Conveyor mechanism using an electro-pneumatic roll lift mechanism

Abstract

A conveyor mechanism feeds stock material into a material working station. The conveyor mechanism includes a frame, a feed roll, a pinch roll, a pinch roll lift mechanism, and a height monitoring device. The feed roll has a feed roll axis, the feed roll axis being rotatably fixed relative to the frame. The pinch roll opposes the feed roll and is selectively moveable relative thereto. The pinch roll has a roll lift position relative to the feed roll. The pinch roll lift mechanism is configured for selectively controlling the roll lift position of the pinch roll. The height monitoring device is configured for monitoring the roll lift position and measuring an actual roll lift height of the pinch roll. The height monitoring device is operatively coupled with the pinch roll lift mechanism in order to permit the actual roll lift height to be used by the pinch roll lift mechanism in selectively controlling the roll lift position.

1 . A conveyor mechanism for feeding stock material into a material working station, the stock material having a material surface said conveyor mechanism comprising: 
 a frame;    a feed roll having a feed roll axis, said feed roll axis being fixed relative to said frame;    a pinch roll opposing said feed roll, said pinch roll being selectively movable relative to said feed roll, said pinch roll having a roll lift position relative to said feed roll;    a pinch roll lift mechanism configured for selectively controlling said roll lift position of said pinch roll; and    a height monitoring device configured for monitoring said roll lift position and for measuring an actual roll lift height of said pinch roll relative to the material surface, said height monitoring device being operatively coupled with said pinch roll lift mechanism in order to permit said actual roll lift height to be used by said pinch roll lift mechanism in selectively controlling said roll lift position.    
   
   
       2 . The conveyor mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said pinch roll lift mechanism includes a closed-loop servo feedback system configured for selectively adjusting said roll lift position said feedback system being configured for forming a height comparison between roll lift height and a set roll lift height, said height comparison serving as a basis for adjusting operation of said pinch roll lift mechanism.  
   
   
       3 . The conveyor mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said pinch roll lift mechanism includes a piston-cylinder actuator configured for selectively maneuvering said pinch roll based upon said actual roll lift height measured by said height monitoring device.  
   
   
       4 . The conveyor mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said height monitoring device is configured for encoding a pinch roll lift position.  
   
   
       5 . The conveyor mechanism of  claim 4 , wherein said height monitoring device is comprised of a linear encoder.  
   
   
       6 . The conveyor mechanism of  claim 5 , wherein said pinch roll lift mechanism includes a controller, said linear encoder being configured to relay said pinch roll lift position to said controller, said controller being any one of a programmable logic controller, a machine controller, and a personal computer.  
   
   
       7 . The conveyor mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said pinch roll lift mechanism includes a controller, a pneumatic piston/cylinder mechanism, and at least one proportional pressure controller, said controller being any one of a programmable logic controller, a machine controller, and a personal computer.  
   
   
       8 . The conveyor mechanism of  claim 7 , wherein said controller generates a logic control signal, said pneumatic piston/cylinder mechanism being operatively connected to said pinch roll, said proportional pressure controller being configured for receiving said logic control signal from said controller, said proportional pressure controller being further configured for selectively pressurizing said pneumatic cylinder based on said logic control signal to thereby adjust said roll lift position of said pinch roll.  
   
   
       9 . A press system, comprising: 
 a mechanical press for mechanically shaping a stock material; and    a conveyor mechanism for feeding the stock material into said mechanical press, the stock material having a material surface, said conveyor mechanism comprising: 
 a frame;  
 a feed roll having a feed roll axis, said feed roll axis being fixed relative to said frame;  
 a pinch roll opposing said feed roll, said pinch roll being selectively movable relative to said feed roll, said pinch roll having a roll lift position relative to said feed roll;  
 a pinch roll lift mechanism configured for selectively controlling said roll lift position of said pinch roll; and  
 a height monitoring device configured for monitoring said roll lift position and for measuring an actual roll lift height of said pinch roll relative to the material surface, said height monitoring device being operatively coupled with said pinch roll lift mechanism in order to permit said actual roll lift height to be used by said pinch roll lift mechanism in selectively controlling said roll lift position.  
   
   
   
       10 . The press system of  claim 9 , wherein said pinch roll lift mechanism includes a closed-loop servo feedback system configured for selectively adjusting said roll lift position, said feedback system being configured for forming a height comparison between roll lift height and a set roll lift height, said height comparison serving as a basis for adjusting operation of said pinch roll lift mechanism.  
   
   
       11 . The press system of  claim 9 , wherein said pinch roll lift mechanism includes a piston-cylinder actuator configured for selectively maneuvering said pinch roll based upon said actual roll lift height measured by said height monitoring device.  
   
   
       12 . The press system of  claim 9 , wherein said height monitoring device is configured for encoding a pinch roll lift position.  
   
   
       13 . The press system of  claim 12 , wherein said height monitoring device is comprised of a linear encoder.  
   
   
       14 . The press system of  claim 9 , wherein said pinch roll lift mechanism includes a controller, a pneumatic piston/cylinder mechanism, and at least one proportional pressure controller.  
   
   
       15 . The press system of  claim 14 , wherein said controller is any one of a programmable logic controller, a machine controller, and a personal computer.