Inventors:
Raymond C. Kinzler - Carnegie PA
Harry R. Bartlebaugh - Gibsonia PA
Assignee:
Koppers Company, Inc. - Pittsburgh PA
International Classification:
B65G 6570
Abstract:
A gravity motivated hopper with the capacity to alleviate arching of granular material contained in the hopper. The hopper has a lower section defining a flow path which is vertically oriented with vertically decreasing horizontal cross-sectional areas leading to a bottom opening. In the proximity of the bottom opening is a first gate mechanism. The first gate is located below the critical arching cross-sectional flow area of the granular material, and functions to restrain the material during charging of the hopper and hopper transport, or permit flow of the material from the hopper during hopper discharge. Placed above the bottom gate is a second gate mechanism. The second gate is placed above the critical arching cross-sectional flow area for the particular granulated material. The second gate allows a certain volume of granular material to pass through during charging of the hopper while supporting the remaining portion of the granular material to deprive the granular material of arching condition during hopper charge and transport. The second gate will further permit unobstructed hopper discharge of the granular material.