Abstract: A flotation conveyance apparatus according to an embodiment includes a flotation unit for floating a substrate by ejecting a gas to a lower surface of the substrate. The flotation unit includes a plurality of ejecting ports provided on a surface facing the substrate and configured to eject the gas, and slits penetrating the flotation unit in a vertical direction. The flotation conveyance apparatus is configured in such a way that the gas staying between a surface of the flotation unit facing the substrate and the substrate is discharged to a lower surface side of the flotation unit through the slits.

Abstract: A noncontact support platform includes a plurality of pressure nozzles on an outer surface of a PV stage of the noncontact support platform. The pressure nozzles connected to a pressure source for creating an outflow of fluid through the pressure nozzles. A plurality of vacuum nozzles are interspersed with the pressure nozzles on the outer surface and are connected to a vacuum manifold via one or a plurality of hoses to create an inflow of the fluid through the vacuum nozzles. At least one flowmeter is configured to generate a signal that is indicative of a measured inflow via at least one hose of the hoses. A controller is configured to analyze the signal to determine whether the measured inflow is indicative of blockage of a vacuum nozzle and to generate a response when blockage is indicated.

Abstract: A system for instrument conveyance may include at least one handling unit configured to dispense or accept instruments; at least one head unit configured to obtain input from a user in connection with a transaction involving instruments, where the at least one head unit includes a presentation opening between an interior side and an exterior side of the at least one head unit; a transportation system disposed between the at least one handling unit and the at least one head unit; and a shuttle device configured to transport instruments between the at least one handling unit and the at least one head unit via the transportation system, where the shuttle device includes an internal compartment for containing instruments, and where the shuttle device is configured to expose the internal compartment to the exterior side of the at least one head unit via the presentation opening.

Abstract: Method for conveying and handling waste material in the channel section of a pneumatic wastes conveying system, in which method solid waste material or recycleable material fed into a conveying pipe is conveyed in the conveying pipe of the pneumatic pipe transport system for material along with the transporting air flow to the delivery end of the material conveying system, where the material is separated from the transporting air.

Abstract: An arena includes a porous surface through which an airflow is output, thereby providing lift for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to push the UAV away from the porous surface. The airflow may also provide thrust to push the UAV in a direction that is parallel to the porous surface. The UAV may include one or more propellers that can provide lift, thrust, or both to the UAV. The airflow may be modified over a duration of time to modify lift or thrust to the UAV. The airflow may be modified based on regions of the arena to modify lift or thrust in different regions of the arena. The arena may include a scoreboard to display a score that may be modified as a result of actions undertaken by the UAV. Two or more UAVs may be used to play a game via the arena.

Abstract: An arena includes a porous surface through which an airflow is output, thereby providing lift for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to push the UAV away from the porous surface. The airflow may also provide thrust to push the UAV in a direction that is parallel to the porous surface. The UAV may include one or more propellers that can provide lift, thrust, or both to the UAV. The airflow may be modified over a duration of time to modify lift or thrust to the UAV. The airflow may be modified based on regions of the arena to modify lift or thrust in different regions of the arena. The arena may include a scoreboard to display a score that may be modified as a result of actions undertaken by the UAV. Two or more UAVs may be used to play a game via the arena.

Abstract: A thermal conditioning unit to thermally condition a substrate, the thermal conditioning unit including: a thermal conditioning element having a first layer, in use, facing the substrate and including a material having a thermal conductivity of 100 W/mK or more, a second layer and a heat transfer component positioned between the first and second layers; and a stiffening member which is stiffer than the thermal conditioning element and configured to support the thermal conditioning element so as to reduce mechanical deformation thereof, wherein the thermal conditioning element is thermally isolated from the stiffening member.

Abstract: A transport apparatus includes a bearing assembly for transporting an article. The bearing assembly includes a support structure for receiving the article, and a plenum housing for receiving the support structure. The plenum housing and the support structure define a plenum cavity, the plenum cavity being configured to receive and direct a flowing gas for floatingly supporting the article above the support structure. The bearing assembly further includes at least one sensor assembly, which includes a sensor for transmitting and receiving energy emissions for determining a location of the article relative to the support structure. The sensor assembly may determine the location of the article relative to the support structure substantially through at least one aperture located on the bearing assembly. The article location determined by the sensor assembly may be communicated to a display panel or a control unit for adjusting the location if necessary.

