US3019057A - Conveying apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 30, 1962 R. G. KRAMLICH CONVEYING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 22, 1959 FIG. 8

INVENTOR. RCHMZD G. KRAMUCH Jan. 30, 1962 R. G. KRAMLICH CONVEYING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 22, 1959 INVENTOR. RICHARD G. KRAMLICH BY/daaa'f Jan. 30, 1962 R. G. KRAMLICH CONVEYING APPARATUS Filed June 22, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 nf f4,

INVENTOR. HCHARD G. KRAMUCH BVMW 2&2; Mn@

Jan. 30, 1962 R. G. KRAMLICH CONVEYING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 22, 1959 FIC-L13 INVENTOR. WCHARD GKRAMUCH United States Patent C 3,019,057 CONVEYING APPARATUS t Richard Giehl Kramlich, Holrendauqua, Pa., assignor to Fuller Company, a corporation of Delaware Filed June 22, 1959, Ser. No. 821,870

11 Claims. (Cl. 302--52) The present invention relates to self-unloading vessels employing pneumatic unloading means, and is more particularly concerned with the control and direction of gas ow in lluidizing vessels in which the iluidizing gas separating from the material is used to entrain the material adjacent the vessel outlet and to carry it in suspens1on through the outlet.

Prior applications by Robert F. Loomis, Serial No. 678,798, led August 19, 1957, now Patent No, 2,891,- 817, June 23, 1959, and Serial No. 782,434, iiled December 23, 1958, now Patent No, 2,915,337, December l, 1959, disclose substantially closed fluidizing vessels of the type with which the present invention is particularly concerned. A copending application by Robert F. Loomis, Serial No. 821,913, iiled concurrently herewith, diS- closes a substantially closed iluidizing vessel of this type having a gas-material discharge outlet intermediate the ends of the vessel yand in the bottom thereof. In these applications, a gas conduit extends from the upper portion of the vessel downwardly to the gas-material outlet, and forms a barrier to unrestricted ilow of material to the outlet. In each case, the conduits have at least one material-delivering opening therein for controlled feeding of material into their lower ends, and each of the later-illed applications include accelerating means such as a deilecting baille restricting the llow area of the conduit to accelerate the gas flowing toward the material entering the lower end of the conduit. However, in some cases, a more direct control of the gas ow is desirable to accommodate diillcult materials or disadvantageous material-receiving apparatus, or both.

In general, the preferred form of the present inven tion, as embodied in a vessel having a discharge outlet in its bottom and intermediate its ends, comprises a substantially closed vessel having iluidizing means in its low er region to deliver material toward the discharge outlet. A conduit communicating with the upper portion of the vessel extends downwardly to the discharge outlet, Which forms the outlet for both gas and material from the vessel. The conduit prevents unrestricted llow of material from the main portion of the vessel to the gasmaterial outlet, and is provided with at least one material opening to admit a controlled ilow of material into its lower end and toward the gas-material outlet. In the region of each such material opening, the conduit is provided with a deilecting baille sloping in the direction of the opening and forming a gas-accelerating zone or restriction within the conduit.

Gate means are provided for closing oil and regulating the size of the material openings, and carry a valve structure arranged to meet and close with the associated deilecting baille and the adjacent walls of the vessel to control the restriction of the accelerating zone of the conduit.

A better understanding of the invention may be derived from the following drawings and description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a vessel embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view on lines 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view on lines 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4 of a modilled form of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view similar to FIG. 3, partly cut 3,019,057- Patented Jan. 30, 1962 away, and on an enlarged scale of a modiiied form of baille structure;

FIG. 7 is a plan view similar to FIG. 6 of a further modiiled form of baille structure; FIG. 8 is a plan view similar to FIG. 6 of anothe form of baille structure;

FIG. 9 is a View similar `to FIG. l of a further modilied form of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view on lines 10-10 of FIG. 9; FIG. ll is a sectional View on lines 11-11 of FIG. 95; FIG. 12 is a View similar to FIG. l of a different em; bodiment of the invention; FIG. 13 is a sectional view on lines 13-13 of FIG.` l2; and FIG. 14 is a sectional view on lines 14-14 of FIG. 12:. As shown in FIGS. 1 4, reference character 1 desig# nates a horizontally-elongated vessel for the storage of pulverulent material, for example, cement, ilour, alu'- mina, chemicals, and the like.l While the vessel is shown as being of cylindrical shape, it maybe of any other suitable shape. The vessel may be stationary, or it maybe mobile and form the body of a railway car, truck or trailer, or may be mounted on other transporting means, Such as skids. A gas-permeable deck 2 extends along the lower por'- tion of the vessel between a pair of slope sheets 3 and 3' and is spaced a slight distance from the bottom toprof vide a plenum chamber 4 into which gas under pressure may be introduced through a gas inlet pipe 5. The gaspermeable deck may be of any suitable material having the requisite gas permeability, but preferably .is made from multiple-ply textile material of the nature of heavy canvas conveyor belting. The plenum chamber may be formed by separate walls below and secured against the gas-permeable deck, if desired. The top of the vessel has illling openings 6 and 6' which may be sealed by covers 7 and 7', respectively. The bottom of the vessel has a centrally-disposed outlet 8 about which a transition or outlet member 9 is secured. The lower end of the outlet member 9 is adapted to be connected to a conveying conduit 10 through which material discharged from the vessel may be conveyed to the desired location.

The gas-permeable deck slopes downwardly from each end of the vessel towards the discharge outlet 8, and its lower edge terminates adjacent the outlet so that pul- Verulent material fluidized in the deck will llow down wardly along its upper surface and toward the outlet;

Batlle walls 11 and 11 are spaced apart several inches and extend from the sides of the outlet 8 opposite the end walls of the vessel to a position near the top of the vessel. The baille walls are substantially equal in width to the gas-permeable deck and are positioned substantially transversely thereof. l

Where desired, one or both of the baille Walls may take a part of the shape, or substantially the full shape of the cross section of the material storage portion of the vessel and individually or together may extend completely across the vessel to provide separate compartments capable of containing and discharging dissimilar materials without danger of contamination.

A pair of intermediate walls 12 and 12 extend between the baille walls and from the sides of the outlet 8 opposite the side walls of the vessel. The intermediate walls preferably extend the full height of the baille walls to form a spacing support therebetween, and are secured to the top wall of the vessel for support of the baille wall and intermediate wall structure.

The baille walls 11, 11 and the intermediate walls 12', 12 are joined at their adjacent edges and together form a rectangular central gas conduit 13 which is vertically aligned with and encloses the discharge outlet 8 at its lower end. While a rectangular form of conduit is shown, it is to be understood that other suitable forms may be employed. The upper edges of the baie walls 11 and 11' are spaced from the top of the vessel to provide gas passages 14 and 14', respectively, through which pressure gas in each end of the vessel may ow en route to the discharge outlet 8 via the conduit 13.

The lower edges of the baie walls are formed with cut-outs or openings 15 and 15' to permit uidized material above the deck to ow therethrough and to pass to the discharge outlet. The area of the openings 15, 15' through which the fluidized material may flow is controlled by vertically reciprocable gates 16 and 16', described more fully hereinafter, which are mounted against the inside of the baffle walls 11, 11'. The gates 16, 16' are held against the bathe walls by the edges of a pair of guide channels 17 and 17 which are mounted on the intermediate walls 12 and 12', respectively. The guide channels extend upwardly at least to a height sufcient to permit the required gate movement, and preferably are closed at their upper ends.

A gas-accelerating, deilecting baille 18 of inverted V-shape is secured between the faces of the guide channels V17, 17' and joined thereto at its ends. The dellecting baille 18 comprises a pair of sloping walls 19, 19' sloping oppositely and downwardly on planes individually intersecting the walls 11, 11' adjacent the material openings 15, 15', respectively. The sloping walls 19, 19' terminate 'short of the baille walls 11, 11' to provide restricted gas passages or openings 2G and 20', respectively, between the dellecting baille 1S, bale Walls 11 and 11' and the guide channels 17, 17'. While a rectangular form of restricted openings is preferred, other Vforms may be used if desired. The restricted openings 20, 20' preferably are equal in area, with each being approximately equal in area to the cross sectional area -of the outlet `end of the transition member y9 adjacent the conveying line.

Beneath the deiiecting baffle 18, and Secured thereto, a V-shaped directing bale 21 comprising a pair of converging walls 22, 22' sloping downwardly from the lower edges of the sloping walls 19 and 19', respectively, into the outlet member 9, divides the space in the lower end of the conduit and the upper end of the outlet member into la pair of discharge passageways 23 and 24, respectively, which meet at the apex of the directing baille 21. The directing bae 21 has a port 25 in its lower region to permit equalization of the pressure within the closed space between the respective batles 18 and 21 with the vpressure 'externally thereof.

The gates 16 and 16' each carry on their inner side a V-'shape'd backing plate or valve member 26 and 26', respectively, with veach valve kmember having a wall 27, 27, respectively, secured to the adjacent gate and having a sloping wall 28 and 28', respectively, turned toward the center of the conduit. The sloping walls 28, 28' extend at angles from the walls 27, 27' above and in a plane parallel to the plane of the sloping vwalls 19, 19', `respectively, and 'form therebetween a pair of rectangular fg-'as passageways v29, 29', respectively, which terminate at their lower ends in the restricted openings 20 and 20', respectively. vThe areas at the ends of the valve mem bers `between the wall 27 'and sloping wall 28 and between the wall v27 and sloping wall 28' are each closed by paired end walls 30 and 30', respectively, which are joined to the walls of the valve members and positioned in sliding and `sealing relationship with the Surfaces of 'the yguide-channe`l's17, 17'. The valve members '26, 26' Vand deliectingbale walls v19, '19 thus form a pair of valves 'operatively coupled to, or responsive to, the respective gates 16, 16', and 'operable to control the gas Lflow through vthe conduit.

yThe lower edges of the gates 16, 16' preferably ex- 'tend below the bottom edge of the openings 15, l5', when 'fthegates are in a closed position, including closure of the gas passageways 29 and 29. The valve members 26, 26' are adjustably mounted on the gates 16, 16', such as by bolts 31, 31' passing through slots 32, 32', respectively, in the walls 27 and 27. With this provision, the lower edges of the valve members 26, 26' may be p0- sitioned, with respect to the lower ledges of the gates 16, 16', to perrnit adjustment of the air-flow gaps 29, 29' in the closed position of the gates. The gas passageway 29 is created between the wall 19 of the deflecting bale and the sloping Wall 27, when the gate 16 is initially moved toward open position, and the similar gas passageway 29' is created by initial opening motion of the gate 16'. The gas passageways are aligned, in the direction of air ow therethrough, with the material opening and direct the accelerated gas stream against material entering the conduit through the material openings.

The gates 16, 16 each carry a pair of racks such as roller- chain racks 33, 34 and 33', 34', respectively, which are secured to the gates by suitable mounts 35 and are engaged by individual sprocket pinions 36, 37 and 36', 37' which are non-rotatably mounted on shafts 38 and 38', respectively. The shafts 38 and 38' are each mounted in a pair of spaced bearings 39 and 39', respectively, which are secured to the intermediate walls.v

Where 'the valve members 26 are adjustable with respect to the gates 16, 16', the walls 27, 27' may be slotted to accommodate the mounts 35 of the roller-chain racks. Adjacent each of the intermediate walls, the ends of the shafts 38, 38' are fitted with lock collars 40 and 40' and with washers 41, and 41', respectively. The ends of the shafts 38 and 38' extending through the intermediate wall 12' continue beyond 'the intermediate wall and through openings in the slope sheet 3 and the vessel wall so that they may be operated from the exterior of the vessel by suitable .handles 42, 42' or other means. A pair of diverting slope sheets 43 and 43' divert material from the space between the intermediate walls 12, 12' and the slope sheets 3 and 3', respectively, ,and the diverting slope sheet 43 encloses the portion ofthe shafts 38, 38' extended toward the vessel wall.

A pair of packed fittings 44 and 44' permit .extension of the shafts through the vessel Wall while preventing gas leakage therethrough. The 'ttings 44, 44' preferably are made adjustable to exert enough frictional force to vhold the shafts and the associated gates 16, 16' in any pre-set position, such as Lby provision of .a packing Lscrew or nut.

