Abstract: An asphalt plant adapted to use RAP to produce asphalt. The preferred asphalt plant comprises a bin that is adapted to store the RAP, a heat source that is adapted to supply heat, a dryer that is adapted to dry the RAP, a mixer that is adapted the mix the RAP and a means for conveying the RAP from the bin to the dryer. The preferred asphalt plant uses substantially only the RAP to produce asphalt. A method for producing asphalt from RAP comprising providing an asphalt plant adapted to use the RAP to produce asphalt. The preferred method further comprises conveying the RAP from the bin to the dryer, drying the RAP, and mixing the RAP.

Abstract: A horizontal grinding machine includes a frame, a feed hopper that is adapted to receive material to be processed and a feed conveyor that is associated with the feed hopper and adapted to move material to be processed in a processing direction. The grinding machine includes a grinding cylinder that is adapted to rotate about a generally horizontal grinding axis and a feed roller assembly that is mounted on the frame at the rear end of the feed hopper and in front of the grinding cylinder. The feed roller assembly includes a feed roller that is adapted to rotate about a generally horizontal axis in a first direction that urges the material towards the grinding cylinder and a second direction that urges the material away from the grinding cylinder.

Abstract: An input redundant circuit according to the present disclosure may include: a core power supply unit; a first input port connected to a first input voltage; a second input port connected to a second input voltage; a relay unit connected to the first input port and the second input port to supply one of the first input voltage and the second input voltage to the core power supply unit; and a surge current limiting unit coupled to the relay unit, configured to limit a surge current generated when the relay unit is switched between the first input voltage and the second input voltage.

Abstract: An inspection device comprising a body that is adapted to receive and retain an item of inspection equipment, one or more wheels that are rotatably mounted to the body, one or more power sources that are adapted to rotate the one or more wheels, and a controller that is adapted to control the movement of the inspection device. A method further comprising controlling the movement of the inspection device relative to the storage device.

Abstract: A control circuit for controlling a switching device having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a control terminal is disclosed. The control circuit includes a first diode for coupling to the first terminal of the switching device, a second diode for coupling to the second terminal of the switching device, a first transistor for coupling to the control terminal of the switching device, and a second transistor coupled to the second diode. The first transistor is coupled to the first diode. The control circuit is configured to allow current flow in only one direction between the first and second terminals of the switching device.

Abstract: A system for controlling the production of an asphalt mix. The preferred system comprises an asphaltic material source, an asphaltic material sensor, a liquid asphalt cement source, a liquid asphalt cement meter, and a controller. The asphaltic material sensor communicates the amount of asphaltic material liquid asphalt cement and the amount of asphaltic material moisture contained in the amount of asphaltic material to the controller, the liquid asphalt cement meter communicates the amount of liquid asphalt cement provided by the liquid asphalt cement source to the controller, and the controller controls the amount of asphaltic material provided by the asphaltic material source and the amount of the liquid asphalt cement provided by the liquid asphalt cement source. A method comprising controlling the amount of asphaltic material and the amount of liquid asphalt cement provided to the asphalt mix substantially continuously and substantially in real time.

Abstract: A log chipping machine includes a frame having a long axis and a rotating chipping mechanism having an axis of rotation that is oblique to the long axis of the frame of the machine. The machine also includes a log advance system that is adapted to advance a log to the chipping mechanism, in a processing direction that is generally parallel to the long axis of the frame. The log advance system includes an upper feed assembly. A control system includes a lifting assembly and a controller assembly. The lifting assembly is adapted to move the upper feed assembly with respect to the frame between an engagement position in which the upper feed assembly contacts the log to advance it towards the chipping mechanism and a raised position in which the upper feed assembly is above and out of contact with the log.

Abstract: An emitter switched bipolar transistor circuit includes a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) having a collector coupled to an output terminal, a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) coupled to an emitter of the BJT, a bias voltage supply coupled to the base of the BJT, a buffer coupled to the base of the BJT, and a comparator. The comparator includes a first input coupled to the collector of the BJT, a second input coupled to a voltage reference, and an output coupled to an input of the buffer. The comparator is configured to receive a collector voltage of the BJT at the first input of the comparator, compare the received collector voltage with the voltage reference, and cause the buffer to inject a current pulse to the base of the BJT until the collector voltage is less than the voltage reference, indicating the BJT is substantially saturated.

Abstract: An assembly for processing green biomass materials from two separate feed sources for use as a fuel pellet includes a drying assembly, a torrefaction assembly and a heating assembly. The drying assembly is adapted to convert the green biomass material obtained from a first source to white biomass material. The torrefaction assembly is adapted to convert green biomass material obtained from a second source to torrefied biomass material. The heating assembly provides heat for both the drying assembly and the torrefaction assembly.

Abstract: A power system includes a DC power source having a maximum output voltage, a DC/AC inverter having an input coupled via a connection to the DC power source and an output for supplying AC power to a load, and a control circuit for controlling the DC/AC inverter. The control circuit is configured to maintain a DC voltage at the input of the DC/AC inverter above a threshold voltage to inhibit arcing as a result of a break in the connection between the DC power source and the DC/AC inverter. The threshold voltage is substantially equal to the maximum output voltage of the DC power source less a minimum arcing voltage for the connection between the DC power source and the DC/AC inverter.

Abstract: A mixing tube assembly having an inlet end and an outlet end and being adapted for use in a burner assembly. The mixing tube assembly comprises a substantially cylindrical outer wall which defines an interior open space. The mixing tube assembly also comprises a turbulator that is disposed in the interior open space defined by the substantially cylindrical outer wall and a flow straightening device that is disposed downstream from the turbulator. A method for mixing fuel and air in a burner assembly comprising providing a mixing tube assembly. The preferred method also comprises conveying fuel and air from the inlet end of the mixing tube assembly to the outlet end of the mixing tube assembly and straightening the gaseous fuel and air mixture flow in the mixing tube assembly.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor for separating ferromagnetic materials from a stream of materials includes a conveyor component having an input end and an output end. The sorting conveyor also includes a conveyor drive system for driving the conveyor component to move the stream of materials from the input end to the output end for discharge of at least a portion of the stream of materials as a product stream at the output end. A magnetic separator is located adjacent the conveyor component and adapted to divert ferromagnetic materials from the stream of materials into a metal stream that is separate from the product stream.

Abstract: An inspection device comprising a body that is adapted to receive and retain an item of inspection equipment, one or more wheels that are rotatably mounted to the body, one or more power sources that are adapted to rotate the one or more wheels, and a controller that is adapted to control the movement of the inspection device. A method further comprising controlling the movement of the inspection device relative to the storage device.

Abstract: A multi-stage power converter includes a pre-regulator circuit configured to provide a regulated output voltage, at least one DC/DC converter, and a control circuit coupled to the pre-regulator circuit and the DC/DC converter. The DC/DC converter is configured to provide an output voltage and an output current to a load. The DC/DC converter includes an input, an output, and at least one power switch. The input of the DC/DC converter is coupled to the pre-regulator circuit. The control circuit is configured to regulate the output voltage of the DC/DC converter and vary the regulated output voltage of the pre-regulator circuit as a function of the output current of the DC/DC converter.

Abstract: A material reduction machine includes a frame and a reducing assembly having a cutting element that is mounted for rotation with respect to the frame. The machine includes a feed chute for directing material to be reduced to the reducing assembly, and housing assembly includes a reducing assembly housing which at least partially encloses the reducing assembly and a discharge chute for directing reduced material away from the reducing assembly. An opening in the housing assembly located downstream of the reducing assembly forms an air inlet though which air may be drawn from outside the housing assembly. An air inlet adjustment assembly is mounted so as to be capable of selectively changing the length of the air inlet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light-emitting control knob capable of consistently maintaining a beautiful design without a problem, such as discoloration or rubbing-off, despite use of a long period because a light-blocking metal plate having light-emitting display windows formed therein is stacked and formed on a top surface of a knob body and of providing a much more beautiful and high-class design than a conventional control knob because surface processing unique to metal can be performed on the light-blocking metal plate. The light-emitting control knob in accordance with the present invention includes a knob body made of transparent or semitransparent synthetic resins which transmit light and a light-blocking metal plate formed of a metal plate stacked on a top surface of the knob body and configured to have light-emitting display windows formed therein.

Abstract: A switch controller for a variable output voltage power converter includes a pulse width modulator (PWM) output producing a pulsed signal for driving a power converter switch. A mode selector output is connected to a multiplier. A period selector output is connected to the multiplier and to a PWM input. The multiplier output is connected to another PWM input. A comparator output is connected to a period selector input. The period selector outputs a nominal cycle time to the PWM when an operating on-time state is greater than a minimum operating on-time. The period selector outputs an updated cycle time greater than the nominal cycle time when the operating on-time state is less than the minimum operating on-time causing the PWM to output a pulsed signal with the updated cycle time and a duty cycle equal to a duty cycle of an immediately preceding pulsed signal.

Abstract: A system for controlling the production of an asphalt mix. The preferred system comprises an asphaltic material source, an asphaltic material sensor, a liquid asphalt cement source, a liquid asphalt cement meter, and a controller. The asphaltic material sensor communicates the amount of asphaltic material liquid asphalt cement and the amount of asphaltic material moisture contained in the amount of asphaltic material to the controller, the liquid asphalt cement meter communicates the amount of liquid asphalt cement provided by the liquid asphalt cement source to the controller, and the controller controls the amount of asphaltic material provided by the asphaltic material source and the amount of the liquid asphalt cement provided by the liquid asphalt cement source. A method comprising controlling the amount of asphaltic material and the amount of liquid asphalt cement provided to the asphalt mix substantially continuously and substantially in real time.

Abstract: A dryer performance optimization system comprising a dryer having an inner wall and being adapted to rotate at variable speeds and a variable frequency drive being adapted to vary the rotational speed of the dryer. The preferred system also comprises a baghouse having an inlet end being adapted to receive exhaust gas from the dryer and an outlet end and a controller being adapted to control the temperature of the exhaust gas from the dryer. A method for controlling the temperature of exhaust gas in a baghouse comprising providing a dryer performance optimization system as described herein and varying the temperature of the exhaust gas from the dryer by varying the rotational speed of the dryer.

Abstract: A system for controlling the production of an asphalt mix. The preferred system comprises a recycled asphalt pavement source, a recycled asphalt pavement sensor, a liquid asphalt cement source, a liquid asphalt cement meter, and a controller. The recycled asphalt pavement sensor communicates the amount of recycled liquid asphalt cement and the amount of RAP moisture contained in the amount of recycled asphalt pavement to the controller, the liquid asphalt cement meter communicates the amount of liquid asphalt cement provided by the liquid asphalt cement source to the controller, and the controller controls the amount of recycled asphalt pavement provided by the recycled asphalt pavement source and the amount of the liquid asphalt cement provided by the liquid asphalt cement source. A method comprising controlling the amount of recycled asphalt pavement and the amount of liquid asphalt cement provided to the asphalt mix substantially continuously and substantially in real time.