Process for conveying thick matter containing preshredded scrap metal or similar solids

A method for conveying thick matter containing shredded scrap metal or similar solids using a feed container and a conveyor cylinder having an inlet opening on an inlet side connected to the feed container, a conveyor piston having a piston stroke for advancement through the feed container and into the conveyor cylinder, the method including the steps of:

• pressing the thick matter from the feed container into the conveyor cylinder using forward movement of the conveyor piston during a piston stroke, such pressing of the thick matter being capable of cutting off solids in the feed container projecting over the inlet opening at the inlet side of the conveyor cylinder as the piston advances through the feed container and the forward end of the piston enters into the conveyor cylinder;
• retracting the conveyor piston when:
• a) the medium that drives the conveyor piston exceeds a specified pressure, retraction of the conveyor piston creating a suction in at least one of the conveyor cylinder and the feed container for causing a solid body blocking the conveyor piston from entering the conveyor cylinder to shift to a position enabling movement of the solid body into the conveyor cylinder or to a position enabling cutting of the solid body by the piston, or
• b) the conveyor piston has reached a position at least partially within the conveyor cylinder corresponding to a complete extension of the piston stroke thereof;
• and
• repeating forward movement of the conveyor piston after retraction to a rear end position thereof.

A method for conveying thick matter containing shredded scrap metal or similar solids in a feed container through a conveyor cylinder, wherein a cutting ring is disposed at an inlet between the feed conveyor and the conveyor cylinder, comprising the steps of:

• pressing the thick matter in a feed container toward the conveyor cylinder using a conveyor piston having a cutting crown at a forward end thereof, the pressing of the thick matter being capable of causing movement of sheet-metal parts in the thick matter projecting from the conveyor cylinder and into the feed container in a tangential and in a radial direction relative to guide surfaces of the cutting crown of the conveyor piston;
• and
• sensing when the medium that drives the conveyor piston exceeds a specified pressure;
• and,
• if the specified pressure is exceeded,
• retracting the conveyor piston to a rear end position and thereby creating a suction in at least one of the conveyor cylinder and the feed container capable of causing a solid body preventing the conveyor piston from entering the conveyor cylinder to shift to a position enabling movement of the solid body into the conveyor cylinder or a position enabling the cutting crown of the conveyor piston to cut the solid body against the cutting ring during entry of the conveyor piston into the conveyor cylinder;
• if the specified pressure not is exceeded,
• lowering a slide member in the conveyor cylinder to close off the conveyor cylinder and retracting the conveyor piston to the rear end position.