With Valve Between Receptacle And Fluid Conveyor Patents (Class 406/127)
  • Patent number: 11277960
    Abstract: An inductor apparatus includes an inductor assembly mounted under a seed container such that seeds flow into a reservoir. An air conduit carrying pressurized air extends along the reservoir. Seed channels extend from an inlet located above a pickup air opening in the air conduit to an outlet, and a bypass channel extends downward from each seed channel through an upper wall of the air conduit. A pickup air stream flowing out the pickup air opening forms a seed air stream entrained with seeds flowing into each seed channel inlet and a bypass air stream flows from the air conduit through each bypass channel into each seed channel and the combined seed and bypass air streams flow out the seed channel outlets. The seed channel outlets can be arranged along each side of the inductor assembly, and the rate of flow of the bypass air stream can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Bourgault Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Jami Rieder, Scot Jagow, Haydon Rice
  • Patent number: 10029225
    Abstract: An assembly for loading a refinery and/or petrochemical reactor (100) with solid particles, comprising a dispensing device (110) for loading the reactor with solid particles in a relatively uniform manner, a system (200) for supplying the dispensing device, comprising a flexible sleeve (140) connected to a solid particle tank (130) and to the dispensing device, and a control system (300) comprising a blocking device (310) for blocking the particles flowing in the flexible sleeve, adjacent to a portion (141) of the flexible sleeve and capable, when activated, of moving the walls of the flexible sleeve in such a way as to reduce a cross section of said sleeve at said portion, and an actuating device (350) for actuating the blocking device located at a distance from the blocking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TOTAL RAFFINAGE CHIMIE
    Inventors: Julien Mairesse, Guillaume Berric, Xavier Boce
  • Patent number: 9440802
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plant for the transport of granular material comprising at least one container for granular material to be transported, at least one receiver-meter group, at least one conveyance duct, depressurization-pressurization means arranged to suction/inject a gaseous medium from/into said at least one container, and at least one vacuum duct between a receiver-meter group and said depressurization-pressurization means, thereby creating a flow of said granular material and said gaseous medium in said at least one conveyance duct and a flow of gaseous medium between said at least one receiver-meter group and said depressurization-pressurization means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: MORETTO S.P.A.
    Inventor: Renato Moretto
  • Patent number: 9010811
    Abstract: A catch for securing a door to an object includes an engagement member connected to the door engaging a receiving member of a mount on the object. The door includes a first arm with an oblong hole for pivoting about a pin connected to the mount, and an engagement pin. Moving the door from a closed position causes the engagement pin to rotate with the door about the pivot pin. The door slides downward along the pivot pin as the pivot pin travels within the oblong opening, and the engagement pin makes contact with the receiving member, thereby retaining the door in an open position. Moving the door upward moves the pivot pin downward within the oblong opening disengaging the engagement pin from the receiving member, allowing the door to rotate to a closed position. A latch opposite the first arm retains the door in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Gramling, Jeffrey J. Blair
  • Patent number: 8915691
    Abstract: Apparatus for transporting frac sand and/or proppant for use in standard ISO intermodal containers and for delivering frac sand and/or proppant to well sites. Configured for being inserted into a container and adapted for transporting frac sand and proppant from a quarry or other frac sand supply source to a well site. A plurality of inlet ports disposed atop the roof, with the inlet ports receiving the frac sand from a frac sand supply source into a funnel-hopper, and a plurality of outlet ports for receiving the frac sand and proppant within the funnel-hopper and delivering the frac sand and proppant proximal to the well site. An in situ valve apparatus disposed within the hopper assembly for effectuating industry standard continuous pressurized discharge of stored frac sand material into a discharge pipe for delivery downhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Mintz
  • Patent number: 8905681
    Abstract: A pneumatic conveying process transports plastic pellets from a manufacturing source to a bulk silo for storage before being delivered to the ultimate production utilization of the plastic pellets. Multiple types or multiple sources of plastic pellets can be fed through a common pneumatic conveying conduit to respective bulk silos for temporary storage with diverter valves being utilized to direct product into and out of the common conveying conduit. Expanded elbow fittings are deployed at each directional change in the conveying lines to eliminate the creation of streamers at conduit bends. The plastic pellets are conveyed at a medium velocity between dense and dilute phases to provide a gentle conveying operation. A closed loop air supply system is used for dedusting devices providing a final removal of dust and debris from the stored product before being delivered to the ultimate utilization facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Pelletron Corporation
    Inventors: Heinz Schneider, Paul Wagner
  • Patent number: 8882401
    Abstract: A discharge apparatus for a powdered or granular material provided at a lower end of a storage part in which a powdered or granular material is stored. The discharge apparatus comprises a material discharge passage connected to the lower end of the storage part and provided with a material discharge port at the terminal end, a valve body opening or closing the discharge port of the material discharge passage, and a valve driving part moving the valve body along a substantially orthogonal direction to a surface of a valve seat around the discharge port. The valve body is so constructed as to form a gap at closed position between the valve body and the surface of the valve seat along the circumferential direction of the discharge port, in which the gap is formed such that a powdered or granular material is not allowed to pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Matsui Seisakusho
    Inventor: Junya Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20140234034
    Abstract: A powder supply device includes a controller configured to receive an output from a load cell and an output from a pressure indicator, wherein the controller obtains a powder weight or a rate of change in the powder weight in a feed tank on the basis of a value obtained by subtracting a value proportional to the output from the pressure indicator from the output from the load cell and controls the flow rate of the powder to be supplied to outside of the feed tank on the basis of the powder weight or the rate of change in powder weight in the state in which a closing valve is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: DIAMOND ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kimihiro Shimono, Takahiro Takeda, Kazutoshi Teraoka, Fumihito Kasagi
  • Patent number: 8790048
    Abstract: The present invention relates to A lock hopper (11) provided with air-tight hoppers (A3, B3) arranged side by side with entrance valves (A1, B1) arranged above the air-tight hoppers (A3, B3) and exit valves (A4, B4) arranged below the air-tight hoppers (A3, B3). The lock hopper (11) performs control which alternately repeats the following states: a state in which granular substances in an upper system are placed in one of the hoppers and gas is supplied into the other hopper to discharge granular substances from the inside of the other hopper to a lower system and a state in which the granular substances in the upper system are placed in the other hopper and gas is supplied to said hopper to discharge granular substances from the inside of said hopper to the lower system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: J-POWER EnTech, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuninori Furuyama, Masahiro Miya, Ryo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8747029
    Abstract: An air control system for a low pressure continuous dense phase convey system employs a non-critical air flow control system that allows for a supply pressure to be only incrementally larger than a convey pressure. The convey system has an inlet for introduction of pressurized air into the system and an airlock associated with a feedpoint for introduction of particulate into the system. A first pressure sensor is positioned immediately downstream of an air source to measure the supply pressure, and a second pressure transducer is positioned proximate an airlock to measure the convey pressure. The non-critical air flow control system is dependent on the supply and convey pressures and a position of a control valve, such as a sonic nozzle. The difference between the convey pressure and the supply pressure is less than 10% of the supply pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: MAC Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Thorn
  • Publication number: 20140030031
    Abstract: Rapid evacuation and deployment of dry materials is achieved by the dual structure of this device and the method of using it to fill and empty vacuum reloading tanks automatically. This permits materials such a bentonite, barite or cement to be handled easily and without dust on a rig floor and mixed appropriately as needed for well control and completion operations. Dry bulk material is offloaded from an offshore supply vessel into atmospheric tanks, which provide fluidized bed systems to aerate and agitate and move material through piping into the vacuum re-loader tanks. The dual re-loader tank system allows one tank to be emptied while another fills thereby providing sufficient flexibility to expertly manage receiving, storage, transfer, filtration and control of the bulk material on various space-critical platforms, including offshore rigs and service vessels, that require the handling of dry bulk materials in an accurate and dust-free manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: PROVEN ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGIES, LLC A DBA OF PROVEN TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gary L. Stevenson, Daniel R. Whitcher
  • Patent number: 8523496
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to the conversion of biomass to oxygenated hydrocarbons. More particularly, an improved biomass feed system or process for conveying biomass to a reactor for conversion to oxygenated hydrocarbons is provided. The provided system or process utilizes a spool piece adapted to convey solid particulate biomass from a lower pressure to a higher pressure. The spool piece conveys the solid particulate biomass material either directly to a reactor operated at or below the higher pressure or first to a vibratory feeder and then to such reactor. The vibratory feeder can include a bowl and an outlet spout extending tangentially from the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Bartek
  • Publication number: 20130115016
    Abstract: An adhesive melt system includes a hopper, a feed system, a valve, and a releasable coupling. The hopper stores hot melt pellets and the valve regulates movement of the pellets from the hopper to the feed system. The feed system delivers the hot melt pellets from the hopper. The releasable coupling allows for connection and disconnection of the hopper to and from the feed system. In one embodiment, the hopper is interchangeable with a second hopper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventor: Graco Minnesota Inc.
  • Patent number: 8425160
    Abstract: A drill cuttings storage and conveying system is disclosed herein. The system includes a pressure vessel for containing drill cuttings and comprising a plurality of drill cuttings outlets. The system also includes a drill cuttings conveyor in communication with the outlets for carrying drill cuttings from the vessel. In an inventive method for practicing the invention, drill cuttings are passed into the pressure vessel having the plurality of outlets. The vessel is pressurized. A selected outlet is opened such that a volume of drill cuttings passes from the vessel to the conveyor. The drill cuttings with the conveyor from the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventor: William Curle
  • Patent number: 8383991
    Abstract: An adhesive melter includes an inlet port, an outlet port, and an interior configured to heat and hold adhesive pellets. The melter includes a lid for providing access to the interior and the outlet port communicates with the interior. An intake conduit is coupled to the inlet port and is configured to deliver forced air and adhesive pellets to the interior. An exhaust conduit is coupled to the outlet port and is configured to remove the forced air from the interior and to receive a filter for trapping particles of the adhesive pellets borne by the forced air. The outlet port and the inlet port are non-concentric but closely spaced and centrally located on the lid and the outlet port is spaced from the inlet port so as to cause the forced air to travel in a generally U-shaped path within the interior of the melter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Charles P. Ganzer, David R. Jeter, Brett A. Pearson, Charles M. Saunders
  • Patent number: 8322951
    Abstract: Apparatus comprising an implement for extracting charges of uniform size of articles from a mass of the articles and delivering the charges to a receiver. The implement has a chamber for receiving the articles to form the charge. The chamber has a mouth through which articles are drawn into the chamber by applying a vacuum to the chamber. The implement then delivers and deposits the charge by releasing the vacuum. The chamber has a vent with an air permeable article barrier for access to a vacuum generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Andrew M. Kvalheim
  • Patent number: 8308394
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods implemented in a pothole patching system for creating a vacuum that pulls heavy particulate, such as gravel, out of a hopper. For example, according to an embodiment, a vacuum body having a vacuum chamber formed therein is positioned proximate to an opening of the hopper. A moveable slide gate is provided between the vacuum chamber and the opening of the hopper. The slide gate moves between open and closed positions for permitting and blocking communication between the vacuum chamber and the hopper. A reduction nozzle is provided between an air source and the vacuum chamber. Forced air flows from the air source, through the reduction nozzle, and into the vacuum chamber. The reduction nozzle reduces the pressure of the forced air entering the vacuum chamber, and thereby creates a vacuum in the vacuum chamber. When the slide gate is in the open position, this vacuum pulls particulate from the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: VT LeeBoy, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph E. Whitley
  • Publication number: 20120237303
    Abstract: A device of a bulk ship for sand transport and fluidized unloading, wherein an unloading pipe communicates with at least one of the holds of the bulk ship, and wherein the unloading pipe is connected to a submerged pipe connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Viking Dredging AS
    Inventor: Tore Hansen-Tangen
  • Patent number: 8231310
    Abstract: A coating powder feed unit containing a powder pump which in a suction operating mode aspirates coating powder into a powder chamber (30) and in a pressure operating mode expels coating powder by means of compressed air out of the powder chamber (30). Said unit includes a pressure tester (64) measuring the compressed air pressure and generating a test signal based on the measured compressed air pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: ITW Gema AG
    Inventor: Marco Sanwald
  • Patent number: 8215877
    Abstract: The device according to the invention for conveying fluid comprises a conveying chamber, an inlet valve, which is located in the direction of flow, upstream of the conveying chamber, and with an outlet valve, which is located in the direction of flow, downstream of the conveying chamber. Moreover, an injector is provided for, whose suction duct is connected with the conveying chamber. Via an air duct, which is connected to the conveying chamber, exhaust air (AL) can be blown into the conveying chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: J. Wagner AG
    Inventors: Timo Rieger, Daniel Schrade
  • Patent number: 8167516
