Abstract: A vibratory conveyor for transporting an object includes a curved deck defining a conveying surface for supporting the object, the deck having an inner edge and an outer edge. A housing has an inner wall coupled to the deck inner edge and an outer wall coupled to the deck outer edge, wherein an interior of the housing defines a conveyor chamber and the inner wall defines a central chamber. An inlet air plenum may be provided in fluid communication with a plurality of air distribution chambers positioned inside the conveyor chamber. A plurality of apertures may be formed in the plurality of air distribution chambers, the apertures arranged in an air distribution pattern. The conveyor also includes an outlet opening communicating between conveyor and central chambers. The conveyor further includes a catch floor extending across the central chamber, the floor having a discharge opening formed therein.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor for transporting an object has a first housing wall with a first wall support and a second housing wall with a second wall support. A deck has a first lateral edge engaging the first wall support and a second lateral edge engaging the second wall support, so that the deck extends along a deck path and defines a conveyor surface adapted to receive the object. A force assembly is mechanically coupled to the deck and applies a force that bends the deck into an arcuate cross-sectional profile.

Abstract: A three mass vibratory apparatus for processing work material includes a bed defining a transport surface for receiving the objects, an elastic amplifier having a first end connected to the bed and a second end, and a drive base connected to the elastic amplifier second end. A linear actuator is mounted on the drive base and adapted to generate a linear vibratory force that is amplified by the elastic amplifier thereby to move the bed in a vibratory motion, so that the work material moves in response to the vibratory motion of the bed. The bed defines a first mass, the drive base and linear actuator define a second mass, and the reciprocating weight defines a third mass, the first, second, and third masses being isolated from rigid coupling to one another.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor for transporting an object includes a curved deck defining a conveying surface for supporting the object, the deck having an inner edge and an outer edge. A housing has an inner wall coupled to the deck inner edge and an outer wall coupled to the deck outer edge, wherein an interior of the housing defines a conveyor chamber and the inner wall defines a central chamber. An inlet air plenum may be provided in fluid communication with a plurality of air distribution chambers positioned inside the conveyor chamber. A plurality of apertures may be formed in the plurality of air distribution chambers, the apertures arranged in an air distribution pattern. The conveyor also includes an outlet opening communicating between conveyor and central chambers. The conveyor further includes a catch floor extending across the central chamber, the floor having a discharge opening formed therein.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor for transporting an object includes a curved deck defining a conveying surface for supporting the object, the deck having an inner edge and an outer edge. A housing has an inner wall coupled to the deck inner edge and an outer wall coupled to the deck outer edge, wherein an interior of the housing defines a conveyor chamber and the inner wall defines a central chamber. An inlet air plenum may be provided in fluid communication with a plurality of air distribution chambers positioned inside the conveyor chamber. A plurality of apertures may be formed in the plurality of air distribution chambers, the apertures arranged in an air distribution pattern. The conveyor also includes an outlet opening communicating between conveyor and central chambers. The conveyor further includes a catch floor extending across the central chamber, the floor having a discharge opening formed therein.

Abstract: A two mass vibratory apparatus for processing work material includes a bed defining a transport surface for receiving the objects, an elastic amplifier having a first end connected to the bed and a second end, and a base connected to the elastic amplifier second end. A linear actuator is mounted on the base and adapted to generate a linear vibratory force that is amplified by the elastic amplifier thereby to move the bed in a vibratory motion, so that the work material moves in response to the vibratory motion of the bed.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor for transporting an object includes a spiral deck enclosed in a housing having passageways for allowing air flow between adjacent deck tier segments. In addition, the conveyor may include two concentric spiral decks operably coupled to one another, wherein a vibratory force is capable of simultaneously advancing objects both up the first spiral deck and down the second spiral deck.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor for transporting an object includes a deck defining a conveying surface for supporting the object, the deck having an inner edge and an outer edge. A housing has an inner wall coupled to the inner edge of the deck and an outer wall coupled to the outer edge of the deck, wherein an interior of the housing defines a conveyor chamber. An inlet air plenum is provided in fluid communication with a plurality of air distribution chambers positioned inside the conveyor chamber. A plurality of apertures is formed in the plurality of air distribution chambers, wherein the apertures are arranged in an air distribution pattern. An exhaust outlet fluidly communicates between the conveyor chamber and an air vacuum source. The conveyor may a catch floor disposed in a central chamber for receiving debris from an air stream. The vibratory force advances the debris to a discharge opening formed in the catch floor.

Abstract: A bidirectional vibratory feeder for transporting objects in a curved path has a trough assembly including an elongated, generally horizontal bed defining the curved path, and a center of gravity. Resilient isolators are connected to the trough assembly and adapted to isolate the trough assembly from underlying terrain. An exciter mass assembly includes an exciter frame and a vibration generator coupled to the exciter frame for generating vibratory forces, the exciter mass assembly having a center of gravity. At least one horizontally disposed resilient coupling is connected between the exciter mass assembly and the trough assembly, and at least one vertically disposed link is connected between the exciter mass assembly and the trough assembly.

Abstract: A bidirectional vibratory feeder for transporting objects in a curved path has a trough assembly including an elongated, generally horizontal bed defining the curved path, and a center of gravity. Resilient isolators are connected to the trough assembly and adapted to isolate the trough assembly from underlying terrain. An exciter mass assembly includes an exciter frame and a vibration generator coupled to the exciter frame for generating vibratory forces, the exciter mass assembly having a center of gravity. At least one horizontally disposed resilient coupling is connected between the exciter mass assembly and the trough assembly, and at least one vertically disposed link is connected between the exciter mass assembly and the trough assembly.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor for transporting an object includes a deck defining a conveying surface for supporting the object, the deck having an inner edge and an outer edge. A housing has an inner wall coupled to the inner edge of the deck and an outer wall coupled to the outer edge of the deck, wherein an interior of the housing defines a conveyor chamber. An inlet air plenum is provided in fluid communication with a plurality of air distribution chambers positioned inside the conveyor chamber. A plurality of apertures is formed in the plurality of air distribution chambers, wherein the apertures are arranged in an air distribution pattern. An exhaust outlet fluidly communicates between the conveyor chamber and an air vacuum source. The conveyor may a catch floor disposed in a central chamber for receiving debris from an air stream. The vibratory force advances the debris to a discharge opening formed in the catch floor.

Abstract: A two mass vibratory apparatus for processing work material includes a bed defining a transport surface for receiving the objects, an elastic amplifier having a first end connected to the bed and a second end, and a base connected to the elastic amplifier second end. A linear actuator is mounted on the base and adapted to generate a linear vibratory force that is amplified by the elastic amplifier thereby to move the bed in a vibratory motion, so that the work material moves in response to the vibratory motion of the bed.

Abstract: An exciter mass assembly for vibratory processing equipment includes an exciter frame and at least one resilient member connecting the exciter frame to the vibratory processing equipment. A motor is supported by the exciter frame so that the exciter frame and motor define a frame center of gravity. The motor includes a rotating shaft defining a shaft center of gravity. The prime mover is positioned with respect to the exciter frame such that the shaft center of gravity is substantially coincident with the exciter mass center of gravity, thereby to minimize movement of the exciter mass assembly in unintended directions.

Abstract: An exciter mass assembly for vibratory processing equipment includes an exciter frame and at least one resilient member connecting the exciter frame to the vibratory processing equipment. A motor is supported by the exciter frame so that the exciter frame and motor define a frame center of gravity. The motor includes a rotating shaft defining a shaft center of gravity. The prime mover is positioned with respect to the exciter frame such that the shaft center of gravity is substantially coincident with the exciter mass center of gravity, thereby to minimize movement of the exciter mass assembly in unintended directions.

Abstract: A water blending apparatus for use in conditioning foundry sand. The apparatus creates a vertical sand stream flow path which increases the surface area of the sand stream and allows water to be applied to both sides of the sand stream rather than a single side, as known with conventional water mixing apparatus. In addition, the blending apparatus includes a housing inside which a pair of mixers thoroughly mix the wetted sand. Because the mixers are not positioned in-line with the main sand processing flow, as in conventional apparatus, the mixing time is not dependent upon the speed of the conveyor, and therefore mixing time may be increased. Furthermore, the agitators positioned inside the housing have a more efficient active area since a smaller clearance space is required than with over-the-conveyor style mixing devices, which must avoid contact with the conveyor belt. As a result, the sand may be cooled more quickly due to increased initial water coverage.

Abstract: A nosepiece for directing a charge into a crucible of a furnace. The nosepiece comprises a completely enclosed sleeve which more accurately directs the charge into the crucible. The sleeve has a distal portion that deflects the charge toward a center area of the crucible, thereby minimizing impact of the charge on the top edge of the crucible and its refractory liner. In addition, the nosepiece is split so that the distal portion is movable, thereby to provide access to an interior of the nosepiece. As a result, any bridging in the charge may be addressed by moving the distal portion to an open position.

Abstract: In order to prevent material from passing into a plenum chamber, an assembly for fluidizing the material includes a deck supported above the plenum chamber. The plenum chamber has an intake in communication with a source of pressurized air, and the deck includes an inverted channel for distributing the pressurized air to the material in a preselected air distribution pattern and an inverted channel for supporting the material in a position generally above and in spaced relation to the air distributing channel. With this arrangement, the material supporting channel is disposed in spaced relation to the air distributing channel to permit the pressurized air from the plenum chamber to fluidize the material.

Abstract: A motor base for use in vibratory apparatus. The vibratory apparatus includes at least one eccentric drive having a driven shaft rotatably mounted on a moveable exciter. A motor is provided having a motor shaft which is spaced from the eccentric drive and coupled to the eccentric drive by a drive belt. Rotation of the motor is transferred by the drive belt to the eccentric drive, which generates a vibrational force. The vibrational force moves the exciter in various directions during operation of the vibratory apparatus. The motor base comprises a rigid support, such as an arm, having a free end adapted to carry the motor. The arm is supported to move about an axis of the driven shaft, so that the arm maintains a center distance between the motor shaft and the driven shaft. A resilient support, such as a compression spring, is attached to the free end of the arm, below the motor, to absorb any resulting forces acting on the arm from the movement of the exciter.

Abstract: In order to provide the capability of distributing a material that is conveyed, a vibratory distribution conveyor includes a deck having a distribution edge. The distribution edge extends between an inlet end and an end remote therefrom and the deck is subjected to vibratory motion to cause material to be conveyed from the inlet end toward the end remote therefrom. With this arrangement, the declination of the deck is controlled about a longitudinal axis to control the distribution characteristics of the conveyor.

Abstract: In order to provide the capability of distributing a material that is conveyed, a vibratory distribution conveyor includes a deck having a distribution edge. The distribution edge extends between an inlet end and an end remote therefrom and the deck is subjected to vibratory motion to cause material to be conveyed from the inlet end toward the end remote therefrom. With this arrangement, the declination of the deck is controlled about a longitudinal axis to control the distribution characteristics of the conveyor.