Abstract: A tensioning system maintains tension within a target range for an endless belt of a conveyor. The tensioning system may include a movable carriage that supports a take-up pulley that provides tension to the conveyor belt. The tensioning system may also include various hydraulic components supported on a repositionable cart. One example hydraulic component is a hydraulic cylinder that is in tension between the movable carriage and the repositionable cart. An accumulator initially pressurized to a predetermined pressure may be connected so as to supply pressure to the hydraulic cylinder. One or more flow-restriction valves between the hydraulic cylinder and the accumulator may substantially increase a pressure in the hydraulic cylinder during phases when a piston rod is rapidly drawn out of the hydraulic cylinder by tension waves in the endless belt. Further, a check valve may permit substantially unimpeded fluid flow from the accumulator to the hydraulic tensioning cylinder.

Abstract: A tensioning system maintains tension within a target range for an endless belt of a conveyor. The tensioning system may include a movable carriage that supports a take-up pulley that provides tension to the conveyor belt. The tensioning system may also include various hydraulic components supported on a repositionable cart. One example hydraulic component is a hydraulic cylinder that is in tension between the movable carriage and the repositionable cart. An accumulator initially pressurized to a predetermined pressure may be connected so as to supply pressure to the hydraulic cylinder. One or more flow-restriction valves between the hydraulic cylinder and the accumulator may substantially increase a pressure in the hydraulic cylinder during phases when a piston rod is rapidly drawn out of the hydraulic cylinder by tension waves in the endless belt. Further, a check valve may permit substantially unimpeded fluid flow from the accumulator to the hydraulic tensioning cylinder.