Linear induction motor transport system
First Claim
1. A transport mechanism for transporting articles formed of a magnetic material along a path of travel comprising:
- a linear induction motor stator fixedly mounted along the desired path of travel, means for energizing said stator with an alternating multiphase current to produce a moving magnetic field along the path of travel, a control connected to regulate the operation of said induction motor, means connected to furnish said control with command signals representing the desired movement of the articles being transported, means in said control for regulating the frequency of the alternating current supplied to said induction motor for controlling the velocity of the articles along the path of travel in accordance with said command signals, means in said control for regulating the amplitude of the alternating current supplied to said induction motor for varying the magnetic force attracting the articles to the induction motor in accordance with said command signals, at least one line scan camera disposed along the path of travel in position to scan the articles as they are being moved by said induction motor, and means connecting said line scan camera to transmit position feedback signals and velocity feedback signals to said control for tracking the instant position and the rate of travel of the article that is within the view of said camera.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A transport and stacker system in which the articles being transported are propelled in their path of travel by the moving magnetic field of a linear induction motor. The magnetic field also functions to attract the moving articles toward the linear motor and in order to overcome this attracting force and air bearing is provided. The air pressure acting against the attracting force is just sufficient to move the articles a slight distance away from the linear induction motor so that the articles move in the path of travel while suspended in air out of contact with the physical surface of the motor. When the desired position is reached, the article is dropped on a stack by deenergizing the magnetic field.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. A transport mechanism for transporting articles formed of a magnetic material along a path of travel comprising:
a linear induction motor stator fixedly mounted along the desired path of travel, means for energizing said stator with an alternating multiphase current to produce a moving magnetic field along the path of travel, a control connected to regulate the operation of said induction motor, means connected to furnish said control with command signals representing the desired movement of the articles being transported, means in said control for regulating the frequency of the alternating current supplied to said induction motor for controlling the velocity of the articles along the path of travel in accordance with said command signals, means in said control for regulating the amplitude of the alternating current supplied to said induction motor for varying the magnetic force attracting the articles to the induction motor in accordance with said command signals, at least one line scan camera disposed along the path of travel in position to scan the articles as they are being moved by said induction motor, and means connecting said line scan camera to transmit position feedback signals and velocity feedback signals to said control for tracking the instant position and the rate of travel of the article that is within the view of said camera. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
Specification