LUMBER KILN CONVEYOR SYSTEM

摘要

Embodiments provide a conveyor for conveying loads of lumber through a lumber kiln or other structure without the use of lumber carts or pushers. The conveyor may include a plurality of rollers arranged to form a flow path through the lumber kiln. Groups of the rollers may be driven by separate drives that are configured to rotate the rollers in opposite rotary directions and/or at variable speeds. Some or all of the drives may be operable independently of the other drives to transport loads of lumber at different speeds/directions in adjacent areas of the lumber kiln. In the event of a fire or a shut-down, the rollers in the proximal half of the kiln and those in the distal half of the kiln can be rotated in opposite directions to evacuate loads quickly from both ends.

主权项

1. A conveyor system for a lumber kiln, wherein the lumber kiln includes an elongate enclosure with a first end and a generally opposite second end, a first portal at the first end, and a floor, the conveyor system comprising:
a plurality of first rollers coupled with the floor and spaced apart at intervals along a first flow path that extends through the portal, the first rollers being rotatable around corresponding axes of rotation that are oriented transverse to the first flow path, and a drive system coupled with the first rollers, the drive system selectively operable to drive the first rollers in a first rotary direction and in a generally opposite second rotary direction.