Loss-in-weight feeder with discharge pressure compensator
OwnerRobert George Hachtelinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved loss-in-weight feeder, and methods for its use, having a material delivery system, a weight-sensing device for material input, a mass flow control mechanism which adjusts flow to a designated rate in response to changes in weight units of material per time or total weight being processed, and a discharge outlet, wherein the improvement comprises a discharge pressure compensator flexibly connected to the discharge outlet, said feeder being especially advantageous when discharging into nonambient pressure systems to improve reliability in performance, feed rate accuracy, and minimize feeder disturbances, allowing tight control and reduced variability of feed rates are disclosed.
Claims20
An improved loss-in-weight feeder having a material delivery system, a weight-sensing device for material input, a mass flow control mechanism which adjusts flow of material to a designated rate in response to changes in weight units of material per time or total weight being processed, and a discharge outlet, wherein the improvement comprises a discharge pressure compensator flexibly connected to the discharge outlet.
A method for adding a material to a process comprising discharging the material from an improved loss-in-weight feeder having a material delivery system, a weight-sensing device for material input, a mass flow control mechanism which adjusts flow of material to a designated rate in response to changes in weight units of material per time or total weight being processed, and a discharge outlet, wherein the improvement comprises a discharge pressure compensator flexibly connected to the discharge outlet.
A method for counterbalancing forces resulting from downstream pressure disturbances within a closed process into which material is metered by loss in weight from a delivery system comprising adding a discharge pressure compensator flexibly connected to a discharge outlet of the delivery system.
A method for decreasing feed rate variability of a loss-in-weight feeder comprising adding a discharge pressure compensator flexibly connected to a discharge outlet of the feeder.
An improved loss-in-weight feeder having a material delivery system, a weight-sensing device for material input, a mass flow control mechanism which adjusts flow of material to a designated rate in response to changes in weight units of material per time or total weight being processed, a discharge outlet, and a discharge chute, wherein the improvement comprises a discharge pressure compensator formed as a closed end fitting connected to a stationary support independent of the weight-sensing device, said discharge pressure compensator continuously connected by flexible sleeves to one side of the discharge outlet, said discharge outlet continuously connected on an opposite side by flexible sleeves of about equal cross sectional area to a discharge chute.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.