Belt Damage Sensor Patents (Class 198/810.02)
  • Patent number: 12091258
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: ContiTech Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Jack Bruce Wallace, Janosch Kneer, Juerg Schleuniger, Sebastian Seibold, Andrey Minkin, Christel Bäuerle-Müller, Stavros Podias
  • Patent number: 12049363
    Abstract: A system for detecting a rip in a conveyor belt carrying a material, the system including: a sensor arrangement configured to provide a light curtain under at least a portion the conveyor belt to detect material passing through the rip thereby detecting the rip. A related method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: BARGE'S BELTING SOLUTION PTY LTD
    Inventor: Graham Trevor Warner
  • Patent number: 12043496
    Abstract: An embedded body including, at one end portion of a coaxial cable, one side antenna unit and an IC tag that is passive and connected to the one side antenna unit, and another side antenna unit at the other end portion of the coaxial cable is embedded in a conveyor belt. The one side antenna unit and the IC tag, and the other side antenna unit disposed with an interval in a width direction and the coaxial cable is embedded extending in the width direction. A calculation unit determines whether a detector has received a radio wave emitted from the IC tag through the coaxial cable and the other side antenna unit in response to a radio wave emitted from the detector, and then whether a vertical tear has been generated in the conveyor belt based on the determination result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yusuke Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 12037201
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring the elongation, or stretch, of a modular plastic conveyor belt. The belt-stretch measuring system measures stretch as the ratio less one of an actual belt travel distance or actual belt speed to an expected belt travel distance or expected belt speed for a new, unstretched belt. The actual belt travel distances or actual belt speeds are measured by sensors. The expected belt travel distances or expected belt speeds are calculated from the pulse outputs of encoders measuring the rotation of sprockets engaging the conveyor belt and from the known number of teeth on the sprockets. Actual belt pitch and catenary sag are also calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Lazlo Kleczewski, Martin A. Benavidez, Jonatan Milde Barales
  • Patent number: 12017862
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: ContiTech USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Bruce Wallace, Jacques Frederick Basson
  • Patent number: 11959824
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a drive belt is disclosed. A drive pulley driving by a drive motor and having a drive belt is provided. First and second markings are provided on the belt. The markings are detected. A correlation is determined and a signal is generated if a reference value is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: ContiTech Antriebssysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Tim Fiss, Philipp Freiheit, Arne Hinz, Svenja Rosenbohm
  • Patent number: 11650646
    Abstract: A system comprising a power source, a RASPBERRY PI Hardware Attached on Top (RPI HAT) with an Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS), and a RASPBERRY PI (RPI) is provided. The power source provides power to the RPI via the RPI HAT. The RPI HAT comprises a super-capacitor (SC) back-up system comprising an SC power bank and compatibility circuitry configured to charge the SC power bank to a sufficient level such that the SC power bank is usable as a back-up power supply in response to the loss of power from the power source. The SC back-up system is electrically coupled to the power source such that the power source is capable of charging the SC power bank and the SC power bank discharges and provides power to the RPI in response to a loss of power from the power source to the RPI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Florence Corporation
    Inventor: Maroof Choudhury
  • Patent number: 11572656
    Abstract: There is described a hoisting system and method of lifting that make use of a particular fibre rope. The fibre rope includes a plurality of magnets that are embedded within the fibre rope and spaced apart along the rope with a known axial distance between the magnets. The system may include a fibre rope hoisting speed sensor, and a magnetic field sensor that can sense the presence of the magnetic field of the embedded magnets. Using the sensors, the hoisting speed of the rope may be determined by: measuring the time between the passing of consecutive magnets by using the magnetic field sensor; calculating the distance between consecutive magnets using the hoisting speed sensor and the measured time between the passing of the consecutive magnets; and comparing the calculated distance between the magnets with an original, predefined distance between the magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Inventors: Ricardo Nuno Correia, Yngvar Borøy, Hugo Lacerda, Oddbjørn Øye
  • Patent number: 11401113
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for monitoring a transverse position of a conveyor belt or its material load. A processor receives a digital video or digital images capturing movement of the conveyor belt and the material load. The processor segments the images or frames into a group of contiguous pixels representative of the conveyor belt, and the material load, such as by moving object detection, using background segmentation and threshold processing, pixel intensity-based segmentation or image texture-based segmentation. The processor determines a pixel coordinate of the group of contiguous pixels, which is indicative of the transverse position of the conveyor belt or the material load. The processor generates an alarm or report or a data signal, which depends, directly or indirectly, on the determined pixel coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD. IN TRUST FOR THE OWNERS OF
    Inventors: Mark Polak, Michael Carniato
  • Patent number: 11208269
    Abstract: Provided are an abnormality detection system, an abnormality detection device, an abnormality detection method, a computer program, and a chain that enable detecting of an abnormality not only in a chain but also in equipment using the chain while distinguishing the location at which the abnormality occurs. The abnormality detecting system comprises a sensor unit comprising a sensor, to be fixed to a chain that is to be attached to equipment, and transmitting an output from the sensor, a detection section which detects an abnormality of the chain or the equipment based on the output, and a determining section which determines a location of the abnormality in the equipment, based on a position of a part fixed with the sensor unit in the equipment, the position changes in each time point with moving of the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventors: Tomohiko Onishi, Hirokazu Sano
  • Patent number: 11084674
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a paper sheet processing apparatus includes a conveyance device with a conveyor belt, and an inspection device configured to inspect a paper sheet conveyed by the conveyor belt. The inspection device includes an image detection device configured to capture an image of the paper sheet and the conveyor belt and obtain an image of the paper sheet and the conveyor belt, an image processing device configured to detect a degradation level of the conveyor belt based on an belt image of the conveyor belt, and a controller configured to transmit information encouraging replacement of the conveyor belt to a monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Infrastructure Systems & Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Seki
  • Patent number: 10894670
    Abstract: A movable belt breakage prevention and catching system for a belt conveyor includes a detection device, two tracks, a plurality of catching devices, and a control system. The detection device is mounted on the belt conveyor, and is configured to detect whether a belt of the belt conveyor has a crack. The two tracks are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the belt conveyor, and the plurality of catching devices are symmetrically arranged on the two tracks. The control system is configured to control the plurality of catching devices to simultaneously catch the belt firmly when the detection device detects that the belt has a crack; and after firmly catching the belt, each catching device is able to unidirectionally move along with the belt along the track where the catching device is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignees: CHINA UNIVERSITY OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY, XUZHOU ZHIRUN MINING EQUIPMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD, INNER MONGOLIA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Gongbo Zhou, Zhencai Zhu, Ying Wang, Yuan Sun, Ping Zhou, Chaoquan Tang, Gang Shen, Wei Li, Guohua Cao, Yuxing Peng, Xiang Li, Xin Zhang
  • Patent number: 10845747
    Abstract: A fixing device comprises a heating belt and a magnetic permeability detection device. The heating belt includes an endless belt having a metal layer and a heat source. The magnetic permeability detection device is located adjacent the heating belt to detect a magnetic permeability from the metal layer of the heating belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Takayuki Horie
  • Patent number: 10829310
    Abstract: A wear detection device for a conveyor belt (1) includes magnet members (12a and 12b) buried in a conveyor belt (11) having an endless belt shape, a magnetic sensor (13j) which is arranged opposite to an outer circumferential surface of the conveyor belt (11) and is configured to detect magnetic fields from the magnet members (12a and 12b) to generate an output signal, and a calculation unit (141) which is configured to calculate the thickness of the conveyor belt (11) according to the output signal generated by the magnetic sensor (13j). The wear detection device for a conveyor belt (1) further includes a storage unit (142) which is configured to store the thickness calculated by the calculation unit (141), and a processing unit (143) which is configured to calculate the decrease amount of the thickness per a predetermined moving load amount of the conveyor belt (11) according to the thickness stored in the storage unit (142) and determine whether or not this value exceeds a threshold value set in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshiki Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 10794686
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining belt speed and pitch using correlation techniques. The apparatus includes a pair of rangefinders separated by a predetermined distance. The rangefinders each measure the distance to the belt at two positions separated from each other in the direction of belt travel. The apparatus creates at least one time-series profile record corresponding to the profile of a belt. The time delays between occurrences of a regularly spaced topographical feature in the belt's profile are used by a processor to compute belt pitch and speed. Correlation techniques are used for robust results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: William S. Murray, Jason Lagneaux
  • Patent number: 10783461
    Abstract: A conveyor belt management system is capable of determining a suitable replacement period of the conveyor belt. Data of an amount of wear of an upper cover rubber of the conveyor belt installed at a use site is input into a server via an input unit. A calculation unit is configured to calculate a remaining service life of the conveyor belt based on the input data and, stored in a storage unit, a belt specification database and a tolerance range database in which a tolerance range is input in advance for the amount of wear per belt specification; and calculate an expected service life of the conveyor belt before use of the conveyor belt based on a correlation between a use condition and belt specifications of the conveyor belt used up until present, the use condition of the conveyor belt, and the specifications of the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gang Hou
