Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B61—RAILWAYS
  • B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
  • B61L5/00—Local operating mechanisms for points or track-mounted scotch-blocks; Visible or audible signals; Local operating mechanisms for visible or audible signals
  • B61L5/06—Electric devices for operating points or scotch-blocks, e.g. using electromotive driving means
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
  • E01B—PERMANENT WAY; PERMANENT-WAY TOOLS; MACHINES FOR MAKING RAILWAYS OF ALL KINDS
  • E01B25/00—Tracks for special kinds of railways
  • E01B25/22—Tracks for railways with the vehicle suspended from rigid supporting rails
  • E01B25/26—Switches; Crossings
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B61—RAILWAYS
  • B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
  • B61L23/00—Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or trains
  • B61L23/002—Control or safety means for heart-points and crossings of aerial railways, funicular rack-railway
  • B61L23/005—Automatic control or safety means for points for operator-less railway, e.g. transportation systems

Definitions

• the present invention is directed to a conveyor system switch for control of 5 conveyor travel between two travel paths, and, in particular, to a switch that employs a tubular linear induction motor for driving of the switch mechanism.
• Conveyor systems such as power and free systems, typically have multiple
• Switch plates typically comprise a pivoting switch member having
• the upper and lower tongues are adapted to abut upper and lower track flanges to cause the article to be diverted to the appropriate track. In this manner, the switch
• .5 plate functions to move between first and second positions, to divert the article being conveyed from one path to another, similar to a switch on a railroad track.
• the present invention i solves the above problems through the use of a tubular linear induction motor as the
• the present invention also contemplates using a mounting and/or
• connecting means to account for the arcuate movement of the switch member as it
• the present invention represents an improvement over previous conveyor
• the switch including a switch
• conveyor switches the present invention functions to divert conveyor components
• upper and lower tongue members for engaging upper and lower track flanges are
• the present invention represents an improvement over
• switch drive for moving the switch member between the first and second positions.
• the linear induction motor preferably comprises a stationary primary, which can be
• a moving secondary such as a
• the linear induction motor has fewer moving parts, is easier to maintain, and avoids the need for complicated hydraulic or pneumatic pipe systems.
• the induction motor of the present invention can also be provided with one or more holding coils that can be employed to retain the secondary in a given position.
• a holding coil can be employed on one side of the primary to maintain
• Another holding coil can also be provided on the other side of the primary to maintain the tongue members in the retracted position, wherein the tongue members would then cause the article to
• the holding coils make it possible so that the induction
• the switch member can also include control components to interface the switch with
• the switch member of the present invention preferably pivots about a single point. Therefore, the link between the switch member and its drive mechanism
• the inventive switch is preferably adapted so that the arcuate movement of the link is accounted for by one of several mounting and/or connecting means, wherein side
• the switch motor is allowed to rotate as the drive rod
• the motor is preferably mounted on a plate having a pivot pin extending therefrom, wherein the pivot pin is connected to a mounting frame with a low friction slide plate extending
• the pivot pin preferably has its vertical axis extending through the center of the drive rod, such that no eccentricity is created between the pivot pin and rod when the motor is rotated.
• the switch motor is mounted on a vertical trunnion
• pivot pins in this embodiment also have their vertical axis extending through the center of the drive rod for similar reasons.
• the drive rod is provided with a coupling that allows
• the coupling is capable of separating the movement of the link from the rod, such that while the portion of the drive rod within the primary moves linearly, the end of the rod connected to the link can move along an arcuate path.
• the switch motor is mounted onto a mounting frame
• connection between the drive rod and switch member is preferably provided with a slotted groove, to allow the link to move in relation to the rod, such that the link can follow an arcuate path, while the rod follows a linear path.
• FIGURE 1 shows a layout of the conveyor tracks and the switch member and motor of the present invention
• FIGURE 2 shows a side view of the switch assembly of Figure 1 removed
• FIGURE 3 shows the tubular linear induction motor of Figure 1 in greater perspective detail
• FIGURES 4 (a) and (b) show a plan view and side view, respectively, of a first mounting embodiment of the present invention for accommodating the arcuate
• FIGURES 5 (a), (b), and (c) show a plan view, side view and front view, respectively, of a second mounting embodiment of the present invention for accommodating the arcuate movement of the switch member;
• FIGURES 6 (a) and (b) show a plan view and side view, respectively, of a third mounting embodiment of the present invention for accommodating the arcuate movement of the switch member;
• FIGURES 7 (a), (b), and (c) show a plan view, side view and front view, respectively, of a fourth mounting embodiment of the present invention for accommodating the arcuate movement of the switch member.
• FIG. 1 shows a switch assembly 10 for an inverted power and free system illustrating one embodiment of the invention.
• these systems comprise a power track and a free track.
• a chain travels in the power track and trolleys
• the chain is driven by a drive, the chain, in turn, driving the
• Overhead power and free systems can also utilize the switch, as can other conveyor systems, whereby a conveyor component travels in a path, e.g., a
• Figure 1 shows an embodiment with a first track 1 that extends substantially linearly, and a second track 3 connected and extending tangentially to the first track
• Tracks 1 and 3 define three paths of travel.
• the first path, 5, extends along track 1 , and is oriented left of the switch assembly 10. This is the path on which the conveyed article travels before reaching and being diverted by switch assembly 10.
• the second path, 7, also extends along track 1 , but is oriented right of the switch assembly 10. This is the path taken by the conveyed article after the switch assembly 10 has been moved to the position shown in cross hatch in Figure 1.
• the third path, 9, extends along track 3, and is oriented right of the switch assembly 10.
• the tracks 1 and 3 themselves are preferably conventional in design and preferably comprise two channel-like structures, 17, 19, positioned on their sides, with their openings facing each other. In this way, trolleys having rollers are preferably supported by and travel within the spaces between the opposing
• flange 40 of channel 19 (of track 1 ) and flange 42 of channel 17 (of track 3) are preferably cut away 44, 46 to allow trolleys traveling along the first path 5 to be
• flanges 40, 42 allow the trolleys to travel past the intersection, to either path, as
• switch assembly 10 determines whether switch assembly 10 is a track system on which the present invention can be used.
• the switch assembly 10 comprises a switch tongue 11 having an upper
• tongue portion 21 and a lower tongue portion 22 are adapted to abut the upper and lower flanges of channels 17 and 19 on track 1 , along the first path 5, to replace the cut-away areas 44 or 46, such that when trolleys reach the switch assembly 10 they are diverted by tongue portions 21 , 22 to either
• switch assembly 10 is in the position shown in cross hatch, the trolleys automatically divert to the second path 7.
• the switch tongue 11 is part of an overall switch member 13, shown in Figure
• switch member 13 is preferably secured such that it pivots along substantially a horizontal plane. This ensures that tongue portions 21 and 22 properly abut the appropriate channel flanges to enable the trolleys to be properly diverted.
• switch member 13 extending away from switch tongue 11 , i.e., on the other side of pivot point 14, is an extended drive arm 25 that acts as a moment arm to enable switch
• a distal end 35 of drive arm 25 extends a predetermined distance from pivot point 14, such that the moment arm can easily
• the distal end 35 of drive arm 25 is preferably linked to drive assembly 27 to drive the movement of switch member 13.
• the drive assembly 27 is preferably linked to drive assembly 27 to drive the movement of switch member 13.
• the linear induction motor 29 comprises a stationary primary 31 and a moving secondary 33.
• the stationary primary 31 is preferably made of a series of interconnected coils housed in an assembly, such as one made of cold-rolled steel, wherein the motor coils are wound on bobbins.
• the stationary primary 31 can be
• the moving secondary 33 can be a metal rod, such as made of copper-clad steel, and is preferably extended linearly within the primary 31 , and is capable of being moved therein.
• the tubular linear induction motor 29 preferably operates under the principles
• Linear motion of the moving secondary 33, between an extended position and a retracted position, is induced by a sweeping magnetic
• the magnetic field interacts with currents induced within the secondary 33 to provide a driving force thereto. Reversing the sweep of the field reverses the travel direction of the secondary 33.
• the secondary 33 is preferably moved relatively quickly, quietly and powerfully between the retracted and extended positions, upon activation of the motor 29, using any type of conventional control connected to the motor.
• the moving secondary 33 is preferably operatively attached to the distal end 35 of drive arm 25 by a link 18 (and clevis 61 as shown in Figures 4-7). Accordingly, by activating motor 29 and causing the secondary 33 to move linearly within the
• the switch member 13 is moved from first position to a second position, and vice verse. In this way, the
• switch member 13 can be used to divert the conveyor component, such that it follows either the second path 7, or third path 9, as determined by the switch. As shown in Figure 1 , with secondary 33 in the extended position, the switch member
• the tubular induction motor 29 can be provided with one or more holding coils that can be employed to retain the secondary 33 in a given position.
• a holding coil that can be employed to retain the secondary 33 in a given position.
• holding coil can be employed on one side of the primary 31 to maintain the secondary 33 in the extended position, wherein, in the embodiment shown, the tongue members 21 , 22 would be maintained in the first position (shown in solid lines) to cause the article to travel along the third path 9 shown in Figure 1.
• holding coil can also be provided on the other side of the primary 31 to maintain the
• the induction motor 29 comprises a drive rod 33 that travels "linearly" between the extended and retracted positions.
