US3742307A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bin level indicator
Assignee: Barber Greene Co
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Filing: 1972-03-01
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1992-03-01
Abstract
Abstract A reversible electric motor powers a drum through a drive train including a clutch. A weight is suspended from a length of cable, the latter being wound on the drum. The clutch is sensitive to the effect of the weight thereby to cause the drum to be rotated for unwinding the cable only when the weight is freely suspended. Indicator means including a potentiometer is responsive to rotation of the drum. A control circuit including timing means cyclically energizes the motor in up and down directions, the duration of time in the down direction of each cycle being greater than the duration of time in the up direction so as to cause the weight to be lowered a distance greater than the distance it is raised during each cycle of operation whereby the weight is in effect incrementally lowered to seek the level of material in the bin.
Inventors
- 👤 T Patsch
- 👤 R Farnham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/0023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
Apparatus for indicating the level of material in a bin or the like comprising, a weight arranged to engage and be supported by the material in the bin, means mounted adjacent the upper portion of the bin and including a cable suspending said weight, said means including power means for substantially continuously raising and lowering said weight, said means including lostmotion means associated with said power means, the lost-motion means being sensitive to the effect of said weight and including an element which moves in one direction when said weight is raised and which moves in another direction only when said weight is freely suspended by the cable, indicator means responsive to movement of said element, said means also including timing means for lowering the weight a distance greater than the distance it is raised during each cycle of movement thereof at times when the weight, at the lowermost position occupied by it during a cycle of operation, does not engage the material in the bin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
Apparatus for indicating the level of material in a bin or the like comprising, a weight arranged to engage and be supported by the material in the bin, means mounted adjacent the upper portion of the bin and including a cable suspending said weight, said means including power means for substantially continuously raising and lowering said weight, said means including lostmotion means associated with said power means, the lost-motion means being sensitive to the effect of said weight and including an element which moves in one direction when said weight is raised and which moves in another direction only when said weight is freely suspended by the cable, indicator means responsive to movement of said element, said means also including timing means for lowering the weight a distance greater than the distance it is raised during each cycle of movement thereof at times when the weight, at the lowermost position occupied by it during a cycle of operation, does not engage the material in the bin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
193 words
A continuous bin level indicator comprising: a. reversible drive means; b. a drum with a length of cable thereon and a material level engaging weight secured to the free end of the cable; c. said drive means including a drive train engaged with said drum for driving the latter alternately in up and down directions; d. a clutch forming a part of said drive train, which clutch is responsive to the effect of said weight for causing movement of said drum in its down direction only when said weight is freely suspended by said cable; e. indicator means connected with said drum for providing an output which is a function of movement of said drum; and f. said drive means including timing means cyclically operating the drive means alternately in a first direction and in a second direction to cause movement of said dRum in said up and down directions, respectively, said drive means being adapted, during each of said up and down cycles, to allow said weight to move downwardly a distance greater than the distance said weight is moved upwardly during each of the up and down cycles of the weight.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
193 words
A continuous bin level indicator comprising: a. reversible drive means; b. a drum with a length of cable thereon and a material level engaging weight secured to the free end of the cable; c. said drive means including a drive train engaged with said drum for driving the latter alternately in up and down directions; d. a clutch forming a part of said drive train, which clutch is responsive to the effect of said weight for causing movement of said drum in its down direction only when said weight is freely suspended by said cable; e. indicator means connected with said drum for providing an output which is a function of movement of said drum; and f. said drive means including timing means cyclically operating the drive means alternately in a first direction and in a second direction to cause movement of said dRum in said up and down directions, respectively, said drive means being adapted, during each of said up and down cycles, to allow said weight to move downwardly a distance greater than the distance said weight is moved upwardly during each of the up and down cycles of the weight.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
202 words
A continuous bin level indicator comprising: a. a reversible drive motor; b. a drum with a length of cable thereon and a material level engaging weight secured to the free end of the cable; c. a drive train engaged with said motor and said drum for driving the latter alternately in up and down directions; d. a clutch forming part of said drive train, which clutch is responsive to the effect of said weight for causing movement of said drum in its down direction only when said weight is freely suspended by said cable; e. indicator means connected with said drum for providing an output which is a function of movement of said drum; and f. timing means connected with said reversible drive motor for cyclically activating the latter to operate alternately in up and down directions, said timing means being adapted to cause said motor, during each up and down cycle, to operate for a period of time in said down direction greater than the period of time in said up direction, whereby said weight is allowed to move downwardly a distance greater than the distance it is moved upwardly during each of the up and down cycles of said weight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
202 words
A continuous bin level indicator comprising: a. a reversible drive motor; b. a drum with a length of cable thereon and a material level engaging weight secured to the free end of the cable; c. a drive train engaged with said motor and said drum for driving the latter alternately in up and down directions; d. a clutch forming part of said drive train, which clutch is responsive to the effect of said weight for causing movement of said drum in its down direction only when said weight is freely suspended by said cable; e. indicator means connected with said drum for providing an output which is a function of movement of said drum; and f. timing means connected with said reversible drive motor for cyclically activating the latter to operate alternately in up and down directions, said timing means being adapted to cause said motor, during each up and down cycle, to operate for a period of time in said down direction greater than the period of time in said up direction, whereby said weight is allowed to move downwardly a distance greater than the distance it is moved upwardly during each of the up and down cycles of said weight.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The indicator according to claim 3 wherein said indicator means includes a potentiometer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
The indicator according to claim 3 further defined by means constituting an electric circuit which includes said potentiometer, a visual indicator which is moved in response to movement of the movable element of said potentiometer, said circuit including adjustment means for setting the limits of movement of said visual indicator with respect to the amount of movement of the movable element of said potentiometer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The indicator according to claim 3 wherein said drive motor is a reversible electric motor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |