Abstract: A work-piece feeding assembly includes a first vibratory parts-transferring assembly, and a second vibratory parts-transferring assembly. The first vibratory parts-transferring assembly is for transferring a work piece along a first travel direction via a common parts-feeding path. The second vibratory parts-transferring assembly is for transferring the work piece along a second travel direction via the common parts-feeding path.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus includes a trough assembly, an exciter assembly and first and second toroidal members. The trough assembly includes a trough and first and second walls attached to the trough with a space disposed therebetween. The exciter assembly includes a central mount with first and second opposite sides and first and second opposite ends, and first and second eccentric assemblies each including at least one motor having a shaft with a shaft axis and at least one eccentric attached to the shaft for rotation about the shaft axis, the first eccentric assembly attached to the first end and the second eccentric assembly attached to the second end. The first toroidal resilient member is disposed between the first wall and the first side and the second toroidal resilient member is disposed between the second wall and the second side, with the exciter assembly disposed in the space.

Abstract: A modular exciter beam fitted to a vibratory screen assembly. The exciter beam spans between opposing side walls of the screen assembly. The modular exciter beam provides mounting for a pair of exciter mechanisms which are located substantially inside the side walls of the screen assembly.

Abstract: A method for continuous production of radiation curable ink suitable for ink-based digital printing includes feeding ingredients suitable for forming a pigment concentrate to an extruder; blending the ingredients in the extruder to form a pigment concentrate paste; feeding additional ingredients to the extruder for blending with the ink concentrate to form an ink product configured for ink-based digital printing, wherein a pigment particle size is less than about 1 micron.

Abstract: A system and apparatus are disclosed for a linear vibratory drive. In one embodiment, the drive includes a mounting bar coupled to a first flat leaf spring, the first flat leaf spring mounted on a stationary member, where the mounting bar is suitable for mounting a conveyance device such as a linear track or tray. A counterweight is coupled to a second flat leaf spring, where the second flat leaf spring is mounted on the stationary member, and where the counterweight is positioned such that a gap separates the counterweight from the mounting bar. A motor provides a vibrational pulse to the stationary member, thereby vibrating the mounting bar and the counterweight.

Abstract: Linear vibratory conveyor including a utility weight and a counterweight that can be vibratingly moved in opposing directions via a drive unit, the utility weight and the counterweight being connected via a non-rigid connector that represents or includes a vibration amplifying means for the vibration produced by the drive unit.

Abstract: A vibrating feeder provided with a feeder ball 14a having a circular bottom wall and a conveyance path formed along the periphery of the bottom wall 141a; a feeder body 16a supporting the feeder ball 14a so as to apply torsional vibration and conveying substance supplied on the bottom wall 141a along the conveyance path; and a main body supporting member for supporting the feeder body; the conveyance path comprising an ascending rail and descending rail disposed in the downstream of the ascending rail in the conveyance direction; the main body 18a supporting member supporting the feeder body 16a on a horizontal floor so that a torsion axis C, which becomes the center of the torsional vibration, is inclined relative to the vertical direction; the ascending rail and descending rail conveying the conveyed objects upwardly or downwardly relative to the horizontal direction while the feeder body being supported by the horizontal floor via the main body supporting member.

Abstract: A transport system for conveying articles along conveyance paths including straight, curvilinear, horizontal, inclined and declined conveyance sections. The articles are conveyed between a pair of vertical belts while being supported by protrusions extending from the vertical belts. The vertical belts are guided using a multiplicity of vertical rollers that are configurable into straight, curvilinear and dynamically changing conveyance sections. Multiple conveyance sections can be joined end to end to transport articles over complex paths and over long distances. The articles conveyed may include semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: A transport system for conveying articles along conveyance paths including straight, curvilinear, horizontal, inclined and declined conveyance sections. The articles are conveyed between a pair of vertical belts while being supported by protrusions extending from the vertical belts. The vertical belts are guided using a multiplicity of vertical rollers that are configurable into straight, curvilinear and dynamically changing conveyance sections. Multiple conveyance sections can be joined end to end to transport articles over complex paths and over long distances. The articles conveyed may include semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: A dosing device of a pulverulent material uses an oscillating drive mechanism with straight to-and-fro movement to extract and dose a pulverulent material contained in a hopper with a calibrated outlet aperture, and then to transfer the extracted mass to a removal point. The hopper can be fixed or movable. To measure the mass flowrate extracted from the aperture, the hopper is connected to the mechanism by a flexible blade and bears on a table equipped with a weighing cell formed by a weight sensor. The weight variation indicates the mass flowrate, which can be adjusted by acting on the oscillation frequency of the mechanism, or on the opening of the outlet aperture.

Abstract: A discharge device for worked material is provided. The worked material produced by the press working is received on a chute arranged just below a lower die. The chute is driven to make a reciprocating motion within a substantially horizontal plane in response to a die stroke. At a moment of stopping of the forward movement of the chute, an inertia force acting on the worked material from the chute is greater than a static frictional force. Or otherwise, a force taking effect upon starting of a backward movement of the chute is greater than the static frictional force. Consequently, the worked material is due to be discharged from the chute.

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.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a system for controlling a vibratory conveyor on which a conveyor pan is mounted, the system including a drive coil for driving the vibratory conveyor with a vibrating motion; a sensing subsystem for detecting the vibrating motion of the conveyor pan; a controller coupled to the sensing subsystem for generating at least one control signal to be applied to the drive coil, the controller generating at least one control signal by producing a digitized signal from the detected vibrating motion and computing three intermediate timing positions in each period of the digitized signal; and a switching subsystem for applying at least one control signal generated by the controller to the drive coil. At least one control signal is applied between the first and third intermediate timing positions in each period of the digitized signal to control the vibration amplitude and vibration frequency of the vibratory conveyor.

Abstract: A product delivery system and method are provided including an electromechanical vibratory conveyor which has a product conveying member, a vibrator for vibrating the product conveyor and a control system for controlling electronically the vibration of the product conveying member both statically and dynamically to optimize performance both with and without product on the product conveying member. The vibration of the product conveying member is tuned both statically and dynamically with a coarse tuning followed by a fine tuning. An improved pulse width modulation drive circuit for the vibrator includes vibrating frequency and amplitude varying devices for adjusting the frequency and amplitude of the vibrator for increased efficiency, optimized performance and reduction in energy consumption. Several redundant safety devices to safeguard the switching devices and the vibrator are also provided.

Abstract: A plurality of trough displacement characteristics and drive signals for driving a drive unit 26 for a trough 25 are determined in association with each other and the speed of transport of the articles M transported by the trough 25 having one of the trough displacement characteristics is also determined. Accordingly, a plurality of relationships between the transport speed of the articles M and the drive signal of the drive unit 26 can be determined and, based on these relationships and merely by inputting a target speed to be attained by the articles M, the drive signal for the drive unit 26 can easily be selected which enables the speed of transport of the articles M to attain the target speed.

Abstract: A gate (50) for a vibratory conveyor (10) is provided. The conveyor includes a conveyor bed (26) that has a surface portion defining an aperture (52). The gate includes a cover plate (54) which is in contact with the conveyor bed and arranged for movement between a first position covering a first portion of the aperture and a second position covering a second portion of the aperture (e.g., between an open position and a closed position). The gate further includes a loading system (57, 72) coupled to the cover plate to exert a force urging the cover plate into contact with the surface portion of the conveyor bed. The gate still further includes a carriage assembly (55) coupled to the loading system for moving the cover plate between the first and second positions. Material conveyed on the conveyor bed can fall through the uncovered portion of the aperture to be thereby diverted from the conveyor bed.

Abstract: A conveying system with a frame supporting a conveying member suitable to move products thereon. A drive, which is preferably an electromagnetic drive having a mass that vibrates back and forth along a substantially straight path, is connected to the frame.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor capable of fluidizing particulate material is capable of separate control of direction, velocity and fluidization of material. The material is placed on a conveyor and vibrated by separate vertical and horizontal components of vibration. The frequency of both components is synchronized over an operating range. Various independent changes in amplitudes can affect the degree of fluidization and flow direction for any particular frequency. For any combination of amplitudes, changes in frequency affect fluidization and velocity. The present invention is adaptable for a range of applications that include drying wood wafers, hog fuel or other organic particulate, warming wood chips, scrubbing flue gas, filtering acting as a reactor and as a gas processor.

Abstract: A conveying system with a frame supporting a conveying member suitable to move products thereon. A drive, which is preferably an electromagnetic drive having a mass that vibrates back and forth along a substantially straight path, is connected to the frame.

Abstract: A conveying system with a frame supporting a conveying member suitable to move products thereon. A drive, which is preferably an electromagnetic drive having a mass that vibrates back and forth along a substantially straight path, is connected to the frame.

