US4605329A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydraulic transportation of objects
Assignee: FIBRE DYNAMICS Ltd A CORP OF NEW ZEALAND
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Filing: 1983-10-25
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Granted: 1986-08-12
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Expires: 2003-10-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for hydraulically transporting objects, including particulate material such as coal, along a conduit. A supporting material such as a quantity of flexible fibres are mixed into a liquid and their tendency to flocculate therein is utilized to create a network which will support the objects in the liquid. The objects can be supported in the mix while it is pumped along a conduit, for example a pipe, to thus transport the objects. At the outlet a separation means removes the objects from the mix of liquid and supporting material.
Inventors
- 👤 Geoffrey G. Duffy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 19:03
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G53/00; B65G53/30; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0391
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
The method of transporting coal, characterized by supplying the coal in pieces about 60 millimeters in size, introducing those pieces into a pipeline along with a stream of water in which is distributed a sufficient concentration of suspended flocculated flexible fibers to support each of the pieces of the coal, and passing the stream of water carrying the thus-supported pieces of coal, through the pipeline.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
65 words
The method of transporting coal, characterized by supplying the coal in pieces about 60 millimeters in size, introducing those pieces into a pipeline along with a stream of water in which is distributed a sufficient concentration of suspended flocculated flexible fibers to support each of the pieces of the coal, and passing the stream of water carrying the thus-supported pieces of coal, through the pipeline.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 in which the concentration of the coal pieces is such as to impart to the coal-carrying fibrous suspension a flowing friction loss less than that of water alone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 in which the fibers are mechanically pulped wood fibers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 in which the fibers are wood fibers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-08-11 | 1990-02-10 | 1990-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-08-11 | 1994-02-10 | 1994-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-08-11 | 1998-02-10 | 1998-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |