US3155048A

US3155048A - Simplex liquid handling apparatus having improved electrode type control system

Info

Publication number: US3155048A
Application number: US145343A
Authority: US
Inventors: Mandelbaum Robert; Frank G Weis
Original assignee: Union Tank Car Co
Current assignee: Smith and Loveless Inc; Union Tank Car Co
Priority date: 1961-10-16
Filing date: 1961-10-16
Publication date: 1964-11-03
Anticipated expiration: 1981-11-03
Also published as: GB929859A

Description

Nov. 3, 1964 R. MANDELBAUM ETAL SIMPLEX LIQUID HANDLING APPARATUS HAVING IMPROVED ELECTRODE TYPE CONTROL SYSTEM Flled Oct 16 1961 INVENTORS. Robe/W mande/baum By Frank 6. Weis W QTTORNEY United States Patent 3,155,048 SIMPLEX LIQUID HANDHNG APPARATUS HAVING KMJPRGVEI) ELECTRUDE TYPE CGNTRGL SYSTEM Robert Tvi'andeibaum and Frank G. "Weis, Kansas City, Mm, assignors to Union Tank (far Company, Chicago, EL, a corporation of New .l'ersey Filed Oct. 16, 1961, Ser. No. 145,343 6 (Ilaims. (Ql. 103-441) The invention relates to material handling apparatus, and more particularly, to apparatus for receiving material until a predetermined amount has accumulated, at which time the material is automatically ejected by force. Apparatus of this type has particularly useful application in installations where material such as sewage or the like must be discharged against forces such as gravity.

It is well known to control the operation of apparatus of this nature with electrical control systems. Such systems are conventionally actuated by the completion of an electrical circuit by virtue of physical contact established between an electrode and the material when the latter reaches a predetermined accumulation in the retaining vessel. Once activated, the control system initiates a cycle during which the material is ejected from the vessel. Ideally, then, the apparatus is returned to its material-receiving condition until subsequent accumulation establishes contact with the electrode.

Heretofore, one disadvantage with such systems has been that the ejection cycle is initiated whenever such contact is established and continues substantially without interruption until the contact is broken. If, as often occurs, material clings to the electrode and establishes contact to ground by touching a wall of the vessel or the like, the apparatus continues in the ejection cycle. This results in loss of use of the apparatus and waste of the ejecting vehicle (often compressed air) until the necessary maintenance of the electrode is performed.

When automatic means is incorporated into the system to shut off the air, conventional systems have heretofore had no means for automatically ejecting the accumulated material.

Accordingly, it is the most important object of this invention to provide apparatus having an electrical control system which restores the apparatus to its materialreceiving condition for a predetermined period of time following the ejection cycle, thereby obviating the difficulty caused by fouling of the material sensing electrode.

Another important object of our instant invention, and in conjunction with the foregoing object, is to provide apparatus for handling material that is not solely dependent upon the material sensing device for returning the apparatus to its material-ejecting condition.

Yet another object of our invention is the provision of time delay components to insure that the apparatus remains in the material-receiving condition for a predetermined length of time following the ejection cycle to permit the desired accumulation of material before ejection thereof.

A still further object of this invention is to provide material-handling apparatus which is substantially maintenance-free, thereby permitting use of the apparatus in relatively inaccessible places such as underground sewage installations or the like.

Still another object of our invention is the provision of such apparatus having an electrical control adapted for utilization of commercially available alternating current electrical energy, yet having direct current circuits therein to permit greater sensitivity of the material sensing device and longer life of the sensing electrodes.

Patented Nov. 3, I954 The drawing is a schematic diagram of an electrical control for material-handling apparatus emboding the principles of the instant invention with the materialreceiving vessel shown in cross section.

The material-handling apparatus includes a materialreceiving vessel 10 which is normally closed, and has an inlet pipe 12 communicating therewith and adapted to be coupled with a source of material to be handled. Pipe 12 is provided with a check valve 14 therein to permit the flow of fluid in the direction of vessel 10 and to prevent flow in the opposite direction. An outlet pipe 16 also communicates with vessel 10 and is provided with a check valve 18 for permitting the fiow of fluid in only one direction through outlet 16. It will be understood that outlet 16 is adapted to lead to a suitable place of discharge for the material to be handled by the apparatus.

In order to facilitate the accumulation of material within vessel It the latter is provided with a pipe 20 communicating therewith and having a 3-way valve 22- therein. A vent pipe 24 extends from valve 22 for the purpose of placing vessel 10 in communication with the atmosphere when valve 22 is disposed in its normal position. A conduit 26 is also in communication with valve 22 and is adapted to be coupled to a source of pressurized fluid such as compressed air or the like, for conducting such pressurized fluid into vessel It) when valve 22 is shifted to its alternate position. The pressurized fluid is utilized for the purpose of ejecting the material from vessel 10.

An electrical control is provided for the apparatus and includes means for sensing the level of material within vessel 10 in the form of an electrode 2%, preferably extending into vessel 10 adjacent the top thereof and in position to be engaged by the material when the latter has reached a predetermined accumulation Within the vessel. In addition to electrode 28, the electrical control for the material-handling apparatus includes a source of electrical energy shown as

contacts

30 and 32, an electrically responsive switching device 34, a timer 36, a solenoid 38, a time delay switching element 49, a rectifier 42, and a capacitor 44.

The electrically responsive switching device 34 includes a coil 46, a normally open, single-pole, single-throw switch 48 having a movable pole 5i), and a fixed contact 52. Device 34 also includes a second normally open, single-pole, single-throw switch 54 having a movable pole 56 and a fixed contact 58. The

poles

56 and 50 of device 34 are operably coupled with coil 46 to be shifted into engagement with

respective contacts

58 and 52 upon energization of the coil 46.

Timer 36 may be of any conventional type and includes an electrically operated time delay mechanism 64 operably coupled with a single-pole, double-throw switch 62. The latter has a movable pole 64, a normally closed fixed contact 66, and a normally open fixed contact 68. Additionally, mechanism 60 is operably coupled with a normally closed, single-pole, single-throw switch having a movable pole 72 and a fixed contact 74.

Switching element 40 includes a component 76 operably coupled with a normally closed, sings-pole, singlethrow switch 78 having a movable pole 80 and a fixed contact 82. Component 76 is operably coupled with pole 80 to effect opening of switch 78 upon energization of component 76 and may be a thermoelectric heating element adapted to open switch '78 upon the passage of current through component 76. Elment 40 includes the characteristic of maintaining switch 78 in its open condition for a predetermined period of time, thus, the thermoelectric component 76 is ideally suited for element 40.

Rectifier 42 may be of any suitable type capable of cona verting alternating current electricity into direct current for a purpose to be explained later. Capacitor may also be of any suitable type and the rating thereof is preferably calculated for cooperating with the rectifier for providing direct current energy, as will be explained more fully as the specification progresses.

The normally open fixed contact of switch 455 is electrically coupled with contact 3% of the source of electrical energy by line 84. The other contact 32 of the source is electrically coupled with one side of timer mechanism 6t) by a line 86. Line 86 is connected to one side of component 76 by line 83, and one side of solenoid 38 is connected with line 88 by line 9%. The other side of solenoid 38 is connected with the fixed contact 66 of switch 62 by line 92; The fixed contact 68 of switch 62 is electrically coupled with the other side of component '76 by line 94. Lead 96 connects the fixed contact '74 of switch 76 with line 86, and the movable pole 2 of switch 70 is coupled with the movable pole 56 of switch with line i5. A line Tilt interconnects the movable pole 64 of switch 62, and the movable pole 5t of switch 48, while the other side of mechanism 6% is connected to line 1% by a line 102.

Lead 1% connects the movable pole 39 of switch 78 to line 84, while the fixed contact 82 of switch '78 is coupled to rectifier 42 by line 1%. The other side of rectifier 42 is coupled with the coil 46 of device 34 by line 168. Line 11b interconnects one side of capacitor 44 with line 108, and the other side of capacitor 44 is connected to electrode 28 by line 112. The latter is connected to the opposite side of coil 46 by a line 114. A line 1R6 couples line 114 to the fixed contact 58 of switch 54.

In operation, valve 22 is normally in position to vent the inside of vessel it? to the atmosphere and to facilitate the flowing of material therein through inlet 12. When the material has accumulated in vessel 19 to a level wherein the material contacts electrode 28, a circuit is completed which energizes coil 46 of device 34. This energizing circuit may be traced from contact 39, through line 84, lead 164, pole 8t} and contact 82 of switch 78, line 1596, rectifier 42 (which converts the electricity into direct current), line M8, coil 46, line 114, line 1312, electrode 23 to ground through the material and vessel Till. Upon being energized, coil 46 operates

switches

54 and 48. The closing of switch 48 completes a circuit to energize solenoid 38 traceable from contact 30, through line 84, contact 52 and pole 59 of switch 43, line res, pole 4 and contact 66 of switch 62, line 92, solenoid 38, line 99, line 88, line 86, to contact 32.

Solenoid 3%; is thus energized and is operably coupled with valve 22 to effect shifting of the latter to its alternate position. This terminates the communication of vessel 16 with the atmosphere and permits pressurized fluid from the source to pass through conduit 26, pipe 26 and into vessel it) where it forces the accumulation of material therein outwardly past check valve 13 through outlet 16.

At the time solenoid 38 is energized, the closing of switch 48 also energizes mechanism 6 5 of timer 36. The circuit energizing timer 36 may be traced from contact 30, through line 84, switch 48, line line Hi2, mechanism 60, line 86 to contact 32. Thus, mechanism 69 is energized to effect operation of the timer switches after a predetermined delay of time which may be preset, depending upon the requirements for the apparatus.

At the time coil 46 of switching device 34 is energized, a holding circuit is closed to continue the energizing of coil 46 for a predetermined length of time. This holding circuit may be traced from contact 3!) of the electrical source, through line 84, lead 104, switch 73, line 166, rectifier 42, line 1&8, coil 46, line 114, line 116, switch 54, line 98, switch F0, lead 96, line 86 to contact 32. Thus when the material is ejected from within vessel lit) to a level where there is no longer physical contact between the material and electrode 28, and the initial circuit energizing coil 46 previously described is broken, the holding circuit just enumerated maintains the energy to coil d6.

all

ing vessel lit. Up until this time the valve circuit has not been broken, so if solenoid 38 is continuously energized the valve 22 continues to admit and waste pressurized fluid, not allowing the vessel it to fill. The shifting of pole '72 from normally closed contact 74 of switch breaks the holding circuit previously described and thereby permits de-energization of coil 46. When coil 46 is de-energized, the

movable poles

56 and 50 of

switches

54 and 48, respectively, shift to their normally open positions.

As timer 36 shifts the switches thereof, a circuit'may be traced from contact 32 of the source through line 86, line 3%, component 76 of element 40, line 94, contact 68 and pole 64 of switch 62, line 1%, through pole 50 and contact 52 of switch 48 if the latter is closed, through line 84 to contact 30 of the source. However, as has been. pointed out, the shifting of switch "it! by timer 36 should break the holding circuit and tie-energize coil 46, thereby permitting switch 4-8 to open and prevent the circuit that would energize component 76 of element it! from being closed. 0n the other hand, if for some reason, such as the maintaining of electrical contact between electrode 28 and ground, through the walls of vessel 10 by material clinging to electrode 23 and touching the walls or the like, coil 46 will remain energized through its primary energizing circuit previously described. Thus, the breaking of the holding circuit will not release switches 54 and 43 and the circuit energizing component 76 will be made with pole 5t) engaging contact 52 of switch 48. When this occurs, the switching device 3 remains operated and switches 54 and 48 are in their closed positions, the mechanism 69 of timer 36 remains energized, the

switches

62 and 70 remain in their shifted positions through the action of mechanism 60, solenoid 38 is de-energized and valve 22 returns to its normal position. Thus, if nothing is done to prevent this situation, the apparatus remains in the filling cycle and can never eject its contents. This condition has, in the past, caused a great deal of difiiculty in heretofore known material handling devices.

To obviate this undesirable condition, safety means is incorporated into the control for the apparatus. Such safety means includes the energizing circuit for component 76 previously described. It may be readily seen that when switch 62 of timer 36 is simultaneously closed with switch 48 of switching device 34, component 76 is directly connected to the source of electrical energy. This causes a heating of component '76, resulting in the opening of switch 73 of element 48 after a predetermined delay to allow the vessel 10 to fill. When electrical contact is broken between pole 8t) and contact 82 of switch 78, the primary energizing circuit for coil 46 of device 34 is broken. This permits switches 54 and 48 to open to break the energizing circuit for timer 6% and relay 40, irrespective of whether or not electrode 28 has become fouled and continues to sense the necessary accumulation of material within vessel 10 to initiate the ejection cycle.

