GB2123781A - Pneumatic conveying to different outlets - Google Patents

Abstract

A vacuum is used to draw material through a pipe 4 to different outlets which are closed by valves 5 held in the closed position by the vacuum in the pipe and which open when the vacuum is removed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Automatic or manual pig feeder I, William George Lyne a British subject of Is-y Coed, 7, Halgavor Road Bodmin, Cornwall, England do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed to be described in, and by the following statement.

This invention is concerned with using atmospheric pressure to move material from a container to one or more spaced locations. The material must be of such a constistency that atmospheric pressure will move it along a tube.

For example, this invention provides a method of conveying animal feed stuffs from a container to feeding troughs. The operation can be controlled by time clock which would make the operation automatic. There now follows a description to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings of apparatus embodying the invention. This description which is also as illustrated of method aspects of the invention is given by way of example of the invention only, and not by way of iimitations thereof.

In the accompanying drawings figure 1. shows the apparatus with the discharge valves 5 open.

Figure 2 shows a discharge valve closed. An engine, or electric motor not shown drives a vacuum pump 1. figure 1 air is drawn out from cylinder 2. valve 3 enclosed position prevents air being drawn from pipe 4. When the air in cylinder 2 has been exhausted valve 3 is opened causing the air in the system to be expelled quickly. The surge of air closes, and seals the discharge valves 5. The apparatus will work without the cylinder 2 or valve 3. The principle of using the cylinder, and valve is that by their use a smaller capacity vacuum pump can be used. The animal feed in container 6 is pushed through pipe 4 in direction of arrow by atmospheric pressure.When the food reaches outlet dispenser 7 it falls down in direction of arrow, and discharge valve 5 is held in closed position by atmospheric pressure when dispenser 7 is full the animal feed continued along pipe 4 in direction of arrow until it reaches dispenser 8. This sequence continues until all dispensers are full. The dispensers are calibrated, and the amount of feed they contain can be adjusted to the needs of amounts in a particular pen. In figure 1 the dispensers 7, 8, and 9 are shown as one tube sliding in another. The amount of feeds are adjusted by lengthening or shortening the dispenser. Another method of adjusting the amount of feed is by using different capacity dispensers, three dispensers, and outlet valves are shown in figure 1. The number can be one or as many as are required. When the last dispenser is full a switch 10 cuts the electricity supply to the motor 1.A swtich also cuts the power to valve 11. This then opens to let air into pipe 4 equalising the pressures in pipe 4 by weight of feed in the dispensers then force open valves 5.

and the feed falls into a feeding trough. The apparatus will operate without valve 11 by incorporating it into the system all the dispensers empty at the same time.

Claims (Filed 18/3/82) 1. What I claim is, apparatus using atmospheric pressure to convey material such as cattle feed from a container to outlet points in or over cattle pens, the outlet valves are held in a closed position by atmospheric pressure.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 where each outlet valve opens allowing feed to discharge after pressure inside and out equalises.

3. Apparatus according to Claims 1, and 2 wherein the discharge valves automatically closes when the internal pressure is reduced.

4. Apparatus according to anyone of the preceding claims wherein the discharge valves comprise a flat which returns after discharge to the closed or near closed position.

5. Apparatus according to anyone of the proceeding claims wherein the discharge outlet valves whatever type is kept closed by atmospheric pressure.

6. According to anyone of the proceeding claims wherein a vacuum is held in a cylinder, and when released it causes a rush of air which closes the discharge valves.

7. Apparatus according to anyone of the proceeding claims wherein a switch cuts off the power to the vacuum pump allowing pressures to equalise, and discharge valves to open.

8. Apparatus according to anyone of the proceeding claims wherein a switch cuts the power to a valve allowing it to open, and admit air into the system. This permits all discharge valves to open simultaneously.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Automatic or manual pig feeder I, William George Lyne a British subject of Is-y Coed, 7, Halgavor Road Bodmin, Cornwall, England do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed to be described in, and by the following statement. This invention is concerned with using atmospheric pressure to move material from a container to one or more spaced locations. The material must be of such a constistency that atmospheric pressure will move it along a tube. For example, this invention provides a method of conveying animal feed stuffs from a container to feeding troughs. The operation can be controlled by time clock which would make the operation automatic. There now follows a description to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings of apparatus embodying the invention. This description which is also as illustrated of method aspects of the invention is given by way of example of the invention only, and not by way of iimitations thereof. In the accompanying drawings figure 1. shows the apparatus with the discharge valves 5 open. Figure 2 shows a discharge valve closed. An engine, or electric motor not shown drives a vacuum pump 1. figure 1 air is drawn out from cylinder 2. valve 3 enclosed position prevents air being drawn from pipe 4. When the air in cylinder 2 has been exhausted valve 3 is opened causing the air in the system to be expelled quickly. The surge of air closes, and seals the discharge valves 5. The apparatus will work without the cylinder 2 or valve 3. The principle of using the cylinder, and valve is that by their use a smaller capacity vacuum pump can be used. The animal feed in container 6 is pushed through pipe 4 in direction of arrow by atmospheric pressure.When the food reaches outlet dispenser 7 it falls down in direction of arrow, and discharge valve 5 is held in closed position by atmospheric pressure when dispenser 7 is full the animal feed continued along pipe 4 in direction of arrow until it reaches dispenser 8. This sequence continues until all dispensers are full. The dispensers are calibrated, and the amount of feed they contain can be adjusted to the needs of amounts in a particular pen. In figure 1 the dispensers 7, 8, and 9 are shown as one tube sliding in another. The amount of feeds are adjusted by lengthening or shortening the dispenser. Another method of adjusting the amount of feed is by using different capacity dispensers, three dispensers, and outlet valves are shown in figure 1. The number can be one or as many as are required. When the last dispenser is full a switch 10 cuts the electricity supply to the motor 1.A swtich also cuts the power to valve 11. This then opens to let air into pipe 4 equalising the pressures in pipe 4 by weight of feed in the dispensers then force open valves 5. and the feed falls into a feeding trough. The apparatus will operate without valve 11 by incorporating it into the system all the dispensers empty at the same time. Claims (Filed 18/3/82)

1. What I claim is, apparatus using atmospheric pressure to convey material such as cattle feed from a container to outlet points in or over cattle pens, the outlet valves are held in a closed position by atmospheric pressure.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 where each outlet valve opens allowing feed to discharge after pressure inside and out equalises.

3. Apparatus according to Claims 1, and 2 wherein the discharge valves automatically closes when the internal pressure is reduced.

4. Apparatus according to anyone of the preceding claims wherein the discharge valves comprise a flat which returns after discharge to the closed or near closed position.

5. Apparatus according to anyone of the proceeding claims wherein the discharge outlet valves whatever type is kept closed by atmospheric pressure.

6. According to anyone of the proceeding claims wherein a vacuum is held in a cylinder, and when released it causes a rush of air which closes the discharge valves.

7. Apparatus according to anyone of the proceeding claims wherein a switch cuts off the power to the vacuum pump allowing pressures to equalise, and discharge valves to open.

8. Apparatus according to anyone of the proceeding claims wherein a switch cuts the power to a valve allowing it to open, and admit air into the system. This permits all discharge valves to open simultaneously.