Booster valve and pneumatic transfer system

Abstract

"REINFORCEMENT VALVE, E, PNEUMATIC TRANSFER SYSTEM". a circulation valve is described which has a sealing component which has a first condition for fitting a housing to prevent backflow and a platform for obstructing the flow of flow through the circulation valve, with the platform supporting the sealing component in a condition out of the way to allow fluid to seep through the circulation valve.

Description

"Boost valve and pneumatic transfer system" FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to circulation valves and, more specifically, to a booster valve with a flexible rocker sealing component responsive to a low differential pressure condition that allows increasing the fluid energy of a transfer line while preventing backflow through the booster valve. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The concept of circulation valves, such as booster valves, is well known in the technology. Typically, booster valves are used in pneumatic transfer systems to increase the energy of the flow in a transfer line by inserting a fluid, such as air, at a pressure higher than that of the air in the transfer line, which assists in the transport of materials through the transfer lines. Examples of booster valves can be found in Steele's US patents 4,313,699, 4,708,535 and 5,345,969.

[0003] Booster valves need to withstand a harsh environment and be able to operate for an extended period of time, as well as prevent backflow through the valve. Furthermore, in some circumstances, it is desirable to have the booster valve respond to extremely low differential pressure conditions. The present invention provides an improved circulation valve, or booster valve, that has a sealing component that provides two operating conditions, a flow condition and a no-flow condition. The booster valve includes a disc-type sealing component that rests on a radially outward rocker in a continuous annular peripheral region that flexes to fit an annular sealing surface inside a housing when pressures are Petition 870180141820, dated 10 / 17 / 2018, page 8 / 56 / 20 equal on both sides of the sealing component. The partial engagement of the sealing component on the annular sealing surface in the housing is sufficient to prevent backflow at low pressure differentials. If the backflow pressure increases, the central part of the disc-type sealing component is displaced upwards to further block the internal fluid orifices, which are located radially inside the annular sealing surface within the housing. However, if the pressure differential across the booster valve drops to a displacement pressure differential condition, the central part of the disc-type sealing component and the rocker-supported part of the sealing component that engages the annular sealing surface are axially displaceable and are supported in an out-of-the-way condition on a support platform.As a result, if air is used as the fluid, air can be added to the transfer line practically as soon as the pressure in the transfer line begins to drop. Thus, at one stage of operation, the entire sealing component can isolate the fluid inlet orifices, and at another stage of operation, a predisposed seal is formed by the resilience of the sealing component. If the upstream pressure exceeds the downstream pressure, the pressure on the sealing component from the fluid in the circulation valve drives the sealing component into an out-of-the-way and supported condition that allows fluid to flow rapidly through the circulation valve. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In summary, the invention comprises a circulation valve having a sealing component that has a first condition to fit a housing to prevent backflow and a platform to obstruct the passage of flow through the circulation valve, with the platform supporting the sealing component in an out-of-the-way condition to allow fluid to flow through the circulation valve. More specifically, the invention comprises a circulation valve, or BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1 is a front view of the booster valve of the present invention; Figure 2 is a transfer system with the booster valve from Figure 1 located in the transfer lines of the transfer system; Figure 3 is a sectional view of the booster valve of Figure 3 in the normally closed condition; Figure 3A is a sectional view of the booster valve of Figure 3 in a supported condition where the back pressure substantially exceeds the inlet pressure at the booster valve; Figure 4 is a sectional view of the booster valve of Figure 3 in the open condition; Figure 5 is a top view of a platform insert for Figure 6 is a side view of the platform insert shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the top view of the platform insert from Figure 5; Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the underside of the platform insert from Figure 5; Figure 9 is a top view of a flow insert for the booster valve of Figure 1; Figure 10 is a sectional view of the flow insert of Figure 9 taken along lines 10-10; Figure 11 is a side view of the sealing component in the booster valve of Figure 1; Figure 12 is a perspective view of the sealing component shown in Figure 11; Figure 13 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a circulation valve; Figure 14 is a top view of the circulation valve shown in Figure 14; Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the circulation valve of Figure 14 taken along lines 15-15 of Figure 14; Figure 16 is a cutaway perspective view of a support ring of the platform; Figure 17 is a perspective view of a platform that has lugs to fit into the support ring of the platform in Figure 16; Figure 17 is a perspective view of a platform with lugs to fit the support ring of Figure 16; Figure 18 is a cutaway perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a sealing component having a support of Figure 19 shows the circulation valve of Figure 13 in the condition of zero differential pressure; Figure 20 shows the circulation valve of Figure 13 in an intensification condition, where a fluid is directed through the circulation valve as the sealing component is supported in an out-of-the-way condition on a platform in the circulation valve; and Figure 21 shows a circulation valve from Figure 13 in the closed condition with the sealing component preventing backflow through the circulation valve. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0006] Figure 1 shows a front view of a circulation valve, or booster valve 10, which has a housing 11 comprising a lower part 11a that is threaded into an upper part 11b by means of a set of male and female threads (see Figure 3 and Figure 4). The upper end of the housing 11 includes an inlet 12 to allow fluid to enter the booster valve 10, and the lower part of the housing 11 includes an outlet 13 to direct the fluid through it.

[0007] Figure 2 shows a typical transfer system 20 in which a receiving hopper 21 is used to supply remote hoppers 26 and 27 via transfer lines. Material in hopper 21 is fed into hopper 26 via transfer line 22, and material in hopper 21 is also fed into hopper 28 via transfer line 25. Since each of the hoppers 26 and 27 is located remotely from hopper 21, frictional losses can reduce flow through the transfer line, and it may be necessary to assist flow in the transfer lines by introducing a higher-pressure fluid, such as air, into the transfer lines. In the system shown, a fluid source

[0008] In the operation of the pneumatic transfer system 20, additional material transfer energy is in the form of higher pressure air that is injected into the high-pressure air transfer lines to assist in transferring material to the tanks 26 and 27. As the booster valves 10 also operate as a check valve, any material in the transfer lines is prevented from flowing into the high-pressure air source 23, even if the pressure in the transfer lines 22 and 25 accidentally exceeds the fluid pressure in the high-pressure air source 23.

[0009] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the booster valve 10 of the present invention in the normally closed condition, when the inlet pressure P2 and the outlet pressure P1 are equal. The booster valve 10 comprises an upper housing 11b which has an inlet 12 and an optional orifice 30 for attaching a pressure gauge or similar thereto. The upper housing 11b connects to the lower housing 11a by means of threads 11e and 11f. A sealing ring 19 extends between the upper housing 11b and the lower housing 11a to form a sealed chamber or flow passage 37 in the housing 11. Located in the upper housing 11b is a flow insert 31, or flow straightener, which forms an upper base with a set of flow openings 31a that are circumferentially spaced around the insert 31 to direct the fluid from the chamber 18 to strike the upper surface of the sealing component 40f of the sealing component 40.Located in the center of the insert is a locator 32 comprising a cylindrical side wall that prevents displacement of the locator 40a and, consequently, of the sealing component, while simultaneously allowing axial displacement of the sealing component 40. With the sealing component in the position shown in the figure. 3. The upper surface 40f is spaced from a support surface of the sealing region 31c on the underside of the insert 31. The rocker-supported sealing fit of the peripheral region 40b of the sealing component 40 with the annular sealing surface 11c, which is chamfered to angularly intersect the peripheral sealing region to produce a predisposed seal, such that the outlet is always isolated from the inlet. That is, the sealing component flexes to form a seal under pressure equilibrium conditions. Consequently, even a slight increase in downstream pressure P1 relative to upstream pressure P2 cannot result in backflow from the outlet to the inlet, since the sealing component is in a predisposed closed condition because of the resilience of the sealing component 40 and the rocker fit of the sealing component with the housing.

[00010] The flow insert 31 is shown in an isolated top view in Figure 9 and includes a set of flow passages 31a that are circumferentially spaced around the flow insert. The locator 32 is centrally positioned on the flow insert 11. Located on the outer peripheral edge of the flow insert 31 is a protrusion 31b that allows the flow insert to be hand-mounted onto a corresponding ferrule in the upper housing 11b shown in Figure 3. Thus, the insert can be spaced into an operating position without the aid of tools. Figure 10 shows an isolated view of the flow insert revealing the protrusion or ferrule 31b which forms a stop as the insert is mounted into the housing.

