Abstract: In a transport method for transferring workpieces between a plurality of successive stations of a processing device, especially a forming device, workpieces are in each case transported from one station to the respective next station of the processing device simultaneously by means of a plurality of gripping tools which are movable jointly in a transport cycle. In the event of a process disturbance, the transport cycle is suspended and the gripping tools with the workpieces are moved into a waiting position in which the workpieces are outside the operating range of processing tools of the stations of the processing device. Once the process disturbance has been eliminated, the transport cycle of the workpieces is resumed. By virtue of the movement of the gripping tools into a safe waiting position outside the operating range of the processing tools of the stations, consequent damage resulting from the process disturbance can be prevented.

Abstract: A tracked, self-propelled machine for laying a film and depositing ballast on it to cover a landfill or other ground area. The machine (20) has a ballast box (28) with a reciprocating slat floor (38) and an end gate (34) for holding the ballast (50). A ballast distribution module (58) at the back of the ballast box has a pair of conveyors (68, 70) separated by a gap (72). A roll of film (96) is held by a film roll support mechanism (94) at the back of the machine for unwinding onto the ground surface as the machine moves forward. Ballast is moved to the back of the box by the reciprocating slat floor and is released from an opening (52) under the end gate onto the conveyors and into the gap for deposition onto the laid film.

Abstract: A reciprocating slat conveyor, as described herein, includes a floor pan (having a bottom and sidewalls) for at least substantially lining the storage container. The reciprocating conveyor also includes a plurality of slat and beam assemblies (that may be bearinged or bearingless) laterally spaced and substantially parallel to each other on the bottom of the floor pan. Slat and beam assemblies may be positioned on the sidewalls. The floor pan may have an at least generally planar bottom or an at least generally arcuate bottom.

Abstract: A switching valve module which is part of a switching valve control system for use with reciprocating slat-type conveyors is disclosed herein. Disclosed herein is a switching valve module that includes an inner control valve and an outer control valve. A spool is positioned within the inner control valve and a spool positioned within the outer control valve. Movement of each the spool creates both a spool-type seal and a poppet-type seal between the spool and the respective control valve.

Abstract: Hydraulic cylinders of a conveying apparatus includes piston rods that extend in parallel, pistons, and cylinder tubes that have an internal pressure chamber partitioned into first and second pressure chambers. A pair of the hydraulic cylinders are arranged in parallel with an interval in a width direction of a conveyance path. The cylinder tube slidingly moves to the first pressure chamber side by supplying a hydraulic pressure to the first pressure chamber and discharging a hydraulic pressure from the second pressure chamber, and the cylinder tubes slidingly move to the second pressure chamber side by supplying a hydraulic pressure to the second pressure chamber and discharging a hydraulic pressure from the first pressure chamber. The workpiece is supported by a pair of the cylinder tubes.

Abstract: A reciprocating slat conveyor includes a plurality of laterally and substantially parallel longitudinal trough-like subdecks and a plurality of longitudinal slats adjacent to and parallel to each other. The slats are in a sliding relationship with a pair of adjacent subdecks and cover the longitudinal space between the pair of adjacent subdecks. The subdecks longitudinally support two adjacent slats at or near a slat longitudinal side edge. The subdecks conduct the movement of the slats, preferably without distinct bearing elements therebetween. Some preferred embodiments include raised double-seal system.

Abstract: A multi-operating-mode reciprocating slat conveyor having a plurality of operating modes (each operating mode having a predetermined number of steps) and means for switching between operating modes responsive to at least one operating mode changing event. A method implemented using the multi-operating-mode reciprocating slat conveyor.

Abstract: An improved front-drive reciprocating slat conveyor has a plurality of sets of longitudinally extending slats spaced across the width of a receptacle floor. A cross beam is secured to each set of slats. The cross beams are secured to rod extensions that are connected to the piston rods of a hydraulic drive system by non-alignment critical connectors. The cross beams have connecting elements that engage receiving elements on the slats. The connecting elements and receiving elements are held together by pins or similar connectors. A frame extends across the width of the receptacle. Bearing guides guide and align the rod extensions when the cylinder rods are extended or retracted.

Abstract: A multi-operating-mode reciprocating slat conveyor having a plurality of operating modes (each operating mode having a predetermined number of steps) and means for switching between operating modes responsive to at least one operating mode changing event.

Abstract: Movable conveyor slats (12) have side parts (42, 44) which rest on top parts (32) of bearings (30). The bearings (30) have a generally U-shaped cross section and they fit on wings (16, 18) which extend outwardly and slope upwardly from the sides of a fixed conveyor slat (10). The movable slats (12) have web (48, 50) and lower flange portions (52, 54) which with the side parts (42, 44) form laterally outwardly opening channels. The wings (16, 18) and the bearings (30) are received within the channels (56, 58).

Abstract: A horizontal conveyor for transporting bulk materials, in particular of containers for food, has at least one conveyor belt encompassing at least one assembly surface for the material to be conveyed. There is at least one sliding part, which is moveably guided parallel to the conveying direction thereof, be arranged below the assembly surface of the conveyor belt. At least one drive is assigned to the sliding part for its positively driven motion. There is at least one height-adjustable actuator for the material to be conveyed, arranged on the sliding part. The actuator is capable of being brought into an entrainment position, that projects into the plane of the assembly surface by means of a lifting device. A discontinuous conveyance of materials is possible in a simple manner with this horizontal conveyor.

Abstract: A reciprocating slat conveyor includes a plurality of slats arranged in a plurality of slat sets, with each slat having a receiving element. A cross-beam assembly is connected to the slats, wherein the cross-beam assembly includes a plurality of linear members. One cross-beam is connected to at least one linear member. Each cross-beam includes a plurality of connecting elements configured to engage the receiving elements on the slats. A plurality of bearing guides are configured to guide the linear members. An under-mount drive assembly of the conveyor comprises a plurality of cylinders, with each piston rod connected to a linear member.

Abstract: A reciprocating slat conveyor includes a plurality of laterally and substantially parallel longitudinal trough-like subdecks and a plurality of longitudinal slats adjacent to and parallel to each other. The slats are in a sliding relationship with a pair of adjacent subdecks and cover the longitudinal space between the pair of adjacent subdecks. The subdecks longitudinally support two adjacent slats at or near a slat longitudinal side edge. The subdecks conduct the movement of the slats, preferably without distinct bearing elements therebetween. Some preferred embodiments include raised double-seal system.

Abstract: A hydraulic moving floor actuator in a slat-type reciprocating moving floor system having movable floor slats arranged side-by-side in parallel, with each slat extending longitudinally along a conveyance path and interconnected with other slats to form groups of slats which may be extended or retracted in unison or one group at a time, that includes a fluid power cylinder controllably moving each group of interconnected slats and hydraulic circuitry that provides fluid communication between the rod side and the head side of each cylinder and causes extension of the cylinder when pressurized hydraulic fluid acts simultaneously upon the rod and head sides of the cylinder.

Abstract: An assembly comprising a plurality of pistons, each of the pistons comprising of a cylinder and a piston rod, a first collar for supporting the cylinders at a first end and a second collar for supporting the cylinders at a second end, for each of the cylinders, a first air inlet through the first collar into the first cylinder end and a second air inlet through the second collar into the second cylinder end, a plurality of valves, each of the valves connected to a source of compressed air, and a plurality of air hoses interconnecting each of the valves with one of the air inlets.

Abstract: An improved front-drive reciprocating slat conveyor has a plurality of sets of longitudinally extending slats spaced across the width of a receptacle floor. A cross beam is secured to each set of slats. The cross beams are secured to rod extensions that are connected to the piston rods of a hydraulic drive system by non-alignment critical connectors. The cross beams have connecting elements that engage receiving elements on the slats. The connecting elements and receiving elements are held together by pins or similar connectors. A frame extends across the width of the receptacle. Bearing guides guide and align the rod extensions when the cylinder rods are extended or retracted.

