Abstract: A powder conveying device for coating powder includes a powder conveyor having a powder outlet duct and a powder outlet valve for opening or for closing the powder outlet duct. Additionally, a setpoint value generator for specify a setpoint opening period of the powder outlet valve, and a sensor for determining the actual opening period of the powder outlet valve are provided. The powder conveying device furthermore includes an evaluation unit for determining the deviation between the setpoint opening period and the actual opening period.

Abstract: An automated method and system for transitioning a bottle from a horizontal belt conveyor to the entrance of an air conveyor, and vice versa, from an air conveyor to a horizontal belt conveyor. An indexer in a circular arrangement moves around 180 degrees clockwise until the bottle drops into the air conveyor (e.g., pneumatic tube). This motion controls the bottle's movement; otherwise, the bottle would free-fall off the conveyor. The indexer rotary device provides control of the vial transition, keeping it vertical so it goes into the tube in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A control device is provided with a switching valve mechanism and first and second actuators. The switching valve mechanism is provided with a valve element for switching which is located within a casing. The valve element can linearly move between an open position at which first and second pressure change chambers of the casing are communicated with each other and a closed position at which the communication is interrupted. The valve element is held at the open position and the closed position by a first holding mechanism (toggle spring). When a float ascends to a first water level, the first actuator moves the valve element from the closed position to the open position. When the degree of vacuum within a pressure detection chamber becomes a second degree of vacuum or less, the second actuator moves the valve element from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: A vacuum transfer apparatus and process with weighing controls. An exemplary vacuum transfer apparatus includes a hopper that retains food product and includes a discharge port. A vacuum chamber has an inlet coupled to the discharge port of the hopper, and a member that is time-controlled to dispense product from the vacuum chamber. A portioning hopper receives product from the vacuum chamber and dispenses a predetermined weight of product.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for transporting and dispensing fibers into an aggregate mix, and more specifically, to a method and system for transporting and dispensing unitized fibrous constructs into a mix without affecting the structural integrity of the unitized construct. The dispensing system will transport and dispense unitized fibrous constructs intact into a cementitious mixture.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting solid waste drill cuttings material produced in the drilling of an oil or gas well, the apparatus including: a waste supply apparatus; a feeder to transport the material; a pneumatic conveying apparatus to which the material is transferred from the feeder; at least one blockage sensing device in the conveyor; and a control apparatus for controlling feed rate of the feeder.

Abstract: A material collecting apparatus includes a frame with an upper supporting panel, weighing device sets hung on the panel, barrels hung on a respective weighing device set, dust collectors above a respective barrel, drawing devices connected with a respective one of the dust collectors for providing sucking force, feeding conduits connected with a respective one of the barrels, a material tank having separate compartments for containing different materials therein, and control valves each having a conduit; the feeding conduits are connected with first ends of respective plural ones of the control valve conduits while the control valve conduits are connected with a respective compartment at second ends; thus, different dry materials can be conveyed from the compartments into the barrels, and collected according to respective intended weights of the materials when the apparatus is in operation; the dust collectors prevent the materials from passing out of the barrels.

Abstract: Pneumatic conveying apparatus and method are described to provide for a simple, economical, convenient (and preferably automatic) system for conveying small pieces of frozen food (e.g., chopped vegetables, diced meat, or preferably ice cubes or crushed ice) on an as-required basis to one or more locations remote from a food source. The system is configured such that dispensing locations can be added or eliminated from the system or temporarily taken "off line" from the system without the need to change the basic system configuration or the central food providing apparatus. The apparatus includes a food source, a feed auger (preferably reversible) for moving the food from the source into the conveying conduit, use of pressurized air to convey the food through the conduit, and a receiver bin in the terminal container to collect the conveyed food for subsequent dispensing or use. Appropriate sensors and controllers, which may be microprocessor-based, may be used to automate the system.

Abstract: Ultrafine powder is stored in a pneumatic transportation tank (20), and is discharged to a transporting conduit (23) while being fluidized by the pressurized air fed through a fluidizing air port (24). The ultrafine powder is fed to a weigher (30) provided at the other end of the transporting conduit (23), at which the weight of the transported ultrafine powder is weighed by a load cell (31). After the weighed value reaches 90% of a predetermined value, the fed amount of the pneumatic transportation air is reduced, and a bypass regulating valve (38) is adjusted to thus decelerate the transportation. When the weighed value reaches 100% of the predetermined value, the discharge of the ultrafine powder to the transporting conduit (23) is stopped. This method and the apparatus enable the storage, quantitative batch transportation, and automatic weighing of the ultrafine powder such as silica fume.

Abstract: One or more hot melt tanks are each periodically supplied by an air conduit which automatically transfers pellets from a storage container. A transducer assembly, positionable in the container, includes a vacuum transducer for the pick up of glue pellets for transfer via the air conduit. A vibrator imparts motion to the pellets to prevent bridging of same. Each hot melt tank includes a level switch with a probe which provides a signal to a control panel having relays which in turn actuate solenoid valves for the delivery of a pressurized air flow to one or more vacuum transducers. A portion of the pressurized air flow is bled off for supplying the vibrator in place on a base of the transducer assembly.

Abstract: A suction conveyor or delivery arrangement for the gravimetric allocation of pourable material components to several demand stations has a storage container containing in each case one component connected by, in each case, one delivery line to a distributor and a separator at each demand station, which is connected via a delivery line to the distributor, a suction line with stop valve to a suction fan and can be emptied via a closable discharge opening at the demand station. A control for the demand-dependent dosing of the components has a demand indicator, which releases a control signal for setting the distributor to the desired component and for opening the stop valve, as well as a setting device which, on reaching a predetermined quantity, releases a control signal for opening a ventilating valve in the delivery line and for closing the stop valve.

Abstract: A device for transferring solid particles from an area of higher pressure to one of lower pressure. A stack-up section (3) between the areas is full of particles and large enough to reduce the current of gas flowing through the open stack-up section from the area of higher pressure as a result of the pressure loss that occurs in the stack-up section to a level that prevents pneumatic conveyance of the particles. A conveyor is in or at the end of the stack-up section.

Abstract: A loading system for light particulate materials. A storage hopper for granular material includes an airlock by which the material is fed into an air stream. The air and accompanying material are fed to a distribution pipe with multiple flexible downward projecting fill spouts which are spaced at regular intervals. Each spout has an associated control valve and air pressure sensor within the spout, so that as a container being loaded by the spout is filled, and the pressure in the spout increases beyond a preselected level, the spout is closed off and material automatically is transported to the next open spout. Air operated spreader heads may also be furnished at the lower ends of the spouts to assure that the container volumes are completely filled.

Abstract: A rotary valve for use in a particulate material handling system having an elevated device for holding a supply of the particulate material, a lower material receiving device and a remote control device. The rotary valve includes a housing having a rotor chamber, a side inlet communicating with the rotor chamber, a lower outlet communicating with the rotor chamber and communicable with the material receiving device, a rotor journalled in the rotor chamber having a plurality of radially disposed vanes and a slide valve disposed in the inlet for controlling the flow of material therethrough. The slide valve is operatively connected to the remote control device and is operated in response to the operating conditions sensed by sensing devices which are connected to the remote control device.

Abstract: A method of mixing pulverulent materials and a device for practicing the method. In this method, the pulverulent material constituting a main material is continuously fed to a conveyor duct connected to a molding machine in fixed quantities while air is being fed to under pressure or drawn from the duct and simultaneously the pulverulent material constituting compounding ingredient material is fed to the duct at a specified value so that a mixing ration is maintained at a specified value. And in the method, a mixing ratio is changeable by variably controlling the amount of supply of compounding ingredient to the main material while feeding air into the duct or drawing air from the duct. In addition, the device is constructed of a pneumatic closed loop duct type and comprises a closed looplike duct, a pulverized reclaimed material feed unit, a virgin material feed unit, and a control means for regulate a mixed ratio.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a hydra-pneumatic load sensor and signal system including two stacked bellows, one filled with liquid, the other with a pressurized gas. Load on the sensor is initially supported by the gas filled bellows to a predetermined limit, above which the liquid filled bellows generates a liquid pressure signal which is used with a readout or control device.

Abstract: An apparatus for pneumatically feeding tobacco to a number of cigarette making machines having a plurality of conveyors. The conveyors feed tobacco onto a circular feed table where the tobacco is distributed to each of the cigarette machines. The table is arranged to convey the tobacco along a circular path around the vertical central axis of the table. The apparatus further includes a number of suction pipes which are circumferentially spaced with respect to the table and are arranged to pick up tobacco for delivery to respective cigarette making machines. Each cigarette making machine has a hopper for accumulating tobacco including detectors for detecting the quantity of accumulated tobacco. In addition, there is a drive mechanism associated with each pipe for moving each pipe substantially radially with respect to the table to control the rate at which tobacco is picked up from the table. Such control is responsive to the detectors.

Abstract: An apparatus for the feeding of powderous resin material to a vacuum hopper is improved by providing at least one vertical pipe-line portion between the resin tank and the vacuum hopper, and disposing a flow restricting element such as an orifice in this pipe-line portion.

Abstract: A dispensing and weighing system for multiple ingredients, including a plurality of individual ingredient batch weighers. Each batch weigher includes apparatus to store and dispense a particulate material to a scale from which the weighed portion of the material is intended to be delivered to a pneumatic ingredients delivery conduit. The pneumatic conduit discharges into a weighing hopper, where the weight of all of the batches delivered to the hopper is determined. A method for dispensing individual, weighed batches of particulate material, and for determining the total weight of the material actually delivered to a receiver.

Abstract: Hides are pulled from animal carcasses in a slaughterhouse, and conveyed upwardly through a pneumatic conveyor conduit for further handling. The conduit tangentially enters a vacuum chamber which is connected to a vacuum source. The chamber has a lower discharge opening which is normally closed by a gate; however, when a hide arrives in the chamber from the conduit, the vacuum is reduced to enable the gate to open and release the hide through the discharge opening.

Abstract: The pneumatic feeding device for a container balance includes a stationary feeding conduit for the loose material arranged above the container and directed substantially perpendicularly through an adjustable coupling piece into the interior of the container. To compensate for reaction forces resulting from the pneumatic operation of the feeding device, there is provided a pneumatic pressure compensator acting from the outside on the container in counter direction to the reaction forces.

Abstract: In a method of loading a suction dredger in which a suspension of sand and ater is pumped into the hold an effluent device is intermittently passed to lower and lower levels in dependence upon the weight of the load in the hold to an extent such that the suction dredger remains loaded substantially up to its maximum permissible carrying capacity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the flow of a powder from a source, such as a large hopper, to the intake of a conventional machine wherein such powder is compressed into tablets. Devices are arranged along the route of powder flow so as to restrict, decelerate and depressurize such powder flow and thereby prevent its surging, compaction and/or bridging. These devices are also arranged to maintain the powder in a loose condition of uniform density.In the preferred embodiments, said devices include most or all of a return duct to the powder source, an upper filter to atmosphere, an upper baffle against which the powder is directed, a restriction, an elongated powder tube through which the powder flows, a lower baffle and a final pressure relief filter to atmosphere. Mechanism in the tableting machine receives the thusly prepared powder and forms it into tablets much faster than previously possible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the metered delivery of microbubbles, used for example, in the production of explosive compositions. Disclosed is a holding vessel with sufficient residence time to deaerate the microbubbbles with a level indicating device for sensing the quantity of microbubbles deposited therein, the outlet of the holding vessel communicating with a dual screw feed apparatus for delivering a constant volumetric flow of deaerated microbubbles from the holding vessel and a weigh-belt, upon which the microbubbles ae deposited as they exit the screw feeder, for providing a constant flow of microbubbles by weight for delivery to processing apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the flow of a powder from a source, such as a large hopper, to the intake of a conventional machine wherein such powder is compressed into tablets. Devices are arranged along the route of powder flow so as to restrict, decelerate and depressurize such powder flow and thereby prevent its surging, compaction and/or bridging. These devices are also arranged to maintain the powder in a loose condition of uniform density.In the preferred embodiments, said devices include most or all of a return duct to the powder source, an upper filter to atmosphere, an upper baffle against which the powder is directed, a restriction, an elongated powder tube through which the powder flows, a lower baffle and a final pressure relief filter to atmosphere. Mechanism in the tableting machine receives the thusly prepared powder and forms it into tablets much faster than previously possible.