GB386388A - Improvements in conveyor systems and means for driving the same - Google Patents

Abstract

386,388. Endless-chain conveyers. TRIGGS, W. W., 57, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London.-(Webb, J. B. ; 1624, Woodsboro Drive, Royal Oak, Michigan, U.S.A.) Nov. 11, 1931, No. 31282. [Class 78 (i).] A long conveyer is driven by a number of driving units situated at intervals along its length, some of said units including compensating means responsive to an increase in the load placed upon it beyond a predetermined amount to check its driving effect. The chain 11, Fig. 10, has a master driving unit M, and auxiliary driving units A1, A2, A3, each of which includes an endless driving chain 12. The units A1, A2, A3 are provided with the compensating device, and in them the driving mechanism is carried by a movable frame 17 which is slidably mounted in a fixed frame 15 and normally is urged towards one end of this frame by springs 42. The driving sprocket 14 is fixed to a gear 32, Fig. 2, rotatably mounted on a shaft 33 secured in the frame 17. The gear 32 engages a gear 31 on a shaft 30 which is connected by bevel gears 29, 28 to the shaft 26 of reducing gear 25 mounted on a base 23 in the frame. The other shaft of the gear 25 is connected by a flexible coupling 50 to the shaft 51 of a variable-speed driving device which consists of two pairs of opposed cone pulleys 52, 53, and a connecting belt 54, Fig. 1, provided with means whereby one member of each pair may be shifted axially relatively to its co-operating member. The movable pulley of each pair is secured to a lever 55 which is pivoted at 56 in the supporting frame 57, and carries a nut 58 in engagement with a threaded shaft 59. This shaft is connected by bevel gears to a shaft 64 provided with a hand-wheel 69 and carrying a pinion 65 which can be engaged at will with a rack 66 fixed to the frame 15. The input shaft 73 of the variable-speed gear is driven through chain. and-sprocket gearing by a motor 75. The pinion 65 is moved out of engagement with the rack 66, and the hand-wheel 69 is turned to produce the desired adjustment. The pinion 65 is then engaged again with the rack. If too heavy a load is placed on one of the units, its frame 17 will yield against the action of the springs 42, and the frame will move to the left, Fig. 1. This movement will cause the pinion 65 to roll on the rack 66, and the consequent rotation of the shaft 64 will cause an adjustment of the variable-speed gear to reduce the speed of the chain 12. In a modification the movement of the frame 17 is used to actuate a limit switch controlling the motor 75.