Apparatus for indicating the level of flowable material in a storage bin comprising a motor rotatably suspended by a spring within a protective enclosure and a drive shaft coupled by a ball-and-detent clutch to a paddle disposed within the bin to engage material therein. When the material reaches the level of the paddle, the drag on the paddle causes the motor to rotate eccentrically within the enclosure and thereby to activate switches disposed within the enclosure radially of the motor housing. A spring returns the motor to the switch-deactivated position when the material level decreases and the consequent drag is removed from the paddle.

Rotation paddle bin level indicator

Apparatus for indicating the level of flowable material in a storage bin that includes a motor mounted within a protective enclosure and coupled by a shaft and clutch arrangement to a paddle disposed within the bin to engage material therewithin. When the material reaches the level of the paddle, drag on the paddle causes the motor to rotate within the enclosure against the force of an adjustable spring to activate switches disposed within the enclosure for indicating material level. The switches also remove power from the motor and apply power to an electrical resistance heater to warm the enclosure and help prevent condensation at low external ambient temperature. The paddle is constructed to enhance drag when used in conjunction with low-density materials.

Rotating paddle bin level indicator

An electromotor is mounted on a support and has a shaft extending into the silo or the like. The shaft, which is rotated by the electromotor, carries a blade which contacts the material in the silo when the material rises to a predetermined level. This prevents the blade and shaft from further rotating, and results in the generation of a signal. A free-wheeling device connects the shaft with the motor so that the shaft and motor are coupled for joint rotation in only one direction, but not in the opposite direction.

Apparatus for indicating the filling level of silos and the like

A rotary paddle bin monitor for indicating a level of dry bulk material in a bin. In normal operation, a rotary motor rotates a shaft and paddle. A spring mechanism keeps the motor in a first angular position when the paddle is rotating freely. However, when the paddle engages the dry bulk material, the created torque overcomes the spring mechanism and causes the rotary motor to rotate. A first magnetic detector (e.g. a hall effect detector) mounted inside the housing senses a first magnet marker fixed to the rotary motor via the motor support plate to provide an indication when the rotary motor has rotated due to the sufficient presence of dry bulk material. A second magnetic detector mounted inside the housing senses a second magnet marker fixed to the shaft to provide an indication that the shaft is rotating at a proper speed (and indicate the direction of the rotation as well).

Rotary paddle bin monitor

A level control device is disclosed comprising a paddle on a rotary shaft projecting from a housing, a carrier disc coupled to the shaft and supporting a plurality of torque-transmitting levers having first arms engageable by drive pins or an apertured drive disc on an output shaft of an electric motor, an axially movable control plate biased toward the carrier by spring means which also cause the control plate to rotate with the carrier, the levers having second arms disposed between the carrier and the control plate for moving the control plate away from the carrier when the driving torque transmitted by the first arms increases due to increasing drag on the paddle caused by rising granular material coming into contact with the paddle, and a control switch operable by the movement of the control plate away from the carrier. The position of the switch is adjustable to provide a sensitivity adjustment. A slip clutch may be provided between the carrier and the paddle shaft.

Level control device

A level sensing apparatus of the kind comprising a sensing switch actuated by a rotating paddle, with a cam drive connection between the drive motor and the sensing paddle which protects the drive motor from stalling or jamming in either normal or abnormal operation of the level sensing apparatus; the cam drive connection allows continuing unobstructed rotation of the drive motor shaft, when the sensing paddle is blocked, in the event of a failure of the sensing switch.

A Evans

Papers

Material level indicator sensor