Automatic box loader

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:862644

Eldridge, Harry H ^[1]; Jones, Robert A ^[2]; Lindner, Gordon M ^[3]; Hight, Paul H ^[4]

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1. Monterey, TN
2. Oak Ridge, TN
3. Norris, TN
4. Lebanon, TN

This invention relates to a system for repetitively forming an assembly consisting of a single layer of tubes and a row of ferromagnetic armatures underlying the same, electromagnetically conveying the resulting assembly to a position overlying a storage box, and depositing the assembly in the box. The system includes means for simultaneously depositing a row of the armatures on the inclined surface of a tube retainer. Tubes then are rolled down the surface to form a single tube layer bridging the armatures. A magnet assembly carrying electromagnets respectively aligned with the armatures is advanced close to the tube layer, and in the course of this advance is angularly displaced to bring the pole pieces of the electromagnets into parallelism with the tube layer. The magnets then are energized to pick up the assembly. The loaded magnet assembly is retracted to a position overlying the box, and during this retraction is again displaced to bring the pole pieces of the electromagnets into a horizontal plane. Means are provided for inserting the loaded electromagnets in the box and then de-energizing the electromagnets to deposit the assembly therein. The system accomplishes the boxing of fragile tubes at relatively high rates. Because the tubes are boxed as separated uniform layers, subsequent unloading operations are facilitated.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States Energy (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 3981406
• OSTI ID: 862644
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

automatic
box
loader
relates
repetitively
forming
assembly
consisting
single
layer
tubes
row
ferromagnetic
armatures
underlying
electromagnetically
conveying
resulting
position
overlying
storage
depositing
means
simultaneously
inclined
surface
tube
retainer
rolled
form
bridging
magnet
carrying
electromagnets
respectively
aligned
advanced
close
course
advance
angularly
displaced
bring
pole
pieces
parallelism
magnets
energized
pick
loaded
retracted
retraction
horizontal
plane
provided
inserting
de-energizing
deposit
therein
accomplishes
boxing
fragile
relatively
rates
boxed
separated
uniform
layers
subsequent
unloading
operations
facilitated
horizontal plane
inclined surface
pole pieces
single layer
uniform layer
magnet assembly
uniform layers
assembly consisting
form layers
pole piece
/414/