US3645583A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for handling finely divided solids
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-04-09
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Granted: 1972-02-29
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Expires: 1990-04-09
Abstract
Abstract An improved apparatus and method for the discharge, by fluidization and gaseous transport, of finely divided solids from the interior of a storage or transport vessel, such as, for example, a highway bulk transport trailer, or a railway car for similar service. The apparatus includes at least one assembly for providing a fluidizing gas under moderate pressure at the lower boundary of a mass of the finely divided solids in a discharge hopper conventionally forming part of the vessel or tank. The said assembly includes a distributor means and a fabric cover therefor, said cover being characterized in that it has a proportion of looseness, with respect to the gas releasing surface of the distributor means. Upon application of gas pressure to cause flow through said loose cover a vibration is initiated and fluidizing and discharge is accomplished at a greatly accelerated rate.
Inventors
- 👤 Calvin P Heath
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:06
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G53/00; B65G53/04; B65G53/16; B65G53/18; B65D; B65D88/00; B65D88/54; B65D88/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
An improvement in a method of discharging finely divided solids from a storage or transport vessel, said method comprising fluidizing by supplying fluidizing gas to the solids in the vessel in a discharge zone downwardly diminishing in cross section and terminating in a discharge port from said discharge zone, the improvement consisting of supplying the fluidizing gas through openings in a distribution means positioned adjacent the wall of the discharge zone and thence through a fabric cover loosely covering said openings and in contact with the solids to be discharged, the fabric cover having a looseness ratio as defined in the specification of about 1.05 to about 1.20 and the gas being supplied at a constAnt pressure of from 8 to 20 pounds per square inch gage and sufficient to induce vibration in the audible frequency range during discharge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
An improvement in a method of discharging finely divided solids from a storage or transport vessel, said method comprising fluidizing by supplying fluidizing gas to the solids in the vessel in a discharge zone downwardly diminishing in cross section and terminating in a discharge port from said discharge zone, the improvement consisting of supplying the fluidizing gas through openings in a distribution means positioned adjacent the wall of the discharge zone and thence through a fabric cover loosely covering said openings and in contact with the solids to be discharged, the fabric cover having a looseness ratio as defined in the specification of about 1.05 to about 1.20 and the gas being supplied at a constAnt pressure of from 8 to 20 pounds per square inch gage and sufficient to induce vibration in the audible frequency range during discharge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improved method of claim 1 further defined in that said gas pressure is from about 10 to 20 pounds per square inch, gage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2 further defined in that said gas pressure is from about 12 to 18 pounds per square inch, gage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3 further defined in that said gas pressure is about 15 pounds per square inch, gage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
147 words
Apparatus for discharge of finely divided solids from a storage or transport vessel by gaseous fluidization and downward transport including a bottom hopper portion from said vessel diminishing downwardly in transverse area to a discharge opening for the solids, at least one fluidizing gas assembly therein adjacent the hopper wall, and gas supply means to supply gas to said assembly at a constant pressure of from at least about 8 to 20 pounds per square inch gage, each fluidizing gas assembly comprising a gas distribution means having openings for gas release in a finite portion, and a fabric cover loosely secured over said finite portion with a looseness ratio of about 1.05 to 1.20 which is the ratio of the fully distended fabric to the corresponding dimension of the finite portion, whereby said fabric cover vibrates in the audible frequency range upon application of sufficient gas pressure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
147 words
Apparatus for discharge of finely divided solids from a storage or transport vessel by gaseous fluidization and downward transport including a bottom hopper portion from said vessel diminishing downwardly in transverse area to a discharge opening for the solids, at least one fluidizing gas assembly therein adjacent the hopper wall, and gas supply means to supply gas to said assembly at a constant pressure of from at least about 8 to 20 pounds per square inch gage, each fluidizing gas assembly comprising a gas distribution means having openings for gas release in a finite portion, and a fabric cover loosely secured over said finite portion with a looseness ratio of about 1.05 to 1.20 which is the ratio of the fully distended fabric to the corresponding dimension of the finite portion, whereby said fabric cover vibrates in the audible frequency range upon application of sufficient gas pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further defined in that the gas distribution means thereof is relatively long and narrow and has a finite portion for gas release along one side thereof, and the looseness ratio of the fabric cover is from about 1.06 to 1.15 with respect to the short dimension of the finite portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the looseness ratio is about 1.10.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-28 | 1975-08-30 | 1976-02-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-28 | 1979-08-30 | 1980-02-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-28 | 1983-08-30 | 1984-02-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |