Patent ID: 8096407
Filing Date: 2012-01-17
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A natural frequency conveyor for conveying articles comprising: a. a conveyor tray including a first longitudinal side having a top lip, a second longitudinal side having a top lip, a distal transverse side having a top lip, an opened proximal end and a bottom side; b. a base including a first longitudinal member having top and bottom sides, a second longitudinal member having top and bottom sides, a plurality of upper and lower transverse beams, the upper transverse beams are evenly spaced apart to be perpendicularly affixed to the top sides of the respective first and second longitudinal members, the lower transverse beams are evenly spaced apart to be perpendicularly affixed to the respective first and second longitudinal members at positions adjacent the bottom sides, wherein each upper beam is positioned between two adjacent lower beams; c. a drive system including three pairs of identical first electromagnets having respective first pole pieces and second electromagnets having respective second pole pieces, wherein a first pole piece and a second pole piece within a pair are mounted facing each other to thereby have an air gap, the first pole piece is rigidly mounted to the base, and the second pole piece is rigidly mounted to the bottom side of the conveyor tray; d. a spring assembly including four sets of identical proximal side flat springs and distal side springs that are rectangular in shape and have respective top ends and bottom ends, wherein within a set the proximal and distal side springs at respective top ends are affixed to the conveyor tray and at the bottom end are affixed to the base; e. a drive controller including a relay assembly containing three solid state relays, a wave generator, a frequency generator and a switch for connecting a three-phase electricity supply; and f. the drive controller produces a pulse signal in a series of pulse trains to operate the three solid state relays so that the three paired first and second electromagnets are sequentially energized, which results in an oscillating movement of the conveyor tray in addition to the effect provided by the spring assembly.