Adjustable conveyor chute
AssigneeFluor Technologies Corporation
InventorAlexander Kheifets
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A conveyor assembly has a supply source from which a plurality of rolling objects is delivered to a conveyor belt, wherein the conveyor assembly is also configured such that the horizontal velocity of the rolling objects delivered to the conveyor belt is substantially the same as the horizontal velocity of the conveyor belt. Such configuration advantageously reduces, or even eliminates undesired movement of the objects on the conveyor belt and thus significantly improves quantification of the objects on the conveyor belt.
Claims15
A method of quantifying a plurality of rolling objects on a conveyor belt, the method comprising:
- supplying the plurality of rolling objects at an adjustable first horizontal velocity from a supply source to the conveyor belt by feeding the plurality of rolling objects through a conduit that has an adjustable portion, wherein the supply source comprises a chute, a hopper, or a second conveyor belt, wherein changing an angle of the adjustable portion relative to the conveyor belt changes the first horizontal velocity;
- adjusting the first horizontal velocity and operating the conveyor belt at a second horizontal velocity that is substantially the same as the adjusted first horizontal velocity;
- and
- quantifying the plurality of rolling objects on the conveyor belt at the second horizontal velocity.
A method of reducing clustering or random rolling of a plurality of rolling objects on a belt conveyor having a conveyor belt, comprising:
- positioning a supply source relative to the conveyor belt to thereby allow delivery of the plurality of rolling objects at an adjustable first horizontal velocity from the supply source to the conveyor belt via an adjustable portion, wherein the adjustable portion comprises a ramp that is coupled to the supply source in a manner to thereby allow adjustment of an angle formed between the adjustable portion and the conveyor belt;
- operating the belt conveyor such that the conveyor belt has a second horizontal velocity;
- and
- adjusting the first horizontal velocity by adjusting the angle formed between the adjustable portion and the conveyor belt such that the first and second horizontal velocities are substantially the same.
A conveyor assembly comprising:
- a supply source having an adjustable portion, wherein the supply source is positioned relative to a conveyor belt to thereby allow delivery of a plurality of rolling objects at an adjustable first horizontal velocity from the supply source to the conveyor belt;
- wherein the adjustable portion comprises a ramp that is coupled to the supply source in a manner to thereby allow adjustment of an angle formed between the adjustable portion and the conveyor belt;
- wherein the conveyor belt is operable at a second horizontal velocity;
- wherein the adjustable portion is configured to allow adjustment of the first horizontal velocity of the rolling objects to be substantially identical to the second horizontal velocity;
- and
- a quantification device that is operationally coupled to the conveyor belt.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.