Patent · US Expired

Rotation paddle bin level indicator

US4147906A · kind A · utility

14Cited by
8References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 7, 1977
Grant dateApr 3, 1979
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 7, 1997

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH02K11/28
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Apparatus for indicating the level of flowable material in a storage bin comprising a motor rotatably suspended by a spring within a protective enclosure and a drive shaft coupled by a ball-and-detent clutch to a paddle disposed within the bin to engage material therein. When the material reaches the level of the paddle, the drag on the paddle causes the motor to rotate eccentrically within the enclosure and thereby to activate switches disposed within the enclosure radially of the motor housing. A spring returns the motor to the switch-deactivated position when the material level decreases and the consequent drag is removed from the paddle.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.