Abstract

A moisture sensing system is configured to determine the moisture level in granulate materials, such as, but not limited to, plastic resin pellets and agricultural grains. The system is configured to measure various parameters relating to the environment around the granulate material, and to determine additional characteristics of the granulate material based on these parameters. In some embodiments, the system is configured as a multi-sensor array with the computational and communicative capabilities to process the acquired measurements and provide outputs to a process device, such as a dryer, to help optimize the drying or other processes performed on the granulate material after the moisture measurements and other data are acquired.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 27/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating capacitance

Abstract

A moisture sensing system is configured to determine the moisture level in granulate materials, such as, but not limited to, plastic resin pellets and agricultural grains. The system is configured to measure various parameters relating to the environment around the granulate material, and to determine additional characteristics of the granulate material based on these parameters. In some embodiments, the system is configured as a multi-sensor array with the computational and communicative capabilities to process the acquired measurements and provide outputs to a process device, such as a dryer, to help optimize the drying or other processes performed on the granulate material after the moisture measurements and other data are acquired.

IPC Classes  ?

• B29B 13/06 - Conditioning or physical treatment of the material to be shaped by drying
• B29B 9/16 - Auxiliary treatment of granules
• B29B 13/02 - Conditioning or physical treatment of the material to be shaped by heating
• F26B 5/04 - Drying solid materials or objects by processes not involving the application of heat by evaporation or sublimation of moisture under reduced pressure, e.g. in a vacuum
• F26B 3/06 - Drying solid materials or objects by processes involving the application of heat by convection, i.e. heat being conveyed from a heat source to the materials or objects to be dried by a gas or vapour, e.g. air the gas or vapour flowing through the materials or objects to be dried
• F26B 21/10 - TemperaturePressure

Abstract

Systems for drying granular materials, such as resin granulates, powdered materials, and agricultural grains, can include a storage vessel for holding the granular material; a drying hopper having a body defining an interior volume configured to receive the granular material; a diffuser configured to direct process air into the interior volume; a vacuum source for transferring the granular material from the storage vessel and to the drying hopper; and a moisture sensor for determining a moisture content of the granular material at a location upstream of the drying hopper. At least one of the residence time of the granular material within the drying hopper, and the temperature, humidity, and flow rate of the process air are regulated based on the moisture content of the granular material measured upstream of the drying hopper at, for example, the storage vessel.

IPC Classes  ?

• F26B 3/16 - Drying solid materials or objects by processes involving the application of heat by convection, i.e. heat being conveyed from a heat source to the materials or objects to be dried by a gas or vapour, e.g. air the materials or objects to be dried being moved by gravity in a counter-flow of the gas or vapour
• B29B 13/06 - Conditioning or physical treatment of the material to be shaped by drying
• F26B 25/22 - Controlling the drying process in dependence on liquid content of solid materials or objects

Abstract

Systems for drying granular materials, such as resin granulates, powdered materials, and agricultural grains, can include a storage vessel for holding the granular material; a drying hopper having a body defining an interior volume configured to receive the granular material; a diffuser configured to direct process air into the interior volume; a vacuum source for transferring the granular material from the storage vessel and to the drying hopper; and a moisture sensor for determining a moisture content of the granular material at a location upstream of the drying hopper. At least one of the residence time of the granular material within the drying hopper, and the temperature, humidity, and flow rate of the process air are regulated based on the moisture content of the granular material measured upstream of the drying hopper at, for example, the storage vessel.

IPC Classes  ?

• B29B 9/16 - Auxiliary treatment of granules
• F26B 9/06 - Machines or apparatus for drying solid materials or objects at rest or with only local agitationDomestic airing cupboards in stationary drums or chambers
• F26B 21/02 - Circulating air or gases in closed cycles, e.g. wholly within the drying enclosure

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a carbogenic nanoparticle polymer inks including a conducting polymer, such as those made of CQD-PPy and/or R-GO-PPy, methods of making the inks, and moisture and VOC sensors made therefrom.

IPC Classes  ?