    Abstract: Palletized materials are delivered in controlled quantity into a pulse modulated air stream. A vortex of compressed air gates the pellets into flexible small diameter tubing for transit to a hot melt adhesive application apparatus. Pellets of different materials, sizes, and shapes can be combined in a defined ratio within several seconds of melting at the application point. Pellet delivery air can be utilized for spray application of the melted material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventor: Bernard Lasko
  • Patent number: 8147169
    Abstract: Apparatus comprising an implement for extracting charges of uniform size of articles from a mass of the articles and delivering the charges to a receiver. The implement has a chamber for receiving the articles to form the charge. The chamber has a mouth through which articles are drawn into the chamber by applying a vacuum to the chamber. The implement then delivers and deposits the charge by releasing the vacuum. The chamber has a vent with an air permeable article barrier for access to a vacuum generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Andrew M. Kvalheim
  • Patent number: 8075227
    Abstract: An apparatus for the transfer of solid particulate matter from a low pressure system to a high pressure system is presented. The apparatus simplifies the particle transfer process, and is useful for systems where solid catalyst particles are cycled through a reactor and a regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Leon Yuan
  • Publication number: 20110206469
    Abstract: The present invention relates to A lock hopper (11) provided with air-tight hoppers (A3, B3) arranged side by side with entrance valves (A1, B1) arranged above the air-tight hoppers (A3, B3) and exit valves (A4, B4) arranged below the air-tight hoppers (A3, B3). The lock hopper (11) performs control which alternately repeats the following states: a state in which granular substances in an upper system are placed in one of the hoppers and gas is supplied into the other hopper to discharge granular substances from the inside of the other hopper to a lower system and a state in which the granular substances in the upper system are placed in the other hopper and gas is supplied to said hopper to discharge granular substances from the inside of said hopper to the lower system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: J-Power EnTech, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuninori Furuyama, Masahiro Miya, Ryo Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20110200389
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods implemented in a pothole patching system for creating a vacuum that pulls heavy particulate, such as gravel, out of a hopper. For example, according to an embodiment, a vacuum body having a vacuum chamber formed therein is positioned proximate to an opening of the hopper. A moveable slide gate is provided between the vacuum chamber and the opening of the hopper. The slide gate moves between open and closed positions for permitting and blocking communication between the vacuum chamber and the hopper. A reduction nozzle is provided between an air source and the vacuum chamber. Forced air flows from the air source, through the reduction nozzle, and into the vacuum chamber. The reduction nozzle reduces the pressure of the forced air entering the vacuum chamber, and thereby creates a vacuum in the vacuum chamber. When the slide gate is in the open position, this vacuum pulls particulate from the hopper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: VT LeeBoy, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph E. Whitley
  • Patent number: 7988386
    Abstract: A mounting assembly uses one hinge and one cam bolt mutually offset upon a two piece collar. A hopper tee has a member usually a vertical pipe and occasionally a horizontal pipe that connects to a hopper flange to receive bulk material. This assembly has two collars that mutually engage and surround a hopper flange. Pins pass through the collar pieces and the hopper flange then secure to tapped holes in the collar pieces to prevent rotation. A collar piece mounts a hook bolt and the other collar piece mounts a hinge in a spaced apart and offset manner. The other collar piece has a pivotal connection to a hinge arm and opposite the hinge arm, the hook bolt engages a cam. Opening the cam unfolds the tee downwardly while the hook bolt remains engaged. This partially open position allows for removal and installation of a valve. In opening and closing the assembly, the hinge arm spaces the flange below a hopper to admit a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Bulk Tank, Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Sisk
  • Publication number: 20110033248
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a feed chamber for feeding of material from storage bunkers and a lifting device for lifting the material to a high level. The lifting device includes a delivery end to which a transport line for conveying the material away to a remote delivery point can be connected, a pressure vessel having a vertical conveyor that begins in the feed chamber and ends in a top region of the pressure vessel, and a discharge pipe beginning in a bottom region of the pressure vessel and leading out of the pressure vessel. The apparatus also includes a pressurizing device which pressurizes the pressure vessel via a first valve and activates a conveying air nozzle of the discharge pipe via a second valve, and a controller for filling the pressure vessel via the vertical conveyor, fluidizing the material via the pressurizing device, and conveying the material away via the transport line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: Claudius Peters Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Peter HILGRAF, Ansgar Reismann, Reiner Fruehling, Ernst Gaser
