US 12,391,491 B1
Method and apparatis for transport of fine solids including powders
Mushtaq Khan, Dhahran (SA); Muhammad Asad, Dhahran (SA); and Muhammad Imran Khan, Dhahran (SA)
Assigned to PRINCE MOHAMMAD BIN FAHD UNIVERSITY, Dhahran (SA)
Filed by PRINCE MOHAMMAD BIN FAHD UNIVERSITY, Dhahran (SA)
Filed on Apr. 24, 2025, as Appl. No. 19/188,294.
Int. Cl. B22F 12/55 (2021.01); B01F 23/60 (2022.01); B22F 12/58 (2021.01); B29C 64/336 (2017.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B65G 33/08 (2006.01); B65G 47/19 (2006.01); B65G 51/02 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 47/19 (2013.01) [B01F 23/69 (2022.01); B65G 33/08 (2013.01); B65G 51/02 (2013.01); B65G 2201/042 (2013.01); B65G 2203/0258 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fine solids transport and metering system, comprising:
a first hopper configured to receive a first powder;
a second hopper configured to receive a second powder;
a first sensor positioned below the first hopper;
a second sensor positioned below the second hopper;
a first wheel that is donut-ring-shaped and has a first groove recessed below a top surface of the first wheel;
wherein the first hopper is positioned above the first wheel;
a first conduit connecting a bottom of the first hopper to the first groove and defining a first feeding path for the first powder;
a mixer unit;
a first suction head having a first end connected to the first groove and a second end connected to the mixer unit;
a first motor configured to rotate the first wheel so that the first powder is transferred from the first hopper to the first groove via the first conduit and then to the mixer unit via the first suction head;
a second wheel that is donut-ring-shaped and has a second groove recessed below a top surface of the second wheel;
wherein the second hopper is positioned above the second wheel;
a second conduit connecting a bottom of the second hopper to the second groove and defining a second feeding path for the second powder;
a second suction head having a first end connected to the second groove and a second end connected to the mixer unit; and
a second motor configured to rotate the second wheel so that the second powder is transferred from the second hopper to the second groove via the second conduit and then to the mixer unit via the second suction head, wherein
the mixer unit is configured to mix the first powder and the second powder.