Abstract: Coupled inductor systems are disclosed in which transmitter and receiver inductors, or coils, are coupled in a configuration for wirelessly transferring power and/or data among them. In preferred implementations, the systems are used for transmitting both power and data in pairs of coupled coils. Primary side circuits in preferred embodiments of the systems of the invention employ Class D or Class G amplifiers.

Abstract: A spring mount assembly for a vibrating screen, the spring mount assembly having a helical spring; a top helical spring support disposed on the top end of the helical spring for supporting the top end of the helical spring; a bottom helical spring support disposed on the bottom end of the helical spring for supporting the bottom end of the helical spring; a stationary base support; a removable base support disposed on top of the stationary base support between the stationary base support and the bottom helical spring support; a hydraulic cylinder; side supports attached to the stationary base support; and removable posts affixed to the side supports and the top helical spring support. Also provided is a system, and a method, for removing the helical spring, the system having a hydraulic jacking arrangement for creating a gap between the bottom helical spring support and the removable base support.

Abstract: Coupled inductor systems are disclosed in which transmitter and receiver inductors, or coils, are coupled in a configuration for wirelessly transferring power and/or data among them. In preferred implementations, the systems are used for transmitting both power and data in pairs of coupled coils. Primary side circuits in preferred embodiments of the systems of the invention employ Class D or Class G amplifiers.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly to deliver flavoring to a conveyor upon which a product to be coated is conveyed. The flavoring is typically in granular form such as a powder. The assembly includes a conveyor including a longitudinally elongated tray that is vibrated by an actuator. The tray and actuator are adapted to distribute the flavoring transversely across the conveyor.

Abstract: To drive an oscillator always at a stable and constant oscillation even if frequency and amplitude of a power supply voltage differ depending on a delivery destination of the oscillator, an oscillator drive control device (10), which generates a predetermined switching pattern by operating a switching element, and supplies an oscillation generation unit (7) of the oscillator with drive electric power for generating predetermined oscillation frequency and amplitude according to the switching pattern, includes: a voltage detection circuit (11) for detecting a power supply voltage unique to a delivery destination of the oscillator; a memory circuit (12) storing, in advance, a basic switching pattern adapted to an arbitrarily set reference voltage, and used for driving the oscillation generation unit (7) at proper oscillation frequency and amplitude; and an arithmetic processing circuit (13) for calculating a ratio of the detected voltage unique to the delivery destination detected by the voltage detection circui

Abstract: The invention is related to induction driven straight or curved conveyors. Belts of the current invention have a flexible strip of permanent rare earth magnetic composition embedded therein. In combination with the flexible strip, stators induce magnetic flux to advance the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A moving table supports a parts conveying member. A fixed table is disposed below the moving table and supports the moving table so as to freely vibrate the moving table through a vibration generator. The vibration generator includes a first elastic member and a piezoelectric element mounted to the first elastic member. One end of the first elastic member is fixed to the moving table and the other end is fixed to the fixed table. A support member includes a second elastic member. One of the second elastic member is fixed to the moving table and the other end member is fixed to the fixed table. Accordingly, the piezo-driven parts feeder can be reduced in height, the stress that acts on the vibration generator can be restricted, sufficient amplitude can be ensured and the stress on the vibration generator can be restricted even during high-frequency driving, and the replacement of the vibration generator and the change and control of the resonance frequency can easily be performed.

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: A conveying apparatus is disclosed and which includes a supporting frame; an article transporting bed which is oriented in spaced relation relative to the supporting frame; a plurality of resilient supports mounted on both the supporting frame and the article transporting bed and which supports the article transporting bed in spaced relation relative to the supporting frame; and a drive assembly borne by the supporting frame and which provides an oscillating force having a plurality of components and which causes the article transporting bed to move reciprocally, and wherein the drive assembly amplifies the components of the oscillating force which are at a given angle relative to the resilient supports.

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: 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 vibratory conveying feeder, which includes a power control circuit for locally providing an adjusted drive signal to the vibratory drive. Inclusion of a power control circuit into one or more vibratory conveying feeders within a system including multiple vibratory conveying feeders, enable the feeders to share a common power supply bus. By enabling multiple feeders to share a common power supply bus, the wiring associated with providing power connections to the multiple vibratory conveying feeders is correspondingly reduced. Consequently, initial system installation or system reconfiguration is greatly simplified.

