Solid fuel transport and distribution device

Abstract

Device 1 for transporting and distributing solid fuel comprising: - at least one storage tank 2 for solid fuel of the pellet type, - at least one intermediate tank 3 capable of receiving one or more pellets from the storage tank 2, - a tube 4 with an internal diameter greater than the diameter of the pellets, - an outlet element 5 comprising a pipe connected at the front to the tube 4 and at the rear configured to face an intermediate tank 3 in a defined position, an oblique conduit connected to a pneumatic supply opening into said pipe, - motorized guide means 6 for moving pellets from an intermediate tank 3 in a defined position into said tube 4, - a rotating grooved roller 30 with at least one peripheral groove 32, at least partially forming at least one intermediate tank 3. Heating installation comprising such a device 1. Drawing: Fig 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for transporting and distributing solid fuel

[0001] The technical field of the present invention concerns that of devices for transporting and distributing solid fuel, in particular in the form of granules from biomass, for example wood, commonly called pellets.

[0002] The technical field may relate more particularly to the field of devices for supplying a combustion chamber of a heating installation.

[0003] Heating installations are known which use a combustion chamber in which granules from biomass are burned, also commonly called wood granules, densified wood granules or pellets, in the form of extruded cylinders or granules of substantially uniform size, hereinafter referred to by the general term "granule".

[0004] These heating installations can be intended for industrial or domestic use.

[0005] These granules can meet standards governing their dimensions and characteristics, such as for example the European standard EN 14 961-2 or the standard NF EN ISO 17225-2.

[0006] These granules can be presented according to these standards cited above in the form of a section with a diameter of 6 or 8 millimeters, to within one millimeter, a length of between 3 and 40 millimeters, and a humidity level of less than 10%.

[0007] A heating installation comprises, in a known manner, a pellet combustion chamber, a storage tank for said pellets, and means for supplying pellets from the tank to the combustion chamber.

[0008] The installation may provide a continuous supply of pellets from the tank to the hearth, and may include means for determining the quantity of pellets supplied.

[0009] The tank can be filled by hand, by gravity, or by screw or suction.

[0010] The tank can be offset from the combustion chamber for safety reasons and to avoid accidental fires.

[0011] Document EP2808606A1 thus refers to devices for transporting fuel from the storage area to the combustion area, so as to continuously supply the heating system, or at least as long as combustion is desired.

[0012] Application WO 2005 / 018302 discloses a pneumatic dispenser for a granular and / or powdery material. This application describes that the dispenser comprises an air inlet adjacent to a conduit, thus allowing the transport and then the distribution of the granular and / or powdery material.

[0013] Application US 2003133759 discloses a device for distributing a material in granular form initially stored in a hopper, distributed via a conduit perpendicular to a venturi conduit allowing the material to be transported in a tube located in the extension of the venturi. The system also comprises a wheel for regulating the distribution of materials in the venturi.

[0014] Document US 6012875 discloses a device for distributing a very precise quantity of granules from a hopper to a tank. The conduit at the outlet of the hopper is substantially perpendicular to a conduit comprising a venturi conduit and in which compressed air circulates, ultimately allowing the granules to be transported into the conduit downstream of the venturi conduit.

[0015] Patent application EP 2053310 discloses a system for transporting pellets from a storage area to a combustion area, the pellets initially stored in a hopper being deposited by gravity in a conduit in which an air flow generated by a fan allows the pellets to be conveyed to distribution valves in the combustion area.

[0016] However, all these distribution systems have a number of drawbacks concerning their use and implementation. Means additional to the pneumatic means, making it possible to facilitate the precision of the distribution of the fuel are not described. Nor are technical means disclosed in these documents for assessing the conformity of the fuel to be distributed in the heating system.

[0017] To resolve the drawbacks of this cited prior art, document EP2808606A1 teaches a reliable solid fuel transport and distribution device, making it possible to distribute solid fuel from biomass in a precise and quantified manner, while ensuring that the fuel circulating in the device towards the heating system is perfectly compliant with the standards imposed by the heating system and the distribution device, in particular dimensional standards.

[0018] It is in the form of a device for transporting and distributing solid fuel comprising at least one fuel storage tank presented in the form of granules of substantially uniform size, comprising at least one intermediate tank arranged to select each combustible granule one by one and to lead said granules towards an outlet element in communication with the intermediate tank, the outlet element leading the granules towards motorized granule guide means, arranged so that the granules progress on said means for guiding in single file towards the inlet of a hollowed-out tube whose internal diameter is substantially greater than the diameter of a granule, the tube comprising an opening made in the thickness of its wall and forming a conduit oblique with respect to the axis of the tube opening into the hollowed-out part of the tube, the oblique conduit being intended to be connected to a pneumatic generator arranged to deliver a gas under pressure so as to conduct each granule present in the tube towards a combustion chamber via a pipe connected on the one hand to the outlet of said hollowed-out tube and on the other hand to the combustion chamber, the device further comprising control means intended to control at least the motorized elements and the pneumatic generator of said device.

