Powder Isolating Valve

The isolating valve according to claim 1, wherein the resiliently deformable structures are on a same side as incoming flow of the powder and/or granular material.

The isolating valve according to claim 1, wherein the resiliently deformable structures comprise a rubber composite.

The isolating valve according to claim 1, wherein the reliantly deformable structures are rubber ‘O’ rings.

The isolating valve according to claim 1, wherein the powder and/or granular material is a material formed in mining applications, chemical, pharmaceutical, food product or material used to form plastics.

The isolating valve according to claim 1, wherein the material formed in mining applications is coal dust, dust material from which ferrous material is formed, or a combination thereof.

The isolating valve according to claim 1, wherein the powder and/or granular material is fed into an upper part of the isolating valve using a hopper.

The isolating valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve closure member is part spherical in shape.

The isolating valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve closure member is from about 1 cm to about 5 cm thick.

The isolating valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve closure member comprises metal, alloy, plastic, or a combination thereof.

The isolating valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve closure member is rotated from a closed position where the valve closure member prevents the flow of the powder and/or granular material to an open position where the powder and/or granular material can freely flow.

The isolating valve according claim 1, wherein the valve closure member is rotatable about a pivot point using a motor.

The isolating valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve closure member is capable of being rotated 90 degrees in a counter clockwise or clockwise direction from a closed position to an open position and back to a closed position whereupon by rotation of the valve closure member the valve therefore moves from a closed to an open position and back to an open position.

The isolating valve according to claim 1, wherein the sealing ring comprises metal, plastic, or a combination thereof.

The isolating valve according to claim 1, wherein the sealing of the sealing rings is activated by the resiliently deformable structures being placed under pressure and deforming.

The isolating valve according to claim 1, wherein compressed air acts against the resiliently deformable structures and forces the resiliently deformable structures down against the sealing rings which has the effect of forcing the sealing rings against the surface of the valve closure member and forming a tight seal.

The isolating valve according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the sealing ring and the valve closure member is about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm.

The isolating valve according to claim 1, wherein when the pneumatic pressure is released the resiliently deformable structures return to their original shape and size with the result that the sealing rings return back up to their original position and form a small gap of between about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm between the sealing rings and the valve closure member.

The isolating valve according to claim 1, wherein the pneumatic pressure is fed into and along a channel, and wherein when the channel is filled with compressed air, the sealing ring is pressed against the valve closure member forming a closed position for the pressure isolating valve.