Apparatus and method for unloading bulk materials

摘要

An unloader for bulk materials is provided to transfer material such as cement from a barge or other bulk container. It includes a moveable and rotatable support member such as a crane or cantilevered arm that is adjacent the bulk container. A first conveyor or auger is connected to the support for pivotal movement and extends generally horizontally. A second conveyor or auger is connected to the distal end of the first conveyor for pivotal movement and is generally vertically oriented. A feeder unit is connected to the distal end of the second conveyor for universal and rotational movement. The feeder includes an uplift portion communicating with the second conveyor, the uplift portion advancing the bulk material at a rate slower than the second conveyor, and a collector portion communicating with the uplift portion. The collector portion includes converging auger assembly to advance the bulk material towards the uplift portion and to assist in transferring it into the uplift portion. The apparatus may further include a selectively operable energy responsive aeration system to inject air into the bulk material while it is being handled by the unloader, a scraper assembly attached to the feeder unit to assist in removing the last of the bulk material from its container, and a take-away assembly to transport the bulk material away from the unloader.