  • Patent number: 10745207
    Abstract: Provided are a conveyor belt further enhancing the durability of loop coils embedded in the conveyor belt so as to detect vertical tears in the conveyor belt; and a belt conveyor system using the conveyor belt. A conveyor belt includes a core layer having a plurality of metal cords extending in the belt longitudinal direction arranged in parallel in the belt width direction; an upper cover rubber and a lower cover rubber disposed so as to interpose a core layer from above and below; a plurality of loop coils embedded at intervals in the belt longitudinal direction in the lower cover rubber; and protective layers being disposed between the core layer above and each of the loop coils below and embedded in the lower cover rubber at intervals in the belt longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Gang Hou
  • Patent number: 10660266
    Abstract: A belt monitoring system for an agricultural belt arrangement, the monitoring system including an agricultural belt having a magnetic element embedded therein and a sensor. The agricultural belt arrangement defines a proper belt alignment for the belt and moves the belt. The magnetic element is polarized so as to output a magnetic signal. The sensor is configured to detect, at a reference position, the magnetic signal outputted by the magnetic element. The monitoring system further includes a circuit configured to output a signal if, for example, the agricultural belt moves more than a predetermined amount through the agricultural belt arrangement without the sensor arrangement detecting the magnetic signal outputted by the magnetic element, a predetermined amount of time passes without the sensor detecting the magnetic signal, and the circuit determines the position of the magnetic element to be outside of a permissible positional range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: ContiTech Transportbandsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Jack Wallace, Douglas Gilg, Alan Echtenkamp, Jacques Basson
  • Patent number: 10656055
    Abstract: Provided is a conveyor belt specification determination method. Severity of a use condition of a conveyor belt is categorized into categories. A database in which a permissible range of prescribed characteristics of an upper cover rubber, including wear resistance and cut resistance, for each of the categories is set is created; a degree of influence of representative rubber physical properties, which affect the prescribed characteristics, of the upper cover rubber on the prescribed characteristics is ascertained; a category is identified from the use conditions of the conveyor belt on the basis of the database; an appropriate range of the representative rubber physical property is identified for which the prescribed characteristics are in the permissible range in the identified category; and a rubber type for which the rubber physical properties are in this appropriate range is selected as the upper cover rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Gang Hou, De Qing Zou
  • Patent number: 10505557
    Abstract: To reduce power consumption of a sequential comparison analog-to-digital converter. An analog-to-digital converter includes a sequential conversion unit, a determination unit, and a stop control unit. The sequential conversion unit sequentially generates a predetermined number of bits of a value corresponding to an analog signal when the analog signal is input. The determination unit determines whether a value of a digital signal including the predetermined number of bits is within a predetermined range whenever the bits are generated. The stop control unit stops the sequential conversion unit in a case in which the value of the digital signal is not within the predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sachiya Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10484955
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for a network node configured to transmit wireless communication signals using beam forming and configured to apply any of one or more data carrying beam widths for transmission of data carrying signals dedicated to a specific wireless communication device. The method comprises determining one or more requirement parameters for transmission of synchronization signals, wherein the one or more requirement parameters comprise a desired synchronization signal beam width and a minimum effective power, and wherein the determined desired synchronization signal beam width is larger than a minimum one of the data carrying beam widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Magnus Åström, Andres Reial, Henrik Sahlin, Sven Petersson
  • Patent number: 10393225
    Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a multifunction belt is disclosed. The multifunction belt includes a plurality of cables. The plurality of cables includes at least one tension supporting cable configured to resist tension and a first signal conducting cable configured to conduct electricity. The multifunction belt also includes a coating applied to the plurality of cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Richard A. Himmelmann
  • Patent number: 10343848
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for detecting a belt tear in a conveyor belt, comprising a trigger (1) which is arranged below the conveyor belt (2) transversely to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt and which is connected to a load limit switch (3). The arrangement also comprises a signalling device (4) for indicating and/or signalling a belt tear to a control unit (5). The invention is characterized in that a chain (6) which is suspended below the conveyor belt (2) is used as the trigger (1), said chain transmitting forces produced in the event of a belt tear to the load limit switch (3). In an advantageous embodiment, the load limit switch (3) has an inductive proximity switch (7), and in an additional advantageous embodiment, the load limit switch is connected to a control unit (5) via an actuator sensor interface (8) as a bus participant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: IFM Electronic GmbH
    Inventors: Hansjörg Hopp, Conrad Marius Du Plessis
  • Patent number: 10315854
    Abstract: A board conveyance device and conveyance belt inspection method that enable easy detection of a problem with conveyance belts. The board conveyance device includes: endless conveyance belts on which is set a conveyance path for conveying a board; a board sensor configured to detect the presence of the board at a specified detection position on the conveyance path; and a control section configured to, in a case in which the board is not being conveyed on the conveyance path, move the conveyance belts and determine a problem with the conveyance belts based on a detection result of the board sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: FUJI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshihiro Kodama
  • Patent number: 10196216
    Abstract: A conveyor belt includes a main body rubber which extends in a belt longitudinal direction and a loop coil which is embedded in the main body rubber and has an annular shape in a plan view when viewed in belt thickness direction, in which the loop coil includes wire portions which are disposed in a direction which extend in the plan view and in which end portions are joined by a joining portion. A pair of longitudinal portions extend in the belt longitudinal direction. A pair of width portions, which extend in a belt width direction, and a plurality of joining portions are disposed in the direction which extend in the plan view, and the number of the joining portions disposed in the longitudinal portion of the loop coil is greater than the number of the joining portions disposed in the width portion of the loop coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akira Sakuragi
  • Patent number: 10150622
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: ContiTech Transportbandsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Jack Bruce Wallace, Robert Eugene Leib
  • Patent number: 10118802
    Abstract: A structural health monitoring system is provided. The system includes a drive system having a first drive member a second drive member 38 operationally connected to the first drive member, and a tension member 39 operationally connecting the first drive member to the second drive member. At least one sensor 50 is configured to monitor a characteristic of at least one of the first drive member and the second drive member. A processor 54, in communication with the at least one sensor, is configured to determine if the structural health of the tension member is compromised based on the monitored characteristic. The processor is further configured to perform a safety response action when the structural health of the tension member is determined to be compromised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Soumitra Borthakur, Randall Keith Roberts
  • Patent number: 9994429
    Abstract: A system for detecting a defect in a steel wire embedded in a handrail of a passenger conveyor includes a non-contact inspection device embedded in the handrail for inspecting a condition of the steel wire and transmitting a signal regarding the condition of the steel wire, a non-contact power supply device arranged in proximity to the handrail for supplying power wirelessly to the non-contact inspection device from the outside of the handrail, and a controller arranged outside of the handrail for receiving the signal regarding the condition wirelessly and determining whether there is a defect in the steel wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Naoki Taniguchi, Kenichi Ohmura, Takahiro Yamada, Keiji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9932177
    Abstract: A method of tensioning a conveyor element of a conveyor. The method includes generating, with a proximity sensor, an output signal indicative of the conveyor element being under-tensioned, receiving the output signal from the proximity sensor, and activating a solenoid-controlled valve to an open state in response to receiving the output signal from the proximity sensor. The method also includes driving, with a pump, a piston of a cylinder while the solenoid-controlled valve is in the open state, pushing, with the cylinder, a take-up bar including a second portion of a ratcheting mechanism to engage with a first portion of the ratcheting mechanism of a locking plate, and imparting, via the locking plate, a locking force on the take-up bar. The method further includes overcoming the locking force and moving the shaft of the conveyor away from a centerline of the conveyor with the take-up bar when the locking force is overcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Watson, William L. Harney
  • Patent number: 9830804
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for implementing situational control processes is provided. The method includes transmitting a signal to a target device and determining whether a response signal has been received from the target device. The response signal indicates one of a presence status of the target device and an event condition. The method also includes performing a first action if no response signal is received. The first action includes generating an alert and/or determining a presence of an alternative target device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: AT & T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, I, L.P.
