Patent ID: 11958694
Assignee: LAITRAM, L.L.C.
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 16:
17. A sorter comprising: a first XY-stator, a second XY-stator, a plurality of curved sets of stator coils, a plurality of tile assemblies, and a controller;
wherein said first XY-stator comprises a first set of X-stator coils, a first set of Y-stator coils, and a first plurality of Hall sensors; and said first set of X-stator coils is flush with said first set of Y-stator coils;
wherein said second XY-stator comprises a second set of X-stator coils, a second set of Y-stator coils, and a second plurality of Hall sensors; and said second set of X-stator coils is flush with said second set of Y-stator coils;
wherein said first XY-stator is operatively connected to said controller;
wherein said second XY-stator is operatively connected to said controller;
wherein each of said plurality of curved sets of stator coils comprises an additional set of Hall sensors and is operatively connected to said controller;
wherein each of said plurality of tile assemblies respectively comprises a plurality of tiles;
wherein each said plurality of tiles includes a plurality of magnetic tiles and a plurality of non-magnetic tiles;
wherein an edge of said first XY-stator is adjacent to a top edge of each of said plurality of curved sets of stator coils and an edge of said second XY-stator is adjacent to a bottom edge of each of said plurality of curved sets of stator coils;
wherein said controller is configured to receive signals from said first plurality of Hall sensors, said second plurality of Hall sensors, and each said additional set of Hall sensors, and is configured to selectively apply currents to said first set of X-stator coils, to said first set of Y-stator coils, to said second set of X-stator coils, to said second set of Y-stator coils, and to each additional set of stator coils, in order to direct motion of said plurality of tile assemblies.