Apparatus for indicating the filling level of silos and the like
AssigneeH. Maihak AG
InventorsHeinz Delin, Horst Rusbuldt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electromotor is mounted on a support and has a shaft extending into the silo or the like. The shaft, which is rotated by the electromotor, carries a blade which contacts the material in the silo when the material rises to a predetermined level. This prevents the blade and shaft from further rotating, and results in the generation of a signal. A free-wheeling device connects the shaft with the motor so that the shaft and motor are coupled for joint rotation in only one direction, but not in the opposite direction.
Claims3
In an apparatus for indicating the filling level of silos and like containers, a combination comprising support means;
- filling level sensing means, including a rotatable shaft mounted on said support means, and a blade mounted on said shaft for rotation with the same until the contents of the container exceed a predetermined level;
- one-way clutch means interposed between said shaft and said support means and permitting free rotation of said shaft in one direction but non-rotatably coupling said shaft with said support means upon blocking of said shaft and blade against rotation in said one direction;
- electromotor means having a rotor which is coupled with and drives said shaft in said one direction, and a stator;
- mounting means mounting said electromotor means on said support means and permitting limited turning of said stator relative to said support means between a normal position which the stator assumes when said shaft rotates in said one direction, and an angularly displaced position which the stator assumes in response to the development of reaction forces resulting from blocking of said shaft and blade against rotation in said one direction;
- and signal-generating means for generating a signal in response to said stator assuming said displaced position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.