Patent GB-123661-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to Automatic Weighing Machines.
Inventor: SMITH ARTHUR
IPC: G01G13/00
Filed: 1918-05-21
Abstract: 123,661. Smith, A., and Southall, C. May 21, 1918. Automatic-feed weighers. - Relates to automatic weighing-machines for powdered, granular, &c. materials and of the type having main and dribble feeds, and comprises the combination with a main sluice hinged at the discharge end of a hopper and formed with dribble-feed apertures, a rotary dribble feed controller situated over the apertures when the main sluice is closed, and a pair of rotary shafts from which the main sluice and controller are operated, of a clutch in conjunction with each shaft whereby the required motions of the main sluice and controller are started or stopped at the proper times in each cycle of operations. The main sluice d hinged to the lower side of the delivery channel c of the feed-hopper c<1> is actuated by a link g and a lever h from a crank i on the shaft j. The dribble feed through one or more openings in the sluice d is controlled by a stirrer member c driven from a shaft f which is connected to the driving-pulley m of the machine by a clutch n. The shafts f, j are connected by a chain or other gearing through the medium of a clutch l, in conjunction with which a lever o is arranged to permit only one revolution of the shaft j in each cycle of operations. The clutch l preferably consists of a pair of frictionally-engaged parts, one of which carries a projection p to engage the end of the lever o. The main clutch n consists of a pair of frictionally-engaged parts, one of which has a number of lateral projections on one face to engage a lever r. When the beam b is tilted, a stop-rod s is withdrawn from engagement with the lever r, whereupon the lever r is swung by a spring v into position to be struck by a projection to arrest the clutch n. For re-setting the lever r, a cross-shaft w connected by a lever x and link y to the lever o carries a spring-controlled pawl z to engage a projection 2 on the lever r. With the parts in the position shown, the attendant pulls down a bar 4 having a catch 5 to engage a lever 6 connected to mechanism for opening the discharge door of the hopper a : simultaneously, the lever 6 operates a link 7 connected to the lever o whereby the end of the lever o is moved away from the projection p and the pawl z is moved rearward past the projection 2 on the lever r. On releasing the bar 4, the lever o is allowed to fall on the projection p and the pawl engages the projection 2. During the return movement of the pawl z, the lever r is withdrawn from the projection on the main shaft n, whereupon the rod s moves upwards under the action of a spring 3 and prevents the lever r from re-engaging the clutch. The sluice d is now opened by the crank i, and, after one complete revolution of the shaft j, the clutch l is arrested bv the lever o. On the initial deflexion of the beam b, the latter strikes a collar on a rod 10 connected to a lever 11 on a rock shaft 12 and through a lever 13 lifts the rear extension 14 of the catch 8 thereby permitting the sluice d to fall and cut off the main supply. When the proper weight of material is supplied to the hopper a, a projection t on the hopper engages the collar u and withdraws the rod s, whereupon the lever r stops the main clutch n. The discharge door is then opened by operating the bar 4 and the cycle of operations repeated. The machine may be entirely automatic, any convenient means being employed for putting the clutch into action after the completion of the weighing and discharging operations.