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US 6,465,029 B2Granted
Multiple purpose quick-changeover extrusion system
AssigneeWenger Manufacturing, Inc.
InventorsLavon G. Wenger, Bobbie W. Hauck
Life of this patent
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AssigneeWenger Manufacturing, Inc.
InventorsLavon G. Wenger, Bobbie W. Hauck
Estimating the term…
Improved, high-capacity processing systems including a processing device such as an extruder (26) or a pellet mill (P) are provided which minimize product losses and permit the user to conduct multiple, segregated short runs with a minimum of down time between runs. The extruder systems (20, 220) include an extruder assembly (21, 221) having a special, multiple-position die assembly (28), as well as an upstream preconditioner (24) and feed bin assembly (22). A variable speed, variable output discharge screw feeder (78) is located between the preconditioner outlet (62) and extruder barrel inlet (90). A PLC-type controller (30) coupled to the extruder assembly components establishes a choke full condition at the discharge feeder (78) so that continuous uninterrupted flow of preconditioned material to the extruder (26) at a uniform mass flow rate is maintained for as long as possible. In preferred forms, load cells (46, 72) are operatively coupled to the bin assembly (22) and preconditioner (24) so as to monitor material flow through the systems (20, 220). A multiple stage cascade-type dryer assembly (29) is provided downstream of extruder (26). The assembly (29) is controlled via the controller (30) in coordination with the extruder assemblies (21, 221) so as to maintain the segregation between separate product runs throughout the drying operation. Pellet mill systems include bin and preconditioner assemblies (22, 24) operatively coupled with a pellet mill (P).
A processing system comprising:
In a method of operating a processing system including a preconditioner having an inlet and an outlet and a processing device coupled with said outlet to receive preconditioned material from the outlet, including the steps of continuously operating the preconditioner to deliver preconditioned material to the processing device at a substantially constant first rate and after a first residence time within the preconditioner and continuously operating the processing device to process said preconditioned material, the improvement comprising the step of varying the residence time of said material within the preconditioner to a second predetermined residence time different than said first residence time during said continuous operation of the preconditioner and processing device.
A method of sequentially processing quantities of first and second different materials in a processing system, said processing system including an interconnected preconditioner and a processing device, said processing device including an inlet and an outlet, said preconditioner having a body with a preconditioner inlet, a preconditioner outlet, and shiftable mixing elements within the preconditioner body, said preconditioner outlet being operative coupled with said processing device inlet for passage of preconditioned material from the preconditioner into the processing device, said method comprising the steps of:
A preconditioner assembly comprising:
A bin and preconditioner assembly comprising:
A processing system comprising:
A processing system comprising:
In a method of operating a processing system including a preconditioner having an inlet and an outlet and a processing device coupled with said outlet to receive preconditioned material from the outlet, including the steps of continuously operating the preconditioner and processing device to process material passing serially through the preconditioner and processing device, the improvement comprising the step of varying the residence time of said material within the preconditioner during said continuous operation of the preconditioner and processing device, said residence time varying step comprising the steps of continuously weighing said preconditioner and varying the mass flow rate of material passing into said preconditioner inlet while maintaining the mass flow rate of material leaving the preconditioner outlet at a level to effect said residence time variance.
In a method of operating a processing system including a preconditioner having an inlet and an outlet, a processing device coupled with said outlet to receive preconditioned material from the outlet, and a variable output discharge device coupled between said outlet and said processing device, including the steps of continuously operating the preconditioner and processing device to process material passing serially through the preconditioner and processing device, the improvement comprising the step of varying the residence time of said material within the preconditioner during said continuous operation of the preconditioner and processing device, said residence time varying step comprising the step of varying the output of the discharge device.
In a method of operating a processing system including a preconditioner having an inlet and an outlet, a processing device coupled with said outlet to receive preconditioned material from the outlet, and a variable outlet feeding assembly coupled with said preconditioner inlet, including the steps of continuously operating the preconditioner and processing device to process material passing serially through the preconditioner and processing device, the improvement comprising the step of varying the residence time of said material within the preconditioner during said continuous operation of the preconditioner and processing device, said residence time varying step comprising the step of varying the feeding assembly to vary the mass flow rate of material entering the preconditioner.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.