Control and power distribution system for a conveyor

Abstract

A conveyor conveys objects. The conveyor includes a plurality of sections, a first control panel, and a second control panel. The plurality of sections define the structure of the conveyor. Each of the plurality of sections has components for controlling the mechanical operation of each section. The controller controls and powers the conveyor. The first control panel provides control and power to a first group of four of the plurality of sections. The first control panel provides power to the components of the first group. The second control panel provides control and power to a second group of four of the plurality of sections. The second control panel provides power to the components of the second group. The modular interconnectivity components interconnect the controller, the first control panel, the second control panel, the first group, and the second group. The controller provide control and power to the first control panel and the second control panel.

1 - 5 . (canceled)  
   
   
       6 . A method for controlling and powering a conveyor, said method comprising the steps of: 
 defining a control system architecture for said method, the architecture including off-the-shelf parts;    providing a predetermined quantity of panels for controlling and powering respective parts of the conveyor;    adding an additional part to the conveyor for increasing capacity of the conveyor;    adding an additional panel to the control system architecture for controlling and powering the additional part of the conveyor and interfacing with the predetermined quantity of panels, said step of adding the additional panel including the inputting of rudimentary data to the control system architecture.    
   
   
       7 . The method as set forth in  claim 6  further comprising the steps of: 
 removing a part of the conveyor for decreasing the capacity of the conveyor;    removing the panel responsible for controlling and powering the part of the conveyor; and    inputting rudimentary data to remove the panel from the control system architecture.    
   
   
       8 . The method as set forth in  claim 6  wherein each of the panels are associated with an external component for controlling and powering an equipment component of the conveyor and a modular interconnectivity component for interconnecting the panel and the external component for controlling and powering the external component by the panel.  
   
   
       9 . The method as set forth in  claim 8  further including the steps of: 
 controlling and powering the entire conveyor by means of a personal computer;    controlling and powering a first subsystem of the conveyor by means of a first panel subservient to the personal computer; and    controlling and powering a second subsystem of the conveyor by means of a second panel subservient to the personal computer.    
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for controlling and powering a conveyor, said apparatus comprising: 
 a first means for controlling and powering said apparatus, said first means comprising a personal computer and a modular interconnectivity component; and    a second means for controlling and powering a first part of said apparatus, said second means comprising a first panel, an associated external component, and a modular interconnectivity component.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 15  further comprising a third means for controlling a second part of said apparatus, said third means including a second panel, an associated external component, and a modular interconnectivity component.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said first panel provides control and power to sixteen conveyor zones.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said first panel provides control and power to thirteen conveyor zones.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said first means provides complete control and power to the conveyor.  
   
   
       15 . The method as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the additional part of the conveyor comprises sixteen conveyor zones.  
   
   
       16 . The method as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the additional part of the conveyor comprises thirteen zones.  
   
   
       17 . The method as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the additional panel is subservient to a personal computer.