Abstract: A cinch valve includes a first plate with a first aperture, an orbital plate with a second aperture that is substantially aligned with the first aperture. The first plate is arranged to rotate relative to the first plate between a first (open) position and a second (closed) position. The cinch valve includes multiple cables, each of which has a first end coupled to the first plate and a second end coupled to the orbital plate. Rotation of the orbital plate from the first position to the second position causes the plurality of cables to converge and form a woven closure. One or more elastic devices are arranged such that when the plurality of cables converges to form the woven closure, each elastic device urges a corresponding one of the cables in a direction that tends to open the woven closure.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed that provide a specific volumetric output (e.g., product feed and discharge) of a material. In some implementations, these systems and methods are particularly suited for use with strand-type materials, namely, materials having difficult handling characteristics. For some implementations, a specific pile depth and width of a material is created on a moving belt to provide a specific volumetric output based on the speed of the belt. One or more leveling drums can be used to make the pile depth consistent. Moreover, a weighing system can be provided that is used in combination with the metering mechanism and other components (e.g., a control system) to create a “weight-loss” type weigh feeder.

Abstract: A cinch valve includes a first plate with a first aperture, an orbital plate with a second aperture that is substantially aligned with the first aperture. The first plate is arranged to rotate relative to the first plate between a first (open) position and a second (closed) position. The cinch valve includes multiple cables, each of which has a first end coupled to the first plate and a second end coupled to the orbital plate. Rotation of the orbital plate from the first position to the second position causes the plurality of cables to converge and form a woven closure. One or more elastic devices are arranged such that when the plurality of cables converges to form the woven closure, each elastic device urges a corresponding one of the cables in a direction that tends to open the woven closure.

Abstract: A clamping system secures a discharge spout of a bulk storage bag to an outer surface of a process interface connection. The clamping system includes a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm. Each clamping arm has a fixed end and a free end arranged such that the free end can pivot about the fixed end between a clamping position and an open position. Each clamping arm has an inner clamping surface configured to clamp a portion of the discharge spout against a portion of the outer surface of the process interface connection when the clamping arm is in the clamping position. The inner clamping surfaces are arranged such that when the first and second clamping arms are in the clamping position, the inner clamping surfaces cooperate to clamp the discharge spout against substantially the entire outer surface of the process interface connection.

Abstract: A cinch valve includes an upper plate having a first aperture; an orbital plate rotatable relative to the upper plate and having a second aperture substantially aligned with the first aperture; an actuator coupled to the orbital plate arranged to rotate the orbital plate between a first position and a second position; and a plurality of cables each having a flexible portion and each having a first end and a second end, wherein each first end is coupled to the upper plate and each second end is coupled to the orbital plate. Rotation of the orbital plate from the first position to the second position causes the plurality of cables to converge and form a woven closure in approximately the center of the second aperture.

Abstract: In an aspect of the present invention, a system and method are provided that detect belt mis-tracking and in response, automatically adjusts. In some implementations, the system and method are implemented in conjunction with a weigh feeder or weigh belt. In other implementations, the system and method are implemented in conjunction with other devices that convey material via one or more belts. The system and method can be implemented by providing one or more sensors that detect belt mis-tracking, a motor for adjusting a belt pulley and one or more controllers that operate the motor in response to signals from the one or more sensors.

Abstract: In an aspect of the present invention, a system and method are provided that detect belt mis-tracking and in response, automatically adjusts. In some implementations, the system and method are implemented in conjunction with a weigh feeder or weigh belt. In other implementations, the system and method are implemented in conjunction with other devices that convey material via one or more belts. The system and method can be implemented by providing one or more sensors that detect belt mis-tracking, a motor for adjusting a belt pulley and one or more controllers that operate the motor in response to signals from the one or more sensors.

Abstract: A cinch valve includes an upper plate having a first aperture; an orbital plate rotatable relative to the upper plate and having a second aperture substantially aligned with the first aperture; an actuator coupled to the orbital plate arranged to rotate the orbital plate between a first position and a second position; and a plurality of cables each having a flexible portion and each having a first end and a second end, wherein each first end is coupled to the upper plate and each second end is coupled to the orbital plate. Rotation of the orbital plate from the first position to the second position causes the plurality of cables to converge and form a woven closure in approximately the center of the second aperture.

