Method and apparatus for improved regulation of flow of particulate matter

An apparatus for regulating the flow of particulate matter, comprising:

• (a) an input hopper for receiving particulate matter;
• (b) a upper flow gate, coupled to a lower portion of said input hopper, and in gravity-driven flow communication with said input hopper, and including:
• (i) a stator member including a plurality of alternating inlet port portions and flow directing portions;
• (ii) a rotor member including a plurality of alternating stop portions and port portions, interfacing with said stator member;
• (iii) means for adjusting the relative rotary position between said stator member and said rotor member in order to determine the relative alignment of said port portions;
• (c) a weighing assembly including (i) a weighing hopper, in gravity-driven flow communication with said upper flow gate, and (ii) a measurement means for generating a signal indicative of the weight of said particulate matter in said weighing hopper;
• (d) a lower flow gate coupled to a lower portion of said weighing hopper, and in gravity-driven flow communication with said weighing hopper, and including:
• (i) a stator member including a plurality of alternating inlet port portions and flow directing portions;
• (ii) a rotor member including a plurality of alternating stop portions and port portions, interfacing with said stator member;
• (iii) means for adjusting the relative rotary position between said stator member and said rotor member in order to determine the relative alignment of said port portions;
• (e) a discharge hopper in gravity-driven flow communication with said weighing hopper through said lower flow gate;
• and
• (f) a controller member for (i) receiving said signal from said measurement means of said weighing assembly (ii) providing control signals to said upper flow gate, and (iii) providing control signals to said lower flow gate.