Hopper tee with wear port
US9863570B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 14, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jan 9, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 8, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/85938
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A hopper tee for redirecting the flow of material from one passage to another passage includes a radius providing a transition between the passages. A port at the exterior of the radius includes an upwardly-open cavity having a bottom wall disposed within the radius and forming a sacrificial wall extending between the bottom wall and the inner surface of the radius. The cavity provides an indication that material moving through the tee has worn the wall of the radius by the creation of a passage between the interior of the tee and the cavity and expelling material through the passage to the exterior of the tee. A plug may be secured within the cavity allowing a user to continue to use the tee until the tee is rotated or replaced. The radius may include a thickened wall for providing added structural support and sacrificial material.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.