Abstract: In an aspect of the present invention, a system and method are provided that detect belt mis-tracking and in response, automatically adjusts. In some implementations, the system and method are implemented in conjunction with a weigh feeder or weigh belt. In other implementations, the system and method are implemented in conjunction with other devices that convey material via one or more belts. The system and method can be implemented by providing one or more sensors that detect belt mis-tracking, a motor for adjusting a belt pulley and one or more controllers that operate the motor in response to signals from the one or more sensors.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed that provide a specific volumetric output (e.g., product feed and discharge) of a material. In some implementations, these systems and methods are particularly suited for use with strand-type materials, namely, materials having difficult handling characteristics. For some implementations, a specific pile depth and width of a material is created on a moving belt to provide a specific volumetric output based on the speed of the belt. One or more leveling drums can be used to make the pile depth consistent. Moreover, a weighing system can be provided that is used in combination with the metering mechanism and other components (e.g., a control system) to create a “weight-loss” type weigh feeder.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that minimizes the effect of internal pressure upon weight-loss weighing systems. The system can include a flexible gas purge line that pressurizes the system as well as a pressure compensator that negates the adverse effects of internal pressure on weight sensing equipment during normal operation.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus for mixing two fluids immediately following contact with each other is disclosed. The mixing apparatus includes a spring-loaded ball valve separating a first fluid from a second fluid. The ball valve closes as a result of at least spring force. The ball valve opens as a result of hydraulic pressure of one of the fluids operating against the spring force. Mixing is accomplished instantaneously by dispersing one fluid in a thin pattern around the open ball valve into a stream of the other fluid.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus for mixing two fluids immediately following contact with each other is disclosed. The mixing apparatus includes a spring-loaded ball valve separating a first fluid from a second fluid. The ball valve closes as a result of at least spring force. The ball valve opens as a result of hydraulic pressure of one of the fluids operating against the spring force. Mixing is accomplished instantaneously by dispersing one fluid in a thin pattern around the open ball valve into a stream of the other fluid.

Abstract: A weigh feeding apparatus has a plurality of compartments to hold a material that is fed into the compartments and a scale for weighing the material held in the compartments. The compartments are configured to revolve about an axis at a substantially constant rate and the scale is configured to produce a signal determined by the weight of the material held in the compartments. The signal is capable of being used to control the rate at which material is fed into the compartments.

Abstract: An auger is provided for discharging a uniform flow of material, particularly dry solids, through a feeding system. The auger has a shaft and at least one flight extending outward from the shaft for delivering a flow of material from a first end to a second end of the shaft. The flight has at least one notch in its outer perimeter proximate to the second end of the shaft. The auger may be used in a material feeding system having a supply hopper and a discharge conduit mounted to a feed trough. The auger is disposed in the trough and extends into the discharge conduit. The auger is rotated by a motor to drive the material from the feed trough through the discharge spout. The speed of the motor (and hence the feed rate of the material) may be controlled based on the volume of material being fed, the weight of material being fed or the loss-in-weight of the system.

Abstract: A sweep arm assembly and cleanout port are provided for a dry bulk materials feeding system. A supply hopper having an outlet is disposed above a chamber such that material may flow from the hopper to the chamber. The chamber has a flat bottom surface. A feed trough is disposed below a slot in the bottom surface of the chamber such that material may flow from the chamber to the feed trough. A sweep arm is disposed in the chamber and located adjacent to the bottom surface. The sweep arm is rotated to "sweep" the material in the chamber to the slot in the bottom surface. Further, a method is provided for feeding dry bulk materials. Material to be fed is loaded into a supply hopper. Material is permitted to flow from the supply hopper into a chamber, which chamber has a flat bottom surface. Material in the chamber is swept into the feed trough. The material is swept into the feed trough by a sweep arm that is rotated in the chamber adjacent to the bottom surface of the chamber.

Abstract: An improved system and method for gravimetrically feeding material at a controlled rate. The material to be fed, which can be either a dry solid or a liquid, is maintained in a supply vessel. A probe disposed in the supply vessel detects the level of the material, sending a high level signal to a controller. A scale weighs the material in the supply vessel, sending a weight signal to the controller. The controller then calculates the density of the material in the supply vessel based on the weight and density of the material. The calculated density is used to affect the feed rate to achieve an operator-input set rate. During refill of the supply vessel, the probe detects material at a high level, sending a signal to the controller which, in turn, sends a signal to a refill valve, stopping refill.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolation pad for mounting a supply vessel to a feeding mechanism, and a system containing such a pad. The isolation pad is made of two plates connected by a flexible elastomer gasket. An aperture extends through both plates and the gasket. One plate is mounted to the supply vessel. The other plate is mounted to the feeding mechanism. Consequently, the supply vessel is supported by the elastomeric gasket. Because the gasket is flexible, the supply vessel is resilient and free to vibrate independently with respect to the feeding mechanism.

Abstract: A volumetric dry solids materials feeder comprises a supply hopper, a feed trough disposed below the hopper, and an auger disposed in the feed trough to feed out the material. The trough is anchored to a vibration base, on which is mounted a vibratory mechanism. A vibration transfer spring connects the vibration base to a bracket secured to the hopper. Upon activation, the vibratory mechanism vibrates the vibration base and thus the trough at a predetermined frequency, while the spring transfers the vibration to the hopper. The spring lessens the amplitude of the transferred vibration and changes the frequency thereof, so as to minimize interference (primarily harmonic problems) between the vibration of the hopper and trough.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus for mixing two or more fluids into a homogeneous mixture. A rotor is mounted on a drive shaft coaxially within a cylindrical casing. Bores run the length of the rotor. Mixing conduits lead from the bores to outside the rotor. A cylindrical sleeve with slots is mounted coaxially within the casing and encloses the rotor. The fluids to be mixed are introduced into one end of the casing within the sleeve while the rotor is rotating. The fluids are sheared as they enter into the bores. The combined fluid either passes out of the mixing conduits near the front of the casing where it is sheared again or passes further along the bore to exit mixing conduits near the rear of the casing. The fluid then passes through the slots in the sleeve, where it is sheared again. Finally, the mixed fluid exits the other end of the casing.