Patent ID: 9052229
Filing Date: 2015-06-09
Classification: G01G

Abstract:
1. A method of adjusting a first feed rate of a continuously flowing first material from a feeder to a variable second feed rate of a continuously moving second material on a conveyor, the method comprising: feeding a plurality of first signals from a weigh belt coupled to the conveyor and a plurality of second signals from a feeder load cell to a programmable logic controller; using the programmable logic controller to calculate the first feed rate of the first material based on a moving average of the plurality of first signals, wherein the plurality of first signals corresponds to weight of the second material; using the programmable logic controller to set the feeder to the calculated first feed rate to so operate the feeder in an open loop; using the programmable logic controller to calculate and set a corrected feed rate based on the plurality of second signals from the load cell to so operate the feeder in a closed loop when the corrected feed rate and the first feed rate have a difference less than a predetermined amount; and reverting to the open loop when the corrected feed rate and the first feed rate have a difference more than the predetermined amount.