Abstract:
A fluidizer for attachment to the vacuum hose of a high capacity particulate loader, for fluidizing particulates in an area proximate an end of the vacuum hose. The fluidizer possesses a compressed air hose for providing a stream of pressurized air, which is attached to a tube, the tube being mounted upon the vacuum hose. An interior of the tube defines an air passageway therethrough. An outer surface of the tube has a plurality of air flow openings defined therein which each extend between the compressed air passageway of the tube to an area outside the tube for permitting a stream of pressurized air from the compressed air hose to flow through the air passageway of the tube and out through the plurality of air flow openings to an area proximate the end of the vacuum hose.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to high capacity loaders for grain, particulate and granular materials (“particulates”), and particularly to fluidizing nozzles for high capacity particulate loaders.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Grain and fertilizer collector machines have been commercialized for many years, and represent the underlying technology over which the present invention is a significant improvement. Previous prior art machines have been subject to certain shortcomings which have been overcome in the present invention.  
         [0003]     Some high capacity loaders for grain and fertilizer have used large vacuum devices to move grain, for example, from a pile or storage bin to a transport device such as a truck or trailer, and vice versa. These large vacuum devices may utilize a large container within which is located a vacuum or suction device which draws air and particulates into the container, typically through a long vacuum hose, and exhausts the air from the container. The vacuum or suction device within the container typically requires significant horsepower to drive, for example, a large fan or blower, particularly if the large vacuum device is being used to move grain or other particulates a significant distance, for example, greater than 30 meters, or up a significant height, for example greater than 10 meters. The requirement to move the grain or other particulates either a long distance, or a great height, or a combination of both, can significantly impair the quality of the suction at the active end of a length of vacuum hose. There is therefor a need to improve the effectiveness of such devices in these circumstances.  
         [0004]     Furthermore, grain and other particulates are stored, sometimes over lengthy periods of time, in large storage bins and other containers, as a result of which the grain or other particulate material may become compacted or compressed, or the grain and other particulates may become moist or wet, whereupon the grain or particulate particles may become stuck or adhered to one another, or otherwise difficult to separate into individual particles. Utilizing a large vacuum device to both separate, lift and move the grain and particulates in these circumstances presents a significant problem, requiring the suction-effect from the grain vac to first separate, and then left and move the particulates.  
         [0005]     There is, therefore, a need for a device which permits the grain or other particulates to be readily and substantially pre-separated from one another in an area immediately adjacent the active end of the vacuum hose in advance of and during the process of being acted upon by the vacuum device, to thereby increase the overall effectiveness of the vacuum device.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an improved fluidizer which permits grain or other particulates to be readily and substantially pre-separated from one another in an area immediately adjacent the active end of the vacuum hose in advance of and during the process of being acted upon by a vacuum device.  
         [0007]     Advantageously, the present invention also provides an improved fluidizer which is simple, easy to use, and which increases the overall effectiveness of the vacuum device to which it is working in conjunction therewith.  
         [0008]     According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluidizer for attachment to the vacuum hose of a high capacity particulate loader, for fluidizing particulates in an area proximate an end of the vacuum hose, comprising a compressed air hose; a tubular wall defining a tube having a first end adapted for selectively attaching the compressed air hose to the tube and a second end opposite the first end, the tube having a compressed air passageway therethrough from the first end to the second end; and means for attaching the tube to the vacuum hose of the high capacity particulate loader, wherein the tubular wall has a plurality of holes therethrough between the air passageway and an area outside of the tubular wall for permitting a movement of pressurized air from the compressed air passageway to an area proximate the end of the vacuum hose.  
         [0009]     According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluidizer for attachment to the vacuum hose of a high capacity particulate loader, for fluidizing particulates in an area proximate an end of the vacuum hose, comprising a compressed air hose for providing a stream of pressurized air; a tube having a first end adapted for selective attachment of the compressed air hose to the tube, and a second end opposite the first end, an interior of the tube defining a compressed air passageway therethrough extending from the first end to the second end, and wherein an outer surface of the tube has a plurality of air flow openings defined therein which each extend between the compressed air passageway of the tube to an area outside of the second end of the tube for permitting a movement of the stream of pressurized air from the compressed air hose through the compressed air passageway of the tube and out through the plurality of air flow openings to an area proximate the end of the vacuum hose; and means for attaching the tube to the vacuum hose.  
         [0010]     The advantage of the present invention is that it provides an improved fluidizer which permits grain or other particulates to be readily and substantially pre-separated from one another in an area immediately adjacent the active end of the vacuum hose in advance of and during the process of being acted upon by a vacuum device.  
         [0011]     A still further advantage of the present invention is that it provides an improved fluidizer which is simple, easy to use, and which increases the overall effectiveness of the vacuum device to which it is working in conjunction therewith. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of one embodiment of the fluidizing nozzle of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of the cross-sectional view of the end of the fluidizing nozzle of  FIGS. 1 and 5 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of the cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the end of the fluidizing nozzle of  FIGS. 1 and 5 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of the cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of the end of the fluidizing nozzle of  FIGS. 1 and 5 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of the fluidizing nozzle of the present invention with a handle and a hand activated air valve;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5A  is an enlarged view of a portion of the fluidizing nozzle illustrated in  FIG. 5 , in the closed position;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5B  is an enlarged view of a portion of the fluidizing nozzle illustrated in  FIG. 5 , in the opened position;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of the fluidizing nozzle of the present invention with the end of the fluidizing nozzle in substantial axial alignment with the grain vac hose;  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the end of the fluidizing nozzle of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the end of the fluidizing nozzle of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 8A  is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the end of the fluidizing nozzle of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 9  is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the end of the fluidizing nozzle of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 10  is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the end of the fluidizing nozzle of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 11  is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of the fluidizing nozzle of the present invention with the end of the fluidizing nozzle directed back towards and in substantial axial alignment with the grain vac hose;  
         [0027]      FIG. 12  is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the end of the fluidizing nozzle of  FIG. 11 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 13  is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the end of the fluidizing nozzle of  FIG. 11 ; and  
         [0029]      FIG. 14  is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of the end of the fluidizing nozzle of  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0030]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a short segment of one end of a grain vac hose  2  is illustrated, the grain vac hose  2  being attachable at its other end to a grain vac (not shown) which, when the grain vac is operational, provides suction through the attached grain vac hose  2  to thereby draw particulates and air (both represented by the arrow  14 ) through the grain vac hose  2  and into the grain vac for subsequent handling, by way of, for example, an auger (not shown) which lifts and transports the particulates into a nearby bin or other location. In one embodiment of the present invention, a fluidizing nozzle  4  with a hollow air passageway therein, is securely attached to the grain vac hose  2  by attachments  8 , which may either permanently or temporarily secure the fluidizing nozzle  4  to the grain vac hose  2 , it being understood that in some circumstances it may be desirable to permanently secure the fluidizing nozzle  4  to the grain vac hose  2 , whereas in other circumstances it may be desirable to remove the fluidizing nozzle  4  from the grain vac from time to time, particularly when the grain vac is being utilized in circumstances in which the fluidizing nozzle  4  is not required. It is also understood that a wide variety of mechanisms may be utilized to securely attach the fluidizing nozzle  4  to the grain vac hose  2  as would be known to a worker skilled in the art. The fluidizing nozzle  4  is attached to an air hose  6 , by way of, for example, a quick connect air coupler  10 , or by other means known to a worker skilled in the art, to provide a secure air tight attachment of the fluidizing nozzle to the air hose  6 . The quick connect coupler  10  permits the fluidizing nozzle to be quickly attached to or detached from the air hose  6 .  
         [0031]     Pressurized air is supplied to the air passageway of the fluidizing nozzle  4  from the air hose  6  (the movement of the pressurized air in the air passageway  15  of the fluidizing nozzle being represented by the arrow  16 ) and thereafter passes through holes  18  in the fluidizing nozzle to an area immediately in front of or proximate the opening  12  of the grain vac hose  2 .  FIGS. 2, 3 ,  4  and  4 A illustrate cross-sectional views of the end portions of four different embodiments of the fluidizing nozzle of the present invention. As represented by the arrow  16 , pressurized air from the air hose  16  passes through the air passageway  15  of the fluidizing nozzle  4  and exits therefrom under pressure, in the case of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , through forwardly directed holes  18 A, and backwardly angled holes  18 B, in the case of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , through forwardly directed holes  18 A, forwardly angled hole  18 C, and downwardly directed holes  18 D, in the case of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , through forwardly directed holes  18 A, and downwardly directed holes  18 D, and in the case of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4A , through downwardly directed holes  18 D. It is understood that alternative embodiments or combinations of the hole patterns may alternatively be utilized in the present invention. In each of the embodiments of the fluidizing nozzle illustrated in  FIGS. 2, 3 ,  4  and  4 A, when the fluidizing nozzle is placed in close proximity to, for example, a pile of particulates, the holes  18 A,  18 B,  18 C and  18 D permit pressurized air to be brought into contact with the particulates, to thereby partially, substantially or completely separate the particulates from each other, allowing the pressurized air to flow amongst and between the separated particulates and in the case of some particulates, to maintain the separated particulates in partial or near suspension. This permits the suction of the grain vac to act effectively upon the particulates, particularly those which are in suspension, or in a state of partial or near suspension. Additionally, to the extent that particulates were previously joined together (for example by compression, or moisture) and, by the action of the pressurized air from the fluidizing nozzle having now been separated from one another, the now-separated particulates are more readily drawn into the suction-effect of the grain vac hose.  
