According to various aspects of the disclosure, a circulation conveyor transport wheel (100) may have: a framework (102) at which the circulation conveyor transport wheel (100) can be rotatably mounted; a multiplicity of coupling devices (104) which are arranged at an outer circumference of the framework (102) and of which each of the coupling devices has at least one form-fit contour (104f) for the form-fitting coupling-on of a substrate carrier (400), wherein the multiplicity of coupling devices (104) has a pair (302) of coupling devices (104), the form-fit contours of which have a smaller spacing to one another along the circumference than to the form-fit contours of the multiplicity of coupling devices (104) which are arranged immediately adjacent to the pair (302).

According to various aspects of the disclosure, a circulation conveyor transport wheel (100) may have: a framework (102) at which the circulation conveyor transport wheel (100) can be rotatably mounted; a multiplicity of coupling devices (104) which are arranged at an outer circumference of the framework (102) and of which each of the coupling devices has at least one form-fit contour (104f) for the form-fitting coupling-on of a substrate carrier (400), wherein the multiplicity of coupling devices (104) has a pair (302) of coupling devices (104), the form-fit contours of which have a smaller spacing to one another along the circumference than to the form-fit contours of the multiplicity of coupling devices (104) which are arranged immediately adjacent to the pair (302).

In the present device for moving endless conveyor chains, link conveyor chains are moved within C-shaped guides. Mounted in breaks in the guides is a chain actuating mechanism configured as two parallel chain drives. As the conveyor chains move, their rollers are engaged by grips disposed on the chain drives. The invention makes it possible to create a compact device for smoothly and evenly moving endless conveyor chains in different planes.

The bottom tier (24) of a conveyor belt (22) arranged in a spiral stack (26) is supported by and driven by inner and outer drive chains (28) and (30). The inner and outer drive chains are supported on and ride along support rails (32) and (34). The inner and outer drive chains are driven by a drive system (35) composed of inner and outer drive systems (36) and (38), each including a drive motor with a drive gear engaged with the inner and outer drive chains. Each of the motors is controlled by a separate variable frequency drive unit (114) and (116) which in turn are controlled by a control system (44). The control system (44) also controls the operation of a lubrication system (40) that supplies lubricant to the drive chains.

The bottom tier (24) of a conveyor belt (22) arranged in a spiral stack (26) is supported by and driven by inner and outer drive chains (28) and (30). The inner and outer drive chains are supported on and ride along support rails (32) and (34). The inner and outer drive chains are driven by a drive system (35) composed of inner and outer drive systems (36) and (38), each including a drive motor with a drive gear engaged with the inner and outer drive chains. Each of the motors is controlled by a separate variable frequency drive unit (114) and (116) which in turn are controlled by a control system (44). The control system (44) also controls the operation of a lubrication system (40) that supplies lubricant to the drive chains.

The bottom tier (24) of a conveyor belt (22) arranged in a spiral stack (26) is supported by and driven by inner and outer drive chains (28) and (30). The inner and outer drive chains are supported on and ride along support rails (32) and (34). The inner and outer drive chains are driven by a drive system (35) composed of inner and outer drive systems (36) and (38), each including a drive motor with a drive gear engaged with the inner and outer drive chains. Each of the motors is controlled by a separate variable frequency drive unit (114) and (116) which in turn are controlled by a control system (44). The control system (44) also controls the operation of a lubrication system (40) that supplies lubricant to the drive chains.

In the present device for moving endless conveyor chains, link conveyor chains are moved within C-shaped guides. Mounted in breaks in the guides is a chain actuating mechanism configured as two parallel chain drives. As the conveyor chains move, their rollers are engaged by drips disposed on the chain drives. The invention makes it possible to create a compact device for smoothly and evenly moving endless conveyor chains in different planes.

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.

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.

A separating device for the separation of at least one load carrier from a further load carrier. The separating device comprises a driver element for arranging on a traction mechanism of a transport system, the driver element having a fastening section for fastening the driver element to the traction mechanism and a driving section for driving at least one load carrier. The driver element can be transferred at least in sections from a driving position into a release position. Furthermore, the invention relates to a traction mechanism with the separating device, to a transport system, and to a method for separating and driving at least one load carrier.