Abstract: A hay bale processor (10) having a cylindrical rotatable drum (14) adapted to displace a bale of hay (156-157) over a grill (26) which has a plurality of spaced-apart parallel slot openings (27) which are adjustable to define an average fiber cut length. A rotor (28) driven by an electric motor (66-67) has cutting blades (35) projecting through the openings to contact a bottom face (159) of a bale of hay (160) displaced over the grill. The rotor has a driveable shaft (29) secured to a displaceable suspension mechanism (45) to displace the blades (35) in the openings and above the grill a variable distance depending on the resistive load appliA hay bale processor (10) having a cylindrical rotatable drum (14) adapted to displace a bale of hay (156-157) over a grill (26) which has a plurality of spaced-apart parallel slot openings (27) which are adjustable to define an average fiber cut length.

Abstract: In a method for starting a crushing operation in a gyratory crusher in which rocks are passed through a crushing gap to be crushed, the following steps are carried out: (a) a driving device is started which causes a crushing head to execute a gyratory pendulum movement, and a first width of the crushing gap is set, (b) a supply of material to the gap is commenced, (c) the resulting load on the crusher is measured, (d) the width of the gap is adjusted so that the load approaches a desired value, (e) a measure which is representative of the width of the gap after adjustment, is read, and (f) such read measure is utilized for calculation of a gap width for use as a first width of the gap in carrying out step (a) of the next start-up of a crushing operation.

Abstract: A jaw crusher where the tension rod includes an electronically-controlled hydraulic pre-load and an automatically releasable pre-load whenever adjustments to the size of the material output are made, together with a remote visual indicator of the setting of the size of the material output.

Abstract: A kernel cracking assembly comprises two frames each supporting a respective one of two rollers between which kernels are crushed. A hydraulically operated actuator acts to move the frame relative to frame to set the separation of the rollers. A position sensor coupled to the actuator forms part of a closed-loop feedback circuit which serves to maintain a predetermined separation of the rollers.

Abstract: Apparatus for shredding or pulling pieces of meat, which includes a feed hopper carried on a body, a removable shredder roller assembly in the body for shredding the meat, which includes a shredder roller, and a backer plate, which can be adjusted to vary the texture of the shredder meat product, and an electric motor to rotate the shredder roller.

Abstract: In an impact crusher, a rise of an advancing-retracting portion (65) of a gap adjuster (60) caused when a rebound plate (33) touches a rotor (32) or the rotation amount of the rotor (32) is detected to determine a zero-point position of the rebound plate (33) is determined based on the detected result, so that the zero-point position can be securely determined since it is not necessary to touch and vibrate the rebound plate with the rotor rotating at a high speed, and since the rebound plate (33) is not vibrated, the zero-point position can be securely determined without being influenced by the abrasion of the rebound plate (33) and the impact plate (322), thereby accurately adjusting gap (C).

Abstract: A coffee maker includes a valve mechanism having a micro switch, an electromagnetic valve, a magnetic covering board activated by the electromagnetic valve for opening or closing a powder path, and a spring interconnecting the covering board and the electromagnetic valve. A motor-driven grinding mechanism includes two ring-shaped outer grinding members having teeth facing each other, and a spring biased inner grinding member including a hollow feed rod with a lead screw formed thereon. A powder fineness adjusting mechanism includes an adjustment lever. In a powder fineness adjustment for producing coarse coffee powder, pivoting the lever toward one direction will pivot an abutment member and move the same outward to push one grinding member for increasing a space between the grinding members filled with coffee beans to be ground. Pivoting the lever toward the other direction will produce fine coffee powder.

Abstract: A control system for a cutting reel unit includes a reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system. The reel-to-bedknife clearance adjusting system includes at least one actuator operatively connected between the reel and the bedknife, and a sound detector. A controller is signal-connected to the actuator and the sound detector and coordinates the reel-to-bedknife clearance adjustment. During adjustment, reel-to-bedknife clearance is reduced by the actuator until a contact sound between the reel blades and the bedknife is detected and signaled to the controller, which then reverses the actuator and increases the clearance by a pre-selected precise amount.

Abstract: The invention concerns an arrangement for the adjustment of the position of a shearbar with respect to knives of a chopper assembly. The arrangement includes a first adjusting drive to position the first end of the shearbar at a predetermined first spacing from the knives and a second adjusting drive to position the second end of the shearbar with respect to the knives until a spacing measurement arrangement indicates that the spacing between the shearbar and the knives is less than a threshold value. An analogous procedure is applied to the first adjusting drive. On the basis of the measurement values the shearbar is brought into a position that corresponds to a desired gap between the shearbar and the knives. Each of the first spacing and the second spacing are greater than the desired gap between the shearbar and the knives.

Abstract: A pulverizer monitoring system is applicable to at least one pulverizer having a rotatable bowl assembly, and at least one journal assembly having a grinding roll positioned proximal the rotatable bowl assembly, wherein the grinding roll is deflected by the feedstock raw material forced under the roll during rotation of the rotatable bowl assembly. A position sensor is mounted to the journal assembly to detect an amount of deflection of the grinding roll and generates a position signal, wherein a data module is associated with each pulverizer so as to receive the position signal. A calculation engine is linked to each data module for the purpose of analyzing the position signal and other operational signals associated with the pulverizer and generating at least one characteristic pulverizer condition report. A web-based server is linked to the calculation engine to provide network access to the characteristic report(s), either real-time or historical trends.

Abstract: A transducer (10) for distance measurement, especially between a stator and a rotor in a refiner for paper pulp production, in which the transducer is of the magnetic type and has a tubular casing (17), the one end of which forms a measuring head (14), in which a measuring pole (15) is fitted in a holder (16) which is mounted in the end of the casing (17) and seals this. The holder (16), with a first portion (22) of its axial length, reaches beyond the end of the casing. This first portion (22) and the measuring pole (15) are intended to be able to be worn away to a smaller axial length during use of the transducer, whilst the length of the casing is maintained.

Abstract: The rotor (2) being operatively associated with an indexing member (13) in the form of a prism, coaxial and secured in rotation with the rotor, said indexing member having a number of projecting edges equal to the number of beaters (3), the indexing member being positioned on the axis of the rotor such that the application of the indexing plate (25) against the surface of the indexing member causes a rotation of the rotor (2) to a position in which one of the beaters is located at a position of maximum approach with the impact baffle (5), wherein approach of said baffle (5) into contact with the end of said beater (3) defines an origin of adjustment of the spacing ® between said baffle and said beater and thus the adjustment of said spacing for the desired granulometry.

Abstract: A crushing breaking—apparatus is shown having opposed jaw like members between which work to be crushed is placed; the jaw like members are brought closer to each other and in so doing the work becomes crushed; during loading and crushing of the work the lower ends of the jaw like members are held so close to each as to prevent the work, in the main, from falling out from the jaw like members.

Abstract: An apparatus for grinding coffee beans, enabling a size of coffee bean grinds to be easily controlled, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rotating cutter having grinding blades at its upper surface, and rotated by a motor, a fixed cutter positioned above the rotating cutter with a spacing therebetween, and having grinding blades at its lower surface and a central charging inlet formed therethrough, a worm wheel connected to the fixed cutter to raise and lower the fixed cutter, a worm gear engaged with teeth of worm wheel to rotate the worm wheel, and a control motor to rotate the worm gear in normal and reverse directions.

Abstract: A method for shredding a document which renders the information unintelligible and prevents or minimizes reassembly of the shredded document reconstruction of the information contained in the document. The ability to reassembly a shredded document is greatly reduced by shredding each page of the document into segments formed by cuts made in the blank space between characters or images on the page. A cut pattern in which all cuts are made in the blank spaces between characters or images produces pieces or shreds of the document which have no partial or portions of characters or marks which can be matched across adjacent pieces. A document is first scanned to provide an image which can be analyzed by a processor to determine a desired cut pattern for the document. The processor then generates a set of instructions to control and adjust the cutting blades in a shredding device to cut the document in the desired cut pattern.

Abstract: A device for comminuting feed material has a rotary blade ring rotating about an axis of rotation. A comminution chamber is enclosed by the rotary blade ring and receives the feed material in an axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation. A counter abutment projects in the axial direction into the comminution chamber. The rotary blade ring is moveable in a radial advancing direction against the counter abutment and applies a pressing force relative to the counter abutment to effect comminution of the feed material in a working position of the counter abutment. The counter abutment has an effective surface facing the feed material and the effective surface is supported so as to be moveable such that, upon surpassing a predetermined value of the pressing force, at least the effective surface performs an escape movement relative to the rotary blade ring in an escape direction.

Abstract: The orbiting knife or knives on a rotary knife holder in a tobacco shredding machine is or are automatically adjusted relative to a sharpening tool in response to signals indicating changes of one or more variable parameters which are indicative of the need for a sharpening of the knife or knives. Such parameters include at least the magnitude of torque which is required to rotate the knife holder but often also the temperature of the mass of condensed tobacco being fed into the range of the knife or knives, the quantity of tobacco per unit length of the mass, the mosture content of tobacco in the mass, the presence and/or the size and/or the nature of foreign matter in the mass, and others.

Abstract: A sensor, sensor disk, sensor measurement correction system, and method used in measuring a parameter in the refining zone. The sensor includes a spacer that spaces its sensing element from the disk. In one preferred embodiment, the spacer is made of an insulating material that insulates the sensing element from the thermal mass of the disk to prevent the thermal mass from affecting sensor measurement. The sensor includes a housing carried by the spacer that, in turn, carries the sensing element. Where the sensing element is a temperature sensing element, the housing is thermally conductive and the housing and spacer enclose the sensing element. Each sensor is disposed in the refining surface, preferably in its own separate bore in the disk and flush with or below axial refiner bar height. Signals from one or more sensors are processed by a processing device linked to a module containing calibration data that is applied to make sensor measurements more accurate.

Abstract: A method of crushing material in a crushing plant using multistep crushing to form a crushed product. The crushing plant has a first crushing station, an intermediate storage and a second crushing station. The material is crushed at the first crushing station. The amount of material in the intermediate storage is monitored. The degree of reduction at the first crushing station is changed according to the level of material in the intermediate storage. A device for crushing material has a level monitor arranged to monitor the level of material in the intermediate storage. The level monitor is connected to a control unit which is adapted to change the degree of reduction at least at the first of the crushing stations if the level of material in the intermediate storage increases or decreases.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 for crushing materials such as rock, ore, coal, stone and the like includes two rolls 16A and 16B which are mounted in parallel to define a gap 18 therebetween. Chunks of material to be crushed are fed by a conveyor 12 into the nip 14 between the rolls. Each roll 16A and 16B is similar and includes longitudinally extending steps provided by outwardly extending faces and smoothly curved surface segments between the steps. When the rolls are counter-rotated at the same speed, the gap 18 is maintained substantially constant and effectively transversely reciprocates in location between limits defined by the outer extremity of the face of a step on one roll being located opposite the inner extremity of the face of a step on the opposite roll. Compared to smooth roll crushing the invention provides for greater reduction ratios to be achieved at slower rotational speeds and using smaller diameter rolls.

Abstract: A rock crusher includes a bowl coupled to a frame and a head assembly coupled to the frame defining a crushing gap between the head assembly and the bowl. The rock crusher further includes a number of fixed displacement hydraulic motors adapted to rotate the bowl with respect to the frame and a hydraulic fluid source providing a flow rate of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motors. A hydraulic control valve is adapted to remove one of the hydraulic motors from operation, directing the hydraulic fluid to the remaining hydraulic motors. The flow rate of hydraulic fluid remains unchanged, thereby increasing the hydraulic fluid flow rate provided to and the speed of the remaining hydraulic motors.

Abstract: In an impact crusher, a rise of an advancing-retracting portion (65) of a gap adjuster (60) caused when a rebound plate (33) touches a rotor (32) or the rotation amount of the rotor (32) is detected to determine a zero-point position of the rebound plate (33) is determined based on the detected result, so that the zero-point position can be securely determined since it is not necessary to touch and vibrate the rebound plate with the rotor rotating at a high speed, and since the rebound plate (33) is not vibrated, the zero-point position can be securely determined without being influenced by the abrasion of the rebound plate (33) and the impact plate (322), thereby accurately adjusting gap (C).

Abstract: The invention relates to a feed sensor mechanism for a mill cylinder. The purpose of the invention is to provide a structurally simple sensor to detect the product in the entry port of the feed regulator. To this end, a sensor is located in the feed cylinder of the cylinder mill. The sensor is able to detect the force of the incoming product so that a control signal can then be sent to the feed device via a signal converter.

Abstract: A sensor, sensor disk, sensor measurement correction system, and method used in measuring a parameter in the refining zone. The sensor includes a spacer that spaces its sensing element from the disk. In one preferred embodiment, the spacer is made of an insulating material that insulates the sensing element from the thermal mass of the disk to prevent the thermal mass from affecting sensor measurement. The sensor includes a housing carried by the spacer that, in turn, carries the sensing element. Where the sensing element is a temperature sensing element, the housing is thermally conductive and the housing and spacer enclose the sensing element. Each sensor is disposed in the refining surface, preferably in its own separate bore in the disk and flush with or below axial refiner bar height. Signals from one or more sensors are processed by a processing device linked to a module containing calibration data that is applied to make sensor measurements more accurate.

Abstract: A device for comminuting feed material has a rotary blade ring rotating about an axis of rotation. A comminution chamber is enclosed by the rotary blade ring and receives the feed material in an axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation. A counter abutment projects in the axial direction into the comminution chamber. The rotary blade ring is moveable in a radial advancing direction against the counter abutment and applies a pressing force relative to the counter abutment to effect comminution of the feed material in a working position of the counter abutment. The counter abutment has an effective surface facing the feed material and the effective surface is supported so as to be moveable such that, upon surpassing a predetermined value of the pressing force, at least the effective surface performs an escape movement relative to the rotary blade ring in an escape direction.

Abstract: A jaw crusher having a stationary jaw and a movable jaw which define a variable crushing gap (or closed side setting), a toggle beam, and a toggle between the toggle beam and the movable jaw, and a toggle seat between the toggle and each of the beam and movable jaw for seating the toggle against the beam and movable jaw. A double-acting hydraulic ram having a connection with the toggle beam for shifting the toggle beam toward and away from the fixed jaw. An abutment is supported by the housing and engageable by the toggle beam for defining an adjustably variable limit of shifting thereof. End caps provide a rigidly guided sliding toggle beam having a plurality of alternatively selectable positions of adjustment.

Abstract: A method of crushing material in a crushing plant using multistep crushing to form a crushed product. The crushing plant has a first crushing station, an intermediate storage and a second crushing station. The material is crushed at the first crushing station. The amount of material in the intermediate storage is monitored. The degree of reduction at the first crushing station is changed according to the level of material in the intermediate storage. A device for crushing material has a level monitor arranged to monitor the level of material in the intermediate storage. The level monitor is connected to a control unit which is adapted to change the degree of reduction at least at the first of the crushing stations if the level of material in the intermediate storage increases or decreases.

Abstract: Grinding stones for rubber comminuting machines are segmented and are applied to backing plates using adhesives. Greater stone life is realized when compared to grinding devices which use mechanical clamps to hold the stones against the plate, and less breakage is encountered using segmented stones than similarly shaped unitary stones known to the art. In the most preferred embodiment, the area between adjacent ends of the stone segments are filled with the same adhesive used to adhere the stones to the backing plates.

Abstract: A desired consistency for particulate confectionery material is obtained by adjusting the spacing of a nip between two rotary milling cylinders in dependence upon a measured force exerted by the confectionery material on the cylinders during passage of the confectionery material through the nip.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for a rock crusher has an insert installed in the thread form of a bowl support and a locking ring. A bowl is threadably installed in the bowl support and lock ring assembly and is movable toward and away from a cone assembly. The insert is of a material that differs from that of the bowl and bowl support. The lock ring is movable to frictionally lock the thread forms of the bowl and bowl support against each other. The inserts prevent the galling and deformation of the thread forms previously experienced.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling the beating of fibrous material to be treated in a refiner. The method includes measuring a property of the fibrous material treated in the refiner, measuring the temperature or pressure in the beating zone between the refiner disks, and altering the temperature in the beating zone based upon the measured property of the fibrous material treated in the refiner. The apparatus disclosed includes pressure and temperature gauges for measuring the pressure and temperature in the beating zone, gauges for measuring the property of the fibrous material treated in the refiner, a computer to compare the measured values of the temperature or pressure with desired values for these parameters, and a controller for altering the temperature in the beating zone based upon the measured value of the property of the fibrous material treated in the refiner.

Abstract: A method for automatically controlling grinding within a milling plant comprising a plurality of grinding stations,wherein by effecting, at the exit of at least one grinding station, at least one sifting of a sample and comparing the passed-through/withdrawn sample percentage value with previously programmed standard values, and adjusting the gap between the rolls of said grinding station on the basis of the deviation from these values.

Abstract: A rotary paper pulp refiner system and method includes a rotor having one or more refining elements mounted on a rotating shaft and complimentary non-rotating or stator elements defining with the rotating element a refining gap or gaps through which the paper stock material passes, and which the rotor is mounted for rotation on magnetic bearings that support the rotor shaft for rotation and define the axial and radial running position thereof. Optionally, a movable stator housing wall may also be controlled by a magnetic bearing.

Abstract: A gyratory crusher includes a control system, an upper frame portion having a bowl liner, and a crushing head having a mantel such that a crushing chamber having a gap is formed between the bowl liner and the mantel. The control system includes detecting means for detecting a pre-defined bowl float condition of the crusher, adjusting means for automatically adjusting a width of the gap to thereby eliminate the bowl float condition, and monitoring means for determining magnitude and direction of changes in the width of the gap by monitoring rotation of the bowl liner relative to the upper frame portion. The control means is adapted to automatically adjust the width of the gap to operatively compensate for a wearing rate of the bowl liner and the mantel and to terminate operation of the crusher should rate of bowl float conditions exceed a pre-determined quantity.

Abstract: An adjustable chopper shaft is disclosed including a chopper shaft (14), a gear (18) concentrically mounted on the chopper shaft, the gear being accomodated in a gearbox (40). A setup (30, 32) for selectively allowing rotation of the chopper shaft relative to the gear are provided and this setup for selectively allowing rotation of the chopper shaft relative to the gear is located externally of the gearbox.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting a wood chip destructuring device from damage due to tramp material. The destructuring device includes a pair of destructuring rolls operating a pre-established distance from each other and an infeed chute for delivering a stream of wood chips to pass through a region between the destructuring rolls. Said protection system includes a sensing unit and a control unit to detect tramp material present in the chip stream. If tramp material is detected in the wood chip flow, the protection system operates to further separate the destructuring rolls so that the surfaces of the destructuring rolls will not be damaged by the tramp material as the flow of material passes between the destructuring rolls.