[00011] Located in housing 11 is a platform 35 that obstructs fluid flow through the housing. That is, platform 35 is centrally supported in a flow region 37 within housing 11 to produce a peripheral or annular flow passage after the ferrule of platform 35p. Platform 35 is shown in more detail in the figures. 5-8. Figure 5 shows a top view of a circular platform 12 with supports 35a, 35b, 35c, and 35d extending radially outward to fit the housing 11a to centrally support the platform 35 in an obstructed condition, such that fluid flowing through the housing has to flow around the peripheral edge 35p of the platform 35. The upper side of the platform 35 includes a circumferential flat section 35e and a peripheral chamfered region 35f which is seen more clearly in Figure 6. Figure 3 shows the chamfered region 35f located near the chamfered sealing region 11c. A locator 35g is positioned in the center of the platform 35 and comprises a cylindrical side wall that can retain a corresponding locator from the sealing component 40 thereon. Figure 5 shows a top view of platform 35 with the lengths of the supports or legs 35a, 35b, 35c and 35d indicated by x.Figure 7 shows a top perspective view of the platform, and Figure 8 shows a base perspective view illustrating that each of the supports or legs 35a, 35b, 35c and 35d extends radially outward from the platform 35.

[00012] Figure 3 shows that platform 35 is maintained in the central flow region to produce a flow obstruction by the radially extending legs 35c and 35d and also by the legs 35a and 35b which are not visible in the sectional view. Platform 35 includes an outer circumferential ferrule 35p that is spaced at a distance AR from a circumferential region 13a in housing 13 to create an annular flow passage around the peripheral edge of platform 35.

[00013] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, a disc-shaped sealing component 40 is shown positioned between the flow insert 31 and partially supported by the platform 35. The sealing component 40 is shown in an isolated side view in Figure 11 and in an isolated perspective view in Figure 12. The sealing component comprises a flat disc 40b made of a flexible material, such as an elastomer. Located in the central part of the sealing component 40 is an upper locator 40a, comprising a post, and located in the central part of the sealing component 40 on the opposite side is the additional locator 40c, which also comprises a post extending from the sealing component 40. In the embodiment shown, the sealing component 40 and the locators 40a and 40c are made of a resilient material such as rubber or similar. However, the locators 40a and 40c may be made of other materials, provided they are used to maintain the central location of the sealing component. The sealing component 40 is preferably a one-piece molded component positioned between the platform 35 and the insert 31; however, if desired, the seal 40 could be formed of multiple components.

[00014] Figure 11 shows a side view of the sealing component 40 in the relaxed state or condition with the sealing component extending outwards substantially perpendicular to a central geometric axis 39 of the locators 40a and 40b. Locator 40a comprises an upper centering component and similarly, locator 40b comprises a lower centering component. Locators 40a and 40b may be made of the elastomeric material shown or of another material that can be clamped onto the sealing component 40. The purpose of the locator is to maintain the sealing component in a central location when the booster valve is in a flow condition or a no-flow condition. A flange 40d extends parallel along a portion of the lower side of the sealing component 40, with locator 40b forming a hub with flange 40d.Thus, the sealing component 40 includes both upper and lower locators that prevent radial displacement of the sealing component, but allow axial displacement of the sealing component 40.

[00015] Figure 3 shows flange 40d of flexible component 40

[00016] If the downstream pressure P1 falls below the upstream pressure P2, it is desirable to add pressurized fluid to bring the pressure down, 11 / 20 consequently, the energy transfer, at the appropriate level. With the present invention, the sealing component 40 removes its own seal in response to a pressure differential as pressure P2 exceeds pressure Pi. This allows fluid to flow from the region of higher pressure P2 to the region of lower pressure Pi.

