Having Control Means Responsive To Load Condition Or Unsafe Operating Condition Patents (Class 198/507)
  • Patent number: 10881050
    Abstract: An agricultural baler includes a baler chassis and a stuffer mechanism. The stuffer mechanism includes a fork and a motor. The fork is shiftably supported to move along a loading duct during each of a series of stuffing strokes. The fork is operable in a sweeping position, where the fork extends at least partly into the duct, to provide a full stuffing stroke by loading a charge of crop material from the loading duct into a baling chamber. The fork is shiftable by the motor from the sweeping position to a retracted position, where the fork is moved out of the duct. The fork is shiftable into the retracted position for at least part of a respective stuffing stroke where at least some of the charge of crop material in the loading duct is not loaded into the baling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Figger, Kevin J. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 10322884
    Abstract: A system and method for automated control of reclaimers includes a boom, a bucket wheel, and a translation system. This system comprises memorizing operating parameters used during a turning movement of the boom, allowing identification of positions where there was an overflow or an unsatisfactory reclaiming flow. With this memorized information, the flow controller makes changes to the boom turning speed (Vg), increasing it in positions where the reclaiming flow was low and decreasing it in positions where there was overflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: VALE S.A.
    Inventor: Bruno Eduardo Lopes
  • Patent number: 9499347
    Abstract: A drive connection is disclosed. The drive connection may be configured to be interconnected between a main driving unit and a main gear unit of a driving device configured to drive a chain of a conveyor of a longwall device. The drive connection may have a housing configured to be connected to the main driving unit and to the main gear unit. The drive connection may also have a drive shaft disposed within the housing and configured to transmit torque from the main driving unit to the main gear unit. In addition, the drive connection may have a chain tensioning apparatus disposed within the housing. The chain tensioning apparatus may have a worm drive interacting with the drive shaft. The chain tensioning apparatus may be configured to drive the drive shaft for tensioning the chain of the conveyor when the main driving unit is in a non-operative state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Adam Gacka, Andreas Scheer, Dennis Grimm, Tobias Kleinbongartz, Thomas Hoelken, Michael Nafe, Peter Pientka, Svenja Bauhaus, Alexander Jänsch, Jessica Johnson
  • Publication number: 20130341159
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a control system for bulk material reclaimers that comprises an automated control of turning speed and translation step variables, the turning speed being controlled by estimating the reclaiming flow and the translation step being adjusted in function of distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Bruno Eduardo LOPES
  • Patent number: 7699157
    Abstract: A safety arrangement for use with a piece of equipment. The safety arrangement includes a signal generating unit for generating an optical signal, an elongate element, and a signal detecting unit. The elongate element is disposed along, about, around or through the piece of equipment and is capable of transmitting an optical signal. The signal detecting unit detects an optical signal. The signal generating unit is connected to the signal detecting unit by the elongate element such that the signal detecting unit is in optical communication with the signal detecting unit. The signal detecting unit is arranged to detect a change in the optical signal transmitted by the elongate element as a consequence of movement of the elongate element and, upon detection of the change in the signal, the detecting unit is configured to effect a change in the operation of the piece of equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Limited
    Inventors: Julian Poyner, Derek Jones, Derek Sawyer, Burt Sacherski, Francis L. Leard
  • Publication number: 20100018839
    Abstract: In a device (4) for receiving a piece of baggage (2) for transport, for example at an airport, the device comprises a receiving room (18A) with an infeed opening and a discharge opening. The receiving room is provided with a closing assembly, the closing assembly comprising a closing mechanism (22, 24). The device furthermore comprises a conveyor unit (16, 20) for discharging the piece of baggage from the receiving room through the discharge opening. The closing assembly is equipped at any time to keep at least one or other of the infeed opening and the discharge opening closed. In this way a device according to the invention is equipped to protect deposited baggage from third parties and to prevent persons from following the piece of baggage to the areas not accessible to the public. The present invention also provides a method for receiving a piece of baggage, which method is in accordance with the functioning of the above-mentioned device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: SCARABEE ID B.V.
