Apparatus for filling a container with bulk material

Abstract

An apparatus for filling a container with bulk material, in particular sand, comprises a storage container for the bulk material with a closable lid and an outlet, a metering device arranged beneath the storage container and a pneumatic feeding device arranged under the metering device for feeding the bulk material into the container to be filled with the aid of compressed air via a feed hose. The feeding device has an injector with a plurality of, preferably at least five, holes for the compressed air.

Claims

1. An apparatus for filling a container with bulk material comprising: a storage container for bulk material with a closable lid and an outlet; a metering device beneath the storage container; a pneumatic feeding device beneath the metering device for feeding the bulk material into the storage container; a feed hose configured to fill the pneumatic feeding device with air; the pneumatic feeding device having an injector with one or more a plurality of holes for receiving compressed air, at least one of which is angularly displaced relative to a flow centerline a control device configured to activate the pneumatic feeding device over a predefined time interval after deactivation of the feeding of the bulk material to remove the bulk material from the feed hose; and a sensor inside the feeding device and connected to the control device, the sensor configured to detect flow of the bulk material through the feed hose, the sensor configured to provide output to the control device indicating flow of the bulk material, the control device configured to deactivate the pneumatic feeding device based on the output from the sensor.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the injector has at least five of the holes.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one or more holes includes a central hole in the injector and additional holes arranged circularly around the central hole at the same angular distances from one another.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the additional holes arranged around the central hole conically extend outward.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second sensor for detecting the fill level of the bulk material in the storage container.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the metering device includes an actuatable metering piston and a return spring.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a lower region of the storage container above the outlet includes at least one nozzle that opens into the storage container and is connected to a pressure regulator by an air line.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an air connection.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a compressor configured to provide the air.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a blow-out lance is at a free end of the feed hose.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein an extraction nozzle is at the blow-out lance.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the extraction nozzle is arranged displaceably and fixably in a longitudinal direction of the blow-out lance.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the extraction nozzle is connected to an extraction and dust removal device via an extraction hose.

14. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein an actuating element is at the blow-out lance, and an actuating element is connected to the control device.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a platform having at least one wheel connected to a drive that is coupled to the storage container.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an accumulator energy storage device configured to power the pneumatic feeding device.

17. An apparatus for filling a container with bulk material, comprising: a storage container for bulk material with a closable lid and an outlet; a metering device beneath the storage container; a pneumatic feeding device beneath the metering device for receiving compressed air via a feed hose and feeding the bulk material into the container; the pneumatic feeding device having an injector with a plurality of holes compressed air, at least one of which is angularly displaced relative to a flow centerline, the pneumatic feeding device having a pressure sensor; a control device configured to activate the pneumatic feeding device during a predefined time interval after cessation of feeding the bulk material into the container; wherein a pressure sensor is in the feeding device and wherein the pressure sensor is connected to the control device; and wherein the control device is configured to deactivate the pneumatic feeding device based on an output from the pressure sensor.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of holes include a central hole in the injector and additional holes are arranged circularly around the central hole at the same angular distances from one another.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the additional holes of the plurality of holes are arranged around the central hole and conically extend outward.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention is explained in detail with reference to the appended drawings. In the figures:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an apparatus for filling a container with bulk material, in particular sand;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic detailed view of the metering and feeding device of a filling apparatus in cutaway view;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a detail of the feeding device according to FIG. 2 configured as an injector in enlarged view; and

(5) FIG. 4 shows the time behaviour of the compressed air for operating the feeding device according to a preferred exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) FIG. 1 shows schematically an apparatus 1 for filling a container B with bulk material 2, in particular sand. The apparatus 1 comprises a storage container 3 for the bulk material 2 with a closable lid 4, preferably on the upper side. Located on the lower side of the storage container 3 is an outlet 5 via which the bulk material 2 passes into the metering device 6 located thereunder. In the present design of the filling apparatus 1 the storage container 3 is not designed as a pressure container which is why this can be formed of light metal, for example, aluminium or an aluminium alloy or even plastic and has a relatively low weight. The storage container 3 is preferably substantially cylindrical and is configured to converge conically towards the outlet 5. A visual inspection of the fill level of the bulk material 2 can be performed by means of a viewing glass 11 which may be present in the storage container 3. Alternatively or additionally sensors 13 can also be arranged in the storage container 3 to detect the fill level of the bulk material 2. Such sensors 13 can be implemented in various ways, for example, as capacitive or optical sensors. Located below the metering device 6 is the pneumatic feeding device 7 for feeding the bulk material 2 which is configured in the form of an injector 9 with a plurality of holes 10, 10′ for the compressed air P (see FIG. 2).

(7) Preferably a pressure relief valve 12 can be arranged on the upper side of the storage container 3 via which excess pressure, in particular during filling of the storage container 3, can escape. The compressed air P is provided via a compressed air connection 23 or via its own compressor 24 and is guided via a pressure regulator 19 to the different positions, in particular the pneumatic feeding device 7 and the metering device 6 which is pneumatically configured if necessary. In addition, compressed air lines 18 can be provided which open into at least one nozzle 17 in the lower region of the storage container 3 above the outlet 5. By means of such a so-called bypass line, the running of the bulk material 2, in particular sand, can be supported and the bulk material 2 can be loosened by appropriate regulation of the air volume and air pressure which passes to the nozzle 17 via the pressure line 18. The quantity of the bulk material 2 running out via the outlet 5 in the storage container 3 can be influenced in a very simple manner via the pressure regulator 19.

