Abstract: The invention concerns powder spray coating equipment comprising an air divider (16) to adjustably divide a total-air flow (6, 14) into a conveying-air flow (54, 57, 70) and a supplemental-air flow (56, 84, 86) in such manner that, when adjusting for a larger flow of conveying air, the flow of supplemental air shall be reduced in a predetermined ratio, and vice versa; further comprising an injector (76) to aspirate and to pneumatically convey coating powder by means of the flow of conveying air; and a supplemental-air intake (89) into the air/powder path (76, 82). The conveying-air path (54, 57, 70) and the supplemental-air path (56, 84, 86) each are fitted with at least one throttling duct each constituted by at least one channel (40, 42) in a rotatable shaft (34, 36) and by a bearing surface (39) covering the channel.

Abstract: A feeder system (1) and method supplies electrical components (20) to a pick-and-place machine (14). The feeder system (1) has a hopper (2) coupled by a passage (4) to a pickup location (3). The electrical components (20) are provided by air blasts to a first air outlet (6a) associated with the hopper (2) to agitate the components (20). Air blasts are concurrently supplied to a second and third air outlets (6b, 6c) located in the passage (6b) to thereby retain at least some of the components (20) therebetween. The third air outlet (6c) is disposed between the pickup location (3) and the second air outlet (6b) and in use an air blast from said third air outlet (6c) is effected immediately before an air blast from said second outlet (6b) is effected.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus dispenses a precisely metered quantity of pellets or granular material from a hopper to a vessel. The hopper which holds the pellets or granular material has a conical bottom portion which terminates in a bottom opening that is in constant communication with a conveyor tube which leads to the vessel. The conveyor tube preferably extends horizontally below the hopper and is in communication with a bottom opening in the hopper. A venturi driven by compressed air is provided in the conveyor tube for creating a vacuum which carries the pellets or granular material from the hopper to the vessel. The pressure of the compressed air entering the venturi is precisely regulated so as to precisely control the amount of pellets or granulated material moved from the hopper to the vessel. Alternatively, a controller can be provided for regulating several conveyor tubes, each to feed a different type of pellet or granular material into the vessel.

Abstract: A device (10) to transport sheets such as bank notes (30) comprises a rectangular tube (12) along which there is a flow of air F, the tube having pairs of independently addressable computer controlled flaps (14,16,18,20,22) on opposite internal walls. The pairs of flaps are controlled to project into the tube so as to reduce its height, and cause a local Venturi effect; by operating one or more pairs of flaps at a time in sequence, the Venturi effect moves along the tube, carrying the bank note by a surfing action.

Abstract: A device for distributing pulverulent solids in suspension in a gas, for the purpose of depositing a coating, notably by pyrolysis, on a moving substrate (1), includes a distribution nozzle (24), the walls of which define a cavity (11) which terminates in a longitudinal distribution slit (13) and a principal powder feed duct (6) equipped with a distribution portion (7). A plurality of secondary powder feed ducts (8), connected to this principal duct by the distribution portion, enables the cavity (11) of the nozzle (24) to be supplied with powder over its entire length. At least a portion of the secondary ducts (8) is equipped with at least one pneumatic device adapted for modulating the flow rate of the powder-gas suspension which each of the secondary ducts concerned is intended for carrying.

Abstract: A bag dumping station for receiving particulate materials from rupturable bags or other portable containers is provided with a vacuum facility with a direct inlet to the hopper of the station and includes an ejector for providing motive gas for vacuum conveying particulate solids from a drum or spilled materials from broken bags.

Abstract: Air packaging peanut recovery system for recovering packing peanuts includes an operator held wand connected to a flexible conduit. The flexible conduit has a discharge end extending into a collection hopper having a mesh top. The wand is provided with an air valve having an actuating handle and a discharge jet. The air valve is connected to a connected source of air under pressure. The orifice of the discharge jet faces downstream and produces a vacuum at the inlet end of the wand when air under pressure flows through the discharge jet orifice. A turbulator pin is mounted on the wand and is adjustable to project into the path of the air stream discharged from the orifice of the discharge jet. By manipulation of the handle or adjustment of the turbulator pin, the vacuum may be readily adjusted.

Abstract: An air lift pump for wet particulates has a plurality of transport tubes and air injectors disposed in a central column for transporting particulate matter from a lower elevation to a higher elevation. The central column has a closed top and an open bottom. Each tube has a lower, intake end, a lower first air injector and an upper second air injector. Each air injector is comprised of a housing disposed around an air injection section of the transport tube in which is mounted a first or second air jet, respectively. Compressed air is supplied to the first air injector via an air supply line and to the second air injector via an air supply line and the central column.

Abstract: An air lift pump for wet particulates has a plurality of transport tubes and air injectors disposed in a central column for transporting particulate matter from a lower elevation to a higher elevation. The central column has a closed top and an open bottom. Each tube has a lower, intake end and first and second air injectors comprised of a housing disposed around an air injection section of the transport tube in which is mounted a first or second air jet, respectively. Each air jet may be composed of either a plurality of circular ring members or a coiled member. The ring members and the coiled member have a substantially triangular-shaped cross section wherein the base of the triangle defines the exterior surface of the air jet. The ring members and coiled member form a plurality of circular slots or a coiled slot, respectively, having substantially trapezoid-shaped cross sections.

Abstract: A point feeder for metering powder materials, for example aluminum oxide, to a Hall-Heroult electrolysis cell includes a vertical tube and a horizontal tube which are joined so that they form substantially an L-shaped channel with a material input at an upper end of the vertical tube and a material output at an end of the horizontal tube. The vertical tube is provided with a nozzle device which has one or more downward-facing holes which allow air to penetrate in the form of pulsed air flows to the lower part of the vertical tube and to the whole of the horizontal tube.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved air acceleration nozzle for use in airlay web formers which reduce the creation of large scale vortices and turbulence. The nozzle accelerates the air by reducing the cross sectional area of the conduit. The size of the conduit for the air is reduced in both lateral dimensions, and more preferably, both dimensions are reduced with smoothly curving, low angle peripheral walls.

Abstract: An apparatus for dehulling grass seed utilizing a vibrated housing having an elongated chamber. The interior of the chamber is accessible through openings or ports that provide a plurality of entries and exits for the processing of grass seed. Grass seed is dehulled by a housing mounted pneumatic accelerator that removes the hulls from the seeds. Hulls and seeds are then directed into the interior of the chamber wherein separation of seeds from hulls and hulls containing seeds occurs. Seeds are discharged from the chamber and the hulls containing seeds are returned to the pneumatic accelerator for repeating the dehulling process.

Abstract: An air conveyor for plastic bottles conveys the bottles at generally constant speed. The bottles are of the type having annular rims around their necks and shoulders below the rims. The air conveyor includes a pair of spaced flanges and a plurality of nozzles for each flange. The flanges provide opposed inner edges which define a central slot extending elongately in the forward to rearward direction. Each flange supports a plurality of nozzles at spaced intervals in the forward to rearward direction for substantially the length of the slot. An air blower supplies pressurized air to the nozzles. Each nozzle discharges air in a stream along a diagonal direction that generally slopes downwardly, inwardly, and forwardly. In use, the flanges provide the neck rims with slidable support as the bottles are blown forwardly through the slot by the force of the air streams against the shoulders. Constant speed is gained through the direction of the air streams against bottle shoulders.

Abstract: A spiral flow connector imparts a spiral flow of air to urge parts being transmitted toward a central axis to avoid contact with the walls of the transmission passages of a pneumatic transmission apparatus. The invention is especially useful for preventing damage to fragile parts such as small resin molds, metal parts or powdered material. The spiral air flow prevents air stalling in the transmission passages.

Abstract: A connector delivery system delivers an electrical connector component from a storage container to a processing station regardless of the relative orientation of the storage container to the processing station. The storage container contains a plurality of the connector components. A delivery conduit communicates between the storage container and the processing station. An air jet is located within the delivery conduit for effecting a pressure differential therewithin to create a vacuum to cause movement of the connector components in the delivery conduit in a downstream direction from the storage container to the processing station without the use of gravitational forces. A selector pawl upstream of the air jet feeds the connector components through the delivery conduit one component at a time in an incremental fashion. An orientation track between the selector pawl and the air jet is effective to deliver the connector components in a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: A golf ball washer feeds wet balls into an air moving transport mechanism that drys the balls as they are carried to one of a number of dispensers. The wet balls move by gravity down an inclined infeed chute to a load station where each ball is supported on a flow disrupting ramp, and the transport conduit includes a necked down area at the load station which cooperates with the ramp to disrupt the air flow thereby avoiding the tendency of a spherical golf ball to remain suspended in the column of air rather than being moved downstream through the conduit. Each dispenser has an intermittently driven drum with radially outwardly open pockets to provide predetermined numbers of balls to a basket at the discharge station of the dispenser.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting sludge into a kiln includes a pump for pumping sludge, a conduit for conveying sludge to the kiln including an attrition portion for attriting the sludge into smaller particles, and a conduit enclosing the attrition segment for entraining the particles in a stream of combustion air to carry the particles into a kiln. The attrition portion includes a plurality of passageways connected to a source of compressed air to provide a plurality of jets of air to attrite the sludge into discrete particles and aid in ejecting the sludge from the conduit. In a preferred embodiment, the attrition segment includes nested, frusto-conical segments; each having a plurality of passageways which project jets of compressed air radially inwardly to slice the sludge mass within the segment into smaller particles. As the particles exit the attrition segment, they enter an extension tube having a helical internal rib which imparts a swirling motion to the particles.

Abstract: An air conveyor moves light objects from one location to another and may also act as an accumulator for storing objects transported thereon. The conveyor has an elongated primary plenum and one or more elongated body members disposed over and in communication with the primary plenum through openings in the bottom wall of each body member. Each body member has a generally planar top deck disposed thereover. Each body member defines a secondary plenum between the top deck and the bottom wall of the body member. The top deck has a plurality of directional orifices formed therein. Blowers in communication with the primary plenum supply air to the secondary plenum through the primary plenum. The air from the secondary plenum is delivered through the directional orifices in the top deck and creates a current, or cushion, of air on which the objects move.

Abstract: In a method of passing a wire, cable, optical fiber or the like through a passage, a coanda spiral flow unit is connected to the passage, a pressure release port is provided along the length from the coanda spiral flow unit to the end of the passage, compressed gas is supplied from a portable-type compressed gas supply through a coanda slit of said coanda spiral flow unit, a conductor or a guide is inserted through an end introducing port of said coanda spiral flow unit and passed through the passage. Smooth passing operations can be conducted at high speeds, even through a long and thin passage with many bends.

Abstract: A transport apparatus for moving nylon fiber from a supply location to a remote location includes a hopper receptacle designed for receiving a supply of nylon fibers at or near ground level, a flexible conduit having a first end connected with the output of the receptacle and the opposite end disposed at the remote location for delivery of the nylon fibers to the remote location. The propelling or transport mechanism which actually moves the nylon fibers from the first end which is connected to the receptacle to the remote location includes an air compressor and output air tube which is inserted into the conduit line. When the air compressor is energized, the pressurized flow of air through the line and thus through the conduit creates a venturi effect which effectively pulls nylon fibers from the receptacle and propels them to the remote location.

Abstract: A sparger system for removing sodium chlorite crystal and other crystalline particulate material in slurry form from a tank car comprises a plurality of spray nozzles from which water is expelled as a flat spray initially to dissolve sodium chlorite so as to cavitate the mass of sodium chlorite crystals, which break off in lumps into the cavity and then to impact the walls and roof of the tank car to flush off residual sodium chlorite crystal. The slurry is collected in a sump and is discharged therefrom, with additional sprays agitating the sump to break up clumps of sodium chlorite and to maintain the particulates in suspension.

Abstract: A system for repeatedly supplying a predetermined quantity of solid particulate material, e.g. solid, spherical silicon particles, to a location remote from the area where the particulate material is stored. The system includes a container for storing solid particulate material, a receiving chamber coupled with the container and sized and configured to admit only a predetermined quantity of particulate material from the container, and means for applying at least one stream of a pressurized fluid so as to entrain and transport said predetermined quantity of particulate material from the receiving chamber to the remote location.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for the separation of solids entrained in fluid streams. The apparatus consists of a pipecross chamber which is divided into two regions by a perforated deflector/separator plate angularly disposed within the chamber. A shear jet is disposed perpendicular to the flow path and higher pressure fluid is thereby injected into the chamber to deflect and separate entrained solids. Embodiments are disclosed in which no deflector/separator plate is disposed within the chamber, separation being effected by the shear jet alone. In preferred embodiments the apparatus and method are used to protect a centrifugal pump impeller from damage by the solids. While conventional pipe joints and parts can be used, an alternate embodiment provides removable side plates and a removable deflector/separator plate for ease of installation and maintenance. Further enhancements include pipe elbow means having a jet in the direction of fluid flow through the elbow.

Abstract: A vacuum producing device has a hollow housing with a first end having a downstream opening therein. This downstream opening has disposed thereacross a restrictive throat. The restrictive throat has a passage therethrough extending along a passage axis. This housing has a second end with an upstream wall. A suction tube is mounted through the upstream wall in the housing. The inner end of the suction tube is centrally located in the housing. The inner end of the suction tube is also aligned with and adjacent to the restrictive throat. The housing has a lateral opening. A conduit is mounted at the lateral opening to communicate with the housing. The longitudinal axis of the conduit is oriented at an acute angle with respect to the passage axis of the throat. The conduit can be connected to a blower to be pressurized thereby. This vacuum producing device has various purposes, including removal of trim produced when cutting plastic in the form of a roll.

Abstract: A scrap collection system for collecting scraps produced when materials such as metals and plastics are processed by a processing machine such as a pressing machine and a lathe. A scrap receiver receives scraps from the processing machine and has at least one hopper positioned beneath the processing machine. A scrap collector box vertically below the hopper has at least one opening into which a conduit is directed for delivering scraps into the scrap collector box, and at least one opening having a filter for discharging air from the scrap collector box.

Abstract: A sparger system for removing sodium chlorate crystal and other particulate material in slurry or solution form from a tank car comprises a plurality of spray nozzles from which water is expelled as a flat spray initially to dissolve sodium chlorate so as to cavitate the mass of sodium chlorate chlorate crystals, which break off in lumps into the cavity and then to impact the walls and roof of the tank car to flush off residual sodium chlorate crystal. The slurry is collected in a sump and is discharged therefrom, with additional sprays agitating the sump to break up clumps of sodium chlorate and to maintain the particulates in suspension.

Abstract: Method of applying a layer of air-sprayed concrete onto a surface, wherein a pumpable and sprayable mixture of air-sprayable concrete is prepared from cement, aggregates, optional additives, and water. A given mass flow of the mixture of air-spray concrete is sprayed by means of a concrete feed pump through a concrete feed line to a spraying apparatus with a device for the introduction of propelling air under a feed pressure of several bars. The propelling air is charged with synthetic silica exhibiting a BET surface of at least 25 m.sup.2 /g. The synthetic silica is added with the propelling air into the mass flow of the mixture of air-spray concrete in such an amount that the applied air-spray concrete experiences a spontaneous temperature elevation of a few degrees Kelvin immediately after application. A spraying apparatus for the method is also shown.

Abstract: A pick-up assembly for grain and other particulate material includes a particulate material pick-up head provided with an elongated narrow rectangular forwardly facing opening, a tubular discharge conduit extending rearward from the pick-up head, a main frame supporting the pick-up head and the discharge conduit rigidly with respect to each other, a pair of wheels rotatable on a single horizontal axis mounted to the frame at position toward the rear of the discharge conduit, and a handle rigidly mounted with respect to the frame to be behind and above the wheels. A ground supported flexible hose extends from the rear of the discharge conduit to a pneumatic grain conveyor.

