Solid fuel transport and distribution system

Abstract

Device 1 for the transport and distribution of 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 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 be opposite an intermediate tank 3 in a defined position, an oblique conduit connected to a pneumatic supply opening into said pipe, - motorized guiding 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, forming at least partially 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 relates to that of devices for the transport and distribution of solid fuel, in particular in the form of pellets from biomass, for example wood, commonly called pellets.

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

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

[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 the European standard EN 14 961-2 or the standard NF EN ISO 17225-2.

[0006] These granules can be presented according to the standards mentioned above in the form of a section with a diameter of 6 or 8 millimeters, to the nearest millimeter, a length between 3 and 40 millimeters, and a moisture content of less than 10%.

[0007] A heating installation includes, 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 reservoir to the combustion chamber, and may include means for determining the quantity of pellets supplied.

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

[0010] The tank can be offset from the combustion chamber for safety reasons and to prevent 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 powdered material. This application describes that the dispenser includes an air inlet adjacent to a conduit, thus enabling the transport and then the distribution of the granular and / or powdered material.

[0013] US patent 2003133759 discloses a device for distributing a granular material 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 line with the venturi. The system also includes a wheel for regulating the distribution of the material in the venturi.

[0014] US patent 6012875 discloses a device for distributing a precise quantity of pellets from a hopper to a reservoir. The hopper outlet conduit is substantially perpendicular to a conduit comprising a venturi tube, through which compressed air flows, ultimately transporting the pellets into the conduit downstream of the venturi tube.

[0015] Patent application EP 2053310 discloses a pellet transport system from a storage area to a combustion area, the pellets initially stored in a hopper being deposited by gravity into a conduit in which an airflow 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 regarding their use and implementation. Ancillary means to the pneumatic means, which would facilitate the accuracy of fuel distribution, are not described. Nor do these documents disclose any technical means for assessing the conformity of the fuel to be distributed in the heating system.

[0017] To resolve the drawbacks of this prior art cited, document EP2808606A1 teaches a reliable solid fuel transport and distribution device, enabling the precise and quantified distribution of solid fuel from biomass, 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 solid fuel transport and distribution device comprising at least one fuel storage tank for fuel in the form of substantially uniform-sized pellets, comprising at least one intermediate tank arranged to select each fuel pellet individually and to convey said pellets to an outlet element in communication with the intermediate tank, the outlet element conveying the pellets to motorized pellet guidance means, arranged so that the pellets progress on said means of guiding in single file towards the entrance of a hollow tube whose internal diameter is substantially greater than the diameter of a pellet, the tube comprising an opening made in the thickness of its wall and forming a conduit oblique to the axis of the tube opening into the hollow 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 pellet present in the tube towards a combustion chamber via a pipe connected on one side to the outlet of said hollow tube and on the other side 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 reservoir of the taught solid fuel transport and distribution device 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 axial rotation of each of the rods, the rods rotating in opposite directions so as to allow the movement of the granules towards the hollow tube, the rods being inclined so that gravity facilitates the movement of the granules towards the hollow tube, and the motorization means of the guiding means is a stepper motor.

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

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

[0023] It also includes a means for detecting the presence of granules at the inlet of the hollow 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 for the guide means allow, on command, the direction of rotation of the rods to be reversed, causing, in the event of the presence on the guide means of certain granules not meeting the stored and measured dimensional criteria, the rods to be separated so as to prevent said granules not meeting the stored and measured dimensional criteria from accessing the inlet of the first hollow tube.

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

[0025] Thus, the pellets are transported through a tube with a small diameter, on the order of 10 millimeters. The diameter of this tube allows for discreet installation and minimal installation work for this device, and the device's relatively compact reservoir can be located away from the combustion chamber. It can be combined with a larger pellet silo to reduce the frequency of refilling.

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

[0027] The valve helps to maintain a seal in the tube and in the firebox, thus preventing disruption of combustion in the firebox.

[0028] This device, despite its advantages compared to the prior art described, nevertheless presents disadvantages.

[0029] First, the use of a vibrating bowl and a spaced rod system to sort and transport the granules from the bowl to the tube is complex to configure depending on the granules used, and costly in investment.

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

[0031] The vibrations of the bowl can be transmitted to the surroundings and make the device annoying.

[0032] In the case of granules which would swell due to moisture absorption, the vibrating bowl may no longer function or worse become clogged, which requires warning systems and continuous maintenance.

[0033] In addition, the granules in the vibrating bowl can wear out or break due to vibrations, which impairs the quality of the granules and produces a large amount of dust.

[0034] Sending pellets one by one also consumes a large amount of compressed air, and this device requires a large number of expensive and energy-intensive sensors and motors.

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

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

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

[0038] It is also an objective of the invention to provide a high-performance device, capable of operating without blockage or jamming, and of removing dust from granules, 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 granules of a given diameter, for example 6, 7 or 8 millimeters, which streamlines the production of the devices and their installation, and which allows a user to switch at little cost from one granule 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 in the form of pellets of substantially uniform size, - at least one intermediate reservoir designed to receive one or more pellets from the storage reservoir, - a hollow tube whose internal diameter is significantly larger than the diameter of a granule, - an outlet element comprising a pipe extending along a longitudinal axis, said outlet element cooperating on the one hand by fitting with a first open end of said hollow 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 through its wall, forming a conduit oblique 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 pellet(s) present in the hollow tube towards a combustion chamber, - motorized pellet guidance means capable of moving one or more pellets from an intermediate reservoir in a defined position through the outlet element 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 forming at least partially said at least an intermediate reservoir.

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

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

[0044] Granules from the storage tank can engage in a groove when said groove is opposite the storage tank, and by rotating the roller The groove is cut so that the granules are positioned in a defined line, opposite the outlet element and the tube. The guiding means can then be actuated to move the granule(s) from this groove, which at least partially forms an intermediate reservoir, into the hollow 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 primarily 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 rotate a grooved roller sequentially is low, which makes 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 propose a device adapted to a given diameter of granule by mounting on the device a corresponding grooved roller.

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

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

[0053] According to one feature of the invention, the device may comprise a cylinder opposite 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 the opposite direction to said grooved roller, said cylinder comprising in its surface a plurality of twisted grooves, inclined with respect to the axis, in particular at an angle between 30 and 60 degrees.

[0054] This cylinder rotates in the opposite direction to the grooved roller, and allows for the mixing of the pellets in the storage tank to prevent the formation of a pellet bridging near the grooved roller. The grooves improve mixing without damaging the pellets, and improve the filling of the tank by directing the pellets in the same direction as the groove of the grooved roller opposite the storage tank.

[0055] In fact, this cylinder makes it possible to improve the performance of the device by reducing blockages such as bridging effects, and by facilitating the filling of the grooves and thus 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 adapted particularly to the dimensions and diameter of the defined granules, 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 cylinder with corresponding twisted grooves.

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

[0060] According to one feature of the invention, the device may include 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 the same direction as said grooved roller, said helical roller having at least one helix made of flexible material allowing granules engaged only partially 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 the same direction as the opposite groove, and improves 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, due to rotation, ensure 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 for particularly suitable operation of the helical roller, with satisfactory resistance to deformation allowing for an effective sweeping effect.

[0065] In addition, this sweeping effect makes it possible to remove any burrs protruding laterally from the ends of 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 adapted particularly to the dimensions and diameter of granules defined, to ensure good positioning or good ejection of 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, allowing the dust to be removed from the granules, preventing fouling of the device, in particular of the tube.

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

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

[0070] According to one feature of the invention, the first motorized assembly driving the grooved roller comprises a Maltese cross type drive mechanism, 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 one feature of the invention, the motorized shaft drives the second and / or third motorized assembly by means of 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 observed surprisingly that a device jointly presenting a grooved roller, a twisted groove cylinder and a helical roller, rotating at the speed intervals described above, made it possible to ensure a regular distribution of granules with a minimum error or blockage rate.

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

[0077] Due to its compact and efficient construction, and the small number of moving parts, the device does not require a large motor. In fact, a motor with performance approaching that of a motor suitable for powering a car windshield wiper is sufficient to simultaneously operate the first, second, and third motorized assemblies.

[0078] According to one feature of the invention, the motorized pellet guidance means of the device are in the form of a push rod mounted on a connecting rod and crank assembly motorized synchronized with the movement of the roller grooved to allow a back-to-forth translational movement through an alignment of a groove, the pipe and the first end of the hollowed 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 one feature of the invention, the device includes means for detecting and evacuating defective granules.

[0081] Defective granules are defined as granules which, through water absorption, have swollen to exceed their calibrated dimensions by more than one millimeter. These defective granules become soft and can clog the pipe or hollow tube.

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

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

[0084] It is possible to provide an interchangeable template for determining defective granules on the rear of the output element, the dimensions of which are adapted particularly to the dimensions and diameter of granules defined.

[0085] According to one feature of the invention, the device includes a support part in the form of a rotating movable plate bearing 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 allowing 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 lateral overlap or dislodgement of the granules out of the corresponding groove by forming a complementary part to said groove allowing to delimit the corresponding intermediate reservoir.

[0087] This plate can protrude to cover the successive groove to the groove in the defined position, so that, due to its weight, it may ensure, when the granules are pushed into the groove opposite the outlet element by the discharge rod, that the granule(s) are discharged without overlapping or lateral dislodgement from the corresponding groove.

[0088] According to one feature of the invention, the device may include control means for controlling the motorized guidance means, the motorized assemblies, and the pneumatic supply of said device.

[0089] According to one feature of the invention, the pipe of the device may include a poppet valve at the junction between the pipe and the oblique conduit, having a so-called closed rest position in which the poppet blocks the rear of the pipe, allowing passage from the oblique conduit to the tube, and an so-called open active position in which the poppet blocks 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, compressed air can be injected to propel the granules 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 it 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 include sensors and means of sending information so as to inform a user of the performance of the system or of malfunctions.

[0094] This allows the operation of the device to be automated and provides warnings in case of malfunction.

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

[0096] The device can distribute pellets directly into a combustion chamber or into a feed hopper of a combustion chamber.

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

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

[0099] The installation may include a multipurpose helical roller or several helical rollers corresponding to specific pellet diameters.

[0100] This allows you to choose a grooved roller and possibly a twisted groove cylinder and / or a helical roller depending on the type and diameter of granule to be distributed.

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

[0102] The front face of the device comprising the outlet element and the hollow tube can 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 objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, which refers to the accompanying drawings illustrating an example of an embodiment and in which:

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

[0106] [Fig.2] is a schematic partial front perspective view of the device the [Fig.l] in which are removed in particular the outer side walls, an outlet element with a tube hollowed out from 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 form at least partially intermediate tanks, a cylinder with twisted grooves, and a helical roller.

[0107] [Fig.3] is a partial detail 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 lateral perspective view of the device partial of [Fig.2]

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

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

[0112] [Fig.8] is a partial side section of the device of [Fig.1] 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, at the periphery of the 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 includes 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.1] corresponds to the front of device 1, and the top left of [Fig.1] corresponds to the rear of 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] Device 1 shown 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 when manufactured.

[0121] Device 1 includes at least one pellet storage tank 2.

[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 a top opening 21 so that it can be filled with pellets, and it has a bottom opening 22 for distributing pellets into at least one intermediate tank 3 arranged to be able to receive one or more pellets 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 form at least partially 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 radially extending "U" shape as illustrated in [Fig. 4], a depth of 6 millimeters, and a semicircular bottom. This particular shape is designed to accommodate pellets with a diameter of 6 mm. The size of the grooves can be modified according to the size of the pellets used.

[0129] These grooves 32 have a length along 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 of 40 millimeters.

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

[0131] The device 1 also includes 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 the passage of granules of a diameter determined to the nearest clearance.

[0132] The hollow tube 4 has at the distal end to the device 1 a second end 41 opening into a combustion chamber or into a supply reservoir 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 facing of an intermediate reservoir 3 and a corresponding groove 32 in a defined position.

[0135] The grooved roller 30 pivots sequentially, actuated by the first motorized assembly, allowing an intermediate reservoir 3 and a corresponding groove 32 to be positioned opposite the lower opening 22 of the storage reservoir 2 so as to receive one or more granules from the storage reservoir 2, and then to pivot to bring said intermediate reservoir 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 Figures 3, 4 and 7.

