Patent ID: 6575303
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: B07B,G01N

Abstract:
A system for controlling the operation of an item of equipment for processing materials in connection with the production of a product which includes aggregate materials and a volatile component, said system comprising:(A) an oven comprising: (1) a container defining an interior space, said container having a receiving end for receiving a sample of the product and a closed end opposite said receiving end; (2) a heat source for heating the sample of the product in the container to remove the volatile component therefrom; (3) a weighing mechanism for determining the net weight of the container; (4) means for determining the ratio of the net weight of the container before the sample is heated to the net weight of the container after the sample is heated; (5) means for determining if the ratio of the net weight of the container before the sample is heated to the net weight of the container after the sample is heated meets a predetermined standard; (B) a gradation assembly comprising: (1) a plurality of gradation screens; (2) a frame that is adapted to support the gradation screens in a generally horizontal attitude in a stacked arrangement whereby each screen in the stack has screen openings that are smaller than those of the screen immediately above it in the stack; (3) means for vibrating the screens; (4) a weighing pan that is adapted to determine the weight of aggregate materials; (5) means for sequentially depositing the aggregate materials that are retained on each screen, or that pass through all of the screens, in the weighing pan; (6) means for determining the ratios of the weights of the amounts of the aggregate materials that are retained on each of the screens or that pass through all of the screens to the total weight of the aggregate materials; (7) means for determining if each of the ratios of the weights of the amounts of the aggregate materials that are retained on each of the screens or that pass through all of the screens to the total weight of the aggregate materials meets a predetermined standard; (C) means for transporting the aggregate materials remaining in the oven after the sample is heated to the gradation assembly; (D) means for controlling the operation of a first item of equipment for processing aggregate materials if the ratio of the weight of the aggregate materials that are retained on any of the screens or that pass through all of the screens to the total weight of the aggregate materials fails to meet the predetermined standard.