GB2045192A - Plant for pneumatic transport of loads in containers through a pipeline - Google Patents

Abstract

A pipeline transportation system (1) for transporting loads carried in pneumatically driven containers (2) having seals (3) at their ends comprises a number of sections each of which includes a main pipeline (6) connected to an air blower (5) and having a gate (7) for closing the pipeline (1), a part (8) of the pipeline (6) substantially equal in length to the spacing between the container seals (3) and having an increased section being located upstream of the gate (7) at a distance therefrom less than the length of each container (2). A first branch line (10) communicates with said part (8) of the pipeline and a second branch line (16) communicates with the pipeline (6) upstream of the first branch line. Valves (11), (14), (15) provided in the branch lines (10), (16) are controlled in accordance with signals from sensors (17), (18), (19) so that the containers are arrested at the gate (7) and allow to proceed one at a time. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Plant for pneumatic transport of loads in containers through a pipeline The present invention relates to pneumatic transport systems.

A system constructed in accordance with the invention can be used for transportation of containers of a relatively large diameter one metre or more with a plurality of containers being transported simultaneously.

In this specification the term "container" is used in a general sense and is intended to embrace not only a single container, but also a train of containers wherein seals of the train of containers may be in the form of ring seals mounted on the foremost and rearmost containers of the train.

According to the invention there is provided a pipeline transportation system for transporting loads in pneumatically driven containers having seals at their ends comprising a number of sections each including a main pipeline for conveying the containers, means for supplying air under pressure to the main pipeline for driving containers therealong, a gate for closing the main pipeline, a part of said main pipeline having a length substantially equal to the length of the containers between the seals thereof and a cross-section greater than the remainder of said main pipeline being located upstream of the gate in the direction of container transport and spaced at a distance therefrom less than the length of the containers, guide means in said pipeline for guiding containers therethrough, a first branch line communicating with said main pipeline part, a second branch line communicating with said main pipeline upstream of said pipeline part in the direction of transport, and means operable to connect the first branch selectively to atmosphere or a source of pressurised air, and the second branch line to atmosphere.

With such a system far less strict requirements are presented as to the accuracy with which containers must be arrested in front of the gate, and at the same time the possibility of two or more containers being dispatched at the same time through the gate is precluded. As a result, the container traffic in the system becomes normalised, which significantly reduces the probability of emergency situations.

The first branch line preferably communicates with the main pipeline through a valve so that, with the valve closed, the containers travelling in the wake of a leading container stopped in front of the gate, are efficiently braked by the compression of air in front of them.

A system constructed in accordance with the present invention can have a simple structure, which enhances the dependability of its performance.

Given hereinbelow is a detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 schematically illustrates a system for pneumatic transport of loads in containers through a pipeline, embodying the invention; Figure 2 shows on an enlarged scale across sectional view taken on line ll-ll of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a modification of the plant, wherein each section communicates with two separate air-blowing devices.

Referring now to the appended drawings, the disclosed system or plant is intended for transportation of loads and cargoes through a pipeline 1 (Figure 1) in containers 2. Each container 2 has seal rings 3 at the ends thereof.

The plant comprises loading/unloading stations 4 interconnected by the pipeline 1. The plant also comprises anair-blowing device 5 adapted to create the propelling flow or air. In the embodiment described the air-blowing device 5 is disposed adjacent to one (the left-hand one in the drawing) loading/unloading station 4 and communicates therewith.

The air-blowing device can be of any known per se structure suitable for the purpose, and is not described here in detail, so as not to interfere with the essence of the invention.

The pipeline 1 is made up of longitudinal portions or sections 6. One such portion 6 is illustrated in Figure 1, bordering at its ends with the two loading unloading stations 4.

The portion 6 comunicates with the air-blowing device 5. At the far end of each portion 6 in the direction of the container traffic there is mounted a gate 7 which in the presently described embodiment is in the form of a sliding gate. When open, the gate 7 permits unobstructed passage of the containers 2 through the pipeline 1, and when closed, it completely shuts off the pipeline 1, thus effecting in front or upstream of it the braking of the containers 2, so that the latter may be subsequently successively dispatched toward the ioading/unloading station 4.

In accordance with the invention, a part 8 of the portion 6, having a length substantially equal to the spacing between the ring seals 3 of each container 2, has a cross-section in excess of the cross-section of the pipeline 1 proper.

In the embodiment described, the cross-sectional shape of the part 8 is an oval extended in the vertical direction, as it is shown in Figure 2. The lower internal surface of the part 2 forms a continuation of the internal surface of the pipeline 1 proper. The part 8 is further provided with a guide track 9 (Figure 2) enabling each successive container 2 to travel through this part 8. The part 8 is disposed upstream or in front of the gate 7, at a spacing therefrom somewhat smaller than the length of each container 2.

The plant includes a branch pipe 10 having one its end communicating with the part 8 of the pipeline 1.

The branch pipe 10 is provided with a valve 11 adapted to close this branch pipe 10 at the moment of the commencing of the exit of a successive container 2 from the part 8.

The other end of the branch pipe 10 is selectively communicable with atmosphere and with another air-blowing device which, like in the presently described embodiment, may be the same air-blowing device 5.

Let us dwell on this point: in the embodiment described, the other end of the branch pipe 10, in its turn, bifurcates in the form of two conduits 12 and 13. The conduit 12 communicates the branch pipe 10 with atmosphere via a valve 14. The conduit 13 connects the branch pipe 10 via a valve 15, another branch pipe 16 and the pipeline 1 to the air-blowing device 5.

This another branch pipe 16 is disposed in front or upstream of the branch pipe 10, at a certain spacing therefrom. The branch pipe 16 has one its end communicating with the pipeline 1, its other end being selectively communicable with atmosphere, i.e. in the embodiment described the other end of the branch pipe 16 communicates with the conduit 13, and, thence, with the conduit 12 which can be communicated with atmosphere.

The plant further includes route sensors or pickups 17, 18, 19 intended to generate signals when a container 2 passes by them. These signals are used to control correspondingly the gate 7 and the valves 11, 14 and 15 by means of suitable known means which are not described here in detail, so as not to interfere with the essence of the invention.

The sensor 17 is disposed downstream from or beyond the gate 7 at a spacing therefrom not short of the length of a container 2. The sensor 8 is disposed directly beyond or downstream of the part 8, and the sensor 19 is disposed in front or upstream of the another branch pipe 16 at a spacing therefrom equalling the distance travelled by a container2 over the period during which a successive container exits completely beyond the gate 7. It should be pointed out that in the cases where a given portion 6 has no loading unloading station 4 downstream of it.

beyond the gate 7, the conduit 12 is made to communicate with the pipeline 1 downstream of this gate 7, and is communicable with atmosphere through the successive portion 6.

Let us consider a modification of the embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in Figure 3.

The plant comprises the same major units and components identical with those of the plant illustrated and described in connection with Figure 1 and designated with the same numerals, and also some additional units and components designated with successive numerals.

In the plant illustrated in Figure 3 the pipeline 1 also has the portion 6 with the gate 7 at the end thereof, and the part 8 upstream of the gate 7 of the cross-section in excess of that of the pipeline 1 proper. The branch pipe 10 communicates with the part 8 and is provided with the valve 11. The opposite end of the branch pipe 10 is communicable with atmosphere and with another air-blowing device 20 having a suction end and a discharge one, for which purpose the branch pipe 10 further bifurcates in the form of two conduits 21 and 22.

The conduit 21 communicates the branch pipe 10 with atmosphere through a valve 23. The conduit 22 communicates the branch pipe 10 through a valve 24 with another air-blowing device 20.

The another branch pipe 16 is selectively communicable with atmosphere through a valve 25, and, through the atmosphere, with the branch pipe 10 which is also communicable with atmosphere via the conduit 21.

The suction end of the air-blowing device 20 communicates with the loading unloading station 4 through a valve 26.

The operation of the plant illustrated in Figure 1 is conducted in three successive stages l, II and III, each stage being characterized by the corresponding positions or states of the air-switching means which in this embodiment of the inventions are represented by the gate 7 and the valves 11. 14 and 15.

The containers 2 travel through the pipeline 1 in the direction indicated with arrow line A.

