Apparatus for transferring loose material

Abstract

The apparatus for transferring loose material from an unloading station located at a first, upper level to a receiving station located at a second, lower level, comprises a flexible pipe for the passage of the loose material, the pipe having an axis of extension and a first end connected to the unloading station and a second end connected to the receiving station.

1 ) An apparatus for transferring loose material from an unloading station located at a first, upper level to a receiving station located at a second, lower level, comprising a flexible pipe for the passage of the loose material, the pipe having an axis of extension and a first end connected to the unloading station and a second end connected to the receiving station, comprising twisting means for the flexible pipe, the twisting means being designed to make the ends of the pipe rotate relative to one another about the pipe axis of extension.  
     
     
         2 ) The apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising blocking means designed to clamp the flexible pipe in a closed configuration in which the passage of the loose material is inhibited, the blocking means acting on the pipe close to the second end connected to the receiving station.  
     
     
         3 ) The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the blocking means comprise a diaphragm part, which can be activated at least between a first, clamping configuration in which the flexible pipe is substantially blocked and a second, open configuration in which the flexible pipe allows the passage of the loose material and can be twisted following relative rotation of the ends of the pipe.  
     
     
         4 ) The apparatus according to any of the claims from  1  to  3 , wherein the unloading station and the receiving station respectively comprise a first and a second rigid tubular element, the ends of the flexible pipe being removably attached to the rigid tubular elements.  
     
     
         5 ) The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the twisting means comprise a motor for rotating at least one of the rigid tubular elements relative to the axis, and means for transmitting motion between the motor and said at least one tubular element.  
     
     
         6 ) The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the means for transmitting motion comprise a flanged element coaxially fixed to the outside of at least one tubular element.  
     
     
         7 ) The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the means for transmitting motion comprise a pinion fitted to a motor rotary shaft, the pinion engaging with the flanged element.  
     
     
         8 ) The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the means for transmitting motion comprise a wheel fitted to a motor shaft, the wheel being kinematically connected to the flanged element by a flexible transmission part.  
     
     
         9 ) The apparatus according to any of the claims from  1  to  3 , comprising a sealing unit for the flexible pipe, the sealing unit being designed to seal the pipe in a predetermined position located between the first end and the second end.  
     
     
         10 ) The apparatus according to  claim 4 , comprising a unit for control and command of the relative rotation of the rigid tubular elements, the unit regulating the rotation of at least one of the tubular elements to guarantee gradual filling of the flexible pipe by gravity along the axis.  
     
     
         11 ) The apparatus according to  claim 5 , comprising a unit for control and command of the relative rotation of the rigid tubular elements, the unit regulatory the rotation of at least one of the tubular elements to guarantee gradual filing of the flexible pipe by gravity along the axis and wherein the control and command unit is connected to and acts on the motor.  
     
     
         12 ) The apparatus according to  claim 4 , comprising means for compensating the change in the length of the flexible pipe along the axis following pipe twisting.  
     
     
         13 ) The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the means for compensating the change in length comprise a tubular joint with variable extension connected to one of the rigid tubular elements and designed to change its extension along the axis of extension following flexible pipe twisting.  
     
     
         14 ) The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the tubular joint with variable extension is an elastic joint.  
     
     
         15 ) The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the tubular joint with variable extension is a telescopic joint.  
     
     
         16 ) The apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising means for tensioning the flexible pipe.  
     
     
         17 ) The apparatus according to  claim 4 , comprising at least one elastic ring for airtight locking, to removably connected the ends of the flexible pipe to the rigid tubular elements.  
     
     
         18 ) The apparatus according to  claim 6  comprising a unit for control and command of the relative rotation of the rigid tubular elements, the unit regulatory the rotation of at least one of the tubular elements to guarantee gradual filing of the flexible pipe by gravity along the axis and wherein the control and command unit is connected to and acts on the motor.