In operation, gas under suitable pressure, usually compressed air from a conventional blower, not shown, is .def livered through the gas inlet pipes S, plenum chambers /4 and the gas-permeable deck 2 to fluidize pulverulent material in the vessel. One of the gates, for example the left-hand gate 16, as viewed in FIG. l, is vmoved in the opening direction by means of thehandle 42 and the rack and pinion drive a Ldistance `only sufficient to open the associated Agas passageway 29 without permitting the lower edge of the gate'to expose any portion of the material opening 15. This position of the gate 16 is shown by the dotted outline AL Opening one of the gas vpassageways 29 establishes an 'initial flow of the gas separating from the iluidized material and passing as a stream through the gas passages 14, 14 above the baffle walls 11, 11 and downwardly through the conduit 13, the outlet member 9 and the conveying line 10.

When the Agas stream is thus established, thegate 16 is opened further to expose the desired area of the associated material opening 15. The uidized material inthe left-hand end of the vessel then flows through the exposed area of the material opening 15 into the `lower end of the conduit 13 and Vtoward the outlet 8. Simultaneously, the gas stream flowing downwardly through the conduit 13 is accelerated, in passing lthrough vthe restricted area of the gas passageway v29 adjacent the opened gate, and is ldirected against the material entering the conduit. The accelerated gas stream meets the incoming material at a substantial angle of incidence and slightly in opposition to the direction of material flow, causing a high degree of turbulence which agitates the material and facilitates its entrainment in the gas stream. The material thus entrained is carried through the adjacent discharge passageway 23 and the remainder of the outlet member 9 into the conveying line 10.

f `When the left-hand end of the vessel is emptied of material, including a substantial amount of material which will flow from the opposite or right-hand end of the vessel and around the conduit to the gate 16, as the material level in the left-hand end is reduced, the gate 16 is closed and the gate 16 is opened to permit similar unloading of the remaining portion of the vessel.

If desired, both ends of the vessel may be unloaded simultaneously by opening both gates 16, 16 at the same time.

When only one gate 16, 16' is opened suiciently to permit material ilow, the other gate may be partially opened, for example, up to the height of position A of FIG. l, to permit a ilow of gas through the gas passageway 29 or 29' formed thereby, thereby permitting a tuning of the air flow between the respective gas passageways 29, 29 and discharge passageways 23, 24 to obtain optimum mixing.

In cases in which the vessel is to be used only for storing and discharging the same type of material, or when desired for any reason, the directing baffle 21 may be eliminated, and the tuning function of the gas passageways 29, 29 relied upon alone. However, the directing baille 21 is considered to be of particular advantage for mobile vessels, such as a highway truck or trailer, which may be required to handle a variety of materials, or may ultimately be resold or transferred to a service carrying material other than that for which it was originally designed and sold.

The present invention permtis a pre-pressurizing of the vessel, before material delivery is started, since the gas passageways 29, 29' may be only partially opened or may be temporarily closed-olf to build up a pressurized volume of air in the upper region of the vessel. The presence of this pressurized volume of air, before material delivery is started, is particularly advantageous for large vessels and vessels discharging to long conveying lines.

Ordinarily, when a conveying line from a vessel of this general type is completely clear and has only air flowing therethrough from the vessel, there is not enough pressure drop or ow resistance present to cause full pressure to be developed in the vessel. When material delivery is then started, the presence of the material in the conveying line causes a substantial resistance and pressure drop, momentarily reducing the volumetric flow of air from the vessel. This reduction of air liow continues until the vessel can be brought up to full pressure by the continued delivery of air through the gas-permeable deck and through the material. This momentary reduction of air flow and consequently inadequate velocity in the conveying line during the critical first moments of material delivery tends to cause line plugging, particularly in large vessels, whose larger volumes require more total air and a correspondingly longer delay period in order to be brought up to pressure, and for long conveying lines, which impose greater pressures on the system.

The present invention substantially eliminates this critical delay. When pre-pressurizing is desired, only one of the gas passageways 29, 29' is opened and only to a slight degree, thereby imposing a high dow-resistance which permits the pressurizing of the vessel interior, while simultaneously establishing the initial gas stream. As the gate is then opened farther to admit material, the volumetric ow rate of the gas is increased by the widening of the gas passageway 29 or 29 and is more than adequate to convey the material. In these pre-pressurizing applications, it is preferable to have the valve members adjusted to a low position with respect to the lower edge of the gate. For pre-pressurizing, the desired gap setting of the gas passageways 29, 29' should be obtained when the lower edge of the gate 16, 16 is just below the lower edge of the opening 15, 15. Then, when the gate is raised to admit material, the pressurized volume of gas in the upper portion of the vessel will not be lost by excessive initial release or ow through the simultaneously increased gas passageway 29 or 29. Where the Vessel is to be pre-pressurized, or otherwise if desired, safety means may be provided such as a pressurerelief or safety valve, not shown.

As shown in FIG. 5, in which similar numerals, sufxed a, denote structure similar to that of FIG. l, a full baille wall 50 extends completely across and divides the material Stora ge portion of the vessel.

The operation of the modified vessel of FIG. 5 is simila-r to that of the vessel of FIGS. 1 to 4. However, the divided vessel of FIG. 5 permits the separate storage and discharge of different materials without objectionable contamination therebetween.

Further modified forms of baffle structure are shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 in which numerals similar to those of FIG. 5, suiiixed aj b, and c, respectively, are used to identify similar elements. In FIG. 6, both a full ebaille S0 and a second full baffle 51 extend fully across the material storage portion of the vessel. In FIG. 7, a single, full baffle 51 abuts the side walls of the conduit. In FIG. 8, the baflle 50 and 51 each extend only half the width of the vessel and to opposite sid-es thereof.

The operation of the vessels of FIGS. 6 to 8 is similar to that of the vessel of FIG. 5.

A modified form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, in which similar numbers, sutlixed b, denote elements similar to the elements of FIG. 1. In these iigures, the substantially closed vessel 1b has its outlet 8b in an end wall 55 thereof, and the conduit 13b is adjacent and partially formed by the same end wall 55. The conduit has one material opening 15b opposite the end wall 55, and is otherwise generally similar to the conduit 13 of FIG. 1. A right angle drive 56 is provided on the gate shaft 381: to permit a control shaft 57 to extend through the end of the vessel. Suitable guides 58 and 58 are provided for the side edges of the gate.

The operation of the apparatus of FIGS. 9 to ll is similar to that of the vessel of FIGS. 1 to 4, except that all material is necessarily discharged through the single opening 15b and through the lower end of the conduit and to the outlet. The handle `4t2/9, control shaft 57 and right angle drive 56 are used to operate the shaft 38h of the gate 16b as is the handle 42 and equivalent structure of the vessel of FIG. l.

A further modied form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, in which similar numbers, suliixed c, denote elements similar to those of the vessel of FIGS. 1 to 4. As shown in these figures, the conduit 13e is arranged in substantially the longitudinal center of the vessel and is offset into the slope sheet 3'@ at one side of the continuous, longitudinal, gas-permeable deck 2c. The material opening 15e in the conduit is positioned adjacent the edge of the deck 2c, and the lateral discharge outlet 8c is opposite the opening 15e. The outlet member 9c extends outwardly from the side of the vessel. A right angle drive 60 is provided on the gate shaft 33C to permit a control shaft 61 to extend through the side of the vessel, and suitable guides 62 and 62' are provided for the side edges of the gate. Diverting slope sheet 43c encloses the portion of the control shaft 61 exposed between the channel and the slope sheet 3c.

The operation of the vessel of FIGS. 12 to 14 is the same as that of the vessel of FIG. l, except that all the material is necessarily discharged through the single opening 15e into the lower end of the conduit and toward the lateral outlet.

Various changes may be made in the details of the invention as disclosed herein without sacrificing the advantages or departing from the scope thereof as set forth in Ythe appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for discharging pulverulent material cornprising a vessel having an inlet for pulverulent material and a .discharge outlet in a lower portion thereof, a gaspermeable deck in the lower region of the vessel, means for passing a gas :under pressure upwardly through the deck -to fluidize `overlying material, the vessel being substantially closed to the escape of gas and material except through the discharge outlet, a gas conduit in the vessel communicating with the upper portion of the vessel and its lower end enclosing the discharge outlet, the conduit having a material opening at one side thereof positioned to receive fluidized material into the lower end of the conduit, a gate at the material opening for regulating the flow of uidized material therethrough, valve means for regulating the ow of gas through said conduit and permitting the vessel to be pressurized prior to delivery of material into the lower end of the conduit, said valve means being positioned in said conduit upstream, relative to the direction of gas flow through said conduit, of the lower portion of the material opening .in said conduit, and -means for actuating said valve means to permit flow of gas through the conduit in response to opening of the gate.

2. Apparatus as set 'forth in claim 1 including means for delaying delivery of material through the material opening until la ow of gas is established through the conduit and .the discharge outlet.

3. Apparatus for discharging pulverulent material comprising a vessel having an inlet for pulverulent material and a discharge outlet in a lower portion thereof, a gaspermeable deck in the lower region of the vessel, means for passing a gas under pressure upwardly through the deck to fluidize overlying material, the vessel being substantially closed to the escape of gas and material except through the discharge outlet, a gas conduit in the vessel ycommunicating with the upper portion of the vessel and lof material into the lower end of the conduit, said valve means being positioned in said conduit upstream, relative to the direction of gas ow through said conduit, of the i lower portion of the material opening in said conduit and also being positioned adjacent to said material opening and, when opened, defining an accelerating gas passage longitudinally aligned with a portion of the material opening.

4. Apparatus Vfor discharging pulverulent material comprising :a vessel having an inlet for pulverulent material, a gas-permeable deck in the lower region of the vessel, means for passing a'gas under pressure upwardly through the deck to -uidize overlying material, the vessel having a discharge outlet and being lsubstantially Iclosed to the escape of gas and material except through said discharge outlet, a gas conduit in the vessel communicating with the upper portion of the vessel and at its lower end enclosing the discharge outlet, the `conduit having a material opening at one side thereof to permit flow of fluidized material into the lower end ofthe conduit, a gate at the .material opening for regulating the `flow of uidized material therethrough, a deflecting baie within the conlduit and forming at least in part a restricted gas passage in the region of the vmaterial opening, and valve means for `closing the restricted gas passage.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4in which said valve means comprises a valve member carried by said gate.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 in which the defleeting baille comprises a wall sloping downwardly toward the material opening, the gate is vertically reciprocable, and the valve member comprises a sloping wall overlying and parallel to the sloping wall of the deecting baffle, the parallel sloping walls of the valve member and deflecting baffle forming at least in part an accelerating gas passageway aligned in the direction of gas flow therethrough with the material opening. l

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 in which the valve member is carried by the gate to close with the deflecting vbaffle and the lower edge of the gate extends a substantial distance below the lower edge of the material opening in the closed position of the gate, whereby exposure of the material opening for delivery of uidized material into the lower end of the conduit is delayed until a ow of gas is established through the conduit and the discharge outlet.

8. Apparatus for discharging pulverulent material com prising a horizontally-elongated vessel having an inlet for pulverulent material, a gas-permeable deck in the lower region of the vessel, means for passing a gas under pressure upwardly through the deck to liuidize overlying material, the vessel having a discharge outlet in its bottom intermediate the ends thereof and being substantially closed to the escape of gas and material except through the discharge outlet, a gas conduit communicating with the upper portion of the vessel and at its lower end enclosing the discharge outlet, the conduit having a pair of material openings in different sides thereof for receiving fluidized material into the lower end of the conduit, agate at each material opening to regulate the flow of uidized material therethrough, a defiecting bathe within the conduit and at least partly forming a pair of restricted gas passages each adjacent a material opening, and `means for closing the restricted gas passages independently of each other.

9, Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 in which the deiiecting oafe comprises a pair of walls each sloping downwardly toward a material opening, and including a directing bafe comprising a pair of walls extending downwardly Afrom the lower Vedges of the deflecting baffle walls Iand converging with each other.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 in which the gates are vertically reciprocable, the deflecting baffle comprises a pair of walls each sloping downwardly toward a material opening, and the vaive member comprises a sloping wall above and parallel to the adjacent wall of the deecting baille, the respective parallel walls ,of the valve member and of the deecting baivrle Yforming at least in part an accelerating gas passageway adjacent and aligned in the direction .of gas ow therethrough with the associated material opening.

11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 including a directing baffle .closing the space between the lower edges of the defiecting .baffle walls, .said directing baie forming at least in part with the lower end of the conduit -a pair of discharge passageways.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,565,835 Adams Aug. 28, 195,1 2,734,782 Galle Feb. 14, 6 2,915,338 Loomis Dec. '1, .1959 2,924,489 Beckmann Peb. 9, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 751,162 Great Britain 'June'27, 1956

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