With Carrier Drive Or Guide Means Configured To Pusher Patents (Class 198/729)
  • Patent number: 11046527
    Abstract: Disclosed is a chain disk corner. In certain embodiments, the chain disk corner includes a bi-directional orientation independent chain disk corner wheel. In particular, the wheel is molded and devoid of moving parts. In certain embodiments, the chain disk corner includes a window portion. In particular, a bottom housing subassembly includes a bottom body of an opaque material and a hingedly attached window portion. In certain embodiments, the chain disk corner includes a reinforcing washer. In particular, a top washer is attached by injection molding to an interior of the top body, and/or a bottom washer is attached by injection molding to an interior of the bottom body. In certain embodiments, the chain disk corner includes a top surface devoid of pockets. In particular, a top body includes a plurality of ribs positioned at an interior surface of the top body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: HOG SLAT, INC.
    Inventors: William Thomas Herring, II, Timothy Alan Hawkins, Marcel Joern Alfred Schubert
  • Patent number: 11014755
    Abstract: Disclosed is a chain disk corner. In certain embodiments, the chain disk corner includes a bi-directional orientation independent chain disk corner wheel. In particular, the wheel is molded and devoid of moving parts. In certain embodiments, the chain disk corner includes a window portion. In particular, a bottom housing subassembly includes a bottom body of an opaque material and a hingedly attached window portion. In certain embodiments, the chain disk corner includes a reinforcing washer. In particular, a top washer is attached by injection molding to an interior of the top body, and/or a bottom washer is attached by injection molding to an interior of the bottom body. In certain embodiments, the chain disk corner includes a top surface devoid of pockets. In particular, a top body includes a plurality of ribs positioned at an interior surface of the top body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: HOG SLAT, INC.
    Inventors: William Thomas Herring, II, Timothy Alan Hawkins, Marcel Joern Alfred Schubert
  • Patent number: 10765251
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous pressure cooking product includes a pressure cooking section, an isolating chamber, and an output section. A first product and fluid valve is between the pressure cooking section and the isolating chamber. A second product and fluid valve is between the isolating chamber and the output section. A fluid valve is between a source of pressurized fluid and the isolating chamber. Product is provided to the pressure cooking section and cooked. The fluid valve is opened so that the isolating chamber becomes substantially the same pressure as the pressure cooking section. The first controllable product and fluid flow valve is opened and product enters the isolating chamber, and then closed to isolate product in chamber. The second controllable product and fluid valve is opened and product moves from the chamber to the output section. Then the second controllable product and fluid valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Lyco Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Maupin, Steven J Schultz
  • Patent number: 10611576
    Abstract: Disclosed is a chain disk corner. In certain embodiments, the chain disk corner includes a bi-directional orientation independent chain disk corner wheel. In particular, the wheel is molded and devoid of moving parts. In certain embodiments, the chain disk corner includes a window portion. In particular, a bottom housing subassembly includes a bottom body of an opaque material and a hingedly attached window portion. In certain embodiments, the chain disk corner includes a reinforcing washer. In particular, a top washer is attached by injection molding to an interior of the top body, and/or a bottom washer is attached by injection molding to an interior of the bottom body. In certain embodiments, the chain disk corner includes a top surface devoid of pockets. In particular, a top body includes a plurality of ribs positioned at an interior surface of the top body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: HOG SLAT, INC.
    Inventors: William Thomas Herring, II, Timothy Alan Hawkins, Marcel Joern Alfred Schubert
  • Patent number: 10479061
    Abstract: A component bonding device includes a bonding tool which sucks a film-like component and which bonds the film-like component to a substrate. The bonding tool includes: a plurality of suction blocks, each of which has a suction hole for sucking the film-like component; and a suction block holding portion which has a block holding-available region capable of holding the plurality of suction blocks, and which holds the plurality of suction blocks so as to be arranged in a row in the block holding-available region. The suction block holding portion allows change of a holding position of at least one of the plurality of suction blocks to any desired position in the block holding-available region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Kameda, Shinjiro Tsuji
  • Patent number: 9027742
    Abstract: “CONVEYOR SYSTEM WITH DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS AND ISOLATION OF THE CONVEYED PRODUCT IN RELATION TO THE DRIVE SYSTEM”, is a conveyor for grains, seeds, fruit, granulated and ground products and similar products. The conveyor has different applications and isolates the product conveyed from the drive system. There are two or more tubes, and in each set of tubes there is a swivel with a drive system using roller chain, chain, cable, belt, et cetera. In this manner, the drive system is isolated from the product, avoiding mechanical damages, contamination, and also increasing the performance of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventors: Geraldo Rudolfo Van Arragon, Marcos Gonçalves Silva
  • Patent number: 8967370
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a unit for conveying filter segments (2) for the machines of tobacco industry, comprising a chain conveyor (10) in a horizontal arrangement on which the lugs (21) are disposed, the working ends (28) of which are deflected from the vertical. The unit comprises guides (23, 33) of the filter segments (2) provided with an inclined channel (27) guiding the lug (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: International Tobacco Machinery Poland SP. Z O.O.
    Inventors: Bartosz Cieślikowski, Ryszard Dominiak, Marcin Mamerski, Leszek Sikora
  • Patent number: 8919538
    Abstract: An armored face conveyor includes a plurality of line pans positioned adjacent to one another, a plurality of flight bars, and a connecting member. Each line pan includes a race having an outer race face and an inner race face. The plurality of flight bars extend laterally across the line pans and are received by the race. Each flight bar includes an end having an upper guide surface and a lower guide surface. The connecting member extends through the plurality of flight-bars and couples the flight-bars to one another. Lateral movement of any one of the flight-bars that causes the upper guide surface to contact the outer race face substantially simultaneously causes the lower guide surface to contact the inner race face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventor: John Tout
  • Patent number: 8708136
    Abstract: A longwall shearer loader is provided. The longwall shearer loader includes a shearer body located outside of an armored face conveyor. Additionally, the longwall shearer loader includes a motor and a transmission unit that propel a drive shaft located in a part of the shearer body, which is above the armored face conveyor. The drive shaft transmits power to a drive wheel installed in the shearer body on a goaf side, which is outside of a line pan of the chain conveyor and which moves along a ladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignees: Famur Spolka Akcyjna, Famur Institute SP. ZO.O.
    Inventors: Ryszard Bednarz, Pawel Gwiaździński, Lukasz Gonsior, Mateusz Golabek
  • Patent number: 8096409
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transporting apparatus for transporting products, which includes a linear drive mechanism, a continuous conveyor system, having two parallel straight conveyor regions and two curved conveyor regions each connecting one end of the straight conveyor regions, and a plurality of conveyor elements. The conveyor elements extend along the continuous conveyor system and convey the products to be conveyed along at least a portion of the conveyor system while being guided along a guide path. The linear drive mechanism includes a first linear segment and a second linear segment, which are disposed parallel to the straight conveyor regions. The curved conveyor regions of the conveyor system are advantageously embodied as driveless.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Wipf, Heinrich Loecht, Martin Siering
  • Patent number: 7954631
    Abstract: A chain link conveyor for use in material handling equipment such as a feed cart. The chain link conveyor comprises a series of sprockets and a pair of spaced apart chains trained around the sprockets. Each chain includes a series of interconnected links. Each link comprises a pair of sidebars and an interconnecting cross bar along with a pair of hooks that function to connect consecutive links and also function to form a sprocket centering gap that receives and guides respective sprockets through the link as the links moves over the sprockets. Various implementations of the chain link conveyor can be made. In one implementation the chain link conveyor is disposed in a feed cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Weaverline, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Nevin Weaver, Frank Nolt Weaver
