초록 ▼

An apparatus for dispensing particles includes a storage tank for containing particles to be dispensed a metering mechanism for transferring particles from the storage tank and an air distribution system for receiving particles from the metering mechanism. The air distribution system includes a bank

An apparatus for dispensing particles includes a storage tank for containing particles to be dispensed a metering mechanism for transferring particles from the storage tank and an air distribution system for receiving particles from the metering mechanism. The air distribution system includes a bank of tubes for transporting particles in a flow of air having a flow rate, and a damper mechanism at the bank of tubes for selective control of the flow rate within the bank of tubes. The apparatus for dispensing particles also includes an air flow source for providing a flow of air to the bank of tubes, a sensor located at each tube for providing a sensor output signal indicative of a value of a flow characteristic, and a controller operably connected to the sensors and to the damper mechanism. The controller automatically effects an adjustment of the flow rate in the bank of tubes by receiving the sensor output signals, normalizing the values corresponding to the sensor output signals, and automatically effecting an adjustment of the damper mechanism as a function of the normalized values and a target value.

대표청구항 ▼

[Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:] [1.]a. an air distribution system comprising at least one tube for transporting air borne particles in a flow of air having a flow rate;b. an air flow source for providing a flow of air to the air distribution system;c. a controller operably

[Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:] [1.]a. an air distribution system comprising at least one tube for transporting air borne particles in a flow of air having a flow rate;b. an air flow source for providing a flow of air to the air distribution system;c. a controller operably connected to the air flow source for automatically effecting an adjustment of the flow rate;d. a particle velocity sensor located at the air distribution system for providing a sensor output signal indicative of a velocity of air borne particles in the tube, the particle velocity sensor including:i. an upstream light interruption sensor, including an optical transmitter and an optical receiver, located at the tube to detect particles at a first location in the tube; andii. a downstream light interruption sensor, including an optical transmitter and an optical receiver, located at the tube to detect particles at a second location in the tube, the second location being at a known distance downstream of the first location; ande. wherein the controller is operably connected to the sensor and to the air flow source, such that the controller automatically effects an adjustment of the flow rate by receiving a sensor output signal and automatically effecting an adjustment of the air flow source as a function of the sensor output signal and a target particle velocity value.