Linear motor conveyor system for clean/aseptic environments

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11440748-B2
Application number	US-202016944951-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 31, 2020
Priority date	Feb 2, 2018
Publication date	Sep 13, 2022
Grant date	Sep 13, 2022

Abstract

A linear motor conveyor system including: at least one track section comprising: electronic circuitry housed within the track section; and a rotatable segment comprising an end profile that abuts another track section to form a stepped groove sealed by a gasket. A moving element for a linear motor conveyor system including: a body; a first set of bearings attached to the body and angled to abut against a first guide rail of a conveyor system having a protrusion with opposing angled profiles; a second set of bearing attached to the body and designed to abut against a flat profile of a second guide rail of the conveyor system.

First claim

We claim:

1. A linear motor conveyor system comprising:
at least one track section comprising:
electronic circuitry housed within the track section; and
a rotatable segment comprising an end profile that abuts another track section to form a stepped groove sealed by a gasket,

wherein the stepped groove comprises:
a rear gap portion sized to receive the gasket; and
a front gap portion sized to enable a bearing to ride along the track section while promoting cleaning of the front gap portion.

2. A linear motor conveyor system according to claim 1 , wherein
the rear gap portion comprises a gap of between 1 and 5 mm; and
the front gap portion comprises a gap of between 0.25 and 0.5 mm.

3. A linear motor conveyor system according to claim 1 , wherein the front gap portion is more steeply angled than the rear gap portion.

4. A linear motor conveyor system according to claim 1 , further comprising an internal cooling system configured to draw air inwards towards the electronic circuitry housed within the track system.

5. A linear motor conveyor system comprising:
at least one track section comprising:
a guide rail portion configured to support a moving element transporting an object;
an angled top portion configured to direct air flow to contact the object prior to another element of the linear motor conveyor system; and
a curved edge connecting the angled top to the guide rail portion, wherein the curved edge is configured to reduce air recirculation.

6. A linear motor conveyor system according to claim 5 , wherein the at least one track section further comprises a plurality of sensors provided to read a machine readable medium located on the moving element, wherein the plurality of sensors are sealed within the at least one track section.

7. A linear motor conveyor system according to claim 6 , wherein the plurality of sensors are sealed by stainless steel tape.

8. A conveyor system comprising:
at least one track section comprising:
a first guide rail having a protrusion with opposing angled profiles;
a second guide rail having a flat profile;
electronic circuitry housed within a body of the track section;
a rotatable segment configured to provide access to the electronic circuitry, the rotatable segment having an end profile that abuts another track section to form a stepped groove sealed by a gasket;
an angled top configured to direct air flow around the track section;
a curved edge between the first guide rail and the angled top configured to reduce air recirculation; and
a plurality of sensors sealed within a top portion of the track section; and

at least one moving element comprising:
a body;
a first set of bearings attached to the body and configured to abut against the opposing angled profiles of the protrusion on the first guide rail;
a second set of bearings attached to the body and configured to abut against the second guide rail; and
a machine readable medium configured to be read by the plurality of sensors.

9. A conveyor system according to claim 8 wherein the conveyor system further comprises a solid lubricant.

10. A conveyor system according to claim 9 wherein the solid lubricant is polytetrafluoroethylene.

11. A conveyor system according to claim 8 , wherein the plurality of sensors are sealed by stainless steel tape.

12. A conveyor system according to claim 8 , wherein the stepped groove comprises:
a rear gap portion comprising a gap of between 1 and 5 mm; and
a front gap portion comprising a gap of between 0.25 and 0.5 mm.

13. A conveyor system according to claim 8 , wherein the stepped groove comprises:
a rear gap portion sized to receive the gasket; and
a front gap portion sized to enable a bearing to ride along the track section while promoting cleaning of the front gap portion.

14. A conveyor system according to claim 13 , wherein the front gap portion is more steeply angled than the rear gap portion.

15. A conveyor system according to claim 8 , further comprising an internal cooling system configured to draw air inwards towards the electronic circuitry housed within the track section.

Assignees

• Ats Automation Tooling Systems Inc

Inventors

• Cameron Louis Ian
• Kleinikkink Albert
• Hogan Roger
• Juritsch Martin John
• Woodward Bradley James
• Lambert Blake Robert

Classifications

• H02K41/03

  Synchronous motors; Motors moving step by step; Reluctance motors (H02K41/035 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H02K5/10 Primary

  with arrangements for protection from ingress, e.g. water or fingers · CPC title

• B65G2207/48

  Wear protection or indication features · CPC title

• B65G21/22

  Rails or the like engaging sliding elements or rollers attached to load-carriers or traction elements · CPC title

• B65G54/02 Primary

  electrostatic, electric, or magnetic · CPC title