Measuring and testing – Volume or rate of flow – Element
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-25
2001-02-27
Oen, William (Department: 2855)
Measuring and testing
Volume or rate of flow
Element
Reexamination Certificate
active
06192750
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Numerous manufacturing processes call for on-line monitoring of a physical property of a free flowing granular or particulate material. Examples of properties to be monitored are moisture content, temperature, color, etc. An example of a process where on-line monitoring is employed is manufacturing of feed. A difficulty is encountered in presenting to the on-line sensors a representative sample of the free flowing material in order that the on-line assay will be meaningful. That is, what is “seen” by the sensor must accurately represent the process stream. Physical characteristics of free flowing particulate materials compound the basic problems encountered when placing an on-line sensor in a process stream. Any attempt to divert or restrict the particulate flow invites plugging or bridging. This is particularly true of sampling devices employing a conical or pyramidal shape that abruptly restricts the particulate flow from all directions as it enters the inlet. Plugging or bridging stops flow through the sensing device. In addition, the flow pattern of the particulate material is seldom uniform. Augers, bucket elevators and such devices are commonly used to move the particulate material, giving the flow pattern a pulse. The particles comprising the stream are frequently of irregular shape and size.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention pertains to a sensor assembly and in particular a one-piece sensor mounting apparatus for measurement of a physical property of a free flowing material having a vertical flow component. The sensor mounting apparatus includes an open ended housing. The housing has an inlet section, a body having a sensing chamber, and a discharge section located vertically beneath the inlet. The inlet section includes an inlet nozzle shaped to be a single dimensional flow restrictor that collects a sample from the process stream in a single vertical plane and channels it to the throat of the sensing chamber. The inlet nozzle has opposite parallel vertical walls, and opposite downwardly convergent inclined walls that restrict flow from the one dimension. The sensing chamber has a central vertical passage for conveying the particulate sample past a sensing station. A sensor is connected to the walls of the sensing chamber in position to sense the material property of the passing sample. Since the particle sample flow is restricted in a single plane, the propensity to bridge or plug is lessened.
The discharge section of the sensor housing includes a discharge nozzle characterized by opposite parallel vertical walls, and opposite downwardly convergent inclined walls. The walls are positioned such that the particulate material is discharged from a single vertical plane that is perpendicular to the vertical plane referenced by the inlet section.
The configuration of the sensor housing produces a consistent uniform flow and density of a sample of particulate matter diverted from the process stream through the sensing chamber.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 5363708 (1994-11-01), Johnson
patent: 5500083 (1996-03-01), Johanson
patent: 6029506 (2000-02-01), Dilger
Greer Bryan D.
Greer David G.
LaBorde Richard G.
AgriChem, Inc.
Burd, Bartz & Gutenkauf
Oen William
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