Abstract: A method includes emitting a laser including a plurality of laser points onto a surface of a conveyor belt, capturing a plurality of first images of the surface of the conveyor belt during a first cycle of the conveyor belt, creating a first three-dimensional image of the surface of the conveyor belt during the first cycle, each of a plurality of locations of the surface of the conveyor belt in the first three-dimensional image being assigned first position data, capturing a plurality of second images of the surface of the conveyor belt during a second cycle of the conveyor belt; creating a second three-dimensional image of the surface during the second cycle, each of the plurality of locations of the surface in the second three-dimensional image being assigned second position data; and determining whether a difference between the first and second position data exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaning assembly includes a first rail member, a second rail member, and a locking mechanism for removably securing the first rail member to the second rail member. The first rail member includes a first base wall, a first leg extending from a first end of the first base wall, a second leg extending from an opposite second end of the first base wall, a first bottom retaining wall, and a first side retaining wall defining a first inner taper portion extending inwardly toward the second leg. The second rail member includes a second base wall, an inner wall, an opposite outer wall, a second bottom retaining wall, and a second side retaining wall defining a second inner taper portion extending inwardly toward the inner wall. The second inner taper portion is a mirror image of the first inner taper portion.

Abstract: An autonomous tensioner system that is coupled to a conveyor belt scraper includes a motor that generates a first drive torque and a gearing assembly coupled to the motor such that the gearing assembly is actuated in response to the motor generating the first drive torque. The gearing assembly generates a second drive torque in response to receiving the initial drive torque generated by the motor and the second drive torque is greater than the first drive torque. The autonomous tensioner system includes an output member coupled to the gearing assembly and the conveyor belt scraper. The output member receives the second drive torque from the gearing assembly and rotates in response, thereby generating a rotational torque. The conveyor belt scraper receives the rotational torque from the output member and simultaneously moves at a torque greater than the first drive torque generated by the motor.

Abstract: An autonomous tensioner system that is coupled to a conveyor belt scraper includes a motor that generates a first drive torque and a gearing assembly coupled to the motor such that the gearing assembly is actuated in response to the motor generating the first drive torque. The gearing assembly generates a second drive torque in response to receiving the initial drive torque generated by the motor and the second drive torque is greater than the first drive torque. The autonomous tensioner system includes an output member coupled to the gearing assembly and the conveyor belt scraper. The output member receives the second drive torque from the gearing assembly and rotates in response, thereby generating a rotational torque. The conveyor belt scraper receives the rotational torque from the output member and simultaneously moves at a torque greater than the first drive torque generated by the motor.

Abstract: A flange assembly comprises an annular mounting ring and a gate. The annular mounting ring is configured to be welded to the equipment and to connect an air cannon thereto. The mounting ring comprises threaded bolt holes and a slot and encircles a fluid passageway. The gate comprises a blocking portion that is frangibly connected to a flange portion. The gate is at least partially insertable through the slot such that the blocking portion is able to at least partially prevent fluid flow through the fluid passageway. The flange portion is configured to be securely attached to the annular mounting ring after the blocking portion of the gate has been frangibly disconnected from the flange portion.

Abstract: An electrically driven eccentric weight industrial vibrator comprises a housing, a stator, a rotor, and at least one eccentric weight. The housing defines an internal chamber. The stator is positioned within the internal chamber of the housing and is fixed in rotation relative to the housing. The rotor encircles the stator and is rotationally connected to the stator and the housing in a manner such that the rotor is able to revolve around the stator within the internal chamber of the housing. The eccentric weight is mounted to the rotor in a manner such that the eccentric weight is able to revolve about the stator together with the rotor.

Abstract: A generator comprises a stator having a center axis and a rotor. The stator is configured and adapted to be supported by a portion of conveyor belt support structure. The stator comprises an opening aligned with the center axis configured and adapted to receive at least a portion of a shaft of a conveyor belt roller. The rotor is configured and adapted to connect to the conveyor belt roller in a manner such that the rotor and conveyor belt roller can collectively rotate about the center axis. The rotor encircles the stator and comprises a plurality of permanent magnets.

Abstract: An electrically driven eccentric weight industrial vibrator comprises a housing, a stator, a rotor, and at least one eccentric weight. The housing defines an internal chamber. The stator is positioned within the internal chamber of the housing and is fixed in rotation relative to the housing. The rotor encircles the stator and is rotationally connected to the stator and the housing in a manner such that the rotor is able to revolve around the stator within the internal chamber of the housing. The eccentric weight is mounted to the rotor in a manner such that the eccentric weight is able to revolve about the stator together with the rotor.

Abstract: A combination air cannon and sonic horn for dislodging accumulated bulk material comprises an air cannon, a sonic horn, and a shared portion. The air cannon is configured to store pressurized gas and to periodically abruptly discharge the pressurized gas through a gas outlet. The sonic horn is configured to generate sound waves that that are emitted from the gas outlet. The outlet is formed on a nozzle having a unique configuration. The outlet can be oriented such that blasts of air from the air cannon pass over the accumulated bulk material and lift the bulk material into suspension via Bernoulli's law.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus for attachment to a container adapted to utilized pressurized air from a portable pressure source, which apparatus includes a base and a vacuum generator connectable to a pressure source, wherein the vacuum generator is attached to the base and adapted to create a vacuum between the base and a container. The apparatus further includes a vibrator attached to the base and adapted to vibrate the base and any attached container and a conduit connectable to the vibrator at a first end and a pressure source at a second, opposite end. The conduit has a passage extending therethrough and a flow restrictor is disposed between the pressure source and the vibrator to allow a predetermined, non-adjustable volume of airflow through the conduit into the vibrator in a first direction of flow.

Abstract: A conveyor belt assembly comprises a conveyor belt, a tail pulley, and a transition zone comprising a loading device. The conveyor is looped around the tail pulley and has a generally flat transverse cross-section on the tail pulley. The conveyor belt transitions from having the generally flat cross-section to having a full-trough cross section in the transition zone. The loading device comprises a chute and skirtboards that are connected to each other and that are above the conveyor belt. The loading device is configured to load bulk material onto the belt in the transition region. The skirtboards have linear bottom surfaces that rise as the distance from the tail pulley increases. The conveyor belt is supported from below in the transition zone in a manner creating linear portions of the conveyor belt directly beneath the skirtboards that also rise as the distance from the tail pulley increases.

Abstract: A bulk material conveyor belt scraper comprises a base portion having a three-sided channel. The belt scraper also comprises a polymeric portion that protrudes outwardly from a corner of the three-sided channel. The three-sided channel of the belt scraper is adapted to engage with and partially encircles a support member having a portion with a square cross-section in a manner such that the support member is able to bias the belt scraper against a conveyor belt.

Abstract: A bulk material handling assembly comprises a pair of spaced-apart walls, an elongate vibrator, a pair of saddle clamps, and a pair of locking members. The saddle clamps encircle and releasably secure the axial end portions of the vibrator to the spaced-apart walls of the bulk material handling assembly. The locking members are secured to the saddle clamps and to the end portions of the vibrator.

Abstract: A bulk material conveyor belt scraper comprises a base portion having a C-channel. The belt scraper also comprises a polymeric portion that protrudes outwardly from a corner of the C-channel. The C-channel of the belt scraper is adapted to engage with and partially encircle a support member having a square portion in a manner such that the support member is able to bias the belt scraper against a conveyor belt.