Additive material metering system with weighing means

Claim 2

A material storage and metering system, comprising: first storage means for storing a first solid phase material; first metering means for transferring said first material from said first storage means at a controlled flow rate within a first range of flow rates, said first range being defined by a low end and a high end; second storage means, for storing a second solid phase material, said second storage means having a capacity less than a capacity of said first storage means; second metering means for transferring said second material from said second storage means at a controlled flow rate within a second range of flow rate, said second range being defined by a low end and a high end, said high end of said second range being at least substantially as great as said low end of said first range; a transportable frame having ground engaging means for allowing said frame to traverse a ground surface, said first and second storage means and said first and second metering means being mounted upon said frame for transport therewith; wherein said first storage means is supported from said transportable frame by a first support means and a load cell support means for sensing a weight supported by said load cell support means and for generating a signal representing said weight, said load cell support means including a lift means movable between a first position wherein said load cell support means is held in load supporting engagement with said first storage means and a second position wherein said load cell support means is held out of load supporting engagement with said first storage means; and wherein said load cell support means and said first metering means are connected to a common power source and are so arranged and constructed that when power is supplied from said source to said first metering means power is also supplied to said lift means to move said lift means to its said first position, and when power is disconnected from said first metering means power is also disconnected from said lift means so that said lift means returns to its said second position.

Claim 3

The system of claim 1, wherein: said common power source is a hydraulic power source; and said lift means includes a hydraulic cylinder arranged to extend upon supply of hydraulic power thereto.

Claim 4

The system of claim 2, wherein: said first support means is further characterized as being a support means for providing at least one degree of freedom of movement of said first storage means relative to said transportable frame.

Claim 5

The system of claim 3, wherein: said first support means includes a ball and socket supporting joint.

Claim 6

A material storage and metering system, comprising: first storage means for storing a first solid phase material; first metering means for transferring said first material from said first storage means at a controlled flow rate within a first range of flow rates, said first range being defined by a low end and a high end; second storage means for storing a second solid phase material, said second storage means having a capacity less than a capacity of said first storage means; second metering means for transferring said second material from said second storage means at a controlled flow rate within a second range of flow rates, said second range being defined by a low end and a high end, said high end of said second range being at least substantially as great as said low end of said first range; a transportable frame having ground engaging means for allowing said frame to traverse a ground surface, said first and second storage means and said first and second metering means being mounted upon said frame for transport therewith; wherein said first metering means includes: a metering bin means for receiving said first material from said first storage means; a conveyor means for discharging said first material from said metering bin means at a controlled rate within said first range of flow rates; wherein said metering bin means is supported from said transportable frame by a first support means and a load cell support means for sensing a weight supported by said load cell support means and for generating a signal representing said weight, said load cell support means including a lift means movable between a first position wherein said load cell support means is held in load supporting engagement with said metering bin means and a second position wherein said load cell support means is held out of load supporting engagement with said metering bin means; and wherein said load cell support means and said conveyor means are connected to a common power source and so arranged and constructed that when power is supplied from said source to said conveyor means power is also supplied to said lift means to move said lift means to its said first position, and when power is disconnected from said conveyor means power is also disconnected from said lift means so that said lift means returns to its said second position.

Claim 7

A material storage and metering system, comprising: first storage means for storing a first solid phase material; first metering means for transferring said first material from said first storage means at a controlled flow rate within a first range of flow rates, said first range being defined by a low end and a high end; second storage means for storing a second solid phase material, said second storage means having a capacity less than a capacity of said first storage means; second metering means for transferring said second material from said second storage means at a controlled flow rate within a second range of flow rates, said second range being defined by a low end and a high end, said high end of said second range being at least substantially as great as said low end of said first range; a transportable frame having ground engaging means for allowing said frame to traverse a ground surface, said first and second storage means and said first and second metering means being mounted upon said frame for transport therewith; wherein said first metering means includes: a metering bin means for receiving said first material from said first storage means; a conveyor means for discharging said first material from said metering bin means at a controlled rate within said first range of flow rates; wherein said metering bin means is supported from said transportable frame by a first support means and a load cell support means for sensing a weight supported by said load cell support means and for generating a signal representing said weight, said load cell support means including a lift means movable between a first position wherein said load cell support means is held in load supporting engagement with said metering bin means and a second position wherein said load cell support means is held out of load supporting engagement with said metering bin means; and wherein said load cell support means and said conveyor means are connected to a common power source and so arranged and constructed that when power is supplied from said source to said conveyor means power is also supplied to said lift means to move said lift means to its said first position, and when power is disconnected from said conveyor means power is also disconnected from said lift means so that said lift means returns to its said second position.

Claim 8

The system of claim 5, wherein: said common power source is a hydraulic power source; and said lift means includes a hydraulic cylinder arranged to extend upon supply of hydraulic power thereto.

Claim 9

The system of claim 5, wherein: said first support means is further characterized as being a support means for providing at least one degree of freedom of movement of said metering bin means relative to said transportable frame.

Claim 10

The system of claim 7, wherein: said first support means includes a ball and socket supporting joint.

Claim 11

A portable material handling system, comprising: a transportable frame having ground engaging means for allowing said frame to transverse a ground surface; and container means, supported from said transportable frame by a first support means and a load cell support means for sensing a weight supported by said load cell support means and for generating a signal representing said weight, for containing a material, said load cell support means including a lift means movable between a first position wherein said load cell support means is held in load supporting engagement with said container means and a second position wherein said load cell support means is held out of load supporting engagement with said container means.

Claim 12

A portable material handling system, comprising: a transportable frame having ground engaging means for allowing said frame to transverse a ground surface; and container means, supported from said transportable frame by a first support means and a load cell support means for sensing a weight supported by said load cell support means and for generating a signal representing said weight, for containing a material, said load cell support means including a lift means movable between a first position wherein said load cell support means is held in load supporting engagement with said container means and a second position wherein said load cell support means is held out of load supporting engagement with said container means.

Claim 13

The system of claim 9, further comprising: a metering means for transferring said material from said container means; and wherein said load cell support means and said metering means are connected to a common power source and are so arranged and constructed that when power is supplied from said source to said metering means power is also supplied to said lift means to move said lift means to its said first position, and when power is disconnected from said metering means power is also disconnected from said lift means so that said lift means returns to its said second position.

Claim 14

The system of claim 10, wherein: said load cell support means further includes a transportation mode support means for supporting said container means when said lift means is in its said second position.

Claim 15

The system of claim 10, wherein: said common power source is a hydraulic power source; and said lift means includes a hydraulic cylinder arranged to extend upon supply of hydraulic power thereto.

Claim 16

The system of claim 12, wherein: said first support means is further characterized as being a support means for providing at least one degree of freedom of movement of said container means relative to said transportable frame.

Claim 17

The system of claim 13, wherein: said first support means includes a ball and socket supporting joint.