US3924780A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pressure hopper
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1973-11-28
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Granted: 1975-12-09
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Expires: 1993-11-28
Abstract
Abstract A hopper for the handling of extremely viscous liquids or gels under pressure has a removable top cover fastened to a hollow cylindrical body with a multiplicity of quick action clamps of a locking toggle bolt type; and the movable operating handles of the clamps extend above the cover to which the clamps are welded. An optional but preferred feature for balancing the input and output of fluid material for the hopper is a capacitive sensing device in the form of a single condenser plate suspended above the surface of the fluid to maintain a predetermined fluid level by means of signals controlling an automatic valve that adjusts the input of fluid material to the hopper.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M Elsworth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:23
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D9/00; G05D9/12; B; B65; B65D; B65D90/00; B65D90/48; F; F16; F16J; F16J13/00; F16J13/02; F16J13/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S292/00; Y10S292/49; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7758; Y10T137/7759; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/08; Y10T292/1043; Y10T292/1075; Y10T292/1076; Y10T292/20; Y10T292/218
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
248 words
A pressure hopper for handling a highly viscous fluid which comprises a hollow body for holding said fluid, a removable top cover with a configuration adapted for a close fit with the rim of an aperture in the upper portion of said body wherein the peripheral edges of said cover and said rim are provided with strong flanges, a sealing gasket located between said cover and said rim, a plurality of rapidly releasable toggle joint clamps disposed around the peripheries of said cover and said rim for quickly and strongly locking said cover to said rim by throwing the toggle joint of each said clamp beyond the neutral point and into the locking position thereof by movement of an operating handle of each said clamp into a substantially erect position extending substantially above said rim and said cover, said clamps being affixed to one of said flanges with a movable operating handle of each said clamp in the locking position extending above said flanges, and a capacitive sensing means for controlling the flow of said fluid into said hopper to maintain the level of said fluid inside said hopper within a predetemined range, said sensing means comprising the pool of said fluid in said body and a substantially flat plate of electrically conductive material suspended substantially horizontally inside said hopper from said cover and located adjacent to and above the surface of said fluid and electric means for sensing a capacitive charge between said plate and said pool.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
248 words
A pressure hopper for handling a highly viscous fluid which comprises a hollow body for holding said fluid, a removable top cover with a configuration adapted for a close fit with the rim of an aperture in the upper portion of said body wherein the peripheral edges of said cover and said rim are provided with strong flanges, a sealing gasket located between said cover and said rim, a plurality of rapidly releasable toggle joint clamps disposed around the peripheries of said cover and said rim for quickly and strongly locking said cover to said rim by throwing the toggle joint of each said clamp beyond the neutral point and into the locking position thereof by movement of an operating handle of each said clamp into a substantially erect position extending substantially above said rim and said cover, said clamps being affixed to one of said flanges with a movable operating handle of each said clamp in the locking position extending above said flanges, and a capacitive sensing means for controlling the flow of said fluid into said hopper to maintain the level of said fluid inside said hopper within a predetemined range, said sensing means comprising the pool of said fluid in said body and a substantially flat plate of electrically conductive material suspended substantially horizontally inside said hopper from said cover and located adjacent to and above the surface of said fluid and electric means for sensing a capacitive charge between said plate and said pool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A hopper according to claim 1 in which each said clamp is provided with individual adjustment means for adjusting the clamping force exerted by the clamp in the locking position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A hopper according to claim 2 in which each said clamp is provided with means for fastening said adjustment means to maintain a predetermined clamping force.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A hopper according to claim 3 in which said adjustment means and said fastening means are equipped with screw threads.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
268 words
A pressure hopper for handling a highly viscous fluid which comprises a hollow body for holding said fluid, a removable top cover with a configuration adapted for a close fit with the rim of an aperture in the upper portion of said body, a sealing gasket located between said cover and said rim, a plurality of rapidly releasable toggle joinT clamps disposed around the peripheries of said cover and said rim for quickly and strongly locking said cover to said rim by throwing the toggle joint of each said clamp beyond the neutral point and into the locking position thereof by the movement of an operating handle of each said clamp into a substantially erect position extending substantially above said rim and said cover, threaded adjustment means on each said clamp for individually adjusting the clamping force exerted in the locking position, threaded fastening means for fastening said adjustment means to maintain a predetermined clamping force; capacitive sensing means for controlling a valve for regulating the flow of said fluid into said body to maintain a relatively constant level of said fluid therein within a predetermined range, said sensing means comprising the pool of said fluid in said body and a substantially flat plate of electrically conductive material suspended substantially horizontally inside the hopper from said cover and located adjacent to and above the surface of said fluid and electric means for sensing a capacitive charge between said plate and said pool, and an inlet connection in said body for introducing a supply of said fluid into the interior of said body at a level below said plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
268 words
A pressure hopper for handling a highly viscous fluid which comprises a hollow body for holding said fluid, a removable top cover with a configuration adapted for a close fit with the rim of an aperture in the upper portion of said body, a sealing gasket located between said cover and said rim, a plurality of rapidly releasable toggle joinT clamps disposed around the peripheries of said cover and said rim for quickly and strongly locking said cover to said rim by throwing the toggle joint of each said clamp beyond the neutral point and into the locking position thereof by the movement of an operating handle of each said clamp into a substantially erect position extending substantially above said rim and said cover, threaded adjustment means on each said clamp for individually adjusting the clamping force exerted in the locking position, threaded fastening means for fastening said adjustment means to maintain a predetermined clamping force; capacitive sensing means for controlling a valve for regulating the flow of said fluid into said body to maintain a relatively constant level of said fluid therein within a predetermined range, said sensing means comprising the pool of said fluid in said body and a substantially flat plate of electrically conductive material suspended substantially horizontally inside the hopper from said cover and located adjacent to and above the surface of said fluid and electric means for sensing a capacitive charge between said plate and said pool, and an inlet connection in said body for introducing a supply of said fluid into the interior of said body at a level below said plate.
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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) | 1978-12-08 | 1979-06-09 | 1979-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-08 | 1983-06-09 | 1983-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-08 | 1987-06-09 | 1987-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |