The invention relates to a method for monitoring and controlling the operation of a liquid flow generator (1) configured for operation in a tank (18) housing in a liquid comprising solid matter. The flow generator (1) comprises a propeller (3) and a main body (7) having a drive unit (4), wherein a control unit (4) is operatively connected to the flow generator (1) in order to monitor and control the operation of the flow generator (1), the method comprises the steps of: a) driving the propeller (3) in a normal direction of rotation, wherein the liquid flow is directed from an upstream side of the propeller (3) towards a downstream side of the propeller (3), wherein the main body (7) is located at the upstream side of the propeller (3), b) performing a cleaning sequence in response to a main body cleaning signal, wherein the cleaning sequence comprises the steps of: i) stopping the propeller (3) from rotating in the normal direction of rotation, ii) driving the propeller (3) in a reverse direction of rotation, wherein the liquid flow is directed from the downstream side of the propeller (3) towards the upstream side of the propeller (3) and along the main body (7) in order to remove any solid matter accumulated on the main body (7), and iii) stopping the propeller (3) from rotating in the reverse direction of rotation, c) resume driving of the propeller (3) in the normal direction of rotation.

The present disclosure is directed to an agitating system having a sub-hopper configured to receive particulate material, an agitator disposed within the sub-hopper and configured to promote movement of the particulate material through the sub-hopper, and a deflector configured to block a portion of the particulate material from exerting a force onto the agitator as the particulate material flows through the sub-hopper. The deflector is positioned such that the agitator extends beyond a first distal edge and a second distal edge of the deflector along a lateral axis.

A detachable rib for use in a mixing bowl that provides an obstacle for ingredients being driven around the inside of a mixing bowl. The rib comprises a blade configured to extend in an axial direction along an inner surface of the mixing bowl; and an attachment formation for engaging with a corresponding formation of the mixing bowl, the engagement securing the rib against circumferential movement in at least one rotational direction; such that in use the blade interrupts a path of food being driven around the mixing bowl.

A mixing system includes a housing having a motor mount rotatably coupled thereto, the motor mount having a passage extending therethrough. A drive shaft is removably positioned within the passage of the motor mount. A cap includes a main body removably coupled to the motor mount and an actuator coupled to the main body so as to be pivotable between a first position and a second position with respect to the main body. The actuator producing a camming action when the actuator is pivoted such that when the actuator is in the first position, the actuator pushes the drive shaft against the motor mount so that the main body is locked to the motor mount and so that rotation of the motor mount causes rotation of the drive shaft and when the actuator is in the second position, the actuator is disengaged from the drive shaft and the cap is removable from the motor mount.

A particulate material sensing and agitation control system of an agricultural system having a drive system configured to operate an agitating system, and a controller having a memory and a processor. The controller is configured to receive at least one sensor signal indicative of a profile of a particulate material within the agricultural system, and output a control signal to instruct the drive system to operate the agitating system in a selected operating mode of a plurality of operating modes based on the profile of the particulate material. The agitating system is configured to interact with the particulate material in each operating mode of the plurality of operating modes, and the plurality of operating modes includes an agitation mode and a leveling mode.

A mixing method, a controller and a mixing device for mixing components in a mixing vessel are provided. The mixing method includes providing a mixing impeller in the mixing vessel; accelerating the mixing impeller from an inactive state to a rotating state in which the mixing impeller rotates at a first desired speed in a first rotation direction; rotating the mixing impeller at the first desired speed for a first time t.sub.steady,1 in the first rotation direction; changing the rotation direction of the mixing impeller, so that the mixing impeller rotates in a second rotation direction at a second desired speed; and rotating the mixing impeller at the second desired speed for a second time t.sub.steady,2.

A system for receiving a single-use vessel containing a mixing device has a support structure adapted to receive the single-use vessel and a drive-unit adapted to power, to control, or to power and control a mixing of contents of the single-use vessel when the single-use vessel is arranged in the support structure. The support structure and the drive-unit are provided as separate components that may be arranged both in an operating position, where the drive-unit is connectable to the mixing device of the single-use bag in the support structure, and in a separated position, where the drive-unit is separated from the support structure. The drive-unit comprises a tag reader that, in the operating position, is arranged to read a vessel tag of the single-use vessel arranged in the support structure.

The present invention relates to a mixer, preferably to a ring-pan mixer, having a mixing trough and a mixer rotor that is rotatable via a drive motor about a substantially vertical axis of rotation and at which at least one mixing tool drivable via a separate drive motor is arranged rotatable about a separate axis of rotation, wherein the drive speeds of the mixer rotor and of the at least one mixing tool can be set independently of one another, with the mixer rotor and the at least one mixing tool being able to be set via a transmission independently of one another.

A particulate material agitation and leveling control system includes a controller having a memory and a processor. The processor is configured to receive a sensor signal indicative of a measured load on a drive system coupled to an agitation and leveling system, select an operating mode of the agitation and leveling system from an agitation mode and a leveling mode based on the measured load, and instruct the drive system to operate the agitation and leveling system based on the operating mode.

A particulate material sensing and agitation control system of an agricultural system includes a drive system configured to operate an agitating system, a plurality of sensors, in which each sensor of the plurality of sensors may detect presence of particulate material at the sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a functional status of each sensor of the plurality of sensors, and, in response to determining the functional status of a respective sensor of the plurality of sensor is functioning, determine a detection status of the respective sensor. The controller is further configured to output a control signal to instruct the drive system to operate the agitating system in a selected operating mode of a plurality of operating modes based on a position within the agricultural system, the functional status, and the detection status of each sensor of the plurality of sensors.