GB1357031A - Transporting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1357031 Variable speed transport system DUNLOP HOLDINGS Ltd 13 July 1971 [17 July 1970] 32694/71 Heading B7L A transport system comprises a series of transport platforms 2a, 2b &c. intended to travel over a closed circuit having an intermediate speed-change zone B, Fig. 2, in the form of a curve between a low-speed zone A and a high-speed zone C, the cosine of the angle between tangents at the two ends of the curve corresponding to the ratio of the platform speeds in the low-speed and high-speed zones, and a platform-return run part of which is curved in the same way as the speed-change zone, the circuit being a stretched-out loop comprising two main segments which are contained, one (rails 3a and 4a) in a first horizontal plane and the other (rails 3b and 4b) in a second subjacent horizontal plane, and two secondary segments (rails 3c and 4c, 3d and 4d) which connect the ends of the main segments to close the circuit, in which the upper main segment 3a and 4a comprises at least the low-speed A, highspeed C and speed-change B zones and the lower main segment 3b and 4b comprises at least the curved part of the platform-return run. Preferably, the upper main segment 3a and 4a comprises an additional low-speed zone E and an additional speed-change zone D in the form of a curve between the high-speed zone C and the additional low-speed zone E, the cosine of the angle between tangents at the ends of the curve corresponding to the ratio of the platform speeds in zones C and E. Preferably also, the lower main segment 3b and 4b comprises lowspeed end zones A<SP>1</SP> and E<SP>1</SP> connected to a highspeed central zone C<SP>1</SP> by two curved speedchange zones B<SP>1</SP> and D<SP>1</SP>. Each platform 2a, 2b &c. has means enabling detachable, edge-toedge, hooking engagement with adjacent platforms in the main segments 3a and 4a, 3b and 4b but more widely spaced interconnection in the secondary segments 3c and 4c, 3d and 4b, as illustrated in Figs. 4-6 (not shown). The platforms are driven by: in the speed change zones B and D, linear motors whose stators S1 to S17 are disposed beneath the platforms and whose armatures are formed by metallic masses associated with the platforms; in the terminal portions of each main segment 3a and 4a, 3b and 4b, a pair of rotary screws engaging projecting elements on each platform; and in the remainder of the main segments, rubber pneumatic tyred wheels r 1 , r 2 , r 3 and r 4 which engage the underside of each platform in turn, have braking means and are driven by motors M1, M2 and M3 which are preferably synchronized with the screws. The circuit adjusts the speed of loads for transfer to and from an endless belt 1 moving at a constant speed substantially equal to platform speed in the high-speed zone C. The belt 1 may be curved to avoid zones D and E, Fig. 2, or may pass under these zones, Fig. 21 (not shown), or may pass over the upper main segment and run adjacent the other side thereof, Fig. 22 (not shown).