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.

Abstract: A winch drum tension isolation system includes a winch drum including an outwardly extending flange, the flange including a plurality of holes spaced along the flange. The winch drum tension isolation system also includes a locking mechanism positioned proximate the winch drum and including a locking member engageable with the flange. The locking member is movable between a first position, in which the locking member is received in one of the plurality of holes to prevent rotation of the winch drum, and a second position, in which the locking member is spaced apart from the flange to permit rotation of the winch drum.

Abstract: A positioning assembly is provided with an endless loop conveyor belt for transporting an object and a first and second roller (12) arranged inside the endless loop. A first mounting part connected to a first end of the first roller (12) and a second mounting part connected to a second end of the first roller (12) are independently movable in a length direction of the conveyor with respect to the frame (15). An actuator system is provided which includes a first lateral actuator (61) arranged to move at least a part of the first roller (12) in a direction parallel to the rotational axes (106) of the first roller (12). The first roller (12) is longitudinally divided into at least two longitudinal segments. The first lateral actuator (61) moves at least one of the longitudinal segments parallel to the rotational axis (106) of the first roller (12).

Abstract: A conveyor alignment system including pivoting members that support tracking rollers at corresponding shaft ends. Each shaft end being pivotally and non-rotatably attached to corresponding pivoting members by a rotating bushing mounted in a corresponding one of the pivoting members. A guide control bar is pivotally connected at each end to a corresponding torque arm, where the bar includes guide rollers positioned at both edges of the conveyor belt for lateral control of the belt. A spacer is mounted to the support bracket and has a designated height. The spacer deflects the support bracket by the height so that a first end of the shaft is closer to the a first side of the belt than an opposing, second end of the shaft to increase the tension of the rollers on the first side of the belt and reduce the tension of the rollers on another side of the belt.

Abstract: A drag chain carbonizer is provided with a system and methods for anaerobic thermal transformation processing to convert waste into various solid carbonized products and varied further co-products. The drag-chain carbonizer includes an adjustable bed depth mechanism, a heating mechanism, a pressure management mechanism, and a chain tensioning mechanism containing at least one position sensor for communication of an actuator position to at least one programmable logic controller (PLC). Carbonaceous waste is transformed into useful co-products that can be re-introduced into the stream of commerce at various economically advantageous points. Depending upon the input materials and the parameters selected to process the waste, including real time economic and other market parameters, the system adjusts co-products output to reflect changing market conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tensioning device (15) for an endless transport belt (14), whereby the tensioning device (15) comprises two tensioning edges (16) around which the transport belt (14) is deflectable, and at least one spring section (26, 26?) integrally formed with the tensioning edges (16) and arranged between the two tensioning edges (16). This tensioning device (15) can be provided with a transport belt (14) and used in an automatic gripper system (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a width-adjusting device for conveyor corridor(s), comprising a wide gear-reduction mechanism connected to the frame (5) of said conveyor, wherein said mechanism is arranged between the control shaft (12) and the wall(s) of said corridor. The device includes: a final drive capable of reverse operation and consisting of said control shaft (12) in the form of an endless screw and of a toothed wheel (11); and a system for controlling at least one of the walls of said corridor, consisting of an endless screw (13) and a nut, the endless screw being mobile or fixed relative to said toothed wheel (11). The shaft (12) of the final drive is a flexible shaft having a long length and engaging with the tension-retaining system (20) for absorbing the pulling and pushing forces in the rotation direction thereof.

Abstract: An improved conveyor belt assembly is provided with telescoping housing sections and a tension system for extending and retracting the sections relative to one another to maintain a selected tension on the conveyor belt. The assembly also has a lower end with a stepped profile matching the stepped profile of the cleated belt, so as to pick up and discharge fallen seeds or material and eliminate gaps where fallen seeds and material may collect. One or more scrapers are provided adjacent the lower track of the belt to push stray seeds and material off the lower track for pick up by the cleated belt at the lower end of the assembly.