Let us presume the gate 7 and the valve 15 closed.

and the valves 11 and 14 open. This relative attitudes of the gate 7 and of the valves 11, 14 and 15 correspond to stage I being conducted. The leading container 2 (the right-hand one in Figure 1) travels through the part 8 and is arrested in front of the gate 7, owing to the air being compressed between the front seal ring 3 of this container 2 and the closed gate 7.

The air flow charged by the air-blowing device 2 passes through the pipeline 1. the part 8, the branch pipe 10, the open valve 11, the conduit 12 with the open valve 14 to atmosphere.

The moment the container 2 starts leaving the part 8, the sensor 18 responds. In response to the signal sent by the sensor 18, the valve 11 is closed. and the valve 15 is opened, with the valve 14 remaining open and the gate 7 remaining closed. This switching over of the system made up of the gate 7 and the valves 11. 14 and 15 heralds the commencing of stage II.

The air flow from the air-blowing device 5 now passes through the branch pipe 16, the conduit 13 with the open valve 15 and the conduit 12 with the open valve 14to atmosphere.

Every container 2 moving now along the portion 6 intermediate the branch pipes 10 and 16 is effeciently braked by the compression of the air in front of it, while containers 2 traveling in the pipeline 1 upstream of the branch pipe 16 continue their motion.

If the loading unloading station 4 is ready to receive a successive container 2, and there are no moving containers 2 in the area between the sensor 19 and the gate 7, this means that after the preceding actuation of the sensor 19 there has elapsed sufficient time for arresting the container 2 in the area between the branch pipe 16 and the gate 7. In this case the gate 7 opens, the valve 11 is opened, too, while the valve 14 is closed, and the valve 15 remains open. This relative attitude of the airswitching means corresponds to stage Ill of the operation of the plant.

During this stage the air flow from the air-blowing device 5 passes through the branch pipe 16, the conduit 13 with the open valve 15 and the branch pipe 10 with the open valve 11 into the part 8.

Consequently, there is created a propelling pressure drop across the foremost ring seal 3 of the container 2 arrested directly in front of the gate 7, and this container 2 starts its motion through the open gate 7 towards the loading unloading station 4.

It should be pointed out that since, in accordance with the present invention, the distance from the gate 7 to the part 8 is somewhat short of the length of the container 2, at any relative positions of the containers 2 which have arrived at the closed gate 7, upon the latter opening, only one container 2, which has arrived first, is going to be dispatched in any case. This manner of dispatching the containers 2 (i.e. the one-by-one manner) upon the gate 7 opening is maintained even when two containers 2 arrive at the closed gate 7 with the trailing one of them immediately following the leading one.

Such a situation in a real-life plant is quite possible, e.g. on account of the tolerable differences between the parameters of the containers 2, i.e. their mass, velocity, etc.

In such a case, i.e. when two containers arrive at the closed gate 7 with the trailing one of them immediately following the leading one, and the leading container 2 stops directly in front ofthe gate 7, with the valve 11 opening there is produced a pressure drop solely across the front ring seal 3 of the leading container 2, because the rear seal 3 thereof, and by all means the front seal 3 of the trailing container 2 are in this case situated within the part 8 having the cross-section in excess of that of the pipeline 1 proper.

This situation ensures that the flow of the propelling air freely passes to the front seal 3 of the leading container 2, creating thereacross the pressure drop effecting the dispatching of this container 2.

The last-mentioned container 2 which has been idling directly in front of the gate 7 now moves along the pipeline 1 through the open gate 7 and actuates the sensor 17 (in practical embodiments the sensor 17 may be positioned within the loading/undloading station 4). The signal sent by the thus actuated sensor 17 results in the gate 7 and the valve 15 closing, the valve 14 opening, and the valve 11 remaining open. Thus, the gate 7, the valves 11, 14 and 15 are restored to their respective positions corresponding to stage I of the operation of the plant. Then the abovedescribed operating cycle of the plant is repeated.

In accordance with the present invention, owing to the length of the part 8 of each portion 6 of the pipeline 1, of the cross-section in excess of the cross-section of the pipeline 1 proper, being substantially equal to the spacing between the ring seals 3 of each container 2, upon the opening of the gate 7 there is dispatched only one container 2 - the one which is the leading one among those moving along the portion 6 of the pipeline 1 - even when this leading container does not enter completely the area of the pipeline 1 intermediate the gate 7 and the one branch pipe 10, while the successive container 2 follows immediately in its wake.

