Abstract: Method for controlling a slide direction in a branch point and a slide, in particular a water slide, in which a slide surface of the branch point is wetted with water, and the branch point is formed: with a first slide connector for a slide entrance, with a second slide connector for a slide exit, with a third slide connector for a further slide exit, wherein the first and second slide connector are provided adjacently to each other, and the third slide connector is provided removed from or opposite the first and second slide connector, and a mouth region is formed between the first and second slide connector and the third slide connector.

Abstract: A workstation includes a housing and a pneumatic tube port sized and shaped to connect to tubing of a pneumatic tube delivery system. The workstation includes a carrier dispatch and arrival mechanism coupling to the pneumatic tube port and having an outlet and a slide plate movable from a position opening the outlet to a position closing the outlet. The carrier dispatch and arrival mechanism further including a dispatch arm for loading an outbound carrier for transportation from the workstation through the pneumatic tube delivery system to a further workstation. The workstation further comprises an equipment storage compartment adjacent to the carrier dispatch and arrival mechanism and a bin at the bottom of the housing sized and shaped to receive and store the inbound carriers in combination with a user interface cabinet housing a user interface apparatus and a space for supporting stored carriers.

Abstract: A polyhedral display system is disclosed. The polyhedral display system may include three or more flat-panel displays shaped as polygons and connected to form a non-planar polyhedral display surface. Further, at least one of the three or more flat-panel displays may be shaped as a non-rectangular polygon. The polyhedral display system may further include a controller coupled to the flat-panel displays. The controller may receive visual content, divide the visual content into three or more segments for display on the three or more flat-panel displays based on their relative positions, and provide data signals to the three or more flat-panel displays based on the three or more segments for displaying the visual content.

Abstract: Provided is a flow rate control apparatus that includes a flow restrictor, a downstream side valve, a downstream side pressure sensor, first and second flow rate calculators, and a flow rate controller. The downstream side valve is disposed downstream of the flow restrictor in a flow path. The downstream side pressure sensor measures a pressure between the flow restrictor and the downstream side valve. The first flow rate calculator calculates a first flow rate of fluid flowing through the flow restrictor. The second flow rate calculator calculates a second flow rate of fluid flowing out of the downstream side valve on the basis of the first flow rate and the temporal variation in downstream side pressure measured by the downstream side pressure sensor. The flow rate controller controls the downstream side valve on the basis of a set flow rate and the second flow rate.

Abstract: A mass flow control system can be self verified for its accuracy when controlling a flow to a process. The system comprises: a control valve for controlling the flow of fluid through the system as a function of a control signal; a controller for generating the control signal as a function of measured flow of fluid through the system and a targeted flow set point; a pressure sensor for measuring the controlling fluid pressure for use in measuring and verifying the flow rate; and a source of fluid for providing a known volume of fluid for use in verifying the system accuracy anytime between steps of the flow control process.

Abstract: A system and method provides for a pneumatic tube carrier routing and tracking system having a system control module that captures and presents tracking information associated with sending and receiving carriers. The pneumatic tube carrier tracking system comprises sending and receiving stations connected by pneumatic tubing, and which are configured to securely send carriers, with receiving users optionally being restricted from unauthorized access of carriers. The receiving station further comprises a plurality of receiving bins, each comprising a door for preventing access to the receiving bin by unauthorized users. The sending and receiving stations have identifying tag readers configured to scan identifier tags to read carrier delivery, carrier receipt and receiving user information.

Abstract: An article conveyor system for conveying a singulated row of articles includes an upstream belt conveyor, a downstream belt conveyor spaced apart from the upstream belt conveyor by an air gap, and an air conveyor bridging the air gap from the upstream belt conveyor to the downstream belt conveyor. The air conveyor receives upright articles from the upstream belt conveyor and conveys them over the air gap to the downstream belt conveyor. Tipped or fallen articles on the upstream belt conveyor are not received by the air conveyor and fall into the air gap, thereby being ejected from the article conveyor system.

Abstract: A method of regularly supplying the bank with cleaned and disinfected cylinders and for communicating that fact to the bank's customers is described. The method includes cleaning and sanitizing the cylinders and substituting the cleaned and sanitized cylinders for used cylinders that have not recently been cleaned and sanitized.

Abstract: A powder feed rate sensor includes a surface or diaphragm configured to detect powder feed rate.

Abstract: The present application relates to a metering device and a dense phase conveying system for the steady, continuous, dosed supply of a bulk material in powder form made of light, polydisperse particles to a consumer arranged downstream. Furthermore, the present application relates to a method for the continuous, dosed supply of the bulk material in powder form using the dense phase conveying system, which comprises the metering device according to the invention.

Abstract: A recognition machine 40, 90 connected to a pneumatic tube 14 is provided separately from a money change machine 20, 70. The recognition machine 40, 90 includes a recognition unit 46, 96 configured to recognize a paper sheet or a coin having been put thereinto, and a storing mechanism 48, 98 configured to store the paper sheet or the coin having been recognized by the recognition unit 46, 96, into a storing member for pneumatic tube 16 to be transported by a pneumatic tube 14. A control unit 60, 100 is configured to calculate a deposit amount of the paper sheet or the coin, by adding up information relating to the paper sheet or the coin stored in the money change machine 20, 70 and information relating to a paper-sheet recognition result or coin recognition result by the recognition unit 46, 96 of the recognition machine 40, 90.

Abstract: In a method of dynamic energy-saving superconductive transporting of medium flow, a modulated flow-forming action is applied to the medium from an action element for providing a modulated process of flow transporting in a given direction, and a frequency, a drop-shaped form of a law with a range and a comparative phase of a negative modulating of the action are predetermined so that a minimal value of the energy ratio of a controlled acting value of a modulated flow-forming energy of the action to a controlled acting value of a kinetic energy formed in the modulated medium flow during the flow transporting is provided.

Abstract: A particulate loader and transfer apparatus is provided. The particulate loader and transfer apparatus comprises a separation chamber having a particulate and air intake. At least one blower is connected to the separation chamber for providing suction thereto. A particulate transporting device is connected to the separation chamber. An internal combustion engine and a drive mechanism operatively engage the at least one blower and the particulate transporting device. A control mechanism electronically controls the speed of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Provided herein is a system and method for alleviating gridlock in a pneumatic tube system. In various instances where inter-zone transactions conflict, one of the transactions is removed from a conflicting set and temporarily delivered to an alternate location in the system. This allows other blocked transactions to proceed. Once the gridlock condition is alleviated, the temporarily delivered carrier is retrieved and rerouted to its intended destination.

Abstract: An injection system for solid particles comprises a conveying hopper (11) located at an upstream location (1), a fluidizing device (21) for fluidizing the solid particles at the outlet of the conveying hopper (11) and forming a solid-gas flow, a pneumatic conveying line (15) for conveying the solid-gas flow from the fluidizing device (21) to a downstream location (2) and a static distribution device (17) with a plurality of injection lines (19), connected thereto. An upstream flow control system controls the mass flow rate in the pneumatic conveying line (15) at the upstream location (1) by controlling the opening of an upstream flow control valve (35) responsive to the solid material mass flow measured in the pneumatic conveying line (15) at the upstream location (1).

Abstract: A method and a device for separating particulate solids from a gas flow, particularly a carrier gas flow for transporting the particulate solids, has a transport line (2) that leads into a separating chamber (5), a connected dry filter (9) for separating dusts and/or fine particulate solids, a discharge line (12) for conducting away the cleaned gas flow, and a storage container (1) for holding the separated particulate solids. The dry filter is equipped with backwash units for cleaning the dry filter.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for use in controlling a translocation process of a pneumatic tube system in order to reduce the amount of energy transferred from the tube system to a pneumatic carrier and, hence, its contents. Generally, these utilities entail identifying and/or reducing forces applied to a pneumatic carrier traveling through a travel path within a pneumatic tube system. The systems and method disposed herein allow for varying the velocity of a pneumatic carrier as it passes through a travel path of the pneumatic system. Such varying of the velocity allows for reducing the total forces applied to the pneumatic carrier during passage through the system. In one arrangement, the power output of a power source connected to a compressor device is altered to vary the velocity of pneumatic carries in the system.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube system, including at least one system control module for controlling delivery of a pneumatic carrier through pneumatic tubing. The system includes at least one pneumatic tube station having a sealer, the sealer includes a heating pad and a sealing strip, where the sealer automatically grips the open end within the heating pad and the sealing strip upon insertion of the bag into the system. In one example, the sealer creates a vacuum to extract air from an interior space of the bag. The sealer applies heat to the open end to seal the bag. The system includes at least one pneumatic tube station configured for sending at least one carrier, the at least one sending pneumatic tube station being in signal communication with the at least one system control module, where the at least one carrier is sent through the system by pneumatic tubing.

Abstract: A method of transporting tuberous vegetables from a storage facility that is remote from a processing facility to a processing facility includes providing a pipeline from the storage facility to the processing facility. A sufficient amount of water is continuously fed into a pump inlet along with a continuous selected amount of tuberous vegetables such that a pump, located proximate the storage facility, forces the water along with the tuberous vegetables through the pipeline and discharges the water and tuberous vegetables to the processing facility where the processing facility separates the water from the tuberous vegetables.

Abstract: A system is provided for distributing particulate matter. The system includes at least two conduits, each conduit extending from a common first position adjacent a source of particulate matter to a second position. The pressure differential between the first and second positions is substantially the same for each conduit. A pressurized fluid conveys particulate matter through the at least two conduits. A device measures mass flow of particulate matter in each of the at least two conduits. A controller is in communication with the device that provides additional pressurized fluid to each conduit having a solids ratio greater than the desired solids ratio of the at least two conduits in response to a measured mass flow rate to balance (or to preferentially bias) mass flow of particulate matter through each of the at least two conduits.

Abstract: Device and process for conveying filter elements to a filter element magazine. The device includes a rotatable drum comprising at least one seat for receiving a filter element and a detection device that controls a rotation of the drum and detects the filter elements. The process includes conveying at least one filter element in a lengthwise axial direction to a drum that includes seats, wherein at least one of the seats is adapted to receive the at least one filter element, guiding the at least one filter element past a detection device, generating a start signal as soon as an end of the at least one filter element has passed the detection device, rotating the drum in a crosswise axial direction after receiving the start signal, and moving the at least one filter element into the filter element magazine.

Abstract: An internally isothermal control volume of a flow verification system for measuring gas pressure drop relative to time to calculate flow rate has a thermal reservoir provided therein. The thermal reservoir is de-coupled from ambient effects so that the temperature of the thermal reservoir will be driven to the gas temperature during steady state flow of gas through the known volume and during gas expansion, will transfer heat to maintain a contrast gas temperature for accurate gas flow rate calculation with minimal effect from external influence during the verification process.

Abstract: An apparatus for the delivery and acception of articles made of a sheet-like material, particularly banknotes, documents, and the like, comprising:

Abstract: Method for conveying a pulverulent material making it possible to divide said pulverulent material, from a single storage capacity (10), between several conveyors (50) with a controlled flow rate in each of said conveyors, characterised in that said storage capacity is linked to said conveyors by at least one aero-pipe (30) such as described in WO84 01560 and WO85 04676, and in that a hyperdense fluidised meter (40), such as the device described in EP 0 190 092, is connected to said aero-pipe, said hyperdense fluidised meter being intended to feed each of the conveyors.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method which is capable of reducing a crushing rate of grain when the grain such as rice is transported by means of gas through pipes. The temperature of the grain in a grain accommodation tank which is connected to a transportation pipe for grain is measured. A temperature signal indicating this temperature is sent to control means, which determines the temperature of transportation gas so that a difference between this temperature and the temperature of the grain is within a predetermined range. The determined temperature is transmitted to an intercooler so that the temperature of the transportation gas which is sent from a blower and flows through the transportation pipe is controlled to be at the determined specific temperature. Transportation of the grain by means of the transportation gas at this temperature prevents the grain from crushing.

Abstract: A control mechanism (20; 70) and a method for use in an installation for transporting bulk material, granular material or powdery material through a conveyor line (1) with the aid of a pressurized gaseous medium. The control mechanism (20; 70) is arranged for being connected to the conveyor line (1) for the purpose of introducing a pressurized gaseous medium (15) therein and comprises a connecting opening (24) for connecting the control mechanism (20; 70) to an inlet (25) in the conveyor line (1), an intake (26) for gaseous medium (15), which is in communication with the connecting opening (24), valve means (28; 71), which operatively engage the intake (26), and means (31, 32, 35, 50, 51; 32) for controlling the valve means (28; 71) associated with the pressure of the gaseous medium in the conveyor line (1).

Abstract: A powdery particle conveying system is provided in which electric power consumption can be saved when powdery particles are conveyed by use of a roots blower. In the case where the powdery particles are conveyed to a reservoir tank near the roots blower, the frequency of a power source of a roots blower driving motor is reduced, thereby reducing an output of the roots blower. In contrast, in the case where the powdery particles are conveyed to a remote reservoir tank, a voltage of a commercial frequency is applied to the motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of conveyors for containers of plastic, for example PET, with protruding neck rings. In particular, the apparatus (1) comprises a supporting structure (4) that mounts a track (5) which supports the containers by their neck rings (3). The apparatus further comprises means for propelling the containers along the feed path and means for detecting jammed containers along the feed path. At least one pusher (7) is mounted on the supporting structure (4) to act on the containers when a jam is detected.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device and method to increase density of slurry transported by slurry pumping systems. A connection is made to the existing slurry pipeline so that a portion of slurry is drawn into the device. Multiple settling chambers are filled and pressurized by the slurry. Settling in these chambers segregates the processed slurry into a high density stream and a low density stream. The low density stream is returned to the slurry make up area. The high density stream is returned to mix with the unprocessed slurry remaining in the existing slurry pipeline. A computer processor controls the amount of low density slurry withdrawn so that the final slurry density and slurry velocity meet set point values.

Abstract: A pneumatic transfer apparatus (10) includes a service provider terminal (22) and a customer terminal (24). A carrier (32) is moved through a transfer conduit (26) between the customer and service provider terminals by a differential pressure generating mechanism (28, 30). Each of the customer and service provider terminals includes an actuator mechanism (54, 82). The actuator mechanism is operative to orient an opening in the housing of the carrier with a transfer opening in the transfer conduit. The actuator mechanism is further operative to move an inner shell (100) relative to an outer shell (96) of the carrier so as to bring openings in said inner and outer shells into alignment which enables accessing the interior area of the carrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods useful, for example, for introducing a desired spacing between or classifying and sorting objects, e.g. plant embryos. Objects carried serially in a fluid stream enter the apparatus via an upstream conduit. A sensor associated with the conduit provides information regarding an object at a particular location in the upstream conduit and produces a signal. A switch coupled to the upstream conduit directs the fluid stream to an appropriate downstream conduit by applying a force to a conduit, e.g., by aligning the upstream conduit with a downstream conduit to create a fluid-tight path. Apparatus according to the present invention are particularly useful for manipulating fragile multicellular biological objects such as plant embryos.

Abstract: A pneumatic conveying transport system for bulk materials has a conduit that carries material in a gas flow, and at spaced locations along the conduit air assists are provided to inject a supplemental amount of air into the conveying conduit when back pressure builds up in the conduit at the selected locations. The air assists include air outlet lines connected to provide air into the conveying conduit. A low volume flow source maintains a positive flow of air out of the air outlet lines during pneumatic conveying.

Abstract: In a connector supply apparatus, a plurality of connectors are successively shifted along a shifting passage of a rail member, and a desired number of preceding connectors are separated from the succeeding connectors by the rise/fall of a pair of stoppers spaced from each other by a prescribed distance L above the shifting passage and the air blow-off from a separator located above the shifting passage.

