JP2024011671A - Pneumatic unloader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce maintenance frequency by eliminating clearance adjustment work.

SOLUTION: A pneumatic unloader comprises: first and second outlet passages O1, O2 that are branched from an outlet portion 31 of a receiver tank 2; first and second slide gates G1, G2 provided in parallel with the first and second outlet passages, respectively; a switching damper 51 provided at a branch portion J of the first and second outlet passages and switchable between a first position P1 and a second position P2; a first level sensor S1 including lower and upper first level sensors S1L, S1H detecting the presence or absence of a load; a second level sensor S2L including lower and upper second level sensors S2L, S2H; and a control device E controlling the first and second slide gates and the switching damper on the basis of detection results of the first and second level sensors. The control device controls the first and second slide gates in such a way as to open and close the first and second slide gates alternately.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

COPYRIGHT: (C)2024,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present disclosure relates to pneumatic unloaders.

In general, ports are equipped with pneumatic unloaders that suck up bulk loads such as grains transported by ships and unload them.

This pneumatic unloader is equipped with a rotary feeder to discharge (cut out) the sucked up load at a substantially constant flow rate. By adjusting the gap between the blade at the tip of the rotor and the side cover and casing, the rotary feeder minimizes air leakage and efficiently discharges the load from the vacuum side to the atmosphere side. .

The position of the blades and the gap can be adjusted by attaching bolts inserted into the long holes of the blades to the rotor. As the blades wear out over long periods of use, the gaps become larger, increasing the amount of air leakage and reducing efficiency. Therefore, in such a case, adjustments are made to reduce the gap by shifting the mounting position of the blade.

JP2022-49771A

However, rotary feeders pose problems in terms of adjustment and maintenance due to blade wear. As the blade wears, its position needs to be adjusted and eventually the blade needs to be replaced. Such maintenance work must be performed in a narrow space on the unloader machine. Further, the rotary feeder may be transported to a factory for maintenance, and in this case, the rotary feeder must be removed in a narrow space on the unloader machine.

Further, even if the gap is adjusted, since the gap inevitably exists due to the structure, air leakage is unavoidable and may have a negative effect on the efficiency of the unloader.

The present disclosure has been devised in view of the above circumstances, and one purpose thereof is to provide a pneumatic unloader that can reduce maintenance frequency by eliminating clearance adjustment work.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a pneumatic unloader that can reduce the amount of leakage air by reducing the gap and improve efficiency.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure,
a receiver tank that stores the sucked load;
a first outlet passage and a second outlet passage provided branchingly at the outlet portion of the receiver tank;
a first slide gate and a second slide gate provided in parallel in the first exit passage and the second exit passage, respectively;
A switching damper provided at a branching portion of the first exit passage and the second exit passage, the switching damper having a first position for guiding the load toward the first slide gate and a switching damper for guiding the load toward the second slide gate. a switching damper that can be switched to a second position;
a first level sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a load at a position between the first slide gate and the switching damper, the first level sensor including a lower first level sensor and an upper first level sensor;
a second level sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a load at a position between the second slide gate and the switching damper, the second level sensor including a lower second level sensor and an upper second level sensor;
a control device that controls the first slide gate, the second slide gate, and the switching damper based on detection results of the first level sensor and the second level sensor;
Equipped with
A pneumatic unloader is provided, wherein the control device controls the first slide gate and the second slide gate so as to alternately open and close the first slide gate and the second slide gate.

Preferably, the control device comprises:
switching the switching damper to the first position with the first slide gate fully closed;
Thereafter, when the upper first level sensor detects a load, the switching damper is switched to the second position with the second slide gate fully closed, and the first slide gate is opened.

Preferably, the control device then closes the first slide gate when the lower first level sensor no longer detects a load.

According to other aspects of the disclosure:
a receiver tank that stores the sucked load;
a first slide gate and a second slide gate provided in series from below at the outlet of the receiver tank;
a level sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a load at a position between the first slide gate and the second slide gate, the level sensor including a lower level sensor and an upper level sensor;
a control device that controls the first slide gate and the second slide gate based on the detection result of the level sensor;
Equipped with
A pneumatic unloader is provided, wherein the control device controls the first slide gate and the second slide gate so as to alternately open and close the first slide gate and the second slide gate.

Preferably, the control device comprises:
opening the second slide gate with the first slide gate fully closed;
Thereafter, when the upper level sensor detects a load, the second slide gate is fully closed, and then the first slide gate is opened.

Preferably, the control device then fully closes the first slide gate and then opens the second slide gate when the lower level sensor no longer detects the load.

According to the present disclosure, maintenance frequency can be reduced by eliminating clearance adjustment work. In addition, the gap can be reduced to reduce the amount of leaked air and improve efficiency.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a pneumatic unloader according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the delivery device of the present embodiment. It is a top view which shows a fixed gate member. It is a top view which shows a movable gate member. It is a top view which shows the 1st slide gate when it is fully open. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing the first slide gate when fully opened. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing the first slide gate when fully closed. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing the first slide gate when it is half open. It is a flowchart which shows the content of control in a sending-out apparatus. It is a side sectional view showing the sending-out device of other embodiments. It is a flowchart which shows the content of control in the sending-out apparatus of other embodiments.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 1, a ship S is anchored at a port, with cargo B, which is bulk goods such as grain, loaded in a hold K. A pneumatic unloader (hereinafter simply referred to as an unloader) 100 is installed on the quay Q of the port for sucking up and discharging the cargo B stored in the hold K. For convenience, the front, back, left, right, top and bottom directions are defined as shown in the figure.

A pair of rails R extending along the quay Q are installed, and the unloader 100 is equipped with a traveling frame 1 capable of traveling on the rails R. The unloader 100 also includes a receiver tank 2 that is rotatable on the traveling frame 1. The receiver tank 2 is pivotable with respect to the traveling frame 1 around a pivot axis C1 extending in the vertical direction as shown by an arrow a.

One end of an air suction pipe 3 is connected to the top of the receiver tank 2, and the other end of the air suction pipe 3 is connected to a vacuum pump 4 made of, for example, a Roots blower. The vacuum pump 4 is installed in a machine room 5 connected to the receiver tank 2.

A base end of a horizontal pipe 6 extending in the horizontal direction is connected via a ball joint 19 to an input port 35 (see FIG. 2) which is an inlet for the load B of the receiver tank 2 . The horizontal pipe 6 can be expanded and contracted in its longitudinal direction as shown by arrow b, so that the position of a nozzle 7, which is a suction port for the load B, in the horizontal direction or in the longitudinal direction of the horizontal pipe can be adjusted.

A base end of a boom 8 shown by a phantom line is attached to the receiver tank 2 so as to be movable up and down as shown by an arrow c. The horizontal pipe 6 is attached along the boom 8 and can be raised and lowered together with the boom 8. In the illustrated example, the horizontal pipe 6 and the boom 8 extend toward the sea side or the ship S side (front side).

At the distal end of the horizontal tube 6, the base end of a bent tube 9 bent 90 degrees downward is integrally attached. A base end or an upper end of a vertical pipe 10 extending in the vertical direction is connected to the tip of the curved pipe 9 via a swing joint 11 so as to be rotatable as shown by an arrow d.

During cargo handling work, the vertical pipe 10 is inserted into the hold K of the ship S through the hatch H. The vertical pipe 10 can be expanded and contracted in its longitudinal direction as shown by the arrow e, so that the height position of the nozzle 7 can be adjusted according to the height position of the cargo B or the ship S.

A nozzle 7 is attached to the top or bottom end of the vertical tube 10. The nozzle 7 is brought close to or in contact with the cargo B in the cargo hold K, and sucks the cargo B in the cargo hold K.

In order to be able to finely adjust the position and orientation of the nozzle 7, the upper and lower ends of the vertical tube 10 are formed by flexible tubes 12.

A filter, ie, a bag filter 13, is provided at the upper end of the receiver tank 2 to prevent the load B from being sucked toward the vacuum pump 4.

Further, a chute 14 is provided below the receiver tank 2, so that the load B discharged from the outlet of the receiver tank 2 is dropped and supplied to one end of the in-machine conveyor 15.

A ground chute 16 is provided at the other end of the in-machine conveyor 15 and projects downward. The load B conveyed to the other end of the in-machine conveyor 15 is dropped and supplied to the ground conveyor 17 through the ground chute 16. In this embodiment, a plurality of (two) ground chutes 16 are provided corresponding to a plurality of (two) ground conveyors 17. A slide gate 18 is provided at the upper end of each ground chute 16, so that the ground chute 16 used for supplying the load B to the ground conveyor 17 can be selected.

Note that the chute 14 and the in-machine conveyor 15 are installed on the traveling frame 1 side and do not rotate together with the receiver tank 2. The number of ground chute 16 may be one, and the slide gate 18 may be omitted.

Conventionally, a rotary feeder as a vacuum cutting device or a feeding device is provided in the middle of the chute 14, and the discharge flow rate of the load B to the in-machine conveyor 15 (the amount of load B discharged per unit time) is controlled by this rotary feeder. It was controlled to be approximately constant, and the vacuum side and the atmosphere side were isolated. That is, the upper side of the rotary feeder is the vacuum side, and the lower side is the atmosphere side.

However, when a rotary feeder is used, the above-mentioned problems occur, that is, troublesome maintenance and a decrease in efficiency due to gaps.

Therefore, in this embodiment, another feeding device is installed in place of the rotary feeder, and the above problem is solved using this.

FIG. 2 shows the feeding device of this embodiment. The sending device 30 includes the above-mentioned receiver tank 2 that stores the sucked load B, a first outlet passage O1 and a second outlet passage O2 that are branched from the outlet part 31 of the receiver tank 2, and a first outlet. A first slide gate G1 and a second slide gate G2 provided in parallel in the passage O1 and the second exit passage O2, respectively, and a switching damper provided at the branch J of the first exit passage O1 and the second exit passage O3. 51.

The feeding device 30 also includes a first level sensor S1 for detecting the presence or absence of the load B at a position between the first slide gate G1 and the switching damper 51, and a first level sensor S1 at a position between the second slide gate G2 and the switching damper 51. Controls the first slide gate G1, second slide gate G2, and switching damper 51 based on the detection results of the second level sensor S2 for detecting the presence or absence of the load B, the first level sensor S1, and the second level sensor S2. A control device E is provided.

The first level sensor S1 includes a lower first level sensor S1L and an upper first level sensor S1H. The second level sensor S2 includes a lower second level sensor S2L and an upper second level sensor S2H.

The control device E controls the first slide gate G1 and the second slide gate G2 so as to alternately open and close the first slide gate G1 and the second slide gate G2.

Each part will be explained in detail below. The receiver tank 2 is a vertically long cylindrical container having a central axis C2 coaxial with the rotation axis C1. Hereinafter, the axial direction, radial direction, and circumferential direction with respect to the central axis C2 will be simply referred to as the axial direction, radial direction, and circumferential direction.

The receiver tank 2 includes a main cylindrical portion 32 having a constant radius, and a tapered cylindrical portion 33 that is connected to the lower end of the main cylindrical portion 32 and whose diameter gradually decreases downward. At a predetermined height position of the main cylinder portion 32, an input port 35 for supplying or inputting the load B into the receiver tank 2 is connected diagonally downward. This input port 35 is connected to the ball joint 19 shown in FIG. 1, and receives the load B from the ball joint 19.

The inlet ends of the first outlet passage O1 and the second outlet passage O2 are connected to the lower end portion of the tapered cylindrical portion 33 to form a branch portion J. There are a first outlet passage O1 and a second outlet passage O2 on the downstream side of the tapered cylindrical portion 33 in the flow direction of the load B. Therefore, the load B falling inside the tapered cylindrical portion 33 is supplied to one of the first outlet passage O1 and the second outlet passage O2, which are opened by the switching damper 51. The configurations of the first outlet passage O1 side and the second outlet passage O2 side are symmetrical with respect to the central axis C2. Therefore, in the following, only the first outlet passage O1 side will be described in detail.

The first outlet passage O1 is formed into a generally vertically elongated pipe or duct with a circular cross section. However, the cross-sectional shape of the first outlet passage O1 is arbitrary, and may be square, for example. An inlet end or an upper end of the first outlet passage O1 is connected to the tapered cylindrical portion 33 at right angles. The first outlet passage O1 extends obliquely downward from the inlet end toward the outlet side away from the central axis C2, and then is bent and extends downward in the vertical direction. The first outlet passage O1 therefore has an upper inclined part 52 and a lower vertical part 53. An outlet end or a lower end (not shown) of the first outlet passage O1 is connected in series to the chute 14 described above.

The first slide gate G1 is provided in the vertical portion 53. The first slide gate G1 opens and closes the vertical portion 53 to allow or block the flow of cargo.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the first slide gate G1 when it is fully closed. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the fixed gate member 37, which is a component of the first slide gate G1. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the movable gate member 38, which is a component of the first slide gate G1.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the first slide gate G1 includes a fixed gate member 37 and a movable gate member . The fixed gate member 37 has a plurality of (five in the illustrated example) links 39 extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, that is, in a horizontal direction. These links 39 are arranged parallel to each other and extend across the vertical portion 53. In this embodiment, a circular ring-shaped rim 40 is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the vertical portion 53, and both ends of each link 39 are fixed to this rim 40. However, the rim 40 may be omitted and both ends of each link 39 may be directly fixed to the vertical portion 53. A total of a plurality of fixed slits 41 (six in the illustrated example) are formed between each link 39 for allowing the load B to pass through.

The upper surface part of the link 39 is formed to be inclined so that the load B that falls there can smoothly slide down into the fixed slit 41, and specifically, it is formed in a mountain-shaped cross section. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the link 39 is a pentagonal shape similar to a home base, and the link 39 has a solid structure. However, the structure and shape of the link 39 are not limited to this, and for example, the link 39 may be formed of a plate material having an L-shaped cross section (for example, L-shaped steel) and arranged so that the upper surface portion is chevron-shaped.

The movable gate member 38 is formed of a flat plate having a rectangular shape in plan view, and is superimposed on the lower surface of the fixed gate member 37 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction as indicated by the arrow f. Note that the vertical portion 53 is provided with support members (not shown) that slidably support the left and right side edges of the movable gate member 38. The movable gate member 38 has a plurality of (six in the illustrated example) movable slits 42 that fully open the fixed slit 41 when the first slide gate G1 is fully opened. A closing portion 43 is provided between the movable slits 42 to fully close the fixed slit 41 when the first slide gate G1 is fully closed.

The link 39, the fixed slit 41, the movable slit 42, and the closing part 43 extend in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction f.

The width W1 of the movable slit 42 in the sliding direction f is made equal to the width W2 of the fixed slit 41. Further, the width W3 of the closing portion 43 is made equal to the width W4 of the lattice 39. In the case of this embodiment, W1=W2=W3=W4. However, these dimensions can be set arbitrarily.

The first slide gate G1 includes an actuator 44 such as a hydraulic cylinder that drives the movable gate member 38. This actuator 44 is electrically connected to the control device E. When the actuator 44 operates according to a command from the control device E, the movable gate member 38 slides in the sliding direction f, and is opened and closed.

5 and 6 are a plan view and a side sectional view showing the first slide gate G1 when it is fully opened. At this time, the fixed slit 41 and the movable slit 42 have the same width and are perfectly aligned in the vertical or vertical direction, and the fixed slit 41 is completely opened by the movable slit 42. Further, at this time, the link 39 and the closing part 43 also have the same width and are perfectly aligned in the vertical direction or the vertical direction.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing the first slide gate G1 when it is fully closed. At this time, the movable gate member 38 is slid further rearward than when fully opened. The closing part 43 is perfectly aligned in the vertical direction with the same width as the fixed slit 41, and the fixed slit 41 is completely closed by the closing part 43 or the movable gate member 38. Moreover, at this time, the movable slit 42 is perfectly aligned in the vertical direction with the same width as the link 39.

When fully closed, the fixed slit 41 is completely closed, and the movable gate member 38 is brought into close contact with the fixed gate member 37 by suction force. Therefore, the gap between the fixed gate member 37 and the movable gate member 38 can be reduced, and leakage of air passing through the first slide gate G1 can be suppressed.

Incidentally, the first slide gate G1 can also be opened half-open or at an intermediate opening as shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing the first slide gate G1 when it is half open or at an intermediate opening degree. At this time, the movable gate member 38 is positioned between the fully open and fully closed states. A part of the fixed slit 41 in the width direction is opened by the movable slit 42, but the remaining part of the fixed slit 41 is closed by the closing part 43 or the movable gate member 38, and the fixed slit 41 is in a half-open state.

The second outlet passage O2 is configured symmetrically with the first outlet passage O1 with the central axis C2 as a boundary. The second slide gate G2 is configured in the same manner as the first slide gate G1, and is provided in the vertical portion 53 of the second exit passage O2 at the same height as the first slide gate G1.

The switching damper 51 has a rotation shaft 54 and a closing plate 55 that is rotatable about the rotation shaft 54 as indicated by an arrow i. The closing plate 55 has a first position P1 which opens the inlet end of the first outlet passage O1 and airtightly closes the inlet end of the second outlet passage O2, and a first position P1 which opens the inlet end of the second outlet passage O2 and closes the inlet end of the second outlet passage O2. It is rotatable between a second position P2 that hermetically closes the inlet end of O1.

When the closing plate 55, that is, the switching damper 51 is in the first position P1, the load B supplied into the receiver tank 2 is guided only to the first exit passage O1, that is, the first slide gate G1 side, and is guided only to the second exit passage O2. In other words, the flow toward the second slide gate G2 is blocked. Conversely, when the closing plate 55, that is, the switching damper 51 is in the second position P2, the load B supplied into the receiver tank 2 is guided only to the second exit passage O2, that is, the second slide gate G2 side, and The flow toward the exit passage O1, that is, the first slide gate G1 is blocked.

Note that although a rotary type switching damper 51 is shown here, the type of the switching damper is arbitrary, and may be of a sliding type, for example.

The lower first level sensor S1L and the upper first level sensor S1H are located downstream of the switching damper 51 and upstream of the first slide gate G1, and are arranged in the vertical portion 53. The lower first level sensor S1L is located at a height above and near the first slide gate G1. The upper first level sensor S1H is located above the lower first level sensor S1L and at a height that is the same as or slightly lower than the rotation axis 54.

The lower first level sensor S1L and the upper first level sensor S1H are configured, for example, by well-known paddle type level sensors, and are turned on when the load B is detected (when the load B is at the height of the level sensor). It turns off when load B is not detected (when load B is not at the height of the level sensor). Note that the lower first level sensor S1L and the upper first level sensor S1H may be configured with sensors other than paddle type level sensors.

The same applies to the lower second level sensor S2L and the upper second level sensor S2H.

The control device E is constituted by a well-known control unit equipped with a CPU, memory, etc., and is electrically connected to the first and second slide gates G1 and G2 and each level sensor S1L, S1H, S2L, and S2H. There is.

The feeding device 30 has a gate position sensor 45 for each slide gate to detect the actual position of the movable gate member 38. The gate position sensor 45 is composed of, for example, a well-known encoder. These gate position sensors 45 are also electrically connected to the control device E. The control device E controls the position of the movable gate member 38 and the opening degree of the slide gate based on the signal from the gate position sensor 45.

Next, the operation of the unloader 100 and the delivery device 30 will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 1, during cargo handling operation of the unloader 100, the vacuum pump 4 is operated and the cargo B in the hold K is sucked in through the nozzle 7. This sucked load B rises within the vertical pipe 10 and reaches the horizontal pipe 6 through the curved pipe 9. Then, it moves within the horizontal pipe 6 and is thrown into the receiver tank 2 through the injection port 35.

Thereafter, the load B passes through the delivery device 30, and at this time, the flow rate of the load B is controlled. The load B discharged from the delivery device 30 is finally sent to the ground conveyor 17 via a route including the chute 14, the in-flight conveyor 15, and the ground chute 16.

Inside the receiver tank 2, the load B input from the input port 35 falls as shown by the arrow g, and the air flow rises as shown by the arrow h, so that the load B and the air flow are separated. The rising air flow passes through the bag filter 13, and at this time, the dust contained in the air flow is filtered out by the bag filter 13. After this, the air flow reaches the vacuum pump 4 and is released to the atmosphere through the exhaust pipe.

During such cargo handling operation, the first and second slide gates G1 and G2 are controlled by the control device E as follows. An example of control will be described below.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of normal operation and control in the delivery device 30. The code Sn (n is an integer) represents the step number. Here, as an initial state (S0), the receiver tank 2 and the first and second outlet passages O1 and O2 are empty (there is no load B), and therefore each level sensor S1L, S1H, S2L, and S2H is turned off. Assume that the first and second slide gates G1 and G2 are fully closed and the switching damper 51 is at the first position P1.

When the cargo handling operation is started from this initial state and the cargo B is supplied into the receiver tank 2, the cargo B is guided to the first exit passage O1 and accumulates on the first slide gate G1. First, the lower first level sensor S1L is turned on (S1), and then the upper first level sensor S1H is turned on (S2).

Then, the switching damper 51 is switched to the second position P2, and the first slide gate G1 is opened, particularly fully opened (S3). As a result, the load B supplied into the receiver tank 2 is guided toward the second slide gate G2 and accumulated on the second slide gate G2. Further, the load B accumulated on the first slide gate G1 passes through the first slide gate G1 and falls, and is delivered to the in-machine conveyor 15.

Thereafter, the level of the load B decreases in the first exit passage O1, and after the upper first level sensor S1H is turned off, the lower first level sensor S1L is turned off (S4). Then, the first slide gate G1 is fully closed (S5).

On the other hand, the level of the load B increases in the second exit passage O2, and after the lower second level sensor S2L is turned on, the upper second level sensor S2H is turned on (S6).

Then, the switching damper 51 is switched to the first position P1, and the second slide gate G2 is opened, particularly fully opened (S7). As a result, the load B supplied into the receiver tank 2 is again guided toward the first slide gate G1 and accumulated on the first slide gate G1. Further, the load B accumulated on the second slide gate G2 passes through the second slide gate G2, falls, and is delivered to the in-machine conveyor 15.

Thereafter, the level of the load B decreases in the second exit passage O2, and after the upper second level sensor S2H is turned off, the lower second level sensor S2L is turned off (S8). Then, the second slide gate G2 is fully closed (S9).

On the other hand, since the level of the load B increases in the first outlet passage O1, the process returns to step S2 and the above-described control is repeated.

In this way, the control device E alternately opens and closes the first slide gate G1 and the second slide gate G2. Further, the control device E switches the position of the switching damper 51 in accordance with switching between opening and closing of the first slide gate G1 and the second slide gate G2.

In this embodiment, when the load B is accumulated in one of the first exit passage O1 and the second exit passage O2, the corresponding one of the first slide gate G1 and the second slide gate G2 closes that one passage. Then, the switching damper 51 closes the other passage. Therefore, leakage of air from the atmosphere side (lower side) to the vacuum side (upper side) of the delivery device 30 can be prevented. Therefore, compared to conventional unloaders using rotary feeders, the gap is reduced (virtually eliminated), the amount of leakage air is reduced (virtually eliminated), and the efficiency (e.g. energy efficiency of the unloader) is increased. It can be improved.

Further, even when the load B is being discharged from one of the first exit passage O1 and the second exit passage O2, the switching damper 51 closes that one passage, and the first slide gate G1 and the second slide gate G2 are closed. The other closes off the other's passage. Therefore, even at this time, leakage of air through the delivery device 30 can be prevented, and efficiency can be improved.

Further, there is no need to adjust the gap for each slide gate G1, G2. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the work of adjusting the gap and reduce the frequency of maintenance. Also, the burden of maintenance can be significantly reduced.

[Other embodiments]
Next, other embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. Note that the same parts as in the basic embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and explanation thereof will be omitted.Hereinafter, differences from the basic embodiment will be mainly explained.

FIG. 10 shows the feeding device of this embodiment. The delivery device 30 includes the above-mentioned receiver tank 2 that stores the sucked load B, and a first slide gate G1 and a second slide gate G2 that are provided in series from the bottom at the outlet portion 31 of the receiver tank 2. Be prepared.

The feeding device 30 also includes a level sensor S for detecting the presence or absence of the load B at a position between the first slide gate G1 and the second slide gate G2, and a level sensor S for detecting the presence or absence of the load B at a position between the first slide gate G1 and the second slide gate G2. and a control device E that controls the second slide gate G2. Level sensor S includes a lower level sensor SL and an upper level sensor SH.

The control device E controls the first slide gate G1 and the second slide gate G2 so as to alternately open and close the first slide gate G1 and the second slide gate G2.

Each part will be explained in detail below. The receiver tank 2 is generally the same as described above, and has the same main cylinder part 32 and tapered cylinder part 33 as described above. Coaxially connected to the lower end of the tapered cylindrical portion 33 is an outlet cylindrical portion 61 that has a constant radius smaller than that of the main cylindrical portion 32 and extends in the vertical direction. The outlet cylinder portion 61 is formed by a pipe or duct having a circular cross section. However, the cross-sectional shape of the outlet cylindrical portion 61 is arbitrary, and may be square, for example. An outlet end or a lower end (not shown) of the outlet tube portion 61 is connected in series to the chute 14 described above.

The first slide gate G1 and the second slide gate G2 are provided in the outlet cylindrical portion 61. These slide gates G1 and G2 themselves are similar to those in the basic embodiment described above, and open and close the outlet cylindrical portion 61 to allow or block the flow of cargo. The second slide gate G2 is located a predetermined distance above the first slide gate G1.

The lower level sensor SL is located at a height above and near the first slide gate G1. The upper level sensor SH is located at a height above the lower level sensor SL and below and in the vicinity of the second slide gate G2. These level sensors SL and SH themselves are the same as those in the basic embodiment, and are turned on and off depending on the presence or absence of load B.

The control device E is also the same as described above, and the gate position sensor 45 is also provided in the same manner as described above.

Next, the operation of the unloader 100 and the delivery device 30 of this embodiment will be explained.

During cargo handling operation of the unloader 100, the first and second slide gates G1 and G2 are controlled by the control device E as follows. An example of control will be described below.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of normal operation and control in the delivery device 30. Here, as an initial state (S20), the receiver tank 2 is empty (there is no load B), so each level sensor SL, SH is off, and the first slide gate G1 is fully closed. Assume that the second slide gate G2 is open, particularly fully open.

When the cargo handling operation is started from this initial state and the cargo B is supplied into the receiver tank 2, the cargo B is accumulated on the first slide gate G1. First, the lower level sensor SL is turned on (S21), and then the upper level sensor SH is turned on (S22).

Then, the second slide gate G2 is first fully closed (S23), and then the first slide gate G1 is opened, particularly fully opened (S24). As a result, the load B supplied into the receiver tank 2 accumulates on the second slide gate G2. Further, the load B accumulated on the first slide gate G1 passes through the first slide gate G1 and falls, and is delivered to the in-machine conveyor 15.

Since the second slide gate G2 is fully closed before opening the first slide gate G1, it is possible to prevent both slide gates from momentarily opening simultaneously when switching between opening and closing of both slide gates. Therefore, leakage of air from the atmosphere side to the vacuum side can be prevented, and efficiency can be improved.

Thereafter, the level of the load B accumulated on the first slide gate G1 decreases, and after the upper level sensor SH is turned off, the lower level sensor SL is turned off (S25). Then, the first slide gate G1 is fully closed (S26).

Thereafter, the second slide gate G2 is fully opened (S27), and the load B accumulated on the second slide gate G2 passes through the second slide gate G2 and falls, and is accumulated on the first slide gate G1. To go.

In this way, the initial state is returned, and the load B is accumulated on the first slide gate G1 until the upper level sensor SH is turned on in step S22.

Before opening the second slide gate G2 in step S27, the first slide gate G1 is fully closed in step S26, so as described above, both slide gates momentarily simultaneously open and close when switching between opening and closing of both slide gates. This can prevent it from becoming open. Therefore, leakage of air from the atmosphere side to the vacuum side can be prevented, and efficiency can be improved.

In this manner, also in this embodiment, the control device E alternately opens and closes the first slide gate G1 and the second slide gate G2.

