Abstract: A feeder assembly is used in a feed distribution system having a feed supply conduit. The feeder assembly includes an elongated pan member. The feeder assembly includes first and second fill ports for receiving feed from the feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto a base portion of the pan member. Each fill port provides feed to a separate portion of the base portion of the elongated pan member. The fill ports are defined through an outer grill member having an elongated rim member which is operatively associated with the pan member. First and second drop tube members are associated with the first and second fill ports to direct (feed flowing through the fill ports through first and second lower feed gates and onto the pan member. The drop tube members may have brood gates provided therethrough for providing a raised level of feed in the pan member.

Abstract: A feed distribution system has a feed supply conduit and a feeder. The conduit is configured to move feed therethrough. At least a portion of the conduit defines a longitudinal axis. The feeder has a pan and first and second fill ports for receiving the feed moving through the conduit and for providing the feed to the pan. Each port defines a first opening at which feed flows into the port from the conduit and a second opening at which feed flows out of the port and onto the pan, wherein the first and second openings of each port define centers thereof. The center of the first opening of each port is provided along the axis of the conduit. The center of the second opening of each port is offset from the center of the first opening of each port and from the axis of the conduit.

Abstract: A feeder assembly is used in a feed distribution system having a feed supply conduit. The feeder assembly includes a pan member, which is preferably elongated in configuration, in a shape of two intersecting circles. The feeder assembly also includes at least one fill port for receiving feed from the feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto a base portion of the pan member. The at least one fill port is defined through an outer grill member which is operatively associated with the pan member. Like the pan member, the outer grill member has a rim member which is preferably elongated in configuration, in a shape of two intersecting circles. The outer grill member defines a plurality of apertures therethrough through which birds can eat the feed presented on the base portion of the pan member.

Abstract: A feeder assembly is used in a feed distribution system having a feed supply conduit. The feeder assembly includes an elongated pan member. The feeder assembly includes first and second fill ports for receiving feed from the feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto a base portion of the pan member. Each fill port provides feed to a separate portion of the base portion of the elongated pan member. The fill ports are defined through an outer grill member having an elongated rim member which is operatively associated with the pan member. First and second drop tube members are associated with the first and second fill ports to direct (feed flowing through the fill ports through first and second lower feed gates and onto the pan member. The drop tube members may have brood gates provided therethrough for providing a raised level of feed in the pan member.

Abstract: A feeder assembly is used in a feed distribution system having a feed supply conduit. The feeder assembly includes an elongated pan member. The feeder assembly includes first and second fill ports for receiving feed from the feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto a base portion of the pan member. Each fill port provides feed to a separate portion of the base portion of the elongated pan member. The fill ports are defined through an outer grill member having an elongated rim member which is operatively associated with the pan member. First and second drop tube members are associated with the first and second fill ports to direct feed flowing through the fill ports through first and second lower feed gates and onto the pan member. The drop tube members may have brood gates provided therethrough for providing a raised level of feed in the pan member.

Abstract: A feeder assembly includes a pan and an outer grill which is operatively associated with the pan. The outer grill defines a plurality of apertures therethrough through which birds can eat the feed presented on the pan. First and second inner grills can be rotated to partially mask the apertures through the outer grill in order to effectively change the width of the apertures. The inner grills are connected to one another by interlocking fingers such that rotation of one of the inner grills causes rotation of the other inner grill in the opposite direction. The inner grills are rotated by a dial member which is secured to the outer grill and which, upon rotation thereof between predetermined positions, causes rotation of the one inner grill, which in turn causes rotation of the other inner grill in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A feeder assembly is used in a feed distribution system having a feed supply conduit. The feeder assembly includes a pan member, which is preferably elongated in configuration, in a shape of two intersecting circles. The feeder assembly also includes at least one fill port for receiving feed from the feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto a base portion of the pan member. The at least one fill port is defined through an outer grill member which is operatively associated with the pan member. Like the pan member, the outer grill member has a rim member which is preferably elongated in configuration, in a shape of two intersecting circles. The outer grill member defines a plurality of apertures therethrough through which birds can eat the feed presented on the base portion of the pan member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjustably directing granular material through a container. The apparatus includes a converging transition portion defining an input opening that converges to an output opening having a first transverse opening dimension (x1). The apparatus further includes an elongated chimney portion coupled to the converging transition portion and having a second transverse opening dimension (x2), where the first transverse opening dimension (x1) is smaller than the second transverse opening dimension (x2). This configuration reduces the outlet pressure created in the converging transition portion as the granular material passes through the container to minimize bridging of the granular material within the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjustably directing granular material through a container. The apparatus includes a converging transition portion defining an input opening that converges to an output opening having a first transverse opening dimension (x1). The apparatus further includes an elongated chimney portion coupled to the converging transition portion and having a second transverse opening dimension (x2), where the first transverse opening dimension (x1) is smaller than the second transverse opening dimension (x2). This configuration reduces the outlet pressure created in the converging transition portion as the granular material passes through the container to minimize bridging of the granular material within the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a substantially uniform mass flow of granular material out of a container. The apparatus includes a converging transition portion defining an input opening which converges to an output opening. The output opening has a transverse opening dimension (x). An elongated chimney portion is coupled to the converging transition portion at the output opening. The elongated chimney portion has a height dimension (y) The ratio of the transverse opening dimension (x) relative to the height dimension (y) is determined by an angle of repose of the granular material to maintain a substantially uniform mass flow of granular material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically providing a preset, metered amount of horse feed to a stall. The apparatus includes a storage hopper and an auger transport assembly, which are both disposed upon a wall of the stall. The method includes rotating the auger and thereby delivering feed from the storage hopper to a location inside the stall.

Abstract: A feeding device comprises an element operable with a feed conveyor for dispersing food to an organism. The element comprises an upper chamber for receiving food and a lower chamber for dispersing food. The upper chamber is connected to the conveyor for receiving food therefrom. The upper chamber is also connected to the lower chamber so that food in the upper chamber can flow into the lower chamber. A valve is mounted for shifting between a filling position for allowing food to flow into the lower chamber, and a dispersing position for allowing dispersion of the food from the lower chamber while preventing food from flowing from the upper chamber to the lower chamber.

Abstract: A protective housing and mounting apparatus for simultaneously protectively enclosing, and mounting to a given surface, a generally cylindrical capacitive-type proximity sensor having a substantially solid and unbroken external surface and an electrode member at one axial end thereof. The protective housing and mounting apparatus comprises a one-piece integrally formed member of a durable, moldable plastics material, including an end surface configured for complementary mounting upon a given surface and a protective body portion extending from this end surface for surroundingly housing an end part of the sensor proximate the axial end thereof at which the electrode member is located. The body portion has a cylindrical open-ended bore therein for receiving an end part of the sensor and this bore extends to a point closely spaced behind the end surface.

Abstract: An x-ray source having a cathode and a disc-shaped anode with a peripheral surface at constant radius from the anode axis opposed to the cathode. The anode has stub axle sections rotatably carried in heat conducting bearing plates which are mounted by thermoelectric coolers to bellows which normally bias the bearing plates to a retracted position spaced from opposing anode side faces. The bellows cooperate with the x-ray source mounting structure for forming closed passages for heat transport fluid. Flow of such fluid under pressure expands the bellows and brings the bearing plates into heat conducting contact with the anode side faces. A worm gear is mounted on a shaft and engages serrations in the anode periphery for rotating the anode when flow of coolant is terminated between x-ray emission events.

Abstract: A method of making an investment shell mold in such a way that the shell is protected from cracking on simultaneous firing and removal of the pattern. The method includes application of conventional molding materials in the first slurry and stucco coats. By conventional molding materials is meant molding materials that are transparent to microwaves and microwave energy. In the second slurry and/or stucco coats, and in later coats if necessary, a certain amount of microwave susceptible material, such as graphite or certain metal oxides including Fe.sub.2 O.sub.4, MnO.sub.2, NiO and cobalt oxide, is added. Then, if necessary to achieve sufficient mold strength, additional coats of conventional molding materials are applied. After drying is complete, the pattern and mold are exposed to microwave radiation. This radiation interacts with the microwave susceptible material to heat the pattern adjacent to the mold surface, while avoiding generalized heating of the pattern.