US3762773A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for feeding finely divided solids to a pressurized gas or gasliquid solids system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-06-30
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Granted: 1973-10-02
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Expires: 1992-06-30
Abstract
Abstract Finely divided solids are fed into a gas pressurized system from a gas pressurized hopper, the gas remaining in the hopper after the solids are exhausted is forced into the pressurized system by pumping liquid into the hopper to displace the gas, the liquid is withdrawn, the hopper is replenished with finely divided solids and repressurized by gas from the pressurized system. Means are provided for accomplishing these steps. There is no loss of pressurizing gas and no energy loss due to expansion and repressurizing of gas for the feed hopper.
Inventors
- 👤 W Schroeder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:57
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G53/00; B65G53/04; B65G53/06; B65G53/10; B65G53/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for feeding finely divided solids into a gas pressurized system comprising filling a feed hopper with said finely divided solids, closing said feed hopper, admitting gas from said gas pressurized system into said feed hopper until gas pressure in the feed hopper is at least substantially equal to that in said pressurized system, feeding finely divided solids from said hopper into said pressurized system until the hopper is emptied of solids, and then forcing the gas remaining in the hopper back into the pressurized system by displacing said gas in the hopper with a liquid, withdrawing the liquid from the hopper, and repeating the filling, pressurizing and feeding operations.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for feeding finely divided solids into a gas pressurized system comprising filling a feed hopper with said finely divided solids, closing said feed hopper, admitting gas from said gas pressurized system into said feed hopper until gas pressure in the feed hopper is at least substantially equal to that in said pressurized system, feeding finely divided solids from said hopper into said pressurized system until the hopper is emptied of solids, and then forcing the gas remaining in the hopper back into the pressurized system by displacing said gas in the hopper with a liquid, withdrawing the liquid from the hopper, and repeating the filling, pressurizing and feeding operations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure of the gas in the hopper is increased above that in the gas pressurized system to facilitate the feeding operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein gas from the gas-pressurized system is used to agitate the finely-divided solids in the hopper.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein gas in the gas pressurized hopper is withdrawn, further compressed and reintroduced into the hopper to agitate the finely-divided solids in the hopper.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid is recycled to the hopper after completion of each feed cycle to force gas back into the pressurized system prior to each refilling operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein gas from the pressurized system is fed into the hopper during the finely divided solids feeding operation to maintain the gas pressure in the feed hopper.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus for feeding finely divided solids into a high pressure system comprising a gas pressurizable hopper free from internally moving parts, valved inlet means for introducing particulate solids into said hopper, valved inlet means for introducing high pressure gas from said high pressure system into said hopper, valved outlet means for feeding gas and solids from said hopper to said high pressure system, and means for pumping a liquid into said hopper to displace high pressure gas contained therein back into said high pressure system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus for feeding finely divided solids into a high pressure system comprising a gas pressurizable hopper free from internally moving parts, valved inlet means for introducing particulate solids into said hopper, valved inlet means for introducing high pressure gas from said high pressure system into said hopper, valved outlet means for feeding gas and solids from said hopper to said high pressure system, and means for pumping a liquid into said hopper to displace high pressure gas contained therein back into said high pressure system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said valved inlet means for introducing high pressure gas from said high pressure system into said hopper include means for increasing the pressure of the gas introduced into the hopper above that of said high pressure system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said means for increasing the pressure of the gas introduced into the hopper comprises a valved by-pass line containing a gas-compressor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said hopper is provided with means for circulating gas from the top to the bottom of the hopper to thereby agitate the solids within the hopper.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said gas circulating means comprise a valved gas line containing a gas compressor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-01 | 1977-04-02 | 1977-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-01 | 1981-04-02 | 1981-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-01 | 1985-04-02 | 1985-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |