Fin alignment and delivery apparatus

• US 5,934,443 A
• Filed: 01/31/1997
• Issued: 08/10/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Progressive Tool & Industries, Co., Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company, Progressive Tool & Industries, Co.
• Inventors: Krause, Paul, Maybee, William J., Stark, Daniel J., Kowalewski, Walter, Mizzi, Eddy G., Rollinson, James C., Pardi, Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): Cherry, Johnny D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): McAllister, Steven B.
• Application Number:
  US08/791,709
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 198/406, 198/367, 198/358, 198/444, 198/463.4, 198/457.05, 198/539, 193/44
• US Class Current: 198/457.05
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 15/26 heat exchangers or the like making heat exchangers by methods covered by other subclasses B21D53/02
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/66 Fixed platforms or combs, e.g. bridges between conveyors

Abstract

An apparatus for aligning and delivering fins manufactured in a fin mill for use in manufacture and assembly of heat exchangers used for controlling temperature conditions. The apparatus includes first and second conveyors, the first conveyor receiving and transporting fins emanating from a fin mill, and the second conveyer delivering the fins to an apparatus for manufacturing and assembling a heat exchanger. A tier of chutes reorient the direction of the fins with respect to the direction of the conveyor travel.

Claims

1. An apparatus for transporting and delivering fins emanating from a fin mill, said apparatus comprising:

a first conveyor transporting the fins emanating from the fin mill in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of each of the fins;

a second conveyor spaced laterally from, and at a substantially right angle to an end of said first conveyor; and

a tier of three separate chutes disposed between the end of said first conveyor and an end of said second conveyor for receiving the fins from the fin mill via said first conveyor and depositing the fins on said second conveyor such that the longitudinal axis of each of the fins is perpendicular to a direction of travel of said second conveyor, each of said fins traveling through a first chute in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of each fin, traveling through a second chute, and exiting a third chute in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of each fin.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first chute includes a pair of guide plates extending outward and forming a secondary channel.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first conveyor includes a plurality of guide rails positioned thereon to guide the fins, a gate, pivotally mounted to said first conveyor, said gate movable between a first, open position and a second, closed position wherein when said gate is placed in said first, open position, the fins travel freely on said first conveyer to said tier of three separate chutes and when said gate is positioned in said second, closed position, the fins contact said gate and are shunted from said first conveyer to an overflow storage receptacle.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 including a sensor mounted on said second conveyor, said sensor detecting the presence of fins, said sensor signaling said overflow gate to move to said second, closed position when said sensor detects the presence of fins.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including an oscillating guide positioned on said second conveyor.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said oscillating guide includes a carriage mounted for oscillatory movement on a support member, a guide rail attached to said carriage, and a drive link attached on a first end thereof to said carriage and attached on a second end thereof to a powertrain driving said drive link.

7. An apparatus for transporting and delivering fins emanating from a fin mill, said apparatus comprising:

a first conveyor transporting the fins emanating from the fin mill in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of each of the fins;

a chute receiving the fins from the fin mill via said first conveyor and depositing the fins on a second conveyor such that the longitudinal axis of each of the fins is perpendicular to a direction of travel of said second conveyor;

an oscillating guide positioned on said second conveyor;

said oscillating guide including a carriage mounted for oscillatory movement on a support member, a guide rail attached to said carriage, and a drive link attached on a first end thereof to said carriage and attached on a second end thereof to a powertrain driving said drive link; and

wherein said powertrain includes a pulley supported on a shaft for rotational movement, a drive motor connected to and driving said shaft, and a spindle attached to said pulley and connected to said drive link.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 including said spindle having a centerline and said pulley having a centerline, said spindle attached to said pulley such that the centerline of said spindle is offset from the centerline of said pulley.

9. An apparatus for transporting and delivering fins emanating from a fin mill, said apparatus comprising:

a first conveyor transporting the fins emanating from said fin mill in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of said fins;

a second conveyor having one end spaced laterally from an end of said first conveyor; and

a tier of separate chutes disposed between the ends of said first conveyor and said second conveyor for receiving said fins from said fin mill via said first conveyor and depositing said fins on said second conveyor such that the longitudinal axis of said fins is perpendicular to the direction of travel of said second conveyor, said tier of separate chutes including a first chute receiving said fins traveling in a direction parallel their longitudinal axis, a second chute positioned below said first chute and receiving said fins upon said fins exiting said first chute, and a third chute, said third chute positioned below said second chute and receiving said fin upon said fins exiting said second chute wherein said fins exit said third chute onto said second conveyor in a position such that the fins travel in a direction transverse their longitudinal axis; and

an oscillating guide positioned on said second conveyer.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said first conveyor includes a plurality of guide rails positioned thereon to guide said fins, a gate, pivotally mounted to said first conveyor, said gate movable between a first, open position and a second, closed position wherein when said gate is placed in said first, open position, said fins travel freely on said first conveyor from said fin mill to said tier of chutes and when said gate is positioned in said second, closed position said fins contact said gate and are shunted from said first conveyor to an overflow storage receptacle.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said first chute includes a pair of guide plates extending outward and forming a secondary channel.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said oscillating guide includes a carriage mounted for oscillatory movement on a support member, a guide rail attached to said carriage, and a drive link attached on a first end thereof to said carriage and attached on a second end thereof to a powertrain driving said drive link.

13. An apparatus for transporting and delivering fins emanating from a fin mill, said apparatus comprising:

a first conveyor transporting the fins emanating from said fin mill in a direction parallel a longitudinal axis of said fins;

a tier of chutes receiving said fins from said fin mill via said first conveyor and depositing said fins on a second conveyor such that the longitudinal axis of said fins is perpendicular to the direction of travel of said second conveyor, said tier of chutes including a first chute receiving said fins traveling in a direction parallel their longitudinal axis, a second chute positioned below said first chute and receiving said fins upon said fins exiting said first chute, and a third chute, said third chute positioned below said second chute and receiving said fin upon said fins exiting said second chute wherein said fins exit said third chute onto said second conveyor in a position such that the fins travel in a direction transverse their longitudinal axis;

an oscillating guide positioned on said second conveyer; and

said oscillating guide including a drive link and a powertrain driving said drive link, said powertrain including a pulley supported on a shaft for rotational movement, a drive motor connected to and driving said shaft, and a spindle attached to said pulley and connected to said drive link.

14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 including said spindle having a centerline and said pulley having a centerline, said spindle attached to said pulley such that the centerline of said spindle is offset from the centerline of said pulley.

15. An apparatus for transporting and delivering fins emanating from a fin mill, said apparatus comprising:

a first conveyor transporting the fins emanating from said fin mill in a direction parallel a longitudinal axis of said fins;

a tier of chutes receiving said fins from said fin mill via said first conveyor and depositing said fins on a second conveyor such that the longitudinal axis of said fins is perpendicular to the direction of travel of said second conveyor, said tier of chutes including a first chute receiving said fins traveling in a direction parallel their longitudinal axis, a second chute positioned below said first chute and receiving said fins upon said fins exiting said first chute, and a third chute, said third chute positioned below said second chute and receiving said fin upon said fins exiting said second chute wherein said fins exit said third chute onto said second conveyor in a position such that the fins travel in a direction transverse their longitudinal axis;

an oscillating guide positioned on said second conveyer; and

a sensor mounted to said second conveyor and sensing the presence of fins on said second conveyor, said sensor communicating with said fin mill to vary the output rate of said fin mill.

16. An apparatus for transporting and delivering fins emanating from a fin mill, said apparatus comprising:

a first conveyor transporting said fins emanating from said fin mill in a direction parallel a longitudinal axis of said fins;

a second conveyor having one end spaced laterally from an end of said first conveyor;

a tier of separate chutes disposed between the ends of said first conveyor and said second conveyor for receiving said fins from said fin mill via said first conveyor and depositing said fins on said second conveyor such that the longitudinal axis of said fins is perpendicular to the direction of travel of said second conveyor, said tier of separate chutes including a first chute receiving said fins traveling in a direction parallel their longitudinal axis, a second chute positioned below said first chute and receiving said fins upon said fins exiting said first chute, and a third chute, said third chute positioned below said second chute and receiving said fins upon said fins exiting said second chute wherein said fins exit said third chute onto said second conveyor; and

an oscillating guide positioned on said second conveyor, said oscillating guide including a carriage mounted for oscillatory movement on a support member, a guide rail attached to said carriage, a drive link attached on a first end thereof to said carriage and attached on a second end thereof to a powertrain driving said drive link.

17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said first conveyor includes a plurality of guide rails positioned thereon to guide said fins, a gate, pivotally mounted to said first conveyor, said gate movable between a first, open position and a second, closed position wherein when said gate is placed in said first, open position, said fins travel freely on said first conveyor from said fin mill to said tier of chutes and when said gate is positioned in said second, closed position, said fins contact said gate and are shunted from said first conveyor to an overflow storage receptacle, and a sensor mounted on said second conveyor, said sensor detecting the presence of fins, said sensor signaling said overflow gate to move to said second, closed position when said sensor detects the presence of fins.

18. An apparatus for transporting and delivering fins emanating from a fin mill, said apparatus comprising:

a first conveyor transporting said fins emanating from said fin mill in a direction parallel a longitudinal axis of said fins;

a tier of chutes receiving said fins from said fin mill via said first conveyor and depositing said fins on a second conveyor such that the longitudinal axis of said fins is perpendicular to the direction of travel of said second conveyor, said tier of chutes including a first chute receiving said fins traveling in a direction parallel their longitudinal axis, a second chute positioned below said first chute and receiving said fins upon said fins exiting said first chute, and a third chute, said third chute positioned below said second chute and receiving said fins upon said fins exiting said second chute wherein said fins exit said third chute onto said second conveyor;

an oscillating guide positioned on said second conveyor, said oscillating guide including a carriage mounted for oscillatory movement on a support member, a guide rail attached to said carriage, a drive link attached on a first end thereof to said carriage and attached on a second end thereof to a powertrain driving said drive link; and

wherein said powertrain includes a pulley supported on a shaft for rotational movement, a drive motor connected to and driving said shaft, a spindle attached to said pulley and connected to said drive link, said spindle having a centerline and said pulley having a centerline, said spindle attached to said pulley such that the centerline of said spindle is offset from the centerline of said pulley.

19. An apparatus for transporting and delivering fins emanating from a fin mill, said apparatus comprising:

a first conveyor transporting said fins emanating from said fin mill in a direction parallel a longitudinal axis of said fins;

a tier of chutes receiving said fins from said fin mill via said first conveyor and depositing said fins on a second conveyor such that the longitudinal axis of said fins is perpendicular to the direction of travel of said second conveyor, said tier of chutes including a first chute receiving said fins traveling in a direction parallel their longitudinal axis, a second chute positioned below said first chute and receiving said fins upon said fins exiting said first chute, and a third chute, said third chute positioned below said second chute and receiving said fins upon said fins exiting said second chute wherein said fins exit said third chute onto said second conveyor;

an oscillating guide positioned on said second conveyor, said oscillating guide including a carriage mounted for oscillatory movement on a support member, a guide rail attached to said carriage, a drive link attached on a first end thereof to said carriage and attached on a second end thereof to a powertrain driving said drive link; and

a sensor mounted to said second conveyer and sensing the presence of fins on said second conveyer, said sensor communicating with said fin mill to vary the output rate of said fin mill.