US 11,738,952 B2
System and method for rotary drive curved track in a conveyor system
Roger Hogan, Cambridge (CA); Blake Robert Lambert, Cambridge (CA); and Albert Kleinikkink, Cambridge (CA)
Assigned to ATS Corporation, Cambridge (CA)
Filed by ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc., Cambridge (CA)
Filed on Feb. 3, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/591,996.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/145,133, filed on Feb. 3, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0242675 A1, Aug. 4, 2022
Int. Cl. B65G 35/06 (2006.01); B65G 21/22 (2006.01); B65G 23/22 (2006.01); B65G 54/02 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 35/06 (2013.01) [B65G 21/22 (2013.01); B65G 23/22 (2013.01); B65G 54/02 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A rotary drive system for a curved track section of a conveyor, wherein the conveyor includes at least one straight track section that feeds into or out of the curved track section, the system comprising:
a rotary motor;
a star wheel provided to the curved track section and driven by the rotary motor, wherein the star wheel comprises at least one spoke configured to engage with a recess provided on a moving element on the conveyor, wherein the at least one spoke comprises, at a distal end thereof, a biasing member configured to allow the at least one spoke to flex in one or more directions and at least one bearing coupled with the biasing member:
a control system configured to control the star wheel, via the rotary motor, such that the at least one spoke engages the moving element adjacent a beginning of the curved track section and controls the moving element through the curved track section and releases the moving element adjacent an end of the curved track section.