    Inventor: Michael Kim Tan
  • Patent number: 5370490
    Abstract: A cargo pick-up member for transferring bulk material into an elevator of an unloading trunk of a ship unloader includes a screw pipe, a cutter head connected to the screw pipe, and a coupling sleeve attached to the screw pipe. The coupling sleeve includes a pivoting drive for pivoting the coupling sleeve with respect to the screw pipe. A baffle plate is detachably connected to the rotatable coupling sleeve via a height adjustable mount. The baffle plate includes a semi-circular portion surrounding a part of the cutter head and two outer legs extending from the semi-circular portion opening in the shape of a V from ends of the semi-circular portion for accommodating bulk material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Man Gutehoffnungshutte Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gunther Tschernatsch
  • Patent number: 5187097
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a large composting system as well as to a new composting method for the automatic production of compost. A mobile layer rearranging unit includes a conveyor system which is changeable with respect to length can be remote-controlled so that the influx of rotting matter is optimized according to throughput and rotting time and the rot loss is compensated for by repeatedly restoring the complete rot height. The required space requirement is less than before. Any mechanical intervention has a loosening effect, particularly in that the working device comprises upwardly working digging and conveyor wheels. All important parameters for the compost ripening can be monitored via free programming as well as by control by the system maintenance personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Buehler AG
    Inventors: Heinrich Weber, Falko Lehrmann, Hermann Hofer, Werner Vogel, Peter Mueller
  • Patent number: 5099983
    Abstract: A portable sweep auger apparatus and method for controllably transferring predetermined continuous amounts of granular and powdered gypsum from a pile of gypsum to an irrigation ditch. The apparatus includes a base member, a driver member and an auger assembly member mechanically coupled to the driver member. The driver member and the auger assembly member are pivotally coupled to the base member to effect forward travel that depletes the gypsum pile. A first level of control is effected by a fixed auger design that coact with the driver member for regulating and delivering predetermined amounts of the gypsum material. A second level of control is effected by a slip clutch wheel coacting with the rotating auger shaft for controlling forward movement of the entire auger assembly towards and against the pile of gypsum material until the material has been depleted. A track that compensates for unleveled terrain is provided for guiding the slip clutch wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Inventors: Arthur L. Valdez, Elva R. Valdez
  • Patent number: 4890719
    Abstract: An excavator for a bucket elevator type continuous unloader has a horizontal travel section constituting an excavating section of the bucket elevator which is constituted by an endless bucket chain, and a parallel link mechanism. The parallel link mechanism is positioned below an elevator post which is moved up and down by a boom, and supports the horizontal travel section. The excavating section is moved sideways from just below the elevator post by swinging the parallel link mechanism so as to rake up bulk cargo such as ore and coal located deep inside the hold. The degree of movement of the excavation section in the vertical direction is detected by detecting the swing angle of the parallel link mechanism, by which the boom is automatically controlled so as to maintain the excavating section at the same level. In this way, fumbling of the excavated bulk cargo can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Yagi, Toramasa Matsugi, Mitsushige Kiyama
  • Patent number: 4836362
    Abstract: The invention provides a mine conveyor, for use in hazardous atmospheres, comprising an endless conveying belt; an electric motor; and a torque transmission arrangement located between the electric motor and the endless conveying belt, the torque transmission arrangement incorporating a modulated wet clutch and a torque converter, with a drive drivable by transmission gearing and adapted to make driving relationship with the endless conveying belt; and a control system for controlling the torque transmission arrangement, the system comprising an electro-hydraulic control circuit incorporaitng an intrinsically safe (as herein defined) unit to monitor and control the conveyor, at least one microprocessor incorporated in the intrinsically safe unit, the microprocessor incorporating a memory whereby a ramp starting mode, a running mode, and a stop mode required for the conveyor are preprogrammable into the microprocessor, and at least one transducer included in the electro-hydraulic control circuit to monitor at
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Fletcher Sutcliffe Wild Limited
    Inventor: Lewis R. B. Bower
  • Patent number: 4512458
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bridge scraper for raking material from a storage heap onto a belt conveyor by means of a scraper chain mounted on a bridge which also carries a carriage which feeds material from the heap to the scraper chain. The speed of the conveyor and that of the bridge, the scraper chain and the carriage is controlled by means of a bolt weigher at the outlet end of the belt conveyor which controls the speed of the belt and consequently that of the other elements of the bridge scraper so as to discharge a constant amount of material per unit time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Assignee: F. L. Smidth & Co. A/S
    Inventor: Torkil D. Jensen
  • Patent number: 4443149
    Abstract: An auger assembly for transporting seed, fertilizer or other particulate material. The assembly provides an auger within a stationary tube; the auger is mounted to allow free axial movement between adjustable limits. In the normal augering position, the auger extends beyond the tube into the particulate material. Should the particulate material become packed or jammed, preventing the auger from turning, the auger can be driven in reverse, causing it to unscrew itself up into the tube and allowing the auger to then take a fresh bite at the particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Assignee: Bruce Halland
    Inventor: Douglas T. Isaacson
  • Patent number: 4248337
    Abstract: An endless scraper chain carried by a bridge is provided with spaced scraper flights. The scraper chain is driven so as to move its lower course toward one end to thereby move bulk material to a roller bed extending under that one end. The roller bed is connected to the bridge to move therewith. An endless conveyor belt is supported on the roller bed and extends transversely of the bridge and has an upper course which extends under the one end of the scraper chain to receive the bulk material from the scraper chain. A conveyor type weigher is adapted to indicate the weight of bulk material lying on the upper course of the conveyor belt in a predetermined area thereof. Mutually opposite confining walls are disposed on opposite sides of said lower course of said scraper chain, and are mounted to the bridge to permit vertical movement of said confining walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1981
    Assignee: Pohlig-Heckel-Bleichert Vereinigte Maschinenfabriken
    Inventor: Karl E. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 4236627
    Abstract: A cutting machine includes an endless conveyor and a loading ramp having movable loading arms which continuously shift the cut material in an upward direction of the loading ramp to conveyor. The rear deflector wheel of the conveyor is driven by a squirrel-cage motor, and the drive of the loading arms is, via the conveyor derived from the front deflector wheel. A slipper clutch is interpositioned within the drive between the motor and the loading arms, and the slide torque of the slipper clutch as reduced to the motor shaft, exceeds the breakdown torque of the squirrel-cage motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1980
    Assignee: Vereinigte Osterreichische Eisen-und Stahlwerke-Alpine Montan Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Siegfried Sigott, Peter Kogler, Otto Schetina, Alfred Zitz
  • Patent number: 4184581
    Abstract: Loading apparatus having vehicle body, inclined conveyor assembly extending upwardly and rearwardly from front of vehicle body, and hopper adjacent front of vehicle to direct material onto conveyor. Apparatus has extendable excavating assembly including a guide mounting a carrier which carries a hoeing assembly. The guide is mounted on vehicle body, and the carrier means cooperates with the guide for movement parallel to movement of conveyor when viewed from above. The hoeing assembly is carried on carrier means to be generally adjacent the hopper to draw material onto hopper for feeding onto conveyor. Carrier and guide can be carriage mounted on rails, or telescoping ram arrangement to provide extendable mount for hoeing assembly which increases reach thereof without requiring excessively long arms, and also facilitates operation of hoeing assembly for drawing material onto the hopper. Operator is positioned at front of vehicle for good visibility during operation of hoeing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1980
    Assignees: Canadian Mine Services Limited, Kerr Addison Mines Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard Crawshay, Malcolm D. Rowswell
  • Patent number: 4161255
    Abstract: For handling and more particularly for discharging materials lying in a pile upon a storage area like the bottom of a silo, a scraping element is driven into the pile of materials and the resisting force applied to said scraping element is measured. When the said force has reached a predetermined value, the direction of motion of the said scraping element is reversed in order to discharge an amount of materials from the silo. Means are provided to generate a control signal when the said value has been reached, said signal being applied to means for controlling the reversing movement of the scraping element. Thus the resistance encountered by the said scraping element and its driving means does not exceed an admissible value and no blocking can take place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1979
    Inventor: Claude P. Ropert
  • Patent number: 4154332
    Abstract: Loose bulk material, such as gravel or the like, is moved by a conveyor or the like from an initial station to a storage area or to a final station where it is utilized in some manner, such as being mixed with other material. When the level of the loose bulk material at the final station is at a maximum level, any loose bulk material coming from the initial station will be conveyed to the storage area where it will be stacked into a storage pile having a predefined shape. When the level of loose bulk material at the final station drops to or below a minimum level, any loose bulk material coming from the initial station will be conveyed directly to the final station. In addition, loose bulk material will be reclaimed from the storage pile in a predefined pattern so as to leave any remainder of the storage pile in a portion of the predefined shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1979
    Assignee: AB Vretstorp-Verken
    Inventor: Hans J. Schlegel
  • Patent number: 4090601
    Abstract: A mining machine having a body portion mounted on propelling tracks includes an endless conveyor mechanism that extends longitudinally on the body portion. The conveyor mechanism is rotatably supported at the front and rear end portions thereof by roller assemblies. The rear roller assembly is longitudinally movable and driven by a hydraulically operated motor to advance the conveyor mechanism from a receiving end portion to a discharging end portion. The discharging end portion is supported for lateral swinging movement relative to the main conveyor portion. Hydraulically operated take-up devices are connected to the rear roller assembly and maintain a preselected tension on the conveyor to prevent slack developing therein. Each take-up device includes a cylinder with a rod having a shoulder portion of a preselected differential area against which fluid pressure is applied to extend the rod from the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1978
    Assignee: National Mine Service Company
    Inventor: Donald L. Freed, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4069928
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a machine for clearing bulk material from a bin table by moving therealong a movable support carrying a pivotally mounted rotatable clearing wheel including a first drive mechanism for moving the movable support and a second drive mechanism for rotating the clearing wheel and a control mechanism responsive to operational conditions of the second drive mechanism for controlling the operation of the first drive mechanism whereby the rotational speed of the clearing wheel may be increased or decreased as might be the speed of the movable support in dependence upon the resistance of the bulk material being offered to the clearing wheel during the rotation of the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1978
    Inventors: Fritz Teske, Lothar Teske
  • Patent number: 4054213
    Abstract: Apparatus for removing bulk material from a storage bed comprises a pivotal beam carrying a bucket wheel on one end for taking up the bulk material and an endless band conveying the bulk material to the other end of the beam, and a girder carrying an endless band conveying the bulk material received at one end of the girder to the other end thereof, whence it is removed. The one beam end is supported on a pair of driving wheels adjacent the bucket wheel, the driving wheels being symmetrically arranged with respect to the beam. A coupling supports the other end of the beam on the one end of the girder for pivoting about a vertical axis. Two wheels with stationary axles support the ends of the girder, the wheel axles extending parallel to the girder, one of the wheels being disposed in the vertical pivoting axis and the other wheel being a driving wheel supporting the other end of the girder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1977
    Assignee: Fives-Cail Babcock
    Inventor: Rene Chever