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: By utilizing two inlet pumps and one discharge pump, and controlling the speed of the discharge pump, the pressure in a slurry processing unit can be controlled to facilitate measurement and handling of compressible slurry. It has been found that multiple specific gravity measurements with water injection between the measuring stations can provide an accurate indicate of clear water to be added, even though the slurry is compressible and of varying composition, by allowing controlled undershooting of the required water at one or more injection stations, followed by accurate specific gravity measurement under closely controlled pressure and flow rate conditions, followed by a small final clear water addition.

Abstract: The suspension density of a pneumatically transported solid, such as coal, is obtained by using a combination of a radial gamma ray densitometer and a second, fast-response density meter. The combination is required to get the desired combination of accuracy and response time. The second measurement is used for its fast response time and may be used to control operating conditions of a gasifier. The slower, but more accurate, radial radiation measurement is used to recalibrate the second measurement approximately every 10 seconds and correct for drift thereof. The drift in the second measurement is sufficiently slow that high accuracy can be maintained by the recalibration technique.

Abstract: A delivery line for conveying viscous or pasty material to be filled into a food can or the like from a conveyor pump to a filling machine, having a delivery path developed in the form of a trombone tube with two sections extending parallel to each other and a U-shaped arch, the legs of which cooperate telescopically with the two sections. A pneumatic or hydraulic piston unit is provided to act on the U-shaped arch against the pressure of the filling material in the direction toward a shortening of the delivery path.

Abstract: The device is adapted for the accumulating of a variable number of objects having a collar (9) in the vicinity of their upper end, in particular plastic bottles (8). The holding of the objects is effected in each row by a flow of air coming from an elongated air conveyor arranged above the path of the objects, having a lower wall provided with a longitudinal slit the edges of which serve as guide for the collar (9) of the objects (8), a blow channel having lateral slits for the flow of the air being placed above the longitudinal slit so that the air acts on the upper end of the objects, causing their displacement.

Abstract: A customer terminal for a single tube pneumatic system for banking and the like features a two-piece carrier receiver which includes a carrier tray that first moves downwardly from a stationary receiver housing and then forwardly and upwardly to present a carrier in the tray to a customer, the tray and carrier remaining parallel to the receiver housing. The tray is resiliently mounted to the mechanism which manipulates it and the joint between the tray and housing is contoured both to improve sealing between the two parts and to reduce wear on the seal itself. The air pressure/exhaust ports into the carrier chamber within the receiver are disposed between the ends of the chamber in order to provide an air cushion for reducing the shock of an arriving carrier and to prevent loose items in the system from being sucked into the blower.

Abstract: A method and apparatus wherein individual plastic articles are sheared from a cartridge of such articles and conveyed pneumatically through a pneumatic conduit to a desired position.

Abstract: The pneumatic conveyor pipe which connects an article discharging station with an article receiving station in a production line for rod-shaped smokers' products passes through the sealed housing of an article influencing unit which contains friction wheels driven at a peripheral speed which ensures acceleration or deceleration of successive axially moving articles to a selected speed. The thus influenced articles are thereupon accelerated by compressed air so that they are separated from each other by gaps of preselected minimum width to allow for unobstructed changes in the direction of movement of articles which arrive at the receiving station.

Abstract: The invention relates to a powder distributor for dosing and conveying a powder up to a use apparatus. The distributor comprises a pressurized storage tank, a dosing vibrating bowl and an Archimedean screw or a valve for transferring the powder from the tank to the bowl. The putting into operation of the screw is controlled as a function of the powder level in the bowl. The vibrating bowl is placed in a tight enclosure into which is injected a carrier gas used for conveying the powder in a pipe up to the use apparatus. An accelerometer carried by the vibrating bowl makes it possible to check the weight of the powder supplied by the latter. Application more particularly to hot spray guns, such as chemical flame torches and quenches arc plasma torch guns, in a free or controlled atmosphere.

Abstract: An improved mechanism is disclosed for receiving a supply of randomly oriented articles and for continuously feeding the articles into a single file line in a feed chute. The mechanism includes a rotating disc within a hopper with a series of air vents positioned around the disc edge for directing streams of air over the disc top to engage the articles and to cause the articles to move with the moving disc surface towards and into a single line feed chute.

Abstract: A pipeline inspection vehicle has at least one resilient driving cup mounted around the body of the vehicle so as to contact the interior wall of the vehicle and thus provide a pressure differential across the driving cup which will propel the vehicle along the pipeline. An annular array of ducts extends through the body of the vehicle to by-pass fluid through the driving cup, each duct being provided with a control valve for regulating the flow of fluid through the duct. A control arrangement is provided for opening and closing the control valves in dependence on the speed of the vehicle, thereby to adjust the speed of the vehicle in accordance with a desired speed.

Abstract: The outlets of pneumatic pipes in a transporting unit which delivers filter rod sections from a filter rod making machine and wherein the sections move axially admit successive sections into a separating unit wherein the speed of sections is uniformized and the sections are separated from each other by clearances of preselected length prior to entry into the corresponding channels of a deflecting unit which changes the direction of movement of each section from axial to sidewise movement and directs the sections into a junction zone. The latter admits a multi-layer stream of parallel sections which move sideways onto the upper reach of an endless belt conveyor which delivers the stream to a processing machine. The speed of the conveyor is regulated in dependency on the rate at which the deflecting unit receives sections from the separating unit so that the rate of delivery of sections to the processing machine matches the rate of delivery of articles to the separating and deflecting units.

Abstract: A pipeline inspection system in which a vehicle, which has sensors to detect flaws in the pipeline, is moveable within the pipeline by a fluid flowing in the pipeline, and wherein a speed control for the vehicle is provided by a braking device which imposes a continuous axial drag on the pipeline wall. This continuous axial drag is adjustable between upper and lower limits such that the summation of the variable drag characteristics of the pipeline and the imposed drag remains approximately constant and the vehicle will move at a speed substantially equal to the average flow velocity of the fluid in the pipeline.

Abstract: A pipeline inspection system in which a vehicle, which has sensors to detect flaws in the pipeline, is moveable within the pipeline by a fluid flowing in the pipeline, and wherein a speed control for the vehicle is provided by a braking device which imposes a continuous axial drag on the pipeline wall. This continuous axial drag is adjustable between upper and lower limits such that the summation of the variable drag characteristics of the pipeline and the imposed drag remains approximately constant and the vehicle will move at a speed substantially equal to the average flow velocity of the fluid in the pipeline.

Abstract: A device including a storage area for holding objects on one or a plurality of tracks; an air conveyor for constantly urging the objects along the tracks; a gate holding the objects from proceeding forwardly and intermittently opening to permit a selected number of objects to move forwardly, a booster for accelerating one object at a time in each of the tracks; a counting device and transporting conveyors mounted downstream of the gate for carrying the objects forwardly.

Abstract: A manufacturing processing system comprises a plurality of processing stations, preferably vacuum stations, interconnected by air track, preferably an axi-radial air track with novel sections rotatable about a transverse axis in the plane of the track and normal to the travel of the objects, hereafter referred to as swivelators. Certain of the swivelators are formed with axial movable portions capable of moving beyond the plane of the air track surface and returning to the plane, so that these swivelators can pick up and set down objects in predetermined positions in the manufacturing processing station with an air force so as to not make physical contact with the objects. A novel gas lock device is positioned in the air track between those processing stations, in which the gas pressure must be separated so as to essentially eliminate the possibility of gas contaminant passing from one station to the next.

Abstract: Buffer storage apparatus is disclosed for use with a semiconductor wafer processing system having plurality of processing stations positioned along a conveyor structure and in which allowance must be made for different processing rates at different stations, the buffer storage apparatus including a first buffer storage station positioned between a first and a second processing station for temporarily holding wafers received from the first processing station and then conveying them to the second processing station, and a second buffer station positioned between the second processing station and the third processing station and including means for conveying a wafer received from the second processing station to the third processing station or for temporarily holding it.