  • Patent number: 7665932
    Abstract: A method of transporting pulverulent filling material through at least one line. The method comprises opening a chamber-like line region located in the at least one line, introducing the pulverulent filling material into the chamber-like line region, closing the chamber-like line region, and pressing the pulverulent filling material out of the chamber-like line region and at least partially into the at least one line using at least one compressed air pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Harro Hoefliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf Scharger
  • Patent number: 7654778
    Abstract: An improved system for the moving material into and out of a trailer attached to a truck that is equipped with first and second high pressure hydraulic circuits, an airlock circuit, and a low pressure return line. The improvement to the system generally includes a selector valve that is operable between load and unload positions, and a blower and motor that are mounted to the trailer's chassis and are fluidly driven by the high pressure circuits via the selector valve being in its load position. When in the unload position, the blower and motor are bypassed and the hydraulic circuits operate in their traditional manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: D & W Diesel, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent Weisbrod
  • Patent number: 7648312
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a device (2) for the pneumatic conveyance of powdered material (4), in which a cylindrical chamber (10, 12), which can be connected with a reservoir (6) by a sealable inlet (14, 16) and with a delivery line (28) by a sealable outlet (18, 20), is alternately filled with material from the reservoir (6) and emptied of this material by applying a negative pressure to the chamber with its outlet (18, 20) closed and its inlet (14, 16) open through a bordering wall formed by a gas-permeable filter element (50) to draw material into the chamber (10, 12) from the reservoir (6), and by then admitting a gas under pressure into the chamber (10, 12) with its inlet (14, 16) closed and its outlet (18, 20) open to force the material previously drawn into the chamber (10, 12) out of the chamber and into the delivery line (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Kleineidam, Wilhard Kleineidam
  • Patent number: 7481605
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a device (2) for the pneumatic conveyance of powdered material (4), in which a cylindrical chamber (10, 12), which can be connected with a reservoir (6) by a sealable inlet (14, 16) and with a delivery line (28) by a sealable outlet (18, 20), is alternately filled with material from the reservoir (6) and emptied of this material by applying a negative pressure to the chamber with its outlet (18, 20) closed and its inlet (14, 16) open through a bordering wall formed by a gas-permeable filter element (50) to draw material into the chamber (10, 12) from the reservoir (6), and by then admitting a gas under pressure into the chamber (10, 12) with its inlet (14, 16) closed and its outlet (18, 20) open to force the material previously drawn into the chamber (10, 12) out of the chamber and into the delivery line (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Kleineidam, Wilhard Kleineidam
  • Patent number: 7478976
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a device (2) for the pneumatic conveyance of powdered material (4), in which a cylindrical chamber (10, 12), which can be connected with a reservoir (6) by a sealable inlet (14, 16) and with a delivery line (28) by a sealable outlet (18, 20), is alternately filled with material from the reservoir (6) and emptied of this material by applying a negative pressure to the chamber with its outlet (18, 20) closed and its inlet (14, 16) open through a bordering wall formed by a gas-permeable filter element (50) to draw material into the chamber (10, 12) from the reservoir (6), and by then admitting a gas under pressure into the chamber (10, 12) with its inlet (14, 16) closed and its outlet (18, 20) open to force the material previously drawn into the chamber (10, 12) out of the chamber and into the delivery line (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Kleineidam, Wilhard Kleineidam
  • Patent number: 7413388
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for pneumatically conveying bulk material which does not flow readily, in which: bulk material is metered by means of one or more input device(s) (8) into a lateral conveyor (1); and the bulk material in the lateral conveyor is subsequently emptied via a transport line (19) wherein the metering of the bulk material into the lateral conveyor (1) is achieved by means of the input device(s) (8) and the emptying of the lateral conveyor (1) is effected with simultaneous action of a mechanical conveyor (9) in the lateral conveyor and inflowing compressed gas (17), with the mechanical conveyor (9) having a narrow clearance with respect to the lateral conveyor (1), so that the lateral conveyor is substantially emptied during the emptying process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: LANXESS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Claus Krebs
  • Patent number: 7241080
    Abstract: A pump for transferring particulate material from a source to a remote location, including a particulate chamber having open ends, check valves at the open ends, a vacuum source connected to the chamber adjacent one end, a gas source at the opposed end of the chamber and a control which alternatively connects the vacuum to the chamber to draw particulate material from the source to the chamber and connecting the gas under pressure to drive the particulate material to the remote location. In a preferred embodiment, the chamber has a cylindrical inner diameter and the source of vacuum is a venturi pump connected to a pinch valve permitting overflow of particulate material through the pinch valve and venturi pump, which is returned to the source. In one embodiment, the pinch valve surrounds an open end of the chamber permitting overflow while avoiding agglomeration of the particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Durr Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Klobucar, James L. Pakkala, Mazen Haddad, David J. Cole
  • Patent number: 7150585
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a device (2) for the pneumatic conveyance of powdered material (4), in which a cylindrical chamber (10, 12), which can be connected with a reservoir (6) by a sealable inlet (14, 16) and with a delivery line (28) by a sealable outlet (18, 20), is alternately filled with material from the reservoir (6) and emptied of this material by applying a negative pressure to the chamber with its outlet (18, 20) closed and its inlet (14, 16) open through a bordering wall formed by a gas-permeable filter element (50) to draw material into the chamber (10, 12) from the reservoir (6), and by then admitting a gas under pressure into the chamber (10, 12) with its inlet (14, 16) closed and its outlet (18, 20) open to force the material previously drawn into the chamber (10, 12) out of the chamber and into the delivery line (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Kleineidam, Wilhard Kleineidam
  • Patent number: 6994497
    Abstract: An apparatus for pneumatically conveying particulate material containing reaction products of a high pressure reactor from a supply vessel at a pressure of at least two bar to a receiving vessel at a considerably lower pressure. The apparatus includes a conveyor line attached to the supply vessel, a collecting vessel between the conveyor line and the receiving vessel, the collecting vessel including (i) a discharge conduit for the carrier gas, (ii) a device for controlling the discharge velocity of the carrier gas from the collecting vessel, and (iii) a device for controlling the pressure of the material collected in the collecting vessel, and a device for conveying the material directly from the collecting vessel to the receiving vessel essentially at the same pressure as is prevailing in the receiving vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energia Oy
    Inventors: Timo Eriksson, Juhani Isaksson, Reijo Kuivalainen, Pekka Lehtonen, Juha Palonen
  • Patent number: 6892909
    Abstract: A pneumatic particulate dispensing system having a hopper for storing particulate material, such as animal feed, fertilizers, pesticides and the like. The hopper is connected to a T-fitting which encloses a velocity tube. An air blowing unit is connected to the T-fitting and the velocity tube through an interchangeable adaptor allowing for a variety of air blowing units to be installed. An adjustable rotary valve extends into the interior of the hopper from the T-fitting allowing for a user to adjust the amount of particulate material to be dispensed adjacent the velocity tube. A discharge tube is connected to the T-fitting downstream of the velocity tube, wherein the discharge tube has a rotating elbow for allowing the user to adjust the dispensing direction. A variety of nozzles can be attached to the end of the discharge tube. A support frame having a hitch insert and cradles is used to support and transport the particulate dispensing system to remote locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Inventors: Shelton L. Hebert, Russell Doerr
  • Patent number: 6786681
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the pneumatic conveying of fine bulk material, in particular glass fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Herbert Grasshoff
  • Patent number: 6764296
    Abstract: A fluidizing method transports particulates by gravity flow but passes the particulates through a fluidizer which is partitioned by a porous distributor plate to form first and second chambers and wherein the particulate materials pass through said first chamber which is in gaseous communication with said second chamber via the porous distributor plate. Gas is delivered to the second chamber at a pressure sufficient to generate a gas bearing between the porous distributor plate and the particulate material. The gas is permitted to migrate through the particulate material, but it is then vented to the surrounding atomosphere without causing substantial turbulence in the particulate material and to reduce tendencies for dusting and separation of the particulates into sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Matsys