As it has been already mentioned, such a case is altogether probable in a real-life plant, particularly, when containers 2 of relatively great dimensions and mass are transported.

The dispatching of a single container 2 in this case is ensured, because with the valve 11 opening, the flow of the propelling air passes therethrough into the pipeline 1 throughout the extent of the part 8 thereof, thus creating a pressure drop across the foremost seal 3 of the leading container 2, sufficient for sending the latter through the open gate 7, whereas there is no such pressure drop across the ring seals 3 of the container 2 following in its wake and of other trailing containers 2.

The operation of the plant in accordance with the invention in the modification illustrated in Figure 3 of the appended drawings is similar to the abovedescribed operation, and includes a similar succession of stages i, II and Ill.

During stage 1, the gate 7 of the valves 23,25 and 26 are closed, while the valves 11 and 24 are open, and the air flow supplied by the air-blowing devices 5 and 20 propels containers 2 throughout the extent of the portion 6 of the pipeline 1. Upon the leading one of the containers 2 having actuated the sensor 18, the valve 11 closes, while the valves 23 and 25 open, and stage II of the operation of the plant commences.

Now the air flow supplied by the air-blowing device 5 is directed into atmosphere, and the containers 2 are arrested within the pipeline 1 intermediate the one branch pipe 10 and the another branch pipe 16.

The commencing of stage Ill is now possible under the same conditions that have been discussed in connection with the commencing of stage Ill in the plant illustrated in Figure 1, viz; the loading/unloading station 4 beyond the gate 7 is ready to receive a successive container 2, and there is no moving containers in the pipeline 1 intermediate the sensor 19 and the gate 7, i.e. a sufficient period of time has passed after the actuation of the sensor 19.

The commencing of stage Ill is manifested by the gate 7 opening, the valves 11 and 26 also opening, and the valve 24 closing. The container 7 arrested in front of the gate 7 is propelled by the air flow supplied by the air-blowing device 20 through the gate 7 and appears at the loading/unloading station 4, actuating the sensor 17 en route.

The signal sent by the sensor 17 restores the plant to stage I, with the gate 7 and the valves 23, 26 closing, and the valves 11, 24 and 25 opening. Thus the operating cycle commences once again from stage I.

If in a plant or installation of a considerable length the transport pipeline 1 has to be broken up into a plurality of portions 6, in some places the loading/ unloading station 4 may be substituted with a sluice or lock station of any suitable known per se structure.

In accordance with the invention, there has been constructed and tested a pilot model of the plant which has proved the operability of the principles embodied in this plant.

In the course of the testing series, there was repeatedly performed the successive, one-by-one dispatching of containers, including cases where the trailing container was actually engaging the leading one, from one portion of the pipeline into a succeeding portion.

It should be understood that those competent in the art may introduce various modifications and changes into the plant for pneumatic transport of loads in containers through a pipeline, which has been described hereinabove solely as an illustrative example, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (5)

1. A pipeline transportation system fortransporting loads in pneumatically driven containers having seals at their ends comprising a number of sections each including a main pipeline for conveying the containers, means for supplying air under pressure to the main pipeline for driving containers therealong, a gate for closing the main pipeline, a part of said main pipeline having a length substantially equal to the length of the containers between the seals thereof and a cross-section greater than the remainder of said main pipeline being located upstream of the gate in the direction of container transport and spaced at a distance therefrom less than the length of the containers, guide means in said pipeline for guiding containers therethrough, a first branch line communicating with said main pipeline part, a second branch line communicating with said main pipeline upstream of said pipeline part in the direction of transport, and means operable to connect the first branch selectively to atmosphere or a source of pressurised air, and the second branch line to atmosphere.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said operable means is adjustable to connect the first branch line to said second branch line for pressurised air to be supplied thereto from the main pipeline via the second pipeline.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the operable means includes means adjustable either two connect the second branch line to atmosphere or close the second branch line, and means adjustable to connect the first branch line to atmosphere or to a further means for supplying air under pressure.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said first branch pipe communicates with said portion of the main pipeline through a valve operable to close the first branch line.

5. A pipeline transportation system for transporting loads in containers, substantially as hereintofore described with reference to the appended drawings.