air vacuum pump for a particulate loader and transfer apparatus

Abstract

A blower for a particulate loader and transfer apparatus, comprising, at least one blade having a proximal and distal end, means for rotating the at least one blade in a direction about an axis of rotation wherein the proximal end of the blade is nearer to the axis of rotation than the distal end of the blade is to the axis of rotation and wherein the blade is angled so that as the blade rotates about the axis, the proximal end of the blade precedes the distal end of the blade.

1 . A blower for a particulate loader and transfer apparatus comprising:
 a discharge shroud; and,   a centrifugal air vacuum pump disposed inside the discharge shroud and rotatable about an axis of rotation for drawing air and centrifugally expelling the same into the discharge shroud, the centrifugal air vacuum pump comprising:
 an air inlet for being connected to an air-material separating chamber of the particulate loader and transfer apparatus, the air inlet being disposed concentrically to the axis of rotation; and, 
 a plurality of blades, each blade having a proximal and distal end with the proximal end of the blade being placed in proximity to a circumference of the air inlet and the blade extending therefrom, wherein each blade is angled with respect to a corresponding radial direction such that as the blade rotates about the axis, the proximal end of the blade precedes the distal end of the blade. 
   
     
     
         2 . A blower for a particulate loader and transfer apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein each blade is curved. 
     
     
         3 . A blower for a particulate loader and transfer apparatus as defined in  claim 2  wherein each blade is curved such that the angle with respect to the corresponding radial direction is increasing with increasing distance to the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         4 . A blower for a particulate loader and transfer apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein the centrifugal air vacuum pump comprises a plurality of supplemental blades, each supplemental blade having a proximal and distal end with the distal end of the guide member being placed in proximity to an outer edge of the centrifugal air vacuum pump and the supplemental blade having a shorter length than the blades. 
     
     
         5 . A blower for a particulate loader and transfer apparatus as defined in  claim 4  wherein each supplemental blade is equidistantly interposed between two successive blades. 
     
     
         6 . A blower for a particulate loader and transfer apparatus as defined in  claim 4  wherein each supplemental blade is curved. 
     
     
         7 . A blower for a particulate loader and transfer apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein the proximal end of at least a subset of the blades is extended into the air inlet. 
     
     
         8 . A blower for a particulate loader and transfer apparatus as defined in  claim 7  wherein the proximal end of the at least a subset of the blades is angled in the direction of rotation. 
     
     
         9 . A blower for a particulate loader and transfer apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein the centrifugal air vacuum pump comprises a front rotor plate and a rear rotor plate having the blades disposed therebetween and mounted thereto. 
     
     
         10 . A blower for a particulate loader and transfer apparatus as defined in  claim 9  wherein the front rotor plate comprises the air inlet and extends therefrom. 
     
     
         11 . A blower for a particulate loader and transfer apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein the discharge shroud comprises at least two cut-offs and at least two corresponding exhaust discharge outlets. 
     
     
         12 . A blower for a particulate loader and transfer apparatus as defined in  claim 1  comprising at least a stator disposed between an outer edge of the centrifugal air vacuum pump and a wall of the discharge shroud. 
     
     
         13 . A blower for a particulate loader and transfer apparatus comprising:
 a centrifugal air vacuum pump rotatable about an axis of rotation, the centrifugal air vacuum pump for drawing air through an air inlet disposed concentrically to the axis of rotation and centrifugally expelling the air; and,   a discharge shroud enclosing the centrifugal air vacuum pump, the discharge shroud comprising at least two cut-offs and at least two corresponding exhaust discharge outlets, the discharge shroud for receiving the centrifugally expelled air and providing the same to the exhaust discharge outlets.   
     
     
         14 . A blower for a particulate loader and transfer apparatus comprising:
 a centrifugal air vacuum pump rotatable about an axis of rotation, the centrifugal air vacuum pump for drawing air through an air inlet disposed concentrically to the axis of rotation and centrifugally expelling the air;   a discharge shroud enclosing the centrifugal air vacuum pump, the discharge shroud comprising at least a cut-off and at least a corresponding exhaust discharge outlet, the discharge shroud for receiving the centrifugally expelled air and providing the same to the at least an exhaust discharge outlet; and,   at least a stator disposed between an outer edge of the centrifugal air vacuum pump and a wall of the discharge shroud.   
     
     
         15 . A blower for a particulate loader and transfer apparatus as defined in  claim 14  wherein the at least a stator is curved. 
     
     
         16 . A blower for a particulate loader and transfer apparatus as defined in  claim 14  wherein the at least a stator comprises a plurality of stators with the stators having an increased length in the direction of the rotation of the centrifugal air vacuum pump. 
     
     
         17 . A blower for a particulate loader and transfer apparatus as defined in  claim 14  wherein the at least a stator comprises a plurality of stators and wherein the number of stators is other than the number of blades and wherein the number of stators is other than a multiple of the number of blades.