Methods and Apparatus for Flowing Archable Materials

The present invention relates to method and equipment to flow archable material from containers or through conduits by jetting means. The method and equipment can be applied to the filling of cavities in soil, as well as to the more general conveying of material through confined channels such as conduits. The method involves employing a jet of fluid in a manner so as to disperse the material to be flowed, to minimize contact forces between particles while the particles are flowed within the fluid itself operating at least in part as the carrying medium. The equipment is best operated as a substantially closed system open only at the outlet end during the flowing process, with the jetting of fluid effected at the portion of the system where the material to be flowed is introduced into the conduit as well as at other points where arching of the material may occur.

The flow of archable materials is involved in many areas of construction and industry. Grain stored in silos is often caused to flow for shipping purposes simply by using the force of gravity. Damp materials, such as sand used in concrete and asphalt batching plants, tend to arch and it is necessary to provide special means, such as vibrators, to insure continuous material flow. In the installation of sand drains, it is necessary to backfill a cavity formed in soil with sand. To avoid the collapse of the cavity during the filling process, and to insure complete filling of the cavity, the sand must be flowed in a continuous manner and arching of the sand must be avoided. To effect the required flow of sand without arching often involves the use of fluid pressure, of on the order of 100 psi, to insure flow through a vertical pipe inserted into the cavity. The use of such high pressure often results in "blows," and increases in "pore" water pressure in wet soil, which is detrimental to the operation of the sand drain system. Saturated materials containing a major fraction of granular materials, such as concrete, are also known to form arches and plugs so as to impede its steady flow when being deposited in pipes to form cast-in-place concrete piling, and similar foundation support systems. In transporting granular materials horizontally, vertically, or at any desired incline, blower systems as well as vacuum systems are used, as are screw-type and other types of conveyors. All of the methods of flowing archable types of materials relate to physically overcoming the resistance effects of any arching or plugs that may form during the flow process, except for vibration. Although vibration utilizes a reversal of forces which has the effect of breaking arches or plugs, the vibratory force in itself does not exert a force involved in flowing the material in the desired direction.

It is at once evident that the most satisfactory means of flowing archable material involves a system which not only minimizes the possibility of forming arches in the material being flowed, but at the same time provide the impetus needed in maintaining the continuity of flow without obstructing the conduit or flow path. The present invention is a simpler and less costly method by which the desirable effects for flowing archable materials can be developed, without the limitations inherent to systems in use today. The present invention has the further advantage over any vibratory method in that the rigidity of the conduit in which the material is to be flowed bears no relation to the effectiveness of the method to prevent arching. This is in sharp contrast to the use of vibration which operates on the container rather than the material, where the more rigid the container or conduit, the greater the vibratory energy input to effect a breakdown of plugs and arches which may form in the material.

FIG. 1 shows a section through one form of the apparatus which may be used to practice the invention, which provides a means for filling the container holding material, M, to be flowed by the introduction of jetting fluid, F.

FIG. 2 shows a modification of the upper end of the apparatus in FIG. 1, which permits the apparatus to be rotated while flowing material, M, from the container through the lower end of the apparatus.

The illustrated apparatus consists of a container, C, into which the material, M is introduced into the system through which it is to be flowed. The point of entry of the material, M, into the system is through portal, 4, located in the upper tapered section 52. For the vertical arrangement of the apparatus, the material comes to rest in the container having a lower tapered section, 51, and a straight sided section 53. It is to be understood that many possible shapes exist that will satisfy the proper operation of the apparatus, including cylindrical, as well as angular shapes, with and without tapered end sections. It is also possible that the container be nothing more than a section of the conduit through which the material, M, is to be flowed. The apparatus of FIG. 1 is constructed with an outlet conduit, 125, which is connected through its flange, 126, to the flange, 124, of tapered section 51. The apparatus may be fixed in its vertical position and raised or lowered by hooking on at eye, 17, of upper flange connector, 6, located at the upper end of tapered section 52.

Where a substantially closed system is utilized, a fluid introduction pipe, 11, is so fitted as to actuate hydraulic cylinder, 2, through the partly flexible inlet pipe, 22, which causes piston, 25, to seat door, 3, at the lower edge, 20, of portal, 4. The relative movement of cylinder, 2, and door, 3, requires the presence of pivots 23 and 1 at the piston end and back end of the cylinder, 2, respectively. The outlet end of the cylinder, 2, exhausts to atmosphere. A through outlet pipe, 15, which is partly flexible. When necessary to form a fluid tight seal between the door, 3, and portal seat, 20, gasket, 21, may be placed on the bearing surface between the portal and the door.

