US3834474A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for determining the quantity of a bulk material deposited on a conveyor
Assignee: WEEGWERKTUIGENFABRIEK ALFRA BV
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Filing: 1971-10-15
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Granted: 1974-09-10
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Expires: 1991-10-15
Abstract
Abstract The weight of bulk material deposited on a conveyor is measured with reference to the force exerted by the conveyor on the material to accelerate it in the direction of transport. When the dispensed material contacts the conveyor belt, the belt applies a force to the material in the conveying direction to accelerate the material from its initial velocity to the velocity of the conveyor belt. An equal and opposite reaction force is inherently applied to the conveyor by the material as the material is deposited onto the conveyor. The reaction force is directly related to the quantity of material dispensed onto the conveyor belt since force F, acceleration a and mass m (a quantity measurement) are related by the basic equation F ma. A suitable force measuring apparatus may be applied to detect the force or quantity measurement.
Inventors
- 👤 W Knol
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:01
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G11/00; G01F; G01F13/00; G01F13/001; G01F13/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for measuring the quantity of a material dispensed onto a moving conveyor which is operable to convey the material in a substantially horizontal direction comprising the steps of: dispensing the material onto the conveyor in a substantially vertical direction from a dispenser above the conveyor so that the velocity component of the material in the conveying direction of the conveyor is substantially zero; and, sensing, as a manifestation of the quantity measurement, a reaction force to which the conveyor is subjected in order to accelerate the material in the conveying directon from substantially zero velocity to the velocity of the conveyor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for measuring the quantity of a material dispensed onto a moving conveyor which is operable to convey the material in a substantially horizontal direction comprising the steps of: dispensing the material onto the conveyor in a substantially vertical direction from a dispenser above the conveyor so that the velocity component of the material in the conveying direction of the conveyor is substantially zero; and, sensing, as a manifestation of the quantity measurement, a reaction force to which the conveyor is subjected in order to accelerate the material in the conveying directon from substantially zero velocity to the velocity of the conveyor.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of measuring the quantity of a material conveyed from a dispensing zone over some distance by means of a conveyor while the material is being conveyed comprising the steps of dispensing the material from the dispensing zone at a first velocity in a conveying direction onto the conveyor with the conveyor moving in the conveying direction at a conveying velocity, transmitting to a measuring element a reaction force exerted by the material on the conveyor as the material is accelerated from the first velocity to the conveying velocity in the conveying direction, and measuring the reaction force transmitted to the measuring element as a manifestation of material quantity.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of measuring the quantity of a material conveyed from a dispensing zone over some distance by means of a conveyor while the material is being conveyed comprising the steps of dispensing the material from the dispensing zone at a first velocity in a conveying direction onto the conveyor with the conveyor moving in the conveying direction at a conveying velocity, transmitting to a measuring element a reaction force exerted by the material on the conveyor as the material is accelerated from the first velocity to the conveying velocity in the conveying direction, and measuring the reaction force transmitted to the measuring element as a manifestation of material quantity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the material is dispensed onto the conveyor in a direction relative to the conveying direction such that the material produces a zero velocity component on the conveyor in the conveying direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the conveyor is operable to convey the material in a substantially horizontal direction and wherein the material is dispensed in a substantially vertical direction from a dispenser above the conveyor, the velocity component of the material thereby being zero in the conveying direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein the measuring results are processed by an integrating device.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
20 words
A method according to 2, wherein one and the same conveyor conveys bulk material from various containers for mixing purposes.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
20 words
A method according to 2, wherein one and the same conveyor conveys bulk material from various containers for mixing purposes.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus comprising a conveyor including means for receiving material at a first velocity and delivering said material after moving it at a conveying velocity over a conveying path in a conveying direction, and means cooperable with said conveyor for measuring the quantity of material moving along the conveying path, said measuring means incluDing means for determining the reaction force to which the conveyor is subjected in order to accelerate the material from said first velocity in the conveying direction to the conveying velocity in the conveying direction.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus comprising a conveyor including means for receiving material at a first velocity and delivering said material after moving it at a conveying velocity over a conveying path in a conveying direction, and means cooperable with said conveyor for measuring the quantity of material moving along the conveying path, said measuring means incluDing means for determining the reaction force to which the conveyor is subjected in order to accelerate the material from said first velocity in the conveying direction to the conveying velocity in the conveying direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the measuring means is provided with, means for integrative processing of the measuring data.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 including electronic processing means connected to said measuring means for processing the determined reaction force.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said conveyor is provided with carrier means extending transversely to the conveying direction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, including a variable speed drive motor for driving said material receiving and delivering means of the conveyor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the conveyor is of the endless conveyor belt type.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, including a source of energy for driving the conveyor, wherein the source of energy driving the conveyor is supported together with the conveyor as one single unit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the conveyor is supported in such a way that the weight of the conveyor has no component in the conveying direction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising at least one means for preloading the measuring means measuring the reaction force to which the conveyor is subjected.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said conveyor is disposed to move the material over a substantially horizontal conveying path and including means for dispensing the material onto said conveyor in a substantially vertical direction from above the conveyor so that said first velocity is zero in the conveying direction, whereby the force exerted on the material by the conveyor is directly related to the mass of the dispensed material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the conveyor is mounted for movement in the horizontal direction, said measuring means comprising means for measuring the reaction force of the conveyor in the horizontal direction.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 17 including means for exerting a constant force on said conveyor in the conveying direction to preload said reaction force measuring means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
114 words
Apparatus comprising: a conveyor operable to convey bulk material along a substantially horizontal conveying path, said conveyor being mounted for movement in the horizontal direction; dispensing means for selectively dispensing bulk material onto the conveyor in a substantially vertical direction so that the material has a substantially zero velocity component along the horizontal conveying path; and, means responsive to movement of the conveyor in the horizontal direction for sensing a reaction force to which the conveyor is subjected in the horizontal direction in accelerating the material from said zero velocity to the velocity of the conveyor, the sensed reaction force providing a manifestation of the quantity of the material dispensed by said dispensing means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
114 words
Apparatus comprising: a conveyor operable to convey bulk material along a substantially horizontal conveying path, said conveyor being mounted for movement in the horizontal direction; dispensing means for selectively dispensing bulk material onto the conveyor in a substantially vertical direction so that the material has a substantially zero velocity component along the horizontal conveying path; and, means responsive to movement of the conveyor in the horizontal direction for sensing a reaction force to which the conveyor is subjected in the horizontal direction in accelerating the material from said zero velocity to the velocity of the conveyor, the sensed reaction force providing a manifestation of the quantity of the material dispensed by said dispensing 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) | 1977-09-09 | 1978-03-11 | 1978-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-09 | 1982-03-11 | 1982-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-09 | 1986-03-11 | 1986-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |