Low electrostatic discharge conveyor
US6516940B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 5, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 11, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 5, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2201/0297
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A conveyor (20, 120, 220, 320) for transporting objects sensitive to electrostatic discharge. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a slippable roller conveyor (20, 120, 220, 320) with conductive slippable rollers (30, 30′) in electrical communication with an electrical ground (60). The slippable rollers (30, 30′) preferably have about 105 ohms resistance from the outer surface (40) to the inner diameter (34) to ensure that electrostatic charges built up on the conveyed object can flow to ground, yet not flow too quickly. In another embodiment, the roller shafts (35) are supported on highly conductive bushings that provide a path to electrical ground that is preferably less than 104 ohms. In yet another embodiment, the roller shafts (35) are driven by a conductive pulley (65) that minimizes the build-up of electrostatic charge as a result of a triboelectric effect with the drive belt (70).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.