GB729633A - Improvements in or relating to automatic feed apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

729,633. Automatic feed weighers. LINDARS, H. March 19, 1951 [March 28, 1950; Nov. 13, 1950], Nos. 7784/50 and 27707/50. Class 143. [Also in Group XXIX] An apparatus for feeding material at a desired mean rate comprises an automatic feed weigher the weighing receptacle of which is discharged by a timing mechanism. As shown in Fig. 2 a timing mechanism which is described in Specification 729,632, [Group XXXVIII], is adapted to start a motor 14 and rotate a double compartmented receptacle 10 through 180 degrees after contacts 17 have been opened by the weigh beam at the completion of a weighing operation, and after an interval of time, determined by the setting of an adjustable contact 26, has elapsed after the last discharge operation. In. the event of the contacts 17 not being opened before this time interval has. elapsed, the timing and discharging mechanisms are immobilized and an alarm indicator S operates. Material is fed from a hopper 1 onto a continuously rotating circular plate 3 from which it is swept into the receptacle 10 by a strickle 4. On the initial movement of the beam, effected by both the weight of a partly completed charge and a spring device 45 which temporarily accelerates movement of the beam, a pair of contacts 44 open and de-energize an electro hydraulic valve 41 which allows a piston 39 of a thruster 38 to move downwardly under the action of a spring 33 and, through gearing 32, to pivot the strickle 4 towards the edge of the plate 3. This effects a dribble feed, at the end of which contacts 17 are opened so de-energizing a second valve 40, and through a second thruster 36, in tandem with thruster 38, allowing the strickle to pivot clear of the plate 3 to effect final cut off. In a modification (not shown) the thrusters 36, 38 are double acting, and.spring 33 is dispensed with. A weight 15 on the beam, which can be moved therealong to adjust the weight of each charge, is automatically controlled from a remote station by the mechanism in Specification 729,636. In a modification (Fig 1, not shown) pivoting of the strickle is effected by.a solenoid, the beam loading device 45 and contacts 44 being dispensed with so that no dribble feed is provided. In another modification (Fig. 3, not shown) the strickle and plate feed is replaced by a motor controlled valve at the base of hopper 1. In further modifications the timing mechanism may be replaced by that described in Specification 566,911, [Group XXXVII], the strickle may be operated by a "Selsyn" system, the transmitter' of which is coupled to the weigh beam, and the receptacle 10 may rotate about an axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the beam,