Other

Angstrom, Inc

The R/m Trust Company

Robert F Rasmussen

Colin K Campbell

Lawrence D Pillar

Dennis C Pomerleau

Steven G Belovich

Steven F Rasmussen

An apparatus (20) for press operation data acquisition comprises a tie rod (45a) for bearing a load during a press cycle. The rod (45a) has a load bearing portion (76) and a non-load bearing portion (78). An elongated, axially extending bore (75) is formed in one end (62) of the rod (45a) such that the bore (75) extends from the non-load bearing portion (78) into the load bearing portion (76). A linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) (24), includes a core portion (114) movably disposed relative to a coil portion (118), such that magnetic flux generated by current impression on the coil portion (118) is influenced by a position of the core portion (114) relative thereto. The core portion (114) is secured to a shaft (80). The shaft (80) is adapted for axial movement within the bore (75) in response to deformation of the rod (45a) during press operation. The coil portion (118) is adapted to receive an electric signal current from an associated electric source. The magnetic flux induced by operation of the associated press is regularly sensed by monitoring of the electric signal in a sensing coil portion (120). A position signal is periodically generated (126) that is representative of a relative position of the core portion (114) to the coil portion (118) in accordance with sensed magnetic flux. The apparatus is adapted for automatically calibrating the position signal (304, 306) to a base level prior to initiating a press cycle of the associated press. A press deflection signal is generated (320, 322) in accordance with the position signal.

Continuous duty tie rod press strain monitor

A continuous duty press monitoring system includes a linear variable displacement transducer mounted to a press frame as to acquire data related to stresses and strains in the press housing due to completion of a press operation. First and second opposed, spaced apart ends of a rod member are secured to the press housing or frame. The first send is secured to so as to cause axial movement of the rod in accordance with the frame movement at that point. The second portion is secured to the housing so as to allow the second end to be slidable in relation thereto. A linear variable displacement transducer is secured at the slidably affixed end of the rod. A magnetic flux generated by application of current to a coil of the transducer is affected by relative positioning of the rod thereto. Press operation thereby provides an indication, due to stresses or strains resultant on the press housing, as to the characteristics of a particular press operation. Flux variations provide an analog signal representative of these press characteristics. This analog signal is communicated to a continuous plotter, a digitized version of which is further communicated to a microprocessor controller. An alarm is advantageously generated when preselected characteristics have been exceeded by press operation.

Continuous duty press monitoring system

A vending machine for providing french fried potatoes from dehydrated powder. Powder is metered into a cylinder of a rotatable, multi-cylinder cylinder block. Water is added when the block is rotated to the next stop. After mixing and two ready stations, the dough is extruded into hot oil in a cooking chamber. The oil is filtered and is then replenished from a reservoir. The dry powder and rehydrating stations are refrigerated. The vending machine includes absorption and adsorption filters to scrub the air while cooking to decrease oil odors.

Apparatus for providing french fried potatoes

Growing community of inventors

Buffalo, MN, United States of America

Robert F Rasmussen