Bulk material storage and reclaim system
US9365370B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 23, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jun 14, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 5, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63B27/19
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Systems and methods for reclaiming bulk solid material from storage stockpiles or from watercraft. A storage and reclaim system includes a support surface for supporting a stockpile of bulk material. The support surface is defined by a plurality of individual material support structures geometrically arranged and positioned with reference to each other so that the support surface is essentially continuous. Each of the material support structures in turn includes a dish or funnel-like structure having a generally conical floor surface sloping towards an individual discharge opening fitted with a discharge control gate. An array of vibrators is mechanically connected to each of the material support structures so as to introduce vibrational energy into the dish or funnel-like structures sufficient to either avoid a stable reclaim cone or to destabilize a stable reclaim cone which may form in order to maintain material discharge flow.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.