US2473193A

US2473193A - Reciprocating conveyer

Info

Publication number: US2473193A
Application number: US564477A
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald C Campion
Original assignee: Loftus Engineering Corp
Current assignee: Loftus Engineering Corp
Priority date: 1944-11-21
Filing date: 1944-11-21
Publication date: 1949-06-14
Anticipated expiration: 1966-06-14

Description

June 14, 1949. D. c. CAMPION 2,473,193-

nn q'lrnocg'rme GONVEYER Filed Nov. 21, 1944 H0 VOLT EXPANIQN CHAMBER Tc EXHAUST o ExnAvs'r /7 I 5 32 J1 iii. Iii

' Z 2 2s 60 I 1 5 INVENTOR.

Doha/a 6. Camp/an Patented June 14, 1949 UNITED .S TATE S PAT E NT -f;;O"F.F.l C E RECIPRGCATING CONVEYER Donald C. Campion, Detroit, -Mich., assignor to Loftus. Engineering Corporation, Pittsburgh,

Ta. a corporation of Maryland Application November 21, 1944,Seria1 No. 564,477

19 Claims.

This invention relates to a shufile conveyor.

It is the object of this invention to produce a shufiie conveyor which is 'eiiicient and-economical in operation.

The invention contemplates :in particular a conveyor that is adaptable formany uses and which-will handle or convey. a'widediversity of parts ranging from paper clips to heavy forgings.

Another advantage of my conveyor is that when the conveyor is used, e. g.,.with'a heat treating furnace,'the driving parts can be'positioned without the furnace and away from the furnace heat so that they will not gethot.

My invention also contemplatesa shuifie conveyor whose ,speed can be accurately timed and varied over. an .extremely wide range.

Fig. 1 of thedrawing shows my shufile conveyor with. the compressed air circuit for operating th same andthe electrical circuit for timing and controlling the operation of the conveyor.

Fig. 2 shows a. modified-form of my shuflle conveyor.

My conveyor comprises a conveyor pan l which can. conveniently be a sheet metal trough into whichthe work to be conveyed is lowered. The pan Iv is supportedupon bracket 2 which is fixed to piston rod 3. "Rod 3 is .fixed to piston 4 within cylinder 5. Piston rod 8 is fixed to piston l in cylinder 6. Bracket 2 is connected with bracket l2 fixed to cylinder 5 by means .of a

toggle lever comprising links. 5- and it. Link ll]- is pivoted on bracket 2 as at l I. Link a is pivoted on stationary support 12 as at l3. Links 9 and ill are pivotally connected-together as at It. Link 9 is in the form of abell crank lever having a depending leg l5.

Compressed air under high pressure is supplied to cylinder 5-thr0ugh lines l6, l1 and I8. Line I 8 is connected to a sourceof compressed air under pressure (not shown). Line 13 is also connected to cylinder 5 through line [9, expansion chamber 29 and line 2|. A pressure'reducing valve 22:in: line 2| reduces "the; pressurcof compressed air fromline l8 :aszit enters the expansion chamber. Cylinder 6 isconnected with compressed air line :lathrough lines l1 and 23. Cylinder 6. is also connected by line .M with the low pressur air in expansion chamber 26). Valve 25, controlled by solenoid 26, controls communication between lines l6 and I1. Valve 27, controlled by solenoid-28; controls communication between lines |1 and"23. Lines '29- and 30 are exhaust lines which are also controlled respecend of. its. backward. stroke.

switch 4 l line it, ..li-ne "2 switch 3| isconnected' into line 32 which is connected to line IS.

The timingof the conveyor is controlled by a time delay relay 33 which is arranged to open and close switch 35 at-regular timed intervals. The time interval between the opening and closing of switch 34 can be varied. For illustrative purposes the-timeiclelay relay comprises a switch 34 controlled by a solenoid -35; a flexible diaphragm 35 connected by rodBl. to switch 3 3. Diaphragm 36' is mounted-in a closed housing 38 which has a variable airbleedorifice '39 at atmosphere. A compression spring (not shown) within housing 33 normally biases switch 3 l' to open position.

It is, of course, understood that any suitable conventional time.del ay relay can be used for timing the cycle ofoperation of my shuflle conveyor.

The operation of my 'shuflie conveyor is as follows: As stated above, the parts which are to beconveyed through aheat treating furnace or along the course desired are J dumped into the left hand end of conveyor pan' l. Pan I is a reciprocating pan andis at the end of its right hand or forward stroke. The operator closes switch 40 in th 110. volt line circuit. After switch ill) is closed the operation of my shuffle conveyor. is entirely automatic. Limit switch M has been, closed by tripping member 42 when the conveyor. pan I. reached, the end of its forward stroke. andswitch" all remains closed until it is opened by. member 42 when pan l reaches the With switch 4| closed, current-flows through the volt circuit comprising lined-,3, switchiL'line M, solenoid 35,

line .45, switch. wuandlineldfi. Solenoid 35 being energized closes switche lrso that we now have current establishedin a: circuit comprising line 31, switch 34, line .llihsolenoid 2.6,li-ne49, line 44, switch! andlineitt. Solenoid;.26-being energized, valve 2 5. ismovedto the. position shown to connect lineslii and. .ikso .that.jair underhigh pressure fiows.into.theright-hand end of cylinder..5. .However, togglgt, iii .is inrmade position so that piston 13 does not movebut remains in the position shown until .theair. pressure builds up .in line- 32 .to close pressiueactuated switch 3|.

Switch 3|...canbe 56:5.t0i6i958 at-whatever pres- .sure. desiredup .to. thepressureexisting in high 50.

pressure li ne.ll.8. When-switclrtlcloses, then current..fiows .inea. circuit comprising line 43, switoh...3l, line 5!, solenoid'28,..linel52, switch ii szlinehlii. This energizessolenoid' 128 so that valve. 27,. is shifted upwardly from 'the position shown. to. connect lines I1 and 23. As the pressure rises in cylinder 6 to the left of piston 1, piston '1 moves to the right and acts through rod 8 and leg I of the toggle to break the toggle lever 9, I9, thereby permitting the air under high pressure in cylinder 5 to shift pan I to the left. Due to the high pressure existing in cylinder 5 to the right of piston 4, as soon as toggle 9, It is broken the air cylinder actually jerks pan 1 to the left from under the work and the inertia of the work holds it in its position. The inertia of the work overcomes the friction between the work and pan i so that the work remains nearly stationary as the pan is jerked back. The low pressure air in cylinder 5 on the left hand side of piston 4 serves as a cushion for piston 4 at the end of the quick rearward stroke or jerk of pan I brought about by the action on piston 4 of the air under high compression in the right hand end of cylinder 5. As soon as, or preferably slightly before, pan

1 reaches the end of its rearward or leftward stroke, switch M is broken. This deenergizes solenoids 35, 2B and 28 thereb causing the time delay relay 33 to immediately open switch 34. When solenoids and 28 are deenergized, lines I6 and 23 are connected with their

respective exhaust lines

38 and 29, exhausting the high pressure air from cylinders 5 and B. The low pressiue air in lines I9 and 24 now slowly moves or retracts piston I toward the left to retract rod 8 and slowly moves piston 4 toward the right which through rod 3 and bracket 2 slides pan I slowly forward or to the right in the direction of flow, as indicated by the arrow, carrying the load or work with it. As soon as pan I reaches the end of its forward or rightward stroke, switch H closes thereby again energizing solenoid 35 which will close switch 34 immediately if air bleed 39 is wide open or which will close switch 34 after a time delay sufficient to permit the air to be bled from housing 38 through air bleed orifice 39 and the cycle above described repeats itself.

It is, of course, understood that as soon as line It is exhausted to atmosphere through pipe 30 that the pressure falls in line 32 and pressure switch 3| opens. When

solenoids

25 and 23 are energized, lines i6 and 23 are connected with high pressure line H and when the solenoids are deenergized, then lines I6 and 23 are cut off from high pressure line I! and exhausted to atmosphere. Since the pan is jerked quickly from under the load for a distance equa1 to the length of the stroke of piston A and is then slid slowly forward carrying with it the load, the result is that the load has moved along the conveyor pan in the direction of flow a distance somewhat less than the length of the stroke of piston 4. The stroke of piston 4 can, of course, be varied. The time required for the work to pass the full length of the conveyor pan is controlled directly b the number of cycles operated per minute. The timing is controlled by the repeating time delay relay 33 which is adjustable to vary the number of cycles per minute.

If desired pistons 4 and I can each be returned slowly to their initial or starting position by means of

springs

60, 61 which are either com pressed as piston moves in a direction to break the toggle and as piston 4 moves to the left or in counter direction to the flow of the work. If springs are used for returning pistons 4 and I to their initial position, then low pressure line 2|, chamber 20 and lines !9 and 24 will be omitted.

I claim:

i .pan

1. A conveyor comprising in combination a pan upon which the work is placed and along which the work is conveyed, means for moving said pan forwardly in the direction which the work is being conveyed at a relatively slow speed so that the work moves with the conveyor, means for releasably latching said pan in its forward position, means in which fluid pressure is built up after the pan completes each forward stroke, control means actuated after said fluid pressure is built up to suddenly release said fluid pressure, means actuated by said released fluid pressure for moving said pan in the opposite direction at a relatively faster speed sufficient to jerk the pan from under the work whereby for each cycle of operation comprising a forward and reverse movement of the pan the work is advanced a distance less than the stroke of the pan, said last mentioned means being inefiective to move the pan in the opposite direction while the pan is latched in its forward position and effective to jerk the pan from under the work when the latching means is released.

2. A conveyor comprising in combination a upon which the work is placed and along which the work is conveyed, means for moving said pan forwardly in the direction which the work is being conveyed at a relatively slow speed so that the work moves with the conveyor, toggle means for releasably latching said pan in its forward position, means for moving said pan in the opposite direction at a relatively faster speed sufficient to jerk the pan from under the work whereby for each cycle of operation comprising a forward and reverse movement of the pan the work is advanced a distance substantially equal to the stroke of the pan, said last mentioned means being ineffective to move the pan in the opposite direction while the pan is latched in its forward position by said toggle means and effective to jerk the pan from under the work when the latching means is released.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 including means for breaking said toggle means to release the pan for rearward movement.

4. A conveyor comprising in combination a pan upon which the work is placed and along which the work is conveyed, means for moving said pan forwardly in the direction which the work is being conveyed at a relatively slow speed so that the work moves with the conveyor, toggle means for releasably latching said pan in its forward position, means for moving said pan in the opposite direction at a relatively faster speed sumcient to jerk the pan from under the work whereby for each cycle of operation comprising a forward and reverse movement of the pan the work is advanced a distance slightly less than the stroke of the pan, said last mentioned means being ineffective to move the pan in the opposite direction while the pan is latched in its forward position by said toggle means and effective to jerk the pan from under the work when the latching means is released, and means for breaking said toggle means to release the pan for rearward movement, and timing mechanism for controlling the cycle of operation of said toggle breaking means so that the toggle is broken and the pan retracted at predetermined intervals of time.

5. A conveyor comprising in combination a pan upon which the work is placed and alone which the work is conveyed, fluid pressure actuated means for moving said pan forwardl in the direction which the work is being conveyed at a relatively slow speed so that-the work moves forward stroke, control means "ac'tuat'ed a'fter said fluid pressure is built up to suddenly release said fluid pressure, and meansactuated-by said suddenly released-fluid pressure for moving-said "pan in the oppositddir'ection at a' relatively-faster speed sufiicient to jerk' -thepan 'fromunderthe -work whereby "for each' cycle or operation comprising a forward and reverse movementpf-the panthe work is advanced'a' dist'ar'rce substantially equal to the stroke of the-pan.

6. -A conveyor comprising in combination a pan upon whichthe'wvork is placed and along -v'vhich the work is conveyedi 'fiuidpressure actuated 1 means iorm'oving 'said- -pan forwardly" in the direction which the work is V being *conveyed at a relatively slow-speed sd thatthe'workmoves with the conveyor, mea-ns for relea-sably latching said pan in its forward p'osition, means in which fluid pressure is built upafter the pan completes each forwardstroke, eont'r'ol means' actuatedafter said fluid pressure--is'-'built-- up to'suddenly release said fluid pressure, fluid-=prssure actuated means for movingsaid-1: anin'-"the oppoated means for moving said pari forwardly in the direction which the work is beingconveyed-at a relatively slow speed so thatthe *workmoves-with the conveyor, a toggle for releasably' latching said pan in its forward 'positiomm'eans for storing fluid under pressure, meansfOr-breaking said toggle to thereby release "said pan"-'for rearward movement, and fluid pressure-actuated means"for moving said pan in theopposite direction at a relatively faster speed sufficient' to-je'rk 'the'pan from under the work whereby for'each cycle-of operation comprising a forward and reverse movement of the pan the'wo'rkis advanced a'distance substantially equal to the strokeof the pan, said last mentioned means being inefiecti-ve' tomove the'p'an in the opposite directi'onwhile the pan is latched in its forward position and suddenly effective upon release'of said-fluid under pressure to jerk the pan from'und'er the Work when the toggle is released.

8. The combination as set forth'in claim 7 including another fluid pressure actu'atedmeans for breaking said toggle, and timing mechanism for controlling the operation'of thelast' mentioned fluid pressure actuated' 'meansso that'the toggle is broken andthe' pan retracted atpredetermined intervals of time.

9. The combination as set fo'rth'in claim 7 including another fluid pressure actuated' means for breaking said toggle,- and electromagne'tically controlled valve mechanism-for admitting fluid under pressure to the means forunoving" the pan in a direction opposite to-the flow ot the-work to build up the fluid p're'ssurein saidme'ansrbefore fluid under pressure is 'a dmitted' to -said second I fluid pressure actuated means-which breaks said toggle.

-10. A conveyor comprising in combination a "pan upon which the workis placed and along which the work is conveyed,- a cylinder, a -piston in said cylinder op'eratively connected to said pan, -means for latching said piston in' its for'ward position, valve controlled 1 means for admitting fluid under pressure into-said cylinder on -i'one side of said piston after the pancompletes each forward stroke in the direction the work-is being conveyed, means for releasing saidlat'chingmeans as soon as the fluid in said cylinder reaches a given pressure whereby the fluid under pressure acts on said piston to move said' pan rapidlyiin a direction opposite to the flowof the work -and --at such speed that the work remains stationary, and means for admitting fluid under a relatively lower pressure into said cylinder on the-opposite side of said piston for moving thepiston and pan forwardly in the direction offlow of the work-at a relatively slower speed to their-starting position so that the work moves with the-pan.

11. A conveyor comprsing in combination a pan upon which the work is placed and-along which the Work is conveyed, a cylinder, apiston -in said cylinder operatively connected toisaid pan, means for latching said piston in itsfor- -ward position, valve controlled means for admitting fluid under pressure into said cylinder on one side of said piston preparatory to releasing said latching means and moving said pan rapidly in a direction opposite to the flow of the work, means for admitting fluid under a relatively lower pressure into said cylinder on the opposite side of 'said'pis'ton for moving the piston and pan -forwardly'in thedirection of flow of thework at a relatively slower speed to their starting position, and a second cylinder and piston having operative connection with the said latching means; and a second valve controlled means for admitting 'fluid under pressure to said second cylinder after fluid under pressure has been admittedto said first mentioned cylinder whereby the latching' means is released.

12. The combination as set forth in claim' 11 wherein the latching means is a togglelever which when in made position holds said-piston in its forward position and which when-broken releases the piston so that it can jerk the' pan rearwardly at a rate of speed sufficient so ithat the inertia of the load overcomes the friction 'between the load' and the pan.

13. A conveyor comprising in combination a pan upon which the work is placed and along which the work is conveyed, a cylinder; a piston in said cylinder operatively connected to saidpan, means for latching said piston in its forward position, a pipe line for admitting fluid under 6 pressure into said cylinder on one side of said piston, a second cylinder, a piston in -said second "cylinder having an operative connection with 7 said latching means, a second pipe line for admitting fluid under pressure to said second cylinder onv one side of said piston and an electromagnetically controlled valve for each of said pipe lines for controlling the flow of fluid under'pressure therethrough, an electrical circuit for-each of said electromagnetically controlled valves, a pressure controlled switch in the electrical circuit for the electromagnetically controlled valvefor the second pipe line, said switch being-closed when a predetermined pressure is reached in the flrst cylinder whereby whenthe. one electri'cal circuit is -closed the electromagnetically controlled valve for the first pipe line opensto admit fluid under pressure to the first cylinder and upon a predetermined rise in pressure in the first cylinder the pressure switch closes to close the second circuit and open the second valve to admit fluid under pressure to the, second cylinder and thereby release the latching means whereupon the fluid under pressure in the first cylinder moves the conveyor pan back from under the work at a relatively fast speed, and means for returning the pan to its initial position at a relatively slow speed and for resetting said latch.

14. A conveyor comprising in combination a pan upon which the work is placed and along which the work is conveyed, a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder operatively connected to said pan, means for latching said piston in its forward position, a pipe line for admitting fluid under pressure into said cylinder on one side of said piston, a second cylinder, a piston in said second cylinder having an operative connection with said latching means, a second pipe line for admitting fluid under pressure to said second cylinder on one side of said piston and an eleci,

tromagnetically controlled valve for each of said pipe lines for controlling the flow of fluid under pressure therethrough, an electrical circuit for each of said electromagnetically controlled valves,

a pressure controlled switch in the electrical circuit for the electromagnetically controlled valve for the second pipe line, said switch being closed when a predetermined pressure is reached in the first cylinder whereby when the one electrical circuit is closed the electromagnetically controlled valve for the first pipe line opens to admit fluid under pressure to the first cylinder and upon a predetermined rise in pressure in the first cylinder the pressure switch closes to close the second circuit and open the second valve to admit fluid under pressure to the second cylinder and thereby release the latching means whereupon the fluid under pressure in the first cylinder moves the conveyor pan back from under the work at a relatively fast speed, a source of fluid under a relatively low pressure connected to said cylinders on the opposite sides of said pistons whereby the fluid under low pressure returns the pistons to their initial position at a relatively slow speed thereby moving the pan slowly in the direction of flow and resetting said latching means.

15. The combination as set forth in claim 14 including a limit switch for breaking the circuit to the electromagnetically controlled valves before the pan reaches the end of its rearward stroke whereby the fluid under high pressure is exhausted from the cylinders and the fluid under low pressure returns the pistons to their starting position.

16. The combination as set forth in claim 14 including a limit switch for breaking the circuit to the electromagnetically controlled valves before the pan reaches the end of its rearward stroke whereby the fluid under high pressure is exhausted from the cylinders and the fluid under low pressure returns the pistons to their start ing position, and a timing switch in the circuit for the electromagnetically controlled valves arranged to close this circuit at predetermined intervals of time.

1'7. A conveyor comprising in combination a pan upon which the work is placed and along which the work is conveyed, a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder operatively connected to said pan, means for latching said piston in its forward position, a pipe line for admitting fluid under pressure into said cylinder on one side of said piston, a second cylinder, a piston in said second cylinder having an operative connection with said latching means, a second pipe line for admitting fluid under pressure to said second cylinder on one side of said piston and an electromagnetically controlled valve for each of said pipe lines for controlling the flow of fluid under pressure therethrough, an electrical circuit for each of said electromagnetically controlled valves, a pressure controlled switch in the electrical circuit for the electromagnetically controlled valve for the second pipe line, said switch being closed when a predetermined pressure is reached in the first cylinder whereby when the one electrica1 circuit is closed the electromagnetically controlled valve for the first pipe line opens to admit fluid under pressure to the first cylinder and upon a predetermined rise in pressure in the first cylinder the pressure switch closes to close the second circuit and open the second valve to admit fluid under pressure to the second cylinder and thereby release the latching means whereupon the fluid under pressure in the first cylinder moves the conveyor pan back from under the work at a relatively fast speed, resilient means under a relatively low compression operatively connected to said pistons for returning the pistons to their initial position at a relatively slow speed thereby moving the pan slowly in the direction of flow and resetting said latching means.

18. A conveyor comprising in combination a pan upon which the work is placed and along which the work is conveyed, means for moving said pan forwardly in the direction which the work is being conveyed at a relatively slow speed so that the work moves with the conveyor, toggle means for releasably latching said pan in its forward position, a source of potential energy, means actuated by said potential energy when the toggle means is released for moving said pan in the opposite direction at a relatively faster speed sufiicient to jerk the pan from under the work whereby for each cycle of operation comprising a forward and reverse movement of the pan the work is advanced a distance slightly less than the stroke of the pan, said last mentioned means being ineffective to move the pan in the opposite direction while the pan is latched in its forward position by said toggle means and efleotive to jerk the pan from under the work when the toggle means is released, control means actuated after the pan completes each stroke, and means for breaking said toggle means whereby said potential energy is suddenly released and the pan also released for quick rearward movement.

19. A conveyor comprising in combination a pan upon which the work is placed and along which the work is conveyed, means for moving said pan forwardly in the direction which the work is being conveyed at a relatively slow speed so that the work moves with the conveyor, a toggle for releasably latching said pan in its forward position, means in which fluid pressure is built up after the pan completes each forward stroke and is latched in such position by said toggle, control means actuated to release said toggle means after said fluid pressure is built up whereby said fluid pressure is released, means actuated by said fluid pressure as soon as said toggle is released for moving said pan in the opposite direction at a relatively faster speed sufficient to jerk the pan from under the work whereby for each cycle of operation comprising a forward and reverse movement of the pan the work is advanced a distance slightly less than the stroke of the pan, said last mentioned means being inefiective to move the pan in the opposite direction while the pan is latched in its forward position by said toggle means and eflective to jerk the pan from under the work when the toggle means is released.

DONALD C. CAMPION.

REFERENCES CITED The following referenlces are of record in the file of this patent:

Nurnber Number 352,920

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Norton July 20, 1915 Marcus Nov. 16, 1915 Tafel Sept. 17, 1940 Page Mar. 14, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Jan. 13, 1930 Great Britain June 29, 1933