Abstract: An apparatus for continuous gravimetric metering of pourable material includes a housing having arranged therein a rotor. The material is supplied to pockets of the rotor through a charging inlet and blown out of the pockets at a discharging outlet arranged on a side of the housing opposite to a charging device. The housing is mounted at a frame and is pivotal about an axis extending through centers of elastic coupling members connecting a supply bin and a feed-away duct, respectively, to the housing. The axis may extend inclined to the horizontal. Pressurized fluid for blowing out the pockets of the rotor may be used for cleaning an interior space of the rotor prior to being applied to the pockets of the rotor.

Abstract: A conveyor belt scale of the weighbridge type is disclosed having a frame mountable above a run of conveyor belt idler, the weighbridge having a pair of weight transfer bars extending from each end of the device to support the entire weight of the weighbridge and conveyor belt, each of the weight transfer bars being cooperatively connected to a load cell apparatus, each pair of load cells at an end of the device is cooperatively connected by a strain gauge disposed to measure deflections of the load cells under the weight and tortional movement of material passing along the conveyor. The apparatus further contains a speed sensor device to measure the speed at which material moves along the conveyor and a programmable computerized integrator apparatus which accepts the information from the strain gauges and from the speed sensor to give a digital readout of an estimated weight and volume of material passing along the weighbridge at any given time.

Abstract: A universal belt scale for measuring the weight of material being transported on a conveyor belt includes a pair of independent weigh beams, each having a cantilevered deflection section, the beams being uniquely mounted to extend inwardly of the stringers in such a way that the universal belt scale can be used with a variety of belt widths and belt loading situations. The neutral axis of the deflection section is preferably positioned in substantially the same plane as the roll supporting the belt. Alternative embodiments of a mounting allows the position of the weigh beam to be adjusted relative to the idler assembly. Alternative embodiments of an adjustable pivot allow the full scale capacity of the belt scale to be varied. The universal belt scale may also include varying the sensitivity of the weigh beam, for more accurate weighing.

Abstract: A scale apparatus is provided for weighing material moving in a downstream direction on a conveyor belt supported by a conveyor frame. The apparatus includes an upstream idler station, a downstream idler station, and a measuring idler station situated between the upstream idler station and the downstream idler station. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for measuring the weight of material moving on the conveyor belt. The measuring mechanism is coupled to the measuring idler station. The upstream idler station, the measuring idler station, and the downstream idler station are coupled together to form a scale unit. The scale unit is coupled to the conveyor frame so that the conveyor belt passes over the upstream idler station, the measuring idler station, and the downstream idler station.

Abstract: The device for the dosed conveying of powder to a powder processing unit, particularly to a plasma spray device, comprises a volumetric dosing unit and a weighing unit which together allow a gravimetric powder dosing. The dosing unit includes: a rotatable dosing disc having a vertical axis of rotation; a drive unit mounted below said rotatable dosing disc; and powder feeding and withdrawal means mounted above said dosing disc. This dosing unit, having first and foremost a vertical extension, is fixed to a weighing platform which rests on a plurality of weighing cells. The drive unit is arranged below said weighing platform, in order to situate the center of gravity of said dosing unit at least approximately at the level of said weighing platform. This considerably reduces the liking of the dosing unit, as compared with a weighing platform arranged entirely above the dosing unit, thus allowing a gravimetric powder dosing with high accuracy and uniformity.

Abstract: A method for taring a dosing belt weigher uses a weight signal produced by a load cell and a belt revolution signal produced by a sensor for providing a taring or weight correction signal that is processed in a taring unit. The taring unit ascertains the weight or load signal individually for each belt section and for a statistically relevant number of belt revolutions. Individual mean values are formed for the individual belt sections and these individual mean values are compared with the total mean value of the ascertained gross weight signals. The resulting difference values are used as taring signals for correcting the individual belt influences which are correlated locally to each individual belt section during the following belt revolution. Thus, each belt revolution is corrected with due regard to the values gathered in a substantial number of preceding belt revolutions.

Abstract: A weighbridge for a conveyor belt assembly for measuring the weight of a section of conveyor belt carrying a load of material to be transported along the conveyor belt assembly is disclosed. The conveyor belt assembly has frame members positioned longitudinally along side the conveyor belt and engages the underside of the conveyor belt to support it. The weighbridge comprises one of these crossmembers, with said member being mounted for generally vertical movement relative to the adjacent frame member and thus constituting a weighbridge crossmember. The weighbridge further comprises a load sensing assembly mounted on the adjacent frame member for supporting the weighbridge crossmember. A bracket member selectively mounts the load assembly on the adjacent frame member moveable between first and second positions. In the first position, the load assembly and weighbridge crossmember are free to move longitudinally and transversely with respect to the frame member within a limited range of movement.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for weighing a continuous stream of fluent material (16) includes a weighing means (12) which, in use, in the direction of flow of the material, is arranged in a plane which is at an acute angle relative to a vertical plane; a load measuring means (14) for measuring the load imparted by the material (16) to the weighing means (12), the load measuring means (14) being arranged at substantially the same angle as the weighing means (12) to neutralise the effect of any frictional forces generated between the material (16) and the weighing means (12), and the load measuring means (14) being operable to generate a first signal representative of mass of the material; a speed measuring means (18) for measuring the speed of flow of the material (16) and for generating a second signal which is representative of the speed of flow of the material; and a processing means (38) for processing the first signal and the second signal to obtain an output signal which is representative of mass flow r

Abstract: On-line density/weight measurements are made in liquid handling plant by isolating part of the plant, e.g. a tank such as an accountancy tank in nuclear fuel reprocessing plant, from the remainder of the plant in terms of force transmission and supporting the isolated part through the agency of a null-deflection weighing mechanism which cna be tared off to indicate the weight of liquid (and any solids content) occupying the isolated part of the plant.

Abstract: A weigh scale for a variable inclination conveyor includes an idler or other support for part of an upper belt run of the conveyor, the support being associated with sensors for determining loadings applied to the belt run perpendicular to the direction of the conveyor, and a compensating unit receiving the sensor output calculating the weight of material on the conveyor causing the loading, the unit including a clinometer, and a computing device for causing the sensor output to be modulated by the secant of the angle of the conveyor to the horizontal as sensed by the clinometer.

Abstract: A weighbridge unit for use in a conveyor weigh scale has a support for part of the conveyor belt, such as a trough or one or more idlers, a bridge carrying the support, and load cells formed by cantilever strain gauge bridge units supporting the ends of the bridge, the electrical outputs of the bridge units being summed to provide a weighbridge output signal. Cantilever arms of the load cell bridge units preferably extend in the direction of movement of the belt.

Abstract: A gate-type feeder control system has level and weight sensors for monitoring the output of the system to a conveyor or other receiver, an electronic control circuit responsive to the sensors, and a hydraulic actuator circuit including a plurality of valves to provide the desired output of a feeder gate. In the electronic circuit, a master set point signal is entered and compared with the output signal from the sensors. The output flow to the receiver of the system is continuously adjusted by a deviation controller to reduce the deviation in these two signals. Erratic changes in system output are avoided by a deadband circuit introduced into the electronic circuitry to buffer excessive oscillation, overresponse and even instability caused by transient size change and lumping associated with bulk materials. The electronic circuit also includes an averaging module to average the level/weight of the material being discharged to obviate responding to peak levels.

Abstract: The continuous determination of the weight of a material stream by means of the blow force occurring on a bouncing plate, as used for many applications, is not sufficiently exact. For the determination of the driving torque a rotating impeller wheel which conveys the material stream and is driven at a constant speed of rotation is being proposed, the material stream being supplied to the impeller wheel in the central range thereof and is radially supplied to the guide vanes which lie outside of the central supply range.

Abstract: Weighing device for belt conveyors with individually adjustable reels for universal adaptation to different conveyors.The device is characterized in that the weighing device reels are located in enclosing frames (8,9 and 10,11,12), that the frames of the lateral reels at the inner ends are attached (15) to the frame of the central reel, so that they are adjustable to different troughing angles of the conveyor belts. The angle of rotation is adjusted in that the frames of the lateral reels are extended (17) inward to the center of the weighing device, and at the ends an adjusting screw device (18) is located. The load measuring device consists of parallel springs for carrying and guiding the weighing reel stand, and the load measured is taken up by a load measuring transducer of electromechanical type.

