Conveying system actuators as well as conveyor assemblies and conveying systems including same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9709079-B2
Application number	US-201514969880-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 15, 2015
Priority date	Dec 15, 2014
Publication date	Jul 18, 2017
Grant date	Jul 18, 2017

Abstract

Conveyor actuator assemblies include a gas spring assembly and a base element that at least partially defines a channel extending therethrough. The gas spring assembly extends through the channel. A first end element receives part of the gas spring assembly and a second end element receives another part of the gas spring assembly. A piston element is disposed within the channel and projects outward beyond the base element through an open side to a distal end dimensioned for engaging an associated conveyor belt. The gas spring assembly is inflatable between a first condition in which the piston element is disposed in a first position relative to the base element, and a second condition in which the piston element is disposed in a second position relative to the base element that is different than the first position. Conveyor assemblies, conveying systems and methods of assembly are also included.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A conveyor actuator assembly comprising:
a gas spring assembly having a longitudinal axis and including a flexible spring member, a first end member secured to a first end of said flexible spring member and a second end member secured to a second end of said flexible spring member such that a spring chamber is formed within said flexible spring member between said first and second end members;
a base element that includes a base element wall at least partially defining a channel extending longitudinally between a first open end and a second open end and including an open side extending longitudinally between said first and second open ends with at least a portion of said gas spring assembly disposed within said channel;
a first end element receiving at least a portion of at least one of said first end member and said flexible spring member, said first end element secured along said base element and closing said first open end of said channel, said first end element including an inner side disposed in facing relation to said base element, an outer side facing away from said base element, and a recess extending into said first end element from along said inner side with at least a portion of said first end member disposed within said recess of said first end element;
a second end element receiving at least a portion of at least one of said second end member and said flexible spring member, said second end element secured along said base element and closing said second open end of said channel; and,
a piston element at least partially disposed within said channel and projecting outward beyond said base element through said open side of said channel to a distal end dimensioned for engaging an associated conveyor belt.

2. A conveyor actuator assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said gas spring assembly is inflatable between a first condition in which said flexible spring member is approximately symmetrical across a horizontal plane extending along said longitudinal axis and in which said piston element disposed in a first position relative to said base element, and a second condition in which said flexible spring member is asymmetrical across said horizontal plane and in which said piston element is disposed in a second position relative to said base element that is different than said first position.

3. A conveyor actuator assembly according to claim 2 , wherein said distal end of said piston assembly is disposed a first distance from said base element in said first position and is disposed a second distance from said base element in said second position with said second distance being greater than said first distance.

4. A conveyor actuator assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a first pin extending through said first end element and operative to retain said at least one of said first end member and said flexible spring member on said first end element.

5. A conveyor actuator assembly according to claim 4 further comprising a second pin extending through said second end element and operative to retain said at least one of said second end member and said flexible spring member on said second end element.

6. A conveyor actuator assembly according to claim 4 , wherein said first pin has a curved outer surface and is positioned on said first end element such said flexible spring member abuttingly engages said curved outer surface in an inflated condition of said gas spring assembly.

7. A conveyor actuator assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said flexible spring member extends longitudinally between a first end disposed along said first end member and a second end disposed along said second end member, said flexible spring member has a cut edge disposed along said first end, and said gas spring assembly includes a retaining ring operatively connecting said first end of said flexible spring member to said first end member such that a substantially fluid tight seal is formed therebetween.

8. A conveyor actuator assembly according to claim 7 , wherein said flexible spring member has a cut edge disposed along said second end, and said gas spring assembly includes a retaining ring operatively connecting said second end of said flexible spring member to said second end member such that a substantially fluid tight seal is formed therebetween.

9. A conveyor actuator assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a wear strip element disposed along at least one of said first end element, said second end element and said piston element.

10. A conveyor actuator assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said first end element includes a passage extending therethrough in fluid communication with said recess, and said gas spring assembly includes a first connector fitting extending through said passage and operatively connected in fluid communication with said first end member such that said first connector fitting is fluidically accessible from along said outer side of said first end element.

11. A conveyor actuator assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said second end element includes an inner side disposed in facing relation to said base element, an outer side facing away from said base element, and a recess extending into said second end element from along said inner side with at least a portion of said second end member disposed within said recess of said second end element.

12. A conveyor actuator assembly according to claim 11 , wherein said second end element includes a passage extending therethrough in fluid communication with said recess, and said gas spring assembly includes a second connector fitting extending through said passage and operatively connected in fluid communication with said second end member such that said second connector fitting is fluidically accessible from along said outer side of said second end element.

13. A conveying system comprising:
at least one conveyor actuator assembly according to claim 1 ; and,
a pressurized gas system including a pressurized gas source and a control device with at least one of said pressurized gas source and said control device in fluid communication with said spring chamber of said gas spring assembly.

14. A conveying system according to claim 13 further comprising:
a control system communicatively coupled with at least one of said pressurized gas source and said control device of said pressurized gas system.

15. A conveyor assembly comprising:
a frame assembly extending lengthwise between a first end and a second end;
a drive roller supported along said first end of said frame assembly;
an idler roller supported along said second end of said frame assembly;
a conveyor belt operatively connected in an endless manner along said frame assembly and displaceable upon rotation of said drive roller and said idler roller, said conveyor belt having an outward-facing side and an inward-facing side, and said conveyor belt including a plurality of roller elements operative to support associated conveyed articles and displace the associated conveyed articles relative to said conveyor belt;
a plurality of actuator rollers disposed between said frame assembly and said conveyor belt and operative to selectively rotate said plurality of roller elements; and,
a conveyor actuator assembly disposed between said frame assembly and said inward-facing side of said conveyor belt, said conveyor actuator assembly being selectively operable to engage and disengage said plurality of roller elements from said plurality of actuator rollers, and said conveyor actuator assembly including:
a gas spring assembly having a longitudinal axis and including a fl

Assignees

• Firestone Ind Products Co Llc

Inventors

• Myers J Richard
• Leonard Joshua R

Classifications

• F15B15/10 Primary

  the motor being of diaphragm type · CPC title

• B65G17/24 Primary

  comprising a series of rollers which are moved {, e.g. over a supporting surface, by the traction element to effect conveyance of loads or load-carriers} · CPC title