초록 ▼

A unitary truncated conical insert for installation in the interior of flat bottom animal feeders to prevent accumulation of particulate or granular feed material on the flat bottom and allow all of the feed material to flow through the outlet hole of the feeder. The insert also has a cavity for rec

A unitary truncated conical insert for installation in the interior of flat bottom animal feeders to prevent accumulation of particulate or granular feed material on the flat bottom and allow all of the feed material to flow through the outlet hole of the feeder. The insert also has a cavity for receiving a desiccant to absorb moisture that may otherwise be absorbed by the feed material to flow through the outlet hole of the feeder, prevent sticking, clumping and spoilage of the feed material, and prevent wet feed material from damaging the feeder or its dispensing mechanism. The insert can be easily and quickly trimmed to fit the interior of a wide range of commercially available drum type and pail type animal feeders. In a preferred embodiment, the insert is formed of polystyrene foam material.

대표청구항 ▼

A unitary truncated conical insert for installation in the interior of flat bottom animal feeders to prevent accumulation of particulate or granular feed material on the flat bottom and allow all of the feed material to flow through the outlet hole of the feeder. The insert also has a cavity for rec

A unitary truncated conical insert for installation in the interior of flat bottom animal feeders to prevent accumulation of particulate or granular feed material on the flat bottom and allow all of the feed material to flow through the outlet hole of the feeder. The insert also has a cavity for receiving a desiccant to absorb moisture that may otherwise be absorbed by the feed material to flow through the outlet hole of the feeder, prevent sticking, clumping and spoilage of the feed material, and prevent wet feed material from damaging the feeder or its dispensing mechanism. The insert can be easily and quickly trimmed to fit the interior of a wide range of commercially available drum type and pail type animal feeders. In a preferred embodiment, the insert is formed of polystyrene foam material. que and wherein said sensing means comprises means for measuring the current and producing a signal corresponding to the current required to rotate the rotor through the fluid and also corresponding to the viscosity of the fluid, whereby rotor torque is measured by measuring said current. 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said test chamber is comprised of a cylindrical wall and a top and bottom wall, said top and bottom wall each having an inside surface, and wherein the low friction support means consists of bearings mounted on the inside surface of said top and bottom walls of said test chamber. 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said magnet means comprises a plurality of separately operable electromagnets arranged in a generally circular pattern around said test chamber. 6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising: a) said sensing means for sensing angular rotor position and producing a rotor position signal; and b) said control means for sequentially activating said electromagnets, one electromagnet at one time; and in which said control means uses said position signal to determine when to sequentially activate the next electromagnet. 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensing means comprises a plurality of proximity sensors arranged in a generally circular pattern proximate to said rotor, each of said proximity sensors having a proximity sensing field associated therewith, said sensing fields responsive to said rotor pole within said proximity sensing fields. 8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the fluid and generating a temperature signal. 9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising said control means responsive to the temperature signal for energizing fluid heating means to produce heat for heating the fluid to a predetermined temperature. 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the fluid heating means comprises a resistive heating element in thermal contact with the fluid in said test chamber. 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said test chamber is removable. 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said removable chamber is sealed. 13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said magnetic means comprises a plurality of separately operable electromagnets arranged in a generally circular pattern around said removable test chamber. 14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising: a) said sensing means for sensing angular rotor position and producing a rotor position signal; and b) said control means for sequentially activating said electromagnets, one electromagnet at one time; and in which said control means uses said position signal to determine when to sequentially activate the next electromagnet. 15. A viscosity tester for fluid comprising: a centrally disposed chamber for containing the fluid, having a cylindrical side wall, a circular bottom wall, and a circular top wall, said top and bottom walls having perimeters at side wall junctions, said top wall comprised of a magnetic material; b) a generally cylindrical rotor disposed in the fluid within said test chamber, said rotor rotatably supported by bearings on an axis of rotation; c) said rotor comprising a plurality of magnetic poles disposed about said axis; d) a plurality of electromagnets mounted in positions spaced around and proximate to said chamber side wall; e) a housing surrounding said electromagnets, said housing in magnetic contact with said top wall, whereby a low reluctance flux path is formed through said electromagnets, said rotor poles, said top wall, and said housing; f) a plurality of proximity sensors embedded in chamber bottom wall, a unique proximity sensor being associated with each of said electromagnets, each proximity sensor producing a sensor signal when a rotor pole is radially aligned with said associated electromagnet; g) an electric current supply; h) a control system interconnected with said current supply, said electromagnets, and said proximi