Abstract: The sun sensing control device includes an upright hollow elongated housing having a sealed compartment therein containing fluid. An electrical transducer is mounted at least partially within the compartment. The transducer responds to changes in the characteristics of the fluid within the compartment when solar radiation, impinging on the housing, heats the fluid in the compartment. In response to such changes, the transducer provides an electrical signal indicative of the presence of adequate solar radiation for energizing a solar heating system.

Abstract: Control apparatus and a method for making battery paste by mixing selected quantities of lead oxide, sulfuric acid and water to form a reaction mixture are disclosed. During the reaction portion of the process, the viscosity of the mixture initially descends on a time-viscosity curve, which then changes in slope to reach a point of minimum viscosity. The temperatures of the reaction mixture form a time-temperature curve having a temperature peak therein. The temperature and the viscosity of the reaction mixture are determined respectively by temperature sensing devices and by viscosity sensing devices.

Abstract: A level control system involving both an apparatus and a method for a rotary feed hopper of the inverted, open-ended, truncated cone-type, wherein heavy paste-like viscous material which is fed into the large open upper end of the feed hopper is delivered or discharged through the small lower end of the hopper. A load meter in connected relation with the motor which drives the hopper senses the power required to drive the hopper and thus indirectly indicates the quantity of the material in the hopper, and consequently, the height or level of the material. When the load on the motor reaches a predetermined maximum the feed of material to the hopper is discontinued thus preventing overflow. When the load on the motor reaches a predetermined minimum the feed of material into the hopper is resumed.

Abstract: An apparatus for adding trim water or liquid to a mixture in a powered mixer and controlling the amount automatically. After a selected temperature has been signalled by a temperature sensing device, the water or liquid is pulsed into the mixer, each pulse being followed by a dispersion time, until a selected power level is detected by a power sensing device, the selected power level having previously been correlated through testing with a desired characteristic of the mixture. When the selected power level is detected, a signal from the power sensing device terminates the water or liquid addition.