Walking beam conveyor apparatus and method of operating the same

Abstract

Walking beam-type conveyor apparatus having a plurality of elongated, spaced stationary members carried by a supporting frame, and a plurality of elongated, spaced longitudinally movable members parallel with and intermediate the stationary members and carried by a longitudinally movable frame. Inflatable fluid bearings support the movable frame on the stationary frame for longitudinal movement of the movable frame and movable members between first and second positions. A selectively actuable valve has a first position in which fluid under a first predetermined pressure is applied to the fluid bearings during movement of the movable frame and movable members in one direction from the first to the second positions thereof, the first pressure being such that the movable members apply sufficient force to the load thereon that the load and movable members are moved in unison in the one direction. The valve has a second position in which it supplies fluid under a second predetermined pressure to the fluid bearings during movement of the movable frame and movable members in the opposite direction from the second to the first position thereof, the second pressure being lower than the first pressure and such that the load remains supported on the stationary members at the position to which it was previously moved while the movable frame and movable members are moved in the opposite direction. Means are provided for longitudinally moving the movable frame and movable members at least in the opposite direction from the second to the first position thereof.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.