         [0032]     In an alternative embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 5, 5A  and  5 B, the fluidizing nozzle has a handle  22  which may be utilized by the operator to support and direct the grain vac hose and fluidizing nozzle and an activatable air valve  26  which may be opened or closed by the operator to control the flow of pressurized air through the air passageway  15  to the end of the fluidizing nozzle. A hand lever  26  is also provided in this embodiment to activate/deactivate the air valve  26 , the hand lever being able to rotate about a pivot  36  through a short range of motion and being biased by a spring  32  to the closed position shown in  FIG. 5A . When the handle is in the closed position shown in  FIG. 5A , the surface  40  of the handle abuts a stop  38  welded or otherwise securely attached to the handle which prevents further rotation in that direction. A spring  32  mounted by means of a hole  34  in the hand lever  24  and a bolt or stud  35  welded or otherwise securely fastened to the handle  22  maintains the hand lever in the closed position shown in  FIG. 5A  unless activated by the operator. Against the action of the spring  32 , the hand lever  24  may be rotated (as shown by the arrows in  FIG. 5A ) by the operator about the pivot  36  to the open position illustrated in  FIG. 5B  in which the air valve  26  is depressed by the rotating hand lever  24  and thereby activated to permit the flow of pressurized air through the air passageway  15  to the end of the fluidized nozzle  4 . It is understood that a worker skilled in the art could readily provide alternative embodiments for installing and activating/deactivating one or more air control valves suited to function in the control of the flow of pressurized air through the air passageway  15  to the end of the fluidizing nozzle. It is also understood that a handle and an air control valve may be installed on any of the embodiments of the present invention, including those shown in  FIGS. 6 and 11 .  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , an alternative embodiment of the fluidizing nozzle of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the end portion  31  of the fluidizing nozzle is positioned by way of a gentle “S” bend  28  in the nozzle so as to be substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis  29  of the grain vac hose. In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the nozzle preferably has holes such as illustrated in  FIG. 7  (forwardly facing holes  18 A combined with backwardly angled holes  18 B and  18 E),  FIG. 8  (forwardly facing holes  18 A combined with upwardly and downwardly directed holes  18 D and  18 F),  FIG. 8A  (upwardly and downwardly directed holes  18 D and  18 F),  FIG. 9  (forwardly facing holes  18 A combined with forwardly angled holes  18 C and upwardly and downwardly directed holes  18 F and  18 D) and/or  FIG. 10  (forwardly facing holes  18 A combined with forwardly angled holes  18 C and backwardly angled holes  18 B and  18 E), or a combination thereof it being understood that alternative embodiments of the hole patterns may alternatively be utilized in the present invention.  
         [0034]     Referring to  FIG. 11 , a further alternative embodiment of the fluidizing nozzle of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the end portion  31  of the fluidizing nozzle is positioned by way of a “U” shaped bend  30  in the nozzle so as to be substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis  29  of the grain vac hose. In the embodiment of  FIG. 11 , the nozzle preferably has holes such as illustrated in  FIG. 12  (backwardly facing holes  18 A, combined with backwardly angled holes  18 B and  18 E),  FIG. 13  (backwardly facing holes  18 A, combined with upwardly and downwardly directed holes  18 F and  18 D) and/or  FIG. 14  (backwardly facing holes  18 A, combined with backwardly angled holes  18 C and upwardly and downwardly directed holes  18 F and  18 D), or a combination thereof it being understood that alternative embodiments of the hole patterns may alternatively be utilized in the present invention.  
         [0035]     The fluidizing nozzle of the present invention may be made from tubular steel, aluminum, heavy gauge plastic or other material known to persons skilled in the art.  
         [0036]     The present invention has been described herein with regard to preferred embodiments. However, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein.