MXPA99001619A - Vibratory conveying band with lateralme mounted drivers - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vibratory conveyor belt assembly, characterized in that it comprises: a channel for containing articles to be advanced in the same, a structure supporting said channel, at least one unitary support plate of one piece extending along a first side of said channel, below said channel, and along a second side of said channel opposite said first side, a first corner for each of at least one support plate connected to the first side and a second corner for each of at least one support plate connected to the second side, the first and second corner for each corresponding support plate coupling the support plate to the channel, a first actuator mounted exclusively on each of the at least one support plate in a manner close to the first corresponding corner, and a second actuator mounted exclusively on each of at least one support plate As next to the corresponding second corner, the first and second actuators are mounted on each of at least one support plate to impart an oscillating movement to each of at least one support plate, which is transferred to the channel through the corners first and second corresponding to cause the channel to move reciprocally

Description

VIBRATORY CONVEYOR BELT WITH LATERALLY MOUNTED IMPULSORS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a vibratory conveyor apparatus for use in the handling of material, and more particularly, to a vibratory conveyor belt assembly that uses an oscillatory movement to transport the material along a path.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Vibrating conveyor belts have been used in the United States for more than a century. However, only in recent decades has there been extensive use of such conveyor belts. The successful application of various types of vibrating conveyor belts in different industries has resulted in an increase in the demand of such conveyor belts. Generally, the vibratory conveyor belts include a material conveyor channel steered by a controlled vibratory force that imparts a launch, skip, or slip-type action to the material to be transported from one point to another. The generator of vibratory force can be electromagnetic, electromechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic. The main factor that differentiates a vibrating conveyor belt from conventional materials that handle equipment is that the material is "alive" and moves independently of the conveyor medium. On the contrary, in a conventional conveyor belt, the material is static and only the conveyor means moves. A variety of vibrating conveyor belts have been designed. In general, each design has similar basic elements: a channel in which the material is transported; a base that mounts the conveyor belt in place and joins all elements; a channel that supports a system for directing the movement of the channel and a pulse assembly as an eccentric pulse assembly, which serves as a source of controlled vibratory motion applied to the channel. Many designs also include a system of reactor springs that alternately stores and releases energy at each end of the channel segment. The channel is the only component that comes in contact with the material that will be transported. It can be manufactured from a variety of materials in almost any shape and size. The base is mainly a way to mount the conveyor belt and usually incorporates structural steel members. It can be designed as an elaborate frame-like structure or it can have a simpler design. The main function of the system that supports the channel is to control and direct channel movement The impulse assembly is the source of controlled vibration. It can be in the form of a direct connected positive connection. A positive connected flexible union or a non-positive motorized and counterweight assembly. The reactor spring system may include steel ring springs, flexible steel or glass slats, rubber blocks, circular rubber toroids or torsion bars. The particular application referred to can make one type more advantageous than another. A conventional vibratory conveyor belt is shown in Figures 1 and 2. Two main components of said vibratory conveyor belt include channel 2 and a pulse assembly. In Figure 2, the pulse assembly includes actuators 4,4 '. The actuators 4,4 'are joined to the side of the channel 2 by means of a bar 5. The bars 5 are typically welded to the side of the channel 2 and to the actuator 4. The conveyor body is isolated from the ground or other supporting surface by means of of cushioning insulators 6, such as springs or rubber shock absorbers. The actuators 4,4 'vibrate the channel back and forth in the direction of the arrow 8, whereby the vibration causes loose pieces of charge to be thrown into the channel of the conveyor belt 2, and keeps them in the air during a short period above the bottom of channel 2. The 4,4 'actuators are connected to channel 2 at an exact angle alpha with the plane horizontal of the bottom of the channel. Within each cycle of vibration, the pieces within the conveyor belt receive a pulse (an alpha sine function) and go ahead (a function alpha cos) and frock coat. Subsequently, the channel is moved downward (a function of -sun alpha) and backward (a function of -cos alpha). Therefore, when the levitated pieces fall back into the bottom of channel 2, they actually move forward in the direction of the arrow . This causes a continuous movement of the loose load in the channel from back to front, along the longitudinal axis of the channel 2 until the load reaches the discharge end 14 of the conveyor belt. A typical actuator 4 includes AC motors and two eccentric counterweights 12a, 12b, mounted on opposite ends of the motor shaft. The conveyor belt includes two actuators 4 and 4 ', one on each side of channel 2. Each actuator is mounted at an acute angle alpha to vertical. The motors provide rotation to eccentric counterweights 12a, 12b, 12a 'and 12b' of rotating speed equal omega. The counterweights 12a and 121b are mounted on their respective motor shaft to rotate in an opposite direction and 180 ° out of phase relative to 12a 'and 12b'. The forces produced by the rotating counterweights 12a, 12b, 12a 'and 12b' substantially counteract each other along the transverse axis of the conveyor belt and aggregate along the longitudinal axis of the conveyor belt. The force along the axis Longitudinal is responsible for the vibration of the channel and the resulting movement of the loose parts. When the rotating counterweight actuators are used to provide the vibration force, an equal number of actuators are used on each side of the channel to eliminate transverse movement of the conveyor belt. Because these transverse forces are equal in magnitude and act in opposite directions, there is no displacement of the conveyor belt channel in the transverse direction. However, in conventional conveyor belts these transverse forces generate severe destructive stresses in the individual members that include the structure of the conveyor belt. To prevent the damage of these forces to the members of the conveyor belt, the conveyor belt is constructed using heavy construction steel, adding the size, counterweight and price of the conveyor belt. Even when a heavy steel construction is used, the connection point between the actuators 4,4 'and the channel 2 is continuously stressed due to the forces generated by the individual actuators. In the long run, the weld connection between channel 2 and actuator 4 or 4 'will fracture, potentially causing catastrophic results. Therefore, it is desired to have a vibratory conveyor belt assembly that handles better and resists destructive transverse forces and that can be constructed with less expenses, be more efficient and more reliable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a vibratory conveyor belt assembly that includes a material conveyor channel, a frame supporting the channel, first and second corner posts connected to the opposite sides of the channel, a support plate extending between the corner pieces, a pair of actuators connected to the support plate, one of the actuators is next to each of the corners, which are characterized in that the actuators are mounted to impart an oscillatory movement to the support plate, which is transferred to the channel through the corners to cause the channel to move reciprocally.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show one embodiment of the invention as is preferred. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to precise positions and instrumentalities shown in the drawings. Figure 1 is a side view illustrating a conventional vibrational conveyor belt in accordance with the prior art.

Fig. 2 is a final view of the conventional vibratory conveyor belt shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a vibratory conveyor belt in accordance with the invention. Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of Figure 3. Figure 5 is an isometric view illustrating the present invention as shown in Figure 3, including, separately, a view of the actuators and support plate. Figure 6 is a sectional view along the lines 6 -6 in Figure 3 of the actuators.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, where like elements are identified by equal numbers, a preferred embodiment of a vibratory conveyor belt assembly designated by the reference number 20 is shown in Figures 3 and 4. The conveyor belt includes a channel or a tray 22 and two actuators 26a and 26b, one mounted on each side of channel 22. This can be supported by insulators (springs) that allow movement of channel 22. Actuators 26a and 26b are mounted with respect to channel 22 at an angle selected (angle of attack). The movement of the resulting conveyor belt is at this angle and this causes the material to travel down the conveyor belt. The material is actually thrown a very short distance each time the conveyor belt moves back and forth. The total distance that the conveyor belt moves forward and backward is known as the amplitude. Each actuator 26a and 26b includes a motor 27a and 27b, respectively. The motors 27a, 27b have output arrows extending from the opposite ends. A compensating counterweight is attached to each output shaft. The motors 27a, 27b rotate in opposite directions and are 180 degrees out of phase one with respect to another. As the motors 26a, 27b rotate, the resultant centrifugal forces cause the conveyor belt 20 to move back and forth in an oscillating motion. When the motor rotates, a centrifugal force is generated due to the counterweight located outside the center of the motor shaft. If only one motor were used, the conveyor belt would move in a circular motion. By using two motors, which rotate in opposite directions and out of phase, the movement of the conveyor belt becomes linear. This occurs because the forces generated from motors that would otherwise move the conveyor belt transversely are always applied in equal and opposite directions. The transverse force of each motor is by this means counteracted by the transversal force of the other engine. However, the front and rear forces are always in phase and therefore cause the conveyor belt to move back and forth. The counterweight motor assembly is also known as an inertia counterweight or agitator motor. The angle of attack of the conveyor belt affects the flow of material. At 45 °, the material velocity and the discharge speed (lb./hr) will be the highest. Operation at angles less than 45 ° causes the material to extend further and result in a more uniform and steady flow velocity. When angles greater than 45 ° are used, the material tends to move along small piles. This makes the download speed less uniform. Also, at a greater angle, more noise is created. The structure of the conveyor belt is designed to withstand the forces generated by the actuators. This includes the front and rear forces, as well as the transverse forces. The present invention utilizes a single support plate for which both agitator motors are mounted. With this design, the transverse forces of one motor are counteracted by transverse forces of another motor, through the support plate. Because of this, no transverse force is transmitted through the welds that connect the actuators to the channel. The front and rear forces are transmitted from the support plate to the conveyor belt channel using large corners. Although these corners are welded to the support plate and channel, the system allows a large weld to be used. The assembly 20 has a feed end 26 for receiving the material and a discharge end 28 for delivering the material to a particular site. A pair of actuators 26a, 26b are attached to a continuous support plate 30 by means of clamps 32 and 34 respectively. The actuators 26a, 26b each include motors 27a, 27b, respectively. From each end of each motor 27a, 27b, an output arrow 28a, 29a, 28b, 29b extends. Attached to each output shaft 28a, 29a, 28b, 29b is a balancing counterweight 30a, 31a, 30b, 31b, respectively. The counterweights 30a and 31a rotate at the same rotating speed omega as the counterweights 30b and 31b, but in an opposite direction and 180 ° out of phase. Due to this arrangement, the transverse force created by the actuator 26a is counteracted by the transverse force created by the actuator 26b. The actuators 26a, 26b are attached to the support plate 30 by clamps 32 and 34, respectively. The support plate 30 is joined to the corners 40 and 42. The corners 40 and 42 are in turn welded to the channel 4. The orientation of the actuators 26a and 26b and the respective counterweights ratio is such that the transverse forces of the individual engines compensate each one.

The positioning of the support plate 30 in the channel and the corresponding positioning of the actuators must be selected for an optimum movement of the material. The preferred embodiment in Figures 3 and 5 provides a conveyor belt drive system that imparts a predominantly linear oscillatory motion to the conveyor belt at a selected angle of attack (also known as a strike angle). The linear movement will cause the material of the conveyor belt to be thrown at short distances and by this means travel down the conveyor belt. To provide linear motion, the line of action must pass through the center of gravity of the conveyor belt. Otherwise, the movement of the conveyor belt will be non-linear. The parameters for the actuator must be determined based on: X.M E.R = where E is the eccentric counterweight mass, R is the compensation radius of the eccentric counterweight; X is the stroke (maximum total displacement to maximum occurring in each cycle of operation of the conveyor belt) and M is the mass of the channel of the conveyor belt 2. Typically, a stroke of .635 cm is desired. The angle of attack or alpha hit angle also affects the flow of material under the conveyor belt. He angle at which the actuator motors are mounted with respect to the horizontal plane, is the angle of impact. The movement of the resulting conveyor belt will be at this angle. The highest material velocity will be achieved at 45 °. In addition, the use of a support plate 30 eliminates the need to mount the actuators directly to the channel as, for example, through welding. The transverse forces created by the individual motor are dissipated through the support plate 30 instead of the welds of the prior art systems. Due to the orientation and the unitary construction of the support plate 30, the transverse forces have less than one effect of the connection between the individual actuator 4 or 4 'and the channel 2. All the forward and rear forces are transmitted from the actuator 26a and 26b through the support plate 30 to the channel of the conveyor belt 4 by means of the corners 40 and 42. Although the corners 40 and 42 are welded to the support plate 30 and to the channel 4, this arrangement allows it to be use a large solder. The vibratory forces that occur between the support plate 30 and the corners 40, 42 are relatively small, since the channel 2 moves longitudinally and therefore will not cause any damage to the system. The present invention has several modalities in other forms, where the variation is not substantially different from the essential novelty and originality revealed in the above description. Therefore, the reference should be made to the appended claims rather than to the above specification, as indicated in the scope of the invention. It should be understood that many modifications, variations and changes can be made without departing from the essence and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims (11)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A vibratory conveyor belt assembly that includes: a channel to contain articles that advance in it; one or more first actuators and their respective second actuators mounted counter to each other on the first and second side of said channel and arranged to impart an oscillatory movement to the channel to cait to move reciprocally, further characterized by the or each The first actuator and its respective second actuator are mounted on a respective support plate, which extends from the first side of said channel to approximately said channel and to the second side of said channel.

2. - A vibratory conveyor belt assembly according to claim 1, further characterized in that the or each support plate is joined to the channel by means of a first corner connected to the first side and a second corner connected to the second side, and the Oscillatory movement is imparted by means of the first and second actuators to the support plate and is transferred to the channel through the corresponding first and second corners.

3. - A vibratory conveyor belt assembly according to claim 2, further characterized in that the corners are welded to the channel.

4. - A vibratory conveyor belt assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3, further characterized in that each said actuator includes a motor having output arrows that extend axially to two opposite ends of said motor along a longitudinal axis of the same and an eccentric counterweight attached to each said exit arrow; further characterized in that the first motor of the actuator and the second motor of the actuator rotate at the same rotational speed, but in opposite directions in the counterweights attached to the first motor of the actuator and the counterweights attached to the second motor of the actuator are 180 ° out of phase one with respect to another.

5. - A vibratory conveyor belt assembly according to any of claims 1 to 4, further characterized in that the support plate is a unitary member that extends along one side of the channel, in the lower part of the channel and along the opposite side of the channel.

6. - A vibratory conveyor belt assembly according to any of claims 1 to 5, further characterized in that the actuators and the support plate are connected to the corners at an exact angle to a vertical plane with respect to the normal orientation of the conveyor belt in

7. A vibratory conveyor belt assembly according to claim 6, further characterized becathe acute angle is 45 °.

8. - A vibratory conveyor belt assembly according to any of claims 1 to 7, further characterized in that the support plate is attached to the channel perpendicularly to an axis passing through the center of gravity of the channel.

9. - A vibratory conveyor belt assembly according to any of claims 1 to 8, further characterized in that the combined force generated by the first and second actuator acts substantially along a line intersecting the center of gravity of the assembly of the conveyor belt.

10. - A vibratory conveyor belt assembly according to any of claims 1 to 9, further characterized in that the actuators are connected to the support plate by means of clamps.

11. - A vibratory conveyor belt assembly according to any of claims 1 to 10, including a frame supporting said channel.