Importance

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Abstract

A method for detecting the presence of and removing jams in a chute used for transporting a flowable material includes a jam breaking device which travels within the chute. An acoustic detector detects acoustic signals associated with movement of the material through the chute and compares the acoustic signal to a stored acoustic signature representative of an unjammed chute. If a jam is detected, the jam breaking device is operated for a fixed period of time to attempt to break up the jam. After another fixed period of time, a new acoustic signal is detected and processed to determine whether the jam is still present. If so, the jam breaking device is moved a predetermined distance along the chute and operated again. These steps are repeated as long as each new acoustic signal indicates that the jam is still present. The jam breaking device is an air hammer which includes a fluid inlet, at least one fixed block of mass in the housing, a piston powered by fluid from the fluid inlet and a plurality of fluid outlet ports circumferentially spaced around the housing for expelling a stream of high pressure fluid compressed by the piston. The piston reciprocates within the housing, repeatedly striking the fixed block of mass and causing the air hammer to vibrate. The vibration and stream of air operates to pulverize material near the air hammer.

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First Claim