# US 5,699,941 A · Method and apparatus for improved regulation of flow of particulate matter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,699,941 A - Document ID: US5699941A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/416,307 - Filed: 1995-04-04 - Granted: 1997-12-23 - Earliest claimed: 1995-04-04 - Inventors: Paul S. Johnson; Daniel J. Johnson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5699941A ## CPC - G01G 11/003: {Details; specially adapted accessories (details of weighing apparatus in general G01G21/00; auxiliary devices for weighing apparatus in general G01G23/00)} - F16K 3/085: {the axis of supply passage and the axis of discharge passage being coaxial and parallel to the axis of rotation of the plates} - G05D 7/0605: {specially adapted for solid materials} - Y10T 137/86743: Rotary - G01G: WEIGHING (sorting by weighing B07C5/16) - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} - G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A method and apparatus is provided for regulating the flow of rates of particulate matter. The invention includes a flow gate with a generally cylindrical body having a flowpath defined there through. A stator member is provided in fixed position relative to the cylindrical body. The stator member has a plurality of alternating tapered vein portions and inlet portions. A rotor member is interfaced with the stator member. The rotor member has a plurality of alternating stock portions and outlet port portions. The rotary coupling is utilized to couple the rotor member and the stator member. A position actuator is provided for receiving at least one control input and producing a corresponding displacement of the rotor member. A mechanical coupling is provided between the position actuator and the rotor member. The flow gate is utilized to obtain a particular flow rate within a range of available flowrates by determining the relative positions of the inlet ports of the stator member and the outlet ports of the rotor member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A flow gate for regulating flow rates of particulate matter, comprising: (a) a generally cylindrical body defining a flow path having an inlet and an outlet; (b) a stator member fixed in position relative to said generally cylindrical body, having a plurality of alternating tapered vane portions and inlet port portions; (c) a rotor member interfacing with said stator member and having a plurality of alternating stop portions and outlet port portions; (d) a rotary coupling between said rotor member and at least said stator member; (e) a motorized position actuator receiving at least one control input and producing a corresponding displacement; (f) a mechanical coupling between said position actuator and said rotor member; and (g) wherein a particular flow rate within a range of available flow rates is obtained by providing a particular control input to said position actuator which in turn locates the relative positions of said inlet ports of said stator member and said outlet ports of said rotor member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A flow gate according to claim 1, wherein: said position actuator and said mechanical coupling operate to translate linear movement into rotational movement of said rotor member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A flow gate according to claim 1, wherein: said position actuator and said mechanical coupling operate to translate linear movement of an operating rod into a rotational movement of said rotor member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A flow gate according to claim 1, wherein: said position actuator comprises one of the following: (1) a piston and cylinder, or (2) an electrical motor assembly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A flow gate according to claim 1, wherein: said tapered vane portions of said stator member are substantially triangular in cross-section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A flow gate according to claim 1, wherein: said tapered vane portions of said stator member operate to direct flow and to transfer loads from said particulate matter to said generally cylindrical body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A flow gate according to claim 1, wherein: said tapered vane portions of said stator member operate to transfer loads from a center support hub which includes said rotary coupling to said generally cylindrical body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A flow gate according to claim 1, wherein: each of said stops of said rotor member are generally triangular in shape. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A flow gate according to claim 1, further including: a plurality of roller bearings located at a perimeter of said generally cylindrical body for engaging said rotor member in a forced transference coupling while allowing rotational movement of said rotor member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A flow gate according to claim 1, wherein: each of said plurality of inlet port portions of said stator member are generally trapezoidal in shape. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A flow gate according to claim 10, wherein: for each inlet port portion, an inner edge and an outer edge are curved in shape. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A flow gate according to claim 1, wherein: each of said plurality of outlet port portions of said rotor member are generally trapezoidal in shape. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A flow gate according to claim 11, wherein: for each outlet port portion, an inner edge and an outer edge are curved in shape.