Abstract: A system for monitoring conveyor belts is disclosed. The system includes a generator array, a sensor array and circuitry. The generator array is configured to apply a magnetic field to a plurality of belt subsegments of a segment of a conveyor belt. The sensor array is configured to measure a plurality of magnetic responses for the plurality of belt subsegments. The circuitry is configured to determine whether at least a portion of the segment requires replacement based on the measured plurality of magnetic responses.

Abstract: A system for monitoring conveyor belts is disclosed. The system also includes a first sensor configured to generate a first field and obtain first measurements based on the generated first field and a conveyor belt. The system also includes a second sensor configured to generate a second field and obtain second measurements based on the generated second field and the conveyor belt. The system also includes circuitry configured to generate hybrid belt information based on the obtained first measurements and the obtained second measurements. The system can utilize the Doppler effect and/or microwave radiation/fields to generate the hybrid belt information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting defects in conveyor belt splices having magnetically permeable metal cords embedded therein as the conveyor belt advances through a conveyor system, said conveyor belt having at least one splice, wherein a first set of magnetically permeable metal cords coming from a first side of the splice extend into a second side of the splice and have ends which are embedded in the second side of the splice, wherein a second set of magnetically permeable metal cords coming from the second side of the splice extend into the first side of the splice and have ends which are embedded in the first side of the splice.

Abstract: As a tubular conveyor belt advances through a conveyor system longitudinal rips can be detected and the orientation of the belt can be monitored, wherein the tubular conveyor belt has a width, a length, a longitudinal centerline, a first longitudinal edge, an opposing second longitudinal edge, and a load bearing region, wherein during use the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge overlap to form an overlap region forming the belt into a tube-like shape, wherein the load bearing region is located evenly about the belt longitudinal centerline throughout the length of the belt; this method comprising monitoring the position of the centerline by detecting the position of a plurality of equally spaced magnetically permeable elements embedded therein, wherein the magnetically permeable elements are situated across the width of the load bearing region of the tubular conveyor belt.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for detecting longitudinal rips and monitoring the belt orientation of tubular conveyor belts as the conveyor belt advances through a conveyor system, wherein said tubular conveyor belt has a width, a length, a longitudinal centerline, a first longitudinal edge, an opposing second longitudinal edge, and a load bearing region, wherein during use said first longitudinal edge and said second longitudinal edge overlap to form an overlap region forming the belt into a tube-like shape, wherein said load bearing region is located evenly about the belt longitudinal centerline throughout the length of the belt; said method comprising monitoring the position of the centerline by detecting the position of a plurality of equally spaced magnetically permeable elements embedded therein, wherein the magnetically permeable elements are situated across the width of the load bearing region of the tubular conveyor belt.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a conveyor belt having magnetically permeable cords, has an AC magnetic field generator for generating an alternating magnetic field to magnetize the cords, in use; a magnetic field sensing unit for sensing the alternating magnetic field provided, in use, by the cords and for providing signals representative of the alternating magnetic field; arid a processor for processing the signals to monitor continuous parts of the cords. The system further has a DC magnetic field generator for erasing an AC field previously generated by the AC magnetic field generator, the AC magnetic field generator being positioned between the DC magnetic field generator and the magnetic field sensing unit. The processor also determines the speed of travel of the belt, and the position in space of a lateral edge of the belt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting defects in conveyor belt splices having magnetically permeable metal cords embedded therein as the conveyor belt advances through a conveyor system, said conveyor belt having at least one splice, wherein a first set of magnetically permeable metal cords coming from a first side of the splice extend into a second side of the splice and have ends which are embedded in the second side of the splice, wherein a second set of magnetically permeable metal cords coming from the second side of the splice extend into the first side of the splice and have ends which are embedded in the first side of the splice.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the condition of a conveyor belt having magnetically permeable cords, has a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field to magnetize the cords, in use, a magnetic field sensing unit for sensing the magnetic field provided, in use, by the cords, the sensing unit comprising an array of spaced magnetic field sensors, the spacing of the sensors being sufficiently close to discriminate between adjacent cords. The spacing of the sensors depends on the spacing of the cords, and may be less than half the spacing between cords of a conveyor belt. The sensors may be direction sensitive and the sensors may be oriented in more than one direction, to sense the perpendicular and other components of the magnetic field.

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: A system for monitoring the condition of a conveyor belt having magnetically permeable cords, has a magnetic field generator, a magnetic field sensing unit, and a processor for performing a discrete wavelet transform. The wavelet may be a Morlet waveform. The sensing unit can include an array of spaced magnetic field sensors, and the transform can be performed on signals supplied by the sensors.

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: 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: 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.