Patent ID: 9731914
Date: 2017-08-15
CPC Classifications: B65G

Claim:
1. A vacuum conveyance system adapted for conveying particulates from a particulate source to a particulate destination, said system comprising: a particulate convey line comprising a pick-up probe at one end for insertion into a particulate source and picking up particulate when a vacuum is drawn on said convey line; a downstream receiver for said particulate; said convey line extending from said probe to, and being connected to, said downstream receiver for said particulates; a variable speed vacuum pump having an inlet and a variable speed motor; a vacuum line connected at one end to said downstream receiver and at its other end to said inlet of said vacuum pump, whereby operation of said vacuum pump draws a vacuum on said downstream receiver and draws particulate material into said downstream receiver; a vacuum sensor positioned at or near to an upstream from said inlet to said vacuum pump for sensing the vacuum level at or near said inlet of said vacuum pump; a controller operably connected to said vacuum sensor, said controller selectively operable to either actively monitor the vacuum level at or near said vacuum pump or monitor the power consumption of said variable speed motor; said controller being operably connected to said vacuum pump, and actively operating in response to said vacuum level as determined by said vacuum sensor and to vary said pump speed to maintain a constant pick up air flow velocity at said probe as said particulate is being picked up and conveyed by said convey line to said downstream receiver.