Loading apparatus for bulk transport systems

Claim 1

IN A SEALABLE CHAMBER FOR LOADING SOLIDS INTO A FLUIDIZED BULK TRANSPORT SYSTEM, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING: (A) A FLUID INLET CONDUIT HAVING A TERMINAL IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE CHAMBER, AND (B) AN OUTLET CONDUIT FOR FLUIDIZED SOLIDS MOUNTED COAXIALLY WITH AND INSIDE THE INLET CONDUIT FOR PARALLEL AND OPPOSED FLOWS OF THE FLUIDS CARRIED THERETHROUGH, AND ALSO HAVING A TERMINAL IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID CHAMBER, SAID OUTLET TERMINAL BEING LOCATED ADJACENT AND SUBSTANTIALLY COPLANAR WITH SAID INLET TERMINAL, SAID TERMINALS FACING UPWARDLY AND THE TERMINAL LENGTHS OF SAID CONDUITS EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID TERMINALS THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE CHAMBER, (C) SAID INLET AND OUTLET CONDUITS BEING RESPECTIVELY ADAPTED FOR CONNECTION TO MEANS FOR ADMITTING A FLOW OF FLUID TO SAID CHAMBER AND MEANS FOR ASPORTING THEREFROM A FLOW OF SAID FLUID TOGETHER WITH SOLIDS REMOVED FROM SAID CHAMBER, THE SAID DISPOSITIONS OF SAID CONDUITS RELATIVE TO SAID CHAMBER AND TO EACH OTHER BEING THE SOLE MEANS PREVENTING THE FORMATION OF FLOW-IMPEDING BRIDGES OF SOLIDS ADJACENT THE TERMINAL OF SAID OUTLET CONDUIT AND THEREBY INCREASING THE RATE AT WHICH SUCH SOLIDS MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE CHAMBER BY SAID FLUID FLOW.