    Inventors: Barrett Kreiner, Jonathan Reeves
  • Patent number: 9702853
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Veyance Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Bruce Wallace, Jacques Frederick Basson
  • Patent number: 9522789
    Abstract: Controlling a distance between a first sprocket and a second sprocket in a conveyor. The control includes receiving a first signal from a first sensor related to an angular position of the first sprocket, determining a value for an angular position of the first sprocket based on the first signal, receiving a second signal from a second sensor related to an angular position of the second sprocket, determining a value for an angular position of the second sprocket based on the second signal, determining a relative difference in phase between the angular position of the first sprocket and the angular position of the second sprocket, and determining an amount of excess chain in the conveyor based on the relative difference in phase between the angular position of the first sprocket and the angular position of the second sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventor: Gareth Rimmington
  • Patent number: 9506825
    Abstract: In examples, methods and systems for sensing tension in a timing belt are provided. In one example, a transmission device is provided that comprises a timing belt transmission configured to cause rotation of an output hub, and the timing belt transmission includes a timing belt with markings. The transmission device also includes a detector for detecting the markings on the timing belt as the timing belt is placed under a tension due to a load at the output hub, and a distance between the markings on the timing belt changes as the timing belt is placed under the tension. The transmission device also includes one or more processors for determining output torque of the timing belt transmission based on the distance between the markings on the timing belt or based on a time between detected markings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: X DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Justine Rembisz, Aaron Edsinger
  • Patent number: 9483672
    Abstract: A conveyor system for identifying an object (16) on which an identification tag (26) is affixed, comprising a conveyor frame (12) for supporting between its two opposite sides (12A, 12B) a plurality of transverse conveyor rollers (14) each having a roller shaft (14A) and an RFID interrogator exciting a radiant antenna for reading information from the identification tag, the radiant antenna being a first magnetic loop (22) formed by the conveyor frame and two adjacent roller shafts and excited by an excitation circuit (18) connected to, but distinct from, said RFID interrogator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: NEOPOST TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventor: Jean-Baptiste Pantaloni
  • Patent number: 9452892
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Veyance Technologies, Inc
    Inventors: Jack Bruce Wallace, Charles Edwards, Robert Eugene Leib
  • Patent number: 9359147
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Covititech Transportbandsysteme
    Inventors: Jack Bruce Wallace, Jacques Frederick Basson
  • Patent number: 9222861
    Abstract: An apparatus (2) with a chain (1) that is arranged endlessly circulateable in the apparatus (2) includes a measuring apparatus (3) for measuring the stretching or elongation of the chain (1), with a first signal pick-up (4) and with a second signal pick-up (5), which are arranged at a spacing distance (D) relative to one another, which extends in the running direction over several chain links (6) of the chain (1). A first element for signal generation (7) is arranged on a first chain link (6.1) in such a manner so that with a circulating chain (1) a signal is produced upon running past the first signal pick-up (4). Several further elements for signal generation (8) are arranged on a second chain link (6.2) in such a manner so that with a circulating chain (1) a further signal is generated with each one of these further elements (8) upon running past the second signal pick-up (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Lindauer DORNIER Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Kai Urbanzyk
  • Patent number: 9199800
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a conveyor belt having magnetically permeable cords, has an AC magnetic field generator for generating an alternating magnetic field to magnetize the cords, in use; a magnetic field sensing unit for sensing the alternating magnetic field provided, in use, by the cords and for providing signals representative of the alternating magnetic field; arid a processor for processing the signals to monitor continuous parts of the cords. The system further has a DC magnetic field generator for erasing an AC field previously generated by the AC magnetic field generator, the AC magnetic field generator being positioned between the DC magnetic field generator and the magnetic field sensing unit. The processor also determines the speed of travel of the belt, and the position in space of a lateral edge of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: ADVANCED IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael John Alport, Jacques Frederick Basson, Thavashen Padayachee
