Abstract: A system for supplying a gas under pressure to a vessel such as a blender for particulate material which includes a central vertical lift column for recirculating material through the vessel to achieve blending. The system uses a first source of gas under pressure which may be a low pressure source suitable for a continuous operation of the blending apparatus. The system also is connected to a high pressure source of air such as plant air which is utilized as a supplemental source of air under pressure for initial start-up of the apparatus. A control system is provided which regulates the flow of the high pressure air to the gas supply conduit which acts as a reservoir for high pressure air. The control system allows the gas supply conduit to be pressurized.

Abstract: A device for emptying flexible or rigid containers having flexible discharge stubs for in bulk goods where the discharge stubs are sealable by being tied shut and always issue into the emptying device from where the in bulk goods are conveyed out by partial vacuum or free fall. The emptying device (6) consists of an upright cylindrical housing (7) having an outside diameter less than the inside diameter of the discharge stub (4). This housing, when connected, is spanned by the discharge stub (4). At least two jaws (10) which when closed are spaced away from the housing wall are provided to which are mounted at least one elastic belt, a cord (11) or the like which in the closed state of the jaws (10) rests while prestressed over the entire periphery of the housing (7) against the discharge stub (4) spanning the housing (7).

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: There is disclosed a flexible, hollow, tubular member for conducting a fluid therethrough to cause the tubular member to move in a whip-like manner inside a container. The conduction of fluid therethrough causes the tubular member to move in a generally upward direction through material in the container while producing whip-like motions of the tubular member to agitate compacted portions of the material and cause the material to discharge from the container. The container may include a passageway covered by an entry/sealing means which includes a one way flap or a flexible tubular housing to permit insertion of the tubular member enclosed by a tubular housing into the container, while preventing the escape of material from the container when the tubular member/housing has been removed. Retraction of the tubular housing relative to the flexible tubular member providing a substantially exposed section of the tubular member to allow for the random, whip-like movement of the tubular member in the container.

Abstract: A seed planter is provided with a stationary, funnel-shaped bin whose lower-end extension is constructed as a pair of electromagnetically, pneumatically, or mechanically pivoted brackets, defining a duct smaller than the grain when the brackets are closed. Other seeds are blown out of the funnel while one is retained until deposited upon briefly opening the brackets.

Abstract: A pneumatic pesticide duster for use in the application of pesticide dusts in structures. The apparatus comprises a dust reservoir, compressed air source, manually operated control valve and metallic discharge tube having an opening ranging in size up to about 3/4 inch capable of imparting an electrostatic charge to the expelled air/dust mixture such that dust is attracted to the walls of the structure and to insects therein. The apparatus is easily handled by one person while the amount of pesticide dispensed within the structure and the areas to which the pesticide is confined can be closely controlled.

Abstract: An emptying apparatus for removing the last contents of a silo includes an elevated floor supported by at least two support members above the bottom of the silo. The support members form at least one ventilating channel under the elevated floor. The elevated floor has a flat section for supporting at least two upper sheets, and at least one rib member disposed above the elevated floor and defining at least one emptying channel for emptying the contents of the silo. The flat section of the elevated floor has at least one transverse slit which connects the ventilating channel with the emptying channel. One of the upper sheets is disposed above the transverse slit and the flat section and overlaps another upper sheet to form a slit between them.

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 valve for controlling the flow of solids comprises a vessel having an overflow point, an inlet line for discharging solids into the vessel positioned within the vessel such that the inlet line's discharge point is lower than the vessel's overflow point, and apparatus for introducing a fluidizing fluid into the vessel. The fluidizing fluid fluidizes the solids within the vessel so that they overflow at the vessel's overflow point. For the removal of nuclear waste product the vessel may be placed within a sealed container having a bottom connected transport line for transporting the solids to storage or other sites. The rate of solids flow is controlled by the flow rate of the fluidizing fluid and by V-notch weirs of different sizes spaced about the top of the vessel.

Abstract: A device for continuous transporting granulated material includes a storage ontainer and a tubular conveyor housing positioned below and storage container and receiving the granulated material therefrom. The conveyor housing is supplied with pressurized air. A separating member is movable longitudinally of the conveyor housing between a space containing pressurized air and a space containing the granulated material. The separating member is peripherally spaced from the inner wall of the housing to form a through passage therebetween, which continually connects the pressurized air space with the space containing the granulated material. The separating member is provided with an opening connected to a discharge pipe. The separating member forms in the conveyor housing a movable pressure cushion of varying volume which in turn forms in the housing a pressure gas-material mixture which is discharged from the housing through the opening in the separating member and the discharge pipe.

Abstract: An operating process for the formation of a steady particle stream of particles which are conveyed within a flow conduit through the intermediary of a flow medium, and which are introduced into the medium flow under the effect of gravity through an infeed conduit discharging into the flow conduit. The invention also includes an arrangement for the effectuation of the process. A partial flow of the flow medium from the flow conduit is introduced into the infeed conduit in a direction counter to the flow direction of the particles, and is regulated in the manner so as to set the desired particle flow. The volumetric flow of the flow medium which streams counter to the particles in the infeed conduit can, in an advantageous manner, be regulated externally of the infeed conduit whereby no regulating devices will be located in the flow path of the particles.

Abstract: A silo for storage and homogenization of powder-like commodities includes a housing with a peripheral wall defining an interior chamber in which a cone facilitating the flowing movement of the commodity is located. The cone has an apex formed with a ventilation opening which is surrounded by an aerating device to which air is supplied. A bottom wall arranged within the housing has an outlet for discharging the commodity from the silo and is provided with pneumatic chutes sloped towards the outlet. A number of sector-like ventilation elements are mounted on the bottom wall which are adapted to admit air to the silo which air rises through the interior of the cone, passes through the ventilation opening and enters the commodity located above the cone.

Abstract: A container for receiving a charge of pressurized air and storing the air in this container until released through a blast nozzle and having a quick dump valve apparatus within this container. The valve includes a removable pipe which contains a large slidable piston which opens and closes the flow of accumulated air to the discharge. This piston is moved in response to a solenoid actuated small piston which is moved in a small tube. This small tube extends through the large piston which slides therealong.

Abstract: A novel flume hopper is employed in combination with a vacuum-operated hydraulic conveyor in a field or storage handling system for efficiently transferring produce to a holding tank without inflicting damage.

Abstract: A bridge of particulate and ground food, feed and inorganic substances, such as soybean meal, corn meal, flour, cement and the like in a storage vessel is broken by reducing the internal pressure of the vessel and introducing inert gas under pressure of from atmosphere to up to 10 kg/cm.sup.2 to impart impact for breaking the bridge of the particulate and ground substances. After discharge of the particulate and ground substances from the storage vessel, the matter sticking to the internal walls of the vessel can be removed by again reducing pressure and giving impact of introduced atmosphere or pressurized gas. Further, the internal pressure of the closed storage vessel is reduced prior to injecting fumigant gas and thereafter by introducing inert gas the internal pressure is brought to normal pressure to improve fumigation of the substances.

Abstract: A pneumatic vibratory bin discharge cone for dry bulk material bins is provided with an annular raised ridge on the inner surface of the frustoconical discharge duct for improved intermittent sealing engagement of the vibrating member with the duct, whereby to create desired vibratory action of the member and to assure positive initiation of material flow from the bin. The raised ridge cooperates with the vibrating member to automatically intensify the amplitude of the latter when resistance to material flow from the bin is encountered such that bin-directed shock waves are created tending to break up flow-resisting conglomerates and bridges in the material. In one embodiment, a novel pneumatic system is disclosed, such system allowing adjustment of air flow to the flexible member whereby the latter may be vibrated without aerating the material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming and handling a slurry in a hopper-type container, preferably a hopper railroad car. The product may be unloaded dry using air or the product may be aerated, then liquefied while air continues to be forced thereinto, then agitated and mixed to insure formation of a slurry or solution having consistent properties. The slurry or solution is aerated during the discharge thereof from the container. The aeration for dry or liquid discharge is preferably performed using aeration devices such as that device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,261.

Abstract: Apparatus for preconditioning of organic hygroscopic coating powders to render them free flowing and facilitate their electrostatic application to preheated workpieces. The preconditioning technique includes drying the powder prior to electrostatic application to remove moisture and break up agglomerates using a fluidized bed drying process with concurrent mechanical agitation to form a substantially dry, free flowing powder and aspirating powder from the fluidized bed.