Carrier brake for pneumatic transport system
AssigneeTranslogic Corporation
InventorsDavid Warren Parish, Daniel John Serafin, Ralph Charles Poplawsky
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present application discloses braking devices for use in a pneumatic tube system (PTS). The braking devices are adapted for in-line incorporation with a pneumatic tube and are operative to stop a pneumatic carrier within a pneumatic carrier system. The in-line braking devices allow for decelerating a carrier to a stop over a distance to reduce the forces applied to a carrier and its contents.
Claims20
A brake for use in a pneumatic tube carrier system, comprising:
- a pneumatic tube having an internal bore extending between a first open end and a second open end, wherein said internal bore is sized to accommodate the passage of a pneumatic carrier there through;
- a first gate assembly disposed along a length of the pneumatic tube at a first location, wherein said first gate assembly is configured to move a first plate into and out of said internal to open and close said internal bore;
- a second gate assembly disposed along a length of the pneumatic tube at a second location, wherein said second gate assembly is configured to move a second plate into and out of said internal to open and close said internal bore;
- and
- a first valve and a second valve configured to controllably open and close first and second ports in a sidewall of said pneumatic tube between said first and second ends;
- and
- a controller configured to controllably move said gate assemblies and said valve assemblies create an air cushion in front of a carrier upon arrival of a carrier into said pneumatic tube.
A brake for use in a pneumatic tube carrier system, comprising:
- a pneumatic tube having an internal bore extending between an inlet and an outlet, wherein said internal bore is sized to accommodate the passage of a pneumatic carrier there through, wherein said pneumatic tube further includes an axial slot extending along a portion of a sidewall between said inlet and said outlet;
- a catch having a forward portion extending through said axial slot into said internal bore and a rearward portion extending to external to said pneumatic tube, wherein said catch device is configured to move between first and second positions along said slot upon being contacted by a pneumatic carrier passing through said internal bore;
- and
- a resistance element connected to said rearward portion of said catch, wherein said resistance element provides a resistive force to said catch as said catch moves between said first and second positions.
A device for use in a pneumatic tube system, comprising:
- a first diverter including:
- a first head end port;
- a first transfer end with a first plurality of transfer ports;
- and
- a first transfer tube for selectively pneumatically connecting one of said first plurality of inlet/outlet ports to said first head end port;
- a second diverter including:
- a second head end port;
- a second transfer end with a second plurality of transfer port;
- and
- a second transfer tube for selectively pneumatically connecting one of said second plurality of inlet/outlet ports to said second head end port;
- and
- a plurality of pneumatic tubes connecting said first plurality of transfer ports to said second plurality of transfer ports, wherein at least one of said plurality of pneumatic tube further comprises:
- a braking device adapted to receive a pneumatic carrier passing between said first diverter and said second diverter and controllably stop said pneumatic carrier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.