Abstract: A conveyor system includes a fixed, non-powered rail defining a conveyor path. An automated conveyor carrier (ACC) is supported by the rail and drivable along the rail by an on-board motor in a self-driving trolley of the ACC, the motor powering a drive wheel. The rail defines a first section and a second section separate from the first section. The conveyor system is adapted to provide a first amount of traction for the ACC on the rail in the first section and a second amount of traction, greater than the first amount of traction, in the second section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tubular handling system (1) comprising:—a tower (10) comprising a tubular lift device for lowering and/or raising a tubular in an essentially vertical orientation,—a support (20) for supporting the tubular-laying tower—a tubulars supply system, preferably provided on the support, for supplying tubulars to an essentially horizontal supply position in the vicinity of the tower,—a tubular handling apparatus (2) for transporting a tubular between the essentially horizontal supply position and the tubular lift device in the tower, wherein the tubular handling apparatus comprises: a gripper (4a, 4b) adapted for gripping the tubular, a base (6), and a boom (5) to which the one or more grippers are attached, which boom is pivotable with respect to the base in a boom.

Abstract: A vertical pipe handler with pivoting arms for a drilling rig can include a central support and a central support center line. The vertical pipe hander can grab a tubular with top and bottom pipe grabbers, and lift the tubular using a bottom non-rotating collar and a bottom rack and bottom pinion lift mechanism. The tubular can be vertically positioned before being moved downward; thereby allowing for a next tubular in a series to be positioned and inserted.

Abstract: A method of positioning lumber in a given orientation in a handling apparatus having a base frame, a longitudinal transport assembly, and at least two gripper arm support platforms with a pair of gripper arms positioned on each of the support platforms. A work piece is gripped with the gripper arms without the work piece engaging the longitudinal transport assembly. The gripper arms are adjusted on at least one of the support platforms in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal transport assembly in order to selectively position the work piece. The work piece is then brought into engagement with the transport assembly and the gripper arms are released from the work piece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for handling pipes in a derrick and racking the pipes on a pipe racking assembly mounted on the derrick. The apparatus includes a rotatable gate assembly rotatably mounted on the pipe racking assembly. The rotatable gate assembly includes a collar rotatably mounted to a first end of a rotatable pipe support. A pipe manipulator arm is pivotably mounted on a second end of the rotatable gate assembly. The collar defines a gate for securing an upper portion of the pipe stand. A pipe mount is mounted to a distal end of the arm for holding the pipe stand for transport between the derrick and the gate, and between the gate and the pipe rack. After the arm secures the pipe stand into the gate from the derrick, a drive mechanism rotates the rotatable gate assembly to a rack facing position from the derrick facing position such that the arm may transport the pipe between the gate and the pipe rack.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling pipes in a derrick and racking the pipes on a pipe racking assembly mounted on the derrick is provided to improve the stability of transferring pipes during a round trip operation. The apparatus includes a rotatable gate assembly mounted on the pipe racking assembly. The rotatable gate assembly includes a collar rotatably mounted to a first end of a shaft and an arm pivotably and rotatably mounted on a second end of the shaft. The collar defines a gate for securing an upper portion of the pipe stand. A first securing means mounted to a second end of the arm secures the mid-portion of the pipe stand and a second securing means mounted to the first securing means secures the lower portion of the pipe stand. After the arm secures the pipe stand from the derrick, a drive mechanism mounted to the shaft rotates the rotatable gate assembly such that the arm may rack the pipe on the pipe racking assembly.

Abstract: An improved log charging system for a sawmill having a sharp chain infeed conveyor includes a log turning station for scanning and rotating a horizontally supported log about its longitudinal axis to a desired orientation that will produce maximum lumber yield, and a charging system for clamping the log in the desired position, lowering the horizontal log, while clamped in the desired orientation, forwardly and downwardly relative to the sharp chain, and pressing the log downwardly toward embedded engagement with the teeth of the sharp chain by a continued travel hand-off device. To increase the speed of the log charging operation, the log is preliminarily scanned prior to transport to the log turning station, thereby to permit adjustment of the log support device for size before it receives a given log.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for controlling a continuous movement of an object with symmetry of revolution (1) comprising a conveyor (5), characterized in that the conveyor comprises two parallel guides (6) and at least one pair of belts (8) stretched on the guides, between and on which these objects move at the level of the guides, these belts forming an angle (11) between a top track and a lower track of each of the belts, the belts in the pair having the same direction of rotation around the guides, the same value of the measured angle (11) from the upper track to the lower track, and the same displacement speed. Preferably, the pair of belts consists of a single folded belt.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transport and gripping device (10) for transporting workpieces (40) to and from a processing device (20). Said transport and gripping device comprises a gripping mechanism (50, 52) for gripping the workpiece (40); a device for moving the workpiece in the longitudinal direction thereof by displacement of said transport and gripping device; a device for turning the workpiece parallel to the direction of gripping; and a device for rotating the workpiece about the lateral axis thereof. Said transport and gripping device also comprises an arm (32, 32a), the gripper (38, 50, 52) being attached to the distal end thereof. Said device used to move the workpiece in a longitudinal direction (40) is embodied in such a way that the arm (32, 32a) is moved in a substantially transversal manner across the longitudinal side thereof. The device used to turn the workpiece (40) parallel to the direction of gripping is embodied in such a way that the arm (32, 32a) is rotated on its proximal end.