US20180099820A1 - Automated vacuum actuated control - Google Patents
Automated vacuum actuated control Download PDFInfo
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- US20180099820A1 US20180099820A1 US15/835,704 US201715835704A US2018099820A1 US 20180099820 A1 US20180099820 A1 US 20180099820A1 US 201715835704 A US201715835704 A US 201715835704A US 2018099820 A1 US2018099820 A1 US 2018099820A1
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- vacuum
- hopper
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- level
- detector
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- 235000014676 Phragmites communis Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000005299 abrasion Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 235000013339 cereals Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
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Images
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G53/00—Conveying materials in bulk through troughs, pipes or tubes by floating the materials or by flow of gas, liquid or foam
- B65G53/34—Details
- B65G53/66—Use of indicator or control devices, e.g. for controlling gas pressure, for controlling proportions of material and gas, for indicating or preventing jamming of material
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G53/00—Conveying materials in bulk through troughs, pipes or tubes by floating the materials or by flow of gas, liquid or foam
- B65G53/34—Details
- B65G53/40—Feeding or discharging devices
- B65G53/46—Gates or sluices, e.g. rotary wheels
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G53/00—Conveying materials in bulk through troughs, pipes or tubes by floating the materials or by flow of gas, liquid or foam
- B65G53/34—Details
- B65G53/60—Devices for separating the materials from propellant gas
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G65/00—Loading or unloading
- B65G65/30—Methods or devices for filling or emptying bunkers, hoppers, tanks, or like containers, of interest apart from their use in particular chemical or physical processes or their application in particular machines, e.g. not covered by a single other subclass
- B65G65/32—Filling devices
Definitions
- This application discloses an invention which is related, generally and in various embodiments to vacuum loading systems.
- the material conveying is discontinued by discontinuing the applied vacuum and thereby permitting the material in the hopper to be gravitationally discharged through a material outlet of the hopper loader in communication with the hopper.
- the length of time to convey is determined by either setting a load timer on a control or using a material sensor to determine when the hopper is full. The problem with setting the timer is that 1) it's a manual function that is empirically determined; and 2) changes to the process require adjustment.
- the problem with using a sensor is that 1) the sensor may be deceived by material clinging to it due to static electricity; 2) the sensor must be in contact with the material or be in “line of sight”; and 3) may be eroded due to contact with the material.
- the invention seeks to solve the problems associated with determining the proper load time for a hopper loader that are encountered by empirical and material sensing methods.
- FIGS. 1-3 show perspective and two side views, respectively, of a vacuum loading system according to a vertical axis embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 4 a shows an exploded side view of a vacuum loading system according to a vertical axis embodiment of the invention having a local vacuum source.
- FIG. 4 b shows an exploded side view of a vacuum loading system according to a vertical axis embodiment of the invention having a remote vacuum source.
- FIG. 5 a shows an exploded side view of a vacuum loading system according to a tilted axis embodiment of the invention having a local vacuum source.
- FIG. 5 b shows an exploded side view of a vacuum loading system according to a tilted axis embodiment of the invention having a remote vacuum source.
- FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the sequence of operation of the vacuum loading system according to embodiments of the invention.
- hopper loader 10 a comprises a hopper 12 connected to a vacuum motor or source 14 .
- vacuum source 14 is a local vacuum source integral to hopper loader 10 a
- hopper loader 10 a has a vertical axis.
- the vacuum source may be remote and/or the hopper loader may have a tilted axis.
- hopper loader 10 a has an air material separator 16 such as a filter above hopper 12 and below vacuum source 14 such that the material separator 16 is positioned between the hopper 12 and the vacuum source 14 .
- Material separator 16 filters the material to keep dust and other particulate matter, traveling with the material from entering the suction intake of the vacuum source 14 .
- Vacuum source 14 creates a vacuum or suction in hopper 12 to draw material into hopper 12 through a material inlet 17 from a material source (not shown) which may be a source of material such as plastic beads, plastic resins, blended resins, powders, re-grind waste materials, cereal or candy.
- Hopper 12 has a cylindrical upper section and a frusto-conical lower section which terminates in a material discharge assembly 18 ( FIG. 4 a ) at the base of hopper 12 .
- Material inlet 17 may be connected to the material source by piping (not shown).
- Material discharge assembly 18 is located for downward, gravity flow of material from hopper 12 .
- Material discharge assembly 18 has a material outlet 20 which is opened and closed to control the discharge of material from hopper 12 .
- the material discharge assembly 18 includes, for example, a valve plate 22 pivotally carried by a shaft 24 and is moveable between a closed position covering material outlet 20 and an open position away from material outlet 20 .
- the valve plate 22 is biased to the closed position by, for example, a counter weight 26 .
- a material demand sensor 28 is disposed at material discharge assembly 18 . Material demand sensor 28 determines whether material is needed.
- the counterweight 26 is a magnet and the demand sensor 28 is a reed switch that senses the presence of the magnet. In the position shown in FIG.
- the hopper 12 is empty and the magnet counterweight 26 is not near the demand sensor 28 , so that causes a demand, vacuum source 14 comes on and hopper loader 10 a begins filling with material. After the vacuum source 14 stops, the material in hopper loader 10 a forces the valve plate 22 open to permit the material to escape. If the bin (not shown) below hopper loader 10 a is sufficiently full that the valve plate 20 remains open due to the material not being able to fully discharge from the hopper 12 , then the magnet counterweight 26 is sensed by the demand sensor 28 and vacuum source 14 will not come on.
- valve plate 22 When the material level in the bin below hopper loader 10 a drops low enough that all the material in the hopper loader 10 a is emptied and not holding valve plate 22 open, valve plate 22 will close and move magnet counterweight 26 sufficiently far from demand sensor 28 that the sensor no longer can detect its presence and sense whether the material outlet 20 of the material discharge assembly 18 is closed. This produces a signal that will permit the vacuum source 14 to turn on and begin loading again.
- demand sensor 28 may be a capacitive proximity device, inductive proximity device, optical sensing device, or a number of other devices capable of sensing an object in close proximity.
- a vacuum detector 30 is disposed between air material separator 16 and the suction intake of the vacuum source 14 .
- Vacuum detector 30 senses the vacuum produced by the vacuum source 14 in the hopper 12 .
- an increase in vacuum is sensed by vacuum detector 30 .
- a minimum increase is required which varies based on vacuum source 14 and hopper 12 .
- Vacuum detector 30 may be a vacuum sensor or a vacuum actuated switch.
- a vacuum sensor has an analog output indicating the vacuum level of material in hopper 12 between a minimum and maximum.
- a vacuum actuated switch has an output that indicates the vacuum level is either above or below a predetermined level. How high above or below the predetermined level is not measureable with a vacuum actuated switch, but is with a vacuum sensor.
- the vacuum detector 30 is only monitored during the time that vacuum source 14 is on. When the vacuum is on and the step function is detected by the vacuum sensor, then the vacuum source 14 is turned off. Discharge assembly 18 is controlled by gravity.
- An automated vacuum activated control 32 is operatively connected to the vacuum detector 30 to receive a signal when the vacuum detector 30 signals the hopper 12 of the hopper loader 10 a is full or has reached a maximum amount.
- the vacuum activated control 32 controls the operation of the vacuum source 14 and the opening and closing of the material discharge assembly 18 based on the signal.
- hopper loader 10 a The sequence of operation of hopper loader 10 a is shown in the flow chart illustrated in FIG. 6 .
- step 102 power is applied to the hopper loader 10 a .
- This power is the power needed to operate the device. It is, for example, 110 VAC, 220 VAC, 24 VAC, or 24 VDC, however other voltages could be used.
- step 104 if the material demand sensor 28 determines that material is needed vacuum source 14 is turned on (step 106 ).
- the vacuum source 14 will cause material to be conveyed into the hopper 12 from a material source (not shown) through material inlet 17 .
