GB1223243A - Feeder for non-flowing powder - Google Patents

Abstract

1,223,243. Pneumatic conveyers. LA SOUDURE ELECTRIQUE AUTOGENE, PROCEDES ARCOS, S.A. 1 Oct., 1969 [15 Oct., 1968], No. 48294/69. Heading B8A. A device for feeding a non-flowing powder from a rotatable container 32 into a pneumatic conveying line 56 comprises a rotatable disc 20 extending into powder in the container and having holes 46 therein distributed around and spaced from its circumference, the powder entering the holes from both sides of the disc, and rubber faced shear plates 40, 41 on opposite sides of the disc for removing excess powder therefrom prior to the sequential co-operation of the holes 46 with both the discharge line 56 and a gas pressure supply line 57, whereby the powder is conveyed away. The disc 20 may rotate about a horizontal axis but is preferably rotatable about an inclined axis whereby due to the rotation of the container 32, powder is assisted into the holes 46 from one side of the disc as the hole moves into the powder and from the other side as the hole moves out of the powder, a pair of ploughs 38 also assisting powder into the holes. Further holes 48 in the disc tend to relieve pressure build up in the powder. The circumferential spacing between the holes 46 is less than their diameter whereby there is always a part of a hole 46 in communication with the discharge line 56. The whole device is mounted in a gas tight enclosure Fig. 6 (not shown) comprising a lower portion housing the feeding device and its drive, and an upper portion formed as an air-lock and housing an apparatus for filling the container. The latter apparatus comprises a powder holding drum rotatable in steps about a vertical axis, and at each step a plunger displaces a plug of powder through an aperture in the drum base into the container in the lower portion, the plunger sealing the passage between upper and lower portions when the drum is being refilled. A plough in the drum distributes the powder once a plug thereof has been dispensed.