Pneumatically actuated beltless conveyor

Abstract

A drive system for moving a conveyor member to move objects along the conveyor member includes a driven member for operative connection to the conveyor member and a pneumatic assembly operatively connected to the driven member. The pneumatic assembly is operable to drive the driven member in one direction to advance objects supported on the conveyor member and to drive the driven member in a second direction opposite to the first direction such that the conveyor member moves relative to the objects supported thereon. The drive system also includes a control valve that is operatively connected to a source of pressurized air and in fluid communication with the pneumatic assembly, wherein the control valve operates to sequentially cycle pressurized air to alternating ends of the pneumatic assembly so as to induce repeated, rectilinear movement of the conveyor member.

1 . A drive system for moving a conveyor member to move objects along the conveyor member comprising: 
 a driven member for operative connection to the conveyor member;    a pneumatic assembly operatively connected to said driven member, said pneumatic assembly being operable to drive said driven member in one direction to advance objects supported on the conveyor member and to drive said driven member in a second direction opposite to said first direction such that the conveyor member moves relative to the objects supported thereon; and    a control valve that is operatively connected to a source of pressurized air and in fluid communication with said pneumatic assembly, wherein said control valve operates to sequentially cycle pressurized air to alternating ends of said pneumatic assembly so as to induce repeated, rectilinear movement of the conveyor member.    
   
   
       2 . A drive system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said control valve comprises a pneumatic valve.  
   
   
       3 . A drive system as set forth in  claim 2  including a switch, said switch being operable to send signals to said pneumatic valve to change the delivery path of pressurized air.  
   
   
       4 . A drive system as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said switch is a pneumatic switch that is in fluid communication with said pneumatic valve.  
   
   
       5 . A drive system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said pneumatic assembly comprises at least one cylinder having at least one bi-directional piston disposed therein.  
   
   
       6 . A drive system as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said pneumatic assembly includes a push rod to support said at least one bi-directional piston.  
   
   
       7 . A drive system as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said pneumatic assembly includes a push rod guide connected to said push rod.  
   
   
       8 . A drive system as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said at least one cylinder includes a pair of stroke control orifices spaced relative to one another in a longitudinal direction.  
   
   
       9 . A drive system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said driven member comprises a free floating dog drive interconnecting said pneumatic assembly and the conveyor member.  
   
   
       10 . A conveyor for moving objects comprising: 
 a housing;    a driven member movably mounted relative to said housing;    a pneumatic assembly operatively connected to said driven member and mounted to said housing, said pneumatic assembly comprising at least one cylinder having at least one bi-directional piston disposed therein, wherein said pneumatic assembly acts to drive said driven member in one direction and acts to drive said driven member in a second direction opposite to said first direction; and    a control valve that is operatively connected to a source of pressurized air and in fluid communication with said pneumatic assembly, wherein said control valve operates to sequentially cycle pressurized air to alternating ends of said pneumatic assembly so as to induce repeated, rectilinear movement of said driven member.    
   
   
       11 . A conveyor as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said control valve comprises a pneumatic valve.  
   
   
       12 . A conveyor as set forth in  claim 11  including at least one switch, said switch being operable to send signals to said pneumatic valve to change the delivery path of pressurized air.  
   
   
       13 . A conveyor as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said at least one switch is a pneumatic switch that is in fluid communication with said pneumatic valve.  
   
   
       14 . A conveyor as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said housing includes a mount plate.  
   
   
       15 . A conveyor as set forth in  claim 14  including a slider plate movably supported relative to said mount plate.  
   
   
       16 . A conveyor as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said drive system is disposed within said housing.  
   
   
       17 . A conveyor as set forth in  claim 10  including a conveyor member operatively connected to said driven member.  
   
   
       18 . A conveyor as set forth in  claim 17  wherein said driven member comprises a free floating dog drive interconnecting said pneumatic assembly and said conveyor member.  
   
   
       19 . A conveyor as set forth in  claim 17  wherein said conveyor member comprises a tray.  
   
   
       20 . A method for moving objects comprising: 
 providing a conveyor including a conveyor member and a drive system operatively connected to the conveyor member, the drive system having a driven member, a pneumatic assembly operatively connected to the driven member, and a control valve operatively connected to the pneumatic assembly;    providing a fluid source;    connecting the fluid source to the control valve;    activating the control valve such that the fluid flows from the fluid source into the pneumatic assembly to drive the driven member in one direction to advance objects supported on the conveyor member;    activating the control valve such that the fluid flows from the fluid source into the pneumatic assembly to drive the driven member in a second direction opposite to the first direction such that the conveyor member moves relative to the objects supported thereon; and    placing the objects on the conveyor member and repeating said steps of activating so as to induce repeated, rectilinear movement of the conveyor member for moving the objects along the conveyor member.