Fast release aerator for materials handling

#At least one form of aerator for the above purposes has been patented and is the subject matter of assignee's U.S. Pat. No. 3,788,527 to Matson. Aerators of this type find particular utility in starting and facilitating the movement of granular and like materials stored or contained in bins, silos, elevators, hoppers, conveyors and the like, the purpose of the aerator being to store a large volume of air under pressure and then to release it into the bin etc., producing the equivalent of a dull "explosion" that acts on even the most stubborn material.

#In the Matson patented aerator, the main chamber or body becomes integrated with the reservoir at its attachment to a container or like vessel as via welding. According to the present invention, there is provided a unit body containing the piston valve and flange-connectible to each of the reservoir and container, thus making installation easy and enabling the use of several units with one or more reservoirs or one or more containers. The piston is movable initially by air under pressure to a position in which it covers the side discharge port, and the piston has a passage axially therethrough by means of which inlet air can flow to charge the reservoirs. When the valve admitting air to the inlet of the unit body is closed, the air trapped between that valve and the piston valve keeps the piston in its charging position and reservoir air is stored, because it cannot flow to the container. When the control valve is moved to allow the trapped air to escape to atmosphere, the piston valve returns rapidly to its position in which it uncovers the discharge port and at the same time widely opens the reservoir charge port, resulting in a rush of stored air into the container.

#The piston valve may be inexpensively made of non-metallic material, thus providing longer life. The flange connection to the reservoir may include a spacer incorporating a piston stop or seat that may be easily replaced. The passage through the piston valve eliminates costly and complicated valving.

#FIG. 1 is an elevation of the assembly of unit, reservoir and container, only a portion of the container being shown.

#FIG. 2 is a view of the FIG. 1 structure as seen at right angles to FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical section through the charge unit or body of FIG. 1.

#Reference will be had first to FIG. 5 as presenting an overall picture. Here is shown at 10 an air compressor of known type connected via a typical three-way valve 12 to a supply circuit 14 having three branches 16, each connected to the inlet end 18 of a charge unit or body 20. Each body is selectively connectible to a reservoir or accumulator 22 and to a container, vessel or the like 24.

#FIG. 3 best shows the basic and interior structure of the unit or body 20, which is preferably cylindrical and tubular or hollow to contain a piston or piston valve 26 of any suitable material, although preferably non-metallic for longer life, ease of manufacture, etc. The piston carries two air-tight seals, such as "O" rings 28, and has a relatively small axial passage 30 running end-to-end therethrough.

#The body 20 is capped at one end by a circular plate 32 welded or otherwise rigidly affixed to the body, and this plate is centrally apertured at 34 in axial alinement with the piston outside of the plate 32 and is internally threaded to receive any conventional mating fitting (not shown) for effecting connection to the supply branch or line 16.