System and method for controlling a materials handling system

US 5,839,883 A
Filed: 05/22/1996
Issued: 11/24/1998
Est. Priority Date: 05/22/1996
Status: Expired due to Term

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1. A method for controlling operation of a materials handling system having a feed system which delivers material to a positive displacement pump, the positive displacement pump having an inlet for receiving material delivered by the feed system and an outlet through which material is pumped, the feed system including a feeder which forces material through a transition housing to the inlet of the positive displacement pump, the method including:

sensing pressure in the transition housing; and

providing a control signal to the feed system to control operation of the feed system as a function of the sensed pressure.

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Abstract

A system and method is provided for controlling a materials handling system. The materials handling system preferably includes a feed system, a positive displacement pump and a disposal system. The feed system includes a material feeder, which in the preferred embodiment is a screw feeder driven by a drive, and a transition housing. The material feeder forces material through the transition housing to an inlet of the positive displacement pump. The control system includes a pressure sensor, located on the transition housing, connected to a computer. The computer is also connected to the drive of the screw feeder. During operation of the materials handling system, the pressure sensor senses a parameter indicative of material pressure within the transition housing and sends a signal to the computer representative of this parameter. The computer provides a control signal to the feed system to control operation of the materials handling system as a function of the sensed parameter.

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22 Claims

1. A method for controlling operation of a materials handling system having a feed system which delivers material to a positive displacement pump, the positive displacement pump having an inlet for receiving material delivered by the feed system and an outlet through which material is pumped, the feed system including a feeder which forces material through a transition housing to the inlet of the positive displacement pump, the method including:
- sensing pressure in the transition housing; and
  
  providing a control signal to the feed system to control operation of the feed system as a function of the sensed pressure.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- - 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the feeder is a screw feeder having a rotatable shaft and extending flights, wherein rotational speed of the rotatable shaft is controlled in response to the control signal.
  - 3. The method of claim 1, further including:
    - comparing the sensed parameter to a predetermined value, wherein the control signal is a function of the comparison.
  - 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the predetermined value bears a known relationship to a maximum allowable material pressure within the transition housing.
  - 5. The method of claim 3 wherein the predetermined value bears a known relationship to an optimal material pressure within the transition housing.
  - 6. The method of claim 3 wherein the predetermined value bears a known relationship to a minimum allowable pressure within the transition housing.
  - 7. The method of claim 3, further including:
    - storing information related to a predetermined value.
  - 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the feeder is powered by a hydraulic drive, and further wherein the parameter is hydraulic pressure within the hydraulic drive.

9. A method of controlling operation of a materials handling system having a feed system which delivers material to a positive displacement pump, the positive displacement pump having an inlet for receiving material delivered by the feed system and an outlet through which material is pumped, the feed system including a feeder which forces material through a transition housing to the inlet of the positive displacement pump, the method including:
- determining a fill efficiency of the positive displacement pump based upon operation of the positive displacement pump;
  
  sensing pressure in the transition housing; and
  
  controlling operation of the feed system based upon the fill efficiency and the pressure in the transition housing.
- View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
- - 10. The method of claim 9 wherein controlling operation of the feed system includes:
    - creating an output signal when the fill efficiency falls below a predetermined efficiency value;
      
      comparing the second parameter to a predetermined pressure value in response to the output signal; and
      
      providing a control signal as a function of the comparison of the second parameter to the predetermined pressure value.
  - 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the predetermined pressure value bears a known relationship to a maximum allowable material pressure within the transition housing.
  - 12. The method of claim 9 wherein the feeder is a screw feeder having a rotatable shaft, and wherein controlling operation of the feed system includes controlling a rotational speed of the rotatable shaft.

13. A control system for controlling operation of a materials handling system having a feed system which delivers material to a positive displacement pump, the positive displacement having an inlet for receiving material delivered by the feed system and an outlet through which material is pumped, the feed system including a feeder which forces material through a transition housing to the inlet of the positive displacement pump, the system comprising:
- means for sensing pressure within the transition housing; and
  
  means for generating a control signal to the feed system to control operation of the feed system as a function of the sensed pressure.
- View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
- - 14. The control system of claim 13 further comprising:
    - means for comparing the sensed parameter to a predetermined value, wherein the control signal is a function of the comparison.
  - 15. The control system of claim 13 wherein the rate at which the feed system delivers material to the positive displacement pump is controlled as a function of the control signal.
  - 16. The control system of claim 13 wherein the means for sensing is a pressure transducer.
  - 17. The control system of claim 16 wherein the pressure transducer is positioned within the transition housing.
  - 18. The control system of claim 13, further comprising:
    - means for entering information related to a maximum material pressure within the transition housing.

19. A method of controlling operation of a materials handling system having a feed system which delivers material to a positive displacement pump, the positive displacement pump having an inlet for receiving material delivered by the feed system and an outlet through which material is pumped, the feed system including a feeder which forces material through a transition housing to the inlet of the positive displacement pump, the method comprising:
- sensing a parameter related to pressure in the transition housing; and
  
  providing a control signal to the positive displacement pump to control operation of the positive displacement pump as a function of the sensed parameter.
- View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
- - 20. The method of claim 19, further including:
    - comparing the sensed parameter to a predetermined value, wherein the control signal is a function of the comparison.
  - 21. The method of claim 20 wherein the predetermined value bears a known relationship to a minimum allowable material pressure within the transition housing, and further wherein the control signal deactivates the positive displacement pump.
  - 22. The method of claim 20 wherein the predetermined value bears a known relationship to a minimum allowable material pressure within the transition housing, and further wherein the control signal activates the positive displacement pump.

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Litigation Data

Current Assignee
Schwing Bioset Incorporated
Original Assignee
Schwing America, Inc. (XCMG Construction Machinery Company Limited)
Inventors
Crow, Harry K., Schmidt, Lawrence P.
Primary Examiner(s)
Izaguirre, Ismael

Application Number

US08/651,344
Time in Patent Office

916 Days
Field of Search

417/206, 417/63, 417/430, 417/900, 417/216, 417/213, 137/1, 137/2
US Class Current

417/63
CPC Class Codes

F04B 15/023   supply of fluid to the pump...

F04B 2203/0201   Current

F04B 2205/01   Pressure before the pump inlet

F04B 49/065   and making use of computers

Y10S 417/90   Slurry pumps, e.g. concrete

System and method for controlling a materials handling system

First Claim

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Abstract

32 Citations

22 Claims

Specification

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System and method for controlling a materials handling system

First Claim

2 Assignments

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Litigations

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Accused Products

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Abstract

32 Citations

22 Claims

Specification

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