[00017] Figure 4 shows the circulation valve 10 in the open condition. In the open condition, the sealing component 40 with the peripheral edge 40b is flexed downwards and is supported by the chamfered peripheral edge 35f of the platform 35. That is, the higher air pressure P2 now forces the unsupported peripheral edge 35f out of the annular sealing surface 1lc and allows fluid to flow through the fluid passages 31a in the manner indicated by the arrows. The fluid pressure displaces the sealing component 40 until the platform 35 supports the sealing component 40 on it. The chamfered annular surface 35f allows the elastomer sealing component 40 to be displaced to an out-of-the-way condition on the platform 35. As can be seen from the arrows, the fluid then flows radially outwards along the sealing component 40b and over the edge 11c until fluid enters the outlet. 13. In this condition, fluid, such as pressurized air, can flow from inlet 12 to outlet 13 and into a pipe to increase the pressure and energy of the transfer stream in the transfer line. As the platform obstructs the flow passage in the housing, the sealing component, which is deflectable and displaceable, can be supported by the platform in an out-of-the-way condition by the pressure of the incoming fluid. This allows fluid to flow along the sealing component 40 and beyond the peripheral edge 40f and into the annular flow passage formed between the platform 35 and the housing 11.

[00018] Thus, the present invention comprises a circulation valve having a housing 11 which has a flow passage 47 therein and a platform 35 positioned obstructively in the flow passage.

[00019] Although gases such as air are most frequently used in circulation valves and booster valves, the present invention can also be used with fluids such as liquids. Furthermore, the circulation valve of the present invention can also be used as a check valve to prevent backflow.

[00020] Figure 13 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of an in-line circulation valve 50 having a housing 51 comprising an upper component 51a and a lower component 51b that

[00021] Figure 14 is a top view of the circulation valve of Figure 14 showing the inlet 61 with an inlet passage 61a positioned centrally in relation to the housing 51. The flow straightener 63 having a set of concentrically spaced flow passages 63a which are visible through the inlet orifice 61. The inlet 61 includes a thread 61a to allow the valve to be threaded into a fluid source.

[00022] Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the circulation valve 60 of Figure 14 made along lines 15-15 of Figure 14. The circulation valve includes a flow insert 63 which can be formed as part of the upper housing 51a or as a separate component, shown in Figure 3. Similarly, the lower housing 64 includes a set of concentrically positioned flow passages 64a to direct the fluid through it. In the embodiment of Figure 15, the upper housing 51a and the lower housing 51b of the circulation valve which form the housing of the circulation valve 51 are held close to each other by means of a set of six circumferentially spaced screws (see Figure 14). Figure 15 shows screw 57 with a washer 57a at one end and a washer 57b and a nut 57c at the opposite end, with screw 57 extending through a hole 60e in housing 51a and a hole 60d in housing 51b.A support ring for platform 70 is pressed between them, with the support ring 70 having a hole 70a to extend a screw through it. This is how all the other screws are positioned.

[00023] Figure 15 shows the disc-shaped sealing component 90 with an outer peripheral sealing region 90a in a flexed condition, with the peripheral sealing region forming a predisposed seal due to the inherent resilience of the sealing component 90. That is, the sealing component 90 is formed so as to extend laterally or radially outward from an upper locator 93, the integral post, and a lower locator 94, or integral post, both of which extend along a central geometric axis 100. The outer peripheral region 90a of the sealing component flexes from a normal radially extended condition to fit the sealing surface of the housing 51d, thus holding the outer peripheral region 90a against the sealing surface 51d to form a predisposed seal, between the inlet and outlet of the valve 60.In other words, the predisposed seal isolates the inlet from the outlet without the aid of a fluid pressure differential by the sealing component 90. However, when the inlet pressure becomes greater than the outlet pressure, the predisposed seal can be overcome to open the valve 60 to allow fluid to flow from the inlet 61 to the outlet 60. On the other hand, when the outlet pressure increases and becomes greater than the inlet pressure, the sealing component 90 is displaced upwards to a pressure-sealed condition that blocks fluid flow through the flow orifices 63a.

[00024] Figure 16 is a cutaway perspective view of the support ring of platform 70 which has a set of peripherally spaced holes 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d, 70e and 70f to receive screws for mounting the upper housing 51a into the lower housing 51b. The support ring of platform 70

[00025] Platform 80 is shown in isolated view in Figure 17. Platform 80 is similar to platform 35 in that it supports the sealing component when the circulation valve is in an intensification condition. Platform 80 includes a set of radially extending lugs 81, 82, and 83 that are inserted into the lug notches in the platform support ring 70. The support of platform 80 is centrally positioned to provide an obstruction to the flow passage 85 in the housing 51. That is, platform 80 obstructs the central flow of fluid through the housing 51, but allows flow beyond a peripheral ferrule 80e. That is, platform 80 is centrally supported in a flow region 85 within the housing 51 to produce a peripheral or annular type flow passage after the ferrule of platform 80e.The upper side of the platform 80 includes a circumferential flat section 80b that supports the sealing component 90 and a peripheral chamfered region 80c that does not support the sealing component 90 when the sealing component is in a condition with little or no pressure differential on the sealing component. A locator 80c is positioned in the center of the platform 80 and comprises a cylindrical side wall that may retain a corresponding locator 94 or post extending from the sealing component 90 to prevent lateral or radial displacement of the sealing component 90 as the sealing component moves from an open condition to a sealed condition, or vice versa.

