Conveyors: fluid current – With means to control conveying fluid or movement of load in... – Responsive to obstacle in system
Patent
1982-11-05
1985-05-07
Nase, Jeffrey V.
Conveyors: fluid current
With means to control conveying fluid or movement of load in...
Responsive to obstacle in system
406 14, 406 50, 406 95, B65G 5366
Patent
active
045155038
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The specification of this invention relates to conveying apparatus and in particular to apparatus for conveying particulate material.
BACKGROUND ART
Many materials handled in dense or medium phase conveying systems are prone to pipe blockages for a variety of reasons; some of which are: normally requires dismantling.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a method of unblocking conveying pipes for particulate material, comprising:
detecting pressure increases above a predetermined limit at a plurality of positions along the pipe;
feeding air into the pipe at positions which are spaced apart by a distance less than the critical particulate material plug length to conveying pipe diameter ratio that will result in a pipe blockage that cannot be moved by application of pressure applied at one end of the particulate material plug;
the air injection occurring in accordance with the pressure detected in the pipe, such that the particulate material blockage may be reduced into lengths such that the critical ratio is not reached and such that air is only injected into the pipe in the region of a blockage.
The method includes detecting a pressure increase above a predetermined limit at a position along the conveying pipe. A plurality of such pressure detecting means are located at appropriate positions along the pipe and operate the air injection means so as to enable the reduction of the length of particulate material blockage into lengths such that the critical ratio is not reached.
The present invention also provides apparatus for unblocking a conveying pipe for particulate material, comprising:
means for injecting air into the pipe, said air injection means being located at positions along the pipe which are spaced apart by a distance less than the critical particulate material plug length to conveying pipe diameter ratio that will result in a pipe blockage that cannot be moved by application of pressure on the end of the particulate material plug; and,
a plurality of pressure sensing means for detecting a pressure increase in the pipe above a predetermined level located at spaced apart positions along the conveying pipe, each air injection means being coupled to at least one sensing means and operating in accordance with the pressure detected at the or each sensing means coupled thereto;
the arrangement being such that the air injection means operate to ensure the reduction of the length of the particulate material blockage into lengths such that the critical ratio is not reached and such that, each air injection means is only operated when a particulate material blockage is located in the pipe in the region of the air injection means.
Preferably the sensing means are of a type that can detect the presence of a dense particulate material plug.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the sensing means are of a type that can detect movement or non-movement of the particulate material plug.
The apparatus and method of the present invention may relate to any conveying system for particulate material, for instance, a pneumatic conveying system or a hydraulic system. In the latter case the fluid for conveying an injection may be water.
The arrangement may be such that a single sensing means may be linked to more than one injection device.
The present invention also provides a conveying system, for instance, a pneumatic or hydraulic conveying system, for conveying particulate material along a conveying pipe, the system including apparatus of the invention for unblocking the conveying pipe.
Apparatus and a method in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A is schematic view of a typical dense or medium phase conveying system;
FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of a portion of the view of FIG. 1A;
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a blocked pipe in the conveying system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a prior art system unblock
REFERENCES:
patent: 3929379 (1975-12-01), Krambrock
Macawber Engineering Limited
Nase Jeffrey V.
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