System for analyzing entrained solids such as cotton or seed

Abstract

A closed loop system is provided for by-passing, from a duct, a small fluid-entrained stream of particulates or solids; separating the stream into a particulate fraction and a fluid stream that essentially is free of the particulates; returning such fluid stream to the duct downstream from the by-pass; analyzing the particulate fraction; and dispersing particulates, after analysis, into the fluid stream being returned to the duct. To analyze particulates such as cotton lint, the separated lint is formed into a batt, the batt is passed in contact with a wall having an analyzer operatively associated therewith; a segment of the batt is compressed against the wall adjacent the analyzer by placing a weighted object against the segment; analysis is carried out on the compressed segment after which the object is lifted off the segment to permit the segment to be displaced with another segment of the batt; and the compression, analyzing, and lifting steps are repeated on the second segment.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.