GB2024134A

GB2024134A - Despatch capsules for pneumatic transport systems

Info

Publication number: GB2024134A
Application number: GB7913369A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: TRANSPORT SECRETARY OF STATE F
Current assignee: TRANSPORT SECRETARY OF STATE F
Priority date: 1978-05-03
Filing date: 1979-04-17
Publication date: 1980-01-09
Also published as: GB2024134B

Abstract

A substantially cylindrical capsule for use in conveying loads along a pipeline under the influence of pneumatic pressure has hinged ends 2 which open for loading purposes. The ends may carry load support means comprising one or more wheels 5. In an alternative construction the capsule is hinged at one or more intermediate points so that at least one end section may be swung clear to give loading access. Handling means at terminals includes hoppers to facilitate loading of up- ended capsules. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to pneumatic conveyor systems This invention relates to pneumatic conveyor systems which usually comprise pipelines through which goods or materials may be moved by pneumatic means, either by sucking or blowing.

Some substances such as dry powders may be moved without special preparation by the direct application of pneumatic pressure but in general it is advantageous to enclose materials in capsules which are propelled along a pipeline between handling terminals at which they can be loaded and discharged, the capsules thus being capable of re-use.

Such capsules are commonly hollow cylinders, provided with supporting or guidance wheels at one or both ends. With straight pipelines the size of a capsule is usually limited only by the diameter of the pipeline and the power required for movement when in a loaded condition. However, in practice, pipelines are usually required to undulate, frequently in more than one plane, in order to negotiate contours and obstructions. Consequently limitations are placed on both cross-sectional area and length if a capsule is to be able to negotiate such undulations without jamming.

Principally for reasons of economy, it is desirable that maximum use be made of the available volume insofar as this is compatible with permissible wheel loadings or other factors. It is a normal practice to provide one or more loading openings in the casing of a capsule, but in the case particularly of a cylindrical capsule this precludes complete filling while the openings themselves can be a source of structural weakness necessitating at least some form of strengthening or heavier construction further reducing the payload.

The invention provides capsule loading in an end-wise sense by the use of one or more hinged portions which may be swung aside to expose the entire cross-sectional area of the capsule for loading purposes.

According to the invention, a pneumatic conveyor system comprises a pipeline and a capsule for propulsion along the pipeline comprising a substantially cylindrical load-carrying module having wheels for engaging the inner surface of the pipeline and a hinged portion arranged for swinging aside to give access to the interior of the module.

Establishments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a load-carrying module in accordance with the present invention, Figure 2 is a side-elevation of another loadcarrying module in accordance with the present invention, Figure 3 illustrates means for loading the module shown in Figure 1 and Figure 4 illustrates means for loading the capsule shown in Figure 2.

Referring to Figure 1, a load-carrying module for use in a pneumatic conveyor system comprises a cylindrical casing 1 with end walls 2 attached by hinges 3, whereby the end walls may be swung aside as shown at the left-hand side of the figure to expose the interior of the module. During movement through the system the end walls are maintained in the closed position as shown at the right-hand side of the figure, by suitable catches (not shown). The end walls 2 support trunnions 4, carrying wheels 5 which wheels are intended to engage the internal surfaces of the pipeline of the system through which the module will travel.

Referring now to Figure 2, a load-carrying module comprises a central ring section 11, connected by hinges 12, 13 to the open ends of generally similar hollow cylindrical containers 14, 15, the respective closed ends carrying trunnions for wheels 5 as in Figure 1.

The cylindrical contains 14, 15 can individually be swung about their hinge points between a closed position as shown in full lines at the left-hand side of Figure 2 and an open position as shown in full lines at the right-hand side of Figure 2, the alternate positions being shown in dotted lines in both cases.

With both sections in the closed position, there is defined a cylindrical hollow module, generally corresponding to that shown in Figure 1. With both sections in the open position, the module is supported by its wheels on a common surface with the cylindrical containers 14, 25, open at their upper ends for convenient loading by hopper or other gravity means.

In a modification, the ring section 11 may be dispensed with and the two cylindrical containers connected together by a common hinge, preferably of an offset variety to enable adequate opening. In both embodiments it may be advantageous if the hinge location is sightly inset diametrically from the periphery of the module (ie the opening portion does not embrace the full cross-section).

In Figure 3, a module 20 of the type shown in Figure 1 is supported horizontally by its lower pair of wheels 21 on a runway 22, forming part of a loading terminal at one end of a pipeline. A further capsule of similar type 23 is shown in the process of being raised to a vertical position as by an appropriate handling arrangement (not shown) with its upper end wall open. Afurther module 24 is shown in the vertical position supported on the wheels 21, 25, at its lower end and positioned under a hopper 26 from which it may be loaded. Subsequently modules will be lowered to the horizontal position for despatch into the pipeline. Corresponding arrangements will be provided for unloading at a discharge terminal and of course, unloading and loading can be carried out at a common terminal.

Figure 4 shows an analogous sequence of events for modules 30, 31, 32 of the type shown in Figure 2, the hopper 33 having twin outlets for loading both portions of a module simultaneously.

Modules, particularly of the sort shown in Figure 1 can of course be loaded in the horizontal position where the material eg in barform is amenable to such handling. During the handling phase, a capsule may be suspended or supported otherwise than by its wheels.

Claims

1. A pneumatic conveyor system comprising a pipeline and a capsule for propulsion along the pipeline, in which the capsule comprising a substantially cylindrical load-carrying module having wheels for engaging the inner surface ofthe pipeline and a hinged portion arranged for swinging aside to give access to the interior of the module.

2. A pneumatic conveyor system according to claim 1 in which the wheels are mounted on the ends of the module.

3. A pneumatic conveyor system according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which at least some of the wheels are arranged to support the module with a substantial portion thereof extending vertically.

4. A pneumatic conveyor system according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3 in which at least one end wall of the module is hinged to the body of the capsule.

5. A pneumatic conveyor system according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3 in which the module is hinged at more than one intermediate point.

6. A pneumatic conveyor system according to any previous claim further comprising hopper means arranged to load a capsule when supported with a substantial portion of the module extending vertically.

7. A pneumatic conveyor system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.