Abstract: A belt feeding device for an image forming apparatus includes a roller unit for supporting an endless belt, the roller unit including a driven rotatable member, and a pair of shaft supporting members for supporting opposite end portions of the rotatable member with respect to a widthwise direction crossing with a feeding direction of the endless belt, the shaft supporting members being provided with respective sliding surfaces for applying frictional forces by sliding relative to an inner surface of the endless belt; a stretching roller cooperative with the roller unit to support the endless belt; and a supporting mechanism for inclinably supporting the roller unit so as to incline a rotational axis of the rotatable member relative to a rotational axis of the stretching roller by the frictional force.

Abstract: As part of a system for processing workpieces, a workpiece support arrangement, separate from a process chamber arrangement supports at least two workpieces at least generally in a stacked relationship to form a workpiece column. A transfer arrangement transports at least two of the workpieces between the workpiece column and the process chamber arrangement by simultaneously moving the two workpieces at least generally along first and second transfer paths, respectively, that are defined between the workpiece column and the first and second process stations. The transfer arrangement can simultaneously move untreated and treated workpieces. Vertical motion swing arms and coaxial swing arms are described. A pair of spaced apart swing arms, the workpiece column and the processing stations can cooperatively define a pentagonal shape. Timing belt backlash elimination, a dual degree of freedom slot valve and low point chamber pumping, for removing chamber contaminants, are also described.

Abstract: A conveyor, comprising; two opposite rolls (1, 2), a frame that comprises two opposite beams (3, 4) that carry the rolls (1, 2) and extend in their longitudinal direction between the rolls (1, 2), an endless metal belt (5) extending in a path around and carried by the two rolls (1, 2), and a support element (11) that extends between and is connected to each of the two beams (3, 4), wherein at least one of the rolls (1, 2) is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the beams (3, 4) in order to enable tightening or loosing of the belt (5), and wherein there is provided a jack (10) that is connected to and acts on said roll (1) for said displacement thereof. The jack (10) is displaceable between at least two operative positions in the longitudinal direction of the beams (3, 4).

Abstract: A belt transporting device includes a belt; first and second adjustment members provided at two respective ends of a tension roller in a belt width direction orthogonal to a direction of rotation of the belt, the first and second adjustment members each being movable by receiving a force from the belt; and a link member that interlocks the movement of the first adjustment member and the movement of the second adjustment member. If the belt is laterally shifted in the belt width direction, one of the first and second adjustment members moves by receiving a force from the belt while the other is moved by the link member such that the tension roller is tilted with respect to a driving roller.

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.

Abstract: An improved conveyor belt assembly is provided with telescoping housing sections and a tension system for extending and retracting the sections relative to one another to maintain a selected tension on the conveyor belt. The assembly also has a lower end with a stepped profile matching the stepped profile of the cleated belt, so as to pick up and discharge fallen seeds or material and eliminate gaps where fallen seeds and material may collect. One or more scrapers are provided adjacent the lower track of the belt to push stray seeds and material off the lower track for pick up by the cleated belt at the lower end of the assembly.

Abstract: A vernier adjustor for a conveyor system is provided. The vernier adjustor includes first and second longitudinal members moveable in slidable relation and a pin, the first and second longitudinal members each including a plurality of slots separated by respective first and second spacings. The pin is adapted for placement within an aligned slot pairing to fix movement of the first longitudinal member relative to the second longitudinal member. The first and second longitudinal members are positionable in increments less than the first and second spacings. In particular, the first and second longitudinal members are positionable in increments substantially equal to the difference between the first spacing and the second spacing. Movement of the first longitudinal member relative to the second longitudinal member provides an incremental tensioning of an endless belt associated with the conveyor system.

Abstract: A transmission mechanism includes a feeder, a belt furling module, a tension maintaining module, and a carrier belt. The tension maintaining module and the belt furling module are positioned on the feeder, and the carrier belt runs along the feeder, the tension maintaining module, and the belt furling module in that order. The tension maintaining module includes a base, a pivot shaft slidably positioned on the base, and an elastic member sleeved on the pivot shaft. When the carrier belt relaxes, the elastic member releases its compression force to drive the pivot shaft to move away relative to the base, thereby maintaining the tension force of the carrier belt. The disclosure also provides a surface mount device using the transmission mechanism, which reduces the likelihood of the carrier belt breaking or jamming, thereby promoting improved precision and yield rate of the surface mounted equipment.

