Abstract: The present invention generally relates to flexible hose articles and methods. Some embodiments include hoses that can be reversibly bent and/or shaped. Furthermore, some embodiments can comprise methods for making and/or using such hose articles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to timing belts having improved fabric adhesion to the tooth facing which can be achieved by the use of a combination of a RFL treated fabric and an EPDM body provided the RFL treatment or the body include ZDA or the RF latex is an X-HNBR latex.

Abstract: The tracks of the present invention utilize cut pieces of reinforcement which are associated with each individual drive lug. By using individual pieces the lugs can be easily built up with multiple layers of rubber and reinforcement. The cut pieces can be strategically shaped and placed to optimize their effect to realize improved performance and durability of the track. Incorporation of such inner fabric reinforcement layers adds stiffness to the lugs and thereby increases the torque capacity of the track. Additional layers also provide increased damage resistance after the outer layers of fabric are worn away, and added layers improve wear resistance on the sides of the lugs due to undercarriage misalignment and track-to-wheel contact when the vehicle turns during normal operations.

Abstract: A conveyor belt for use in a tubular conveyor belt system has a width and a length, and a longitudinal centerline. The conveyor belt further has a first longitudinal edge, and an opposing second longitudinal edge, wherein during use, the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge overlap to form an overlap region, thus forming the belt into a tube-like shape. The conveyor belt further has a load bearing region, wherein the load bearing region is located evenly about the belt longitudinal centerline, throughout the length of the belt. Further, there is a first anti-rotation region and a second anti-rotation region, wherein the first anti-rotation region is located between the first longitudinal edge and the load bearing region, and the second anti-rotation region is located between the second longitudinal edge and the load bearing region.

Abstract: A digital processor for use in a conveyor belt rip detector, which provides excitation signals at a selected frequency to inverted and noninverted sensor loops on a conveyor belt and then detects corresponding received signals from the sensor loops. The digital processor then performs FFTs on the corresponding received signals to provide respective received signal frequency spectrums. Next magnitude and phase values of the selected frequency in the respective received signal frequency spectrums are used to determine a qualitative state of the sensor loops. The selected frequency has a lowest detected ambient noise level, and the magnitude value is a normalized magnitude value.

Abstract: A non-halogenated rubber compound is provided for use in conveyor belts, particularly those used in underground mining. The non-halogenated rubber compound is fire-resistant in accordance with MSHA standards and produces acceptable levels of toxicity and smoke upon burning. Such non-halogenated rubber compound includes a blend of rubbery polymers in combination with aluminum trihydrate, which is a fire retardant, and optionally a phosphate plasticizer, which can provide the rubber compound with a more desirable workability. The blend of rubbery polymers is composed of natural rubber and butadiene rubber, and optionally styrene-butadiene rubber, such blend being present in a total amount of 100 phr. In one embodiment, the aluminum trihydrate is present in an amount of about 30 phr to about 150 phr. In another embodiment, the phosphate plasticizer is present in an amount of about 10 phr to about 60 phr.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to timing belts having improved fabric adhesion to the tooth facing can be achieved by the use of a combination of a RFL treated fabric and an EPDM body provided the RFL treatment or the body include ZDA or the RF latex is an X-HNBR latex.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to track segments for track vehicles and, more specifically, to a track segment having an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EP(D)M) rubber based backer, and a method of making. In one embodiment, the track segment includes an EP(D)M rubber based backer including a rubber compound having 100 phr EP(D)M rubber wherein the diene component is optionally present, a peroxide curing agent, and one or more acrylic and/or methacrylic coagents. The track segment further includes a track pad and a track body. The track pad and backer cooperate with the track body to define the track segment for use in a track for a track vehicle. The EP(D)M rubber based compound provides a desirable balance of low heat build-up under heavy dynamic cyclic compression conditions, and also has a desirable load carrying capability, high heat resistance, and good cut/tear strength in hot climates.

Abstract: The hose couplings of this invention can be used to connect sections of large bore reinforced hose to make it more resistant to damage that can be caused by axial and bending forces encountered during normal usage. This extends the service life of the hoses of this invention which include such couplings.

Abstract: A remote conveyor belt monitoring system for monitoring an operation of a conveyor belt at a first geographic location. A local HMI is operable to acquire and store data representing conveyor belt conditions and operating characteristics. First and second computers at different geographic locations acquire the data via an internet. Thus, data relating to the operating conditions of the conveyor belt can be remotely consolidated and monitored by computers at different global locations.

Abstract: A monitoring system is provided for a moving conveyor belt having a plurality of embedded reinforcing cords and identification tags. A tag reader detects and identifies the identification tags passing by the tag reader while a belt monitor scans the cords to detect a plurality of magnetic reference points and a damage event of at least one cord. A control unit in communication with the belt monitor and the tag reader analyzes the belt monitor to identify the plurality of magnetic reference points and the damage event. The control unit also acquires a belt location on the moving conveyor belt from a belt map based on the detected and identified identification tag and a magnetic reference point from the plurality of magnetic reference points. When a damage event is identified, a location of the damage event is determined by the control unit based on the acquired belt location.

Abstract: The subject invention reveals a method for preparing a coated fabric which comprises (I) applying a vulcanizable elastomer composition to a layer of fabric, wherein the vulcanizable elastomer composition is made by: (1) mixing a cross-linkable functionalized polyethylene with at least one cross-linkable liquid elastomer to form a non-reactive extrudant, wherein the mixing occurs at a temperature in the range of 10° F.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a treadmill belt with foamed cushion layer and method of making same. In one embodiment, the treadmill belt includes a fabric base layer and a foamed cushion layer foamed on and integral with the fabric base layer. The foamed cushion layer includes a thermoplastic composition and has a Shore A hardness of about 20 to about 80. In one example, the first foamed cushion layer is from about 0.05 inches to about 0.35 inches thick. The thermoplastic composition, prior to being foamed, includes about 1 part to about 5 parts of a foaming agent, e.g., a chemical foaming agent, based on 100 parts thermoplastic material, e.g., polyvinyl chloride. An outer wear layer is securely adhered on the foamed cushion layer to sandwich the foamed cushion layer between the fabric base layer and outer wear layer thereby defining the treadmill belt.

Abstract: A monitoring system is provided for a moving conveyor belt having a plurality of embedded reinforcing cords and identification tags. A tag reader detects and identifies the identification tags passing by the tag reader while a belt monitor scans the cords to detect a plurality of magnetic reference points and a damage event of at least one cord. A control unit in communication with the belt monitor and the tag reader analyzes the belt monitor to identify the plurality of magnetic reference points and the damage event. The control unit also acquires a belt location on the moving conveyor belt from a belt map based on the detected and identified identification tag and a magnetic reference point from the plurality of magnetic reference points. When a damage event is identified, a location of the damage event is determined by the control unit based on the acquired belt location.

Abstract: The subject invention reveals a method for preparing a coated fabric which comprises (I) applying a vulcanizable elastomer composition to a layer of fabric, wherein the vulcanizable elastomer composition is made by: (1) mixing a cross-linkable functionalized polyethylene with at least one cross-linkable liquid elastomer to form a non-reactive extrudant, wherein the mixing occurs at a temperature in the range of 10° F.

Abstract: A digital processor for use in a conveyor belt rip detector, which provides excitation signals at a selected frequency to inverted and noninverted sensor loops on a conveyor belt and then detects corresponding received signals from the sensor loops. The digital processor then performs FFTs on the corresponding received signals to provide respective received signal frequency spectrums. Next magnitude and phase values of the selected frequency in the respective received signal frequency spectrums are used to determine a qualitative state of the sensor loops. The selected frequency has a lowest detected ambient noise level, and the magnitude value is a normalized magnitude value.

Abstract: A power transmission belt has a compression section, a tension section, and a load carrying section. The load carrying section has a plurality of reinforcing cords. The reinforcing cords are formed from poly(p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) (PBO). In each reinforcing cord, the cords have a yarn twist greater than the cord twist, and the cord twist is in the range of one-forth to one-half of a ply twist.

Abstract: A fabric or cord is treated with an elastomeric compound comprises 20-80 parts per hundred cross-linkable materials of liquid elastomer. The liquid elastomer has a complex dynamic viscosity less than 5 McP (5,000 N*s/m2) at a temperature between 20° C. and the maximum flow temperature TF, and the elastomeric compound the elastomeric material, prior to cure, has a complex dynamic viscosity of less than 5 McP (5,000 N*s/m2) for at least 2 minutes at a maximum flow temperature TF. The coated fabric and cord materials are useful as facing fabrics for power transmission products.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the incorporation of functionalized polyethylenes, in amount of about 1% to 95% by weight based upon the weight of the total crosslinkable material, into ethylene alpha olefin elastomers, such as EPDM elastomer compositions, which are crosslinked by peroxides, which results in improved properties, such as hardness and modulus of elongation, and can result in improved higher abrasion resistance, wear resistance, coefficient of friction, tensile strength, and other properties through a broad temperature range, which are beneficial to power transmission products, such as power transmission belts.

Abstract: An elastomeric compound comprises 20-80 parts per hundred cross-linkable materials of liquid elastomer. The liquid elastomer has a complex dynamic viscosity less than 5 McP (5,000 N*s/m2) at a temperature between 20° C. and the maximum flow temperature TF, and the elastomeric compound the elastomeric material has a complex dynamic viscosity of less than 5 McP (5,000 N*s/m2) for at least 2 minutes at a maximum flow temperature TF.