US3603451A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Belt-training apparatus
Assignee: HEWITT-ROBINS CORP
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Filing: 1969-10-20
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Granted: 1971-09-07
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Expires: 1989-10-20
Abstract
Abstract The belt-training apparatus of the present invention includes two sensing units on opposite sides of a belt run, which is to be maintained in properly centered or trained position in relation to a conveyor-supporting frame, and which is supported on idler rollers. At least one of these belt supporting rollers is angularly adjustable to veer the belt run in properly trained position by the action of these sensing units. When the belt run is properly trained, the belt run does not activate the sensing units. Each sensing unit comprises a sensing roller adapted to be engaged by and frictionally driven by the adjacent edge of the belt run, when the belt run strays laterally from properly trained position, and a hydraulic pump coupled to the sensing roller. A hydraulic circuit includes the two pumps of the two sensing units interconnected by pipe connections, through which hydraulic liquid flows from a pump activated by sensing to an idle pump, and tends thereby to operate the latter pump as a motor. In accordance with the present invention, means are provided for preventing such interplay between the pumps.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M Promin
- 👤 Ralph W Coutant
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 00:29
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G39/00; B65G39/10; B65G39/12; B65G39/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
286 words
A belt-training apparatus comprising two sensing devices adapted to be placed on opposite sides of and in proximity to a conveyor belt ruN to be controlled against lateral straying and in position to be free from engagement with sides of the belt run when the belt run is properly trained, and to be engaged separately by the adjacent sides of the belt run when the belt run is detrained laterally while operating, each of said sensing devices comprising a hydraulic liquid pump, and means for driving said pump automatically when the corresponding sensing device has been engaged by the adjacent side of the detrained belt run, hydraulic circuit means responsive to the liquid pressure created by the driving of either one of said pumps for retraining the detrained belt run and comprising two hydraulic lines, one or the other becoming a pressure line according to the pump operating, the pumps of the two sensing devices being connected in parallel between said hydraulic lines, means for blocking the operation of each of the idle pumps said blocking means comprising brake means for each of said pumps, and means for automatically releasing said brake means associated with the driven pump when the detrained belt run engages the sensing device containing the latter pump, while the pump in the other sensing device is maintained idle by the brake means associated with the idle pump, each of said sensing devices comprising a sensing roller coupled to the corresponding pump and adapted to be engaged and frictionally driven by the adjacent side of the detrained belt run to drive said pump, said blocking means further comprising means mounting each of said brake means for direct action on the corresponding sensing roller.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
286 words
A belt-training apparatus comprising two sensing devices adapted to be placed on opposite sides of and in proximity to a conveyor belt ruN to be controlled against lateral straying and in position to be free from engagement with sides of the belt run when the belt run is properly trained, and to be engaged separately by the adjacent sides of the belt run when the belt run is detrained laterally while operating, each of said sensing devices comprising a hydraulic liquid pump, and means for driving said pump automatically when the corresponding sensing device has been engaged by the adjacent side of the detrained belt run, hydraulic circuit means responsive to the liquid pressure created by the driving of either one of said pumps for retraining the detrained belt run and comprising two hydraulic lines, one or the other becoming a pressure line according to the pump operating, the pumps of the two sensing devices being connected in parallel between said hydraulic lines, means for blocking the operation of each of the idle pumps said blocking means comprising brake means for each of said pumps, and means for automatically releasing said brake means associated with the driven pump when the detrained belt run engages the sensing device containing the latter pump, while the pump in the other sensing device is maintained idle by the brake means associated with the idle pump, each of said sensing devices comprising a sensing roller coupled to the corresponding pump and adapted to be engaged and frictionally driven by the adjacent side of the detrained belt run to drive said pump, said blocking means further comprising means mounting each of said brake means for direct action on the corresponding sensing roller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
106 words
A belt-training apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the sensing roller and the pump in each sensing device are integrated into a unit, said apparatus comprising means for supporting said unit for movement relative to a frame structure supporting a conveyor system of which said belt run is a part, from a pump-braking position in which it is free from engagement with the adjacent side of the trained belt run, to a brake-releasing position when said sensing roller is engaged by the adjacent side of the detrained belt run and is moved thereby, and means for yieldably urging said unit towards said pump braking position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
122 words
A belt-training apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said brake mans comprises a brake band around at least a part of the circumference of said sensing roller adapted to be rigidly secured to the frame structure supporting a conveyor system of which said belt run is a part, means pivotally supporting said sensing device in relation to said brake band to cause the sensing device to be tilted about its pivotal support and away from braking action by said brake band, when the sensing roller is engaged and is moved about its pivotal support by the adjacent side of the detrained belt run, and spring means urging said sensing device about its pivotal support into braking engagement with said brake band.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
132 words
