Abstract: A drive load measuring system for a conveyor-type oven is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a drive load measuring system includes: a pair of mounting assemblies that support opposing end portions of a rotating drive shaft of an oven drive unit; and a PLC control unit operatively connected to the mounting assemblies. The mounting assemblies each include a pivot bracket mounted to the body of the oven and a force sensing fastener inserted into the pivot bracket and configured to generate an output signal representative of the load on the force sensing fastener. The PLC control unit can be configured to calculate load values of the force sensing fasteners and to detect rapid changes in the load values that may indicate jam-ups of conveyors driven by the oven drive unit. Alternatively, the PLC control unit can be configured to detect when load values of the force sensing fasteners exceed a threshold value, which may also indicate jam-ups of the conveyors.

Abstract: A drive load measuring system for a conveyor-type oven is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a drive load measuring system includes: a pair of mounting assemblies that support opposing end portions of a rotating drive shaft of an oven drive unit; and a PLC control unit operatively connected to the mounting assemblies. The mounting assemblies each include a pivot bracket mounted to the body of the oven and a force sensing fastener inserted into the pivot bracket and configured to generate an output signal representative of the load on the force sensing fastener. The PLC control unit can be configured to calculate load values of the force sensing fasteners and to detect rapid changes in the load values that may indicate jam-ups of conveyors driven by the oven drive unit. Alternatively, the PLC control unit can be configured to detect when load values of the force sensing fasteners exceed a threshold value, which may also indicate jam-ups of the conveyors.

Abstract: A movably mounted and adjustably positionable feed-roll head for a food extruder or the like (110, 210) having a unitized head assembly which includes at least one feed-roll (114, 116, 214, 216) and its related operational structure and rigid but movably mounted supports (124, 224, 225) for each end of the feed-rolls and related structure, whereby the entire unitized assembly may be moved relative to the remainder of the extruder for cleaning, die change, etc., without disassembly or removal of the feed-rolls, etc. The preferred mounting for the unitized structure is a pivot mechanism (126, 226, 227) for each of the feed-roll supports, and a readily adjustable repositioning mechanism (128, 228) such a screw jack assembly (232) is coupled to the other side of the feed-roll supports, whereby gradual and progressive position changes of the unitized feed roll assembly are made possible.