Depending on the system that is in place at a given airport, a baggage carousel may simply support human baggage handlers, bringing baggage closer to aircraft.
A powered conveyor can define one of two types of equipment, but both are used to move materials from one location to another. The first is a conveyor that is powered by a motor, or contains motorized parts such as rollers, that provide power for the conveyor unit to move materials uphill or at speeds faster than gravity alone. Another type of motorized transporter is a truck-mounted unit that can be driven from one location to another to move materials in different locations.
Belt conveyors are typically designed with a motor-driven rubber or fabric reinforced belt at one end.
Powered conveyors are used in a wide variety of industries where product must move vertically upwards before reaching the end of the conveyor. Gravity, or non-powered, units can often be used when boxes or parts are moving vertically down, but some power must be supplied to move materials up or over long level distances. The motors can drive a wide variety of conveyor designs, including belt, roller and tray systems.
Roller conveyors can be driven using small rollers within each roller. These conveyors use horizontal rolls spaced at regular intervals and each roll may contain a small direct drive motor. A direct drive roller contains a central shaft with wire motor windings, and the metal roller is the other half of the motor, which moves when electrical power is sent to the motor on the shaft. Direct drive motors can be controlled at different speeds by a voltage controller, allowing the motorized conveyor to be adapted to different production rates or other needs.
Belt conveyors are typically designed with a motor-driven rubber or fabric reinforced belt at one end. The belt is wound, providing a continuous conveying surface during operation, and runs on support rollers at a regular distance to support the load. Heavy materials like rocks or metal may require a motor on both end rollers to provide additional power. This type of motorized conveyor can be permanently mounted in place or designed with wheels or skids to allow movement.
Truck-mounted carriers are used to load baggage at commercial airports. A truck can be driven to the aircraft parked at the terminal, and the motorized conveyor belt can be adjusted to reach the aircraft’s baggage compartment. The conveyor can be powered by the truck engine or a separate engine and includes controls for the baggage handler to start and stop the conveyor as needed.
A different type of conveyor is a powered screw, which is designed with a central shaft and continuous screw-shaped lifting plate, enclosed in a hollow cylindrical tube. As the drive shaft rotates, the screw picks up material between the turns of the screw plate and the tube and transports it upward until it reaches a discharge tube at the top. These conveyors are commonly used to move loose materials such as grain or powdered compounds that would not move well on a belt conveyor.