[0019] The intermediate tank of the solid fuel transport and distribution device taught is a vibrating bowl whose vibration frequency and intensity are chosen via the control means.

[0020] The guiding means of this taught device comprise two parallel cylindrical rods intended to be connected to motorization means controlled by the control means and allowing the axial rotation of each of the rods, the rods rotating in opposite directions so as to allow the movement of the granules towards the hollowed-out tube, the rods being inclined so that gravity facilitates the movement of the granules towards the hollowed-out tube, and the motorization means of the guiding means is a stepping motor.

[0021] This device comprises a means for measuring the size of the granules located opposite the guide means, said measuring means being a sensor connected to the control means and intended to measure the length of each granule progressing on the guide means.

[0022] It also comprises a valve secured to the first hollow tube, the valve being coupled to motorization means controlled by the control means to block or not block the inlet of said hollow tube.

[0023] It also comprises a means for detecting the presence of granules at the inlet of the hollowed-out tube, the valve being controlled by the control means so as to obstruct the main conduit of the tube after a time tl following the detection of a granule, this time tl being predefined and stored in a memory area of the control means. The motorization means of the guide means make it possible, on command, to reverse the direction of rotation of the rods causing, in the event of the presence on the guide means of certain granules not meeting the memorized and measured dimensional criteria, the separation of the rods so as to prevent said granules not meeting the memorized and measured dimensional criteria from accessing the inlet of the first hollowed-out tube.

[0024] The device taught by document EP2808606A1 has advantages over the prior art.

[0025] Thus, the transport of the pellets is done through a tube of reduced diameter, of the order of 10 millimeters. The diameter of this tube allows for discreet installation and little installation work for this device, and the device's tank is relatively compact and can be offset from the hearth. It can be combined with a larger pellet silo to limit the frequency of filling.

[0026] In addition, the management and transport of the pellets one by one makes it possible to know the quantity sent to the home.

[0027] The valve makes it possible to maintain a seal in the tube and in the hearth, thus avoiding disturbing combustion in the hearth.

[0028] This device, despite its advantages over the prior art described, nevertheless has drawbacks.

[0029] First of all, the use of a vibrating bowl and a system of spaced rods to sort and transport the granules from the bowl to the tube is complex to configure according to the granules used, and expensive in terms of investment.

[0030] When changing the pellet diameter, it is necessary to replace the vibrating bowl, or to spend a long time recalibrating it and carrying out verification tests.

[0031] Vibrations from the bowl can be transmitted to the surroundings and make the device annoying.

[0032] In the case of granules which are swollen due to moisture absorption, the vibrating bowl may no longer function or worse become blocked, which requires warning means and continuous maintenance.

[0033] In addition, the pellets in the vibrating bowl may become worn or broken due to vibration, which affects the quality of the pellets and brings in a large amount of dust.

[0034] Sending granules one by one also consumes a large quantity of compressed air, and this device requires a large quantity of sensors and motors, which are expensive and energy-intensive.

[0035] This device is expensive in investment and operation, complex, and requires significant maintenance and monitoring which makes it difficult to use for domestic use by inexperienced users.

[0036] It is therefore an objective of the invention to propose an alternative solid fuel transport and distribution device which does not have the drawbacks of the devices of the prior art.

[0037] It is an objective of the invention to provide a compact, robust device, economical to purchase and use, simple to use, easy to maintain, suitable for domestic use.

[0038] It is also an objective of the invention to propose a high-performance device, capable of operating without blockage or jamming, and of removing granule dust, granules that have swollen or are out of size.

[0039] It is also an objective of the invention to provide a device that can be quickly modified to accommodate pellets of a given diameter, for example 6, 7 or 8 millimeters, which rationalizes the production of the devices and their installation, and which allows a user to switch inexpensively from one pellet diameter to another.

[0040] To this end, the invention relates to a device for transporting and distributing solid fuel comprising: - at least one storage tank for solid fuel presented in the form of granules of substantially uniform size, - at least one intermediate tank arranged to be able to receive one or more granules from the storage tank, - a hollow tube whose internal diameter is significantly greater than the diameter of a granule, - an outlet element comprising a pipe extending along a longitudinal axis, said outlet element on the one hand cooperating by fitting with a first open end of said hollowed-out tube and on the other hand being able to be placed opposite an intermediate reservoir in a defined position, the outlet element comprising an opening passing through its wall, forming an oblique conduit relative to the pipe of the outlet element and opening into said pipe, said oblique conduit being intended to be connected to a pneumatic supply arranged to deliver a pressurized gas so as to conduct the granule(s) present in the hollowed-out tube towards a combustion chamber, - motorized pellet guiding means capable of moving one or more pellets from an intermediate reservoir into a defined position through the outlet member pipe into said hollow tube via said first open end of said tube.

[0041] Advantageously, the device comprises a grooved roller driven in rotation by a first motorized assembly around a central axis, in the lateral surface of which are arranged at least one peripheral groove aligned parallel to said central axis, said at least one groove at least partially forming said at least one intermediate reservoir.

[0042] This device, due to its alternative structure to that taught by document EP2808606A1, provides a certain number of advantages.

[0043] The vibrating bowl is notably replaced by a pivoting grooved roller.

[0044] Granules from the storage tank may engage in a groove when said groove faces the storage tank, and by pivoting the roller grooved so that said groove is in a defined position, the granules are arranged in single file in said groove opposite the outlet element and the tube. The guide means can then be actuated to move the granule(s) present from this groove forming at least partially an intermediate reservoir towards the interior of the hollowed-out tube.

[0045] This solution is particularly advantageous, because the sequenced rotation of a roller is not noisy, and does not generate annoying vibrations.

[0046] Each intermediate reservoir is formed mainly by a groove whose length allows it to receive several granules. The flow rate of the device is therefore improved compared to the teachings of document EP2808606A1.

[0047] The manufacture of such a grooved roller is economical, it can be produced by molding.

[0048] The energy required to sequentially rotate a grooved roller is low, making the device economical to use.

[0049] The depth and diameter of each groove are adapted to the dimensions of the granules to be distributed.

[0050] Thus, by using a tube and a pipe with an internal diameter of 10 millimeters, it is possible to provide a device adapted to a given diameter of granule by mounting a corresponding grooved roller on the device.

[0051] Such a device does not require complex adjustments.

[0052] This makes it possible to rationalize and simplify manufacturing, and to offer a range of devices that are economical to produce and use by changing only the grooved roller or by using a multi-purpose grooved roller capable of receiving granules with a diameter of between 5 and 9 millimeters, preferably but optionally granules of 6 or 8 millimeters, plus or minus one millimeter.

[0053] According to a characteristic of the invention, the device may comprise a cylinder facing the storage tank and the grooved roller, driven in rotation by a second motorized assembly around an axis parallel to the central axis of the grooved roller and pivoting in a direction opposite to said grooved roller, said cylinder comprising in its surface a plurality of twisted grooves, inclined relative to the axis, in particular at an angle of between 30 and 60 degrees.

[0054] This cylinder rotates in a direction opposite to the grooved roller, and allows mixing of the granules in the storage tank to avoid the formation of a vault of granules near the grooved roller. The grooves improve mixing without damaging the granules, and improve filling of the reservoir of the groove of the grooved roller opposite the storage tank by helping to orient the granules in a direction identical to that of the facing groove.

[0055] In fact, this cylinder makes it possible to improve the performance of the device by reducing blockages such as arching effects, and by facilitating the filling of the grooves and therefore increasing the quantity of granules distributed.

[0056] This cylinder can be made by molding, which makes it economical.

[0057] It is possible to provide cylinders whose dimensions and grooves are particularly adapted to the dimensions and diameter of the granules defined, to ensure good mixing of the granules and good filling of the grooves.

[0058] Just as mentioned above for grooved rollers, it is possible to propose a device adapted to a given diameter of granule by mounting on the device a corresponding twisted grooved cylinder.

[0059] This makes it possible to rationalize and simplify manufacturing, and to offer a range of devices that are economical to produce and use.

[0060] According to a characteristic of the invention, the device may comprise a helical roller opposite the grooved roller, driven in rotation by a third motorized assembly around an axis parallel to the central axis of the grooved roller and pivoting in a direction identical to said grooved roller, said helical roller comprising at least one propeller made of flexible material allowing granules only partially engaged in a groove to be repositioned in said groove in the direction of the groove or ejected from the groove by a sweeping effect.

[0061] This helical roller helps to orient the granules in a direction identical to that of the facing groove, and helps to improve the performance of the device by reducing blockages due to granules being poorly positioned in a groove.

[0062] This helical roller can be made of an elastomeric material, which further improves its efficiency, the helix being able to deform elastically and ensure, due to the rotation, a sweeping effect on the protruding granules.

[0063] This helical roller can be made by molding, which makes it economical.

[0064] This helical roller can be made of an elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness between 40 and 90, preferably between 50 and 80 and even more preferably between 65 and 75 Shore A. An elastomer material with a hardness of 70 Shore A allows the helical roller to operate in a particularly suitable manner, with satisfactory resistance to deformation allowing an effective sweeping effect.

[0065] Furthermore, this sweeping effect makes it possible to remove possible burrs protruding laterally from the ends of the granules, which could clog the tube of the device, or jam a granule in the tube.

[0066] It is possible to provide a helical roller whose dimensions are particularly adapted to the dimensions and diameter of the granules defined, to ensure good positioning or good ejection of the granules protruding from the grooves, and possibly good deburring.

[0067] By rotating the helical roller at at least 800, preferably at least 1000 and even more preferably at least 1200 revolutions per minute, the helical roller generates a blast of air in the manner of a fan, making it possible to remove dust from the granules, preventing clogging of the device, in particular the tube.

