For Testing A Drive Belt Patents (Class 73/862.453)
  • Patent number: 10962428
    Abstract: A method of checking belt tension of a belt extending between two or more pulleys includes providing a reference indicator defining a reference position relative to the upper surface of the belt in an undeflected state. A force/probe assembly is provided and has measurement markings. The distal end of the force/probe assembly is positioned on the upper surface of the belt at a midpoint of the span. A force is applied generally perpendicular to the upper surface of the belt using the force/probe assembly. The belt may be deflected a predetermined distance, as determined by using the measurement markings, and the force applied is measured, or a force is applied to the belt until the force is equal to a predetermined force, and the deflection of the belt is measured using the measurement markings. The belt tension is determined based on the force and distance during the deflecting step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Reliability Concepts LLC
    Inventor: Michael A. Olszewski
  • Patent number: 10359328
    Abstract: Devices and methods of measuring a handsaw or other cutting blade are described. The device may be in the form of a tension gauge that includes a first plate associated with a moveable protrusion such as a pin that deflects the blade and a second plate that is pivotably attached to the first plate and includes two or more fixed pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Inventors: Barry Martin Schwaiger, Howard Leon Snodgrass, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10295043
    Abstract: A method for determining belt wear in a belt drive, wherein the belt is loaded with a defined torque and the rotation angle of a pulley is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, SEG Automotive Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Benjamin Klein, Tobias Trzebiatowski
  • Patent number: 10227031
    Abstract: A device for measuring the tension in a tensioning belt comprises a retaining device for retaining a spring element, an elastically deformable spring element that is retained by the retaining device and on which a section of the tensioning belt can apply a force and elastically deform the spring element, the ends of the spring element being moved closer to one another when the tensioning force increases, and an electronic sensor unit. The sensor unit comprises a sensor system that measures the deflection of the spring element and generates a data signal, and a transmitter for transmitting the data signal to a receiving unit. The sensor system is situated at the ends of the spring element. The sensor unit may also be used for documenting the measured values of the tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: SPANSET INTER AG
    Inventor: David Ehnimb
  • Patent number: 8978485
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting a rubbing-cloth is provided. The apparatus for inspecting a rubbing-cloth includes: a base-platform provided with a pressure-sensing device on a surface thereof; a supporting-frame; a rubbing-roller, rotatably supported above the surface of the base-platform by means of the supporting-frame, with a rubbing-cloth wrapped around an outer circumference of the rubbing-roller; when the rubbing-roller is rotated, the rubbing-cloth rubs the surface of the base-platform, and the pressure-sensing device can detect pressure-sensing signals of pressure applied by the rubbing-cloth at each of detection-points on the surface of the base-platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: Boe Technology Group Co., Ltd., Hefei Boe Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Hu, Hongguang Guo, Jiancheng Wang, Duan Yang, Biao Wang, Long Zhang
  • Patent number: 8950277
    Abstract: A return container for a sensor device and methods of forming a sensor device return container are disclosed. Generally, the apparatus may include a deflecting blade, a handle, and an indicator. The deflecting blade has a shaft and planar portion extending from respective ends. The planar portion can be placed proximate a working surface associated with a conveyor bearing and movable to provide the tension force on the belt. The handle is connected to the shaft and provides a torque when the handle is moved about an axis of the shaft. As an initial torque is applied to the shaft, the planar portion applies a first force against the working surface. The indicator is on the handle and measures the tension force on the belt when the handle provides a sufficiently increased torque such that the planar portion minimally deflects the working surface to a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: FedEx Ground, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Bodeker, James A. Grund
  • Publication number: 20140345393
    Abstract: A return container for a sensor device and methods of forming a sensor device return container are disclosed. Generally, the apparatus may include a deflecting blade, a handle, and an indicator. The deflecting blade has a shaft and planar portion extending from respective ends. The planar portion can be placed proximate a working surface associated with a conveyor bearing and movable to provide the tension force on the belt. The handle is connected to the shaft and provides a torque when the handle is moved about an axis of the shaft. As an initial torque is applied to the shaft, the planar portion applies a first force against the working surface. The indicator is on the handle and measures the tension force on the belt when the handle provides a sufficiently increased torque such that the planar portion minimally deflects the working surface to a predetermined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel Bodeker, James A. Grund
  • Patent number: 8635918
    Abstract: A device for monitoring belt tension includes two supporting elements for supporting a belt, a deflecting element between the supporting elements, at least one elastic element and a switch. A sufficiently high tension for a belt that is supported on the supporting elements and guided past the deflecting element may be displayed if the deflecting element has been moved in a predefined way against a restoring force of the elastic element, thereby actuating the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: PolyContact AG
    Inventor: Joshua Lanter
  • Publication number: 20120060629
    Abstract: A device for monitoring belt tension includes two supporting elements for supporting a belt, a deflecting element between the supporting elements, at least one elastic element and a switch. A sufficiently high tension for a belt that is supported on the supporting elements and guided past the deflecting element may be displayed if the deflecting element has been moved in a predefined way against a restoring force of the elastic element, thereby actuating the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventor: Joshua Lanter
  • Patent number: 8132475
    Abstract: A tensioned metal strip over an apparatus for measuring tension that only has a roller rotatable about an axis transverse to the direction and having a substantially cylindrical outer surface engaged generally tangentially by the strip, a radially shiftable tension-measuring bar set in the roller, extending generally only angularly of the axis so as to lie in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis, and having an outer surface generally flush with the roller surface. Sensors between the bar and the roller for measuring radial deflection of the bar. The apparatus, when used to determine planarity, further has a planarity-measuring bar also set in the roller, extending at an acute angle to and across a respective plane perpendicular to the axis, and having an outer surface generally flush with the roller outer surface. Other sensors between the planarity-measuring and the roller measure radial deflection of the planarity-measuring bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: BWG Bergwerk-und Walzwerk-Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Noé
  • Patent number: 8024983
    Abstract: A belt conveying tension measuring system for measuring applied take-up tension on a belt of a bucket elevator or a belt of a conveyor. The tension measuring system includes a center assembly that is used in combination with a pushing assembly and a horizontal stabilizer assembly such that when a deflection operating assembly is used actuation of the deflection operating assembly causes the pushing assembly to provide deflection to the belt of the conveyor. The pressure to deflect the belt a set amount is measured with and set by a load cell and scale assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: EBM Properties Inc.
    Inventor: Clayton S. Ellsworth
  • Patent number: 7975562
    Abstract: A belt force measuring device with a measuring spring, the displacement thereof being a measurement for the belt force, and with a transmitter, being assigned to the measuring spring, and with a sensor element, being also assigned to the measuring spring, wherein the displacement of measuring spring, effects a change of position of the sensor element in relation to the transmitter. The change of position is detected by the sensor element as measurement for the belt force and the belt force measuring device further has a first connecting element, connecting the measuring spring with a belt lock or a first belt section and a second connecting element, connecting the measuring spring, with a motor vehicle body or with a component of the motor vehicle body or a second belt section. To provide a belt force measuring device, being produced simply and cost effectively, the measuring spring, the first connecting element and the second connecting element are designated as a single-piece component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Harry Skarpil
  • Publication number: 20090320616
    Abstract: A tensioned metal strip over an apparatus for measuring tension that only has a roller rotatable about an axis transverse to the direction and having a substantially cylindrical outer surface engaged generally tangentially by the strip, a radially shiftable tension-measuring bar set in the roller, extending generally only angularly of the axis so as to lie in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis, and having an outer surface generally flush with the roller surface. Sensors between the bar and the roller for measuring radial deflection of the bar. The apparatus, when used to determine planarity, further has a planarity-measuring bar also set in the roller, extending at an acute angle to and across a respective plane perpendicular to the axis, and having an outer surface generally flush with the roller outer surface. Other sensors between the planarity-measuring and the roller measure radial deflection of the planarity-measuring bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventor: Andreas NØÉ
  • Patent number: 7603919
    Abstract: A force measuring apparatus includes first fixed electrodes disposed in one direction in one plane so as to be distant from each other; second fixed electrodes disposed in the one direction in a plane opposed to the one plane, so as to be distant from each other and opposed to the respective first fixed electrodes; and movable electrodes movable in the one direction. The apparatus further includes a force receiving portion to receive an external force and thereby move the movable electrodes in the one direction so as to change the overlapped area between each first fixed electrode and the corresponding movable electrode and the overlapped area between each second fixed electrode and the corresponding movable electrode. The apparatus measures the magnitude of the force applied to the force receiving portion based on the changes in the capacitance values of the capacitance elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Nitta Corporation
    Inventor: Hideo Morimoto
  • Patent number: 7370542
    Abstract: The apparatus is a multi-speed flat belt durability tester that can simultaneously test several belts of different lengths. The tester can apply different tensions to each belt with a tension pulley powered by a hydraulic cylinder, and it monitors the tracking of the belts with photocell sensors. At least two belt test positions located at the outer edges of the apparatus include cantilevered pulley ends that greatly facilitate installation and removal of the belts being tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: David B. Stauffer, George Korlinchak
  • Publication number: 20080006097
    Abstract: The apparatus is a multi-speed flat belt durability tester that can simultaneously test several belts of different lengths. The tester can apply different tensions to each belt with a tension pulley powered by a hydraulic cylinder, and it monitors the tracking of the belts with photocell sensors. At least two belt test positions located at the outer edges of the apparatus include cantilevered pulley ends that greatly facilitate installation and removal of the belts being tested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: David B. Stauffer, George Korlinchak
  • Patent number: 7313975
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring tension in guy wire systems wherein the lower end of the guy wire has a thimble adjoined by a connection pin to a yoke or clevis of a turnbuckle shackle bolt connected to an earth anchor. A block assembly is removably received beneath the clevis and a thimble-engaging jaw assembly is removably received on the guy wire above the clevis. The block assembly and jaw assembly are connected at one end by a threaded rod assembly that includes a strain sensor connected with an indicator device, and by a threaded rod at their opposed end. The jaw assembly is drawn downward by adjusting nuts on the threaded rods beneath the block assembly to engage the thimble and move it downward transferring the tension to the threaded rod and threaded rod assembly which is sensed by the strain sensor and indicated by the indicator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Inventor: Romel Scorteanu
  • Publication number: 20070068282
    Abstract: A belt tension detecting apparatus and a child seat provided with the belt tension detecting apparatus. A tension indicator includes a roller arranged on a belt at a midsection in the direction of extension thereof, a case accommodating the roller so as to be capable of rotating in the belt retracting direction and in the belt withdrawing direction, and a spring which urges the roller in the belt retracting direction. The roller includes a slit through which the belt passes. When a tension equal to or larger than a predetermined value is applied to the belt, a different color portion is seen through a window to indicate that the roller is rotated in the belt withdrawing direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: TAKATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu Nakagawa, Masayuki Sakumoto, Hirokazu Kanbayashi, Hideki Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7143657
    Abstract: A planarity-measuring roller for metallic strip has a plurality of force sensors set in respective outwardly open recesses in a roller body with respective covers overlying the sensors in the recesses, generally flush with an outer surface of the body, and spaced by a gap from the respective recesses. Metal foils overlie the recesses and are adhered to the covers and to the outer surface of the roller body all around the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: BWG Bergwerk- und Walzwerk- Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Noe
  • Publication number: 20040244504
