A vibrating feeder control apparatus used for driving a vibrating feeder main body (1) includes a base (11), a movable body (12) elastically supported by the base, an electromagnet (14) provided on the base, and a magnetic core (15) provided on the movable body to oppose the electromagnet. The PWM signal generation unit (33) generates a PWM signal based on a set drive frequency (f) and applies a pseudo AC voltage corresponding to the PWM signal to the electromagnet. The current detection unit (34) detects a current flowing in the electromagnet by a pseudo AC voltage. The current change rate generation unit (35, 36) generates a current change rates (R.sub.1, R.sub.2) at a predetermined reference phase angle (1, 2) within one cycle of the pseudo AC voltage. The frequency correction unit (37) corrects the drive frequency based on a current change rate at a reference phase angle.

An electromagnetic drive mechanism for use in powering vibratory equipment is provided. As one example, a drive mechanism may include a plurality of deflectable elastomeric springs in a configuration that allows the auxiliary springs to achieve a vertical, non-linear spring rate increase that may be beneficial in dual mass electromagnetic feeder and conveyor systems.

An electromagnetic drive mechanism for use in powering vibratory equipment is provided. As one example, a drive mechanism may include a plurality of deflectable elastomeric springs in a configuration that allows the auxiliary springs to achieve a vertical, non-linear spring rate increase that may be beneficial in dual mass electromagnetic feeder and conveyor systems.

An oscillating conveyor comprising an oscillating rail, at least one electromagnet with a coil, and an armature connected to the oscillating rail, which armature can be moved by activation of the coil to generate an oscillation of the oscillating rail, wherein the coil is part of an oscillator circuit, wherein the oscillator frequency of the oscillator signal of the oscillator circuit depends on the inductance of the coil, which is influenced by the position of the armature relative to the coil, wherein the oscillating conveyor comprises a feedback circuit, which drives the coil by means of a control signal which maps the change over time in the frequency of the oscillator.

The transport device, which serves for the transport of pulverous or granular process material, includes an open or in itself closed transport frame made of metal for transporting process material, is held by a support device and is connected to an ultrasonic device having an ultrasonic generator, an ultrasonic transducer connected to the ultrasonic generator and a coupling rod connected to the ultrasonic transducer and having front and rear end pieces. A flat distributor body made of metal has upper, lower, rear sides and peripherally at least one connection side. The rear end piece of the coupling rod is connected to the ultrasonic transducer. The front end piece of the coupling rod is welded to the rear, upper, or lower side of the distributor body. The at least one connection side of the distributor body is integrally connected with or welded to the at least one transport frame.

The transport device, which serves for the transport of pulverous or granular process material, includes an open or in itself closed transport frame made of metal for transporting process material, is held by a support device and is connected to an ultrasonic device having an ultrasonic generator, an ultrasonic transducer connected to the ultrasonic generator and a coupling rod connected to the ultrasonic transducer and having front and rear end pieces. A flat distributor body made of metal has upper, lower, rear sides and peripherally at least one connection side. The rear end piece of the coupling rod is connected to the ultrasonic transducer. The front end piece of the coupling rod is welded to the rear, upper, or lower side of the distributor body. The at least one connection side of the distributor body is integrally connected with or welded to the at least one transport frame.

A machine (1) for separating elements (100) comprising multiple tracks (2), each of which defines a feed track (2a), wherein the track (2) includes an outlet opening (20) through which the elements (100) exit; multiple vibration devices (3), each of which is individually connected to only one track (2) and suited for transmitting mechanical vibrations to the connected track (2) to generate feed of the elements (100) along the feed track (2a); a detection mechanism (4) for detecting the elements (100) which leave the track (2) through the outlet opening (20); a control mechanism (5) for controlling the separation machine (1) which control mechanism is functionally connected to the detection mechanism (4) and the vibration devices (3) and suited for commanding stop of one of the vibration devices (3), if the detection mechanism (4) detects passage of an element (100) through the outlet opening (20) of the connected track (2).

A machine (1) for separating elements (100) comprising multiple tracks (2), each of which defines a feed track (2a), wherein the track (2) includes an outlet opening (20) through which the elements (100) exit; multiple vibration devices (3), each of which is individually connected to only one track (2) and suited for transmitting mechanical vibrations to the connected track (2) to generate feed of the elements (100) along the feed track (2a); a detection mechanism (4) for detecting the elements (100) which leave the track (2) through the outlet opening (20); a control mechanism (5) for controlling the separation machine (1) which control mechanism is functionally connected to the detection mechanism (4) and the vibration devices (3) and suited for commanding stop of one of the vibration devices (3), if the detection mechanism (4) detects passage of an element (100) through the outlet opening (20) of the connected track (2).

A method for checking the functionality of a vibratory conveyor device (1) by means of a status analysis which is carried out either before operation or during operation of the vibratory conveyor device (1), wherein A) the method to be carried out before operation comprises the following steps: A1) applying a drive pulse to a drive device (2) of the vibratory conveyor device (1); A2) detecting the pulse response caused by the vibratory conveyor device (1); A3) passing on the detected pulse response by way of the signal evaluation unit (5) to a computer (6); A4) comparing the detected pulse response to a reference pulse response by means of the computer (6); and A5) ascertaining by means of the computer (6) whether: a) a starting procedure for operation with reduced starting drive power of the vibratory conveyor device (1) is to be activated, or b) a starting procedure for operation without reduced starting drive power of the vibratory conveyor device (1) is to be activated, or c) the operation is to be suspended; B) the method to be carried out during operation comprises the following steps: B1) detecting the voltage amplitude, frequency, acceleration, and temperature, caused by the vibratory conveyor device (1), in operation of the vibratory conveyor device (1) by means of the signal evaluation unit (5); and B2) passing on the detected voltage amplitude, frequency, acceleration, and temperature by way of the signal evaluation unit (5) to a computer (6).

A method for checking the functionality of a vibratory conveyor device (1) by means of a status analysis which is carried out either before operation or during operation of the vibratory conveyor device (1), wherein A) the method to be carried out before operation comprises the following steps: A1) applying a drive pulse to a drive device (2) of the vibratory conveyor device (1); A2) detecting the pulse response caused by the vibratory conveyor device (1); A3) passing on the detected pulse response by way of the signal evaluation unit (5) to a computer (6); A4) comparing the detected pulse response to a reference pulse response by means of the computer (6); and A5) ascertaining by means of the computer (6) whether: a) a starting procedure for operation with reduced starting drive power of the vibratory conveyor device (1) is to be activated, or b) a starting procedure for operation without reduced starting drive power of the vibratory conveyor device (1) is to be activated, or c) the operation is to be suspended; B) the method to be carried out during operation comprises the following steps: B1) detecting the voltage amplitude, frequency, acceleration, and temperature, caused by the vibratory conveyor device (1), in operation of the vibratory conveyor device (1) by means of the signal evaluation unit (5); and B2) passing on the detected voltage amplitude, frequency, acceleration, and temperature by way of the signal evaluation unit (5) to a computer (6).