Abstract:
A system for storing a container containing a mixture therein having blended constituents, includes a frame, a drive roller mounted on the frame, and a passive roller mounted on the frame, a container being received on an outer periphery of the drive roller and the passive roller. The drive roller rotates the container such that the mixture held in the container is maintained blended.
Abstract:
A cryogenic control system measures rotational resistance in a cryogenic food mixing machine such as a vacuum tumbler or agitator blender to determine by test the length of time it takes from the start of chilling to reach the maximum energy level T.sub.me, and the length of time it takes to chill the product to the desired forming point stiffness T.sub.f, to establish a ratio T.sub.f /T.sub.me for that product and batch size. This ratio can then be used for subsequent cycles, regardless of cryogenic flow rate, to determine the optimum product chilling point.
Abstract:
Apparatus including a circulating pump inside a carbonator tank which blends CO.sub.2 with still water and which is started and stopped for predetermined time periods in repetitive cycles having an on/off ratio ranging between 1:10 and 1:20. A timing circuit controls the operating and non operating times of the circulating pump so that sufficient carbonation of the water with CO.sub.2 gas is achieved along with the formation of an ice bank on the cooled wall of the storage tank. During intervening periods when the circulating pump is not operating, the carbonated water arranges itself in layers according to its density so that the relatively warmer water sinks while the colder water together with any ice particles or small pieces of ice floating therein join together, becoming fixed to the ice bank in the upper portion of the carbonator. During the next operating cycle of the circulating pump, these particles are frozen together and become relatively harmless to the extent that the shutoff valve and output carbonated water line remains unobstructed. Whenever carbonated water is removed from the storage tank or fresh water is supplied to the storage tank, the circulating pump is again started for an additional on-period time interval which is greater than the normal on-period.
Abstract:
In a conching device (1) at least one rotor (2, or 3, respectively) is driven by an electric motor (9). The driving motor (9) is controlled by means of a motor control unit (8). To establish the amount of energy introduced into the conching device (1), at least one motor-operation parameter is detected and evaluated. To shorten the conching time of a conching process to the necessary extent, it is provided to establish the amount of energy introduced into the conching device at least during the viscous-plastic phase of the chocolate mass and to control the conching process in dependency upon the summation value of energy attained. Since the amount of energy introduced during the viscous-plastic phase determines the properties and the quality of the chocolate, a high reproducibility will be ensured.
Abstract:
An apparatus for selectively controlling a plurality of electric motors for driving individual work objects, the apparatus including an electrical switch which is adapted to produce predetermined speed signals for the electric motor selected, a programmable controller disposed in signal receiving relation relative to the electrical switch and which is adapted to generate a predetermined signalling sequence in response to the signal received from the electrical switch, a variable speed motor drive electrically coupled with the programmable controller, and with the electric motor selected, the variable speed motor drive selectively driving the selected electric motor at a predetermined speed in response to the signalling sequence received from the programmable controller, and a sensor adapted to indicate the work performed by the electric motor whereby the electric switch may be selectively adjusted to control the operation of the electric motor selected.
Abstract:
An agitator device for charging gas into PUR-components and for the homogenization of the PUR-components and the gas for the production of a foam material includes a pressure vessel for containing the mixture of components and gas with a stirring device extending into the body of the mixture. The stirring device includes a shaft which can be driven in opposite directions. First and second stirring elements are located on the shaft. In one direction of rotation only the first stirring elements operate to charge gas into the PUR-components and when the shaft is driven in the other direction both the first and second stirring elements operate to homogenize the mixture. In one arrangement, due to the direction of rotation, the second stirring elements can be pivotally displaced between a stirring position and an inactive position. In another arrangement the second stirring elements can be selectively connected to the shaft by a clutch so that the clutch engages the stirring elements for rotation in only one rotational direction of the shaft.
Abstract:
An impeller on a stirrer shaft is rotated at constant angular velocity by a motor within a chamber. Vibrations induced in the shaft by virtue of the stirring action of the impeller are sensed by a transducer whose output is conditioned by equipment from these signals. The invention can be applied to processes in a reaction vessel and liquid in a pump chamber. Since the excitation is a constant angular velocity and the induced effect is vibration, there is no interference between excitation and induced effect although the transducer is mounted on the stirrer shaft.
Abstract:
An automatic milk bulk tank lockout system (10) for use with a milk agitator (12) in a stationary bulk tank (14) and a pump (18) in a milk tank truck (16) for pumping milk out of the bulk tank (14) includes an electrical receptacle (22) adapted to supply power to the pump (18). A second timer switch (42) driven by a timing motor (28) is adapted to activate an agitator relay (46) to direct electrical current to the milk agitator (12) for a selected period of time. A third timer switch (44) also driven by the timing motor (28) selectively activates the receptacle (22) in automatic coordination with the operation of the milk agitator (12). The receptacle (22) is deactivated throughout the agitating period. Thereafter it is activated, whereby the pump (18) is not powered and milk cannot be pumped out of the bulk tank (14) before expiration of the selected agitating period. Preferably, the third timer switch (44) controls a receptacle relay (48) through which electrical current is directed to the receptacle (22), activating it.
Abstract:
A slurry mixing and pumping system adapted to automatically control both slurry viscosity and product output volume. Water and raw gypsum delivered to a mixing vat are thoroughly blended by a hydraulically powered agitator blade within the vat. Hydraulic pressure variations experienced by the agitator motor are translated into pneumatic viscosity control signals by a process controller. An air actuated water valve driven by the controller varies water input into the vat to effectuate viscosity correction. Means responsive to vat head level controls output volume.
Abstract:
A fluidizing mixer works a mixture of materials, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin, together with plasticizers and liquid stabilizers and the batch is then discharged at the end of a work cycle of operation. The mixer employs an electrically energized driver which drives a working member, such as a high speed mixing blade, such that electrical energy is expended as work is being performed on the material. During each work cycle of operation the amount of expended electrical energy is sensed for purposes of providing a work signal having a value in accordance with the energy being expended. A work cycle is terminated when the amount of energy being expended to work the material decreases by a given amount.