Claims:We claim:

1. A mechanism (100) for detecting position of a moveable carrier (1) of a conveyor assembly (2), in a submerged environmental operation of the conveyor assembly (2), the mechanism (100) comprising:
a connecting arm (3), pivotally coupled to a shaft (4) at one end (5) and structured to selectively contact and ride on at least a portion of the carrier (1) at an other end (6), opposite to the one end (5); and
a sensing unit (7) connectable to a free end (8) of the shaft (4), wherein the sensing unit (7) is configured to detect at least one of arrival state, stationed state, and departure state of the carrier (1) on the conveyor assembly (2), based on movement of the connecting arm (3) between a first position (9) and a second position (10).

2. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the other end (6) of the connecting arm (3) includes at least one roller (11) to define a rolling contact with at least a portion of the carrier (1).

3. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises an oscillating member (12), connectable between the free end (8) of the shaft (4) and the sensing unit (7), wherein the oscillating member (12) is displaceable between a first extreme position (13) and a second extreme position (14) corresponding to the first position (9) and the second position (10) of the connecting arm (3).

4. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensing unit (7) comprises:
one or more magnetic sensors (15), enclosed in a housing (19), the one or more magnetic sensors (15) are eccentrically positioned relative to an axial axis of the oscillating member (12); and
a magnetic element (16, 17), connectable to an end of the oscillating member (12), the magnetic element (16, 17) is selectively displaced proximal to at least one magnetic sensor (15) of the one or more magnetic sensors (15) to generate an indication signal corresponding to position of the carrier (1), on displacement of the oscillating member (12) between the first extreme position (13) and the second extreme position (14).

5. The mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises an electronic control unit, operatively coupled to the sensing unit (7), wherein the electronic control unit is configured to determine position of the carrier (1), based on the indication signals received from the sensing unit (7).

6. A conveyor system (200) operating in a submerged environment, the system (200) comprising:
a conveyor track (18), positioned in the submerged environment;
a carrier (1) movably accommodated on the conveyor track (18), wherein the conveyor track (18) is configured to convey the carrier (1) between a plurality of treatment stations; and
at least one mechanism (100) to detect position of the carrier (1) on the conveyor track (18) disposed in each of the plurality of treatment stations, each of the at least one mechanism (100) comprising:
a connecting arm (3), pivotally coupled to a shaft (4) at one end (5) and structured to selectively contact and ride on at least a portion of the carrier (1) at an other end (6), opposite to the one end (5); and
a sensing unit (7) connectable to a free end (8) of the shaft (4), wherein the sensing unit (7) is configured to detect at least one of arrival state, stationed state, and departure state of the carrier (1) on the conveyor track (18), based on movement of the connecting arm (3) between a first position (9) and a second position (10).

7. The system (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the other end (6) of the connecting arm (3) includes at least one roller (11) to define a rolling contact with at least a portion of the carrier (1).

8. The system (200) as claimed in claim 6, comprises an oscillating member (12), connectable between the free end (8) of the shaft (4) and the sensing unit (7), wherein the oscillating member (12) is displaceable between a first extreme position (13) and a second extreme position (14) corresponding to the first position (9) and the second position (10) of the connecting arm (3).

9. The system (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sensing unit (7) comprises:
one or more magnetic sensors (15), enclosed in a housing (19), the one or more magnetic sensors (15) are eccentrically positioned relative to an axial axis of the oscillating member (12); and
a magnetic element (16, 17), connectable to an end of the oscillating member (12), the magnetic element (16, 17) is selectively displaced proximal to at least one magnetic sensor (15) of the one or more magnetic sensors (15) to generate an indication signal corresponding to position of the carrier (1), on displacement of the oscillating member (12) between the first extreme position (13) and the second extreme position (14).

10. The system (200) as claimed in claim 6, comprises an electronic control unit, operatively coupled to the sensing unit (7), wherein the electronic control unit is configured to determine position of the carrier (1), based on the indication signals received from the sensing unit (7).

11. The system (200) as claimed in claim 6, comprises an actuator (20) including a pusher pin (21), wherein the pusher pin (21) is selectively coupled to the oscillating member (12), to displace the oscillating member (12) from the second extreme position (14) to the first extreme position (13).
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure, in general, relates to the field of automation. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a mechanism for detecting position of a moveable carrier of a conveyor assembly. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a conveyor system operating in a submerged environment including the mechanism for detecting position of the moveable carrier.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Use of heat to preserve food is a commonly known technique in the industry of food sterilizing, preservation, and packaging. Thermal sterilization of food is usually performed in a fluid medium, including but not limited to, inert gas surrounding, or by liquid such as, but not limited to, edible oil, water, and steam. Heat carried by such fluid medium is generally at an elevated pressure and temperature and is usually contained in an enclosed housing or an envelope. A conveyor system or a movement mechanism is included in the housing to carry packets/cans containing food for thermal sterilization. The packets/cans containing food for thermal sterilization is usually carried on a pallet or a tray disposed on the conveyor system. The pallet/tray may include pockets or spaces for placing the packets/cans containing food.

Conventionally, a plurality of thermal sterilizations stations positioned along route of the conveyor system carrying food or food ingredients under at least one of variable pressure, temperature, time and/or with reagents for processing, preserving and/or conservation thereof. In conventional arrangements, one station of the plurality of sterilization stations may be configured to sterilize the food packets, another may be configured to depressurize and freeze the pack the packets. The above-described configuration of the thermal sterilization setup necessitates a requirement for tracking of movement of the pallets and trays, thereby tracking movement of food within those sterilization setups. Conventionally, tracking and identifications elements such as proximity sensors, radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags and RFID tag readers, QR (Quick Response) codes with identifiers, bar codes and laser scanners have been employed for identifying and tracking movement of pallets and trays transporting food along the plurality of sterilization stations. However, such tracking and identifications elements often suffer from frequent failures due to operation in submerged environments or under varied pressure or temperature or chemical stability with reagents in such sterilizing stations. Further, performance and reliability of such tracking and identifications elements degrade over time and becomes unreliable due to continuous operation in elevated temperature and elevated pressure. Furthermore, position identification systems, such as, locations emitters coupled with tracking systems may also be employed in sterilization setups for identification and movement tracking. However, use of such systems increase installation and maintenance costs associated with the sterilization setups.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitations associated with the conventional configuration of the movement tracking systems employed in thermal sterilization systems.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by a mechanism for detecting position of a moveable carrier of a conveyor assembly and a conveyor system operating in a submerged environment as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the mechanism and the conveyor system as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a mechanism for detecting position of a moveable carrier of a conveyor assembly is disclosed. The mechanism is configured to detect position of the moveable carrier, in a submerged environmental operation of the conveyor assembly. The mechanism includes a connecting arm that is pivotally coupled to a shaft at one end. The connecting arm is structured to selectively contact and ride on at least a portion of the carrier at an other end, opposite to the one end. The mechanism further includes a sensing unit connectable to a free end of the shaft. The sensing unit is configured to detect at least one of arrival state, stationed state, and departure state of the carrier on the conveyor assembly. The sensing unit detects said states of the carrier based on movement of the connecting arm between a first position and a second position.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the other end of the connecting arm includes at least one roller. The roller defines a rolling contact with at least a portion of the carrier.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the mechanism includes an oscillating member, connectable between the free end of the shaft and the sensing unit. The oscillating member is displaceable between a first extreme position and a second extreme position corresponding to the first position and the second position of the connecting arm.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sensing unit includes one or more magnetic sensors, enclosed in a housing. The one or more magnetic sensors are eccentrically positioned relative to an axial axis of the oscillating member. The sensing unit further includes a magnetic element, connectable to an end of the oscillating member. The magnetic element is selectively displaced proximal to at least one magnetic sensor of the one or more magnetic sensors. Such selective displacement of the magnetic element generates an indication signal corresponding to position of the carrier. The indication signal is generated upon displacement of the oscillating member between the first extreme position and the second extreme position.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the mechanism includes an electronic control unit operatively coupled to the sensing unit. The electronic control unit is configured to determine position of the carrier, based on the indication signals received from the sensing unit.

In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a conveyor system operating in a submerged environment is disclosed. The system includes a conveyor track positioned in the submerged environment and a carrier movably accommodated on the conveyor track. The conveyor track is configured to convey the carrier between a plurality of treatment stations. The system further includes at least one mechanism disposed in each of the plurality of treatment stations. The at least one mechanism is configured to detect position of the carrier on the conveyor track disposed in each of the plurality of treatment stations. Further, each of the at least one mechanism includes a connecting arm that is pivotally coupled to a shaft at one end. The connecting arm is structured to selectively contact and ride on at least a portion of the carrier at an other end, opposite to the one end. The mechanism further includes a sensing unit connectable to a free end of the shaft. The sensing unit is configured to detect at least one of arrival state, stationed state, and departure state of the carrier on the conveyor track. The sensing unit detects said states of the carrier based on movement of the connecting arm between a first position and a second position.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a mechanism for detecting position of a moveable carrier of a conveyor assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the mechanism of Figure 1, in which a connecting arm of the mechanism is in a first position.

Figure 3 illustrates another front view of the mechanism of Figure 1, in which the connecting arm of the mechanism is in a second position.

Figure 4 illustrates a rear view of the mechanism of Figure 1, in which the connecting arm of the mechanism is in the first position.

Figure 5 illustrates another rear view of the mechanism of Figure 1, in which the connecting arm of the mechanism is in the second position.

Figure 6 illustrates yet another rear perspective view of the mechanism of Figure 1, depicting an oscillating member of the mechanism of Figure 1.

Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of a conveyor system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 8 illustrates a sectional view of the conveyor system of Figure 7.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the system and the method illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by the way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, such that a device, assembly, mechanism, system, method that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a mechanism for detecting position of a moveable carrier of a conveyor assembly is disclosed. The mechanism is configured to detect position of the moveable carrier, in a submerged environmental operation of the conveyor assembly. The mechanism includes a connecting arm that is pivotally coupled to a shaft at one end. The connecting arm is structured to selectively contact and ride on at least a portion of the carrier at an other end, opposite to the one end. The mechanism further includes a sensing unit connectable to a free end of the shaft. The sensing unit is configured to detect at least one of arrival state, stationed state, and departure state of the carrier on the conveyor assembly. The sensing unit detects said states of the carrier based on movement of the connecting arm between a first position and a second position.

In an embodiment, the term ‘conveyor assembly’ as used herein refers to any mechanical handling equipment configured to move and/or transport at least one carrier from one location to another. The term ‘carrier’ as used herein refers to at least one of a pallet, tray, container, box, case, packet, vessel, holder, a canister and any receptacle capable of carrying any article that needs to be subjected to processing including, but not limited to, thermal sterilization. The carrier is configured to hold and store the articles for proper and effective thermal sterilization.

In an embodiment, the conveyor assembly is configured to operate in a submerged environment. The term ‘submerged environment’ as used herein refers to such operation of the conveyor assembly or the conveyor system in which the carrier is either partially or completely immersed and/or transported in a media. In an embodiment, the media is at least one of water, steam and any other media capable of processing, preserving and/or stabilizing the article being conveyed by the carrier. Further, the conveyor assembly conveys the carrier from one treatment station to another along the media, for sterilization of the carrier or the food/articles contained within the carrier. The term ‘treatment station’ as used herein refers to a particular space/chamber configured to impart a specific treatment to the carrier, or the food/articles contained within the carrier. The treatment station may be at least one of a heat treatment station, a thermal sterilization station, a pressurizing station, a sterilizing station, a decompression station, a cooling station for cooling the carrier and the food/articles contained within the carrier, a carrier unloading station, a carrier loading station, and the like.

The disclosure is described in the following paragraphs with reference to Figures 1 to 8. In the figures, the same element or elements which have same functions are indicated by the same reference signs. It is to be noted that, the entire set up of the conveyor assembly and the conveyor system is not illustrated in the figures for the purpose of simplicity. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the mechanism for detecting position of a moveable carrier and the conveyor system operating in a submerged environment as disclosed in the present disclosure may be used in any industrial setup that requires a mechanism for detecting position of the moveable carrier, where such industrial setups may include, but not limited to, food processing industries, manufacturing industries including automobile manufacturing factories, heat treatment industry, power generation industry, paint manufacturing, pharmaceutical industries, and the like.

Figures 1 and 2 are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure which illustrate a mechanism (100) for detecting position of a moveable carrier (1) (also referred to as ‘carrier’ hereinafter) of a conveyor assembly (2). The mechanism (100) is configured to detect position of the moveable carrier (1), while the conveyor assembly (2) is operated in a submerged environmental condition. The mechanism (100) includes a connecting arm (3) that may be pivotally coupled to a shaft (4) at one end (5), by at least one of a pin, a keyway, a fastener, and any other connecting means that may enable pivoting movement therebetween. Pivotal coupling between the connecting arm (3) and shaft (4) ensures that the arrival/stationing/departure of the carrier (1) into the treatment station in not obstructed by the connecting arm (3). It may also be possible that the connecting arm (3) may be integrally formed with the shaft (4) and be capable of coaxially rotating with the shaft (4). In addition, the connecting arm (3) may also be structured to selectively contact and ride on at least a portion of the carrier (1) at an other end (6), opposite to the one end (5). In some embodiments, the carrier (1) may be defined with an upward ramp, track, and a downward ramp to receive, allow riding and departure of the connecting arm (3).

The mechanism (100) may further include a sensing unit (7) connectable to a free end (8) of the shaft (4), which may be away from the one end (5) having the connecting arm (3). The sensing unit (7) may be configured to detect at least one of arrival state, stationed state, and departure state of the carrier (1) along the conveyor assembly (2). The term ‘arrival state’ as used herein refers to arrival/incoming of the carrier (1) into the treatment station through which the conveyor assembly may pass therethrough. The term ‘stationed state’ as used herein refers to at least one of a momentary presence of the carrier (1), a halt or resting condition of the carrier (1) within the treatment station, through which the conveyor assembly may pass therethrough. The term ‘departure state’ as used herein refers to departure/outgoing of the carrier (1) from the treatment station through which the conveyor assembly (2) may pass therethrough. The sensing unit (7) may be configured to detect said states of the carrier (1) based on movement of the connecting arm (3) between a first position (9) (depicted in Figure 2) and a second position (10) (depicted in Figure 3) relative to position of at least one of the shaft (4) and the carrier (1). In the illustrative embodiment, movement of the connecting arm (3) between the first position (9) and the second position (10) is depicted in a clockwise direction and an anticlockwise direction, respectively, and is indicated by a first pointer 22, in Figure 2. Meanwhile, such direction may be interchanged based on configuration and requirement. In an embodiment, movement of the connecting arm (3) may not be limited to pivotal movement, rather the connecting arm (3) may be linearly and normally displaceable relative to axial movement of the carrier (1).

Referring to Figure 2, the connecting arm (3) in the first position (9) without being in contact with the carrier (1), is in a freely suspended state. Further, in the second position (10), the connecting arm (3) is in contact with the carrier (1), during which the other end (6) is pivotally/angularly displaced with respect to the one end (5) of the connecting arm (3), as depicted in Figure 3. The other end (6) of the connecting arm (3) includes at least one roller (11). The roller (11), when in contact with the carrier (1), defines a rolling contact with at least a portion of the carrier (1). As the carrier (1) enters the treatment station, the carrier (1) is configured to contact the at least one roller (11) and exert force [i.e., axial and/or tangential force] on the at least one roller (11). The force exerted by the carrier (1) onto the at least one roller (11) may be configured to displace the other end (6) of the connecting arm (3) pivotally/angularly, from the first position (9) to the second position (10). Further, as the carrier (1) departs/leaves (i.e., departure state) the treatment station, the other end (6) of the connecting arm (3) returns/pivots back to the first position (9) under gravity, due to force exerted by weight of the roller (11). By tracking the movement of the at least one roller (11), and thereby that of the other end (6) of the connecting arm (3), the arrival state, the stationed state [including traversing within the treatment station based on configuration of the carrier (1) and conveyor system (200)] and the departure state of the carrier (1) in the treatment station may be detected. Tracking of the movement of the at least one roller (11), and thereby that of the other end (6) of the connecting arm (3) is explained in the following paragraphs.

Referring again to embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the mechanism (100) includes an oscillating member (12), connectable between the free end (8) of the shaft (4) and the sensing unit (7). The oscillating member (12) may be displaceable between a first extreme position (13) (as depicted in Figure 4) and a second extreme position (14) (as depicted in Figure 5). The first extreme position (13) and the second extreme position (14) of the oscillating member (12) correspond to the first position (9) and the second position (10), respectively, of the connecting arm (3).

Further, referring to Figures 5 and 6, the sensing unit (7) may include one or more magnetic sensors (15), enclosed in a casing/envelope (not shown in the figure). The one or more magnetic sensors (15) may be eccentrically positioned relative to an axial axis (A-A) of the oscillating member (12). The one or more magnetic sensors (15) may be positioned external to the treatment station. The one or more magnetic sensors (15) may be configured to detect changes within a magnetic field such as strength, direction, and flux. The one or more magnetic sensors (15) may be at least one of a Hall sensor, semiconducting magneto-resistors, ferromagnetic magneto-resistors, fluxgate sensors, resonant sensors, induction magnetometer, Eddy current sensors, magnetic encoders, permanent magnet linear contactless displacement sensors, magneto-resistive position sensors and the like.

The sensing unit (7) further includes a magnetic element (16, 17) (depicted in Figure 6), connectable to an end of the oscillating member (12). The magnetic elements (16, 17) may be at least one of a pot magnet (i.e., a type of permanent magnet encased in a steel shell). However, other types of permanent magnets and electromagnets may also be employed as magnetic elements (16, 17). The magnetic element (16, 17) may be selectively and angularly displaced [or in other cases, linearly] proximal to at least one magnetic sensor (15) of the one or more magnetic sensors (15). Such selective displacement of the magnetic elements (16, 17) generates an indication signal corresponding to position of the carrier (1). The indication signal may be generated upon displacement of the oscillating member (12) between the first extreme position (13) and the second extreme position (14). As stated above, the first extreme position (13) and the second extreme position (14) of the oscillating member (12) correspond to the first position (9) and the second position (10), respectively, of the connecting arm (3). Accordingly, as illustrated in the Figures 1 to 6 and as described in the above paragraphs, the configuration of the oscillating member (12) is enabled to track movement of the at least one roller (11), and thereby that of the other end (6) of the connecting arm (3). By such movement tracking of the at least one roller (11), and thereby that of the other end (6) of the connecting arm (3), the arrival state, the stationed state, and the departure state of the carrier (1) in the treatment station may be known.

In an embodiment, the mechanism (100) may include an electronic control unit (ECU) (not shown in the figure) operatively coupled to the sensing unit (7). The ECU may be configured to determine position of the carrier (1), based on the indication signals received from the sensing unit (7).

Figure 7 illustrates a conveyor system (200) (also referred to as ‘system’ hereinafter) in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure. The system (200) may be configured to operate in a submerged environment. The system (200) includes a conveyor track (18) positioned in the submerged environment and the carrier (1) movably accommodated on the conveyor track (18). The conveyor track (18) may be configured to convey the carrier (1) between a plurality of treatment stations (not shown in the figures). The system (200) further includes the mechanism (100) (as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6) disposed in each of the plurality of treatment stations. The mechanism (100) is configured to detect position of the carrier (1) on the conveyor track (18).

Figure 8 illustrates the conveyor system (200) (also referred to as ‘system’ hereinafter) including a housing (19) in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure. The conveyor assembly (2) including the conveyor track (18) is accommodated within the housing (19). In an exemplary embodiment, the conveyor assembly (2) including the conveyor track (18) may be submerged in a media maintained at predefined physical parameters, such as, but not limited to pressure, temperature, chemical position, state of operation [solid, liquid, or gaseous], fluidity, and any other parameter that may be capable of affecting operation of the sensor, movement of the carrier (1) and the like. The housing (19) is filled with heat imparting media such as water and/or steam for thermal sterilization of food/articles conveyed over the carriers. In an embodiment, the housing (19) may be filled with water that is pressurized at a range of 3 bars to 4 bars and having a temperature in the range of 120 ? to 150 ?.

