U.S. patent application number 12/850919 was filed with the patent office on 2012-02-09 for magnetic assembly for loading and conveying ferrous metal articles.
This patent application is currently assigned to BUNTING MAGNETICS CO.. Invention is credited to Paul Scott, Donald A. Suderman, Barry Voorhees.
Application Number | 20120031738 12/850919 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45532170 |
Filed Date | 2012-02-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120031738 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Suderman; Donald A. ; et
al. |
February 9, 2012 |
MAGNETIC ASSEMBLY FOR LOADING AND CONVEYING FERROUS METAL
ARTICLES
Abstract
An assembly for loading and conveying ferrous metal articles
including a magnet having north and south poles, an axis between
the north and south poles, the poles forming an annular belt
support; a powered conveyor belt extending over the belt support
for rotating the magnet, the magnet being segmented along the polar
axis, a first polar axis segment being a magnet mounting plate, a
plurality of second polar axis segments being sub-magnets, each
such sub-magnet overlying or underlying the magnet mounting plate
having north and south poles, and having a polar axis, and a third
polar axis segment being a sheath extending annularly about the
magnet's first and second polar axis segments, the sheath having a
radially outer surface forming the magnet's annular belt
support.
Inventors: |
Suderman; Donald A.;
(Newton, KS) ; Voorhees; Barry; (Newton, KS)
; Scott; Paul; (Valley Center, KS) |
Assignee: |
BUNTING MAGNETICS CO.
Newton
KS
|
Family ID: |
45532170 |
Appl. No.: |
12/850919 |
Filed: |
August 5, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
198/629 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01F 7/021 20130101;
B65G 15/58 20130101; B65G 21/2018 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
198/629 |
International
Class: |
B65G 35/00 20060101
B65G035/00; B65G 15/00 20060101 B65G015/00 |
Claims
1-5. (canceled)
6. The assembly for loading and conveying ferrous metal articles of
claim 8 wherein the rotating means comprise the conveyor belt or
comprise an axle assembly.
7. The assembly for loading and conveying ferrous metal articles of
claim 8 wherein the magnet mounting plate comprises paramagnetic
steel.
8. An assembly for loading and conveying ferrous metal articles,
said assembly comprising: (a) a magnet having a north pole, a south
pole, and a north/south polar axis, the magnet being segmented
along the polar axis, a first segment among the magnet's polar axis
segments comprising a magnet mounting plate, and a plurality of
second segments among the magnet's polar axis segments comprising
sub-magnets, each sub-magnet overlying or underlying the magnet
mounting plate, and each sub-magnet having a north pole and a polar
axis, each sub-magnet's polar axis having an alignment
substantially parallel to the magnet's polar axis, the magnet
further having a rotation axis, the north/south polar axis
intersecting the rotation axis, and the magnet's north and south
poles forming an annular belt supporting surface; (b) a third
segment among the magnet's polar axis segments, the third segment
comprising a sheath extending annularly about the magnet's first
and second polar axis segments, the sheath having a radially outer
surface, and the magnet's annular belt supporting surface
comprising the sheath's radially outer surface; (c) a conveyor belt
extending over the annular belt supporting surface; and (d)
rotating means connected operatively to the magnet, the rotating
means being adapted for rotating the magnet about the rotation
axis, the sheath comprising a non-paramagnetic material.
9. The assembly for loading and conveying ferrous metal articles of
claim 8 further comprising an adhesive deposition, the adhesive
deposition extending over the first and second segments' surfaces.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to combinations of mechanical belt
conveyors and magnetic rolls and pulleys. More particularly, this
invention relates to combinations of such machinery for
automatically loading and conveying ferrous articles such as scrap
steel and small steel parts.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Turn back pulleys or rollers of powered continuous loop belt
conveyors are known to be specially adapted to include embedded or
internally housed permanent magnets. Where such turn back rollers
or pulleys are so adapted, they advantageously cause the continuous
loop conveyor to additionally perform an automatic ferrous metal
attracting and loading function. Where, for example, such a
magnetically adapted conveyor pulley is positioned over a moving
stream of materials (or a relatively moving stream of materials
resulting from movement of the conveyor assembly) ferrous metal
parts and/or scrap steel contained within the stream are
advantageously drawn out of such stream and into a magnetically
attached and contacting relationship with the conveyor belt at
points radially overlying the magnetic pulley. The continuously
looping motion of the conveyor belt over the magnetic pulley draws
the ferrous metal parts or scrap steel along the conveyor and away
from the magnetic pulley for conveyance along the conveyor belt to
a desired remote location for disposal or separate storage.
[0003] A common drawback or deficiency of such magnetic conveyor
pulley and conveyor belt combinations is an insufficiency or
deficit in the magnetic strength and density of lines of magnetic
flux which extend from the pulley at the conveyor's end. As a
result of such deficiency, such common magnetic pulley and conveyor
combinations have only a limited capability to attract and convey
away ferrous magnetic parts and scrap materials.
[0004] Such magnetic attraction deficit commonly results from an
adoption of an intuitive mechanical arrangement of the polar axes
of the permanent magnets which are contained within or supported by
the magnetic conveyor pulley. Just as the lateral cross-sectional
shape of a conveyor pulley is circular, commonly known magnetic
adaptations of conveyor pulleys have arranged the polar axes of the
contained or supported permanent magnets to emanate magnetic flux
outwardly in a substantially circular radial array. Such radial
arrays of magnetic flux are known to result from either one of two
commonly known modes of mounting of permanent magnets within or
upon a continuous loop conveyor's pulley. In one such mode, the
permanent magnets are arranged in multiple N,N,S,S,N,N . . . polar
orientation chains, each such magnet chain extending parallel with
the pulley's rotation axis and such magnet chains being arranged
circumferentially about the pulley's annular outer periphery. In
the other mode, U-shaped or horseshoe magnets which present their
north and south poles at paired distal ends of the magnet's arms
are similarly arranged in a radial array about the pulley. Where
such U-shaped magnet configuration is utilized, a paramagnetic axle
core within the pulley is often utilized as a magnetic armature for
completing the "U" configuration of such north and south magnet arm
pairs. Both modes of conveyor pulley magnet adaptation described
above produce a circumferential array and extension of lines of
magnetic flux, and in both the resultant magnetic flux is
undesirably weak in all radial directions.
[0005] The instant inventive assembly for loading and conveying
ferrous metal articles solves or ameliorates problems and
deficiencies discussed above by configuring the magnetically
adapted conveyor pulley to be or function as a substantially single
magnet having a north/south polar axis which intersects the
pulley's axis of rotation at a perpendicular or substantially
90.degree. angle, and which crosses the entire lateral
cross-sectional diameter of the pulley.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A first structural component of the instant inventive
assembly for loading and conveying ferrous metal articles comprises
a magnet having a north pole, a south pole, and a rotation axis
extending between the north pole and the south pole, the north and
south poles being configured as or forming an annular belt
supporting surface. In a preferred embodiment, such annular belt
supporting surface is continuously circumferential and has a
circular lateral cross-sectional shape.
[0007] A further structural component of the instant inventive
assembly comprises a continuous loop conveyor belt which extends
over and frictionally contacts the magnet's arcuately curved north
and south poles.
[0008] A further structural component of the instant inventive
assembly comprises means for rotating the magnet about its rotation
axis. Such rotation means may comprise the conveyor belt where the
magnet functions as a conveyor belt supporting idler pulley.
Alternatively, such means may comprise drive axle structures and
assemblies which may couple with a motor driven rotary power source
such as an electric motor.
[0009] By configuring the conveyor or pulley component of the
instant inventive assembly as a permanent magnet having opposing
curved conveyor belt supporting north and south poles, magnetic
flux (i.e., the magnetic field characteristic imposed by a
permanent magnet upon a physical space or volume) emanating from
pulley/magnet is augmented and strengthened along the full diameter
of the pulley/magnet, resulting in overall enhanced magnetic
strength.
[0010] In use of the inventive assembly, streams of ferrous article
containing materials passing beneath the assembly are
advantageously exposed to the rotating magnetic field emanating
from the conveyor's pulley/magnet. As a result, ferrous scrap metal
or parts within the stream are attracted and drawn from the stream
into contact with the conveyor for carriage to a remote location
for disposal or separate storage.
[0011] Accordingly, it is an object of the instant invention to
provide an assembly for loading and conveying ferrous metal
articles which provides structures, as described above, and which
arranges those structures in relation to each other, as described
above, for the performance of beneficial functions, as described
above.
[0012] Other and further objects, benefits, and advantages of the
present invention will become known to those skilled in the art
upon review of the Detailed Description which follows, and upon
review of the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the instant
inventive assembly.
[0014] FIG. 2 redepicts FIG. 1, the view of FIG. 2 showing a
conveyor belt component of the assembly removed, the view
exclusively showing the magnet component of the assembly.
[0015] FIG. 2A redepicts FIG. 2, the FIG. 2A showing an alternative
magnet axle assembly.
[0016] FIG. 3 redepicts FIG. 2, the view of FIG. 3 showing sheath
and sub-magnet polar axis segments of the magnet removed.
[0017] FIG. 4 alternatively redepicts FIG. 2, the view of FIG. 4
showing the sheath polar axis segment of the magnet removed.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a sectional view as indicated in FIG. 2.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a magnified view of a portion of the structure
depicted in FIG. 5, as indicated in FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to Drawing
FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of the instant inventive
assembly for loading and conveying ferrous metal articles is
referred to generally by Reference Arrow 1. A major structural
component of the assembly 1 comprises a permanent magnet which is
referred to generally by Reference Arrow 6. The magnet 6 dually
functions as a conveyor pulley having a rotation axis 11 and as
means for attracting ferrous metal articles 3. In a preferred
embodiment, referring further simultaneously to FIGS. 3 and 5, an
axle shaft receiving sleeve 8 is aligned concentrically about and
along the rotation axis 11, such sleeve 8 forming an axle shaft
receiving bore 10. To facilitate transmission of rotary power from
an axle shaft (not depicted within views) received within bore 10,
a key slot 12 is provided. Alternatively, referring further
simultaneously to FIG. 2A, an alternatively configured magnet
component 6A presents journal axles 10A having rotation keys 12A.
The axle shaft 10 and key slot 12 (or the journal axle 10A and key
12A, as the case may be) constitute means for rotating the magnet 6
or 6A about the rotation axis 11. Where such means are provided,
motor means such as an electric motor drive (not depicted within
views) coupled to the axle assembly is preferably further provided
for rotatably moving the magnet 6 or 6A. Alternatively, in
situations where the magnet 6 or 6A functions as a conveyor belt
idler pulley, a provided conveyor belt 2 suitably functions as the
means for rotating the magnet 6 or 6A about the rotation axis 11.
Where such alternate rotating means are provided, such means
preferably further provides an electric motor powered drive pulley
at an opposite discharge end of the assembly 1. In such drive
configuration, friction between the inner surfaces 4 of the
continuous loop conveyor belt 2 and the circumferential outer
surface 22 of the pulley 6 rotatably moves the pulley 6 upon the
continuously looping motion of the conveyor belt 2.
[0021] Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 2-5, the magnet 6
preferably has a polar axis 27 which spans the lateral
cross-sectional diameter of the magnet, and which substantially
perpendicularly intersects the rotation axis 11. In a preferred
embodiment, the magnet 6 is multiply segmented along the polar axis
27. A first polar axis segment of the magnet 6 preferably comprises
a mounting plate 14,16. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting
plate 14,16 is fixedly attached to or is wholly formed with the
axle sleeve 8, and the mounting plate 14,16 preferably comprises
paramagnetic or "mild" steel. Suitably, the mounting plate magnet
segment 14,16 may alternatively comprise a non-paramagnetic metal
such as stainless steel, brass, or aluminum.
[0022] Further polar axis segments of the magnet 6 preferably
comprise pluralities or multiplicities of stacked sub-magnets 26
and 28 which respectively overlie and underlie the plate magnet
segment 14,16. Each of the sub-magnet segments 26 or 28 preferably
comprises a permanent magnet which is situated with respect to the
magnet 6 so that its north/south polar axis aligns with and is
substantially parallel to the magnet's polar axis 27.
[0023] Referring further simultaneously to FIGS. 2-5, a further
polar axis segment of the magnet 6 preferably comprises a
cylindrical sheath 21N,21S. The annular and circumferential outer
surface 22 of the magnet's sheath segments 22N,22S preferably forms
and functions as a circular cylindrical conveyor belt supporting
surface. In a preferred embodiment, the magnet's polar axis sheath
segments 21N,21S comprise a durable non-paramagnetic material such
as non-magnetic stainless steel, brass, or aluminum. The
non-paramagnetic character of the sheath segments 21N,21S
advantageously allows lines of magnetic flux 33 emanating from the
sub-magnet segments 26 and 28 to "transparently" pass through the
magnet's sheath segments 21N,21S rather than undesirably armaturing
the north and south poles of peripherally positioned sub-magnet
segments 26 or 28.
[0024] Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1-5, magnet end caps 18
and 20 are preferably provided, such caps preferably being fixedly
attached to opposite axial ends of the axle sleeve 8, the mounting
plate segment 14,16, and the sheath segment 21N,21S. Upon such
attachment and mounting of the end plates 18 and 20, they
advantageously hermetically close the magnet's semi-cylindrical
void spaces 23,24 which house the magnet's permanent magnet
sub-segments 26 and 28.
[0025] Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 5 and 6, structural
integrity of the magnet 6 in addition to that provided by the end
caps 18 and 20 is provided by a deposition of a durable adhesive 30
over the surfaces of the magnet's sub-segments 26 and 28 and over
the opposing surfaces of the mounting plate 14,16. In a preferred
embodiment, the adhesive 30 comprises a cyanoacrylate based
glue.
[0026] Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5, the
segmenting of the conveyor pulley/magnet 6 along the magnetic polar
axis 27 facilitates a strengthening and augmentation of lines of
magnetic flux 33 extending across the full diameter of the magnet
6. The magnetic flux lines 33, as drawn in FIG. 5, are
representative of similar lines emanating from the complete
semi-circular north half 21N of the magnet 6, and entering the
complete semi-circular south half 21S of the magnet 6. As a result
of such magnetic flux augmentation, ferrous magnetic articles 3 may
be magnetically attracted from a relatively long distance and may
be carried away upon the outer surface 7 of the conveyor belt 2 for
separate disposal or separate storage.
[0027] While the principles of the invention have been made clear
in the above illustrative embodiment, those skilled in the art may
make modifications in the structure, arrangement, portions and
components of the invention without departing from those
principles. Accordingly, it is intended that the description and
drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in the limiting
sense, and that the invention be given a scope commensurate with
the appended claims.
* * * * *