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 in connection with other temperature measurements to control the pelleting process.

Abstract: An automatic pellet mill controller controls a vapor steam generator for use with the pellet mill, the vapor steam generator having the capability of producing steam at a constant pressure but with a variable temperature to suit the particular ambient conditions, or formulation of feed being pelleted, or temperature at any point in the pellet mill. After the steam temperature is selected, the control can operate in any one of the various control modes which control the automatic pelleting of the pellet mill for the particular feed formulation.

Abstract: A fat injection system 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.

Abstract: A system for adding heat to dry material as it is conditioned in preparation for pelleting in a pellet mill includes a plurality of groups of microwave magnetrons and a control system to control the energization of those magnetrons in response to the throughput of the dry material and the temperature or temperature change of the material.

Abstract: A linear force transducer includes an inclined plate mounted in a chute to be impacted by a flow of granular material, the plate being supported by one or more leaf springs from the chute. An actuator rod is mounted to the plate and extends to a servo mechanism which generates a force to resist deflection of the plate, the actuator rod being supported by a pair of spaced leaf springs. The servo mechanism includes an electromagnetic force generator to apply a force to the actuator rod, with an electronic circuit to produce an electrical current in response to a force applied to the inclined plate to energize the electromagnetic force generator.

Abstract: A linear force transducer includes an inclined plate mounted in a chute to be impacted by a flow of granular material, the plate being supported by one or more leaf springs from the chute. An actuator rod is mounted to the plate and extends to a servo mechanism which generates a force to resist deflection of the plate, the actuator rod being supported by a pair of spaced leaf springs. The servo mechanism includes an electromagnetic force generator to apply a force to the actuator rod, with an electronic circuit to produce an electrical current in response to a force applied to the inclined plate to energize the electromagnetic force generator.

Abstract: An impulse momentum dry flow sensor includes a plate for mounting in a "dead-end" turn of a granular material carrying conduit, a leaf spring suspension to limit its movement to substantially a horizontal plane, and a linear force transducer to measure the force applied to the plate by granular material negotiating the turn. The linear force transducer includes an inclined plate mounted in a chute to be impacted by a flow of granular material, the plate being supported by one or more leaf springs from the chute. An actuator rod is mounted to the plate and extends to a servo mechanism which generates a force to resist deflection of the plate, the actuator rod being supported by a pair of spaced leaf springs. The servo mechanism includes an electro-magnetic force generator to apply a force to the actuator rod, with an electronic circuit to produce an electrical current in response to a force applied to the inclined plate to energize the electromagnetic force generator.

Abstract: A remote control circuit for a hard wired remote control controlling multiple functions in a multiple motor device has a reduced number of wires extending between the hand held control and the motor control circuit. The circuit includes a rectifier for generating a positive control voltage and a negative control voltage which are separately supplied along individual wires to the hand held control, and a single wire extending between the hand held control and the control circuit for each function, the voltage appearing along the wire designating the direction of movement of the function. A pair of parallel connected LEDs sense the polarity of the voltage and energize a triac corresponding to the polarity of the voltage appearing along the control wire to energize the proper winding of a reversible motor.

Abstract: Independently operable head and foot adjusting mechanisms are provided in an adjustable motorized hospital bed in order to facilitate independent height adjustment of the head and foot ends of the bed's movable frame, on which is mounted a mattress supporting structure. Logic circuitry controls the actuation of the adjusting mechanisms to manipulate the movable frame to any level or tilted position desired. When the frame is to be lowered to its lowermost level, a latching system may be latched in a down operating mode, merely by momentarily actuating a switch, to cause the head and foot adjusting mechanisms to lower each end of the movable frame directly to its lowermost limit regardless of the frame's position, and even though the frame may be tilted, at the time the switch is actuated. With such direct and immediate access to the lowermost level position, considerable time can be saved by the nurse or attendant.

Abstract: Different hospital bed functions or adjustments (such as high-low, back and knee adjustments) may be made by employing a single reversible motor to drive selected ones of a series of adjusting mechanisms. The adjusting mechanisms may be clutched, individually or simultaneously, to the motor drive in a transmission and the motor may be run in a selected direction in order to position the hospital bed as desired. Momentarily reversing the direction of motor rotation ensures that all of the clutches in the transmission will be disengaged except those that have been actuated. The motor is momentarily reversed upon the initial operation of any function or functions, and is again momentarily reversed upon the reactivation of any function while other functions continue to operate. With this arrangement, if any deactuated clutch has locked or latched into an engaged position, it will be quickly released or unlocked so only the desired bed functions will operate.

Abstract: A microprocessor based pellet mill controller provides fully automatic, programmed operation of a pellet mill with operator selection from among several operating system parameters to control a pellet run. The controller comprises an operator's console having a plurality of switches to permit operator selected between manual or automatic control of individual equipment in the mill; a plurality of switches to permit operator selection of a pellet formulation and mill load; a plurality of digital displays to monitor the status of ingredient input rates and total, and system operating parameters and totals; and a plurality of display lights to cue the operator and indicate equipment status. A software package is disclosed for achieving fully automatic operation, the microprocessor being capable to re-programming to alter its mode of operation.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for use in the production of pellets, such as in a feed pellet mill, where both steam and water are used in a conditioner to condition milled material before pelleting. The heat exchanger has a steam inlet for delivery of steam to the chamber from a steam supply and a steam outlet for delivery of steam to the conditioner. A portion of the chamber defines a collector for the collection of condensate and has a second outlet for the delivery of the condensate from the chamber back to the steam supply. A coil surrounds at least a portion of the chamber to provide heat exchange between the chamber and the coil so that water passing through the coil is heated by the heat exchange from said chamber for delivery to the conditioner.

Abstract: A control system for an automatic pellet producing system for producing pellets from a milled material of a selected composition. A difference in temperature of the material across the mill (.DELTA.T mill), is sensed and the proportion of selected ingredients of the material is controlled prior to entering the pellet mill to maintain .DELTA.T mill within a prescribed range.

Abstract: By closing a series-connected first solid state switch, such as a triac, AC line voltage is applied directly to the first of two field windings of a two-phase reversible AC induction motor to drive the motor in one of its two directions. The shifted phase voltage, appearing at the other or second field winding, has a magnitude of about twice that of the line voltage and is employed to supply gate current to the first solid state switch over a cross-coupling circuit. Conversely, when motor rotation in the opposite direction is desired a second solid state switch or triac is rendered to conductive to apply the AC line voltage directly to the second field winding, the gate current for the second solid state switch being derived from the high magnitude shifted voltage appearing at the first winding. Since the gating voltage is phase displaced (by approximately 90.degree.

Abstract: The angular deflection or tilt angle from vertical is determined by an inclinometer wherein a weight is offset and hung from a rotatable shaft to which a needle pointer is affixed. When the inclinometer is oriented such that the shaft is vertically aligned, the gravitational force on the weight is in a direction parallel to the shaft's axis and no torque results. When so oriented, a magnetic spring system holds the shaft in a reference position and the needle points to the center of a graduated scale, thereby indicating a zero tilt angle. If the inclinometer, and consequently the shaft, are tilted in a tilt plane, defined by the shaft and the center of the scale, the weight exerts a torque on the shaft and causes pivoting of the needle away from the center of the scale to indicate the direction of tilt and the magnitude of the tilt angle.

Abstract: A flow rate sensor particularly for use with pelleted, granular, or powdered materials having a support and a pivotal member which is pivotally mounted to the support for pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis. An arm extends from the pivotal member and a deflection plate is mounted at the extended end of the arm for impingement of a vertical flow of material thereagainst such that the deflection plate resolves the vertical flow of material into a horizontal force component producing horizontal deflection of the deflection plate and angular deflection of the pivotal member about the pivotal axis. The pivotal mounting for the pivotal member includes a thin shim secured to the pivotal member and support providing flexing of the shim over a section thereof located between the pivotal member and the support.

Abstract: An image counter and automatic control for same for searching a roll of microfilm or the like having images thereon and for stopping and positioning on a selected image for viewing, printing, or the like. The system generally comprises a film drive for driving the film in the forward and reverse directions, a source of light that impinges on the film as it moves past a given location, the images on the film being detectable by either the passage or impedance of the impinging light rays as compared to the other portions of the film. A plurality of photodetecting means are positioned on the side of the film opposite the light source for producing electrical signals in response to the presence or absence of light detected thereby, and electrical network means are provided for controlling the film drive in response to the signals from the photodetecting means.

Abstract: The ground and neutral terminals of a three-wire grounded AC power source for electrical apparatus, such as the control system of a motor operated hospital bed, are both normally connected to earth ground. The integrity or continuity of the ground connection is constantly monitored by applying, between the neutral and ground terminals, sharp narrow pulses periodically recurring at a relatively low pulse repetition frequency. When the resistance in the neutral/ground circuit is less than a predetermined threshold level, the pulsing causes an LED photo coupler to flash and this in turn produces a control signal for maintaining the electrical apparatus coupled to the AC power source. When the resistance between the neutral and ground terminals exceeds the threshold level, the AC power supplied to the apparatus is interrupted.

Abstract: By actuating a momentary contact switch, an energizing circuit applies an AC voltage directly to one of the two field windings of a two-phase reversible AC induction motor to drive that motor in one of its two directions. As the motor begins to rotate, the shifted phase voltage appearing at the other field winding has a relatively high magnitude and this is employed to energize a neon photo coupler which then completes a holding or latching circuit for maintaining the motor energized so that it continues to rotate. If the motor stalls or if its rotation is purposely stopped, which may be caused by a limit-of-travel switch actuated by apparatus driven by the motor, the magnitude of the shifted phase voltage decreases and the neon photo coupler de-energizes, thereby disabling the holding circuit. By actuating another momentary contact switch, motor rotation in the opposite direction occurs and another holding circuit effects continued motor rotation until the motor stalls or is purposely stopped.

Abstract: An electric heater having a ceramic core with a heating element surrounding the core and a jacket surrounding the heating element such that the heating element is secured to the jacket but there is no chemical bonding between the heating element and the core. In the method of producing the electric heater, the core is formed in an uncured state and then surrounded with the heating element. The heating element is surrounded by a jacket such that the heating element is secured to the jacket, and the core is thereafter cured.In producing an article such as the core of the heater from a thermosetting type material, the material is preheated to within a range so as to soften the material sufficiently for injection into a mold. The mold is preheated to a temperature sufficient to cure the material after injection into the mold.