Belt Tension Sensor Patents (Class 198/810.04)
  • Patent number: 11866265
    Abstract: A transport system (1) for transporting workpieces (2) which preferably consist at least in sections of wood, wood-based materials, plastic or the like, comprising at least one circulating transport means (15); a guide arrangement (4) for guiding the at least one circulating transport means (15); at least one sensor (10, 11, 12) for detecting at least one condition variable, in particular the preload force and/or instantaneous load on the at least one circulating transport means (15) and/or the dynamic behavior of at least one section (6, 8) of the transport system (1); and at least one actuator (13, 20) for influencing at least one condition variable of the transport system (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: HOMAG GMBH
    Inventors: Yimin Gan, Rolf Hofbauer, Jochen Beck, Michael Thumm, Ludwig Albrecht
  • Patent number: 11851281
    Abstract: A tensioner assembly for a belt of a device useful in printing, the tensioner assembly including a bracket, including a first plate including at least one slot, and a second plate, a third plate slidably connected to the first plate, a connector engaged with the at least one slot and connected to the third plate, and a resilient member including a first end engaged with the third plate and a second end engaged with the second plate, wherein the resilient member is operatively arranged to bias the third plate away from the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Sean R. Keyes
  • Patent number: 11840405
    Abstract: A belt conveyor has at least one drum. The drum has a drum axle and a drum body with a drum shell and drum bases. The drum axle is mounted on the two sides by way of two bearings. A force measuring device and/or an accelerometer are arranged on the drum axle on the two sides. The sensors which are arranged on the two sides are preferably arranged between the drum body and the bearing outside the drum body. The sensor signals can be transmitted wirelessly by way of a telecommunications device which is assigned to the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Ziegler
  • Patent number: 11655126
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a diagnostic system includes a conveyor device first and second sensors and a diagnostic device. The conveyor device includes an endless chain having a plurality of rollers coupled at regular pitches and each fit into a bush, to circularly move between a first sprocket and a second sprocket. The first and second sensors diagonally are disposed apart from each other on a moving path of the chain, irrespective of an operating direction of the conveyor device, to detect a passage of each of the rollers of the chain. The diagnostic device measures an amount of elongation of the chain based on a first detection signal output from the first sensor and a second detection signal output from the second sensor according to movement of the chain during operation of the conveyor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: TOSHIBA ELEVATOR KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaaki Hirai, Tadashi Shudo, Motoki Yoshida, Yoshinobu Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 11079216
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a chain intelligent pre-tensioning and chain length detection method and device thereof. The device includes a rack, a work platform, a pre-tensioning power device, a measuring power device, a length measuring device and a console. The console receives the information of the length measuring device to adjust and control the pre-tensioning power device. The pre-tensioning and chain length measurement adopts a combination structure of an independently operated screw loading system as well as two sets of unique straight guide rails and four pallets mounted on the guide rail. The pre-tensioning force loading adopts the servo system and works with decelerator and precision grinding screw for loading. The measuring force loading adopts stepper motor and works with precision grinding screw for loading. The pretension and measurement adopt two tensile force sensors, so that chain pre-tensioning force and the chain length measuring force can be controlled accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: HANGZHOU DONGHUA CHAIN GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bin Ye, Jiguang Lu, Lili Wang, Hongjun Wang, Jiancong Zhang, Bin Sun, Bihua Xuan
  • Patent number: 10981755
    Abstract: Monitoring device (30) for monitoring a drive element (12) of a conveyor (1), in which the drive element (12) extends in a conveyance direction. The monitoring device (30) comprises a mechanism (39) attached to the drive element (12) and configured for mechanically monitoring a distance between two predetermined locations of the drive element (12) spaced apart in the conveyance direction. The monitoring device (30) is further configured for triggering an alarm signal in case the monitored distance exceeds a predetermined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Alexander Turek, Thomas Illedits
  • Patent number: 10865074
    Abstract: An automatic handrail tensioning system and a method for adjusting the tension degree of a handrail, and belongs to the technical field of escalators. The automatic handrail tensioning system of the present invention comprises: a sensor for detecting information that can reflect a tension degree of the handrail; a controller for determining the tension degree information of the handrail according to the information detected by the sensor, and generating a corresponding control instruction for adjusting the tension degree of the handrail based on the tension degree information; and an actuator for driving a tensioning device to adjust the tension degree of the handrail based on the control instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: QingXi Cai, JianGuo Li, Xin Wei, Jie Hu, LiFei Cheng, ZuAn Tang, Jun Ma
  • Patent number: 10815063
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus including a frame configured to support a conveyor system having a conveyor belt. The apparatus can include a carriage configured to support a conveyor tension roller, the carriage being fastened to the frame to allow the carriage to be transitioned to and from an engaging position and a disengaging position. The engaging position can be a position at which the conveyor tension roller will contact with the conveyor belt when installed, and the disengaging position can be a position at which the conveyor tension roller will not making contact with the conveyor belt when installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: METTLER-TOLEDO, LLC
    Inventor: Kamil Kaminski
  • Patent number: 10793370
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pouch conveyor belt (1) with a conveyor belt body (10), preferably an elastomer conveyor belt body (10), which is designed to hold a conveyed material (3) in the interior (19) of the closed pouch conveyor belt (1). The pouch conveyor belt (1) is characterized in that the conveyor belt body (10) comprises at least one sensor element (4) which is configured to detect at least the temperature of the conveyor belt body (10) at the location of the sensor element (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: ContiTech Transportbandsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Carsten Behrens, Olaf Kluth, Jens Schlomski
  • Patent number: 10737885
    Abstract: Provided is an automatic compensation, balancing and tensioning conveying chain wherein the conveying chain can automatically adjust the guide rails to extend and retract and be automatically tensioned and balanced to avoid the influence on the conveying efficiency of the conveying chain due to the slack of the conveying chain. In addition, the guide rail position maintaining components provide a reverse compensation force to the telescopic guide rail when the guide rail pre-warning limiting switches are triggered, so as to reduce the imbalance of movements of the sliding trolleys and avoid a situation that the sliding trolley may trigger an extreme position signal in advance to cause a false alarm and stop the entire conveying chain, thereby guaranteeing a dynamic balance of two tensioning stations and completely eliminating an elasticity change of the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: CITIC Dicastal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lin Chen, Jie Lyu, Hongqing Xu, Wenming He, Kebin Wang, Jinyong Hao, Jianpeng Ning, Zhiying Ma
  • Patent number: 10696486
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS (USA), INC.
    Inventors: Martin S. Lurie, Mark Alspaugh, Ruben E. Lezius, Kalin Tonchev, R. Steven Kasper, Vladimir Svirsky
  • Patent number: 10583994
    Abstract: Provided is a conveyor belt monitoring system that determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the conveyor belt. The system successively detects elongation of a running conveyor belt using an elongation detection mechanism, and further successively detects tension acting on a core layer forming the conveyor belt on the basis of power consumption of the running conveyor belt. On the basis of data obtained, the system monitors the presence/absence of the abnormality in the conveyor belt using a control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Gang Hou
  • Patent number: 10513397
    Abstract: A conveyor control system detects imbalances in a multi-drive conveyor belt and institutes a corrective action to rectify the imbalances. A sensor detects imbalances by measuring gaps between consecutive conveyor modules near a drive for the conveyor belt. A controller can initiate an alarm or automatically modify one or more drives to correct a detected imbalance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: David W. Bogle
  • Patent number: 10495195
    Abstract: A method of operating a chain drive that includes sprockets. Tensile chain moments on the sprockets are determined and a specification value for operating the chain drive is determined therefrom in an automated manner. A corresponding assembly has a chain drive with sprockets and with a control device at least partly associated with the chain drive. The control device is configured for carrying out the method and a specification value for load distribution among the two drives for operating the chain drive is determined therefrom in an automated manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Ziegler
  • Patent number: 9962849
    Abstract: An improved food slice stacker is coupled to a meat slicer to automatically stack the slices from the slicer. The stacker includes a frame with a pair of spaced apart parallel supports that support a sprocket roller with axially spaced sets of sprocket teeth and a pulley roller with a plurality of axially spaced pulley members. The pulley members are aligned with the sets of sprocket teeth. A plurality of slice transport chains respectively engage the sets of sprocket teeth and the pulley members. The sprocket roller is motorized to enable the chains to transport food slices. The pulley roller is monolithically formed of a friction-free material to provide smooth surfaces that reduce retention of food particles thereon during washing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Inventors: Eric J Wangler, David P Prior, Hermann Scharfen
  • Patent number: 9758309
