Feeder deflection compensation

Abstract

A high-pressure transfer device, utilizable with wood chips or particulate material, includes low-pressure inlet and outlet ports, with low-pressure shoes associated therewith, and high-pressure inlet and outlet ports with high-pressure shoes associated therewith. A rotor containing a plurality of diametrically through-going pockets operatively communicates with the ports. The low-pressure ports, and shoes, are quadrate in cross-section, and retainers are provided surrounding the low-pressure shoes for guiding radial movement thereof. The retainers include end portions which engage side walls of the high-pressure shoes for guiding radial movement thereof. Biasing means bias the shoes into operative association with the rotor to maintain effective sealing between the rotor and housing, unaffected by radial deflection of the housing. The high-pressure shoes contain through-extending openings which may be quadrate in cross-section at the portions thereof closest to the rotor, and circular in cross-section at the portions thereof furthest from the rotor. Pressure compensators, supplied with hydraulic fluid at a pressure proportional to that at the high-pressure inlet and outlet, are operatively associated with the high-pressure shoes to maintain the bias thereof into engagement with the rotor. The rotor, and all shoes, are made of metal.