U.S. patent application number 13/119858 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-30 for conveyor belt rip panels and belt rip monitoring.
This patent application is currently assigned to FENNER DUNLOP AMERICAS, INC.. Invention is credited to George Mark Myers, Mick Twigger.
Application Number | 20120217132 13/119858 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42039831 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120217132 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Twigger; Mick ; et
al. |
August 30, 2012 |
CONVEYOR BELT RIP PANELS AND BELT RIP MONITORING
Abstract
A conveyor belt rip monitoring system is disclosed. The system
includes at least one rip panel having a conductive loop positioned
in or on a conveyor belt so that the loop extends substantially
across the width of the belt. The conductive loops may be formed
from metallic or non-metallic materials. An RFDD chip is
electrically coupled to the loop and provides a signal to an RFID
interrogation unit positioned on the conveyor structure indicative
of the health of the conductive loop. If a break is sensed in the
loop, the RFID chip sends an appropriate signal to the
interrogation unit which passes the information to a processing
system. A unique resistor or diode may be included in the circuit
between the chip(s) and the legs of the loop so that the
interrogation unit can distinguish one leg or loop from another. If
the break in the loop is determined to be due to a rip in the
conveyor belt, the processing system alerts a user of the rip
condition via an attached display device. For large scale rips the
system may automatically stop the conveyor belt. Various
embodiments of rip detection panels are also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Twigger; Mick; (Charlotte,
NC) ; Myers; George Mark; (Charlotte, NC) |
Assignee: |
FENNER DUNLOP AMERICAS,
INC.
Charlotte
NC
|
Family ID: |
42039831 |
Appl. No.: |
13/119858 |
Filed: |
September 16, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
September 16, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2009/057063 |
371 Date: |
October 4, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61098461 |
Sep 19, 2008 |
|
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|
61098378 |
Sep 19, 2008 |
|
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|
61098389 |
Sep 19, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
198/502.1 ;
324/693 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G 43/06 20130101;
B65G 43/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
198/502.1 ;
324/693 |
International
Class: |
B65G 43/02 20060101
B65G043/02; G01N 27/20 20060101 G01N027/20 |
Claims
1. A conveyor belt rip monitoring system, comprising: a conductive
loop; an RFID chip electrically connected to said conductive loop;
an RFID interrogator positioned to receive information about said
conductive loop from said RFID chip; a processing system associated
with said RFID interrogator for receiving a signal from the
interrogator and processing said signal to obtain a measure of the
integrity of said conductive loop; and a user interface for
providing an indication of said integrity of said conductive loop
to a user.
2. A conveyor belt rip monitoring system according to claim 1,
wherein the RFID interrogation unit can read and write to one RFID
chip or a plurality of chips located on or in the belt.
3. A conveyor belt rip monitoring system according to claim 1,
wherein said conductive loop and said RFID chip are connected to a
rip detection panel, said panel positioned between layers of a
conveyor belt.
4. A conveyor belt rip monitoring system according to claim 3,
wherein said belt comprises a plurality of rip panels, said panels
being positioned at approximately 200 foot intervals along said
belt.
5. A conveyor belt rip monitoring system according to claim 1,
wherein a resistor or diode is electrically connected to said
conductive loop and said RFID chip.
6. A conveyor belt rip monitoring system according to claim 3,
wherein a resistor or diode is electrically connected to said
conductive loop and said RFID chip.
7. A conveyor belt rip monitoring system according to claim 1,
wherein said RFID chip further comprises at least one bore formed
there through, material forming said belt or said panel extending
through the bore such that the chip is firmly held, respectfully,
to the belt or the panel.
8. A conveyor belt rip monitoring system according to claim 1,
wherein said processing system is a programmable logic controller
(PLC) rack system, the interrogation unit being connected to said
processing system via an Ethernet switch.
9. A conveyor belt rip monitoring system according to claim 1,
wherein the processing system further comprises a processor for
executing instructions for analyzing signals received from said
RFID interrogator and for assessing a condition of at least one rip
panel or said conductive loop.
10. A conveyor belt rip monitoring system according to claim 1,
wherein said conductive loop is formed from a non-metallic
conductive material.
11. A conveyor belt rip monitoring system according to claim 1,
wherein the RFID chip also provides to the interrogator information
relating to a rip panel associated with said belt, the rip panel
information comprising one or more of the members of the group
consisting of: panel model information, panel brand/OEM
information, panel age information, and panel repair history.
12. A conveyor belt rip monitoring system according to claim 6,
wherein the RFID chip also provides to the interrogator information
relating to a rip panel associated with said belt, the rip panel
information comprising one or more of the members of the group
consisting of: panel model information, panel brand/OEM
information, panel age information, and panel repair history.
13. A rip monitoring system according to claim 6, wherein a user
display is connected to the system for providing information about
the status of the rip panel.
14. A rip monitoring system according to claim 10, wherein said
non-metallic conductive loop comprises a plurality of legs
electrically coupled with the RFID chip.
15. A rip monitoring system according to claim 14, further
comprising a plurality of loops formed from a plurality of
legs.
16. A rip monitoring system according to claim 15, wherein one leg
of each loop is electrically connected to the RFID chip by a
resistor or diode having a different resistance so that the
interrogator may distinguish each of the loops from another.
17. A rip monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein said
system further comprises at least one camera for transmitting
visual information regarding the conveyor belt to a user.
18. A rip monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein a belt
control system is operably connected to said monitoring system for
directly or indirectly changing the operation of the conveyor belt
in response to said signal.
19. A rip monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein said
system is operably connected to a data communications network, said
network comprising one or more members of the group consisting of a
facility-wide monitoring system, an Intranet, a virtual private
network and the Internet.
20. A conveyor belt rip detection panel comprising: at least one
panel; a conductive loop; and an RFID chip electrically connected
to said conductive loop, wherein said loop and said chip are
connected to said at least one panel.
21. A rip detection panel according to claim 20, wherein said
conductive loop is integrally formed with said panel.
22. A rip detection panel according to claim 20, wherein a resistor
or diode is electrically connected to said conductive loop and said
RFID chip.
23. A rip detection panel according to claim 20, wherein said RFID
chip further comprises at least one bore formed there through,
material forming said panel extending through the bore such that
the chip is firmly held to the panel.
24. A rip detection panel according to claim 20, wherein said
conductive loop is formed from a non-metallic conductive
material.
25. A rip detection panel according to claim 21, wherein said
conductive loop is formed from a non-metallic conductive
material.
26. A rip detection panel according to claim 24, wherein said
non-metallic conductive loop comprises a plurality of legs
electrically coupled with the RFID chip.
27. A rip detection panel according to claim 26, further comprising
a plurality of loops formed from a plurality of legs.
28. A rip detection panel according to claim 27, wherein one leg of
each loop is electrically connected to the RFID chip by a resistor
or diode, each of the resistors or diodes having a different
resistance so that the interrogator may distinguish each loop from
another.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of International
application No. PCT/GB2006/003190 filed Aug. 29, 2006, and U.S.
Provisional Ser. Nos. 61/098,389, 61/098,461 and 61/098,378, filed
Sep. 19, 2008, each of which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to systems for monitoring industrial
conveyor belt systems, and more particularly to an improved rip
panel for use in detecting longitudinal rips in conveyor belts and
a system that employs such a panel.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Conveyor belts and conveyor systems are widely used in the
transport of a variety of materials and products. Conveyor belts
may be used in light or heavy materials transport. For heavy
materials transport often the belts have reinforcing cords of steel
or other material embedded in the belt to provide additional
tensile strength. For lighter material transport such reinforcing
cords may be formed of lighter weight non-metallic fibers or cords.
In some lightweight applications no reinforcing cords are used.
[0004] Rip damage can arise in any of these belts during operation.
For example, such a rip can occur when the belt is penetrated by an
object which has become jammed so that it does not move with the
belt. As the belt is driven forcibly against an object that
penetrates the belt, a longitudinal rip may develop rapidly along
an extended portion of the belt. Such a condition can render the
belt unsuitable for the continued transport of material so that the
belt must be taken out of service. In extreme cases, the whole belt
may require replacement. In other cases, the damaged section must
be repaired. As will be appreciated, this can result in financial
losses due to the cost of belt repair or replacement and the
inconvenience of suspending manufacturing or other operations which
rely on continued operation of the conveyor.
[0005] Various attempts have been made to provide a rip detection
system which can promptly stop operation of a conveyor belt if a
rip has occurred. One such prior assembly is shown diagrammatically
in FIG. 2, which is a top plan view on a conveyer system belt 2 and
hopper 10. Transmitters and receivers 5, 7 are mounted above the
belt 2 near loading or discharge sections where most belt rips
occur. Antennae 3 are embedded intermittently throughout the
conveyor belt. The control box 9 receives power from power source
box 11 and sends a signal through the transmitters to each antenna
as it passes by the transmitter. The signal passes through the
antenna 3 back to the receiver and the control box. The control box
receives the signal and evaluates the message. If the signal
doesn't reach the receiver, it means a belt tear has interrupted
current flow through the antenna 3. Lack of a transmitted signal
indicates that damage has occurred to the belt, and the power to
the belt shut off by the control accordingly.
[0006] There are shortcomings, however, to such prior rip detection
systems. Only one type of information is provided--signal or lack
of a signal. Gradual decrease in signal strength, which could
provide useful information as to belt wear, for example, is not
detectable. For prior systems to operate effectively the
transmitters and receivers must be positioned a precise distance
from the antennae and control box during belt operation; and in
loading and discharge sections of the conveyor belt, material may
easily collide with the nearby transmitter(s)/receiver(s) causing
them to become misaligned with the antennae or to cease functioning
altogether. Additionally, the transmitters, receivers, and their
corresponding electrical connections can fail or become
undependable over time. Belt down time frequently occurs as a
result.
[0007] There is, therefore, a need for an improved rip detection
system that is cost effective, reliable, and which does not itself
impact the function of the belt.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The disadvantages heretofore associated with existing rip
detection systems are overcome by the disclosed design for a
conveyor belt rip monitoring system. Thus, a conveyor belt rip
panel monitoring system is disclosed, which includes: (1) a
conductive loop, (2) a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip
electrically connected to the conductive loop, (3) an RFID
interrogator positioned to receive information about the conductive
loop from the RFID chip, (4) a processing system associated with
the RFID interrogator for receiving a signal from the interrogator
and processing the signal to obtain a measure of the integrity of
the conductive loop, and (5) a user interface for providing an
indication of the integrity of the conductive loop to a user.
[0009] The RFID interrogation unit can read and write to one RFID
chip or a plurality of chips located on or in the belt. The RFID
chip may also provide to the interrogator information relating to a
rip panel associated with the belt. The rip panel information may
include one or more of the members of the group consisting of: rip
panel model information, rip panel brand/OEM information, rip panel
age information and rip panel repair history.
[0010] In another aspect of the invention, the conductive loop and
the RFID chip are connected to a rip detection panel, and the panel
is positioned between layers of the conveyor belt. The belt may
include a plurality of rip panels, and the panels may be positioned
at approximately 200 foot intervals along the length of the
belt.
[0011] A resistor or diode may be electrically connected to the
conductive loop and the RFID chip. The conductive loop may be
formed from a non-metallic conductive material. The non-metallic
conductive loop may include a plurality of legs electrically
coupled with the RFID chip. A plurality of loops may be formed from
a plurality of legs, and one leg of each loop may be electrically
connected to the RFID chip by a resistor or diode having a
different resistance so that the interrogator may distinguish each
of the loops from another.
[0012] The processing system may be a programmable logic controller
(PLC) rack system, and the interrogation unit may be connected to
the processing system via an Ethernet switch. The system may be
operably connected to a data communications network, which may
comprise, for example, a facility-wide monitoring system, an
Intranet, a virtual private network or the Internet.
[0013] In still another aspect of the invention, the RED chip also
provides to the interrogator information relating to the model,
brand/OEM, age and repair history of the rip panel associated with
the belt.
[0014] In yet another aspect of the invention, the system includes
at least one camera for transmitting visual information regarding
the conveyor belt to a user.
[0015] A belt control system may also be operably connected to the
monitoring system for directly or indirectly changing the operation
of the conveyor belt in response to the signal(s) from the
interrogator.
[0016] One object of the invention is to provide an improved
conveyor belt rip panel and belt rip monitoring system, which is
capable of promptly ceasing operation of a conveyor belt if a rip
has occurred. Another object of the invention is to provide an
improved rip detection system that is cost effective, reliable, and
that does not itself impact the function of the belt. Related
objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the
following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The details of the invention, both as to its structure and
operation, may be obtained by a review of the accompanying
drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and
in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a side partial diagrammatic view of an exemplary
conveyor belt rip monitoring system;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a prior art rip detection
system;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a cutaway perspective view of a conveyor belt
showing an embodiment of the RFID chip and conductive loop of the
invention embedded in a layer of the belt;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a section view, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3,
showing an embodiment of a rip panel with an associated RFID chip
of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a plan view of an exemplary rip panel for use with
the conveyor system of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 5A is an enlarged plan view of the RFID chip of FIG.
5;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a plan view of another exemplary rip panel for use
with the conveyor system of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a further exemplary rip panel for
use with the conveyor system of FIG. 1; and
[0026] FIG. 8 is a section view, taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 5A,
showing an embodiment of the RFID chip with material forming the
belt extending through a bore formed in the chip.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] An improved system is disclosed for monitoring conveyor
belts to detect rips that can occur in operation. Specifically, the
disclosed system will detect early stages of longitudinal rips in
conveyor belts so that the rips can be closely monitored and/or the
belt can be stopped before catastrophic failure occurs.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary conveyor belt rip
monitoring system 1 is shown. A conveyor system 2 may have a
reinforced conveyor belt 4 which extends around two end pulleys 6,
8. One of the two pulleys may be powered by a motor to drive the
belt. The belt 4 may pass under a loading hopper 10 such that
material from the hopper 10 is transported by the load-carrying
working surface 12 of the belt 2 in a direction to the left in FIG.
1. At one end pulley 6 the material falls into a second, collection
hopper 14.
[0029] At a position downstream of the loading hopper 10 and facing
the underside 16 of the belt 2 an RFID interrogation unit 18 is
provided. In one embodiment, the interrogation may comprise an
antenna with a reader/writer. It will be appreciated that although
it is illustrated as being under the belt, one or more
interrogation units 18 may be provided in any appropriate location
with respect to the belt, as long as it can read one or more RFID
chips located on or within the belt. The system may have more than
one RFID interrogation unit 18. Where multiple units 18 are
provided, they may be positioned at particular locations of
interest, such as at the beginning of the belt return section, or
near the end pulley 6 at a position downstream of the unloading
hopper 14. As will be described in greater detail later, the
interrogation unit 18 may be connected to a processing system 19 to
enable processing of information received from the interrogation
unit. In one embodiment, the RFID interrogation unit 18 can read
and write to one or more RFID chips located in or on the belt 2.
For purposes of this description the aforementioned chip(s) may be
an RFID chip electronically connected to a conductive loop as
described below, or the chip(s) may include an RFID chip located
near or otherwise associated with a corresponding rip panel.
[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, exemplary conveyor belt 2
may have upper and lower rubber cover layers 20, 22 between which
are sandwiched one or more longitudinal reinforcement layers 24 of
reinforcing cords embedded in rubber. In some embodiments these
reinforcing cords are made from steel, while in other embodiments
they may be non-metallic materials. Yet other embodiments
incorporate a fabric layer or no reinforcing layer at all. For
belts utilizing one or more reinforcing layers 24, a rip detection
panel 26 may be positioned between one of the cover layers 20, 22
and the reinforcement layer 24. The rip detection panel 26 may be
assembled as a pre-formed strip in which all the elements of the
panel are embedded in rubber or other flexible material. The strip
may then be vulcanized into the belt during manufacture to ensure
long term belt and panel stability.
[0031] It will be appreciated that a conveyor belt 2 may be
provided with any appropriate number of such rip panels at
longitudinally spaced intervals along the belt 2 in order to ensure
that a rip in a section of belt is detected before it becomes too
large. In one embodiment, rip panels will be positioned at
approximately 200 foot intervals along the belt.
[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 3-5A, the illustrated panel 26
comprises a conductive loop 28 having an RFID chip 30 and a
resistor or diode 32 coupled thereto. "Panel" for purposes of this
description means any material to which the loop 28, chip 30, and
resistor/diode 32 may be connected, including the conveyor belt
layer or layers, and which can be made to travel around end pulleys
6, 8 in a manner commensurate with the functions of the invention
herein described. The RFID chip 30 may include at least one bore
31, preferably more than one, formed there through so that material
33 during the aforementioned vulcanization or other manufacturing
process may extend through the bore(s) 31 and firmly secure the
chip 30 to the belt or the panel accordingly, as shown for example
in FIG. 8. The resistor or diode 32 may be used for identification
of open circuit, short circuit, or healthy panel conditions
depending upon the current sensed by the RFID chip 30 as it passes
the interrogation unit 18. The interrogation unit 18 positioned on
the conveyor structure will switch on the RFID chip 30 as it passes
the unit.