In an embodiment, the system (200) includes a plurality of gaskets configured to prevent leakage of the pressurized water from the housing (19). The system (200) does not include any rotary seals for prevention of such leakage from the housing (19), thereby minimizing costs associated with such leakage prevention. Further, the system (200) further includes an actuator (20) including a pusher pin (21). The actuator (20) may be a pneumatic actuator. However, the actuator (20) may also be a hydraulic or an electric actuator. The pusher pin (21) may be configured to be selectively coupled to the oscillating member (12). The pusher pin (21) may be selectively coupled to the pusher pin (21), to displace the oscillating member (12) from the second extreme position (14) to the first extreme position (13). At some instances, the connecting arm (3) may fail to return to the first position (9) from the second position (10). Failure to return to the first position (9) may be caused by jamming of the shaft (4) and/or the roller (11), subsequent to departure of the carrier (1) from the treatment station. At such instances, the pusher pin (21) may be selectively coupled to the oscillating member (12), to displace the oscillating member (12) and thereby the connecting arm (3), from the second extreme position (14) to the first extreme position (13). Additionally, the pusher pin (21) may also be configured to displace the oscillating member (12) and thereby the connecting arm (3), from the first extreme position (13) to the second extreme position (14), during service and maintenance.

In an embodiment, the ECU may be a centralized control unit of the system (200) or may be a dedicated control unit to the mechanism (100) associated with the centralized control unit of the system (200). The ECU may also be associated with other control units of the mechanism (100) and/or the system (200). The ECU may be comprised of a processing unit. The processing unit may comprise at least one data processor for executing program components for executing user- or system generated requests. The processing unit may be a specialized processing unit such as integrated system (bus) controllers, memory management control units, floating point units, graphics processing units, digital signal processing units, etc. The processing unit may include a microprocessor, such as AMD Athlon, Duron or Opteron, ARM’s application, embedded or secure processors, IBM PowerPC, Intel’s Core, Itanium, Xeon, Celeron, or other line of processors, etc. The processing unit may be implemented using a mainframe, distributed processor, multi-core, parallel, grid, or other architectures. Some embodiments may utilize embedded technologies like application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc.

The ECU may be disposed in communication with one or more memory devices (e.g., RAM, ROM etc.) via a storage interface. The storage interface may connect to memory devices including, without limitation, memory drives, removable disc drives, etc., employing connection protocols such as serial advanced technology attachment (SATA), integrated drive electronics (IDE), IEEE-1394, universal serial bus (USB), fiber channel, small computing system interface (SCSI), etc. The memory drives may further include a drum, magnetic disc drive, magneto-optical drive, optical drive, redundant array of independent discs (RAID), solid-state memory devices, solid-state drives, etc.

In an embodiment, the mechanism (100) and the system (200) enable tracking the movement and presence of a carrier (1) in a thermal sterilization setup. The mechanism (100) and the system (200) enable detection of the arrival state, the stationed state, and the departure state of the carrier (1) in the treatment station of the thermal sterilization setup. Further, since the mechanism (100) and the system (200) are substantially made of mechanical parts, the mechanism (100) and the system (200) can withstand extreme operational requirements including elevated temperature and pressure. Further, the configuration and the construction of the mechanism (100) and the system (200) ensures that frequent failures due to operation in submerged environments is prevented, while maintaining performance and reliability over prolonged duration. The mechanism (100) and the system (200) provide a reliable and cost-effective replacement option against conventional tracking and identifications tools employed in thermal sterilization setups.

EQUIVALENTS

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system (100) having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system (100) having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
REFERRAL NUMERICALS
Particulars Numerical
Carrier 1
Conveyor Assembly 2
Connecting Arm 3
Shaft 4
Ends of the connecting arm 5, 6
Sensing Unit 7
Free End of the shaft 8
First Position of the connecting arm 9
Second Position of the connecting arm 10
Roller 11
Oscillating Member 12
First Extreme Position of the oscillating member 13
Second Extreme Position of the oscillating member 14
Magnetic Sensors 15
Magnetic Element 16, 17
Conveyor Track 18
Housing 19
Actuator 20
Pusher Pin 21
First pointer 22
Mechanism 100
Conveyor System 200