[00026] Figure 18 is a cutaway perspective view of a

[00027] Figure 18a is a side view of the sealing component 90 and includes an outer peripheral sealing region 90f which has a thickness t1 that is generally smaller than the thickness of the central sealing region 90e t2 to produce a more massive central orifice sealing region. The central sealing region 90e is provided with a diameter x, which is substantially equal to the diameter of the flow insert 63, so as to be able to cover the orifices 63a. In this embodiment, the two different thicknesses allow the sealing component to be responsive to sealing under different pressure conditions. That is, the outer peripheral region 90f flexes to provide sealing fit under a zero pressure differential condition illustrated in Figure 15. This is referred to as a predisposed seal, since no pressure differential in the sealing component is required to isolate the fluid at the inlet from the fluid at the outlet.However, if the backpressure, that is, the pressure at the outlet, increases substantially, the central sealing component 90e, which is thicker, that is, more massive than the outer part 90f, can withstand greater pressure differentials. Figure 21 illustrates that, if the diameter of the central sealing region x is equal to or greater than the diameter x of the flow insert 63, the central sealing region 90e can block the orifices 63a. The solid central sealing region 90e can withstand substantial differentials of .

[00028] Figure 18 shows the sealing component 90 in cross-sectional view with the cloth 91 extending over it. It should be noted that other reinforcing and flexible materials besides cloth can be used to provide additional support for the sealing component 90.

[00029] Figures 19-20 show the various positions of the sealing component 90 during the operation of the valve 60. Figure 19 shows the sealing component 90 in a zero differential pressure condition, i.e., pressure P3 and pressure P4 are equal or substantially equal. In this condition, referred to as a predisposed sealing condition, the outer peripheral part of the sealing component 90 is held in sealing engagement with the annular sealing surface 51d inside the housing 51 only by the resilient engagement of the sealing surface 51d. In this condition, an increase in the differential pressure on the sealing component 90 can generate two different modes of operation of the circulation valve 60. If the inlet pressure P3 is greater than the outlet pressure P4, the predisposed seal is broken as the sealing component 90 is displaced downwards, until the sealing component 90 is supported by the platform 80 in the manner illustrated in Figure 20.In this condition, the fluid flows through the housing 60 and around the sealing component 90, which is kept out of the way in the flow passage 85 in the circulation valve 60 by the platform 80. The arrows indicate the direction of flow through the valve 60.

[00030] If the outlet pressure P4 exceeds the inlet pressure P3, the circulation valve 60 acts as a check valve to prevent backflow from outlet 60 to inlet 61. Figure 21 shows that an increase

[00031] Thus, the present invention comprises multiple embodiments of a booster valve having a housing with an inlet and an outlet and a flexible sealing component in the housing flexed at least partially to form a seal designed to isolate a fluid at the inlet from a fluid at the outlet, with the sealing component responsive to a higher pressure at the inlet than at the outlet to overcome the seal designed to isolate and displace the sealing component from an isolated condition to an open condition to allow an intensification of fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet with one side of the sealing component supported by a platform, which may be a solid structure, as shown, or a porous or flexible structure, which may keep the sealing component in an out-of-the-way condition.If the pressure at the outlet exceeds the pressure at the inlet, the sealing component, whose lateral displacement is prevented by posts 95 and 96, is supported by the flow insert 63 to block the orifices 63a, preventing flow from the outlet to the inlet, even if the outlet pressure substantially exceeds the inlet pressure.

