Automated system for sorting and blending different fuel stocks such as coal
AssigneeGeneral Trade Corporation
InventorAllen S. Goldberg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for automatically sorting and blending coal and other fuel stocks through a computer-controlled process in order to achieve a specified blend of materials. By sorting fuel stocks with different characteristics into different stacking points, an operator can then automatically combine and uniformly blend these sorted fuel stocks to create a variety of blended materials with different properties tailored to the specific needs of the operator or end user. The computer-controlled nature of the process allows for precise blending in an automated and more efficient and reproducible fashion.
Claims5
An apparatus for sorting and blending different fuel stocks, comprising:
- a plurality of intake hoppers to receive the different fuel stocks;
- a plurality of intake feeders coupled to the intake hoppers, wherein the intake feeders are independently controlled to hold or release the different fuel stocks;
- an intake conveyor coupled to the intake feeders to transfer the different fuel stocks to one of a plurality of stacking tubes;
- a plurality of transfer conveyors coupled to the intake conveyor to transfer the different fuel stocks between the stacking tubes;
- a plurality of transfer gates coupled to the transfer conveyors to direct the different fuel stocks to the stacking tubes;
- a covered reclaiming chase located below and coupled to the stacking tubes;
- a reclaiming chase conveyor located in and running within the covered reclaiming chase;
- a plurality of reclaiming gates located in a roof of the covered reclaiming chase and positioned to control a flow of the different fuel stocks around the stacking tubes through a plurality of reclaiming feeders onto the reclaiming chase conveyor;
- a plurality of belt scales coupled to the intake conveyor, transfer conveyors, and reclaiming chase conveyor;
- and
- a computer system coupled to the intake feeders, transfer gates, reclaiming feeders, intake conveyor, transfer conveyors, and reclaiming chase conveyor
- to control and monitor the intake feeders, intake conveyor, transfer conveyors, reclaiming feeders, and reclaiming chase conveyor;
- to control and monitor an opening and closing of the transfer gates and reclaiming gates;
- and
- to monitor an amount of the different fuel stocks passing over the belt scales.
An apparatus for sorting and blending different fuel stocks, comprising:
- a plurality of intake points to receive the different fuel stocks;
- a plurality of intake feeders coupled to the intake points, wherein the intake feeders are independently controlled to hold or release the different fuel stocks;
- an intake conveyor coupled to the intake feeders to transfer the different fuel stocks to one of a plurality of stacking points;
- a transfer conveyor coupled to the intake conveyor to transfer the different fuel stocks between the stacking points;
- a transfer gate coupled to the transfer conveyor to direct the different fuel stocks to the stacking points;
- a covered reclaiming chase coupled to the stacking points;
- a reclaiming chase conveyor located in and running within the covered reclaiming chase;
- a plurality of reclaiming gates coupled to the covered reclaiming chase and positioned to control a flow of the different fuel stocks around the stacking points tubes through a plurality of reclaiming feeders onto the reclaiming chase conveyor;
- and
- a computer system coupled to the intake feeders, transfer gate, reclaiming feeders, intake conveyor, transfer conveyor, and reclaiming chase conveyor
- to control and monitor the intake feeders, intake conveyor, transfer conveyor, reclaiming feeders, and reclaiming chase conveyor, and
- to control and monitor an opening and closing of the transfer gate and reclaiming gates.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.