Method and apparatus for transferring mechanical energy onboard of a train of carriages of a sorting machine
AssigneeSandvik AB
InventorsAttilio Soldavini, Renato Tacchi, Luciano Longhi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mechanism for transferring mechanical energy onboard of a train of carriages of a sorting machine includes a friction wheel fitted onto a carriage. The wheel is rotated by friction caused by the engagement of the wheel against a track on which the carriage travels, and is connected to an electric generator disposed on the carriage. Rotation of the wheel is transmitted to the generator to rotate the generator and produce electricity for operating a belt(s) disposed on the carriage. The force with which the wheel is pressed against the track is automatically changed in response to changes in power requirements of the generator.
Claims18
A sorting machine comprising:
- a track;
- a carriage mounted for movement along the track for carrying items to be sorted;
- an electric generator disposed on the carriage;
- and
- an energy transfer mechanism disposed on the carriage for transferring mechanical energy comprising:
- a friction wheel mounted on the carriage and pressed against the track to be rotated by friction between the wheel and the track,
- a drive transmission between the wheel and the generator for transferring rotary energy from the wheel to the electric generator, and
- force-varying means for causing a force with which the wheel is pressed against the track to be varied in accordance with changes in an electric power requirement of the generator.
A sorting machine comprising:
- a track;
- a carriage mounted for movement along the track for carrying items to be sorted;
- an electric generator disposed on the carriage;
- and
- an energy transfer mechanism disposed on the carriage for transferring mechanical energy comprising:
- a friction wheel mounted on the carriage and pressed against the track to be rotated by friction between the wheel and the track,
- a drive transmission between the wheel and the generator for transferring rotary energy from the wheel to the electric generator, and
- an arm having a first end pivotably mounted to the carriage for pivotal movement about an axis, the wheel being mounted at a second end of the arm engaging the track at a point of contact situated forwardly of the axis with reference to a direction of travel of the carriage for causing a force with which the wheel is pressed against the track to be varied in accordance with changes in an electric power requirement of the generator.
A method of operating a sorting machine, comprising the steps of:
- A) advancing the sorting machine along a track,
- B) pressing a friction wheel carried by a carriage of the sorting machine against a rail of the track to cause the friction wheel to rotate by friction with the rail,
- C) transmitting rotary motion of the wheel to an electric generator to cause the generator to generate electricity, and
- D) arranging the friction wheel on the carriage so that the force pressing the friction wheel against the rail is varied in accordance with changes in power requirements of the generator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.