    Inventors: Tony F. Zahrah, Rajkumar Raman, Phillip A. Parrish, Roderick Rowland
  • Publication number: 20020187013
    Abstract: The hopper tee provides increased material flow rates and includes a first hollow pipe section having an upper end and an opposite lower end, the upper end including an inlet opening for connecting to a discharge opening of a hopper for receiving material contained in the hopper therethrough, and an interior cylindrical side wall forming an internal passage connecting the inlet opening to the lower end for flow of the material thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventor: Eddie W. Campbell
  • Patent number: 6485284
    Abstract: A gas-assisted flow and filling device for transporting particulate material and filling die cavities includes a source of low-pressure gas for delivering gas to a chamber that is separated from a fluidizing chamber by a porous distributor plate which permits the gas to flow through the particulate material and out a vent screen so that the particulate material is permitted to flow out of the fluidizing chamber essentially free of gas and wherein the pressure of the gas delivered to the fluidizing chamber is sufficient to provide a gas bearing to said particulate material adjacent the distributor plate, but not high enough to cause turbulence in said fluidizing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Matsys
    Inventors: Roderick Rowland, Tony F. Zahrah, Rajkumar Raman, Phillip A. Parrish
  • Patent number: 6402500
    Abstract: A delivery and filling system for filling a cavity with a particulate material is disclosed. The system in one embodiment includes a hopper; a transport device, and a delivery chute. The hopper, transport device, and delivery chute each may have a porous distributor plate which partitions them into a first chamber and a second chamber. The system is hooked to a compressed gas source connected to the porous distributor plate and a fluidizer. A gas-control unit is provided including a pressure regulator, pressure sensor, and flow metering solenoid valve to independently regulate the flow of gas to the porous distributor plate and the fluidizer of the system independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Matsys
    Inventors: Tony F. Zahrah, Rajkumar Raman, Phillip A. Parrish, Roderick Rowland
  • Patent number: 6287056
    Abstract: In a method of operating a pulse flow conveying installation (10), which is intended for the conveying of a solid material (33), present in the form of bulk material, by means of a conveying gas, in which pulse flow conveying installation (10) an alternating sequence of solid material pulses (27) and conveying gas pulses (28) is generated by first means (13, . . . , 21) in the conveying conduit (25) and is pressed through the conveying conduit (25), choking is reliably prevented in that the conveying pressure is regulated, and in that to regulate the conveying pressure in the conveying conduit (25), the quantity of the conveying gas flowing on a time average basis through the conveying conduit (25) is altered in relation to the quantity of the solid material conveyed on a time average basis through the conveying conduit (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Gericke AG
    Inventor: Georg Szikszay
  • Patent number: 6283679
    Abstract: A seed cart for an air seeder is provided with pneumatic distribution system having a primary air distribution manifold. The primary air distribution manifold is provided with a top rank of venturis and a bottom rank of venturis for receiving an air stream from a blower which is divided into a top rank air stream and a bottom rank air stream. A selector valve is located above the top rank of venturis immediately below a product meter. The selector valve selectively directs metered product to either the top rank of venturis or the bottom rank of venturis. In a first position the selector valve directs metered product to the top rank of venturis in its second position the selector valve directs metered product to the bottom rank of venturis. Each selector valve is also provided with first and second air valves. In the selector valve's first position, the first air valve is open and directs air tapped from the top rank air stream to the product tank feeding product to the top rank of venturis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: David Walter Gregor, Terry Lee Snipes, Donald Raymond Wisor
  • Patent number: 6213690
