Apparatus for the automatic determination of a continuous bulk material throughput by a continuous balance

Apparatus for automatic determination of throughput of a bulk material through a continuous balance, comprising:

• a. a weighing vessel having an inlet opening for receiving bulk material and an outlet opening;
• b. weight measuring means having an input and an output, said input being operatively connected with said weighing vessel;
• c. adjustable closure means being positioned in an outlet region of said weighing vessel for closing and opening the outlet opening of said weighing vessel, said outlet region defining a substantially vertical pathway for the flow of bulk material, said closure means including a closure member forming an adjustable movable wall part of the weighing vessel, said closure means further including means for moving said closure member between a plurality of positions between opened and closed positions for adjusting said outlet opening of said weighing vessel to a shape and a size thereof to ensure, in its opened positions, a continuous mass flow of said bulk material through said weighing vessel;
• said movable wall part of said closure member having a vertical component which partially defines said pathway for the flow of bulk material;
• and
• d. control means having a program for controlling throughput of bulk material, said control means having an input and an output, said input of said control means being operatively connected with said output of said weight measuring means, while said output of said control means is operatively connected with said means for moving the closure member within said weighing vessel.