Pneumatic conveyor systems
AssigneeBritish Nuclear Fuels plc
InventorPhillip J. Welch
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A rotatable valve member having four ports is provided in a pneumatic conveyor system to permit the smooth docking of a carrier at a station. One port communicates through a branch duct with a main duct for the transport of carriers to the station. The remaining three ports communicate respectively with an exhauster, the docking station and atmosphere. The valve member provides communication between any two adjacent ports and during rotation controls the pressure balance on the carrier to ensure a smooth arrival at the docking station.
Claims4
A pneumatic conveyor system, comprising a main duct for the transport of objects between stations, a docking unit and valve means associated with each station, the valve means including a valve body first, second, third and fourth angularly spaced valve ports, a branch duct leading from the main duct to the first port, an exhauster for creating suction in the main duct connected with the second port, means for connecting the third port with the docking unit, the fourth port opening to atmosphere, and a rotatable valve member in the valve body selectively operable to provide unobstructed communication between any two angularly adjacent ports of said ports in the valve body while blocking communication between the other ports of said ports, and said valve member in all positions blocking communication between two ports of said ports angularly separated by another of said ports.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.