US3655002A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electronic weighing system for batching operations
Assignee: Dole Valve Co
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Filing: 1968-09-20
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Granted: 1972-04-11
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Expires: 1988-09-20
Abstract
Abstract An electronic weighing system for batching operations which includes a load cell for weighing a principal container which receives a number of ingredients from individual ingredient sources. The load cell generates an output signal in proportion to the instantaneous weight received in the container, and this signal is utilized to turn ''''off'''' one ingredient channel and to actuate a second channel. The output from the load cell is compared with an input signal associated with each channel which determines the loading which is to be added to the container from each ingredient channel. The input load signal for each channel is derived respectively from a number of potentiometers which are coupled in series in such a way as to provide the correct input comparison signal to produce the proper load output for each ingredient channel. This is accomplished by successively switching into series arrangement each new channel after the loading requirements of the previous channel have been satisfied. In this way, the input signal established at each channel in combination with the input signals of previously operated channels always exceeds the load cell output signal by a magnitude just sufficient to be satisfied by the predetermined ingredient loading demands of the channel in operation.
Inventors
- 👤 William H Jones
- 👤 Martin W Hamilton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:52
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G19/00; G01G19/22; G01G19/24; G01G19/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
An electronic weighing system for batching operations comprising: a load cell and means for generating an output signal therefrom, container means being weighed by said load cell, a series of feed station means for feeding material into said container means, a plurality of potentiometers including an impedance element having a constant voltage source applied thereacross and a movable tap associated with said impedance element, a trigger circuit means associated with each of said potentiometers and being coupled to an associated feed station and including a high input impedance amplifier, the output of said load cell being coupled to one terminal of said impedance elements, said trigger circuit being responsive to the combined signals of said load cell and said impedance element at said movable tap for activating and deactivating said associated feed station, and means for coupling a second one of said impedance elements in series with a portion of said first impedance element between said movable tap and said one terminal in response to the deactivation of said feed station associated with said one impedance element, said means for coupling including a relay connected to and triggered by said high input impedance amplifier and having contacts serially interposed between said one impedance element and said second impedance element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
An electronic weighing system for batching operations comprising: a load cell and means for generating an output signal therefrom, container means being weighed by said load cell, a series of feed station means for feeding material into said container means, a plurality of potentiometers including an impedance element having a constant voltage source applied thereacross and a movable tap associated with said impedance element, a trigger circuit means associated with each of said potentiometers and being coupled to an associated feed station and including a high input impedance amplifier, the output of said load cell being coupled to one terminal of said impedance elements, said trigger circuit being responsive to the combined signals of said load cell and said impedance element at said movable tap for activating and deactivating said associated feed station, and means for coupling a second one of said impedance elements in series with a portion of said first impedance element between said movable tap and said one terminal in response to the deactivation of said feed station associated with said one impedance element, said means for coupling including a relay connected to and triggered by said high input impedance amplifier and having contacts serially interposed between said one impedance element and said second impedance element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
183 words
An electronic weighing system for batching operations comprising: a load cell and means for generating an output signal therefrom, container means being weighed by said load cell a series of feed station means for feeding material into said container means, a plurality of potentiometers including an impedance element having a constant voltage source applied thereacross and a movable tap associated with said impedance element, a plurality of trigger circuit means each associated with a separate one of said potentiometers and being coupled to an associated feed station, the output of said load cell being coupled to one terminal of one of said impedance elements, the trigger circuit associated with said one impedance element being responsive to the combined signals of said load cell and said one impedance element at said movable tap for activating and deactivating said associated feed station, and means for coupling a second one of said impedance elements in series with the portion of said first element between said movable tap and said one terminal in response to the deactivation of said feed station associated with said one impedance element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
183 words
An electronic weighing system for batching operations comprising: a load cell and means for generating an output signal therefrom, container means being weighed by said load cell a series of feed station means for feeding material into said container means, a plurality of potentiometers including an impedance element having a constant voltage source applied thereacross and a movable tap associated with said impedance element, a plurality of trigger circuit means each associated with a separate one of said potentiometers and being coupled to an associated feed station, the output of said load cell being coupled to one terminal of one of said impedance elements, the trigger circuit associated with said one impedance element being responsive to the combined signals of said load cell and said one impedance element at said movable tap for activating and deactivating said associated feed station, and means for coupling a second one of said impedance elements in series with the portion of said first element between said movable tap and said one terminal in response to the deactivation of said feed station associated with said one impedance element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A circuit in accordance with claim 2 wherein interlock means are provided and coupled to and operated bY a constant voltage source for holding said coupling means closed until said load cell is substantially unloaded.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A circuit in accordance with claim 3 wherein said interlock means comprises a reference potential source in parallel with said potentiometers and in series with said load cell output signal, means for holding said coupling means closed and trigger means responsive to both said reference potential and said load cell output signal to actuate said holding means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
