Abstract: A feeder arrangement for a slurry transport system, which is preferably a hydro hoist, includes a chamber with a high pressure water inlet, a low pressure water outlet, and a low pressure solids inlet at a top end. The low pressure solids inlet has a transfer chute that opens into a lower section of the chamber to maintain a clear-water environment adjacent the top end. A high pressure solids and water outlet is provided at a bottom end. The inlets and outlets are controlled by suitable valves. Three such chambers are preferably operated together in sequence between incoming and outgoing columns in a mine.

Abstract: A particulate material delivery system for an agricultural implement including, an inductor box configured to receive particulate material from a tank, the inductor box including, an inductor segment comprising a particulate material supply chamber configured to guide the particulate material toward a fluidization chamber, and an air supply chamber configured to receive airflow from an airflow supply, wherein the inductor box is configured to direct the airflow from the air supply chamber to the particulate material supply chamber through a first airflow path and through a second airflow path remote from the first air path.

Abstract: A conveying system for conveying a conveyable material from a hopper where the system includes a fluid port located below the hopper outlet and in a vertical flow path into hopper outlet that can be momentarily opened for an on the go release of a charge of compressed air directly upward into the hopper outlet and into the underside of the bridge in the hopper to either disintegrate or unlock the bridged particles from each other thereby causing the bridged material to fall into the hopper outlet and into the conveying system where the material can be transported to a remote location or to remove any material that may be adhering to the wall during an emptying phase.

Abstract: A process for pressurizing bulk material in a hopper; wherein the hopper is configured as a lock hopper (29) containing a bulk material, a source of pressurized gas, lines (22, 26, 28) to convey the pressurized gas from the source to one or more inlets (30) of the lock hopper, a valve arranged in the lines, wherein the opening position of said valve (34, 35) is controlled to provide pressurizing gas to the lock hopper at a preset constant gas volume flow rate.

Abstract: A conveying system for conveying a conveyable material from a hopper where the system includes a fluid port located below the hopper outlet and in a vertical flow path into hopper outlet that can be momentarily opened for an on the go release of a charge of compressed air directly upward into the hopper outlet and into the underside of the bridge in the hopper to either disintegrate or unlock the bridged particles from each other thereby causing the bridged material to fall into the hopper outlet and into the conveying system where the material can be transported to a remote location or to remove any material that may be adhering to the wall during an emptying phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for conveying an operating material, comprising a filling chamber (3) with an inlet (4) for filling the filling chamber (3) with the operating material, a conveying section (6) for conveying the operating material to an outlet (5), a transition element (7) between the filling chamber (3) and the conveying section (6) which can be switched between an open position and a closed position. The operating material which is introduced via the inlet (4) in the filling chamber (3), in the open position of the transition element (7), can be transferred in the conveying section (6) by means of a gaseous transport medium, and the operating material can be discharged from the outlet (5) from the conveying section (6) by means of a gaseous transport medium.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for uptake and transport of particulate matter in a gas stream. The apparatus includes a receiver for the particulate matter connected with a gravity feed input channel assembly with a passive metering orifice therein. An in-line aeration and distribution chamber assembly is connected with an outlet from the input channel assembly and includes a chamber with plural discrete gas intake passageways opening thereinto. An outlet channel exits the chamber and is connectable with a vacuum suction source for directing a gas stream having the particulate matter entrained therein from the apparatus.

Abstract: A portable air abrasion device has a dispensing chamber and a flow valve for controlling the flow rate from the dispensing chamber. The flow valve includes a fluid flow chamber for receiving granular materials exiting the dispensing chamber. The fluid flow chamber has a granular materials inlet port, a fluid flow inlet port for receiving the flow of a fluid to the fluid flow chamber and a fluidized granular material exit port for dispensing a fluidized mixture of the granular material away from the fluid flow chamber. The fluid flow chamber also has a flow regulator employing a lead screw to control the flow of fluidized granular material through the fluidized granular material exit port.

Abstract: A shield for a plug valve is provided to prevent debris from hindering the movement of moving components of the plug valve. The shield prevents larger sized debris from accumulating at an opening in a wall in which the plug valve is mounted, the wall defining a confined space, such as the interior of a vessel, at least in part. The shield encloses but is spaced from the plug valve and a device is located within a space between the shield and the plug valve for directing a purging gas through the space to sweep away or purge smaller sized debris from the space.

Abstract: In a device for transferring bulk material from a reservoir or a holding space through a lock space into a pneumatic conveyor line—in which the lock space can be closed in relation to the reservoir or holding space by an axially movable closure body and at least one counterpart sealing element disposed in opposite relationship in its path of movement—the closure body has at least one vent opening which opens into an air discharge passage and can be closed in the upward closing movement of a stroke element with the sealing body; the downward opening travel (x) thereof is shorter than the downward travel of the stroke element with the sealing body. The closure body enlarges from a narrow cross-section—forming an inner sealing edge in a funnel-like configuration towards the sealing body and the narrow cross-section is an annular seat for the sealing body in the closure position.

Abstract: A bulk particulate handling apparatus and method for transferring material between a first and second site which utilizes a stream of gas to remove material from the flow path. Contamination of the flow-path is thereby reduced by providing the stream of gas for the removal of material before and after flow of material. A method embodied by the invention is directed toward the use of a bulk particulate handling apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying granular plastic materials, for example silicone granulate, including a storage tank, a device for loosening granular plastic material positioned within the storage tank, as well as a discharge device for indirectly or directly transporting granular material to an extruder antechamber. Even granular plastic materials that are difficult to pour can be conveyed in a reliable and economical way due to the process of loosening the granular plastic materials by means of a suitable device.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a particulate material having an upstream source of particulate material, a delivery device disposed downstream of the upstream source of particulate material and communicable with the source for delivering the particulate material from the source to a discharge conduit, conveying device communicable with the discharge conduit for conveying the particulate material through the discharge conduit, the delivery device and the conveying device being cooperable to form an incremental batch of dischargeable particulate material downstream of the delivery device.

Abstract: A device for the contamination-free conveying of powders which has a movable cone arranged within a discharge hopper, which, when in an open position, forms an annular gap between itself and the wall of the hopper. The amount of powder which is discharged through the annular gap is controlled by the amount of time the cone remains in the open position. The powder which is discharged from the hopper is supplied to a liquid jet pump, and is conveyed by the liquid jet formed by the liquid jet pump to a dispersing or dissolving tank.

Abstract: A closure device for the discharge outlet of a bulk material conveying unit which operates under vacuum. The outlet has a circular cross-section, and the outlet opening of the conveying unit is closed by means of a freely movable closure element, particularly a ball. The closing effect is achieved by means of a vacuum in the conveying unit. In the open position, i.e. after the vacuum is switched off, the ball moves downward and rests on a supporting device and thereby forms an annular discharge outlet cross-section which is interrupted only by the struts of the supporting device.

Abstract: A device for projecting measured quantities of a fluid substance by a puff of compressed air, said device comprising: a body (1) having an ejection channel (4); an actuator member (2) displaceable relative to the body (1) between a rest position and an actuated position; a resilient return member (19) urging the actuator member (2) towards its rest position; a supply (3) of said substance; a feed (5, 6) adapted to move a measured quantity of said substance from the supply (3) into the ejection channel (4); and an air pump (7) comprising a pump chamber (8) having an inlet valve (10, 11) in communication with the atmosphere; the device being characterized in that the outlet valve is constituted by a valve piston (12) constrained to be displaced with the actuator member (2) and sliding in sealed manner in a valve cylinder (13) having a top end (13a), said cylinder having a lateral outlet orifice (14) which communicates with the ejection channel (4), said valve cylinder having its top end (13a) in communication w

Abstract: In apparatus for conveying batches of ice lumps from a storage hopper to remotely located ice dispensers, ice lumps from the storage hopper are delivered into the main conduits through corresponding main valves and connecting conduits extending between each main valve and the storage hopper. Metering valves meter batches of ice lumps of predetermined size into the main conduits. Conveying air from an air blower is supplied to the main conduits through the main valves for conveying the batches of ice lumps. In use, batches of ice lumps are intermittently delivered into the main conduit, and the batches of ice lumps and conveying air are alternately supplied to the main conduit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plug valve adapted to be placed in a chamber or vessel containing fluidized particles to control flow of the fluidized particles between the chamber or vessel and the open end of a conduit which has a contained purging system in a sealed space between the valve stem and guide tube effective to keep the fluidized particles out of the space. A purging medium is provided under pressure to the sealed space as a backup and only purges the space of fluidized particles which enter it due to leakage of one or both of the stuffing boxes. Other features of the plug valve are described.

Abstract: A device for metering and entraining a measured quantity of a dry, powdered and/or granular product with a gas stream moving in a conduit system. The device includes a hollow housing having a gas inlet opening and a gas and product outlet opening to and from, respectively, the interior of the housing connected to the conduit system so that a gas stream enters and exits the housing in the conduit system. Inlet structure of an appropriate size at the gas inlet opening causes the gas stream to move between the inlet opening and the outlet opening through the interior of the housing at a sufficient velocity to pick up and entrain product in the interior of the housing in the gas stream. Product is allowed to enter the housing through a product receiving opening from a product supply container to facilitate a supply of product to the interior of the housing.

Abstract: A device for metering and entraining a measured quantity of a dry, powdered and/or granular product with a gas stream moving in a conduit system. The device includes a hollow housing having a gas inlet opening and a gas and product outlet opening to and from, respectively, the interior of the housing connected to the conduit system so that a gas stream enters and exits the housing in the conduit system. Inlet structure of an appropriate size at the gas inlet opening causes the gas stream to move between the inlet opening and the outlet opening through the interior of the housing at a sufficient velocity to pick up and entrain product in the interior of the housing in the gas stream. Product is allowed to enter the housing through a product receiving opening from a product supply container to facilitate a supply of product to the interior of the housing.

Abstract: A powder dispenser basically characterized by a powder reservoir (14) positioned above a mixing chamber (18). The mixing chamber (18) is separated from the powder reservoir by a first wall (16). The first wall (16) includes a powder outlet (22) bordered by a downwardly directed upper valve seat (24). The mixing chamber (18) includes a second wall (20) spaced axially below the first wall (16). The second wall (20) includes an air inlet (32) bordered by an upwardly directed lower valve seat (28). An axially movable valve plug (32) is located within the mixing chamber (18). The valve plug (32) has upper and lower surfaces (34 and 36), with the lower surface normally resting on the lower valve seat (28), and its upper surface (34) normally spaced axially from the upper valve seat (24).

Abstract: An attachment for use with a fertilizer distributor apparatus (22). The attachment includes a plurality of plungers (82) comprising an assembly for cleaning entry ports (46) to distributor conduits (48) and for governing which ports (46) fertilizer will be channelled into. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises two gangs of plungers (82), one gang for entry into ports (46) leading to distributor conduits (48) extending to a boom (62) on one side of a distribution vehicle (20). The other gang of plungers (82) controls entry of fertilizer into and through entry ports (46) opening into distributor conduits (48) leading to the boom (62) on the other side of the vehicle (20).

Abstract: A valved seed outlet is disclosed for use in a seed apparatus for dispensing fluffy or hairy coated seed that is prone to bridging. The valve seed outlet is mounted in an opening of a storage container and comprises mounting structure for mounting the outlet beneath the storage container. A valve seat defines an orifice beneath the storage container through which seed may flow. The valve seat has a valve member mounted therein. The valve member is restrained from rotary motion by at least one support post. The valve seed outlet further has a seed sweep member mounted to disturb the seed at the orifice. The seed sweep member is continuously or intermittently activated. Even further, the valve seed outlet comprises a pair of perpendicular passages using the venturi effect to draw seed through valve aspiration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle for transport of material. To allow for the pellet-like material, such as cattle feed, to be unloaded without disturbance, the height adjustable closing member of the discharge funnel is provided with a cutting edge for destruction of pellet-like material.

Abstract: A fish hold construction for a fishing vessel, wherein the vessel is provided with a longitudinally extending water flume fish alley. Fish move with the help of gravity and water or brine into such fish alley from a plurality of fish storage holds. Water or brine is continuously recirculated through the fish alley to urge the fish along such alley into a fish elevating conveyor for removal from the vessel. A 'tween deck located in vertical alignment with, and above, the fish alley houses pipes, pumps and refrigeration components.

Abstract: Apparatus for passing a feed of particulate material into a pneumatic conveyor conduit includes a charging chamber communicating with the material feed and a closure arrangement having a closure cone axially movable between a position of communicating the charging chamber with the material feed and a closure position of closing off the chamber from the feed. The closure cone is formed by the base portion of a hollow operating member extending substantially axially in the direction of flow of the material from the feed into the chamber. The operating member is generally tubular and has at least one opening outside the material flow path into the charging chamber. A closure element within the operating member is movable between first and second positions of closing and opening the opening in the operating member, in dependence on the phase of the conveying operation.

Abstract: A plug valve and a sealing assembly for a plug valve. A plug valve having a plug closure member for sealing off the open end of a conduit and thereby preventing flow of a first fluid through the conduit, the plug closure member connected to a hollow stem tube, a channel for the flow of a second fluid, (a lift medium), extending through the hollow stem tube and plug closure member, the plug closure member and stem movable in a guide tube toward and away from the open end of the conduit, the plug closure member seatable in the open end of the conduit, and a sealing assembly disposed between the stem tube and guide tube for preventing the flow of fluid, fluidized catalysts, or purge medium downward past the sealing assembly and for preventing the flow of lift medium or feedstock upward past the sealing assembly. A spacer for a purge channel is provided for even distribution of a purge medium.

Abstract: An apparatus having a charging lock chamber which can be alternately closed off with respect to a supply container by a movable closure head and an annular sealing edge in opposite relationship thereto as a seat therefor, on the one hand, and from a pneumatic conveyor conduit by a flap, on the other hand, for charging a feed of particles of bulk material into the conveyor conduit, is to require inter alia only one conveyor vessel for the virtually continuous conveying of bulk material, is not to require a metering device disposed at an upstream location, and is also to be suitable for conveying pressures of around 6 bars. That is achieved in that associated with the sealing edge is at least one annular feed duct for a curtain of air which is directed towards the closure head, and that the flap which is pivoted at one end has a force storage device engaging beneath it and in its closure position bears against the substantially horizontal edge of a mouth opening (18) of the charging lock chamber.

Abstract: A vortex chamber is disclosed which has a circular elliptical or volute perimeter and end wall. High pressure fluid enters tangentially at the perimeter. Part of this high pressure fluid exits at an axial outlet, forming a vortex. The balance of the high pressure fluid exits at a second tangential outlet at the perimeter. Dry solids are fed into a hopper which is connected to a second axial inlet. The axial inlet should be smaller than the axial outlet, and the two may be concentric. Once the solids enter the vortex chamber, some of them move to the perimeter due to centrifugal force. Once at the perimeter, the solids exit at the tangential outlet.

Abstract: A constant discharge device for a pneumatic conveyor for powdery or granular materials includes a discharge regulator valve disposed in a pressure tank that stores the powdery or granular material and movable toward or away from a discharge nozzle which has an open end through which the material is discharged out of the pressure tank into a conveyor pipe. The discharge regulator valve has an air outlet for ejecting a stream of air toward the discharge nozzle. The amount of the material as discharged into the conveyor pipe can be controlled by adjusting the position of the discharge regulator valve with respect to the discharge nozzle, and also by adjusting the rate of flow of air through the outlet of the discharge regulator valve.

Abstract: A dispenser tank having an orifice and containing powdered reagent which is supplied through the tank orifice to a pool of molten metal for effecting desulphurization thereof is provided with a plunger arranged to reciprocate through the tank orifice so as to crumble lumps and foreign matter which may accumulate at the orifice and interfere with the free flow of powdered reagent therethrough and a cup shaped closure element is movable with the plunger and arranged to close and open the tank orifice due to reciprocable motion imparted to the closure element and plunger by a suitable operating means such as a cylinder and piston mounted within the dispenser tank and in order to unload the tank during emergency conditions a discharge conduit is arranged to extend through a wall of the tank and is controlled by a valve outside the tank so that pressure inside the dispenser tank may be used to blow the powdered reagent out of the tank and into a collection tank for temporary storage and subsequent use.

Abstract: Apparatus which controllably meters dry powder from a powder supply chamber falling through a vertically disposed axial passageway interconnecting the supply chamber with a mixing chamber therebelow for forming an air-powder mixture therein for transport to a desired site. A tapered plug member is bonded to a bimorph bender comprising a piezoelectric element bonded to each face of a thin, flat, cantilevered metallic beam which is deflectable by a dc bias or driving voltage applied to the bender to cause the tapered plug to penetrate or move within the passageway, thus varying width of annular gap formed between the plug and passageway, and hence, amount of powder capable of falling therethrough. An oscillating voltage may be impressed upon the piezoelectric elements to cause the deflected beam to additionally be vibratorily displaced in accordance with the frequency of vibrations of the impressed oscillating source.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plug valve adapted to be placed in a chamber or vessel containing fluidized particles to control flow of the fluidized particles between the chamber or vessel and the open end of a conduit which has a contained purging system in a sealed space between the valve stem and guide tube effective to keep the fluidized particles out of the space. A purging medium is provided under pressure to the sealed space as a backup and only purges the space of fluidized particles which enter it due to leakage of one or both of the stuffing boxes. Other features of the plug valve are described.