DIVERTING CONVEYOR WITH MAGNETICALLY DRIVEN MOVERS

摘要

A conveyor and method for moving articles across a conveying surface using electromagnetically operated movers in a conveyor belt. The movers are retained in tracks in the conveyor belt. A magnetic field source produces a magnetic field that varies across the width of the belt. The magnetic field interacts with electrically conductive material, ferromagnetic material, or permanent magnets in the movers to propel the movers and divert articles engaged by the movers across the belt. Movers with retractable pushers fold down at the sides of the belt to allow articles pushed by other movers to pass over and off the side of the belt.

主权项

1. A conveyor comprising:
a conveyor belt including:
a plurality of tracks extending across the conveyor belt transverse to the direction of belt travel;a plurality of movers retained in the tracks to move along the tracks across the conveyor belt, the movers having contact faces for engaging conveyed articles; a magnetic field source providing a magnetic field that interacts with the movers to propel the movers along the tracks and conveyed articles engaged by the contact faces transversely across the conveyor belt.