163 words
A control circuit comprising: load sensitive means for generating an output signal indicative of the load received thereon, a plurality of load selection units, each of said load selection units being connected in series with each other, means for applying the output signal from said load sensitive means to one of said load selection units, means for coupling said output signal to another one of said load selection units through said one load selection unit, and a plurality of operational means coupled to individual ones of said load selection units, each of said operational means having a cycle of operation and being responsive to its associated load selection unit to regulate the load received at said load sensitive means, means for disconnecting said other one of said load selection units from said one unit during the cycle of operation of said one unit and for connecting said other unit to said one unit subsequent to the cycle of operation of said one unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
163 words
A control circuit comprising: load sensitive means for generating an output signal indicative of the load received thereon, a plurality of load selection units, each of said load selection units being connected in series with each other, means for applying the output signal from said load sensitive means to one of said load selection units, means for coupling said output signal to another one of said load selection units through said one load selection unit, and a plurality of operational means coupled to individual ones of said load selection units, each of said operational means having a cycle of operation and being responsive to its associated load selection unit to regulate the load received at said load sensitive means, means for disconnecting said other one of said load selection units from said one unit during the cycle of operation of said one unit and for connecting said other unit to said one unit subsequent to the cycle of operation of said one unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A control circuit in accordance with claim 5 wherein each of said load selection units comprises a potentiometer and means for applying a reference signal across the same, said potentiometer being adjustable to selectively establish an operation voltage point for the associated operational means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
A control circuit in accordance with claim 6 wherein each of said potentiometers has a reference point, means for applying the output of said load sensitive means to said reference point and means for developing a portion of said reference signal between the point of coupling of said operational means and said reference point which portion is 180* out of phase with the output of said load sensitive means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A control circuit in accordance with claim 7 wherein the operational means associated with said one load selection means is normally operative until the output of said load sensitive means equals said portion of said reference signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
174 words
A control circuit comprising: a load cell and means for developing an output signal in response to the loading of said cell, a plurality of voltage selected input signal means, each signal having an instantaneous polarity opposed to the polarity of the output of said load cell, means for connecting one of said voltage selected input signals in series with said load cell output, first operational means responsive to the combined one input and load cell output signal to control the loading of said load cell, said first operational means having a high input impedance, means for disengaging said first operational means when a first predetermined loading is attained on said load cell and for coupling a second voltage selected input signal into series relation with said one input signal, second operational means responsive to the combined one input, second input and load cell output signal to control the further loading of said load cell, and means for disengaging said second operational means when a second predetermined loading is attained on said load cell.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
174 words
A control circuit comprising: a load cell and means for developing an output signal in response to the loading of said cell, a plurality of voltage selected input signal means, each signal having an instantaneous polarity opposed to the polarity of the output of said load cell, means for connecting one of said voltage selected input signals in series with said load cell output, first operational means responsive to the combined one input and load cell output signal to control the loading of said load cell, said first operational means having a high input impedance, means for disengaging said first operational means when a first predetermined loading is attained on said load cell and for coupling a second voltage selected input signal into series relation with said one input signal, second operational means responsive to the combined one input, second input and load cell output signal to control the further loading of said load cell, and means for disengaging said second operational means when a second predetermined loading is attained on said load cell.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
A control circuit in accordance with claim 9 wherein said voltage selected input signal means comprises a potentiometer, a constant signal source being applied across said potentiometer and a movable tap thereon for determining the magnitude of the selected input signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
68 words
A control circuit in accordance with claim 10 wherein the output of said load cell is coupled to one terminal of one of said potentiometers and wherein the signal developed between the movable tap thereof and said one terminal combines with the output signal from said load cell to develop a trigger signal, and wherein said trigger signal is applied to the input of said first operational means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
70 words
A control circuit in accordance with claim 11 wherein said means for coupling said second voltage selected input signal into series relation with said one input signal comprises a normally open switching means coupled between said movable tap of said one potentiometer and one terminal of another of said potentiometers and wherein means are provided to close said switching means in response to the deactuation of said first operational means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-11 | 1975-10-11 | 1976-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-11 | 1979-10-11 | 1980-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-11 | 1983-10-11 | 1984-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |