US4340937A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic control for a pellet producing apparatus
Assignee: Beta Raven Inc
•
Filing: 1980-04-14
•
Granted: 1982-07-20
•
Expires: 2000-04-14
Abstract
Abstract A control system for an automatic pellet producing system for producing pellets from a milled material of a selected composition. A difference in temperature of the material across the mill (ΔT mill), is sensed and the proportion of selected ingredients of the material is controlled prior to entering the pellet mill to maintain ΔT mill within a prescribed range.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph A. Volk, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:04
CPC Classifications
B; B30; B30B; B30B11/00; B30B11/005; A; A23; A23N; A23N17/00; A23N17/005; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S425/00; Y10S425/23
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
An automatic control system for a pelleting apparatus, the apparatus including a pellet producing means and means for feeding a supply of material to the producing means, said control system comprising means for sensing the temperature of the material near the input of the producing means, means for sensing the temperature of the material near the output of the producing means, and means for measuring the difference between said temperatures (ΔT mill), and means for automatically controlling the proportion of selected ingredients of the material before entering the producing means in response to said sensing means to maintain ΔT mill to within a prescribed range.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
An automatic control system for a pelleting apparatus, the apparatus including a pellet producing means and means for feeding a supply of material to the producing means, said control system comprising means for sensing the temperature of the material near the input of the producing means, means for sensing the temperature of the material near the output of the producing means, and means for measuring the difference between said temperatures (ΔT mill), and means for automatically controlling the proportion of selected ingredients of the material before entering the producing means in response to said sensing means to maintain ΔT mill to within a prescribed range.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The control system of claim 1 wherein the selected ingredient, the proportion of which is controlled, is moisture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The control system of claim 1 wherein the selected ingredient is steam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The control system of claim 1 wherein the selected ingredient is water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The control system of claim 1 wherein the selected ingredient is dry heat.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The control system of claim 1 further comprising means for inhibiting the flow of material at the location of said output temperature sensor to improve the accuracy with which the temperature of the material flowing therepast is sensed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The control system of claim 6 wherein said flow inhibiting means is a baffle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3174298A
Cited
US3255975A
Cited
US3573924A
Cited
US3812713A
Cited
US3707978A
Cited
US3932736A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-07-19 | 1986-01-18 | 1986-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-07-19 | 1990-01-18 | 1990-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-07-19 | 1994-01-18 | 1994-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |