SELF-SUPPORTING FLEXIBLE SHIP-LOADING ARM FOR PNEUMATIC TRANSFER OF SOLIDS

摘要

The present invention provides a loading arm and apparatus for pneumatically conveying particulate matter. The loading arm is comprised of a flexible hose with a substantially rigid outer casing surrounding said flexible hose and a plurality of hinge mechanisms. The outer casing includes a plurality of elongate casing segments disposed end to end and one of the hinge mechanisms interconnects adjacent casing segments allowing the adjacent segments to pivot relative to one another around an axis of rotation normal to a surface of the outer casing. The hinge mechanisms also limit rotation about the axis of rotation to within a predetermined range and the axis of rotation are parallel to one another. The loading arm can also include one or two swivel assemblies attached to the charging and discharging ends of the flexible hose and also to the outer casing. These swivel assemblies allow the charging and discharging ends to rotate around an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the ground.