Abstract: An apparatus for diverting a stream of articles, the apparatus including a first conveyor belt conveying a stream of articles along a conveying surface, a second conveyor belt disposed parallel to the first conveyor belt and having a conveying surface, and a carrier arranged to travel along a path parallel to the first and second conveyor belts. A first drive mechanism drives the first conveyor belt at a first speed in a first direction, and a second drive mechanism drives the second conveyor belt at a second speed in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A diverter element is affixed to the carrier and extends across at least a portion of the conveying surfaces of the first and second conveyor belts to divert articles in the stream on the first conveyor belt onto the second conveyor belt. A differential drive mechanism drives the carrier at a speed and in a direction that depend on the first speed and the second speed.

Abstract: A conveyor system in which a modular belt or chain is driven by a drive element rotated at a predetermined variable angular speed to compensate for speed fluctuations due to chordal action. A speed signal generator generates a speed signal generally inverse to the uncompensated linear speed of a belt driven by drive elements rotated at a constant angular speed. The speed signal generator detects an encoded pattern rotating in known relationship to the drive element. The encoded pattern represents a predetermined speed profile that is used to compensate for belt speed fluctuations or to provide custom belt speed performance.

Abstract: A conveyor system and associated method for conveying tires received from a multiplicity of tire presses. The conveyor system shown comprises a main, or trench, conveyor flanked on opposite sides by opposing groups of tire presses. Discharge conveyors deliver tires from the tire presses to the main conveyor at multiple positions along the length of the main conveyor. The tires are delivered from both sides of the main conveyor, which conveys them downstream. An open-loop sequencer activates each discharge conveyor to deliver tires to the main conveyor according to a schedule including the sequence of activating each of the discharge conveyors so as to avoid collisions between tires on the main conveyor.

Abstract: A traveling water screen comprising an endless foraminous belt with flights. The foraminous belt forms a water screen extending from a lower end in a flowing stream to an upper end above the surface of the stream. The stream flows through openings in the foraminous screen. The flights, which may be scoops, are arranged in spaced apart relation on the outer surface of the water screen. The water screen is driven in a direction so that its upstream portion advances upward and its downstream portion downward. The flights form inclined surfaces across the width of the screen from a point of highest elevation to one or more points of lowest elevation at one or both side edges of the screen. As the screen moves, the flights lift fish toward the surface. As a flight breaks the surface, fish slide down the inclined flights toward one or both side edges of the screen to be diverted safely.

Abstract: A traveling water screen comprising an endless foraminous belt with flights. The foraminous belt forms a water screen extending from a lower end in a flowing stream to an upper end above the surface of the stream. The stream flows through openings in the foraminous screen. The flights, which may be scoops, are arranged in spaced apart relation on the outer surface of the water screen. The water screen is driven in a direction so that its upstream portion advances upward and its downstream portion downward. The flights form inclined surfaces across the width of the screen from a point of highest elevation to one or more points of lowest elevation at one or both side edges of the screen. As the screen moves, the flights lift fish toward the surface. As a flight breaks the surface, fish slide down the inclined flights toward one or both side edges of the screen to be diverted safely.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for diverting a stream of articles, the apparatus including a framework, a first conveyor supported in the framework and conveying stream of articles along a first conveying surface, and a second conveyor supported in the framework parallel to the first conveyor and having a second conveying surface. A first drive mechanism drives the first conveyor at a first speed in a first direction, and a second drive mechanism drives the second conveyor at a second speed in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A carrier is arranged to travel along a path parallel to the first and second conveyors, and a diverter element is affixed to the carrier and extending across at least a portion of the conveying surfaces of the first and second conveyors to divert articles in the stream on the first conveyor to the second conveyor.