Abstract: An aggregate bin heater assembly having a bin for receiving aggregate therein and a plurality of fluid inlets supported at vertically spaced apart elevations relative to the bin for distributing a heating fluid into the aggregate within the bin, further includes a control system for controlling distribution of the heating fluid. A pressure sensor associated with at least an uppermost one of the fluid inlets so as to be arranged to sense pressure within the bin at the respective elevation. A controller determines a low pressure condition if the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor is lower than a prescribed normal pressure. A valve associated with the uppermost one of the fluid inlets shuts off the flow of heating fluid to the uppermost one of the fluid inlets responsive to determination of the low pressure condition by the controller.

Abstract: A mixer having i) a vessel defining a mixing chamber surrounded by boundary walls for receiving a mixture containing lumps therein, ii) a plurality of mixing blades, and iii) a driving mechanism supporting the mixing blades in the mixing chamber for mixing motion relative to the vessel so as to mix the mixture within the mixing chamber of the vessel, further includes at least one lump conditioning blade. The lump conditioning blade is supported by the driving mechanism such that the lump conditioning blade is movable in a working direction along a respective one of the boundary walls with a working edge of the blade being maintained at a prescribed space from the boundary wall which is effective to reduce a lump size of the lumps in the mixture as the mixture passes between the working edge of the lump conditioning blade and the boundary wall.

Abstract: A mixer having i) a vessel defining a mixing chamber surrounded by boundary walls for receiving a mixture containing lumps therein, ii) a plurality of mixing blades, and iii) a driving mechanism supporting the mixing blades in the mixing chamber for mixing motion relative to the vessel so as to mix the mixture within the mixing chamber of the vessel, further includes at least one lump conditioning blade. The lump conditioning blade is supported by the driving mechanism such that the lump conditioning blade is movable in a working direction along a respective one of the boundary walls with a working edge of the blade being maintained at a prescribed space from the boundary wall which is effective to reduce a lump size of the lumps in the mixture as the mixture passes between the working edge of the lump conditioning blade and the boundary wall.

Abstract: An aggregate bin heater assembly having a bin for receiving aggregate therein and a plurality of fluid inlets supported at vertically spaced apart elevations relative to the bin for distributing a heating fluid into the aggregate within the bin, further includes a control system for controlling distribution of the heating fluid. A pressure sensor associated with at least an uppermost one of the fluid inlets so as to be arranged to sense pressure within the bin at the respective elevation. A controller determines a low pressure condition if the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor is lower than a prescribed normal pressure. A valve associated with the uppermost one of the fluid inlets shuts off the flow of heating fluid to the uppermost one of the fluid inlets responsive to determination of the low pressure condition by the controller.