Method and apparatus for detecting and removing foreign material from a stream of particulate matter

Patent · Tue Apr 14 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6442798

Martin, P; Wyatt, A N; Alonso, H; Rowe, N R; Southard, R S; Zimmerman, S G

This patent describes an apparatus for detecting foreign material in a stream of particulate matter, the apparatus comprising: first conveying means for delivering a stream of particulate matter containing foreign material to the apparatus; second conveying means located below and spaced vertically from the first conveying means for conveying the stream of particulate matter away from the apparatus. The stream of particulate matter is transferred from the first conveying means to the second conveying means by falling therebetween under the influence of gravity in a turbulent cascade; illuminating means for illuminating the turbulent cascade of particulate matter while it is falling between the first and second conveying means; and detecting means for detecting light reflected from the illuminated turbulent cascade of particulate matter.

• Assignee: Philip Morris Inc., New York, NY
• Patent Number(s): US 4657144
• OSTI ID: 6442798
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
AIR POLLUTION MONITORS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
CONVEYORS
DESIGN
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
FLUID FLOW
GRAVITATION
HAULAGE EQUIPMENT
LIGHTING SYSTEMS
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MONITORS
OPERATION
PARTICLES
PARTICULATES
SIGNALS
SPACE DEPENDENCE
TURBULENT FLOW