Cotton flow control

Abstract

The flow of cotton toward gin stands in a cotton gin is done by providing at least three level sensors in an overflow bin downstream of the gin stands. Cotton overflowing the gin stands accumulates in the overflow bin. When cotton is detected by the lower and at least one intermediate sensor, a signal is generated to slow down the disintegration of a cotton module in a module feeder. When cotton is detected only by the lower sensor, a signal is generated to speed up the disintegration of the module in the module feeder. Sensors in the gin stands are used in cooperation with the level sensors to control operation of the module feeder.

1 . A cotton flow control system for a cotton gin having a module feeder for disintegrating a cotton module, at least one cleaner receiving cotton from the module feeder and producing cotton and debris, at least one gin stand for converting cotton into cotton fiber and cotton seed, a conduit delivering cotton from the module feeder to the gin stand and an overflow bin receiving excess cotton from the gin stand, the cotton flow control system comprising an upper cotton level sensor on the overflow bin, a lower cotton level sensor on the overflow bin and at least one intermediate cotton level sensor on the overflow bin between the upper and lower level sensors and a flow modification system for reducing cotton flow toward the gin stand when at least one of the intermediate level sensors indicates the presence of cotton.  
   
   
       2 . The cotton flow controller of  claim 1  wherein the flow modification system increases cotton flow toward the gin stand when only the sensor below the intermediate sensor indicates the presence of cotton.  
   
   
       3 . The cotton flow controller of  claim 2  wherein there is only one intermediate sensor and the flow modification system increases cotton flow toward the gin stand when only the lower sensor indicates the presence of cotton.  
   
   
       4 . The cotton flow controller of  claim 1  wherein the module feeder comprises a motor for regulating the amount of cotton removed from the cotton module and the flow modification system slows down the module feeder when at least one of the intermediate level sensors indicates the presence of cotton.  
   
   
       5 . The cotton flow controller of  claim 4  wherein there is only one intermediate sensor and the flow modification system speeds up the module feeder when only the lower level sensor indicates the presence of cotton.  
   
   
       6 . The cotton flow controller of  claim 5  wherein the module feeder comprises a bed for receiving the cotton module and an endless member driven to advance the cotton module to a disintegrating position, the motor driving the endless member and the control system slows down the endless member motor when at least one of the intermediate level sensors indicates the presence of cotton.  
   
   
       7 . The cotton flow controller of  claim 1  further comprising a flow control container downstream of the module feeder and upstream of the gin stand, the flow control container having a feed mechanism to discharge cotton accumulating in the container and a motor driving the feed mechanism, the flow modification system slows down the feed mechanism motor when at least one of the intermediate level sensors indicates the presence of cotton.  
   
   
       8 . The cotton flow controller of  claim 7  wherein there is only one intermediate cotton level sensor and the flow modification system speeds up the feed mechanism motor when only the lower level sensor indicates the presence of cotton.  
   
   
       9 . The cotton flow controller of  claim 1  wherein the flow modification system decreases cotton flow toward the gin stand when the upper cotton level sensor indicates the presence of cotton.  
   
   
       10 . The cotton flow controller of  claim 9  wherein the flow modification system increases cotton flow toward the gin stand when the lower sensor indicates the presence of cotton and at least one of the intermediate cotton level sensors indicates an absence of cotton.  
   
   
       11 . A cotton flow control system for a cotton gin having a module feeder for disintegrating a cotton module, at least one cleaner receiving cotton from the module feeder and producing cotton and debris, at least one gin stand for converting cotton into cotton fiber and cotton seed, a conduit delivering cotton from the module feeder to the gin stand and an overflow bin receiving excess cotton from the gin stand, the cotton flow control system comprising an upper cotton level sensor on the overflow bin, a lower cotton level sensor on the overflow bin and at least one intermediate cotton level sensor on the overflow bin between the upper and lower level sensors and a flow modification system for modifying cotton flow toward the gin stand in response to inputs from the upper sensor, the lower sensor and the intermediate sensor.  
   
   
       12 . In a cotton gin comprising a module feeder for disintegrating a cotton module, at least one gin stand for converting cotton into cotton fiber and cotton seed, a conduit delivering cotton from the module feeder to the gin stand and an overflow bin receiving excess cotton from the gin stand, a cotton flow controller including an upper cotton level sensor on the overflow bin, a lower cotton level sensor on the overflow bin and at least one intermediate level sensor on the overflow bin between the upper and lower level sensors and a flow modification system for reducing cotton flow toward the gin stand when at least one of the intermediate level sensors indicates the presence of cotton.  
   
   
       13 . The cotton flow controller of  claim 12  wherein the flow modification system increases cotton flow toward the gin stand when only the sensor below the intermediate sensor indicates the presence of cotton.  
   
   
       14 . The cotton flow controller of  claim 13  wherein there is only one intermediate sensor and the flow modification system increases cotton flow toward the gin stand when only the lower sensor indicates the presence of cotton.  
   
   
       15 . The cotton gin of  claim 12  wherein the module feeder comprises a motor for regulating the amount of cotton removed from the cotton module and the flow modification system slows down the module feeder when at least one of the intermediate level sensors indicates the presence of cotton.  
   
   
       16 . The cotton gin of  claim 15  wherein the module feeder comprises a bed for receiving the cotton module and an endless member driven to advance the cotton module to a disintegrating position, the motor driving the endless member and the control system slows down the endless member motor when at least one of the intermediate level sensors indicate the presence of cotton.  
   
   
       17 . The cotton flow controller of  claim 12  further comprising a flow control container downstream of the module feeder and upstream of the gin stands, the flow control container having a feed mechanism to discharge cotton accumulating in the container and a motor driving the feed mechanism, the flow modification system slows down the feed mechanism motor when at least one of the intermediate level sensors indicates the presence of cotton.  
   
   
       18 . A cotton gin comprising a module feeder, at least one machine for removing debris from cotton exiting the module feeder, at least one gin stand for separating cotton fiber from cotton seed from cotton exiting the machine, an overflow bin for receiving cotton overflowing the gin stand and a controller on the overflow bin for regulating the amount of cotton passing toward the gin stand, the cotton gin being free of a flow controller between the module feeder and the gin stand.