US 11,753,257 B2
Bidirectional air conveyor device for material sorting and other applications
Cameron D. Douglas, Boulder, CO (US); Mark Baybutt, Superior, CO (US); and Matanya B. Horowitz, Golden, CO (US)
Assigned to AMP Robotics Corporation, Louisville, CO (US)
Filed by AMP Robotics Corporation, Louisville, CO (US)
Filed on Dec. 15, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/122,917.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/948,401, filed on Dec. 16, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0206588 A1, Jul. 8, 2021
Int. Cl. B07C 5/36 (2006.01); B65G 47/91 (2006.01); B07C 5/342 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 47/917 (2013.01) [B07C 5/342 (2013.01); B07C 5/368 (2013.01); B65G 2203/0233 (2013.01); B65G 2203/041 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A bidirectional air conveyor device, comprising:
a housing that includes an intake port and an outlet port, wherein an internal through-passageway connects the intake port and the outlet port;
a first air input port;
a first airflow generator defined within the housing, wherein the first airflow generator is coupled to the first air input port;
a second air input port;
a second airflow generator defined within the housing, wherein the second airflow generator is coupled to the second air input port;
a material obstruction sensor that is configured to:
determine whether a collected object has fully passed through the bidirectional air conveyor device; and
output a feedback signal associated with the determination;
wherein the first airflow generator is configured to cause a first airflow to enter the intake port, flow through the internal through-passageway, and exit the outlet port in response to a first supply of air to the first air input port; and
wherein the second airflow generator is configured to cause a second airflow to enter the outlet port, flow through the internal through-passageway, and exit the intake port in response to a second supply of air to the second air input port.