General Signal Corporation

David P Ratcliffe

John C Homer, Iii

J Ronald Walsh

There is provided an system and method for calibrating weigh assemblies of bulk material feeders using test chains of known weight and pitch. In particular, the present invention is a calibration checking system for a belt-type gravimetric feeder or conveyor having a weigh span section and comprises a continuous conveyor belt, at least one pair of support rollers and at least one weigh roller. A particular weigh roller is disposed under an upper strand of the conveyor belt and equidistant from each of the support rollers so that they are in planar alignment with one another. The calibration checking assembly also comprises a test chain having a chain pitch that is integrally divisible into the pitch of the weigh span section. In addition, portions of the conveyor belt on both sides of the weigh span are inclined equally at a single particular angle relative to the weigh span section. The calibration checking system further comprises a pair of load cells coupled to the ends of the weigh roller and a processor coupled to the loads cells for determining an optimal elevation for the weigh roller. The load cells and processor detect belt tension of the conveyor belt and analyze weigh load in relation to the belt tension.

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Bristolville, OH, United States of America

David P Ratcliffe