APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR UNLOADING BULK MATERIALS

摘要

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR UNLOADING BULK MATERIALS 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 means 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 means 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 means 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 means attached to the feeder means to assist in removing the last of the bulk material from its container, and a take-away means to transport the bulk material away from the unloader.