A direct drive batch mixing system including a vessel having an interior region for receiving a batch, a direct drive electric motor attached to at least one rigid point, a multi-axis load cell located between the motor and the rigid point to provide signals representing forces and moments in multiple axes, and an impeller located within the interior region of the vessel and engaged with the motor such that the motor rotates the impeller. Forces and loads on the impeller are directly supported by the motor and measured by the multi-axis load cell. In some embodiments, a programmable controller generates control signals that control the motor's speed (RPM), torque and direction of rotation, and receives feedback signals for adjusting the motor's speed and/or torque and/or direction of rotation.

Food processing monitoring systems and method thereof are provided. A method includes obtaining first temperature data from a first temperature sensor at an inlet of a food processing machine; obtaining second temperature data from a second temperature sensor at an outlet of the food processing machine; obtaining current data from a current sensor that is configured to measure current of a motor of the food processing machine; determining presence of food product at the inlet based on a peak current, of the current data at a time the motor starts, being greater than a first current threshold; and logging a temperature of the first temperature data based on the peak current being greater than the first current threshold.

One variation of a mixing system includes: a container configured to store consumable beverages; a lid; and a mixer. The lid is configured to transiently couple to the container and includes: a housing; a mixer receptacle; a set of user controls arranged on an outer face of the lid; a set of electronics arranged within the housing and including a motor, a controller configured to actuate the motor responsive to selection of the set of user controls, and a power supply configured to supply power to the motor and the controller; and a set of supports arranged between the motor and walls of the housing and configured to absorb energy output by the motor. The mixer includes: a connector section configured to engage the mixer receptacle to couple the mixer to the motor; and a mixing section configured to mix ingredients in the container responsive to actuation of the motor.

One variation of a mixing system includes: a container configured to store consumable beverages; a lid; and a mixer. The lid is configured to transiently couple to the container and includes: a housing; a mixer receptacle; a set of user controls arranged on an outer face of the lid; a set of electronics arranged within the housing and including a motor, a controller configured to actuate the motor responsive to selection of the set of user controls, and a power supply configured to supply power to the motor and the controller; and a set of supports arranged between the motor and walls of the housing and configured to absorb energy output by the motor. The mixer includes: a connector section configured to engage the mixer receptacle to couple the mixer to the motor; and a mixing section configured to mix ingredients in the container responsive to actuation of the motor.

A method for control of a plastic filament extruder includes the steps of providing a plastic filament extruder; introducing a quantity of plastic chips to the extruder; activating a heater to heat a mold body of the extruder to a target temperature; activating an electric motor in response to the mold body reaching the target temperature, thereby causing an auger to drive plastic chips the mold body and out of an extrudate sizing die; monitoring the electric current draw of the electric motor; and upwardly adjusting the target temperature of the mold body in response to a threshold increase in the electric current draw of the electric motor. Steps may also include maintaining the mold body within a temperature range about the target temperature and of deactivating the electric motor in response to the target temperature exceeding a threshold deviation above the temperature of the mold body.

Embodiments of the method disclosed regard use of a torque sensor (e.g., transducer) and using the measured torque to detect the different fluid and mixing properties, conditions, and abnormalities in a mixing process. The torque produced in the mixing process relates to different fluid properties such as viscosity and density. It also relates to different mixing conditions such as presence of obstacles and changes or issues with gas sparging. Moreover, torque measurements enable determination of power transmitted to fluid by actual measurement, in contrast to using solely empirical impeller power number and speed, and allowing for actual mass transfer determination (i.e., gas transfer calculations).

A modular appliance apparatus is disclosed for use in the preparation of food products. The modular appliance apparatus may have a housing to contain internal components. The housing may contain a motor, a controller, and electronic circuitry. On a bottom portion of the housing, at least one base contact may be present. An attachment may secure to the bottom portion of the housing and contain at least one attachment contact. An electronic connection between the at least one base contact and at least one attachment contact may be interpreted by the controller to determine a speed of operation by the motor. Depending on the type of attachment secured to the housing, various different combinations of electronic connections may be made to operate the motor at different speeds to meet the requirements for food preparation by the specific attachment.

A modular appliance apparatus is disclosed for use in the preparation of food products. The modular appliance apparatus may have a housing to contain internal components. The housing may contain a motor, a controller, and electronic circuitry. On a bottom portion of the housing, at least one base contact may be present. An attachment may secure to the bottom portion of the housing and contain at least one attachment contact. An electronic connection between the at least one base contact and at least one attachment contact may be interpreted by the controller to determine a speed of operation by the motor. Depending on the type of attachment secured to the housing, various different combinations of electronic connections may be made to operate the motor at different speeds to meet the requirements for food preparation by the specific attachment.

A control system for mixing materials for livestock feed including a container that receives the materials, agitators that mix the materials in the container, a driveline that drives the agitators at an output speed with an output torque, a power source that provides an input speed at an input torque, a continuously variable transmission that connects the driveline and the power source and having a hydrostatic loop to provide a speed ratio between the input speed and the output speed, a plurality of sensors positioned between the power source and the agitators that provides mixing signals commensurate to mixing parameters, and an electronic control unit configured to receive the mixing signals, extract mixing parameter values from the mixing signals, and actuate the continuously variable transmission and adjust the speed ratio based on the mixing parameter values to enhance efficiency of the mixing of the materials.

A blender system includes a blender base that is selectively and operably engaged with a container. The blender base may include a housing that houses a motor operatively driving a mixing blade, and a fan. The fan may operate independent of the motor. The fan may force air through the blender base to cool the motor and other operative components of the blender base.