GB2063377A

GB2063377A - Peristaltic Fluid-machines

Info

Publication number: GB2063377A
Application number: GB7939054A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-11-12
Filing date: 1979-11-12
Publication date: 1981-06-03

Abstract

A conveyor has a flexible tube (5) along which travels a compressing roller(s) (10) to which a material carrier (7) is attached. Alternatively, the material to be conveyed may bear directly on the tube. The pressure of a fluid e.g. air, inflates the tube sufficiently to provide an inclined plane or wedge which urges the roller(s) to move along the tube and a rigid channel (1). A branch tube and diverting means (13, 14) may be included. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Conveying Systems This invention relates to a conveying system.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a conveying system comprising: a longitudinal container having a flexible wall; means for producing a pressure difference between different interior parts of the container thereby flexing the flexible wall; and a carrier outside the container for supporting the material to be conveyed; the carrier being arranged to be propelled along the container by the said flexing of the wall.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of conveying material in which a pressure difference is produced between different interior parts of a longitudinal container having a flexible wall thereby flexing the said wall, the flexing of the wall serving to propel the said material, which is located outside the container, in the direction of the length of the container.

The container is preferably a flexible tube and this tube is conveniently supported by a nonflexible channel.

The material to be conveyed can bear directly on the tube or it can be held in a carrier bearing directly or indirectly on the tube.

The carrier can include a roller which rolls along the flexible tube.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention there is a second longitudinal flexible container which branches from the first longitudinal flexible container. In this preferred embodiment diverting means enables the material to be diverted selectively along either the first or the second container.

One way in which the invention can be carried out will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows part of a conveying system in accordance with the invention.

A main channel 1 consists of two rigid sections 2 and 3. Branching off the main channel 1 is a secondary channel section 4, which is also rigid.

In each channel section 2, 3 and 4 there is a flexible container in the form of a tube 5. The apparatus includes a means for producing a pressure difference, this being constituted by a pumping device (not shown) supplying air to one end (the beginning) of each flexible tube 5.

A material carrier 6 comprises a container 7 supported on two cranked arms 8. Each cranked arm 8 has two sections 8a and 8b connected by a rotating joint 9, and is supported by a roller 10 which bears on the flexible tube 5.

The foremost roller 10 is illustrated in a position where it has left the end 11 of one flexible tube 5. Even so the material carrier 6 is still being propelled by motion imparted to the rear roller by the flexible tube 5 on which it is supported. When the rear roller has left the first tube the foremost roller has reached the next tube and is propelled by it. Thus the provision of two rollers ensures continuity of motion between tubes.

Between the channel sections 2, 3 and 4 is diverting means 12 which comprises a cylinder and piston unit 13 and a moveable channel section 14 which is swivelled between two positions by the unit 14. In one position the section 14 is in line with the main channel section 1. In the other position it is in line with the secondary channel section 4. According to its position it directs the carrier 6 along the channel section 3 or the channel section 4. In the position as illustrated it is in the process of diverting the carrier 6 onto the secondary channel 4.

At the end (e.g. 11) of each section of the flexible tube 5 the air is expelled to the atmosphere but in an alternative embodiment it would be possible for the air to be recirculated back to the pumping device.

One advantage of the illustrated embodiment of the invention is that there is little risk of the material conveyed being jarred by a collision between carriers. This is because adjacent carriers are separated by an inflated cushion formed by a portion of the flexible tube between each adjacent pair of carriers.

Another advantage of the illustrated embodiment is that the rollers are supported on a cushion of air passing through the tube and under the rollers. This provides a soft suspension system for the material allowing it to be transported free from shocks and jars.

The combination of these two advantages is particularly suitable for the transportation of items, each consisting of components held loosely together, to a position where the components are secured permanently in position.

An example of such an item is a printed circuit board having the electrical components (transistors, resistors, etc.) mounted in holes provided, but before the components have been soldered to the board. Other applications are to the assembly of delicate equipment, for example, clocks or cameras.

Another field to which the invention might be applied is that of explosive materials and ammunition, where a transportation system free from shocks and jars would be of great advantage.

It will be appreciated that the illustrated embodiment is merely one example of how the invention may be performed. Modifications are possible. For example, the hanging container 7 could be replaced by a flat plate supported above the rollers. A single roller 10 could be used instead of the two employed in the illustration, momentum being relied upon to ensure that the container does not stop between channel sections. The flexible tube 5 could be replaced by any other flexible hollow member or a rigid member having a flexible wall. The carrier 6 could be dispensed with entirely if the material could be conveyed on the flexible tube 5. The pressure pump could be replaced by a suction pump, in which case the tube illustrated would be replaced by a less flexible tube to allow access of atmospheric pressure to the open end. It is also pointed out that the flexible wall need not bear directly on the material or carrier to be conveyed.

It would for example be possible to use the flexing of the tube (or other container) to impart vertical movement to the axes of the rollers of a roller conveyor thereby propelling articles along the latter. The invention has been described as operating with air: any other fluid could equally be used to achieve the same effect.

Claims

1. A conveying system comprising: a longitudinal container having a flexible wall; means for producing a pressure difference between different interior parts of the container thereby flexing the flexible wall; and a carrier outside the container for supporting the material to be conveyed; the carrier being arranged to be propelled along the container by the said flexing of the wall.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the container is a flexible tube.

3. Apparatus as cZairned in claim 1 or 2 wherein the tube is supported in a non-flexible channel.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the carrier has a roller which bears on the flexible wall.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim which includes a second longitudinal container which branches from the first-mentioned longitudinal container and diverting means which is operable to determine selectively whether the carrier is propelled along the first mentioned container or along the second container.

6. Apparatus substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing and substantially as illustrated therein.

7. A method of conveying material in which a pressure difference is produced between different interior parts of a longitudinal container having a flexible wall thereby flexing the said wall, the flexing of the wall serving to propel the said material, which is located outside the container, in the direction of the length of the container.

8. A method according to claim 7 in which the container is a tube.

9. A method according to claim 7 or 8 in which the container is supported in a non-flexible channel.

10. A method according to claims 7, 8 and 9 in which the material is carried by a carrier having a roller which bears on the flexible wall.

11. A method according to claim 7, 8, 9 or 10 ;n which a second longitudinal container branches from the first-mentioned longitudinal container and in which diverting means is operated to determine selectively whether the material is propelled along the first mentioned container or the second container.

12. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 11 in which the material is in the form of separate articles spaced along the conveyor.

13. A method substantially as described with respect to the accompanying drawings, and substantially as illustrated therein.

13. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 12 in which the pressure difference causes fluid in the container to flow past the material.

14. A method substantially as described with respect to the accompanying drawings, and substantially as illustrated therein.

New Claims or Amendments to Claims filed on 6 March 1981.

Superseded Claims 1 to

14.

New or Amended Claims:

1. A conveying system having a flexible channel member, means for propelling fluid through the channel member thereby inflating the latter and a carrier which rests on the inflated channel member and restricts but does not prevent passage of the fluid past it so that, when the system is in use, the carrier is driven along the channel member by peristaltic action and is cushioned against vibration by the pressure of the fluid travelling past it.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the flexible channel member is a flexible tube.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the flexible channel member is supported in a non-flexible channel.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the carrier has a roller which bears on the flexible channel member.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim which includes a second flexible channel member which branches from the first-mentioned longitudinal container and diverting means hich is operable to determine selectively whether the carrier is driven along the first mentioned channel member or along the second channel member.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 and substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing and substantially as illustrated therein.

7. A conveying method in which fluid is propelled through a flexible channel thereby conveying material, located outside the channel, along the channel, characterised in that tne fluid flows past the material thereby cushioning the material against undesired vibrations.

8. A method according to claim 7 in which the flexible channel is a tube.

9. A method according to clairn 7 or 8 in which the flexible channel is supported in a non-flexible channel.

10. A method according to claims 7, 8 and 9 in which the material is carried by a carrier having a roller which bears on the flexible channel.

1 A method according to claim 7, 8, 9 or 10 in which a second flexible channel branches from the first mentioned flexible channel and in which diverting means is operated to determine selectively whether the material is propelled along the first mentioned flexible channel or the second flexible channel.