Pneumatic grain conveying apparatus for selectively discharging grain or by-passing the discharge of grain into a grain bin

摘要

A pneumatic conveying system is disclosed for conveying a granular product, such as grain, from a grain inlet device to a selected one of a plurality of grain bins or other storage vessels. The system includes a blower for forcing air under pressure into a conveyor piping system. A grain inlet device is located downstream from the blower. The piping system has a portion leading from the grain inlet to an inlet in a first one of the vessels. A discharge/bypass valve is connected to a portion of the piping system leading from the grain inlet so as to receive the granular product being conveyed therethrough with the valve having a discharge outlet for discharging the granular product into the vessel. The valve is installed on the vessel such that the discharge outlet is in communication with the interior of the vessel. The valve further has an inlet coupling operatively connected to the piping system and an outlet coupling operatively connected to another portion of the piping system downstream of the valve leading to another of the vessels. The valve has a sleeve movable between a discharge position in which the inlet coupling is disconnected from the outlet coupling such that the granular product is discharged from the piping system into the valve and then is discharged into the vessel and a by-pass position in which the inlet and outlet couplings are operatively connected so that the granular product is conveyed through the valve and into the piping system downstream from the valve.

主权项

1. A discharge/bypass valve adapted to be mounted to a vessel; said valve having a valve housing; an inlet; a discharge outlet formed by the bottom of the valve housing, and a bypass outlet; said valve inlet being defined by an inlet coupling and said bypass outlet being defined by an outlet coupling, said valve having a valve member between said inlet and by-pass outlet and which is movable between a discharge position in which a flowable dry product flowing into said valve is discharged through said discharge outlet and a by-pass position in which a flowable dry product passes through said valve from said inlet coupling to said outlet coupling; wherein, when said valve member is in said by-pass position there is a continuous fluid-tight path between said valve inlet and said valve bypass outlet; and when said valve member is in said discharge position, said valve inlet is in communication with the atmosphere, such that the pressure of fluid within said valve inlet is dissipated; wherein said valve member is a sleeve generally coaxial with said inlet and outlet coupling tubes, wherein, when said sleeve is in said discharge position, a discharge space is defined between an outlet of said sleeve and one of said inlet and outlet couplings and which is in communication with said discharge outlet of said valve, and when said sleeve is in said bypass position, said sleeve connects said inlet and outlet couplings such that said discharge outlet is bypassed, wherein said sleeve is within said valve housing in said discharge position and said by-pass position.