Abstract: A threaded nipple (26) at the closed end of a linear hydraulic motor (12) is received within a recess (82) in a frame member (78). Single clamp members, or individual clamp members (88), have recesses (92) that receive lower portions of the nipples (26). Bolts (94) extend through the clamp members (88) and screw into threaded openings in the frame member (78). This clamps the nipples (26) between the frame member (78) and the removable clamp members (88). End members (22) at the rod ends of the cylinders (12) include keys (66) that are received within recesses (80) formed in another frame member (76). Bolts (76) extend through the end member (22) and screw into threaded openings (84) in the member (76). A mounting frame has transverse mounting frame members (74, 102, 74′, 102′) that are used for mounting the drive assembly in an installation. The mounting frame members (74′, 102′) may have end portions (208, 210, 212, 214, 240, 242) that serve as cells in a trailer installation.

Abstract: A slat conveyor includes both lifting slats (10) and conveying slats (12). Longitudinal movement of drive members (34) move lifting blocks (32) up lifting ramps (30). The tops of the lifting slats (10) rest on the lifting blocks (32) and the lifting slats (10) move upwardly with the lifting blocks (32). When the lifting slats (10) are in a “down” position, their upper surfaces are below the upper surfaces of the conveying slats (12). Advancing movement of the conveying slats (12) advance a load (L) that is on the conveying slats (12). At the end of a forward movement of the conveying slats (12), the lifting slats (10) are raised into an “up” position, lifting the load (L) above the upper surfaces of the conveying slats (12). Then, the conveying slats (12) are retracted while the load (L) is held by the lifting slats (10).

Abstract: Bolt fasteners extend through a bottom wall (38) in longitudinal guide beams (14), to secure the guide beams (14) to transverse frame members (70, 72). The guide beams (14) include sidewalls (40, 42) which extend upwardly from the bottom wall (30) to laterally outwardly extending top flanges (44, 46). The bolts may be installed from above by use of a tool that is inserted into the space between the sidewalls (40, 42). After the guide beams (14) are secured to the frame members (70, 72), bearing/seal members (48) are friction-fitted onto the tops of the support beams (14). Conveyor slats are installed in the spaces between the support beams (14). The conveyor slats (10) include side portions (20, 22) which extend laterally outwardly into positions above the bearing/seal members (48). The side members (20, 22) include downwardly extending beads B which contact the upper surfaces (62) of the bearing/seal members (48).

Abstract: Conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80) are positioned vertically between side portions of upper and lower clamp members (52, 54). The upper clamp member (52) is within the conveyor slat (70) and its side portions are above the conveyor slat flanges (78, 80). The lower clamp member (54) is welded or otherwise secured to a transverse drive beam (56). Its side portions are below the conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80). Bolts (164) project upwardly through openings in the transverse drive beam (56) and the lower clamp member (54) and thread into threaded openings (160) in the upper clamp member (52). Or, bolts (170) extend downwardly from the upper clamp part (52) through openings in the lower clamp part (54) and openings in the drive beam (56), to nuts (170) that are below the drive beam (56). Tightening of the bolts (170) causes the conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80) to be clamped between the two clamp members (52, 54).

Abstract: A plurality of cotton boll modules are received by a cotton ginning plant from a plurality of cotton field locations. A sample of cotton modules is removed from each field lot. The sample and the field lot are identified and identification data associating the sample with its field lot is generated. Each field lot sample is separately processed to produce cotton lint. The cotton lint is assayed to determine a relative quality of the lint or the sample. The assay information from the several samples is used to establish a formula for blending cotton from a plurality of field locations to form a blend of a desired intermediate quality. The identification data is used for locating modules to be blended from the various field lots. The located modules are delivered to dispersers and the dispersers are used to disperse cotton boll clumps from the modules in amounts necessary to form the desired amount of the desired blend of cotton boll clumps. The cotton boll clumps are blended.

Abstract: A reciprocating floor conveyor (10) including a support frame (12), and a conveyor floor (14), which is comprised of a plurality of laterally spaced-apart conveyor slats (16), a plurality of laterally spaced-apart holding slats (18), and a series of divider planks (20). Divider planks (20) are fixedly secured to the upper portion of support framework (12). Conveyor slats (16) are mounted on support frame (12) for longitudinal reciprocation between “start” and “advanced” positions. Holding slats (18) are mounted on support frame (12) for vertical movement between and “up” position in which the holding slats (18) are above the conveyor slats (16), and a “down” position, in which the holding slats (18) are below the conveyor slats (16).

Abstract: Two dispersers tunnels (20, 22) are provided at a disperser station. Each disperser tunnel (20, 22) houses two dispersers (24, 26 and 28, 30). Each pair of dispersers (24, 26 and 38, 30) are spaced apart and confront each other, with a mixing zone (42, 54) being defined between them. A separate conveyor (32, 34, 36, 38) is provided for feeding textile fiber modules, e.g. cotton boll modules (18, 18′, 18″, 18′″), to the dispersers (24, 26, 28, 30). Each pair of dispersers (24, 26) removes fiber clumps from the leading ends of the modules (18, 18′, 18″, 18′″) and dispenses them into the mixing zone (42, 54) in admixture with the fiber clumps from the other disperser (24, 26, 28, 30) of the pair. The blend or mixture of fiber clumps is collected in the upper run (50) of a conveyor (52) that serves to carry the fiber clumps away from the disperser station.

Abstract: A plurality of cotton boll modules are received by a cotton ginning plant from a plurality of cotton field locations. A sample of cotton modules is removed from each field lot. The sample and the field lot are identified and identification data associating the sample with its field lot is generated. Each field lot sample is separately processed to produce cotton lint. The cotton lint is assayed to determine a relative quality of the lint or the sample. The assay information from the several samples is used to establish a formula for blending cotton from a plurality of field locations to form a blend of a desired intermediate quality. The identification data is used for locating modules to be blended from the various field lots. The located modules are delivered to dispersers and the dispersers are used to disperse cotton boll clumps from the modules in amounts necessary to form the desired amount of the desired blend of cotton boll clumps. The cotton boll clumps are blended.

Abstract: Conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80) are positioned vertically between side portions of upper and lower clamp members (52, 54). The upper clamp member (52) is within the conveyor slat (70) and its side portions are above the conveyor slat flanges (78, 80). The lower clamp member (54) is welded or otherwise secured to a transverse drive beam (56). Its side portions are below the conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80). Bolts (164) project upwardly through openings in the transverse drive beam (56) and the lower clamp member (54) and thread into threaded openings (160) in the upper clamp member (52). Or, bolts (170) extend downwardly from the upper clamp part (52) through openings in the lower clamp part (54) and openings in the drive beam (56), to nuts (170) that are below the drive beam (56). Tightening of the bolts (170) causes the conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80) to be clamped between the two clamp members (52, 54).

Abstract: Two dispersers tunnels (20, 22) are provided at a disperser station. Each disperser tunnel (20, 22) houses two dispersers (24, 26 and 28, 30). Each pair of dispersers (24, 26 and 38, 30) are spaced apart and confront each other, with a mixing zone (42, 54) being defined between them. A separate conveyor (32, 34, 36, 38) is provided for feeding textile fiber modules, e.g. cotton boll modules (18, 18′, 18″, 18′″), to the dispersers (24, 26, 28, 30). Each pair of dispersers (24, 26) removes fiber clumps from the leading ends of the modules (18, 18′, 18″, 18′″) and dispenses them into the mixing zone (42, 54) in admixture with the fiber clumps from the other disperser (24, 26, 28, 30) of the pair. The blend or mixture of fiber clumps is collected in the upper run (50) of a conveyor (52) that serves to carry the fiber clumps away from the disperser station.

Abstract: Conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80) are positioned vertically between side portions of upper and lower clamp members (52, 54). The upper clamp member (52) is within the conveyor slat (70) and its side portions are above the conveyor slat flanges (78, 80). The lower clamp member (54) is welded or otherwise secured to a transverse drive beam (56). Its side portions are below the conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80). Bolts (164) project upwardly through openings in the transverse drive beam (56) and the lower clamp member (54) and thread into threaded openings (160) in the upper clamp member (52). Or, bolts (170) extend downwardly from the upper clamp part (52) through openings in the lower clamp part (54) and openings in the drive beam (56), to nuts (170) that are below the drive beam (56). Tightening of the bolts (170) causes the conveyor slat bottom flanges (78, 80) to be clamped between the two clamp members (52, 54).

Abstract: Two dispersers tunnels (20, 22) are provided at a disperser station. Each disperser tunnel (20, 22) houses two dispersers (24, 26 and 28, 30). Each pair of dispersers (24, 26 and 38, 30) are spaced apart and confront each other, with a mixing zone (42, 54) being defined between them. A separate conveyor (32, 34, 36, 38) is provided for feeding textile fiber modules, e.g. cotton boll modules (18, 18′, 18″, 18′″), to the dispersers (24, 26, 28, 30). Each pair of dispersers (24, 26) removes fiber clumps from the leading ends of the modules (18, 18′, 18″, 18′″) and dispenses them into the mixing zone (42, 54) in admixture with the fiber clumps from the other disperser (24, 26, 28, 30) of the pair. The blend or mixture of fiber clumps is collected in the upper run (50) of a conveyor (52) that serves to carry the fiber clumps away from the disperser station.

Abstract: An on/off valve (O/OV) and directional valves (DV1, DV2) are packaged with a switching valve system (10) in a housing assembly (156, 157, 158, 160). The on/off valve (O/OV) is operated by a control handle (154) that is located at one end of the housing assembly (156, 157, 158, 160). The direction control valves (DV1, DV2) are operated by a handle (141) located at the opposite end of the housing assembly (156, 157, 158, 160). The control handles (154, 141) operate to position cams (152, 136, 138) which function to help position valve plugs. In a second embodiment, the handle (141) and cams (136, 138) for controlling the directional valves (DV1, DV2) are replaced by a solenoid valve system (SV2) . A second solenoid valve (SV1) is added to the control system for the off/on valve (O/OV). The solenoid valve (SV1, SV2) allow for a remote positioning of the controls for the off/on and directional valves (O/OV, DV1, DV2).

Abstract: An on/off valve (O/OV) and directional valves (DV1, DV2) are packaged with a switching valve system (10) in a housing assembly (156, 157, 158, 160). The on/off valve (O/OV) is operated by a control handle (154) that is located at one end of the housing assembly (156, 157, 158, 160). The direction control valves (DV1, DV2) are operated by a handle (141) located at the opposite end of the housing assembly (156, 157, 158, 160). The control handles (154, 141) operate to position cams (152, 136, 138) which function to help position valve plugs. In a second embodiment, the handle (141) and cams (136, 138) for controlling the directional valves (DV1, DV2) are replaced by a solenoid valve system (SV2). A second solenoid valve (SV1) is added to the control system for the off/on valve (O/OV). The solenoid valve (SV1, SV2) allow for a remote positioning of the controls for the off/on and directional valves (O/OV, DV1, DV2).

Abstract: A dock (D) is provided with a reciprocating slat conveyor (12). A trailer (T) is provided with a reciprocating slat conveyor (10). The dock (D) includes a dock end (100) that includes mechanism for aligning the trailer conveyor (10) with the dock conveyor (12). This mechanism includes a guide rail 108 that is secured to a vehicle supporting apron (106) and is positioned to fit between the wheels (W) on one side of the rear of the trailer, for guiding the wheels towards the dock (D). The dock end (100) includes lifting rods (18, 20) which include lifting cams (22, 24). The cams (22, 24) are initially positioned below rear corner portions (14, 16) of the trailer (T). The lifter rods (18, 20) are then rotated to move the lifting cams (22, 24) up into a lifting position against the corner portions (14, 16). The lifter rods (18, 20) and cams (22, 24) are rotated to effect a vertical adjustment in position of the trailer conveyor (10) relative to the dock conveyor (12).

Abstract: In the drive assembly (10) of a reciprocating slat conveyor, three transverse drive beams (28, 30, 32) extend over and across three piston rods (22, 24, 26). The drive beams (28, 30, 32) have side flanges (74, 76) in which three pairs of downwardly opening recesses (78, 84, 80, 86, 82, 88) are formed. One pair of recesses (80, 86) receive upper portions of a first piston rod (22). The other two pairs of recesses (78, 84, 82, 88) receive plastic bearings (90) through which the other two piston rods (24, 26) extend. Each drive beam flange (74, 76) is provided with a cap member (142). Each cap member (142) includes an upwardly directed recess for each downwardly directed recess in its drive beam flange (74, 76). Bolts (144) extend through openings in the cap members (142) and thread into internally threaded openings in the drive beam flanges (74, 76).

Abstract: Three tandem drive units are provided. Outward variable volume working chambers at one end of the drive units are connected via passageways in the piston rods with inward variable volume working chambers at the opposite end of the drive units. In similar fashion, inward variable volume working chambers at the first ends of the drive units are connected to outward variable volume working chambers at the second ends of the drive units, also via passageways in the piston rods. At each end of the assembly, the piston rods pass through piston rod receiving openings in a cylinder head forming member. Each cylinder head forming member includes a manifold passageway and spool valves for controlling a sequencing movement of the drive units. The piston rods provide the spools for the spool valves.

Abstract: Side-by-side conveyor slats (62) have laterally outwardly extending opposite upper side portions (72,74), each including a depending, longitudinal support and seal bead (B) having a lower edge that contacts and slides along a longitudinal bearing/seal surface (78) on a longitudinal support beam (14) that is below it. The conveyor slats (62) have laterally spaced apart depending leg portions (24, 26), each with a laterally outwardly directed flange (64, 66). These flanges (64,66) are offset vertically below the upper side portion (72, 74) on its side of the conveyor slat (62). A longitudinal support beam (14) is positioned between each adjoining pair of conveyor slats (62), below adjacent upper side portions (72, 74) of the adjoining conveyor slats (62). A longitudinal bearing/seal member (80) is supported on, extends along and is connected to each support beam (14).

Abstract: A resin matrix (70) is formed and reinforcement fibers (72) and thermoplastic material (74) are added to the resin matrix (72). The resin matrix (70), the reinforcement fibers (72) and the thermoplastic material are moved through a pultrusion die (76), by pulling on the reinforcement fibers (72), to form a conveyor slat having a top portion (38) and a pair of laterally spaced apart side portions (40, 42) depending from the top portion (38). In the pultrusion die (76) heat is applied to melt the thermoplastic material (74) and cause it to migrate to an outer surface portion of the slat body. A veil (90) of thermoplastic material may be bonded to the surface layer of thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A conveyor slat (10) includes a top (12) two laterally spaced apart sidewalls (22, 24), two bottom flanges (26, 28) projecting laterally inwardly from lower portions of the sidewalls (22,24), and a channel space (CS) that is vertically between the top (12) and the bottom flanges (26, 28) and horizontally between the sidewalls (22, 24). A reinforcement insert (38) is positioned within the channel space (CS). The reinforcement insert (38) comprises an elongated body (38) having a top (40), two opposite sidewalls (42, 44) depending from the top (40), a longitudinal channel (45) in the top (40), and an opening (46) in the top communicating with the longitudinal channel (45). The insert (38) is shaped and dimensioned to fit within the channel space (CS) of the conveyor slat (10), horizontally between the two sidewalls (22, 24) of the conveyor slat (10) and vertically between the top (12) and the bottom flanges (26, 28) of the conveyor slat (10).