Abstract: A self-cleaning dosing apparatus includes a material hopper for containing pellets of material, a feed screw, a first material outlet through which pellets of material fall by gravity onto a first end of the feed screw for the feeding of pellets to a process machine. A second material outlet is located beneath the first end of the feed screw, with a slide gate blocking the second material outlet. A pneumatic piston is provided for pulling the slide gate to unblock the second material outlet, and a Venturi pump is located under the second material outlet for pulling pellets through the second material outlet when the slide gate is opened.

Abstract: A system for processing material has a power supply and a machine having a hopper for receiving and passing material to an auger. The auger has a shaft with an axis about which it rotates, a helical flighting mounted to the shaft, pins mounted to the helical flighting, and paddles mounted to the shaft. The radial outer edge of the helical flighting is crenelated with periodic notches that form rectangular blades on the helical flighting. The pins are rotationally and angularly aligned with leading edges of the rectangular blades. The system may include a vehicle, such as a trailer, having first and second compartments separated by a partition. The power supply is located in the first compartment and has a power supply member extending though the partition. The machine is located in the second compartment and coupled to the power supply member.

Abstract: A feeder device for feeding powder, having a barrel feeding channel with a downstream end. The feeding channel including at least one conveying element for conveying the powder material to the downstream end. A rotatable exit element provided at the downstream end of the feeding channel. The rotatable exit element includes an annular portion defining exit openings defined by powder engaging edges. The rotatable exit element is positioned transversally outside the barrel in a proximity of the downstream end of the feeding channel. The feeding channel has a first, inner diameter and the rotatable exit element has a second, outer diameter, where the second, outer diameter is equal to or larger than the first inner diameter.

Abstract: The method includes covering a first opening of at least one first chute using a lid, delivering air from a pressurized air source into the at least one first chute, and advancing at least one first plunger through a first end of the at least one first chute to transfer a product through a second end of the at least one first chute and into a first open side of at least one first box.

Abstract: A grass mower includes a blade shaft for rotating a blade within a mower deck supported to a vehicle body, a power transmission mechanism for supplying rotational power to the blade shaft, a duct for air-conveying cut grass pieces from the mower deck to the grass collecting bag and a flow boosting device incorporated in the duct. The flow boosting device increases a speed of air flow inside the duct by feeding air through a nozzle opening adjacent an inner circumferential face of the duct along a flow direction of the air flow.

Abstract: Multi-stage pneumatic conveying apparatus for separating materials and associated systems and methods are described herein. The pneumatic conveying apparatus can include an inner barrel, an outer barrel, a hopper, a screw and a nose cone. The inner barrel can include inner baffles on its outer surface. The outer barrel can accommodate the inner barrel and include outer baffles on its inner surface. The hopper can include an opening in fluid communication with the inner barrel and can receive materials into the inner barrel. The screw conveyor assembly can be within the inner barrel and transport materials toward the outer barrel. The nose cone can include a plurality of nose cone components on its inner surface. The materials can be transported from the outer barrel to the nose cone via air flow from an external source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for pneumatically conveying a bulk material which does not flow readily in which an input device variably meters the bulk material into a lateral conveyor until it is partially filled, and then a mechanical conveyor, in combination with the simultaneous introduction of compressed gas into the lateral conveyor, empties the bulk material partially filling the lateral conveyor, rendering the bulk material conveyable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for pneumatically conveying bulk material which does not flow readily, in which: bulk material is metered by means of one or more input device(s) (8) into a lateral conveyor (1); and the bulk material in the lateral conveyor is subsequently emptied via a transport line (19) wherein the metering of the bulk material into the lateral conveyor (1) is achieved by means of the input device(s) (8) and the emptying of the lateral conveyor (1) is effected with simultaneous action of a mechanical conveyor (9) in the lateral conveyor and inflowing compressed gas (17), with the mechanical conveyor (9) having a narrow clearance with respect to the lateral conveyor (1), so that the lateral conveyor is substantially emptied during the emptying process.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system, process, and the device for reducing energy usage by simplifying equipment and thus the power requirements for manufacturing, installation of the equipment required for use in the movement-transportation to/during the processing of granular particulate bulk, powder products, many liquids slurry-able materials. Many commonly identified materials will be in a granular, particulate and non agglomerative condition suitable for injection by auger or inertial gravity into an enclosed pipe or conveyance chamber. In the device, two distinct and specific air flow patterns are identified when mechanically-pneumatically established within a single, low pressure piping entity; 1. A unique self regenerating (for system length), pipe contained, Vortex air cushion, with zero linear variable velocity (ZVVAC). 2.

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

Abstract: A pneumatic conveying system for conveying particulate material through a conduit that creates a strong laminar flow of materials and air surrounded by a boundary layer flow of air, such that long transport distances through dramatic elevation and directional changes can be achieved. Embodiments of the system include a blower assembly, an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit and a mixing chamber, wherein the mixing chamber includes an outer barrel, an inner barrel and an accelerating chamber. Low pressure air is supplied to the system by the blower assembly and mixed with particulate material. The air/material mixture is transported through the mixing chamber into the accelerating chamber and through the outlet conduit. In other preferred embodiments, the particulate material is mixed with the air in the accelerating chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for pneumatically conveying granular material such as gravel. The apparatus includes a vehicle base mounting plate, a prime mover such as a diesel engine, a hydraulically driven air blower, a hopper for receiving gravel to be conveyed, and a hydraulically driven auger assembly for moving gravel from the hopper to a pneumatic pick-up point. After pneumatic pickup, the gravel is transported through an extended network of suitable pneumatic tubing such as low friction, thick wall, PVC pipe sections, to a desired discharge location, where the material is discharged into a catch can for downward placement at a desired point. In a preferred embodiment, the auger assembly comprises a three piece unit, with a shaft, an inner auger section, and an outer auger section. The outer auger section is a replaceable wear part which can be repaired, rebuilt, or replaced as necessary due to frictional wear on the auger due to contact with the solid being conveyed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for accurate delivery of relatively small quantities of powdered solid materials. Preferred apparatus comprise: a primary chamber having a lateral surface extending between a first open end and a second open end; a rotating member that is positioned within the primary chamber and extends from a first position within the primary chamber to a second position within the primary chamber; a motor coupled with the rotating member and adapted to effect rotation thereof; a feed chamber having a lateral surface extending between a first open end and a second open end; and an air flow chamber coupled with the primary chamber and having a lateral surface extending between a first open end and a second open end.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel carrying apparatus for carrying spherical objects such as spherical semiconductors of silicon in which the spherical objects are not contacted with an inner surface of a pipe-shaped body while they are being carried in the pipe-shaped body. The carrying apparatus for carrying spherical objects is provided with a spiral current generating means for generating a spiral current of fluid, and the spiral current generated by the spiral current generating means is introduced into a passage of the spherical objects. The spiral current generating means includes a rotary shaft 3 in which a carrying passage 2 is formed in a direction of the central axis and a spiral groove 3b is formed at a predetermined position on the outer circumferential surface. Further, in the rotary shaft 3, a jet pipe 3a connecting the carrying passage 2 with the spiral groove 3b is formed.

Abstract: A fiber dispensing system for storing and delivering fibrous material includes a housing for receiving and storing the fibrous material. The housing has an activatable dispensing mechanism for selectively dispensing the fibrous material from the housing. A control mechanism is electrically connected to the dispensing mechanism for receiving an activation signal to activate the dispensing mechanism. A load mechanism associated with the housing and electrically connected to the control mechanism measures the weight amount of any fibrous material within the housing and transmits a weight amount data signal to the control mechanism. The control mechanism further activates a solenoid valve which in turn activates a water nozzle spray assembly for wetting of fibrous material prior to discharge into a receptacle.

Abstract: A fiber dispensing system for storing and delivering fibrous material includes a housing for receiving and storing the fibrous material and shapes supporting the housing. The housing has an activatable dispensing mechanism for selectively dispensing the fibrous material from the housing. A control mechanism is electrically connected to the dispensing mechanism for receiving an activation signal to activate the dispensing mechanism. A load mechanism including load cells mounted to the straps and electrically connected to the control mechanism measures the weight amount of any fibrous material within the housing and transmits a weight amount data signal to the control mechanism.

Abstract: A system for conveying particulate material from a first location to a second location. The system includes an auger rotatably disposed in a cylindrical auger chamber having a discharge end coupled to an inwardly-tapering nose cone. The nose is attachable to an elongate conveying conduit for conveying the particulate material. First and second plenum chambers co-act to inject concentric annular waves of pressurized fluid into the nose cone at an entry point adjacent to the discharge end of the nose cone. The arrangement provides a substantially laminar gas layer which lines the interior surface of the conveying conduit and circumscribes a flowing stream of gas and particulate material to thereby minimize contact of the particulate material with the interior surface of the conveying conduit.

Abstract: In a coating plant, the powder feed device is cooled permanently in order to avoid the deterioration of the powder which could be caused by an excessively high temperature. The air for the fluidization of the powder contained in the reservoir (1) is cool, dry air. A heat exchanger (30) supplies a closed loop circuit which includes an annular cooling chamber (32) and a coil (33) arranged in the path of the powder. The shaft of the worm screw may also be cooled.

Abstract: A system for conveying liquid or particulate material from a first location to a second location. The system is utilized in combination with an elongate barrel having a discharge end. A plenum chamber is placed around the barrel. A frustoconical air reduction cone is contained within the plenum chamber. The reduction cone has a narrower open end which is coupled to an interior front wall of the plenum chamber so as to surround the auger barrel. The narrower open end surrounds and communicates with a port in the front wall through which the auger barrel extends. The port and the auger barrel thus form an annular constriction therebetween. Pressurized air is injected into the plenum chamber which is drawn into the cone and passes through the annular constriction in the form of a continuous annular stream of pressurized air enveloping the discharge end of the barrel. The stream of air carries any material discharged from the barrel along a movement path.

Abstract: A powder feeding device for feeding powder at a constant rate has a container for storing a powdered material and a discharge device mounted in the container at a lower portion thereof for discharging the powdered material from the container at a constant rate. A vibrator is mounted on the container or on a wire net mounted in the container to separate air from the powder. The powder may be supplied from a powder tank to the powder container.

Abstract: A pneumatic pumping system for conveying particulate materials in system piping. The pumping system includes a linear accelerator apparatus having an inductor assembly with an inductor nozzle cooperating with a venturii casing in which the venturii casing has a shroud portion encompassing a discharge orifice of the inductor nozzle to form an annular passage through which pressurized conveying gas is directed, the conveying gas mixing with a material flow through the nozzle, the material flow through the nozzle being facilitated by a gas stream directed along an inside wall of the inductor nozzle, the linear accelerator apparatus being combined with other apparatus including a material pumping unit or a pressurized pod system, or, incorporated in-line in the system piping as a flow booster.

Abstract: A bark mulch handling and spreading apparatus includes a platform adapted to be mounted on a mobile chassis, a receiving and conveying unit mounted on the platform having a hopper for receiving bark mulch and an auger along the bottom of the hopper for conveying the bark mulch to an outlet port of the unit, a blower mechanism mounted on the platform adjacent to the receiving and conveying unit for generating a flow of air past the outlet port of the receiving and conveying unit so as to entrain the discharging bark mulch in the flow of air, a spreading mechanism mounted on the platform adjacent to the receiving and conveying unit and adapted to receive the flow of air with entrained bark mulch from the outlet port of the receiving and conveying unit and to distribute the air flow entrained bark mulch to a selected discharge location, and a drive arrangement mounted on the platform for driving the auger of the receiving and conveying unit, the blower mechanism and a plurality of agitating members in the hopper

Abstract: A pneumatic material transporter includes a material hopper (2), a screw conveyor (3) to transport the material (supplied from the hopper) from the rear portion to a front portion of the screw conveyor, a pressure chamber portion (5) to receive the materials from the screw conveyor and to press the materials down while adding a limited amount of water, a horizontal mixer (6) adapted to mix the material supplied from the pressure chamber portion with pressurized air, and then push the mixture to a material transporting conduit portion (8) connected to the mixer through a check valve portion, so that the material transporting conduit portion transports the materials to a yard.

Abstract: The labyrinth seal coal injector is a safe, cost-effective means of continuously injecting dry, sized, coal and other mined materials into a pressurized hydraulic pipeline for transport. The injector consists of a rotor or screw rotated by a motor. Coal is compacted in the injector and forms a hydraulic seal against the pressure in the pipeline. A knife valve is used in initiation of the flow of coal into the pipeline.

Abstract: A portable pneumatic conveyor for various bulk materials includes a hopper which supplies the bulk material to a feed tube. The feed tube is provided with a feed auger which advances the bulk material along the feed tube and into a chamber through which a current of air is passed by way of air inlet and air outlet lines connected to that chamber. The bulk material which is deposited within the chamber is fluidized by the air current and carried by the air current through the air line outlet and along the outlet conveying line to a storage site, such as a silo. In order to prevent air blow-back through the feed tube and alongside the auger, the outlet end of the feed tube is provided with a gate which is intended to at least partly close when the flow of bulk material into the chamber slows down or stops.

Abstract: A portable pneumatic conveyor for various bulk materials includes a hopper which supplies the bulk material to a feed tube. The feed tube is provided with a feed auger which advances the bulk material along the feed tube and into a chamber through which a current of air is passed by way of air inlet and air outlet lines connected to that chamber. The bulk material which is deposited within the chamber is fluidized by the air current and carried by the air current through the air line outlet and along the outlet conveying line to a storage site, such as a silo. In order to prevent air blow-back through the feed tube and alongside the auger, the outlet end of the feed tube is provided with a gate which is intended to at least partly close when the flow of bulk material into the chamber slows down or stops.

Abstract: Mud is taken into a vertical screw conveyor while an inlet device is rotating or without the use of such an inlet device. The mud is sent from the discharge port of the conveyor into a transport pipe. The mud is forcibly sent by a compressed air. Screens are provided to take only the mud into the screw conveyor. Paddles for stirring mud are provided on the vanes of the screw. A check valve and/or a pressure feeder (transport pump) is provided between the discharge port of the conveyor and the transport pipe.

Abstract: A device and method for separating particles by mass is provided in which the particles are entrained in an airstream and are ejected into a collection zone where they will fall under the influence of gravity, but will separate longitudinally by mass with the most massive particles traveling the farthest. As an enhancement to the separation, an apparatus for forming at least one air curtain perpendicular to the ejection direction is provided which causes the falling particles to separate into discrete groups.

Abstract: A continuous mixer is provided for combining bulk materials metered at a relatively slow rate into a liquid stream and is particularly useful for preparing an innoculant solution for treating feed pellets, seed or the like. The mixer has a vertical separation tube extending between a screw feeder and a mixing zone in a liquid conduit therebelow, and the tube is independently pressurized with air to substantially preclude ascent of liquids within the tube to ensure that all of the mixing occurs within the liquid line and to prevent the liquid from rising to a level sufficient for wetting the innoculants stored within a hopper adjacent the screw feeder. Air pressure within the tube is selectively adjustable in order to vary the spray produced by a nozzle at the end of the fluid conduit from a liquid stream essentially free of air to a finely dispersed fog which includes substantial quantities of air.

Abstract: A power spray system for applying particulate powder material to a substrate includes a volumetric or gravimetric dry material feeding device having an outlet connected to a manifold formed with an internal cavity and a plurality of passageways communicating with the internal cavity. A highly accurately metered quantity of powder is transmitted into the internal cavity of the manifold, which is either applied to the substrate or recirculated back to the powder source. An air amplifier connected to one of the passageways is operable to draw ambient air through a vent passageway into the internal cavity of the manifold to form a stream of air-entrained powder. The powder stream is then drawn out of the internal cavity of the manifold by the air amplifier into a spray gun for discharge onto the substrate.

Abstract: A screw powder feeder has a rotary screw (12) disposed at the base of a hopper (10). The screw (12) comprises a twist drill bit. Powder is discharged into a chamber (18) and picked-up by a flow of gas. The pressure in chamber (18) is varied relative to the pressure in hopper (10) to control the feed rate for a given screw speed. Ultra-low feed rates are made possible by feeding gas into the hopper (10) through the screw (12) and controlling the relative gas pressures such that the pressure in the chamber (18) exceeds the pressure in hopper (10).

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: Apparatus for conveying solid particulate material which takes the form of a line charging device for a pneumatic conveying system. The apparatus is of the type which includes a screw impeller rotatable in a casing for advancing material from a hopper through the casing to a discharge chamber. From the discharge chamber, gas under pressure entrains the material and serves to convey it through an attached conveying line. A pair of diametrically opposed outlets from the casing are provided to introduce material from the casing into the discharge chamber. A normally closed flap valve is operatively associated with each of the casing outlets to aid in establishing a seal of material at the outlet. The use of nozzles between the source of gas under pressure and the conveying line has been eliminated.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting granular materials is disclosed comprising a first conduit having an inlet for introducing the granular material, and transport pump for transporting the material through the first conduit. A nozzle provides a compressible fluid at a relatively high pressure for disaggregating the granular material within the first conduit, the material then proceeds from the first conduit into a second conduit. A relatively low pressure and high volume compressible fluid is supplied to the material to propel the material through the second conduit. There is also provided an adjustment means for changing the position of the nozzle within the first conduit. By adjusting the position of the nozzle, the apparatus can maintain disaggregation when the physical or chemical properties of the granular material are changed thereby preventing clogging of the apparatus due to insufficient disaggregation.

Abstract: A pump for feeding granular material into a pressurized zone having a feed screw (14) located within a cylinder (12). The cylinder is tapered (34) at its discharge end, and the outside diameter of the flights (32) is also tapered (43). The clearance (38) of the tapered flights is significantly greater than the clearance (40) of the non-tapered flights.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic mining tool for recovering minerals, particularly bitumen, and other viscous crude oils, from subterranian formations is disclosed, composed generally of a radially directed cutting jet nozzle which discharges a high velocity liquid to dislodge bitumen, viscous crude oils, and sand particles from the formation and a venturi-type pump and jet nozzle which lifts the dislodged material upward to the surface. The mining tool includes a rock crushing mechanism having means to vary its impact force and reciprocation frequency and an Archimedes feed screw which provides a variable quantity, continuous feed of mined material into the jet pump inlet.

Abstract: A mobile bulk container for particulate solid matter having at least one gas permeable internal floor element for the transmission of air therethrough within a container to fluidize particulate matter resting on the floor, the latter element sloping downwardly toward one side of the container, a bottom discharge pipe for discharging particulate matter from the container, conduits for supplying air upwardly through the floor element, an air conduit leading from adjacent the top of the space within the container to the discharge pipe for transmission of the air from the container to the pipe, and a screw conveyor mounted within and along the bottom of the container at the side thereof below the lower end of the floor element ending at the discharge pipe for conveying the particulate matter out of the container while effectively providing therewith an air seal between the container and the discharge pipe.

Abstract: A method of feeding powdered coal to a high pressure reactor which is being used with a fluidized bed/entrained flow coal gasification process. It includes steps of feeding a moist powdered coal to an extruder, and extruding the mixture into a high pressure stream of gas. The extrudate is dispersed into the gas stream, and the stream of extrudate and gas carrier is dried. Then the dry extrudate is separated and fed into the reactor vessel.

Abstract: A device for the remote distribution of measured amounts of powdery material using a duct through which passes a pressurized fluid, the duct being fed laterally with product from a feed regulator. The feed regulator, including a "screw pump" that delivers material into a spout having a mouth cut in the form of a whistle.