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a conveyor in a mining system. The conveyor includes a chain, a first sprocket, a second sprocket, a drive mechanism, a first sensor, a second sensor, and a controller. The method includes receiving a first signal associated with a characteristic of at least one of a first sprocket or a second sprocket, determining a value for the characteristic of the at least one of the first sprocket or the second sprocket based on the first signal, receiving a second signal associated with a characteristic of a chain, and determining a value for the characteristic of the chain based on the second signal. The method further includes comparing the value for the characteristic of the at least one of the first sprocket or the second sprocket and the value for the characteristic of the chain and determining the amount of slack in the chain based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventor: Gareth Rimmington
  • Patent number: 9527675
    Abstract: A chain tension sensor for a chain conveyor, the conveyor including a frame and a chain having a plurality of flights. The tension sensor includes a reaction arm and a load sensing pin. The reaction arm includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a load pad. The first end is pivotably coupled to the frame by a pivot pin defining a pivot axis. The load pad is adjacent the conveyor chain and positioned to contact flights passing the load pad. The flights contacting the load pad exert a force on the reaction in a direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. The load sensing pin is coupled to the reaction arm such that the load sensing pin senses the force that is exerted by the flights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: John Tout, Gordon Powell, Robert Smith
  • Patent number: 9139375
    Abstract: A chain tension sensor for a chain conveyor, the conveyor including a frame and a chain having a plurality of flights. The tension sensor includes a reaction arm and a load sensing pin. The reaction arm includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a load pad. The first end is pivotably coupled to the frame by a pivot pin defining a pivot axis. The load pad is adjacent the conveyor chain and positioned to contact flights passing the load pad. The flights contacting the load pad exert a force on the reaction in a direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. The load sensing pin is coupled to the reaction arm such that the load sensing pin senses the force that is exerted by the flights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: John Tout, Gordon Powell, Robert Smith
  • Patent number: 8973742
    Abstract: A chain tension sensor for a chain conveyor, the conveyor including a frame and a chain having a plurality of flights. The tension sensor includes a reaction arm and a load sensing pin. The reaction arm includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a load pad. The first end is pivotably coupled to the frame by a pivot pin defining a pivot axis. The load pad is adjacent the conveyor chain and positioned to contact flights passing the load pad. The flights contacting the load pad exert a force on the reaction in a direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. The load sensing pin is coupled to the reaction arm such that the load sensing pin senses the force that is exerted by the flights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: John Tout, Gordon Powell, Robert Smith
  • Patent number: 8967372
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a belt, a detector, a determining section, a skew correcting section, and a storage section. The belt is stretched around rollers and provided with an index. The detector provides an output value. The determining section determines the index that is passing through the detection region on the basis of a change in the output value, the change exceeding a threshold. The skew correcting section performs control relating to skew correction of inclining the roller and correcting the position of the belt. The storage section stores the threshold having a value between the measured maximum amount of change in the output value when the skew correcting section inclines the roller at the maximum angle and the amount of change in the output value resulting from the index when the index arrives at or passes through the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Koji Fujii
  • Patent number: 8931628
    Abstract: A device is provided for detecting and adjusting the tension of the scraper chain. The device identifies broken chain as it leaves the return sprocket and enters the top race of the conveyor. When detected, the chain can be stopped automatically by the armored face conveyor control system, to avoid the potential for further damage, and warn the operators that repair of the chain is required. The device also provides a conveyor with sliding frames at both ends to allow the conveyor ends to be independently adjusted to each end of the coal block, whilst maintaining good chain tension and control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventor: Nigel Hill
  • Patent number: 8857604
    Abstract: An improved take-up assembly used on spiral conveyor belt with interconnecting links. The take-up assembly is designed to prevent damage to the belt due to obstructions, excessive tension or excessive buckling. The take-up assembly includes a pivoting swing arm assembly coupled to an obstruction sensor that automatically shuts-off the drive motor used to move the conveyor belt when an obstruction is detected upstream from the take-up assembly. A second obstruction sensor can be used on the upper portion of the take-up assembly to detect obstructions. Also disclosed is a buckling arm located above and longitudinally aligned with the belt and pivotally attached to the distal end of the lower swing arm assembly. The swing arm is designed to pivot beyond the position where the first obstruction sensor is activated so that the amount of belt that continues to be drawn into the stack as the stack coasts to a stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Gea Refrigeration North America, Inc
    Inventors: Gerald J Heber, Michael Wierman
  • Patent number: 8851276
    Abstract: A device for tensioning a tension mechanism of a conveying device includes a number of feeder aids extending between a drive wheel and at least one guide wheel. At least one hydraulic cylinder (including a hydraulic piston) adjusts a wheel center distance between the at least one guide wheel and the drive wheel in order to change the tension of the tension mechanism. The at least one hydraulic cylinder acts directly on the guide wheel. In order to tension the tension mechanism, the hydraulic piston is displaceably disposed in a pressure chamber and acted upon by pressure medium from a pressure source via a check valve that opens toward the pressure chamber. Once a blocked state of the check valve is reached, the pressure chamber is connected to a device for receiving a defined volume of pressure medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Norbert Strieker
  • Publication number: 20140190796
    Abstract: A chain tension sensor for a chain conveyor, the conveyor including a frame and a chain having a plurality of flights. The tension sensor includes a reaction arm and a load sensing pin. The reaction arm includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a load pad. The first end is pivotably coupled to the frame by a pivot pin defining a pivot axis. The load pad is adjacent the conveyor chain and positioned to contact flights passing the load pad. The flights contacting the load pad exert a force on the reaction in a direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. The load sensing pin is coupled to the reaction arm such that the load sensing pin senses the force that is exerted by the flights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: JOY MM DELAWARE, INC.
    Inventors: John Tout, Gordon Powell, Robert Smith
  • Patent number: 8727107
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a frame having a first frame section connected to a second frame section. The frame also has at least one physical connection that allows the first frame section to move relative to the second frame section. A first roller is connected to the first frame section. The first roller has a crowned outer surface surrounding an axle. Also, first connectors connect the first roller to the first frame section. The first connectors allow the first roller to rotate around the axle and allow the first roller to move in a direction parallel to the axle. A second roller is also connected to the second frame section. At least one biasing member is connected to the first frame section and the second frame section. The biasing member applies a bias to cause the first frame section to move away from the second frame section. A belt substrate contacts the first roller and the second roller. A latch is connected to the first frame section and the second frame section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony J. Formicola, Thomas G. Rath, Kevin H. Taft, Sandra L. Schmitt, Timothy J. Ellis
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8550236
    Abstract: An extraction device, particularly for mining, having two drive stations and a drive chain which extends between the sprockets thereof. So that hanging chain or chain wear to a conveyor chain, in the case of a conveyor device, or to a plow chain, in the case of a plow device, can be detected, magnetic sensor units for detecting at least one chain condition of the drive chain are provided, wherein each sensor unit includes a transmitter, which is formed by a static or dynamic magnetic field generator, and a detector field, which is provided with a plurality of magnetic field detectors, as a detector, the detector and the transmitter being arranged to the side of a passage for the run of the drive chain that is to be scanned. The invention also relates to a method for controlling an extraction device for preventing hanging chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Merten, Karl-Heinz Schürer, Jörg Wirtz, Manfred Bäumler, Uwe Böker
  • Publication number: 20130146425
    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: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventor: Ecolab USA Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130068594
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a conveyor in a mining system. The conveyor includes a sprocket, a chain, a hydraulic cylinder, one or more sensors, and a controller. In one implementation, the method includes sensing a characteristic associated with the conveyor, generating a signal based on the characteristic, determining a tension associated with the chain based on the signal, determining an amount of chain stretch based on the tension, and modifying a position of the hydraulic cylinder based on the amount of chain stretch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Brian Worthington, Phil Rees, Tim Proctor, Gordon Powell, Robert Smith
  • Patent number: 8397904
    Abstract: An environmentally controlled conveyor system including a sensor-instrumented conveyor belt conveying products continuously through a thermal-treatment process and a method for determining the instantaneous position of the sensors. Temperature or other sensors are embedded in the conveyor belt across its width and along its length to advance with the product through the thermal-treatment process, such as through a pasteurizer tunnel. The sensor measurements are transmitted wirelessly from the belt to a remote system controller for monitoring or controlling the system. Data from sensors measuring environmental or belt conditions are used to determine the instantaneous positions of the sensors to coordinate the sensor data with sensor position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: David W. Bogle
  • Patent number: 8387777
    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: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher Owen, William M. Christensen, Anatoly Skirda, Viktor Slobodyan, Richard O. Ruhr, Paul R. Kraus, Mark Lorenz
  • Patent number: 8360233
    Abstract: This invention relates to a adjustment device intended for the adjustment of belts of belt conveyors and of the type that comprises a roller that is rotatable around a first axis (CR) and mounted in a cradle, which in turn is turnably mounted in a supporting stand, and, by a force generator, tiltable in relation to the stand around a second axis (CT) extending perpendicularly to the first one. According to the invention, the adjustment device comprises a transmission actuator in the form of a carriage having two guide elements, which slope in different directions. When the force generator generates a force having a first principal force component, the transmission actuator transforms the same into a force having a second principal force component, the direction of which is different from the first force component, which guarantees tilting of the cradle and thereby also the roller in relation to the stand. The transmission actuator is built-in into a space between the roller and a base part of the stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sandvik Intellectual Property AB
    Inventor: HÃ¥kan Nils Eriksson
  • Publication number: 20130015043
    Abstract: A chain tension sensor for a chain conveyor, the conveyor including a frame and a chain having a plurality of flights. The tension sensor includes a reaction arm and a load sensing pin. The reaction arm includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a load pad. The first end is pivotably coupled to the frame by a pivot pin defining a pivot axis. The load pad is adjacent the conveyor chain and positioned to contact flights passing the load pad. The flights contacting the load pad exert a force on the reaction in a direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. The load sensing pin is coupled to the reaction arm such that the load sensing pin senses the force that is exerted by the flights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: John Tout, Gordon Powell, Robert Smith
  • Patent number: 8328005
    Abstract: A method for verifying belt tension on a conveyor mechanism that includes a belt mounted under tension on rollers, includes steps of measuring selected physical status parameters associated with the conveyor mechanism and determining if the belt has reached a predetermined level of tension indirectly from such status parameters without direct measurement of belt tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. King
  • Patent number: 8285494
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the wear of a moving conveyor chain includes a first detector for detecting a leading end of a first link of the chain and providing a first signal corresponding thereto, a second detector for detecting a trailing end of the first link and providing a second signal corresponding thereto, and a third detector for detecting a leading end of a third link of the chain and providing a third signal corresponding thereto. The system processes the signal so as to determine a first distance D1 which is the distance between the leading end and trailing end of the first link, a second distance D2 which is the distance between the trailing end of the first link and the leading end of the third link, and a third distance D3 which is the distance between the leading end of the first link and the leading end of the third link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: Tibor Vozner
  • Patent number: 8191703
    Abstract: Methods for initiating one or more maintenance procedures on a conveyer system employ a load cell assembly that is supported by a link of a conveyor chain of the system in order to collect tension measurements. According to preferred methods, one or more threshold values for a rate of change in tension along particular portions of a circuit, around which the chain is driven, and/or for a variation in tension profile, from one cycle to another around the circuit, are established for comparison with tension measurements that are collected and/or processed by the load cell assembly, in order to detect operating issues and initiate the appropriate maintenance procedure(s). According to some methods, plots of the rate of change of tension versus time are generated and displayed for an operator to view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Joseph P. Erickson, Christopher J. Owen, Paul S. Schilling
  • Publication number: 20120118707
    Abstract: A chain tension sensor for a chain conveyor, the conveyor including a frame and a chain having a plurality of flights. The tension sensor includes a reaction arm and a load sensing pin. The reaction arm includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a load pad. The first end is pivotably coupled to the frame by a pivot pin defining a pivot axis. The load pad is adjacent the conveyor chain and positioned to contact flights passing the load pad. The flights contacting the load pad exert a force on the reaction in a direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. The load sensing pin is coupled to the reaction arm such that the load sensing pin senses the force that is exerted by the flights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: John Tout, Gordon Powell, Robert Smith
  • Patent number: 8157085
    Abstract: A device for monitoring a conveyor belt in which a sensor can be fixed easily to the body without using any special fixing device and the properties of the conveyor belt can be detected with high precision. The device for monitoring the conveyor belt comprises a body to be detected embedded in a conveyor belt running endlessly, and a sensor provided oppositely thereto in the body. The sensor detects the variation in properties of the conveyor belt by detecting variation of the body to be detected due to the variation in properties of the conveyor belt. The sensor is secured to a shaft which supports a hollow roller for guiding the conveyor belt in the conveyance direction rotatably on the body in the roller thus making the sensor itself nonrotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya Furukawa, Yukinobu Nishikita
  • Patent number: 8061510
    Abstract: A device for detecting and adjusting the tension of a scraper chain. The device identifies broken chain as it leaves the return sprocket and enters the top race of the conveyor. When detected, the chain can be stopped automatically by the armored face conveyor control system, to avoid the potential for further damage, and warn the operators that repair of the chain is required. The device also has a conveyor with sliding frames at both ends to allow the conveyor ends to be independently adjusted to each end of the coal block, while maintaining good chain tension and control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventor: John Tout
  • Patent number: 7934594
    Abstract: A conveyor system for a vehicle includes a belt auto-tensioning system that tensions the belt prior to belt movement but not necessarily during loading. Also included are a belt guidance system and a belt anti-slippage system. A fourth system aspect is a floating drive connection system with square or non-linear adaptor. Several benefits are obtained by using the conveyor system disclosed. Also provided are a method of using the conveyor system and a method of constructing a vehicle system combination conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Henderson Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Shannon B. Richardson, Mark S. Hollinrake, Mart E. Ward, Andrew M. Holverson
  • Patent number: 7886896
    Abstract: A method of monitoring the tension of a continuous endless drive elongate member mounted to be moved over a closed-loop path and having a slack run along which it forms undulations, said method consisting in placing a sensor along said slack run for detecting undulations going past in the slack run, and in counting the number of undulations detected, said number serving as a magnitude for measuring the tension of the drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Solystic
    Inventors: Stephane Marisy, Bruno Leopold, Dominique Decharran, Alain Danjaume
  • Patent number: 7866462
    Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for use with a conveyor belt includes an elongate conveyor support frame and a plurality of conveyor support devices mounted on this frame. These devices include a tail pulley mechanism having two tail pulley sections mounted on a pulley support for rotation about a common central axis of rotation. The pulley support includes a central support portion located at inner ends of the pulley sections and extending radially outwardly from these inner ends to a vertically extending pivot axis. An interconnecting support arrangement mounts the pulley support on the conveyor support frame and includes a pivot connector connecting the central support portion for pivotable movement about the pivot axis. An actuator can pivot the pulley support about the pivot axis to maintain the conveyor belt within a central region of the tail pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Prairie Machines & Parts Mfg. (1978) Ltd.
    Inventor: Maurice DeMong
  • Patent number: 7861843
    Abstract: Travelator, the conveyor of which comprises a frame, which comprises a stationary first frame part and a second frame part that moves in relation to it. The drive wheel is mounted on a bearing allowing rotation onto the first frame part. The power unit rotates the drive wheel. The diverting wheel is mounted on a bearing allowing free rotation onto the second frame part. The transport surfaces are connected to a traction element which is formed as an endless loop, and which is led to pass over the drive wheel and the diverting wheel. The tightening device is arranged to act between the first frame part and the second frame part to move the diverting wheel linearly away from the drive wheel in order to exert tightening force on the traction element. The travelator comprises identification means for identifying the drive status of the conveyor, and adjustment means for adjusting the tightening force of the tightening device to different force levels based on the drive status identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Esko Aulanko, Jorma Mustalahti, Marc Ossendorf
  • Publication number: 20100270128
    Abstract: A device is provided for detecting and adjusting the tension of the scraper chain. The device identifies broken chain as it leaves the return sprocket and enters the top race of the conveyor. When detected, the chain can be stopped automatically by the armored face conveyor control system, to avoid the potential for further damage, and warn the operators that repair of the chain is required. The device also provides a conveyor with sliding frames at both ends to allow the conveyor ends to be independently adjusted to each end of the coal block, whilst maintaining good chain tension and control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: JOY MM DELAWARE, INC.
    Inventor: Nigel Hill
  • Publication number: 20100270130
    Abstract: A device is provided for detecting and adjusting the tension of the scraper chain. The device identifies broken chain as it leaves the return sprocket and enters the top race of the conveyor. When detected, the chain can be stopped automatically by the armored face conveyor control system, to avoid the potential for further damage, and warn the operators that repair of the chain is required. The device also provides a conveyor with sliding frames at both ends to allow the conveyor ends to be independently adjusted to each end of the coal block, whilst maintaining good chain tension and control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: JOY MM DELAWARE, INC.
    Inventor: John Tout
  • Patent number: 7789222
    Abstract: An endless dough conveyor 16 is provided with a resin endless toothed belt 18 instead of a metal chain. A toothed pulley 22 around which the endless toothed belt is wound is also made of resin. A rail 64 is disposed adjacent to a horizontal path of the belt, and a roller 46 attached to the belt is adapted to roll on the rail. At least two induction motors are provided for driving the endless toothed belt. The induction motors are supplied with electric power from a single inverter 35. At least a pulley is provided with a detecting unit 80. The detecting unit 80 detects a state in which teeth of the endless toothed belt climb onto that of the pulley, thereby predicting breakage of the belt. Thus, it is possible to prevent contamination of dough in a proofer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Oshikiri Machinery Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhide Fujita, Masayuki Koma, Koji Koike, Satoshi Goto
  • Patent number: 7748521
    Abstract: A conveyer belt abrasion detecting apparatus which can automatically detect a conveyer belt abrasion quantity easily and accurately during operation. A plurality of magnet sheets (M1-M5) magnetized in a thickness direction are arranged so that polarities on the surface are in the same direction and are embedded deeper stepwise in a longitudinal direction of a belt main body (2). A magnetic sensor (4) for detecting changes of the magnetic forces of the magnet sheets (M1-M5) is arranged at a position where the magnet sheets (M1-M5) pass through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Aizawa, Kenichi Higashi, Yukinobu Nishikita
  • Patent number: 7635060
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for sensing conditions local to a modular conveyor belt and wirelessly transmitting signals representing those conditions to an off-belt belt monitoring system. In a preferred version, a load cell pin installed in a clevis formed at a hinge joint between adjacent rows of a modular conveyor belt serves as a clevis pin to interconnect the rows and as a sensor sensitive to belt tension transmitted through the clevis. A special load-sensing belt module forms the clevis and holds electronic circuitry that takes the measurements made by the sensor, logs them in a memory element, and transmits them wirelessly to the belt monitoring system. The measurements may also be used as part of a closed-loop control system to control the speed or other operating characteristics of the conveyor system. Furthermore, a variety of sensors housed in sensor modules similar to standard conveyor belt modules may be installed in the belt as drop-in replacements for standard modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Jason M. Lagneaux
  • Publication number: 20090288933
    Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for use with a conveyor belt includes an elongate conveyor support frame and a plurality of conveyor support devices mounted on this frame. These devices include a tail pulley mechanism having two tail pulley sections mounted on a pulley support for rotation about a common central axis of rotation. The pulley support includes a central support portion located at inner ends of the pulley sections and extending radially outwardly from these inner ends to a vertically extending pivot axis. An interconnecting support arrangement mounts the pulley support on the conveyor support frame and includes a pivot connector connecting the central support portion for pivotable movement about the pivot axis. An actuator can pivot the pulley support about the pivot axis to maintain the conveyor belt within a central region of the tail pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: Prairie Machine & Parts Mfg. (1978) Ltd.
    Inventor: Maurice DeMong
  • Publication number: 20090194391
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for sensing conditions local to a modular conveyor belt and wirelessly transmitting signals representing those conditions to an off-belt belt monitoring system. In a preferred version, a load cell pin installed in a clevis formed at a hinge joint between adjacent rows of a modular conveyor belt serves as a clevis pin to interconnect the rows and as a sensor sensitive to belt tension transmitted through the clevis. A special load-sensing belt module forms the clevis and holds electronic circuitry that takes the measurements made by the sensor, logs them in a memory element, and transmits them wirelessly to the belt monitoring system. The measurements may also be used as part of a closed-loop control system to control the speed or other operating characteristics of the conveyor system. Furthermore, a variety of sensors housed in sensor modules similar to standard conveyor belt modules may be installed in the belt as drop-in replacements for standard modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Jason M. Lagneaux