Abstract:
A cleanable belt conveyor and a method for making a cleanable belt conveyor having a simplified frame design. The conveyor includes at least one toolbar and one or more auxiliary components mounted to the toolbar using a snap clamp having a protrusion that mates with a channel on the toolbar.
Abstract:
A cleanable belt conveyor and a method for making a cleanable belt conveyor having a simplified frame design. The conveyor includes at least one toolbar and one or more auxiliary components mounted to the toolbar using a snap clamp having a protrusion that mates with a channel on the toolbar.
Abstract:
Energy-harvesting and -storage devices in conveyor belts and methods for molding those devices integrally into modular plastic belt links. Electroactive polymers or piezoelectric fibers co-injected with a base polymer to form belt modules harvest energy from strain or vibrations in the conveyor belt to power belt on-board devices.
Abstract:
Viscoelastic dampers and belt conveyor systems using viscoelastic dampers to attenuate belt vibration and methods for damping belt speed variations. One version of the viscoelastic dampers includes a low-friction carryway element mounted to a viscoelastic pad that is firmly attached to stationary conveyor framework at various locations along the length and width of the conveyor system. Speed fluctuations of the conveyor belt supported on and advancing along the low-friction carryway elements are damped by the viscoelastic dampers. In some versions, magnetic forces are used to clamp the conveyor belt to the dampers to increase the effective damping.
Abstract:
A closed-loop vacuum conveyor controlling the pressure in a plenum. Pressure sensors in the plenum send pressure signals to a processor that controls the speed of a blower motor sucking air from the plenum and through openings in a foraminous conveyor belt against which conveyed aluminum cans are held by air pressure. The processor controls the blower speed with a variable-frequency drive to adjust the pressure in the plenum to accommodate a varying product density or the shape. size. or weight of conveyed products on the outer surface of the conveyor belt. The plenum may be divided into separate chambers by partitions or adjustable dampers. The pressure in the chambers can be controlled by adjusting each chamber's blower speed or the opening of its dampers.
Abstract:
Energy-harvesting and -storage devices in conveyor belts and methods for molding those devices integrally into modular plastic belt links. Electroactive polymers or piezoelectric fibers co-injected with a base polymer to form belt modules harvest energy from strain or vibrations in the conveyor belt to power belt on-board devices.
Abstract:
A conveyor system and method for cascaded accumulation on a series of in-line roller belts. An accumulation system comprises a series of roller belts that can be actuated in contiguous zones to accelerate conveyed articles forward at twice the belt speed. When articles start to accumulate on the accumulation conveyor, the belt rollers are deactuated downstream to upstream zone by zone. Then the belts are stopped as they fill with accumulated articles. The process is repeated in cascade for the upstream roller belts as articles continue to accumulate.
Abstract:
A conveyor system and method for cascaded accumulation on a series of in-line roller belts. An accumulation system comprises a series of roller belts that can be actuated in contiguous zones to accelerate conveyed articles forward at twice the belt speed. When articles start to accumulate on the accumulation conveyor, the belt rollers are deactuated downstream to upstream zone by zone. Then the belts are stopped as they fill with accumulated articles. The process is repeated in cascade for the upstream roller belts as articles continue to accumulate.
Abstract:
Viscoelastic dampers and belt conveyor systems using viscoelastic dampers to attenuate belt vibration and methods for damping belt speed variations. One version of the viscoelastic dampers includes a low-friction carryway element mounted to a viscoelastic pad that is firmly attached to stationary conveyor framework at various locations along the length and width of the conveyor system. Speed fluctuations of the conveyor belt supported on and advancing along the low-friction carryway elements are damped by the viscoelastic dampers. In some versions, magnetic forces are used to clamp the conveyor belt to the dampers to increase the effective damping.