Vertical mass flow conveyor
US4775284A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 2, 1986 |
| Grant date | Oct 4, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 2, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01F31/57
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A vertical mass flow conveyor includes a vertical tube which has an inner surface fixed to the outer surface of a spiral ramp. The spiral ramp extends radially inward of the tube only a portion of the radius of the tube to leave the center section of the tube free and forming a vertical open space. The tube has an inlet to the spiral ramp and an outlet. A hopper or trough substantially surrounds the inlet of the tube for receiving material to be conveyed up the inside of the tube. One or more guide vanes or blades, face generally in the direction of the upward spiral of the spiral ramp, and disposed about the tube for directing the material radially inwardly toward the spiral ramp. The tube with a vibratory motion transmitting device, the trough and the vanes or blades are secured to a common base such that when a helical reciprocating movement is produced in the tube, bulk material either is vertically conveyed in a mass flow relationship or is blended and mixed in the tube.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.