    Abstract: A primary air distribution manifold for an air seeder's pneumatic distribution system, wherein the primary air distribution manifold is provided with a top rank of venturis and a bottom rank of venturis for receiving an air stream from a blower which is divided into a top rank air stream and a bottom rank air stream. A selector valve is located above the top rank of venturis immediately below a product meter. The selector valve selectively directs metered product to either the top rank of venturis or the bottom rank of venturis. In a first position the selector valve directs metered product to the top rank of venturis in its second position the selector valve directs metered product to the bottom rank of venturis. Each selector valve is also provided with first and second air valves. In the selector valve's first position, the first air valve is open and directs air tapped from the top rank air stream to the product tank feeding product to the top rank of venturis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: David Walter Gregor, Terry Lee Snipes, Donald Raymond Wisor
  • Patent number: 6079461
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring comminuted product from an unpressurized storage unit to a tank, especially a trailer-mounted tank. According to this method, an inert gas source is provided, preferably mounted on the trailer, and a conduit is provided to carry the product, which conduit is connected between the storage unit and the tank. The tank and conduit are evacuated so as to create a pressure differential between the storage unit and the tank, and the inert gas is allowed to flow into the evacuated tank in response to the partial vacuum therein. The product is then allowed to flow through the conduit to the tank in response to the partial vacuum therein. An improved trailer for receiving comminuted product according to a practice of the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: The Heil Co.
    Inventors: Larry Nelson Fisher, Warren Peery Groseclose
  • Patent number: 6056483
    Abstract: In a powder coating material feeding apparatus, a lid section is mounted onto an opening of a metal drum containing powder coating material, and a support unit holds the metal drum in its upside-down or tilted position. An air distribution panel supplies carrier air into a conveying hose via a carrier air supply port, opens a pinch valve, activates a vibrator, and supplies fluidizing air into an air chamber in the lid section to fluidize the powder coating material in the metal drum. With this arrangement, the powder coating material is drained into the conveying hose through a drain port in the lower end of the metal drum in its upside-down position, and is then transferred to a powder tank by the carrier air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Nihon Parkerizing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Nakamura, Takayuki Eto, Haruhiko Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 5558474
    Abstract: Apparatus 10 for discharging particulate material such as sand has a container 11 for the material, a supply conduit 20 for pressure gas, e.g. air, connected to an inlet 16 and via pipe 17 to an outlet 12 and a flexible discharge conduit 14 leading to nozzle 15. Flow in conduit 20 is controlled by a manually operable valve 21 biassed closed and when open gas and particulate material flow forcefully through nozzle 15. All the gas goes through valve 21. The apparatus can thus be controlled by an operative remote from the container 11 without consumption of pressure gas when valve 21 is closed. The valve 21 is mounted for convenient operation by a user. In a modification the valve 21 is nearer the container and operated from near the nozzle through a mechanical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Inventor: Kevin Wildon
  • Patent number: 5213450
    Abstract: An appliance for dispensing of bulk material includes a circular-cylindrical stationary cellular housing with individual chambers of a cross-section in the form of a segment of a circle, which are closed in an upper and lower region by respective upper and lower rotating cover plates each having an orifice in the form of a segment of an annulus, the dispensing appliance having in its upper and lower region respective receiving flanges for supporting and guiding the rotating cover plates external of the housing. The upper receiving flange and the lower receiving flange for the respective cover plates are formed by respective flanged plates facing away from the cellular housing and respective flanged plates confronting the cellular housing, between which the respective cover plates are supported and mounted rotatably on bearings provided in each of the respective flanged plates axially opposite one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: AVT Anlagen- und Verfahrenstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Bercx
  • Patent number: 5156499
    Abstract: An air lock for injecting a fibrous or granular material, such as insulation, into an airstream. The air lock has two counter-rotating, generally cylindrical rollers in facing contact with each other along their edges, made of a resilient material such as a closed cell foam. The rollers are also in facing contact with the outside of a tube or cylinder through which the airstream flows. The insulation is positioned on top of the rollers, and the rollers feed the insulation between them and into the airstream. The contact between the rollers and between the rollers and the injection tube create the air lock between the airstream and the atmosphere. The invention can also be used in a vacuum machine, particularly suited for vacuuming and collecting fibrous or granular materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Inventor: Henry A. Miklich