Method and apparatus for determining the correct percentiles of the size distribution of a particulate system

An apparatus for ascertaining a plurality of correct particle sizes within a particulate system below which sizes predetermined fractions of the total mass of the system are respectively included, and wherein the particulate system is passed through a particle detecting device which produces particle pulses proportional to the size of the particles passed therethrough, said apparatus including in combination,

• at least first, second and third particle size determing circuits having a common input coupled to the particle detecting device and operative in response to the particle pulses to develop first, second and third particle size signals respectively indicative of first, second and third particle sizes below which sizes first, second and third predetermined fractions of the total mass of the system are included,
• combining means coupled to said first and second particle size determining circuits for combining said first and second particle size signals and developing a combined signal therefrom,
• comparison means coupled to said combining means and said third particle size determining circuit and operative to compare said combined signal and said third particle size signal and develop a comparison signal which varies in accordance with the differences therebetween, said first, second and third particle size determining circuits being coupled to said comparison means and operative in response to said comparison signal to vary said first, second and third particle size signals.

An apparatus for determining the correct particle sizes at particular percentiles of the size distribution of a particulate system, wherein the particulate system is passed through a particle detecting device which produces particle pulses proportional to the particle sizes including in combination,

• first, second and third percentile size determining circuits coupled to said particle detecting device and operative in respoinse to said particle signals to develop first, second and third particle size signals respectively indicating the size of the particles in the particulate system at first, second and third percentiles, said first, second and third particle size signals having a predetermined relationship with respect to one another,
• combining means coupled to said first and second percentile size determining circuits for combining said first and second particle size signals and developing a combined signal therefrom,
• comparison means having an output, and an input coupled to said combining means and to said third percentile size determining circuit, said comparison means being operative to compare said combined signal and said third particle size signal and develop an error signal in accordance with the difference therebetween,
• said first, second and third percentile size determining circuits being coupled to said comparison means and operative in response to said error signal to vary said first, second and third particle size signals.

An apparatus for determining the correct particle sizes at predetermined percentiles of the size distribution of a particulate system wherein the particulate system is passed through a particle detecting device which produces particle pulses proportional to the particle sizes including in combination,

• first, second and third percentile size determining circuits coupled to said particle dertecting device and operative in response to said particle pulses to develop first, second and third particle size signals respectively, indicating the size of the particles in the particulate system at first, second and third percentiles, said first, second and third particle size signals at said first, second and third percentiles having a predetermined relationship with respect to one another,
• comparison means coupled to said first, second and third percentile size determining circuits and operative to compare said first, second and third particle size signals for determining the existence of said predetermined relationship, said comparison means being operative to develop a comparison signal in accordance with variations from said predetermined relationship, said first, second and third percentile size determining circuits being further coupled to said comparison means and operative in response to said comparison signal to vary said first, second and third particle size signals for achieving said predetermined relationship therebetween.