GB1382734A - Automatic samplers - Google Patents

Abstract

1382734 Sampling fluent materials SIMONACCO Ltd 1 Oct 1973 [6 Oct 1972] 46365/72 Heading B8N A sample bucket 15 is driven by a linear induction motor 20, Fig. 1, through a stream of granular material or liquid falling between ducts 11, 12 to extract a sample and deliver it to a discharge zone above a duct 13. As shown, the bucket 15 is U-shaped with converging walls and is mounted on a carriage 14 movable along rails 16 by the motor 20, a cam track 25 being provided to tilt the bucket to the inverted position as it reaches the duct 13. In a second embodiment, Fig. 5, the bucket is inverted by a disc type linear induction motor consisting of a thrust unit 27 mounted on the carriage and a reaction ring 26 mounted on the shaft 22 of the bucket. In a third embodiment, Fig. 9, the bucket is provided with a bottom closure member 47 held by a pair of end plates 48 for pivotal movement about a point 56 when rollers 50 and 51 contact a cam 65 as the carriage 34 is driven along the rails 36 by the thrust unit 39 coacting with the reaction plate 40 of the linear induction motor. As the carriage approaches the cam 65 the speed of the carriage is reduced when a member 66 on the carriage contacts a first switch (64), Figs. 7 and 8 (not shown), a second switch (63) serving to stop movement of the carriage; a spring-loaded catch 57 holds the closure member in the open and closed positions by engaging in recesses 54 and 55 associated with the closure member. After discharge, the motor may be re-started manually or automatically to reverse the operation. If required, a further discharge may be effected at the righthand end of the apparatus where a cam contacts rollers 51 and 52 to open and close the bottom closure member 47 and the spring-loaded catch 57 engages in recesses 53 and 54.