Abstract: A tube is held or guided parallel to its length by providing a channel-like structure aligned with the tube and having sides which are spaced apart by a distance less than the diameter of the tube. Circumferentially spaced longitudinal portions of the outer surface of the tube bear respectively on the two sides of the channel. The channel is open to the outer surface of the tube between those longitudinal portions, and the bottom of the tube is spaced from the outer surface of the tube between those longitudinal portions. The tube is held against the channel-like structure by directing a stream of gas (e.g., air) along the channel.

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

Abstract: An elongated, horizontal and at least partially closed air jet dispersion and air jet entrained material deceleration zone is provided and one end of the zone includes at least skewed velocity distribution nozzle of the circular Coanda surface-type opening inwardly along the zone toward the other end thereof. The zone includes discharge structure defining a plurality of downwardly opening gravity-type outlets spaced longitudinally along the zone and duct structure for flowing air and airflow entrained solids therethrough at high velocity is provided. The duct structure includes an outlet end opening into the nozzle and an inlet end open to the ambient atmosphere and positioned to receive gravity discharged solid materials from the outlet spaced one outlet from the aforementioned one end of the zone.

Abstract: A transport system particularly for flat articles, e.g. cards, includes guides which allow alternate articles to be conveyed in different orientations through the same duct (122) so that the risk of jamming or shingling during conveyance is eliminated. In a preferred arrangement the system includes a crossed-axes pneumatic duct (122) and driven rollers (144) for introducing cards (12) into the duct in different orientations. The system also includes intermediate air supply stations (138), a card inspection unit (134), and a receiving station (139) including a device (145) for turning cards so that they are all received in the same orientation.

Abstract: An improved method and related system for pneumatically transporting powdered or granular materials stored in an airtight storage container to a collector through a transport pipe in the form of a lengthy column in high density and at a slow speed by the use of pressurized gas. The method of the invention comprises the steps of stopping feeding of the pressurized gas when the whole of the powdered or granular materials corresponding to a final batch contained in the storage container are sent into the material transport pipe, simultaneously discharging the internal pressure of the storage container through a gas decompressing means, inserting a transport plug from the base end of the material transport pipe, and carrying forward the transport plug at a slow speed by feeding pressurized gas from the base end of the transport pipe.

Abstract: A lock apparatus for introducing granular dry material into a pneumatic conveying conduit (32), for example of a concrete gun, consisting of a material feeding hopper (4) having a shut-off valve (6) actuable by a pneumatic working cylinder (8). Beneath the shut-off valve (6) two hose portions (16 and 22) are arranged in series and on each of said portions a hose squeezing means (34 and 38) engages between which the hose portions (16 and 22) form a lock chamber (44) which is additionally provided with a blowing air connection (62). By the shut-off valve (6) and the upper hose squeezing means (34) an antechamber (42) is formed. When the upper hose squeezing means (34) is closed and the shut-off valve (6) opened the antechamber (42) is filled from the feeding hopper (4) by free fall. At the same time the lock chamber (44) can be discharged into the blow conduit (32) by opening the hose squeezing means (38).

Abstract: Abrasive fluid, which includes abrasive material and a carrier fluid, is transported through a conduit with minimum wear by directing the abrasive material along the center of the flow channel within the conduit, accelerating the carrier fluid and entraining the abrasive material within the accelerated carrier fluid. A conduit for performing this method includes a flow channel, means (9) adjacent its upstream section (1) for directing abrasive material along the center of the flow channel, a section (2) of reduced cross-section for accelerating carrier fluid in the flow channel and a down-stream section (3) for accelerating the abrasive material at the center of the flow channel due to entrainment with the accelerated carrier fluid.

Abstract: There is provided a tool for stone-blowing comprising upper and lower mating parts (13, 14), the upper part being tubular and the lower part being mainly of channel section and having its lower end closed off by a transverse wall. The wall is shaped internally (19) to direct stones laterally and is shaped externally (22) to facilitate driving the tool into the ground adjacent a sleeper (33) so that the open front of the channel communicates with a void (34) beneath the sleeper. On the upper part is a hopper (11) for stones and below the hopper opening into the upper part is a compressed air inlet (26) and a port (24). In use, compressed air is directed at the rear wall and entrains air through the port (24) and the hopper (11) thereby propelling the stones down the tool and through the open front of the channel and into the void (34).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pneumatically conveying solid materials such as soil, stones and the like. A hollow bored tube having an inlet end, a discharge end and an intermediate injector section is provided with at least one nozzle of the converging/diverging type within the injector section. A compressor supplies air at a pressure of about 90 psig to the nozzle to create an air stream within the tube directed toward the discharge end thereof, at a velocity in the supersonic regime. A strong vacuum is thus created in the region of the inlet end to provide rapid evacuation of the solids into the tube for conveyance therethrough and ejection at the discharge end thereof.

Abstract: An ultrasonic cleaning device for a venturi flow nozzle in a pipe in a fluid system which includes one more transducer assemblies for generating and transmitting sound waves to the nozzle to effect a cleaning action.

Abstract: A spiral gas stream is generated in a pipeline when a uniform flow of gas flowing in a cylinder having inner diameter larger than that of the pipeline is introduced through a funnelform reducer into the inlet of the pipeline and bringing the mean gas stream velocity in the pipeline faster than 20 meter per second. The uniform flow of gas is formed in the cylinder easily when outside low pressure gas is fed into the cylinder through a feed gas inlet pipe installed diagonally at the side of the cylinder apart from the bottom plate so as to make the flow line of the feed gas to cross the axis of the cylinder and inclined toward the bottom plate. When solid particles are introduced into the spiral gas stream zone, they are transported to the outlet of the pipeline. As the compressed gas layer is formed along the inside wall of the pipeline by the spiral motion of gas stream, solid particles don't contact directly with the inside wall of the pipeline and don't hurt it.

Abstract: A lance extension venturi sleeve is disposed preferably within the rear one-third of the lance extension of a powder spray gun. The sleeve increases the velocity of the powder stream and provides an abrupt opening to the larger lance extension tube. The velocity increase and the turbulence so created increase the homogeneity of the powder in the stream and produce a more uniform powder spray pattern or powder "cloud" for even powder coating of articles to be coated.

Abstract: An auger venturi conveying system for particulate materials includes a hopper-fed auger conveyor section for transporting the particulate material toward the discharge end of a barrel and a venturi arrangement for non-turbulent mixing of the material transported through the barrel with a pressurized gas flow. The venturi arrangement comprises a plenum chamber surrounding the barrel of the auger conveyor section adjacent the discharge end, a venturi pipe coupled to the plenum chamber having a tapered section leading to a constriction, and a jet member within the venturi pipe coupled to the discharge end of the barrel and extending approximately to the constriction. The outer surface of the jet member cooperates with the interior surface of the tapered section of the venturi pipe to form a narrow annular passage between the plenum chamber and the constriction of the venturi pipe. The venturi pipe is coupled at its other end to a conduit.

Abstract: Uniform flow of gas flowing in a cylinder having inner diameter larger than that of a pipeline is introduced through a funnelform reducer into the inlet of the pipeline, where uniform flow of gas turned to a spiral gas stream by bringing to the mean gas stream velocity faster than 20 meter per second there. When solid particles are introduced into the spiral gas strem zone, they are transported to the outlet of the pipeline. A compressed gas layer is formed along the inside wall of the pipeline by the spiral motion of gas stream, and the layer prevents the direct contact of the solid particles to the inside wall of the pipeline which causes the erosion of the pipeline. As the center part of the cross section of the pipeline becomes very low pressure, especially along the axis of the pipeline, solid particles containing or accompanying volatile matters are desiccated or concentrated as a result of the evaporation of volatile matters while being transported in the pipeline.

Abstract: Solids particles are conveyed hydraulically by first mixing the solids particles with a liquid in order to form a viscous material of substantially uniform consistency. This viscous material is then introduced or injected into a flowing hydraulic medium that had been substantially free of solids prior to this viscous material injection in order to form a hydraulically conveyed flow. Variations in conduit cross-section at or near the location of viscous material injection may be provided in order to enhance turbulance and suspension of solids within the hydraulically conveyed flow.

Abstract: An acceleration nozzle for particles entrained in a carrier gas comprises a first central nozzle having a first diverging cross-section, and an extension nozzle section extending from the first nozzle. The extension nozzle section has a flare or diverging angle which is greater than that of the first acceleration nozzle. The nozzle extension is surrounded about its mouth or opening by a second nozzle forming a casing or housing therearound; the second nozzle being connected to a source of gas. In a preferred embodiment, instead of utilizing two distinct gas sources to supply the first acceleration nozzle and the second "housing" nozzle, a portion of the gas passing through the acceleration nozzle may be diverted by means of slits built into the latter. The slits act as a separator of the gaseous phases and solid particles, and prevent the solid particles from penetrating the second nozzle.

Abstract: A powder spray gun and method of spraying powder wherein an inverted air flow amplifier is located adjacent to the inlet of the gun to enhance blending of powder within the gun and to facilitate sharp cut off and start up of powder flow from the gun. From the inverted air flow amplifier, the blended powder is supplied to a downstream air flow amplifier operable to draw ambient air into the downstream air flow amplifier and to impact the air entrained powder passing through the downstream amplifier with a high velocity stream of compressed air so as to accelerate the velocity of powder emitted from the gun. Powder is supplied to the upstream inverted air flow amplifier through a pair of intersecting inlet ports between which there is a separating baffle.

Abstract: A powder disperser comprises a nozzle having a narrow discharge port for discharging a powder. A high speed air flow discharge port forms a narrow air port encompassing the outer circumference of the discharge port of the nozzle and is inwardly slanting at an acute angle relative to the discharge direction of a powder flow from the nozzle. A powder dispersing passage is narrowly formed on the downstream side of the nozzle in a circular tube like shape or in a radial shape along the outer wall surface continuing from the outer wall of the high speed air flow discharge port. The powder discharge passage is connected to the powder supply port of a classifier located downstream next to the disperser.

Abstract: A simple form of pneumatic transporter is provided by making two pairs of lines of cut in the wall of a length of ducting and bending outwardly the portions of the wall between each pair of lines of cut. A nozzle means is mounted at the outer end of each of the bent-out portions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting gas-borne particulate material comprising a pneumatic conveyor having an elongate duct. In order to inhibit formation of stagnant pockets and recirculation of solids within the duct, an annular flow of gas is introduced into the duct, preferably along its peripheral wall. The annular flow is auxiliary to the main flow and may be introduced via an annular passage encompassing an inlet section of the duct and extending longitudinally of the duct. Gas may be supplied to the annular passage from an annular plenum chamber surrounding the duct.

Abstract: An installation for transporting fine-grained material to a consumer using two alternately filled and emptied pneumatic pressure vessels (3, 4) together with an outlet valve (12, 12') and a control nozzle (15, 15') in the material discharge pipe of each of the two pressure vessels. The control nozzles (15, 15') are connected to an air distributor (18) through which the control nozzle receives a reduced amount of compressed air when the material discharge pipe is shut off.With an installation such as this, a continuous and exactly metered delivery of fine-grained material is obtained without any mechanically moved parts in the delivery path and with a low rate of flow in the delivery pipe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous transfer of particles from a gaseous conveying medium to a liquid conveying medium wherein a liquid is introduced into a cone-shaped inducer so that the liquid flows along the inducer's periphery toward its vertex. A stream of the gaseous conveying medium and entrained particles is directed into the center of the inducer. The particles impinge the liquid and are carried away by it and the gas is exhausted.