# US 9,038,542 B2 · Tie plate separator and method thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,038,542 B2 - Document ID: US9038542B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/657,645 - Filed: 2012-10-22 - Published: 2013-09-26 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2012-03-23 - Assignees: B & B Metals, Inc. - Applicants: B & B Metals, Inc. - Inventors: William R. Coots - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038542B2 ## CPC - B65G 15/12: with two or more endless belts - B65G 15/00: Conveyors having endless load-conveying surfaces, i.e. belts and like continuous members, to which tractive effort is transmitted by means other than endless driving elements of similar configuration (having load-conveying surfaces formed by interconnected longitudinal links B65G17/06) - B65G 17/12: comprising a series of individual load-carriers fixed, or normally fixed, relative to traction element - B65G 37/00: Combinations of mechanical conveyors of the same kind, or of different kinds, of interest apart from their application in particular machines or use in particular manufacturing processes (series of co-operating belt conveyor units B65G15/22; series of co-operating chain conveyor units B65G17/26; sequence control of combined conveyors B65G43/10) - B65G 47/244: by turning them about an axis substantially perpendicular to the conveying plane - B65G 47/848: {the article-engaging elements being suction or magnetic means} - E01B 29/32: Installing or removing track components, not covered by the preceding groups, e.g. sole-plates, rail anchors (E01B31/26 takes precedence) - Y10T 137/85986: Pumped fluid control - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - E01B: PERMANENT WAY; PERMANENT-WAY TOOLS; MACHINES FOR MAKING RAILWAYS OF ALL KINDS (derailing or rerailing blocks on track, track brakes or retarders B61K) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tie plate sorter, comprising: a generally circular receiver having a generally hollow interior; a drive assembly capable of rotating said receiver; said receiver having a surrounding wall and a plurality of apertures within said surrounding wall; at least one end wall extending radially inward from said surrounding wall; a tie plate path in communication with at least one of said plurality of apertures; a magnetic retaining mechanism positioned along said tie plate path; said magnetic retaining mechanism selectively retaining and releasing tie plates from within said receiver to an outside of said receiver. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tie plate sorter of claim 1, said magnetic retaining mechanism being an electromagnet. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The tie plate sorter of claim 1, said magnetic retaining mechanism being a permanent magnet. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The tie plate sorter of claim 1, said circular cross-sectioned receiver including a plurality of switches on said at least one end wall. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The tie plate sorter of claim 4, said switches electrically connected to a solenoid. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The tie plate sorter of claim 5, said solenoid electrically connected to said retaining mechanism. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The tie plate sorter of claim 6, said retaining mechanism being an electromagnet. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The tie plate sorter of claim 1, said tie plate path including a member spaced from each of said apertures in said surrounding wall. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The tie plate sorter of claim 8, said retaining mechanism positioned on said member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The tie plate sorter of claim 8, said tie plate path extending generally tangentially from said surrounding wall. ### Claim 11 A tie plate sorter, comprising: a rotatable body formed of at least one outer surrounding wall having a plurality of apertures defining an outlet path; a radial wall having an inlet aperture, said radial wall extending toward said surrounding wall; a path member spaced from each of said plurality of apertures; a magnetic retaining mechanism disposed along said outlet path to selectively retain or release tie plates; a switch associated with said retaining mechanism to actuate said retaining mechanism. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The tie plate sorter of claim 11, said retaining mechanism disposed on said path member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The tie plate sorter of claim 11 further comprising a solenoid to power said retaining mechanism. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The tie plate sorter of claim 13 further comprising a switch arm which either engages or disengages a switch lever. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The tie plate sorter of claim 11, said retaining mechanism being normally powered until a switch arm engages a switch lever. ### Claim 16 A tie plate sorter, comprising: a receiver having an input aperture and a plurality of output apertures; a drive assembly to rotate said receiver; wherein tie plates move from said input aperture to said plurality of output apertures; a tie plate path including said plurality of output apertures; a magnetic a retaining mechanism disposed along said tie plate path; said magnetic retaining mechanism being operable to either retain or release said tie plates at a selected position of rotation of said receiver. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The tie plate sorter of claim 16, said receiver being generally circular in cross-sectional shape. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The tie plate sorter of claim 16, said path extending generally radially outward from said receiver. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The tie plate sorter of claim 16, said path extending in a first radial direction and a second substantially tangential direction. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The tie plate sorter of claim 16 further comprising a stabilizer assembly. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The tie plate sorter of claim 20 further comprising a thrust limiting roller. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The tie plate sorter of claim 21, said thrust limiting roller being adjustable in an axial direction of said receiver. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The tie plate sorter of claim 20 further comprising a vertical lift limiting roller. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The tie plate sorter of claim 23, said vertical lift limiting roller being adjustable in a vertical direction. ### Claim 25 A tie plate sorter control system, comprising: a first motor drivably engaged to a receiver which receives tie plates and magnetically selectively retains and releases said tie plates; a second motor drivably engaged to a tie plate mover of a feed system; a pressure regulating valve wherein pressure increases with loading of tie plates into said receiver; said pressure regulating valve in fluid communication with said first motor and said second motor; wherein said pressure regulating valve inhibits flow to said second motor when said pressure increases beyond a preselected value. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The system of claim 25 further comprising a fluid reservoir. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The system of claim 25 wherein said fluid is hydraulic fluid. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) The system of claim 25 wherein said receiver is continuously driven by said first motor. ### Claim 29 (depends on 25) The system of claim 25 wherein said first motor is hydraulic. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The system of claim 29 wherein said second motor is hydraulic. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) The system of claim 29 wherein said second motor is electric.