An air cart for distributing air entrained particulate material from a chamber or tank to a plurality of distribution lines for application to an agricultural field has a tank refilling feature utilizing air flow from the cart distribution system or from a dedicated pneumatic source. The cart conveying system air flow is diverted and passed through an assembly containing multiple venturis which also receives particulate material from a supply source. The air entrained material from the source is conveyed to and gently deposited in the cart tank. Exhaust air from the tank may be directed back into the cart conveying system or vented through an air diffuser located beneath the cart. Exhaust air which is directed back to the cart conveying system may return to a location closely adjacent that from which it was originally diverted.

An air cart for distributing air entrained particulate material from a chamber or tank to a plurality of distribution lines for application to an agricultural field has a tank refilling feature utilizing air flow from the cart distribution system or from a dedicated pneumatic source. The cart conveying system air flow is diverted and passed through an assembly containing multiple venturis which also receives particulate material from a supply source. The air entrained material from the source is conveyed to and gently deposited in the cart tank. Exhaust air from the tank may be directed back into the cart conveying system or vented through an air diffuser located beneath the cart. Exhaust air which is directed back to the cart conveying system may return to a location closely adjacent that from which it was originally diverted.

Process for operating a hot particle rotary valve having a rotor and a casing. The process includes subjecting the hot particle rotary valve to an internal temperature increase treatment in which the inside of the rotary valve is heated during the start-up of the particle rotary valve.

A method for conveying goods to be conveyed with a cellular wheel sluice, wherein in a housing, the goods to be conveyed are conveyed with rotor blades of the rotating cellular wheel, and sealing lips of the rotor blades abut against at least one sealing surface of the housing. During the transport of certain goods to be conveyed, such a sealing surface and/or sealing lips can be used which are formed from an abrasive material that is contained in the goods to be conveyed.

In one embodiment, a pneumatic distribution system configured to distribute a granular product to an agricultural implement includes a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, and a controller. The first pressure sensor is configured to be fluidly coupled to a storage tank configured to store the granular product and positioned upstream of the meter roller. The first pressure sensor is configured to output a first signal indicative of a first static pressure in the storage tank. The second pressure sensor is configured to be fluidly coupled to a component of the pneumatic distribution system, downstream of the meter roller. The second pressure sensor is configured to output a second signal indicative of a second static pressure downstream of the meter roller. The controller is communicatively coupled to the first pressure sensor and to the second pressure sensor. The controller is configured to determine a pressure differential, wherein the pressure differential is the difference between the first static pressure and the second static pressure. The controller may also be configured to generate a first warning when the first static pressure is below a threshold value and output the first warning to an operator interface, generate a second warning when the pressure differential is below a desired range and output the second warning to the operator interface, and generate a third warning when the pressure differential is above the desired range and output the third warning to the operator interface.

A cellular wheel sluice for bulk material comprises a housing (2) having an interior (3), an extraction side cover (18) releasably fastened to the housing (2), a cellular wheel (8) which is arranged in an operational position in the housing (2) so that it can be driven in rotation about a longitudinal axis (7) and which is held on the extraction side cover (18), an extraction device (20) for displacing the cellular wheel (8) between the operational position and an extracted position, wherein the extraction device (20) has a guide unit (21) for guided displacement of the cellular wheel (8) along an extraction direction (41) parallel to the longitudinal axis (7), and an extraction drive (34) arranged fixed to the housing and coupled to the extraction side cover (18) for automatically driven displacement of the extraction side cover (18) with the cellular wheel (8).

A blow-through rotary valve is provided which has a modified geometry to reduce wear from pneumatic conveying of particulate and/or bulk material.

A particulate feeding apparatus for applying particulate, such as super-absorbent materials, to a substrate, such as a fibrous web. A feeder tube for the powder and a rotary gate valve, including one or more holes is provided. This structure may then intermittently feed particulate to an eductor or venturi nozzle. The rotary valve provides an intermittent supply of particulate to a relatively low-pressure zone at the nozzle formed by the venturi action of the passing air stream and the particulate may be distributed precisely where desired. A process for delivering powder to a substrate in precise amounts and distribution patterns is also disclosed.

A method for conveying goods to be conveyed with a cellular wheel sluice, wherein in a housing, the goods to be conveyed are conveyed with rotor blades of the rotating cellular wheel, and sealing lips of the rotor blades abut against at least one sealing surface of the housing. During the transport of certain goods to be conveyed, such a sealing surface and/or sealing lips can be used which are formed from an abrasive material that is contained in the goods to be conveyed.

A rotary valve is configured to control flow of particulate matter from a storage source into a conduit under pneumatic pressure. The valve comprises a cylindrical housing, opposing end plates partially enclosing said cylindrical housing, and a vaned rotor having opposing shafts protruding through annular seals provided in said end plates. At least one spring-loaded cartridge is adapted to exert a pre-determined pressure against said annular seals.