Limp, porous membrane for a fluidized outlet
US4846377A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 4, 1987 |
| Grant date | Jul 11, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 4, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G53/22
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A limp, porous membrane of sheet (i.e., cloth) material for a fluidized outlet is disclosed. The outlet is in communication with a container, such as a hopper within a covered hopper railway car, containing a supply of particulate material for being fluidized and unloaded via the outlet. The outlet comprises an outlet housing, an outlet frame for securing the outlet housing to the hopper, an outlet opening, and outlet walls extending from the frame to the outlet opening. The membrane is secured to the outlet frame and to the outlet opening and is disposed generally on the inside faces of the outlet walls. A manifold is provided for introducing a fluidizing fluid (e.g., air) under pressure between the outlet walls and the membrane such that the fluidizing fluid flows through the membrane thereby to fluidize the lading above the membrane. A stiffener extends from the outlet frame to the outlet opening for holding the limp membrane generally in face-to-face relation with the outlet wall in at least the area of this holder during fluidization of the lading.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.