Conveyor track switch actuated by a linear motor

Claim 1

A device for actuating a conveyor track switch tongue assembly pivotally mounted to selectively direct a mobile into one or the other of a pair of branch tracks, comprising a polyphase source of electric energy, a conductive armature plate integral with said switch tongue assembly and defining a planar end face extending perpendicular to the pivot axis of said switch tongue assembly, a stationary, polyphase wound, linear induction motor magnetic field structure having a planar stator surface facing said end face and extending parallel thereto along the entire stroke thereof to define a small gap therewith, said magnetic field structure being adapted to generate, when polyphase energized, a magnetic field traveling along said stator surface in a first direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement of said armature plate or in the opposite direction to produce a propelling reaction force in said armature plate, selector Switch means connecting said source to said magnetic field structure in a manner causing said magnetic field structure to selectively generate a magnetic field traveling in said first direction or in said opposite direction, means for locking said switch tongue assembly into either of two positions, said locking means including a latch pivotally connected to said armature, said latch having a locking finger extending therefrom and being made of ferromagnetic material, and a stationary locking plate having two apertures for receiving said locking finger, said magnetic field structure, during the energization thereof, providing an electromagnetic field for attracting said latch to remove said finger from one aperture and for moving said armature to position said finger near the other aperture.

Claim 2

A device for actuating a conveyor track switch tongue assembly pivotally mounted to selectively direct a mobile into one or the other of a pair of branch tracks, comprising a polyphase source of electric energy, a conductive armature plate integral with said switch tongue assembly and defining a planar end face extending perpendicular to the pivot axis of said switch tongue assembly, a stationary, polyphase wound, linear induction motor magnetic field structure having a planar stator surface facing said end face and extending parallel thereto along the entire stroke thereof to define a small gap therewith, said magnetic field structure being adapted to generate, when polyphase energized, a magnetic field traveling along said stator surface in a first direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement of said armature plate or in the opposite direction to produce a propelling reaction force in said armature plate, selector Switch means connecting said source to said magnetic field structure in a manner causing said magnetic field structure to selectively generate a magnetic field traveling in said first direction or in said opposite direction, means for locking said switch tongue assembly into either of two positions, said locking means including a latch pivotally connected to said armature, said latch having a locking finger extending therefrom and being made of ferromagnetic material, and a stationary locking plate having two apertures for receiving said locking finger, said magnetic field structure, during the energization thereof, providing an electromagnetic field for attracting said latch to remove said finger from one aperture and for moving said armature to position said finger near the other aperture.

Claim 3

A device for actuating a conveyor track switch tongue assembly to selectively direct a mobile into one or the other of a pair of branch tracks, comprising a polyphase source of electric energy, a switch tongue and an oppositely directed conductive armature plate on said switch tongue assembly, said switch tongue assembly being pivotally mounted intermediate said switch tongue and said armature plate, said armature plate extending between said pair of branch tracks, a stationary, polyphase wound, linear induction motor magnetic field structure having a planar stator surface extending longitudinally chordwise between said branch tracks opposite said armature plate along the entire stroke thereof to define a small gap therewith, said magnetic field structure being adapted to generate, when polyphase energized, a magnetic field traveling lengthwise of said stator surface to produce a propelling reaction force in said armature plate, and selector switch means connecting said source to said magnetic field structure in a manner causing said magnetic field structure to drive said switch tongue assembly selectively in one way or the other.

Claim 4

A device for actuating a conveyor track switch tongue assembly to selectively direct a mobile into one or the other of a pair of branch tracks, comprising a polyphase source of electric energy, a switch tongue and an oppositely directed conductive armature plate on said switch tongue assembly, said switch tongue assembly being pivotally mounted intermediate said switch tongue and said armature plate, said armature plate extending between said pair of branch tracks, a stationary, polyphase wound, linear induction motor magnetic field structure having a planar stator surface extending longitudinally chordwise between said branch tracks opposite said armature plate along the entire stroke thereof to define a small gap therewith, said magnetic field structure being adapted to generate, when polyphase energized, a magnetic field traveling lengthwise of said stator surface to produce a propelling reaction force in said armature plate, and selector switch means connecting said source to said magnetic field structure in a manner causing said magnetic field structure to drive said switch tongue assembly selectively in one way or the other.