GATE WITH VARIABLE GATE CONTROL FOR HANDLING AGRICULTURAL GRANULAR MATERIALS

摘要

A variable gate with control for grain elevator applications utilizes asliding door in a doorframe connected to a motor, a transmission, and a drive coupling. An inverterdrive, operatorinterface, control circuitry, and proximity sensors are arranged to providesensing and controlfunctions of the gate remotely located. A first proximity sensor confirms gateis shut, and asecond proximity sensor provides signals associated with incremental positionsof the gate.The second proximity sensor can be operatively coupled with a sprocket on themotor to sensethe passage of each tooth of the sprocket, or may be placed at a linearportion that moves withthe gate that has sequential indicating positions, such as metal or no metalpositions (e.g., arack or a pinion on a rack and pinion drive). The control circuitry connectsand/or controlsinterface, the sensors, and the motor inverter drive. The circuitry includes aCPU that maylearn the positions of the gate associated with signaling provided by theproximity sensorsthereby allowing the subsequent setting of a desired position at the operatorinterface andautomatic operation of the gate to said position.