US 4,807,662 A · Valve for distributing particulate materials

Abstract

A valve system for distributing particulate materials includes a housing with a number of outlets. A distributor is rotated inside the housing by motor so that its outlet registers in succession with each housing outlet. A position sensor detects registration of the distributor outlet with each housing outlet and comprises a set of spaced-apart optical transmitters, a corresponding set of optical detectors and an encoding disk mounted for rotation between the transmitters and detectors. The encoding disk has a number of circumferentially spaced transmission zones, one corresponding to each housing outlet. Each transmission zone has apertures adapted to place a unique set of the transmitters and detectors in communication thereby causing the detectors to generate a unique signal. The encoding disk is rotated such that a particular transmission zone registers between the transmitters and detectors whenever the distributor outlet registers with the corresponding housing outlet. Controls permit an operator to enter a code specifying a particular housing outlet and stop rotation of the distributor when registered with the selected outlet. The controls also comprise a programmable memory unit which permits the each housing outlet, and consequently a bin or vehicle to be filled, to be identified with any desired code.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A valve system for distributing particulate material, comprising:

a housing defining a plurality of outlets;
a distributor have an inlet for receiving the particulate material and an outlet for discharging the particulate material;
distributor mounting means for mounting the distributor to the housing such that the distributor outlet is movable into registration with any one of the plurality of housing outlets;
drive means for moving the distributor means outlet into registration with each housing outlet in a predetermined order;
position sensing means for sensing the position of the distributor outlet relative to the housing outlets, the position sensing means including
a. transmission means for transmitting an optical signal,
b. detection means for detecting the optical signal,
c. transmission varying means for so varying the optical transmission path between the transmission means and the detection means in response to movement of the discharge outlet that the optical signal is encoded to identify registration of the distributor outlet with each of housing outlets;
selection means for permitting selection of a housing outlet with respect to which the distributor outlet is to be registered;
and,
control means responsive to the selection means and to the detection means for stopping movement of the distributor under the influence of the drive means when the distributor outlet is registered with the selected housing outlet.

8 more elements

A valve system for distributing particulate material, comprising:

a housing defining a plurality of outlets;
a distributor located within the housing, the distributor having an inlet for receiving the particulate material, an outlet for discharging the particulate material and a predetermined rotational axis, the distributor having a flange with a generally circular periphery substantially centered with the rotational axis;
distributor mounting means for mounting the distributor to the housing for rotation about the rotational axis such that the distributor outlet can be registered successively with each housing outlet, the distributor mounting means comprising a multiplicity of roller assemblies, each roller assembly having a roller and roller mounting means for mounting the roller to the housing and supporting the roller for rotation, each roller having a generally circular groove which is normally located about the flange periphery;
and,
the roller mounting means associated with at least one of the roller assemblies including means for permitting the roller associated with the at least one of the roller assemblies to be selectively displaced from a position in which the roller is located about the flange periphery and in which the roller is disengaged from the flange periphery.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Valve for distributing particulate materials

Life of this patent

Valve for distributing particulate materials

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19