Linear tractor dry coal extrusion pump

Abstract

A pump for transporting particulate material includes an inlet, an outlet, a passageway, a first and second load beam, a first and second scraper seal, and a first and second drive assembly. The inlet introduces the particulate material into the passageway and the outlet expels the particulate material from the passageway. The passageway is defined by a first belt assembly and a second belt assembly that are opposed to each other. The first and second load beams are positioned within the first belt assembly and the second belt assembly, respectively. The first scraper seal and a second scraper seal are positioned proximate the passageway and the outlet. The first drive assembly is positioned within an interior section of the first belt assembly and drives the first belt assembly and the second drive assembly is positioned within an interior section of the second belt assembly and drives the second belt assembly.

1. A pump for transporting particulate material comprising:
 a passageway defined by a first belt assembly and a second belt assembly, wherein each of the first belt assembly and the second belt assembly has an interior section and wherein the first belt assembly and the second belt assembly are opposed to each other; 
 an inlet for introducing the particulate material into the passageway; 
 an outlet for expelling the particulate material from the passageway; 
 a first load beam positioned within the interior section of the first belt assembly; 
 a second load beam positioned within the interior section of the second belt assembly; 
 a first scraper seal and a second scraper seal positioned proximate the passageway and the outlet; 
 a first drive assembly positioned within the interior section of the first belt assembly for driving the first belt assembly; and 
 a second drive assembly positioned within the interior section of the second belt assembly for driving the second belt assembly. 
 
     
     
       2. The pump of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first belt assembly and the second belt assembly comprises a plurality of belt links pivotally connected to each other by a plurality of link rotation axles. 
     
     
       3. The pump of  claim 2 , and further comprising a first labyrinth seal at an interface between the first belt assembly and the first scraper seal, and a second labyrinth seal at an interface between the second belt assembly and the second scraper seal. 
     
     
       4. The pump of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first drive assembly and the second drive assembly comprises at least two drive sprockets. 
     
     
       5. The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the first belt assembly and the second belt assembly rotate in opposing directions. 
     
     
       6. The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the first scraper seal and the second scraper seal in combination with a portion of the particulate material form a seal for the pump. 
     
     
       7. The pump of  claim 1 , and further comprising a valve positioned proximate the outlet of the pump. 
     
     
       8. The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the first load beam and the second load beam converge at half angles between about 0 and about 5 degrees. 
     
     
       9. A particulate transporting pump having reduced shearing zones, the particulate transporting pump comprising:
 a first end for introducing particulates; 
 a second end for expelling the particulates; 
 a first belt assembly positioned between the first end and the second end; 
 a second belt assembly positioned between the first end and the second end, wherein the first belt assembly and the second belt assembly are positioned opposite each other to form a particulate passageway; 
 a first load beam for carrying load from the first belt assembly; 
 a second load beam for carrying load from the second belt assembly; 
 a plurality of scraper seals for forming a seal within the particulate transporting device; and 
 a driving mechanism for transporting the particulates through the passageway from the first end to the second end. 
 
     
     
       10. The pump of  claim 9 , wherein each of the first belt assembly and the second belt assembly comprises a plurality of belt links pivotally connected to each other by a plurality of link rotation axles, and wherein each of the first belt assembly and the second belt assembly has an interior section. 
     
     
       11. The pump of  claim 10 , wherein the driving mechanism comprises a plurality of drive sprockets positioned within the interior sections of the first belt assembly and the second belt assembly. 
     
     
       12. The pump of  claim 9 , and further comprising an end wall for forming a first labyrinth seal between the first belt assembly and the first scraper seal, and for forming a second labyrinth seal between the second belt assembly and the second scraper seal. 
     
     
       13. The pump of  claim 9 , wherein the driving mechanism transports the particulates under pressure. 
     
     
       14. The pump of  claim 9 , wherein the first scraper seal is positioned adjacent the first belt assembly and the second end, and wherein the second scraper seal is positioned adjacent the second belt assembly and the passageway. 
     
     
       15. The pump of  claim 9 , and further comprising a valve positioned at the second end. 
     
     
       16. The pump of  claim 9 , wherein the first belt assembly and the second belt assembly rotate in opposite directions. 
     
     
       17. The pump of  claim 9 , wherein the first load beam and the second load beam converge at half angles between about 0 and about 5 degrees. 
     
     
       18. A method of pumping particulates comprising:
 feeding the particulates into an inlet; 
 driving the particulates through a passageway defined a first belt assembly and a second belt assembly; 
 supporting the passageway while driving the particulates through the passageway; 
 scraping particulates from the first belt assembly and the second belt assembly to form a seal, respectively; and 
 expelling the particulates from an outlet. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein driving the particulates through a passageway defined by a first belt assembly and a second belt assembly comprises rotating the first belt assembly in a first direction and rotating the second belt assembly in a second direction. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , wherein rotating the first belt assembly in a first direction and the second belt assembly in a second direction comprises using a plurality of drive sprockets positioned within the first belt assembly and the second belt assembly. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 18 , wherein supporting the passageway comprises a positioning a first load beam within the first belt assembly and positioning a second load beam within the second belt. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 21 , wherein the first load beam and the second load beam converge at half angles between about 0 and about 5 degrees. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 18 , wherein scraping particulates from the first belt assembly and the second belt assembly to form a seal comprises using a first scraper seal and a second scraper seal, respectively. 
     
     
       24. A pump for transporting particulate material comprising:
 a passageway defined in part by a belt;   a load beam positioned within an interior section of the belt, said load beam operable to at least partially carry an upward shearing load along the passageway from the belt;   a scraper seal adjacent said belt; and   a drive operable to drive said belt.   
     
     
       25. The pump as recited in claim 24, wherein the belt is maintained in a substantially linear form by said load beam. 
     
     
       26. The pump as recited in claim 24, wherein the belt and the scraper seal form a seal between the passageway and an outside atmosphere. 
     
     
       27. The pump as recited in claim 24, wherein the belt includes an end seal which interacts with an end wall to seal a pressurized interior of said pump from atmosphere. 
     
     
       28. The pump as recited in claim 24, wherein the belt includes a belt assembly having a plurality of belt links pivotally connected to each other. 
     
     
       29. The pump as recited in claim 24, wherein the passageway is defined between the belt and another belt which define the passageway. 
     
     
       30. The pump as recited in claim 24, further comprising a first drive assembly positioned within an interior section of the belt for driving the belt. 
     
     
       31. The pump as recited in claim 24, wherein the passageway is arranged generally vertically with respect to gravity. 
     
     
       32. The pump as recited in claim 24, wherein the load beam supports an outward compressive load from within the passageway. 
     
     
       33. A pump for transporting particulate material comprising:
 a passageway defined in part by a first belt and a second belt;   a first scraper seal adjacent said first belt proximate said passageway and an outlet from said passageway;   a second scraper seal adjacent said second belt proximate said passageway and said outlet from said passageway;   a drive operable to drive said first belt and a drive operable to drive said second belt.   
     
     
       34. The pump as recited in claim 33, wherein said first scraper seal is directly opposed to said second scraper seal. 
     
     
       35. A pump for transporting particulate material comprising:
 a passageway defined in part by a belt, said belt includes an end seal which interacts with an end wall of the pump to seal a pressurized interior of the pump from atmosphere;   a scraper seal adjacent said belt proximate said passageway and an outlet from said passageway; and   a drive operable to drive said belt.