Systems and methods for measuring a particulate material

摘要

A system for measuring a particulate material according to one example embodiment includes a container having a reservoir for storing the particulate material. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir. A paddle is mounted on the shaft and rotatable independent of the shaft. A driving member is rotatable with the shaft and positioned to push the paddle when the shaft rotates. The paddle is free to fall ahead of the driving member. At least one sensor is positioned to sense a rotational motion of the paddle as the shaft rotates. A processor in electronic communication with the at least one sensor is configured to determine an amount of the particulate material remaining in the reservoir based on the sensed rotational motion of the paddle.

主权项

1. A method for measuring a particulate material in a reservoir holding the particulate material, the method comprising:
rotating a shaft positioned in the reservoir holding the particulate material; pushing by the rotation of the shaft a paddle mounted on the shaft and rotatable independent of the shaft; sensing a rotational motion of the paddle as the shaft rotates; and determining by a processor an amount of the particulate material remaining in the reservoir based on the sensed rotational motion of the paddle, wherein sensing the rotational motion of the paddle includes determining a number of times the paddle passes a point substantially at a lowest center of gravity of the paddle per revolution of the shaft.