Patent US3621987A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3621987A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System for guiding the travel of a belt supported by a rotary drum
Assignee: WR Grace and Co
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Filing: 1969-08-27
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Granted: 1971-11-23
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Expires: 1989-08-27
Abstract
Abstract A guidance system for a belt running over a roller or drum in which misalignment of the belt causes a signal which tilts the axis of a supporting drum in a direction to correct the belt alignment. Means are provided for interrupting the signal whereby the drum axis returns to its rest position before reactuation by the signal whereby realignment of the belt is produced by a repetitive pulsation like tilting of the drum axis increasing the tension at one edge of the belt.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E Sherwood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:20
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G39/00; B65G39/10; B65G39/12; B65G39/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A guidance system for a belt running over drums comprising adjusting means connected to a belt-supporting drum, for tilting the drum a signal device for engagement by a belt when the belt wanders from its required path of travel, said adjusting means being advanced from its rest position in response to a signal from the signal device, and an interrupter for interrupting the signal from the signal device to cause the adjusting means to return the drum to its rest position, said interrupter being operable upon a predetermined advance of said adjusting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A guidance system for a belt running over drums comprising adjusting means connected to a belt-supporting drum, for tilting the drum a signal device for engagement by a belt when the belt wanders from its required path of travel, said adjusting means being advanced from its rest position in response to a signal from the signal device, and an interrupter for interrupting the signal from the signal device to cause the adjusting means to return the drum to its rest position, said interrupter being operable upon a predetermined advance of said adjusting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A guidance system according to claim 1, comprising separate signal devices provided on opposite sides of the path of travel for the belt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A guidance system according to claim 1, wherein separate adjusting means are provided at opposite ends of said drum axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting means comprises a hydraulic piston and cylinder motor and a hydraulic control system including an electromagnetic valve operable in response to said signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the signal device is an electrical limit switch which iS open in rest condition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the interrupter is a quick-break switch positioned near the axis of the drum for actuation upon tilting of the drum axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A guidance system according to claim 6, including means for selectively varying the contact travel of the quick-break switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting means is provided with an adjusting screw for setting the rest position of the axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting means is provided with an automatic control for readjusting the rest position of the axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A guidance system according to claim 1, wherein an indicator means is provided responsive to the signal for indicating actuation of the adjusting mechanism.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A guidance system according to claim 1, including a manually operable switch bypassing the signal device for manual actuation of the adjusting means.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of guiding a belt running over a drum comprising providing on either side of the belt one or more signal devices responding to deviations of the belt from its central rest position, actuating with the signal a mechanism to tilt the axis of the drum in a direction to cause restoration of the belt to its rest position, interrupting the signal after a predetermined movement of the mechanism to cause the mechanism and axis to return to its rest position, and continuing this pulsating tilting of the axis until the belt is in its normal rest position where no signal is provided by the signal device.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of guiding a belt running over a drum comprising providing on either side of the belt one or more signal devices responding to deviations of the belt from its central rest position, actuating with the signal a mechanism to tilt the axis of the drum in a direction to cause restoration of the belt to its rest position, interrupting the signal after a predetermined movement of the mechanism to cause the mechanism and axis to return to its rest position, and continuing this pulsating tilting of the axis until the belt is in its normal rest position where no signal is provided by the signal device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the axis of the drum is tilted in a direction radially outwardly from the center of curvature of the belt passing thereover to increase the belt tension at one side of the belt.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein separate mechanisms and control signal devices are provided for opposite sides of the belt.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the drum axis is tilted through a permanent amount to change the rest position of the belt when the signal device constantly responds at one side only of the belt.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the desired degree of tilting is adjusted by selecting a desired degree of contact travel of an interrupter switch to interrupt the signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the drum-axis tilting mechanism is hydraulically operated, the duration and frequency of tilting movement being controlled by valves in the hydraulic control circuitry.
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) | 1974-11-22 | 1975-05-24 | 1975-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-22 | 1979-05-24 | 1979-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-22 | 1983-05-24 | 1983-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |