Patent ID: 6055902
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: B30B

Abstract:
Compaction apparatus for waste management or recycling comprising:an enclosure for receiving waste materials;a ram driven by a reversible hydraulic cylinder associated with said enclosure;a retract-extend control for said hydraulic cylinder responsive to an electric signal;an electric motor driven pump connected to power said hydraulic cylinder;an electrical position sensor comprising a limit switch for generating a signal indicating presence of said ram at a retracted position;an inductive over current sensor switch arranged to sense current drawn by said motor as a measure of a resistive force on said ram; said sensor switch having a time delay of at least 0.2 seconds and not more than 10 seconds from sustained over-current condition to switch actuation;said apparatus having at least one mode of operation in which there are electrical connections from said current sensor switch and said limit switch to said retract-extend control to cause said ram to discontinue extend or retract operation;whereby said ram is caused to rest at a retracted position until said retract-extend control is reactivated to cause forward motion of said ram, and ram motion is stopped or reversed only by encountering resistance to forward movement which persists for a predetermined time thereby avoiding false stopping of the ram by temporary incidents.