US3666086A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Walking beam conveyor
Assignee: Brockmann & Bundt Ind Ofenbau
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Filing: 1970-07-02
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Granted: 1972-05-30
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Expires: 1990-07-02
Abstract
Abstract A walking beam conveyor of the kind which comprises a series of stationary beams and a series of walking beams which have a driving mechanism by which they are moved upwards relative to the stationary beams to lift workpieces therefrom, then longitudinally to convey the workpieces along the stationary beams and subsequently downwards again to replace the workpieces on the stationary beams is provided with a mechanism for raising and lowering the walking beams in such a way as to minimize the impact of the working beams on the workpieces as they raise the workpieces from the stationary beams. This mechanism includes a number of hydraulic fluid pressure operated cylinders which are connected to the walking beams and operate successively. A number of the cylinders move the walking beams upwards until they come into contact with the workpieces and are then stalled. One or more further cylinders are then brought into operation in sequence until there are sufficient cylinders to increase the force acting on the walking beams until the walking beams are able to lift the workpieces from the stationary beams after which the walking beams are moved longitudinally by a further hydraulic fluid pressure operated cylinder and the beams are then lowered again.
Inventors
- 👤 Heinz Brockmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:05
CPC Classifications
F; F27; F27B; F27B9/00; F27B9/14; F27B9/20; F27B9/201; F27B9/202; F27B9/203
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
271 words
In a walking beam conveyor including a plurality of stationary beams, a plurality of walking beams, means mounting said walking beams for upward and downward movement relative to said stationary beams and reciprocating longitudinal movement relative to said stationary beams, driving mechanism for moving said walking beams in said upward and downward movement and driving mechanism for moving said walking beams in said reciprocating longitudinal movement, the improvement wherein said driving mechanism for moving said walking beams in said upward and downward movement includes a plurality of hydraulic fluid pressure operated cylinders and drive pistons, means operatively connecting said cylinders to said walking beams, means for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to some of said cylinders and independent means for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to one other of said cylinders, said means for supplying hydraulic fluid to said some of said cylinders including hydraulic accumulator means and means operatively connecting said hydraulic accumulator means to at least one of said some cylinders, the force of the accumulator-drIven drive pistons before the impact of the walking beam onto the work piece on the conveyor being at a maximum equal to the weight of the walking beam, including means operatively connecting said hydraulic accumulator means to a plurality of said some cylinders, said connecting means including a plurality of control valves and means connecting said valves individually to said cylinders and means for independently actuating said control valves, the latter means including means responsive to a workpiece load on said walking beams and means for actuating said valves to operate said cylinders in sequence in dependence upon the magnitude of said load.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
271 words
In a walking beam conveyor including a plurality of stationary beams, a plurality of walking beams, means mounting said walking beams for upward and downward movement relative to said stationary beams and reciprocating longitudinal movement relative to said stationary beams, driving mechanism for moving said walking beams in said upward and downward movement and driving mechanism for moving said walking beams in said reciprocating longitudinal movement, the improvement wherein said driving mechanism for moving said walking beams in said upward and downward movement includes a plurality of hydraulic fluid pressure operated cylinders and drive pistons, means operatively connecting said cylinders to said walking beams, means for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to some of said cylinders and independent means for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to one other of said cylinders, said means for supplying hydraulic fluid to said some of said cylinders including hydraulic accumulator means and means operatively connecting said hydraulic accumulator means to at least one of said some cylinders, the force of the accumulator-drIven drive pistons before the impact of the walking beam onto the work piece on the conveyor being at a maximum equal to the weight of the walking beam, including means operatively connecting said hydraulic accumulator means to a plurality of said some cylinders, said connecting means including a plurality of control valves and means connecting said valves individually to said cylinders and means for independently actuating said control valves, the latter means including means responsive to a workpiece load on said walking beams and means for actuating said valves to operate said cylinders in sequence in dependence upon the magnitude of said load.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
235 words
In a walking beam conveyor including a plurality of stationary beams, a plurality of walking beams, means mounting said walking beams for upward and downward movement relative to said stationary beams and reciprocating longitudinal movement relative to said stationary beams, driving mechanism for moving said walking beam in said upward and downward movement and driving mechanism for moving said walking beams in said reciprocating longitudinal movement, the improvement wherein said driving mechanism for moving said walking beams in said upward and downward movement includes a plurality of hydraulic fluid pressure operated cylinders, means operatively connecting said cylinders to said walking beams, means for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to some of said cylinders and independent means for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to one other of said cylinders, said means for supplying hydraulic fluid to said some of said cylinders including hydraulic accumulator means and means operatively connecting said hydraulic accumulator means to at least one of said some cylinders, said drive mechanism for moving said walking beam in said horizontal reciprocating movement including at least one hydraulic fluid pressure operated cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, means connecting said piston to said walking beams, and means for controlling the operation of said cylinder to cause said piston to perform a reciprocating movement, said controlling means including a sliding crank mechanism and means for causing said piston to follow movements of said sliding crank mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
235 words
In a walking beam conveyor including a plurality of stationary beams, a plurality of walking beams, means mounting said walking beams for upward and downward movement relative to said stationary beams and reciprocating longitudinal movement relative to said stationary beams, driving mechanism for moving said walking beam in said upward and downward movement and driving mechanism for moving said walking beams in said reciprocating longitudinal movement, the improvement wherein said driving mechanism for moving said walking beams in said upward and downward movement includes a plurality of hydraulic fluid pressure operated cylinders, means operatively connecting said cylinders to said walking beams, means for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to some of said cylinders and independent means for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to one other of said cylinders, said means for supplying hydraulic fluid to said some of said cylinders including hydraulic accumulator means and means operatively connecting said hydraulic accumulator means to at least one of said some cylinders, said drive mechanism for moving said walking beam in said horizontal reciprocating movement including at least one hydraulic fluid pressure operated cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, means connecting said piston to said walking beams, and means for controlling the operation of said cylinder to cause said piston to perform a reciprocating movement, said controlling means including a sliding crank mechanism and means for causing said piston to follow movements of said sliding crank mechanism.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
A walking beam conveyor as claimed in claim 2, wherein said means for causing said piston to follow movements of said sliding crank mechanism include an electrical potentiometer bridge circuit, two variable resistors in said circuit, means connecting one of said variable resistors to said sliding crank mechanism and means connecting the other of said variable resistors to said cylinder to bring about movements of said piston.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A walking beam conveyor as claimed in claim 3, wherein said variable resistors are electric sliding contact resistances, the sliding contacts of which are actuated by said sliding crank mechanism and said piston.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
A walking beam conveyor as claimed in claim 2, wherein said sliding crank mechanism includes a rotary crank, an oscillating arm operatively connected to said crank, means pivotally mounting one end of said oscillating arm and means for adjusting said pivotal mounting means, said adjusting means including means for moving said pivotal mounting means towards and away from said crank to adjust the length of the oscillating movement of said arm.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-30 | 1975-11-29 | 1976-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-30 | 1979-11-29 | 1980-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-30 | 1983-11-29 | 1984-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |