Drive head for flexible conveyor fluid lifting system
US5381861A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 7, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jan 17, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 7, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF04B19/16
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved drive head for use in transporting materials has a frame for mounting near a tubing orifice, a drive wheel and second wheel rotatably mounted on the frame. Each of the wheels are adaptable to receive a fluid entraining conveyor. The drive head causes the conveyor to move through a predetermined conveyor path on which the conveyor winds about the drive wheel through at least a majority of its surface, and preferably 330.degree.. The radius of a down-conveyor conveyor track of the second wheel is preferably slightly greater than the radius of the drive wheel conveyor track. Preferably, tires are provided which are mounted on wheel hubs of the drive and second wheels, and these tires may be made of an elastomer having a higher coefficient of friction than the preferably plastic drive and second wheel hubs. The preferred embodiment includes a third wheel which is disposed on the conveyor path to be closer to the orifice than the second wheel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.