It may be readily seen that as soon as switch 78 again closes, coil 46 will re-energize, permitting the closing of

switches

54 and 48, and causing the apparatus to reinitiate the ejection cycle. Thus it is important that element it allow switch 78 to remain closed long enough to permit vessel it) to fill with a substantial amount of material before coil 46 is die-energized. Preferably, element 4b is adjustable and may be selectively set to leave switch 78 closed for the desired period of time. Normally an element with delay ability of from to minutes is satisfactory with a delay setting of thirty seconds being desirable for many material handling installations. Additionally, it is necessary that switch 4% have a remake time of sufiicient length to allow

relay contacts

48 and 54 and timer mechanism kit to reset. Thus, once open, the switch '78 does not close immediately.

It will be readily appreciated that any suitable time delay switching apparatus may be utilized in the system to provide the function of insuring a delay between the filling cycle and the ejection cycle. It has been found that a thermoelectric switching device such as has been described is entirely adaquate for the purpose.

It is of particular importance to point out that the safety means for preventing the apparatus from remaining in the filling cycle only becomes operative upon the situation of improper functioning of the normal means for shifting valve 22 from its normal to its alternate position and back again. Normally, switch 62 will not be in position with pole 64 engaging contact 68 at the same time that pole 59 is engaging contact 52 of switch 48. Inasmuch as switches 70 and 62 operate together, the holding circuit for coil 46 is broken at the same time pole 64 of switch 62 is caused to engage contact 63. This permits switch 4'8 to open simultaneously with the closing of switch 62 to prevent such energization of component 76. It is only when contact is made between electrode 28 and ground, which continues the energizing of coil 46 when timer 36 shifts its switches, that element 4t; is operated.

The material-handling apparatus of this invention is particularly useful for the purpose of handling sewage or the like which is to be discharged against forces such as gravity. If it is desirable to employ the apparatus for such purposes, it is but necessary to install vessel It and the control heretofore described operates automatically to eject the material through the force of air pressure or the like when a predetermined amount has been accumulated. There is no danger, because of the particular safety means, of the apparatus being ineffective for the purpose of receiving material simply because the electrode 28 for sensing the desired accumulation fails to function through fouling or the like. When this occurs, the safety means automatically takes over to provide a predetermined time delay between ejecting cycles of the apparatus, which delay may be preset to provide for the desired accumulation of material in vessel lit.

By utilizing rectifier 42 to change the alternating current from the source of electrical energy into direct current before the energy reaches coil 46, it is possible to utilize a more sensitive electrical switching device 34 to initiate the operation of the control system upon the filling of vessel It) with material. Additionally, the direct current flowing through electrode 28 in the energizing of coil 26 materially increases the length of life of the electrode 28 over what would be possible if alternating current were used in this energizing circuit. However, in order to provide for the use of half wave rectified cur-- rent which emanates from the source and the rectifier, capacitor 44 is interposed between lines lit) and 112. Thus the direct current stored in the capacitor 44 during the conducting half cycle of rectifier 42 is discharged to energize solenoid 46 during the nonconducting half cycle.

Although the apparatus has particular application in the handling of sewage, there is no intention to restrict its utilization for such purposes. On the contrary, this apparatus may be used for a wide range of functions.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Material handling apparatus which comprises a closed material receiving vessel; inlet means connected to said vessel and adapted to be coupled to a source of material to be handled so as to permit the flow of material only in the direction of said vessel; vent means connected to said vessel; conduit means connected to said vessel and adapted to be coupled to a source of fluid under pressure; valve means operably associated with said vent means and conduit means of said vessel, said valve means having a normal position that permits communication between said vessel and said vent means and precludes communication with said conduit means, said valve means being shiftable to an alternate position wherein communication is established betwcen said vessel and said conduit means and wherein communication with said vent means is precluded; means connected to said valve means for etiecting the selective shifting of said valve means to the alternate position when said means is actuated; sensing means disposed within said vessel so as to be contacted by the material therein when a preselected level of material accumulation has been reached; outlet means connected to said vessel so as to permit the fiow of material therefrom; circuit means electrically connected to said valve shifting means so that said valve shifting means is actuated in response to the energization of said circuit means, said circuit means being energized in response to said accumulated material contacting andv grounding said sensing means and being maintained in an energized state when said sensing means continues to be grounded due to the fouling thereof; a first timing circuit electrically connected to said circuit means, said first timing circuit being actuated a preselected period of time after the energization of said circuit means, said preselected period of time corresponding to the period required to effect the discharge of a substantial portion of accumulated material from said material receiving vessel; said actuated first timing circuit effecting the deactuation of said valve shifting means to thereby return said valve means to the normal position and normally effecting the deenergization of said circuit means; and a second timing circuit being alternately rendered effective and ineffective for preselected periods of time as long as said sensing means continues to be grounded and in response to the continued enerpization of said circuit means whereby said valve shifting means is alternately actuated and deactuated for corresponding periods of time and the material handling apparatus is alternated between a material receiving state and a material ejecting state.

