Patent · US Expired

Granular material flow divider

US5305912A · kind A · utility

6Cited by
8References
14Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 12, 1992
Grant dateApr 26, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 12, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65G65/4818
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Apparatus and method to move granular materials in an even flow by centrifugal force from a rotating surface to a plurality of circumferentially arranged receiving points includes a rotatable inverted cone provided with a peripheral base flange and having an angle of inclination of the cone surface matching the angle of repose for the material to be distributed. Material delivered to the apex of the cone flows by gravity down the cone surface to establish the angle of repose for such material with a toe point at the flange where it comes to rest when the cone is stationary. A cylindrical hopper, to accumulate material from the cone, is vertically adjustably secured to the flange so that the bottom of the hopper is spaced above the flange to define a flow passageway which can be enlarged or reduced by vertical adjustment of the hopper relative to the flange. Rotation of the cone at a relative slow speed creates a sufficient centrifugal impulse at the toe point to initiate material movement at such point over the flange into the receiving points as the angle of repose continually moves to correct itself. The size of the flow passageway provides a means to precisely control the volume…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.