With Condition Responsive Control Of A Section Patents (Class 198/571)
  • Patent number: 11840407
    Abstract: A removable cartridge cleaner assembly is provided that allows for easier replacement of the belt cleaner blades from under a conveyor belt. In one aspect the assembly includes a cartridge assembly configured for connection with at least one belt cleaner blade assembly and a support assembly configured to support the cartridge assembly across a transverse width of the conveyor belt. A releasable connection between the cartridge assembly and the support assembly is configured to be sheltered from dust and debris. The releasable connection may be disposed within a chamber formed by the engaging portions of the cartridge and support assemblies. The releasable connection can be released by removing a longitudinally oriented rod member that extends along a length of the cartridge and support assemblies. The support assembly may include a secondary cartridge support for easing installation and removal of the cartridge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: Joseph Snow, Brian Wood
  • Patent number: 11220403
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a belt conveyor with a circulating conveyor belt includes the steps of determining at least one operating parameter of the belt conveyor; determining running resistances at different points along the conveyor belt on the basis of the at least one determined operating parameter; determining a sum of the determined running resistances over the length of the conveyor belt; and adapting the determination of the running resistances, in order to minimize a deviation of the drive power which is calculated from the determined sum from the measured drive power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Ziegler, Michael Grzybek, Uwe Boeker
  • Patent number: 10669106
    Abstract: A carriage transport system, including a transport path formed of a plurality of transporting modules; a plurality of lower-order controllers each configured to conduct drive control of a carriage on a covered transporting module among the plurality of transporting modules; and a higher-order controller configured to control the plurality of lower-order controllers, wherein the plurality of lower-order controllers each receive a drive instruction for the carriage on the transport path from the higher-order controller in advance, and when respectively receiving one-group transport instructions transmitted from the higher-order controller simultaneously at the same timing, the plurality of lower-order controllers each apply the drive instruction to one of the carriage that is present on the covered transporting module and the carriage that is to enter the covered transporting module in an order of entering the covered transporting module, to thereby conduct the drive control of the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takeshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10227183
    Abstract: A soldering apparatus as a conveyance apparatus includes a substrate loading portion to load a substrate on the soldering apparatus, an intermittent feeding unit to intermittently feed the substrate loaded on the soldering apparatus, a substrate discharge portion to discharge the intermittently fed substrate to the outside of the soldering apparatus and a controller to control conveyance of the substrate. The substrate loading portion includes a first conveyance path to convey the substrate, a first sensor provided in the vicinity of a substrate loading inlet of the substrate loading portion, and a second sensor arranged in a downstream side of the first sensor along the substrate conveyance direction. The intermittent feeding unit includes a second conveyance path for conveying the substrate, and a third sensor placed in the vicinity of an upstream end of the intermittent feeding unit along the substrate conveyance direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Senju Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuta Saito
  • Patent number: 9994050
    Abstract: A sheet conveying system includes: an upstream apparatus provided on an upstream side in a conveyance direction of a paper sheet; a downstream apparatus provided on a downstream side of the upstream apparatus; an upstream conveyor that conveys the paper sheet; an upstream driver that drives the upstream conveyor; a downstream conveyor that receives the paper sheet conveyed from the upstream conveyor, and conveys the paper sheet received from the upstream conveyor; a downstream driver that drives the downstream conveyor; an upstream controller that is connected to the upstream and downstream drivers; and a downstream controller that is connected to the downstream and upstream drivers, wherein the sheet conveying system switches control on the basis of sheet information between first control in which the upstream controller controls the upstream and downstream drivers and second control in which the downstream controller controls the downstream and upstream drivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Kiyoto Kojima, Takahiro Yokoya, Eiji Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 9638710
    Abstract: A laboratory automation system is described, comprising pairs of conveyor belts accommodating devices for conveying biological samples and actuated by a motorized traction device. Said motorized traction device includes a first and a second motor, each adapted to actuate both said pairs of belts a central control unit being adapted to control the simultaneous or alternating actuation of said motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: INPECO HOLDING LTD.
    Inventor: Gianandrea Pedrazzini
  • Patent number: 9505560
    Abstract: A system for controlling moving elements including: a zone controller; a first network and a second network; at least one first motor gateway associated with a portion of the conveyor and assigned to the first network; and at least one second motor gateway associated with a different portion of the conveyor and assigned to the second network; wherein the zone controller and the motor gateways are configured to: communicate data to control the moving elements via the first and second networks in a structured manner to compensate for network or processing timing. A method for controlling moving elements including: communicating data related to control of the moving element conveyor, in a structured manner to compensate for network or processing timing, between a zone controller and first and second motor gateways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: ATS AUTOMATION TOOLING SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Albert Kleinikkink, John Ditner, Graham Knap, Allan Dubeau
  • Patent number: 9290330
    Abstract: A system for treating a material includes first and second screw conveyors each having a rotary shaft and a helical flight extending radially outward therefrom, the flighting of the screw conveyors overlapping with each other, and first and second actuators operably coupled to the first and second screw conveyors in a one-to-one dedicated relationship to rotationally drive the screw conveyors independently of each other. In typical embodiments, also included is a system for varying the clocking position of the screw conveyors relative to each other, wherein the screw conveyor flights are axially adjusted with respect to each other between a normal position and an advanced and/or retarded position. Also disclosed are methods of varying the axial position of the screw conveyor flights with respect to each other between the normal and advanced and/or retarded positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: THERMA-FLITE, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Nickerson, John Whitney
  • Patent number: 9027741
    Abstract: The invention is related to a transport system for sheet material including a conveyor belt charged with a vacuum. The transport system includes a vacuum chamber providing the vacuum to charge the conveyor belt while moving along the vacuum chamber in a transport direction, wherein the conveyor belt is permeable to air by recesses having specified distances from each other, and air nozzles arranged at a deflection position inside the vacuum chamber. The specified distances from each other correlate with the distances of the recesses in the conveyor belt to allow pressurized air charged to the air nozzles to pass through the recesses in the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
    Inventor: Andrey Galkin
  • Patent number: 9004263
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: David V. Hall, James Scholler
  • Publication number: 20140326580
    Abstract: An extendable boom conveyor system having a first boom element, a controller, an input device, and a second boom element. The controller, using the input device, can adjust the position of the first boom element to maintain a distance relative to a user. A method performed by an extendible conveyor system can include detecting a position of a user using the input device, moving the first boom element to a position relative to the position of the user, detecting a user input using the input device, moving the first boom element to a new position according to the user input, and transporting parcels loaded by the user on the conveying surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Carpenter, Jeffrey Eugene Gilb, James M. Pippin
  • Patent number: 8770373
    Abstract: A side shifting conveyor is provided for a surface mining operation. The conveyor generally includes conveyor sections and conveyor translation devices. Each conveyor translation device includes a drive operable to move the associated at least one conveyor section in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction. The conveyor further includes a controller operatively coupled to each drive for controlling operation of the drive and coordinating movement of the conveyor sections. A method for moving a conveyor in a surface mine generally includes sensing that a surface miner operable to deposit material onto the conveyor sections has moved beyond one of the conveyor sections, fixing a position relative to the surface mine of a conveyor translation device associated with one of the conveyor sections, and operating the conveyor translation device to move one of the conveyor sections in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Neilson, Michael S. Adamczyk, Joseph J. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 8631925
    Abstract: A roll stand assembly for processing a sheet product and having a frame and a plurality of rolls operatively position on the frame so as to define a plurality of nip locations between cooperating pairs of the rolls. The roll axes are substantially parallel with the plurality of rolls operatively positioned on the frame. Two of the rolls are relatively repositionable by guided relative movement therebetween along a first path to vary a gap between the two rolls. The two rolls are relatively repositionable by guided relative movement therebetween along a second path that is different than the first path to vary the gap between the two rolls. A control system is provided through which the two rolls are relatively repositioned by causing guided relative movement between the two rolls in the first and second paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Processing Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dana R. Hanson, Ryan E. Leopold
  • Patent number: 8602206
    Abstract: A conveyor system includes a splicing belt, a supporting member, a driving module, a trigger module, a detecting module. The splicing belt is attached to the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt for joining the second conveyor belt to the first conveyor belt. The supporting member supports the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt. The driving module drives the first conveyor belt to be moved relative to the supporting member. The trigger module is located between the supporting member and the first conveyor belt, and is triggered when the splicing belt is moved to be contacted with the trigger module. The detecting module records a trigger time when the trigger module is triggered, the trigger time is a material transition time at which the first materials being fed is changed to the second materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhen-Yu Miao, Zhong-Kun Xiao
  • Patent number: 8590358
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for forming a metal container including one or more devices that are electronically coordinated to perform operations of local and/or extensive deformation over metal containers and one or more interface devices (12) wherein the motion among the devices is accomplished in an indirect way through elements adapted to coordinate and synchronize these same devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Frattini S.p.A. Construzioni Meccaniche
    Inventors: Roberto Frattini, Anthony Kendrick Nixon
  • Publication number: 20130283617
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a rigging table system that delivers the members from the cutting station to a location behind the workers at the rigging table, transports the members vertically below the surface of the floor on which the workers stand, horizontally transports the members underneath the floor on which the workers stand, and delivers the members vertically above the surface of the floor in front of the workers for assembly on the rigging table. The members are delivered through the use of systems that drop, slide, lift, and extend the members of the truss to the desired locations using automatic sensors or call buttons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Corey D. Privett, Danny R. Buckendahl, Michael T. Chikos, Frederick J. Dederman, Shane P. Finkral, Jeffrey S. Gallop, Doyle G. Hopper, JR., Daniel W. Johnson, Terrence L. Jueden, James P. Laudenklos, Jordan S. Otjen, James L. Pofahl, Brian L. Richter, Russell L. Sila, Gerald J. Wieser, Kyle J. Zautke
  • Patent number: 8443963
    Abstract: A multiplexing gathering device includes a first gatherer for forming first gathered printed products on a first line and a second gatherer for forming second gathered printed products on a second line. A collecting device collects the first and second gathered printed products. A first transporter transports the first gathered products from the first line to the collecting device and a second transporter for transports the second gathered products from the second line to the collecting device. At least one controller for controls the first gatherer and second gatherer so that second gathered products are selectively formed as a function of the formation of first gathered printed products. A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Goss International Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Cooper, Glenn Alan Guaraldi
  • Patent number: 8442673
    Abstract: The invention relates method for controlling a machine for treating containers (12) as well as for controlling processing and/or treatment stations located downstream from it, wherein the machine has a plurality of turntables (42) that are each driven by a motor and that serve to orient and/or position the containers (12), in which method the motor drives (44) of the turntables (42) are each monitored separately, so that, if an error occurs with one or more of the turntable drives (44), the affected defective turntable drives (44) are deactivated while the machine and/or the stations located downstream continue to be operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Martin Langosch, Joerg Triebel
  • Patent number: 8439182
    Abstract: A system for controlling friction forces acting on a mailpiece in a mailpiece insertion module. The system includes, a backstop assembly for arresting the motion of the envelope when disposed in a first positon and permitting conveyance along the feed path when disposed in a second position, an actuator operative to position the backstop assembly into the first and second positions and consuming energy to maintain the backstop assembly in the first position, a sensor for acquirinq data indicative of the magnitude of energy consumed by the actuator; a means for developing a pressure differential across the envelope to urge the envelope into frictional engagement with a plurality of drive belts and for developing friction forces along a mating interface, and a system controller, for varying the magnitude of the pressure differential and the friction forces developed along the mating interface of the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Boris Rozenfeld, John W. Sussmeier, Arthur H. DePol
  • Patent number: 8342315
    Abstract: An apparatus for conveying products to a destination has a revolving conveyor chain embodied by entraining elements revolving along a first continuous track and have a certain chain pitch. A revolving conveying device is disposed with grippers arranged at a distance therebetween on the conveying device revolving around a second continuous track. A first zone of the first and second continuous track transfers products from the first continuous track on the conveyor chain to the second continuous track via the grippers. A second zone of the second continuous track delivers products from the grippers at the destination. A third zone of the first and second continuous track returns products not needed at the destination from the grippers on the second continuous track to the conveyor chain on the first continuous track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Cyrille Fuellemann, Daniel Schwarz
  • Patent number: 8281919
    Abstract: A system for controlling friction forces acting on a mailpiece in a mailpiece insertion module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Boris Rozenfeld, John W. Sussmeier, Arthur H. DePol
  • Patent number: 8260574
    Abstract: A technique is provided for diagnosing deficiencies in a material handling system having a track and a material support member adapted to travel on the track. A diagnostic device travels with the material support member and includes one or more sensors that measure one or more parameters of the material support member. Such parameters may include an amount of force exerted laterally against one or more restraining members or the accelerations of the material support member. The material handling system may include a plurality of slats connected in an endless web that defines a conveying surface upon which articles are transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Dematic Corp.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Schuitema, Kenneth J. Kooistra, Stephen C. Wolf, Matthew A. Steenwyk
  • Patent number: 8220617
    Abstract: The invention provides a device (10) for feeding sample containers (18) with an analysis sample (P) to be treated, to a treating apparatus (12) for treating the analysis sample (P), in particular to a centrifuge. The device comprises a conveyer (26, 27) for conveying at least one sample container (14) or at least one carrier containing a sample container (14), wherein the conveyer (26, 27) is configured for receiving multiple sample containers (14) and/or carriers and forms a circulating endless conveyer track. The device further comprises an input station (18) for handing over a sample container (14) or a carrier to the conveyer (26, 27). The input station (18) is displaced (V1, V2), with respect to the conveyer (26, 27), obliquely to the conveying direction (26b, 27b) Hof the conveyer (26, 27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Andreas Hettich GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Klaus-Gunter Eberle
  • Publication number: 20120175226
    Abstract: A device for continuously transporting a dough strand, comprising a conveyor element having a support surface for the dough strand displaceable in the direction of transport, wherein the conveyor element is pivotable substantially transversally to the direction of transport about a swivelling axis disposed on the downstream end region thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: KÖNIG MASCHINEN GESELLSCHAFT M.B.H.
    Inventor: Klaus Gasser
  • Publication number: 20120175225
    Abstract: The disclosure describes zoned conveyor systems with non-time based sequential power-up of different zones using defined current draw and speed threshold values and/or a defined number of motor revolutions of one conveyor zone to determine when to initiate operation of another (typically adjacent) zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Derrick A. Breen, Kenneth M. Bolam, James A. Borgen, John J. Kovalski, Joey Randall Chriscoe
  • Patent number: 8205741
    Abstract: A bulk material handling system comprises a bulk material handling apparatus to convey bulk material, and a bulk material handling accessory that aids in the operation of the bulk material handling apparatus. The bulk material handling accessory comprises a controller having one or more sensors. The controller comprises a processor and a computer readable memory capable of: (i) generating a control signal indicative of an operating condition of the bulk material handling accessory during a cycle of operation of the accessory; (ii) storing in the memory of the controller a limit associated with an operating condition of the accessory; (iii) comparing the control signal to the limit; (iv) generating a signal indicative of an abnormal event associated with the operating condition when the control signal is beyond the limit; and (v) generating a response signal when a number of abnormal event signals generated exceeds a predetermined level of abnormal events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: Robert Todd Swinderman, Cristian Vava
  • Publication number: 20120132503
    Abstract: A planar table for accumulating items for conveying equipment, including: two parallel planar inlet and outlet conveyors that are driven in opposite directions so as to longitudinally move the items. The planar conveyors form an item transit area that has a variable receiving surface, and a diverting member for transferring the items, arranged on the inlet conveyor, to the outlet conveyor. The diverting member is shaped as a curved wall arranged on a longitudinally movable carriage. The wall extends substantially over the entire width of the inlet conveyor, between a side chute and a structure arranged between the two conveyors and on which the carriage is attached. There is an area for feeding items onto the outlet conveyor, the feeding area is arranged outside said transit area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventor: Zmaj Petrovic
  • Patent number: 8172073
    Abstract: An assembly on a cableway or a goods-conveying system for detecting incorrect positioning of a carrying cable on a mount with a channel in which the carrying cable is located. The assembly includes a device for detecting the faulty positioning of the carrying cable. A segment of the mount is movable, and the device for detecting the incorrect positioning of the carrying cable detects movement of the portion of the mount. It is thus possible for incorrect positioning of the carrying cable, which results in this segment being displaced, to be detected in good time, even before the carrying cable in this portion has been completely derailed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Innova Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Luger, Josef Gisler
  • Patent number: 8168897
    Abstract: A conveyor for shock-sensitive products includes a conveyor member with at least one intermediate storage region adapted to receive a predetermined number of the products placed thereon when the conveyor is a static condition for temporary intermediate storage. A force measuring member determines the weight force of the products in the intermediate storage region. A control member, adapted to increase and decrease the rate of feed of the shock-sensitive products in the conveyor member, processes the weight force detected by the force measuring member as an input parameter, and increases or reduces the rate of feed of the products toward and away from the intermediate storage region as a function of the weight force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Big Dutchman International GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz Südkamp
  • Publication number: 20120085619
    Abstract: A method for transferring an article from a first conveying device to a second conveying device, where at least one conveying device comprises at least one motor, including determining a load of the at least one motor, and adjusting the relative positioning of the first conveying device with respect to the second conveying device depending on the determined load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventor: Hartmut Davidson
  • Patent number: 8127687
    Abstract: A material handling system includes a first independent track assembly configured to transport a forward trolley along a first path, and a second independent track assembly configured to transport a trailing trolley along a second path. The second path is substantially parallel to the first path. A carrier is configured to support an article and has a first end pivotably supported by the forward trolley and a second end pivotably supported by the trailing trolley. The material handling system also includes a third independent track assembly configured to transport the forward trolley and the trailing trolley along a third path. Each of the first independent track assembly, the second independent track assembly, and the third independent track assembly includes an independent drive system for independently moving a respective one of the forward trolley and the trailing trolley and a station control system including a microprocessor in communication with the independent drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Spangler, David G. Bilson
  • Patent number: 8118152
    Abstract: A safety arrangement for use with a piece of equipment. The safety arrangement includes a signal generating unit for generating an optical signal, an elongate element, and a signal detecting unit. The elongate element is disposed along, about, around or through the piece of equipment and is capable of transmitting an optical signal. The signal detecting unit detects an optical signal. The signal generating unit is connected to the signal detecting unit by the elongate element such that the signal detecting unit is in optical communication with the signal detecting unit. The signal detecting unit is arranged to detect a change in the optical signal transmitted by the elongate element as a consequence of movement of the elongate element and, upon detection of the change in the signal, the detecting unit is configured to effect a change in the operation of the piece of equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: EJA Limited
    Inventors: Julian Poyner, Derek Jones, Derek Sawyer, Burt Sacherski, Francis L. Leard
  • Publication number: 20120024666
    Abstract: A component of a material flow system for transporting goods has a mechatronics arrangement with transport elements, sensors and actuators for transporting the goods, a control device for controlling the mechatronics arrangement, interfaces to adjacent components and the surroundings, and an internal simulator for determining the future state of the component. The internal simulator co-operates with internal simulators of other components of the material flow system, for determining a prognosis of the future state of the installation of the material flow system. The decentralised internal simulators can be synchronously or asynchronously activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Georg Baier, Konstantin Keutner
  • Patent number: 8079461
    Abstract: A belt driving control device that includes a belt, a driving roller transmitting drive force to the belt, a belt phase detecting section detecting a phase of the belt, a correction amount computing section computing a correction amount of a belt travelling velocity corresponding to the detected phase of the belt for cancelling out fluctuation in the belt travelling velocity corresponding to the detected phase of the belt, and a storage section storing the correction amount of the belt travelling velocity corresponding to the detected phase of the belt. The belt driving control device further includes a driving control section retrieving the correction amount of the belt travelling velocity corresponding to the phase of the belt and controlling drive of the driving roller to cancel out the fluctuation in the belt travelling velocity based on the retrieved correction amount of the belt travelling velocity corresponding to the detected phase of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Noritaka Masuda, Hiromichi Matsuda, Keisuke Saka
  • Patent number: 8050795
    Abstract: A drive control system for conveyor utilizes a dynamic chain pull calculation program that is integrated with a PLC, which communicates to a plurality of controllers. The controllers in turn automatically adjust their associated drive motors so as to maximize efficiency at moving material on a conveyor system. Sensing devices provide continuous load parameters to a PLC that in turn, processes the data and adjusts the system's operation based upon desired conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: Donald Dollens
  • Publication number: 20110253502
    Abstract: A side shifting conveyor is provided for a surface mining operation. The conveyor generally includes conveyor sections and conveyor translation devices. Each conveyor translation device includes a drive operable to move the associated at least one conveyor section in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction. The conveyor further includes a controller operatively coupled to each drive for controlling operation of the drive and coordinating movement of the conveyor sections. A method for moving a conveyor in a surface mine generally includes sensing that a surface miner operable to deposit material onto the conveyor sections has moved beyond one of the conveyor sections, fixing a position relative to the surface mine of a conveyor translation device associated with one of the conveyor sections, and operating the conveyor translation device to move one of the conveyor sections in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Brad Neilson, Michael S. Adamczyk, Joseph J. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20110120834
    Abstract: A conveying apparatus comprises a first conveyor for conveying products in a first conveying direction, which first conveyor comprises a first supply location, where a first series of products are supplied to the first conveyor via a first supply station, a second conveyor for conveying products in a second conveying direction, which second conveyor comprises a second supply location, where a second series of products are supplied to the second conveyor via a second supply station. The conveying apparatus further comprises a channelling element for channelling at least one product out from the second conveyor, and a channelling conveyor for conveying a channelled-out product from said channelling element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: EUROSORT B.V.
    Inventors: Wouter Balk, Patrick Theodorus Johannes Van Haaster, Howard Bradley Eisenberg
  • Patent number: 7905343
    Abstract: A self-propelled crushing machine is provided which ensures that, even when crushed pieces of an object include a concrete reinforcing steel bar or other like material piece, it is prevented that the concrete reinforcing steel bar will pierce into a conveyor belt. To this end, the crushing machine has a memory for storing a relationship in belt velocities between a conveyor belt and a magnetic separator belt which relationship allows a concrete reinforcing steel bar attracted and adhered to the magnetic separator belt to be taken off of the conveyor belt before the trailing end of the concrete reinforcing steel bar travels past a leading end attraction/adhesion position at which the leading end of the concrete reinforcing steel bar is to be attracted and adhered to the magnetic separator belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Tooru Nakayama, Gousuke Nakashima
  • Patent number: 7815036
    Abstract: A manufacturing chain includes a plurality of modular manufacturing stations positioned in series. A first position tracking device of a first modular manufacturing station is configured to detect a first position of a carrier being transported along a first article transportation device through the first modular manufacturing station. A control system is in communication with the first position tracking device and is configured to receive a signal indicative of the detected first position. The control system is also configured to issue an operation signal to a second article transportation device of a second modular manufacturing station based, at least in part, on the detected first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: John M. Spangler, Mark E. Dietz
  • Patent number: 7793773
    Abstract: A characterisation system for objects is provided, comprising at least one characterisation device for the objects, a conveyor belt assembly for feeding objects to the at least one characterisation device, which comprises at least one region with a first conveyor belt section and with a second conveyor belt section, wherein the first conveyor belt section and the second conveyor belt section lie parallel and adjacent to one another and can be positioned at an angle of inclination to a horizontal plane to provide a trough-shaped conveyor path with the first conveyor belt section and the second conveyor belt section in a V disposition, and a drive device for the first conveyor belt section and the second conveyor belt section for the adjustment of defined angle positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Bizerba GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bruno Beck, Dieter Conzelmann, Armin Gaiser, Gerd Kammerer, Martin Kraft
  • Publication number: 20100200370
    Abstract: A conveyor system and a method for feeding articles of at least two different types to a downstream processing unit are disclosed. The conveyor system comprises an infeed unit for the articles, an arrangement zone downstream from the infeed unit, and a lane zone downstream from the arrangement zone. In the lane zone the articles are transported to the downstream processing unit in an ordered state. The infeed unit comprises at least two conveyor belts, to each of which there corresponds a direction of transport for the articles in a section of the arrangement zone, wherein the directions of transport enclose an angle between them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Karl RAUSCH, Josef MAYER, Bruno SCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20100152889
    Abstract: The invention relates method for controlling a machine for treating containers (12) as well as for controlling processing and/or treatment stations located downstream from it, wherein the machine has a plurality of turntables (42) that are each driven by a motor and that serve to orient and/or position the containers (12), in which method the motor drives (44) of the turntables (42) are each monitored separately, so that, if an error occurs with one or more of the turntable drives (44), the affected defective turntable drives (44) are deactivated while the machine and/or the stations located downstream continue to be operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Martin Langosch, Joerg Triebel
  • Patent number: 7712601
    Abstract: A star wheel H of a blow molding machine 13 constituting a blow molding line 2 as a master machine driven by a motor M is provided with an encoder E for generating a pulse depending on rotation of the star wheel H, and a filling line 3 as a slave machine driven by first to fifth servomotors SM1 to SM5 is controlled by second control means 5 based on a pulse from the encoder E. In the event of an abnormality in the blow molding line 2, the second control means 5 controls the filling line 3 based on a pulse from a pulse generator 5a instead of a pulse from an encoder E, and thus performs processing of a vessel retained by the filling line 3. Even in the event of an abnormality in the master machine, the slave machine can be continuously operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Shibuya Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Shimomura
  • Patent number: 7695655
    Abstract: A molded body cutting apparatus according to the present invention comprising a first conveyer member that conveys an extrusion-molded pillar-shaped ceramic molded body a cutting member that moves in a direction parallel to a movement direction of the above mentioned first conveyer member while moving also in a vertical direction, and cuts the above mentioned ceramic molded body to a predetermined length by passing through the interior of the above mentioned ceramic molded body and a second conveyer member that conveys a cut ceramic molded body cut to a predetermined length by the above mentioned cutting member, wherein a conveyance speed of the above mentioned first conveyer member and a movement speed of the above mentioned cutting member in the above mentioned parallel direction are almost the same, before the above mentioned ceramic molded body is cut, and each of the conveyance speed of the above mentioned first conveyer member, the movement speed of the above mentioned cutting member in the above mentio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Ibiden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiko Yamamura, Kazuya Naruse, Eiji Sumiya
  • Patent number: 7263409
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for tracking a load on a conveyor system using the trailing edge of the load. The method includes the steps of sensing the trailing edge of the load with a first sensor and updating a load record for the load in response to sensing the trailing edge of the load with the first sensor. The apparatus may include a conveyor, a controller, and a sensor in communication with the controller for sensing the trailing edge of a load on the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Jervis B. Webb Company
    Inventors: Brian C. LeVasseur, Ryann A. Dishaw, Lyle A. Henderson, Todd E. Alderman
  • Patent number: 7157873
    Abstract: A system for reducing torque disturbance includes a motor mechanically coupled to an endless belt. The motor is operable to drive the belt, and the belt has a seam that causes a torque disturbance to the system. The system includes a data structure having a set of values that indicates an amount of compensation for reducing the torque disturbance and a controller electrically coupled with the motor. The controller is configured to control the motor and reduce the torque disturbance based on the set of values in the data structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin Michael Carolan
  • Patent number: 6897625
    Abstract: A conveyor system for transported goods which are transported with a preset transport speed and method for operating the conveyor system are described. The individual conveyers of the system are driven by asynchronous motors. Sensors associated with the conveyors measure the actual transport speed of the transported goods on conveyors to determine the dependence of the actual transport speed on the load, such as the weight of the transported goods. A controller adjusts the speed of the conveyors based on the signals received from the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Brixius, Dominik Gräfer, Albrecht Hoene, Gerhard Hoffmann, Rainer Junk, Günther Spitzer, Friedrich Trautner
  • Patent number: 6853876
    Abstract: An automated transport system for use in a material handling system. The automated transport system employs a distributed control system including a top level controller (transport controller), a plurality of second-level controllers (control logic computers) and a plurality of third-level controllers (intelligent drivers). The transport controller (TC) receives material commands from a conventional material control system (MCS). The TC breaks the command into sub-commands directing selected control logic computers (CLCs) to acquire, move to a destination or otherwise interact with a particular container designated by the MCS command. The transport controller selects the CLCs based on the transport system topology, the content of the MCS command and knowledge of which regions of the transport system are controlled by respective CLCs. Each CLC implements the sub-commands by issuing to the intelligent drivers low level control commands to accelerate, elevate, rotate, load or unload the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Asyst Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Wehrung, Clifford Holden
  • Patent number: 6823984
    Abstract: A photosensitive material processing device for processing a photosensitive material with a processing liquid while conveying the photosensitive material by a roller pair. A driving device for providing a rotation drive to the roller pair. A drive controlling device that gradually raises voltage of the electric power at the time of starting the rotation drive of the roller pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoei Nozawa, Shinichi Matsuda, Takayuki Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 6705454
    Abstract: A conveyor for transporting parts includes a first electrical switch, a second electrical switch and an automatically movable stop. In another aspect of the present invention, an accumulating power roll conveyor system has two or more independently driven zones. Yet another aspect of the present invention provides for a part physically contacting against and actuating a switch as the part is located in a zone corresponding with the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Cinetic Automation Corporation
    Inventors: R. Thomas Fishaw, Steven J. Richardson