US3482162A

US3482162A - Method and apparatus for detecting the dry weight per unit-length increment of a moving stream of tobacco by determining the ratio of total moisture to moisture per unit volume

Info

Publication number: US3482162A
Application number: US648725A
Authority: US
Inventors: Waldemar Wochnowski
Original assignee: Hauni Werke Koerber and Co KG
Current assignee: Koerber AG
Priority date: 1966-07-11
Filing date: 1967-06-26
Publication date: 1969-12-02
Anticipated expiration: 1986-12-02
Also published as: GB1166536A; DE1598563A1

Description

Dec. 2. 1969 w. WOCHNOWSKI 3,482,152

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING THE DRY WEIGHT PER UNIT-LENGTH INCREMENT OF A MOVING STREAM OF TOBACCO BY DETERMINING THE RATIO OF TOTAL MOISTURE TO MOISTURE PER UNIT VOLUME 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 26, 1967 ELECT/Q0055 78% 7.9 v jaa TRODES a E m m 5 m 5 w m i 2 MM Am a P 2 L 75 A5 2 r PM u c z m 6 MM 2 A I C Q m 6 9 I. 9 H F. w .H F 5 M r m a w m 3 v, 2 MW Dec. 2, 1969 w. WOCHNOWSKI 3,482,152

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING THE DRY WEIGHT PER UNIT-LENGTH INC REMENT OF A MOVING STREAM OF TOBACCO BY DETERMINING THE RATIO OF TOTAL MOISTURE TO MOISTURE PER UNIT VOLUME Filed June 26, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 QNN I Ir W N mww INNTOR.

United States Patent Int. Cl. G(l1r 27/26 U.S. Cl. 324-61 19 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The throughput of tobacco which is fed in the form of a stream is determined by a computer which receives signals from two capacitors. One of the capacitors produces signals which are representative of dielectric prop erties and hence of moisture content of unit volumes of successive unit-length increments, and the other capacitor produces signals which are representative of dielectric properties of succesive unit-length increments of the tobacco stream. The computer determines the throughout in accordance with the equation that throughput equals total moisture content of an increment divided by the moisture content of a unit volume of such increment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining a variable characteristic of a stream of moving particulate material, particularly for determining the mass or weight of successive increments or unit lengths of a stream of tobacco particles. Still more particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for indirect determination of a variable characteristic of a stream of moving tobacco particles.

U.S. Patent No. 3,320,528 to Esenwein discloses a moisture determining apparatus which is utilized to determine the moisture content of tobacco or like fibrous materials. The apparatus of Esenwein utilizes a conveyor a portion of which conveys an unvarying amount of tobacco between the electrodes of a dielectric detector so that the detector determines the dielectric constant of tobacco which is tantamount to determination of the moisture content. The patented apparatus can determine the moisture content 'of successive increments of a tobacco stream irrespective of fluctuations in the mass of such stream, i.e., the cross-sectional area of the stream can vary from increment to increment as long as each such increment contains at least as much tobacco as the aforementioned unvarying amount which is caused to advance between the electrodes of the dielectric detector. Such mode of determining the moisture content is very satisfactory and is helpful in further treatment of particulate material, particularly for drying or moistening of tobacco leaves or tobacco shreds prior to introduction into a cigarette making or other tobacco consuming machine.

In order to carry out certain treatments oftobacco, it is necessary to know the exact mass of tobacco, i.e., the weight or mass of successive increments of a tobacco stream. This is desirable, for example, to insure proper control of easing compounds which are sprayed over certain types of shredded tobacco to prevent the smoke from being offensive to nonsmokers and/or for other reasons. Also, proper dosage of moistening agents is facilitated if the changes in mass are known. In other words, it is contentdirectly influences the dielectric properties of to ice often desirable to determine the weight of successive increments of unit length in a tobacco stream in such a way that the readings or signals will indicate the weight of tobacco alone, i.e., without the moisture which is present in such increments. This is particularly important for proper drying of tobacco which has been sprayed or impregnated with one or more casing compounds. Such drying is most effective if the admission of heat is controlled as a function of the moisture content and as a function of the throughput of tobacco.

Presently known apparatus for determining the changes in mass or weight of a travelling tobacco stream normally utilize weighing devices in the form of endless belts. The upper stringer of the belt forms part of a conveyor which advances the tobacco stream, and the weight of tobacco on the upper stringer is measured continuously in a manner as disclosed, for example, in German DAS No. 1,206,771. A serious drawback of such weighing apparatus is that they are very complicated, expensive, prone to malfunction and occupy too much room. Furthermore, such apparatus merely produce signals which indicate the total Weight of tobacco particles or shreds plus the weight of other substances, particularly moisture. Still further, such apparatus are affected by dynamic forces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an important object of the present invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for rapid, convenient, accurate and fully automatic determination of a variable characteristic of a stream of tobacco or like particulate material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for determining the changes in mass or weight of successive increments of a tobacco stream and to determine such changes by simultaneous determination of another important characteristic of tobacco, such as the moisture content or the total moisture which is present in succesive unit lengths.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which can determine minute as well as substantial changes in a variable characteristic of a travelling tobacco stream and whose operation is not affected by dynamic forces.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which can determine changes in variable characteristics of very short increments of a stream of moving tobacco or like particulate material.

A concomitant object of my invention is to provide a novel method and apparatus for determining the thoughput of tobacco which is conveyed in the form of a stream without necessitating actual weighing of the stream.

' On feature of my invention resides in the provision of a method of determining a variable characteristic of successive unit-length increments of a moving stream of tobacco or like particulate material wherein such characteristic influences the dielectric properties of particulate material, particularly of determining the mass or weight of successive increments. The method comprises the steps of generating first electric signals which are representa tive of dielectric properties of predetermined unit volumes of successive unit-length increments of a moving stream, generating second electric signals which are representative of dielectric properties of successive unit-length increments of the stream, and utilizing such first and second signals to determine the variable characteristic of each unit-length increment of the stream.

For example, the mass of a unit-length increment of tobacco can be determined by dividing the total moisture content of such increment by the moisture content of a unit volume of the same increment. Since the moisture bacco, the mass can be calculated by causing a unit volume of each increment to pass between the electrodes of a first dielectric detector which produces first signals, by causing each increment to pass between the electrodes of a second dielectric detector which produces second signals, and by feeding such signals into an analog or digital computer which correlates the first and second signals and furnishes a succession of output signals differing from each other in the same way as the weight of successive unit-length increments.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of an apparatus which embodies one form of my invention and is provided with two measuring stations;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line IIIIII of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view as seen in the direction or arrows from the line IVIV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of the electric circuit in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view of a modified apparatus with three measuring stations;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of the electric circuit in the apparatus which embodies the structure of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram which is similar to that of FIG. 5 but illustrates the details of a computer which receives signals from the dielectric detectors of the apparatus; and

FIG. 9 is a diagram of an electric circuit which utilizes a different computer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an apparatus for determining changes in the mass, weight or throughout of tobacco. The apparatus comprises a system of conveyors including a feed having a supply conveyor in the form of an endless belt 15 which showers tobacco particles into a second or measuring conveyor having an elongated chute or trough 1 which is slightly inclined in the direction of tobacco travel and is agitated by a vibrator 10. The trough 1 is of substantially U- shaped cross-sectional outline and its left-hand portion 2 is constructed in the same way as disclosed in the aforementioned Patent No. 3,320,528 to Esenwein. The central region of the bottom wall 4 in the portion 2 is raised to form a substantially V-shaped measuring channel 7 which is flanked by two passages 8, 9 serving to collect tobacco which spills laterally over the raised edges 5, 6 of the channel 7. The belt 15 delivers tobacco at a rate which sufl'ices to fill the channel 7 so that this channel is always filled to the level of edges 5, 6. In other words, fluctuations in the rate at which the belt 15 delivers tobacco to the chute 1 cannot influence the measurements which are carried out in the channel 7 because the latter is filled at all times; the contents of the passages 8, 9 will vary in dependency on fluctuations in the rate of tobacco delivery but such fluctuations are not felt in the channel 7. The delivery end of the belt 15 is located at a level above the left-hand end of the channel 7 (see FIG. 2) so that the inlet of the channel 7 is filled beyond capacity but the vibrator 10 causes the surplus to spill over into the passages 8, 9 before the particles which remain in the channel 7 reach the first measuring station. The chute 1 is mounted on two pairs of links ll, 12 and 13, 14 which enable it to move back and forth and to convey tobacco through the channel 7 and passages 8, 9 toward the righthand portion 3 which accommodates a second measuring station. The portion 3 forms a second measuring channel 22 which receives tobacco from the channel 7 and from the passages 8, 9. The channel 22 discharges tobacco onto the upper stringer of a third conveyor here shown as an endless take-off belt 61.

The chute 1 consists of sheet metal. The side walls of the channel 7 are lined with

plates

16, 17 of insulating material which carry plate-

like electrodes

18, 19 of a dielectric detector or capacitor 28. The

electrodes

18, 19 are disposed opposite each other (see FIG. 12). The

side walls

20, 21 of the second channel 22 carry

insulating plates

23, 23 for the plate-

like electrodes

25, 26 of a second dielectric detector or capacitor 29. The electrostatic field between the

electrodes

18, 19 of the capacitor 28 extends across the partial tobacco stream which advances in the first measuring channel 7, and the field between the

electrodes

25, 26 of the capacitor 29 extends across the entire tobacco stream which advances in the second measuring channel 22.

The

capacitors

28, 29 are connected with capacitance meters 30, 31 (FIG. 5) which are connected with an analog computer 32. The results of computations are indicated by two gauges or

control boxes

33, 34.

The operation is as follows:

Tobacco furnished by the belt 15 has a certain moisture content. Such tobacco is supplied at a rate which suffices to fill the channel 7 beyond capacity whereby the surplus spills over into the passage 8 and/or 9. Once the particles advance beyond the portion 2 of the chute 1, they form an integrated stream which advances through the channel 22 and is ultimately received on the upper stringer of the take-off belt 61. Variations in moisture content of the partial stream passing through the channel 7 causes changes in capacitance of the capacitor 28. The changes are detected by the meter 30 which sends appropriate signals to the computer 32. The intensity of signals produced by the meter 30 is independent of the throughput of tobacco, i.e., such intensity depends solely on the moisture content of successive unit lengths of the partial stream in the channel 7. The gauge 33 allows for visual observation of signals produced by the meter 30. The gauge 33 can be calibrated to indicate the moisture content in percentage or in units of volume or weight.

Successive increments of the entire tobacco stream change the capacitance of the capacitor 29 during travel between the

electrodes

25, 26. Such changes cause the meter 31 to produce signals whose intensity varies as a function of the total moisture content of successive increments of the entire stream. Thus, the intensity of signals produced by the meter 31 is a function of tobacco throughput as well as a function of the moisture content. In other words, signals produced by the meter 31 indicate the total moisture content of successive increments. The computer 32 compares the signals produced by

meters

30, 31 and sends an output signal to the gauge 34 which is calibrated to furnish readings indicating the throughput or weight of successive increments of tobacco. Thus, the computer 32 eliminates the moisture content and furnishes readings which indicate solely the throughput or weight of tobacco in accordance with the known equation that throughput equals the moisture content of a unit increment (capacitor 29) divided by the moisture content of a unit volume or mass of such increment (capacitor 28) or that the throughput equals total moisture content of an increment times hundred and divided by moisture in percent.

It is often desirable to carry out more than two measurements. A portion of an apparatus which can carry out three measurements is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6

. illustrates an intermediate portion of a chute 41, namely,

FIG. 6 is disposed between the channels 7 and 22 (not shown) and its capacity is less than that of the channel 7, i.e., the

passages

43, 44 of FIG. 6 together accommodate more tobacco than the passages 8, 9 of FIG. 3. In other words, during advance from the discharge end of the channel 7 toward the measuring station of the channel 42, some tobacco will spill laterally into the passage 43 and/or 44. The

passages

43, 44 respectively receive tobacco from the passages 8 and 9.

The

side walls

45, 46 of the channel 42 carry insulating

plates

47, 48 for plate-

like electrodes

49, 50 of a dielectric detector or capacitor 51. These electrodes are disposed in the same way as the electrodes of a dielectric detector or capacitor 52 (FIG. 7) which corresponds to the capacitor 28 of FIG. 5. The capacitor 53 of FIG. 7 corresponds to the capacitor 29 of FIG. 5. The

capacitors

51, 52, 53 are connected with

capacitance meters

54, 55, 56 which send signals to a computer 57 provided with gauges or

control boxes

58, 59, 60. The gauge 59 indicates the moisture content in accordance with changes in capacitance of the capacitor 52, the gauge 58 indicates the throughput in accordance with changes in capacitance of capacitors 52, 53, and the gauge 60 indicates the value of a characteristic in accordance with changes in capacitance of all three capacitors.

FIG. 8 illustrates a computer 132 which can be utilized in the apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 5. The output signals of the computer 132 are transmitted to a system 134 of gauges 191-195. The

capacitors

128, 129 and

capacitance meters

130, 131 respectively correspond to the

parts

28, 29 and 30, 31 shown in FIG. 5.

The computer 132 comprises five

threshold circuits

170, 171, 172, 173, 174 whose inputs are connected with the output of the capacitance meter 130. The outputs of the threshold circuits 170-174 are connected with four AND- gates 176-179 in the following way: The threshold circuit 170 is connected directly and solely with the gate 176; the circuit 171 is connected directly with the gate 177 and is further connected with the gate 176 through a negation circuit 181; the circuit 172 is directly connected with the gate 178 and is further connected with

gates

176, 177 through a second negation circuit 182; the circuit 173 is directly connected with the gate 179 and is further connected with gates 176-178 through a negation circuit 183; and the circuit 174 is connected with gates 176-179 through a negation circuit 184. The outputs of AND- gates 176-179 are connected with control windings of

relays

186, 187, 188, 189, and the output of the threshold circuit 174 is connected directly with the control winding of a fifth relay 190. The limits beyond which the input signals received from the meter 130 cause the threshold circuits 170-174 to produce output signals rise from threshold circuit to threshold circuit.

The output of the meter 131 is connected with the working contacts of relays 186-190 each of which controls the index or pointer of one of the five gauges 191- 195 in the system 134. It is clear that the relays 186-190 can be replaced by transistors or other electronic components without movable contacts.

The gauges 191-195 are calibrated to indicate the weight or mass of tobacco (variable characteristic) having a certain moisture content (parameter). For example, the gauge 191 can indicate changes in mass of tobacco having an average moisture content of percent; the gauge 192 changes in mass of tobacco with average moisture content of 12 percent; the gauge 193 changes in mass of tobacco with average moisture content of 14 percent; the gauge 194 changes in mass of tobacco with average moisture content of 16 percent; and gauge 195 changes in mass of tobacco with average moisture content of 18 percent.

The threshold circuit 170 produces an output signal when the moisture content of unit volumes of the partial stream in the measuring channel 7 of FIG. 3 is at least 9 percent; the threshold circuit 171 will produce an output signal at a moisture content of at least 11 percent; and the

threshold circuits

172, 173, 174 will produce output signals at a moisture content of at least 13, 15 and 17 percent, respectively. Thus, there are formed five groups of ranges of moisture content and each of the gauges 191-195 is calibrated for an average value of each range (namely, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 percent). The threshold circuits -174 insure that only one of the gauges 191- will indicate the result of computation, namely, that gauge which is calibrated for a given range of moisture content in percent.

The moisture content of unit volumes of tobacco in the channel 7 is indicated directly by a gauge 133 which corresponds to the gauge 33 of FIG. 5. This gauge 133 may be constituted by a high resistance voltmeter.

FIG. 9 illustrates a modified computer 232. This computer includes an electric dividing circuit 300 which receives signals from the output of a meter 231 serving to indicate changes in capacitance of a capacitor 229 which corresponds to the capacitor 29 of FIG. 5. Signals produced by the meter 231 are divided by signals produced by the meter 230 which measures changes in capacitance of the capacitor 228 corresponding to the capacitor 28 of FIG. 5. The circuit 300 is a means for generating a signal as a function of the quotient of input signals received from the

meters

230 and 231.

The dividing circuit 300 includes an operational amplifier 301 and a follower potentiometer 302 whose center is grounded and whose sliding arm or slider is connected with a servo 303. The

inputs

304, 305 of the amplifier 301 and potentiometer 303 receive signals from the

meters

231, 230. The output signal is taken off at the output 306 and is used to change the position of the index or pointer in a gauge 234. The signal at the output connection 306 is a quotient and indicates the mass or weight of tobacco in accordance with the aforementioned equation that the throughput equals total moisture content of an increment of unit length divided by the moisture content of a unit volume of such increment. Otherwise stated, throughput equals total moisture content The signal received from the meter 231 indicates the total moisture content and the signal transmitted by the meter 230 indicates the moisture content of a unit volume or weight of tobacco. The gauge 234 can be calibrated to furnish readings which indicate the throughput.

The signals at the output connection 306 can be used to effect automatic regulation of one or more machines or apparatus which treat tobacco on the take-off conveyor 61 or downstream of the take-off conveyor. For example, such signals can be used to regulate the heating, drying, moistening or other action upon the tobacco stream.

A very important advantage of my apparatus is that it can determine changes in weight or mass of relatively short increments of a moving stream of particulate material. The length of electrodes at the measuring stations is much less than the length of weighing conveyors which are disclosed in the aforementioned German DAS No. 1,206,771. Moreover, dynamic forces cannot affect the accuracy of measurements in the apparatus of my invention, and my apparatus immediately furnishes electrical output signals which is desirable since the evaluation of signals is normally carried out by electrical or electronic means.

It is further clear that the method and apparatus of my invention can be used with equal advantage for determination of other variable characteristics of a travelling stream of tobacco or like particulate material. For example, the apparatus can be used to determine the density of successive increments of tobacco.

Though it is possible to install the capacitors 28-29, 51-53, 128-129 or 228-229 at a single measuring station,

the arrangement shown in FIG. 2 is normally preferred because the two electrostatic fields do not interfere with each other. Of course, the electric system of the apparatus comprises a synchronizer circuit to account for displacement of

capacitors

28, 29 longitudinally of the tobacco stream. In other words, signals emitted by the

capacitance meters

30, 31 of FIG. 5 are produced by the same increments of the stream passing through the chute 1.

The capacitor 29 of FIGS. 1-5 could be replaced by a group of capacitors installed in the channel 7 and passages 8, 9. However, this would complicate the apparatus and, therefore, I prefer at this time to provide the chute 1 with the U-shaped channel 22 which receives all of the tobacco in successive unit-length increments of the stream and accommodate a single pair of

electrodes

25, 26.

The apparatus of FIGS. 6 and 7 is utilized if the electrostatic field is influenced by two or more unknown characteristics of the tobacco stream. Signals produced by at least one of the capacitors 51-53 shown in FIG. 7 can be indicative of two or more variable characteristics. Such signals are then fed to a suitable computer which furnishes readings indicative of one or more variable characteristics or of a further characteristic which can he arrived at by resorting to known calculations. Analog computers are preferred in many instances because they are relatively simple and inexpensive. However, if the calculations must be very accurate and/or if the signals are furnished in digital form, digital computers will find preference over analog computers.

