Fluid rail conveying apparatus

摘要

An apparatus for conveying articles on a cushion of fluid including a longitudinally extending rail defined by a plurality of longitudinally extending members each having a supporting surface oriented in opposed relationship with respect to the supporting surface of the other said members. Each member is formed with a plurality of ports in the supporting surface thereof which are disposed in communication with a plenum connected to a supply of pressurized fluid for discharge from the ports to support and convey an article on a cushion of fluid and in spaced relationship from the supporting surfaces. A shroud is provided along a portion of the length of the rail extending between the members to restrict escape of fluid discharged from the ports laterally between the supporting surfaces to impart an axial flow pattern of the fluid along the shrouded section and to impose a braking force on the articles as they approach the upstream end of the shroud.