Hydraulic conveyance of particulate materials such as ice particles
US5390501A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 12, 1994 |
| Grant date | Feb 21, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 12, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25C5/20
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A hydraulic conveyance system serves to level out a spiked, uneven flow of particulate material to a more even flow condition prior to the particles being delivered to a destination. In one particular application, the hydraulic conveyance system permits ice particles to be delivered from a batch discharge ice machine of a thermal energy production, storage and reclaim system to the thermal energy storage tank of the system at a relatively even rate, without the use of any mechanical delivery mechanisms. The hydraulic conveyance system incorporates a flooded hold-up tank which, in the case of particulate ice conveyance, receives the spiked, batch discharge from the ice machine and discharges the ice therefrom to a selected number of destination points at a more even flow condition. A rotational movement is imparted to the water surface in the flooded hold-up tank, thereby causing the floating ice particles to rotate in the tank in proximity to a boundary wall of the tank. Weirs located in the boundary wall permit the ice and a portion of the water in the tank to overflow therethrough. The ice/water mixture from each weir is conveyed by a delivery system to a respective destination p…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.