US 10,324,101 B1 · HVI sample feed kit

Abstract

Apparatus for automating a high volume instrument (HVI) used for the classification of all Upland and American Pima cotton, including determining trash and color. A sub-sample delivery tube sub-system and a sample drum air chamber sub-system allow the HVI to receive sub-samples from an automated cotton system. A delivery tube, with an air dissipater, delivers the automated sub-sample to the HVI sample drum while an air chamber below the sample drum applies a negative air pressure to the drum. A sub-sample air-knife extraction sub-system and an autoMIC transfer tube assist sub-system allow the HVI to release automated sub-samples after the sample drum in the HVI has completed its operations on the sub-sample. An air-knife applies air jets to the sample plate of the HVI sample drum to release the sub-sample. As the sub-sample leaves the drum an air jet is actuated to push the sub-sample along a transfer tube.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An apparatus for automating delivery and extraction of a sub-sample in a high volume instrument where the sub-sample is obtained from a primary sample of cotton, the high volume instrument having a sub-sample drum in a housing, said apparatus comprising:

a delivery tube positioned to deliver the sub-sample to the sub-sample drum;
a chamber sub-system configured to draw the sub-sample from said delivery tube onto the sub-sample drum;
an air knife configured to release the sub-sample from the sub-sample drum;
a transfer system downstream from the sub-sample drum, said transfer system transporting the sub-sample released by said air knife away from the sub-sample drum;
and
a controller operable to perform the following steps:
a) determine that the high volume instrument is ready to receive the sub-sample;
b1) when the high volume instrument is ready to receive, deliver the sub-sample through said delivery tube to the sub-sample drum, and
b2) at the same time as step b1), applying a negative pressure to said air chamber sub-system;
c) wait until the high volume instrument is ready to release the sub-sample from said sub-sample drum;
d1) when the high volume instrument is ready to release, apply a pressurized gas to said air knife, and
d2) at the same time as step d1), apply a negative pressure to an intake of said transfer system.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

HVI sample feed kit

Life of this patent

HVI sample feed kit

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18