US3706375A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Precision automatic weighing system
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1971-02-16
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Granted: 1972-12-19
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Expires: 1991-02-16
Abstract
Abstract Two complimentary feeds are provided, the first from an alternate shuttle hopper feed employing a pair of volumetric metering cups provides a weight slightly less than the desired metered weight. The difference between the required metered weight and the short weight is scaled, determined and converted into an electrical analog signal. The second feed consists essentially of a hollow cylinder provided with a plurality of outwardly directed apertures asymmetrically arranged in longitudinal rows. Within the cylinder there is disposed a closed elastomeric tube, which when filled with air at low pressure will bear against the inner surface of the cylinder for ejection of material in said apertures. The feed cylinder is supported for rotation and coupled to an electrically controlled drive for selectable angular displacement thereof. Also included in a sensor for indicating electrically the angular position of the cylinder and whose output, with the analog short weight signal, are applied to an electronic control device which thereupon provides an output signal to said controlled drive to displace the cylinder a sufficient amount to dispense material, previously deposited in said recesses, to accurately compensate for the short weight. A vibratory feed supply is associated with the cylinder so as to provide a pellet for each aperture as it passes the feed point and a receptacle for receiving the pellets as they are gravity ejected.
Inventors
- 👤 Emil J Raue
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:29
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G15/00; G01G15/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S209/00; Y10S209/919
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
237 words
A system for delivering an accurate, metered weight of grain pellets and such, which comprises: means for providing an electrical output indicative of said weight, a unit feed means which includes: a cylindrical drum supported for axial rotation and having a plurality of longitudinal rows of outwardly open, radially directed apertures receiving individually therein said pellets, said rows being axially asymmetrical, delivery means for inserting said pellets into said apertures at one position station of said drum, means for singularly releasing said pellets at another position station of said drum, displacement indication means for providing an output indicative of the angular position of said drum, electrically controllable drive means for starting and stopping of said drum rotation, electrical control means connected to receive said outputs of said means indicative of said metered eight and displacement indication means and for providing a control output connected to said drive means to start and stop rotation of said drum to deliver a quantity of sAid pellets of said metered weight, wherein said means indicative of said weight includes a pan for receiving said weight of said pellets, said means for singularly releasing is a semi-cylindrical shield disposed proximate the outer surface of said drum extending from said delivery means to an opposite side of said drum, and wherein said drum is hollow and said apertures extend therethrough and includes biasing means closing across the internal opening and resiliently extending thereinto.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
237 words
A system for delivering an accurate, metered weight of grain pellets and such, which comprises: means for providing an electrical output indicative of said weight, a unit feed means which includes: a cylindrical drum supported for axial rotation and having a plurality of longitudinal rows of outwardly open, radially directed apertures receiving individually therein said pellets, said rows being axially asymmetrical, delivery means for inserting said pellets into said apertures at one position station of said drum, means for singularly releasing said pellets at another position station of said drum, displacement indication means for providing an output indicative of the angular position of said drum, electrically controllable drive means for starting and stopping of said drum rotation, electrical control means connected to receive said outputs of said means indicative of said metered eight and displacement indication means and for providing a control output connected to said drive means to start and stop rotation of said drum to deliver a quantity of sAid pellets of said metered weight, wherein said means indicative of said weight includes a pan for receiving said weight of said pellets, said means for singularly releasing is a semi-cylindrical shield disposed proximate the outer surface of said drum extending from said delivery means to an opposite side of said drum, and wherein said drum is hollow and said apertures extend therethrough and includes biasing means closing across the internal opening and resiliently extending thereinto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said biasing means is an inflatable elastomeric hose disposed within said drum and abutting the inner surface thereof.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
257 words
A system for delivering an accurate, metered weight of grain pellets and such, which comprises: a bulk feed means for delivering a weight of said pellets short of said metered weight, weighing means for providing an electrical output indicative of said short weight, a unit feed means which includes: a cylindrical drum supported for axial rotation and having a plurality of longitudinal rows of outwardly open, radially directed apertures receiving individually therein said pellets, said rows being axially asymmetrical, delivery means for inserting said pellets into said aperture at one position station of said drum, means for singularly releasing said pellets at another position station of said drum, displacement indication means for providing an output indicative of the angular position of said drum, electrically controllable drive means for starting and stopping of said drum rotation, electrical control means connected to receive said outputs of said weighing means and displacement indication means and for providing a control output connected to said drive means to start and stop rotation of said drum to deliver a quantity of said pellets sufficient when added to said short weight to attain said metered weight, wherein said weighing means includes a pan for receiving said short weight of said pellets, said means for singularly releasing is a semi-cylindrical shield disposed proximate the outer surface of said drum extending from said delivery means to an opposite side of said drum, and wherein said drum is hollow and said apertures extend therethrough and includes biasing means closing across the internal opening and resiliently extending thereinto.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
257 words
A system for delivering an accurate, metered weight of grain pellets and such, which comprises: a bulk feed means for delivering a weight of said pellets short of said metered weight, weighing means for providing an electrical output indicative of said short weight, a unit feed means which includes: a cylindrical drum supported for axial rotation and having a plurality of longitudinal rows of outwardly open, radially directed apertures receiving individually therein said pellets, said rows being axially asymmetrical, delivery means for inserting said pellets into said aperture at one position station of said drum, means for singularly releasing said pellets at another position station of said drum, displacement indication means for providing an output indicative of the angular position of said drum, electrically controllable drive means for starting and stopping of said drum rotation, electrical control means connected to receive said outputs of said weighing means and displacement indication means and for providing a control output connected to said drive means to start and stop rotation of said drum to deliver a quantity of said pellets sufficient when added to said short weight to attain said metered weight, wherein said weighing means includes a pan for receiving said short weight of said pellets, said means for singularly releasing is a semi-cylindrical shield disposed proximate the outer surface of said drum extending from said delivery means to an opposite side of said drum, and wherein said drum is hollow and said apertures extend therethrough and includes biasing means closing across the internal opening and resiliently extending thereinto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system according to claim 3 wherein said biasing means is an inflatable elastomeric hose disposed within said drum and abutting the inner surface thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system according to claim 4 further including a final check weighing means including a check pan for receiving both said short weight and said quantity of said pellets and for releasing the same.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system according to claim 5 further including guide means disposed below said check pan, for deflecting the released contents of said pan for rejection and accepting in accordance with the metered weight of said contents.
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) | 1975-12-19 | 1976-06-19 | 1976-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-19 | 1980-06-19 | 1980-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-19 | 1984-06-19 | 1984-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |