A method for controlling a device for metering granular material and a metering device for metering granular material comprises a feed for the granular material from a container into a metering chamber. A metering piston can be actuated by a control device such that a gap between the feed and the metering chamber is opened by a predefined first distance and a second distance which is greater than the first distance. At least one sensor is arranged in a delivery line leading away from the metering chamber and is connected to the control device so that the metering piston can be actuated for a predefined duration such that the gap between the feed for the granular material and the metering chamber can be opened by the second distance if a blockage of the granular material is detected by the at least one sensor, so that the blockage is dispersed.

The salt spreader heating system is a mobile apparatus. The salt spreader heating system: a) contains granulated material; b) heats the granulated material; and, c) distributes the granulated material over a surface. The salt spreader heating system comprises a silo, a pedestal, and a spreader. The pedestal supports the silo. The spreader attaches to the silo. The silo stores the granulated material. The silo heats the granulated material. The silo transports the granulated material to the spreader. The spreader distributes the granulated material over a surface area. The salt spreader heating system is configured for use with a truck. The truck is further defined with a bed and a radiator system. The pedestal raises the silo over the bed of the truck. The radiator system cools the engine of the truck. The silo uses the heat transferred from the engine to the radiator system to heat the granulated material.

The salt spreader heating system is a mobile apparatus. The salt spreader heating system: a) contains granulated material; b) heats the granulated material; and, c) distributes the granulated material over a surface. The salt spreader heating system comprises a silo, a pedestal, and a spreader. The pedestal supports the silo. The spreader attaches to the silo. The silo stores the granulated material. The silo heats the granulated material. The silo transports the granulated material to the spreader. The spreader distributes the granulated material over a surface area. The salt spreader heating system is configured for use with a truck. The truck is further defined with a bed and a radiator system. The pedestal raises the silo over the bed of the truck. The radiator system cools the engine of the truck. The silo uses the heat transferred from the engine to the radiator system to heat the granulated material.

A sanding system for a rail vehicle includes a housing of a cellular wheel sluice having an inlet located at the top and an outlet located at the bottom, a pivotably mounted cellular wheel having a plurality of cells, and a motor that is coupled with the cellular wheel. The sanding system further includes a container connected to the inlet of the cellular wheel sluice for receiving brake sand, or a feed line connected to the inlet of the cellular wheel sluice for transporting brake sand, and a discharge line connected to the outlet of the cellular wheel sluice for transporting brake sand. The motor for driving the cellular wheel is thereby arranged above the inlet.

A sanding system for a rail vehicle includes a housing of a cellular wheel sluice having an inlet located at the top and an outlet located at the bottom, a pivotably mounted cellular wheel having a plurality of cells, and a motor that is coupled with the cellular wheel. The sanding system further includes a container connected to the inlet of the cellular wheel sluice for receiving brake sand, or a feed line connected to the inlet of the cellular wheel sluice for transporting brake sand, and a discharge line connected to the outlet of the cellular wheel sluice for transporting brake sand. The motor for driving the cellular wheel is thereby arranged above the inlet.

A device for spreading granulate, particularly for spreading sand into the gap between a rail and a wheel of a rail vehicle, includes a housing, at least one inlet for the granulate and at least one outlet for the granulate, an axially movable metering piston and a compressed air connection, which leads into a pressure chamber and serves for actuating the metering piston by compressed air to meter the granulate. At least one bore is provided in the metering piston. To create a device which is of particularly simple and compact construction, a conveying air chamber separated from the pressure chamber and has a compressed air connection is provided, and at least one bore in the metering piston connects the conveying air chamber to the at least one outlet for the granulate, such that granulate can be conveyed to the at least one outlet by compressed air independently of the metering process.

A device for spreading granulate, particularly for spreading sand into the gap between a rail and a wheel of a rail vehicle, includes a housing, at least one inlet for the granulate and at least one outlet for the granulate, an axially movable metering piston and a compressed air connection, which leads into a pressure chamber and serves for actuating the metering piston by compressed air to meter the granulate. At least one bore is provided in the metering piston. To create a device which is of particularly simple and compact construction, a conveying air chamber separated from the pressure chamber and has a compressed air connection is provided, and at least one bore in the metering piston connects the conveying air chamber to the at least one outlet for the granulate, such that granulate can be conveyed to the at least one outlet by compressed air independently of the metering process.

A traction media is provided that includes a plurality of axes having a distal origin point and proximal point termination surrounded by one or more faces thus forming a body capable of being delivered by hand or traction enhancing system to a lower surface such as the ground to provide an increased coefficient of friction between an upper surface such as a shoe or tire and the lower surface and a relative air movement duct is provided that includes a controlled path of flow through about a 90 degree angle having an intake, discharge and baffle capable of delivering traction media from a hopper/valve assembly by an air flow to a lower surface such as the ground to provide a controlled path of traction media between an upper surface such as a tire and a lower surface such as the ground.

A traction media is provided that includes a plurality of axes having a distal origin point and proximal point termination surrounded by one or more faces thus forming a body capable of being delivered by hand or traction enhancing system to a lower surface such as the ground to provide an increased coefficient of friction between an upper surface such as a shoe or tire and the lower surface and a relative air movement duct is provided that includes a controlled path of flow through about a 90 degree angle having an intake, discharge and baffle capable of delivering traction media from a hopper/valve assembly by an air flow to a lower surface such as the ground to provide a controlled path of traction media between an upper surface such as a tire and a lower surface such as the ground.

A discharge device for granular materials, with a housing having at least one inlet for the granular materials, and with a rotor that is connected to a motor, rotates about an axis of rotation and has multiple vanes and chambers located between the vanes, the granular materials being conveyable from the at least one inlet to at least one outlet when the rotor rotates. The axis of rotation of the rotor is vertical and the rotor is preferably arranged inside an essentially cylindrical wear liner.