Abstract: A driving system for vibration conveyors of the resonance type has an electromagnetic circuit with an electromagnet with a yoke, with respect to which a running measurement of the current and voltage of the electromagnet is performed, that the electric properties obtained for the electromagnetic circuit as a result of the measurement are used to calculate an instantaneous airgap between the electromagnet and yoke, the value of which is used as a control value for the drive current supplied to the electromagnet, so that an essentially sinusoidal oscillation with a desired amplitude is maintained.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor capable of fluidizing particulate material permits control of direction, speed and fluidization of the material. The material is placed on a conveyor and vibrated by a linear vibrator which provides horizontal and vertical components of vibrational forces in a direction of movement. The amplitude and frequency of vibration are controlled to maintain a predetermined degree of fluidization. The vector angle of the linear vibrator is positioned to define a predetermined speed and direction of movement of the material on the conveyor.

Abstract: A cop individualizing apparatus operates a circular conveyor of the type having a helical cop guide track on a vibratory basis by providing two unbalanced electromotors whose speed is controllably varied via a frequency converter alternating between two frequency stages as a function of the instantaneous cop supply requirement of an associated cop dispensing device fed by the individualizing apparatus, in order to assure advancement of the cops along the transport track of the circular conveyor in precise relation to the particular instantaneous cop requirement.

Abstract: A vibratory drive system for a vibratory conveyor apparatus is operable to selectively vary the displacement of the drive system between zero and a maximum displacement while the drive system is operating imparting a vibratory conveying force to the conveyor apparatus. A vibratory conveyor apparatus having a vibratory drive system operable to vary the displacement of the drive system and, therefore, the displacement imparted to the vibratory apparatus between zero and a maximum displacement, while the drive system is operating imparting a conveying force to the conveyor apparatus.

Abstract: A distribution system including a vibratory conveyor having a number of conveyor modules to distribute bulk food products to packaging machines at user locations. The product is fed using longitudinal vibration of a product carrying tray mounted on leaf springs which resist lateral vibration. At the downstream end only of the conveyor, additional lateral vibration is induced by vibrating the base on which the leaf springs are mounted. First and second electromagnetic drives for the longitudinal and lateral vibrations are controlled by a clock pulse generator to operate in synchronism, either in phase or in anti-phase, and are controlled independently of each other as to operation and amplitude. The arrangement enables optimized distribution of fines in the bulk food product.

Abstract: A compact apparatus for loading bulk ammunition, particularly rimmed cartridges, into cartridge boxes. The apparatus includes a manifold having side walls, a rear wall and a removable front spacer bar. A tray pan is indexed beneath a plurality of parallel, spaced rails in the manifold. The rails are spaced apart a distance greater than the diameter of the cartridges but less than the diameter of the cartridge rims. The manifold is vibrated by an adjustable eccentric drive. Loose ammunition is poured onto the manifold and contained on there by the walls and gate. Once the holes of the cartridge boxes are substantially filled, the operator moves the rear gate to clear off the excess ammunition. The tray pan is then released from spring detents to remove the boxes from the apparatus.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor arranged so that the vibrations have a substantially greater horizontal than vertical movement. More particularly, the vertical acceleration of material carried by the material-carrying member is less than the acceleration of gravity and therefore the material conveyed does not physically leave the surface of the material-carrying member. The result is a smooth flow of material from one end of the material-carrying member to the other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for a vibratory apparatus such as vibratory feeders and vibratory conveyors. An accelerometer is provided for sensing the acceleration of vibratory movement of the vibratory apparatus. The signal generated by the sensing system is transmitted to a control which is capable of modifying the amplitude or the frequency of the vibratory movement imparted to the apparatus and thereby to regulate the operation of the vibratory conveyor or feeder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compact apparatus for loading bulk ammunition into cartridge boxes. The apparatus includes a manifold having side walls, a rear wall and a movable front gate. A bullet pan and a tray pan are indexed beneath guide holes in the manifold. The manifold is vibrated by an adjustable eccentric drive. Loose ammunition is poured onto the manifold and contained on there by the walls and gate. Once the manifold guide holes are substantially filled, the operator moves the front gate to clear off the excess ammunition. The bullet pan and tray pan are then released from spring detents to fill the boxes and remove the boxes from the apparatus.

Abstract: A three mass vibratory conveyor including a base with an electromagnet, a tray supported on the base and a tuning weight. A first spring connecting the tray to the base, a second spring connecting the base to the tuning weight and a resilient support supporting the base to a support member. The mass of the tuning weight being adjustable to provide a system in which the base and tray are driven by the driver at a predetermined frequency and no relative motion takes place between the base and the tray.

Abstract: A drive and drive controller for a vibratory conveyor, wherein the drive comprises a pair of pole pieces offset along a direction of action of the drive, and moveable in the direction of action of the drive when energized by a power signal. Preferably, one of the pole pieces is mounted to a tray portion, and the other to a kinetic balancer portion, of the conveyor. The power signal comprises a series of pulse trains of controllable frequency and duration, whereby the drive unit may be vibrated at a controllable frequency and amplitude so that the vibratory conveyor may be readily tuned to optimal performance. Optionally, the voltage level of the power signal may be reduced by an autotransformer in series with the power signal to independently control the power level.

Abstract: A vibrating separator comprises a tray which is mounted on a platform by front helical spring members and an elastic cantileverlike member has a front end fixed to the bottom of the tray and a rear end fixed to a rear rigid support mounted on the platform. An electric vibrator is mounted on the platform and connected to the bottom side of the front portion of the tray. Upon vibrating the tray, small entangled pieces are moved at a faster speed at the front part of the tray than at the rear part thereof, thereby separating the pieces and fowarding them to the front delivery end of the tray.

Abstract: A natural frequency vibratory conveyor which substantially improves upon the slow starting and stopping times and the power requirements associated with prior art natural systems is disclosed. The conveyor employs a drive member reciprocatively connected at one end to a drive motor assembly and resiliently connected at the opposite end to the conveyor platform. The conveyor can be operated at unusually high natural frequencies of vibration, thereby achieving high production rates, by employing opposed, adjustable springs to establish a high bidirectional spring rate between the conveyor platform and the base. Undesirable vertical components of vibration can thus be reduced without sacrificing productivity due to the high natural frequency.

Abstract: Weighing conditions, depending on the kind of article being weighed and on the target value for the weighing operation, are entered as a set of reserved values through a data input unit, and the set of reserved values is written into a memory of a storage unit by a write control unit. The storage unit includes a plurality of memories, each of which stores a different set of reserved values. A read control unit, in response to an input from the data input unit, selects a required set of reserved values from the corresponding memory of the storage unit, and applies prescribed ones of these values to a combinatorial computation control unit and feeder drive units. Therefore, when it is necessary to reset weighing conditions whenever there is a change in the kind of article being weighed or in the target value, the resetting operation is performed merely by reading the desired weighing conditions, namely the set of reserved values, from memory.

Abstract: A mechanism for controlling the rate of discharge of material from the feed pan of a material feeder includes an eccentric drive mechanism operatively connected to the pan to reciprocate it, and a linkage connected to the pan-reciprocating mechanism to vary the effective throw of the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for use with a shaker conveyor to effect longitudinal reciprocating movement of a conveyor trough is disclosed, the drive mechanism including a flywheel mounted for driving rotation about its center axis and connected to a slide block longitudinally movable along a lever arm mounted for pivotal movement in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the flywheel. The slide block is connected to the flywheel eccentric to its axis of rotation and the lever arm is connected to the conveyor trough so that constant speed rotation of the flywheel effects reciprocating movement of the conveyor trough in a manner to advance particulate material along the trough.

Abstract: A vibratory feeder system includes a track having a linear, circular or helical configuration upon which articles that are to be transported are positioned. The vibratory feeder system further includes a support structure for supporting the track. The track and support structure are joined by resilient members of a configuration and dimension such that the track may move in a generally linear, reciprocative path relative to the support structure. The vibratory feeder further includes one or more self-contained, inertial drive elements wherein each drive element includes a rigid, nonmagnetic, cylindrical housing having end covers. Two iron stator cores are rigidly mounted within the housing and to the interior of one end cover thereof. Two resilient members having mounted at one end thereof a reciprocating armature are secured to the one end of the housing. A laminated iron armature core positioned so as to be spaced from the stator cores by an air gap is mounted on the armature.

Abstract: This vibration generator intended more particularly for impressing a vibratory motion to vibrating apparatus such as handling circuits and treatment stations for loose materials and products comprises an excitation eccentric rotatably driven from a motor and adapted, during at least one fraction of its stroke, to co-act with a roller lined with resilient material mounted in a fixed position on the apparatus, the axis of rotation of this eccentric being coupled to means controlling its movement substantially in the direction towards the apparatus. Thus, the amplitude and frequency of the vibratory motion can be modified while in operation, either manually or automatically.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously metering small amounts of comminuted plastic color pigment or concentrate in desired proportions to a volume of resin being supplied to an extruder. The feed of the color concentrate is accurately metered by a controlled electromagnetic vibrator and delivered into the resin feed throat of the extruder.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a shaker conveyor is disclosed in which a drive unit is supported on a mounting beam and has an output crank connected through a pull rod to a conveyor trough such that the puller rod undergoes movement in a plane substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the trough. The drive unit is rotatable relative to the mounting beam in a manner to selectively vary the acceleration characteristics of the conveyor trough, and has a self-contained internal lubricating system which provides improved quiet operation.