Agency:

Agricultural Research Service

March 17, 1998

The invention is a closed-loop pneumatic transport system used to unload cotton from a truck or module and transport it into a cotton gin at a constant rate. The invention replaces current systems that discharge transport air into the atmosphere via a cyclone air cleaner to satisfy EPA standards. This transport system recirculates air, minimizing air exhaust into the atmosphere, while maximizing efficiency. The invention also reduces fan wear and promotes smooth trouble-free ginning with a minimum down time.

Joseph W. Laird

USDA, ARS, SPA

Cropping Systems Research

Route 3, Box 215

Lubbock, TX 79410

(806) 746-5353

(806) 746-5353 -- fax

Industry Keywords:

seed cotton, blow box, air quality, engineering, cotton gin, environment, atmosphere, energy, machinery, pneumatic atmosphere, energy, machinery, pneumatic

Technology Description:

The invention is a closed-loop pneumatic transport system used to unload seed cotton from a truck or module, and transport it into a cotton gin at a constant rate. The invention replaces current systems that discharge transport air into the atmosphere via a cyclone air cleaner to satisfy EPA standards for air quality. This transport system recirculates air, minimizing air exhaust into the atmosphere, while maximizing efficiency. The invention also reduces fan wear, promotes smooth trouble-free ginning, and saves energy with a minimum down time.

The technology is believed to be of interest to companies that gin cotton, or manufacture equipment or computer software designed to optimization gin operations irrespective of the moisture content and trash content of the raw cotton fiber.

Reference:

Please refer to Patent Number 5,727,909, which issued on March 17, 1998.

Inventor: