An improved system and method for monitoring operation of movers in an independent cart system reduces the required communication bandwidth for monitoring operation of movers in a system where control is distributed among multiple controllers spaced along the track. As the mover is travelling along the track segment, each distributed controller monitors at least one operating characteristic of the mover. As a mover travels along the track, each distributed controller transmits the operating characteristic to a successive distributed controller, such the monitored operating characteristic is transmitted along the track as the mover travels along the track. At a reduced rate or upon request from a central controller, each distributed controller may transmit the status of a mover present on the corresponding track segment controlled by that distributed controller to the central controller.

An improved system and method for monitoring operation of movers in an independent cart system reduces the required communication bandwidth for monitoring operation of movers in a system where control is distributed among multiple controllers spaced along the track. As the mover is travelling along the track segment, each distributed controller monitors at least one operating characteristic of the mover. As a mover travels along the track, each distributed controller transmits the operating characteristic to a successive distributed controller, such the monitored operating characteristic is transmitted along the track as the mover travels along the track. At a reduced rate or upon request from a central controller, each distributed controller may transmit the status of a mover present on the corresponding track segment controlled by that distributed controller to the central controller.

An apparatus for multi-axial transfer of objects in assembly line includes a first conveyor assembly, a second conveyor assembly, a first drive assembly, and a pivot point arrangement. The first conveyor assembly includes a plurality of rollers in a horizontal plane. The second conveyor assembly includes a plurality of geared chain arrangements mounted on at least one drive shaft. At least one of the plurality of rollers and the at least one drive shaft are coupled to the bevel gear arrangement. The first drive assembly includes a first motor coupled to the bevel gear arrangement to cause movement of an object in contact with the first conveyor assembly and the second conveyor assembly along a first axis and a second axis in the horizontal plane, respectively. The plurality of geared chain arrangements are movable along a third axis in a vertical plane using the pivot point arrangement.

A gearmotor assembly for use with a conveyor system has a rotatable conveyor roller extending laterally between spaced conveyor side rails. The gearmotor assembly includes an electric motor with a rotatable motor output shaft. The gearmotor assembly further includes a gear train drivingly connected to the motor output shaft. The gear train includes a train output shaft axially offset from the motor output shaft, with the train output shaft being drivingly connectable to the conveyor roller, so that rotation of the motor output shaft produces corresponding rotation of the conveyor roller.

The present invention relates to a parcel sorting system which is operated using two separate tracks so as to distinguish between concentrated population areas and other areas, and feed and sort only parcels destined for a corresponding area, whereby parcel sorting can be efficiently performed, and the system can be efficiently constructed while occupying a small area.

An improved system and method for monitoring operation of movers in an independent cart system reduces the required communication bandwidth for monitoring operation of movers in a system where control is distributed among multiple controllers spaced along the track. As the mover is travelling along the track segment, each distributed controller monitors at least one operating characteristic of the mover. As a mover travels along the track, each distributed controller transmits the operating characteristic to a successive distributed controller, such the monitored operating characteristic is transmitted along the track as the mover travels along the track. At a reduced rate or upon request from a central controller, each distributed controller may transmit the status of a mover present on the corresponding track segment controlled by that distributed controller to the central controller.

An improved system and method for monitoring operation of movers in an independent cart system reduces the required communication bandwidth for monitoring operation of movers in a system where control is distributed among multiple controllers spaced along the track. As the mover is travelling along the track segment, each distributed controller monitors at least one operating characteristic of the mover. As a mover travels along the track, each distributed controller transmits the operating characteristic to a successive distributed controller, such the monitored operating characteristic is transmitted along the track as the mover travels along the track. At a reduced rate or upon request from a central controller, each distributed controller may transmit the status of a mover present on the corresponding track segment controlled by that distributed controller to the central controller.

Energy-harvesting and -storage devices in conveyor belts and methods for molding those devices integrally into modular plastic belt links. Electroactive polymers or piezoelectric fibers co-injected with a base polymer to form belt modules harvest energy from strain or vibrations in the conveyor belt to power belt on-board devices.

Energy-harvesting and -storage devices in conveyor belts and methods for molding those devices integrally into modular plastic belt links. Electroactive polymers or piezoelectric fibers co-injected with a base polymer to form belt modules harvest energy from strain or vibrations in the conveyor belt to power belt on-board devices.

A conveying system (100) is described, comprising: two axially spaced supporting frames (2, 3) extending substantially in parallel along the feed direction (F) of the conveying system (100); at least one plurality of driving elements (12) supported by said supporting frames (2, 3); at least one motor (9) for driving at least one portion of said plurality of driving elements (12); at least one transmission assembly for transferring the motion from said motor (9) to said at least one portion of the plurality of driving elements (12); a control system for controlling the driving of said plurality of driving elements (12); a power supply system for electrically supplying said control system and said at least one motor (9); said power supply system comprises at least one power supply board (7) designed to convert the mains voltage into at least one DC voltage;
characterized in that it comprises: at least one housing compartment (1) transversely extending between the two supporting frames (2, 3); said at least one housing compartment (1) being provided with at least one housing seat for accommodating said at least one power supply board (7) of said power supply system.