IP Library Granted Patent US 12698108
Granted Patent B2
US 12698108 · App. 18/554,077 · Granted Aug 4, 2026

Apparatus for filling a container with bulk material

Inventors: Werner Bartling (Elze, DE); Alexander Reich (Meerbusch, DE); Ralf Weiß (Banteln, DE)
Assignee: NOWE GMBH
B65B1/30B65B1/16B65B1/28G01F23/2928
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12698108
App. No.
18/554,077
Granted
Aug 4, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for filling a container with bulk material, having a storage container for the bulk material with a closable lid and an outlet, a metering device arranged below the storage container, a pneumatic conveying device for conveying the bulk material with the aid of compressed air into the container to be filled via a conveying hose with a blow-out lance at the free end, wherein a control device for controlling the filling process is provided. In order to be able to ensure that the filling process is terminated on time, an electro-optical distance-measuring device which is connected to the control device is arranged with a light guide for measuring the filling level of the bulk material in the container during the filling process, and a suction-removal nozzle is arranged coaxially around the blow-out lance at the blow-out lance, wherein the free end of the light guide of the electro-optical distance measuring device is arranged at the region of the blow-out lance on the suction-removal nozzle.

Claims (18)

1 . An apparatus for filling a first container with sand, the first container being for use in sanding systems that support braking and drive technology of rail vehicles, the apparatus comprising:

a storage container for the sand having a closable lid and an outlet;

a metering device arranged below the storage container;

a pneumatic conveying device for conveying the sand with compressed air into the first container via a conveying hose having a blow-out lance at a free end of the conveying hose;

a control device configured to control a filling process of the first container;

a suction-removal nozzle arranged on the blow-out lance, the suction-removal nozzle being connected via a suction hose to a suction and dedusting device having a filter and a dust collecting container; and

an electro-optical distance measuring device connected to the control device and arranged with a light guide for measuring a filling level of the sand in the first container during the filling process, the control device being connected to a second measuring device configured to detect the filling level of the sand in the first container and to a sensor in the storage container for detecting a filling level of the sand in the storage container, the second measuring device and the sensor being connected to a superordinate control exchange center, the suction-removal nozzle being coaxially arranged around the blow-out lance, a free end of the light guide of the electro-optical distance measuring device being arranged at a region of the blow-out lance on the suction-removal nozzle.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the light guide is arranged in a protective tube.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electro-optical distance measuring device includes a laser distance measuring device.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control device is configured to deactivate conveyance of the sand responsive to the electro-optical distance measuring device measuring a predetermined filling level of the sand in the first container.

5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the control device is configured to delay deactivation of the conveyance of the sand for a predetermined duration.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control device is wirelessly connected to the second measuring device for detecting the filling level of the sand in the first container.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control device is configured to direct a display to depict the filling level of the sand in the first container.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a sensor connected to the control device, disposed in the conveying device, and configured to detect flow of the sand.

9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

an actuating element arranged on the blow-out lance and connected to the control device.

10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the conveying device comprises an injector having a plurality of bores for the compressed air, wherein a central bore of the plurality of bores is centrally arranged in the injector with other bores of the plurality of bores arranged in a circle around the central bore at equal angular distances from one another.