Mass-flow hopper
US11325776B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 26, 2021 |
| Grant date | May 10, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 26, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65D2590/02
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A mass-flow hopper that stores solid particulates and provides gas assistance to readily discharge the particulate matter. The mass flow hopper has an upper conical section connected via an intermediate section to a lower conical section having a lower discharge orifice. The lower conical section has a frustoconical configured gas impermeable wall lined with a gas permeable fluidizing plate spaced therefrom to define a lower space. The upper conical section slope is steeper than the lower frusto-conically configured gas permeable wall slope. Gas injected into the lower space passes from the lower space through the gas permeable fluidizing plate into the hopper to form a fluidized layer of gas between the solid particulates in the hopper and the gas permeable fluidizing plate. The fluidized layer of gas reduces wall friction within the lower conical section to facilitate discharging the particulates from the hopper.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.