Extendible conveyor systems and methods
View Patent ↗Communications systems and methods for transmitting extendible conveyor control signals along an extendible conveyor. A conveyor communication system includes a first transceiver for use on a stationary boom of an extendible conveyor system, configured to communicate with a conveyor main control of the extendible conveyor system. The conveyor communication system includes a second transceiver for use at an end boom of the extendible conveyor system, configured to communicate with a control station on the end boom. The second transceiver is configured to receive wireless communications from the first transceiver over a wireless communications link.
1. A conveyor communication system, comprising:
a first transceiver for use on a stationary boom of an extendible conveyor system, configured to communicate with a conveyor main control of the extendible conveyor system; and
a second transceiver for use at an end boom of the extendible conveyor system, configured to communicate with a control station on the end boom, wherein the second transceiver is configured to receive wireless communications from the first transceiver over a wireless communications link.
2. The conveyor communication system of claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication link is one of a radio-frequency communication link, an infrared light communication link, or over electrically conductive tracks on at least the stationary boom and the end boom.
3. The conveyor communication system of claim 1 , further comprising a transceiver power source connected to supply power to the second transceiver.
4. The conveyor communication system of claim 3 , wherein the transceiver power source includes a rechargeable battery.
5. The conveyor communication system of claim 3 , wherein the transceiver power source includes a power-generating roller configured to generate electric power when driven by a belt on the end boom.
6. The conveyor communication system of claim 3 , wherein the transceiver power source includes circuitry that harvests RF energy and generates electricity.
7. An extendible conveyor system, comprising:
a stationary boom;
a conveyor main control associated with the stationary boom;
a first transceiver associated with the stationary boom, configured to communicate with the conveyor main control;
an end boom that extends from the stationary boom;
a control station associated with the end boom;
a second transceiver associated with the end boom, configured to communicate with the control station, wherein the second transceiver is configured to receive wireless communications from the first transceiver over a wireless communications link.
8. The extendible conveyor system of claim 7 , wherein the wireless communication link is one of a radio-frequency communication link or an infrared light communication link.
9. The extendible conveyor system of claim 7 , further comprising a transceiver power source connected to supply power to the second transceiver, the transceiver power source including a power-generating roller configured to generate electric power when driven by a belt on the end boom.
10. The extendible conveyor system of claim 7 , further comprising a transceiver power source connected to supply power to the second transceiver, the transceiver power source including circuitry that harvests RF energy and generates electricity.
11. A method for use with an extendible conveyor system, comprising:
communicating control data between a first transceiver and a main control associated with a stationary boom of the extendible conveyor system;
wirelessly transmitting the control data between the first transceiver and a second transceiver;
communicating the control data between the second transceiver and a control station associated with an end boom of the extendible conveyor system; and
powering the second transceiver using a power-generating roller driven by a belt on the extendible conveyor system.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the wireless transmission is a radio-frequency transmission.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the wireless transmission is an infrared light transmission.
14. An extendible conveyor system, comprising:
a stationary boom and a first transceiver associated with the stationary boom;
an end boom that extends from the stationary boom and a second transceiver that is associated with the end boom and is configured to communicate with the first transceiver;
a driven belt on the end boom;
a power-generating roller configured to generate electric power from being driven by the driven belt; and
an end-boom power supply configured to receive the electric power from the power-generating roller.
15. The extendible conveyor system of claim 14 , wherein the power-generating roller includes a dynamo that generates the electric power as the power-generating roller is turned by the driven belt.
16. The extendible conveyor system of claim 14 , wherein the end-boom power supply supplies power to the second transceiver.
17. The extendible conveyor system of claim 14 , wherein the end-boom power supply includes a rechargeable battery configured to be charged by the electric power.
18. The extendible conveyor system of claim 14 , wherein the end-boom power supply includes charging circuitry configured to charge a rechargeable battery using the electric power, wherein the charging circuitry can operate in a trickle mode to maintain a charge of the rechargeable battery without overcharging the rechargeable battery.
19. The extendible conveyor system of claim 14 , wherein the end-boom power supply can operate in a low-power “sleep” mode when there is no activity for a predetermined time and can wake up immediately when there is information to communicate with the first transceiver.
20. The extendible conveyor system of claim 14 , wherein the end-boom power supply can operate in a low-power “sleep” mode and the second transceiver can maintain a heart beat communication with the first transceiver including information regarding the health, condition, or identity of the second transceiver.