A roller for a metallurgical plant is provided. The roller is modified in such a way that the camber thereof can be set in a simple and robust manner. The roller axle is connected to the roller shell at one point, preferably at at least two points, via a ring, and the ring has a heating element, wherein the height H of the ring can be changed by ΔH as a result of the heating of the heating element.

A support apparatus can comprise a cylindrical rod extending along a first rotation axis and comprising a first end portion provided with a first convex spherical segment and a second end portion provided with a second convex spherical segment. A first area can be configured to receive a portion of the first convex spherical segment. A second area can be configured to receive a portion of the second convex spherical segment. The cylindrical rod can be pivotable about a first pivot axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis. In some embodiments, methods of supporting an object can comprise engaging a surface of the object with the outer surface of the cylindrical rod wherein the first cylindrical rod supports a weight of the object while the first cylindrical rod is supported by the first fluid cushion and the second fluid cushion.

An automatic electromechanical braking roller system includes a power drive unit (PDU) comprising a sensor configured to detect a speed of a unit load device (ULD), a controller configured to receive a speed signal corresponding to a speed of the ULD from the sensor, and an electromechanical braking roller (EBR) spaced apart from the PDU and configured to receive a braking signal from the controller in response to the speed of the ULD being greater than a threshold value. In response to the speed of the ULD being less than the threshold value, the EBR is configured to rotate freely about an axis in a first state. In response to the speed of the ULD being greater than the threshold value, the EBR is configured to reduce the speed of the ULD in a second state.

A sorting system for a conveying apparatus is disclosed. A conveying platform of the conveying apparatus includes turning driving devices disposed side by side at a branching position on the article conveying path, and each turning driving device includes a directional motor, and a wheel hub motor module and a driving device disposed above and below the directional motor, respectively. When the article conveyed by the conveying platform enters the branching position, a control module outputs and transmits control signals to the directional motors and the wheel hub motor modules, and a rotation shaft drives a fixing frame of the wheel hub motor module to horizontally turn to a preset angular position, and the wheel hub motor module drives a roller to vertically rotate to drive the article to convey to a predetermined position along a preset path, so that a sorting operation can be completed quickly.

A conveying unit for transporting goods on transport rollers in a transport plane. The transport rollers can be rotated about their respective axes of rotation with an adjustable rotational speed and adjustable direction of rotation. The axes of rotation of the transport rollers are adjustable by rotation about their respective pivot axes by a particular pivot axis angle, and at least two of the transport rollers can be adjusted differently from one another. There is also described a method for adjusting the conveyor unit.

A support apparatus can comprise a cylindrical rod extending along a first rotation axis and comprising a first end portion provided with a first convex spherical segment and a second end portion provided with a second convex spherical segment. A first area can be configured to receive a portion of the first convex spherical segment. A second area can be configured to receive a portion of the second convex spherical segment. The cylindrical rod can be pivotable about a first pivot axis perpendicular to the first rotation axis. In some embodiments, methods of supporting an object can comprise engaging a surface of the object with the outer surface of the cylindrical rod wherein the first cylindrical rod supports a weight of the object while the first cylindrical rod is supported by the first fluid cushion and the second fluid cushion.

A power drive unit for moving cargo relative to a cargo bay of an aircraft is disclosed herein. The power drive unit includes a lift cam coupled to camshaft, a drive wheel coupled to a drive shaft, and an induction motor having a first output shaft and a second output shaft, the first output shaft configured to drive the drive shaft and the second output shaft configured to drive the camshaft.

This disclosed Self-Erecting Cargo Handling Power Drive Unit (PDU) assembly is one of several such units installed in the load area of a cargo carrier at the below floor level for the propose of facilitating cargo movement in either forward or aft direction and is intended for larger individual pieces or cargo loaded on pallet. This self-erecting power drive unit (PDU) consists primarily of a mounting base unit, reversible drive motor with self-activating brake and toothed drive sprocket assembly, hinged drive motor mount, cog (toothed) belt with teeth on one side and a smooth side opposite, idler pulleys and pivot arms for the flanged idler pulleys. The reversible drive motor with self-activating brake and toothed drive sprocket assembly power the cog belt and many be operated in either forward or aft direction by selectively energizing the reversible drive motor. The reversible drive motor and toothed drive sprocket are assembled to the motor mount which is double hinged transversely to the power drive unit mounting base unit with the axes of both hinges parallel to the motor and toothed sprocket center line and displaced to either side and downward to form a triangular configuration. This double hinge is configured such that only one side will disengage at a time during operation, which permits the drive motor and toothed drive sprocket to rotate in either direction in an upward arc and around the engaged side of the hinge. Displaced laterally, one on either side of the reversible drive motor and toothed drive sprocket, are smooth idler pulleys with their axes of rotation parallel to that of the reversible rive motor and toothed drive sprocket. The idler pulleys are mounted between pivot arms that extend laterally along the power drive unit assembly. The ends of the pivot arms opposite the idler pulleys are moveably fastened to the power drive unit mounting base and are free to rotate in vertical arc around this axis. The idler pulleys are provided with a slight resistance to rotation, which results in a small torque load on the reversible drive motor. This generates a reaction about either of the motor mount hinge axes depending upon the direction of reversible drive motor rotation. This reaction drives the motor and toothed drive sprocket assembly in an upward arc about the engaged side of the motor mount hinge, which deploys the power drive unit. A cog belt of nominal width operates over the toothed drive sprocket with the cogs engaging teeth on the toothed drive sprocket and with the smooth side of the cog belt engaging the idler pulleys. The cog belt provides the tractive force to the cargo or cargo pallets, with the cogs engaging the bottom side o

A sorting system for a conveying apparatus is disclosed. A conveying platform of the conveying apparatus includes turning driving devices disposed side by side at a branching position on the article conveying path, and each turning driving device includes a directional motor, and a wheel hub motor module and a driving device disposed above and below the directional motor, respectively. When the article conveyed by the conveying platform enters the branching position, a control module outputs and transmits control signals to the directional motors and the wheel hub motor modules, and a rotation shaft drives a fixing frame of the wheel hub motor module to horizontally turn to a preset angular position, and the wheel hub motor module drives a roller to vertically rotate to drive the article to convey to a predetermined position along a preset path, so that a sorting operation can be completed quickly.

An automatic electromechanical braking roller system includes a power drive unit (PDU) comprising a sensor configured to detect a speed of a unit load device (ULD), a controller configured to receive a speed signal corresponding to a speed of the ULD from the sensor, and an electromechanical braking roller (EBR) spaced apart from the PDU and configured to receive a braking signal from the controller in response to the speed of the ULD being greater than a threshold value. In response to the speed of the ULD being less than the threshold value, the EBR is configured to rotate freely about an axis in a first state. In response to the speed of the ULD being greater than the threshold value, the EBR is configured to reduce the speed of the ULD in a second state.