US20100065405A1 - Apparatus for sensing conditions local to a conveyor belt - Google Patents
Apparatus for sensing conditions local to a conveyor belt Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20100065405A1 US20100065405A1 US12/622,568 US62256809A US2010065405A1 US 20100065405 A1 US20100065405 A1 US 20100065405A1 US 62256809 A US62256809 A US 62256809A US 2010065405 A1 US2010065405 A1 US 2010065405A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- belt
- sensor
- load
- conveyor belt
- measurements
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G17/00—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface
- B65G17/06—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface having a load-carrying surface formed by a series of interconnected, e.g. longitudinal, links, plates, or platforms
- B65G17/08—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface having a load-carrying surface formed by a series of interconnected, e.g. longitudinal, links, plates, or platforms the surface being formed by the traction element
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G17/00—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface
- B65G17/06—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface having a load-carrying surface formed by a series of interconnected, e.g. longitudinal, links, plates, or platforms
- B65G17/08—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface having a load-carrying surface formed by a series of interconnected, e.g. longitudinal, links, plates, or platforms the surface being formed by the traction element
- B65G17/086—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface having a load-carrying surface formed by a series of interconnected, e.g. longitudinal, links, plates, or platforms the surface being formed by the traction element specially adapted to follow a curved path
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G43/00—Control devices, e.g. for safety, warning or fault-correcting
- B65G43/02—Control devices, e.g. for safety, warning or fault-correcting detecting dangerous physical condition of load carriers, e.g. for interrupting the drive in the event of overheating
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01L—MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE
- G01L5/00—Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes
- G01L5/04—Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring tension in flexible members, e.g. ropes, cables, wires, threads, belts or bands
- G01L5/10—Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring tension in flexible members, e.g. ropes, cables, wires, threads, belts or bands using electrical means
- G01L5/101—Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring tension in flexible members, e.g. ropes, cables, wires, threads, belts or bands using electrical means using sensors inserted into the flexible member
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G2203/00—Indexing code relating to control or detection of the articles or the load carriers during conveying
- B65G2203/04—Detection means
- B65G2203/042—Sensors
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G2207/00—Indexing codes relating to constructional details, configuration and additional features of a handling device, e.g. Conveyors
- B65G2207/30—Modular constructions
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Control Of Conveyors (AREA)
- Chain Conveyers (AREA)
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. 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.
Description
- This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/026,824, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Sensing Conditions Local to a Modular Conveyor Belt,” filed Feb. 6, 2008.
- The invention relates generally to power-driven conveyors and, more particularly, to methods and devices for making measurements of conditions local to modular conveyor belts from within the belts and wirelessly transmitting those measurements for monitoring or controlling the operation of the belt or the process in which it is used.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,852, “Conveyor Belt Tension Sensing,” describes a radio transmitter and a tensile force sensor that includes strain gauges mounted in the limbs of a support link that is adapted for connection to joint components at the ends of straight-running flat belt portions. The strain gauges sense belt tension and derive a corresponding signal that is transmitted by the transmitter to a receiver and monitor. The belt has to be unlaced and relaced every time the support link is installed or removed. And because the belt is longer with the support link installed, the tension has to be adjusted.
- It is often desirable to detect the tension at the outside of a modular plastic conveyor belt in a spiral conveyor. Knowing the tension in a side-flexing spiral or radius belt at the outside of a turn is useful in detecting imminent failures or in adjusting the tension for optimal operation. This is conventionally done in spiral belt conveyor systems by a data-logging tension-sensing device temporarily attached along outer belt modules as the belt follows its helical path along the spiral conveyor's drive tower. But the sensing device has to be removed before it reaches the belt's return path and falls off. When the device is removed, the belt tension data it collected is dumped to a computer for analysis.
- Thus, there is a need for a device that can sense conditions, such as belt tension at the outside of a turn, in a conveyor belt without being destroyed and without having to be removed from the belt.
- This need and other needs are satisfied by a modular conveyor belt embodying features of the invention, including a load-sensing belt module. The modular conveyor belt is constructed of a series of rows of one or more belt modules hingedly linked together at hinge joints between adjacent rows. The load-sensing belt module includes a load sensor that makes measurements of belt tension in at least a portion of the load-sensing belt module, which further includes a memory element for storing as a group a series of the measurements of belt tension made by the load sensor
- Another modular plastic conveyor belt comprises a series of rows of one or more standard belt modules hingedly linked together between adjacent rows and at least one sensor module. The sensor module includes a sensor making measurements of a local condition, a memory element for storing the measurements as a group, and a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting signals representing the group of measurements.
- In another aspect of the invention, a conveyor system comprises a conveyor belt that includes a sensor making measurements of a local condition, a memory element for storing the measurements as a group, and a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting signals representing the group of measurements. A controller uses the group of measurements to control the operation of the conveyor system in a closed-loop system.
