The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 13, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 19, 1996
David Shank, Big Rapids, MI (US);
Robert E Taylor, Cadillac, MI (US);
Nartron Corporation, Reed City, MI (US);
Abstract
A method and system for controlling a solid product release mechanism to control the level of solid products in a storage bin. An acoustical wave is transmitted across either a passage of a delivery chute or a cavity of the storage bin. The strength of the transmitted acoustical wave is sensed. As the solid products fall from the release mechanism into the delivery chute or storage bin, a change in the strength of the acoustical wave signal is sensed. A control signal is generated to control the release mechanism when the change in the strength of the transmitted acoustical wave exceeds a predetermined threshold for more than a predetermined amount of time. A method and system is also provided for controlling an ice release mechanism in an automatic ice-making machine. A method and system is provided for automatically calibrating an ultrasonic ranging sensor used in determining the level of solid products in a storage bin. An apparatus is also provided for controlling a solid product release mechanism to control the level of solid products in a storage bin.