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: In a vibratory conveyor which includes a trough for transporting objects, an exciting mechanism for vibrating the trough in a horizontal direction and a supporting mechanism for supporting the trough so as to be vibratile in the horizontal direction, the exciting mechanism is a linear motor, one of the primary and secondary sides of the linear motor is fixed to the trough and the other is facing to the one side with a predetermined gap and so arranged as to be vibratile relative to the one side.

Abstract: Conveying apparatuses, indication assemblies, methods of indicating operation of a conveying apparatus, and methods of operating a conveying apparatus are provided. According to one aspect, a conveying apparatus includes a frame; a bed configured to convey material in a direction; a drive device configured to impart movement to the bed; and an indication assembly configured to indicate operation of the conveying apparatus in an operational state. Another aspect provides a method of indicating operation of a conveying apparatus comprising: providing a conveying apparatus including a bed; supporting the bed using a frame; imparting movement to the bed to induce movement of material within the bed; and indicating operation of the conveying apparatus in an operational state.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for controlling the operating frequency of an electromagnetic vibratory feeder at a submultiple of the power line frequency. The apparatus is couplable to a terminal of an electromagnetic coil of the electromagnetic vibratory feeder, to control the current through the electromagnetic coil and thereby control power delivered to the electromagnetic vibratory feeder. The apparatus includes a quadrac coupled to the alternating current source; a capacitor coupled to the AC current power source and coupled through a first diode to a gate electrode of the quadrac; and a resistive network coupled through a second diode to the capacitor and to the first diode. The capacitance value of the capacitor and the resistive value of the resistive network form an RC time constant, which is predetermined to provide a selected operating frequency for triggering the quadrac and thereby providing power to the electromagnetic vibratory feeder at a submultiple of the power line frequency.

Abstract: A drive circuit for an electromechanically excited vibratory conveyor responds to the inductance fluctuations of the conveyor drive coil due to mechanical vibration so as to feed the coil with drive pulses having a repetition frequency commensurate with the natural frequency of the mechanical vibration. Phase and duration of the drive pulses are automatically regulated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stroke control system for a vibratory conveyor which has a vibrating trough driven by a variable frequency motor. The stroke control system includes a transducer connected to the vibrating trough for sensing a vibration amplitude and for providing an output signal in response thereto. A motor control circuit is responsive to the transducer output signal for reducing the frequency of the motor when the output exceeds some threshold value.

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: Apparatus for controlling vibratory machines of the type having at least one electromagnetic drive coil to drive a member at a resonant frequency includes a DC power supply; a programmable controller that produces PWM control signals that when applied to the drive coil cause vibrating motion; a switching driver circuit that applies a drive waveform to the drive coil by switching DC power to the drive coil in response to the PWM control signals; and a motion sensor that detects vibration amplitude; the controller tracking resonant vibration frequency as a function of an amplitude signal related to the drive waveform. The motion sensor preferably produces a signal related to vibration velocity.

Abstract: In a vibratory parts-feeder, a bowl is combined with a base block by plural sets of single leaf spring. A controller is connected to an electro-magnetic coil of a drive part for the parts feeder. The bowl is torsionally vibrated nearly at a resonant frequency and at a desired amplitude with automatic or manual adjustment of the controller.

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: In order to prevent spilling the contents or fracturing a package being filled, a rigid tray is moved into a filling area by pushers in which the pusher is advanced under controlled acceleration and then deceleration for gently stopping the pusher in contact with or in close proximity to a filled tray. A short time delay in movement of the tray is provided and then the pusher is advanced along with the tray moved thereby under a controlled acceleration into a sealing station. The tray is brought under controlled deceleration to stop in the sealing station at a predetermined position where another short time delay is provided in the stop position of the pusher. The pusher is then retracted to a safe position out of the way in order to permit the sealing of the tray without the interference of the pusher while the tray is sealed. The sealed tray is then transferred to an outfeed area and the sequence is repeated for filling and sealing a following tray.

Abstract: A machine for conditioning filled and sealed bags for testing, to assure that the bags are accurately tested without damaging the product contained in the bags, and for packaging the bags that have passed the test in cartons with the longitudinal axis of the bags arranged vertical.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for vibration-generated movement and manipulation, such as transportation, orientation, loading or sorting of materials are provided. At least one electromagnetic coil is disposed to act in a horizontal plane, and another electromagnetic coil may be disposed to act in a vertical plane, imparting two-dimensional vibration to a generally horizontal vibratory surface. Apparatus vibrationally transports parts across a surface while concurrently orienting and sorting them. Reversibility of transport direction is also provided.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus including a vibratory feedbowl, a circuit for providing impulses, and a manually adjustable controller connected to the impulse circuit for providing a controlled conductance path to the impulse circuit to controllably vibrate the feedbowl. An improved controller includes a sensor connected to the vibratory feedbowl for providing a signal proportional to the actual amplitude of the feedbowl. A set point control provides a desired amplitude signal for the feedbowl. An automatic controller connected to the sensor and the set point control provides a control signal proportional to the difference between the desired amplitude and the actual amplitude. An override circuit connecting the automatic controller to the manually adjustable controller provides an override conductance path to the impulse circuit proportional to the control signal to vibrate the feedbowl at approximately the desired amplitude.

Abstract: In a vibratory parts feeder, an output power of an inverter supplying AC voltage to each vibration generator (electric power supplied to the vibration generator) or input power to the inverter is controlled so as to reach the maximum during the feeding operation so that the operational frequency is automatically adjusted to the resonant frequency. That is, upon increase or decrease of the operational frequency at predetermined intervals, the value of power supplied to each vibration generator or the inverter input power is obtained. The obtained value is compared with the last obtained value whose data is stored in a storage.

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 apparatus and method are improvements over the refuse derived fuel (RDF) handling system disclosed in applicant's U.S. Pat. No.

Abstract: Mechanical resonance of the vibratory feeder is maintained by minimizing a phase angle difference between substantially sinusoidal drive voltage and current wave forms. The mass flow rate of material being fed is controlled by controlling the electrical power applied to the vibratory feeder compared with a desired electrical power computed from a desired flow rate. The preferred embodiment includes synthesized drive wave forms which are variable in frequency and amplitude in order to maintain the vibratory feeder in mechanical resonance at the desired flow rate. Resonant operation and accurate material flow are accomplished without use of electromechanical vibration sensors and control is accomplished using the magnitude and phase relationships between the applied voltage and current drive wave forms.

Abstract: A system for handling refuse derived fuel (RDF) devised to make RDF fired power plants practical, that includes a method and apparatus for receiving, storing and discharging, distributing and feeding RDF at the plant that accepts such material for fuel, which has been shredded to a predetermined nominal size and usually has most of the ferrous metals removed therefrom, which system includes a relatively large activated bin for primary surge capacity purposes that initially receives and stores the RDF, to provide a binned quantity of same from which as continuous flow of the RDF can be generated that will result in a pulsation free, steady supply of RDF to the plant furnace or furnaces, for firing the power plant involved, with one or more trains located adjacent the locale of the plant furnace to be fired, each of which includes several metering activated bins that are actuated to supply an underlying vibrating feeder that conveys the RDF to the furnace fuel chute, with the activated metering bins of each tra

Abstract: An arrangement for supplying powdered material to a spraying device in an installation for thermal spraying comprises at least one powder storage container and an injection device by which the powder is introduced into a stream of carrier gas. A buffer chamber is disposed upstream of the injection device and comprises means for controlling the level of the powder, at least one controllable feeding means being connected, by means of a control device, to the level-controlled buffer chamber.The present arrangement allows to obtain a well-defined rate of flow of powder which is constant and adjustable, from one or more powder storage containers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flat stroke sifter screen having a vibratory excitor mounted at the inlet end and drive springs at the outlet end with a counterbalancing member having a tuning plate and stabilizers for the counterbalance, whereby the lateral vibratory action of the sifter is in the form of an elliptical motion adjacent the inlet end and a substantially straight back and forth, or axial motion is obtained adjacent the discharge end.

Abstract: A vibratory feed bowl driver having sensor for providing a signal responsive to the frequency and amplitude of vibration of a vibratory (parts) feeder and a driver circuit arrangement.The driver circuit arrangement is responsive to the output signal of the sensor for providing to the bowl's driver coil a variable width drive pulse at the optimum point in the bowl's mechanical cycle to maintain a desired amplitude of bowl vibration at the varying resonant frequencies of the bowl with loading.

Abstract: This invention relates to a variable speed vibratory conveyor or feeder which comprises a material-carrying member mounted on isolation springs, and an exciter connected to the member by a spring system. The exciter carries a rotatably mounted eccentric weight for imparting vibrations to the material-carrying member, and a hydraulic control system is provided for varying the position of the eccentric weight relative to its axis of rotation in order to vary the amplitude of the vibrations imparted to the material-carrying member.