As stated before, output signals furnished by the

computer

32, 57, 132 or 232 can be used to directly or indirectly control further treatment of tobacco on or beyond the take-off conveyor 61. For example, such signals can be used to regulate the temperature, moisture content or another characteristic of foliate or shredded tobacco.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of my contribution to the art.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of determining the dry weight per unitlength increment of a moving stream of tobacco or like particulate material wherein dry weight per unit-length influences the dielectric properties of said particulate material, comprising the steps of generating first electrical signals which are representative of dielectric properties of predetermined unit volumes of measured unit-length increments of the stream; generating second electrical signals which are representative of dielectric properties of the entire volumes of said measured unit-length increments of the stream; and combining such first and second signals whereby the ratios of said second signals to said first signals are indicative of said dry weight per unitlength of said measured unit-length increments of the stream.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second electrical signals respectively represent the moisture content of predetermined unit volumes of said measured unit-length increments in percent and the total moisture content of successive unit-length increments.

3. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein the mass of tobacco is determined in accordance with the equation m H/ h wherein m is the mass, H is the total moisture content of an increment of unit length, and h is the moisture content of a unit volume of the same increment.

4. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein said first signals are generated prior to generation of said second signals.

5. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein said first signal generating step includes diverting from each unitlength increment a unit volume of particulate material and conveying such unit volume between the electrode of a stationary capacitor.

6. A method as defined in claim 5, wherein said second signal generating step includes conveying successive unit-length increments of particulate material between the electrodes of a second stationary capacitor.

7. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of visually indicating the changes in said variable characteristic.

8. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of visually indicating the intenstiy of said first signals.

9. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said last mentioned step comprises feeding said first and second signals to a computer.

10. Apparatus for determining the dry weight per unitlength increment of a moving stream of tobacco or like particulate material wherein dry weight per unit-length influences the dielectric properties of said particulate material, comprising measuring conveyor means for advancing a stream of particulate material lengthwise; first dielectric detector means associated with said conveyor means for generating first electric signals which are representative of dielectric properties of predetermined unit volumes of measured unit-length increments of the stream; second dielectric detector means associated with said conveyor means for generating second electrical signals representative of dielectric properties of the entire volumes of said measured unit-length increments of the stream; and computer means arranged to receive and correlate said first and second signals whereby the ratios of said second signals to said first signals are indicative of the dry weight of said measured unit-length increments of the stream.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said measuring conveyor means comprises a portion provided with a measuring channel flanked by at least one overflow passage and accommodating said first detector means, and further comprising a feed for supplying into said channel particulate material at a rate exceeding the capacity of said channel so that the surplus spills over into said passage and the channel conveys said unit volumes of particulate material past said first detector means.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said second detector means is spaced from said first detector means, as considered in the direction of material advance In said measuring conveyor means.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said measuring conveyor means comprises a second portion provided with a second measuring channel which conveys successive unit-length increments of the stream and wherein said second detector means is provided in said second channel.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said measuring conveyor means comprises a trough having a bottom Wall provided with two raised edges bounding said measuring channel and including two overflow passages flanking said raised edges, said first detector means comprising two plate-like electrodes disposed in said channel opposite each other, said measuring trough further comprising a substantially U-shaped portion receiving particulate material from said measuring channel and from said passages and said second detector means comprising two plate-like electrodes provided in said U-shaped portion opposite each other.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said measuring conveyor means further includes a second measuring channel flanked by at least one overflow passage and further comprising third dielectric detector means installed in said second channel and arranged to transmit to said computer means third signals representa! tive of dielectric properties of successive unit-length increments of material passing through said second channel.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said computer means comprises means for generating output signals as a function of the quotient of said second and first signals.

17. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, for determining the mass of said measured unit-length increments and wherein each of said detector means comprises a capacitor having a pair of plates installed in said measuring conveyor means.

18. Apparatus as defined in claim 17, further comprising gauge means connected with said first detector means to furnish visual indications of the intensity of said first signals.

19. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said first and second signals are respectively representative of the moisture content of predetermined unit volumes of the measured unit-length increments in percent and of the total moisture content of the measured unit-length increments and wherein said computer means is arranged to produce output signals representative of the mass of the measured unit-length increments of the stream.

References Cited EDWARD E. KUBASIEWICZ, Primary Examiner J. M. HANLEY, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 131-136