1. A method means and device for swerving transporter capsule in pneumatic forwarding tube systems characterised in an enlarged cross-sectional tube dimension at convergence of plurality of divergent pneumatic forwarding tubes in said system thereby defining a chamber at said convergence said chamber dimensionally adequate to accomodate swirling movement of said transporter capsule intramural of said chamber.

2. Device of claim 1 wherein said capsule caused to undergo swirling movement intramural of said chamber.

3. Device of claim 2 wherein said movement initiated by means of a rebound on a surface said surface positioned inside said chamber whereby said surface subtending angularity to initial direction of travel of said capsule said capsule initially travelling inside a first pneumatic tube said first pneumatic tube communicating with said chamber said capsule after emergence into said chamber from said first pneumatic tube rapping on said surface whereafter said capsule entering into a second pneumatic tube said second pneumatic tube communicating with said chamber.

4. Device of claim 1 wherein said capsule steered inside said chamber by mechanical means.

5. Device of claim 1 wherein said capsule swirled inside said chamber by means of magnetic forces caused to act on said capsule.

6. Device of claim 1 wherein said capsule swirled inside said chamber by means of electromagnetic forces caused to act on said capsule.

7. Device of claim 1 wherein said capsule swirled inside said chamber by means of pneumatic forces caused to act on said capsule.

SWIRL CHAMBER IN PNEUMATIC FORWARDING TUBE SYSTEMS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is in the field of pneumatic tube systems for forwarding transporter capsules. More specifically/ the invention relates to accomplishing a swerve in direction of travel of transporter capsule in pneumatic forwarding tube systems.
BACKGROUND - PRIOR ART AND NEED OF THE INVENTION
Hitherto, in pneumatic forwarding tube systems for carrying of transporter capsules, a desired swerve in direction of longitudinal travel of a transporter capsule, the swerve being an angular displacement of 90 degrees or any other functionally necessary angular displacement in the travel,is effected by means of the capsule performing a curvilinear motion while the capsule transits through an arcuate bend in the tube, the bend being coincident with the desired swerve. The bend cannot be in shape of a sharp turn, but curvature of the bend has necessarily to be in shape of a gradual arc, radius of curvature of the arc being adequately large
to allow straight length and diameter of the capsule to pass curvilinearly through the bend in the tube.
A lateral cylindrical recess is necessary at midriff region of the capsule so as to accomodate convex inside tube surface at the bend, convexity of the inside tube surface protruding into the recess when the capsule traverses the bend. The recess constricts transverse cross-sectional diametrical dimension of the capsule at the midriff region, thereby reducing volumetric capacity of the capsule.
The large bending radius takes up relatively large physical space, thereby causing layout, aesthetic and accomodation problems, as well as high costs. It is desirable to reduce physical spatial area required for swerving the capsule.
In conventional tube forwarding systems straight length and diameter of the capsule have also to be limited so as to allow the capsule to pass through the bend in the tube, thereby limiting volumetric capacity of the capsule.
Cross-sectional diameter of the tube carrying the capsule is appreciably larger than cross-sectional diameter at constricted midriff of the capsule, thereby causing waste of expensive tube space.
In conventional systems, the radius employed hitherto, for
specific carrying capacity of capsule, and for corresponding
diameter of the tube, is stated in Table 1, in nun.
Carrying capacity
(Table Removed)
Table 1.
Device according to present invention obviates these disadvantages and also provides new and desirable features.
Typical curvilinear longitudinal motion of the capsule at bends in conventional pneumatic forwarding tube systems is substituted in the invention by a complex motion of the capsule which is predominantly a swirling swerve of the capsule wherein the capsule is caused to swirl during the swerve of the capsule inside a swirl chamber, the chamber defined by an enlarged cross sectional tube dimension and interposed at convergence of plurality of divergent pneumatic forwarding tubes in pneumatic tube forwarding system of the invention, the enlargement being dimensionally adequate to accomodate swirling movement of the capsule intramural of said chamber.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
Objective of the invention is to reduce physical spatial area needed to effect a desired swerve in direction of longitudinal travel of transporter capsule in pneumatic forwarding tube systems, at the same time reducing transport capsule longitudinal forwarding pneumatic tube cross-sectional diameter and increasing volumetric capsule capacity.
Considered itemwise, objects and advantages of the invention are, in a pneumatic forwarding tube system,
(a) to provide a method means and device whereby a dimensionally smaller bending area is required to effect a desired swerve in direction of longitudinal travel of a transporter capsule;
(b) to forward capsule of longer length in a given bending area dimensions than was hitherto possible;
(c) to forward capsule of larger diameter than was hitherto possible in a given bending area dimensions;
(d) to eliminate need for constricted midriff of the capsule;
(e) to eliminate need for unwieldy tube bends of large bending radii;
(f) to reduce, for a given length and diameter of transporter capsule, the area and civil construction work required to accomodate the system;
(g) to enhance aesthetics, by allowing sharper bends at corners of the system;
(h) to reduce internal cross-sectional diameter of forwarding tube required for longitudinally forwarding a given transporter capsule capacity.
Still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of ensuing description with reference to accompanying drawings.
DRAWING FIGURES
In the accompanying drawing figures method means and device of the invention have been illustrated by way of a non-limiting example.
Figure 1 shows schematically in sectional view a preferred embodiment of a method and device according to the present invention.
Figure 2 shows an external view of the device of Figure 1.
Figure 3 shows schematically in sectional view a transporter capsule.
Figure 4 shows the capsule after emerging from pressure tube.
Figure 5 shows the transporter capsule subsequent to impact on deflecting surface.
Figure 6 shows the transporter capsule prior to entry into suction tube.
REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS
11 Pneumatic pressure tube through which the transporter capsule emerges prior to swirling
12 Receiving pneumatic suction tube into which the capsule enters after swirling
13 Deflecting surface opposite 11
14 Base
15 Transporter capsule
16 Swirl chamber
17 Bung
18 Deflecting surface opposite 12
19 Cap
20-21 Semicylinder butting 11
77-73 Semi cylinder butting 12
74-75 Revel
76-27 Arcuate semi cyl inder
28 Pore in 14
29 Clamp

31 Shaft
32 Aperture
33 Rubber seal
34 Worm-wheel
35 Lateral opening
36 Sheet cover
DESCRIPTION
In the cited example pneumatic suction tube 12 lies below and at right angles to pneumatic pressure tube 11/ shown in sectional view in Figure 1 and in external view in Figure 2. Uniform 66 mm bores of hard rigid straight imperforate circular cross section moulded polyvinyl chloride 2 mm wall thickness tubes 11 and 12 are identical, and the bores are sliding fit on outermost cylindrical surface of bung 17 on
scargo transporter capsul 15 depicted in Figure 3 .
The capsule 15 comprises a hollow rigid straight opaque polycarbonate moulded cvlinder, encapped on its two ends by means of a >~>air of screw—on 2 mm wall thickness
substantially hemispherical outwardly polished smooth surfaced convex and inwardly concave hollow caps 19. A velcrow flat band 10 mm wide 1 mm radially thick bung 17 encircles firmly attached by adhesive means to external cylindrical surface of the capsule 15, 20 mm from each end of the cylinder. In the example the capsule 15 has external overall dimensions of 66 mm diameter and 324 mm length, and has internally 60 mm diameter and 320 mm length.
The capsule 15 carries a cargo of computer stationery upto 1 Kg in the example but could be carrying other cargos like production, laboratory or medical samples, medicines, provisions, small parts, money, statements.
Interposed at convergence region of the divergent tubes 11 and 12 is a 2 mm wall thickness moulded polycarbonate chamber 16 in shape of a flat enlargement of tube cross section in vertical transverse direction, whereas in horizontal transverse direction the chamber 16 has substantially same dimensions as the tubes 11, 12, the chamber 16 communicating with the tubes 11 and 12.
Straight hollow inwardly concave outwardly convex 334 mm long semicylinders 20-21 and 22-23, identical in cross sectional dimensions to the tubes 11,12, longitudinally aligned with outer semicylinders of the respective butting
tubes 11,12 shape outer mutually perpendicular upper and sideward extremities of shell of the chamber 16, junction 24-25 of the upper and sideward extremities bevelled 48 mm in the example. Overall the chamber 16 being 400x400x74 mm.
Transverse cross sectional end of the respective tube 11, 12 adjacent to the chamber 16 butts end on end with transverse tubular cross section end opening of shell of the chamber 16, respective butting firmly clasped and sealed by means of conventional lap sleeve tube mounting clamp 29.
Lateral triangular inspection opening 35 cut out in each of both flat parallel vertical side walls of shell of the chamber 16, the openings 35 closed air tight by means of a pair of flat parallel vertical transparent polycarbonate 2 mm thick sheet covers 36, each of the covers 36 screwed on the respective side walls of the shell of the chamber 16 by means of three screws tightened into threaded holes in the side wall, the screws not protruding into the chamber 16.
Lower inner extremity of the chamber 16 is longitudinally arcuate semicylinder 26-27. Radius of curvature of the longitudinal arc 26-27 is 1.5 times overall length of the capsule 15, being in the example 486 mm, apex of the arc protruding into underside of the chamber 16 to an extent
equal to diameter of the capsule 15, 66 mm in the example. Cross section of the semicylinder 26-27 is semicircle of diameter equal to the diameter of the tubes 11,12, concavity of the semicircle facing the chamber 16.
Meeting points of adjacent arcs and meeting lines of adjacent curved surfaces comprising walls of the chamber 16 are smoothened and chamfered wherever necessary in moulding of the chamber 16 so as to avoid any rough edges in internal space of the chamber 16.
Moulded synthetic hard rubber 10x10 mm flat surfaced 3 mm
thick sheet 13 is affixed around mild steel 10 mm cuboid
base 14 by means of Araldite adhesive from M/S. Ciba AG of
Switzerland. The base 14 has a lateral 5 mm toothed through
bore 28 into either end of which meshes respectively a tooth
ribbed 5mm diameter 4.5mm length portion of a stepped
diameters shaft 31, each of pair of the shafts 31 sliding
horizontally through a 6mm aperture 32 in respective side
of the shell of the chamber 16, the aperture 32 made
airtight by means of a rubber seal 33, the two shafts 31
rotatable together on axis of the bore 28 by means of a
simultaneously operated pair of worm wheels 34 placed
outside of the shell on either side of the shell. Top end of
the flat surface 13 is positioned inside the chamber 16
opposite the tube 11 below inside upper edge of the chamber 16 at a distance of 330 mm from the butting end of the tube 11. Slope of the surface 13 with respect to axis of the tube 11 is steplessly manipulated and set between 40 and 50 degrees by means of the pair of worm wheels 34 . In the example the manipulation is effected manually, but in an alternative configuration the manipulation can be effected by means of software operated microprocessor controlled electric motor or electromagnet. A flat surface 18 similar to the surface 13 is likewise positioned and manipulated opposite the tube 12 inside the chamber 16.
