# US 10,865,527 B2 · Tie plate rotator for field and gauge orientation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,865,527 B2 - Document ID: US10865527B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/820,671 - Filed: 2017-11-22 - Published: 2019-05-23 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2017-11-22 - Assignees: B & B Metals, Inc. - Applicants: B & B Metals, Inc. - Inventors: Coty T. Coots - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10865527B2 ## CPC - E01B 29/32: Installing or removing track components, not covered by the preceding groups, e.g. sole-plates, rail anchors (E01B31/26 takes precedence) - B65G 47/244: by turning them about an axis substantially perpendicular to the conveying plane - E01B: PERMANENT WAY; PERMANENT-WAY TOOLS; MACHINES FOR MAKING RAILWAYS OF ALL KINDS (derailing or rerailing blocks on track, track brakes or retarders B61K) - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) ## Abstract A tie plate rotator which may be mounted in line of a tie plate distribution system along a horizontal or angled conveyor which may take various forms but functionally allows or provides for movement of tie plates from one location to a second. The tie plate rotator receives tie plates and senses a position of the field side or gauge side of the tie plate. Subsequently, the turner will rotate the tie plate if rotation to an alternate orientation is desirable. The tie plate turner also senses a position of the rotating structure so that a controller can determine a position of the tie plate rotator during operation. The tie plates are subsequently directed to a second conveyor for further processing of the tie plates. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tie plate rotator for field and gauge orientation, comprising: a feed conveyor; a rotatable conveyor which receives a material from the feed conveyor, said rotatable conveyor having rollers which each rotate about a roller axis and said conveyor capable of movement from a first location to a second location about a rotatable conveyor axis; a first sensor disposed at one of said feed conveyor or said rotatable conveyor and sensing an orientation of a tie plate; and, a first motor which rotates said rotatable conveyor and a second motor which drives conveying of said rotatable conveyor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tie plate rotator for field and gauge orientation, of claim 1, further comprising at least one second sensor which senses a position of the rotatable conveyor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The tie plate rotator for field and gauge orientation, of claim 1, further comprising a sensor target disposed on said rotatable conveyor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The tie plate rotator for field and gauge orientation, of claim 2, further comprising a third sensor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The tie plate rotator for field and gauge orientation, of claim 4, further comprising a second sensor target for detection by said third sensor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The tie plate rotator for field and gauge orientation, of claim 1, said first sensor detecting a tie plate shoulder in a first position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The tie plate rotator for field and gauge orientation, of claim 6, said first sensor detecting a tie plate shoulder in a second position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The tie plate rotator for field and gauge orientation, of claim 1 further comprising a transmission connected to said first motor. ### Claim 9 A method of aligning tie plates, comprising the steps of: conveying a tie plate to a rotatable conveyor, said rotatable conveyor having rollers which rotate about a roller axis and which may additionally be moved from a first location to a second location; sensing with a sensor if a shoulder of said tie plate is in a preselected position; determining with a controller if said shoulder of said tie plate is in said preselected position; and, rotating said rotatable conveyor if said shoulder of said tie plate is in said preselected position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising driving a first motor during said rotating said rotatable conveyor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising detecting a position of said rotatable conveyor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 further comprising detecting at least one of two rotational limits. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 further comprising detecting at least one sensor target. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 said at least one sensor target being a first sensor target at a first rotational limit and a second sensor target at a second rotational limit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising actuating, with a button or switch, said rotating. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising actuating, with a button or switch, a motor driving wheels of said rotatable conveyor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein said preselected position is one of a desired position or an undesired position.