Abstract: A system for monitoring conveyor belts is disclosed. The system includes a printed inductive antenna loop, a transmitter, a detector, and circuitry. The antenna is printed on and/or installed (inserted) into a conveyor belt. The transmitter is proximate the printed antenna and is configured to generate an electromagnetic field. The detector is configured to measure an induced electric field from the printed inductive antenna loop. The circuitry is configured to detect damage of the conveyor belt based on the measured induced electromagnetic field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inspecting a facility (1), wherein the method comprises at least the automatically executed steps of: capturing (100a) optical data from at least one facility part (12, 13) of the facility (19), capturing (100b) acoustic data from at least the same facility part (12, 13) of the facility (19), and jointly evaluating (200) the captured optical data and the captured acoustic data.

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 determining volume and flow characteristics for material on a conveyer belt is disclosed. The system includes an emitter, a sensor, and circuitry. The emitter is configured to generate radiation and direct the radiation toward a conveyer belt according to a field of view. The sensor is configured to measure reflected radiation from the conveyor belt and based on the generated radiation at a high framerate of about 20 to 30 Hertz and a high resolution of greater than about 4000 pixels and generate time of flight measurements. The circuitry is configured to generate time of flight measurements, determine three dimensional volume characteristics and flow characteristics for material conveyed by the conveyor belt using light detection and ranging based on the measured reflected radiation.

Abstract: A system for detecting properties of a rubber product is disclosed. The system includes a dipole antenna and circuitry. The dipole antenna is configured to obtain antenna measurements and measure for a resonance frequency of a conductive resonator (200), wherein the dipole antenna (200) is positioned at a first position (A) and a second position (B). The circuitry is configured to determine one or more resonator properties (X) based on the antenna measurements.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a tethered temperature sensor for use within a vehicle track. The tethered temperature sensor includes one or more sensors for measuring temperature located in a high strain and high temperature region of the vehicle track. The sensor also includes circuitry configured to control and/or monitor the one or more sensors and located in a low strain and low temperature region of the vehicle track. The sensor also includes a housing to contain the circuitry. The sensor also includes an encapsulating material that fills an interior of the housing.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a tethered temperature sensor (300) for use within a vehicle track (100). The tethered temperature sensor (300) includes one or more sensors (308) for measuring temperature located in a high strain and high temperature region (104) of the vehicle track (100). The sensor also includes circuitry (402) configured to control and/or monitor the one or more sensors and located in a low strain and low temperature region (102) of the vehicle track (100). The sensor also includes a housing (406) to contain the circuitry. The sensor also includes an encapsulating material (408) that fills an interior of the housing (406).

Abstract: A system for monitoring conveyor belts is disclosed. The system also includes a transmitter, a receiver and circuitry. The transmitter is configured to direct terahertz radiation towards a conveyor belt. The receiver is configured to measure reflected radiation based on the terahertz radiation. The circuitry is configured to determine belt characteristics of the conveyor belt based on the measured reflected radiation.

Abstract: A system for detecting properties of a rubber product is disclosed. The system includes a dipole antenna and circuitry. The dipole antenna is configured to obtain antenna measurements and measure for a resonance frequency of a conductive resonator (200), wherein the dipole antenna (200) is positioned at a first position (A) and a second position (B). The circuitry is configured to determine one or more resonator properties (X) based on the antenna measurements.

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: A system for monitoring conveyor belts is disclosed. The system also includes a transmitter, a receiver and circuitry. The transmitter is configured to direct terahertz radiation towards a conveyor belt. The receiver is configured to measure reflected radiation based on the terahertz radiation. The circuitry is configured to determine belt characteristics of the conveyor belt based on the measured reflected radiation.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a tethered temperature sensor (300) for use within a vehicle track (100). The tethered temperature sensor (300) includes one or more sensors (308) for measuring temperature located in a high strain and high temperature region (104) of the vehicle track (100). The sensor also includes circuitry (402) configured to control and/or monitor the one or more sensors and located in a low strain and low temperature region (102) of the vehicle track (100). The sensor also includes a housing (406) to contain the circuitry. The sensor also includes an encapsulating material (408) that fills an interior of the housing (406).

Abstract: One general aspect includes a tethered temperature sensor for use within a vehicle track. The tethered temperature sensor includes one or more sensors for measuring temperature located in a high strain and high temperature region of the vehicle track. The sensor also includes circuitry configured to control and/or monitor the one or more sensors and located in a low strain and low temperature region of the vehicle track. The sensor also includes a housing to contain the circuitry. The sensor also includes an encapsulating material that fills an interior of the housing.

Abstract: A system is for monitoring a conveyor belt configured to be used as an at least partially enclosed belt conveyor and defining a longitudinal direction. An antenna is embedded in the conveyor belt and extends in the longitudinal direction. The system includes a transmitter for inducing an electrical field in the antenna and a detector for detecting the electrical field induced in the antenna. The transmitter and the detector are arranged in a spaced relationship with respect to the longitudinal direction so as to reduce cross talk between the transmitter and the detector. The conveyor belt is configured to move in the longitudinal direction and convey the antenna past the detector and the transmitter. The spaced relationship and the length of the antenna are mutually configured such that the antenna couples the transmitter to the detector longitudinally as the antenna moves past the detector and the transmitter.

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 conveyor belt comprising (1) an elastomeric body having a load carrying surface and a parallel pulley engaging surface; (2) a reinforcement ply disposed within the elastomeric body; (3) a rip detection sensor in the form of a microcoil sensor wire which is configured in an endless loop, wherein the microcoil sensor wire is comprised of an elastomeric core having an electrically conductive wire spirally wrapped around the elastomeric core.

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: The present invention relates to conveyor belts having rip detection systems which utilize microcoil sensor wires which offer improved durability as compared to conventional microcoil sensor wires. This higher degree of durability increases service life of the rip detection system and allows for the conveyor belt to be used reliably over an extended time period without the need to replace damaged microcoil sensor wires within the rip detection system of the conveyor belt. The present invention more specifically discloses a conveyor belt comprising (1) an elastomeric body having a load carrying surface and a parallel pulley engaging surface; (2) a reinforcement ply disposed within the elastomeric body; and (3) a rip detection sensor in the form of a microcoil sensor wire which is configured in an endless loop, wherein the microcoil sensor wire is comprised of an elastomeric core having an electrically conductive wire spirally wrapped around the elastomeric core.

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.