Patent ID: 7789103

Claim:
A dense phase induction system for inducting a granular material from a granular supply to a dense phase distribution system relative to a horizontal plane oriented substantially normal to a force of gravity, comprising: an induction chamber downstream of the granular supply having: an induction chamber inlet in selective fluid communication with the granular supply; and an induction chamber outlet downstream of the induction chamber inlet; an intermediate chamber downstream of the induction chamber having: an intermediate chamber inlet in selective fluid communication with the induction chamber outlet; and an intermediate chamber outlet downstream of the intermediate chamber inlet; a distribution chamber downstream of the intermediate chamber having: a distribution chamber inlet in selective fluid communication with the intermediate chamber outlet; and a distribution chamber outlet downstream of the distribution chamber inlet and in selective fluid communication with the dense phase distribution system; a first induction valve assembly positioned between the induction chamber and the intermediate chamber, the first induction valve assembly including: an arcuate first valve seat that tapers radially inward from a first valve seat upstream end toward a first valve seat downstream end along a first valve seat surface; and an arcuate first plunger that tapers radially inward from a first plunger downstream end toward a first plunger upstream end along a first plunger surface; wherein the arcuate first plunger is moveable between a first sealing position at which the arcuate first plunger is in sealing contact with the arcuate first valve seat and a first transfer position at which the arcuate first plunger is spaced apart from the arcuate first valve seat; and a second induction valve assembly positioned between intermediate chamber and the distribution chamber, the second induction valve assembly including: an arcuate second valve seat that tapers radially inward from a second valve seat upstream end toward a second valve seat downstream end along a second valve seat surface; and an arcuate second plunger that tapers radially inward from a second plunger downstream end toward a second plunger upstream end along a second plunger surface; wherein the arcuate second plunger is moveable between a second sealing position at which the arcuate second plunger is in sealing contact with the arcuate second valve seat and a second transfer position at which the arcuate second plunger is spaced apart from the arcuate second valve seat.