Abstract: A method for controlling an automatic dryer is disclosed, which can determine a dryness level based on information relating the laundry by an initial average value of a sensing means, to thereby achieve stability and reliability in a drying process, the method comprising sensing whether the amount of laundry is small or large by using an average output value in a preset time period of an initial drying stage; detecting a saturation voltage generating point of the sensor; and performing a drying cycle based on each dryness level by using information for the amount of laundry and the saturation voltage generating point.

Abstract: A toploading weighing instrumentality which determines loss on drying by a cylindrical microwave. The cylindrical cavity of the microwave includes a power supply, a magnetron, a power module operatively coupled between said power supply and said magnetron for driving said magnetron, a wave guide communicating with the magnetron and with a microwave containment chamber for delivering energy thereto, at least one microwave energy sensor for sensing microwave energy or magnetic and/or electric field strength within the chamber for controlling, inter alia, the loss on drying process of the sample being assayed and determining when the drying process is complete. A precision electronic balance is operatively disposed within the microwave chamber for allowing a specimen being assayed to be weighed. In addition, a ventilation chamber is provided for venting moisture from the microwave chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drying small lots of product, for example ear corn. The method includes simultaneously directing air flow through the product while weighing the product from time to time to derive moisture content to the product. Air temperature and flow can be adjusted to desired levels for controlling the drying process. The apparatus includes an air permeable product bin and a docking station for receiving the bin. A scale is associated with the docking station to obtain weight measurements during the drying process. An air plenum supplies controlled air flow to the docking station. The structure allows monitoring of moisture content during drying and control of air flow. The temperature can also be controlled through control of an air gate from a main hot and cold air plenum.

Abstract: A dryer is provided which is adapted to receive and dry polymeric material. The dryer comprises a support structure, a drying hopper assembly, a polymeric material supply device and a controller. The drying hopper assembly includes a drying hopper having an inlet for receiving wet polymeric material to be dried and an outlet through which dry polymeric material exits the hopper, and load cell apparatus associated with the support structure and the drying hopper for sensing the weight of the drying hopper and any polymeric material contained therein. The load cell apparatus generates first signals representative of the weight of the drying hopper and any contents it may have. The polymeric material supply device is adapted to supply wet polymeric material to the drying hopper through the material inlet. The controller is coupled to the polymeric material supply device and the load cell apparatus.

Abstract: A processing apparatus of the invention includes a rotary processing part for rotating and drying plural sheets of objects to be processed collectively in order to allow the object to be rotated immediately after they are accommodated in the rotary processing part and a balance adjusting mechanism for adjusting balance of the rotary processing part by moving counterweights in accordance with the number of the objects. Further the processing apparatus further includes a counter for counting the number of the objects accommodated in the rotary processing part and a control unit for controlling the balance adjusting operation of the balance adjusting mechanism in accordance with a predetermined relationship between the number of objects and the respective positions of the counterweights.

Abstract: A method for measuring moisture content along a drying line is described by the following stages: A first stage in which a predetermined (weight) quantity of product is withdrawn. A second stage in which, using a piece-counting system, the number of pieces forming the quantity of product withdrawn during the first stage is counted. A third stage in which the number of pieces of product is compared with predetermined values. The main advantage of this method its immediate response.

Abstract: A dryer and a method for controlling a dryer for drying items in a rotating drum by supplying hot air therein. In the rotating drum, electrodes are provided in a position at which the items in the rotating drum enable to come into contact with the items. A degree of dryness of the items is detected in accordance with the current passing through the electrodes. When the detected degree of dryness reaches a predetermined level, an untangling operation is carried out. In the untangling operation, a rotation of the rotating drum is controlled in order to untangle a tangled or wrapped state of the items. The drying operation of the dryer is ended in accordance with the detected degree of dryness. The untangling operation can include a forward rotation of the drum followed by stopping the drum. It can also include rotating the drum in a forward direction, then rotating it in a reverse direction and then stopping the drum.