Abstract: The operation of a vacuum-conveying hopper feeder is controlled using pneumatic logic circuitry including a leak sensor relay providing improved control accuracy and with a sensor orifice which becomes occluded by a spring-loaded plunger when the feeder body is filled to a predetermined weight. The leak sensor relay connects through a pneumatic logic NOT element to an aspirator or pump control valve and releases the vacuum allowing the contents of the body to be dumped. Time delay elements can be included between the relay, NOT element, and control valve so as to continue the filling for a predetermined interval following occlusion of the sensor orifice and to continue the dumping for a period following unblocking of the orifice.

Abstract: The flow control hereof is applied to a known system of feeding a patient intravenously and contemplates the use of a clamp applied externally to the delivery tube extending from the intravenous bag, bottle or other appropriate container to the patient, said clamp being selectively successively opened and then closed to correspondingly meter the feeding flow of the intravenous fluid on a selected volume per time basis, e.g. 1 cc/minute, so that intravenous feeding of the patient is achieved according to a desired time schedule. The external application of the clamp does not detract from conventional sterile conditions of the system. Also, and most important, the operation of the clamp is related to the weight of the intravenous fluid, which weight, if the feeding is proceeding as it should, should progressively diminish in a predictable way. The flow control hereof thus allows uninterrupted flow if the weight is not diminishing at the rate that it should; or it terminates flow, if the rate is too rapid.

Abstract: A control for a batch bin and a continuous loss bin system having a separate weight measuring device for each bin whose sum at transfer is used to establish continuously digitally desired weights at fixed intervals to be compared with the actual weight in the continuous loss bin to provide an error signal for a continuous feeder.

Abstract: Fine-grain fuel is delivered from pressure vessels with a vehicle gas as a fluidized flow into a reactor for gasification at an elevated pressure. A gaseous gasification agent is also fed into the reactor. A control system for the fine-grain fuel and gasification agent includes detectors to provide an electrical signal which varies during feeding of fuel from the pressure vessels into the reactor. Controllers produce a fuel rate control signal corresponding to a comparison between the electrical signal from the detectors and a predetermined reference value corresponding to the desired fuel supply rate. Control valves respond to the fuel rate control signal to adjust the supply of vehicle gas to transfer fuel from the pressure vessels into the reactor.

Abstract: A method for the controlled delivery of ore charges to a shaft furnace is disclosed. The method employs apparatus including a plurality of sensors on which an intermediate charge storage hopper is supported whereby continuous measurement of charge weight is permitted. The apparatus also includes means for establishing hermetic coupling of the storage hopper to the furnace whereby compensation for temperature and pressure induced positional displacements and biasing of the sensors is permitted.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatically controlled weigh feeding apparatus including a container prefilled with a substance, a device for discharging the substance from the container at a controllable rate, apparatus for weighing the container and its contents and for producing an electrical signal proportional to that weight, a first amplifier for amplifying the electrical signal, a first analog-digital converter coupled to said first amplifier and a digital computer coupled to said first analog-digital converter for computing the weight of substance remaining in the container. A second amplifier is coupled to said first amplifier and a ramp off-set circuit which is controlled by the digital computer inputs a second signal to the second amplifier means having a controlled stepping output applied as a second input signal to the second amplifier to maintain the output of the second amplifier within a given selected range of amplitude during one time cycle of operation.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for precisely measuring the weight of even large amounts of feed stored in bulk feed storage bins. This apparatus includes a number of electrical load cells supported upon a foundation. The weight of the bulk feed bins and any feed contained therein is, in turn, supported upon the load cells by bin support legs. If desired, an interconnecting platform can be provided to support a number of feed bins and their legs upon several cells. In response to weight-induced deformation of a load cell element, electrical signals are transmitted to electrical processing circuitry. This circuitry can provide a display of the weight of feed remaining in the bin, the number of feedings remaining in the bin at a given weight increment of feed, the presence or absence of a minimal amount of feed within the bin, and other data.

Abstract: A vibratory feeder system is disclosed which employs control circuitry for controlling one or a plurality of vibratory feeders such that product is discharged at a constant weight per unit time. This is preferably achieved by deriving a weight analog representative of product weight and then using this information for controlling product velocity as by modulating the tray velocity or varying the flow of product from a supply source to the tray.

Abstract: Apparatus for actuating an alarm to alert medical personnel that an intravenous fluid has been fully administered to the quantity ordered by the attending physician. A liquid dispensing container secured to one side of a balance arm with a counterweight secured to the other side of the balance arm opposite the fulcrum about which the balance arm is pivotally secured such that when balanced, a magnet on the balance arm actuates a switch, closing an electrical circuit to energize an alarm which alerts attending personnel. The fulcrum pin is secured to a support member which is secured to a support such as an IV stand.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatically controlled weigh feeding system including a container prefilled with a substance, a device for discharging the substance from the container at a controllable rate, apparatus for weighing the container and its contents and for producing an electrical signal proportional to that weight, apparatus actuated by the electrical signal for controlling the discharge of the substance from the container, and a detector circuit actuated by the electrical signal for producing an output which is responsive to predetermined excessive excursions of the electrical signal for locking the discharge control apparatus against deviation during the time of the excessive excursion.

Abstract: Teeming of molten metal from a laden vessel into a receiving vessel such as an ingot mould or tundish is accomplished at a controlled rate by detecting the changing weight of one of the vessels and deriving a valve control signal by comparing a changing weight signal with a presettable reference signal, the valve control signal being employed to adjust the setting of a sliding gate valve through which molten metal passes as it is teemed into the receiving vessel.