Abstract: A portable, shallow well-drilling apparatus is described. The apparatus is lightweight, modular, and easy to transport to and assemble at a remote drill site. The apparatus includes a generally rectangular frame having a plurality of multi-segment support beams in spaced relation extending vertically from a lower base to a top cap, no component of which exceeds five feet in length, a winch assembly attached to the frame, and a motor removably mounted on the frame and slidable up and down the beams via the winch assembly. The apparatus further includes a transmission removably coupled to the motor, and a drill pipe assembly removably coupled to the transmission.

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.

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.

Abstract: A differential motion conveyor (20) for conveying products along an elongated trough structure (22) supported for reciprocal movement relative to a counterweight base structure (24) of a weight significantly greater than the weight of the trough structure. A rotational actuator (200) moving in a singular direction reciprocates the trough structure lengthwise relative and counterweighed base structure at a substantially continually varying velocity of the actuator to achieve a desired differential acceleration rate of the trough structure between the two opposing directions of longitudinal movement of the trough structure.

Abstract: A vibratory conveying device comprise an elongated trough for transporting materials, and a base underlying the trough. A plurality of elongated leaf springs support the trough on the base, with a vibratory drive system operatively connected to the base for effecting vibratory movement of the trough. Economical manufacture and efficient maintenance are facilitated by configuring the base so that it comprises a pair of sheet-like base side members, with a laterally extending drive support member extending therebetween. In the preferred form, the drive support member is detachably connected to the base side members with suitable mechanical fasteners. In turn, a pair of rotary vibratory drives of the drive system are removably mounted on respective opposite sides of the drive support member by a plurality of threaded mechanical fasteners.

Abstract: A vibratory conveying device comprise an elongated trough for transporting materials, and a base underlying the trough. A plurality of elongated leaf springs support the trough on the base, with a vibratory drive system operatively connected to the base for effecting vibratory movement of the trough. Economical manufacture and efficient maintenance are facilitated by configuring the base so that it comprises a pair of sheet-like base side members, with a laterally extending drive support member extending therebetween. In the preferred form, the drive support member is detachably connected to the base side members with suitable mechanical fasteners. In turn, a pair of rotary vibratory drives of the drive system are removably mounted on respective opposite sides of the drive support member by a plurality of threaded mechanical fasteners.

Abstract: A base excited vibratory trough conveyor includes a trough mounted on leaf springs to a base which is excited by a linear vibratory drive. The vibratory drive produces a linear force which is oriented to be perpendicular to the springs, and the linear force is adjusted to equal the reaction force of the springs on the base during the desired stroke. Such balancing results in no stroke or movement of the base. A more lightweight base can thus be used without requiring that the base center of gravity be aligned along the center of gravity of the conveyor and the trough, or that the base be excessively heavy.

Abstract: A differential motion conveyor includes a cylindrical moving magnet linear motor to drive a trough into vibration to convey material. The linear motor utilizes a compact, efficient and powerful design using an annular stator which drives an armature. The armature includes opposing shaft ends which are connected to either the trough or to a conveyor base, or to a counterweight depending on the conveyor design, to drive the trough into reciprocation to feed particles along the trough.

Abstract: A differential motion conveyor includes a cylindrical moving magnet linear motor to drive a trough into vibration to convey material. The linear motor utilizes a compact, efficient and powerful design using an annular stator which drives an armature. The armature includes opposing shaft ends which are connected to either the trough or to a conveyor base, or to a counterweight depending on the conveyor design, to drive the trough into reciprocation to feed particles along the trough.

Abstract: A base excited vibratory trough conveyor includes a trough mounted on leaf springs to a base which is excited by a linear vibratory drive. The vibratory drive produces a linear force which is oriented to be perpendicular to the springs, and the linear force is adjusted to equal the reaction force of the springs on the base during the desired stroke. Such balancing results in no stroke or movement of the base. A more lightweight base can thus be used without requiring that the base center of gravity be aligned along the center of gravity of the conveyor and the trough, or that the base be excessively heavy.

Abstract: A spring coefficient adjustment system for a vibratory drive for use in driving a vibratory delivery apparatus. The drive includes an electromagnet and an associated armature spaced apart by a gap. In the drive, a plate is movable with respect to a frame. One of the electromagnet and the armature is connected to the frame and the respective other is connected to the spring plate. A primary spring is connected between the frame and the spring plate. A plurality of auxiliary elastomer shear springs are selectively engageable between the frame and the plate to change the total spring coefficient between the frame and the plate.

Abstract: The bearing includes a cylindrical bearing, such as a sleeve bearing or a ball bearing, having a central opening for receiving a shaft and having a first radial surface. The assembly includes a bearing housing having a surrounding wall which defines an open distal end and an open base end. The housing has a second radial surface extending inwardly from the surrounding wall. The assembly includes a support wall arranged adjacent to the open base end of the housing. The assembly includes a plurality of threaded fasteners which are inserted through holes provided on the bearing housing and are threaded onto threaded apertures provided in or behind the support wall. Tightening of the fasteners draws the bearing housing to the support wall. A spring, such as a Belleville washer, is placed between the support wall and the bearing to resiliently press the first radial surface against the second radial surface. When the housing and support wall are drawn tight the spring is compressed under great force.

Abstract: A spring system for a vibration driver provides a non-linear stiffening reaction force as the deflection of the spring system increases. In a vibration driver, particularly an electromagnetic vibration driver, a reciprocating plate provides opposing bumpers which engage opposing elastomer blocks alternately during the stroke of the plate. Elastomer blocks include on three or four sides an elastomer impregnated fabric. The fabric controls the bulging of the elastomer block during impact by the bumper, substantially changing the spring rate of the elastomer block, to increase the resonant frequency of the spring system as the machine stroke increases. Increasing resonant frequency controls the stroke amplitude of the plate for a consistent feed rate of resonant tuned vibratory material handling equipment.

Abstract: An isolation component for vibratory equipment such as a vibratory trough or feeder includes an isolation spring for supporting the dynamic load of the equipment, and a damper element, preferably an elastomeric ring, arranged against an end of the isolation spring. The damper element prevents excessive motion of the isolation spring due to the vibratory equipment's operating frequency being close to any of the natural frequencies of the bending mode of the isolation spring by applying an opposing load to any such motion. The damper element is preferably an elastomer ring and is arranged along an axis of the support spring. A connector extends from a first end of the isolation spring, adjacent the damper element, toward and past a second end of the isolation spring and is connected to the vibratory equipment.

Abstract: A spring support bracket for supporting a sheet metal trough intermittently on leaf springs provides an L-shaped bracket for a welding connection to a side wall and bottom wall of the sheet metal trough and a spring block extending outwardly from the vertical member of the L-shaped bracket and tilted to the vertical rearwardly of the trough. The spring block includes an aperture for receiving a fastener for connecting a leaf spring thereto so that the trough may be supported by a plurality of leaf springs arranged intermittently along the length of the trough and on opposite lateral sides of the troughs.

Abstract: A vibratory conveying feeder includes a trough mounted by springs to a base with a vibratory driver bonded to the base and connected to the trough. The springs include a first vertically oriented spring at a front of the conveyor connected between the base and the trough and a second spring arranged between the trough and the base and arranged along a line about 20.degree. to the horizontal. The second spring is set between 40% to 80% of total spring rate. The base is tapered toward a rear side thereof to allow a plurality of such conveyor feeders to be mounted in a tight circle for delivering material radially outwardly of the center line of the circle in a weighing and distributing operation.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus for use with associated vibratory conveyance equipment includes a pair of counter-rotating shafts respectively carrying counter-rotating eccentrically mounted weights for generating vibratory forces attendant to counter-rotation of the shafts. Economical manufacture of the apparatus is promoted by providing a toothed belt drive for effecting counter-shaft rotation, with externally-mounted bearing assemblies provided to facilitate periodic bearing maintenance. A housing of the apparatus is configured as a fabricated composite beam assembly to promote economical manufacture, and mounting and integration of the vibratory apparatus with associated vibratory feed equipment.

Abstract: A bucket elevator system capable of being driven bi-directionally. The system having a plurality of pivoted buckets supported between two endless chains. Each bucket having a primary guide boss with an upper surface and a guide surface thereon. Guides arranged to contact the upper surface of the primary guide boll to restrain the pivotal movement of the buckets.

Abstract: An electromagnetic exciter for use in powering vibratory equipment includes a plurality of deflectable elastomeric springs in a configuration that allows the spring system to achieve a vertical non-linear spring rate increase beneficial in dual mass electromagnetic feeder and conveyor systems.

Abstract: An electromechanical exciter for use in driving a vibratory conveyor includes a non-linear spring system which provides an increase in spring force as the stroke of the electromagnet increases.