Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring alignment of a transverse member conveyor wherein the member is attached transversely at opposite end portions to two parallel endless chains and includes two position sensors affixed and located transversely adjacent to each chain and each other. One or more targets are attached to link of each chain, and at predetermined distances from the member. The position sensors inductively or magnetically sense the relative position of the target on each chain with respect to the respective position sensor adjacent the chain, and send a signal comparing the target and sensor proximity with respect to the target on each chain. This allows determination of whether the opposite end portions of the member attached to the respective chains are aligned transversely within predetermined tolerance limits. Another aspect is monitoring a single position on an endless chain. Another aspect monitors chain catenary.

Abstract: A head shaft assembly has a center tube, an end tube, a collector sprocket and a collar. The center tube has drive and driven ends. The center tube has a center tube diameter. The end tube has a key extending longitudinally along an outer surface and inner and outer ends. The key defines a key length and the end tube has an end tube diameter. The collector sprocket is mountable to the end tube and rotationally secured to the end tube by the key. The collar is hollow between a first end and a second end. The center tube diameter is substantially the same as the end tube diameter and the drive end is proximate to the inner end. The drive end and the inner end are positioned within the collar between the first end and the second end. The collar fixes the center tube to the end tube.

Abstract: A head shaft assembly has a center tube, an end tube, a collector sprocket and a collar. The center tube has drive and driven ends. The center tube has a center tube diameter. The end tube has a key extending longitudinally along an outer surface and inner and outer ends. The key defines a key length and the end tube has an end tube diameter. The collector sprocket is mountable to the end tube and rotationally secured to the end tube by the key. The collar is hollow between a first end and a second end. The center tube diameter is substantially the same as the end tube diameter and the drive end is proximate to the inner end. The drive end and the inner end are positioned within the collar between the first end and the second end. The collar fixes the center tube to the end tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring alignment of a transverse member conveyor wherein the member is attached transversely at opposite end portions to two parallel endless chains and includes two position sensors affixed and located transversely adjacent to each chain and each other. One or more targets are attached to link of each chain, and at predetermined distances from the member. The position sensors inductively or magnetically sense the relative position of the target on each chain with respect to the respective position sensor adjacent the chain, and send a signal comparing the target and sensor proximity with respect to the target on each chain. This allows determination of whether the opposite end portions of the member attached to the respective chains are aligned transversely within predetermined tolerance limits. Another aspect is monitoring a single position on an endless chain. Another aspect monitors chain catenary.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring alignment of a transverse member conveyor. The member is attached transversely at opposite end portions to two parallel endless chains includes two position sensors affixed and located transversely adjacent to each chain and each other. One or more targets are attached to link(s) of each chain, and at predetermined distances from the member. The position sensors inductively or magnetically sense the relative position of the target(s) on each chain with respect to the respective position sensor adjacent the chain, and send a signal comparing the target and sensor proximity with respect to the target on each chain. This allows determination of whether the opposite end portions of the member attached to the respective chains are aligned transversely within predetermined tolerance limits. Another aspect is monitoring a single position on an endless chain. Another aspect monitors chain catenary.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring alignment of a transverse member conveyor. The member is attached transversely at opposite end portions to two parallel endless chains includes two position sensors affixed and located transversely adjacent to each chain and each other. One or more targets are attached to link(s) of each chain, and at predetermined distances from the member. The position sensors inductively or magnetically sense the relative position of the target(s) on each chain with respect to the respective position sensor adjacent the chain, and send a signal comparing the target and sensor proximity with respect to the target on each chain. This allows determination of whether the opposite end portions of the member attached to the respective chains are aligned transversely within predetermined tolerance limits. Another aspect is monitoring a single position on an endless chain. Another aspect monitors chain catenary.