The pipe, 11, provides fluid through jet, 13, which is appropriately positioned in the vicinity of the point of major arch formation. Although the jet, 13, directs fluid, F, into the material, M, in the general direction of desired flow, such is not indispensable as the fluid will tend to flow toward the outlet end of the system, 125, inasmuch as that is also the point of lowest pressure, which is always the factor in determining the direction of fluid flow. Not only will the introduction of fluid, F, at the level of arching break the arch, but it will also effect a separation of the particles comprising the arch. The use of a compressible fluid, will also maintain the particles separate by virtue of the fact that as the low pressure area is approached, the fluid, F, will tend to expand aiding particle separation. The application of fluid, F, to the upper surface of the material, M, at the interior, 16, of the upper portion of the container, C, assists in the positive flow of material, M, in the direction that is desired. Such secondary introduction of fluid, F, can be done through pipe, 14, which may also be connected to line, 11. It is noted that pipeline 11 need not connect to pipes 22 and 14 simultaneously with jetting nozzle 13. Each pipe can be fed separately, and more than one fluid can be used if desired. Mortar, or other chemicals, may be pumped through nozzle 13, and other jets, so as to mix with aggregate, M, to produce a desired concrete, or other chemical reactions, while air may be introduced through pipe 14 to assist in the flow of the mixture; and air or other fluid may be introduced through pipe 22 to effect a closing of the portal, 4, by the door, 3. It is noted that where it is not desired to utilize the hydraulic cylinder, 2, for door closure purposes, any other suitable door closing system may be employed. A second possibility involves connecting a rope or linkage to eye, 24, on door, 3, to physically pull the door closed to portal, 4. The portal is best sealed off in order to avoid a low pressure zone, which will dissipate the effect of the pressure of fluid, F, in causing flow in the desired direction through conduit, 125.

FIG. 2 illustrates an arrangement whereby Motor, D, operating through driveshaft, 5, operates gear box, 8, which rotates fluid inlet pipe, 11, connected to flange, 6, so as to rotate the apparatus. Fluid, F, is introduced into the system through pipe 10, passing through swivel, 9, and then through inlet pipe, 11, into plenum, 12. The fluid, F, in the plenum, 12, feeds fluid into the hydraulic cylinder, 2, through pipe, 22, and into the container, C, through pipe, 14. Fluid, F, is fed to the jet nozzle, 13, through pipe, 133. Where rotation of the container, C, is desired, a suitable drive system, D, can be supported either above or below the container, C. The system of FIG. 2, shows the condition where the drive system is above the container, C. A drive system mounted below the container, C, can be suitably adapted, such as between flanges 124 and 126, or else driven through a suitable connection piece, such as a chain sprocket, located at any desired position so as to effect the desired rotation of container, C. For the instance of FIG. 2, the drive mechanism, D, is supported on a frame, 7, which has a connection eye, 17, for fixing as well as raising and lowering the apparatus as may be desired while rotating the container, C. The drive system, D, is fixed to plate 19, through pads, 18, forming part of the frame, 7. The arrangement of FIG. 2, for simplicity, shows the use of a single fluid, F, and the feeding of material, M, into the container, C, most easily done while the apparatus is held stationary. In a closed type system, such as shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus may also function when inlet pipe 11 is inside the container, C, as shown in FIG. 2. In the latter instance, the arch prevention system may also function if nozzle 13, at the end of inlet pipe 133, is closed off, with fluid, F, entering into the upper end, 16, of container, C. In this instance, the fluid, F, will tend to flow to the lower outlet end of container, C, by virtue of the existing pressure differential, and the fluid will tend to follow the path of least resistance which will be at the physical juncture between the exterior of pipe 133 and sections 53 and 51 of container, C. In passing through this area, arches in the material, M, will be broken; and the fluid, F, in continuing its flow through section 51, will also break any arches existing below the lower end of nozzle 13.

In an open system, the door, 3, can be omitted, or other openings can be provided in the top, 16, of container, C. Such openings will enable upward flow of fluid from nozzle 13, which will break arches above the level of nozzle 13. By directly the jet nozzle, 13, downward, arches below nozzle, 13, can be broken down as well. The direction of nozzle orientation, and the location of openings will determine the ultimate direction of flow of material, M, as will the velocity of fluid developed in the apparatus. In the open system, gravitational force will have a greater influence on the ultimate direction of flow of material, M, than in a closed system.

It is to be noted that the flow of archable material can be effected while the apparatus is stationary, while it is moved axially, and while the apparatus is rotated, all being dependent upon the arrangement and design of the equipment to practice the method disclosed herein. It is noted that additional points of fluid introduction for arch prevention purposes may be provided at various levels within the container, 16, as well as at various points within the conduit 125, through which flow of material, M, is effected. For the vertical arrangement of the apparatus, gravitational forces also assist in the flow of material, M, as arch and plug formation is avoided. The volume of fluid, F, and the pressure required to prevent arching and to induce the flow of material, M, will vary with the type of material involved and its moisture content. Whereas 100 psi pressure is often used in flowing sand by other systems, under the present invention flow has been effected with pressures of only 40 psi and less.

Although certain particular embodiments of the invention are herein disclosed for purposes of explanation, further modifications thereof, after study of the specification and drawings, will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Reference should accordingly be had to the appended claims in determining the scope of the invention.