Low profile flanged tee
US5676404A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 12, 1996 |
| Grant date | Oct 14, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 12, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16L41/021
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A one piece, low-profile hopper tee is provided having a transverse, elongated hollow pipe section with an inlet opening formed at a midpoint in the top side and an integral flange formed around the inlet opening for attaching the hopper tee to an outlet end of a hopper. The distance from the longitudinal axis of the elongated hollow pipe to the top of the flange is not greater than 1.25 times the distance from the longitudinal axis of the elongated pipe section to the top surface of the elongated pipe section. There are wear saddles formed on each side of the flange between the flange and the elongated pipe section. The elongated pipe section has an inner diameter that is uniform at each and gradually increases to the midpoint so as to create a ramp from the inlet opening into the hollow pipe at the area of the wear saddles to facilitate flow of material into the pipe. An alternative embodiment of the low profile hopper tee includes an outflow opening in the bottom side of the elongated pipe and a swing-away door to seal the opening. The low profile swing-away door has a recessed central gasket for sealing the outflow opening when the door is in place.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.