Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of conveying powdered or granular material comprising: charging the material into a plurality of conveying chambers of a rotor at a charging location through an opening defined in each of said conveying chambers; conveying said conveying chambers from said charging location to a discharging location; sealing said opening during said conveying step; delivering air to the material in said chambers during said conveying step while said openings are sealed so that the material is acted upon and loosened by said air in said chambers; discharging the loosened material from said conveying chambers by gravity at said discharging location; transferring the discharged material into a conveying line; producing an injector air flow by means of a compressed air source; and directing said injector air flow into said conveying line to further convey the material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of conveying powdered or granular material comprising: charging the material into a plurality of conveying chambers of a rotor at a charging location through an opening defined in each of said conveying chambers; conveying said conveying chambers from said charging location to a discharging location; sealing said opening during said conveying step; delivering air to the material in said chambers during said conveying step while said openings are sealed so that the material is acted upon and loosened by said air in said chambers; discharging the loosened material from said conveying chambers by gravity at said discharging location; transferring the discharged material into a conveying line; producing an injector air flow by means of a compressed air source; and directing said injector air flow into said conveying line to further convey the material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of delivering air includes suspending the material with said air.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of delivering air includes delivering air through pores defined in substantially vertical walls of said conveying chambers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A mehtod as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of delivering air includes delivering air at least as long as said conveying chambers contain material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of directing said injector air flow includes providing an injector nozzle for conveying and spraying the material.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
188 words
An apparatus for conveying powdered or granular material comprising: a vertically disposed rotor including a plurality of conveying chambers symmetrically arranged about an axis of the rotor and parallel thereto, said conveying chambers having air-permeable walls; means disposed above said rotor for charging each of said chambers with a material at a first location through an opening defined in each of said conveying chambers; means disposed below said rotor for discharging said material from each of said chambers at a second location, spaced from said first location; means for rotating said rotor so that said chambers are conveyed along an arced path at least from said first location to said second location; means for sealing said opening of each said chamber while said chambers are conveyed from said first location to said second location; means for producing an air flow; means for delivering said air flow to said material in said chambers while they are conveyed and said openings are sealed; a conveying line for conveying material discharged at said second location; and an injector nozzle for injecting air from a compressed air source into said conveying line.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
188 words
An apparatus for conveying powdered or granular material comprising: a vertically disposed rotor including a plurality of conveying chambers symmetrically arranged about an axis of the rotor and parallel thereto, said conveying chambers having air-permeable walls; means disposed above said rotor for charging each of said chambers with a material at a first location through an opening defined in each of said conveying chambers; means disposed below said rotor for discharging said material from each of said chambers at a second location, spaced from said first location; means for rotating said rotor so that said chambers are conveyed along an arced path at least from said first location to said second location; means for sealing said opening of each said chamber while said chambers are conveyed from said first location to said second location; means for producing an air flow; means for delivering said air flow to said material in said chambers while they are conveyed and said openings are sealed; a conveying line for conveying material discharged at said second location; and an injector nozzle for injecting air from a compressed air source into said conveying line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said rotor includes a plurality of air chambers, each said conveying chamber being formed by an insert disposed within each of said air chambers, and said means for delivering said air flow include means for operatively coupling said air chambers to said means for producing air flow.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said inserts are formed from a porous material and have a smooth interior surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
80 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said air chambers are operatively coupled to said means for producing air flow while said chambers are conveyed along said arced path, said means for delivering said air flow comprises, in combination, air ducts coupled to a stationary air connection, openings defined in a common cover plate of said inserts and said air chambers, and openings defined in said air chambers which move past said air ducts while the rotor is rotating.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said air connection is disposed on a cap disposed above said rotor and said air ducts are defined in a top sealing washer disposed between said rotor and said cap.