US3837540A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control method and apparatus
Assignee: Bergwerksverband GmbH
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Filing: 1972-12-22
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Granted: 1974-09-24
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Expires: 1992-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A method for controlling the flow of fluidized particulate material through a pipe. The material is caused to flow through the pipe due to a pressure differential between the pipe and the region at the outlet thereof; a gas is introduced into the pipe at a pressure sufficient to abruptly interrupt the flow of material. An apparatus for carrying out the method has a container in which the particulate material is fluidized to be conveyed therefrom through a pipe which communicates with the interior of the container and with a region of lower pressure than prevails in the container. Duct means communicate with the interior of the pipe and gas at a higher pressure than that in the pipe may be introduced into the latter via the duct means. This permits control of the flow of material through the pipe by abruptly destroying the pressure gradient between the container and the region to which the pipe discharges.
Inventors
- 👤 H Wagener
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:53
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G53/00; B65G53/04; B65G53/16; B65G53/18; B65G53/22; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/206; Y10T137/2065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
In an apparatus wherein fluidized particulate material is conveyed, in combination, conduit means defining a flow path for fluidized particulate material, said flow path having an inlet region and an outlet region; means for generating a pressure differential intermediate said inlet and said outlet regions so as to cause flow of said material along said path; a source of gas having a pressure in excess of the pressure in said conduit means; and means for introducing into said conduit means at a location of said path intermediate said inlet and said outlet regions at least two streams of gas, at least one of which has a flow component directed upstream countercurrent to the direction of flow of said material and at a pressure sufficient to stop the flow of said material from said inlet region and at least one of which has a flow component directed downstream so that the thus introduced gas streams will, on the one hand, stop flow of material from the inlet region, and on the other hand simultaneously advance the flow of material located downstream from the point of introduction, so that such downstream located material will be transported in downstream direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
In an apparatus wherein fluidized particulate material is conveyed, in combination, conduit means defining a flow path for fluidized particulate material, said flow path having an inlet region and an outlet region; means for generating a pressure differential intermediate said inlet and said outlet regions so as to cause flow of said material along said path; a source of gas having a pressure in excess of the pressure in said conduit means; and means for introducing into said conduit means at a location of said path intermediate said inlet and said outlet regions at least two streams of gas, at least one of which has a flow component directed upstream countercurrent to the direction of flow of said material and at a pressure sufficient to stop the flow of said material from said inlet region and at least one of which has a flow component directed downstream so that the thus introduced gas streams will, on the one hand, stop flow of material from the inlet region, and on the other hand simultaneously advance the flow of material located downstream from the point of introduction, so that such downstream located material will be transported in downstream direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said introducing means comprises a duct communicating with said source and said flow path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A combination as defined in claim 2, said conduit means being substantially horizontal and having an upwardly facing side; and wherein said duct communicates with said flow path at said side of said conduit means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said introducing means comprises valve means for controlling the flow of said gas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, said introducing means comprising duct means including a first duct portion communicating with said source, and a branched second duct portion fast with said first duct portion; and wherein each of the branches of said second duct portion communicates with said flow path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein said second duct portion comprises more than two branches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A combination as defined in claim 5, said first duct portion having a first cross-sectional area, and said branches each having a second cross-sectional area; and wherein said first cross-sectional area substantially equals the sum total of all of said second cross-sectional areas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A combination as defined in claim 7, said conduit means having a third cross-sectional area; and wherein said second cross-sectional area substantially equals said third cross-sectional area.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of controlling the flow of fluidized particulate material, comprising the steps of conveying fluidized particulate material along a flow path in a predetermined direction from an inlet region to an outlet region thereof; and introducing into said flow path at a location of said path intermediate said inlet and said outlet regions at least two additional streams of gas, at least one of which has a flow component directed upstream countercurrent to the direction of flow of said material and at a pressure sufficient to stop the flow of said material from said inlet region and at least one of which has a flow component directed downstream so that the thus introduced gas streams will, on the one hand, stop flow of material from the inlet region, and on the other hand simultaneously advance the flow of matErial located downstream from the point of introduction, so that such downstream located material will be transported in downstream direction.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of controlling the flow of fluidized particulate material, comprising the steps of conveying fluidized particulate material along a flow path in a predetermined direction from an inlet region to an outlet region thereof; and introducing into said flow path at a location of said path intermediate said inlet and said outlet regions at least two additional streams of gas, at least one of which has a flow component directed upstream countercurrent to the direction of flow of said material and at a pressure sufficient to stop the flow of said material from said inlet region and at least one of which has a flow component directed downstream so that the thus introduced gas streams will, on the one hand, stop flow of material from the inlet region, and on the other hand simultaneously advance the flow of matErial located downstream from the point of introduction, so that such downstream located material will be transported in downstream direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as defined in claim 9, wherein the step of conveying said material comprises pneumatically conveying the same at a pressure which is lower than that of said gas.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as defined in claim 10, wherein the pressure of said gas exceeds the pressure in said path by at most 1 atmosphere.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined in claim 11, wherein the pressure of said gas exceeds the pressure in said path by substantially 0.02-0.5 atmospheres.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as defined in claim 9, wherein the step of conveying said material comprises continuously pneumatically conveying the same by generating a pressure differential intermediate said inlet and said outlet regions such that the pressure in any portion of said path is lower than the pressure of said gas.
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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) | 1977-09-23 | 1978-03-25 | 1978-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-23 | 1982-03-25 | 1982-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-23 | 1986-03-25 | 1986-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |