Automated vacuum actuated control

Abstract

A hopper loader having a hopper connected to a vacuum source for applying a vacuum to the hopper to convey material into the hopper through a material inlet. A material separator is disposed between the material inlet and the vacuum source for filtering the material. A material discharge assembly is connected to the hopper and disposed for controlling downwardly gravity flow of the material from the hopper, the material discharge assembly having a material outlet configured to be opened and closed to control the discharge of material from the hopper. A vacuum detector is disposed between the material separator and the vacuum source. A vacuum activated control operatively connected to the vacuum detector and configured to turn off the vacuum source in response to a signal from the vacuum detector.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of transporting material, the method comprising:
 detecting whether a material discharge assembly of a hopper of a hopper loader is closed using a demand sensor, wherein the hopper loader includes a material separator;   sending a signal from the demand sensor to a vacuum activated control that the material discharge assembly is closed;   applying a vacuum from a vacuum source to the hopper in response to the signal from the demand sensor;   detecting the vacuum using a vacuum detector disposed between the material separator and the vacuum source;   sending a signal from the vacuum detector to the vacuum activated control to indicate the hopper is full; and   turning off the vacuum source in response to the signal from the vacuum detector; and   discharging material from the material discharge assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the material is discharged from the material discharge assembly after a time delay. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum activated control is configured to turn off the vacuum source in response to a signal from the vacuum detector that the vacuum has increased. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said vacuum detector is a vacuum sensor having an analog output indicating the vacuum level in said hopper. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said vacuum detector is a vacuum actuated switch that has an output that indicates that the vacuum level in said hopper is either above or below a predetermined level. 
     
     
         6 . A method of transporting material comprising:
 connecting a source of material to an inlet in communication with a hopper of a hopper loader;   applying a vacuum to said hopper of said hopper loader with a vacuum source and thereby drawing material from said source of material through said inlet into the hopper of the hopper loader;   detecting with a vacuum detector in communication with said hopper a vacuum level in said hopper;   discontinuing the applied vacuum and thereby permitting the material in the hopper to be gravitationally discharged through a material outlet of the hopper loader in communication with the hopper after detection of a change in vacuum level.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said vacuum detector is a vacuum sensor having an output indicating the vacuum level in said hopper. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said vacuum detector is a vacuum actuated switch that has an output that indicates that the vacuum level in said hopper is either above or below a predetermined level. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said change in vacuum level is a step change. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein a vacuum control is operably connected to said vacuum detector and said vacuum source. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said change in vacuum level detected by said vacuum detector is communicated to said vacuum control and;
 said vacuum control signals said vacuum source to cease application of said vacuum to said hopper when said detected change in vacuum level is either above or below a predetermined change in vacuum level.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said predetermined change in vacuum level is a step change in vacuum level. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said vacuum control is operably connected to said material outlet of the hopper loader and signals said material outlet to allow discharge of said material from said hopper of said hopper loader after a delay in time after said detected change in vacuum level is either above or below a predetermined change in vacuum level is communicated to said vacuum control. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein a material separator is disposed between said hopper and said vacuum source, and said vacuum detector is disposed between said material separator and said vacuum source. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the material is discharged from the material discharge assembly after a time delay. 
     
     
         16 . A method of transporting material comprising:
 applying a vacuum from a vacuum source operably connected to a material container configured to receive material from a material source operably connected to said material container upon application of said vacuum to said material container;   detecting the vacuum level in said material container using a vacuum detector disposed between said material container and said vacuum source;   ceasing application of said vacuum from said vacuum source to said material container when said vacuum detector detects a predetermined vacuum level in said material container; and   discharging the material from said material container after application of said vacuum from said vacuum source to the material container has ceased.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said vacuum detector is a vacuum sensor that has an output indicating the vacuum level in said material container. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said vacuum detector is a vacuum actuated switch that has an output that indicates that the vacuum level in said material container is either above or below a predetermined level. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said vacuum level detected by said vacuum detector is communicated to a vacuum control wherein said vacuum control is operably connected to said vacuum source and;
 said vacuum control compares said detected vacuum level to said predetermined vacuum level and signals said vacuum source to cease application of said vacuum to said material container when said detected vacuum level is either above or below said predetermined vacuum level.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said vacuum control is operably connected to said material container and signals the material container to discharge said material from said material container after a time delay after said vacuum control signals said vacuum source to cease application of said vacuum to said material container.