Abstract: Opposite end sections (20, 26) of a piston/cylinder drive unit (14) are clamped to longitudinally spaced apart transverse mounting beams (10, 12), by a fixed clamp parts connected to the mounting beams (10, 12) and removable clamp parts that are connected by bolts to the fixed clamp parts. The piston rod end sections (20, 26) include longitudinal passageways having outer end openings that project outwardly from the clamps. Manifolds are secured to the mounting beams (10, 12) outwardly of the end openings in the piston rod end sections (20, 26). A detachable coupling connects ports in the manifold with the end openings in the piston rod end sections (20, 26). The piston cylinder drive unit (14) can be detached from the frame by first detaching the fluid couplings and then detaching the clamps which clamp the piston rod end sections (20, 26) to the mounting beams (10, 12).

Abstract: A linear hydraulic motor (12) includes an elongate cylinder (26) and at least one piston (34) slidingly located inside the cylinder. The piston (34) has a longitudinally extending portion which fits with clearance in the cylinder and which describes a path in use which penetrates an interior zone of the cylinder which extends radially inwardly from an aperture in the cylinder wall. An internal reinforcing member (300) is slidingly located inside the cylinder to travel with the piston. The reinforcing member describes a path in use which also penetrates said interior zone of the cylinder which extends radially inwardly from the aperture in the cylinder wall and the reinforcing member has portions which are concentric and radially aligned with circumferentially spaced portions of the cylinder wall that are on opposite sides of said aperture in the cylinder wall.

Abstract: A drive beam (18.2) for a reciprocating floor includes a pair of elongate U-shaped channel members with longitudinally extending edges arranged and welded together edge to edge to define an elongate substantially rectangular in transverse cross-section tube member with opposed welded side walls (718) each with a lengthwise welding seam. A pair of elongate opposed reinforcing members (712) is fast with a respective associated welded side wall (718) and located inside the tube member.

Abstract: A linear hydraulic motor (12) includes an elongate cylinder (26) and at least one piston (34.1, 34.2, 34.3) is slidingly located inside the cylinder (36). The motor (12) is characterised in that in use force is transferred from the piston transversely outwardly through the cylinder. The invention extends to a reciprocating floor conveyor (10) which includes a plurality of elongate floor members (14) defining a floor surface (16) and which are grouped in at least two sets, at least two transverse drive beams (18.1, 18.2, 18.3), each being fast with an associated set of the floor members, and drive means drivingly connected to the transverse drive beams. The drive means includes at least one such linear hydraulic motor (12) drivingly connected to at least one of the transverse drive beams.

Abstract: Opposite end sections (20, 26) of a piston/cylinder drive unit (14) are clamped to longitudinally spaced apart transverse mounting beams (10, 12), by a fixed clamp parts connected to the mounting beams (10, 12) and removable clamp parts that are connected by bolts to the fixed clamp parts. The piston rod end sections (20, 26) include longitudinal passageways having outer end openings that project outwardly from the clamps. Manifolds are secured to the mounting beams (10, 12) outwardly of the end openings in the piston rod end sections (20, 26). A detachable coupling connects ports in the manifold with the end openings in the piston rod end sections (20, 26). The piston cylinder drive unit (14) can be detached from the frame by first detaching the fluid couplings and then detaching the clamps which clamp the piston rod end sections (20, 26) to the mounting beams (10, 12).