Air pressure or suction for propelling the capsule 15 is furnished by means of three phase regenerative type electric motor driven centrifugal blowers delivering low pressure high volume air with multistage regenerative impellers with acoustic levels of less than 75 dB at 1 metre, envisaged with air filter, air volume regulating throttle, switch off and reversal arrangement to control the momentum with which the capsule arrives at a destination in the system.
OPERATION
The capsule is caused to perform a complex motion intramural of the chamber 16, the motion being predominantly a swirling swerve, initiated in the example by means of rebound of the leading cap 19 of the capsule 15 on the thereto inclined deflecting surface 13. Sequence of operation is as follows.
The transporter capsule 15 initially travelling at a longitudinal speed of upto 12 metres per second in the tube 11 is ejected from the tube 11 into the chamber 16. Conventional air braking and air cushion techniques are employed by means of controlling functioning of the air compressors delivering air in the system to regulate the speed at which the capsule 15 arrives into the chamber 16. In the example the capsule 15 is caused to arrive in the chamber 16 at a speed of 1 metre per second in Figure 4.
After emergence of the capsule 15 out of the tube 11 into the chamber 16 the leading cap 19 of the capsule 15 raps on the surface 13, thereby rebounding. Angularity subtended by the surface 13 to direction of initial motion of the capsule 15 is manipulated and set by means of the worm wheels 34.
Angularity of impact of the leading cap 19 on the surface 13
results in angular displacement of longitudinal motion of the leading cap 19, being about twice the angle subtended between line of incidence of the leading cap 19 on the surface 13 and normal to the surface 13 at point of impact of the leading cap 19 on the surface 13, whereby the leading cap 19 moves downwards after deflection from the surface 13, thereby causing the capsule 15 to dip and swerve.
Immediately after the deflection has taken place, air suction in the tube 12 is escalated to maxima by means of controlling the compressors and the air movement in the system. The trailing cap 19 tends to move along its initial direction of motion, but is simultaneously pulled downwards under action of the downward movement of the leading cap 19. Thereby the capsule 15 swirls as it swerves intramural of the chamber 16, one instant being depicted in Figure 5.
Multiple rebounds of the capsule 15 on walls inside the chamber 16 can occur, dependent upon momenta of the cargo carrying capsule 15. Suction of the tube 12 pulls the capsule 15 towards the tube 12, and finally the capsule 15 moves, as depicted in Figure 6, along the direction of, and into, the tube 12.
CONCLUSIONS, SCOPE AND RAMIFICATIONS
Table 2 shows spatial achievements of the invention in mm.
(Table Removed)
Table 2.
Accordingly the reader will see that a dimensionally smaller area is required for effecting a swerve of the transporter capsule. In case of the example the area required is only 400x400 mm whereas it was 750x 750mm in conventional systems for a capsule capacity of 60x320 mm.
A bending area of 550x550 mm could transport a capsule
capacity of only 39x225 mm in conventional systems, whereas
in my system the same bending area can transport a capsule
capacity of over 90x415 mm.
Whereas in conventional systems a tube diameter of 90 mm was required for forwarding a capsule capacity of 60x320 mm, my system requires a tube of only 66 mm diameter.
The method means and device of this invention favourably affect capacity, dimensions and costs involved in pneumatic forwarding tube systems.
Components of the device are uncomplicated and can be manufactured at low cost by the plastic moulding or sheet metal and tube industries. Also the development costs are therefore low.
While my above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on scope of the invention, but rather as exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, in an alternative configuration, swirling of the capsule 15 occurs inside the chamber 16 by means of a mechanical steering link, wherein the link grips the capsule 15 after the capsule 15 emerges from tube 11, whereafter the link mechanism swerves the capsule 15 in a swirl to point in direction of tube 12, thereafter the link releasing the capsule into the tube 12. In another configuration pushes and pulls are caused to act upon the capsule 15 so as to
swirl and swerve the capsule along desired path of the capsule 15 inside the chamber 16, the push and pull forces being applied on the capsule 15 electromagnetically. In another configuration the pushes and pulls are applied magnetically, alternatively pneumatically. In another configuration the capsule is steered inside the chamber by means of a combination of mechanical, electromagnetic , magnetic and/or pneumatic forces, the forces being exerted on the capsule by means of air jets, mechanical links, electromagnetic coils and/or by means of magnets located on the chamber and/or on the capsule. Magnitude and duration of the forces can be controlled by means of software performing on microprocessor.

We claim:
1. A method means and device for swerving transporter capsule in pneumatic forwarding tube systems characterised in an enlarged cross-sectional tube dimension at convergence of plurality of divergent pneumatic forwarding tubes in said system thereby defining a chamber at said convergence said chamber dimensionally adequate to accomodate swirling movement of said transporter capsule intramural of said chamber.
2. Device of claim 1 wherein said capsule caused to undergo swirling movement intramural of said chamber.
3. Device of claim 2 wherein said movement initiated by means of a rebound on a surface said surface positioned inside said chamber whereby said surface subtending angularity to initial direction of travel of said capsule said capsule initially travelling inside a first pneumatic tube said first pneumatic tube communicating with said
chamber said capsule after emergence into said chamber from said first pneumatic tube rapping on said surface whereafter said capsule entering into a second pneumatic tube said second pneumatic tube communicating with said chamber.
4. Device of claim 1 wherein said capsule steered inside
said chamber by mechanical means.
5. Device of claim 1 wherein said capsule swirled inside
said chamber by means of magnetic forces caused to act
on said capsule.
6. Device of claim 1 wherein said capsule swirled inside
said chamber by means of electromagnetic forces caused
to act on said capsule.
7. Device of claim 1 wherein said capsule swirled inside
said chamber by means of pneumatic forces caused to
act on said capsule.