Abstract: A force measuring device has a cell possessing an axis and a ring. The ring is coaxial with the axis and is elastically deformable by shearing as a result of forces which are parallel to the axis and are input into the inner and outer sides of the ring. The resistance is applied to a circuit to generate an electrical signal having a characteristic the value of which corresponds to the applied input force. As an alternative, the transducing element advantageously may be an elongated elastically stretchable carrier member having a strain gage mounted thereon. As a further alternative, the transducing element advantageously may be a piezoelectric crystal, or the like, provided with electrodes. Such a transducing element is mounted and held so as to generate an electrical signal in response to compression forces acting at the two holders.

Abstract: A feeder for dispensing flowable substances and a coupling which causes rotation of the feed screw of the feeder in response to the drive system of the feeder. The feed screw is removable from the feeder, with insertion and removal of the feed screw effected by only axial movement of the feed screw. A torque transmitting member, connected to the drive system, and a torque receiving member, from which the feed screw extends, have complementary non-circular mating surfaces through which the torque from the drive system is imparted to the feed screw. Unintended axial movement of the feed screw is prevented by a locking arrangement between the torque transmitting member and the torque receiving member. The torque transmitting member has a pilot portion which facilitates insertion of the feed screw in the feeder and provides guidance of the feed screw during operation.

Abstract: A feeder for controllably discharging a flowable substance and having a hemispherically shaped hopper for holding a flowable substance, a rotatable agitator for sweeping the hopper and agitating the substance, a trough for receiving the substance from the hopper, a rotatable feed screw for removing the substance from the hopper and controllably discharging the substance from the feeder, and a driving mechanism for driving the feed screw and agitator. The agitator is horizontally driven along an axis which is parallel to axis of the feed screw and is removable from the feeder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the actuator in a vibratory weigh feeding system, to adjust the discharge rate. The vibratory weigh feeding system has a material containers an actuator for vibrating the container, weighing apparatus for sensing the weight of the material being discharged and apparatus for estimating the material discharge rate. A plurality of drive command values are established. A respective predicted discharge rate and a respective reliability factor are associated with each respective drive command value. The current discharge rate is estimated. A setpoint value is selected. A drive command value associated with the predicted discharge rate that is substantially equal to the setpoint discharge rate is selected. The selected drive command value is reduced according to the two respective reliability factors associated with the two predicted discharge rates closest to the setpoint. This forms a reduced drive command value.

Abstract: A volumetric feeder having a reversible motor, in which the feed screw is driven at a first speed when the motor rotates clockwise, and is driven at a second speed when the motor rotates counterclockwise. The feeder includes a first one-way clutch, having a driven inner race and an outer race which rotates freely counterclockwise relative to the inner race when the inner race is driven clockwise. The outer race of the first one-way clutch rotates with the inner race when the inner race is driven counterclockwise. A second one-way clutch has a driven outer race and an inner race which rotates freely clockwise relative to the outer race of the second one-way clutch when the outer race of the second one-way clutch is driven counterclockwise. The inner race of the second one-way clutch rotates with the outer race of the second one-way clutch when the outer race of the second one-way clutch is driven clockwise. The motor shaft is attached to the inner race of the first one-way clutch.

Abstract: A screw conveyor with a slowly rotating feed screw for precision metering by conveying very small amounts of loose material between screw threads, the same amount of loose material being discharged from the end of the conveyor with each turn of the screw. During the relatively short time interval of a single revolution, which can last one minute or even a multiple thereof as needed, the conveyor capacity itself fluctuates, since discrete amounts of the material being conveyed are always delimited by the individual threads of the feed screw. In order for a screw conveyor to be usable for precision metering of very small amounts to be conveyed; i.e. for conveying very small amounts with a high degree of constancy without the periodicity caused by the nature of the feed screw, the screw conveyor is provided with a rotatably mounted tube surrounding the discharge end of the fixed feed tube and which is driven at a rotational speed proportional to the rotational speed of screw.

Abstract: A force transducer includes a force transmitting mechanism comprising a reference member which is stationary during measurement, a force input member and two holders adapted to hold a transducing element and to apply a force thereto at least approximately perpendicular to the force applied to the force input member. The force transmitting mechanism comprises two spaced, metallic plate members connected with each other at the holders by electrically insulating pins forming part of the holders. Eyelets of the electrically conducting transducing element are fixedly held by the holder pins.

Abstract: Control apparatus for a vibratory feeder has two control loops, one for controlling displacement amplitude and one for controlling displacement frequency. The two loops operate independently of each other, and use different feedback signals. The displacement amplitude control loop updates the amplitude of a continuous feeder actuator drive signal at a first predetermined rate, and the displacement frequency control loop updates the frequency of the drive signal at a second predetermined rate substantially slower than the first rate.

Abstract: Two embodiments of a low profile weight sensor for a weight sensing system for monitoring article input and removal from article storage apparatus comprises a plate or I-shaped bar support member having first and second sections, an integrally formed linkage system for connecting the first and second sections such that the sections are substantially coplanar in an unloaded state, and are relatively displaceable with respect to each other in response to a weight load applied to one of the sections; and a magnetic transducer mounted on surfaces extending in the thickness direction of the plate/bar member for producing an electrical output signal responsive to relative displacement of the first and second sections.