Abstract: The present disclosure provides a slide gate 201 for use in conveyor systems that include permanent magnets 221 to hold slide gate components in place relative to a conveyor trough 202, while allowing the slide gate 201 to slide between open and closed positions relative to an opening or cutout 219 formed in the conveyor floor. The slide gate 201 is controllably opened and closed by an actuator system and can be magnetically attached to the actuator system 215 such that the slide gate 201 is attached to the conveyor system entirely through magnetic force. Magnetic attachment of the slide gate 201 provides improved performance, ease of cleaning, and safety compared to known slide gate systems.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 17, 2009
Date of Patent:
January 11, 2011
Assignee:
PPM Technologies, Inc.
Inventors:
Harold E. Patterson, Nathan Davis, Scott Kuhnert