Batch control system and process for insulating a metallic rod
First Claim
1. A method for producing metallic rod insulation containing a plurality of ingredients which comprises:
- storing said ingredients in containers;
transmitting said ingredients to scales;
establishing and storing in a digital controlling means a predetermined weight setpoint for each of said ingredients;
weighing each of said ingredients in a scale and transmitting current weight data to said controlling means;
obtaining a predetermined weight for each ingredient by subtracting said weight data for each ingredient from said predetermined weight setpoint until the difference is zero;
verifying through a computing means that said predetermined weight has been obtained, and if not obtained contacting an operator to correct said current weight data to equal said predetermined weight;
rejecting said ingredients if said current weight data is incorrectible;
conveying said appropriately weighed ingredients to a blender as a result of commands from said controlling means;
providing digital instructions to said blender from said controller means;
blending said ingredients in said blender until they are mixed;
milling the blended ingredients into strips; and
extruding said strips onto the metallic rod to form an insulation around said metallic rod.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and process for manufacturing insulation for metallic rod which includes a mechanism for housing a plurality of ingredients, scales for weighing a predetermined quantity of each ingredient, a blender for blending predetermined amounts of each ingredient into one material, a mixer to mix the dry blend of ingredients, a mill to form the blended material into strips, a dicer to transform the strips into pellets of insulation, an extruder for placing insulation around the metallic rod, a conveyor to transport the ingredients and/or material between each of the above steps, a controller for outputting commands to the blender and receiving inputs from the scales to obtain the predetermined amount of each ingredient, and a computer for verifying that the correct amount of each ingredient has been obtained. The ingredients used in the manufacture of this insulation material include plasticizers, fillers, a resin, and modifiers. In the step of obtaining the correct weight of each ingredient, the controller employs multiple setpoints to gradually obtain the required ingredient weight through what is known as a dribble feed function.
25 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for producing metallic rod insulation containing a plurality of ingredients which comprises:
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storing said ingredients in containers; transmitting said ingredients to scales; establishing and storing in a digital controlling means a predetermined weight setpoint for each of said ingredients; weighing each of said ingredients in a scale and transmitting current weight data to said controlling means; obtaining a predetermined weight for each ingredient by subtracting said weight data for each ingredient from said predetermined weight setpoint until the difference is zero; verifying through a computing means that said predetermined weight has been obtained, and if not obtained contacting an operator to correct said current weight data to equal said predetermined weight;
rejecting said ingredients if said current weight data is incorrectible;conveying said appropriately weighed ingredients to a blender as a result of commands from said controlling means; providing digital instructions to said blender from said controller means; blending said ingredients in said blender until they are mixed; milling the blended ingredients into strips; and extruding said strips onto the metallic rod to form an insulation around said metallic rod. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for manufacturing insulation for a metallic rod comprising,
(a) means for storing a plurality of ingredients which will be used in the manufacture of said insulation; -
(b) means in direct communication with said storing means for weighing each of said ingredients until a predetermined weight setpoint for each ingredient is obtained; (c) means in direct communication with said weighing means for blending said ingredients together; (d) means in series with said blending means for processing said ingredients into insulation around said metallic rod; (e) digital means for receiving inputs from said weighing means and for issuing commands to a conveying means to supply a correct weight of each ingredient to said blending means; and (f) computing means interfacing with and issuing commands to said digital means for verifying that a correct amount of material has been sent to the blender means, for directing an operator to correct said amount of material if an incorrect amount was placed into the blender means, and for rejecting said amount of material if correction is unobtainable. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification