U.S. patent application number 14/132602 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-18 for conveyor belt aligning apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to PRECISION, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Precision, Inc.. Invention is credited to Mark Ballou, Matthew Roozeboom, Tim Wolf.
Application Number | 20150166264 14/132602 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53367532 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150166264 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ballou; Mark ; et
al. |
June 18, 2015 |
CONVEYOR BELT ALIGNING APPARATUS
Abstract
Apparatus for aligning a conveyor belt by engaging the conveyor
belt upon misalignment of the conveyor belt during conveying
operations.
Inventors: |
Ballou; Mark; (Otley,
IA) ; Roozeboom; Matthew; (Pella, IA) ; Wolf;
Tim; (Pella, IA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Precision, Inc. |
Pella |
IA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
PRECISION, INC.
Pella
IA
|
Family ID: |
53367532 |
Appl. No.: |
14/132602 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
198/806 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G 15/64 20130101;
B65G 39/16 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65G 15/64 20060101
B65G015/64; B65G 23/04 20060101 B65G023/04 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for aligning a conveyor belt during rotation of the
conveyor belt, the apparatus comprising: a shaft having a first
end, a second end and a central axis extending from the first end
to the second end; a first mounting assembly and a second mounting
assembly, the first end of the shaft attached to the first mounting
assembly and the second end attached to the second mounting
assembly, the shaft being fixed axially relative to the first and
second mounting assemblies; a first pivot bracket and a second
pivot bracket, the first mounting assembly pivotally connected to
the first pivot bracket and the second mounting assembly pivotally
connected to the second pivot bracket; and a first guide roller and
a second guide roller for engaging the conveyor belt upon
misalignment of the conveyor belt, the first guide roller attached
to the first pivot bracket and the second guide roller attached to
the second pivot bracket.
2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the shaft
comprises a detent to axially fix the shaft relative to the first
and second mounting assemblies.
3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the first mounting
assembly and/or the second mounting assembly abuts a wall of the
detent to axially fix the shaft relative to the first and second
mounting assemblies.
4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the detent has a
width and the first mounting assembly and/or the second mounting
assembly has a main housing and a face plate attached to the
housing, the face plate having a width substantially equal to the
width of the detent to axially fix the shaft relative to the first
and second mounting assemblies.
5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a first
pin that extends into the first mounting assembly and a second pin
that extends into the second mounting assembly, the first pin and
second pin being orthogonal to the shaft; and wherein the first
mounting assembly includes a first bushing for rotation of the
first pin relative to the first mounting assembly, the first pin
being received in the first bushing, and the second mounting
assembly includes a second bushing for rotation of the second pin
relative to the second mounting assembly, the second pin being
received in the second mounting assembly bushing.
6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein the first bushing
defines a first upper bushing and the second bushing defines a
second upper bushing, the first mounting assembly further
comprising a first lower bushing and the second mounting assembly
further comprising a second lower bushing, the first pin being
received in the first lower bushing and the second pin being
received in the second lower bushing.
7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein each mounting
assembly has a top wall and bottom wall, the pin extending from the
top wall to the bottom wall.
8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein the first pin is
fixed to the first pivot bracket and the second pin is fixed to the
second pivot bracket.
9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first and
second pivot brackets are pivotally connected to a support
member.
10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 further comprising a
first support mount attached to the support member and a second
support mount attached to the support member, the first pivot
bracket being pivotally attached to the first support mount and the
second pivot bracket being pivotally attached to the second support
mount.
11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 comprising a first frame
bracket and a second frame bracket attached to the support member
for connecting the apparatus to a frame of the conveyor belt.
12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein each pivot
bracket has a frame and an arm attached to the frame, the frame and
arm both being pivotally attached to a corresponding support
mount.
13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein each frame and
arm are connected by a support mount pin and each support mount
comprises a support mount upper bushing and a support mount lower
bushing, the support mount pin being received in the support mount
upper bushing and the support mount lower bushing.
14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein each pivot
bracket frame has a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower
portion being attached to a guide roller and the upper portion
being connected to a support mount.
15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the shaft is
rotatably fixed to the first mounting assembly and the second
mounting assembly.
16. The apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein the shaft
comprises a detent to prevent rotation of the shaft.
17. The apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein the first
mounting assembly and/or the second mounting assembly comprise a
mounting assembly opening for receiving the shaft, the mounting
assembly opening have a linear portion to prevent rotation of the
shaft.
18. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein each mounting
assembly has a main housing and a face plate attached to the
housing, the face plate having a mounting assembly opening, the
shaft extending through the mounting assembly opening.
19. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first guide
roller, first pivot bracket, first mounting assembly, shaft, second
mounting assembly, second pivot bracket and second guide roller
form a conveyor belt response chain, the chain being the only
operable connection between the first guide roller and the second
guide roller.
20. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the apparatus
does not include a tie rod connecting the first guide roller to the
second guide roller.
21. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 comprising a roller for
engaging the conveyor belt, the roller being rotatable around the
shaft.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The field of the disclosure relates to apparatus for
aligning a conveyor belt and, particularly, apparatus that engage
the conveyor belt upon misalignment of the conveyor belt during
conveying operations.
BACKGROUND
[0002] During mining and other bulk transport operations material
must be transported over long distances in order to load the
material by truck or rail. Further, such material must be unloaded
and transported for processing. Among the common transport
mechanisms are bulk conveyors which are capable of transporting
large amounts of material quickly and reliably and without
significant cost. Typical conveyors include drag, screw, belt and
pneumatic conveyors.
[0003] Belt conveyors are well suited for use in many transport
applications and are particularly well suited for use in mining
operations. Belt conveying systems include at least two pulleys and
a conveyor belt which rotates about the two pulleys. Material is
loaded onto the belt at a tail section and is unloaded via gravity
at a head section. A tail pulley and head pulley allow the belt to
travel from the point at which material is loaded to the point it
is unloaded and back again. The conveying system may also include
take-up pulleys to provide proper belt tensioning, bend pulleys to
change the direction of travel of the belt and snub pulleys,
typically located adjacent the drive pulley, to increase the
contact with the drive pulley and/or provide belt tensioning. The
belt may be driven at a number of positions including the tail
section or head section of the conveyor system.
[0004] During operation of the conveyor system, the conveyor belt
may become laterally misaligned due to uneven material loading,
warped belting, a poorly aligned or unlevel framework or due to
wind. Such misalignment may cause premature wearing of the belt or
damage to the framework, friction induced fire or may cause
material spillage. A better aligning apparatus for aligning
conveyor belts during conveying operations is needed.
[0005] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various
aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the
disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This
discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with
background information to facilitate a better understanding of the
various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should
be understood that these statements are to be read in this light,
and not as admissions of prior art.
SUMMARY
[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to an
apparatus for aligning a conveyor belt during rotation of the
conveyor belt. The apparatus includes a shaft having a first end, a
second end and a central axis extending from the first end to the
second end. The apparatus includes a first mounting assembly and a
second mounting assembly. The first end of the shaft is attached to
the first mounting assembly and the second end is attached to the
second mounting assembly. The shaft is fixed axially relative to
the first and second mounting assemblies. The apparatus includes a
first pivot bracket and a second pivot bracket. The first mounting
assembly is pivotally connected to the first pivot bracket and the
second mounting assembly is pivotally connected to the second pivot
bracket. The apparatus also includes a first guide roller and a
second guide roller for engaging the conveyor belt upon
misalignment of the conveyor belt. The first guide roller is
attached to the first pivot bracket and the second guide roller is
attached to the second pivot bracket.
[0007] Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation
to the above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure. Further
features may also be incorporated in the above-mentioned aspects of
the present disclosure as well. These refinements and additional
features may exist individually or in any combination. For
instance, various features discussed below in relation to any of
the illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure may be
incorporated into any of the above-described aspects of the present
disclosure, alone or in any combination.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conveyor belt and an
apparatus for aligning a conveyor belt;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a shaft and roller of the
apparatus;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a front view of a first end of the apparatus and a
conveyor belt;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a side view of a face plate of a mounting assembly
of the apparatus;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a front view of a shaft of the apparatus;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a front view of a first mounting assembly and
pin;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a first end of the
apparatus;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the apparatus with the
conveyor belt being misaligned to the right; and
[0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the apparatus with the
conveyor belt being misaligned to the left.
[0017] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] An embodiment of an apparatus for aligning a conveyor belt B
during operation of the conveying system is generally referred to
as "5" in FIG. 1. The belt B is illustrated to show use of the
apparatus 5 and does not form part of the apparatus 5. The
apparatus 5 includes a roller 8 which engages the conveyor belt B.
A shaft 10 (FIG. 2) extends through the roller 8 and the roller
rotates about the shaft. The roller 8 extends the entire width of
the conveyor belt B. The roller 8 may extend less the entire width
of the conveyor belt and/or a plurality of rollers which rotate
about the shaft 10 may be used. The shaft 10 has two ends with the
first end 11A being shown in FIG. 2.
[0019] The apparatus 5 is generally symmetrical in that several
components have a corresponding component with the same function
opposite the component (i.e., across the belt). Corresponding
components of the pair may be indicated herein by use of a
reference number followed by "A" and "B" any may be referred to as
a "first" component and a "second" component, respectively. While
the apparatus 5 may be described herein with reference to the
components of one side of the apparatus 5, any component designated
by "A" or "B" herein or in FIGS. 1-9 includes a corresponding
component with the same function opposite the component.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 3 (the first pivot bracket not shown),
the shaft 10 extends into a first mounting assembly 13A at the
first end of the shaft. The first mounting assembly 13A includes a
main housing 19A and a face plate 17A attached to the main housing.
The face plate 17A includes a first mounting assembly opening 23A
(FIG. 4) through which the shaft 10 extends. The shaft 10 (FIG. 5)
has a central axis A that extends from the first end 11A to the
second end of the shaft. The shaft 10 includes a number of portions
having different diameters. However, the shaft may also be uniform
in diameter across its length.
[0021] The apparatus 5 may be configured to limit axial movement of
the shaft. As shown in FIG. 5, the first side 11A of the shaft 10
includes two detents 71A, 73A. The second side of the shaft 10 also
includes two detents (not shown). The width of the detents 71A, 73A
is substantially the same as the width of the first face plate 17A
(FIG. 4) such that the front and back faces of the face plate abut
the walls of the detent. By abutting the face plate 17A against one
or both walls of the detent, lateral movement of the shaft 10
(i.e., movement in the axial direction of the shaft) relative to
the first and second mounting assemblies may be prevented.
[0022] The apparatus 5 may include other arrangements to limit
axial movement of the shaft. For example, one or both mounting
assemblies 13A, 13B may abut portions of the shaft with increased
diameters or the shaft may be secured by one or more pins that
extend through the shaft.
[0023] The apparatus 5 may also be configured to limit rotational
movement of the shaft. The detents 71A, 73A (FIG. 4) of the first
side 11A of the shaft generally align with linear portions 81A, 83A
of the first mounting assembly opening 23A of the first face plate
17A. Similar linear portions (not shown) are included in the second
face plate (not shown). The detents and linear portions of the
openings limit rotational movement of the shaft 10.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 6 (the main housing being
transparent), the apparatus 5 includes a first pin 29A that extends
through the main housing 19A of the first mounting assembly and a
second pin (not shown) that extends through the main housing of the
second mounting assembly. The first and second pins are generally
orthogonal to the shaft 10. The first mounting assembly 13A
includes a first mounting assembly upper bushing 30A and a first
mounting assembly lower bushing 32A. The first pin 29A extends into
and through the main housing 19A of the first mounting assembly
13A. The pin 29A extends entirely through the main housing 19A of
the first mounting assembly 13A (i.e., extends from a top wall 34A
to a bottom wall 36A of the main housing 19A). The bushings 30A,
32A allow the first pin 29A to rotate relative to the main housing
19A of the first mounting assembly 13A.
[0025] The apparatus 5 includes a first pivot bracket 31A (FIG. 1)
and second pivot bracket 31B. First and second guide rollers 33A,
33B are attached to the pivot brackets 31A, 31B for engaging the
conveyor belt upon misalignment of the conveyor belt. The first
mounting assembly 13A is pivotally connected to the first pivot
bracket by use of pin 29A and bushings 30A, 32A (FIG. 6). The first
pin 29A is fixedly (i.e., does not pivot) to the first pivot
bracket 31A and the second pin (not shown) is fixedly attached to
second pivot bracket 31B.
[0026] The first pivot bracket 31A is shown in detail in FIG. 7
(portion of support mount 53A being transparent). The bracket 31A
includes a frame 43A and an arm 45A that extends upward from the
frame. The frame 43A has a lower portion 47A and an upper portion
49A. The first guide roller 33A attaches to the lower portion 47A
of the frame 43A of the first pivot bracket 31A. The first pin 29A
is attached to the upper portion 49A of the frame 43A and also is
attached to the arm 45A. The frame 43A and arm 45A of the first
pivot bracket 31A are attached by a support mount pin 61A. The
support mount 53A includes a support mount upper bushing 63A and a
support mount lower bushing 65A. The first support mount pin 61A is
received in the support mount upper bushing 63A and the support
mount lower bushing 65A.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the first pivot bracket 31A is pivotally
attached to a first support mount 53A. The first support mount 53A
and second support mount 53B are attached to a support member 55
that extends above the conveyor belt B. The upper portion 49A of
the frame 43A and the arm 45A (FIG. 7) of the first pivot bracket
31A are both pivotally attached to the first support mount 53A. The
arm 45A provides strength and rigidity to the pivot bracket 31A and
absorbs the contact force between the belt B (FIG. 1) and roller 8.
Both the frame 43A and arm 45A bear the vertical load resulting
from the contact forces and transmit the load to the pin 61A.
[0028] A first frame bracket 69A and a second frame bracket 69B are
attached to the support member 55. The first frame bracket 69A and
second frame bracket 69B are capable of being attached to the
support frame (not shown) of the conveyor belt B for supporting the
aligning apparatus 5. The brackets 69A, 69B may attach by use of
bolts and bolt holes and a number of bolt holes may be provided to
allow the vertical position of the aligning apparatus 5 to be
adjusted. Vertical adjustment of the apparatus 5 allows the contact
pressure between the belt B and roller 8 to be adjusted.
[0029] The first pin 29A (FIG. 1) that extends through mounting
assembly 13A and the support mount pin 61A each define a pivot axis
about which various components of the apparatus may pivot (i.e.,
the apparatus 5 includes two axes points at each end of the
apparatus).
[0030] The first guide roller 33A, first pivot bracket 31A, first
mounting assembly 13A, shaft 10 (FIG. 2), second mounting assembly
13B, second pivot bracket 31B and second guide roller 33B form a
conveyor belt response chain in which movement of the conveyor belt
B causes a response or change in the angle at which the roller 8
engages the conveyor belt B. This response chain is the only
connection between the first guide roller 33A and second guide
roller 33B (e.g., the apparatus does not include a tie rod
connecting the first guide roller 33A to the second guide roller
33B).
[0031] During operation of the conveying apparatus 5, a gap between
each guide roller 33A, 33B and the belt B is maintained when the
belt is properly aligned (e.g., 0.25 inch to 1.5 inch gap). Upon
misalignment of the conveyor belt B, the response chain reacts to
cause the shaft 10 and roller 8 to angle toward the direction of
the misalignment (i.e., the ends of the shaft and roller in the
direction the belt has become misaligned move toward the support
member 55 while the opposite ends move away from the support member
55) as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 8, as the belt B becomes laterally
misaligned in the direction of the first guide roller 33A, the belt
contacts the guide roller and forces the lower portion 47A (FIG. 7)
of the first pivot bracket 31A to rotate in the direction of the
misalignment. This movement causes the first pivot bracket 31A,
first mounting assembly (not shown) and first guide roller 33A to
move in the direction of the support member 55. This in turn causes
the first mounting assembly 13A (FIG. 1) to pivot around the first
pin 29A that extends through the first mounting assembly and angle
the shaft (not shown) and roller 8 toward the direction of the
misalignment. Angling of the shaft causes the second mounting
assembly 13B, second pivot bracket 31B and second guide roller 33B
to pivot toward the direction of the misalignment. By angling the
roller 8 into the direction of the misalignment, the guide roller
exerts a corrective force against the belt B thereby causing the
belt to travel to an aligned position.
[0033] Compared to conventional apparatus for aligning conveyor
belts, the apparatus 5 described above has at least several
advantages. By using a shaft 10 (FIG. 2) that is fixed in the axial
direction relative to the mounting assemblies 13A, 13B (FIG. 1),
the roller 8 is fixed and directly responds to movement of the
guide rollers 33A, 33B. This is in contrast to conventional
apparatus in which the roller (or rollers) may slip and loose
tracking effect as the belt may push the roller causing the roller
and shaft to move laterally. Eliminating axial sliding of the
roller reduces the chance of binding. Fixing the shaft in the axial
direction relative to the mounting assemblies also allows the
tie-rod to be eliminated thereby improving the reliability and
performance of the apparatus. The fixed relationship between the
shaft and the mounting assemblies also allows the ends of the shaft
to be supported closer to the roller. This decreases shaft
deflection under load which increases the bearing life of the
roller. The arm of the pivot bracket allows the contact force
between the belt and roller to be better absorbed so that the force
may be properly transmitted to the support member and conveyor
frame.
[0034] As used herein, the terms "about," "substantially,"
"essentially" and "approximately" when used in conjunction with
ranges of dimensions, concentrations, temperatures or other
physical or chemical properties or characteristics is meant to
cover variations that may exist in the upper and/or lower limits of
the ranges of the properties or characteristics, including, for
example, variations resulting from rounding, measurement
methodology or other statistical variation.
[0035] When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the
embodiment(s) thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the" and "said" are
intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The
terms "comprising," "including," "containing" and "having" are
intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional
elements other than the listed elements. The use of terms
indicating a particular orientation (e.g., "top", "bottom", "side",
etc.) is for convenience of description and does not require any
particular orientation of the item described.
[0036] As various changes could be made in the above constructions
and methods without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it
is intended that all matter contained in the above description and
shown in the accompanying drawing[s] shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
* * * * *