[0033] The RFID chip 30, in turn, will identify a measured
current/resistance and will transmit representative information
back to the interrogation unit for analysis. This information may
be used for sensing a variety of conditions, including a rip
condition. For example, the RFID chip 30 may send a 1-bit to the
interrogation unit to represent a good condition, and a 0-bit to
represent a damage (rip) condition.
[0034] Referring again to FIG. 1, the interrogation unit 18 may be
connected to a processing system 19, which in one embodiment is a
programmable logic controller (PLC) rack system. For simplicity of
connection, the interrogation unit 18 may be connected to the
processing system 19 via an Ethernet switch 34. The processing
system 19 may have a processor 36 capable of executing instructions
for analyzing the received signals and for assessing a condition of
one or more rip panels 26 based on the received signals. Thus,
depending upon the magnitude of the current/resistance sensed by
the RFID chip 30 associated with a particular rip panel 26, the
processing system 19 can determine the condition of that panel. The
system may determine that a rip has been detected, the severity of
the rip, whether the panel itself has degraded over time, and so
on. The executable instructions run by the processor 36 may be
customized by the user to analyze the signals and to trigger alarms
(for cases in which slight rips have been detected), or to stop the
belt automatically in cases where large rips are detected.
[0035] In use of the disclosed system, a baseline reading from each
RFID chip 30 of each rip panel 26 may be obtained during a first
cycle of the belt around the pulleys 6, 8. During subsequent cycles
the reading from each RFID chip 30 may be compared with the
original reading, and the occurrence of any significant changes
noted to determine whether the change is indicative of a rip, or
other condition in the belt.
[0036] For system embodiments in which multiple panels 26 are
provided along the length of the conveyor belt 2, each panel 26 may
have a resistor/diode 32 with a unique resistance to provide
further level of panel identification. Alternatively, or in
addition, the RFID chip 30 may itself provide automatic
identification of the individual panels 26. Examples of such
identification information include the model, brand/original
equipment manufacturer (OEM), age, repair history, if any, and the
like.
[0037] The conductive loop 28 may comprise any of a variety of
conductive materials, such as metal and non-metallic conductors.
Examples of suitable metal conductors include copper and platinum.
Non-limiting examples of a suitable non-metallic conductor may
include graphite, or an elastomeric conductive material such as
that manufactured by NanoSonic, Inc., of Blacksburg, Va., sold
under the trademark "METALRUBBER." In other embodiments, the
conductive loop can be in wire or ribbon form, as desired, which
can be of suitably low resistivity such that it can be operated in
conjunction with the RFID chip.
[0038] One substantial benefit of using a non-metallic conducting
material to form the conductive loop 28 is that it is expected to
add little to the overall lateral stiffness of the conveyor belt 2.
Conventional rip panels that utilize a plurality of
laterally-oriented conductive metal wires can add substantial
lateral stiffness to the conveyor belt. This increased lateral
stiffness may make it more difficult to "trough" the belt (i.e.,
where the angled rollers of the conveyor structure force the belt
to conform to a V or U-shape in order to confine and carry the load
material) in operation. In addition, forced troughing of the
laterally stiff rip panels can cause premature failure of the rip
panel due to the fatigue of repeated bending of the metal wires or
cords.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 6, an embodiment of a non-metallic rip
panel 126 is disclosed. Similar to the previously described rip
panel 26, rip panel 126 comprises a plurality of conductive legs
128 that are electrically coupled with an RFID chip 130. The RFID
chip 130 of this embodiment may have any or all of the
characteristics of the RFD chip 30 described in relation to FIG. 5.
Thus, the RFID chip 130 may be configured to provide information to
the interrogation unit 18 relating to the integrity of one or more
of the conductive legs 128 (e.g.; whether a partial or full rip has
occurred in one or both), and may also provide detailed information
about the panel such as model, brand, age, repair history (if any),
and the like. Thus, as the RFID chip 130 passes the interrogation
unit 18 it will be switched on. It will send a current through the
legs 128 and will send a digital bit to the interrogation unit
indicating whether the circuit is closed (good) or open (bad). It
may also provide an indication if one or more legs are only
partially ripped. Another RFID chip, like the one shown in
association with the previously described rip panel 26, may provide
information about the belt.
[0040] FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a non-metallic rip
panel 226 incorporating a plurality of loops formed from a
plurality of conductive legs 228 electrically coupled to an RFID
chip 230. The RFID chip 230 of this embodiment may have any or all
of the characteristics of the RFID chips 30, 130 described in
relation to FIGS. 5 and 6. Thus, the RFID chip 230 may be
configured to provide information to the interrogation unit 18
relating to the integrity of one or more of the conductive legs 228
(e.g., whether a partial or full rip has occurred in one or both),
and may also provide detailed information about the panel such as
model, brand, age, repair history (if any), and the like. An
additional chip (not shown) may be associated with the panel 226
like that shown in FIG. 5 with respect to the panel 26 of that
embodiment.
[0041] In this embodiment, a single RFID chip 230 may be used to
monitor multiple loops, simultaneously, and to provide the
interrogation unit with information regarding the ongoing integrity
of the individual legs 228 of the rip panel 226. This arrangement
may provide more detailed information about a rip in the conveyor
belt 2 as compared to previous embodiments due to its greater
longitudinal extent (owing to the multiple-loop configuration).
Thus, it may be possible to more accurately estimate the extent or
length of a longitudinal rip in the belt by knowing exactly how
many legs 228 have been broken by the rip. As can be seen, one leg
of each loop is connected to the RFID chip 230 by a resistor (or
diode) 232 having a unique resistance so that the RFID can
immediately determine which leg has been breached by the rip.
[0042] Thus, as the RFID 230 passes the interrogation unit 18 it
will be switched on. It will send a current through the legs 228
and will send a digital bit to the interrogation unit indicating
whether the circuit is healthy or open/damaged. For the instant
embodiment, the RFID may send a signal representing 1-1-1-1 to show
a typical (i.e., good) condition. Alternatively, the RFID chip 230
may send a signal representing 0-1-1-1 to show a damage condition
in the first leg. This damage condition may then be interpreted as
a rip in the belt. Damage to more than one leg would be indicative
of a longer rip. Unlike prior systems, therefore, the disclosed
arrangement may also provide an indication if one or more legs are
only partially ripped.
[0043] In addition to the features described above, the system 1
may also comprise a camera 38 (FIG. 1) for transmitting visual
information regarding a top surface 12 of the belt cover to enable
the user to correlate information provided by the system with a
visual indication of the belt at a particular location. While the
illustrated embodiment shows the camera 38 positioned beneath the
belt, it will be appreciated that the camera could be positioned in
any desired location to obtain images of the belt top or bottom
surfaces. In addition, multiple cameras 38 may also be provided,
including cameras having high definition capabilities. The cameras
may be adjustable to pan a desired location, and they may also have
zoom functionality to focus on a particular area of interest. The
signal from the camera 38 can be routed to the processing system 19
through the Ethernet switch 34. The camera 38 may be controlled
(e.g., to take continuous video images, or to take a snapshot at a
targeted location) by the processing system 19. In one embodiment,
the processing system may signal the camera to automatically take a
picture based on a triggering event (e.g., where a rip condition is
sensed).
[0044] The processing system 19 may also provide a connection to a
belt control system 40 to control the belt 2 as desired. Thus, the
processing system 19 may be used to instruct the belt control
system 40 to slow the belt speed and/or to stop a targeted portion
of the belt at a specific location within the mine so that the belt
can be inspected and/or repaired. Alternatively, if the processing
system 19 predicts an imminent failure condition in the belt, the
processing system 19 may instruct the belt control system 40 to
immediately stop the belt 2 regardless of its position.
[0045] The system 1 may further comprise user/operator display 42
for providing information regarding the status of the rip panels 26
in the system. Any or all of the information in this display may be
viewed locally, or it may be transmitted to remote users via an
appropriate data communications network such as a company's
intranet, virtual private network (VPN), the Internet or the like
to enable global viewing and control of the system 1. The
information can also be e-mailed to one or more individuals
(including photographs) so that a remote determination can be made
regarding the damage.
[0046] It will be understood that the description and drawings
presented herein represent an embodiment of the invention, and are
therefore merely representative of the subject matter that is
broadly contemplated by the invention. It will be further
understood that the scope of the present invention encompasses
other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the
art, and that the scope of the invention is accordingly limited by
nothing other than the appended claims.
* * * * *