Patent ID: 6030152
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A switch for a pneumatic conveying system comprising:a first plate, said first plate having a central axis;a first conduit for pneumatic conveying materials therethrough, said first conduit having a first end secured to said plate, said first conduit having a first conduit axis;a second conduit for pneumatic conveying materials therethrough, said second conduit having a first end secured to said plate, said second conduit having a second conduit axis;a second plate, said second plate rotateable about said central axis of said first plate;a first housing including a third conduit for pneumatically conveying materials therethrough, said first housing rotateably supported in said second plate to permit turning of said third conduit with respect to said second plate without twisting of said third conduit;a second housing including a fourth conduit for pneumatically conveying materials therethrough, said fourth housing rotateably supported in said second plate to permit turning of said fourth conduit with respect to said second plate without twisting of said fourth conduit;a first spring-loaded wear band located around said first conduit to maintain continuous contact between either said second plate or said first housing to inhibit materials from being accidentally discharged therefrom, said first spring-loaded wear band having sufficiently low frictional engagement with either said first housing or said first plate so as to permit sliding engagement over either said first housing or said first plate;a second spring-loaded wear band located around said second conduit to maintain continuous contact between either said second plate or said second housing to inhibit materials from being accidentally discharged therefrom, said second spring-loaded wear band having sufficiently low frictional engagement with either said second housing or said first plate so as to permit sliding engagement over either said first housing or said first plate;a first inflatable seal located around said first conduit, said first inflatable seal inflatable to a condition to thereby prevent material passing from discharging therepast;a second inflatable seal located around said second conduit said second inflatable seal inflatable to a condition to thereby prevent material passing from discharging therepast;said first and second inflatable seals deflateable to permit conduit switch by rotation of said second plate about said central axis to thereby bring said first conduit from a conveying condition with said first housing to a conveying condition with said second housing and said second conduit from a conveying condition with said second housing to a conveying condition with said first housing.