Abstract: An apparatus for conveying granular plastic materials, for example silicone granulate, including a storage tank, a device for loosening granular plastic material positioned within the storage tank, as well as a discharge device for indirectly or directly transporting granular material to an extruder antechamber. Even granular plastic materials that are difficult to pour can be conveyed in a reliable and economical way due to the process of loosening the granular plastic materials by means of a suitable device.

Abstract: Mechanism for discharging granular material, especially seed and fertilizer, and having a bin and seed-flow regulators that variable amounts of material can be supplied to the ground through, whereby a sensor that detects the amount of material or number of grains of material discharged through that device is positioned in the vicinity of at least one flow regulator. To improve the sensor's detection of the amount or number of grains of material, a flow accelerator (8) accelerates the grains (22) of material toward the sensor (15) between the flow regulator and the sensor (FIG. 1).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting deterioration of a replaceable liner in a pump transporting an electrically conductive fluid medium. A conductive component is isolated, during normal operation, from the conductive fluid medium by the electrically insulative liner. The conductive component is positioned at a predetermined location relative to the liner such that upon a selected degree of wear of the liner, an electrical circuit is completed upon contact of the fluid medium and the conductive member.

Abstract: A particle monitoring device located in a line carrying a moving fluid, as air, containing particles. The device has a particle sensing member providing audio signals that are in proportion to the amount of particles moving with the fluid. The sensing member is a flexible sheet member closing an open end of a connector housing having a chamber. Particles that hit the active section of the sheet member produce an audio signal providing information feedback of the amount of particles moving with the fluid.