Rotary drive for vibratory conveyors

A vibratory conveyor drive operatively connected to a vibratory conveyor tray for use in generating reciprocating movement in said tray, said conveyor drive comprising:

• a drive wheel having a radial slot supported for rotation about a first axis of rotation and operatively connected to a source of rotational motive force;
• a transfer wheel supported for rotation about a second axis of rotation and positioned in substantially parallel-spaced relation to said drive wheel and including,
• a first shaft projecting outwardly from a first surface having a drive-follower positioned on an end of said first shaft and received within said radial slot of said drive wheel;
• and
• an axle projecting outwardly from a second surface positioned in coaxial relation with said second axis of rotation, wherein said drive wheel and said transfer wheel are sealingly enclosed within a drive housing so as to be immersed in lubricant;
• and
• an arm having first and second ends and being secured to said axle at said first end in substantially spaced relation to said transfer wheel and including a drive shaft projecting outwardly from said second end, said drive shaft having a tray-follower positioned on said drive shaft and mounted on to a portion of said tray.

A vibratory conveyor drive operatively connected to a vibratory conveyor tray for use in generating reciprocating movement in said tray, said conveyor drive comprising:

• a drive wheel having a radial slot supported for rotation about a first axis of rotation and operatively connected to a source of rotational motive force;
• a transfer wheel supported for rotation about a second axis of rotation and positioned in substantially parallel-spaced relation to said drive wheel and including,
• a first shaft projecting outwardly from a first surface having a drive-follower positioned on an end of said first shaft and received within said radial slot of said drive wheel;
• and
• an axle projecting outwardly from a second surface positioned in coaxial relation with said second axis of rotation, wherein said drive wheel and said transfer wheel are sealingly enclosed within a drive housing so as to be immersed in lubricant;
• and
• an arm having first and second ends and being secured to said axle at said first end in substantially parallel-spaced relation to said transfer wheel and including a drive shaft projecting outwardly from said second end, said drive shaft having a tray-follower positioned on said drive shaft and mounted on to a portion of said tray;
• wherein as said drive wheel rotates about said first axis of rotation said drive follower reciprocates within said radial slot between a first position adjacent to said first axis of rotation and a second position adjacent to an edge of said drive wheel, and further wherein as said drive follower nears said first position the rotational speed of said transfer wheel approaches a minimum and as said drive follower nears said second position the rotational speed of said transfer wheel approaches a maximum.

A vibratory conveyor system for conveying materials comprising:

• a frame;
• a tray supported by said frame;
• a drive mechanism supported on said frame and operatively engaging said tray for generating reciprocating movement in said tray, said drive mechanism comprising:
• a drive wheel having a radial slot supported for rotation about a first axis of rotation and operatively connected to a source of rotational motive force;
• a transfer wheel supported for rotation about a second axis of rotation and positioned in substantially parallel-spaced relation to said drive wheel and including,
• a first shaft projecting outwardly from a first surface having a drive-follower positioned on an end of said first shaft and received within said radial slot of said drive wheel;
• and
• an axle projecting outwardly from a second surface positioned in coaxial relation with said second axis of rotation, wherein said drive wheel and said transfer wheel are sealingly enclosed within a drive housing so as to be immersed in lubricant;
• and
• an arm having first and second ends and being secured to said axle at said first end in substantially parallel-spaced relation to said transfer wheel and including a drive shaft projecting outwardly from said second end, said drive shaft having a tray-follower positioned on said drive shaft and mounted on a portion of said tray.