US3690731A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and methods for unloading bulk fluent materials
Assignee: Envirotech Corp
•
Filing: 1970-08-17
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Granted: 1972-09-12
•
Expires: 1990-08-17
Abstract
Abstract Vacuum apparatus and methods for unloading bulk fluent material from a receptacle. An unloading tool coupled to a vacuum conveying system is moved through the fluent material at a rate automatically controlled in accordance with the vacuum pressure within the conveying system so as to afford continuous maximum efficiency of intake and conveying of the fluent material. In one embodiment, the unloading tool is supported to pivot in a vertical plane, and automatic controls are provided to coordinate the vertical and horizontal movements of the tool so that the tool nozzle moves along a straight-line path through the material, thereby allowing the nozzle to be maintained at the proper depth for optimum delivery of the material and facilitating the unloading of layers of material of uniform thickness. Structure associated with the unloading tool agitates and redistributes the fluent material in the vicinity of the tool to surround the tool nozzle with a continuous supply of freeflowing material. A safety device breaks the vacuum in the conveying system at a predetermined pressure level, thus avoiding stalling of, or damage to, the system from too high vacuums.
Inventors
- 👤 Lauritz E Mylting
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:42
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F3/00; E02F3/04; E02F3/88; E02F3/90; E02F3/907; B; B65; B65G; B65G67/00; E02F3/905; B65G2814/00; B65G2814/03; B65G2814/0397
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
Vacuum unloading apparatus for removing bulk fluent material from a receptacle comprising: a vacuum conveying system including a conduit, a vacuum unloading tool communicating with the conduit and having an intake nozzle for receiving the fluent material, means for controllably sweeping the unloading tool through the fluent material thereby progressively to pick up fluent material in the line of sweep, and means responsive to fluctuation of the vacuum pressure level within the conveying system for automatically controlling the rate of sweep of the unloading tool so as to maintain the vacuum pressure within a predetermined range, thereby to ensure continuous optimum intake of the fluent material into the unloading tool nozzle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
Vacuum unloading apparatus for removing bulk fluent material from a receptacle comprising: a vacuum conveying system including a conduit, a vacuum unloading tool communicating with the conduit and having an intake nozzle for receiving the fluent material, means for controllably sweeping the unloading tool through the fluent material thereby progressively to pick up fluent material in the line of sweep, and means responsive to fluctuation of the vacuum pressure level within the conveying system for automatically controlling the rate of sweep of the unloading tool so as to maintain the vacuum pressure within a predetermined range, thereby to ensure continuous optimum intake of the fluent material into the unloading tool nozzle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising safety means for automatically breaking the vacuum in the conveying system upon the vacuum pressure within the system reaching a predetermined level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 in which the safety means includes: a normally closed vent in the unloading tool, the vent being operative when open to communicate the interior of the unloading tool to the atmosphere, and means responsive to a predetermined vacuum pressure level within the conveying system for automatically opening the vent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising means associated with the unloading tool for agitating the fluent material to facilitate its entry into the tool nozzle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means associated with the unloading tool for agitAting the fluent material to facilitate its entry into tool nozzle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 in which the agitating means includes a rotary impeller structure carried by the unloading tool adjacent the nozzle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the impeller structure includes a sleeve surrounding the tool nozzle and mounted for rotation thereon, and having outwardly extending fins adapted to dislodge material in the region around and above the nozzle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
124 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the means for controlling the rate of sweep of the unloading tool comprises: a fluid motor for moving the unloading tool along a line of sweep, the motor being operatively coupled to the unloading tool and to a source of motive fluid under pressure, flow control means operatively interposed between the fluid source and the motor for controlling the rate of fluid flow to the motor, and means communicating with the vacuum conveying system for sensing the vacuum pressure level therein and, in response to predetermined fluctuations thereof, for regulating the flow control means so as to control the rate of fluid flow to the fluid motor and hence the rate of sweep of the unloading tool.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for automatically maintaining the tool nozzle in substantially a horizontal plane throughout its sweeping movement, thereby to allow the tool to be moved through the material at a predetermined depth.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
138 words
Vacuum unloading apparatus for removing bulk fluent material from a receptacle comprising; a vacuum conveying system including a conduit, a vacuum unloading tool communicating with the conduit and having a nozzle for receiving the fluent material, means supporting the unloading tool generally above the receptacle for pivotal movement about a first generally horizontal axis spaced along the length of the tool from the nozzle, means for controllably pivoting the unloading tool about the first axis thereby to cause the nozzle to sweep an arc generally below the first axis, means for moving the nozzle of the tool vertically, means for continuously detecting the sweep position of the unloading tool relative to the support means therefor, and means responsive to such detection for continuously moving the nozzle of the tool vertically to maintain substantially straight-line movement of the nozzle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
138 words
Vacuum unloading apparatus for removing bulk fluent material from a receptacle comprising; a vacuum conveying system including a conduit, a vacuum unloading tool communicating with the conduit and having a nozzle for receiving the fluent material, means supporting the unloading tool generally above the receptacle for pivotal movement about a first generally horizontal axis spaced along the length of the tool from the nozzle, means for controllably pivoting the unloading tool about the first axis thereby to cause the nozzle to sweep an arc generally below the first axis, means for moving the nozzle of the tool vertically, means for continuously detecting the sweep position of the unloading tool relative to the support means therefor, and means responsive to such detection for continuously moving the nozzle of the tool vertically to maintain substantially straight-line movement of the nozzle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
89 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 in which the support means for the unloading tool includes: a support structure carrying a portion of the conveying system conduit at an elevated position relative to the receptacle, a boom mounted on the support structure generally above the receptacle for pivotal movement about a second generally horizontal axis, the unloading tool being supported on the boom member in generally depending relation for pivotal movement about the first horizontal axis, the first axis being substantially parallel to and spaced horizontally from the second axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 in which the means for moving the nozzle of the unloading tool vertically comprises means for controllably pivoting the boom about the second horizontal axis, thereby to cause the boom to sweep an arc such as to move the first axis and hence the unloading tool generally vertically.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising: a frame mounted on the support structure for pivotal movement about the second horizontal axis, means on the frame defining a reference plane against which pivotal movement of the boom and hence vertical movement of the unloading tool nozzle is referenced, means for automatically maintaining the reference plane horizontal at a predetermined elevation above the bulk material, and in which the means for pivoting the unloading tool is a first double-acting fluid motor coupled between the unloading tool and the boom, the means for pivoting the boom is a second double-acting fluid motor coupled between the Boom and the frame, and the means for automatically maintaining the reference plane horizontal includes a third double-acting fluid motor coupled between the frame and the support structure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising means responsive to fluctuation of the vacuum pressure level within the vacuum conveying system for controlling the rate of fluid flow to the first fluid motor, thereby to control the rate of sweep of the unloading tool so as to maintain the vacuum pressure within a predetermined range and hence to maintain optimum intake of material into the nozzle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising means for automatically controlling the rate of sweep of the unloading tool in response to fluctuation of the vacuum pressure level within the conveying system so as to maintain the vacuum pressure within a predetermined range and hence to maintain optimum intake of the fluent material into the nozzle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising safety means for automatically breaking the vacuum in the conveying system upon the vacuum pressure reaching a predetermined level.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising means associated with the unloading tool for agitating the fluent material to facilitate its entry into the nozzle of the tool.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the agitating means includes a rotary impeller structure carried by the unloading tool adjacent the nozzle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the impeller structure includes a sleeve surrounding the nozzle and mounted for rotation thereon, and having outwardly extending fins adapted to dislodge material in the region around and above the nozzle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the support means includes a fixed column structure portion and a bridge portion movable vertically on and supported by the column structure portion, and wherein the boom is mounted on the bridge portion thereby to be movable therewith to alter the elevation of the unloading tool.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the conduit of the vacuum conveying system includes a flexible portion supported on the boom and coupled to the unloading tool, the flexible portion being trained into a curve providing a smooth transition from the tool to the main part of the conduit and affording articulation of the unloading tool by flexing along the curvature thereof as the tool is pivoted.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
195 words
Vacuum unloading apparatus for removing bulk fluent material from a receptacle comprising; a vacuum conveying system including a conduit, a vacuum unloading tool communicating with the conduit and having a nozzle for receiving the fluent material, means supporting the unloading tool generally above the receptacle for pivotal movement about a first generally horizontal axis spaced along the length of the tool from the nozzle, means for controllably pivoting the unloading tool about the first axis thereby to cause the nozzle to sweep an arc generally below the first axis, means for permitting vertical movement of the first axis; coacting cam means carried by the tool and the tool support means for effecting vertical movement of the tool and hence of the first axis, and means for automatically coordinating the vertical movement and the pivotal movement of the tool to provide substantially horizontal movement of the tool nozzle, said means including the cam means having a cam surface shaped to define the vertical distance the first axis must be displaced at each instantaneous sweep position of the tool so as to maintain the tool nozzle in substantially the same horizontal plane through an entire sweep pass.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
195 words
Vacuum unloading apparatus for removing bulk fluent material from a receptacle comprising; a vacuum conveying system including a conduit, a vacuum unloading tool communicating with the conduit and having a nozzle for receiving the fluent material, means supporting the unloading tool generally above the receptacle for pivotal movement about a first generally horizontal axis spaced along the length of the tool from the nozzle, means for controllably pivoting the unloading tool about the first axis thereby to cause the nozzle to sweep an arc generally below the first axis, means for permitting vertical movement of the first axis; coacting cam means carried by the tool and the tool support means for effecting vertical movement of the tool and hence of the first axis, and means for automatically coordinating the vertical movement and the pivotal movement of the tool to provide substantially horizontal movement of the tool nozzle, said means including the cam means having a cam surface shaped to define the vertical distance the first axis must be displaced at each instantaneous sweep position of the tool so as to maintain the tool nozzle in substantially the same horizontal plane through an entire sweep pass.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 22 in which the cam surface is carried by the tool, and in which the cam means further includes a cam follower carried by the tool support means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 23 further comprising means for confining the path of movement of the first axIs to a vertical plane.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus according to claim 24 in which the means for permitting vertical movement of the first axis comprises: a pivot structure secured to the tool and incorporating the first axis; and a sliding pivot assembly carried by the tool support means, with the pivot structure being received by the pivot assembly to allow vertical sliding motion of the first axis.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of unloading bulk fluent material from a receptacle with vacuum unloading apparatus including a vacuum conveying system and an unloading tool communicating therewith comprising: passing the unloading tool through the material along a selected path, sensing the vacuum pressure within the conveying system, and automatically varying the rate of movement in the unloading tool through the bulk material in response to fluctuation of the vacuum pressure level so as to maintain the vacuum pressure within a predetermined range, thereby to ensure continuous optimum intake of material into the unloading tool.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of unloading bulk fluent material from a receptacle with vacuum unloading apparatus including a vacuum conveying system and an unloading tool communicating therewith comprising: passing the unloading tool through the material along a selected path, sensing the vacuum pressure within the conveying system, and automatically varying the rate of movement in the unloading tool through the bulk material in response to fluctuation of the vacuum pressure level so as to maintain the vacuum pressure within a predetermined range, thereby to ensure continuous optimum intake of material into the unloading tool.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 26 further comprising agitating the bulk material surrounding the unloading tool to break up and redistribute the material thereby to facilitate intake of the material into the tool.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 26 further comprising automatically coordinating horizontal and vertical movement of the unloading tool so that it moves in a substantially straight-line path through the material.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 26 further comprising agitating the bulk material surrounding the unloading tool to break up and redistribute the material, thereby to facilitate intake of the material into the tool.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3122398A
Cited
US3273942A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-12 | 1976-03-13 | 1976-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-12 | 1980-03-13 | 1980-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-12 | 1984-03-13 | 1984-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |