Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel transportable silo systems for storage of materials. The invention relates to self-erecting silo storage systems for use in the oil and natural gas mining and drilling industries. The silo storage systems of embodiments of the instant invention are uniquely designed to improve storage capabilities and mobility while at the same time reducing space requirements at well sites.

Abstract: In accordance with example embodiments, a sweep may include a pivot assembly, a first arm extending from the pivot assembly, a second arm extending from the pivot assembly, a first driving mechanism attached to the first arm, a second driving mechanism attached to the second arm, and a control device configured to control the first driving mechanism and the second driving mechanism. In example embodiments, the control device may be configured to control the first and second driving mechanism based on a detected variable.

Abstract: An operator controllable machine is retrofitted to be operator controlled or to be automatically controlled. An electrical joystick output is provided by a manually actuated joystick control, including a joystick, to a machine control in the manually controlled machine. An interface is added between the joystick control and the machine control to permit an external source, such as a GPS receiver or a laser receiver, to apply an electrical automatic control output to the machine control, as well. The interface includes a number of optical isolation circuits and a microprocessor. The isolated microprocessor output is supplied to the machine control, which produces valve control signals to control the hydraulic valves of the machine. The application of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders of the machine is then controlled by either the joystick control output or the automatic control output.

Abstract: An unloading apparatus capable of automatically unloading agricultural materials from a storage bag is disclosed. The unloading apparatus includes a drive mechanism for advancing the apparatus along the direction of an elongate storage bag, a collection mechanism for withdrawing material from the bag, and means for both sensing resistance force imposed on the advancing apparatus by material in the bag and controlling further advancement of the apparatus in accordance with the level of that resistance.

Abstract: A bridge loadport is described comprising a tool interface, an advance plate assembly, a port plate, and a port door. The tool interface extends vertically and is configured to substantially cover one end of a process tool. The advance plate assembly is supported on the front side of the tool interface and is configured to support a front-opening unified pod (pod). The port plate extends vertically, covering an upper portion of the tool interface. An aperture having a size and shape that substantially matches a size and shape of a door of a pod is formed in the port plate. The port door has a port door actuator and a port door face attached to the port door actuator. In one embodiment, the port door face is movable with respect to the port door actuator along a ling perpendicular to the aperture.

Abstract: An electrically operated hoist control is provided which has an accessory to aid in lowering and raising a spare tire stored beneath the undercarriage of a vehicle, such as a pickup truck, van, or sport utility vehicle. The accessory includes a reversible, direct current motor and speed reducing gearing. The accessory is mounted to the underside of the vehicle proximate a conventional, manually operated spare tire hoist that has a rotatable, mechanical drive input. The output drive of the speed reducing gearing is coupled to the drive input of the conventional vehicle spare tire hoist in place of the conventional extension from the hoist drive input that is accessible at the rear bumper of the vehicle. The accessory includes an automatically resetting circuit breaker, such as a bimetal circuit breaker which trips when excessive amperage is drawn by the reversible direct current motor.

Abstract: Improvements in bulk storage and handling systems of the type utilizing an inflatable membrane silo liner are disclosed. Included with the inflatable membrane are means for conforming the membrane to the silo or bin walls and means for substantially completing discharge of materials by a bin. The unique features disclosed are equally applicable to bins or silos having central or side discharge openings. Means are provided for avoiding discharge blockage by a membrane and improper membrane positioning during deflation. The invention further provides means for avoiding membrane damage due to improper loading techniques and means for avoiding excessive pressure buildup which might damage the membrane.

Abstract: The hoppers of several dust precipitators are connected to a common readily accessible monitoring station by discrete conduits each of which has a first open end at a preselected level in the respective hopper, a second open end at the monitoring station and an intermediate portion extending above the corresponding preselected level. Suction which normally prevails in the hoppers tends to maintain closed pivotable flaps for the second open ends of the conduits. If the dust in a hopper accumulates to or rises above the respective preselected level, the corresponding flap is opened by a counterweight and such movement of the flap entails the generation of a signal which is used to evacuate dust from the corresponding hopper and/or to actuate an alarm for the convenience and attention of the persons in charge.

Abstract: An unloading system for a container, such a forage box, includes a floor and a pair of parallel sidewalls. An auger is located in the container and a hydraulic motor on the auger rotates the auger to convey material in the container toward one end thereof. The auger is mounted on movable carriages and a second hydraulic motor drives the carriages to advance the auger transversely across the floor of the container between the sidewalls while the auger is rotating. A second cross auger is positioned adjacent the discharge end of the aforementioned auger and extends transversely of the container to receive the material conveyed by the first auger and discharge it from the container, and the second auger is also driven by a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor which transversely advances the first auger includes a relief valve which controls the hydraulic fluid pressure of that motor to vary the speed of the transverse movement across the floor of the container.

Abstract: A flowable granular, powder or flake material storage bin of the type having an inflatable generally cup-shaped bag with a blower for inflating and a blower for deflating the bag has a valve assembly of unique construction for controlling high-volume low-pressure flow for inflation and deflation cycles. The cycles themselves may be automatically controlled from sensing units which sense when the bag is fully emptied and fully deflated. The valve assembly may be adapted for the sequential discharge of a plurality of bins which may, for example, be located on a freight vehicle.

Abstract: This device for picking up separately selected slack articles from a heap of articles disposed in a container comprises a movable handling arm adapted to be lowered into the container for picking up the selected article, for example a textile, just as it is or wrapped in a plasticizer film bag, and a pair of wheels rotatably mounted to the lower end of the handling arm and driven by suitable means. The handling arm is lowered into the container and then the wheels are caused to rotate in opposite directions in order to nip one article at a time therebetween. Finally, the arm is lifted off the container and the wheels are separated for releasing the article. The device is intended more particularly for use in the mail order trade.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning out material which remains within a confined space, such as silos, hoppers and the like, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a power driven device for impacting the material which is hung up within the silo to loosen it and allow it to fall downwardly of the silo. The device for impacting the material is suspended from and powered by a cable/hose which is reeled onto a drum supported above the material in the silo. The drum is rotatable to payout or rewind the cable/hose in positioning the impacting device in the area of the material to be loosened. The apparatus includes provision for automatically reciprocating the impacting device along the material face and in the event of a material avalanche, releasing the drum to allow the impacting device to fall downwardly with the flowing material.

Abstract: An unloading apparatus comprises a housing vertically spaced from the port in the bin containing the material to be unloaded, a shaft defining and rotatable about an upright axis generally at the port, at least one arm extending at least generally radially from the shaft and being sweepable through the material and over the port on rotation of the shaft, a toothed drive wheel centered on the axis and fixed on the shaft, and first and second pairs of actuators each having an outer end pivoted on the housing and an inner end constituted as a pusher engageable tangentially with the teeth of the wheel. These actuators are generally angularly equispaced around the axis and the actuators of the first pair alternate with those of the second pair.

Abstract: This invention relates to the draining of bulk materials which are not spontaneously flowable, from a high-rise silo in which the bulk material is fed from the top layer of the bulk material at any instant, into a central gravity shaft having a bottom extraction facility. To this end, the invention consists in a gravity shaft which is combined with the gastight high-rise silo and is rigid, stationary, tubular and closable at the bottom. The shaft is provided with perforations distributed along its height and circumference, of which at least one is situated at each vertical position of the prevailing level of bulk material. The bottom of the shaft can be sealed off with a slider or a plug of the material which is permitted to be built up to a predetermined height.

Abstract: A drag bucket apparatus for separating pieces of solid material from liquid in a rectangular receiving tank includes driven trolleys that move along the longitudinal tank walls to pull a drag bucket along the tank from a start end to a dump end. If the drag bucket encounters excessive resistance during a pickup run, a pickup level control automatically raises the bucket incrementally to eliminate such excessive resistance; and when the trolleys near the dump end of the tank the bucket is automatically elevated to a discharge level and when the bucket is at the dump end its load of material is automatically dumped onto a material support out of the liquid. The drag bucket is then lowered and returned to the start end for another pickup run which may begin at once, or which may be delayed depending upon the conditions encountered during the last preceding pickup run.

Abstract: The spout of an ice dispenser has an anti-jamming rod. The auger motor causes the rod to move in the spout. A means is provided to stop the motor in response to interference with such movement of the rod.

Abstract: A subsurface coal bunker operating to receive and discharge coal is structured with an assemblage of nested telescopic container members including one stationary member and a plurality of movable members, with the container members being formed in size in a graduated series with each container member being sized to fit into a next larger container member adjacent thereto. The movable members are telescopically extensible and contractible in order to vary the volume of the assemblage and the bunker assembly is provided with a first belt conveyor for feeding material into the assemblage and a second belt conveyor for transporting material therefrom. A reversible drive mechanism, consisting of hydraulic cylinder devices actuating a system of drive chains and pulleys, is mounted on a support frame of the bunker and operates to drive the movable members between the extended and contracted positions.

Abstract: For handling and more particularly for discharging materials lying in a pile upon a storage area like the bottom of a silo, a scraping element is driven into the pile of materials and the resisting force applied to said scraping element is measured. When the said force has reached a predetermined value, the direction of motion of the said scraping element is reversed in order to discharge an amount of materials from the silo. Means are provided to generate a control signal when the said value has been reached, said signal being applied to means for controlling the reversing movement of the scraping element. Thus the resistance encountered by the said scraping element and its driving means does not exceed an admissible value and no blocking can take place.