• C09D 11/52 - Electrically conductive inks
• C09D 11/037 - Printing inks characterised by features other than the chemical nature of the binder characterised by the pigment
• C09D 11/033 - Printing inks characterised by features other than the chemical nature of the binder characterised by the solvent
• C09D 11/108 - Hydrocarbon resins
• H05K 1/09 - Use of materials for the metallic pattern
• H01B 1/24 - Conductive material dispersed in non-conductive organic material the conductive material comprising carbon-silicon compounds, carbon, or silicon
• B05D 1/00 - Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials
• B05D 3/06 - Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be appliedAfter-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials by exposure to radiation
• B05D 7/00 - Processes, other than flocking, specially adapted for applying liquids or other fluent materials to particular surfaces or for applying particular liquids or other fluent materials
• G01N 27/12 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance of a solid body in dependence upon absorption of a fluidInvestigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance of a solid body in dependence upon reaction with a fluid
• G01N 33/00 - Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a carbogenic nanoparticle polymer inks including a conducting polymer, such as those made of CQD-PPy and/or R-GO-PPy, methods of making the inks, and moisture and VOC sensors made therefrom.

IPC Classes  ?

• C09D 11/02 - Printing inks
• C09D 11/037 - Printing inks characterised by features other than the chemical nature of the binder characterised by the pigment
• C09D 11/52 - Electrically conductive inks
• C08K 3/04 - Carbon

Abstract

A controlled, variable speed vacuum pump with a flow limiter connected to the suction head of the vacuum pump conveys granular plastic resin material from a supply to receivers retaining and dispensing resin when needed by a process machine.

IPC Classes  ?

• B65G 53/66 - Use of indicator or control devices, e.g. for controlling gas pressure, for controlling proportions of material and gas, for indicating or preventing jamming of material
• B65G 53/26 - Gas suction systems operating with fluidisation of the materials
• B29C 48/92 - Measuring, controlling or regulating
• B29C 48/285 - Feeding the extrusion material to the extruder
• B29C 48/14 - Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired formApparatus therefor characterised by the particular extruding conditions, e.g. in a modified atmosphere or by using vibration
• B29K 105/00 - Condition, form or state of moulded material

Abstract

An apparatus for drying granular resin material in a hopper including a first sub-system, including a membrane and a heater receiving drying gas from the membrane to be heated, the first sub-system supplying dried heated gas to a first portion of the hopper; and a second sub-system, including a mixing device and a heater for receiving drying gas from the mixing device to be heated, the mixing device inducing withdrawal of gas from the hopper and mixing the withdrawn gas with gas supplied from the first subsystem, the mixed gases being heated and supplied to a second portion of the hopper, the improvement comprising a gas separation membrane for separating inert gases from air supplied to the apparatus and providing the separated inert gas in the first subsystem; a heater for heating air supplied to the apparatus; and a thermostat for controlling the heater and thereby maintaining the supplied air at a selected temperature.

IPC Classes  ?

• F26B 3/00 - Drying solid materials or objects by processes involving the application of heat
• B29B 9/16 - Auxiliary treatment of granules
• B29B 13/06 - Conditioning or physical treatment of the material to be shaped by drying
• F26B 25/00 - Details of general application not covered by group or
• F26B 3/08 - Drying solid materials or objects by processes involving the application of heat by convection, i.e. heat being conveyed from a heat source to the materials or objects to be dried by a gas or vapour, e.g. air the gas or vapour flowing through the materials or objects to be dried so as to loosen them, e.g. to form a fluidised bed

Abstract

Method and apparatus for pneumatically conveying granular resin material and controlling such conveyance includes a sensor associated with granular plastic resin material receiver with the sensing vacuum level thereat and a microprocessor adjusting vacuum pump speed based on vacuum level sensed at the receiver.

IPC Classes  ?

• B65G 53/66 - Use of indicator or control devices, e.g. for controlling gas pressure, for controlling proportions of material and gas, for indicating or preventing jamming of material
• B29C 48/285 - Feeding the extrusion material to the extruder
• B29K 105/00 - Condition, form or state of moulded material

Abstract

Method and apparatus for drying granular resin material by heating compressed air to a temperature prescribed for gas separation membrane operation, presenting the heated compressed air to a membrane separating out oxygen-size and smaller molecules to provide a stream of gas molecules of at least nitrogen-size at a pressure substantially that of the compressed air, heating the stream of gas molecules of at least nitrogen-size to a temperature at which dew point of the stream is no higher than −40 degrees F., and introducing the heated stream of gas molecules into a chamber for upward flow to atmosphere through granular resin material in the chamber.

IPC Classes  ?

• F26B 3/00 - Drying solid materials or objects by processes involving the application of heat
• B29B 13/06 - Conditioning or physical treatment of the material to be shaped by drying
• F26B 3/06 - Drying solid materials or objects by processes involving the application of heat by convection, i.e. heat being conveyed from a heat source to the materials or objects to be dried by a gas or vapour, e.g. air the gas or vapour flowing through the materials or objects to be dried
• F26B 17/14 - Machines or apparatus for drying materials in loose, plastic, or fluidised form, e.g. granules, staple fibres, with progressive movement with movement performed solely by gravity the materials moving through a counter-current of gas
• F26B 21/14 - Arrangements for supplying or controlling air or gases for drying solid materials or objects using gases or vapours other than air or steam

Abstract

A vacuum pump with a first flow regulator connected to the suction head of the vacuum pump for conveying granular resin material from a supply to receivers retaining and dispensing the resin when needed by a process machine and a second flow regulator controlling and limiting to a maximum value vacuum flow through a conduit carrying auxiliary additives to the receivers.

IPC Classes  ?

• B65G 53/66 - Use of indicator or control devices, e.g. for controlling gas pressure, for controlling proportions of material and gas, for indicating or preventing jamming of material
• B29C 48/285 - Feeding the extrusion material to the extruder
• B29K 105/00 - Condition, form or state of moulded material

Abstract

Method for pneumatically conveying granular resin material and controlling such conveyance includes a sensor associated with granular plastic resin material receiver with the sensing vacuum level thereat and a microprocessor adjusting vacuum pump speed based on vacuum level sensed at the receiver.

IPC Classes  ?

• B65G 53/66 - Use of indicator or control devices, e.g. for controlling gas pressure, for controlling proportions of material and gas, for indicating or preventing jamming of material
• B29C 48/285 - Feeding the extrusion material to the extruder
• B29K 105/00 - Condition, form or state of moulded material

Abstract

Method and apparatus for pneumatically conveying granular resin material and controlling such conveyance includes a sensor associated with granular plastic resin material receiver with the sensing vacuum level thereat and a microprocessor adjusting vacuum pump speed based on vacuum level sensed at the receiver.

IPC Classes  ?

• B65G 53/66 - Use of indicator or control devices, e.g. for controlling gas pressure, for controlling proportions of material and gas, for indicating or preventing jamming of material
• B29C 48/285 - Feeding the extrusion material to the extruder
• B29K 105/00 - Condition, form or state of moulded material

Abstract

Apparatus for delivering controlled amounts of granular resin into a conveying conduit includes a hopper for storing the resin, an air cylinder, a double-ended piston within the air cylinder, passive and active piston rods extending from opposite sides of the piston out of the ends of the cylinder, and a slide gate connected to the active piston rod, with the slide gate being positioned between a discharge opening of the hopper and an opening in the conveying conduit.

IPC Classes  ?

• B65D 90/58 - Gates or closures having closure members sliding in the plane of the opening
• G01F 11/24 - Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers moved during operation of the valve type, i.e. the separating being effected by fluid-tight or powder-tight movements wherein the measuring chamber rotates or oscillates for fluent solid material
• G01F 11/40 - Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with stationary measuring chambers having constant volume during measurement with supply or discharge valves of the rectilinearly-moved slide type for fluent or solid material
• B65G 53/04 - Conveying materials in bulk pneumatically through pipes or tubesAir slides
• B65D 90/66 - Operating devices therefor

Goods & Services

Control systems for granular resin material dryers, namely, remote controls for operation of granular resin material dryers; sensors for detecting moisture level in granular resin material

Goods & Services

Granular resin material dryers, namely, industrial dryers for dehumidifying granular resin material