A conveyor chain includes a first link, a second link, and a coupler link. The first link includes a first sprocket-engaging portion and a second sprocket-engaging portion, each protruding laterally away from one another. The second link includes a first sprocket-engaging portion and a second sprocket-engaging portion, each protruding laterally away from one another. The coupler link couples the first link to the second link, and the coupler link is positioned laterally between the first sprocket-engaging portion and the second sprocket-engaging portion of each link. The coupler link includes a first joint pivotably coupled to the first link and a second joint pivotably coupled to the second link. The first joint permits pivoting movement of the first link about a plurality of axes, and the second joint permits pivoting movement of the second link about a plurality of axes.

A conveyor chain includes a first link, a second link, and a coupler link. The first link includes a first sprocket-engaging portion and a second sprocket-engaging portion, each protruding laterally away from one another. The second link includes a first sprocket-engaging portion and a second sprocket-engaging portion, each protruding laterally away from one another. The coupler link couples the first link to the second link, and the coupler link is positioned laterally between the first sprocket-engaging portion and the second sprocket-engaging portion of each link. The coupler link includes a first joint pivotably coupled to the first link and a second joint pivotably coupled to the second link. The first joint permits pivoting movement of the first link about a plurality of axes, and the second joint permits pivoting movement of the second link about a plurality of axes.

An article transport apparatus includes a plurality of supports, a supporting rotator that rotatably supports the supports at a plurality of positions, a driving portion for rotating the supporting rotator, an attitude maintenance mechanism for keeping the plurality of supports in a constant attitude irrespective of a phase of the supporting rotator, an article carry-in portion for carrying an article into the support located at a first position, and an article carry-out portion for carrying an article out of the support located at a second position.

An article transport apparatus includes a plurality of supports, a supporting rotator that rotatably supports the supports at a plurality of positions, a driving portion for rotating the supporting rotator, an attitude maintenance mechanism for keeping the plurality of supports in a constant attitude irrespective of a phase of the supporting rotator, an article carry-in portion for carrying an article into the support located at a first position, and an article carry-out portion for carrying an article out of the support located at a second position.

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.

In some aspects, a conveyor chain includes a first link, a second link, and a coupler link coupled between the first link and the second link. The first link includes a first portion and a second portion, the second portion oriented parallel to and laterally spaced apart from the first portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging pin protruding laterally, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging pin protruding laterally. The second link includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging portion protruding laterally, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging portion protruding laterally. A flight bar is positioned adjacent an end of the first sprocket-engaging portion of the first link.

In some aspects, a conveyor chain includes a first link, a second link, and a coupler link coupled between the first link and the second link. The first link includes a first portion and a second portion, the second portion oriented parallel to and laterally spaced apart from the first portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging pin protruding laterally, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging pin protruding laterally. The second link includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging portion protruding laterally, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging portion protruding laterally. A flight bar is positioned adjacent an end of the first sprocket-engaging portion of the first link.

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.

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.