  • Publication number: 20100072029
    Abstract: A conveying system include a guiding channel (12) with at least one conveyor unit (10) that is guided inside it and may be moved along it and a drive unit (30) for driving at least one conveyor unit (10). The conveyor unit (10) includes a series of several links which, when viewed in the axial direction, have a first joint element (1) at their first end and a second joint element (2) at their second end, respectively. The first and second joint elements (1, 2) are formed in a mutually corresponding manner and, as a result, the conveyor unit (10) is provided for transmitting pushing forces. The drive unit includes at least one roller body (35) consisting of a plurality of rollers (31), wherein the rollers (31) can be conveyed in a circular orbit (34) by a roller drive (36).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: WRH WALTER REIST HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Walter Reist
  • Patent number: 7530446
    Abstract: A sheet feed assembly with a pair of rollers (2,3) to feed sheets of media along a feed path. The roller pair has a drive roller 2 and an idler roller 3. The drive roller 2 is mounted between two bearings 4 and 5 for rotation about its longitudinal axis. The idler roller 3 is shorter than the drive roller 2 and is held against the drive roller by two guide formations 7 and 8 at either end. The guide formations bias the idler roller against the drive roller while allowing some lateral displacement of the idler roller from the drive roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Garry Raymond Jackson, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7150351
    Abstract: A drag chain conveyor for use in underground mining, including interconnected, profiled conveyor chutes in which are guided conveyor chains of metallic material. Plastic carriers are attached to the conveyor chains, with attachment being effected via a molding around of annular chain links of the conveyor chains with plastic, wherein the plastic, which is molded for a simultaneous production of the plastic carriers monolithically with connecting regions that hold the chain links, penetrates and surrounds the chain links. At least one drive is provided for the conveyor chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: RAG Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Elmar Wiejack-Symann
  • Patent number: 7097028
    Abstract: An envelope insert conveyor assembly includes a first pair of rotation members and a second pair of rotation members spaced apart from one another. A first conveying member is disposed around the first pair of rotation members, and a second conveying member is disposed around the second pair of rotation members, so that the conveying members rotate around the first rotation member and the second rotation member. A plurality of pusher members are fixed to each of the first conveying member and second conveying member. The pusher members each have paired sidewalls, a cross-wall connecting the paired walls, and an indented portion provided in each of the paired sidewalls. A gripping element is disposed adjacent an indented portion of one of the paired sidewalls and biased toward an interior surface of the indented portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Bowe Bell + Howell Company
    Inventors: Bradford D. Henry, Penny P. Fusco, Frank Shinn
  • Patent number: 6662932
    Abstract: A chain driven by two sprockets spaced a short distance apart along their common axial centerline. The chain includes elongated pins that extend beyond the outer surfaces of the chain link plates, on both sides, by a distance about equal to the width of the spaced apart sprockets. The chain is aligned midway between the sprockets, and the sprocket teeth drive on the extended portion of the chain pins. Where a flight is attached to the chain links, the pins are extended still further, to fit into the indentations or holes in the flights. This provides an exposed length of each pin in alignment with the sprocket on each side for driving purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 6571936
    Abstract: A chain and flight conveyor adapted to be driven by a toothed sprocket comprising a pair of spaced apart, parallel driving chains, each of the driving chains comprising roller links having at least one end surface which may be drivingly engaged by the teeth of the sprocket. The roller links also have internal apertures defining drive surfaces which may be drivingly engaged by the teeth of the sprocket. The driving chains further include connecting links coupled to and interconnecting the roller links; and pins pivotally connecting the connecting links to the roller links. A predetermined corresponding number of the pins on each of the chains comprises extended flight attachment pins having pin extensions facing the opposite chain. A plurality of conveying flights are connected between the corresponding number of the pin extensions, the flights comprising a bar member having two opposite ends, four sides and a bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Joy M M Delaware, Inc
    Inventors: James J. Melhuish, Gregory M. Chandler
  • Publication number: 20020050441
    Abstract: A drive shaft (5) with at least one chain wheel (7) for the drive of chain scraper conveyors, especially for underground mining operations, with a full-width drive shaft (5) mounted on both ends in bearings (4) on the machine frame (1), which has outer gearing teeth (6) for the positive rotational engagement with single part chain wheels (7), which can be pulled off the drive shaft (5), whereby the drive shaft (5) has outer teeth (6) along its longitudinal region, in which a through central gearing (6) reaches to the reduced diameters (17) of the drive shaft (5) in the proximity of the bearing housings (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Gerhard Merten, Adam Klabisch
  • Patent number: 6283276
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an overhead pusher finger guide system, preferably for use with a sheet handling apparatus. The guide system prevents the lower conveyor run from sagging or otherwise moving out of the proper feed plane. Accordingly, superior sheet handling is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Bell & Howell Mail and Messaging Technologies Company
    Inventor: Steve W. McCay
  • Publication number: 20010015177
    Abstract: To provide a feed carrying apparatus 1 capable of considerably reducing the carrying resisting force at a corner 3a of a pipeline 3 and also capable of considerably reducing the cost of the whole apparatus, and capable of carrying feed S smoothly and efficiently. A corner joint 48 formed on a bent pipe part 51 with a plurality of projections 52 projecting inward is disposed at the corner 3a of the pipeline 3. There is disposed a disk cable tension applying mechanism 271 in which a load corresponding to weight of a weight 277 is loaded to always urge fixed tension against a disk cable 2. At a corner 303a of a pipeline 303 are disposed a drive device 304 having a drive motor 313 connected to a drive sprocket 316 constituting a corner joint 310, or a drive device 404 having a drive sprocket 410 arranged away from an inclined wall 409d within a casing 409 formed with the inclined wall 409d.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventor: Kazumi Fujii
  • Patent number: 6260716
    Abstract: A scum sweeper for sweeping surface floating matters in a clarifying tank to a collector channel. A sweeping blade is pivotally hanged by arms to parallel endless running chains mounted onto a supporting frame installed in the tank at an above position with respect to the collector channel. A motor drives the chains that haul the blade back and forth successively over and at the surface of water in the tank. The blade always remains under the chains as a result of a free pivoting of the arms at the opposite turning end courses of the chains. Guiding arrangements are provided to lock the arms in a downward direction when the sweeping blade travels horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventors: Henri Fontaine, Erick Breton
  • Patent number: 5996658
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a feed roller (1) by means of which a felled tree (2) trunk is fed into a timber harvester for delimbing. The apparatus comprises a drive wheel (4) and at least one transmission means (5) arranged at the outer circumference of and controlled by the drive wheel, the transmission means having engagement plates (3) provided with gripping means (14). The apparatus efficiently equalizes surface pressure exerted on the tree (2) trunk, even though the drive wheel is without cushioning rubber material. The transmission means (5) arranged on the drive wheel (4) is longer than the wheel perimeter. Consequently, the transmission means is arranged to form a plane surface between the drive wheel and the tree trunk, whereby a continuous surface pressing evenly against the tree trunk is formed on the wood side in the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Ponsse OYJ
    Inventor: Paavo Alhainen
  • Patent number: 5947261
    Abstract: A drag conveyor consists of a uniquely-configured trough and correspondingly-shaped outer edges of chain-driven paddles which enable the trough construction to provide physical support for a return run of the chain. The cross-sectional shape of the trough further restricts the paddles from tending toward lifting above the trough bottom and climbing or twisting as they carry material toward the outlet end of the conveyor. The paddle shape results in a self-cleaning conveyor, even enabling handling of materials heretofore not feasible with conventional U-shaped trough conveyors. Elimination of obstructing idler sprockets and cross shafts of the prior art enables a productivity increase of as much as 15% for the same designated size of conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Sidney Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: Jon F. Baker
  • Patent number: 5755146
    Abstract: A rotating log saw clamp having a clamp infeed section and a clamp outfeed section located adjacent a log saw blade. The clamp infeed section and clamp outfeed section are coupled for rotation together with the log during sawing of at least a portion of the log by the log saw blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Bretting Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Joseph Lumberg
  • Patent number: 5605220
    Abstract: A high-performance chain scraper conveyor is equipped with symmetrical channel belts and with a chain conveyor which can turn around corresponding axles so that in combination with the corresponding shape of the channel belts a considerably longer life and higher capacity can be achieved. The ends of the individual channel belts are equipped with overlap tongues and abutting areas across the entire width of the channel diagonally to the transport direction so that the result is an extremely quiet, highly efficient operation. The unit, therefore, is clearly more economical. Channel and herringbone chain conveyors are fully symmetrical over three axles. This means they can be turned separately or together and have at least twice the life of customary chain scraper conveyors. FIG. 3 is to be used for publication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Udo Adam Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Reinold Krohm
  • Patent number: 5170882
    Abstract: Chain webs for chain conveyors, which are primarily used in underground mining and in tunnel building for the transport of large quantities of materials, consist of mutually engaging horizontal and vertical chain links in which the horizontal links of the two adjacent chains are joined by a one or two-piece bracket running across their longitudinal direction, sufficiently raised above them and having a reversible tooth shape. This results in a kind of toothed chain providing the optimum power transmission from the chain wheel to the chain web, where both chains run exactly in the middle of the belt, as is usual in double-centered chain conveyors. The special shape of the reversible teeth makes it possible to use such a chain web on both sides and to move it forwards and backwards without any risk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: HT Maschinenvertrieb GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Tekathen, Reinold Krohm
  • Patent number: 5072826
    Abstract: A chain conveyor for a miner in which the chain adjacent the drive sprocket is guided and supported by channels in a casting such that tension in the chain is reacted by the casting and separated from the driving force applied to the chain by the drive sprocket. The casting may be spring loaded away from the idler sprocket at the other end of the conveyor. The pitch of the sprocket teeth is preferably less than the pitch of the chain, allowing for drive sprocket build up from entrained fines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: Joy Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Wechner
  • Patent number: 5069327
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shavings conveyor which has a continuously turning conveyor belt (1) provided with two lateral conveyor chains (2) as well as a housing (6) equipped with guide rails (8) for these conveyor chains, openings (11, 12) for the coolant to pass through being provided in the upper guide rails (8) of the conveyor chains. In this way a structurally simple conveyor is produced in which the delivered coolant can run off laterally in a reliable and quick manner through the region of the upper conveyor run (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Gebr. Hennig GmbH
    Inventors: Albert Stohr, Alfred Rehle
  • Patent number: 4871060
    Abstract: A scraper conveyor comprising a conveyor chain or wire provided with a plurality of transverse scraper discs and passing along a closed path at least partly defined by a stationary conveyor channel or a tube extending from a material inlet station and past at least one receiver station, in which the material is dispensable through outlet openings in said channel or tube. The conveyor chain or wire is driven by a driving wheel engaging the transverse scraper discs, with the driving wheel being a circumferentially substantially smooth wheel having an outer cross sectional shape which conditions a frictional engagement between the wheel and the wheel periphery engaging portions of the outer edges of the scraper members. A tightener is provided for tightening the moved element of the conveyor about the driving wheel sufficiently to ensure a firm frictional engagement between these parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Inventors: Christian Dahl, Thoge Dall
  • Patent number: 4865184
    Abstract: A drive sprocket for a chain conveyor having one or more chains engaged therewith over a predetermined arc, leaving a disengaged arc of the sprocket. A housing is provided adjacent the disengaged arc incorporating a concave arcuate cylindrical surface closely spaced from the line swept by the tips of the sprocket teeth and forming a pumping chamber adapted to remove particulate material from the region of the drive sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Joy Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Wechner
  • Patent number: 4673079
    Abstract: A transfer station assembly is provided for transferring mineral material from a longwall scraper-chain conveyor to a roadway scraper-chain conveyor. The transfer station includes a box frame, in which the upper run of the roadway conveyor is guided between the upper and lower runs of the longwall conveyor. Guide bars are provided for guiding the scrapers of the scraper assembly of the roadway conveyor within the box frame. The guide bars for the roadway conveyor are detachably secured to the box frame so as to be readily releasable and replaceable by other guide bars, whereby roadway conveyors of different types and/or widths can be connected to the box frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Assignee: Gewerkschaft Eisenhutte Westfalia GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Grundken, Reinhold Bruggemann
  • Patent number: 4585116
    Abstract: A wear shoe and guide lug assembly for guiding a sludge collector flight along a return elevated rail is shown. Each wear shoe provides a readily replaceable member attached to the flight and providing alternative planar faces for bearing engagement with stationary rails on which the flight is dragged during operation. A guide lug is separably attached to the return wear shoe to extend below the wear face and adjacent one side of the wear shoe to define a lip for maintaining the flight against excessive lateral movement as the flight moves along the elevated rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles J. Albrecht
  • Patent number: 4533289
    Abstract: An improved sealing and liquid displacement system for a continuous linear pocket feeder for feeding materials from a low pressure to a high pressure region, particularly for feeding coal in a coal conversion process. A dual sealing system including a sphincter followed by a moving labyrinth seal is provided downstream of the hopper from which the coal is fed into moving pockets formed between spaced pistons in the driving chain, and upstream of the unloading station where the materials are deposited in a pressurized vessel. The sphincter is provided with means for adjusting the diameter of the tube surrounding the pistons to form a continuous contact seal. The desired labyrinth seal is formed by providing a close clearance between the pistons and the sealing tube. Downstream of the unloading station, a liquid displacement and gas seal system is provided which serves to displace gas residing within the moving pockets using a displacing liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: Foster-Miller Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Adi R. Guzdar
  • Patent number: 4512459
    Abstract: A guide assembly for a curved section of a scraper-chain conveyor comprises a housing and two pulley wheels which are rotatably mounted within the housing. The pulley wheels constitute means for guiding the scrapers of a scraper assembly around the curved section. Each of the pulley wheels has an inner wheel part and a two-part scraper-engaging rim detachably connected to its inner wheel part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Assignee: Gewerkschaft Eisenhutte Westfalia
    Inventor: Bodo Kerklies
  • Patent number: 4360102
    Abstract: Conveying apparatus for use in conveying mineral ore employs a curvilinear channel section or pan which joins straight groups of similar channel sections joined end-to-end together. A scraper-chain assembly circulates along the channel sections in upper and lower runs. A unit with a hollow housing is combined with the curvilinear channel section and this unit has an upstanding hollow pillar forming a hub on which two rollers are mounted for independent rotation. The rollers are shaped to engage with the scrapers of the scraper-chain assembly to guide the latter during its passage along the curvilinear channel section. To enable the roof of the mine working to be adequately supported over the zone in which the curvilinear section and unit are installed, a roof support with alternately shiftable hydraulic props is located within the hollow hub of the unit. The props are connected to a multi-part roof bar and extend through an elongate aperture in the housing top wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Assignee: Gewerkschaft Eisenhutte Westfalia
    Inventor: Klaus Beckmann
  • Patent number: 4327828
    Abstract: Corner units for automated animal feed conveyors and the like include a wheel about which a feed carrier, such as an endless chain or belt, is guided. A wear plate and wheel mounting arrangement for such corner units comprises a wear plate having a generally regular shape with a geometric center supported on the base of the unit housing adjacent the corner thereof. A spindle rotatably mounts the wheel thereon, and is attached to the wear plate at a location eccentric to the geometric center of the wear plate, whereby rotation of the wear plate about its geometric center with respect to the housing base shifts the wheel between a first position wherein a narrow feed carrier is centered in the housing and a second position wherein a wider feed carrier is centered in the housing. Fasteners rigidly attach the wear plate to the housing base in one of the positions selected in accordance with the width of the feed carrier, thereby adapting the housing for conversion to use either narrow or wide feed conveyors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: U.S. Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Williams
  • Patent number: 4270654
    Abstract: A single chain scraper conveyor comprises a trough having first and second straight sections disposed at angles to each other and an intermediate curved section between and joining the first and second straight sections. The intermediate section has an inner curved edge and an outer curved edge, and the trough has an opening along the inner curved edge. An endless chain is centered in and movable along the trough, and it carries a plurality of flights which extend across the chain at spaced locations along its length. Each flight has an inner end which moves around the inner curved edge of the intermediate curved section during operation. A deflector wheel is rotatably mounted adjacent the intermediate section, and it includes a periphery that is parallel to the inner edge, on which a plurality of heads are pivotally mounted at spaced circumferential locations. The heads include surfaces having V-shaped grooves or receiving recesses into which the inner end of each flight may engage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1981
    Inventors: Ernst Braun, Gert Braun
  • Patent number: 4250989
    Abstract: A curved section and guide assembly is provided for a scraper-chain conveyor. The assembly comprises a curved conveyor section and a guide for guiding the scraper assembly of the conveyor round the curve. The curved conveyor section has a curved inner wall, a curved outer wall and a floor panel which define upper and lower runs for the scraper assembly which is constituted by a chain and a plurality of scrapers secured thereto. The guide is constituted by two pulley wheels which are independently rotatably mounted on a vertical axle extending upwardly from a base plate arranged beneath the pulley wheels. A cover plate is arranged above the pulley wheels. The pulley wheels extend through the inner wall of the curved conveyor section, both the base plate and the cover plate being attached to said inner wall. Both the floor panel and the cover plate extend towards the axle. The upper end of the axle is supported by a carrier plate which extends over the cover plate and is detachably connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1981
    Assignee: Gewerkschaft Eisenhutte Westfalia
    Inventors: Dieter Grundken, Bodo Kerklies
  • Patent number: 4241823
    Abstract: A chain drag conveyor kit for converting a screw conveyor, of the type having a main trough with a semi-circular bottom and substantially flat cover, to a chain drag conveyor. The kit includes a pair of sprocket boxes dimensioned for assembly on the respective ends of the main trough and having mutually aligned sprockets therein including a drive sprocket. An endless drag chain is trained about the sprockets. The drag chain has conveyor flights secured at spaced intervals, the flights each having a semi-circular edge conforming to the bottom of the main trough and having a straight edge. A relatively shallow auxiliary trough of rectangularly U-shaped cross section is nested into the main trough, the auxiliary trough forming a return guide surface for the straight edges of the flights on the upper run of chain. A series of clamps along the edges of the cover hold the assembly together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1980
    Assignee: Union Iron Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Merle E. Clewett
  • Patent number: 4195725
    Abstract: A conveyor system of a type including a tube, a cable having discs rigidly attached to and equally spaced along the cable for conveying granular or powdery materials within the tube is characterized by having an improved drive unit for causing and controlling the movement of the cable and discs through the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1980
    Assignee: Intraco, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Jones
  • Patent number: 4159760
    Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for feeding items (or groupings of items) one after the other to apparatus, such as a flight conveyor, which cycles continuously at a steady cycling rate are disclosed with an item being fed to the apparatus during a portion of each cycle thereof and with the items being randomly delivered to the means feeding the items at an average rate. The method and apparatus of this invention involve feeding a selected number of items one at a time from each of the backlogs of accumulated items and conveying them forward for placement on the apparatus in timed relation to the cycling rate of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1979
    Assignee: Hayssen Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Lloyd Kovacs, Charles G. Hart
  • Patent number: 4099610
    Abstract: An endless power-driven conveyor has flights in the form of rakes whose teeth extend between a plurality of parallel comb elements that extend lengthwise of the upper run of the conveyor, for example for removing solids from a liquid. Two endless conveyor chains are interconnected by crosspieces beneath the comb elements; and the rake teeth upstand from these crosspieces. The head wheel of the conveyor has a recess to receive these crosspieces. The comb elements are curved about the head wheel and received in crenelations in the head wheel, the outer surfaces of the crenelations and the outer surfaces of the comb elements about the head wheel forming a continuous partially cylindrical contour. The comb elements then diverge downwardly from the head wheel and terminate in substantially vertical downwardly directed free ends which strip the solids from the rake teeth for gravity discharge of the solids into a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1978
    Assignee: Societe Anonyme Eau-Gaz-Assainissement
    Inventor: Marc M. Aubailly-Delalieu
  • Patent number: 4073226
    Abstract: Circular sealing partitions are moved through a cylindrical vessel open at both ends and to a central portion of which a processing fluid is continuously supplied through a port in the wall of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1978
    Assignee: Innovative Patent Trust
    Inventor: Robert J. Shulz
  • Patent number: RE37472
    Abstract: A drag conveyor consists of a uniquely-configured trough and correspondingly-shaped outer edges of chain-driven paddles which enable the trough construction to provide physical support for a return of the chain. The cross-sectional shape of the trough further restricts the paddles from tending toward lifting above the trough bottom and climbing or twisting as they carry material toward the outlet end of the conveyor. The paddle shape results in a self-cleaning conveyor, even enabling handling of materials heretofore not feasible with conventional U-shaped trough conveyors. Elimination of obstructing idler sprockets and cross shafts of the prior art enables a productivity increase of as much as 15% for the same designated size of conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventor: Jon F. Baker