Automated fiber dispenser

A system for dispensing a fiber additive into a mixing system, the system comprising:

• a dispensing hopper having a hollow interior that is sized and configured to receive said fiber additive and wherein the dispensing hopper is configured to selectively dispense the fiber additive;
• a discharge outlet formed between a first surface and a second surface for enabling fiber additive to pass out of the dispensing hopper and into the mixing system, wherein fiber additive passing out of the dispensing hopper via the discharge outlet passes between the first surface and the second surface;
• a conveyor having a receiving end and a discharge end and that is disposed in a bottom of the dispensing hopper such that at least a portion of the fiber additive within the dispensing hopper is configured to be placed on top of the conveyor at the receiving end, wherein the conveyor is configured to aid in moving fiber additive within the dispensing hopper towards and through the discharge outlet and to dispense the fiber additive from the discharge end;
• and
• a dosing wheel disposed proximate the discharge end of the conveyor, wherein the dosing wheel is driven by a motor to rotate at a rotational speed about a central axis and is configured to contact and to prevent fiber additive from passing out of the dispensing hopper absent a rotation of the dosing wheel.

A method for providing a metered amount of a fiber additive to a concrete mixing system for forming a reinforced concrete mixture, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing said concrete mixing system;
• providing a dispensing system for dispensing the fiber additive into the concrete mixture comprising:
• a dispensing hopper having a hollow interior that is sized and configured to receive and store fiber additive and wherein the dispensing hopper is configured to selectively dispense the fiber additive;
• a discharge outlet having an adjustable area through which fiber additive can pass and that is formed between a first surface and a second surface for enabling fiber additive to pass out of the dispensing hopper and into the concrete mixing system, wherein fiber additive passing out of the dispensing hopper via the discharge outlet passes between the first surface and the second surface, the first and second surface being movable relative to the other surface;
• a conveyor having a receiving end and a discharge end and that is disposed in a bottom of the dispensing hopper such that at least a portion of the fiber additive stored in the dispensing hopper is configured to be placed on top of the conveyor at the receiving end, wherein the conveyor is configured to move fiber additive stored within the dispensing hopper towards and through the discharge outlet and to discharge the fiber additive from the discharge end;
• a sensor configured to sense an amount of fiber additive that is disposed within the dispensing system;
• and
• a controller configured to control the amount of fiber additive dispensed from the dispensing hopper via the discharge outlet by selectively modifying at least one of a speed of the conveyor and an adjustable area of the discharge outlet, wherein the adjustable area of the discharge outlet is modified by moving the first surface with respect to the second surface;
• placing fiber additive into the dispensing hopper;
• using the sensor, sensing a first amount of fiber additive that is disposed within the dispensing system;
• activating the conveyor and discharging fiber additive from the dispensing hopper via the discharge outlet at a first rate of discharge;
• using the sensor, sensing a second amount of fiber additive that is disposed within the dispensing system;
• and
• using the controller, modifying one of the speed of the conveyor or the adjustable area of the discharge outlet in order to provide a second and different rate of discharge for dispensing fiber additive from the dispensing hopper via the discharge outlet.