DISCHARGING MATERIAL FROM HOPPERS AND THE LIKE

• US 20110240671A1
• Filed: 05/12/2008
• Published: 10/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Graham Reginald Reginald, James Frances Mcdiarmid, Vincent Rouillard
• Original Assignee: Graham Reginald Reginald, James Frances Mcdiarmid, Vincent Rouillard
• Inventors: McDiarmid, James Frances, Reginald, Graham Reginald, Rouillard, Vincent
• Application Number:
  US12/599,691
• Publication Number:
  US 20110240671A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 88/665 using a resonator, e.g. supersonic generator
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 19/02 characterised by the use of electric means

Abstract

An apparatus to effect optimum delivery of dry bulk material from a hopper includes a device to provide vibratory stimulus to the hopper. The device for providing vibratory stimulus includes a device to identify the resonant frequency of the hopper and its contents at any time and to automatically continuously vary the frequency of the vibratory stimulus to maintain this frequency at, or close to, the resonant frequency of the hopper and its contents.

Claims

1-13. -13. (canceled)

14. An apparatus for effecting optimum delivery of dry bulk material from a hopper, comprising:

means for providing vibratory stimulus to a hopper;

means for identifying a resonant frequency of the hopper and contents of the hopper; and

,

means for automatically continuously varying a frequency of the vibratory stimulus for maintaining said frequency of the vibratory stimulus at, or close to, the resonant frequency of the hopper and its contents.

15. The apparatus for effecting optimum delivery of dry bulk material from a hopper according to claim 14, further comprising means for adjusting amplitude of vibration when the resonant frequency of the hopper and contents of the hopper is attained for providing optimum operating conditions.

16. The apparatus for effecting optimum delivery of dry bulk material from a hopper according to claim 14, further comprising an accelerometer for measuring vibration of said apparatus.

17. The apparatus for effecting optimum delivery of dry bulk material from a hopper according to claim 14, further comprising a sinusoidal sweep for ascertaining the resonant frequency of the hopper and contents of the hopper.

18. A method for effecting optimum delivery of dry bulk material from a hopper, comprising the steps of:

providing vibratory stimulus to a hopper;

identifying a resonant frequency of the hopper and contents of the hopper; and

,

continuously varying a frequency of the vibratory stimulus to the hopper for maintaining the frequency of the vibratory stimulus to the hopper at, or close to, the resonant frequency of the hopper and the contents of the hopper.

19. The method for effecting optimum delivery of dry bulk material from a hopper according to claim 18, further comprising the step of:

adjusting amplitude of the vibratory stimulus when the resonant frequency of the hopper and the contents of the hopper is attained for providing optimum operating conditions.

20. The method for effecting optimum delivery of dry bulk material from a hopper according to claim 18, wherein said step of identifying a resonant frequency of the hopper and contents of the hopper includes using a sinusoidal sweep for ascertaining the resonant frequency.