Pneumatic card transport system
OwnerKe Wei LI, Dai Yang +1inventors
InventorsKe Wei LI, Dai Yang, Feng He
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Abstract
A pneumatic card transport system is disclosed. The system is configured to use pressurized air to transport a card inserted to a conveying duct inside a card passageway assembly from a first end to a second end. Air nozzles are configured to release the pressurized airstreams at an angle relative to the conveying duct so that the card is essentially floating when traveling along the conveying duct. Hence, the card makes zero or minimum contact with the inner surface of the conveying duct. This will not only reduce the wear and tear of the card, but also reduces the traveling time inside the conveying duct.
Claims18
A pneumatic card transport system comprising
- a) a card passageway assembly comprising a conveying duct with a first end and a second end to allow the transfer of a card therebetween;
- b) at least one main nozzle attached to said card passageway assembly proximate said first end;
- each said main nozzle having a main inlet to receive pressurized air and a main outlet coupled to said conveying duct;
- said main nozzle positioned to eject air from said outlet towards said second end in a direction that forms a first obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said conveying duct;
- c) at least one auxiliary nozzle attached to said card passageway assembly proximate said first end and opposite said at least one main nozzle;
- each said auxiliary nozzle having an auxiliary inlet to receive pressurized air and an auxiliary outlet coupled to said conveying duct;
- said auxiliary nozzle positioned to eject air from said auxiliary outlet towards said second end in a direction that forms a second obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said conveying duct;
- said second obtuse angle being reflective of said first obtuse angle;
- and
- d) at least one cushion nozzle attached to the bottom of said conveying duct;
- each said cushion nozzle having a cushion inlet to receive pressurized air and a cushion outlet to eject air towards said second end at an angle that forms a third obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said conveying duct
- so that pressurized air from the main outlet exerts translational force on one side of the planar surface of said card and pressurized air from said auxiliary outlet exerts translational force on the opposite side of the planar surface of said card to cause said card to travel from said first end to said second end;
- and pressurized air from said cushion outlet exerts a translation force and an up-lifting force on said card to cause said card to float inside said conveying duct during said transfer when said system is in operation.
A method of transporting a card from a first end to a second end of a conveying duct in a card passageway assembly comprising the steps of:
- a) injecting a first airstream from said first end into said conveying duct in the direction of said second end, the direction of the airflow forming a first obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said conveying duct;
- said first airstream being directed onto one side of the planar surface of said card, and
- b) injecting a second airstream into said conveying duct in the direction of said second end at a second obtuse angle relative to said longitudinal axis of said conveying duct, said second obtuse angle being reflective of said first obtuse angle such that said second airstream being directed onto the opposing side of the planar surface of said card.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.