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring an operating front end accessory belt tension using a hubload transducer and a torque transducer. The hubload transducer comprises concentric rings with a strainable member disposed in a coplanar fashion between an inner and outer ring. The hubload transducer is used with a non-torque transmitting idler pulley. The torque transducer comprises a strainable cylindrical member connected to a belt bearing surface and a rotating shaft. The torque transducer will transmit a torque to a driven accessory. It is used on accessories such as an air conditioner compressor or power steering pump. Signals from the hubload transducer and torque transducer as used to calculate a drive efficiency as well as belt span tensions between the driver and driven accessories.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Jing Yuan, Imtiaz Ali, Joel Patrick Musyj
  • Publication number: 20040154413
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a machine (10) comprises a number of strategically placed sensing devices (11, 12, 13, 14) which are arranged to detect particular physical characteristics, such as vibration, thermal energy etc. Output signals from the sensing devices are delivered to a processor (15) which combines them to produce control signals indicative of the condition of a particular part or parts of the machine. In this way, the health of the machine can be continously monitored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Joanne Coy, Robert Parkin, Luca Notini
  • Publication number: 20040149049
    Abstract: A testing system for conveyor belts where there is a plurality of testing sections positioned at various locations along the length of the belt to ascertain condition of the belt in these locations. Each test section comprises a radio frequency identification member so that when the test section passes through a monitoring region where there is a monitoring apparatus, the radio frequency identification member transmits an identification signal to indicate the presence of a testing device. The monitoring apparatus transmits an activating signal to the testing device which in turn directs an electric current through a conductive loop extending transversely across the belt. If there is a fault in the belt which severs the wire so that current does not flow, this is detected by the monitoring apparatus to indicate a fault.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Larry J. Kuzik, Ronald M. Ninnis
  • Patent number: 6684473
    Abstract: A belt for use in a continuously variable transmission comprises an annular hoop of laminated metal elements each having a body and a head joined thereto with a pair of recesses defined therebetween, and a pair of rings inserted respectively in the recesses and each comprising a plurality of laminated metal web-shaped rings. The belt is manufactured by an element production line for producing the elements through a plurality of processes, a ring production line for producing the laminated rings through a plurality of processes parallel to the element production line, and a belt assembly line joined to the element production line and the ring production line, for bundling the elements with the laminated rings thereby to assemble the belt. The elements are inspected for a produced state thereof at a terminal end of the element production line and those elements which are judged as acceptable are sent to the belt assembly line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Yamagishi, Tetsuo Suzuki, Katsuyuki Nakajima
  • Patent number: 6615676
    Abstract: A method and system for tensioning a belt, the system including a tensioning measuring head, a controller, and an air impact gun. The tension measuring head includes a vibration sensor and a belt striker. The controller activates the belt striker and receives signals from the vibration sensor indicative of the vibrations set up in the belt being tensioned. The measured vibrations are indicative of the tension on the belt, and are used by the controller to deactivate the air impact gun when the belt tension is determined to be at a desired level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Brent C Rankin
  • Patent number: 6606919
    Abstract: The invention relates to a roll (1) for measuring the flatness of a band (M) comprising a tubular body (12) with a cylindrical external face (11) and a number of sensors each consisting of a feeler (2) mounted in a housing (3) provided in a recess in the thickness of the tubular body (12) and closed by a protection wall (50) whose deformations are measured by the feeler (2). According to the invention, each housing (3) is closed by a hollow piece in the shape of a lid (5) comprising a bottom made of an elastically deformable thin wall (50) and a peripheral part in the form of a bushing (53) encased without any clearance in the housing (3) and forming an embedding foot for the thin wall (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Vai Clecim
    Inventors: Remi Perenon, Jean-Paul Faure
  • Publication number: 20020092365
    Abstract: The invention relates to a roll (1) for measuring the flatness of a band (M) comprising a tubular body (12) with a cylindrical external face (11) and a number of sensors each consisting of a feeler (2) mounted in a housing (3) provided in a recess in the thickness of the tubular body (12) and closed by a protection wall (50) whose deformations are measured by the feeler (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Remi Perenon, Jean-Paul Faure