GB2077683A - Guide element for centring a conveyor belt - Google Patents
Guide element for centring a conveyor belt Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2077683A GB2077683A GB8117298A GB8117298A GB2077683A GB 2077683 A GB2077683 A GB 2077683A GB 8117298 A GB8117298 A GB 8117298A GB 8117298 A GB8117298 A GB 8117298A GB 2077683 A GB2077683 A GB 2077683A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- belt
- guide element
- speed
- central portion
- conveyor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G39/00—Rollers, e.g. drive rollers, or arrangements thereof incorporated in roller-ways or other types of mechanical conveyors
- B65G39/10—Arrangements of rollers
- B65G39/12—Arrangements of rollers mounted on framework
- B65G39/16—Arrangements of rollers mounted on framework for aligning belts or chains
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Structure Of Belt Conveyors (AREA)
Abstract
An endless-belt conveyor system include a cylindrical or part-cylindrical guide element at one end of a run of the belt. The guide element includes a plain central portion 14 of a length slightly greater than the belt width and outwardly diverging portions 15 e.g. of frustoconical from, at each end of the central portion to centre the belt on the central portion 14. The arrangement is such that a speed differential exists of e.g. 10ft/mt or less betwen the belt and the guide element, say by having the guide element stationary, and the belt has a low friction coating catering for belt slippage. When the slipping belt wanders on the guide element, reaction of the belt with a diverging end portion causes the belt to hold position on the central portion 14. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Improvements in endless-belt conveyor apparatus
This invention relates to endless belt conveyor apparatus particularly but not exclusively for use in material treatment apparatus, for example, vacuum band drying apparatus for drying foodstuffs and other purposes.
The endless conveyor belts generally used in the above apparatus are of a substantially non-elastic nature and it is not acceptable to apply excess tension to the belt since otherwise belt life would be unduly limited. There resulted in prior conveyor apparatus utilising this type of belt, tracking problems using conventional tracking devices such as spiral rollers, oscillating guide rollers, mechanical trackers etc., which resulted in creasing and edge damage to the belt. It is the principal object of the present invention to maintain tracking of the belt and thereby preclude or mitigate creasing of the belt during its run over the driving and guide rollers of the apparatus.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a conveyor apparatus including a guide element for a conveyor belt having a central portion with an arcuate bearing surface for the belt, and diverging end portions serving for centering of the conveyor belt on the central portion.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided material treatment apparatus comprising a treatment housing and an endless belt conveyor system for conveying material to be treated through the housing, the endless belt being trained around end guide elements, one of said elements comprising a central portion having an arcuate belt bearing surface of a length at least equal to the width of the belt and outwardly diverging end portions at each end of the central portion, for centering of the belt on the central portion.
Preferably means are provided to cause the peripheral speed of the guide element to differ from the speed of the conveyor belt so that during operation slippage occurs between the belt and the guide element. In a preferred embodiment the guide element is non-rotatable.
By means of the present invention, if the conveyor belt should wander to the side on the guide element, the belt will engage a diverging side portion of the guide element and this will cause increased tension: so that with a belt of non-stretch nature this causes the belt to maintain position on the central portion of the element.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a sectional side view of a multi-band vacuum drier embodying the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a plan view of the tensioned end guide element of the drier of Fig.
1;
Figure 3 shows the element of Fig. 2 to a larger scale;
Figure 4 shows an end view of the drive roller end of the drier of Fig. 1;
Figure 5 shows a side view of a further endless belt conveyor system embodying the present invention;
Figure 6 shows a sectional end view of a different form of guide element, and
Figures 7 and 8 show different formed ends of the guide element.
Referring to Fig. 1, vacuum band drying apparatus 1 for foodstuffs and other materials comprises a vacuum drying chamber 2 through which passes a vertical array of parallel horizontally-extending endless belt conveyors 3 serving to pass material to be dried through the drying chamber 2, the belt being of a substantially non-elastic nature. An axial series of plate-form heaters 4 are located below the upper run 3a of each belt 3 with the heater engaging the lower surface of the run 3a so that heat passes upwards through the belt 3 to dry the material.
Material is delivered through an inlet (not shown) at end 6 and discharges via outlet 7 at end 8. Each endless belt is driven by a driving roller 5 at the discharge end 8 of the run 3, and the particular drying process requires that the belt translational speed is very low, for example, in the order of 1-2ft/mt.
and certainly well less than lOft/mt. Each endless conveyor belt 3 is trained around a cylindrical guide element (roller) 9 at the inlet end 6. This invention also caters for misalignments on such items as drive rollers 5, guide elements 9 as well as any undulations or misalignments on the plate form heaters 4.
Particularly referring to Figs. 2 and 3 the guide element 9 comprises a non-rotatable rod having pins 10 axially movable in guides 11 with springs 1 2 serving for belt tension; check plates 1 3 secured to the rod engage the guide to prevent rod rotation. The rod 9 includes a cylindrical central portion 14 on which the belt bears and diverging end portions 1 5 of frusto-conical form for centering of the belt on the portion 14, portion 14 having a length slightly greater than the width of the belt.The end portions 1 5 can have a length of 1 < ins. (3.81 cm) to 2 ins. (5.08 cm), and a diverging angle a relative to the central portion of approximately 10, although other angles are of course possible and a may be in range 5"-90", the larger angles being particularly suited for thicker belts e.g. 4 mm. and thicker. The rod 9 can be made of steel (e.g.
stainless steel), or may be a metal rod, with either a coating of plastics (e.g. P.T.F.E.) or a glass coating.
'The belt 3 is provided with a low friction surface on at least the surface engaging the rod 9, and can comprise a woven or nonwoven fabric bek of glass, Kevlar (RTM) or other high tensile fibres; alternatively woven wire or metal belt suitably coated with Polyte trafluoroethylene. A metal belt may be possible. In any event, the construction and material of the belt will depend on operational conditions and the material handled.
The belt 3 preferably has a reinforcing layer at each edge (of say 1 in. (2.54 cm) width) particularly when using the lighter gauge belt materials.
The belt 3 can be of any suitable thickness, and in particular may be relatively thin for example less than 0.040 ins. (t.O mm) and a belt 0.010 ins. (0.25 mm) could be used, but thicker belts are of course possible e.g. 0.16 ins. (4 mm). It has been found preferable in practice to maintain as low a belt tension as is practically possible to provide reasonable belt life, but the end rod form 1 5 and the belt slippage characteristic adequately counters belt wander which can arise in particular operating conditions.
Each driving roller 5 is driven through a drive mechanism generally indicated at 1 6 (Fig. 4), and is given a coating or lining to encourage grip with the P.T.F.E. coated belt 3. In particular, the roller is given a coating of natural or synthetic rubber and the rubber coating is selected to suit the particular operational conditions or environment.Thus, the following features should be considered in the choice of material;
(a) The low coefficient of friction of the surface of the belt means that for driving purposes shore hardness must be suitable to grip and drive the belt-the shore hardness could be between 30-60"; (b) The material must be suitable for process conditions within the dryer e.g. must
retain its shore hardness without hardening out say due to elevated temperature;
(c) Material must be unaffected by the
influence of say vegetable fats in products allied to temperature;
(d) Material must be able to retain resili
ence under the wide variety of operating con
ditions (such as HYPALON RTM).
It should be borne in mind that environ
mental temperatures may reach 140 or more
and with some materials this could mean
embrittlement and increase in hardness. The
coating should remain reasonably soft to
maintain its grip with the P.T.F.E. belt. Sili
cone rubber or any of a wide range of rubber
coverings to withstand this temperature of up
to 250"C or down to sub-zero in cryogenic
apparatus may be employed.
Instead of a full cylindrical rod it would be
possible to employ a half cylindrical static rod
9 as shown in Fig. 6. An anti-static device 18 can be located in the half-cylindrical rod to preclude build up of static electricity in the belt which is very possible due to the frictional conditions existing between the belt and the rod. Also the rod could include belt cleaning means.
Alternatively the belt can be supplied in the anti-static form and the rubber coating on the drive roller could also be supplied in the anti static form.
In conveyor applications where the belt translational speed is increased markedly i.e., well above the above-mentioned 10 ft/mt, to avoid excessive wear in the belt and in the rod 9 it will be preferable for the static guide rod 9 to be substituted by a similar rod driven at- a suitable speed from that of the driving roller. Normally the rod 9 will be driven to give a peripheral speed less than belt-translational speed (giving a speed differential of say
10% or less), but it would be possible for the rod to be driven at a speed greater than the belt. Again there will be slip between the rod and the belt but again if the belt wanders the reaction between the slipping belt and the end portion of the rod causes the belt to hold position on the central portion of the element.
Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment comprising an endless-conveyor belt system using a plurality of the above guide rods 9, together with rubber covered drive rollers 5 and adjusting and weighting rollers 20. The rods 9 in
Fig. 5 may be stationary but could also be driven.
Where the rod is driven the ends of the rod are mounted in bearings and the rod is rotated by a belt or chain drive from the driving roller such that speed is less than (or greater than) the driving roller.
As an alternative, a separate drive could be provided for the guide rods 9. By-virtue of the driven rods 9 in these further embodiments, wear in the belt and the rod can be kept at a reasonably low level regardless of the chosen speed of the belt. Generally the belt/rod speed differential should be kept as low as
possible to reduce belt wear while maintaining satisfactory operation of the conveyor system.
The rotating rod on some applications will
be self cleaning and can be fitted with scraper
device.
It will be understood that modifications are
possible in the above embodiments. For exam
ple, the end portion 1 5 could be of a different form than frusto-conical.
Figs. 7 and 8 show alternative forms of
portions 15, and it will be appreciated that the term "diverging" used for this part covers
a wide variety of forms.
CLAIMS
1. A conveyor apparatus including a guide
element for a conveyor belt having a central
portion with an arcuate bearing surface for the
belt, and diverging end portions serving for centering of the conveyor belt on the central portion.
2. Material treatment apparatus comprising a treatment housing and an endless belt conveyor system for conveying material to be treated through the housing, the endless belt being trained around end guide elements, one of said elements comprising a central portion having an arcuate belt bearing surface of a length at least equal to the width of the belt and outwardly diverging end portions at each end of the central portion, for centering of the belt on the central portion.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the arcuate surface is a cylindrical or part-cylindrical surface.
4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein means are provided to cause the peripheral speed of the guide element to differ from the speed of the conveyor belt so that during operation slippage occurs between the belt and the guide element.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said speed differential means causes a difference of speed between the belt and the guide element of less than 10 ft/mt.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the peripheral speed of the guide element is less than the speed of the belt.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein the peripheral speed of the guide element is greater than the speed of the belt.
8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the guide element is non-rotatable.
9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the guide element is rotatable, and drive means are provided for the guide element.
1 0. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the angle of divergence of the end portions relative to the central portion is less than 25 .
11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the angle of divergency is approximately 10 .
1 2. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each diverging portion comprises a straight tapering surface.
1 3. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein each diverging portion comprises a concave arcuate surface.
1 4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each diverging portion has a length of not less than 1 ins.
(2.54cm).
1 5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide element is associated with belt tensioning means.
1 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the guide element is of part-cylindrical form and anti-static means are provided within the element to preclude build-up of static electricity in the belt.
1 7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide element includes a portion serving as a belt cleaner.
1 8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the belt has a low-friction surface on at least the side engaging the guide element.
1 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the belt comprises a belt of synthetic resinous material.
20. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the belt has a thickness of less than .050 ins (1.27 mm) and preferably less than .015 ins (0.38 mm).
21. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the belt includes reinforcement at the edges.
22. Apparatus as claimed in aiiy one of the preceding claims, wherein the belt is driven by a drive roller, said drive roller having an outer drive surface ;i: friction material.
23. Conveyor apparatus as claimed in claim 1. including a plurality ot guide or drive rollers two or more of which rollers each comprise said guide element having a central portion and diverging end portions.
24. An endless belt conveyor system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
25. Material treatment apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
CLAIMS (24Aug 1981)
1. A conveyor apparatus including a guide element for 3 conveyor belt having a central portion with an arcuate bearing surface for the belt, and diverging end portions serving for centering of the conveyor belt on the central portion, and speed differential means to cause the peripheral speed of the guide element to differ from the speed of the conveyor belt so that during operation slippage occurs between the belt and the guide element.
2. Material treatment apparatus comprising a treatment housing and an endless belt conveyor system for conveying material to be treated through the housing, the endless belt being trained around end guide elements, one of said elements comprising a central portion having an arcuate belt bearing surface of a length at least equal to the width of the belt and outwardly diverging end portions at each end of the central portion, for centering of the belt on the central portion, and speed differential means to cause the peripheral speed of the guide element to differ from the speed of the conveyor belt so that during operation slippage occurs between the belt and the guide element.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the arcuate surface is a cylindrical or
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.
Claims (9)
- **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.centering of the conveyor belt on the central portion.
- 2. Material treatment apparatus comprising a treatment housing and an endless belt conveyor system for conveying material to be treated through the housing, the endless belt being trained around end guide elements, one of said elements comprising a central portion having an arcuate belt bearing surface of a length at least equal to the width of the belt and outwardly diverging end portions at each end of the central portion, for centering of the belt on the central portion.
- 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the arcuate surface is a cylindrical or part-cylindrical surface.
- 4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein means are provided to cause the peripheral speed of the guide element to differ from the speed of the conveyor belt so that during operation slippage occurs between the belt and the guide element.
- 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said speed differential means causes a difference of speed between the belt and the guide element of less than 10 ft/mt.
- 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the peripheral speed of the guide element is less than the speed of the belt.
- 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein the peripheral speed of the guide element is greater than the speed of the belt.
- 8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the guide element is rotatable, and drive means are provided for the guide element.8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the guide element is non-rotatable.9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the guide element is rotatable, and drive means are provided for the guide element.1 0. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the angle of divergence of the end portions relative to the central portion is less than 25 .11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the angle of divergency is approximately 10 .1 2. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each diverging portion comprises a straight tapering surface.1 3. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein each diverging portion comprises a concave arcuate surface.1 4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each diverging portion has a length of not less than 1 ins.(2.54cm).1 5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide element is associated with belt tensioning means.1 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the guide element is of part-cylindrical form and anti-static means are provided within the element to preclude build-up of static electricity in the belt.1 7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide element includes a portion serving as a belt cleaner.1 8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the belt has a low-friction surface on at least the side engaging the guide element.1
- 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the belt comprises a belt of synthetic resinous material.20. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the belt has a thickness of less than .050 ins (1.27 mm) and preferably less than .015 ins (0.38 mm).21. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the belt includes reinforcement at the edges.22. Apparatus as claimed in aiiy one of the preceding claims, wherein the belt is driven by a drive roller, said drive roller having an outer drive surface ;i: friction material.23. Conveyor apparatus as claimed in claim 1. including a plurality ot guide or drive rollers two or more of which rollers each comprise said guide element having a central portion and diverging end portions.24. An endless belt conveyor system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.25. Material treatment apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.CLAIMS (24Aug 1981)1. A conveyor apparatus including a guide element for 3 conveyor belt having a central portion with an arcuate bearing surface for the belt, and diverging end portions serving for centering of the conveyor belt on the central portion, and speed differential means to cause the peripheral speed of the guide element to differ from the speed of the conveyor belt so that during operation slippage occurs between the belt and the guide element.2. Material treatment apparatus comprising a treatment housing and an endless belt conveyor system for conveying material to be treated through the housing, the endless belt being trained around end guide elements, one of said elements comprising a central portion having an arcuate belt bearing surface of a length at least equal to the width of the belt and outwardly diverging end portions at each end of the central portion, for centering of the belt on the central portion, and speed differential means to cause the peripheral speed of the guide element to differ from the speed of the conveyor belt so that during operation slippage occurs between the belt and the guide element.3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the arcuate surface is a cylindrical orpart-cylindrical surface.4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said speed differential means causes a difference of speed between the belt and the guide element of less than 10 ft/mt.5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the peripheral speed of the guide element is less than the speed of the belt.6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the peripheral speed of the guide element is greater than the speed of the belt.7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the guide element is non-rotatable.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8117298A GB2077683B (en) | 1980-06-13 | 1981-06-05 | Guide element for centring a conveyor belt |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8019398 | 1980-06-13 | ||
| GB8117298A GB2077683B (en) | 1980-06-13 | 1981-06-05 | Guide element for centring a conveyor belt |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2077683A true GB2077683A (en) | 1981-12-23 |
| GB2077683B GB2077683B (en) | 1984-06-27 |
Family
ID=26275855
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8117298A Expired GB2077683B (en) | 1980-06-13 | 1981-06-05 | Guide element for centring a conveyor belt |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2077683B (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2150904A (en) * | 1983-12-07 | 1985-07-10 | Dowty Meco Ltd | Conveyor belt edge deflector |
| WO2013110175A1 (en) * | 2012-01-23 | 2013-08-01 | Frank Ivan | Guide roller for centering conveyor belts |
-
1981
- 1981-06-05 GB GB8117298A patent/GB2077683B/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2150904A (en) * | 1983-12-07 | 1985-07-10 | Dowty Meco Ltd | Conveyor belt edge deflector |
| WO2013110175A1 (en) * | 2012-01-23 | 2013-08-01 | Frank Ivan | Guide roller for centering conveyor belts |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2077683B (en) | 1984-06-27 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |