Abstract: A rotatable valve member having four ports is provided in a pneumatic conveyor system to permit the smooth docking of a carrier at a station. One port communicates through a branch duct with a main duct for the transport of carriers to the station. The remaining three ports communicate respectively with an exhauster, the docking station and atmosphere. The valve member provides communication between any two adjacent ports and during rotation controls the pressure balance on the carrier to ensure a smooth arrival at the docking station.

Abstract: Pneumatic pipeline conveying system includes a bleed valve for bleeding conveying gas into or out of a pipeline conduit. Such bleed valve is located at one or more strategic locations along the pipeline conduit where a degree of gas/material separation occurs in the conduit such as at bends and in long horizontal runs where a re-entrainment device is employed to re-entrain particulate material into the conveying gas within the pipeline.

Abstract: This specification deals with electro-optic controls for stopping and orienting of a semiconductor wafer being transported along a track on an air film. At one or more locations along the track the characteristics of the air film are changed by electronic controls responding to optical pickups sensing the position and orientation of a semiconductor wafer entering the particular location on the air film to first stop the wafer in the general proximity of the location, then center the wafer in the location and after the wafer is centered, quickly rotate the wafer until it assumes the desired orientation. All this is done without edge contact of the wafer by any solid objects.

Abstract: A conveying system for pneumatically conveying fragile, light weight workpieces by timed pulses of compressed air. Each pulse of air is used to propel a workpiece along a path that leads into a downwardly sloping chute and to decelerate the workpiece after it travels a selected distance down the chute so that all the initial momentum given the workpiece by the pulse of air is removed such that the workpiece will continue down the chute only under the influence of gravity. By decelerating or retarding the propelled workpiece it is prevented from impacting against queued workpieces, that proceeded it down the chute, with a high velocity that can cause breaking, chipping or jamming of the workpieces.

Abstract: A work table is divided at least into a spreading station and a cutting station, has a flat, substantially smooth upper surface and a plurality of apertures extending through the top of the table for passage of air currents therethrough. A reversible pump generates and delivers the air current to said apertures through a plurality of separate conduits connected to each of the apertures. A spreading device, which spreads, cuts, and stacks individual layers of fabric is provided with a plurality of air jets for selectively applying a thin film of air over the top of the fabric layers as they are spread. While the stack is being formed, the pump draws air through the fabric stack and down through the work table surface to hold the stack in place. When the stack is completed the pump is reversed so that a positive air pressure creates a cushion of air between the stack of fabric and the work table to move the stacked material to the cutting station.

Abstract: An air table system which utilizes air jet openings in the table surface of a pattern configuration to lift, support and direct movement of objects, such as containers, to feed same from a plurality of sources to fewer destinations or vice versa. With suitable cover configuration, partially closed and open covers, movement of the containers around or to one side of blockades to accomplish controlled movement of the containers is made possible. The movement of objects can be further controlled by the use of the objects and/or side walls on the table to restrict air flow in conjunction with the solid cover portions to create selected higher air pressure zones and air flow paths to selectively move the objects. At a discharge end of the air table, a single file conveying zone is provided with air jets that blow air in the opposite direction to the normal flow of the objects to move them into single file.

Abstract: A single line, pressure-pressure, pneumatic tube system having a pair of terminals each being capable of dispatching or receiving carriers. Each terminal provided with a blower to provide air flow, tubing connecting the two terminals, a pair of inline valves in the tubing, one facing in one direction and the other in the opposite direction. The valves being so designed that the one near the dispatching terminal automatically closes to permit build up of pressure and the one near the receiving terminal opens to exhaust pressure and slow the travel of the carrier as it approaches the receiving terminal, the terminal having a bleed-off orifice to assure carrier arrival.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pneumatic transport device particularly for seed drills. The device comprises an inlet tube 10 into which the seeds are introduced one by one, an annular passage 13 of convergent form for air under pressure at the periphery of the end of the inlet tube 10 and a cylindrical passage 14 whose end is connected to the pneumatic transport tube 17 and, according to the invention and downstream and at a small distance from the neck of the annular passage 13 of convergent form, at least one opening 18 communicating between the cylindrical passage 14 and the atmosphere. The invention is applicable particularly to a seed drill comprising a central distributor which feeds a large number of ploughshares.

Abstract: A method for conveying articles comprises sucking a first article to be conveyed into a conveyor pipe by utilizing a negative pressure caused by a first air flow, and discharging the first air flow from an intermediate portion of the conveyor pipe and at the same time sucking a second article to be conveyed into the pipe, while lowering the speed of the conveyed first article leaving the conveyor pipe by utilizing a second air flow having a smaller flow rate than that of the first air flow, and an apparatus for receiving and transporting an article conveyed by the above method comprises a window provided at the remaining portion of the upper end part of the conveyor pipe, and a belt conveyor placed just above the upper end part and having an elastic member and magnets.

Abstract: A manufacturing processing system comprises a plurality of processing stations, preferably vacuum stations, interconnected by air track, preferably an axi-radial air track with novel sections rotatable about a transverse axis in the plane of the track and normal to the travel of the objects, hereafter referred to as swivelators. Certain of the swivelators are formed with axial movable portions capable of moving beyond the plane of the air track surface and returning to the plane, so that these swivelators can pick up and set down objects in predetermined positions in the manufacturing processing station with an air force so as to not make physical contact with the objects. A novel gas lock device is positioned in the air track between those processing stations, in which the gas pressure must be separated so as to essentially eliminate the possibility of gas contaminant passing from one station to the next.