[00032] Thus, the invention includes a booster valve comprising

[00033] The invention also includes a booster valve seal.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Booster valve, comprising: a lodging (11) that has an entrance (12) and an exit (13); a platform (35) located in the housing (11), the platform (35) located in a flow passage (37) in the booster valve (10); a sealing component (40), the platform (35) normally maintaining a sealing region (40c) of the sealing component (40) in a partially flexed and sealed condition against a part (11c) of the housing (11) to prevent flow from the outlet (13) to the inlet (12), the sealing component (40) flexing in response to a higher pressure at the inlet (12) than at the outlet (13) to allow a fluid pressure differential across the sealing component (40) to bring the sealing component from the sealed condition to an unsealed condition to thus allow a booster flow of fluid from the inlet (12) to the outlet (13), a locator post (40b) fitting into said platform (35) to maintain said sealing component (40) in a central condition in a flow region of the housing (11), said locator post (40b) being located on the first side of the sealing component (40), and an additional locator post (40a) being located on one side opposite of the sealing component (40),with the locating post (40b) and the additional locating post (40a) acting together to maintain the sealing component (40) in a central condition in the flow region of the housing (11); characterized in that said flexible sealing member is a one-piece member comprising a disc (40) having said locator (40a, 40b) extending from each side of the disc (40).

2. Booster valve according to claim 1, 2 / 4 characterized in that the sealing component (40) comprises an elastomer.

3. Booster valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (11) includes an insert (31) for fluid to flow through it, with said insert (31) including a locator (32) to maintain the sealing component (40) in a center flow condition.

4. Booster valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing component (40) includes a locator (40b) extending into the interior of a locator recess (35g) in the platform (35).

5. Booster valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the platform (35) is centrally supported in the housing (11) to allow peripheral flow past a circumferential edge (35p) of the platform (35).

6. Booster valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the platform (35) has a chamfered peripheral support region (35f).

7. Booster valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing component (40) is located between a flow insert (31) and the platform (35).

8. Booster valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing component comprises a flexible disc (40) having a central sealing region (40d), said central sealing region having a thickness greater than the thickness of the sealing region (40c) of the sealing component (40).

9. Booster valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the platform (35) is peripherally spaced from the housing (11) sufficiently so that, when the peripheral region (40c) of the 3 / 4 sealing component (40) is placed in support fitting with the platform (35), fluid can flow between the parts of the housing (11) and the sealing component (40) to allow peripheral flow after the peripheral edge (35p) of the platform (35).

10. Booster valve according to claim 1, characterized in that said platform (35) supports said sealing component (40) in a rocker motion, when the sealing component is in an unsealed condition to allow flow after a peripheral edge (40c) of the sealing component (40).

11. Booster valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the fluid shock on an upstream side of said sealing component (40) directs said sealing component to said platform (35), with said platform providing support to keep the sealing component (40) in an out-of-the-way condition.

12. Booster valve according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a locator (40a, 40b) in said sealing component (40) to prevent lateral displacement of the sealing component, but still allowing bending of said sealing component (40) from a flow condition to a non-flow condition, and vice versa.

13. Booster valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing component (40) comprises a resilient sealing component.

14. Booster valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing component (40) contains a flexible peripheral sealing region (40c) for sealing said part (11c) of said housing (11).

15. Pneumatic transfer system (20) having a booster valve (10) as defined in claim 1 located in a first deposit (21); a second deposit (26, 27); a pneumatic transfer line (22, 25) connecting said first tank (21) to said second tank (26, 27); an air source (23); the booster valve (10) having an inlet (12) connected to said air source (23) and said outlet (13) connected to said pneumatic transfer line (22, 25), said booster valve (10) having a flow passage (37) partially obstructed therein by a platform (35) and a sealing component (40) normally maintaining the flow passage in a closed condition, said sealing component (40) being movable on the platform (35) in response to a pressure drop in the transfer line (22, 25) below the pressure of the air source (23) to allow air to flow around the sealing component (40) supported on the platform (35) and into the transfer line (22, 25) to improve the flow of materials through the transfer lines (22, 25).

16. Pneumatic transfer system according to claim 15, characterized in that the platform (35) includes a locator (35g), and the sealing component (40) includes a locator (40a, 40b) to prevent lateral displacement of said sealing component (40), while allowing axial displacement of said sealing component (40), and the platform (35) supports the sealing component (40) in a sealing condition against the housing (11), when there is no pressure differential between the inlet (12) and the outlet (13).