Abstract: A system and method to excavate and fill is disclosed. The system includes a canister adapted to receive and store excavated material. In addition, a plurality of blades are mounted inside of the canister about a horizontal shaft proximate a bottom end of the canister. A motor is adapted to rotate the plurality of blades to move the excavated material stored in the canister to the bottom end of the canister and a blower is adapted to blow the excavated material at the bottom end of the canister out of an opposing side of the canister through a discharge port. The canister includes a downward sloping lip disposed above the plurality of blades, where the downward sloping lip funnels the excavated material on to a downwardly rotating blade of the plurality of blades.

Abstract: A rotary high pressure feeder for feeding cellulosic fibrous material including: a rotor rotatable about an axis and comprising at least one pocket having a conduit extending through the rotor in a direction perpendicular to the axis and having end openings at opposite ends of the pocket, wherein each of said end openings of each pocket functions as both an inlet and outlet depending upon an angular position of the rotor within a housing; the housing encloses said rotor and said housing includes a low pressure inlet port and a low pressure outlet port radially opposed to the low pressure inlet port, and a high pressure inlet port and a high pressure outlet port aligned horizontally, wherein the ports are arranged on the housing for registry with the end openings of at least one pocket, and a screen grid seated in or adjacent to the low pressure outlet port, wherein the screen grid includes an array of screen slots and bars forming a uniform pattern of slots and bars extending without interruption across an en

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for moving and placing in hard to reach locations granular and other particulate material such as sand, gravel, earth and similar materials. The system includes an improved auger for moving the material and an improved rotary airlock mechanism designed to withstand the abrasive action of the particulate material and at the same time move the material several hundred feet through a flexible conduit for placement in a pre-designated location. A system and apparatus is also disclosed for transporting on one vehicle all of the devices needed at a remote site for operation the particulate placement system, including a front loader.

Abstract: A rotary high pressure feeder for processing cellulosic fibrous material including: a rotor rotatable about an axis and comprising at least one pocket comprising a conduit extending through the rotor in a direction perpendicular to the axis and having end openings at opposite ends of the pocket, wherein each of said end openings of each pocket functions as both an inlet and outlet depending upon an angular position of the rotor within a housing; the housing encloses said rotor and said housing includes a low pressure inlet port and a low pressure outlet port aligned vertically, and a high pressure inlet port and a high pressure outlet port aligned horizontally, wherein the ports are arranged on the housing for registry with the end openings of at least one pocket, and a screen grid seated in or adjacent to the low pressure outlet port, wherein the screen grid includes an array of screen slots and bars forming a uniform pattern of slots and bars extending without interruption across an entirety of the low pres

Abstract: A single machine (20) for blowing insulation into cavities of buildings and methods of using the machine to deliver insulation are provided. The single machine includes at least one engine (100), a hopper assembly (74), two feeding assemblies (36, 40) each operably connected to an output hose (76, 80), two air blowing assemblies (84, 88) each connected to feeder assemblies. The single machine can independently and simultaneously deliver insulation through multiple output hoses to same cavity of different cavities.

Abstract: An improved rotary air lock feeder. The improved device includes a cylinder having a central axis. A plurality of vanes extending radially outward to rotate in the cylinder about the axis. A hopper communicates with the cylinder through an inlet located in an upper portion of the cylinder. The present invention permits flow of material from the hopper to the cylinder without the use of a worm conveyor positioned in the bottom of the hopper. An offset opening extends from the upper portion of the cylinder along a side of a vertical plane extending from the axis. The offset opening communicates with the cylinder to intermittently provide inter-chamber communication at the offset opening.

Abstract: A machine for separating a compacted fibrous material and pneumatically impelling separated fibrous material generally comprising a hopper having a trough at a lower end thereof provided with an outlet, a pair of augers disposed in the trough operable to advance separated fibrous material toward and into the hopper outlet, means disposed in the hopper between an inlet of the hopper and the trough for shredding compacted fibrous materials introduced into the hopper, an airlock feeder having an inlet communicating with the trough outlet, a motor and means for conveying drive from the motor to the shredding means, the augers and the feeder.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus is provided for dispensing items. The dispensing apparatus includes a dispensing outlet and an item holder having item holding areas and being movably disposed to position the item holding areas one at a time in sequence over the dispensing outlet so that when one of the item holding areas is positioned over the dispensing outlet, the other item holding areas are not disposed over the dispensing outlet. The dispensing apparatus further includes a blocker disposed over the item holder opposite the dispensing outlet, the blocker blocking access to the dispensing outlet from directly above the item holder when the item holder positions one of the item holding areas over the dispensing outlet.

Abstract: An improved rotary air lock feeder. The improved device includes a cylinder having a central axis. A plurality of vanes extending radially outward to rotate in the cylinder about the axis. A hopper communicates with the cylinder through an inlet located in an upper portion of the cylinder. The present invention permits flow of material from the hopper to the cylinder without the use of a worm conveyor positioned in the bottom of the hopper. A pair of offset openings extend from the upper portion of the cylinder along each side of a vertical plane extending from the axis. The offset openings communicate with the cylinder to intermittently provide inter-chamber communication at each said offset opening.

Abstract: An improved rotary air lock feeder. The improved device includes a cylinder having a central axis. A plurality of vanes extending radially outward to rotate in the cylinder about the axis. A hopper communicates with the cylinder through an inlet located in an upper portion of the cylinder. A pair of offset openings extend from the upper portion of the cylinder along each side of a vertical plane extending from the axis. The offset openings communicate with the cylinder to intermittently provide inter-chamber communication at each said offset opening.

Abstract: A spherical body transport apparatus applicable in accepting a small spherical body, such as a spherical semiconductor, from a first spherical body treating device and feeding it to a second spherical body treating device. Such a spherical body transport apparatus includes a spherical body holding component having at least one spherical body accommodating component and designed to hold a spherical body temporarily, a spherical body carry-in component for carrying the spherical body into the spherical body accommodating component of the spherical body holding component, and a spherical body carry-out component for carrying the spherical body out of the spherical body accommodating component of the spherical body holding component.

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: Dust emission is controlled by a preferably short fill at the expulsion end of each chamber, and selective venting of residual pressure through the air-inlet end. This selective venting is accomplished through use of a novel seal or "pad" that has an extension for tightly covering and sealing the material-exhaust end of each chamber while the chamber is in a dust-control plenum. The pad extension is notched so that it leaves the air-inlet end uncovered, permitting pressure venting through the notch and the air-inlet end. To provide truly effective sealing of the pad extension against the wear plate above the chamber that is in the plenum, the extension is reinforced by a strong metal plate which is embedded in the pad. Careful contouring of the main material-conveying ports in the pad optimizes the performance. A new all-pneumatic pad-clamping pressure-control system has been found to provide excellent control of pressure and uniformity of wear, with a minimum of working parts and adjustments.

Abstract: A shotcrete gun having a rotatable multichamber rotor, with a top feed hopper for receiving a dry concrete mixture in a chamber, and a bottom outlet pipe for discharging the dry concrete mixture from the chamber. The outlet pipe having a compressed air connector for connection to a compressed air source. The upper surface of the drum rotor adjoins a gasket having one or more openings fixed to a clamping plate. The lower surface of the drum rotor adjoins a gasket which is fixed to a base plate. The hopper and the outlet pipe being spaced such that a chamber which communicates directly with the hopper can be moved so that it no longer communicates with the hopper but communicates with the outlet pipe. The clamping plate has a compressed air connector for blowing the dry mixture out into the outlet pipe.

Abstract: A shotcrete gun having a rotatable multichamber rotor, with a top feed hopper for receiving a dry concrete mixture in a chamber, and a bottom outlet pipe for discharging the dry concret mixture from the chamber. The outlet pipe having a compressed air connector for connection to a compressed air source. The upper surface of the drum rotor adjoins a gasket having one or more openings fixed to a clamping plate. The lower surface of the drum rotor adjoins a gasket which is fixed to a base plate. The hopper and the outlet pipe being spaced such that a chamber which communicates directly with the hopper can be moved so that it no longer communicates with the hopper but communicates with the outlet pipe. The clamping plate has a compressed air connector for blowing the dry mixture out into the outlet pipe, and at least three pressure cylinders in order to press the gasket against the drum rotor. Means are provided for maintaining the pressure in the cylinders proportional to the pressure in the outlet pipe.

Abstract: A feeder apparatus is provided for delivery of insulation material or the like using pressurized air, particularly where such material is relatively light and fluffy and/or delivered at a low rate. The feeder apparatus includes a hopper and a chute. The hopper receives the material, which is to be carried using the pressurized air. A chute housing a pair of tine assemblies receives the material from the hopper and is used in carrying the material to an inlet. The inlet is formed by first and second adjusting assemblies, which are located on opposite sides of the chute. The user is able to provide a desired size inlet by rotating crank handles of the two adjusting assemblies to cause linear movement of adjustable plates. Material passing from the inlet is received by a rotary pocket feeder having a number of vanes. Pressurized air is also delivered to the rotary pocket feeder. The pressurized air carries the material through an outlet formed in the pocket feeder for delivery to a predetermined site.

Abstract: A rotary air lock feeder has a cylindrical chamber closed at opposite ends by end walls and a rotor mounted for rotary movement along the cylindrical chamber axis. A hopper is provided for feeding material into an upper portion of the chamber. A port is formed in each of the end walls to one side of a vertical plane extending through the cylindrical chamber axis at a height above the angle of natural repose of the material. So constructed, material fed into the chamber may be driven by the rotor to the bottom of the chamber and then lifted by the rotor to a position between the end wall ports and become evenly entrained in an airstream flowing through the chamber between the ports.

