Slurry flow control device
OwnerKelly Cowlishawinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for controlling slurry flow through a flexible-walled transport tube. An example system includes a frame, a pivot pin, a rotatable radial arm having an attached pressure pad, a spring tension adjustment rod extending between the radial arm and the frame, and a coil spring concentric with the spring tension adjustment rod and configured to oppose rotation of the radial arm away from a flexible-walled transport tube contacting the pressure pad. In one operating condition, a decrease in the pressure of the slurry within the transport tube reduces the force applied by the slurry outward on the tube wall, leading the spring to rotate the radial arm toward the tube, causing the contact pad to deflect the wall of the flexible-walled transport tube and impeding the flow of slurry through the tube.
Claims14
A device comprising:
- a frame configured to receive a flexible tube;
- a first pressure device coupled to the frame on a first side of the received flexible tube;
- and
- a second pressure device coupled to the frame on a second side of the received flexible tube,
- wherein the first pressure device applies a first amount of pressure to a first location on the flexible tube and the second pressure device applies a second amount of pressure to a second location on the flexible tube, when the device is in a flow mode,
- wherein the first pressure device applies a third amount of pressure to the first location on the flexible tube and the second pressure device applies a fourth amount of pressure to the second location on the flexible tube, when the device is in a non-flow mode,
- wherein the first and second pressure devices are rotatably coupled to first points on the frame,
- wherein the first and second pressure devices are coupled at second points on the frame,
- wherein each of the first and second pressure devices comprises a first arm, a pressure pad and a second arm,
- wherein the first arm is connected to the respective first point at a first end of the first arm and the pressure pad is mounted to the first arm at a second end of the first arm,
- wherein the second arm is mounted to the first arm at a first end of the second arm and is adjustably attached to the respective second point on the frame at a second end of the second arm.
A device comprising:
- a frame;
- at least one pivot pin secured to the frame;
- a radial arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is rotatable about the pivot pin;
- a pressure pad fixed to the second end of the radial arm;
- a spring tension adjustment rod having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is fixed to the radial arm at a point distant from the radial arm first end, wherein the second end is fixed to the frame, and wherein the rod is aligned substantially parallel to the plane of rotation of the radial arm and substantially perpendicular to the radial arm;
- and
- a coil spring substantially concentric with the spring tension adjustment rod and configured to oppose rotation of the radial arm away from a flexible-walled transport tube contacting the pressure pad.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.