US3621379A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intermittently moving conveyor apparatus for determining the moisture content of substances thereon
Assignee: Coal Industry Patents Ltd
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Filing: 1969-05-07
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Granted: 1971-11-16
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Expires: 1989-05-07
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus is disclosed in which the moisture content of a substance, whether in the form of a divided solid or a compact body, can be determined. A nuclear resonance spectrometer is used to determine the moisture content and a drive mechanism feeds a conveyor carrying the substance through the spectrometer intermittently. The conveyor is made of a water nonabsorbing material having a low hydrogen content. The conveyor is subject to a scraping and drying action after the discharge of substance from the conveyor.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward Watson
- 👤 Dennis M Wilkins
- 👤 Ronald L Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:09
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R33/00; G01R33/20; G01R33/44; G01N; G01N24/00; G01N24/08; G01N24/081
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
Apparatus for determining the moisture content of a substance, the apparatus comprising a conveyor belt for the substance, means for feeding the substance to the belt, a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer having an elongated bore and an adjacent sensing element adapted to detect the presence of hydrogen nuclei present in the water of the said substance, guide means for the conveyor belt acting to shape the belt to conform to said bore and to substantially enclose the substance being carried on the portion of the belt adjacent said sensing element, drive means for advancing the belt intermittently past the sensing element means for registering the hydrogen nuclei count of the water present in the substance detected by the sensing element and means for receiving material from the belt.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
Apparatus for determining the moisture content of a substance, the apparatus comprising a conveyor belt for the substance, means for feeding the substance to the belt, a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer having an elongated bore and an adjacent sensing element adapted to detect the presence of hydrogen nuclei present in the water of the said substance, guide means for the conveyor belt acting to shape the belt to conform to said bore and to substantially enclose the substance being carried on the portion of the belt adjacent said sensing element, drive means for advancing the belt intermittently past the sensing element means for registering the hydrogen nuclei count of the water present in the substance detected by the sensing element and means for receiving material from the belt.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
89 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the substance is in a solid divided state and in which the feed means includes a drive, the drive being arranged to operate in conjunction with the conveyor drive to feed the substance intermittently to the conveyor in advance of the spectrometer, and said feed means constitutes a screw feeder adapted to operate at a rate such that when the substance is fed to the spectrometer the substance occupies substantially the whole of an area of the bore where analysis occurs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the feed means includes a drive, the drive being arranged to operate in conjunction with the conveyor drive to feed the substance intermittently to the conveyor in advance of the spectrometer, and said feed means constitutes a roller having a plurality of pockets in its periphery for speeding material in the form of solid bodies to the conveyor, each pocket being arranged to receive an equal number of bodies.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and including scraping means for removing any substance adhering to the conveyor after the substance has been discharged from the conveyor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the elongated bore is tubular and the conveyor guide means forms the belt into a tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-15 | 1975-05-17 | 1975-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-15 | 1979-05-17 | 1979-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-15 | 1983-05-17 | 1983-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |