US3756372A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for removal of stored material from storage containers
Assignee: NUCLEAR WASTE SYSTEMS CO
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Filing: 1971-02-24
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Granted: 1973-09-04
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Expires: 1991-02-24
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for use in conjunction with large storage and settling containers containing stored material. The apparatus aids in removing said material from the container with a remotely controlled operation. The apparatus includes a housing supporting a receiver trough opening to receive material from an opening of the container. An auger conveyor is supported within the trough for removing material from the trough. A sliding bulkhead is supported by the housing for opening and closing access between the trough and container. A bulkhead retrieval mechanism controls the bulkhead. The auger moves the material from the receiving trough to a receiving drum located near a discharge valve opening to the trough. The trough and auger include individual sections which may be assembled and disassembled for purposes of maintenance and repair without removal of the housing and the material from the container.
Inventors
- 👤 J Mertens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:28
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21F; G21F9/00; G21F9/008; B; B65; B65G; B65G65/00; B65G65/30; B65G65/34; B65G65/40; B65G65/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A conveyor assembly for removal of stored material from storage containers, the assembly comprising in combination: a support channel member received by an opening to a container from which stored material is to be removed, the support channel member forming a longitudinal channel; trough receiving means disposed within said longitudinal channel member for receiving material conducted through said opening, said trough means being supported by said channel member, said trough means being slidable within said support channel member and being adapted to be separated from said support channel member; an auger supported within said trough receiving means for removing from said trough means material received thereby; discharge means extending to said trough means and spaced from said opening for discharging material advanced by said auger; and retractable bulkhead means intermediate said trough receiving means and said opening for controlling access between said opening and said trough receiving means, said bulkhead means being supported by said support channel member independent from said trough receiving means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A conveyor assembly for removal of stored material from storage containers, the assembly comprising in combination: a support channel member received by an opening to a container from which stored material is to be removed, the support channel member forming a longitudinal channel; trough receiving means disposed within said longitudinal channel member for receiving material conducted through said opening, said trough means being supported by said channel member, said trough means being slidable within said support channel member and being adapted to be separated from said support channel member; an auger supported within said trough receiving means for removing from said trough means material received thereby; discharge means extending to said trough means and spaced from said opening for discharging material advanced by said auger; and retractable bulkhead means intermediate said trough receiving means and said opening for controlling access between said opening and said trough receiving means, said bulkhead means being supported by said support channel member independent from said trough receiving means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A conveyor assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which said trough means includes a plurality of segmented units joined together within the channel member and separable from each other outside the channel member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A conveyOr assembly as claimed in claim 2 in which said auger includes a plurality of auger segments joined together within said trough means and separable from each other outside said trough means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A conveyor assembly as claimed in claim 3 and further including retractable loosening means responsive to movement of said bulkhead means, said loosening means protruding within said opening when said bulkhead means is retracted for loosening material within said opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A conveyor assembly as claimed in claim 3 in which the segmented units of said trough means include means for slideable pressure coupling and said auger segments include means for slideable pressure coupling.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A conveyor assembly as claimed in claim 5 and further including a removable end cover supported by said support channel member about an end opening of said channel member, said auger segments and said segmented units of said trough means being removable through said end opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A conveyor as claimed in claim 3 and further including remote mechanical means engaging said bulkhead means for driving said bulkhead means to various positions for controlling access between said opening and said trough receiving means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A conveyor as claimed in claim 1 and further including remote mechanical means engaging said bulkhead meand for driving said bulkhead means to various positions for controlling access between said opening and said trough receiving means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A conveyor assembly as claimed in claim 8 in which said remote mechanical drive means includes an hydraulic actuator coupled to said bulkhead means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
251 words
A conveyor assembly for removal of stored material from storage containers, the assembly comprising in combination: a support channel member received by an opening to a container from which stored material is to be removed, the support channel member forming a longitudinal channel; trough receiving means disposed within said longitudinal channel member for receiving material conducted through said opening, said trough means being supported by said channel member, said trough means being slideable within said channel member and being adapted to be separated from said support channel member, said trough means includes a plurality of segmented units joined together within the channel member and separable from each other outside the channel member; an auger supported within said trough receiving means for removing from said trough means material received thereby, said auger includes a plurality of auger segments joined together within said trough means and separable from each other outside said trough means; discharge means extending to said trough means and spaced from said opening for discharging material advanced by said auger; retractable bulkhead means intermediate said receiving trough receiving means and said opening for controlling access between said opening and said trough receiving means, said bulkhead means being supported by said support channel member independent from said trough receiving means; and remote mechanical means engaging said bulkhead means for driving said bulkhead means to various positions for controlling access between said opening and said trough receiving means, said remote mechanical drive means include an hydraulic actuator coupled to said bulkhead means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
251 words
A conveyor assembly for removal of stored material from storage containers, the assembly comprising in combination: a support channel member received by an opening to a container from which stored material is to be removed, the support channel member forming a longitudinal channel; trough receiving means disposed within said longitudinal channel member for receiving material conducted through said opening, said trough means being supported by said channel member, said trough means being slideable within said channel member and being adapted to be separated from said support channel member, said trough means includes a plurality of segmented units joined together within the channel member and separable from each other outside the channel member; an auger supported within said trough receiving means for removing from said trough means material received thereby, said auger includes a plurality of auger segments joined together within said trough means and separable from each other outside said trough means; discharge means extending to said trough means and spaced from said opening for discharging material advanced by said auger; retractable bulkhead means intermediate said receiving trough receiving means and said opening for controlling access between said opening and said trough receiving means, said bulkhead means being supported by said support channel member independent from said trough receiving means; and remote mechanical means engaging said bulkhead means for driving said bulkhead means to various positions for controlling access between said opening and said trough receiving means, said remote mechanical drive means include an hydraulic actuator coupled to said bulkhead means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
258 words
A conveyor assembly for removal of stored material from storage containers, the assembly comprising in combination: a support channel member received by an opening to a container from which stored material is to be removed, the support channel member forming a longitudinal channel; trough receiving means disposed within said longitudinal channel member for receiving material conducted through said opening, said trough means being supported by said channel member, said trough means being slideable within said channel member and being adapted to be separated from said support channel member, said trough means includes a plurality of segmented units joined togetHer within the channel member and separable from each other outside the channel member; an auger supported within said trough receiving means for removing from said trough means material received thereby, said auger includes a plurality of auger segments joined together within said trough means and separable from each other outside said trough means; discharge means extending to said trough means and spaced from said opening for discharging material advanced by said auger; retractable bulkhead means intermediate said receiving trough receiving means and said opening for controlling access between said opening and said trough receiving means, said bulkhead means being supported by said support channel member independent from said trough receiving means; remote mechanical means engaging said bulkhead means for driving said bulkhead means to various positions for controlling access between said opening and said trough receiving means; and cleaning fluid discharge ports within said support channel member for cleaning the interior of said trough receiving means and said auger.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
258 words
A conveyor assembly for removal of stored material from storage containers, the assembly comprising in combination: a support channel member received by an opening to a container from which stored material is to be removed, the support channel member forming a longitudinal channel; trough receiving means disposed within said longitudinal channel member for receiving material conducted through said opening, said trough means being supported by said channel member, said trough means being slideable within said channel member and being adapted to be separated from said support channel member, said trough means includes a plurality of segmented units joined togetHer within the channel member and separable from each other outside the channel member; an auger supported within said trough receiving means for removing from said trough means material received thereby, said auger includes a plurality of auger segments joined together within said trough means and separable from each other outside said trough means; discharge means extending to said trough means and spaced from said opening for discharging material advanced by said auger; retractable bulkhead means intermediate said receiving trough receiving means and said opening for controlling access between said opening and said trough receiving means, said bulkhead means being supported by said support channel member independent from said trough receiving means; remote mechanical means engaging said bulkhead means for driving said bulkhead means to various positions for controlling access between said opening and said trough receiving means; and cleaning fluid discharge ports within said support channel member for cleaning the interior of said trough receiving means and said auger.
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) | 1976-09-03 | 1977-03-05 | 1977-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-03 | 1981-03-05 | 1981-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-03 | 1985-03-05 | 1985-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |