Transport System With Blocking Valve Control

Abstract

A pump which generates pressurized air flow in a pipeline to sweep wheeled vehicles along with the air flow is provided with a flow control mechanism. First and second blocking valves which normally prevent reverse flow of air in the pipeline but which can alternately swing open to allow a vehicle to pass are automatically moved between open and closed positions by altering the pressure differential acting on the valves. The valves are urged to the open position and air flow control mechanism associated with the pump alternately directs air against the back of the valves in response to the position of a vehicle to sequentially operate the valves to move the vehicle through the pump.