• the present invention is preferably adapted so that the arcuate movement of the link 18 (connecting the drive rod 33 to switch member 13) is accounted for by one of several mounting and/or connecting means.
• the present invention is preferably adapted to
• motor 29 is pivotally mounted so that the entire motor 29 is allowed to rotate as the drive rod 33 moves between the extended and retracted positions.
• the motor 29 is
• a pivot stud 62 preferably extends downwardly therefrom, wherein the pivot stud 62 is then rotatably connected to a mounting frame 64, preferably using a lock nut and washer with a nylon insert 66.
• a low friction slide plate 68 such as one made of UHMW, also preferably extends between the plate 60 and frame 64, to enable the surfaces to slide in relation to each other.
• the pivot stud 62 preferably has its vertical axis extending upward through the center of the drive rod 33, wherein
• the link 18 is also preferably extended along a vertical axis and rotatably positioned within the clevis 61 extending from rod 33 to allow the distal end 35 of drive arm 25 to rotate (along a horizontal plane) in relation
• the switch motor 29 is mounted on a trunnion tube 70 with trunnion pins 71 extending above and below the tube 70 to allow the motor 29 to rotate.
• the trunnion pins 71 are pivotally mounted to mounting frames 72 above and below the motor 29 using pivot bushings 73.
• the motor 29 is preferably secured inside the trunnion tube 70
• the trunnion pins 71 in this embodiment also preferably have their
• link 18 is also extended along a vertical axis to allow the distal end 35 of drive arm 25 to rotate in
• the drive rod 33 is provided with a coupling 81 that extends near its distal end 82 (which is connected to link 18).
• the coupling 81 is preferably what is often referred to as a misalignment coupling which allows for a predetermined degree of movement between one member (to which it is
• coupling 81 is connected between distal end 82 of drive rod 33 and the base of drive rod 33, such that distal end 82 can operatively move in relation
• Coupling 81 is capable of allowing link 18 to move in relation to drive
• distance "x,” shown in Figure 6 (a), is the distance that link 18 must move "out-of- iinear" (in relation to the linear path of rod 33), as switch member 13 travels along the arcuate path, which must be accounted for by coupling 81. That is, distance x is the distance that must be allowed by coupling 81 during each stroke, to
• the preferred coupling 81 also allows the distal end 82 to move in all directions to some degree, including
• the switch motor 29 is mounted onto a mounting frame 91 , and the drive rod 33 is maintained in a linear path by a guide bar 90 that is mounted to and extends upwardly from the
• the guide bar 90 is preferably formed like any type of conventional track that extends linearly in relation to the rod.
• link 18 preferably has a slotted groove 92 on the distal end 35 of drive arm 25 to allow link 18 to move "out-of-linear" in relation to the linear path of rod 33 (as the rod travels between the retracted and extended positions).
• the groove 92 is preferably large
• the switch of the present invention offers significant improvements to existing switches for conveyor systems, particularly those employing pneumatic or hydraulic components.
• the motor 29 has no moving parts other than the secondary 33 so maintenance
• the motor 29 is relatively quiet during operation (verses pneumatic actuators that are relatively noisy).
• the holding coils can lock the secondary 33 in a given position without having to expend power to hold them in place.
• the linear movements of the secondary 33 in relation to the arcuate movements of the switch member 13 will not result in side loading of the secondary.
• the invention provides a new and improved conveyor switch and has been disclosed in terms of the preferred embodiments thereof. Nevertheless, various combinations thereof.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Transportation (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Non-Mechanical Conveyors (AREA)
• Linear Motors (AREA)
• Reciprocating, Oscillating Or Vibrating Motors (AREA)
• Branching, Merging, And Special Transfer Between Conveyors (AREA)
• Control Of Vehicles With Linear Motors And Vehicles That Are Magnetically Levitated (AREA)

Priority Applications (7)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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ID=22455671

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (13)

Cited By (1)

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Citations (5)

Family Cites Families (22)

• 2000
  • 2000-05-05 EP EP00931903A patent/EP1177122A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2000-05-05 BR BR0011215-1A patent/BR0011215A/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2000-05-05 HU HU0200886A patent/HUP0200886A2/hu unknown
  • 2000-05-05 JP JP2000617055A patent/JP2002544086A/ja active Pending
  • 2000-05-05 CN CN00807096A patent/CN1349463A/zh active Pending
  • 2000-05-05 WO PCT/US2000/006695 patent/WO2000068058A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2000-05-05 PL PL00351474A patent/PL351474A1/xx not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2000-05-05 CA CA002373031A patent/CA2373031A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2000-05-05 US US09/564,810 patent/US6354224B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2000-05-05 AU AU49711/00A patent/AU4971100A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2000-05-05 AR ARP000102179A patent/AR023867A1/es unknown
  • 2000-05-05 KR KR1020017013861A patent/KR20020016778A/ko not_active Abandoned
• 2001
  • 2001-10-17 ZA ZA200108517A patent/ZA200108517B/en unknown

Patent Citations (5)

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