Abstract: A spiral conveyor system may include a cage associated with a motor; a conveyor belt traveling helically about the cage; the cage including a plurality of drive elements formed of vertically oriented cage bars; a cage bar cap mounted on at least one of the cage bars; the cage bar cap including a vertically oriented rib extending radially from a surface of the cage bar cap; wherein the rib includes at least one drive face; wherein the conveyor belt includes at least one belt surface configured to engage the at least one drive face; wherein the cage includes a ring that extends between the terminus of the rib and the entrance end of the cage; wherein the surface of the cage bar cap from which the rib extends defines a first diameter; and wherein the ring has a ring diameter that is larger than the first diameter.

Abstract: A spiral conveyor system may include a drum and a conveyor belt traveling helically about the drum from an entrance end to an exit end of the drum, and a rib associated with the drum, wherein the rib extends radially from a surface of the drum. A length of the rib extends along the length of the drum from a first end of the rib to a terminus of the rib proximate the entrance end of the drum. In addition, a height of the rib above of the surface of the drum varies along the length of the rib. Further, the rib includes at least one drive face, wherein the conveyor belt includes at least one belt surface configured to engage the at least one drive face, and wherein the drum includes a smooth ribless portion between the terminus of the rib and the entrance end of the drum.

Abstract: A spiral conveyor system with a positive drive system includes a rotating drum with at least one rib that is attached to drum. The rib includes a drive face for engaging a conveyor belt. The height of the rib above of the surface of the drum varies along a length of the drive element. The rib may be directly attached to the drum or may be a part of a drive element attached to the drum. The conveyor belt includes at least one belt surface configured to engage the at least one drive face, such as a protruding tab with a flat surface.

Abstract: A spiral overlay for a conveyor belt includes a plurality of wire spirals assembled together in intermeshing relationship on connecting rods to provide a conveying surface and an opposing surface with a belt thickness extending in the vertical direction. Each of said wire spirals formed of a single length of wire and forming a helix extending laterally across the belt, said spiral comprising opposed arcuate linking bends at a forward end and a rearward end along the longitudinal axis, and at least one intermediate loop formed between said opposed arcuate linking bends and disposed within the belt thickness, said spirals arranged relative to one another such that said linking bends of one spiral are intermeshed with linking bends of an immediately adjacent one of said spirals and said intermeshed linking bends of adjacent spirals are adapted to receive one of the connecting rods to operatively connect said spirals.

Abstract: A system for anticipating low-speed bearing failure triggers a notification when a noise generated by the low-speed bearing exceeds a threshold. The system predicts failure far in advance of the actual failure. The system includes an accelerometer for detecting the noise generated by the bearing. The signal produced by the accelerometer is processed using a band pass filter, an amplifier/rectifier, an averaging filter, and a voltage to current converter. The signal and raw data are transmitted to a remote monitoring system, such as a computer. The signal is further analyzed, such as to produce a best-fit line. When the signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, such as when the amount or the slope of the best-fit line exceeds a value, the remote system notifies a monitor to schedule maintenance.

Abstract: A spiral conveyor system with a positive drive system includes a rotating drum with at least one rib that is attached to drum. The rib includes a drive face for engaging a conveyor belt. The height of the rib above of the surface of the drum varies along a length of the drive element. The rib may be directly attached to the drum or may be a part of a drive element attached to the drum. The conveyor belt includes at least one belt surface configured to engage the at least one drive face, such as a protruding tab with a flat surface.

Abstract: A conveyor belt includes a self-supporting linkage assembly and a plurality of transverse elements configured to travel along a longitudinal direction. The transverse elements are interconnected by the linkage assembly. The conveyor belt also includes a biasing member. The linkage assembly includes a first link and a second link. The first and second links are configured to move relative to each other between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The biasing member is configured to bias the first and second links toward the engaged position. The first and second links, when in the engaged position, are constrained against rotation relative to each other. The first and second links, when in the disengaged position, are configured to rotate relative to each other.

Abstract: A conveyor belt includes a first link having a first protrusion with a first mating surface that is curved. The first protrusion is disposed proximate a first rod receiving aperture of the first link. The belt also includes a second link having a second protrusion with a second mating surface that is curved. The second protrusion is disposed proximate a second rod receiving aperture of the second link. The first mating surface receives and abuts the second mating surface. The second link is restrained against movement in less than three orthogonal directions relative to the first link due to abutment of the first and second mating surfaces. The first and second rod receiving apertures are aligned when the first and second mating surfaces abut. Additionally, the belt includes a connecting rod extending through the first and second rod receiving apertures.

Abstract: A conveyor belt includes a first link having a first protrusion with a first mating surface that is curved. The first protrusion is disposed proximate a first rod receiving aperture of the first link. The belt also includes a second link having a second protrusion with a second mating surface that is curved. The second protrusion is disposed proximate a second rod receiving aperture of the second link. The first mating surface receives and abuts the second mating surface. The second link is restrained against movement in less than three orthogonal directions relative to the first link due to abutment of the first and second mating surfaces. The first and second rod receiving apertures are aligned when the first and second mating surfaces abut. Additionally, the belt includes a connecting rod extending through the first and second rod receiving apertures.

Abstract: A link for a modular conveyor belt may include a supporting structure and a bearing structure covering at least a portion of the supporting structure. The supporting structure may have a tensile strength that is higher than the bearing structure, and the bearing structure may be more resistant to wear than the supporting structure.

Abstract: A conveyor belt configured to contact a drive surface is disclosed including a substantially U-shaped link having an outermost portion with a contact surface configured to face the drive surface. The outermost portion of the link may be more resistant to wear due to contact with the drive surface than other portions of the link.

Abstract: A conveyor belt includes a first link having a first protrusion with a first mating surface that is curved. The first protrusion is disposed proximate a first rod receiving aperture of the first link. The belt also includes a second link having a second protrusion with a second mating surface that is curved. The second protrusion is disposed proximate a second rod receiving aperture of the second link. The first mating surface receives and abuts the second mating surface. The second link is restrained against movement in less than three orthogonal directions relative to the first link due to abutment of the first and second mating surfaces. The first and second rod receiving apertures are aligned when the first and second mating surfaces abut. Additionally, the belt includes a connecting rod extending through the first and second rod receiving apertures.

Abstract: A link member having a replaceable wear component and a conveyor belt comprising a link member having a replaceable wear component are described. One aspect of the present invention provides a sacrificial or replaceable wear component that is attached to a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt can be any type of conveyor belt, such as a grid-type or flat-wire conveyor belt. The wear component is attached by mechanical or other means to allow its removal after a certain wear limit has been achieved. A new component can be installed to bring the conveyor belt to nearly new condition. This will extend belt life because only the wear component needs to be replaced, rather than the entire belt.

Abstract: A conveyor belt is provided that may include a first link having a first protrusion. The first protrusion may include a first mating surface and may be disposed proximate a first rod receiving aperture extending through the first link. The conveyor belt may include a second link having a second protrusion extending a second distance from a surface of the second link. The second protrusion may include a second mating surface, wherein the second protrusion is disposed proximate a second rod receiving aperture extending through the second link. The first mating surface of the first protrusion may be disposed in a mating relationship with the second mating surface of the second protrusion. Further, the conveyor belt may include a connecting rod extending through the first rod receiving aperture of the first link and the second rod receiving aperture of the second link.

Abstract: A conveyor belt is provided that includes a link having a leg formed of a link leg material, wherein the leg includes an outer link surface configured to face the drive surface, the link leg being configured to receive a rod. The conveyor belt may include an aperture extending through the leg, wherein the rod is disposed within the aperture. Also, the conveyor belt may include a first weld that attaches the free end of the rod to the outer link surface, the first weld comprising a first weld material and a second weld made of a second weld material, wherein the second weld covers at least a portion of the first weld and forms an outermost surface of the conveyor belt. The second weld material may be different from the first weld material, and may be more resistant to wear than the first weld material.

Abstract: A conveyor belt is provided that may include a first link having a first protrusion. The first protrusion may include a first mating surface and may be disposed proximate a first rod receiving aperture extending through the first link. The conveyor belt may include a second link having a second protrusion extending a second distance from a surface of the second link. The second protrusion may include a second mating surface, wherein the second protrusion is disposed proximate a second rod receiving aperture extending through the second link. The first mating surface of the first protrusion may be disposed in a mating relationship with the second mating surface of the second protrusion. Further, the conveyor belt may include a connecting rod extending through the first rod receiving aperture of the first link and the second rod receiving aperture of the second link.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a pitch for a modular conveyor belt. In some embodiments, the pitch may include a link having a first leg, including an opening formed in the first leg. The opening may be defined by a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge opposite the first side edge. In addition, the pitch may include a projection associated with the first edge. In a first position, the projection may extend substantially perpendicularly away from the first edge towards the second edge so that a free end of the projection is positioned proximate the second edge. Also, the projection may be configured to deflect to a second position, in which the free end of the projection is deflected within the opening towards one of the first side edge and the second side edge.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a pitch for a modular conveyor belt. In some embodiments, the pitch may include a link having a first leg, including an opening formed in the first leg. The opening may be defined by a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge opposite the first side edge. In addition, the pitch may include a projection associated with the first edge. In a first position, the projection may extend substantially perpendicularly away from the first edge towards the second edge so that a free end of the projection is positioned proximate the second edge. Also, the projection may be configured to deflect to a second position, in which the free end of the projection is deflected within the opening towards one of the first side edge and the second side edge.

Abstract: A conveyor belt configured to contact a drive surface is disclosed including a substantially U-shaped link having an outermost portion with a contact surface configured to face the drive surface. The outermost portion of the link may be more resistant to wear due to contact with the drive surface than other portions of the link.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a pitch for a modular conveyor belt. In some embodiments, the pitch may include a link having a first leg, including an opening formed in the first leg. The opening may be defined by a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge opposite the first side edge. In addition, the pitch may include a projection associated with the first edge. In a first position, the projection may extend substantially perpendicularly away from the first edge towards the second edge so that a free end of the projection is positioned proximate the second edge. Also, the projection may be configured to deflect to a second position, in which the free end of the projection is deflected within the opening towards one of the first side edge and the second side edge.