Mass flow generator
OwnerLyndon Batesinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An insert system for changing the pattern of material flow in a bulk storage hopper during the discharge process, from a form where a channel flow develops within a mass of smile material into a form where the entire stored contents are caused to flow. This change is affected by the provision of insert members supported within the hopper, which modify the stress pattern in the flowing contents to allow the bulk material to deform more readily and for slip to take place on all contact surfaces between the material and the hopper walls.
Claims20
An insert system adapted for positioning within a hopper having a wall and an outlet, said insert system comprising:
- an elongate flow deflector having a top end, a bottom end, a first edge, a second edge and a support surface, said first and second edges extending between said top end and said bottom end of said flow deflector, said flow deflector having a length extending along said support surface between said top end and said bottom end and a width extending along said support surface between said first edge and said second edge, said length being substantially longer than said width;
- and
- a support member attached to said flow deflector, said .support member adapted to be attached to the wall of the hopper to support said flow deflector in a spaced relation to the wall of the hopper such that said flow deflector forms a flow region located between said flow deflector and the wall of the hopper, said flow deflector adapted to promote a mass flow pattern of the hopper contents.
A hopper for the bulk storage of particulate material, said hopper including:
- one or more walls forming an outlet;
- a plurality of elongate flow deflectors, each said flow deflector including a first edge, a second edge, a top end, a bottom end, and a support surface, said first and second edges extending between said top end and said bottom end of said flow deflector, each said flow deflector having a length extending along said support surface between said top end and said bottom end and a width extending along said support surface between said first edge and said second edge, said length being substantially longer than said width;
- and
- a plurality of support members, each said support member being attached to a respective flow deflector and to said one or more walls such that each said flow deflector is spaced apart from said one or more walls, thereby forming a flow region between said flow deflector and said one or more walls, said flow deflectors being spaced apart from one another along said one or more walls;
- whereby said plurality of flow deflectors are adapted to promote a mass flow pattern of the hopper contents.
A hopper for the bulk storage of particulate material, said hopper including:
- a first wall,
- a second wall opposing said first wall, said first wall and said second wall forming an outlet;
- a plurality of flow deflectors, each said flow deflector having a top end, a bottom end, and a support surface;
- and
- a plurality of support members, each said support member being attached to a respective flow deflector and to one of said first and second walls such that each said flow deflector is in a spaced relation to said one of said first and second walls, said plurality of flow deflectors being respectively alternately attached to said first and second walls;
- whereby said flow deflectors are adapted to provide a mass flow pattern of the hopper contents.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.