- These features and aspects of the invention, as well as its advantages, are better understood by referring to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a portion of a modular conveyor belt embodying features of the invention including a load-sensing edge module; -
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the modular conveyor belt ofFIG. 1 showing the edge module; -
FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of the edge module ofFIG. 1 viewed from the top side of the module; -
FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of the edge module ofFIG. 1 viewed from the bottom side of the module; -
FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a two-axis bearing used in the edge module ofFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the electronic circuits used in the edge module ofFIG. 1 ; and -
FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a portion of a modular conveyor belt embodying features of the invention including replaceable sensor modules. - A portion of a modular conveyor belt following a curved path is shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 . Theconveyor belt 10 depicted in this example is a SPIRALOX™ 1.1 Radius modular plastic conveyor belt manufactured and sold by Intralox, L.L.C. of Harahan, La., U.S.A. The belt is constructed of a series ofrows 12 of one ormore belt modules 14.Hinge elements 16 having alignedopenings 18 are laterally spaced apart along leading and trailing ends of each row.Hinge rods 20 received in lateral passageways formed by the aligned openings through interleaved hinge elements of adjacent belt rows connect the rows together athinge joints 21 and allow the belt to articulate about drive and idle sprockets and return rollers. - The conveyor belt shown in this example is a radius, or side-flexing, belt capable of negotiating turns or wrapping helically around a spiral-conveyor drum or capstan. As shown in
FIG. 1 , theinside edge 22 of the belt collapses on itself in riding along the curvedouter surface 24 of a drive capstan in a spiral conveyor. Meanwhile, theoutside edge 23 of the belt is allowed to fan out because it is following a longer path around the capstan. Theopenings 18 in one or both of the leading and trailing hinge elements are elongated in the direction ofbelt travel 26 to allow the inside edge to collapse in a turn. - An important factor in determining the life of the spiral belt and its performance is the tension in the belt. In a spiral conveyor, in which a major portion of the belt's path is its helical path up or down the capstan, the majority of the belt tension is borne by the hinge elements at the outside of the turn. The collapsed inside edge and the interior portions of the belt carry almost no tension in a turn. A load-
sensing belt module 28 is positioned at the outside edge of the belt row in place of a standard belt module or belt module edge portion. The load-sensing module extends inward from the outside edge of the belt far enough to capture all or at least a known percentage of the tension in the belt as it makes a turn. Acomplementary belt module 30 in an adjacent row cooperates with the load-sensing module to concentrate the belt tension at ameasuring position 32 without changing the pull characteristics of the belt. Both the load-sensing module and the complementary module havehinge elements hinge elements 16 of standard belt rows and receive a hinge rod. The hinge rod extending through the hinge elements on the load-sensing module is prevented from escaping at the outside of the module by aplug 33 that occludes the rod passageway through the interleaved hinge elements. A bias-cut edge 36 on the inner side of a complementary module provides room for the collapse of the belt inward of the outer edge. - Further details of the load-
sensing module 28 and itscomplementary module 30 are shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 . The load-sensing module hashinge elements 34 that are laterally spaced along one end to be compatible with the hinge elements of the standard belt modules. Ahole 37 in the outside edge of the module intercepts the passageway through the hinge elements and receives therod retention plug 33. The other end of the load-sensing module has only two enlargedhinge elements clevis 40. A two-axis bearing in the form of apuck 42 resides in the opening in the clevis. A bore 43 is formed through the outer circular wall of the puck as shown inFIG. 5 . The bore is aligned coaxial with apassageway 44 through the clevis end of the load-sensing module. A load sensor, such as aload cell 46, is inserted into the passageway from the side edge of the module. The load cell has apin portion 48 extending from ahead 49 at ashoulder 51. The pin portion is centered in the bore of the puck, which can rotate about the pin. Acentral portion 50 of the pin resides in the puck; proximal anddistal portions hinge elements - The puck is received in a
projection 54 extending outward from one end of thecomplementary belt module 30. Theprojection 54 has arecess 56 shaped to snugly, but rotationally hold half the puck. One end of a T-shapedretainer 58 sits in amating receptacle 60 in the complementary belt module and holds the other half of the puck. The retainer may be fastened to the projection in a conventional manner, such as by screws, adhesives, or thermal bonding, such as by ultrasonic welding. Together, the projection and the retainer form an oversized hinge element coupled to the load-sensing module through the puck and the pin portion of the load cell. The circular outer wall of the puck allows the complementary module to rotate about asecond axis 62 radial to the axis of the pin and perpendicular to the plane of the load-sensing module to properly load the load cell as the belt fans out at the outside of a turn. - When the load-sensing module is connected to the complementary module as described, the
pin portion 48 of the load cell acts as a clevis pin. When the belt is in tension, thecentral portion 48 of the pin is pulled in one direction by the action of the complementary module's oversized hinge element on the puck, and the proximal anddistal portions hinge elements regions head 49 that cooperates with a flatfront edge 70 on acover 98. The front edge of the cover juts into thepassageway 44 from acavity 95 that opens into the passageway to orient the pin circumferentially with the strain gauges in the direction of maximum sensitivity. - In a preferred version, the four strain gauges 71—two at each thinned