Abstract: Opposite end sections (20, 26) of a piston/cylinder drive unit (14) are clamped to longitudinally spaced apart transverse mounting beams (10, 12), by a fixed clamp parts connected to the mounting beams (10, 12) and removable clamp parts that are connected by bolts to the fixed clamp parts. The piston rod end sections (20, 26) include longitudinal passageways having outer end openings that project outwardly from the clamps. Manifolds are secured to the mounting beams (10, 12) outwardly of the end openings in the piston rod end sections (20, 26). A detachable coupling connects ports in the manifold with the end openings in the piston rod end sections (20, 26). The piston cylinder drive unit (14) can be detached from the frame by first detaching the fluid couplings and then detaching the clamps which clamp the piston rod end sections (20, 26) to the mounting beams (10, 12).

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns embodiments of a reciprocating slat conveyor, such as used to form the floor of a mobile cargo container. For example, the slat conveyor can be installed in the collection area of a garbage collection truck. In particular embodiments, the conveyor includes an elongated floor assembly that has a concave upper surface such that the left and right longitudinal sides of the floor assembly curve upwardly from the longitudinal center of the floor assembly. In this manner, materials, especially liquids, tend to funnel downwardly along the curved portions of the floor assembly and accumulate proximate the center of the floor assembly.

Abstract: Separate manifold blocks are connected to the ends of tubular piston rod end portions of linear hydraulic motors that are parts of a drive assembly for a reciprocating slat conveyor. The manifold blocks are removably connected together by bolts and when connected complete passageways in the manifold block assembly that connect the linear hydraulic motors with each other and with pressure and return conduits. The end portions of the linear hydraulic motors are connected to transverse mounting frame members by spaced apart clamp assemblies. The clamp connections stiffen the end portions of the linear hydraulic motors and minimize deflection at the centers of the linear hydraulic motors.

Abstract: A cargo supporting floor has two or more groups of movable slats attached to drive feet which drive cylinder assemblies reciprocate. The drive cylinder assemblies are at least partially in front of the groups of slats, the slats being attached to the upper sides of the drive feet with movable components at least partially below the upper surfaces of the slats, the movable components being above the lower surfaces of the slats and/or above the upper surfaces of the drive feet.

Abstract: A bale wagon for large bales that uses a load rack made of a plurality of longitudinal spaced-apart channel members that move in segments to transfer the load rearwardly for unloading. A tilting bed round bale unloader deposits bales one tier at a time onto their cylindrical surfaces on the ground.

Abstract: Fixed conveyor slats (12) in the nature of beams extend over a window in support framework (53, 100, 102, 116, 118) for the movable and fixed slats (10, 12) in a reciprocating slat conveyor. The fixed slats (12) support the movable slats (20), including in the region of the window. The movable slats (10) are in the nature of box beams, providing them with strength and stiffness in the region of the window. At the rear end of the conveyor, the movable slats (10) move onto support brackets (120) which prevent the rear end portions of the slats (10) from being damaged when they are in a position overhanging a rear wall (84) and material is dropped from above down onto the rear end portions of the slats (10).

Abstract: Transverse frame members (14, 16) extend across and are connected to longitudinal frame members (10, 12). Frame member (14) divides longitudinal frame members (10, 12) into major and minor parts (20, 22, 24, 26). The minor parts (24, 26) are braced by gussets (70, 72) which extend between the minor parts (24, 26) and a vertical web portion (68) of the transverse beam (14). The minor parts (24, 26) of the frame members (10, 12) and the central portion of the frame member (14) form a nook (76) in the cylinder components (80, 82, 84, 102, 104) are received. Piston rod portions (92, 94, 96) of the assembly of linear motors extend from the cylinder component portions to guide bearings (100) mounted in openings (56, 58, 60) formed in the vertical web (54) of the second transverse beam (16). Bolts are used to connect the inner corner portions of the assembly of linear hydraulic motors to mounting pads (34, 36).

Abstract: A plurality of laterally spaced apart, longitudinally extending, V-shaped upper conveyor slats (10) are provided. Each upper conveyor slat (10) has a crown and opposite side portions that slope laterally outwardly and downwardly from the crown. The side portions have lower surfaces. A plurality of laterally spaced apart, longitudinally extending, V-shaped lower conveyor slats (12) are provided. These lower conveyor slats (12) are positioned between the upper conveyor slats (10). Each lower conveyor slats includes a valley and side portions that slope laterally outwardly and upwardly from the valley. The side portions have upper and lower surfaces. The side portions of the upper conveyor slats (10) overhang the side portions of the lower conveyor slats (12). A plurality of slide bearings (14) are positioned vertically between the upper and lower conveyor slats (10, 12) where the side portions of the upper conveyor slats (10) overhang side portions of the lower conveyor slats (12).

Abstract: A conveyor between a log debarker and a flaker has three flat bottom plates which extend the length of the conveyor line, and two vertical side plates. Each of the five plates is driven to oscillate by a hydraulic piston. All five plates together move forward approximately 30 inches at a constant velocity, after the completion of the forward motion, each plate is retracted separately at approximately three times the velocity of the forward motion, to advance logs retained within a trough defined between the side plates in a stepwise forward motion.

Abstract: The container of a mobile cargo trailer is provided with a reciprocating slat type conveyor floor in which the elongated slats are supported at their lateral edges on V-shaped bearings which are mounted on Y-shaped supports integral with sub-deck sections on the container bottom and joined together with watertight seals. Three cross beams are connected to different groups of the slats and are coupled to hydraulic cylinders located outwardly of the front end of the container and in horizontal alignment with the slats. The cylinders are coupled to a hydraulic fluid pressure source through an arrangement of control valves to effect movement of the group of slats simultaneously in a load moving direction and sequentially in the opposite, slat-retracting direction, with interengaging abutments on the cross drives arranged for moving one of the cross drives and its slats by hydraulic power applied only to the other two cross drive cylinders.

Abstract: A moving slat conveyor in which the slats are reciprocally mounted on cross beams and wherein the slats are provided with depressed areas above the respective beams so that the slats fall and rise during their reciprocal movement. All of the slats are moved in unison to carry the goods thereon to an advanced position and in sequence groups of slats are retuned to their home position. During the return the slats lower whereby their upper surface is below the plane of the remaining slats that are supporting the goods.

Abstract: An oscillatory drive unit for use in an oscillating system to be oscillated substantially at the resonance point of the oscillating system, wherein the oscillating system includes a mass to be oscillated and a countermass to which the mass is connected by resilient coupling members. The oscillatory drive unit includes a piston-cylinder-component that is operatively connected to the mass and the countermass. The piston-cylinder-component includes a cylinder chamber and a piston. The piston is arranged for reciprocal movement between a first end position and a second end position. Gas is introduced under pressure into the cylinder chamber within an energizing range of piston positions defined by a first energizing position and a second energizing position of the piston, and gas is vented from the chamber within a venting range of piston positions defined by a first venting position and a second venting position of the piston.

Abstract: A moving slat conveyor in which the slats are reciprocally mounted on cross beams and wherein the slats are provided with depressed areas above the respective beams so that the slats fall and rise during their reciprocal movement. All of the slats are moved in unison to carry the goods thereon to an advanced position and in sequence groups of slats are retuned to their home position. During the return the slats lower whereby their upper surface is below the plane of the remaining slats that are supporting the goods.

Abstract: An oscillatory drive unit for use in an oscillating system to be oscillated substantially at the resonance point of the oscillating system, wherein the oscillating system includes a mass to be oscillated and a countermass to which the mass is connected by resilient coupling members. The oscillatory drive unit includes a piston-cylinder-component that is operatively connected to the mass and the countermass. The piston-cylinder-component includes a cylinder chamber and a piston. The piston is arranged for reciprocal movement between a first end position and a second end position. Gas is introduced under pressure into the cylinder chamber within an energizing range of piston positions defined by a first energizing position and a second energizing position of the piston, and gas is vented from the chamber within a venting range of piston positions defined by a first venting position and a second venting position of the piston.