Abstract: A system for monitoring the operation of vibrating equipment, such as a vibrating screen unit or vibrating feeder. The vibrating equipment includes a series of mounting springs that support the body on a stationary support structure. The system includes a plurality of sensors that are positioned to detect vibrating forces on one or more of the mounting springs. Each of the sensors generates a monitoring signal that is received by a control unit. The monitoring signals are a measure of the resonance frequency of the mounting springs. The control unit is operable to compare the monitoring signals from the sensors to expected, normal values such that the control unit is able to determine whether the mounting springs are functioning in a normal manner or whether a problem exists. The control unit is further able to monitor the operation of the vibrating equipment through the analysis of the monitoring signals.

Abstract: Vibratory screening machines that include stacked screening deck assemblies are provided. In some embodiments, at least one of the vibratory screening machines may include an outer frame, an inner frame connected to the outer frame, and a vibratory motor assembly secured to the inner frame for vibrating the inner frame. A plurality of screen deck assemblies may be attached to the inner frame in a stacked arrangement, each configured to receive replaceable screen assemblies. The screen assemblies may be secured to respective ones of the plurality of the screen deck assemblies by tensioning the screen assemblies in a direction that a material to be screened flows across the screen assemblies. An undersized material discharge assembly may be configured to receive materials that pass through the screen assemblies, and an oversized material discharge assembly having a deflector may be configured to receive materials that pass over the screen assemblies.

Abstract: Vibratory screening machines that include stacked screening deck assemblies are provided. In some embodiments, at least one of the vibratory screening machines can include an outer frame, an inner frame connected to the outer frame, and a vibratory motor assembly secured to the inner frame for vibrating the inner frame. A plurality of screen deck assemblies can be attached to the inner frame in a stacked arrangement, each configured to receive replaceable screen assemblies. The screen assemblies can be secured to respective ones of the plurality of the screen deck assemblies by tensioning the screen assemblies in a direction that a material to be screened flows across the screen assemblies. An undersized material discharge assembly can be configured to receive materials that pass through the screen assemblies, and an oversized material discharge assembly can be configured to receive materials that pass over the screen assemblies.

Abstract: Vibration device for a conveying apparatus (21) to convey a metal charge in a longitudinal direction (X) comprising at least two vibration mechanisms (25, 26) each disposed on opposite sides of the conveying apparatus (21) so as to feed the metal charge. The vibration mechanisms (25, 26) comprise at least a first plurality of eccentric masses (31, 32, 33) having their mass barycenters (B) oriented in parallel directions to each other, and a second plurality of eccentric masses (34, 35) having their mass barycenters (B) disposed angularly offset with respect to the disposition of the barycenters of the first plurality of eccentric masses (31, 32, 33).

Abstract: A method of controlling the vibration of a vibratory separator, the method including providing a vibratory separator having a frame and a plurality of force generators coupled to the frame and a control unit operatively connected to each of the plurality of force generators, and independently controlling each of the plurality of force generators. Independently controlling each of the plurality of force generators controls a motion profile of the vibratory separator.

Abstract: Vibration device for a conveying apparatus (21) to convey a metal charge in a longitudinal direction (X) comprising at least two vibration mechanisms (25, 26) each disposed on opposite sides of the conveying apparatus (21) so as to feed the metal charge. The vibration mechanisms (25, 26) comprise at least a first plurality of eccentric masses (31, 32, 33) having their mass barycenters (B) oriented in parallel directions to each other, and a second plurality of eccentric masses (34, 35) having their mass barycenters (B) disposed angularly offset with respect to the disposition of the barycenters of the first plurality of eccentric masses (31, 32, 33).

Abstract: A shaker conveyor assembly including a housing, a drive system supported by the housing and at least one transport tray supported by the housing and operatively connected to the drive system. The drive system includes an electric motor that produces a rotary output. A cam assembly is operatively connected in driven relationship to the rotary output of the electric motor so as to rotate therewith. A cam follower assembly is operatively connected to the transport tray and is responsive to the rotation of the cam assembly to produce repeated, reciprocating, linear motion and to transmit this motion to the transport tray so as to convey items therealong.

Abstract: A balanced vibrating conveyor apparatus is provided by using a torsion bar spring and rocker arm for conveyor trough and balancing weight. The design provides synchronized 180° out of phase vibrations of trough and balancing weight as well as balance at variations in stroke lengths. With a torsion bar spring at the rocker arm node point, dynamic forces are minimized in the conveyor frame, as well as the building support structure.

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: Vibratory linear conveyor that includes a utility weight and a counterweight that can be vibratingly moved in opposing directions via a drive unit, the drive unit being coupled to the utility weight and to the counterweight and being arranged in a receiving chamber beneath the utility weight, whereby a first drive unit including an electromagnet and a second drive unit including a piezo-electric actuator can be exchangeably installed for drive units, identical types of fastening arrangements being provided and positioned identically on each drive unit for connecting to the fastening arrangement arranged on the utility weight and on the counterweight.

Abstract: A balanced flat stroke bi-directional conveyor for conveying object, granular and powder material. The unit utilizes the skewed sine wave trough stroke principle using primary eccentric counterweights wheels driven by a motor running at the secondary speed and equipped with the secondary eccentric counterweight wheels and a third counterweight wheel. The forces not in line with the trough stroke are absorbed with an isolation spring mounted between the drive assembly and the base, while the forces in line with the trough are balanced via a connected balancer.

Abstract: A vibration management system for a work machine may include at least one machine component configured to respond to input commands from an operator of the machine. One or more vibration sensors may be configured to output a signal indicative of a vibration level experienced by the operator. A controller may be configured to monitor the output signal from the one or more vibration sensors and determine an average vibration level experienced by the operator. The controller may also be configured to monitor the input commands from the operator and calculate a predicted response of the at least one machine component to at least one of the input commands. The controller may also be configured to determine a predicted vibration effect on the operator based on the predicted response and adjust an actual response of the at least one machine component to the at least one operator input command based on the predicted vibration effect and the average vibration level.

Abstract: A circular vibratory conveying apparatus for conveying material. The apparatus includes a bed on which material is conveyed, a counterbalance supported on a plurality of isolation springs, a plurality of inclined drive springs extending between the bed and the counterbalance, and a plurality of stabilizers for controlling movement of the drive springs along their central axes. Three or more vibratory motors, each having rotatable eccentric weights, are attached to the counterbalance. The eccentric weights rotate in phase with one another to rotationally vibrate the bed at a vibration frequency.

Abstract: There is provided exciter apparatus having a cast housing (11) and mounting base (14) secured to mounts bolted to the side plates of screening apparatus. A pair of shafts are mounted for rotation in and extend out of both sides of the cast housing (11). A gear assembly is keyed to each shaft t form a gear train coupling the shafts. The outer ends of each of the shafts are provided with eccentric masses (30) aligned on their respective shafts 180° out of phase. Drive spools (35) are driven by electric motors (not shown). Coupling spools (37) are adapted to accept flexible couplings for joining exciter units together. The gears (26) comprise 9 teeth of an 18-tooth module at 325.0 mm pitch circle diameter (PCD) and 65 mm axial dimension. The lands between the teeth are at a notional diameter 262.6 mm, the teeth having a corresponding notional tooth height of 31.2 mm to the PCD.

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: A vibratory conveying apparatus for conveying material. The apparatus includes a bed on which material is conveyed, a counterbalance supported on a plurality of isolation springs, a plurality of inclined drive springs extending between the bed and the counterbalance, and a plurality of stabilizers for controlling movement of the drive springs along their central axes. A first pair of vibratory motors, each having rotatable eccentric weights, and a second pair of vibratory motors, each having rotatable eccentric weights, are attached to the counterbalance. The eccentric weights rotate in phase with one another to vibrate the bed at a vibration frequency.

Abstract: A flat stroke bi-directional conveyor for conveying object, granular and powder material. The unit utilizes the skewed sine wave trough stroke principle using primary eccentric counterweights wheels driven by a motor running at the secondary speed and equipped with the secondary eccentric counterweight wheels. The forces not in line with the trough stroke are absorbed with an isolation spring mounted between the drive assembly and the base.

Abstract: Complexity of construction of a vibratory feeder is minimized in an assembly including a base (10; 108, 114, 116, 118) and an elongated, generally horizontal feeder (14; 100) spaced from the base (10; 108, 114, 116, 118). A rotatably mounted eccentric (32; 126) is journaled on the feeder (14; 100) and is operable, when rotated, to impart vibration to the feeding surface (20; 104) of the feeder (14; 100). The feeder (14; 100) is interconnected to the base (10; 108, 114, 116, 118) by an interconnection that consists essentially of springs (60; 130) having first ends (62) connected to the feeder and opposite ends (64) connected to the base (10; 108, 114, 116, 118) while being located on a generally horizontal axis.

Abstract: A vibratory conveying device comprise an elongated trough for transporting materials, and a base underlying the trough. A plurality of elongated leaf springs support the trough on the base, with a vibratory drive system operatively connected to the base for effecting vibratory movement of the trough. Economical manufacture and efficient maintenance are facilitated by configuring the base so that it comprises a pair of sheet-like base side members, with a laterally extending drive support member extending therebetween. In the preferred form, the drive support member is detachably connected to the base side members with suitable mechanical fasteners. In turn, a pair of rotary vibratory drives of the drive system are removably mounted on respective opposite sides of the drive support member by a plurality of threaded mechanical fasteners.

Abstract: An excited frame conveyor is described with a conveyor bed movably supported on a frame having a structural frequency and a vibratory drive on the frame operable to vibrate the frame at an operational frequency that is greater than the structural frequency of the frame.

Abstract: A differential motion conveyor drive includes at least three pairs of drive shafts carrying eccentric weights that are selected to correspond to the terms of a Fourier series in order to achieve optimal conveying speed and efficiency. To approximate the Fourier series terms, in one preferred embodiment, each of the first pair of shafts carries a weight and rotates at a predetermined operating speed &ohgr;. Each of the second pair of shafts carries a smaller weight and rotates at an operating speed 2&ohgr;, and each of the third pair of shafts carries an even smaller weight and rotates at an operating speed 3&ohgr;. An appropriate weight distribution results in a differential motion conveyor drive that consistently produces a higher conveying speed compared to that produced by a prior art drive throughout a range of operating speeds.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor has an eccentric shaft drive system mounted at an angle relative to horizontal plane defined by the conveyor deck. Rotation of the drive shafts and associated eccentric weight elements causes a net force to be imparted to the conveyor deck at an angle relative to horizontal plane defined by the deck to convey material forward. The drive shafts are mounted and controlled such that changing the phase angle between the respective drive shafts causes a change in direction of the net force output of the drive system, thereby resulting in a directional or sideways conveying motion.

Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor includes a conveyor base 12 and a tray 16 movable in a forward direction to move goods with the tray and in a backward direction to slide goods along the tray. A pair of tray support members 18, 20, 192, 200, 222 interconnect the conveyor base in the tray. Each tray support member may be pivotally connected at a lower end of the conveyor base and pivotally connected at an upper end of the tray. An electrically powered linear motor 30, 82, 95, 135, 145, 225 moves the tray forward and rearward. A connector support 20 for interconnecting the base and the tray, or for interconnecting any stationary member and a movable member, may include a linear bearing having an end surface with a radius for rolling engagement with a contact surface having a radius twice of that of the end surface to achieve the desired linear motion of the tray or movable member.

Abstract: A mounting bracket assembly for connecting a single rotary vibrator to a vibratory feeding device that includes an elastomer spacer member retained and sandwiched between a base plate and a vibrator mounting plate. The mounting plate assembly converts sinusoidal forces exerted by the rotary vibrator to predominantly linear impelling pulses that are in a direction that is perpendicular to a first surface of the base plate. The base plate may be attached to the vibratory feeding device directly or by an adjustable pivot assembly. The direction of movement of items carried on a surface of the vibratory feeding device is directly related to the direction of rotation of the rotary vibrator. The mounting bracket assembly may also include at least one isolation member for minimizing contact of the vibrator mounting plate and retaining members used therewith.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor apparatus is described and which includes a conveyor bed, a frame mounted on the conveyor bed and which facilitates the reciprocal motion of the conveyor bed, and a drive assembly borne by the conveyor bed and which imparts reciprocal motion to same. The vibratory drive causes the conveyor bed to reciprocate at different velocities.

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

Abstract: A two-way drive for horizontally vibrating a feeder bed, including a reversible drive rotating one of two drive shafts rotatably connected so that the second drive shaft rotates at a speed which is a selected ratio (at least 2:1) of the speed of rotation of the first. A first eccentric weight is rotatably secured to the first drive shaft. A second eccentric weight is rotatably secured to the second drive shaft and movable between a first position on a first shaft radius when the second shaft is driven in one direction and a second position on a second shaft radius when the second shaft is driven in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A vibrating conveying system having a plurality of rotating shafts and associated eccentric weights uses a sliding eccentric weight or weights mounted on one or more driving shafts to reverse the movement of the articles carried by the conveyor. The sliding weights move between first and second spaced positions relative to the driving shaft when the rotation of the driving shaft is reversed and are latched into place once in the selected positions preventing further movement while the apparatus is operating.

Abstract: The bearing includes a cylindrical bearing, such as a sleeve bearing or a ball bearing, having a central opening for receiving a shaft and having a first radial surface. The assembly includes a bearing housing having a surrounding wall which defines an open distal end and an open base end. The housing has a second radial surface extending inwardly from the surrounding wall. The assembly includes a support wall arranged adjacent to the open base end of the housing. The assembly includes a plurality of threaded fasteners which are inserted through holes provided on the bearing housing and are threaded onto threaded apertures provided in or behind the support wall. Tightening of the fasteners draws the bearing housing to the support wall. A spring, such as a Belleville washer, is placed between the support wall and the bearing to resiliently press the first radial surface against the second radial surface. When the housing and support wall are drawn tight the spring is compressed under great force.

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

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor assembly including a material transporting trough driven by oscillating motion which imparts a force causing materials located in the trough to be advanced. The conveyor includes a continuous, unitary saddle plate attached about the trough perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the trough. Actuators are coupled to the saddle plate which imparts the oscillating force to the trough.

Abstract: Drive motor size and energy costs are reduced in a bidirectional vibratory conveyor that includes a bed (10) with an elongated generally horizontal conveying surface (16) terminating an opposite ends (12, 14). Isolation springs (26) mount the bed (10) above the underlying terrain (32) and a vibration inducing assembly (40) that includes a rotatable shaft (56) and an eccentrically mounted weight (58) is mounted to the bed (10). A pair of generally horizontally acting, vibration amplification systems (72) are mounted on the bed (10) and sandwich the vibration inducing assembly (40). Conveying direction can be reversed simply by reversing the direction of rotation of the motor shaft (56).

Abstract: The control system of the present invention is particularly usable with extended vibration conveyors and permits the installation of a multiple of drive vibratory drive units comprised of one or more vibratroy modules. Each module comprises a motor, one or more shafts mounting eccentric weights, and a shaft encoder device monitoring the "relative position" of each shaft with respect for each shaft. One shaft, a master shaft, is driven continuously driven at a predetermined speed from which the actual relative positions are compared.

Abstract: A conveyor drive having a first crank (44) rotatably mounted to a base (24) for producing a first sinusoidal harmonic and a second crank (62) rotatably mounted to a conveying trough (22) for producing a second sinusoidal harmonic. A link (66) is connected between the first and second cranks (44, 62) to impart a first sinusoidal harmonic of the first crank (44) to the second crank (62). The second crank imparts a working displacement to the conveying trough (24) as a function of a phase relationship between the first and second sinusoidal harmonics of the respective eccentrics (44, 62). A synchronizer (FIG. 5) is operatively connected to the cranks (44, 62) for selectively adjusting the angular phase relationship between the first and second sinusoidal harmonics of the respective cranks (44, 62) to correspondingly vary the working displacement imparted to the trough (22), thereby controlling the speed of material being conveyed along the trough (22).

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor apparatus includes a vibratory drive having first and second pairs of counter-rotating drive shafts, with first and second eccentric weight sets respectively mounted on the drive shafts. In distinction from previous constructions, the eccentric weights of the vibratory drive are mounted to induce maximum vibratory forces out-of-phase with each other, thereby effecting improved efficiency for material conveyance. The vibratory motion provided by the present conveying system has been found to be particularly suitable for handling of delicate or fragile materials.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus for use with associated vibratory conveyance equipment includes a pair of counter-rotating shafts respectively carrying counter-rotating eccentrically mounted weights for generating vibratory forces attendant to counter-rotation of the shafts. Economical manufacture of the apparatus is promoted by providing a toothed belt drive for effecting counter-shaft rotation, with externally-mounted bearing assemblies provided to facilitate periodic bearing maintenance. A housing of the apparatus is configured as a fabricated composite beam assembly to promote economical manufacture, and mounting and integration of the vibratory apparatus with associated vibratory feed equipment.

Abstract: A counterweight is freely pivoted on a rotatably driven unbalanced eccentric weight member such that at start up the counterweight does not add materially to the unbalance created by the eccentric weight member and such that as the motor attains operating speed the freely pivoted counterweight is slung outward relative to the eccentric weight member thus adding unbalance to the eccentric weight member and increasing the vibratory forces generated by the apparatus.

Abstract: A vibratory system for changing or maintaining a resultant vibratory force supplied to a spring support conveyor trough has a pair of spaced, parallel shafts and phase elements for supplying a resultant to force to the trough. A sensing device generates a signal corresponding to the real time phase angle between the phase elements. This signal is compared to a signal corresponding to the desired phase angle and the real time phase angle is essentially the same as the desired phase angle thereby providing the desired resultant force to the conveyor.

Abstract: Single drive conveyor apparatus including an elongated material-conveying conveyor having a vibration generator connected to one end thereof and vibrating the same substantially only in a direction parallel with the longitudinal centroidal axis thereof and including two pairs of parallel vibration-generating shafts, each pair having axial displacement relative to the other and each shaft of each pair carrying eccentrically mounted weights generating equal forces and rotating in opposite directions, each pair of shafts rotating at different speeds and each pair carrying a pair of equal force-generating and eccentric weights different from that of the other, a continuous flexible drive element having opposed continuums extending around and in driving relation to each of the pairs of shafts, and controllably shiftable phase-adjustment/motion-altering mechanism engaging each of the continuums and shortening one of the continuums while lengthening the other as the mechanism shifts to thereby controllably alter the

Abstract: A vibratory device operating as a two mass vibrating system having an exciter mass and a work member mass spring coupled and supported by isolator springs and operating at a frequency less than the natural frequency of the system. Two or more cylindrical elastomer springs are mounted on a center beam of the work member having a spring rate in the shear direction for setting the required natural frequency and also provide a spring rate in the compression direction that will have a natural frequency substantially above the natural frequency in the shear direction. The cylindrical elastomer springs mounted to a single rigid center beam provides flexibility of design for a specific work member application.

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 dual drive conveyor system which has a vibration control mechanism for adjusting the application of vibratory force to the material-conveying member without changing the direction of the resultant line of vibratory force generated thereby, wherein the vibration generator connected to the material-conveying member includes a pair of opposing parallel counter-rotating eccentrically weighted master shafts driven by a first drive motor, and a pair of opposing parallel counter-rotating eccentrically weighted slave shafts driven by a second drive motor, the master and slave shafts rotating in such manner that the direction of the resultant line of vibratory force is substantially only parallel with the longitudinal centroidal axis of the material-conveying member.

Abstract: The screening efficiency of a gyratory screening machine, of the type having a moving base, is significantly increased by mounting to the base a spring/mass system which is tuned so that operation of the machine drive produces amplified movement of the mass along at least one of two perpendicular axes on which the base moves. Movement of the mass reduces the net force on the base along the axis on which the mass oscillates. The reaction force of the machine drive on the base along the other of the two perpendicular axes may be offset by a rotary counterbalance operated by the drive. Movement of the base relative to the ground is thereby reduced, and movement of the screen deck relative to ground is increased. This both increases the effectiveness of the screening motion and decreases the total reaction force transmitted through the base.

Abstract: A vibratory screen separator having a base, resilient mountings and a separator frame. Screens are fixed in the separator frame. Rotary eccentric vibrators are positioned on each side of the frame at the center of mass and inclined both in the direction of motion of the material and tilted normal to the direction of motion of the material in opposite directions to define uni-directional elliptical vibratory motion in the frame.

Abstract: A shaker with an open frame, sides, a flat bottom and open ends. The shaker has pre-lubricated sealed bearings and a self-lubricating plastic gear with a metal gear, which not only educes the amount of friction between gear teeth, reduces maintenance and noise resulting from the gears and enables applicant to provide an integral open frame in which the gears are supported. The gears may be inserted into the frame through the openings in the frame. This provides for easy assembly and the absence of lubricant is especially important in the food industry and other industries where contamination of products would be objectionable.

Abstract: A vibratory conveying apparatus including a material carrying member having a material supporting surface is disclosed. The apparatus includes first and second vibrators for producing first and second vibratory forces for imparting movement to the material carrying member at first and second acute angles to the material supporting surface. The vibratory forces of the first and second vibrators each have a vertical force component as well as a horizontal force component for imparting movement to a material on the material supporting surface in the first and second directions relative to the material supporting surface. The apparatus also includes an actuator for controlling the first and second vibrators in such manner as to impart controlled movement to the material relative to the material supporting surface in the first direction, the second direction, or vertically.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor is provided that has only horizontal conveying motion acting on material lying in the plane of an elongate trough. A vibration generating apparatus is positioned selectively between the ends of the conveying trough. The vibration generating apparatus can be repositioned to any desired location along the trough to take advantage of the improved conveying action and the reduced deflection and twisting of the trough. The vibration generating apparatus includes a driving motor using a flexible drive to power two pairs of counter-rotating eccentric weights, with one pair being driven at twice the speed of the other pair so as to provide a motion on the material that moves the material along the plane of the trough with virtually no vertical component relative to the plane of the trough.

Abstract: A vibratory drive system for a vibratory conveyor apparatus is operable to selectively vary the conveying speed of the conveyor apparatus between zero, or stand-still, up to a maximum speed while the drive system is operating imparting a vibratory conveying force to the conveyor apparatus. The vibratory drive system is also operable to change direction of the conveyor apparatus between forward and reverse conveying directions also while the drive system is operating imparting a vibratory conveying force to the conveyor apparatus. In addition, the vibratory system can be adapted to provide either a linear drive force to the conveyor apparatus, or an elliptical drive force to the conveyor apparatus.

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