BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to reciprocating conveyors, and more specifically, to reciprocating conveyors which provide sequential movement of a load thereon by simultaneous movement of all of the slats in the load conveying direction, and sequential return of the plurality of slat groups.

Reciprocating conveyors providing continuous movement are generally known in the art. U.S. Patent No. 4,580,678, issued to Foster, discloses a reciprocating floor conveyor system in which a group of six floor slat members, staggered in a position relative to each other, are each first advanced and then sequentially returned such that five slats are moving forwardly while one slat moves in the return direction. The Foster reciprocating floor conveyor requires two separate sources of hydraulic pressure, one for advancing the floor slat members and another for retracting the floor slat members. This requirement for two separate hydraulic pressure sources increases the cost and complexity of the mechanism. The reciprocating floor conveyor of Foster does not provide hydraulic flow of a constant rate, regardless of flow pressure, to each individual slat. Thus, if some slats experience a greater load than others, the slats experiencing this greater load will move a lesser distance than the slats experiencing a lesser load, or not at all, and the sequential advance of the slats will be disrupted due to this lack of substantially constant flow rate in the respective hydraulic lines.

U.S. Patent No. 4,144,963, issued to Hallstrom, discloses a reciprocating conveyor in which at least three elongate slats are employed such that there are always a greater number of slats moving simultaneously in a conveying direction than the number of slats moving in the opposite direction. In order to achieve the above slat movement, the Hallstrom patent requires a complex fluid pressure control valve having relatively movable first and second valve members. The first valve member has a plurality of first passageways each communicating with a different extensible fluid pressure cylinder. The second valve member has a common second passageway communicating simultaneously with more than half of the first passageways, and a third passageway communicating with the remaining first passageway. One of the first valve member and the second valve member is moved relative to the other to communicate the second and third passageway selectively with different ones of the first passageways. In addition to the above unduly complex fluid pressure control valve, the Hallstrom patent is also limited by the fact that, like the above Foster patent, substantially constant flow rate, regardless of flow pressure, is not provided. Thus, as stated above, the presence of unequal loads on respective slats will cause disproportionate slat movement resulting in disruption of the slat sequence. U.S. Patent No. 3,534,875 discloses a slat conveyor having three groups of slats, two of which move simultaneously in a load-conveying direction, while at the same time, the third group moves in the opposite direction to provide continuous movement.

In U.S. Patent Nos. 4,143,760 and 4,611,708, three groups of slats all move simultaneously in a first load conveying direction and then each individual group moves sequentially in the opposite direction to cause sequential load movement. U.S. Patent No. 4,856,645 teaches a slat conveyor having a group of non-moving "dead" slats spaced between two groups of slats that move simultaneously in a load conveying first direction and sequentially in an opposite direction for sequential load movement. U.S. Patent No. 4,157,761 discloses a discharge mechanism for discharging particulate loads that includes first and second stoker rods each having a plurality of cross bars. A fixed floor angle is located between each of the cross bars. The first and second stoker rods reciprocate lengthwise, rapidly, and, at the same time but out of phase.

U.S. Patent Nos. 4,492,303; 4,679,686; 4,749,075; and 4,785,929 all issued to Foster disclose various components for reciprocating floor conveyors including hold-down members, bearing systems, and drive/guide systems. A need thus exists for a reciprocating floor conveyor able to sequentially move heavy loads of, for example, one million pounds or more.

A need exists for the above type of reciprocating floor conveyor in which the slats are engaged, but slidable, to prevent passage of the particulate load matter therebetween. A need exists for the above type of reciprocating floor conveyor in which adjacent slat members are oriented at different elevations above the conveyor floor to facilitate adjacent slat engagement.

A need exists for the above type of reciprocating floor conveyor in which each slat member is controlled by a separate fluid-driven cylinder, and in which each group of slat members is controlled by a separate timing cylinder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, a reciprocating floor conveyor is provided. The reciprocating floor conveyor includes a supporting frame, a plurality of base members on the supporting frame, a plurality of elongate, slidable slats mounted side by side on the base members, and drive means for causing longitudinal reciprocative movement of the plurality of slats. The plurality of slats are divided in at least a first group and a second group interleaved with the first group. The slats of the first group and of the second group are oriented such that each slat is connected to the slats adjacent thereto through slidable engagement of the sides of the slats. The slats are supported by the base members such that the first group of slats is elevated a greater distance from the supporting frame than the second group of slats. In the preferred embodiment, the drive means is comprised of a plurality of drive cylinders, and each drive cylinder causes reciprocation of one, and only one, of the slats. Most preferably, the plurality of slats are substantially U-shaped in cross-section, and there are two elongate base members supporting each slat. The drive cylinder is connected between the two base members and is attached to the slat, which slides on a bearing on the upper surface of each base member.

The drive system for the reciprocating floor conveyor of the present invention is preferably employed wherein the reciprocating floor conveyor is comprised of at least three slat groups each having at least one slat member each. The drive system moves all of the slat groups substantially simultaneously in an extended, conveying direction and moves each of the slat groups sequentially in an opposite, retracted direction. The drive system includes a fluid source, at least three fluid-driven cylinders which each cause reciprocation of a slat group, a fluid-driven timing cylinder for each slat group, a direction valve for alternately connecting the piston side and the rod side of the drive cylinders to fluid flow (i.e., for extending and retracting the slat groups), and first and second flow regulators which each control fluid flow from the drive cylinders of a particular slat group to the fluid source when the rod side of the drive cylinders is connected to fluid flow (i.e., when the slat groups are all extended) to sequentially retract the slat groups. The drive system also includes means for controlling the direction valve which moves the direction valve from its first position (in which fluid flows to the rod side of the drive cylinders) to its second position (in which fluid flows to the piston side of the drive cylinders) to extend the slat members after all of the slat members have retracted. The means for controlling the direction valve also moves the direction valve from its second position (in which fluid is provided to the piston side of the drive cylinders) to its first position (in which fluid is provided to the rod side of the drive cylinders) to retract the slat members after all of the slat members have extended.

The drive system also has a means for controlling the first flow regulator and second flow regulator which causes sequential retraction of the slat groups. After all of the slat members have been extended, the direction valve is then configured in its first position to allow retraction of the slats, and the first fluid regulator and the second fluid regulator are configured by the means for controlling the first flow regulator and second flow regulator to prevent fluid flow from their connected fluid drive cylinders to the fluid source. Thus, fluid only flows from the drive cylinders not connected thereto to the fluid source, resulting in retraction of the first slat group. The means for controlling the first flow regulator and second flow regulator then configures the first flow regulator such that fluid flows from the connected drive cylinders to the fluid pressure source resulting in retraction of the second slat group. Next, the means for controlling the first flow regulator and second flow regulator configures the second flow regulator such that fluid flows from the connected drive cylinders to the fluid source, resulting in retraction of the third slat group. Finally, the means for controlling the direction valve orients the direction valve in its second position to extend all of the now retracted slat members of the three slat groups. The means for controlling the direction valve then again orients the direction valve in its first position after slat extension and the above described sequential retraction of the slat groups occurs, as controlled by the means for controlling the first flow regulator and second flow regulator.

Preferably, a single timing cylinder is present for all of the drive cylinders of a slat group. The timing cylinders function such that the means for controlling the direction valve moves the direction valve from its first position, in which the rod side of the drive cylinders receive fluid flow, to its second position, in which the piston side of the drive cylinders receive fluid flow, to cause extension only upon retraction of the timing cylinder of the slat group that is sequentially the last to retract. Additionally, the timing cylinders function such that the means for controlling the direction valve moves the direction valve from its second position to its first position to cause retraction only upon extension of the last to extend of the simultaneously extending timing cylinders.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the invention will be more fully appreciated when considered in light of the following specification and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fragmentary portion of a typical embodiment of the reciprocating floor construction of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of a typical embodiment of the reciprocating floor construction of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side view of a typical embodiment of the reciprocating floor construction of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a fluid drive system employed with the present reciprocating floor 2 in which three

groups of slidable slats are employed, with each slat having a separate fluid-driven cylinder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, reciprocating conveyor 2 comprises a plurality of groups of elongated slats extending longitudinally in the direction of conveying movement and are oriented side-by-side. Reciprocating conveyor 2 resides on floor 4 and includes a plurality of transverse frame beams 6 which form a supporting frame. A plurality of elongated base members 8, 10, 12, and 14 which are preferably hollow are located on transverse frame beams 6. A plurality of slats,including slats 16 and 18, are located on elongated base members 8, 10, 12 and 14. Three slats groups are shown in FIG. 4, however, it is to be understood that more than three slat groups can be employed. Each of the slat groups contains at least one slat, however, any number of slats greater than one can also be employed. All of slats 16 and 18 are capable of independent longitudinal reciprocation. The aforesaid reciprocation of slats 16 and 18 with respect to elongated base members 8, 10, 12 and 14 is facilitated by bearing 20 present therebetween.

The slat reciprocation is caused by a plurality of fluid- driven cylinders 22, with at least one fluid-driven cylinder 22 present for each slat group. Most preferably, a fluid- driven cylinder 22 is present for each and every of slats 16 and 18. Each fluid-driven cylinder includes a rod side 24 and a piston side 26 and pressurized hydraulic fluid is alternately fed into rod side 24 and piston side 26 to cause

reciprocation of slats 16 and 18. More specifically, fluid flow into piston side 26 of fluid-driven cylinder 22 causes expansion of fluid-driven cylinder 22 and concommittent extension of slats 16 and 18 in the load conveying direction and passage of fluid into rod side 24 of fluid-driven cylinder 22 causes retraction of piston 22 and the associated retraction of slats 16 and 18 in the direction opposite to the direction of load conveyance. Fluid-driven cylinders 22 preferably connect elongate base members 6 and 10 to slats 16 and elongate base members 12 and 14 to slat 18 by slat flange 28 attached to slats 16 and 18, and by elongate base flange 28 attached to elongate base members 8, 10, 12, and 14.

Slat 16 has top 32 and sides 36, and slat 18 has top 34 and sides 38 such that slats 16 and 18 are preferably substantially U-shaped in cross section. Slats 16 and 18 are thus engaged, but individually slidable, through slidable engagement of a side 36 of slat 16 and a side 38 of slat 18. The aforesaid engagement of slats 16 and 18 prevent particulate matter of the load on top 32 of slat 16 and top 34 of slat 18 from either becoming trapped between or passing between the adjacent slats. In order to facilitate the above engagement of sides 36 of slat 16 and sides 38 of slat 18, elongate base members 8 and 10 of slat 16 have a height less than that of elongate base members 12 and 14 of slat 18 such that slat 18 is oriented at an altitude greater than that of slat 16 from transverse frame beams 6. The above-described staggered height of elongate base members 8 and 10 with respect to elongate base members 12 and 14 thus allow engagement of U-shaped slat 16 and inverted U-shaped slat 18

at the respective sides 36 and 38 thereof. Preferably, elongate base members 12 and 14 have a height between about 6 and about 8 inches, elongate base members 8 and 10 have a height between about 4 and about 6 inches, and the difference between the heights of elongate base members 8 and 10 and 12 and 14 is preferably between about 2 and 4 inches.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the fluid drive system employed with the present reciprocating floor conveyor 2 is described in which three groups of slidable slats are used, with each slat having a separate fluid-driven cylinder attached thereto. The fluid drive system preferably moves all of the slat groups simultaneously in an extended conveying direction and moves each of the slat groups sequentially in an opposite, retracted direction to cause load movement. Substantially equal distribution of the load on the slat groups provides substantially equal weight distribution on the slat groups. Thus, all of the slats of all of the groups generally extend simultaneously, and all of the slats within one slat group generally retract simultaneously. However, the above simultaneous extension of all slats of all slat groups and simultaneous retraction of all of the slats within one slat group is not critical (i.e., one or more slats carrying a greater load can lag) as long as the lagging slats do not extend or retract after the extension or retraction of the associated timing cylinder or cylinders, described below.

Pump P, which is preferably a variable displacement pressure compensated pump designed to pump oil or other fluid, is connected to DVl, a two-position, four-way solenoid fluid directional valve. Also connected to DVl is tank T which is a

fluid reservoir well known in the art. DVl has two fluid lines exiting therefrom. One fluid line connects tank T and pump P to the rod side of a plurality of fluid-driven cylinders divided into three groups, and designated cylinders 1, cylinders 2 and cylinders 3. Also communicating with tank T and pump P through DVl are the rod sides of three fluid- driven timing cylinders CTl, CT2, and CT3. Each of timing cylinders CTl, CT2, and CT3 time the reciprocation of the fluid-driven cylinders of a particular slat group. For example, CTl times the reciprocation of fluid-driven cylinders 1 of the first slat group, timing cylinder CT2 times the reciprocation of the fluid-driven cylinders 2 of the second slat group and timing cylinder CT3 times the reciprocation of the fluid-driven cylinders 3 of the third group. Preferably, a number of timing cylinders equal to the number of slat groups are present. It is to be noted that timing cylinders CTl, CT2, and CT3 are uniquely configured to have a displacement less than that of fluid-driven cylinders 1, 2 or 3. Preferably, the displacement of each of timing cylinders CTl, CT2, and CT3 is between about 25% and about 40% of the displacement of fluid-driven cylinders 1, 2, and 3. Thus, timing cylinders CTl, CT2 and CT3 all retract or extend after the retraction or extension of the respective cylinders 1, 2 or 3 associated with timing cylinders CTl, CT2 and CT3. A second fluid outlet of DVl connects pump P and tank T directly to the piston side of timing cylinder CTl and cylinders 1 and indirectly to the piston side of timing cylinder CT2 and cylinders 2 through solenoid valve SV1, as well as indirectly to the piston sides of timing cylinders CT3

and cylinders 3 by solenoid valve SV2. Solenoid valves SV1 and SV2 allow free flow of fluid from pump P through DVl and to the piston sides of the associated timing cylinders and drive cylinders of SVl and SV2. However, SV1 and SV2 only allow fluid flow from the piston sides of their associated timing cylinders and drive cylinders through DVl and to tank T if SVl or SV2 is configured in its open, not its closed, position. Solenoid valves SVl and SV2 thus are flow regulators which regulate fluid flow through their associated fluid-driven cylinders and timing cylinders.

Due to the above-described lesser displacement of timing cylinders CTl, CT2, and CT3 with respect to drive cylinders 1, 2 and 3, extension or retraction of cylinders 1, 2 and/or 3 will occur before extension or retraction of timing cylinders CTl, CT2, and/or CT3 because of the greater fluid pressure necessary to facilitate the extension or retraction of timing cylinders CTl, CT2, and CT3. More specifically, timing cylinder CTl, CT2, and CT3 function such that simultaneous extension, preferably substantially simultaneously, of all of the slat groups occurs upon retraction of the timing cylinder of the slat group that is sequentially the last to retract. Additionally, the timing cylinders' function is such that the slat groups sequentially retract only upon extension of the last to extend of the simultaneously extending timing cylinders, preferably with all of the slats with a particular slat group retracting substantially simultaneously.

In preferable operation, simultaneous extension of the three slat groups occurs as fluid from pump P passes through DVl, which is configured such that fluid simultaneously passes

to the piston side of all of cylinders 1, 2, and 3 and of all of timing cylinders CTl, CT2 and CT3 for simultaneous extension thereof. After the aforesaid simultaneous slat group extension, limit switches S2, S4, and S6, which are connected in a series, are switched by the extension of timing cylinder CTl, CT2, and CT3, respectively. The series connection of limit switches S2, S4, and S6 requires that all of timing cylinders CTl, CT2, and CT3, and, therefore, all cylinders 1, 2, and 3 extend before directional valve DVl switches to allow fluid flow to the rod side of all cylinders 1, 2, and 3 and of all of timing cylinders CTl, CT2, and CT3. However, since solenoid valves SVl and SV2 are initially in their closed configurations, fluid does not flow from the piston side of cylinders 2 and 3 and timing cylinders CT2 and CT3 to tank T when directional valve DVl allows fluid to flow to the rod sides of all of the fluid-driven cylinders and timing cylinders; but instead fluid only flows from the piston side of cylinders 1 and timing cylinder CTl to tank T to retract these cylinders and the associated first slat group. The retraction of timing cylinder CTl actuates limit switch

SI, which configures solenoid valve SVl into its open position to allow fluid to flow from the piston side of cylinders 2 and timing cylinder CT2 to tank T to cause retraction of these cylinders and of the second slat group. Retraction of timing cylinder CT2 actuates the limit switch S5 which configures solenoid valve SV2 in its open position to allow fluid to flow from the piston side of cylinder 3 and of timing cylinder CT3 to tank T to retract the cylinders and the third slat group. Retraction of timing cylinder CT3 actuates limit switch S3

which configures directional valve DVl for fluid from pump P to flow to the piston side of all cylinders 1, 2, and 3 and timing cylinders CTl, CT2, and CT3 for simultaneous extension of the now all-retracted three slat groups and associated cylinders. After the extension of cylinders 1, 2, and 3 and timing cylinder CTl, CT2, and'CT3, limit switches 2, 4, and 6 are again actuated and directional valve DVl is configured to allow fluid flow to the rod side of cylinders 1, 2, and 3 and of timing cylinders CTl, CT2, and CT3 for sequential retraction of the three slat groups based upon the above- described sequential configuration of solenoid SVl and SV2. While preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.