes a secondary check valve therein which receives the material from the primary check valve. A material exit is located below the secondary check valve. Each of the check valves includes an opening through which the material may flow. This opening is oblique to vertical, and a movable closure member is connected to alternatively open or seal the opening. Pressurized air is supplied to the check valves in an alternating manner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for splitting a mass of fluidizable powder into a plurality of powder streams and conveying the powder streams through a plurality of ducts. The apparatus comprises a powder splitter defining a chamber, a plurality of hollow ducts each having an entrance communicating with the chamber, and a gas source including a plurality of gas nozzles within the ducts and directed outwardly of the chamber. The gas nozzles propel gas jets into the ducts so that portions of the fluidizable powder are conveyed through the ducts. A particularly preferred apparatus is utilized for conveying a plurality of alumina powder streams to an aluminum electrolysis cell.

Abstract: A system and method for the transport of fly ash and other particulate matter. The system comprises (a) a fly ash hopper; (b) a metering container for measuring the amount of fly ash to be transported; (c) a first valve for regulating the movement of fly ash between the hopper and the metering container; (d) a transport line for transporting fly ash out of the metering container; (e) a second valve for regulating the movement of fly ash between the metering container and the transport line; (f) a third valve for regulating venting and pressurization of the metering container; and (g) means for moving the plug between first and second positions, the movement means being in physical communication with the third valve. The third valve comprises (i) a valve body having a bore and five ports in communication with the bore; (ii) a valve plug movably mounted in the bore between the first and second positions; and (iii) sealing means for preventing fluid passage out of the bore other than through the ports.

Abstract: A slurry of solid particles suspended in water or some other liquid is elevated in a riser tube, extending upward from a closed vessel, under hydraulic pressure from the same liquid descending into the vessel from a hydrostatic column whose height is less than that of the riser tube; liquid exiting at the top of that tube is recirculated to the vessel through the column after being freed from the accompanying solids. The excess height of the riser tube is made possible by the admission of bubbles of air or some other gas into the tube at its lower end. Fresh particles to be entrained by the rising liquid are fed into the closed vessel via a gated conduit maintaining the hydrostatic pressure therein.

Abstract: A pressurized air jet actuated swing valve for sandblasters is hinged with respect to the underside of the inverted head of the sandblaster to fit squarely against the sand filling opening in the tank head whenever the swing valve is maintained in closed position due to air pressure within the tank. A pivotal shaft secured against the underside of a valve plate is loosely journalled at each end in a pair of opposed, vertical slots in brackets attached to the underside of the tank head for free downward swinging of the valve body with respect to the inside of the tank when the valve in its open position, while at the same time providing for self-adjustment seating against the tank head sand filling opening when closed.

Abstract: A manure handling unit comprising a manure holding tank having an inlet and an outlet and a conduit section leading from the outlet. An inlet valve is provided within the tank for closing the inlet. An operating device within the tank operates the inlet valve. The unit also has an outlet valve within a sleeve extending between the conduit and the tank. An operating device in the tank operates the outlet valve in the sleeve to close or open the conduit.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying bulk material at a controlled rate includes a pressure vessel from which material may be fed downwardly into a container under the influence of pressure applied to the pressure vessel. Located below the container is a receptacle or delivery tube into which bulk material may be fed. The container has a transverse partition with at least one orifice member therein and means are provided for balancing the pressure at a position below the partition with a position above the material located on the partition.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a continuous flow of fluent particulate material suspended in a gaseous stream from a bulk source. The pneumatically powered and controlled apparatus includes a material receiving chamber intermittently replenishing a second chamber operable to maintain a third or material dispensing chamber adequately charged at all times. The apparatus controls are responsive to the material level sensing means in the second chamber to initiate a recharging cycle when the material therein falls below a predetermined level.