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:
Nov. 06, 2001
Filed:
Feb. 04, 2000
James A. Gusack, Williamsburg, VA (US);
Mark D. Lowell, Gloucester, VA (US);
Philip Kneisl, Pearland, TX (US);
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, DC (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for providing zero-defect pressed articles with minimal, remote operator intervention. The apparatus includes a programmable logic controller, controlling a powder feeder portion having a dump bucket which is weighed by an electronic scale. Desired weights of powder in the dump bucket are dumped to a first location and conveyed to the press. Non-desired weights of powder in the dump bucket are dumped to a second location and may be recycled. The invention provides for precise weighing of powder and avoids waste of powder in the event of improper powder dispensing and provides for complete automatic logging of production and testing data, and rejection of defective articles, avoiding the need to manually test each produced article. This method and apparatus are particularly useful in the pressing of energetic materials into pellets or casings, where manual operations are restricted for safety reasons.