Abstract: A low pressure feeder includes a rotor containing at least one pocket having a single access opening to it, the rotor rotatable about an axis and enclosed in a housing having an inlet port vertically above an outlet port. A sealing structure is disposed in a large clearance volume between the rotor and the housing, the sealing structure comprising a single shoe having an opening communicating with the inlet port, and one or more pressure compensators for biasing the shoe into engagement with the rotor. The pressure compensators are responsive to the process pressure at the feeder high pressure outlet port. A gas blast structure is provided for supplying a blast of gas to the pocket to effect discharge of material from the pocket when it is in communication with the outlet port.

Abstract: A feeder assembly for particulate matter blowing machines including a cylindrical member with an opening along its upper surface through which particulate matter is inserted. A drive shaft is positioned longitudinally through the member and a cylindrical drum mounted around the drive shaft. A vane assembly attached to the drum engages the inner surface of the member at a plurality of locations thereby defining a plurality of airlocks. An inlet cover is attached to one end of the member and it has an inlet opening through which gases are forced into the airlocks. An outlet cover is attached to the opposite end of the cylindrical member and the outlet cover has an outlet opening aligned with the inlet opening through which the particulate matter is blown out of the airlocks. A motor turns the drive shaft whereby the airlocks pass adjacent the opening and particulate matter fills the airlocks, and then the airlocks are rotated until adjacent the openings when the material is blown out.

Abstract: A concrete gun comprising in combination a rotor, a plurality of chambers arranged in said rotor in a circular array and extending parallel to the axis of said rotor, sealing plates of elastomeric material engaging the ends of the rotor and closing said chambers, a vent orifice comprising a recess in one of said sealing plates, said recess being located to be successively in register with said chambers upon rotation of said rotor, an air filter communicating said recess with the surrounding air and a clearing device for the recess including an actuating element extending from the recess to outside the gun. By reason of the external actuating element the vent orifice can be periodically cleaned of deposited residue without danger or having to shut down the machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing particulate material from compact masses of materials such as that used for insulation and then pneumatically dispensing the material in a uniform flow and with a preselected and consistent density. The apparatus includes a hopper for receiving the compact masses, an outlet positioned in the bottom of the hopper and a shredding zone located within the upper portion of the hopper for shredding large compact masses into smaller masses or nodules. An auger is positioned below the shredding zone and above the outlet for moving the material along the hopper. Below the auger is a tearing and separating zone that receives the material from the outlet and operates to tear and separate any of the nodules of the material into particulate material. The particulate material is then received and dispensed by a pneumatic transport means. The transport means includes a rotating air lock having an inlet at one end and an end plate at the other or exhaust end of the air lock.

Abstract: A device for conveying measured amounts of material which includes a rotating induction wheel having a plurality of elongate open-ended chambers defined therein and a pair of wipers arranged to remove excess material from the chamber ends. Brackets seal the chambers, and gas is introduced into the chambers to pulse the material out of the chambers into a material transport conduit. Metered charges of material are thus delivered to the transport conduit. The wipers are integral with the brackets.

Abstract: The apparatus of this invention feeds coarse-grained, lumpy dry materials from a hopper (1) to an outlet chamber (19) into which materials are blown. It has two rotors (5, 15) that rotate in unison about a common vertical axis and have circumferentially arranged material chambers (24, 25) that are coaxial with one another. A plate (7) between the two rotors (5, 15) has a passage (8) with which the chambers (24, 25) of the rotors (5, 15) can be brought into register by rotor rotation. The upper rotor (5) has a plurality of air chambers (26, 27) which receive pressure air conducted through the passage (8) from each of the chambers (25) of the lower rotor (15). A connecting channel (28) serves to increase the pressure on the outer side of the chambers (25) of the lower rotor (15). Multiple openings into the atmosphere discharge the chambers (24, 26, 27) of the upper rotor (5). With this arrangement the pressure drop .DELTA.

Abstract: A mercury doser for automatically and accurately dosing arc tubes at high production rates comprises a rotatable stainless steel metering plate sandwiched between tetrafluoroethylene discs. The plate contains a graduated series of metering cavities of which one is selected. Mercury is fed by gravity into the selected cavity at a loading position where any trapped air or gas escapes through a vent port. The port is so small that surface tension prevents entry of the mercury. The plate is then advanced to an unloading position where a puff of argon gas expels the mercury charge into a delivery channel.

Abstract: A device for conveying measured amounts of material which includes a rotating induction wheel having a plurality of elongate open-ended chambers defined therein and a pair of wipers arranged to remove excess material from the chamber ends. Pressure pads seal the chambers, and gas is introduced into the chambers to pulse the material out of the chambers into a material transport conduit. Metered charges of material are thus delivered to the transport conduit. An alternative embodiment of the metering device has a pair of sequential chambers pressurized simultaneously.