Conveyor induct system
US7631747B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 6, 2003 |
| Grant date | Dec 15, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 17, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G47/31
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling gaps between articles traveling on a conveyor system includes providing a plurality of tandem conveying surfaces defining a series of sequentially arranged conveying surface interfaces. At least one of the conveying surfaces associated with each of said conveying surface interfaces is an adjustable-speed conveying surface. At least one article sensor is provided adjacent at least one of the conveying surface interfaces. The article sensor provides information on positions of the articles. The speeds of the tandem conveying surfaces are controlled in a manner that establishes controlled gaps between articles, by identifying a controllable gap that can be adjusted between articles at a particular conveying surface interface and adjusting the controllable gap at the particular conveying surface interface. The control adjusts the controllable gap by adjusting the speed of the adjustable speed conveying surface associated with the particular conveying surface interface using a feedback controller. Gaps between articles are sequentially adjusted at the series of sequentially arranged conveying surface interfaces.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.