Abstract: A spiral drum freezer apparatus having a system for measuring and monitoring the "overdrive" of a rotated drum relative to a spiral belt helically wrapped around the drum in an ascending fashion. The system measures overdrive directly and continuously by obtaining a first speed measurement of the drum directly from the sprockets of a drive gear box drivingly engaging the drum. An alternative point of measurement for measuring rotational speed includes proximate the sprockets of a drum wheel driven by a belt, or sensing spaced-apart vertical outer structure members of the drum. Another point yet is on a disc-like plate. This plate is coaxially aligned and attached to the drum, and has precisionally spaced apart markings proximate a periphery where the rotational speed of the plate is directly proportional to the rotational speed of the drum. A second speed measurement is obtained by measuring the rotational speed of sprockets of a guide roller guiding the spiral belt.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly for use in the continuous freezing of food articles and comprising a generally coaxially arranged cylindrical core with an outer annular cylindrical shell, the annular shell defining an annular thermal treating or freezing zone. An endless spirally-arranged conveyor track creates a support platform or base for the material being treated, such as the food being frozen, and travels along a path within the annular freezing zone. The conveyor track is supported by a plurality of axially and radially spaced apart unitary support arms secured to the outer wall surface so as to support and guide the conveyor along a predetermined spiral path or course through the annular freezing zone. Each of the support brackets has a certain constant height dimension from root to tip and a generally frusto-conical width dimension tapering inwardly from the root to the tip so as to provide a stable support with a low dimensional profile.