Abstract: Method for handling outlet air in a pneumatic waste-conveying system, in which the outlet air is at least partly the conveying air to be used in waste conveying. The outlet air is blown from the outward blowing pipe (1) into a chamber (24) comprising at least one output aperture (22) and one second aperture (16, 17), in which second aperture a suction effect is achieved with the blowing of the outlet air such that additional air is brought into the body of outlet air in the chamber via the at least one second aperture (16, 17) as a consequence of the suction effect achieved with the outlet air, and that the outlet air and the additional air mix with each other at least partly in the chamber (24) before the output aperture (22) from which the mixture of outlet air and additional air is conducted away. The invention also relates to an apparatus.

Abstract: A material collection unit for a material handling system is disclosed. The material collection unit includes an elongated housing section, a separator, and an accumulation bin. The separator is disposed within the housing section and partially bisects the elongated housing section into first and second sections. The first section is in communication with an inlet for materials to pass through. The second section is in communication with an exhaust. The accumulation bin is disposed below the elongated housing and has an open top section that is in communication with the elongated housing section and a second opening that is configured to mate with an opening of a baler unit.

Abstract: [Problem] To control a lift force acting on an object being conveyed by non-contact conveyance equipment in a non-contact manner. [Solution] A non-contact conveyance equipment that conveys an object in a non-contact manner, comprises a cup-shaped member including a concave portion, an air inlet, and an opening rim that faces the object, a fan provided inside the concave portion of the cup-shaped member, that rotates to suck air into the concave portion through the air inlet, the air forming a swirl flow in the concave portion, and an adjusting member provided at the cup-shaped member, that adjusts an amount of air sucked through the air inlet.

Abstract: A system for handling sample vials includes a vault for receiving a series of storage cartridges. Inside the cartridges are one or more discs providing vial recesses. In multidisc cartridges, through passages are provided to place and retrieve vials into and from the subjacent discs. A pick up device is moved until it aligns with a selected vial and the vial is pneumatically removed. A device is provided to reverse orientation of a vial moving through the system. A venturi operated system is provided including symmetrical bleed off ports to propel vials through the system without inducing excessive spinning of the vials. A piping system from a central bank to a multiplicity of analytical instruments includes a minimum number of through conduits and a diverter at each instrument location for sending the vial either to the instrument or downstream toward another diverter and instrument.

Abstract: A device for collecting items from a container comprises a collection unit, a conduit, a vacuum producing unit and a controller. The conduit is in fluid communication with the collection unit and is mountable to the container so as to be placed in fluid communication therewith. The vacuum producing unit produces a vacuum within the conduit. The controller is linked to the vacuum producing unit and is configured to acquire data regarding the contents of the container. When the controller receives data regarding the contents of the container it controls the vacuum producing unit to modulate the vacuum produced within the conduit thereby suctioning the items within the container when mounted thereto into the collection unit. The container can be a transit fare box for receiving items tendered for fare. The data regarding the contents of the container can be the volume of items within the container.

Abstract: A product distributing apparatus is described as well as a system and method of automatically calibrating the meter of the apparatus which does not require the operator to leave the operator station of the towing vehicle. One application of such an apparatus and method is in an agricultural air seeder and it is in this context that the apparatus is described.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for transferring slurry, which is used to transfer minerals from the bottom of the sea to the ground; and, more particularly, to an apparatus for transferring slurry, which can efficiently transfer the slurry in the state of a solid-liquid mixture containing the minerals without clogging of a transfer pipe.

Abstract: A wafer floats and is transported while gas is blown from holes passing vertically through a middle portion of a transport path against a rear face of the wafer to be transported, and from holes on opposite sides of the transport path that are inclined obliquely relative to a traveling direction of the wafer toward a center axis of the transport path against the rear face of the wafer. In the step of transporting the wafer, a flow rate of gas is adjusted that is blown from the holes on a side where the wafer deviates from a transport course.

Abstract: A pressure tank having a simple structure to intermittently feed powder to a conveying pipe, and a method for determining the intervals for feeding the powder to the conveying pipe. The pressure tank includes a tank body used as a structure of a pressure vessel having a receiving port at its upper portion and a discharging port at its lower portion, a first check valve disposed just under the receiving port so that it can freely move up and down, and so that it can close the receiving port by its upward movement that is caused by means of compressed air, and a second check valve disposed just under the discharging port so that it can freely move up and down, and so that it can close the discharging port by its upward movement that is caused by means of compressed air.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for transferring particles from an upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone. A valveless conduit provides particle communication from the upper zone to the middle zone and a valved conduit provides particle communication from the middle zone to the lower zone. The transfer of particles between the zones through the conduits is regulated by varying the pressure of the middle zone, the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduit, and the valve in the valved conduit.

Abstract: A material transporting system comprises a material transporting apparatus (100) including a material transporting apparatus hopper structure (200, 202), which comprises at least one rotary transporting apparatus; a stationary hub structure (900) constraining and assisting the at least one rotary transporting apparatus; an outlet duct configuration (700) configured to permit material to exit therefrom and comprising at least one diverging portion (702, 702?); an outlet abutment configuration (800) configured to direct material to the outlet duct configuration; an outlet valve assembly from the material transporting system venting the material transporting system; and a moving wall configuration in the material transporting apparatus capable of assisting the material transporting apparatus in transporting material in the material transporting system.

Abstract: A pneumatic card transport system is disclosed. The system is configured to use pressurized air to transport a card inserted to a conveying duct inside a card passageway assembly from a first end to a second end. Air nozzles are configured to release the pressurized airstreams at an angle relative to the conveying duct so that the card is essentially floating when traveling along the conveying duct. Hence, the card makes zero or minimum contact with the inner surface of the conveying duct. This will not only reduce the wear and tear of the card, but also reduces the traveling time inside the conveying duct.

Abstract: A system is provided for distributing particulate matter. The system includes at least two conduits, each conduit extending from a common first position adjacent a source of particulate matter to a second position. The pressure differential between the first and second positions is substantially the same for each conduit. A pressurized fluid conveys particulate matter through the at least two conduits. A device measures mass flow of particulate matter in each of the at least two conduits. A controller is in communication with the device that provides additional pressurized fluid to each conduit having a solids ratio greater than the desired solids ratio of the at least two conduits in response to a measured mass flow rate to balance (or to preferentially bias) mass flow of particulate matter through each of the at least two conduits.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting an article through a conduit includes a conduit extending between a sending station and a receiving station, first and second gates remote from the sending and receiving stations for selectively sealing the conduit between a selected one of the gates and the article, a pressure source connected to the conduit between the first and second gates for selectively exhausting or pressurizing the conduit to create a pressure differential across the article in the conduit, a transfer switch connected to the conduit at a predetermined location between the first and second gates, the transfer switch operative to open and close the first and second gates and actuate the pressure source and wherein the conduit between the article and one of the gates is exhausted to propel the article from the sending station toward the transfer switch and the conduit between the carrier and the other of said gates is pressurized in response to a signal from the transfer switch to propel the carrier away fro

Abstract: An air powered storage device is provided that is operative to temporarily store pneumatic carriers within a pneumatic carrier system. Generally, the device includes a pneumatic tube that is sized to permit the passage of pneumatic carriers. A gate member is selectively positionable into and out of an internal bore of the pneumatic tube to impede movement of pneumatic carriers there through. The device further includes a blower having a first fluid inlet disposed on a first side of the gate member and a fluid outlet disposed on a second side of the gate member. The fluid inlet and outlet are fluidly interconnected to the internal bore of the pneumatic tube such that the blower is selectively operable to generate a fluid flow through the internal bore between the fluid outlet and the fluid inlet. Such fluid flow may be utilized to reinitiate movement of a stopped carrier.

Abstract: The invention discloses a transporting apparatus provided with a air-supplying-type support device for supplying purified air toward a lower surface of a transported object to contactlessly support the transported object in a horizontal orientation or a substantially horizontal orientation, a drive force application device for applying a drive force in the transporting direction to the transported object, a first transport member, a second transport member, and a relay transport member that links the first transport member and the second transport member. The drive force application device applies a drive force by contacting a lower surface of the transported object that is supported by the air-supplying-type support device. The relay transport member changes at least one of the transporting direction and the transporting orientation of the transported object.

Abstract: Embedded in a transport assembly are arrays of microelectromechanical sensors and actuators for detecting and propelling an object. A controller having defined therein local computational agents and a global controller controls the array of sensors and actuators. The global controller provides global operating constraints to the local computational agents. The global operating constraints are developed using an approximate specification of system behavior based on simplified assumptions of an idealized system as well as limited sensor information aggregated from the array of sensors. The local computational agents compute a desired local actuator response using sensor information from a localized grouping of sensor units. To improve the accuracy of the global operating constraints, the local computational agents reduce differences between a global actuator response, computed using the global operating constraints, and the desired local actuator response.

Abstract: In a device for conveying and positioning structural elements at a conveying track, a structural element is brought into pending state at the conveying track and the conveying track is tilted in conveying direction so that the structural element slides downwards to approach a target point. The position of the structural element is detected. The device further includes a control unit wherein the position of the structural element is detected within a predetermined range of the target point to be reached, and a time, at which the conveying track is tilted and re-tilted at a predetermined angular speed by a predetermined angle, is determined by using a calculation and control algorithm, so that the structural element is intercepted.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for transporting a transported object in a transporting direction as the transported object is supported by air, the apparatus having a plurality of transporting units. A specific transporting unit of the plurality of transporting units is controlled based on the transporting state of at least one other transporting unit. Thus, it is possible to reduce the number of problems that may occur during transporting.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the mass flow of a particulate solids flow in a pneumatic pipeline includes a measuring chamber and an impact body. Through an inlet connection the particulate solids flow is blown as a compact solid/gas jet onto the impact body, so as to impact thereon with substantially its whole cross-section. An acoustic transducer is associated with the impact body for sensing structure-born acoustic waves, which are generated by the compact solid/gas jet impacting onto the impact body, and transforming them into an output signal. Signal processing process the output signal so as to derive a value that is representative of the mass flow rate of the particulate solids flow.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for feeding sliders (31) from a source of sliders to the slider insertion area (27) of at least two slider insertion devices (18, 19). A sensor (30, 52) on a sender track (20, 21) detects a lack of sliders (31) in the sender track. A signal is sent from the sensor (30, 52) to actuate a vibratory bowl (14) of sliders (31) and a plunger (35) to open a passage, thereby releasing the sliders (31) to a sender track (20, 21). When a sensor (46, 56) detects a lack of sliders (31) in a loading rack (25, 26) or a slider insertion area (27), the sensor (46, 56) signals a plunger (44, 58) and a pneumatic valve (48, 60) to open a passage to provide an air blast, thereby launching the sliders (31) onto the slider insertion area (27) of each slider insertion device (18, 19).

Abstract: A method of disposing of hazardous materials wherein a dedicated pneumatic tube system is used. The pneumatic tube system has a plurality of loading stations all connected to a single destination station. The hazardous materials are placed in a disposable carrier which is transported to the destination station. Each disposable carrier has a marker which identifies the disposable carrier. A control unit cooperates with the markers and activates the pneumatic tube system. The disposable carrier is a cylinder with a sealable cover.

Abstract: A transporting apparatus includes a transporting plane and a transporting platform which can be displaced in different directions in a largely friction-free manner on an air cushion above the transporting plane, the air cushion being generated by air nozzles which are distributed in the transporting plane and are adapted to be optionally opened and closed individually in each case by a valve. Compressed air flows out of the air nozzles in the upward direction from beneath through the transporting plane, and the valves of the air nozzles and the transporting platform are designed such that they interact with one another depending on the position of the transporting platform. The valves of the air nozzles are designed as solenoid valves equipped with a magnet coil, and the transporting platform has ferromagnetic regions that interact with the magnet coils of the solenoid valves in dependence on the position of the transporting platform.

Abstract: A fluid pumping assembly for pumping particulate material includes a pump housing defining a pump cavity including a pumping chamber for handling particulate material, a motive fluid chamber, and a moveable diaphragm. The fluid pumping assembly also includes devices for loading particulate material into the pumping chamber, and for injecting a high pressure, high volume purging fluid into the pumping chamber. Further, the fluid pumping assembly includes a control system having a control valve for shutting off flow of high pressure, high volume purging fluid into the pumping chamber when particulate material is being loaded into the pumping chamber, thus enabling dense phase loading of particulate material, and thereby optimizing a particulate material pumping capacity of the fluid pumping assembly.

Abstract: Rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry are advanced lengthwise in a conduit by a first air flow. Blasts of compressed air are admitted into the conduit behind successive articles to promote their advancement in a larger-diameter arcuate section of the conduit, particularly from a lower level to a higher level. The admission of successive blasts of compressed air is carried out by an open-and-shut valve which receives signals from an article detector located downstream of the valve.

Abstract: Process for conveyance of a powder material in a hyperdense bed to bypass an obstacle, in which an obstacle bypass device including at least upstream, intermediate and downstream caissons is inserted between two horizontal conveyors, an upstream conveyor, and the downstream conveyor. At a device entry, at the upstream caisson lower duct is supplied with gas at pressure P1, the upstream caisson further including an upper duct which is a column. The intermediate caisson is between the upstream caisson and the downstream caisson at a level that bypasses the obstacle, a lower duct of which is fed with gas at pressure P3 and an upper duct of which is connected to the upper duct of the upstream caisson and to an upper duct of the downstream caisson. At a device outlet, at the downstream caisson, a lower duct is supplied with gas at pressure P2. The three caissons remain full of powder material kept in a potential fluidization state at all times, with a pressure difference P1−P2 being kept strictly positive.

Abstract: Process for conveyance of a powder material (12) in a potential fluidization hyperdense bed using a device comprising at least one air pipe (3) comprising a lower duct (5) for circulation of a fluidization gas (G), an upper duct (7) for circulation of the powder material (12), the two ducts being separated by a porous wall (6), at least one pipe (8) supplying gas (G) and a balancing column (4, 4.2) in which the filling height (h) balances the potential fluidization pressure (pf), characterized in that a bubble (B1, B2) of pressurized gas is created in the upper duct (7) in the air pipe (3). This bubble is reliably located in the upper part (14) of the upper duct (7) of the said air pipe (3). Device to implement this process and to regulate the pressure of the gas bubble.

Abstract: A pneumatic system for transporting irregular objects such as bags filled with recycled cans through a duct in which the object is first accelerated by pneumatic pressure and subsequently decelerated after a sensor triggers the closure of the air outlets as the object approaches the output point of the system.

Abstract: The present invention is an air conveyor system which has a blower in communication with a plenum. The blower provides air to the plenum to move the objects within the plenum. The present invention includes a plurality of dampers disposed at predetermined locations along the plenum with the dampers being normally open. A sensor device senses the location where the objects have accumulated within the plenum. Furthermore, the present invention includes a closing device for closing the damper which is at the location where the objects have accumulated within the plenum. The closing of the damper is based upon the sensed accumulated location. The system includes a variable speed blower for providing air to move objects within the plenum. The objects are either in an accumulated or unaccumulated state within the plenum.

Abstract: Apparatus includes a pneumatic conveyor for supporting the articles to be conveyed and air under pressure in the conveyor to convey the articles, wherein the conveyor includes a first elongated channel with a first hollow interior volume, a second elongated channel communicating with the first elongated channel and having a second hollow interior volume, with the communication between the first and second elongated channels including openings in the second elongated channel to permit the flow of air under pressure from the first elongated channel to the second elongated channel. Control is provided to control the amount of air flowing through the openings responsive to the density of the population of articles along the conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for conveying spherical articles at high speed between sequential processes having different protective atmospheres, where the leakage of the atmospheres, which must be converted between the sequential processes, is prevented. The device includes a structure incorporating a rotary relay having a plurality of spherical-article accommodating chambers formed at predetermined intervals, a support container closely mounted on the rotary relay, and having a spherical-article receiving passage and a discharge passage. An atmosphere discharge pipe communicates with the spherical-article accommodating chambers of the rotary relay, and an atmosphere supply pipe is disposed adjacent to the spherical-article discharge portion of the rotary relay and communicates with the accommodating chambers.

Abstract: A dosage device for feeding grained, pourable materials, particularly abrasive blasting materials. Feeding is accomplished by use of a dosage auger that employs a screw mechanism that either decreases or increases relative to the distance between the incline of the spiral wings. The device also includes an adjustable drive, a flow measuring device to monitor and control flow rates and a mixing chamber to assure full mixing of abrasive material in a compressed air stream.

Abstract: An air conveyor system has a blower in communication with a plenum. The blower provides air to the plenum to move the objects with respect to the plenum. The air conveyor system includes a plurality of dampers disposed at predetermined locations along the plenum with the dampers being normally open. A sensor device senses the location where the objects have accumulated with respect to the plenum. Furthermore, the air conveyor system includes a closing device for closing the damper which is at the location where the objects have accumulated with respect to the plenum. The closing of the damper is based upon the sensed accumulated location. The system includes a variable speed blower for providing air to move objects with respect to the plenum. The objects are either in an accumulated or unaccumulated state with respect to the plenum.

