Method for resin delivery including metering introduction of external air to maintain desired vacuum level

• US 10,138,076 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2016
• Issued: 11/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2015
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stephen B. Maguire
• Original Assignee: Stephen B. Maguire
• Inventors: Maguire, Stephen B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dillon, Jr., Joseph A
• Application Number:
  US15/052,126
• Publication Number:
  US 20160244275A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,007 Days
• Field of Search: 406 14, 406 34, 406144, 406151
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 53/24 Gas suction systems
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 53/66 Use of indicator or control devices, e.g. for controlling gas pressure, for controlling proportions of material and gas, for indicating or preventing jamming of material controlling the flow of coal firing systems C21B5/003

Abstract

Method and apparatus for pneumatically conveying granular plastic resin material out of a resin supply to a process machine includes a vacuum pump, a conduit connecting the resin supply to a suction intake of the vacuum pump, a sensor for sensing vacuum level drawn by the pump at the suction inlet and a valve for supplying air to the conduit.

Claims

1. Apparatus for pneumatically conveying granular plastic resin material out of a resin supply to at least one receiver, consisting of:

a) a vacuum pump having a suction intake;

b) a first conduit connecting the resin supply to the receiver;

c) a second conduit connecting the receiver to the suction intake;

d) means for monitoring the level of vacuum being drawn by the vacuum pump at the suction inlet;

e) a valve responsive to the means for monitoring for supplying air to the conduit at a location proximate the resin supply in an amount to maintain a desired level of vacuum, at the vacuum pump suction inlet, drawn by the vacuum pump.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the valve for supplying air to the conduit is located at a position upstream of at least one receiver as recited in claim 1.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vacuum pump is a constant speed pump.

2. Apparatus for pneumatically conveying granular plastic resin material out of a resin supply consisting of:

a) a vacuum pump having a suction intake;

b) a conduit connecting the resin supply to the suction intake;

c) means for measuring the velocity of the air stream being drawn by the vacuum pump at the vacuum pump suction inlet;

d) a valve responsive to the means for measuring for supplying air to the conduit at a location proximate the resin supply in an amount to maintain a desired velocity, at the vacuum pump suction inlet, of the air stream drawn by the vacuum pump.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the valve for supplying air to the conduit is located at a position upstream of the first receiver.

8. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the vacuum pump is a constant speed pump.

4. Apparatus for pneumatically conveying granular plastic resin material out of a resin supply to at least one receiver, comprising:

a) a vacuum pump having a suction intake;

b) a first conduit connecting the resin supply to the receiver;

c) a second conduit connecting the receiver to the suction intake;

d) means for monitoring the level of vacuum being drawn by the vacuum pump at the suction inlet; and

e) a valve responsive to the means for monitoring for supplying air to the conduit at a location proximate the resin supply in an amount to maintain a desired level of vacuum drawn by the vacuum pump, the valve for supplying air to the conduit being located upstream of the receivers.

7. Apparatus for pneumatically conveying granular plastic resin material out of a resin supply comprising:

a) a vacuum pump having a suction intake;

b) a conduit connecting the resin supply to the suction intake;

c) means for measuring the velocity of the air stream being drawn by the vacuum pump at the vacuum pump suction inlet;

d) a valve responsive to the means for measuring for supplying air to the conduit at a location proximate the resin supply in an amount to maintain a desired velocity of the air stream drawn by the vacuum pump, the valve for supplying air to the conduit being is located upstream of the receivers.

9. In a method for automatically regulating pneumatic conveyance of granular resin from a supply thereof through a conduit to a receiver furnishing the granular resin to a process machine, the improvement comprising:

a) measuring pressure of air moving through the conduit at the suction intake of the vacuum pump during pneumatic conveyance of granular resin along the conduit interior;

b) comparing measured air pressure at the suction intake of the vacuum pump to a pre-selected acceptable range of air pressures as the air moves the granular resin along the conduit interior; and

c) introducing air into the conduit as the granular resin moves along the conduit interior when measured air pressure at the suction intake of the vacuum pump is outside the pre-selected acceptable range for pneumatic conveyance of granular resin along the conduit interior.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the air pressure is subatmospheric.

11. Apparatus for pneumatically conveying granular plastic resin material out of a resin supply to at least one receiver, comprising:

a) a vacuum pump having a suction intake;

b) a first conduit connecting the resin supply to the receiver;

c) a second conduit connecting the receiver to the suction intake;

d) means for monitoring the level of vacuum being drawn by the vacuum pump at the suction inlet; and

e) a valve responsive to the means for monitoring for supplying air to the conduit at a location proximate the resin supply in an amount to maintain a desired level of vacuum drawn by the vacuum pump, the valve for supplying air to the conduit being located among the receivers.

12. Apparatus for pneumatically conveying granular plastic resin material out of a resin supply comprising:

a) a vacuum pump having a suction intake;

b) a conduit connecting the resin supply to the suction intake;

c) means for measuring the velocity of the air stream being drawn by the vacuum pump at the vacuum pump suction inlet;

d) a valve responsive to the means for measuring for supplying air to the conduit at a location proximate the resin supply in an amount to maintain a desired velocity of the air stream drawn by the vacuum pump, the valve being located among the receivers.

13. In a method for regulating pneumatic conveyance of granular resin from a supply thereof through a conduit to a receiver furnishing the granular resin to a process machine, the improvement comprising:

a) measuring velocity of air moving through the conduit at the suction intake of the vacuum pump during pneumatic conveyance of granular resin along the conduit interior;

b) comparing measured air velocity at the suction intake of the vacuum pump to a pre-selected acceptable range of air velocities as the air moves the granular resin along the conduit interior; and

c) introducing air into the conduit as the air moves the granular resin along the conduit interior when measured air velocity at the suction intake of the vacuum pump is outside the pre-selected acceptable range for pneumatic conveyance of granular resin along the conduit interior.