US3756434A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for conveying bulk material between areas under different gas pressures
Assignee: Louise Maschbau GmbH
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Filing: 1971-07-16
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Granted: 1973-09-04
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Expires: 1991-07-16
Abstract
Abstract Bulk material conveying apparatus includes a tubular element connected between hoppers under different gas pressures. A rotary helical conveying worm extends through a portion of the tubular element to feed bulk material from one of the hoppers through the tubular element to the other hopper, the conveying worm compressing the bulk material to form a plug in the tubular element downstream from the end of the conveying worm to prevent flow of gas between the two hoppers. Gas pressure sensing means is provided for detecting any changes in pressure in one of the hoppers to control adjustment of the conveying worm in an axial direction in the tubular element whereby the size of the plug can be increased or decreased as necessary to maintain a predetermined pressure in the hopper.
Inventors
- 👤 L Teske
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:32
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G53/00; B65G53/34; B65G53/66
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
Apparatus for conveying bulk material along a path between areas having different gas pressures while minimizing the flow of gas along said path between said areas comprising a. conduit means having inlet and outlet ends and extending between said two areas, b. means extending into the inlet end and a part of the distance through said conduit means for feeding said bulk material from one of said areas into the inlet end of said conduit means, for compressing said bulk material in said conduit means to form a gas-tight plug downstream from said feed means, and for pushing said plug along said conduit means and through the outlet end of said conduit means into the other of said areas, c. means for adjusting the distance said feed means extends through said conduit means, and d. means for sensing the gas pressure in one of said areas and for regulating said adjusting means, e. whereby the length of said plug in said conduit means between the end of said feed means and said outlet end may be adjusted and maintained at a minimum length required to maintain its effectiveness in minimizing flow of gas depending upon the degree of difference in gas pressure between the two areas and the consistency of the bulk material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
213 words
Apparatus for conveying bulk material along a path between areas having different gas pressures while minimizing the flow of gas along said path between said areas comprising a. conduit means having inlet and outlet ends and extending between said two areas, b. means extending into the inlet end and a part of the distance through said conduit means for feeding said bulk material from one of said areas into the inlet end of said conduit means, for compressing said bulk material in said conduit means to form a gas-tight plug downstream from said feed means, and for pushing said plug along said conduit means and through the outlet end of said conduit means into the other of said areas, c. means for adjusting the distance said feed means extends through said conduit means, and d. means for sensing the gas pressure in one of said areas and for regulating said adjusting means, e. whereby the length of said plug in said conduit means between the end of said feed means and said outlet end may be adjusted and maintained at a minimum length required to maintain its effectiveness in minimizing flow of gas depending upon the degree of difference in gas pressure between the two areas and the consistency of the bulk material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said conduit means comprises a tubular element and said feed means comprises a rotary helical conveying worm, said adjusting means comprising means for moving said conveying worm in either direction along its axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising means for sealing the outlet end of said conduit means adjacent the other of said areas, means mounting said sealing means for movement towards and away from a sealing position, and means biasing said sealing means towards said sealing position whereby the formed plug in said conduit means will move said sealing means away from said sealing position when said plug passes through said outlet into the other of said areas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a first gas-tight hopper communicating with the outlet end of said conduit means for receiving said bulk material and a second gas-tight hopper communicating with the inlet end of said conduit means for retaining bulk material to be fed through said conduit means into said first gas-tight hopper.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 further comprising drive means for rotating said conveying worm and means responsive to said pressure sensing means for controlling the rate of rotation of said conveying worm whereby the bulk material is continuously compressed to form said plug, the rotational speed of said conveying worm being increased when moved away from said outlet end and decreased when moved towards said outlet end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising means for rotatably supporting said conveying worm, said means for moving said worm along said axis comprising means for moving said support means parallel to said axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said pressure sensing means is adapted to sense the pressure in the area at the outlet end of said tubular element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said sealing means comprises a closure flap, means pivotally mounting said closure flap and adjustable weight means of adjusting the amount of bias applied to the closure flap in the direction of said outlet end of the conduit means.
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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 |