Patent GB-345657-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to conveyor systems
IPC: B65G51/46
Filed: 1929-12-17
Abstract: 345,657. Conveyer systems. TELEPHON-APPARATFABRIK E. ZWIETUSCH & CO., GES., 6, Salzufer, Charlottenburg, Berlin. Dec. 17, 1929, No. 38693. Convention date, Sept. 2. [Class 116.] In a conveyer system with a plurality of track sections, provided with a control arrangement to secure the automatic delivery of objects at their selected destinations, those objects passing through a section are counted on entering the section to secure the provision of power in the next section, a delay device being provided to prevent the power circuit becoming effective until the carrier is about to enter the section. In the event of a fault occurring or of a particular section becoming overcrowded, the objects are automatically delivered at the station preceding the blocked section until the trouble is removed. The invention is described as applied to two pneumatic tube systems in which the track firstly is a closed loop, as indicated in Fig. 2, and secondly has stations situated on branch paths, as shown in Fig. 3. When an object enters the section 1-2, Fig. 6, contacts 2fk are operated energizing 2ESM to step 2ESIII one step. If the object is destined for a station beyond 2, contact 2vg1 has also been closed and 2HSEM is energized stepping 2HSE1 and operating 2HH which locks to 2hhII. As the carrier leaves the section either contacts 2ak or 3fk are operated, depending on whether the object is delivered or is passed on. In either case 2ASM is energized to step 2ASIII, whilst if 3fk is operated 2HSAM energizes to step 2HSAI. Relay 2HH remains energized so long as 2HSEI and 2HSAI are out of alignment, that is, so long as carriers that will pass into section 2-3 are passing along section 1-2. Relay 2HH completes a circuit for motor GM3 which starts blower G3 to provide power in the section 2-3. When the last carrier for section 2-3 leaves station 2, relay HH relapses but the circuit for GM3 is maintained by contact 3bV until the last carrier has passed station 3. If the track diverges a separate pair of counting switches HSE, HSA is provided for each branch, as indicated by 3HSEM, 3HSEM<1> 3HSAM, and 3HSAM<1> in Fig. 6. Objects destined for section 3-6 operate the magnets 3HSEM and 3HSAM and control motor GM6 and blower G6, whilst objects for section 3-4 operate magnets 3HSEM<1> and 3HSAM<1> and control motor GM4 and blower G4. Detailed operation. Fig. 1 indicates the apparatus provided at one station 3. When a carrier enters the section contact 3fk2 is made and E energizes, followed by magnet ESM and relay B, relay B locking over its winding B(II). C and Sp energize and wipers ESI-IV move on to contact 1. When E releases, after its momentary operation, NM steps by impulses from UN moving wipers NI-NIV and, when N1 reaches the terminal of the required station,.marked by N2 of the switch at the preceding station, P energizes breaking the circuit of NM. If further carriers enter the section, ES moves on and other switches similar to N are set. When relay B pulls up, thermostat TH is energized and, after a delay period, contact th makes and H energizes. If the carrier is to be delivered at station 3, 3WM energizes actuating the control valve, not shown, and when the carrier passes into the siding 3ak is closed momentarily, energizing A which operates ASM to step the output register wipers to position 1, releasing 3WM. If the carrier is not to be delivered at station 3 the wipers N are set on to a contact other than 3. When P operates, C releases and during the slow release period of C, VG energizes over NIV and magnet HSEM pulls up, stepping wiper HSE. Magnet ZM of the timing switch also energizes, completing a circuit for X which in turn enables V to energize. V breaks the circuit of ZM which, after a release period equal to the time of travel of the container from 2-3, falls away, releasing X. X breaks the circuit of V and during the slow period of V, HH energizes and locks over its winding HH(II). Relay HH starts up the blower motor as indicated in Fig. 6. When the carrier leaves the section contacts 4fk are operated, stepping HSA and AS. Relay HH remains energized so long as there are carriers in the section 2-3 destined to pass beyond station 3. When no such carrier is in the section wipers HSE and HSA stand on connected terminals shorting HH, which releases. When all carriers have left the section ESIII and. ASIII stand on connected terminals and B releases. As will be observed from Fig. 6, relay B maintainsthe blower magnet circuit so long as there are carriers in the track section. If branch sections. are provided as in Fig. 3 the connections from bank NIV are as indicated in Fig. 4. The separate relays VG control separate HH relays and separate switches HSE and HSA. Point control magnets such as 3WM are provided for each track section,. the setting of NIII controlling the magnet energized. A system in which the functions of NIII and NIV can be combined and performed by a single wiper and bank is also described. Fault procedure. The system shown can deal with 10 carriers in a section at one time, one switch N being provided for each carrier and one position of ES and AS for each switch. When ten carriers. are in the section register ES catches up AS and when E and Sp operate, F pulls up, actuating a. signal Sn and energizing the WM magnet at the preceding station. Any following containers are thus delivered at the station preceding the blocked section. Relay F can also be energized by operating key Q, thus putting the section out of action. Relay Y energizes in series with the WM magnet so that all carriers delivered due to the fault, step switch HSA enabling the blower to be disconnected as soon as all objects intended to pass beyond station 3 have been delivered. A fault in the section 1-2 operates a special relay (not shown) which disables the blower G3 until the trouble has been corrected.