region FIG. 6 . The bridge is energized by a regulated voltage 74 at one corner of the bridge. A voltage regulator 76 maintains a constant voltage to the bridge. A power source, for example, abattery 78, such as provided by a pair of 1.5-volt dry cells or a pair of 3.6-volt lithium ion cells, powers the voltage regulator and the other electronic components in the load-sensing module. The output of the bridge circuit is conditioned in a differential amplifier 80 and sent to an analog-to-digital converter 82, which periodically samples and digitizes the strain gauge signals and provides digital measurements to a controller 84, such as a microprocessor or microcontroller. The controller may log the digital measurements to a memory element 86 as is or after applying further algorithmic processing, such as filtering or scaling, to the measurements. The logged measurements may then be converted to radio signals in a transmitter 88, which may also include a receiver 93, and transmitted wirelessly from the belt over an antenna 90 to an off-belt belt monitoring and control system 91 that would include a transmitter and a receiver. The memory allows a number of measurements to be stored and uploaded wirelessly as a group in a single transmission when the antenna is close to the belt monitoring system. This can result in extended battery life by minimizing the transmission duty cycle and the distance over which the transmitter must transmit. But it would also be possible to transmit signals representing the measurements more frequently, such as transmitting one measurement each sample time. In such a case, a series of measurements would not have to be logged in a memory element, but single measurements could be stored before being transmitted. The circuitry may also use the receiver to receive command and control signals from the belt monitoring system. - The measurements may also be used to adjust the operation of the conveyor or the associated process in a closed-loop control system. An error signal 104 proportional to the difference between a signal or signal level 106 representing, for example, the tension in the belt and a tension set point 108, set through an operator interface in the monitoring and control system 91, is used as the input to a motor controller 110 that produces a motor-control signal 111 controlling the speed of a motor 112 driving the belt. The motor controller, as shown in the example of
FIG. 6 , or the belt monitoring and control system 91 may include the control logic to implement the control algorithm, which may define a proportional-integral-differential (PID) loop or other conventional control loop. The motor for a spiral conveyor system can be used to adjust the speed of the drive drum 114 and, consequently, the amount of overdrive used in driving thespiral belt 10 in its helical path around the drum. In the same way, an alternative sensor or an auxiliary sensor 99, such as a temperature sensor in the conveyor belt, could make temperature measurements, which could be transmitted from the belt to the monitoring and control system 91 to raise or lower the process temperature via another control signal 113. Thus, a sensor embedded in the belt can be used to measure local conveyor system conditions, such as ambient temperature, or belt conditions, such as tension, and control those conditions. - The electronic circuits, except the bridge, which resides in the load cell, reside on a
circuit board 92 as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 . The battery resides in thecavity 95 adjacent to the load cell. The circuit board housing the electronics resides in anothercavity 94 on the opposite side of the load-sensing belt module.Wires 96 passing through amouse hole 97 in thefront edge 70 of thecover 98 connect the bridge in the load cell to the electronics and the power source. The cover covers the cavities and retains the batteries and electronic components in the belt module. Aslit 102 in the front edge of the cover receives aperipheral portion 103 of the head of the load cell between the flat 66 and theshoulder 51 to register the load cell axially in the passageway. The cover is conventionally fastened to the belt module, such as by a snap-fit provided bytabs 100 on the side edges of the cover received inmating receptacles 101 formed in the outside edges of the module, and forms its bottom surface. Like the other belt modules, the load-sensing belt module may be made of a plastic material, but it could alternatively be made of metal. The cover, however, is preferably made of a non-metal, such as plastic, that has little effect on the transmitter's range and wears against the conveyor belt's support rails with less friction than a metal. As another variation, the cavities could open onto the top of the module with the cover forming a portion of the top surface. As an alternative to the cover, potting compound could be used to retain and protect the electronic components and the batteries in the cavities. - In another version of a
modular conveyor belt 115, shown inFIG. 7 as a straight-running belt, asensor module 116 is used in place of astandard belt module 118. The sensor module has a physical structure similar to that of the standard belt module. In this example, the width and pitch of the two modules are the same, as is the configuration ofhinge elements 120, e.g., spacing, size, lateral position, and number of hinge elements, along leading and trailing ends. A standard module or a sensor module is removed from the belt by retractinghinge rods 122 from the lateral hinge-eye passageways 124 through the interleaved hinge elements at each end of the belt row to free the module. Aninventory 126 ofsensor modules 116A-C containing various kinds of sensors within the body of the module or attached appurtenances may be maintained and selectively installed as drop-in replacements in place of the removed standard module or sensor module by reinserting the hinge rods in the passageways to retain the replacement module in position in the belt row. Thus, sensor modules housing a variety of sensors to measure various local conditions (e.g., belt tension, temperature, humidity) are designed to be easily replaceable, integral parts of the belt without significantly changing its length or its operating characteristics. - Although the invention has been described in detail with respect to a preferred version, other versions are possible. For example, the sensor-outfitted module, which has been described as a belt-edge module in the spiral-conveyor application and in the straight-running belt example, may be located in an interior position of the belt for other applications, such as measuring tension in a straight-running belt or with a sensor for sensing temperature. So, as these few examples suggest, the scope of the claims is not meant to be limited to the preferred versions described in detail.
Claims (15)
1. A modular conveyor belt comprising:
a series of rows of one or more belt modules hingedly linked together at hinge joints between adjacent rows;
wherein at least one of the belt modules is a load-sensing belt module that includes a load sensor making measurements of belt tension in at least a portion of the load-sensing belt module;
wherein the load-sensing belt module further includes a memory element for storing as a group a series of the measurements of belt tension made by the load sensor.
2. A modular conveyor belt as in claim 1 wherein the load-sensing belt module further includes a transmitter to wirelessly transmit signals representative of the measurements of belt tension made by the load sensor.
3. A modular conveyor belt as in claim 1 wherein the load-sensing belt module further includes one or more electrical cells to power the load sensor.
4. A modular conveyor belt as in claim 2 wherein the load-sensing belt module further includes:
a cavity housing the memory element and the transmitter; and
a cover over the cavity to retain the memory element and the transmitter.
5. A modular conveyor belt as in claim 1 wherein the load-sensing belt module is positioned at an outside edge of the modular conveyor belt.
6. A modular conveyor belt as in claim 1 wherein the load-sensing module includes a plurality of laterally spaced apart hinge elements along one end and fewer laterally spaced hinge elements along the other end.
7. A modular plastic conveyor belt comprising:
a series of rows of one or more standard belt modules hingedly linked together between adjacent rows;
at least one sensor module including:
a sensor making measurements of a local condition;
a memory element for storing the measurements as a group; and
a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting signals representing the group of measurements.
8. A modular plastic conveyor belt as in claim 7 wherein the at least one sensor module has a cavity in which the memory element and the transmitter are embedded.
9. A modular plastic conveyor belt as in claim 7 wherein the sensor is a load cell measuring tension in the modular conveyor belt.
10. A modular plastic conveyor belt as in claim 7 wherein the local condition that the sensor measures is selected from the group consisting of temperature, humidity, and belt tension.
11. A conveyor system comprising:
a conveyor belt including:
a sensor making measurements of a local conveyor system condition;
a memory element for storing the measurements as a group; and
a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting signals representing the group of measurements;
a controller using the group of measurements to control the operation of the conveyor system in a closed-loop system.
12. A conveyor as in claim 11 wherein the local condition that the sensor measures is selected from the group consisting of temperature, humidity, and belt tension.
13. A conveyor as in claim 11 wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor making temperature measurements and wherein the controller provides a signal to control the temperature.
14. A conveyor as in claim 11 wherein the sensor is a load sensor making measurements of belt tension and wherein the controller provides a motor-control signal to control the speed of the conveyor belt.
15. A conveyor as in claim 11 wherein the conveyor belt is a modular plastic conveyor belt comprising a series of rows of one or more standard belt modules hingedly linked together between adjacent rows and a sensor module disposed in one of the rows and housing the sensor, the memory element, and the transmitter.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/622,568 US20100065405A1 (en) | 2008-02-06 | 2009-11-20 | Apparatus for sensing conditions local to a conveyor belt |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/026,824 US7635060B2 (en) | 2008-02-06 | 2008-02-06 | Apparatus and method for sensing conditions local to a modular conveyor belt |
US12/622,568 US20100065405A1 (en) | 2008-02-06 | 2009-11-20 | Apparatus for sensing conditions local to a conveyor belt |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/026,824 Continuation US7635060B2 (en) | 2008-02-06 | 2008-02-06 | Apparatus and method for sensing conditions local to a modular conveyor belt |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20100065405A1 true US20100065405A1 (en) | 2010-03-18 |
Family
ID=40404760
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/026,824 Active US7635060B2 (en) | 2008-02-06 | 2008-02-06 | Apparatus and method for sensing conditions local to a modular conveyor belt |
US12/622,568 Abandoned US20100065405A1 (en) | 2008-02-06 | 2009-11-20 | Apparatus for sensing conditions local to a conveyor belt |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/026,824 Active US7635060B2 (en) | 2008-02-06 | 2008-02-06 | Apparatus and method for sensing conditions local to a modular conveyor belt |
Country Status (14)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US7635060B2 (en) |
EP (2) | EP2471727B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5561735B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR101612567B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101939238B (en) |
AU (1) | AU2009210632B2 (en) |
BR (1) | BRPI0905931B1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2714188C (en) |
DK (2) | DK2238054T3 (en) |
ES (2) | ES2439721T3 (en) |
MX (1) | MX2010008573A (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ586922A (en) |
PL (2) | PL2238054T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2009099724A1 (en) |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100270128A1 (en) * | 2009-04-28 | 2010-10-28 | Joy Mm Delaware, Inc. | Automated face conveyor chain tension load sensor in chain tension plate |
