Abstract: A standardized drive system for a roller conveyor assembly having a motor with an integrated motor drive unit with superior heat transfer characteristics. A motor driver annex is attached to the motor housing and provides a mounting method and a heat sink for cooling the DMOS that provides power to the motor phases. The system includes an easily accessible multi-mode conveyor control management system which provides design flexibility with minimal cost and additionally adds functional improvements for transportation modes. The motor is configured to be mounted on a metal bracket below the rollers and between the side frames of the conveyor assembly. The control system is exceptionally flexible, allowing the system to be configured to operate in many common conveying modes.

Abstract: A standardized drive system for a roller conveyor assembly having a motor with an integrated motor drive unit with superior heat transfer characteristics. A motor driver annex is attached to the motor housing and provides a mounting method and a heat sink for cooling the DMOS that provides power to the motor phases. The system includes an easily accessible multi-mode conveyor control management system which provides design flexibility with minimal cost and additionally adds functional improvements for transportation modes. The motor is configured to be mounted on a metal bracket below the rollers and between the side frames of the conveyor assembly. The control system is exceptionally flexible, allowing the system to be configured to operate in many common conveying modes.

Abstract: A control system for a conveyor system having one or more upstream and downstream conveyor zones and whose operation effectuates transportation of a series of loads via operation of motors and drive arrangements associated with the respective conveyor zones. The control system includes a Local Area Network (LAN) connection between each component of the control arrangement associated with each zone control such that status and operational information associated with the configuration or operation of each conveyor zone, including the zone motor, can be communicated to other conveyor zones so that operation of each conveyor zone can be manipulated in a controlled manner in response to changes to operation of other conveyor zones.

Abstract: A drive unit for a roller conveyor assembly having a motor and an integrated motor controller. The controller is mounted on a circuit board and connected to the rear of the motor housing. A cover for the controller substantially encloses the controller. An opening in the cover allows access to a terminal block from the controller. The terminal block receives wiring to external devices and to other zone controllers. Wiring between the circuit board for the controller and the motor is performed as a step in the assembly of the integrated motor and controller. The motor and controller are configured to be mounted below the rollers and between the side frames of a conveyor assembly. An output shaft from the motor is coupled to the rollers to power the conveyor assembly.

Abstract: A control system for a conveyor system having one or more upstream and downstream conveyor zones and whose operation effectuates transportation of a series of loads via operation of motors and drive arrangements associated with the respective conveyor zones. The control system includes a Local Area Network (LAN) connection between each component of the control arrangement associated with each zone control such that status and operational information associated with the configuration or operation of each conveyor zone, including the zone motor, can be communicated to other conveyor zones so that operation of each conveyor zone can be manipulated in a controlled manner in response to changes to operation of other conveyor zones.

Abstract: A conveyor that is powered by a drive unit is disclosed. The conveyor includes a frame, and the drive unit includes a gearless external drive motor that is configured to fit within the footprint defined by the conveyor frame. The conveyor includes a series of conveying members, such as rollers, that are rotatably supported by the frame. The motor includes an output member that is engaged with a driven one of the rollers, and the driven roller is mechanically linked to an adjacent one of the rollers so that the adjacent roller is driven into rotation in response to rotation of the driven roller. The conveyor is constructed as a conveyor section or zone, which is adapted to be used with a series of similarly constructed conveyor sections or zones to form an overall conveyor system.

Abstract: A conveyor that is powered by a drive unit is disclosed. The conveyor includes a frame, and the drive unit includes a gearless external drive motor that is configured to fit within the footprint defined by the conveyor frame. The conveyor includes a series of conveying members, such as rollers, that are rotatably supported by the frame. The motor includes an output member that is engaged with a driven one of the rollers, and the driven roller is mechanically linked to an adjacent one of the rollers so that the adjacent roller is driven into rotation in response to rotation of the driven roller. The conveyor is constructed as a conveyor section or zone, which is adapted to be used with a series of similarly constructed conveyor sections or zones to form an overall conveyor system.

Abstract: An accumulating conveyor system for transporting a series of loads includes a series of conveyor zones, including at least an upstream conveyor zone and a downstream conveyor zone. Each conveyor zone includes a drive arrangement for operating the conveyor zone to advance loads therealong. A control is interconnected with each drive arrangement. The control is operable to sequentially initiate operation of adjacent conveyor zones by delaying initiation of operation of an upstream conveyor zone for a predetermined time period after initiation of operation of a downstream conveyor zone. In this manner, operation of a series of adjacent conveyor zones is initiated in a sequential or wave-type manner, which avoids thrust loading of the conveyor system and minimizes electrical surges which otherwise would occur if operation of all zones were initiated simultaneously.

Abstract: An accumulating conveyor system for transporting a series of loads includes a series of conveyor zones including at least an upstream conveyor zone and a downstream conveyor zone. Each conveyor zone includes a drive arrangement for operating the conveyor zone to advance loads therealong. An improved singulated release control is interconnected with each drive arrangement. The control is operable to advance adjacent first and second loads on adjacent upstream and downstream conveyor zones, respectively. The control is operable to stop operation of the upstream zone to maintain the second load stationary, while continuing operation of the downstream zone to advance the first load. When the downstream load approaches the downstream end of the downstream conveyor zone, the control is operable to resume operation of both the downstream and upstream conveyor zones, to continue advancement of the first and second loads, respectively.

Abstract: A zoned transport conveyor includes a drive roller and a series of driven rollers for each zone. A motor is interconnected with the drive roller for imparting rotation to the drive roller, which in turn is drivingly engaged with the driven rollers such as through a series of belts. Introduction of a load onto the zone results in rotation of an upstream one of the driven rollers, which is transferred through the drive arrangement to the drive roller. Rotation of the drive roller results in rotation of an output member associated with the motor, which is detected by a series of sensors associated with the motor and which provides and input to a motor control circuit. The motor control circuit includes a processor for controlling operation of the motor, and the processor functions to initiate operation of the motor when inertial rotation of the motor output member is detected.

Abstract: An accumulating conveyor includes a plurality of zones extending from the first end of the conveyor to a second end. Each zone includes its own independently operable electric drive motor which can be activated independently of the drive motors in the other zones of the conveyor to drive a respective zone in either a reverse or forward direction. Each zone includes a sensor for sensing the presence or absence of a load in such zones and the direction of a respective zone. An electrical control circuit is operatively connected with the sensing means and the electric motor for each zone. The control circuit is operable to actuate a first one of the accumulating zones and the immediately adjacent downstream zone when a load is present in the first one of said zones and no load is present in the immediately adjacent downstream zone.

Abstract: An accumulating conveyor includes a plurality of load carrying rollers over which loads are conveyed from an upstream end of the conveyor to a downstream end. The rollers are divided into a plurality of zones. Each zone includes at least one drive roller and may include one or more idler rollers. Each zone includes a controller which is connected between the power supply and the drive roller for that zone. The controller receives a variable input signal which is indicative of the drive roller speed for the immediately adjacent downstream zone, and produces an output signal based on the variable input signal. The output signal is used to adjust the speed of the associated drive roller and is also used as the input signal for the controller of the next adjacent upstream zone. Accordingly, the speed of each zone is continuously adjusted based on the speed of its immediately preceding zone.

Abstract: A drive pulley assembly is disclosed for a conveyor belt assembly which permits a reduction in the overall size of the conveyor assembly without any reduction in the size or width of the conveyor belt. The overall width of the conveyor assembly is reduced by providing recessed end cavities in the ends of the drive pulley to accommodate the mounting brackets for the pulley. In accordance with the present invention, the mounting brackets are secured to the inside of respective frame members and extend therefrom into the recessed end cavities of the drive pulley such that substantially the entirety of the mounting bracket lies within the drive pulley. Because the mounting brackets are contained substantially within the confines of the drive pulley, the drive pulley assembly of the present invention requires less space than conventional conveyor assemblies in which the mounts are disposed beyond the ends of the drive pulley.