A belt-training apparatus as described in claim 3, comprising a frame structure integrating the sensing roller and the pump into a unit, and bracket means for pivotally supporting said unit and adapted to be secured to the conveyor support frame structure, said brake band being in the form of a yoke straddling said sensing roller and rigidly secured to said bracket means, said spring means comprising a rod pivotally connected to said integrating frame structure and extending along said unit, a lug secured to said bracket means, said rod passing through said lug with a slide fit, and a coil spring encircling said rod outwardly beyond said lug, and bearing against said lug, said coil spring being held under compression to maintain the sensing unit against the brake band under spring pressure.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
453 words
An apparatus for training a belt run in a conveyor when the belt run strays laterally from a trained position, comprising an idler roller for supporting said belt run, means pivotally supporting said idler roller for angular movement, substantially in the plane of said belt run, a hydraulic cylinder having a piston therein, means connecting said piston to the idler roller for effecting said angular movement as said piston moves in said cylinder, a directional control valve, a hydraulic pressure line connecting into said valve, an exhaust line leading from said valve, a first connection line and a second connection line connecting into said cylinder at opposite sides of the piston and connecting into said valve, means for sensing the straying of said belt run laterally from trained position, means automatically responsive to the sensing action of said sensing means when the belt run strays laterally from trained position for creating hydraulic pressure in said pressure line, said valve being movable into any one of three positions, said valve in a first of said positions having means establishing communication therethrough from said pressure line to said first connection line and from the second connection line to said exhaust line to move said piston in one direction in said cylinder, said valve in a second of said positions having means establishing communication therethrough from said pressure line to said second connection line and from said first connection line to said exhaust line, to move said piston in the opposite direction in said cylinder, said valve in a third of said positions blocking passage between said pressure line and both connection lines and between both connection lines and said exhaust line, means automatically operable while said belt run is in trained position for moving said valve into said third position and for maintaining it in said third position while said belt run is in trained position, means automatically operable when said belt runs strays laterally in one direction for moving said valve into said first position, and means automatically operable when said belt run strays laterally in the opposite direction for moving said valve into said second position, said means for moving said directional control valve comprising two hydraulic lines leading from a supply of hydraulic liquid to said directional control valve, and means for creating hydraulic pressure in one or the other of said hydraulic lines automatically when said belt run strays laterally from trained position, the hydraulic line in which hydraulic pressure is created depending on the straying direction of the belt run, the movement of said directional control valve into said first and second positions being effected by the hydraulic pressure applied to said valve by the hydraulic line under hydraulic pressure.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
453 words
An apparatus for training a belt run in a conveyor when the belt run strays laterally from a trained position, comprising an idler roller for supporting said belt run, means pivotally supporting said idler roller for angular movement, substantially in the plane of said belt run, a hydraulic cylinder having a piston therein, means connecting said piston to the idler roller for effecting said angular movement as said piston moves in said cylinder, a directional control valve, a hydraulic pressure line connecting into said valve, an exhaust line leading from said valve, a first connection line and a second connection line connecting into said cylinder at opposite sides of the piston and connecting into said valve, means for sensing the straying of said belt run laterally from trained position, means automatically responsive to the sensing action of said sensing means when the belt run strays laterally from trained position for creating hydraulic pressure in said pressure line, said valve being movable into any one of three positions, said valve in a first of said positions having means establishing communication therethrough from said pressure line to said first connection line and from the second connection line to said exhaust line to move said piston in one direction in said cylinder, said valve in a second of said positions having means establishing communication therethrough from said pressure line to said second connection line and from said first connection line to said exhaust line, to move said piston in the opposite direction in said cylinder, said valve in a third of said positions blocking passage between said pressure line and both connection lines and between both connection lines and said exhaust line, means automatically operable while said belt run is in trained position for moving said valve into said third position and for maintaining it in said third position while said belt run is in trained position, means automatically operable when said belt runs strays laterally in one direction for moving said valve into said first position, and means automatically operable when said belt run strays laterally in the opposite direction for moving said valve into said second position, said means for moving said directional control valve comprising two hydraulic lines leading from a supply of hydraulic liquid to said directional control valve, and means for creating hydraulic pressure in one or the other of said hydraulic lines automatically when said belt run strays laterally from trained position, the hydraulic line in which hydraulic pressure is created depending on the straying direction of the belt run, the movement of said directional control valve into said first and second positions being effected by the hydraulic pressure applied to said valve by the hydraulic line under hydraulic pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
A belt training apparatus as described in claim 5, said means for creating hydraulic pressure in said pressure line comprising a third line shunted across said two hydraulic lines, said third line being divided into two parts and having a check valve in each of said line parts, said pressure line being connected to said third line between said check valves, and said check valves permitting hydraulic flow towards said pressure line but blocking flow in the opposite direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A belt training apparatus as described in claim 6, said check valves being sprung open only when the hydraulic pressures in the corresponding line parts attain a predetermined value substantially above atmosphere.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
A belt-training apparatus as described in claim 6, said means for creating hydraulic pressure in said pressure line also including two pumps shunted across said hydraulic lines, and means operating one or the other of said pumps in accordance with the activation of said sensing means according to the lateral direction of straying of the belt run.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
371 words
An apparatus for training a belt run in a conveyor when the belt run strays laterally from a trained position, comprising an idler roller for supporting said belt run, means pivotally supporting said idler roller for angular movement, substantially in plane of said belt run, a hydraulic cylinder having a piston therein, means connecting said piston to the idler roller for effecting said angular mOvement as said piston moves in said cylinder, a directional control valve, a hydraulic pressure line connecting into said valve, an exhaust line leading from said valve, a first connection line and a second connection line connecting into said cylinder at opposite sides of the piston and connecting into said valve, means for sensing the straying of said belt run laterally from trained position, means automatically responsive to the sensing action of said sensing means when the belt run strays laterally from trained position for creating hydraulic pressure in said pressure line, said valve being movable into any one of three positions, said valve in a first of said positions having means establishing communication therethrough from said pressure line to said first connection line and from the second connection line to said exhaust line to move said piston in one direction in said cylinder, said valve in a second of said positions having means establishing communication therethrough from said pressure line to said second connection line and from said first connection line to said exhaust line, to move said piston in the opposite direction in said cylinder, said valve in a third of said positions blocking passage between said pressure line and both connection lines and between both connection lines and said exhaust line, means automatically operable while said belt run is in trained position for moving said valve into said third position and for maintaining it in said third position while said belt run is in trained position, means automatically operable when said belt run strays laterally in one direction for moving said valve into said first position, and means automatically operable when said belt run strays laterally in the opposite direction for moving said valve into said second position, and means for selectively controlling the rate of travel of the piston in said hydraulic cylinder.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
371 words
An apparatus for training a belt run in a conveyor when the belt run strays laterally from a trained position, comprising an idler roller for supporting said belt run, means pivotally supporting said idler roller for angular movement, substantially in plane of said belt run, a hydraulic cylinder having a piston therein, means connecting said piston to the idler roller for effecting said angular mOvement as said piston moves in said cylinder, a directional control valve, a hydraulic pressure line connecting into said valve, an exhaust line leading from said valve, a first connection line and a second connection line connecting into said cylinder at opposite sides of the piston and connecting into said valve, means for sensing the straying of said belt run laterally from trained position, means automatically responsive to the sensing action of said sensing means when the belt run strays laterally from trained position for creating hydraulic pressure in said pressure line, said valve being movable into any one of three positions, said valve in a first of said positions having means establishing communication therethrough from said pressure line to said first connection line and from the second connection line to said exhaust line to move said piston in one direction in said cylinder, said valve in a second of said positions having means establishing communication therethrough from said pressure line to said second connection line and from said first connection line to said exhaust line, to move said piston in the opposite direction in said cylinder, said valve in a third of said positions blocking passage between said pressure line and both connection lines and between both connection lines and said exhaust line, means automatically operable while said belt run is in trained position for moving said valve into said third position and for maintaining it in said third position while said belt run is in trained position, means automatically operable when said belt run strays laterally in one direction for moving said valve into said first position, and means automatically operable when said belt run strays laterally in the opposite direction for moving said valve into said second position, and means for selectively controlling the rate of travel of the piston in said hydraulic cylinder.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
A belt-training apparatus as described in claim 9, wherein said means for selectively controlling the rate of travel of the piston in said hydraulic cylinder comprises manually controllable valve means in each of said connection lines for controlling the hydraulic pressure in said connecting lines applied to said hydraulic cylinder.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
93 words
A belt-training apparatus as described in claim 9, wherein said means for selectively controlling the rate of travel of the piston in said hydraulic cylinder comprises a valve assembly in each of said connection lines, each of said assemblies comprising a variable valve for regulating the flow away from the hydraulic cylinder and a check valve connected in parallel with said variable valve for allowing flow to the hydraulic cylinder and for blocking flow away from the hydraulic cylinder so that the flow away from the hydraulic cylinder passes through said variable valve.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-06 | 1975-03-08 | 1975-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-06 | 1979-03-08 | 1979-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-06 | 1983-03-08 | 1983-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |