Systems and methods for blending fluids are provided. A blended fluid may be obtained by mixing a first fluid from a first fluid source with a second fluid from a second fluid source. The blended fluid may be pumped by a pump arranged downstream of a point at which the first and second fluids are mixed, wherein no other pumps are upstream of the pump. First and second flow control valves that control the flow rate of the first and second fluids, respectively, are adjusted so as to reach a target flow rate of the blended fluid, the blended fluid having a target blend of the first fluid and the second fluid.

A sealed capsule for blending and dispensing an initially solid food product holds a blending component with embedded food product. Actuating the blending component through an electronic control system causes the food product to be blended within the capsule. One or more feedback control mechanisms are used to guarantee a desired consistency of the blended food product. Provided are structural features of the capsule, and methods of using its contents to blend and dispense soft-serve products.

According to some aspects, a mixer for detection and/or removal of material in an undesired location of an additive fabrication device is provided. For instance, in an inverse stereolithography device, liquid photopolymer may adhere and cure or partially cure to a surface of the additive fabrication device in a location that may interfere with the additive fabrication process and/or cause the additive fabrication process to be unsuccessful. The mixer may be coupled to a movable structure within the additive fabrication device so that the mixer, when coupled to the movable structure, may be moved along at least one axis within the additive fabrication device. The mixer may be configured to detect and/or remove undesired material from a surface within the additive fabrication device.

A method for operating an agitating device and a digester, wherein the digester is filled with a substrate and an agitating device is in the digester. These steps are performed: a) A target load curve is lodged in the control device; b) the control device prescribes a target rotation speed; c) the control device operates the agitating device at an actual speed corresponding to a target speed; d) the control device captures an actual agitating device torque measurement value at the actual speed of rotation; e) the control device derives from the actual measurement value an actual characteristic value of the agitating device applied torque; f) the control device compares the derived actual characteristic value against the target characteristic value of the substrate resulting from the target load curve at the prescribed target speed; and g) the control device controls the agitating device in dependence on the result of comparison.

A food processing machine includes a head extending over a bowl receiving location, the head including an output shaft driven in a planetary manner. At least a first food processing tool and a second food processing tool can be changed in and out of the machine to be driven by the output shaft. A controller and associated tool detection system is configured to identify whether the first food processing tool or the second food processing tool is mounted on the machine and to select a stored load profile that is linked to the identified food processing tool.

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for providing asymmetric oscillations to a container. The container may include a fluid, a particle, and/or a gas. A vibration driver attached to the container provides asymmetric oscillations. A controller connected to the vibration driver controls an amplitude, frequency, and shape of the asymmetric oscillations. An amplifier amplifies the asymmetric oscillations in response to the controller. A sensor disposed on the vibration driver provides feedback to the controller.

An Animal Feed Mixer (Dairy or Beef) Scale indicator system records Feed Mixer Operating Speed along with the operating temperatures and hydraulic & lube oil pressures of the mixer gearboxes and hydraulic drive system and notifies the operator and records the temperature or pressures, along with the weight, date, and time, when limits have been exceeded.

A concrete mixer system includes a control system configured to provide a first input to a drum drive system to rotate a drum of a concrete mixer at a target speed while the drum is empty and clean, acquire operating data regarding an operating characteristic of the drum drive system to determine a baseline operating characteristic of the drum drive system in response to the first input, provide a second input to the drum drive system to rotate the drum at the target speed following one or more uses of the concrete mixer and while the drum is empty, acquire the operating data to determine a current operating characteristic of the drum drive system in response to the second input, and provide a buildup notification indicating that there is a buildup of drum contents within the drum in response to a difference between the baseline operating characteristic and the current operating characteristic exceeding a threshold differential.

A feed mixer apparatus that includes a mixing chamber for receiving feed, and having a mixing element situated therein for mixing the feed, a transmission having a plurality of gears and connected with a mixing element, a drive system having a plurality of drive system components, including the transmission, a torque sensor interconnected with at least one drive system component, a control unit having a display and a plurality of user inputs, wherein the control unit is in at least indirect communication with the transmission and the torque sensor, and wherein the control unit receives a plurality of outputs from one or more of the transmission and torque sensor, and based at least in part on the plurality of outputs, provides an output command to effectuate a gear change in the transmission.

An automatic mixing machine includes a vessel, a shell, a motor, a mixing unit, a detection and feedback unit, a computing control unit and a drive unit. The shell is connected with the vessel to form a closed space. The motor is arranged in the shell. The first end of the mixing unit is connected with the motor, and the second end of the mixing unit extends into the closed space. The detection and feedback unit is electrically connected with the motor and collects at least one electric parameter of the motor. The computing control unit is electrically connected with the detection and feedback unit and generates a control signal according to the electric parameters and the mixing parameters. The drive unit is electrically connected with the computing control unit and the motor respectively, and outputs a drive signal to drive the motor according to the control signal.