[0068] Just as mentioned above for grooved rollers or cylinders with twisted grooves, it is possible to propose a device adapted to a given diameter of granule by mounting a corresponding helical roller on the device.

[0069] This makes it possible to rationalize and simplify manufacturing, and to offer a range of devices that are economical to produce and use.

[0070] According to a characteristic of the invention, the first motorized assembly driving the grooved roller comprises a drive mechanism of the Maltese cross type, in particular with 24 channels, driven by a motorized shaft.

[0071] This makes it possible to simply transform a rotary movement of the shaft into a sequenced movement.

[0072] For a motorized shaft rotating at a speed of N revolutions per minute and in the case of a roller with 24 regularly arranged channels, the grooved roller thus rotates at a speed of 1 / 24th of N revolutions per minute.

[0073] According to a characteristic of the invention, the motorized shaft drives the second and / or third motorized assembly by drive systems which may have ratios of 1:2 and 1:20 respectively.

[0074] Thus for a motorized shaft rotating at a speed of N revolutions per minute, the twisted groove cylinder rotates at a speed of 2N revolutions per minute and the helical roller rotates at a speed of 20N revolutions per minute.

[0075] It has been surprisingly observed that a device jointly having a grooved roller, a cylinder with twisted grooves and a helical roller, rotating at the speed intervals described above, made it possible to ensure regular distribution of granules with a minimum rate of errors or blockages.

[0076] According to a characteristic of the invention, the motorized shaft is driven by a rotary motor having a power of between 25 and 75 Watts or Joules per second.

[0077] The device, due to its compact and efficient construction, and the small number of moving parts, does not require significant motorization. In fact, a motor with performance approaching that of a motor capable of motorizing a car windshield wiper is sufficient to operate the first, second and third motorized assemblies at the same time.

[0078] According to a characteristic of the invention, the motorized means for guiding the granules of the device are in the form of a push rod mounted on a motorized connecting rod and crank assembly synchronized with the movement of the roller. grooved to permit back-to-forward translational movement through an alignment of a groove, the pipe and the first end of the recessed tube when the groove is in a defined position.

[0079] The motorized connecting rod and crank assembly can be driven by the motorized shaft.

[0080] According to a characteristic of the invention, the device comprises means for detecting and removing defective granules.

[0081] Defective granules are granules which, through absorption of water, have swollen so as to exceed the calibrated dimensions by more than one millimeter. These defective granules become soft and can block the hollowed-out pipe or tube.

[0082] These detection means may be in the form of a template for determining the diameter of the granules behind the pipe of the outlet element, a system for disengaging the push rod in the event of a defective granule being blocked against said template, and a rod for discharging defective granules mounted on said connecting rod and crank assembly, capable of allowing a translational movement from back to front through a groove in position following the defined position to discharge the defective granule from the groove into a rejection tank.

[0083] Thus, these detection means are simple, economical and robust, and allow defective granules to be removed efficiently.

[0084] It is possible to provide an interchangeable defective pellet determination template on the rear of the outlet element, the dimensions of which are particularly adapted to the defined pellet dimensions and diameter.

[0085] According to a characteristic of the invention, the device comprises a support part in the form of a rotating movable plate coming to bear against the surface of the grooved roller at the level of the groove which is in a defined position, said plate forming a part complementary to the groove making it possible to delimit the corresponding intermediate reservoir.

[0086] This plate, due to its weight, ensures, when the granules are pushed into the groove opposite the outlet element by the push rod, a push without overlapping or lateral dislodgement of the granules from the corresponding groove by forming a part complementary to said groove making it possible to delimit the corresponding intermediate reservoir.

[0087] This plate can protrude to cover the groove following the groove in the defined position, in order, due to its weight, to ensure, when the granules are pushed into the groove opposite the outlet element by the evacuation rod, evacuation without overlapping or lateral dislodgement of the granule(s) from the corresponding groove.

[0088] According to a characteristic of the invention, the device may comprise control means intended to control the motorized guide means, the motorized assemblies, and the pneumatic supply of said device.

[0089] According to a characteristic of the invention, the pipe of the device may comprise a flap valve at the junction between the pipe and the oblique conduit, having a so-called closed rest position in which the flap closes the rear of the pipe, allowing passage from the oblique conduit to the tube, and an active so-called open position in which the flap closes the oblique conduit, allowing passage from the rear of the pipe to the tube.

[0090] The valve can pivot from the open position to the closed position by the effect of gravity. In the closed position, it is possible to inject compressed air to propel the granules that are present through the tube.

[0091] The valve can pivot from the closed position to the open position by the push rod pressing against the valve, lifting the valve into the open position.

[0092] In the open position, it is not possible to inject compressed air to propel the granules that are present through the tube.

[0093] The device may further comprise sensors and means for sending information so as to inform a user of the performance of the system or of malfunctions.

[0094] This makes it possible to automate the operation of the device and to warn in the event of a malfunction.

[0095] The invention also relates to a heating installation comprising a combustion chamber, and comprising a device for transporting and distributing solid fuel having all or part of the characteristics of a device for transporting and distributing solid fuel described above.

[0096] The device may dispense pellets directly into a combustion chamber or into a feed tank of a combustion chamber.

[0097] The installation may comprise several sets of grooved rollers, corresponding to specific granule diameters.

[0098] The installation may comprise a multipurpose twisted groove cylinder, or several twisted groove cylinders corresponding to specific granule diameters.

[0099] The installation may comprise a multi-purpose helical roller or several helical rollers corresponding to determined granule diameters.

[0100] This makes it possible to choose a grooved roller and possibly a cylinder with twisted grooves and / or a helical roller depending on the type and diameter of granule to be distributed.

[0101] The production of ranges of devices is simplified and rationalized.

[0102] The front face of the device comprising the output element and the hollow tube may be removable, to allow easy access and replacement of the grooved roller of the device.

[0103] This allows the device alone or the heating installation to be adapted to a type and diameter of pellet to be distributed quickly and simply.

[0104] Other aims and advantages of the present invention will appear during the description which follows with reference to the attached drawings illustrating an exemplary embodiment and in which:

[0105] [Fig-1] is a schematic front-top perspective view of a device according to a embodiment of the invention

[0106] [Fig.2] is a schematic view in front and partial perspective of the device of [Fig.l] in which are removed in particular the external side walls, an outlet element with a tube hollowed out of the front part, to reveal a volume of a fuel storage tank presented in the form of granules of substantially uniform size, a grooved roller whose grooves at least partially form intermediate tanks, a cylinder with twisted grooves, and a helical roller.

[0107] [Fig.3] is a detailed and partial view of the view of [Fig.2], showing only the grooved roller, the twisted groove cylinder and the helical roller.

[0108] [Fig.4] is a schematic front view of the partial device of [Fig.2].

[0109] [Fig.5] is a schematic rear right side perspective view of the device partial of [Fig.2]

[0110] [Fig.6] is a schematic rear left side perspective view of the partial device of [Fig.2]

[0111] [Fig.7] is a schematic rear and partial rear perspective view of the partial device of [Fig.2], partially showing the grooved roller, the twisted groove cylinder and the helical roller and a 24-channel Maltese cross mechanism type grooved roller drive mechanism.

[0112] [Fig.8] is a partial side section of the device of [Fig.l] at the level of the hollow tube and the outlet element

[0113] The invention relates to a device for transporting and distributing solid fuel 1, hereinafter referred to by the general term “device 1”.

[0114] This device 1 comprises on the periphery external side walls at the front 10, at the rear 11, and on the sides 12 of the device 1, here all vertical and forming a peripheral fairing of the device 1.

[0115] The device 1 also comprises a vertical intermediate wall 13 extending parallel to the front wall, and interposed between the front wall 10 and the rear wall 11.

[0116] With reference to the figures, the device 1 is considered in the position of use, placed on the ground or a substantially horizontal surface.

[0117] Thus, the bottom right of [Fig.l] corresponds to the front of the device 1, and the top left of [Fig.l] corresponds to the rear of the device 1.

[0118] The front face visible in [Fig.2] corresponds to the front of device 1, the top of [Fig.2] corresponds to the top of device 1 and the bottom of [Fig.2] corresponds to the bottom of device 1.

[0119] The left side of [Fig.8] corresponds to the front of device 1, the top of [Fig.8] corresponds to the top of device 1.

[0120] The device 1 presented below and in the figures corresponds to an embodiment of the invention adapted for solid fuel in the form here of granules with a diameter of 6 millimeters and a theoretical length of 40 millimeters during their manufacture.

[0121] The device 1 comprises at least one storage tank 2 for granules.

[0122] The storage tank 2 is delimited at the front by the front wall 10, at the rear by the intermediate wall 13, and laterally by a side wall 12 and plates 20.

[0123] The storage tank 2 has an upper opening 21 so as to be able to fill it with granules, and it has a lower opening 22 for distributing granules into at least one intermediate tank 3 arranged to be able to receive one or more granules from said storage tank 2.

[0124] The device 1 comprises a grooved roller 30 driven in rotation by a first motorized assembly 31 around a central axis AA'.

[0125] In the lateral surface of the grooved roller 30 are arranged at least one peripheral groove 32 aligned parallel to said central axis AA', here 24 grooves 32.

[0126] These grooves 32 at least partially form said at least one intermediate reservoir 3 in which one or more granules can be housed when a groove 32 is placed opposite the lower opening 22 of the storage reservoir 2.

[0127] The grooves 32 have dimensions adapted to the dimensions of the granules to be transported and distributed.

