Powder loading device with dust containment system

• US 6,065,922 A
• Filed: 06/14/1999
• Issued: 05/23/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tsukasa Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Tsukasa Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Ninagawa, Toshiaki, Kato, Fumio, Kamimura, Shinsaku
• Primary Examiner(s): Kramer, Dean J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): O'Connor, Gerald J.
• Application Number:
  US09/332,668
• Time in Patent Office: 344 Days
• Field of Search: 14/140.5, 14/141.8, 14/143.1, 14/160, 14/199, 14/288, 14/291, 14/292, 14/299, 14/328, 14/329, 14/389, 14/397, 14/586, 141/10, 141/93, 141/263, 141/283, 141/392
• US Class Current: 414/397
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 69/186 with aspiration means

Abstract

A cover of a powder loading device prevents the escape of loose powder when the powder is transferred from a storage container of a plant to a receiving container. A blower inside the cover moves air from the outside, under the cover, a filter, and returns the filtered air to the outside. A backwash device is operated periodically to remove the filtered powder from the filter into the receiving container. The powder is delivered storage container to the receiving container through a retractable loading chute. A powder detection switch within the retractable loading chute determines when the receiving container is full and stops the transfer of powder. The result is a powder loading device which maximizes dust collection and minimizes lost loose powder. The powder loading device adapts to various plant and receiving container sizes.

Claims

1. A powder loading device for loading powder into a container comprising:

a housing;

said housing being positioned to fit above said container;

at least one loading chute passing generally vertically through said housing for carrying said powder from a source to said container;

at least one blower in said housing;

said blower moving air on an air path from below said housing to a location outside said housing;

at least one filter in said air path; and

said filter being effective for filtering particles of said powder in said air path.

2. A powder loading device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one loading chute is retractable.

3. A powder loading device according to claim 2, further comprising:

a cover containing flap gates disposed on a lower surface of said housing; and

means for opening and closing said flap gates.

4. A powder loading device according to claim 3, wherein said means for opening and closing said flap gates includes an eccentric sprocket mechanism to close a left side flap gate and a right side flap gate at slight different timings.

5. A powder loading device according to claim 3, wherein:

said flap gates are connected to said retractable loading chute via a linking mechanism;

when said flap gates open, said retractable loading chute expands out of said housing; and

when said flap gates close, said retractable loading chute retracts into said housing.

6. A powder loading device according to claim 2, further comprising:

an expansion and retraction means to expand and retract said retractable loading chute;

said expansion and retraction means having a motor at an upper section of said housing;

a shaft rotatably connecting said motor to a pulley;

a wire wrapped around said pulley;

a free end of said wire attached to a bottom portion of said retractable loading chute; and

when said motor operates in a forward and a reverse direction, said retractable loading chute is expanded and retracted.

7. A powder loading device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one filter is at least one bag filter.

8. A powder loading device according to claim 7, further comprising:

a backwash device;

said backwash device including means for impacting said at least one bag filter for dislodging said powder therefrom;

at least one container sensor for detecting a presence of said container within a predetermined distance below said housing;

a controller receiving a signal indicating said presence; and

said controller including means for stopping operation of said backwash device when said signal indicates an absence of said container.

9. A powder loading device according to claim 1, further comprising:

said at least one filter is at least one bag filter;

a backwash device; and

means for directing pulsed jets of air on said at least one bag filter.

10. A powder loading device according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one differential pressure sensor; and

said differential pressure sensor sensing a difference in pressure between two points in said air path.

11. A powder loading device according to claim 10, wherein said two points include a first point under said housing and a second point outside said housing.

12. A powder loading device according to claim 1, wherein:

said at least one loading chute includes at least first and second loading chutes spaced apart in said housing; and

said at least one filter includes at least first and second filters in said air path.

13. A powder loading device according to claim 1, further comprising:

flap gates disposed on a lower surface of said housing;

means for opening and closing said flap gates.

14. A powder loading device according to claim 13, further comprising:

free flap gates, disposed on a lower surface of said housing, that can be freely opened and closed;

said free flap gates are partially overlapped by said flap gates, whereby said free flap gates are opened and closed by operation of said flap gates.

15. A powder loading device according to claim 14, further comprising:

a detection sensor, disposed on said housing, for detecting said container and generating a detection signal; and

said means for opening and closing said flap gates being responsive to said detection signal, opening said flap gates only when said container is present.

16. A powder loading device according to claim 15, wherein said detection sensors are selected from at least one of acoustic, radar, and optical sensors.

17. A powder loading device for loading powder into a container comprising:

a housing;

said housing being positioned to fit above said container;

a loading chute passing generally vertically through said housing for carrying said powder from a source to said container;

at least one blower in said housing;

said blower moving air on an air path from below said housing to a location outside said housing;

a filter in said air path;

said filter being effective for filtering particles of said powder in said air path;

flap gates disposed on a lower surface of said housing;

means for opening and closing said flap gates;

at least one dust protection hood located on at least one longitudinal end of said powder loading device; and

said dust protection hood providing a substantially enclosed dust protection chamber between said powder loading device and said container.