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US3797632A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Phase compensated multiple moving head inspection apparatus

Assignee: OI Glass Inc
•
Filing: 1973-05-11
•
Granted: 1974-03-19
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Expires: 1993-05-11
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract Apparatus and method for driving three article inspection stations out of phase with one another for inspecting moving articles with a minimum expenditure of drive power. In this invention, three inspection station drive mechanisms are utilized. Each of the three drive mechanisms is an identical unit utilizing a cam to produce an oscillating output from an arm, the cam being driven by a continuously rotating input shaft. Each of the three units are coupled in series in a linear array and driven by a common drive motor. A split coupling is used to connect the three drive units together, allowing the phase of the cams contained within the unit to be set independently. The oscillating arms are set out of phase with each other by approximately 120*. The oscillating output arms drive article inspection stations on which are mounted inspection apparatus. The motion of the article inspection stations is such that, as articles are precessed past each station, the station tracks the article for a period of time at a constant velocity and inspects the article for various attributes, the station then returning to its starting point at a velocity greater than its inspecting velocity to pick up and track the next container presented to it. This function is performed by all three inspection stations on each article that passes through the inspection apparatus. By driving the three drive units out of phase with one another, the power needed to accelerate one unit may be furnished, in part, from the deceleration of another unit in the series drive train. Thus, the total power required to drive the apparatus is reduced and the fluctuations within the system caused by relatively high transfers of power from acceleration to deceleration is reduced, thereby allowing the operation of the system without the use of an energy storage element, such as a flywheel, to help absorb these large fluctuations in power requirements.

Inventors

  • 👤 D Riggs

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 12:29
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/04; B07C5/12; B07C5/122; B65; B65G; B65G17/00; B65G17/30; B65G17/32; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02; B65G2201/0235; B65G2201/0244; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18056

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 110 words
Apparatus for moving at least three members in a reciprocating linear path out of phase with one another comprising, individual drive means for each of said members, said drive means each having an oscillating output arm drivingly connected to said member and a rotatable input shaft and a rotatable output shaft, said drive means being mounted in a substantially linear array and having their input and output shafts connected in series, a rotational power source for rotating the input shaft of the first one of said drive means in said linear array of drive means and means for adjusting the operational phase of said drive means relative to one another.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 110 words
Apparatus for moving at least three members in a reciprocating linear path out of phase with one another comprising, individual drive means for each of said members, said drive means each having an oscillating output arm drivingly connected to said member and a rotatable input shaft and a rotatable output shaft, said drive means being mounted in a substantially linear array and having their input and output shafts connected in series, a rotational power source for rotating the input shaft of the first one of said drive means in said linear array of drive means and means for adjusting the operational phase of said drive means relative to one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 12 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said members comprise article inspection devices.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further including, means for transporting articles, one at a time, past said inspection devices.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 20 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further including, means for rotating said articles as they are moved by said transporting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 68 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said means to transport said articles, one at a time, past said inspection stations comprising, a pair of spaced-apart, rotatably mounted chain sprockets, means to rotate one of said sprockets, an endless chain trained around said sprockets with a linear section in parallel alignment with said inspection devices, and a plurality of article-carrying arms attached to said endless chain for movement therewith.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said means for rotating said articles comprises a moving, endless belt in contact with said articles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 48 words
The apparatus of claim 6, further including, a pair of spaced-apart, rotatably mounted pulleys, said endless belt being trained around said pulleys, a guide rail for constraining said endless belt to substantially linear movement in alignment with said inspection devices, and means for rotating one of said pulleys.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3582663A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1977-03-18 1977-09-17 1978-03-19 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1981-03-18 1981-09-17 1982-03-19 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1985-03-18 1985-09-17 1986-03-19 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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