US20140134838A1 (en) * | 2012-11-09 | 2014-05-15 | Primestar Solar, Inc. | Methods of annealing a conductive transparent oxide film layer for use in a thin film photovoltaic device |
US8783438B2 (en) | 2012-11-30 | 2014-07-22 | Heb Grocery Company, L.P. | Diverter arm for retail checkstand and retail checkstands and methods incorporating same |
US8973742B2 (en) | 2010-04-26 | 2015-03-10 | Joy Mm Delaware, Inc. | Chain tension sensor |
US20150073581A1 (en) * | 2013-09-11 | 2015-03-12 | Advanced Consulting Services Corp. | System for reducing energy consumption and fraction defective when producing pcb based on ubiquitous sensor network |
US9085414B2 (en) | 2012-11-29 | 2015-07-21 | Solus Industrial Innovations, Llc | Side-flexing conveyors |
US9102476B2 (en) | 2012-10-25 | 2015-08-11 | Solus Industrial Innovations, Llc | Conveyor system wear indication devices and methods |
CZ305386B6 (en) * | 2013-09-18 | 2015-08-26 | Schenck Process S.R.O. | Device for optimization and indication of operating tension of endless chain strand |
US9139375B2 (en) | 2010-04-26 | 2015-09-22 | Joy Mm Delaware, Inc. | Chain tension sensor |
WO2022072581A1 (en) * | 2020-10-01 | 2022-04-07 | Laitram, L.L.C. | Modular conveyor belt with dedicated access module |
US20220250850A1 (en) * | 2021-02-05 | 2022-08-11 | AUMUND Fördertechnik GmbH | Conveyor with clamping connection and method for operating a conveyor |
Families Citing this family (34)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7635060B2 (en) * | 2008-02-06 | 2009-12-22 | Laitram, L.L.C. | Apparatus and method for sensing conditions local to a modular conveyor belt |
DE102008053715A1 (en) * | 2008-10-29 | 2010-05-12 | Khs Ag | transport system |
US8387777B2 (en) * | 2009-10-06 | 2013-03-05 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Conveyor chain tension monitor |
EP2488428B1 (en) * | 2009-10-14 | 2021-11-17 | Laitram, LLC | Use of a conveyor belt in a method for monitoring the temperature of products |
DE102010001176A1 (en) * | 2010-01-25 | 2011-07-28 | Max Schlatterer GmbH & Co. KG, 89542 | Circulating belt i.e. transport- or drive belt, for industrial purposes, has measuring device for measuring elongation of belt and comprising material changing its electric resistance based on change of elongation of belt |
US8579104B2 (en) * | 2010-05-13 | 2013-11-12 | Laitram, L.L.C. | Conveyor belt and module accommodating rod growth |
CN103180230B (en) * | 2010-09-09 | 2015-08-19 | 莱特拉姆有限责任公司 | Measure, draw and revise the system and method for conveyer temperature |
WO2012047515A1 (en) * | 2010-09-28 | 2012-04-12 | Laitram, L.L.C. | System and method for detecting contamination of a conveyor |
KR20130140012A (en) * | 2010-10-22 | 2013-12-23 | 라이트람, 엘엘씨 | Conveyor system, belt, and method for measuring and controlling static electricity |
US9434545B2 (en) | 2010-11-02 | 2016-09-06 | Laitram, L.L.C. | Belt conveyors and viscoelastic dampers and methods for damping conveyor belts |
KR20130100181A (en) * | 2010-11-02 | 2013-09-09 | 라이트람, 엘엘씨 | Conveyor system, belt, and method using accelerometers |
KR20130121123A (en) * | 2010-11-22 | 2013-11-05 | 라이트람, 엘엘씨 | Energy-harvesting conveyor belts and methods |
WO2013015961A1 (en) * | 2011-07-26 | 2013-01-31 | Laitram, L.L.C. | Bulk-product conveyor with sensor |
WO2013028378A2 (en) * | 2011-08-25 | 2013-02-28 | Laitram, L.L.C. | Weighing system using a conveyor belt with load cells |
CN103930357A (en) * | 2011-10-31 | 2014-07-16 | 莱特拉姆有限责任公司 | Conveyor belt with antenna |
US20130279298A1 (en) * | 2012-04-19 | 2013-10-24 | William Mark PRENTICE | Monitoring of underwater mooring lines |
US10191001B2 (en) | 2014-04-15 | 2019-01-29 | Laitram, L.L.C. | Conveyor-belt system for measuring conditions that vary the resonant frequency of a resonant circuit |
US9476757B2 (en) | 2014-04-15 | 2016-10-25 | Laitram, L.L.C. | Resonant-circuit weighing system for a conveyor belt |
US10597236B2 (en) | 2014-04-15 | 2020-03-24 | Laitram, L.L.C. | Capacitively coupled conveyer measuring system |
KR20160020920A (en) | 2014-08-14 | 2016-02-24 | 한전산업개발 주식회사 | Device for detecting conveyor belt torn |
EP3070029A1 (en) * | 2015-03-19 | 2016-09-21 | Cambridge International, Inc. | Conveyor belt system with integrated sensor and method of using same |
US10513397B2 (en) | 2015-12-30 | 2019-12-24 | Laitram, L.L.C. | Control system for detecting and correcting an imbalance in a conveyor system |
WO2018062992A1 (en) * | 2016-09-30 | 2018-04-05 | Jonge Poerink Conveyors B.V. | Filling element and complementary link for a conveyor chain, conveyor chain and method of assembly thereof |
CN107235291A (en) * | 2017-07-24 | 2017-10-10 | 合肥星袖机械科技有限公司 | A kind of streamline anti-skidding heat-radiating type self-interacting type conveyer belt device |
DK3450356T3 (en) * | 2017-08-28 | 2023-05-08 | Laitram Llc | Separation of products transported by means of electroadhesion |
EP3539906A1 (en) | 2018-03-16 | 2019-09-18 | Habasit AG | Load-sensing module assembly for a modular conveyor belt |
AU2020242858A1 (en) | 2019-03-20 | 2021-07-29 | Cryovac, Llc | Conveyor and packaging apparatus provided with said conveyor |
WO2020187925A1 (en) | 2019-03-20 | 2020-09-24 | Cryovac, Llc | Conveyor and packaging apparatus provided with said conveyor |
DE102020117972A1 (en) * | 2020-07-08 | 2022-01-13 | Schulte Strathaus GmbH & Co. KG Fördertechnik Dichtungssysteme | Monitoring device and method for monitoring the condition of a conveyor belt of a conveyor belt system |
EP3960665A1 (en) * | 2020-08-28 | 2022-03-02 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Method and system for detecting anomalies during operation of a delivery system, in particular of an airport luggage carousel |
CN116745223A (en) * | 2020-12-15 | 2023-09-12 | 食品加工机械技术公司 | System and method for controlling conveyor system tension |
CN113184484B (en) * | 2021-05-17 | 2022-09-02 | 中国矿业大学 | Scraper conveyor health monitoring system and monitoring method |
US20230063609A1 (en) * | 2021-09-01 | 2023-03-02 | Rivian Ip Holdings, Llc | Battery module cell carrier and method of assembly |
WO2023196273A1 (en) * | 2022-04-05 | 2023-10-12 | Flexible Steel Lacing Company | Monitoring system for conveyor belt ancillary devices |
Citations (23)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3695745A (en) * | 1970-01-18 | 1972-10-03 | Nippon Electric Co | Light wave guide circuit |
US3695096A (en) * | 1970-04-20 | 1972-10-03 | Ali Umit Kutsay | Strain detecting load cell |
US4587852A (en) * | 1983-06-21 | 1986-05-13 | Coal Industry (Patents) Limited | Conveyor belt tension sensing |
US5169266A (en) * | 1989-11-24 | 1992-12-08 | Sandvik Italia | Corrosion resistant structure for soil reinforcement |
US5272924A (en) * | 1991-11-05 | 1993-12-28 | William P. Tassic | System and method for monitoring tension loading of a conveyor chain |
US6047814A (en) * | 1996-10-31 | 2000-04-11 | Conttechtrasnsportbandsysteme Gmbh | Method for monitoring a conveyor belt and system therefor |
US6158576A (en) * | 1998-10-15 | 2000-12-12 | Albany International Corp. | Endless belt or fabric for use in process control loop |
US6264577B1 (en) * | 1996-08-23 | 2001-07-24 | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company | Smart splice |
US6291991B1 (en) * | 1998-02-13 | 2001-09-18 | Phoenix Aktiengesellschaft | Device for continuously monitoring the junction of a conveyor belt |
US6563417B1 (en) * | 1998-10-26 | 2003-05-13 | Identec Solutions Inc. | Interrogation, monitoring and data exchange using RFID tags |
US6581755B1 (en) * | 1998-07-16 | 2003-06-24 | Contitech Transportbandsysteme Gmbh | Conveyor belt with carrier tissue in which conductive loops are embedded |
US6712199B1 (en) * | 1999-06-11 | 2004-03-30 | Phoenix Ag | Device for controlling and monitoring a conveyor belt, notably a tubular conveyor belt |
US6715602B1 (en) * | 2002-11-15 | 2004-04-06 | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company | Sensor system for conveyor belt |
US20040232132A1 (en) * | 2003-04-07 | 2004-11-25 | Hiroyuki Masaki | Replaceable soldering tip with sensor recess |
US6959229B2 (en) * | 2003-03-07 | 2005-10-25 | Sdi Industries, Inc. | RFID control system |
US7178663B2 (en) * | 2003-09-25 | 2007-02-20 | Phoenix Conveyor Belt Systems Gmbh | Conductor loop |
US7259854B2 (en) * | 2003-09-03 | 2007-08-21 | Phoenix Conveyor Belt Systems Gmbh | Control device for a conveyor |
US20070222612A1 (en) * | 2006-03-21 | 2007-09-27 | Michal Krisl | Modular conveyor belt with RFID |
US7276137B2 (en) * | 2003-08-13 | 2007-10-02 | Heimbach Gmbh & Co. | Textile product having an integrated sensor for measuring pressure and temperature |
US7325669B2 (en) * | 2005-11-23 | 2008-02-05 | Frost Links, Inc. | Measuring device for conveyor chain |
US7377380B2 (en) * | 2003-09-23 | 2008-05-27 | Rexnord Flattop Europe B.V. | Modular conveyor mat |
US7494004B2 (en) * | 2006-06-23 | 2009-02-24 | Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. | Method and apparatus for monitoring conveyor belts |
US7635060B2 (en) * | 2008-02-06 | 2009-12-22 | Laitram, L.L.C. | Apparatus and method for sensing conditions local to a modular conveyor belt |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
NO831718L (en) * | 1983-05-13 | 1984-11-14 | Vingmed As | PROCEDURE AND APPARATUS AT BLOOD STREET SPEED MEASUREMENT WITH ULTRO SOUND FOR BODY-TIME DIMENSIONAL IMAGE OF BLOOD SPEED |
DE3571019D1 (en) | 1984-08-20 | 1989-07-20 | Laitram Corp | Conveyor belt having a high friction conveying surface |
JPS6221610A (en) * | 1985-07-22 | 1987-01-30 | Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd | Tester for travelling of conveyer belt |
JPS63302333A (en) * | 1987-06-02 | 1988-12-09 | Komatsu Ltd | Pin type load cell |
CN2203448Y (en) * | 1994-10-28 | 1995-07-12 | 清华大学 | Chain tension measuring instrument |
JPH11334852A (en) | 1998-05-27 | 1999-12-07 | Yokohama Rubber Co Ltd:The | Belt conveyor device |
AU2002352541A1 (en) * | 2001-11-08 | 2003-05-19 | The Laitram Corporation | Polymer hinge pins in modular conveyor belts |
AU2003213562A1 (en) * | 2002-02-26 | 2003-09-09 | Span Tech Llc | Rodless conveyor belt or chain |
DE20311436U1 (en) * | 2003-07-24 | 2003-09-18 | Dbt Autom Gmbh | Device for detecting scratch chain tension states |
JP2006052039A (en) | 2004-08-10 | 2006-02-23 | Bridgestone Corp | Conveyor belt monitoring system |
-
2008
- 2008-02-06 US US12/026,824 patent/US7635060B2/en active Active
-
2009
- 2009-01-14 AU AU2009210632A patent/AU2009210632B2/en active Active
- 2009-01-14 KR KR1020107018900A patent/KR101612567B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2009-01-14 CA CA2714188A patent/CA2714188C/en active Active
- 2009-01-14 MX MX2010008573A patent/MX2010008573A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2009-01-14 JP JP2010545917A patent/JP5561735B2/en active Active
- 2009-01-14 DK DK09707124.5T patent/DK2238054T3/en active
- 2009-01-14 WO PCT/US2009/030906 patent/WO2009099724A1/en active Application Filing
- 2009-01-14 DK DK12161580.1T patent/DK2471727T3/en active
- 2009-01-14 BR BRPI0905931-8A patent/BRPI0905931B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2009-01-14 CN CN200980104512.XA patent/CN101939238B/en active Active
- 2009-01-14 EP EP12161580.1A patent/EP2471727B1/en active Active
- 2009-01-14 EP EP09707124A patent/EP2238054B1/en active Active
- 2009-01-14 PL PL09707124T patent/PL2238054T3/en unknown
- 2009-01-14 NZ NZ586922A patent/NZ586922A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2009-01-14 ES ES12161580.1T patent/ES2439721T3/en active Active
- 2009-01-14 ES ES09707124T patent/ES2388128T3/en active Active
- 2009-01-14 PL PL12161580T patent/PL2471727T3/en unknown
- 2009-11-20 US US12/622,568 patent/US20100065405A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (24)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3695745A (en) * | 1970-01-18 | 1972-10-03 | Nippon Electric Co | Light wave guide circuit |
US3695096A (en) * | 1970-04-20 | 1972-10-03 | Ali Umit Kutsay | Strain detecting load cell |
US4587852A (en) * | 1983-06-21 | 1986-05-13 | Coal Industry (Patents) Limited | Conveyor belt tension sensing |
US5169266A (en) * | 1989-11-24 | 1992-12-08 | Sandvik Italia | Corrosion resistant structure for soil reinforcement |
US5272924A (en) * | 1991-11-05 | 1993-12-28 | William P. Tassic | System and method for monitoring tension loading of a conveyor chain |
US6264577B1 (en) * | 1996-08-23 | 2001-07-24 | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company | Smart splice |
US6047814A (en) * | 1996-10-31 | 2000-04-11 | Conttechtrasnsportbandsysteme Gmbh | Method for monitoring a conveyor belt and system therefor |
US6291991B1 (en) * | 1998-02-13 | 2001-09-18 | Phoenix Aktiengesellschaft | Device for continuously monitoring the junction of a conveyor belt |
US6581755B1 (en) * | 1998-07-16 | 2003-06-24 | Contitech Transportbandsysteme Gmbh | Conveyor belt with carrier tissue in which conductive loops are embedded |
US6158576A (en) * | 1998-10-15 | 2000-12-12 | Albany International Corp. | Endless belt or fabric for use in process control loop |
US6563417B1 (en) * | 1998-10-26 | 2003-05-13 | Identec Solutions Inc. | Interrogation, monitoring and data exchange using RFID tags |
US6712199B1 (en) * | 1999-06-11 | 2004-03-30 | Phoenix Ag | Device for controlling and monitoring a conveyor belt, notably a tubular conveyor belt |
US6715602B1 (en) * | 2002-11-15 | 2004-04-06 | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company | Sensor system for conveyor belt |
US6959229B2 (en) * | 2003-03-07 | 2005-10-25 | Sdi Industries, Inc. | RFID control system |
US20040232132A1 (en) * | 2003-04-07 | 2004-11-25 | Hiroyuki Masaki | Replaceable soldering tip with sensor recess |
US7679032B2 (en) * | 2003-07-04 | 2010-03-16 | Hakko Corporation | Soldering or desoldering iron |
US7276137B2 (en) * | 2003-08-13 | 2007-10-02 | Heimbach Gmbh & Co. | Textile product having an integrated sensor for measuring pressure and temperature |
US7259854B2 (en) * | 2003-09-03 | 2007-08-21 | Phoenix Conveyor Belt Systems Gmbh | Control device for a conveyor |
US7377380B2 (en) * | 2003-09-23 | 2008-05-27 | Rexnord Flattop Europe B.V. | Modular conveyor mat |
US7178663B2 (en) * | 2003-09-25 | 2007-02-20 | Phoenix Conveyor Belt Systems Gmbh | Conductor loop |
US7325669B2 (en) * | 2005-11-23 | 2008-02-05 | Frost Links, Inc. | Measuring device for conveyor chain |
US20070222612A1 (en) * | 2006-03-21 | 2007-09-27 | Michal Krisl | Modular conveyor belt with RFID |
US7494004B2 (en) * | 2006-06-23 | 2009-02-24 | Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. | Method and apparatus for monitoring conveyor belts |
US7635060B2 (en) * | 2008-02-06 | 2009-12-22 | Laitram, L.L.C. | Apparatus and method for sensing conditions local to a modular conveyor belt |
Cited By (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100270128A1 (en) * | 2009-04-28 | 2010-10-28 | Joy Mm Delaware, Inc. | Automated face conveyor chain tension load sensor in chain tension plate |
US8931628B2 (en) * | 2009-04-28 | 2015-01-13 | Joy Mm Delaware, Inc. | Automated face conveyor chain tension load sensor in chain tension plate |
US9139375B2 (en) | 2010-04-26 | 2015-09-22 | Joy Mm Delaware, Inc. | Chain tension sensor |
US8973742B2 (en) | 2010-04-26 | 2015-03-10 | Joy Mm Delaware, Inc. | Chain tension sensor |
US9527675B2 (en) | 2010-04-26 | 2016-12-27 | Joy Mm Delaware, Inc. | Chain tension sensor |
US9409721B2 (en) | 2012-10-25 | 2016-08-09 | Solus Industrial Innovations, Llc | Conveyor system wear indication devices and methods |
US9102476B2 (en) | 2012-10-25 | 2015-08-11 | Solus Industrial Innovations, Llc | Conveyor system wear indication devices and methods |
US20140134838A1 (en) * | 2012-11-09 | 2014-05-15 | Primestar Solar, Inc. | Methods of annealing a conductive transparent oxide film layer for use in a thin film photovoltaic device |
US9751694B2 (en) | 2012-11-29 | 2017-09-05 | Solus Industrial Innovations, Llc | Side-flexing conveyors |
US9085414B2 (en) | 2012-11-29 | 2015-07-21 | Solus Industrial Innovations, Llc | Side-flexing conveyors |
US8783438B2 (en) | 2012-11-30 | 2014-07-22 | Heb Grocery Company, L.P. | Diverter arm for retail checkstand and retail checkstands and methods incorporating same |
US20150073581A1 (en) * | 2013-09-11 | 2015-03-12 | Advanced Consulting Services Corp. | System for reducing energy consumption and fraction defective when producing pcb based on ubiquitous sensor network |
CZ305386B6 (en) * | 2013-09-18 | 2015-08-26 | Schenck Process S.R.O. | Device for optimization and indication of operating tension of endless chain strand |
WO2022072581A1 (en) * | 2020-10-01 | 2022-04-07 | Laitram, L.L.C. | Modular conveyor belt with dedicated access module |
US20220250850A1 (en) * | 2021-02-05 | 2022-08-11 | AUMUND Fördertechnik GmbH | Conveyor with clamping connection and method for operating a conveyor |
US11858744B2 (en) * | 2021-02-05 | 2024-01-02 | AUMUND Fördertechnik GmbH | Conveyor with clamping connection and method for operating a conveyor |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
BRPI0905931B1 (en) | 2019-02-19 |
CA2714188C (en) | 2016-02-23 |
US20090194391A1 (en) | 2009-08-06 |
AU2009210632A1 (en) | 2009-08-13 |
ES2439721T3 (en) | 2014-01-24 |
JP5561735B2 (en) | 2014-07-30 |
CA2714188A1 (en) | 2009-08-13 |
KR101612567B1 (en) | 2016-04-14 |
BRPI0905931A2 (en) | 2015-06-23 |
EP2238054A1 (en) | 2010-10-13 |
WO2009099724A1 (en) | 2009-08-13 |
DK2471727T3 (en) | 2014-01-13 |
CN101939238A (en) | 2011-01-05 |
MX2010008573A (en) | 2010-10-25 |
KR20100114907A (en) | 2010-10-26 |
ES2388128T3 (en) | 2012-10-09 |
PL2471727T3 (en) | 2014-02-28 |
EP2238054B1 (en) | 2012-05-16 |
EP2471727A1 (en) | 2012-07-04 |
EP2471727B1 (en) | 2013-09-18 |
NZ586922A (en) | 2012-11-30 |
DK2238054T3 (en) | 2012-07-16 |
US7635060B2 (en) | 2009-12-22 |
JP2011510889A (en) | 2011-04-07 |
CN101939238B (en) | 2015-05-13 |
AU2009210632B2 (en) | 2012-09-27 |
PL2238054T3 (en) | 2012-10-31 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US7635060B2 (en) | Apparatus and method for sensing conditions local to a modular conveyor belt | |
US7673739B2 (en) | Apparatus and method for in-belt conveyor idler condition monitoring | |
US11002623B2 (en) | Tension monitoring arrangement and method | |
US9952073B2 (en) | Solar battery wireless integrated load cell and inclinometer | |
CA2847059C (en) | Weight-based chute control for a farm implement | |
US8260574B1 (en) | Diagnostic device for material handling system and method of diagnosing | |
WO2012122597A1 (en) | Vibration detection system, apparatus and method | |
US9689758B2 (en) | Solar battery wireless load cell | |
CN103016622B (en) | Unload buckle assembly | |
EP2316759A1 (en) | Belt support roller monitoring system | |
US4722218A (en) | Device for measurement of coefficient of friction | |
US20010003914A1 (en) | Friction test apparatus | |
CN109746939B (en) | Belt replacement determination device and replacement determination method | |
KR100705685B1 (en) | Trend analysis system of damaging of belt in belt conveyor | |
Fatehi et al. | Surveillance of conveyor belts with visual sensors | |
CN110803462A (en) | Belt conveyor counterweight box, counterweight system and counterweight method |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |