Abstract: An apparatus and method to measure and control the slump of concrete by monitoring sensor within the interior surface of a concrete mixer and a liquid flow meter. Data is analyzed by a computer processing unit to determine the slump of the concrete, liquid needed the quantity of concrete within the mixer, the amount of concrete poured, and the starting and ending time of the pour.

Abstract: A device and method for use with the transportation of materials including a tank that is configured to hold the material and an inlet/outlet configured on the tank to allow the flow of the material therethrough. At least one inlet is arranged on the tank to allow the flow of the material into the tank to agitate the material in the tank.

Abstract: A universal dental impression material system uses a programmable device having containers for separately housing two or more components that form a dental impression material when mixed. A mixing chamber and a dispensing means respectively receive/mix the components and dispense the dental impression material. One or more viscosity modification zones are configured to apply viscosity manipulation to a component prior to mixing, to the components in the mixing chamber during mixing, and/or to the dental impression material in the dispensing means after mixing. A user interface accepts user input of desired properties, such as viscosity, color, work/set time and/or extrusion rate. A controller operatively coupled to the user interface is configured to control dispensing of the components to the mixing chamber, activation as needed of the viscosity modification zones, and dispensing from the dispensing means in response to the user input to achieve the desired properties.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for administering micro-ingredient feed additives or supplements to feed rations. The amount of each particular micro-ingredient to be delivered to a feed ration may be determined by a bulk density measurement. Alternatively, bulk density measurement may be used in combination with existing weight measurement and volumetric metering methods for multiple micro-ingredients. Delivery by bulk density requires determination of a bulk density value along with use of a dispensing device that dispenses a calculated amount of the micro-ingredient ration. The dispensing calculation may be achieved by analysis of delivery time, pulse count, or some other quantitative measure such as magnitude. Use of bulk density as a measurement technique eliminates the requirement for use of scales in the micro-ingredient delivery system.

Abstract: An agitation system including a motor that is capable of measuring the torque output of the motor required to mix a suspension. The motor is attached to an agitator which is placed in a suspension to be measured. The agitator is placed in the suspension and the agitation system is turned on for a period of time. This period determined by the type of agitator used and the characteristics of the suspension. When the suspension is well mixed and the torque measurement on the agitator becomes stable, the agitation system is stopped. The suspension is allowed to sit without agitation for a period of time and the agitation system is started again. After a period of time the agitation system is started and the amount of torque needed to begin turning the agitator is measured.

Abstract: A blending system includes a first liquid supply arrangement for providing a first liquid component, a second liquid supply arrangement for providing a second liquid component, a mixing arrangement for mixing the first and the second liquid components to form a blending liquid, and a mass flow measuring device for determining the mass flow of the blended liquid at a location downstream of the mixing arrangement. The blending system further includes a control arrangement for controlling the first and the second liquid supply arrangements in response to the mass flow measuring device. The mass flow measuring device may also measure the density and/or volumetric flow of the mixed liquid. The blending system may also be setup without a holding tank.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a first fluid line for conducting an intermittently flowing first fluid and a second fluid line for conducting an intermittently flowing second fluid, the two fluid lines being connected at a junction to a third fluid line, which forwards the two, particularly mixed, fluids. Further, the apparatus comprises a first flow adjuster, inserted in the first fluid line for setting a volumetric or mass flow rate of the first fluid, and a second flow adjuster, inserted in the second fluid line for setting a volumetric or mass flow rate of the second fluid, as well as means for generating a first control signal, representing an instantaneous setting value for the first flow adjuster, and a second control signal, representing an instantaneous setting value for the second flow adjuster. To produce the fluid mixture, the first fluid and the second fluid are made to flow into the third fluid line alternately. The invention is particularly suited for mixing fluids having different viscosities.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for asynchronous blending and supply of chemical solutions. The method of the present invention includes a continuous blending system. This continuous blending system monitors the output and continuously adjusts the blending system to achieve a predetermined formulation of at least a first solution. A centralized monitoring system continuously evaluates the solutions and adjusts the output of the blender as needed to maintain the predetermined formulation of the solution. The system includes at least a first tank system. Any solutions that are delivered from this tank system are also continuously monitored, evaluated, and adjusted as needed by the centralized monitoring system.

Abstract: A batter mixing apparatus and process is disclosed for mixing a dry batter mix with a predetermined amount of water is adapted to continuously measure the temperature and the viscosity, in centipoises, with an inline viscometer. The controls of the apparatus are fully automated using a programmable logic controller in conjunction with a touchscreen display that provides real-time data, process control parameters, and a choice of batter recipes. Once the batter has reached a desired viscosity, a variable speed feed pump is used to pump the batter to a batter applicator where a food product is coated. Excess batter from the applicator is collected and returned to the mixing apparatus via a pump. The viscosity and temperature of the returned batter is measured and adjusted automatically with dry batter mix or water in order to satisfy the set parameters.

Abstract: The amount of at least one coating mix component and/or the ratios of two or more components are measured by a measuring device arranged in conjunction with the coating mix. The measurement is taken from finished coating mix and/or coating mix to be recycled for use in the manufacture of new coating mix. On the basis of the measurement result the ratios and/or amount of the components fed into the coating mix to be manufactured and/or recycled are controlled.

Abstract: The developer producing equipment of the present invention is equipped with a preparation tank to which a developer stock solution and pure water are supplied, and in which these ingredients are agitated, and a leveling tank which is connected to this preparation tank. The leveling tank is connected via piping to working equipment in which electronic circuits are formed. Furthermore, the preparation tank and leveling tank have first and second alkali concentration measuring means for measuring the alkali concentrations of the alkali type developer inside the respective tanks. In the preparation tank, either the amount of developer stock solution that is supplied to the tank or the amount of pure water that is supplied to the tank, or both, are adjusted on the basis of the measured value obtained by the first alkali concentration measuring means, so that an alkali type developer is prepared.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combining multiple viscous fluids in which a desired, predetermined mixture ratio is automatically maintained by at least one system microcontroller. The microcontroller processes critical data relating to a primary fluid throughout a pumping and dispensing procedure, and automatically adjusts all additional flows based on changes to the primary fluid flow rate, temperature, pressure, viscosity, and pump characteristics by adjusting the speed of the motors driving pumps for all other fluids.