US3553471A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ambient-light-operated bin-level control system having transparent photocell housing
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-09-03
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Granted: 1971-01-05
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Expires: 1988-09-03
Abstract
Abstract A storage bin-level sensor device for sensing the level of material in the storage bin between certain upper and lower limits and for controlling flow of material into the bin for maintaining a predetermined level therein. Maintaining the level of material in the storage bin is attained by upper and lower bin level sensors of the photoelectric type, which operate in response to the presence or absence of ambient light. Each sensor comprises a transparent housing that has a recess formed therein, a photoresponsive device being mounted within the recess. Striations are formed on the surface of the recess and act as a light-diffusing means. The housing is secured to the interior wall of the bin, and electrical leads emerge from the bin for connection to exteriorly located bin level response and control apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J Maigret
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:13
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/28; G01F23/284; G01F23/292; G01F23/2921; G05; G05D; G05D9/00; G05D9/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
Ambient-light-operated bin-level sensing apparatus for use in sensing and maintaining the level of a dry bulk material in a storage bin, a transparent housing mounted on an interior wall of said bin in a preselected position and having an interior surface that is directed toward the interior wall of said bin and a generally flat exterior surface that has open communication with the interior of the bin, said housing having a recess formed therein that communicates with the interior surface thereof, a mounting member fixed to said housing and extending rearwardly thereof through an opening in the bin wall, a photoresponsive device communicating with said recess and having electrical connections joined thereto that project through said mounting member for access exteriorly of said bin, means for securing said mounting member in said transparent housing, means cooperating with said mounting member exteriorly of said bin wall for fixing said housing to the interior of said wall in substantially flush relation therewith so as to locate the exterior surface of said housing in open communication with the bin interior and in that position whereby accumulation of the dry bulk material thereon is prevented, and means responsive to the photoresponsive device in response to ambient light transmitted through the transparent housing in accordance with the level of said dry bulk material in said bin for controlling flow of said material into said bin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
Ambient-light-operated bin-level sensing apparatus for use in sensing and maintaining the level of a dry bulk material in a storage bin, a transparent housing mounted on an interior wall of said bin in a preselected position and having an interior surface that is directed toward the interior wall of said bin and a generally flat exterior surface that has open communication with the interior of the bin, said housing having a recess formed therein that communicates with the interior surface thereof, a mounting member fixed to said housing and extending rearwardly thereof through an opening in the bin wall, a photoresponsive device communicating with said recess and having electrical connections joined thereto that project through said mounting member for access exteriorly of said bin, means for securing said mounting member in said transparent housing, means cooperating with said mounting member exteriorly of said bin wall for fixing said housing to the interior of said wall in substantially flush relation therewith so as to locate the exterior surface of said housing in open communication with the bin interior and in that position whereby accumulation of the dry bulk material thereon is prevented, and means responsive to the photoresponsive device in response to ambient light transmitted through the transparent housing in accordance with the level of said dry bulk material in said bin for controlling flow of said material into said bin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A Sensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said mounting member having an interior passageway formed therein through which said electrical connections project, and a potting material embedding and securing said electrical connections in said interior passageway.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
Sensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, the axis of said mounting member being generally perpendicular to the surfaces of said housing, said fixing means engaging said mounting member exteriorly of the bin wall, thereby forcing the housing into substantially flush relation on the interior wall of said bin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
Sensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, a second photoresponsive device mounted on the interior wall of said bin in a second preselected position, one of said photoresponsive devices being operable in response to the presence of ambient light and the other photoresponsive device being operable in the absence of ambient light, wherein said one device determines when material is to be added to said bin and the other device determines when the flow of material into said bin is to be discontinued.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Sensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, a resilient gasket located between the interior surface of said housing and the interior of said bin wall.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
Sensing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said mounting member comprising a bolt protruding from the rear surface of said housing and extending through an opening in the bin wall, and a fastening element for securing said bolt together with said housing to the bin wall.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
Sensing apparatus as set forth in claim 6, said electrical connections extending through said bolt exteriorly of said bin, and potting mAterial embedded in said bolt for fixing said electrical leads therein and for preventing accumulation of moisture in and around said electrical connections and the photoresponsive device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-04 | 1974-07-06 | 1975-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-04 | 1978-07-06 | 1979-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-04 | 1982-07-06 | 1983-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |