A belt conveyor includes a conveyor belt configured to move in a longitudinal direction. The conveyor belt has two large faces, and a number of support stations distributed longitudinally along the conveyor belt. The support stations are configured to support the conveyor belt by one of the large faces. At least one support station includes a drive motor configured to drive the conveyor belt in the longitudinal direction relative to the support stations.

A belt conveyor includes a conveyor belt configured to move in a longitudinal direction. The conveyor belt has two large faces, and a number of support stations distributed longitudinally along the conveyor belt. The support stations are configured to support the conveyor belt by one of the large faces. At least one support station includes a drive motor configured to drive the conveyor belt in the longitudinal direction relative to the support stations.

A conveyor controller for being implemented into a conveyor system includes control circuitry and one or more network interfaces for coupling with other conveyor controllers. In one embodiment, the control circuitry configured for detecting whether another conveyor controller is connected and to determine which network interface is used in order to set the direction of the conveyor system. In another embodiment, the control circuitry is configured, to receive configuration data from a conveyor controller connected to a network interface, and to detect if another conveyor controller is and to transmit configuration message to another conveyor controller that includes additional configuration data associated with the conveyor controller. In still another embodiment, the control circuitry transmits configuration data to a replacement conveyor controller upon getting a request from the replacement conveyor controller that has been connected to a network interface.

A conveyor controller for being implemented into a conveyor system includes control circuitry and one or more network interfaces for coupling with other conveyor controllers. In one embodiment, the control circuitry configured for detecting whether another conveyor controller is connected and to determine which network interface is used in order to set the direction of the conveyor system. In another embodiment, the control circuitry is configured, to receive configuration data from a conveyor controller connected to a network interface, and to detect if another conveyor controller is and to transmit configuration message to another conveyor controller that includes additional configuration data associated with the conveyor controller. In still another embodiment, the control circuitry transmits configuration data to a replacement conveyor controller upon getting a request from the replacement conveyor controller that has been connected to a network interface.

The invention relates to a motor-driven conveyor roller (1) for conveyor systems for conveying containers, pallets and the like, comprising a drum tube (2) with a cavity formed therein and a longitudinal axis (A), a shaft (4) which extends in the longitudinal axis (A) and on which the drum tube (2) is supported by means of at least one bearing (6), and an electric drive unit (14) arranged in the cavity. The invention is characterized by a cooling sleeve (30) which is fixed radially inwardly to the drum tube (2) and at least partially radially surrounds the drive unit (14) so that a radial air gap (S) is formed between the drive unit (14) and the cooling sleeve (30). The invention also concerns a manufacturing process for such a conveyor roller.

A conveyor belt drive system comprises an axial flux motor. The axial flux motor comprises a stator and rotor bearing mounted on a stationary shaft. The stator drives a toothed rotor mounted on the rotor bearing. The rotor has a tubular shaft extension that mates with a drive shaft that can accommodate standard sprockets. Rotation of the rotor causes rotation of the drive shaft and sprockets to drive a conveyor belt.

A conveyor belt drive system comprises an axial flux motor. The axial flux motor comprises a stator and rotor bearing mounted on a stationary shaft. The stator drives a toothed rotor mounted on the rotor bearing. The rotor has a tubular shaft extension that mates with a drive shaft that can accommodate standard sprockets. Rotation of the rotor causes rotation of the drive shaft and sprockets to drive a conveyor belt.

A link for a conveyor chain includes a first portion and a second portion laterally spaced apart from the first portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging pin, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging pin. The first sprocket-engaging pin and the second sprocket-engaging pin protrude laterally away from one another. The first sprocket-engaging pin and the second sprocket-engaging pin may each have an oblong cross-section. At least one retainer can secure a connecting pin against movement relative to at least one of the first portion and the second portion, and each retainer can be positioned substantially within one of the first portion and the second portion.

A link for a conveyor chain includes a first portion and a second portion laterally spaced apart from the first portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging pin, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging pin. The first sprocket-engaging pin and the second sprocket-engaging pin protrude laterally away from one another. The first sprocket-engaging pin and the second sprocket-engaging pin may each have an oblong cross-section. At least one retainer can secure a connecting pin against movement relative to at least one of the first portion and the second portion, and each retainer can be positioned substantially within one of the first portion and the second portion.

A system and an apparatus capable of independently driving movers are described herein. The system and apparatus includes: a track that forms a path for movers; a plurality of movers movably mounted on the track for moving along the path; and a plurality of drive elements fixedly arranged along the track. The drive elements each have a surface that is oriented to contact a driven member of the movers. The drive elements are configured to sequentially engage the driven member of a plurality of the movers to provide controlled independent motion of the movers along the track. The drive elements may be driven by rotary motors. A method of independently driving movers is also described herein.