Tie plate separator and method thereof
Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.
1. A tie plate sorter, comprising:
a receiver having a shape which is rotatable;
a drive assembly to rotate said receiver;
a first axial end wall and a second axial end wall of said receiver and at least one side extending between said first and second axial end walls;
a plurality of magnetic retaining mechanisms positioned about said at least one side;
said magnetic retaining mechanisms selectively releasing tie plates from inside of said receiver.
2. The tie plate sorter of claim 1 , said receiver being substantially circular.
3. The tie plate sorter of claim 1 , further comprising driving rings near said axial end walls.
4. The tie plate sorter of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of switches disposed on said receiver, said switches powering on or powering off said magnetic retaining mechanism.
5. The tie plate sorter of claim 1 , further comprising at least one aperture corresponding to said plurality of magnetic retaining mechanisms.
6. The tie plate sorter of claim 5 , further comprising a path defined through each of said at least one aperture.
7. The tie plate sorter of claim 6 , further comprising a member spaced from said at least one aperture.
8. The tie plate sorter of claim 1 , one of said axial end walls having an input aperture which receives tie plates into said receiver.
9. The tie plate sorter of claim 1 , further comprising an output conveyor which receives said tie plates from said receiver.
10. The tie plate sorter of claim 9 , said output conveyor extending into said receiver to receive said tie plates.
11. The tie plate sorter of claim 9 , said output conveyor disposed along an exterior of said receiver.
12. A tie plate sorter, comprising:
a rotatable receiver having at least one side;
a plurality of apertures disposed in said receiver;
a magnetic retaining mechanism adjacent to at least one of said plurality of apertures;
a member adjacent to said magnetic retaining mechanism, said member offset from an inner surface of at least one side, said member defining a pocket.
13. The tie plate sorter of claim 12 , said plurality of apertures spaced apart circumferentially about said receiver.
14. The tie plate sorter of claim 12 , said magnetic retaining mechanism being an electromagnet.
15. The tie plate sorter of claim 12 , further comprising a motor to rotate said receiver.
16. The tie plate sorter of claim 12 , said magnetic retaining mechanism releasing a tie plate from said pocket.
17. A tie plate sorter, comprising:
a receiver having at least one side and first and second ends, said at least one side extending between said ends;
at least one of said ends having a hole to receive said tie plates;
a plurality of apertures disposed in said side to allow tie plates to pass from an interior of said receiver to an exterior of said receiver;
at least one electromagnet disposed adjacent to said apertures to controllably release said tie plates from said receiver.
18. The tie plate sorter of claim 17 , further comprising a plurality of switches which actuate said at least one electromagnet.
19. The tie plate sorter of claim 17 , said at least one electromagnet being actuated depending on a rotational position of said receiver.
20. A method of operating a tie plate sorter, comprising:
rotating a tie plate receiver;
depositing a plurality of tie plates in said tie plate receiver;
magnetically retaining said tie plates in pockets disposed about said receiver;
actuating off at least one magnet when said tie plates in said pockets reach a preselected position;
depositing said tie plates on an output conveyor.
21. The method of claim 20 , said tie plates being sorted when deposited on said output conveyor.