[0128] These grooves 32 here have a “U” shape extending radially as illustrated in [Fig.4], with a depth of 6 millimeters and a semicircular bottom. This particular conformation is intended to accommodate pellets with a diameter of 6 mm. The size of the grooves can be modified depending on the size of the pellets used.

[0129] These grooves 32 have a length in the direction of the central axis AA' of 80 millimeters, in fact greater than or equal to at least twice the theoretical length of the granules, here 40 millimeters.

[0130] The device 1 comprises at the front a hollow tube 4 whose internal diameter, here 10 millimeters, is substantially greater than the diameter of a granule.

[0131] The device 1 also comprises at the front an outlet element 5, interposed between a first open end 40 of said hollow tube 4 and a first front orifice 100 passing through the front wall 10 of the device 1. This first front orifice 100 has a passage diameter configured to allow passage of granules of a diameter determined to within the clearance.

[0132] The hollow tube 4 has at the end distal to the device 1 a second end 41 opening into a combustion chamber or into a supply tank of a combustion chamber.

[0133] The outlet element 5 comprises a pipe 50 extending along a longitudinal axis BB' parallel to the central axis A'.

[0134] Said pipe 50 cooperates by fitting with the first open end 40 of said hollow tube 4 and opens on the other hand opposite the first front orifice 100 of the front wall, which corresponds to a placing opposite an intermediate reservoir 3 and a corresponding groove 32 in a defined position.

[0135] The grooved roller 30 pivots in a sequential manner, actuated by the first motorized assembly, allowing an intermediate tank 3 and a corresponding groove 32 to be located opposite the lower opening 22 of the storage tank 2 so as to receive one or more granules from the storage tank 2, then to pivot to place said intermediate tank 3 and the corresponding groove 32 opposite the first front orifice 100 and the pipe 50, in a so-called defined position. In this defined position, the groove 32 is opposite a first intermediate orifice 130 of the intermediate plate 13, as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 7.

[0136] The first motorized assembly 31 driving the grooved roller 30 may comprise a drive mechanism of the 24-channel Maltese cross mechanism type 312, driven by a motorized shaft 14, as illustrated in [Fig. 7]. With reference to [Fig. 7], the motorized shaft 14 drives a roller 310 in clockwise rotation in a plane of rotation perpendicular to the central axis AA', said roller 310 comprising a pin 311 cooperating with the channels 312 of the Maltese cross, said Maltese cross being integral in rotation with the grooved roller 30 to pivot it in an anticlockwise direction by 1 / 24th of a turn for each rotation of a turn of the roller 320. This makes it possible to obtain a sequenced movement from a constant rotary movement of the motorized shaft 14.

[0137] The motorized shaft may be driven by a rotary motor 15 as illustrated in [Fig.l], which may have a power of between 25 and 75 Watts or Joules per second. A 60 Watt rotary motor is particularly suitable for this purpose, being sufficiently powerful while being energy-efficient.

[0138] Alternatively, according to an embodiment not illustrated here, the motorized assembly 31 may comprise a reciprocating rotation motor, capable of pivoting the roller. grooved clockwise and then clockwise to bring an intermediate reservoir 3 and the corresponding groove 32 from a position opposite the lower opening 22 to the defined position, and vice versa.

[0139] The outlet element 5 comprises an opening passing through its wall, forming an oblique conduit 51 relative to the pipe 50 of the outlet element 5 and opening into said pipe 5 as illustrated in [Fig.8]. This oblique conduit 51 is intended to be connected to a pneumatic supply, not illustrated here, arranged to deliver a pressurized gas so as to conduct one or more granules present in the hollowed-out tube 4 to a combustion chamber directly or via a supply tank of a combustion chamber.

[0140] The device comprises motorized guide means 6 for guiding the granules which can move one or more granules from an intermediate reservoir 3 arranged in a defined position through the pipe 50 of the outlet element 5 into said hollow tube 4 via said first open end 40 of said hollow tube 4.

[0141] The motorized guide means 6 may be in the form of a push rod 60 mounted on a motorized connecting rod and crank assembly 61, performing a back and forth movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis BB' of the pipe, synchronized with the sequenced movement of the grooved roller 30 to allow a translational movement from back to front through an alignment of the first intermediate orifice 130, a groove 32, the first front orifice 100, the pipe 50 and the first end 40 of the hollowed-out tube 4 when the groove 32 is in a defined position, allowing the movement of granules present in the groove 32 into the hollowed-out tube 4.

[0142] The motorized connecting rod and crank assembly 61 can be driven by a return of the motorized shaft 14, as illustrated in [Fig.6].

[0143] To prevent the granules present in the groove 32 placed in a defined position from lifting or leaving said groove 32 other than through the first front orifice 100, the device 1 may comprise a support part 33 in the form of a rotating movable plate bearing against the surface of the grooved roller 30 at a groove 32 which is in a defined position. This plate forms a part complementary to the groove 32 making it possible to delimit the corresponding intermediate reservoir 3.

[0144] The device 1 may comprise a twisted groove cylinder 7 facing the storage tank 2 and the grooved roller 30, driven in rotation by a second motorized assembly 70 around an axis CC' parallel to the central axis AA' of the grooved roller 30, as illustrated in particular in Figures 2 and 3. The twisted groove cylinder 7 can pivot in a direction opposite to said grooved roller 30. The twisted groove cylinder 7 comprises in its surface a plurality of twisted grooves 71, inclined relative to the axis cc', in particular at an angle of between 30 and 60 degrees.

[0145] The surface of the twisted grooved cylinder 7 is at a distance of between 0 and 3 millimeters, excluding intervals from the grooved roller 30.

[0146] The twisted grooves 71 have dimensions adapted to the dimensions of the granules to be transported and distributed, making it possible to mix the granules from the storage tank near the lower opening 22.

[0147] The twisted grooves 71 here have a “U” shape as illustrated in particular in Figures 3 and 4, with a depth of 1.5 millimeters and a semicircular bottom with a radius of 3 millimeters.

[0148] The second motorized assembly can be driven by the motorized shaft 14, and can comprise a drive belt cooperating with the roller 310 of the first motorized assembly 31 and a wheel integral in rotation with the twisted groove cylinder 7 as illustrated in [Fig.7].

[0149] The drive system thus formed of the twisted groove cylinder 7 by the motorized shaft 14 can have a ratio of 1:2.

[0150] The device 1 may comprise a helical roller 8 interposed between the storage tank 2 and the first front orifice 100, and opposite the grooved roller 30, driven in rotation by a third motorized assembly 80 around an axis DD' parallel to the central axis AA' of the grooved roller 30 and pivoting in a direction identical to said grooved roller 30. The helical roller 8 may comprise at least one helix, here six helixes 81. These helixes 81 may be made of a flexible material allowing granules only partially engaged in a groove 32 to be repositioned in said groove 32 in the direction of the groove 32 or ejected from the groove 32 by a sweeping effect of the rotating helixes 81.

[0151] The surface of the helical roller 8 is at a distance of between 0 and 3 millimeters, not including intervals from the grooved roller 30.

[0152] The third motorized assembly 80 can be driven by the motorized shaft 14, and can comprise a gear integral in rotation with the twisted groove cylinder 7 cooperating with a pinion integral with the helical roller 8, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7.

[0153] The drive system thus formed of the helical roller 8 by the motorized shaft 14 can have a ratio of 1:20.

[0154] The device 1 may comprise means 9 for detecting and removing defective granules.

[0155] Defective granules are granules which, through absorption of water, have swollen in such a way as to exceed the calibrated dimensions by more than one millimeter. These defective granules become soft and can block the pipe 50 or the hollow tube 4.

[0156] These detection and evacuation means 9 can be in the form: - a template for determining the diameter of the granules behind the pipe 50 of the outlet element 5, formed here by the first front orifice 100, - a system 90 for disengaging the push rod 60 in the event of a defective pellet becoming blocked against said template, - a defective pellet evacuation rod 91 mounted on the connecting rod and crank assembly 61, capable of allowing a translational movement from back to front through a groove 32 in position following the position defined for evacuating the defective pellet from the groove into a rejection bin, not illustrated here. This evacuation rod 91 passes through the intermediate plate through a second intermediate orifice 131.

[0157] The clutch system 90 may comprise a coil spring interposed between the push rod 60 and the connecting rod and crank assembly 61, as illustrated in [Fig. 6], the spring stretching when the push rod is blocked in translation by a defective pellet abutting against the first front orifice 100 forming a template and separating the movement of the connecting rod from the push rod 60.

[0158] The rejection tray may be placed in front of the front wall 10 of the device 1, the discharge rod pushing the defective granule(s) through a second front orifice 101 of the front wall 10, as illustrated in the figures.

[0159] The diameter of the second front orifice 101 is greater than 10 millimeters.

[0160] To prevent the defective granules present in the groove 32 placed opposite the second front orifice 101 from lifting or leaving said groove 32 other than through the second front orifice 101, the movable plate of the support part 33 can extend to come into contact with the surface of the grooved roller 30 at the level of said groove 32 placed opposite the second front orifice 101 to form a part complementary to the groove 32 making it possible to delimit the corresponding intermediate reservoir 3.

[0161] The device 1 may comprise control means intended to control the motorized guide means 6, the motorized assemblies 31, 70, 80, and the pneumatic supply of said device, in the form for example of a man-machine interface of the control and command screen type coupled to a computer.

[0162] The pipe 50 of the outlet element 5 of the device 1 may comprise a flap valve 52 at the junction between the pipe 50 and the oblique conduit 51, having a so-called closed rest position in which the flap 52 blocks the rear of the pipe 50, allowing passage from the oblique conduit 51 to the hollowed-out tube 4 as illustrated in [Fig.8], and an active so-called open position in which the flap 52 blocks the oblique conduit 51, allowing passage from the rear of the pipe 50 to the hollow tube 4.

[0163] The invention also relates to a heating installation comprising a combustion chamber, and comprising a device for transporting and distributing solid fuel 1 having all or part of the characteristics of a device for transporting and distributing solid fuel 1 described above.

[0164] The device 1 can distribute pellets directly into the combustion chamber of the installation or into a supply tank of the combustion chamber.

[0165] The installation may comprise several sets of grooved rollers 30, corresponding to different determined granule diameters.

[0166] The installation may comprise a multipurpose twisted groove cylinder 7, or several twisted groove cylinders 7 corresponding to different determined granule diameters.

[0167] The installation may comprise a multipurpose helical roller 8 or several helical rollers 8 corresponding to different determined granule diameters.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for transporting and distributing solid fuel (1) comprising: - at least one storage tank (2) for solid fuel in the form of granules of substantially uniform size, - at least one intermediate tank (3) arranged to be able to receive one or more granules from the storage tank, - a hollow tube (4) whose internal diameter is substantially greater than the diameter of a granule, - an outlet element (5) comprising a pipe (50) extending along a longitudinal axis (BB'), said outlet element (5) on the one hand cooperating by fitting with a first open end (40) of said hollow tube (4) and on the other hand being able to be placed opposite an intermediate tank (3) in a defined position, the outlet element (5) comprising an opening passing through its wall, forming an oblique conduit (51) relative to the pipe (50) of the outlet element (5) and opening into said pipe (50),said oblique conduit (51) being intended to be connected to a pneumatic supply arranged to deliver a pressurized gas so as to conduct the granule(s) present in the hollowed-out tube (4) towards a combustion chamber, - motorized guide means (6) for guiding the granules capable of moving one or more granules from an intermediate reservoir (3) into a defined position through the pipe (50) of the outlet element (5) into said hollowed-out tube (4) via said first open end (40) of said tube (4), characterized in that said device (1) comprises a grooved roller (30) driven in rotation by a first motorized assembly (31) around a central axis (AA'), in the lateral surface of which are arranged at least one peripheral groove (32) aligned parallel to said central axis (AA'), said at least one groove (32) forming at least partially said at least one intermediate reservoir (3).,

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a cylinder (7) facing the storage tank (2) and the grooved roller (30), driven in rotation by a second motorized assembly (70) around an axis (CC') parallel to the central axis (AA') of the grooved roller (30) and pivoting in a direction opposite to said grooved roller (30), said cylinder (7) comprising in its surface a plurality of twisted grooves (71), inclined relative to the axis (CC'), in particular at an angle of between 30 and 60 degrees.

3. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a helical roller (8) opposite the grooved roller (30), driven in rotation by a third motorized assembly (80) around an axis (DD') parallel to the central axis (AA') of the grooved roller (30) and pivoting in a direction identical to said grooved roller (30), said helical roller (8) comprising at least one propeller (81) made of flexible material allowing granules only partially engaged in a groove (32) to be repositioned in said groove (32) in the direction of the groove (32) or ejected from the groove (32) by a sweeping effect.

4. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first motorized assembly (31) driving the grooved roller (30) comprises a drive mechanism of the Maltese cross type mechanism, in particular with 24 channels (312), driven by a motorized shaft (14).

5. Device (1) according to claim 2 combined with claim 4, characterized in that the motorized shaft (14) drives the second motorized assembly (70) by a drive system which has a ratio of 1:

2.

6. Device (1) according to claim 3 combined with claim 4, characterized in that the motorized shaft (14) drives the third motorized assembly (80) by a drive system which has a ratio of 1:

20.

7. Device (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the motorized shaft (14) is driven by a rotary motor (15) having a power of between 25 and 75 Watts or Joules per second.

8. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the motorized guiding means (6) of the granules of the device (1) are in the form of a push rod (60) mounted on a motorized connecting rod and crank assembly (61) synchronized with the movement of the grooved roller (30) to allow a translational movement from back to front through an alignment of a groove (32), of the pipe (50) and of the first end (40) of the hollow tube (4) when the groove (32) is in a defined position.

9. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the device (1) comprises means (9) for detecting and removing defective granules.

10. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a support part (33) in the form of a rotating movable plate coming to bear against the surface of the grooved roller (30) at the level of the groove (32) which is in a defined position, said plate forming a part complementary to the groove (32) making it possible to delimit the corresponding intermediate reservoir (3).

11. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the pipe (50) of the device (1) comprises a flap valve (52) at the junction between the pipe (50) and the oblique conduit (51), having a so-called closed rest position in which the flap valve (52) blocks the rear of the pipe (50), allowing passage from the oblique conduit (51) to the tube (4), and an active so-called open position in which the flap valve (52) blocks the oblique conduit, allowing passage from the rear of the pipe (50) to the tube (4).

12. Heating installation comprising a combustion chamber and a device for transporting and distributing solid fuel having the characteristics of a device for transporting and distributing solid fuel (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11.

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