[0136] The first motorized assembly 31 driving the grooved roller 30 may include a Maltese cross type drive mechanism with 24 channels 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 having a pin 311 cooperating with the channels 312 of the Maltese cross, said Maltese cross being rotationally fixed with the grooved roller 30 to rotate it counterclockwise by 1 / 24th of a turn for each rotation 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 can be driven by a rotary motor 15 as illustrated in [Fig. 1], with a power output of between 25 and 75 watts or joules per second. A 60-watt rotary motor is particularly suitable for this purpose, as it is sufficiently powerful while also being energy-efficient.

[0138] Alternatively, according to an embodiment not illustrated here, the motorized assembly 31 may comprise a reciprocating motor capable of rotating the roller grooved in a clockwise direction and then in a clockwise direction 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 includes an opening 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 shown here, arranged to deliver a pressurized gas so as to conduct one or more pellets present in the hollow tube 4 to a combustion chamber directly or via a combustion chamber feed tank.

[0140] The device includes motorized guidance means 6 for the pellets capable of moving one or more pellets from an intermediate reservoir 3 disposed 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 guiding means 6 may be in the form of a push rod 60 mounted on a motorized connecting rod and crank assembly 61, performing a reciprocating movement along the direction of the longitudinal axis BB' of the pipe, synchronized with the sequenced movement of the grooved roller 30 to allow a back-to-forth translational movement 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 hollow tube 4 when the groove 32 is in a defined position, allowing the movement of granules present in the groove 32 into the hollow tube 4.

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

[0143] To prevent the granules in the groove 32, when positioned correctly, from lifting or exiting the groove 32 except through the first opening 100, the device 1 may include a support portion 33 in the form of a rotating movable plate bearing against the surface of the grooved roller 30 at a groove 32 that is in its defined position. This plate forms a complementary portion of the groove 32, thus defining the corresponding intermediate reservoir 3.

[0144] The device 1 may include a twisted-groove cylinder 7 opposite the storage tank 2 and the grooved roller 30, driven in rotation by a second motorized assembly 70 about 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 may pivot in the opposite direction to said grooved roller 30. The twisted-groove cylinder 7 has in its surface a plurality of twisted grooves 71, inclined with respect to the axis cc', in particular at an angle between 30 and 60 degrees.

[0145] The surface of the twisted groove cylinder 7 is at a distance of between 0 and 3 millimeters, not including intervals of the grooved roller 30.

[0146] The twisted grooves 71 have dimensions adapted to the dimensions of the granules to be transported and distributed, allowing the granules to be stirred 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 semi-circular bottom with a radius of 3 millimeters

[0148] The second motorized assembly can be driven by the motorized shaft 14, and can include a drive belt cooperating with the roller 310 of the first motorized assembly 31 and a wheel fixed 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 include a helical roller 8 interposed between the storage tank 2 and the first forward 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 the same direction as said grooved roller 30. The helical roller 8 may include at least one helix, here six helices 81. These helices 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 helices 81.

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

[0152] The third motorized assembly 80 can be driven by the motorized shaft 14, and can include a gear fixed in rotation with the twisted groove cylinder 7 cooperating with a pinion fixed with the helical roller 8, as illustrated in figures 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] Device 1 may include means for detecting and removing 9 defective granules.

[0155] Defective granules are defined as granules which, through water absorption, have swollen to exceed their calibrated dimensions by more than one millimeter. Defective granules become soft and can clog pipe 50 or hollow tube 4.

[0156] These detection and evacuation means 9 may take the form of: - a template for determining the diameter of the granules behind the pipe 50 of the outlet element 5, formed here by the first orifice before 100, - a disengagement system 90 for the push rod 60 in case a defective pellet becomes stuck against said template, - a defective pellet discharge rod 91 mounted on the connecting rod and crank assembly 61, adapted to allow a back-and-forth translational movement through a groove 32 in the position defined to discharge the defective pellet from the groove into a rejection bin, not shown here. This discharge rod 91 passes through the intermediate plate via a second intermediate orifice 131.

[0157] The disengagement system 90 may include 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 disengaging the movement of the connecting rod from the push rod 60.

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

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

[0160] To prevent defective granules present in the groove 32 located opposite the second front orifice 101 from lifting or exiting said groove 32 other than through the second front orifice 101, the movable plate of the support part 33 can extend to bear against the surface of the grooved roller 30 at the level of said groove 32 located opposite the second front orifice 101 to form a complementary part to the groove 32 allowing to delimit the corresponding intermediate reservoir 3.

[0161] Device 1 may include control means for controlling the motorized guidance means 6, the motorized assemblies 31, 70, 80, and the pneumatic supply of said device, in the form, for example, of a human-machine interface of the type control and command screen coupled to a computer.

[0162] The pipe 50 of the outlet element 5 of the device 1 may include a poppet valve 52 at the junction between the pipe 50 and the oblique conduit 51, having a so-called closed rest position in which the poppet 52 blocks the rear of the pipe 50, allowing passage from the oblique conduit 51 to the hollow tube 4 as illustrated in [Fig. 8], and an so-called open active position in which the poppet 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 solid fuel transport and distribution device 1 having all or part of the characteristics of a solid fuel transport and distribution device 1 described above.

[0164] Device 1 can distribute pellets directly into the combustion chamber of the installation or into a feed tank of the combustion chamber.

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

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

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

Claims

1. Demands Solid fuel transport and distribution device (1) comprising: - at least one storage tank (2) for solid fuel in the form of pellets of substantially uniform size, - at least one intermediate tank (3) arranged to receive one or more pellets from the storage tank, - a hollow tube (4) whose internal diameter is substantially greater than the diameter of a pellet, - an outlet element (5) comprising a pipe (50) extending along a longitudinal axis (BB'), said outlet element (5) cooperating on the one hand 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 reservoir (3) in a defined position, the outlet element (5) comprising an opening through its wall, forming an oblique conduit (51) with respect 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 pellet(s) present in the hollow tube (4) towards a combustion chamber, - motorized guidance means (6) for the pellets capable of moving one or more pellets from an intermediate reservoir (3) 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 tube (4), 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 disposed 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), characterized in that said device (1) comprises a cylinder (7) opposite the storage reservoir (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 the opposite direction to said grooved roller (30), said cylinder (7) having in its surface a plurality of twisted grooves (71), inclined with respect to the axis (CC'), in particular at an angle between 30 and 60 degrees.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, 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 the same direction as said grooved roller (30), said helical roller (8) comprising at least one helix (81) made of flexible material allowing granules engaged only partially 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.

3. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the first motorized assembly (31) driving the grooved roller (30) comprises a Maltese cross type drive mechanism, in particular with 24 channels (312), driven by a motorized shaft (14).

4. Device (1) according to claim 1 combined with claim 3, characterized in that the motorized shaft (14) drives the second motorized assembly (70) by means of a drive system which has a ratio of 1:

2.

5. Device (1) according to claim 2 combined with claim 3, characterized in that the motorized shaft (14) drives the third motorized assembly (80) by means of a drive system which has a ratio of 1:

20.

6. Device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the motorized shaft (14) is driven by a rotary motor (15) having a power output of between 25 and 75 watts or joules per second

7. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, 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 back-to-forth translational movement through an alignment of a groove (32), the pipe (50) and the first end (40) of the hollow tube (4) when the groove (32) is in a defined position.

8. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the device (1) comprises means for detecting and evacuating (9) defective granules.

9. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a support part (33) in the form of a rotating movable plate bearing 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) allowing the corresponding intermediate reservoir (3) to be delimited.

10. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the pipe (50) of the device (1) has a poppet valve (52) at the junction between the pipe (50) and the oblique conduit (51), having a so-called closed rest position in which the poppet (52) blocks the rear of the pipe (50), allowing passage from the oblique conduit (51) to the tube (4), and an so-called open active position in which the poppet (52) blocks the oblique conduit, allowing passage from the rear of the pipe (50) to the tube (4).

11. Heating installation comprising a combustion chamber and a solid fuel transport and distribution device having the characteristics of a solid fuel transport and distribution device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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