Abstract: A cryogenic thermoelectric generator preferably includes a thermoelectric transducer and a cold source (i.e., anything having a below-ambient temperature) thermally coupled to the "cold side" of the transducer. The cold source preferably includes a vessel adapted for containing a cryogen (i.e., a substance having a temperature no greater than 0.degree. C.). The vessel is operatively connected to the cold side of the thermoelectric transducer for thermally coupling a cryogen contained by the vessel to said cold side of the thermoelectric transducer, thereby inducing a temperature differential across the hot and cold sides of the thermoelectric transducer when the vessel contains a cryogen. The thermoelectric transducer produces electric power in response to the temperature differential. The thermoelectric transducer is preferably a semiconductor device, the cryogen is preferably a substantially pure liquid such as liquid nitrogen or liquid hydrogen, and the vessel is preferably a Dewar vessel.

Abstract: A liner hoist for a bulk bag in a first embodiment includes a rope and hook for pulling up and tying the liner to prevent its fouling the discharge of material through a bottom pour spout. In a second embodiment, it retracts a liner upwardly from within a bulk bag as dry material is dispensed out the lower end thereof through a pour spout. The second embodiment includes a hook for hooking an eyelet fashioned in the upper end of the liner, a rope attached to the hook and supported by a plurality of pulleys from the bulk bag support framework, a spring extending between the rope and the framework, and cleat through which the rope is threaded to prevent the rope from retracting after the spring is tensioned. In operation, as the liner empties and tends to elongate, the hook lifts the liner from within the bulk bag through the action of the spring, all without operator intervention.

Abstract: A liquid weigh scale hopper receives a plurality of liquid ingredients for dumping into a receiver/mixer and includes a pair of high flow rate spray nozzles near the top thereof for spraying chilled water into the hopper. As a discharge valve at the bottom of the hopper is opened, chilled water is sprayed into the hopper and fills it to create a gravitational pressure head helping to force the liquid batch out of the hopper.

Abstract: An improved auger design comprises a one-piece assembly with bearings at both the inboard and outboard ends of the auger flight to self-support the auger flight within a discharge tube of the feed bin. Furthermore, a single mounting plate secures the auger to the discharge tube such that a small number of bolts may be removed to thereby facilitate the ready insertion or removal of the auger from within the discharge tube to aid in its cleanability and maintenance or replacement of failed parts.

Abstract: A batch weighing apparatus includes a plurality of soft sided bulk bags containing a quantity of bulk dry material which are rack mounted thereon and which have generally U-shaped bracket assemblies mounted thereunder for agitating the material in the bulk bag for free flow therethrough. The plurality of bulk bags are used in place of the rack mounted bins in prior art devices and permit shipment, storage, and dispensing of bulk dry material from the same soft sided bag.

Abstract: A receiver arrangement includes a bin vent for collecting ingredient dust and a multiple tee arrangement which permits the connection of a minor/micro pressure blow transfer system for dry ingredients into the major pressure blow system which transfers major ingredients into the receiver. A bottom diverter valve at the top of the receiver permits these ingredients to be directly transferred into the receiver, or to be transferred into the bin vent for addition at a later stage of the mixing process. The receiver and bin vent are supported by load cells to continuously monitor the weight of ingredients contained in the receiver/bin vent so that proper amounts of each ingredient are reliably included in each batch. Three different embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A supporting framework for a soft-sided bulk bag containing a quantity of bulk dry material, the bag having four loop-type straps positioned at the corners of its top, includes a bird cage-like framework with four hook members for securing the bag straps thereto and a pair of U-shaped rails for receiving the blades of a forklift truck. The bird cage-like structure fits over the top of the bulk bag so that the bulk bag may be secured thereto and the framework and bag subsequently lifted and handled from its top instead of its bottom as in the prior art. Additionally, a generally horizontally extending bracket lip surrounds the bird cage-like framework to facilitate its being lifted and set down into place on a batch weighing apparatus or the like for controlled dispensing of the bulk dry material through a pour spout located in the bottom of the bag.

Abstract: A water control includes three water sources which are plumbed into a single supply pipe where a flow meter and temperature sensor is used by a computer to monitor the water flowing therethrough. A valve set controls the flow of water from each water source into the single supply pipe such that a desired amount of water as measured by the flow meter is produced at a desired temperature as is monitored by the temperature sensor. The water sources include a tap water supply with an unregulated temperature, and a cold and hot water source.

Abstract: A pivotally mounted U-shaped bracket assembly is disposed beneath the bottom of a bag containing a quantity of bulk dry material and surrounding a pourspout in the bottom of the bag. An air cylinder comprising an inflatable bladder positioned opposite the pivotal mount of the bracket selectively pushes the bracket upwardly into the bottom of the bag to dislodge the dry material and separate it into its original granulated or powdered form and break up any agglomerations or solidifications thereof which would otherwise interfere with the free flow of dry material from within the bag and through the pourspout. A vibrator is vertically mounted on the outboard end of the bracket and introduces vibratory forces into the material as the bracket deflects the bag to further aid the free flow of material.

Abstract: A bin weighing device for the individual bins of a batch weigher includes a plurality of flexures oriented in one or more horizontal planes to stabilize the bin and restrict its movement as the bin is supported at one end with a single load cell in a vertical direction in order to ascertain the weight of the bin and material contained therein. With the arrangement shown, a single load cell can be used along with the supporting flexures to accurately weigh a bin and its contents while the bin remains in place along with other bins mounted in a rack configuration on the batch weigher.

Abstract: A dry flow sensor for detecting the flow rate of a stream of granular material through a chute includes a force transducer mounted inside an enclosure, the enclosure being mounted by a bracket assembly to the chute with a plate assembly cantilever mounted in the chute from the force transducer and a thermoelectric heat pump to maintain the temperature of the force transducer at a desired value. A temperature sensor is mounted on the force transducer and a computer compares actual with desired temperature to control the heat pump. The cantilever mount comprises a pair of beam members, each beam including a central threaded rod with a hollow tube surrounding the rod and held in place between the force transducer and plate assembly by compression. A collar member surrounds one beam member and has a plurality of adjustment screws to limit radial torquing of the beam and plate assembly with respect to the force transducer.

Abstract: A control for a vapor steam generator as used with a pellet mill senses the exhaust temperature of the steam and controls it by modulating the flow of air/gas to the burner independently of the flow rate of moisture such that steam having a constant moisture content can be produced at varying temperatures. The constant moisture content steam is desirably used in the pellet mill by ratioing the flow of moisture to the flow of dry material such that finished pellets having a pre-determined moisture content can be reliably produced.

Abstract: A pellet mill includes a conditioning section which mixes dry material, moisture in the form of water, and heat provided by a hot air system for the creation of a mash suitable for pelleting without the use of steam. The hot air section inputs heat by utilizing a blower which pressurizes air across a heat exchanger and into a plenum which interconnects an air duct with the conditioner. Moisture is input to the conditioner with a hot water system which modulates the flow of water and temperature of the water as it is sprayed onto the dry material. An automatic controller controls the process in accordance with temperature measurements made at various points in the pellet mill to select a desired operating temperature or in accordance with other control parameters previously developed.

Abstract: An automatic control for an extruder has a temperature sensor which monitors the exit temperature of the extrudate and several pressure transducers which monitor the pressure within the extruder to control the cooking of the mash inside the extruder to ensure production of high quality extrudate. The controller monitors and controls the temperature and moisture content of the mash in the extruder by controlling the input of various ingredients and also the cooling or heating of the mash near the exit of the extruder through a heat exchanger.

Abstract: An offset current which is 180.degree. out of phase with the leakage current for a motorized bed circuit is created through the use of an additional transformer winding and series resistor which is connected between the neutral conductor and ground conductor. As the circuit is connected in the reverse polarity condition for testing to UL standards, the offset current is injected into the ground conductor which cancels out a portion of the leakage current from the motors to thereby bring it within testing standards. In the normal connection condition, the injected offset current is additive to the leakage current, although the normal leakage current is much less than the reverse polarity connection leakage current so that the overall leakage current in the normal connection condition remains within test standards.

Abstract: An automatic control for an extruder has a temperature sensor which monitors the exit temperature of the extrudate and several pressure transducers which monitor the pressure within the extruder to control the cooking of the mash inside the extruder to ensure production of high quality extrudate. The controller monitors and controls the temperature and moisture content of the mash in the extruder by controlling the input of various ingredients and also the cooling or heating of the mash near the exit of the extruder through a heat exchanger.

Abstract: A non-contacting infrared temperature sensor is utilized in a control system for a pelleting apparatus to sense the temperature of the rotating die within the pellet mill and is used to control the moisture addition to control the pelleting process. A moisture meter automatically adjusts the desired die temperature in response to the moisture content of finished pellets.

Abstract: A pellet mill controller includes a plurality of temperature sensors to sense the temperature of material as it traverses the pellet mill, and a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the die to determine when it reaches the approximate nominal boiling point of water. As the die reaches the approximate nominal boiling point of water, the differential is measured between two of the temperature sensors and stored in the pellet mill to control the pellet mill in accordance with temperature differential control modes previously patented.

Abstract: A non-contacting infrared temperature sensor is utilized in a control system for a pelleting apparatus to sense the temperature of the rotating die within the pellet mill and is used to control the moisture addition to control the pelleting process. A moisture meter is mounted to the cooler and automatically adjusts the desired die temperature in response to the moisture content of finished pellets.

Abstract: A fat injection process for a pellet mill includes a plurality of nozzles mounted within the pelleting chamber and adjacent the die and rollers with a steam and fat line connected to each nozzle for mixing fat with steam and spraying the mixture onto the pellets immediately as they are formed.