Manure transfer apparatus with spring biased guillotine door

Abstract

A manure transfer apparatus for transferring manure from a first location to a second remote location. The apparatus has a hopper at the first location for receiving the manure, and a collection chamber communicating with the hopper for receiving the manure. It also has a pumping chamber communicating with the collection chamber, a first guillotine door positioned between the collection chamber and the inlet of the pumping chamber, and a second guillotine door positioned between the outlet of the pumping chamber and a conduit communicating to the second remote location. A first hydraulic cylinder is connected to the first guillotine door for opening and closing it. A second hydraulic cylinder is also connected to the second guillotine door for opening and closing it. A pumping tube communicates with the pumping chamber and a hydraulic piston actuated by a hydraulic cylinder is positioned within the pumping tube for sucking manure into, and pushing manure out of the suction chamber. Advantageously, a biasing spring is connected to at least one of first and second hydraulic cylinders to force this cylinder to an extended position with the corresponding guillotine door in closed position in the case where pressure in the hydraulic conduits connected to the first and second hydraulic cylinders for operating the same drops below a predetermined threshold in a predetermined period of time. Such an automatic closure prevents unwanted manure back flow.

1 . In a manure transfer apparatus for transferring manure from a first location to a second remote location, comprising: 
 a hopper at the first location for receiving the manure;    a collection chamber communicating with the hopper for receiving the manure;    a pumping chamber communicating with the collection chamber, the pumping chamber having an inlet and an outlet;    a first guillotine door positioned between the collection chamber and the inlet of the pumping chamber, the first guillotine door being movable between open and closed positions;    a first hydraulic cylinder connected to the first guillotine door for opening and closing the first guillotine door by means of hydraulic conduits;    a second guillotine door positioned between the outlet of the pumping chamber and a conduit communicating to the second remote location, the second guillotine door being movable between open and closed positions;    a second hydraulic cylinder connected to the second guillotine door for opening and closing the second guillotine door by means of hydraulic conduits;    a pumping tube communicating with the pumping chamber; and    a hydraulic piston actuated by a hydraulic cylinder and positioned within the pumping tube for sucking manure into, and pushing manure out of the suction chamber;    the improvement wherein: 
 a biasing spring is connected to at least one of first and second hydraulic cylinders to force said at least one cylinder to an extended position with the corresponding guillotine door in closed position in the case where pressure in the hydraulic conduits of said at least one of the first and second hydraulic cylinders drops below a predetermined threshold in a predetermined period of time.  
   
     
     
         2 . The improved apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprises: 
 a small by-pass conduct mounted between the hydraulic conduits of said at least one of the first and second hydraulic cylinders.    
     
     
         3 . The improved apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing means is connected to the second hydraulic cylinder.  
     
     
         4 . The improved apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprises: 
 a small by-pass conduct mounted between the hydraulic conduits of said second hydraulic cylinder.