Patent GB-289632-A (GB)
Title: Material feeding means
IPC: G01G11/02
Filed: 1927-04-25
Abstract: 289,632. Merrick, H. L. April 25, 1927. Weighing - apparatus fitted to conveyers.- An apparatus for feeding aggregates or component parts in predetermined quantities, for example, feeding aggregates in cement making to a place where they are to be pulverized, comprises a hopper, weighing mechanism, including a support to receive material from the hopper, means to regulate the delivery of material from the hopper and means independent of, and having an operative connection with the weighing mechanism to actuate the regulating means and controlled by the movement of the weighing mechanism out of and into balance by the weight of the material on the support without interfering with the free movement of the weighing mechanism and imposing only a negligible stress upon the weighing mechanism. The material is delivered from a hopper H, Figs. 2 and 8, to an endless conveyer belt B, a portion of which is supported by a roller 39 suspended by links 40 from levers 41, 50 coupled to a weigh beam 47. The tension of the belt is maintained constant by a counterweight. Adjacent the weigh beam is a drum 73 constantly rotated by the driving motor of the conveyer belt and capable of longitudinal movement along its supporting shaft 77. A wheel 90 rests upon the drum and is mounted in a yoke 92 movable on vertical pivots 92<1>, 92", an arm on the pivot 92<11> being connected to an arm of the weigh beam 47 so that a movement up or down of the weigh beam turns the plane of rotation of the wheel 90 one way or the other relative to the rotating drum 73 and causes a corresponding longitudinal movement of the drum. A rack 70 moving with the drum, and operating through gearing, raises or lowers a hopper gate 46 to increase or decrease the flow of material to the conveyer belt. When the flow of material is correct the weigh beam 47 positions the wheel 90 at right angles to the drum 73 and consequently no longitudinal movement of the drum or adjustment of the hopper gate takes place. The normal delivery of material through the hopper gate may be varied as desired by rotating a hand-wheel 96 which has gear connections, including differential gearing, for moving simultaneously a poise weight 51 on the weigh beam, and the hopper gate 46. The speed of the conveyer belt may be changed by variable speed gearing. A graduated bar. bearing multiple indications, indicates the weight of material fed per unit length of travel of the conveyer, and is connected by gearing with the variable speed mechanism so as automatically to present the correct set of indications for observation whenever the speed of the conveyer in changed. If sudden increases or decreases of the load on the conveyer occur the movement of the weigh beam is restrained by counterpoise levers engaged or relinquished by the beam during its movements. A dash-pot, is also connected to the beam. In Fig. 24 is shown an arrangement of the above-described conveyer mechanism D in connection with a second conveyer F operative at a constant speed and feeding material from railway cars G, both conveyers discharging into a common bin E. The weight of material fed by the conveyer F is measured by a mechanical integrator J of the type described in Specification 5286/08. The integrator J is connected electrically with a timing switch controlling the motor of the conveyer mechanism D so that each time a predetermined weight of material has been fed by the conveyer F the circuit of the motor is closed and tho conveyer D is started and delivers a predetermined weight of material to the bin E, after which the conveyer mechanism and its motor are again rendered inoperative.