In this embodiment, when the first slide gate G1 is closed (fully closed), the first slide gate G1 itself prevents air from leaking from the atmosphere side to the vacuum side. Further, when the first slide gate G1 is open (fully open), the second slide gate G2 is closed to prevent air from leaking from the atmosphere side to the vacuum side. Therefore, leakage of air from the atmosphere side to the vacuum side can be always prevented. And compared to conventional unloaders using rotary feeders, the gap is reduced (virtually eliminated), the amount of leakage air is reduced (virtually eliminated), and efficiency (e.g., energy efficiency of the unloader) is improved. be able to.

Further, there is no need to adjust the gap for each slide gate G1, G2. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the work of adjusting the gap and reduce the frequency of maintenance. Also, the burden of maintenance can be significantly reduced.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, various embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure are possible.

(1) In the above-described embodiment, the first and second slide gates G1 and G2 are always opened fully; however, the present invention is not limited to this, and they may be opened half-open as necessary.

(2) In the first and second slide gates G1 and G2, the fixed gate member 37 may have a lattice instead of the plurality of links 39. Further, in the above embodiment, the fixed slit 41 and the movable slit 42 have a rectangular shape or a substantially rectangular shape that is long in one direction when viewed from above, but they may have other shapes such as a circle.

The embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiments, but include all modifications, applications, and equivalents that fall within the spirit of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the present disclosure should not be construed in a limited manner, and may be applied to any other technology that falls within the spirit of the present disclosure.

2 Receiver tank 31 Outlet section 51 Switching damper 100 Pneumatic unloader B Load E Control device G1 First slide gate G2 Second slide gate J Branch section O1 First outlet passage O2 Second outlet passage P1 First position P2 Second position S1 First level sensor S1L Lower first level sensor S1H Upper first level sensor S2 Second level sensor S2L Lower second level sensor S2H Upper second level sensor S Level sensor SL Lower level sensor SH Upper level sensor

Claims (6)

a receiver tank that stores the sucked load;
a first outlet passage and a second outlet passage provided branchingly at the outlet portion of the receiver tank;
a first slide gate and a second slide gate provided in parallel in the first exit passage and the second exit passage, respectively;
A switching damper provided at a branching portion of the first exit passage and the second exit passage, the switching damper having a first position for guiding the load toward the first slide gate and a switching damper for guiding the load toward the second slide gate. a switching damper that can be switched to a second position;
a first level sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a load at a position between the first slide gate and the switching damper, the first level sensor including a lower first level sensor and an upper first level sensor;
a second level sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a load at a position between the second slide gate and the switching damper, the second level sensor including a lower second level sensor and an upper second level sensor;
a control device that controls the first slide gate, the second slide gate, and the switching damper based on detection results of the first level sensor and the second level sensor;
Equipped with
The pneumatic unloader is characterized in that the control device controls the first slide gate and the second slide gate so as to open and close the first slide gate and the second slide gate alternately. The control device includes:
switching the switching damper to the first position with the first slide gate fully closed;
Thereafter, when the upper first level sensor detects a load, the switching damper is switched to the second position with the second slide gate fully closed, and the first slide gate is opened. Pneumatic unloader. The pneumatic unloader according to claim 2, wherein the control device then closes the first slide gate when the lower first level sensor no longer detects a load. a receiver tank that stores the sucked load;
a first slide gate and a second slide gate provided in series from below at the outlet of the receiver tank;
a level sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a load at a position between the first slide gate and the second slide gate, the level sensor including a lower level sensor and an upper level sensor;
a control device that controls the first slide gate and the second slide gate based on the detection result of the level sensor;
Equipped with
The pneumatic unloader is characterized in that the control device controls the first slide gate and the second slide gate so as to open and close the first slide gate and the second slide gate alternately. The control device includes:
opening the second slide gate with the first slide gate fully closed;
The pneumatic unloader according to claim 4, wherein when the upper level sensor detects the load, the second slide gate is fully closed and then the first slide gate is opened. The pneumatic unloader according to claim 5, wherein the control device then fully closes the first slide gate and then opens the second slide gate when the lower level sensor no longer detects the load.

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