Claims
- 1. A device for use in establishing an optimized material flow rate through a material convey line, the convey line having a discharge opening, said device comprising:
a. a plate having a first surface, a second surface, and an edge that circumscribes the plate, the plate defining an orifice extending therethrough interconnecting the first and second surfaces, the orifice having a periphery, the interior surface being of a size to complementarily engage the discharge opening of the material convey line adjacent the edge of the plate so that the orifice is in fluid communication with the convey line; and b. means for detachably connecting the plate to the discharge opening so that the plate is mounted on the discharge opening.
- 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the edge of the plate has a substantially identical dimension as the discharge opening.
- 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the edge of the plate is circular in side view and the discharge opening is circular in plan view.
- 4. The device of claim 1, wherein when the plate is mounted on the discharge opening, a substantially fluid tight seal forms between the interior surface of the plate and the discharge opening.
- 5. The device of claim 4, further comprising a gasket fixedly attached to a portion of the interior surface of the plate adjacent the edge thereof wherein when the plate is mounted on the discharge opening, the gasket is disposed intermediate the interior surface and the discharge opening.
- 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the plate further comprises a band having a first end, an opposed second end, and a body extending therebetween, the first end of the band being fixedly attached to the edge of the plate, the band being of a dimension to complementarily and slidably receive the discharge opening within the body of the band so that when the plate is mounted on the discharge opening the body of the band circumscribes the discharge opening.
- 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the body of the band defines a plurality of openings therethrough, and wherein the connecting means comprises:
a. at least two latches, each latch pivotally connected to the band so that the latch is movable between a locked position, in which a portion of the latch extends through the respective opening in the band to contact a portion of the convey line when the plate is mounted on the discharge opening, and a released position, in which the portion of the latch is spaced from the convey line so that the discharge opening is slidable into and out of the band; and b. at least two pins, one pin for one respective latch, each pin having two opposed ends that are each securably attached to the body of the band, a portion of each pin between the opposed ends being disposed through the respective latch so that the latch is pivotally mounted thereto.
- 8. The device of claim 1, the connecting means comprising at least one cam-lock device.
- 9. A device for use in establishing an optimized flow rate through a material convey line in which a pressurized fluid flow is used to carry the material entrained within the fluid passed therethrough, the material convey line having a discharge opening, the device comprising:
a plate; an orifice defined within and extending through the plate; a gasket disposed on a first side of the plate and extending along the periphery thereof; and means for detachably connecting the plate to the discharge opening of the convey line.
- 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the plate is sealed to the discharge opening of the material convey line when connected thereto by said means for connecting.
- 11. The device of claim 10, the orifice being sized and shaped to establish a fluid flow backpressure within the material convey line when the plate is connected thereto.
- 12. The device of claim 10, the orifice being sized and shaped to establish a fluid flow backpressure within the material convey line equating to the transport of material therethrough when the plate is connected to the material convey line.
- 13. The device of claim 9, further comprising an elongate tubular body having a first end and a spaced second end, said plate being affixed along its first side to the second end of said tubular body.
- 14. The device of claim 13, said tubular body being sized and shaped to be passed over the discharge opening of the material convey line.
- 15. The device of claim 13, said tubular body and said plate being sealed on the discharge opening when connected thereto by said means for connecting.
- 16. A device for use in establishing an optimized flow rate through a material convey line in which a pressurized fluid flow is used to convey the material entrained within the fluid passed through the convey line, the material convey line having a discharge opening, the device comprising:
an elongate tubular body having a first end and a spaced second end; a plate having a first side affixed to the second end of said tubular body; a gasket disposed on the first side of the plate and extending along the periphery thereof within said tubular body; an orifice defined within and extending through said plate; and means for detachably connecting the tubular body to the discharge opening of the convey line.
- 17. The device of claim 16, the orifice being sized and shaped to establish a backpressure within the material convey line equating to the transport of material therethrough when the plate is connected to the material convey line by said means for connecting.
- 18. The device of claim 16, wherein the plate is sealed on the discharge opening when the tubular body is connected thereto by said means for connecting.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a divisional patent application of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/501,880 filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Feb. 10, 2000, the provisions of which are fully incorporated herein by this reference.
Divisions (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09501880 |
Feb 2000 |
US |
Child |
10027500 |
Dec 2001 |
US |