Abstract: A device for continuous, gravimetric metering and pneumatic conveying of pourable material provides that a material stream is conveyed over a measuring path while charging a load measuring device and the product of moment load and conveying speed is formed. The conveyor is in the form of a rotor having an essentially vertical axis and conveyor pockets in the form of chambers or cells which are moved with the rotor in a circular orbit over the measuring path. A housing surrounds the rotor in a pressure tight manner and includes a charging aperture and an emptying aperture which are rotationally displaced from one another. A load measuring device is connected to the housing and a tachometer is provided for measuring the angular velocity of the rotor. A pneumatic conveying system is provided which has feed lines respectively communicating with an air feed aperture in the housing and the emptying aperture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous weighing of divided products being transported along a conveyor belt is provided, wherein a unit of linear displacement for the belt of the conveyor is defined, called a unit of belt space, and a variable called a belt space variable is associated with theoretical reference points on said belt. An instantaneous measurement of the weight of the belt and/or of the products transported is obtained by means of at least three weighing stations disposed along the belt, weight data furnished by the weighing stations is stored in memory, and the weight data is compared to determine a mean weight.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous weighing of a fluid material is described, wherein the material is continuously fed to a weighing container and discharged therefrom, the weighing of the material during filling and the estimated weight thereof during discharge being determined, and by means of a computer, used to generate values which will give the total weight of the material during the entire weighing operation.

Abstract: Measurement of an integrated weight of a particulate material being continuously fed to a powder treating system or the like by providing a powder delivery port in a lower portion of a pressurized powder feed container for supplying the particulate material to a blowing port of the treating system, connecting a pressurized powder replenishing container to an upper portion of the powder feed container for replenishing the power feed container with the particulate material under pressure, continuously feeding the particulate material along with part of a pressurized carrier gas introduced into the delivery port of the pressurized powder feed container, communicating the powder replenishing and feed containers with each other with suitable timing for replenishing the particulate material, sequentially measuring the weights of powder contents in the containers to measure the integrated weight of the particulate material fed through the delivery port during a time period of operation; batchwise combining the weigh

Abstract: The mass of an object dropped through a capacitive sensing transducer having a pair of spaced plates is determined independently of the spatial orientation of the object as it passes through the transducer, and independently of whether the object is entirely within the transducer at any instant. The transducer generates an output proportional to the instantaneous change in capacitance between the spaced plates caused by the sample passing therethrough. When the sample is a powder, the transducer output is integrated, and a correction factor is subtracted from the integral for correcting for temperature drift and for accumulation of minute particles of the powder on the plates. The spaced plates can be formed in a substantially 90.degree. twist; or, the transducer may be in the form of a plurality of pairs of spaced plates, each pair being oriented at a different angle with respect to the path of a sample through the transducer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for calibrating a bulk material weighing and metering conveyor of the endless belt type providing a variable frequency signal indicative of feed rate. In such a conveyor system, a belt speed signal and a tare-adjusted weight signal are multiplied to provide a product signal that is converted into a periodic pulse signal whose frequency indicates the feed rate (net weight per unit of time) of the material being metered by the conveyor. In a first calibration step, the weight of the empty conveyor belt is measured over one belt revolution by counting the periods of the feed rate indicative pulse signal. This count is then used to establish a tare weight reference value. With the tare weight reference value established and the feed rate signal compensated therefor, a second calibration step is performed wherein the periods of the feed rate indicative pulse signal are again counted for a known increment of belt travel with a known net weight of material for such increment of belt.

Abstract: A device for selectively applying a test load to a weight-sensing control mechanism in an enclosed conveyor unit for feeding particulate material at a controlled rate. The weight-sensing mechanism continuously senses the weight of a variable quantity of material such as coal being conveyed through a predetermined reference zone and one or more load cells generate a voltage signal representative of the weight being sensed. The test load may be supported in the conveyor unit in either of two positions including a first position wherein it is supported independently of the weight-sensing mechanism and a second position wherein it is transferred to the weight-sensing mechanism for the purpose of calibration. The device includes a transverse shaft journaled in the conveyor unit and a pair of eccentric hubs mounted at opposite ends of the shaft, each hub being rotatably received in a connecting head portion of one of a pair of support rods adapted to suspend the test load.

Abstract: A loop conveyor, nearly round viewed in a plane, has a ring-shaped or loop path for carrying powder material. A material discharge port is provided oppositely to a material receiving port, away by a semicircle therefrom, so that such material may be carried half in the ring-shaped path. The loop conveyor thus arranged is supported by a balance mechanism at two points on the line of the loop diameter which passes the material receiving and discharge ports. The loop conveyor thus balanced rests on a detector, such as a load cell, for electrical detection of a load applied thereto, which is provided orthogonally to the loop diameter. The weight of powder which is continuously carried in a semicircle through the loop path is checked electrically by means of the detector, and a flow rate can be obtained in relation to the weight. A special kind of powder is received and carried continuously in several section rooms formed in the loop path.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting load weight on a conveyor belt. The belt is supported by an elongated roller which is carried on an elongated axle. Each axle end is received within a different one of two spaced axle supports. A deformation detector is connected to each support and generates an electrical signal directly related to force carried through the support. The detectors are connected in a circuit which produces a composite output signal directly related to vertical force only carried through both supports.

Abstract: Flowable solids are continuously and accurately weighed during transport to a collection or discharge point. A counterweight pivoted conveyor carries a rotating disc at its discharge end, one face of which frictionally engages a relatively stationary comparatively small diameter wheel having a plane of rotation at right angles to the plane of the disc. The disc rises and falls with the pivotal conveyor in response to varying amounts of material on the conveyor, thereby changing the effective radius of the disc relative to the wheel. The wheel activates a counter once during each rotation thereof to register a unit of weight in the counter. The structure is useful in agriculture or industry.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining the mass of a moving molten glass gob. The gob is directed along a curved channel having a force measuring device over which the gob passes for measuring the force exerted by the gob normal to its path. The velocity of the gob is determined both before and after the normal force is measured by means of two sets of two position sensors, one set located on each side of the force measuring device, and a timer which determines the time period for the gob to move between the position sensors of each set. The timer also determines the time between velocity measurements. The data is used to calculate a value of acceleration which is substantially proportional to the acceleration normal to the path. The acceleration value and the output of the force measuring device are then interrelated in order to calculate the mass of the gob.

Abstract: An apparatus for cumulatively measuring the weight of a continuous bulk material conveyed by a belt conveyer, comprising; a pulse generator operatively coupled to the conveyer for generating pulses of the frequency associated with the conveyer speed; a decimal counter for counting the speed associated pulses; a full scale detector coupled to the decimal counter; a load cell operatively coupled to the conveyer for providing an analog signal representative of the weight of the material within a predetermined span of the conveyor; an analog-to-digital converter responsive to the full scale output for converting the analog signal into a bit parallel coded digital signal; logical processing means for modifying the number of pulses obtainable from the decimal counter within one full scale of the counter as a function of the bit parallel coded digital signal and a cumulative counter for counting the pulses thus modified of the pulse number.

Abstract: Weighing apparatus for continuously weighing a throughpassing layer of fiber material in a metering device of a spinning preparatory machine with two pairs of rolls arranged at a distance from one another for supplying the layer of fiber material to and for taking-off the layer of fiber material from a measuring zone between the pairs of rolls. There are provided two weighing plates, each of which is pivotable about an axle and connected with a measuring signal transmitter, the signal of which depends on the pivoting angle of the plate. An endless belt which contactingly glides across the weighing plates and which is driven at the speed of movement of the layer of fiber material is provided for transporting the layer of fiber material.

Abstract: A continuously running, band-formed or mat-formed material, such as mineral wool, is weighed continuously at a given point, and the sensed weight is used to control the speed of a conveyor arrangement along which the band of material is running. The material is supported and transported along a first driven conveyor and onto a second driven conveyor spaced a short distance from the discharge end of the first conveyor. The first and second conveyors are oriented to form an upwardly concave obtuse angle such that the band of material deforms and bends through an upwardly concave obtuse angle as it passes from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. The band of material is continuously weighed as it passes between the first and second conveyors by passing the deformed and bent band onto and along a third non-driven idler conveyor located between the first and second conveyors and arranged to continuously sense the weight of the band passing therealong.

Abstract: Means for measuring and recording the instantaneous rate of flow of a liquid such as a stream of urine, and an accumulated volume of said fluid. The rate is measured by causing it to flow along a measured sloping channel supported by a deflectable beam and gauging the deflection of the beam. The total flow is measured by collecting the liquid in a container supported and gauged in the same way. The system can be entirely gas-operated.

Abstract: A portable checkweigher comprising an endless belt conveyor entity with drive motor suitable to be inserted into a conveyor line for checking the weight of continuously moving commodities is disclosed. The conveyor entity is mounted upon a weight sensor which cooperates with integration circuitry to nullify convention of error-producing variations in weight readings.

Abstract: A device for converting a constant rotational input into a rotational output which is proportional to a separate input signal characterized by first and second members each having a surface of revolution about an axis with the surface of at least one of the members having an axially changing diameter and the first and second members being mounted for rotation with their surfaces adjacent one another, means for rotating the first member, a transfer device including a pair of rollers mounted for rotation in a plane of rotation for engaging the surfaces of the first and second members and for transmitting rotation of the first member to the second member, the transfer means is connected to a supporting device by a pivot connection having a pivot axis lying in the plane of rotation, and a device for shifting the transfer device along the axis of one of the first and second members to vary the rate of rotation of the second member.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the feed rate and batch size of the material feeder is disclosed. A signal generator computes the weight of material delivered by the material feeder and compares it to first and second presettable values. When the weight of material delivered by the feeder is less than the first presettable value, the signal generator enables a first pulse generator which generates a pulse train having a relatively high pulse repetition frequency. This pulse train is applied to a motor speed controller which causes the feeder to deliver material at a relatively high rate. When the weight of material delivered by the feeder reaches the first presettable value, the signal generator enables a second pulse generator and disenables the first pulse generator. The second pulse generator generates a pulse train having a pulse repetition frequency substantially lower than that of the pulse train generated by the first pulse generator.

Abstract: A forage conveyor-scale apparatus includes a pivoted conveyor having a differential transformer load cell providing a weight signal. A Hall cell unit is coupled to the conveyor to produce a speed signal. An automatic gain amplifier is controlled by the speed signal to vary the energization of the transformer from an oscillator. The output voltage of the transformer is rectified and averaged to produce a DC analog rate weight signal which is connected to drive a rate weight BCD counter and a total weight BCD counter. The analog signal drives a triggered integrator to form a pulse train driving the total counter. A dual slope integrator is controlled by the analog signal to cyclically control the weight rate counter. A single readout is provided and connected to the rate weight counter. The output of the total counter is forced through the rate weight counter to the readout to display the total count. A comparator may respond to a present input and the total counter to automatically terminate delivery.

Abstract: This invention relates to an endless conveyor belt load measurement system and a method of automatically calibrating the same using a digital computer. Measuring means are provided to measure movement of the conveyor belt and scale means are provided to measure the weight of successive portions of the conveyor belt and the load carried thereby both having digital pulse output signals which are communicated to digital computer means. Means are provided to temporarily apply a selected number of calibration weights to the scale means while the conveyor belt is rotating empty. The computer means calculates average output signals received from the scale means during complete revolutions of the empty conveyor belt with varying members of the calibration weights applied to the scale means and substitutes these in a set of curve fitting linear equations to calculate a set of linearization coefficients.

Abstract: For measuring the load output of a lifting conveyor powered by a three-phase motor, electric measuring apparatus is coupled to the motor power supply conductors by voltage take-off leads and current transformers. Voltage and current, proportional respectively to motor supply voltage and current, are fed to a solid state watt transducer, which produces a millivolt output proportional to the total power consumption of the motor. The transducer output signal is fed to a solid state transmitter, which amplifies the signal, and which includes a zero output adjustment for producing a zero output for a selected input proportional to the motor load driving an unloaded conveyor. The transmitter output is fed to a solid state integrator through an intervening potentiometer which is adjusted to calibrate the apparatus to the length and lift of the conveyor. The integrator produces voltage pulses representative of a selected ton fraction, and it triggers a counter which records cumulative tonnage conveyed.