A vibratory conveyor includes a feed tray, an electromagnetic linear actuator and a movable drive train interconnecting the feed tray and the electromagnetic linear actuator such that the electromagnetic linear actuator will move the feed tray during energization of the electromagnetic linear actuator. A sensor assembly is positioned to detect movement of the electromagnetic linear actuator. A controller connected to receive an output of the sensor assembly and connected to control energization of electromagnetic linear actuator, wherein the controller is configured to adjust energization of the electromagnetic linear actuator based upon the output of the sensor assembly. A vibratory conveyor in which the movable drive train includes at least one parallel spring element therealong is also disclosed.

A spring assembly includes a coil spring having one or more helical coils between two longitudinally spaced ends, and an attachment site disposed at at least one of the longitudinally spaced ends. The attachment site includes a casing enclosing the at least one of the longitudinally spaced ends, the casing having a casing passage therethrough between a first side and a second side. The attachment site also includes a washer disposed on the first side and having a washer passage aligned with the casing passage, and a base disposed on the second side and having a base passage aligned with the casing passage.

A spring assembly includes a coil spring having one or more helical coils between two longitudinally spaced ends, and an attachment site disposed at at least one of the longitudinally spaced ends. The attachment site includes a casing enclosing the at least one of the longitudinally spaced ends, the casing having a casing passage therethrough between a first side and a second side. The attachment site also includes a washer disposed on the first side and having a washer passage aligned with the casing passage, and a base disposed on the second side and having a base passage aligned with the casing passage.

A spring assembly includes a resilient member having a first and second end shanks and a central helical portion. The first end shank extends in a first direction from the central helical portion, and has a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end. The second end shank extends in a second, opposite direction from the central helical portion, and has a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end. The central helical portion includes one or more coils disposed about a central longitudinal axis, and has a first end attached to the proximal end of the first end shank and a second end attached to the proximal end of the second end shank. The axes of the shank ends and the axis of the central helical portion are parallel or are collinear. The assembly also includes an attachment site at each of the end shanks.

A spring assembly includes a resilient member having a first and second end shanks and a central helical portion. The first end shank extends in a first direction from the central helical portion, and has a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end. The second end shank extends in a second, opposite direction from the central helical portion, and has a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end. The central helical portion includes one or more coils disposed about a central longitudinal axis, and has a first end attached to the proximal end of the first end shank and a second end attached to the proximal end of the second end shank. The axes of the shank ends and the axis of the central helical portion are parallel or are collinear. The assembly also includes an attachment site at each of the end shanks.

A spring assembly includes a resilient member having a first and second end shanks and a central helical portion. The first end shank extends in a first direction from the central helical portion, and has a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end. The second end shank extends in a second, opposite direction from the central helical portion, and has a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end. The central helical portion includes one or more coils disposed about a central longitudinal axis, and has a first end attached to the proximal end of the first end shank and a second end attached to the proximal end of the second end shank. The axes of the shank ends and the axis of the central helical portion are parallel or are collinear. The assembly also includes an attachment site at each of the end shanks.

A spring assembly includes a resilient member having a first and second end shanks and a central helical portion. The first end shank extends in a first direction from the central helical portion, and has a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end. The second end shank extends in a second, opposite direction from the central helical portion, and has a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end. The central helical portion includes one or more coils disposed about a central longitudinal axis, and has a first end attached to the proximal end of the first end shank and a second end attached to the proximal end of the second end shank. The axes of the shank ends and the axis of the central helical portion are parallel or are collinear. The assembly also includes an attachment site at each of the end shanks.

The invention relates to a vibratory feeder comprising a support arrangement (8), for carrying out a vibrational movement when in operation, for a feeder element in which material (12) which is to be fed is fed, also comprising a drive arrangement (5) for the support arrangement (8) and a bearing arrangement (3) which initiates vibrational oscillations of the vibratory feeder (1, 30, 40, 60, 90, 100) reducing in the base (2). Means which suppress a movement of the vertical components due to the vibratory movement of the front end (10a) of the feeder element from that of the rear end (10b) when the vibratory feeder (30, 40, 60, 90, 100) is in operation are provided. The mass flow emitted by the vibratory feeder (30, 40, 60, 90, 100) can be easily changed without a time delay which can therefore improve the control of the vibratory feeder.

An improved vibratory bowl feeder is provided. The improved vibratory bowl feeder includes a removable impact cone formed from an impact resistant material to deflect falling industrial workpieces toward the sidewall of a bowl. The impact cone includes a through-hole for a center bolt, the center bolt securing the impact cone to the bowl. An adhesive layer bonds the impact cone to the bowl, which is optionally formed from stainless steel. The impact cone includes a frusto-conical or hemispherical impact surface that deadens the impact from industrial workpieces falling from an overhead hopper. Replacement of the impact cone can be achieved within minimal downtime, and varying impact cones can be selected based on the size and the shape of the industrial workpieces for a given inspection run.

An improved vibratory bowl feeder is provided. The improved vibratory bowl feeder includes a removable impact cone formed from an impact resistant material to deflect falling industrial workpieces toward the sidewall of a bowl. The impact cone includes a through-hole for a center bolt, the center bolt securing the impact cone to the bowl. An adhesive layer bonds the impact cone to the bowl, which is optionally formed from stainless steel. The impact cone includes a frusto-conical or hemispherical impact surface that deadens the impact from industrial workpieces falling from an overhead hopper. Replacement of the impact cone can be achieved within minimal downtime, and varying impact cones can be selected based on the size and the shape of the industrial workpieces for a given inspection run.