A hopper assembly includes a hopper configured to contain a feedstock material. A vibration imparting device is arranged inside the hopper and a vibration source coupled to the vibration imparting device. Embodiments of the instant invention are believed to provide various improvements in feeding uniformity by providing various hopper configurations that ensure a more consistently uniform filling of the metering device for a variety of difficult-to-feed materials and not-so-difficult-to-feed materials. One, more or all of these embodiments are also believed to improve accuracy and add precision to control, and, in addition, offer more simplified hopper constructionwhich is less costly to manufacture and maintain.

A hopper assembly includes a hopper configured to contain a feedstock material. A vibration imparting device is arranged inside the hopper and a vibration source coupled to the vibration imparting device. Embodiments of the instant invention are believed to provide various improvements in feeding uniformity by providing various hopper configurations that ensure a more consistently uniform filling of the metering device for a variety of difficult-to-feed materials and not-so-difficult-to-feed materials. One, more or all of these embodiments are also believed to improve accuracy and add precision to control, and, in addition, offer more simplified hopper constructionwhich is less costly to manufacture and maintain.

The vibratory attachment for a grain auger is a system and method to aid in the removal of grain from a silo via an auger. In addition to the housing that contains the auger at the bottom of a bin, a specialized angled metal plate is welded to the housing at the interior end. A pneumatic turbine vibrator is then mounted to this plate. When the vibrator is powered by a compressed air source, the vibrations travel down the length of the auger housing which is in contact with the compacted grain. The vibrations then break down any bridging that occurs in the grain around the auger, thus allowing the grain to fall freely and be removed by the auger in a normal manner. It is envisioned that operation of the vibrator would occur manually when needed or be triggered on a recurring basis by a timing system.

The vibratory attachment for a grain auger is a system and method to aid in the removal of grain from a silo via an auger. In addition to the housing that contains the auger at the bottom of a bin, a specialized angled metal plate is welded to the housing at the interior end. A pneumatic turbine vibrator is then mounted to this plate. When the vibrator is powered by a compressed air source, the vibrations travel down the length of the auger housing which is in contact with the compacted grain. The vibrations then break down any bridging that occurs in the grain around the auger, thus allowing the grain to fall freely and be removed by the auger in a normal manner. It is envisioned that operation of the vibrator would occur manually when needed or be triggered on a recurring basis by a timing system.

The disclosure provides a system comprising one or more supply tanks; a central cement mixing unit; a support unit comprising a compressor and a power supply; a first valve disposed upstream of each of the one or more supply tanks; a second valve disposed downstream of each of the one or more supply tanks; a controller disposed at the central cement mixing unit; and a secondary controller disposed at each of the one or more supply tanks; wherein the one or more supply tanks are coupled to the central cement mixing unit, wherein the compressor is coupled to each of the one or more supply tanks, wherein the power supply is coupled to the compressor and to each of the one or more supply tanks, wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to each of the secondary controllers and to the support unit.

The disclosure provides a system comprising one or more supply tanks; a central cement mixing unit; a support unit comprising a compressor and a power supply; a first valve disposed upstream of each of the one or more supply tanks; a second valve disposed downstream of each of the one or more supply tanks; a controller disposed at the central cement mixing unit; and a secondary controller disposed at each of the one or more supply tanks; wherein the one or more supply tanks are coupled to the central cement mixing unit, wherein the compressor is coupled to each of the one or more supply tanks, wherein the power supply is coupled to the compressor and to each of the one or more supply tanks, wherein the controller is communicatively coupled to each of the secondary controllers and to the support unit.

A discharge apparatus for use with a bulk container of the kind having an outlet through which product is to be dispensed. The apparatus has an inlet end, an outlet end and a wall extending between said inlet end and said outlet end. The apparatus is configured for directing a flow of product from an outlet of a bulk container, and is further configured to permit relative movement between said inlet end and said outlet end between a retracted position and an extended position. The outlet end may take the form of a plate for supporting the lower end of the bulk container. The plate may be vibrated for assisting discharge of product from the bulk container.

A discharge apparatus for use with a bulk container of the kind having an outlet through which product is to be dispensed. The apparatus has an inlet end, an outlet end and a wall extending between said inlet end and said outlet end. The apparatus is configured for directing a flow of product from an outlet of a bulk container, and is further configured to permit relative movement between said inlet end and said outlet end between a retracted position and an extended position. The outlet end may take the form of a plate for supporting the lower end of the bulk container. The plate may be vibrated for assisting discharge of product from the bulk container.

An apparatus for feeding powder particles includes a hopper holding a supply of powder. A voltage supply is in electrical communication with a first electrode and a second electrode. The hopper is configured to drop powder onto the first electrode. The voltage supply is capable of producing an electric potential between the first electrode and second electrode and causing the powder particles landing on the first electrode to develop a surface charge. The second electrode is positioned remotely from the first electrode such that the electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode causes the powder particles that fall onto the first electrode to move off the first electrode and move toward the second electrode. The powder particles moving toward the second electrode may or may not reach the electrode, but in either case drop away from the second electrode due to the force of gravity.

A material sprayer includes a hopper and a shaker assembly mounted onto a sidewall of the hopper. The hopper includes at least one sidewall that extends along a first plane. The shaker assembly includes a resilient bracket, an electromagnetic coil, and an armature. The resilient bracket is mounted to the sidewall of the hopper and includes first and second ends and a curved portion. The electromagnetic coil is mounted to a portion of the resilient bracket and is configured to generate a magnetic field in response to a current from a power source. The armature is mounted to a portion of the resilient bracket such that the armature is able to move relative to the electromagnetic coil along an acceleration axis that is orthogonal to the first plane of the sidewall of the hopper.