Abstract: A drive and tensioning unit for a scraper chain conveyor, in particular a face conveyor for drum cutter-loader mining apparatus, includes a telescopically configured machine frame having a machine frame base and a machine frame head, which is displaceable relative to the machine frame base by at least one hydraulic cylinder and has bearing recesses for supporting a chain drum shaft. Each hydraulic cylinder is supported at one end in a connecting joint on a side board of the machine frame head and at the other end in a connecting joint on a side wall of the machine frame base. The connecting joints include a recess in the side boards and the side walls and bearing brackets detachably anchorable in the recesses. Each of the recesses provided in the side boards and in the side walls are structurally identical.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer unit includes a shaft, a joint member, an apparatus frame and a supporting member. The joint member includes a first concave portion in which a first end portion in a longitudinal direction of the shaft is fittable at a plurality of angles around a first axis of the shaft, and a first peripheral portion having a second axis that is parallel to but does not share the same straight line with the first axis. The apparatus frame has a through hole. The supporting member has a second concave portion which the first peripheral portion is attachable to and removable from at a plurality of angles around the second axis, and is insertable into and removable from the through hole in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A rotating member provided on an end of a stretching member is rotatable around a rotating axis inclined with respect to the shaft of the stretching member. In order that, when a belt end winds around the rotating member, the belt end winds around an outer side of an entry position where the belt end enters the rotating member, an outer circumferential surface of the rotating member in an area in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the belt is inclined with respect to a belt contact surface.

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.

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.

Abstract: A vernier adjustor for a conveyor system is provided. The vernier adjustor includes first and second longitudinal members moveable in slidable relation and a pin, the first and second longitudinal members each including a plurality of slots separated by respective first and second spacings. The pin is adapted for placement within an aligned slot pairing to fix movement of the first longitudinal member relative to the second longitudinal member. The first and second longitudinal members are positionable in increments less than the first and second spacings. In particular, the first and second longitudinal members are positionable in increments substantially equal to the difference between the first spacing and the second spacing. Movement of the first longitudinal member relative to the second longitudinal member provides an incremental tensioning of an endless belt associated with the conveyor system.

Abstract: A belt conveyor assembly comprising a pair of elongate profile frames that are mounted in parallel; a conveyor belt positioned in between the profile frames; and a plurality of auxiliary components removably mounted to outer walls of the profile frames at any position along the length of the profile frames; and wherein the surface of the inner walls of the profile frames are planar over their length and height at least in a region where the conveyor belt is positioned.

Abstract: An open frame design of conveyors that will allow inspection access as well as sanitation access to all surfaces of conveyors that carry products that could contain Food Allergens, materials that could cause reactions as well as provide proper sanitation access. For proper and safe operation these allergens and offending materials must be removed and therefore proper access to all surfaces must be provided so as to be able clean and remove allergens and offending materials from all surfaces as well as to provide access to visually confirm proper removal has been carried.

Abstract: A belt conveyor configured to convey foodstuff products to a packaging station. The belt conveyor includes a stationary structure and a supporting surface comprising a plurality of plates removably carried by the stationary structure. The belt conveyor also includes a belt having a rectilinear conveying branch in contact with the supporting surface and a return branch. The belt conveyor includes a motor-driven roller co-operating with the belt for continuously feeding the belt in a conveying direction. The belt conveyor further includes a return assembly for sending the belt back between the return branch and the conveying branch. The return assembly comprising at least one return member supported at its ends by a pair of arms having at least one pair of fork-like seats. The belt conveyor further includes a control device for displacing the motor-driven roller between a working position and a disassembly position.

