The invention relates to an apparatus for processing and mixing and thus homogenizing of a mass loos or incoherent material and comprises at least one trench silo provided with an inlet opening which is divided in compartments in longitudinal direction. The top layer is scraped from a stack of material present in a compartment by a scraper and deposited in the next compartment. This scraping operation is repeated until the previous compartment is completely empty. After a compartment has thus been completely filled, the material present therein is given the opportunity to be processed. A fully emptied compartment is filled again with material from a previous compartment. The material present in the end compartment, after being processed, is removed by a discharge conveyor belt. The invention also focuses on the operation of such a device.

The invention relates to an apparatus for processing and mixing and thus homogenizing of a mass loos or incoherent material and comprises at least one trench silo provided with an inlet opening which is divided in compartments in longitudinal direction. The top layer is scraped from a stack of material present in a compartment by a scraper and deposited in the next compartment. This scraping operation is repeated until the previous compartment is completely empty. After a compartment has thus been completely filled, the material present therein is given the opportunity to be processed. A fully emptied compartment is filled again with material from a previous compartment. The material present in the end compartment, after being processed, is removed by a discharge conveyor belt. The invention also focuses on the operation of such a device.

A self-contained multiple-trailer drive-over sand-truck unloader system and method with safety features, each trailer configured to interconnect mechanically and/or electrically and/or hydraulically to another adjacent trailer for electrical power, hydraulic power and data communications and capable of being set up into an operational configuration and reconfigured into a compact highway-travel configuration, without the need for safety harnesses. A first trailer provides the center section having an input funnel hopper for receiving bottom-dumped sand, a first conveyor for material transport to either the left or right side of the interconnected system. The system also integrates hydraulic leveling actuators on each large-area ground-contact foot with height-maintenance locks. Some embodiments include electrical and/or hydraulic mechanisms to ensure operational stability and worker safety. With pre-assembled components, OSHA-compliant safety features, and a generator-powered control system, this invention offers quick deployment and take-down, improved safety, and efficient frac-sand handling, without additional gravel deposition or clean-up.

A self-contained multiple-trailer drive-over sand-truck unloader system and method with safety features, each trailer configured to interconnect mechanically and/or electrically and/or hydraulically to another adjacent trailer for electrical power, hydraulic power and data communications and capable of being set up into an operational configuration and reconfigured into a compact highway-travel configuration, without the need for safety harnesses. A first trailer provides the center section having an input funnel hopper for receiving bottom-dumped sand, a first conveyor for material transport to either the left or right side of the interconnected system. The system also integrates hydraulic leveling actuators on each large-area ground-contact foot with height-maintenance locks. Some embodiments include electrical and/or hydraulic mechanisms to ensure operational stability and worker safety. With pre-assembled components, OSHA-compliant safety features, and a generator-powered control system, this invention offers quick deployment and take-down, improved safety, and efficient frac-sand handling, without additional gravel deposition or clean-up.

A stacker reclaimer assembly includes an elevating conveyor extending across a trailing platform. A rotational bearing assembly connects the trailing platform to the elevating conveyor and the rotational bearing provides an opposite end of the elevating conveyor with a rotational range of motion relative to the trailing platform. A curved rail is mounted in an elevated position on the trailing platform between the rotational bearing and the opposite end of the elevating conveyor. A lift assembly extends above the curved rail on the trailing platform and positioning the opposite end of the elevating conveyor at a height relative to the first end of the elevating conveyor. A travel wheel assembly supporting the lift assembly on the curved rail allows for arcuate motion across the curved rail. A drive mechanism provides motion to the lift assembly across the curved rail.

A stacker reclaimer assembly includes an elevating conveyor extending across a trailing platform. A rotational bearing assembly connects the trailing platform to the elevating conveyor and the rotational bearing provides an opposite end of the elevating conveyor with a rotational range of motion relative to the trailing platform. A curved rail is mounted in an elevated position on the trailing platform between the rotational bearing and the opposite end of the elevating conveyor. A lift assembly extends above the curved rail on the trailing platform and positioning the opposite end of the elevating conveyor at a height relative to the first end of the elevating conveyor. A travel wheel assembly supporting the lift assembly on the curved rail allows for arcuate motion across the curved rail. A drive mechanism provides motion to the lift assembly across the curved rail.

A method for transferring proppant that has been delivered to a worksite by a transport vehicle to a blender includes creating a pile of the proppant, using an unloader and/or a stacker, at a proppant inlet of a self-feeding conveyor and transferring the proppant, using the self-feeding conveyor without operator interaction and a metering conveyor, from the pile to the blender. The method further includes controlling a mass rate, using the metering conveyor, to vary at least one of a speed of the self-feeding conveyor, a speed of the metering conveyor, or a variable opening onto the self-feeding conveyor and/or the metering conveyor; and supplying the proppant, using the metering conveyor, to the blender at a selected rate.

A method for transferring proppant that has been delivered to a worksite by a transport vehicle to a blender includes creating a pile of the proppant, using an unloader and/or a stacker, at a proppant inlet of a self-feeding conveyor and transferring the proppant, using the self-feeding conveyor without operator interaction and a metering conveyor, from the pile to the blender. The method further includes controlling a mass rate, using the metering conveyor, to vary at least one of a speed of the self-feeding conveyor, a speed of the metering conveyor, or a variable opening onto the self-feeding conveyor and/or the metering conveyor; and supplying the proppant, using the metering conveyor, to the blender at a selected rate.