Abstract: A shredding apparatus includes a rotor having rows of tines projecting generally radially outwardly therefrom, and also a housing surrounding the rotor having rows of tines projecting generally radially inwardly therefrom. The rotor tines and stator tines have staggered positions, with one or more of the rotor tines passing between adjacent stator tines. Material inserted into an inlet at the top of the housing is caught by the rotor tines and pulled past the first row of stator tines. That first row has fewer tines than does each row of tines on the rotor, whereas the final row has the same number of tines as each row on the rotor. The opposing faces of the tines on the rotor and stator are flat, with a small clearance between passing tines, of typically about 1/8 of an inch. The passing flat faces on the tines are at a slight angle to each other, the outer ends of rotor tines passing stator tines ahead of the inner ends in a scissors-like fashion.

Abstract: A moving point involved in a movable teeth plate of an eccentric jaw crusher rotates on a closed loop, being called hysteresis curve in the specification. The motion of rotation has a top side dead point and a bottom side dead point on one cycle. The normal rotation in the normal direction enables harder materials, concrete, for example to be crushed at high efficiency, the reverse rotation in the reverse direction enabling soft materials, asphalt, for example to be also crushed at high efficiency. One self moving crusher can crush harder and soft materials at the same field where buildings are destroyed, or roads are repaired.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a gyratory crusher has a hydraulically supported main shaft. An inlet line to the cylinder is provided with a pressure relief valve. When the pressure in the cylinder, e.g. because of a disturbance, exceeds the opening pressure of the relief valve, fluid flows from the cylinder through the pressure relief valve to the lubricating circuit of the crusher and further to the return line. The safety system of the crusher is simple, reliable, and quick.

Abstract: A roll crusher includes a crusher roll; a support for rotatably and radially shiftably supporting the crusher roll; a stationarily supported countermember cooperating with the crusher roll to define a crushing gap therewith; and a hydraulic setting system for radially displacing the crusher roll for varying the crushing gap. The hydraulic setting system includes a pressure source and a piston rod executing strokes and having an end coupled to the roll support for transmitting to the crusher roll setting forces derived from the pressure source. Further, an abutment device is provided for limiting the strokes of the piston rod to set a minimum magnitude of the crushing gap. The abutment device includes an actuating mechanism for placing the abutment device into a stroke-limiting state and into a piston rod-releasing state.

Abstract: A crushing machine includes a housing; a rotor rotatably supported in the housing; a plurality of impact tools secured circumferentially to the rotor; and an impact apron pivotally supported in the housing. The impact apron cooperates with the impact tools for crushing a material therebetween. A control device is connected to the impact apron for setting the impact apron at a selected distance from the impact tools to define a crushing gap. There is further provided a measuring device for measuring oscillations of the impact apron upon contact thereof with the impact tools during rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A gyratory crusher includes a frame structure; an eccentric member rotatably mounted to the frame structure about a first axis; a main shaft rotatably mounted to the eccentric member about a second axis angularly offset from the first axis; a crusher head mounted to the main shaft and supported by a plurality of hydrostatic bearings, mounted on the frame structure in abutting engagement with the crusher head; a first drive mechanism for rotating the eccentric member about the first axis; and a stroke adjusting mechanism having an outer race continuously and dynamically rotatable about a third axis, angularly offset from both the first and second axes, for adjusting the angular offset of the second axis relative to the first axis. A hydraulic drive mechanism, including a hydraulic motor and a rotary hydraulic connector, distribution lines and ports, for distributing pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motor, is provided for rotating the outer race relative to the eccentric member about the third axis.

Abstract: An angle .theta. formed between a horizontal line passing through the contact point P and a slant surface of a mantle based on an empirical rule corresponding to the vertical distance L ranging from the reference line S to the contact point P of the mantle continued to vary due to abrasion is inputted in advance into an angle inputting and outputting device, the angle .theta. corresponding to the vertical distance L detected by a distance sensing device in reference to an angle inputted value is selected and at the same time the selected angle is inputted into the distance calculating device, a product of a distance difference .DELTA.L between the contact point P of the concave and the contact point P of the mantle and a cosine value of the angle .theta. is calculated by the distance calculating device, resulting in that an inputting operation for the angle .theta. can be eliminated, so that a stop time of the cone crusher is reduced and an operating efficiency of the cone crusher is improved.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for calibrating a gap sensing probe (12) in a refiner having first (76) and second (80) grinding plates facing each other and supported by respective first and second plate holders, each grinding plate having a face (78, 82) defining a grinding gap (86). The gap measuring device, which is secured within one of the plates, includes a sensor probe (12) for measuring gap width data having a substantially cylindrical tip (14) with a flat frontal portion (16), an attached conical portion (18) and a longitudinal axis (20) therebetween. A cable (22) is electrically connected to the conical portion of the probe, for transmitting the gap width data. A protective sleeve (24) can be positioned around and contact the cylindrical tip, wherein the flat frontal portion of the tip is exposed through the sleeve.

Abstract: Crushing machine with jaws (4, 5) regulating the size of the material in exit by means of a controlled distance, between the fixed (5) and mobile jaw (4) and with a safety device against uncrushable material blocks, composed of interposed oleo-hydraulic cylinders between one of the jaws and the body (1), the said cylinders (7) being connected to an oleo-hydraulic circuit with valves of maximum pressure.

Abstract: The structure of this invention involves a driving device for rotating a concave support, an input detection device for detecting a variation of electric current to a driving motor of the driving device, a rotation detection device for detecting the number of revolutions of the concave support, an operation display device for processing a signal from the rotation detection device on the basis of a conversion program to operate a moving amount of the concave support to store and display it, and a backpressure detection device for detecting a variation of backpressure of a static pressure type thrust bearing of a main shaft, the input detection device, the operation display device and the backpressure detection device are connected to a control device of the driving device.

Abstract: A device for controlling the grinding of coffee comprises a pair of facing grinding plates the distance between which is adjustable in such a way as to be able to vary the dimensions of the grains of coffee obtainable upon grinding. The distance between the grinding plates is adjustable in dependence on the value of the humidity detected by an ambient humidity sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided in which direct ohmic connection is made to a comminution device (e.g., a wood chip or pulp refiner) to obtain transient voltages, existing on the refining elements, that are directly related to fiber impacts. These voltages are characterized by severity (S) (i.e., magnitude), rate (N), rise time (RT) and polarity (.+-.P). The characteristics of these voltages taken separately and/or in mathematical combinations predict the properties of refined wood chips and pulps, i.e., freeness, tensile strength, tear, burst, breaking length and fiber length. Signal characteristics further track refiner plate wear and detect the occurrence of "critical gap" as well as the onset of plate clash.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine for triturating composite materials, particularly for triturating solid urban waste, which comprises a shredding apparatus that is in turn composed of a cutting element provided with multiple blades arranged side by side along an axis, of elements for actuating the blades with a rotary motion about the axis, and of a complementary cutting element which is laterally adjacent to the cutting element. The complementary cutting element cooperates with the cutting element in shredding the material conveyed between the cutting element and the complementary cutting element, and is movable away from the cutting element to allow material that withstands the action of the blades of the cutting element to pass between the cutting element and the complementary cutting element.

Abstract: A grinding mill comprises a support structure, a frame movable with respect to the support structure, a bottomless bowl supported on the frame, vibrators for imparting circular and approximately horizontal vibrations to the bowl, and a cone fitted inside the bowl and mounted on the support structure for free rotation around an axis of the cone. The speed of rotation of the cone around the axis is measured, the bowl and the cone defining a gap therebetween for receiving a layer of a material to be ground upon rotation of the cone, and for the ground material to be discharged in a discharge plane. A minimum thickness of the layer of ground material in the discharge plane is determined on the basis of a measured value of the cone rotation, and the frequency and/or amplitude of the bowl vibrations is adjusted so as to maintain the minimum thickness of the layer at a set value.