Linear Wave Motion Conveyor

A method of moving goods with a linear wave motion conveyor, said method comprising:

• providing a conveyor having an elongated pan carried and driven along an elongated dimension of the pan by a linear motor, at least one sensor configured to sense at least one characteristic of the pan, the characteristic being selected from the group consisting of position, speed, and acceleration, a command module in communication with the sensor, and an input module in communication with the command module;
• programming a plurality of command data relating to a desired cyclic pattern of motion of the pan into the input module;
• conveying sensory data from the sensor to the command module and command data from the input module to the command module;
• and
• producing an output command to selectively actuate the linear motor in substantial conformity with the command data;
• wherein the plurality of command data comprises a plurality of phases, each phase relating to a portion of a single cycle of the desired cyclic pattern of motion;
• and each phase of command data comprising:
• a speed datum corresponding to a desired speed of the pan,
• a maximum acceleration datum corresponding to a maximum allowable acceleration of the pan,
• a maximum deceleration datum corresponding to a maximum allowable deceleration of the pan, and
• a distance datum corresponding to a distance over which the phase is applied,
• whereby a duration of each phase is governed at least in part by the speed datum and the distance datum.

A linear wave motion conveyor comprising:

• a pan defining a conveying surface, a leading end, an opposite discharge end, and a conveying direction extending from said leading end to said discharge end;
• a linear drive mechanism having an elongated thrust bar extending parallel to said conveying direction and a stator portion configured to drive said thrust bar in relation to said stator portion along said conveying direction, said pan being fixed in relation to one of said thrust bar or said stator portion;
• and
• a base configured to support said pan, said thrust bar, and said stator portion such that said one of said thrust bar or said stator portion that is not fixed to said pan is fixed to said base without said pan being otherwise coupled to said base.

A linear wave motion conveyor comprising:

• a pan defining a conveying surface, a leading end, an opposite discharge end, and a conveying direction extending from said leading end to said discharge end;
• a linear drive mechanism having an elongated thrust bar extending parallel to said conveying direction and a stator portion configured to drive said thrust bar in relation to said stator portion along said conveying direction, said pan being fixed in relation to one of said thrust bar or said stator portion;
• and
• a controller in operative communication with said stator portion to control driving of said thrust bar in relation to said stator portion, said controller being configured to receive customizable command data to control said stator to drive said thrust bar according to selected movement characteristics corresponding to a plurality of phases along said conveying direction.