Abstract: A single line, pressure-pressure, pneumatic tube system having a pair of terminals each being capable of dispatching or receiving carriers. Each terminal provided with a blower to provide air flow, tubing connecting the two terminals, a pair of inline valves in the tubing, one facing in one direction and the other in the opposite direction. The valves being so designed that the one near the dispatching terminal automatically closes to permit build up of pressure and the one near the receiving terminal opens to exhaust pressure and slow the travel of the carrier as it approaches the receiving terminal, the terminal having a bleed-off orifice to assure carrier arrival.

Abstract: To reduce the impact velocity of the concrete mass upon a surface, such as a wall, a branch line is arranged at the concrete conveying hose and at a point removed from the spraying nozzle. The branch line is intended to carry compressed air and opens into the surroundings. This branch line has a valve for regulating the quantity of compressed air which is to be withdrawn. By means of the branch or withdrawal line there is appreciably reduced the rebound of the concrete mass at the wall. The concrete mixture is initially pre-moistened to a constant moisture content before it arrives along the spraying or injection path and at the spraying or injection nozzle there is added thereto a constant residual water quantity. This method affords a continuously constant water content and renders possible reduced pressure of the conveying air since the concrete mixture is only pre-moistened at the conveying path.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube station with a displaceable tube portion which can be moved parallel to itself out of a continuous delivery tube, and respectively, which can be inserted into the delivery tube, which displaceable tube portion in the position inserted into the delivery tube is connected at both ends with the delivery tube by means of respectively one seal each. In the vicinity of one end of the displaceable tube portion there is provided a slider. The slider closes the displaceable tube portion when the slider is in the inserted condition. The two ends of the delivery tube are connected with each other by means of an air channel. The displaceable tube portion in its position in which it is moved out of the delivery tube, is arranged between a storage hopper and a discharge opening, the hopper being provided with a blocking device.

Abstract: A pipeline capsule transportation system and apparatus for transporting a continuous link of capsules, comprising a first elongated pipeline and a second elongated pipeline along which continuous links of capsules are to be transported, a loading station for loading capsules, and an unloading station for unloading capsules, the loading station comprising at least one handling zone, an inclined discharge conduit for displacing capsules from the handling zone to the first pipeline, a capsule coupler for coupling capsules entering the first pipeline to a trailing end of a continuous link of capsules moving along the first pipeline during use, decoupling apparatus for decoupling trains of capsules from a leading end of a continuous link of capsules moving in the second pipeline, a downhill station entrance ramp for diverting decoupled capsules to the handling zone, and a brake for bringing trains of capsules to rest in the handling zone.

Abstract: The invention taught is an apparatus and method for providing automatic or semiautomatic interconnections and intersections in a fluidic transportation system. In particular the teaching relates to the transportation of semiconductor wafers or slices between processing stations on a dual highway type system utilizing a fluidic cushion means whereby said wafers can be processed in a random manner and transported under a controlled environment dissimilar to the processing environment. However, the track and system may be constructed into a multiplicity of configurations and is not limited to a dual or single track system.

Abstract: A vacuum-tube mass-transit system comprising at least one continuous, tubular, vehicle conveyor having a fan or blower station arranged at each terminating end thereof, wherey a partial vacuum is generated within the tubular conduit to impart linear motion to a vehicle movably disposed within the tubular conveyor conduit, the vehicle being formed as an elongated capsule to receive passengers and cargo, or of a spherical capsule for just cargo. Included in the system is a water moat which defines a loading and unloading area for both passengers and cargo located at each end of the tubular conveyor adjacent the blower station; and wherein one or more booster stations are included having a vacuum by-pass system to allow the vehicle to stop for intermediate loading and unloading, wherein the system includes a plurality of sequentially operated control gates.

Abstract: A pneumatic conveyor for transporting and locating a series of spark plug insulator and electrode assemblies in individual corresponding spark plug cells comprising a hollow pneumatic transfer line and opposed first and second pneumatic vacuum pumps disposed in the line and controlled first to propel an insulator and electrode assembly at high speed toward the downstream end of the line and then to decelerate the assembly such that the latter exits the downstream end by substantially the force of gravity. A placement hand receives successive assemblies from the transport line and is operative first to center a corresponding shell beneath the assembly and then to drop the assembly into the shell for swaging at a later work station.

Abstract: This specification deals with the stopping, positioning, orienting and redirecting a semiconductor wafer being transported along a track on an air film or bed of air. The stopping mechanism is an air jet located in a groove in the track, wafers passing over this air jet on an air film are sensed by a pneumatic sensor that turns on the air jet to set up an air stream under the transporting surface of the air film. This air stream sucks the fluid in the air film along with it in the groove causing a vacuum in the bed in the area of the nozzle of the air jet. The wafers are then stopped by the suction of the vacuum. Positioning, orienting and redirecting is done using the air jet and pneumatic sensor in combination with special air jet arrangements and operations.