GB733346A - Improvements in and relating to the delivery of granular or powdered material from vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

733,346. Unloading material from vehicles by fluidization. DURAMIN ENGINEERING CO., Ltd., and OGLETHORPE, E. L. May 13, 1953 [Feb. 13, 1952], No. 3855/52. Classes 78 (1) and 78 (4). One or more conveyers 2 of the type in which powdered material is caused to flow over the porous base of a shoot by air passed through the base, delivers powdered material from a chamber 1 on a motor-driven vehicle. In the vehicle illustrated, the conveyers 2 deliver to the outlet passage 10 of a blower 13 on the vehicle. One conveyer 2, extending the full length of the chamber 1, delivers directly to the discharge aperture 3 while conveyers 2 on either side are connected by end portions 4a to the aperture. In an alternative form, however, the conveyers may be arranged in two groups delivering to a central aperture. A compressor 6 driven through shafting 14, Fig. 1, delivers air to the conveyers through conduits 8 which may be selectively controlled by valves. A screw 9, Fig. 2, controls the feed of material from the aperture 3 to a venturi 10 in the outlet from the blower. The screw 9 may be driven, as shown, through shafting 14 from the engine of the vehicle but is preferably driven by an electric motor from the batteries of the vehicle under the control of a centrifugally operated switch, which is closed only when the blower 13 is operating, and by a switch which is opened when a flap 12 is closed by undue back pressure in the venturi 10 resulting from a blockage. The chamber 1 is filled through air-tight covers 1b, Fig. 1, so that pressure is built up within the chamber to assist the discharge of material. The blower 13 may be connected by suitable ducting at the unloading station to deliver the material to a considerable height above ground level and, where contamination of the material must be avoided, may form part of a closed circuit system in which the material is precipitated by a cyclone and in which a filter may be provided to prevent recirculation of the material. According to the Provisional Specification the feed from the aperture 3 may be regulated by a suitable curved partition plate at the entry to the venturi 10 instead of by the screw 9; this subject-matter does not appear in the Complete Specification.