Patent Application
20110016664
The present invention relates to the field of bulk transfer machines for particulate materials, and more particularly to a nozzle for providing particulate materials to a suction intake hose connected to a bulk transfer apparatus.
Pneumatic bulk transfer apparatuses are widely used in agriculture and industry for transferring grain and various other types of particulate materials such as, for example, grain, fertilizer, pellets, etc. Such devices have substantially facilitated the bulk transfer of particulate materials, a previously laborious and time-consuming task accomplished by shoveling. For example, bulk transfer apparatuses are used for transferring grain from a storage facility of a farm to a delivery truck. Typically, an end portion of an intake hose is placed by an operator in close proximity to the particulate materials that are to be transferred, which are rendered airborne by an airstream caused by suction through the intake hose.
To facilitate portability and enable use at different locations, pneumatic bulk transfer apparatuses have been provided as mobile units, for example, mounted on a trailer and powered by a tractor.
Unfortunately, in various applications there is a need for using a long intake hose making it difficult for an operator to handle the end portion of the intake hose, in particular in a confined storage facility. Furthermore, using a long intake hose substantially increases suction loss, thus, the airstream for rendering the particulate materials airborne is reduced causing a substantial reduction in the efficiency of the transfer of the particulate materials. This is of particular concern when mobile units having limited power are employed.
It is desirable to provide a nozzle for being connected to the end portion of the intake hose of a bulk transfer apparatus that is simple and easily maneuverable.
It is also desirable to provide a nozzle for being connected to the end portion of the intake hose of a bulk transfer apparatus that has an improved rate of transfer of particulate materials when suction is weak.
It is also desirable to provide a nozzle that is adapted for providing an active area for receiving particulate material that is significantly wider than the width of the vacuum hose.
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a nozzle for being connected to the end portion of the intake hose of a bulk transfer apparatus that is simple and easily maneuverable.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a nozzle for being connected to the end portion of the intake hose of a bulk transfer apparatus that has an improved rate of transfer of particulate materials when suction is weak.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a nozzle that is adapted for providing an active area for receiving particulate material that is significantly wider than the width of the vacuum hose.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nozzle for providing particulate materials to a suction intake hose connected to a bulk transfer apparatus. A body structure of the nozzle comprises a connecting mechanism for connecting to an end portion of the suction intake hose. A support mechanism is mechanically connected to the body structure for movably supporting the nozzle. A particulate materials transport mechanism is placed in front of the body structure. The particulate materials transport mechanism comprises a movable mechanical structure for mechanically transporting the particulate materials into an airstream generated by suction through the suction intake hose. A hood is mounted to a front portion of the body structure for guiding the airstream towards an opening in fluid communication with the connecting mechanism.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a nozzle for providing particulate materials to a suction intake hose connected to a bulk transfer apparatus. A body structure of the nozzle comprises a connecting mechanism for connecting to an end portion of the suction intake hose. Two independently rotatable wheels are mounted to a left hand side of the body structure and a right hand side of the body structure in proximity to a rear portion of the body structure. A first drive mechanism and a second drive mechanism drive the first wheel and the second wheel, respectively. The first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism are capable of simultaneously driving the first wheel in a forward direction and the second wheel in a rearward direction. A particulate materials transport mechanism is placed in front of the body structure. The particulate materials transport mechanism comprises a movable mechanical structure for mechanically transporting the particulate materials into an airstream generated by suction through the suction intake hose. A hood is mounted to a front portion of the body structure for guiding the airstream towards an opening in fluid communication with the connecting mechanism.
The advantage of the present invention is that it provides a nozzle for being connected to the end portion of the intake hose of a bulk transfer apparatus that is simple and easily maneuverable.
A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a nozzle for being connected to the end portion of the intake hose of a bulk transfer apparatus that has an improved rate of transfer of particulate materials when suction is weak.
A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a nozzle that is adapted for providing an active area for receiving particulate material that is significantly wider than the width of the vacuum hose.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
a is a simplified block diagram illustrating a perspective front view of a nozzle according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
b is a simplified block diagram illustrating a perspective rear view of the nozzle according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
c is a simplified block diagrams illustrating the perspective front view of the nozzle according to a preferred embodiment of the invention with a plane through the centers of the wheels added;
a and 2b are simplified block diagrams illustrating a perspective left hand side view and a perspective right hand side view, respectively, of a detail of a nozzle according to another embodiment of the invention;
a and 3b are simplified block diagrams illustrating front views of nozzles according to yet other embodiments of the invention; and,
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described.
While the description of the preferred embodiments herein below is with reference to a nozzle for being connected to the end portion of the intake hose of a portable bulk transfer apparatus used in agriculture for transferring grain, it will become evident to those skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto, but are also applicable for being connected to a stationary bulk transfer apparatus as well as be used for transfer of various particulate materials in agriculture and industry.
Referring to
The body structure 7, the connecting mechanism 3, the hood 1, and the auger are preferably made of a metal such as, for example, steel or aluminum. Of course other materials such as, for example, plastic materials or carbon fiber materials are also employable.
As illustrated in
Preferably, the support mechanism comprises two independently rotatable wheel spindle assemblies 4 with a first wheel spindle assembly 4 being mounted to a left hand side of the body structure 7 and a second wheel spindle assembly 4 being mounted to a right hand side of the body structure 7. The wheel spindle assemblies 4 are rotatably mounted to the body structure 7 using mounts known in the art such as, for example, various types of bearings. Further preferably, the wheel spindle assemblies 4 are mounted to a rear portion of the body structure 7. In the preferred embodiment, illustrated in
Alternatively, pneumatic or hydraulic motors are employed. Further alternatively, chain drives, shaft drives or direct drives are used instead of the belt drives 6 and 10. In a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, an arrangement of one or more belts may be provided mounted on various diameter pulleys to provide the wheels with operator variable speed in a manner known to a person skilled in the art.
The capability of simultaneously driving one wheel forward and the other rearward substantially increases the maneuverability of the nozzle 100 by enabling turning of the nozzle 100 around a substantially vertically oriented axis placed between the two wheels 4. Increased maneuverability is advantageous when the nozzle 100 is used in confined spaces which are frequently encountered in storage facilities.
In the preferred embodiment the nozzle 100 comprises a handle 5 mounted to the body structure 7 in proximity to a plane 19 through the center of the first wheel 4 and the center of the second wheel 4 and oriented substantially vertical, as illustrated in Figure 1c. This placement of the handle 5 substantially simplifies handling of the nozzle by an operator by slightly pushing down the handle 5 for lifting the hood 1 off the ground and driving the nozzle using controls 11 disposed on switch mount 12. For example, a left hand control is used for controlling the left hand drive and a right hand control is used for controlling the right hand drive. Further controls are optionally placed on the switch mount such as, for example, a control for controlling the particulate materials transport mechanism 2 and a control for remotely controlling the bulk transfer apparatus.
Handling of the nozzle 100 is further simplified by placing the connecting mechanism 3 in proximity to the plane 19 between the first wheel 4 and the second wheel 4, in order to minimize movement of the intake hose during turning of the nozzle.
Optionally, the first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism are omitted and the support mechanism comprises only the two independently rotatable wheels 4. The nozzle is then manually moved by an operator using the handle 5.
Further optionally, the nozzle 100 comprises a left hand side caster 20 and a right hand side caster 20 mounted, for example, to the hood 1, as illustrated in
In alternative embodiments, the movable mechanical structure of the particulate materials transport mechanism 2 comprises, for example, one or more rotatably mounted cylinders having rods or bristles, made of, for example, metal or plastic material, protruding there from, as illustrated in
The nozzle 100 is, for example, electrically operated with the power being provided, for example, via an electric power cable attached to the intake hose.
Optionally, the nozzle 100 comprises headlights 14 mounted, for example, to a top front portion of the hood 1, as illustrated in
Further optionally, the nozzle 100 comprises a sensor or camera 13 mounted, for example, to the handle 5. The sensor or camera 13 are useful, for example, for remotely sensing the intake of the particulate materials and/or for sensing a dust concentration in the air surrounding the nozzle, thus, increasing safety by, for example, warning an operator when there is an explosive dust concentration in the air.
In a further embodiment 200 the nozzle is remotely operable by providing a remote control mechanism 30 for remotely controlling the first and the second drive mechanism. For example, a remotely located operator is provided with video images from the camera 13 displayed on a monitor (not shown) and moves the nozzle 200 by using, for example, a joystick providing control commands to the nozzle via cable 32. Optionally, the particulate materials transport mechanism 2 is also remotely controlled using remote control mechanism 30. Alternatively, wireless transmission is employed.
In one embodiment of the present invention, in place of wheels, preferably rubberized tracks (not shown) are provided to support and guide the nozzle.
The present invention has been described herein with regard to preferred embodiments. However, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein.