Abstract: The fabric transport system comprises a series of fluidly communicating tubes and includes: an intake line configured to receive a fabric piece from the predetermined departure location; a main line fluidly connected at one end with the intake line; a branch line being fluidly connected at its upstream end to an intermediate portion of the main line at a junction; a vacuum source connected with the downstream end of the branch line for drawing air of sufficient quantity and velocity through the intake line, the main line, and the branch line to draw a fabric piece into the intake line and the main line; and a counterflow valve positioned on an intermediate portion of the main line downstream of the junction between the main line and the branch line. The branch line includes a deposit nozzle leading to the predetermined destination.

Abstract: The fabric transport system comprises a series of fluidly communicating tubes and includes: an intake line configured to receive a fabric piece from the predetermined departure location; a main line fluidly connected at one end with the intake line; a branch line being fluidly connected at its upstream end to an intermediate portion of the main line at a junction; a vacuum source connected with the downstream end of the branch line for drawing air of sufficient quantity and velocity through the intake line, the main line, and the branch line to draw a fabric piece into the intake line and the main line; and a counterflow valve positioned on an intermediate portion of the main line downstream of the junction between the main line and the branch line. The branch line includes a deposit nozzle leading to the predetermined destination.

Abstract: A paper handling system for air mediated transport of sheets or pages of paper is disclosed. Microelectromechanical valves and sensors are embedded in a dielectric substrate for tracking and controlling paper transport. These microelectromechanical systems can be batch fabricated using resin impregnated dielectric laminates having photolithographically formed circuitry for electrical connections. Use of high speed sensor and valve control systems permit dynamic adjustments to paper trajectory during paper transport.

Abstract: The fabric transport system comprises a series of fluidly communicating tubes and includes: an intake line configured to receive a fabric piece from the predetermined departure location; a main line fluidly connected at one end with the intake line; a branch line being fluidly connected at its upstream end to an intermediate portion of the main line at a junction; a vacuum source connected with the downstream end of the branch line for drawing air of sufficient quantity and velocity through the intake line, the main line, and the branch line to draw a fabric piece into the intake line and the main line; and a counterflow valve positioned on an intermediate portion of the main line downstream of the junction between the main line and the branch line. The branch line includes a deposit nozzle leading to the predetermined destination.

Abstract: Filter rod sections are transported sideways from a magazine containing a pile of parallel sections toward positions of alignment with the inlet of a pneumatic conveyor and are propelled into the conveyor at a transfer station where they continue to move sideways. In order to avoid damage to sections during propulsion into the conveyor, the duration of complete transfer of successive sections into the inlet is monitored in order to generate signals denoting the intervals of axial advancement of successive sections all the way into the conveyor. Such signals are compared with signals denoting those intervals of sidewise movement of sections past the transfer station during which the sections can move axially without being damaged by the stationary inlet of the conveyor.

Abstract: A fluid transport system for moving flexible objects includes a conveyor configured to direct fluid flow against opposite sides of flexible objects. A sensor unit senses motion state of flexible objects, and a motion analysis unit is connected to the sensor unit to calculate relative or absolute movement of flexible objects based on the motion state. Overall movement, position, velocity, and orientation of flexible objects can be determined, as well as internal movement of the object attributable to flexure or edge curling. A motion control unit is connected to the motion analysis unit to modify fluid flow directed against opposite sides of flexible objects, accurately adjusting motion of flexible objects.

Abstract: An injector-conveyor device for the pneumatic conveying of powder, particularly powdered coating material, in order to measure the amount of powder conveyed, measures indirectly the vacuum produced in an injector (4) by having a stream of air measured with respect to its amount of flow or pressure drop in a throttled measurement channel (30) which places the outside atmosphere (32) in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber (10) of the injector (4). In order to avoid errors in measurement due to pressure variations in a powder suction channel (8), an equalization air inlet (56) is provided by means of which a small amount of equalization air is introduced into the powder suction channel (8) in order to make the pressure variations occurring therein of higher frequency and smaller with respect to the amplitudes of variation.

Abstract: A pneumatic transmission system having a carrier automatic braking system contains a transport conduit having a first end and a second end and being capable of permitting the transfer of a carrier therethrough, a first station for sending and receiving a carrier located on one end of the transmission conduit and a second station for sending and receiving a carrier located on the other end of the transmission conduit. A pair of motor blowers, each capable of moving a volume of air in opposing directions through a conduit, are enclosed within a supply branch which is connected to one of the stations. The first motor blower blows air to move the carrier from one station to the other. The second motor blower is activated, to operate concurrently with the first motor blower, when the carrier is detected some predetermined location along the transport conduit.

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.