Dematic Gmbh

Robert W Gallatin

Thomas B Smith

Bradley D Baldwin

A positive displacement article sorter and method of monitoring a positive displacement article sorter, wherein the article sorter includes a frame, an endless web traveling in a longitudinal direction about the frame and an electric motor driving the endless web. The endless web is defined by a pair of continuous chains and a plurality of cross members connected at opposite ends with the chain. The positive displacement sorter includes a plurality of pusher shoes, each laterally traveling along at least one of the cross members. A sensing assembly is provided that has first and second portions. The first portion of said sensing assembly is positioned at the web. The second portion of said sensing assembly is positioned at a stationary location. The first portion of said sensing assembly is sensed with the second portion of the sensing assembly as the first portion of said sensing assembly travels about the frame. A parameter of the web is determined from an output of the sensing assembly.

Skewed slat control system for article conveyor

A skew detection and correction system, and method of correcting skew, in a conveyor system having an endless web that is propelled in a longitudinal direction, includes providing a skew detector and determining if at least some of the cross members of the web are non-perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and providing a differential lubricant application. The lubricant applicator is responsive to the skew detector and applies a relatively greater amount of lubricant to one lateral side of the web than to the other side of the web. This causes the side of the web receiving less lubricant to stretch more than the other side to reduce the difference in the amount of stretch.

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Grand Rapids, MI, United States of America

Robert W Gallatin