- the vacuum source 14 will stay on until the vacuum level sensed by vacuum detector 30 exceeds a predetermined level (step 108 ) or a maximum load time (step 110 ) is exceeded.
- vacuum activated control 32 will turn off vacuum source 14 (step 112 ).
- vacuum activated control 32 causes a time delay (step 116 ) to allow the material in the hopper 12 to discharge and then the vacuum activated control 32 returns to step 102 .
- the typical time delay used in the control to empty hopper 12 is 5 seconds. This time is to ensure that the vacuum source 14 has completely stopped and given gravity a chance to pull valve plate 22 open, however if the bin (not shown) below hopper loader 10 a is full it may actually take several minutes or longer for hopper 12 to become empty.
- FIGS. 4 b to 5 b Alternative embodiments are shown in FIGS. 4 b to 5 b .
- FIG. 4 b an embodiment is shown of a central vacuum hopper loader 10 b having a vertical axis and a remote vacuum source 114 .
- FIG. 5 a an embodiment is shown of a vacuum hopper loader 100 a having a vertical axis and an integral local vacuum source 14 .
- FIG. 5 b an embodiment is shown of a central vacuum hopper loader 100 b having a tilted axis and a remote vacuum source 114 .
- the tilted hopper loader 100 a , 100 b typically provides easier access to the interior of the hopper loader for cleaning.
- the tilted hopper loader 100 a , 100 b is tilted at a fixed angle which allows easier access to the interior of the hopper loader 100 a , 100 b than the vertical axis hopper loader 10 a , 10 b .
- FIGS. 5 a and 5 b show valve plate 22 in an open position while FIGS. 4 a and 4 b show valve plate 22 in a closed position.
- the components and operation of the hopper loaders are the same and like components, therefore, have been identified with like reference numerals.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Filling Or Emptying Of Bunkers, Hoppers, And Tanks (AREA)
- Processing And Handling Of Plastics And Other Materials For Molding In General (AREA)
- Air Transport Of Granular Materials (AREA)
Abstract
A hopper loader having a hopper connected to a vacuum source for applying a vacuum to the hopper to convey material into the hopper through a material inlet. A material separator is disposed between the material inlet and the vacuum source for filtering the material. A material discharge assembly is connected to the hopper and disposed for controlling downwardly gravity flow of the material from the hopper, the material discharge assembly having a material outlet configured to be opened and closed to control the discharge of material from the hopper. A vacuum detector is disposed between the material separator and the vacuum source. A vacuum activated control operatively connected to the vacuum detector and configured to turn off the vacuum source in response to a signal from the vacuum detector.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/042,226 filed on Feb. 12, 2016, which also claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of the earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/115,219 filed on Feb. 12, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
- This application discloses an invention which is related, generally and in various embodiments to vacuum loading systems.
- In the plastic industry it is common practice to transport material such as plastic pellets from a source of material such as a storage bin to the hopper of a hopper loader by applying a vacuum to the hopper with a vacuum generator. When an appropriate amount of material has been received in the hopper of the hopper loader, the material conveying is discontinued by discontinuing the applied vacuum and thereby permitting the material in the hopper to be gravitationally discharged through a material outlet of the hopper loader in communication with the hopper. Presently, the length of time to convey is determined by either setting a load timer on a control or using a material sensor to determine when the hopper is full. The problem with setting the timer is that 1) it's a manual function that is empirically determined; and 2) changes to the process require adjustment. The problem with using a sensor is that 1) the sensor may be deceived by material clinging to it due to static electricity; 2) the sensor must be in contact with the material or be in “line of sight”; and 3) may be eroded due to contact with the material. The invention seeks to solve the problems associated with determining the proper load time for a hopper loader that are encountered by empirical and material sensing methods.
- For the present invention to be clearly understood and readily practiced, the present invention will be described in conjunction with the following figures, wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar elements, which figures is incorporated into and constitutes a part of the specification.
-
FIGS. 1-3 show perspective and two side views, respectively, of a vacuum loading system according to a vertical axis embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 4a shows an exploded side view of a vacuum loading system according to a vertical axis embodiment of the invention having a local vacuum source. -
FIG. 4b shows an exploded side view of a vacuum loading system according to a vertical axis embodiment of the invention having a remote vacuum source. -
FIG. 5a shows an exploded side view of a vacuum loading system according to a tilted axis embodiment of the invention having a local vacuum source. -
FIG. 5b shows an exploded side view of a vacuum loading system according to a tilted axis embodiment of the invention having a remote vacuum source. -
FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the sequence of operation of the vacuum loading system according to embodiments of the invention. - It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements that may be well known. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other elements are desirable and/or required in order to implement the invention. However, because such elements are known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein. The detailed description will be provided herein below with reference to the attached drawings.
- For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “vertical”, “tilted”, “top”, “bottom”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention, as it is oriented in the drawings. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative configurations except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific elements illustrated in the drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Therefore, specific dimensions, orientations and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered limiting.
- Referring to
FIGS. 1-4 a, in one embodiment of the invention,hopper loader 10 a comprises ahopper 12 connected to a vacuum motor orsource 14. In this embodiment,vacuum source 14 is a local vacuum source integral to hopperloader 10 a, and hopperloader 10 a has a vertical axis. In the embodiments shown inFIGS. 4b to 5b , the vacuum source may be remote and/or the hopper loader may have a tilted axis. - Referring to
FIG. 4a ,hopper loader 10 a has anair material separator 16 such as a filter abovehopper 12 and belowvacuum source 14 such that thematerial separator 16 is positioned between thehopper 12 and thevacuum source 14.Material separator 16 filters the material to keep dust and other particulate matter, traveling with the material from entering the suction intake of thevacuum source 14.Vacuum source 14 creates a vacuum or suction inhopper 12 to draw material intohopper 12 through amaterial inlet 17 from a material source (not shown) which may be a source of material such as plastic beads, plastic resins, blended resins, powders, re-grind waste materials, cereal or candy. Hopper 12 has a cylindrical upper section and a frusto-conical lower section which terminates in a material discharge assembly 18 (FIG. 4a ) at the base ofhopper 12.Material inlet 17 may be connected to the material source by piping (not shown). -
Material discharge assembly 18 is located for downward, gravity flow of material fromhopper 12.Material discharge assembly 18 has amaterial outlet 20 which is opened and closed to control the discharge of material fromhopper 12. Thematerial discharge assembly 18 includes, for example, avalve plate 22 pivotally carried by ashaft 24 and is moveable between a closed position coveringmaterial outlet 20 and an open position away frommaterial outlet 20. Thevalve plate 22 is biased to the closed position by, for example, acounter weight 26. Amaterial demand sensor 28 is disposed atmaterial discharge assembly 18.Material demand sensor 28 determines whether material is needed. For example, thecounterweight 26 is a magnet and thedemand sensor 28 is a reed switch that senses the presence of the magnet. In the position shown inFIG. 4a , thehopper 12 is empty and themagnet counterweight 26 is not near thedemand sensor 28, so that causes a demand,vacuum source 14 comes on and hopperloader 10 a begins filling with material. After thevacuum source 14 stops, the material inhopper loader 10 a forces thevalve plate 22 open to permit the material to escape. If the bin (not shown) belowhopper loader 10 a is sufficiently full that thevalve plate 20 remains open due to the material not being able to fully discharge from thehopper 12, then themagnet counterweight 26 is sensed by thedemand sensor 28 andvacuum source 14 will not come on. When the material level in the bin belowhopper loader 10 a drops low enough that all the material in thehopper loader 10 a is emptied and not holdingvalve plate 22 open,valve plate 22 will close and movemagnet counterweight 26 sufficiently far fromdemand sensor 28 that the sensor no longer can detect its presence and sense whether thematerial outlet 20 of thematerial discharge assembly 18 is closed. This produces a signal that will permit thevacuum source 14 to turn on and begin loading again. Alternatively,demand sensor 28 may be a capacitive proximity device, inductive proximity device, optical sensing device, or a number of other devices capable of sensing an object in close proximity. - A
vacuum detector 30 is disposed betweenair material separator 16 and the suction intake of thevacuum source 14.Vacuum detector 30 senses the vacuum produced by thevacuum source 14 in thehopper 12. Whenhopper 12 is full of material or has a maximum amount of material, an increase in vacuum is sensed byvacuum detector 30. A minimum increase is required which varies based onvacuum source 14 and hopper 12. When the vacuum first begins, a higher than normal vacuum is sensed byvacuum detector 30, then the vacuum level decreases to a steady state level determined byvacuum source 14, distance material is being conveyed, type of material, and other variables in the system. After thisvacuum source 14 will remain close to the steady state value until thehopper 12 is full. At this time,vacuum source 14 will increase sharply in a short period of time and it is this step change in vacuum that is used to determine thathopper 12 is full.Vacuum detector 30 may be a vacuum sensor or a vacuum actuated switch. A vacuum sensor has an analog output indicating the vacuum level of material inhopper 12 between a minimum and maximum. A vacuum actuated switch has an output that indicates the vacuum level is either above or below a predetermined level. How high above or below the predetermined level is not measureable with a vacuum actuated switch, but is with a vacuum sensor. Thevacuum detector 30 is only monitored during the time thatvacuum source 14 is on. When the vacuum is on and the step function is detected by the vacuum sensor, then thevacuum source 14 is turned off.Discharge assembly 18 is controlled by gravity. - An automated vacuum activated
control 32 is operatively connected to thevacuum detector 30 to receive a signal when thevacuum detector 30 signals thehopper 12 of thehopper loader 10 a is full or has reached a maximum amount. The vacuum activatedcontrol 32 controls the operation of thevacuum source 14 and the opening and closing of thematerial discharge assembly 18 based on the signal. - The sequence of operation of
hopper loader 10 a is shown in the flow chart illustrated inFIG. 6 . - In
step 102, power is applied to thehopper loader 10 a. This power is the power needed to operate the device. It is, for example, 110 VAC, 220 VAC, 24 VAC, or 24 VDC, however other voltages could be used. - In
step 104, if thematerial demand sensor 28 determines that material is neededvacuum source 14 is turned on (step 106). - The
vacuum source 14 will cause material to be conveyed into thehopper 12 from a material source (not shown) throughmaterial inlet 17. Thevacuum source 14 will stay on until the vacuum level sensed byvacuum detector 30 exceeds a predetermined level (step 108) or a maximum load time (step 110) is exceeded. - Once the maximum load time is exceeded (step 110) or the vacuum level exceeds the maximum predetermined level (step 108), vacuum activated
control 32 will turn off vacuum source 14 (step 112). - After the
vacuum source 14 is turned off (step 112), vacuum activatedcontrol 32 causes a time delay (step 116) to allow the material in thehopper 12 to discharge and then the vacuum activatedcontrol 32 returns to step 102. The typical time delay used in the control toempty hopper 12 is 5 seconds. This time is to ensure that thevacuum source 14 has completely stopped and given gravity a chance to pullvalve plate 22 open, however if the bin (not shown) belowhopper loader 10 a is full it may actually take several minutes or longer forhopper 12 to become empty. - This differs from existing technology as it is independent of time and does not rely on sensing the presence of material. This results in a system that will adapt as variations in external parameters take place without the intervention of an operator. This system also does not suffer problems associated with sensing the material, such as “false full” signals created by material clinging to the sensor due to static electricity, sensor circuitry drift causing the sensor to no longer operate properly, sensor adjustments necessary due to variations in the material being sensed, abrasion of sensors in direct contact with material, and variations in opacity when using optical sensors.
- Alternative embodiments are shown in
FIGS. 4b to 5b . Referring toFIG. 4b , an embodiment is shown of a centralvacuum hopper loader 10 b having a vertical axis and aremote vacuum source 114. Referring toFIG. 5a , an embodiment is shown of avacuum hopper loader 100 a having a vertical axis and an integrallocal vacuum source 14. Referring toFIG. 5b , an embodiment is shown of a centralvacuum hopper loader 100 b having a tilted axis and aremote vacuum source 114. The tiltedhopper loader hopper loader hopper loader axis hopper loader FIGS. 5a and 5b showvalve plate 22 in an open position whileFIGS. 4a and 4b showvalve plate 22 in a closed position. Other than the orientation of the axes of the hopper loaders, and the type of vacuum source, the components and operation of the hopper loaders are the same and like components, therefore, have been identified with like reference numerals. - Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments in an application, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of the teachings herein, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of, or exceeding the scope of, the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is understood that the drawings and the descriptions herein are proffered by way of example only to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.
Claims (20)
1. A hopper loader comprising:
a hopper having a material inlet;
a vacuum source connected to the hopper for applying a vacuum to the hopper to convey material into the hopper through the material inlet;
a material discharge assembly connected to the hopper and disposed for controlling downwardly gravity flow of the material from the hopper, the material discharge assembly having a material outlet configured to be opened and closed to control the discharge of material from the hopper;
a vacuum detector disposed between the hopper and the vacuum source, and configured for detecting the vacuum in the hopper;
a vacuum activated control operatively connected to the vacuum detector wherein the vacuum activated control is configured to turn off the vacuum source in response to a signal from the vacuum detector indicating that the hopper is full.
2. The hopper loader of claim 1 , wherein the vacuum source is integral with the hopper.
3. The hopper loader of claim 1 , wherein the vacuum source is remote from the hopper.
4. The hopper loader of claim 1 , wherein the hopper has a vertical axis.
5. The hopper loader of claim 1 , wherein the hopper has a tilted axis.
6. The hopper loader of claim 1 , wherein the material discharge assembly comprises a pivotally mounted valve plate biased to a closed position.
7. The hopper loader of claim 1 , wherein the vacuum activated control is configured to turn off the vacuum source in response to a signal from the vacuum detector that the vacuum has exceeded a predetermined level.
8. A material delivery system comprising:
a source of material operably connected to an inlet in communication with a hopper of a hopper loader;
a vacuum source operably connected to said hopper of said hopper loader configured to apply a vacuum within said hopper thereby drawing material from said source of material through said inlet into said hopper;
a vacuum detector in communication with said hopper configured to detect a vacuum level in said hopper;
a material outlet of the hopper loader in communication with the hopper configured to permit the material in said hopper to be gravitationally discharged through said outlet when said vacuum detector detects a change in vacuum level.
9. The material delivery system of claim 8 , wherein said vacuum detector is a vacuum sensor having an analog output indicating the vacuum level in said hopper.
10. The material delivery system of claim 8 , wherein said vacuum detector is a vacuum actuated switch that has an output that indicates that the vacuum level in said hopper is either above or below a predetermined level.
11. The material delivery system of claim 8 , wherein said change in vacuum level is a step change.
12. The material delivery system of claim 8 , wherein a vacuum control is operably connected to and configured to control the operation of said vacuum detector, said vacuum source, and said material outlet.
13. The material delivery system of claim 12 , wherein said vacuum control signals said vacuum source to cease application of said vacuum to said hopper when said detected vacuum level is either above or below a predetermined vacuum level.
14. The material delivery system of claim 12 , wherein said vacuum control signals said vacuum source to cease application of said vacuum to said hopper when said detected vacuum level indicates a step change vacuum level.
15. A system for transporting material comprising:
a material source;
a material container operably connected to said material source;
a vacuum source operably connected to said material container;
said material container configured to receive material from said material source upon application of a vacuum generated by said vacuum source to said material container;
a vacuum detector disposed between said material container and said vacuum source configured to detect the vacuum level or a change in vacuum level in said material container and signal said vacuum source to cease application of said vacuum to said material container when said vacuum detector detects a predetermined vacuum level or change in vacuum level in said material container.
16. The system for transporting material of claim 15 , further comprising a material discharge outlet operably connected to said material container and configured to gravitationally discharge the material from said material container after application of said vacuum from said vacuum source to the material container has ceased.
17. The system for transporting material of claim 16 , further comprising a vacuum control that is operably connected to and configured to control the operation of said vacuum detector, said vacuum source, and said material discharge outlet.
18. The system for transporting material of claim 15 , further comprising a vacuum control that is operably connected to and configured to control the operation of said vacuum detector and said vacuum source, wherein said change in vacuum level detected by said vacuum detector is communicated to said vacuum control and said vacuum control signals said vacuum source to cease application of said vacuum to said material container when a predetermined vacuum level or change in vacuum level in said material container is detected.
19. The system for transporting material of claim 18 , wherein said vacuum control is operably connected to said material discharge outlet of said material container and signals said material discharge outlet to allow discharge of said material from said material container after a delay in time after said predetermined vacuum level or change in vacuum level is communicated to said vacuum control.
20. The system for transporting material of claim 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , or 19 , wherein said vacuum detector is a vacuum sensor or a vacuum actuated switch.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US15/835,704 US20180099820A1 (en) | 2015-02-12 | 2017-12-08 | Automated vacuum actuated control |
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US201562115219P | 2015-02-12 | 2015-02-12 | |
US15/042,226 US9840378B2 (en) | 2015-02-12 | 2016-02-12 | Automated vacuum actuated control |
US15/835,704 US20180099820A1 (en) | 2015-02-12 | 2017-12-08 | Automated vacuum actuated control |
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US15/042,226 Continuation US9840378B2 (en) | 2015-02-12 | 2016-02-12 | Automated vacuum actuated control |
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US20180099820A1 true US20180099820A1 (en) | 2018-04-12 |
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US15/835,726 Abandoned US20180099821A1 (en) | 2015-02-12 | 2017-12-08 | Automated vacuum actuated control |
US15/835,704 Abandoned US20180099820A1 (en) | 2015-02-12 | 2017-12-08 | Automated vacuum actuated control |
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US15/042,226 Expired - Fee Related US9840378B2 (en) | 2015-02-12 | 2016-02-12 | Automated vacuum actuated control |
US15/835,726 Abandoned US20180099821A1 (en) | 2015-02-12 | 2017-12-08 | Automated vacuum actuated control |
Country Status (6)
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US (3) | US9840378B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3256383A4 (en) |
CN (1) | CN107207101A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2974222A1 (en) |
MX (1) | MX2017010417A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2016130874A1 (en) |
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CN111780203B (en) * | 2020-07-07 | 2021-12-07 | 吉林大学 | Phase-change material filling device for electric heat storage building floor heating |
CN113443441B (en) * | 2021-07-28 | 2022-08-05 | 河津市炬华铝业有限公司 | Continuous powder feeder and method thereof |
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-
2016
- 2016-02-12 US US15/042,226 patent/US9840378B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2016-02-12 WO PCT/US2016/017657 patent/WO2016130874A1/en active Application Filing
- 2016-02-12 EP EP16749929.2A patent/EP3256383A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2016-02-12 MX MX2017010417A patent/MX2017010417A/en unknown
- 2016-02-12 CN CN201680008812.8A patent/CN107207101A/en active Pending
- 2016-02-12 CA CA2974222A patent/CA2974222A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2017
- 2017-12-08 US US15/835,726 patent/US20180099821A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2017-12-08 US US15/835,704 patent/US20180099820A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2974222A1 (en) | 2016-08-18 |
EP3256383A1 (en) | 2017-12-20 |
MX2017010417A (en) | 2018-03-23 |
EP3256383A4 (en) | 2018-10-03 |
US20160236878A1 (en) | 2016-08-18 |
US9840378B2 (en) | 2017-12-12 |
WO2016130874A1 (en) | 2016-08-18 |
CN107207101A (en) | 2017-09-26 |
US20180099821A1 (en) | 2018-04-12 |
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Legal Events
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: IPEG, INC., PENNSYLVANIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KELLY, RAYMOND B.;REEL/FRAME:045426/0464 Effective date: 20180322 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |