Belt aligning apparatus

Claim 2

In a belt system including a support frame, a drive roller and at least one support roller in generally parallel spaced relation therewith on said support frame, and a continuous belt trained on said rollers, means for maintaining said belt aligned on said rollers comprising: fluid actuator means connected to one end of said support roller and adapted to pivot said roller about its opposite end; rod means extending transversely of said belt, valve means connected to said fluid actuator means and adapted to control the flow of fluid therein, said valve means comprising a double acting valve having a neutral position and, also having a resilient unbiased piston therein, said piston being interconnected with said rod and adapted to move with said rod, elongated sensor arms connected to each end of said rod and adapted to move said rod in response to the misalignment of said belt; and pump means for maintaining fluid pressure in said valve means.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elongate sensor arms include elongate sensing portions disposed adjacent the opposed sides of said continuous belt to sense the misalignment thereof.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said sensor arms is pivotally mounteD on said support frame at a point between its ends.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said sensor arms is pivotally mounted on said support frame at a point between its ends such that the portions on opposed sides of said support point are unequal.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pivotally mounted support roller is disposed adjacent said drive roller to increase the angle of wrap of said belt about said drive roller.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pivotally mounted support roller is disposed adjacent said drive roller to increase the angle of wrap of said belt about said support roller.

Claim 8

In a belt system including a drive roller and at least one support roller mounted in generally parallel spaced relation on a support frame, and an endless belt trained about rollers, means for maintaining the alignment of said belt on said rollers comprising: a rod means extending transversely of said belt, an adjustable roller disposed adjacent said drive roller and adapted to increase the angle of wrap of said endless belt about said drive roller, said adjustable roller adapted to be pivoted about one end; a hydraulic cylinder and piston means connected to the end of said adjustable roller opposite said pivoted end for pivoting said adjustable roller; hydraulic valve means connected to said hydraulic cylinder and piston means and adapted to control the flow of fluid in said cylinder in response to the movement of said rod floatingly interconnected therewith, said rod interconnected with said hydraulic valve means at a point between the ends of said rod; sensor arms pivotally mounted on said support frame, said sensor arms adjustably connected at one end to the longitudinal ends of said rod while the opposite ends of said sensor arms are disposed adjacent the side edges of said endless belt to monitor the alignment of said belt; said sensor arms adapted to move said rod in response to the misalignment of said belt; a hydraulic pump means adapted to maintain fluid pressure in said hydraulic valve means.

Claim 9

In a belt system including a drive roller and at least one support roller mounted in generally parallel spaced relation on a support frame, and an endless belt trained about rollers, means for maintaining the alignment of said belt on said rollers comprising: a rod means extending transversely of said belt, an adjustable roller disposed adjacent said drive roller and adapted to increase the angle of wrap of said endless belt about said drive roller, said adjustable roller adapted to be pivoted about one end; a hydraulic cylinder and piston means connected to the end of said adjustable roller opposite said pivoted end for pivoting said adjustable roller; hydraulic valve means connected to said hydraulic cylinder and piston means and adapted to control the flow of fluid in said cylinder in response to the movement of said rod floatingly interconnected therewith, said rod interconnected with said hydraulic valve means at a point between the ends of said rod; sensor arms pivotally mounted on said support frame, said sensor arms adjustably connected at one end to the longitudinal ends of said rod while the opposite ends of said sensor arms are disposed adjacent the side edges of said endless belt to monitor the alignment of said belt; said sensor arms adapted to move said rod in response to the misalignment of said belt; a hydraulic pump means adapted to maintain fluid pressure in said hydraulic valve means.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said sensor arms are pivotally mounted at points nearer the ends connected to said rod than the ends disposed adjacent the side edges of said belt.