Solid fuel gravity feed combustion device, system and method
AssigneeNew England Wood Pellet LLC
InventorSteven J. Walker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solid fuel gravity feed combustion device, system and method are presented. The device includes a chute having an inlet and outlet, such that the chute inlet is configured to receive multiple pellets. A floor is disposed substantially below the chute inlet, and adjacent to the chute outlet. The chute outlet is configured to accommodate a pellet pile including at least a portion of the multiple pellets disposed upon the floor, where the pile surface is oriented substantially at a pellet angle of repose.
Claims19
A gravity feed pellet feeder comprising:
- a chute further comprising a chute inlet configured to receive multiple pellets and a chute outlet comprising an outlet opening with an opening top and an opening bottom;
- and
- a floor disposed substantially below said chute inlet, and further disposed adjacent to said chute outlet,
- wherein said chute outlet is configured to accommodate a pile comprising at least a portion of said multiple pellets disposed upon said floor, said pile comprising a pile surface oriented substantially at a pellet angle of repose from said outlet chute opening top to the opening bottom.
5-6. (canceled)
(canceled)
A method for conveying pellets to a pellet destination, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a chute comprising a chute inlet, a chute outlet and a floor, said chute outlet disposed at said pellet destination;
- wherein said chute outlet is configured to accommodate a pile comprising multiple pellets disposed upon said floor, said pile comprising a pile surface oriented substantially at a pellet angle of repose;
- receiving said multiple pellets into said chute inlet;
- and
- at said chute outlet, removing a plurality of said multiple pellets from said pellet pile.
A method for feeding pellets to a burner, comprising the steps of:
- configuring said chute to accommodate a pellet pile within said chute, wherein said pile comprises a surface oriented substantially at a pellet angle of repose;
- and
- adding pellets to said chute through said chute inlet.
A pellet transport system comprising:
- a pellet feeder comprising:
- a chute further comprising a chute inlet configured to receive multiple pellets and a chute outlet comprising an outlet opening with an opening top and an opening bottom;
- and
- a floor disposed substantially below said chute inlet, and further disposed adjacent to said chute outlet,
- wherein said chute outlet is configured to accommodate a pile comprising at least a portion of said multiple pellets disposed upon said floor, said pile comprising a pile surface oriented substantially at a pellet angle of repose from said outlet chute opening top to the opening bottom;
- and
- a conveyer configured to convey said plurality of pellets between a pellet repository and said pellet feeder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.