2. In combination with material handling apparatus having a closed material receiving vessel, including a Vent communicating with the surrounding environment and a supply conduit coupled to a source of fluid under pressure, a selectively operable valve means that has a normal position which establishes communication between the vessel and the associated vent and an alternate position that establishes communication between the vessel and the source of fluid through the associated supply conduit, an inlet means that permits the flow of material to the vessel and outlet means that permits the flow of material out of the vessel after a preselected level of material accumulation has been reached as indicated by the material contacting a single probe sensing means that is disposed within the vessel; a control circuit which comprises means operably connectable to the valve means of the vessel so as to effect the shifting of said valve means when said means is in an actuated state; circuit means electrically connected to said valve shifting means so that said valve shifting means is actuated in response to the energization of said circuit means, said circuit means being energized in response to the accumulated material contacting and grounding said single probe sensing means and being maintained in an energized state when said sensing means continues to be grounded due to the fouling thereof; a first timing circuit electrically connected to said circuit means, said first timing circuit being actuated a preselected period of time after the energization of said circuit means, said preselected period of time corresponding to the period required to effect the discharge of a substantial portion of accumulated material from said material receiving vessel; said actuated first timing circuit effecting the deactuation of said valve shifting means to thereby return said valve means to the normal position and normally effecting the deenergization of said circuit means; and a second timing circuit being alternately rendered elfective and inellective for presel cted periods of time as long as said sensing means continues to be grounded and in response to the continued energization of said circuit means whereby said valve shifting means is alternately actuated and dcactuated for corresponding periods of time and the material handling apparatus is alternated between a material receiving state and a material ejecting state.

3. Material handling apparatus which comprises a closed material receiving vessel; inlet means connected to said vessel and adapted to be coupled to a source of material to be handled so as to permit the flow of material only in the direction of said vessel; vent means connected to said vessel; conduit means connected to said vessel and adapted to be coupled to a source of fiuid under pressure; valve means operably associated with said vent means and conduit means of said vessel, said valve means having a normal position that permits communication between said vessel and said vent means and precludes communication with said conduit means said valve means being shifts le to an alternate position wherein communication is established between said vessel and said conduit means and wherein communication with said vent means is precluded; a solenoid connected to said valve means for effecting the sel ctive shifting of said valve means when said solenoid is actuated; single probe sensing means disposed within said vessel so as t be contacted by the material therein when a preselected level of material accumulation has been reached; outlet means connected to said vessel so as to permit the flow of material therefrom; circuit means electrically connected to said valve shifting solenoid so that said solenoid means is actuated in response to the energization of said circuit means, said circuit means being energized in respouse to said accumulated material contacting and grounding said single probe sensing means and being maintained in an energized state when said sensing means continues to be grounded due to the fouling thereof; a first timing circuit electrically connected to said circuit means, said first timing circuit being actuated a preselected period of time after the energization of said circuit means, said preselected period of time corresponding to the period required to effect the discharge of a substantial portion or" accumulated material from said material receiving vessel; said actuated first timing circuit fectiug the deactuation of said valve shitting solenoid to thereby return said solenoid to the normal position and normally effecting the deenergization of said circuit means; and a second timing circuit being alternately rendered effective and ineffective for preselected periods of time as long as said single probe sensing means conrtinues to be grounded and in response to the continued energization of said circuit means whereby said solenoid is alternately actuated and deactuated for corresponding periods of time and the material handling apparatus is alternated between a material receiving state and a material ejecting state.

