Abstract: A conveyor system and method of measuring chain wear includes first and second sensing devices positioned at a conveyor line or path and directed toward a conveyor chain that is movable along the conveyor path. The first sensing device senses the presence of a first chain portion of the conveyor chain at a predetermined location as the conveyor chain moves along the conveyor line. The second sensing device senses a second chain portion of the conveyor chain as the conveyor chain moves along the conveyor line. The second sensing device is operable to sense a location of or distance to the second chain portion or may capture an image of the second portion. A controller is operable to determine a degree of wear of a section of chain extending between the first and second chain portions in response to the second sensing device.

Abstract: A belt driving device and associated method are provided. The driving device includes a plurality of rollers including a driving roller. A belt is configured to be tensioned by the plurality of rollers, and to be driven by the driving roller. An outside roller is configured to contact an outer surface of the belt and to be driven by a driving source. A detection portion is configured to detect a driving load of one of the driving roller and the outside roller. A controller is configured to drive the other one of the driving roller and the outside roller based on the driving load detected by the detection portion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a street sweeper having a vertical chain driven conveyor apparatus. The vertical chain driven conveyor apparatus is provided with a jointed shaft to compensate for chain wear over the life of the chains. The vertical chain driven conveyor apparatus is provided with an automatically adjusting chain tension adjustment system. The vertical chain driven conveyor apparatus is provided with locking adjustment mechanism to prevent the chains from losing tension when the sweeper is turned off. An initialization program is operable to restore chain tension when the street sweeper is started and prevent sweeping operations until a desired chain tension has been indicated.

Abstract: In a haulage device for the continuous removal of material excavated below ground, which can be continuously slaved between a mining machine (8) and a continuous road haulage means (2) over a defined path and narrow curve radii of the mining machine (8) while continuously hauling without interruption, the haulage device is configured as a closed-belt conveyor (9) which is movable on a suspended rail system (3), whose receiving end adjacent the mining machine (8) is coupled with a movable transfer conveyor (7) and whose end facing away from the mining machine (8) and adjacent the continuous road haulage means (2) is connected with a clamping device exerting a defined tensile stress over a defined displacement path of the transfer end of the closed-belt conveyor (8) in a displaceable transfer position onto the continuous road haulage means (2).

Abstract: A smart belt consists of a standard belt with an embedded sensor capable of wireless communication or visual indicators to notify maintenance for a need for maintenance or replacement. The sensor measures material properties, cycles of operation etc. using a self energizing power source. When the belt requires replacement or maintenance a mode of indication will notify proper personnel.

Abstract: In a transport device, which comprises at least one endless conveyor guided around at least two guide rollers, a monitoring appliance for monitoring motion of a guide roller is positioned on at least one of the guide rollers. The monitoring appliance comprises a first contact element disposed on and electrically connected with the guide roller, and a second contact element disposed near the guide roller. The first and second contact elements are arranged relative to one another in such a way that an electrical contact between them occurs with every revolution of the guide roller, such that the electric potential of the guide roller is transmitted to the second contact element. Additionally, a substrate treatment apparatus comprising such transport device is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of monitoring belt orientation and/or belt travel of a belt conveyor apparatus includes measurement of compression and/or thrust stress patterns within the belt as it passes over a support roller arrangement by measuring means embedded in the belt. The measured signal is recorded and associated with a specific support roller. The signal pattern allows conclusions to be drawn about misalignments of the belt or possible defects in the support rollers. A belt conveyor apparatus has measuring means embedded in the belt and including at least one multi-axis sensor for detecting the stress variations in the belt.

Abstract: Conveyors, chutes, skids, guides, and ways for the transporting of material are formed of a conductive loaded resin-based material such that fragments of these structures can be detected by a metal detector. The conductive loaded resin-based material comprises micron conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination of conductive powder and conductive fibers in a base resin host. The ratio of the weight of the conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination of conductive powder and conductive fibers to the weight of the base resin host is between about 0.20 and 0.40. The micron conductive powders are formed from non-metals, such as carbon, graphite, that may also be metallic plated, or the like, or from metals such as stainless steel, nickel, copper, silver, that may also be metallic plated, or the like, or from a combination of non-metal, plated, or in combination with, metal powders.

Abstract: A chain monitoring device is provided with a base, guiding posts fixed to the base, a member movable along the guiding posts, a chain sprocket rotatable with a chain with its teeth being engaged into the chain, springs for resiliently urging the member for the engagement of the teeth into the chain, and a sensor detecting a change in position of the member. The chain sprocket is rotatably mounted to the member.

Abstract: A device for detection and adjustment of the tension of a scraper chain of a chain conveyor, in particular of a face conveyor, having a tensionable return station, on which a spoked chainwheel to reverse the scraper chain, having chain links and scrapers attached thereto, is supported between the bottom race and the top race. The devices including a sensor which determines the tension of the scraper chain at the return station and the sensor having a swivellable sensor body coupled with a shaft encoder. The sensor body being in the top race and in contact with the upper face of the scraper chain in a measurement zone with provision being made in the measuring zone for vertical play for the run of the scrapers and/or the chain links.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for automatically sensing the wear state of movable wheels or rollers (1) in conveying systems, for example baggage conveying systems. It achieves the object of easily and reliably sensing the wear state in an automatic fashion using measuring equipment when the roller to be checked runs through the system, by means of a measuring station (2,3) which is arranged in a stationary fashion in the conveying path of the system and in which diameter deviations of the wheel or of the roller (1) from a predefined set point diameter can be sensed in a contactless fashion and signaled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically monitoring the wear of a chain when in operation in a chain drive assembly. First and second markers are applied to the chain at a predetermined distance apart. A first sensor is disposed adjacent to the chain to coincide with the position of the first marker. A second sensor is disposed adjacent to the chain to coincide with the position of the second marker. The sensors generate signals in response to the detection of the markers. When the chain drive is operated the first and second sensors are initially triggered substantially simultaneously by said first and second markers respectively. After the chain extends through wear elongation is identified by detecting a time delay between the triggering of the first and second sensors by the respective markers. One of the sensors is then moved to a position where substantially simultaneous triggering of the sensors by the markers can be resumed.

Abstract: An idler system for conveyors, the system providing an idler which is released or propelled downwardly away from the conveyor belt, when a pre-determined condition is present, such as the tripping of an idler guard or the presence of a pre-determined amount of pressure on the idler. The idler itself may be releasably attached to a conveyor framework, or it may be provided with an idler bracket which is partially or wholly released with the idler.

Abstract: In industrial belted conveying systems, it is common to have a pull chord extending longitudinally along the conveyor, sometimes one chord on each side of the conveyor, said chord being attached to a trip mechanism, or safety switch. A number of serious accidents have occurred in the industry due to unprotected nip points at the return idlers under these conveyors. Accidents were the result of these pull chords not being easily accessible for manual activation of the safety features. In this invention, a primary pull chord is placed near the nip point, inserted through guides, and linked to one or more secondary longitudinal pull chord(s). The primary pull chord may be sleeved with a semi-rigid, pliable rod as additional support between the guides. Further, this semi-rigid rod may be encapsulated in a lightweight foamy tube to give it bulkiness.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously manufacturing panels made of expanded plastic material, comprising: a lower frame; an upper frame; a lower conveyor; an upper conveyor, said lower and upper conveyors being supported at said lower and upper frames, respectively, and coupled to each other so as to form and delimit a region for containing/retaining and advancing an expanded plastic panel being manufactured; and sensing means for sensing pressure developped by the expanding plastic material introduced within said region to form said expanded plastic panel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a belt, strap, conveyor belt (20) having a support fabric (2) in which at least one electrically conductive loop (4) is embedded. The conductive loop is sewn onto the support fabric (2), so that even conveyor belts (20) which have an extremely thin cover layer (22) can be provided with conductive loops.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the deflection of a belt in an electrophotographic printing machine includes an elongate arm member having a first end and a second end. The second end engages and is displaced by the belt. A gearbox includes a plurality of gears interconnected into a gear arrangement, and a gearbox shaft rotatable by the gear arrangement. The second end of the arm member is coupled to the gear arrangement, which converts displacement of the second end of the arm member to rotation of the gearbox shaft. An encoder is associated with the gearbox shaft. The encoder includes at least one encoder output. The encoder senses rotation of the gearbox shaft and issues electrical pulses on the encoder output. The electrical pulses are indicative of the magnitude and direction of the rotation of the gearbox shaft. A counter includes at least one counter input and at least one counter output. The counter input is electrically connected to the encoder output.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for quickly and efficiently disassembling a conveyor belt system. The conveyor belt rotates about pulleys which are mounted on a first frame. A drive pulley is mounted on a second frame. When assembled, the drive pulley mounted on the second frame contacts the conveyor belt system causing it to tighten around the pulleys mounted on the first frame. The first and second frames are held together by a quick release mechanism. When the quick release mechanism is released, the first and second frames can be separated and the conveyor belt tension is released and the conveyor belt may be easily removed from the pulleys mounted on the first frame.

Abstract: A warewasher jam detection system includes a conveyor drive arrangement having a drive motor assembly including a drive motor and an output shaft, and a slip clutch including an input side moved via the output shaft and an output side operatively connected for driving a conveyor. At least one sensor is provided for producing an output indicative of movement/non-movement of the output side of the clutch. Preferably the sensor is a non-contact type sensor such as a magnetic sensor, optical sensor or proximity sensor. A controller may be provided for receiving the sensor output signals and identifying a jam condition based upon the same, such that the controller can responsively stop the drive motor.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a treatment machine in which a transporting chain for transporting objects to be treated is guided in loops through at least one treatment station in a machine housing and driven at least at two locations by drives which in a normal operation are synchronized and adjusted relative to one another so that the transporting chain in its guides is neither tightly pulled nor compressed, the method has the steps of selecting two drives which follow one another in a forward direction of the transporting chain; asynchronously driving the selected drives, so that a chain portion located therebetween is tightly pulled or compressed by producing a length difference, and measuring a parameter which is dependent from a drive moment of one or both selected drives, when the parameter reaches or exceeds a fixed value, operating the drives asynchronously for reducing the previously produced length difference by a predetermined amount, subsequently maintaining the adjusted relative position of the both dri