A material conveying system, comprising: a plurality of material sources for providing material to be transferred; a plurality of destination locations for receiving material from one or more of the plurality of material sources, wherein each destination location has a destination material inlet valve and a destination vacuum valve; a plurality of material conveying tubes; a plurality of vacuum pumps wherein each vacuum pump is operatively connected to one or more of the destination vacuum valves via one or more vacuum source tubes, and wherein each of the vacuum pumps is operatively connected to one or more of the material sources through the one or more vacuum source tubes and respective destination vacuum valves, the one or more destination locations and one or more of the plurality of material conveying tubes; a first sensor disposed on or near each destination vacuum valve; a second sensor disposed on or near each material inlet valve; a third sensor disposed on or near a vacuum outlet of each of the vacuum pumps; a programmable system controller connected, via wires or wirelessly, to each component of the material conveying system including the one or more material sources, the one or more destination locations, the vacuum pumps and to each of the first, second and third sensors; wherein the programmable controller is configured to determine which material sources and destination locations are operatively connected, directly and indirectly, to each of the plurality of vacuum pumps using one or more of the first, second and third sensors.

A vacuum conveying system has at least two storage locations and at least two consumers connected by supply conduits and discharge conduits to each other. A vacuum source is provided that produces a vacuum flow/air flow. A central material conduit is provided with valves, wherein the supply conduits and the discharge conduits each have one of the valves associated therewith. The valves actuate conveying paths of bulk material from the at least two storage locations to the at least two consumers. The valves have a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the valves open the material conduit to provide a through passage. In the second position, the valves supply the vacuum flow/air flow to the central material conduit or conduct the vacuum flow/air flow away from the central material conduit.

A vacuum conveying system has at least two storage locations and at least two consumers connected by supply conduits and discharge conduits to each other. A vacuum source is provided that produces a vacuum flow/air flow. A central material conduit is provided with valves, wherein the supply conduits and the discharge conduits each have one of the valves associated therewith. The valves actuate conveying paths of bulk material from the at least two storage locations to the at least two consumers. The valves have a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the valves open the material conduit to provide a through passage. In the second position, the valves supply the vacuum flow/air flow to the central material conduit or conduct the vacuum flow/air flow away from the central material conduit.

A hydraulic driving device of a suction car includes a HST circuit, a suction actuator, a supply channel and a switching valve. In the HST circuit, a first connection channel and a second connection channel connect between a traveling drive pump and a traveling motor in a closed circuit. The suction actuator suction drives a suction device by being actuated by a hydraulic pressure. The switching valve allows oil discharged from the traveling drive pump to the first connection channel to be supplied to the traveling motor in a first operation state. The switching valve allows oil discharged from the traveling drive pump to the first connection channel to flow into the supply channel and be supplied to the suction actuator in a second operation state.

A hydraulic driving device of a suction car includes a HST circuit, a suction actuator, a supply channel and a switching valve. In the HST circuit, a first connection channel and a second connection channel connect between a traveling drive pump and a traveling motor in a closed circuit. The suction actuator suction drives a suction device by being actuated by a hydraulic pressure. The switching valve allows oil discharged from the traveling drive pump to the first connection channel to be supplied to the traveling motor in a first operation state. The switching valve allows oil discharged from the traveling drive pump to the first connection channel to flow into the supply channel and be supplied to the suction actuator in a second operation state.

A method of handling bulk cargo, including suspending, with a spreader of a container crane, a cargo handling system above a dock where a ship loaded with bulk cargo lands, the cargo handling system including a frame having an engaging portion engageable with the spreader of the container crane, a blower attached to the frame and configured to suck air, and a separator attached to the frame and configured to separate bulk cargo sucked along with the air from the air sucked by the blower. While the cargo handling system is suspended above the dock, using the cargo handling system to suck up the bulk cargo from the ship with the blower of the cargo handling system together with the air; separate the bulk cargo from the air with the separator of the cargo handling system; and discharge the separated bulk cargo from the cargo handling system.

A method of handling bulk cargo, including suspending, with a spreader of a container crane, a cargo handling system above a dock where a ship loaded with bulk cargo lands, the cargo handling system including a frame having an engaging portion engageable with the spreader of the container crane, a blower attached to the frame and configured to suck air, and a separator attached to the frame and configured to separate bulk cargo sucked along with the air from the air sucked by the blower. While the cargo handling system is suspended above the dock, using the cargo handling system to suck up the bulk cargo from the ship with the blower of the cargo handling system together with the air; separate the bulk cargo from the air with the separator of the cargo handling system; and discharge the separated bulk cargo from the cargo handling system.

A proppant delivery assembly receives and supports a plurality of containers having proppant stored therein. A cradle has a top surface which receives and supports the plurality of containers when positioned thereon. The cradle enables the plurality of containers to dispense the proppant stored therein. A proppant mover is positioned to underlie and extend along the top surface of the cradle aligned with the plurality of containers to receive proppant from the plurality of containers. The proppant mover carries proppant away from the plurality of containers. A chute is coupled to the cradle for receiving proppant from the proppant mover and directing the proppant to a blender hopper. A hood assembly is disposed at an end of the chute opposite the proppant mover for directing a vacuum air flow that removes a volume of air containing proppant dust particles directed from the chute. The hood assembly includes a curtain extending about a perimeter of the hood assembly and downward therefrom to at least partially define the volume of air being removed by the hood assembly.

A proppant delivery assembly receives and supports a plurality of containers having proppant stored therein. A cradle has a top surface which receives and supports the plurality of containers when positioned thereon. The cradle enables the plurality of containers to dispense the proppant stored therein. A proppant mover is positioned to underlie and extend along the top surface of the cradle aligned with the plurality of containers to receive proppant from the plurality of containers. The proppant mover carries proppant away from the plurality of containers. A chute is coupled to the cradle for receiving proppant from the proppant mover and directing the proppant to a blender hopper. A hood assembly is disposed at an end of the chute opposite the proppant mover for directing a vacuum air flow that removes a volume of air containing proppant dust particles directed from the chute. The hood assembly includes a curtain extending about a perimeter of the hood assembly and downward therefrom to at least partially define the volume of air being removed by the hood assembly.

The invention relates to a suction device for emptying a container, in particular for emptying a container filled with granular material. The suction device has a plurality of intakes, at least one distributor, the at least one distributor being adapted to connect the plurality of intakes to a central suction line, and a means for holding, which holds at least one first intake of the plurality of intakes at a distance from at least one second intake of the plurality of intakes. The invention further relates to a method and to a system for emptying a container, in particular for emptying a container filled with granular material.