4. A circuit for controlling material handling app-aratus including a closed material receiving vessel that has a vent communicating with the surrounding environment and a supply conduit coupled to a source of fluid under pressure, the apparatus also having a selectively operable valve means that has a normal position which establishes communication between the vessel and the associated vent and an alternate position that establishes communication between the vessel and the source or" fluid through the associated supply conduit, the apparatus further including inlet means that permits the flow of material to the vessel and outlet means that permits the flow of material out of the vessel after a preselected level of material accumulation has been reached as indicated by the material contacting and grounding a single probe sensing means that is disposed within the vessel; which control circuit comprises means operably connectable to the valve means of the vessel so as to attest the shifting of said valve means when means is in an actuated state; circuit means electrically connected to said valve shifting means so that said valve shifting means is actuated in response to the ene-rgization of said circuit means, said circuit means being energized in response to the accumulated material contacting and grounding said single probe sensing means and being maintained in an energized state when said sensing means continues to be grounded due to the fouling thereof; a first timing circuit electrically connected to said circuit means, said first timing circuit being actuated a preselected period of time after the energization of said circuit means, said preselected period of time corresponding to the period required to effect the discharge of a substantial portion of accumulated material from said material receiving vessel; said actuated first timing circuit effecting the deactuation of said valve shifting means to thereby return said valve shifting means to the normal position and normally effecting the deenergization of said circuit means; and a second timing circuit being alternately rendered efiective and ineilective for preselected periods of time as long as said single probe sensing means continues to be grounded and in response to the continued energization of said circuit means whereby said valve shifting means is alternately actuated and deactuated for corresponding periods of time and the material handling apparatus is alternated between a material receiving state and a material ejecting state.

5. Material handling apparatus which comprises a closed material receiving vessel; inlet means connected to said vessel and adapted to be coupled to a source of material to be handled so as to permit the flow of material only in the direction of said vessel; vent means connected to said vessel; conduit means connected to said vessel and adapted to be coupled to a source of fluid under pressure; valve means operably associated with said vent means and conduit means of said vessel, said valve means having a normal position that permits communication between said vessel and said vent means and precludes communication with said conduit means, said valve means being shi-itable to an alternate position wherein communication is established between said vessel and said conduit means and wherein communication with said vent means is precluded; means connected to said valve means for efiecting the selective shifting of said valve means to the alternate position when said means is actuated; sensing means disposed within said vessel so as to be contacted by the material therein when a preselected level of material accumulation has been reached; out-let means connected to said vessel so as to permit the flow of material therefrom; circuit means electrically connected to said valve shifting means so that said valve shifting means is actuated in response to the energiza-tion of said circuit means, said circuit means being energized in response to said accumulated material contacting and grounding said sensing means and being maintained in an energized state when said sensing means continues to be grounded due to the fouling thereof; a first timin circuit electrically connected to said circuit means, said first timing circuit being actuated a preselected period of time after the energization of said circuit means, said preselected period of time corresponding to the period required to effect the discharge of a substantial portion of accumulated material from said material receiving vessel; said actuated first timing circuit eiiecting the deactuation of said valve shifting means to thereby return said valve means to the normal position and normally effecting the deenergization of said circuit means; and a second timing circuit being initially energized a preselected period of time after said first timing circuit and in response to the continued energization of said circuit means, said second timing circuit being connected in circuit with said circuit means so as to be alternately rendered eifective and ineffective for preselected periods of time after its initial energization so as to alternately actuate and deactuate said valve shifting means for corresponding periods of time.

6. A circuit for controlling material handling apparatus including a closed material receiving vessel that has a vent communicating with the surrounding environment and a supply conduit coupled to a source of fluid under pressure, the apparatus also having a selectively operable valve means that has a normal position which establishes communication between the vessel and the associated vent and an alternate position that establishes communication between the vessel and the source of fl id through the associated supply conduit, the apparatus further including inlet means that permits the flow of material to the vessel and outlet means that permits the flow of material out of the vessel after a preselected level of material accumulation has been reached as indicated by the material contacting and grounding a single probe sensing means that is disposed within the vessel; which control circuit comprises means operably connectable to the valve means of the vessel so as to eiiect the shifting of said valve means when said means is in an actuated state; circuit means electrically connected to said valve shifting means so that said valve shifting means is actuated in response to the energization of said circuit means, said circuit means being energized in response to the accumulated material contacting and grounding said single probe sensing means and being maintained in an energized state when said sensing means continues to be grounded due to the fouling thereof; a first timing circuit electrically connected to said circuit means, said first timing circuit being actuated a preselected period of time after the energization of said circuit means, said preselected period of time corresponding to the period required to effect the discharge of a substantial portion of accumulated materia-l'from said material receiving vessel; said actuated first timing circuit efiecting the deactuation of said valve shifting means to thereby return said valve shifting means to the normal position and normally effecting the deenergization of said circuit means; and a second timing circuit being initially energized a preselected period of time after said first timing circuit and in response to the continued energization of said circuit means, said second timing circuit being connected in circuit with said circuit means so as to be alternately rendered effective and ineffective for preselected periods of time after its initial energization so as to alternately actuate and deact-uate said valve shifting means for corresponding periods of time.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,456,100 Eaton May 22, 1923 1,813,743 Hull July 7, 1931 2,817,299 Weis Dec. 24, 1957

Claims

1. MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS WHICH COMPRISES A CLOSED MATERIAL RECEIVING VESSEL; INLET MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID VESSEL AND ADAPTED TO BE COUPLED TO A SOURCE OF MATERIAL TO BE HANDLED SO AS TO PERMIT THE FLOW OF MATERIAL ONLY IN THE DIRECTION OF SAID VESSEL; VENT MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID VESSEL; CONDUIT MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID VESSEL AND ADAPTED TO BE COUPLED TO A SOURCE OF FLUID UNDER PRESSURE; VALVE MEANS OPERABLY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID VENT MEANS AND CONDUIT MEANS OF SAID VESSEL, SAID VALVE MEANS HAVING A NORMAL POSITION THAT PERMITS COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID VESSEL AND SAID VENT MEANS AND PRECLUDES COMMUNICATION WITH SAID CONDUIT MEANS, SAID VALVE MEANS BEING SHIFTABLE TO AN ALTERNATE POSITION WHEREIN COMMUNICATION IS ESTABLISHED BETWEEN SAID VESSEL AND SAID CONDUIT MEANS AND WHEREIN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID VENT MEANS IS PRECLUDED; MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID VALVE MEANS FOR EFFECTING THE SELECTIVE SHIFTING OF SAID VALVE MEANS TO THE ALTERNATE POSITION WHEN SAID MEANS IS ACTUATED; SENSING MEANS DISPOSED WITHIN SAID VESSEL SO AS TO BE CONTACTED BY THE MATERIAL THEREIN WHEN A PRESELECTED LEVEL OF MATERIAL ACCUMULATION HAS BEEN REACHED; OUTLET MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID VESSEL SO AS TO PERMIT THE FLOW OF MATERIAL THEREFROM; CIRCUIT MEANS ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED TO SAID VALVE SHIFTING MEANS SO THAT SAID VALVE SHIFTING MEANS IS ACTUATED IN RESPONSE TO THE ENERGIZATION OF SAID CIRCUIT MEANS, SAID CIRCUIT MEANS BEING ENERGIZED IN RESPONSE TO SAID ACCUMULATED MATERIAL CONTACTING AND GROUNDING SAID SENSING MEANS AND BEING MAINTAINED IN AN ENERGIZED STATE WHEN SAID SENSING MEANS CONTINUES TO BE GROUNDED DUE TO THE FOULING THEREOF; A FIRST TIMING CIRCUIT ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED TO SAID CIRCUIT MEANS, SAID FIRST TIMING CIRCUIT BEING ACTUATED A PRESELECTED PERIOD OF TIME AFTER THE ENERGIZATION OF SAID CIRCUIT MEANS, SAID PRESELECTED PERIOD OF TIME CORRESPONDING TO THE PERIOD REQUIRED TO EFFECT THE DISCHARGE OF A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF ACCUMULATED MATERIAL FROM SAID MATERIAL RECEIVING VESSEL; SAID ACTUATED FIRST TIMING CIRCUIT EFFECTING THE DEACTUATION OF SAID VALVE SHIFTING MEANS TO THEREBY RETURN SAID VALVE MEANS TO THE NORMAL POSITION AND NORMALLY EFFECTING THE DEENERGIZATION OF SAID CIRCUIT MEANS; AND A SECOND TIMING CIRCUIT BEING ALTERNATELY RENDERED EFFECTIVE AND INEFFECTIVE FOR PRESELECTED PERIODS OF TIME AS LONG AS SAID SENSING MEANS CONTINUES TO BE GROUNDED AND IN RESPONSE TO THE CONTINUED ENERGIZATION OF SAID CIRCUIT MEANS WHEREBY SAID VALVE SHIFTING MEANS IS ALTERNATELY ACTUATED AND DEACTUATED FOR CORRESPONDING PERIODS OF TIME AND THE MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS IS ALTERNATED BETWEEN A MATERIAL RECEIVING STATE AND A MATERIAL EJECTING STATE.