Vibratory conveyor for conveying items and related filling machine and methods

A vibratory conveyor, comprising:

• a feed tray;
• an electromagnetic linear actuator;
• a movable drive train interconnecting the feed tray and the electromagnetic linear actuator such that the electromagnetic linear actuator will move the feed tray during energization of the electromagnetic linear actuator;
• a sensor assembly positioned to detect movement of the electromagnetic linear actuator;
• and
• a controller connected to receive an output of the sensor assembly and connected to control energization of the electromagnetic linear actuator, wherein the controller is configured to adjust energization of the electromagnetic linear actuator based upon the output of the sensor assembly;
• wherein the electromagnetic linear actuator is a first electromagnetic linear actuator, wherein the vibratory conveyor includes a second electromagnetic linear actuator, wherein the first electromagnetic linear actuator moves the movable drive train and the feed tray, and the second electromagnetic linear actuator is connected to move a dummy weight and the controller is configured to energize the second electromagnetic linear actuator so as to move the dummy weight substantially opposite to the movable drive train and the feed tray, in order to provide an electromagnetic linear actuator assembly with dynamic balancing via opposing motion in order to reduce transmission of vibration from the vibratory conveyor to a fixed frame/housing supporting the vibratory conveyor.