(8) The feed hose 8 is connected at the outlet of the pneumatic feeding device 7 via which the bulk material 2 is transported through the feed hose 8 in a substantially suspended manner. A blow-out lance 25 is preferably arranged at the free end of the feed hose 8, which forms the connecting piece to the filling connector of the container B to be filled, for example, in a vehicle, in particular rail vehicle. The blow-out lance 25 is preferably designed as a thick-walled stainless steel tube and provided in a corresponding length depending on the respective type of vehicle. A pressure sensor 21 and a sensor 22 for measuring the flow of the bulk material 2 can be arranged in the pneumatic feeding device 7. A counter-pressure can be detected by means of the pressure sensor 21 and an automatic switch-off of the feeding of the bulk material 2 can be initiated. A counter-pressure of at least 2 mbar, for example, can be detected easily by means of measurement technology. The sensor 22 for measurement of the flow of bulk material 2 can deliver important information about any blockages or an irregular feeding of the bulk material 2.

(9) Preferably a control device 20 is provided which is connected with the most important components of the filling apparatus 1, in particular the said pressure sensor 21, the sensor 22 for detecting the flow of bulk material or an actuating element 31 preferably arranged at the end of the feed hose 8 or the blow-out lance 25. The control device 20 is supplied with electrical energy via a corresponding electrical line 32. Alternatively to this or also additionally, an energy storage device 36, in particular an accumulator can be provided which supplies electrical energy for the duration of the filling process for the supply of the electrical components.

(10) Preferably arranged on the blow-out lance 25 is an extraction nozzle 26 which is preferably displaceable and fixable in the longitudinal direction of the blow-out lance 25 so that a corresponding adaptation to the respective structural circumstances can be made. Any dust produced during the filling process is extracted via the extraction nozzle 26 and collected along an extraction hose 27 in an extraction and dust removal device 28, preferably with a filter 29 and a dust collecting container 30. As a result, any contamination can be prevented or at least reduced and any danger to staff due to the dust can be avoided.

(11) The feed hose 8 and extraction hose 27 and any electrical leads 32 can be connected to one another via suitable clips 33 or the like.

(12) If all the components of the filling apparatus 1 are arranged on a suitable support platform and wheels 34 or the like can be provided thereon, the filling apparatus 1 can be easily moved to the container 3 to be filled with the result that shorter feed paths result and in consequence the energy costs can be reduced. If at least one wheel 34 is connected to a corresponding drive 35, the movement of the filling apparatus 1 can be facilitated.

(13) FIG. 2 shows a schematic detailed view of the metering device 6 and feeding device of a filling apparatus 1 in cutaway view. In this embodiment the metering device 6 is also operated with compressed air P by providing a pneumatically actuatable metering piston 14 and a return spring 15. By blowing in compressed air P, the metering piston 14 can be moved against the return spring 15 and the bulk material 2 passes into the metering device 6 via a corresponding sand feed, here arranged obliquely, and further into the pneumatic feeding device 7 arranged thereunder. Instead of a pneumatically actuatable metering piston 14, an electromagnetically actuatable metering piston 14 and a corresponding return spring 15 can form the metering device 6 (not shown).

(14) The pneumatic feeding device 7 is formed in the form of an injector 9 with a plurality of, preferably at least 5, holes 10, 10′, wherein one hole 10 is arranged to run centrally in the injector 9 and the further holes 10′ are arranged circularly around the central hole 10, preferably at the same angular distances to one another. The holes 10′ arranged around the central hole 10 can be arranged to run outwards. This construction of a so-called propellant jet nozzle ensures an optimal feeding of the bulk material 2 in the feed hose 8 which is arranged following the pneumatic feeding device 7. As already mentioned above, a pressure sensor 21 and/or a sensor 22 for detecting the flow of the bulk material 2 can be provided in the pneumatic feeding device 7, which sensors are connected to the control device 20.

(15) FIG. 3 shows a detail of the pneumatic feeding device 7 configured as injector 9 according to FIG. 2 in enlarged view. Here the holes 10, 10′ for the compressed air P are easier to see. As already mentioned, the outer holes 10′ arranged around the central hole 10 can be arranged to run conically outwards, for example, at an angle α between 2.5 and 7.5 degrees. This ensures an optimal flow profile of the compressed air P in the outlet of the injector 9 and in the feed hose 8 and as a result, a quasi-suspended conveyance of the bulk material 2 inside the feed hose 8 to the container B to be filled.

(16) Finally FIG. 4 shows the time behaviour of the compressed air P for operating the pneumatic feeding device 7 according to a preferred exemplary embodiment. At the time t.sub.A, the pneumatic feeding device 7 is activated by applying the corresponding compressed air P with a working pressure PA to the pneumatic feeding device 7 and thus the compressed air P passes into the pneumatic feeding device 7 via the holes 10, 10′. At the time t.sub.E the feeding of the bulk material 2 is ended. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the pneumatic feeding device 7 is operated further over a pre-settable time interval Δt, that is compressed air P is still blown into the pneumatic feeding device 7, with the result that the feeding device 7 and the feed hose 8 can be blown free of bulk material 2. Depending on the length of the feed hose 8, the time interval Δt of the after-blowing function can, for example, be between 3 and 10 seconds. Instead of a pre-set time interval Δt, the end of the flow of bulk material 2 through the feed hose 8 can also be detected with the aid of suitably arranged sensors and then the compressed air P can be switched off.