Abstract: A belt installation guide is disclosed which accommodates the loading in a belt module of a new belt around drive rollers. The guide is placed opposite the end portions of the rollers, the belt is slipped over the guides and held by the guides until the belt is pushed over the rollers. The guides can be attached to the belt module or can be detachable therefrom. Once in place over the rollers, a tension is exerted on the belt to make it taut over all of the rollers. The guide is removed from near the rollers after the belt is in place over the rollers.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer unit includes a shaft, a joint member, an apparatus frame and a supporting member. The joint member includes a first concave portion in which a first end portion in a longitudinal direction of the shaft is fittable at a plurality of angles around a first axis of the shaft, and a first peripheral portion having a second axis that is parallel to but does not share the same straight line with the first axis. The apparatus frame has a through hole. The supporting member has a second concave portion which the first peripheral portion is attachable to and removable from at a plurality of angles around the second axis, and is insertable into and removable from the through hole in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A belt conveyor configured to convey foodstuff products to a packaging station. The belt conveyor includes a stationary structure and a supporting surface comprising a plurality of plates removably carried by the stationary structure. The belt conveyor also includes a belt having a rectilinear conveying branch in contact with the supporting surface and a return branch. The belt conveyor includes a motor-driven roller co-operating with the belt for continuously feeding the belt in a conveying direction. The belt conveyor further includes a return assembly for sending the belt back between the return branch and the conveying branch. The return assembly comprising at least one return member supported at its ends by a pair of arms having at least one pair of fork-like seats. The belt conveyor further includes a control device for displacing the motor-driven roller between a working position and a disassembly position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tensioning device (15) for an endless transport belt (14), whereby the tensioning device (15) comprises two tensioning edges (16) around which the transport belt (14) is deflectable, and at least one spring section (26, 26?) integrally formed with the tensioning edges (16) and arranged between the two tensioning edges (16). This tensioning device (15) can be provided with a transport belt (14) and used in an automatic gripper system (1).

Abstract: A belt driving apparatus for rotationally driving a belt member, the belt driving apparatus includes a stretching member for stretching the belt member; a steering section including a steering member having a rotatable portion which is rotatable with rotation of the belt member, a frictional portion slidable relative to the belt member and provided at each of longitudinal outsides of the rotatable portion, and further including a supporting section supporting the steering member, and a rotation shaft rotatably supporting the supporting section, the steering section being effective to steer the belt member by inclining the steering member by a force produced by sliding between the frictional portion and the belt member; and a resisting force applying section for applying a resisting force against inclination of the steering member, the resisting force increasing with increase of a rate of change of an inclination angle of the steering member with respect to time.

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.

Abstract: A solar cell module conveyer comprising an assembly line for intermittently feeding solar cells that constitute a solar cell module, and having machinery arranged for successively executing the working/treating steps; belt conveyers working as an inspection line which is synchronized with the assembly line to inspect the solar cell module fabricated on the assembly line through various working/treatment steps; and a transfer mechanism for transferring the solar cell module from the assembly line onto the belt conveyers.

Abstract: In a bearing arrangement for a pivot bearing (7, 7?) of a roll, on which the conveyor belt (8) revolves, bearing receiving regions (11, 12) of lateral bearing carriers (6) are configured such that they enclose the pivot bearings (7, 7?) only partially and do not jut into the orbit of the conveyor belt (8), wherein the pivot bearings (7, 7?) are held in the bearing receiving regions (11, 12) thereof by the revolving conveyor belt (8).

Abstract: A belt tensioning device for minimizing tension variations in a moveable endless belt configured to be mounted for rotation about rollers mounted to a frame of an image printing device. The belt tensioning device includes a tension roll forced into contact with the image retaining side of the endless belt by a tension exerting mechanism. With the tension roll engaging the image side of the endless belt, a pair of mounted rollers combine with the tension roll to form an open loop for sharply turning the endless web from a first direction to a direction generally perpendicular to the first direction and back again to the first direction thereby tensioning the moveable endless belt and minimizing unused imaging space on the belt.

Abstract: A transmission mechanism includes a feeder, a belt furling module, a tension maintaining module, and a carrier belt. The tension maintaining module and the belt furling module are positioned on the feeder, and the carrier belt runs along the feeder, the tension maintaining module, and the belt furling module in that order. The tension maintaining module includes a base, a pivot shaft slidably positioned on the base, and an elastic member sleeved on the pivot shaft. When the carrier belt relaxes, the elastic member releases its compression force to drive the pivot shaft to move away relative to the base, thereby maintaining the tension force of the carrier belt. The disclosure also provides a surface mount device using the transmission mechanism, which reduces the likelihood of the carrier belt breaking or jamming, thereby promoting improved precision and yield rate of the surface mounted equipment.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a belt unit that includes a belt-shaped image carrier stretched around and driven to rotate by a plurality of rollers; a belt tensioning unit that includes a tensioning member that is brought into contact with an image carrying surface of the belt-shaped image carrier and applies tension to the belt-shaped image carrier; and a cleaning unit that includes a cleaning member that is brought into contact with the image carrying surface of the belt-shaped image carrier and cleans the image carrying surface. The cleaning unit is supported by the belt tensioning unit in an attachable and detachable manner.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus including an adjustable intake conveyor assembly, two receiving conveyor assemblies to receive product from the intake conveyor assembly, two rake assemblies for metering the product on the receiving conveyor assemblies, two upper funnels at downstream ends of the receiving conveyor assemblies for containing and redirecting product, two funnel groups to pass product falling from the upper funnels to targets moving below the funnel groups. Each funnel group includes a plurality of dispensing funnels, and each dispensing funnel is connected to adjacent dispensing funnels and moves along a racetrack shaped rail in synchronization with the moving targets below the dispensing funnels. A guide pan lowers and raises the dispensing funnels toward and away from the targets for precise deposits.

Abstract: A conveying surface operating in a fashion of a conveying belt. The surface is formed to provide movement of material on the surface between two rollers. The conveying surface is formed by a continuous wire stretching in individual substantially parallel strands, between spiraled communications around the first roller and second roller. Spacing of the individual parallel strands of wire yields uninterrupted gaps for airflow therethrough and tensioning of the wire between the rollers eliminates sagging. The surface may be cleaned while moving by cleaning a return section of the wire strand between the rollers.

Abstract: A belt conveyor device for construction machines such as road finishing machines with a continuous conveyor belt that is carried in a conveying plane in a conveying duct by drive and tail pulleys situated inside the conveyor belt, and optionally by support rolls, which are installed in a frame structure defining the conveying duct. The drive and tail pulleys can be moved out of the conveyor belt for replacement with an adjustment arrangement that can be installed or integrated into the frame structure.

Abstract: A method and system for feeding a continuous rod of elastomeric material automatically to a user unit along a feed line having at least one powered portion and extending between an extruder, for forming the rod, and the user unit, and wherein, upstream from the powered portion, the rod is fed along a supporting device defining, for the rod and when at rest, a first path of given fixed length; and wherein, once the rod reaches and is engaged by the powered portion, a movable part of the supporting device is withdrawn from the first path to feed the rod along a second path, one portion of which is a bend of variable length.

Abstract: A method of reducing drag on a rotatable web drive member for driving a web in an electrophotographic printer includes spacing a plurality of rotatable, driven tensioning members, divided into two groups, along the web. Each tensioning member exerts a respective drag force on the web drive member through the web while maintaining tension on the web between adjacent members, and has a surface speed at a point of contact with the web. Each tensioning member in the first group is rotated with a greater surface speed than each member in the second group. Members of the first group thus exert a negative drag (overdrive) and members of the second group exert a positive drag (underdrive), and the total drag on the web drive member is less than the sum of the magnitudes of the respective drags exerted by the tensioning members.

Abstract: A method for carrying out a belt run correction for a conveyor belt 5 of a press having at least one press layer 1, 1?, 1?, 1??. This layer includes a lower press plate 3 and an upper press plate 4 that can be moved relative to one another in order to open and close the press layer 1, a conveyor belt 5 that runs around the lower press plate 3 for conveying a workpiece into and out of the press layer 1, and at least one deflection roller 7, 8 for the conveyor belt 5, situated at an end face of the lower press plate 3, that deflects the conveyor belt 5 from the upper side to the lower side of the lower press plate 3 and vice versa. A tension device 6 for tensions and relaxes the conveyor belt 5, with the deflection roller 7 being movable by the tensioning device 6 relative to the lower press plate 3, and being moved axially as needed in order to carry out the belt run correction. A press is provided having a corresponding design.

Abstract: A method of replacing a continuous belt on a belt conveyor having a frame assembly includes providing a removable belt module with a removable belt module frame, the removable belt module frame having at one end a rotatably mounted drive pulley and having at an opposite end a rotatably mounted other pulley. The continuous belt is reeved around the drive pulley and the other pulley. The removable belt module is removed from at least one attachment surface of the frame assembly while the continuous belt remains under tension. A replacement removable belt module is then placed at the attachment surface. Optionally, the continuous belt has a low modulus characteristic, and the removable belt module may include at least one pivot arm for mounting at least one of the drive pulley and the other pulley to the removable belt module frame.

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.

Abstract: A belt unit includes a first roller; a second roller; a belt extended with at least the first roller and the second roller; a first supporting member for supporting the first roller; a second supporting member disposed to be freely rotatable relative to the first supporting member for supporting the second roller; a switching member for switching the first supporting member and the second supporting member between a first state for applying tension to the belt and a second state for loosening the belt; and a regulating member for regulating the second supporting member to rotate.

Abstract: An apparatus including a belt support system having a first belt support roller and a system for automatically moving the first belt support roller. The belt support system partially wraps a continuous belt on a belt drive roller. The belt support system includes the first belt support roller at an upstream side of the belt drive roller and a second belt support roller at a downstream side. The system for moving the first belt support roller moves the first roller from a first location relative to the belt drive roller to a second different location, based upon a predetermined load of the belt on the first belt support roller to thereby reduce an amount of wrap of the belt on the belt drive roller and reduce a length of the belt located proximate to the belt drive roller between the first and second belt support rollers.

Abstract: A cam driving mechanism has: a cam; a motor which drives the cam; a gear train which transmits, while reducing the speed of, the output of the motor to the cam; a pulse disk which is formed integrally with a gear coupled in the gear train and in which a plurality of slits are formed at equal intervals; a home position detecting member which is arranged coaxially with the pulse disk so as to be rotatable independently thereof and which, by meshing with another gear coupled in the gear train, rotates at a lower rotation speed than the pulse disk; and a cam position detecting sensor which has a detecting portion including a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion, the cam position detecting sensor detecting the amount of driving of the cam based on the number of slits of the pulse disk that have passed through the detecting portion, the cam position detecting sensor detecting the home position of the cam based on the timing with which the home position detecting member shields the detecting portion.

Abstract: A conveyor comprising an endless accumulation chain and at least two sets of devices for effecting incremental movements of the chain at respective stations. Each set of devices includes a first device for engaging and disengaging respectively the chain, a second device engaged to the first device for moving it from a first position to a second position while it is engaged to the chain for effecting an incremental movement of a portion of the chain and for retracting the first device to the first position while the first device is disengaged from the chain, and a third device for engaging the chain to lock the chain portion in a fixed position while the first device is disengaged from the chain and for disengaging from the chain when the first device is engaged to the chain portion so that the first device may be moved to the second position for incrementally moving the chain portion.

Abstract: A low profile, portable, modular conveyor system is provided. The conveyor system includes three main components: a drive end, having a motor and gearboxes used to drive a pair of drive wheels, a center section, and an idle section comprising a stationary component attached to the center section and a pivoting component allowing the distal portion of the idle end to pivot in a transverse direction. The conveyor system includes means for hydraulically or mechanically adjusting the tension and tracking of the conveyor belt. The drive end may be removed from the conveyor system in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor system.

Abstract: A tensioning apparatus for a circulating element, such as a belt or a band, has a basic body in which a first chamber is formed. A piston is positioned in the first chamber and carries a piston rod. The piston can be displaced in the first chamber by the use of a pressure fluid. Either the piston rod or the base body is attached to the carrier for the belt or band. Either the piston rod or the basic body carries a head piece which can be moved in contact with the circulating element. A locking mechanism for the piston rod can be engaged and disengaged by the use of fluid pressure.