  • Patent number: 9016465
    Abstract: A conveyor belt has a carrying side cover plate and a running side cover plate each of a polymer material having elastic properties. The conveyor belt defines a conveyor belt longitudinal direction (X) and has an embedded reinforcement and at least one of the cover plates is provided with a hybrid conductor loop. The hybrid conductor loop communicates in a contactless manner with an interrogation station in the form of a transmitter/receiver pair. The hybrid conductor loop has a flattened conductor cross section and runs in the conveyor belt obliquely at an angle (?) relative to the conveyor belt transverse direction (Y) to form a diagonal direction (Z). The transverse direction (Y) is at right angles to the longitudinal direction (X). The arrangement of the transmitter/receiver pair is adapted to the diagonal direction (Z) to so increase the mutual spacing of the transmitter and the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Phoenix Conveyor Belt Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Kuesel
  • Patent number: 8991594
    Abstract: A rubber magnet (3) includes a plate-like diagonal portion (21) and a plate-like parallel portion (22) which are both magnetized in a thickness direction, the diagonal portion (21) extending in a conveyor belt width direction while linearly extending, in section in a conveyor belt length direction, from an outer side end (3b), which is closer to the front-side surface (2a), to an inner side end (3a), which is away from the front-side surface (2a), while being at an angle to the front-side surface (2a), the parallel portion (22) being formed continuously from the inner side end (3a) of the diagonal portion, so as to be arranged parallel to the front-side surface (2a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoki Nakamura, Toshiki Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 8910777
    Abstract: An arrangement continuously and non-destructively monitors a conveyor system having a continuous conveyor belt with a carrying-side cover plate and a running-side cover plate, each made of a polymeric material with elastic properties. The arrangement further includes drums wherein the above-mentioned components form, in conjunction with the conveyor belt, a material-conveying top strand (A) and a material-conveying or material-free bottom strand (B). A conductor loop packet with continuous conductor loops is embedded in the conveyor belt. An electronic slit protection system contactlessly detects damage to the conveyor belt. The slit protection system is an electrical system including an interrogation station and a slit monitoring station and is connected to a central controller which controls the entire conveyor system. The arrangement is equipped, as part of a conductor loop packet, with sequential conductor loops and a sequential slit protection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: ContiTech Transportbandsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Andrey Minkin
  • Publication number: 20140326582
    Abstract: A conveyor belt apparatus (10) is provided with a wear measuring device (12) that measures an amount of wear of a surface (11a) of a conveyor belt (11) on which transport material has been loaded, and with a revolution counting device (14) that counts a number of revolutions of the conveyor belt (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshiki Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 8823395
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a functional area of an electronic textile (100;200). The electronic textile comprises a textile substrate having a first plurality of conductors (108a-b;202a-d), a second plurality of conductors (104a-c;204a-d), and a plurality of capacitors (112;212a-p), each capacitor comprising a conductor from the first plurality of conductors (108a-b;202a-d) and a conductor from the second plurality of conductors (104a-c;204a-d), separated by a dielectric (103a), the capacitors (112;212a-p) being distributed across substantially an entire surface of the electronic textile, wherein each capacitor (112;212a-p) has a capacitance of at least 10 pF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Rabin Bhattacharya
  • Patent number: 8727102
    Abstract: At least one single link of a conveyor chain is configured to support a tension load cell. A main body portion of the link includes a central cavity sized to contain the load cell, which has been inserted therein through an opening of the main body portion, and at least one auxiliary cavity to contain at least one battery cell and circuitry. A cap portion of the link closes off the opening into the cavity to enclose the load cell therein. One or both of the main body and cap portions may include a bore to receive a fastener for attaching to an end of the inserted load cell, and both portions include a bore oriented to receive a pin of a mating dual link of the conveyor chain. The cap portion may also include anti-rotation surfaces to mate with one or both of: the load cell and the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher Owen, William M. Christensen, Anatoly Skirda, Viktor Slobodyan, Richard Ruhr, Paul R. Kraus, Mark Lorenz
  • Publication number: 20140131176
    Abstract: An arrangement continuously and non-destructively monitors a conveyor system having a continuous conveyor belt with a carrying-side cover plate and a running-side cover plate, each made of a polymeric material with elastic properties. The arrangement further includes drums wherein the above-mentioned components form, in conjunction with the conveyor belt, a material-conveying top strand (A) and a material-conveying or material-free bottom strand (B). A conductor loop packet with continuous conductor loops is embedded in the conveyor belt. An electronic slit protection system contactlessly detects damage to the conveyor belt. The slit protection system is an electrical system including an interrogation station and a slit monitoring station and is connected to a central controller which controls the entire conveyor system. The arrangement is equipped, as part of a conductor loop packet, with sequential conductor loops and a sequential slit protection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: ContiTech Transportbandsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Andrey Minkin
  • Publication number: 20140124336
    Abstract: A chain tensioning sprocket is moveable with a predetermined force into a U-shaped path of a chain to apply continuous tensioning force to the chain. The change in length of the chain is measured by detecting the movement of the chain tensioning sprocket into the U-shaped path of the chain, and measurement of movement of the chain tensioning sprocket indicates a change in the length of the whole chain, which, in turn, indicates the wear on the parts of the chain and the expected operative life of the chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: Philip J. Domenicucci, Jean-Sebastien Labrie, Alain Lemieux
  • Patent number: 8701873
    Abstract: A conveying system includes a conveyor belt having a carrying-side cover plate for accommodating goods to be conveyed and a running-side cover plate free of goods. Each of the cover plates is made of polymer material having elastic characteristics. A drum engages the conveyor belt at one of the side cover plates whereat a spark can develop during operation of the conveying system. A device detects the spark and corresponds with an evaluation unit. The evaluation unit is configured to transmit a signal to a fire-extinguishing unit upon detection of the spark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Phoenix Conveyor Belt Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Kuesel
  • Patent number: 8478175
    Abstract: A control portion obtains a first difference in a movement amount between paper passing period and paper non-passage period of a transfer belt, and determines whether or not a first absolute value thereof is a first threshold value or more. In a case where the first absolute value is the first threshold value or more, a transfer belt unit positional adjustment motor is driven to adjust a first angle with respect to a first direction of a transfer belt unit with respect to a photoreceptor drum. In a case where the first absolute value is less than the first threshold value, a second absolute value of a second difference between a movement amount and a designed value set in advance of the transfer belt is obtained, and whether or not the second absolute value is a second threshold value or more is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Murai, Toshiki Takiguchi
  • Patent number: 8330452
    Abstract: A belt monitoring system which can accurately monitor the condition of a conveyor belt by correcting it for the effect of belt deviation. Wear detecting magnets (11), which are rubber magnets spanning the entire belt width, are embedded at intervals along the circumferential direction of the conveyor belt (2). Also, position determining magnets (12, 12z) are embedded in positions a predetermined distance apart from the wear detecting magnets (11). In addition, a plurality of magnetic field detecting means (13: 13A-13G) for detecting the magnetic fields from the magnets (11, 12, 12z), which are arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction of the conveyor belt (2), are disposed in a position spaced apart from the surface of the conveyor belt (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Bridgestone
    Inventor: Kazuya Furukawa
  • Patent number: 8312987
    Abstract: A belt monitoring system employs a belt having at least one reinforcement member made from a conductive reinforcement material. A belt monitor is disposed in conjunction with the belt. The belt monitor comprises a field inductor excited by an applied signal. An electrical characteristic of at least a portion of the field inductor as influenced by changes in the electrical properties of the conductive reinforcement member is monitored in order to determine a physical condition of the conductive reinforcement member and thereby monitor a physical characteristic of the belt. This monitoring may be carried out by a sense inductor disposed adjacent or in conjunction with the field inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: David Lynn, Graeme Knox, Carl Wacker, Ralph Moffett, William Stewart, Idir Boudaoud, Alan Kenneth McCall, Dave Hanes