MXPA97001636A - Hermetic closure of crazy roller of conveyor belt - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an idler roller for use in belt conveyor systems, which includes: an external rotating hermetic element disposed at at least one end of said idler roller, said outer sealing element including at least one blade, being disposed at less said blade on the outside of said external hermetic element, where said at least one blade repels partculum

Description

HERMETIC CLOSURE OF CRAZY ROLLER OF CONVEYOR BELT.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to idler rollers and more specifically to hermetic closures used in idlers of conveyor belts. 2. Description of the Related Art Crazy rollers are commonly used in conveyor systems for handling bulk material, such as coal, sand, mechanical devices, and the like. However, idle rollers may be subject to premature roller failure. A cause of the idle roller failure is due to the failure of the bearings. The failure of the bearings can be attributed in many cases to that the seal of the idler roller allows contaminants to enter the bearing elements. Therefore, it is desirable to have a crazy roller with a crazy roller seal that can prevent the entry of contaminants into the bearing elements of the idle roller. COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION A crazy roller is provided for use in conveyor systems that includes an external rotating hermetic element disposed on at least one end of the idler roller, the outer sealing element including at least one blade. An airtight assembly is also provided for use in an idler roller including an external rotating hermetic element, the outer sealing element including a plurality of pallets. A conveyor system including a conveyor belt, and a idler roller, including the idler roller, is also provided with an external rotating hermetic element disposed on at least one end of the idler roller, the external sealing element having a plurality of sheets, wherein the element External hermetic is energized by the movement of the conveyor belt. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a partial sectional view of one end of a idler roller according to the present invention, as well as a conveyor belt disposed on the idler roller. Figure 2A is an end view of the hermetic assembly of the present invention and the shaft, and is partially cut away to show the internal components of the hermetic assembly. Figure 2B is a partial side view of the hermetic assembly and also represents the bearing assembly, and portions of an alternative embodiment of the central tube. Figure 3A is an end view of the adjusting nut. Figure 3B is a sectional view of the adjusting nut taken along the lines I-I of Figure 3A.

Figure 4A is an end view of the external hermetic element. Figure 4B is a sectional view of the external hermetic element taken along the lines II-II of Figure 4A. Figure 4C is a detailed view of a pallet taken along section III of figure 4B. Figure 4D is a sectional view of the vane of Figure 4C taken along lines IV-IV. Figure 5A is an end view of the contact element. Figure 5B is a sectional view of the contact element of Figure 5A. Figure 6A is an end view of the internal hermetic element. Figure 6B is a sectional view of the internal hermetic element taken along the lines E-E of Figure 6A. Figure 7 is an alternative embodiment of the adjusting nut. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to Figures 1 and 2, an idler roller 10 and a conveyor system according to the present invention are shown. The idler roller 10 includes an airtight assembly 11 which may include an adjusting nut or fastening assembly 12, an external seal 14, and a contact element or washer 16. The seal assembly 11 may include an internal seal 18. Preferably , the hermetic assembly 11 is disposed at both ends of the idler roller 10. The idler roller 10 also includes a shaft 20, a bearing assembly 22, a central tube 24, an outer shell 26, and side walls 28 disposed at each end. However, as is known in the art, a deep-drawn head can be used instead of using a central tube 24. The bearing assembly can be, for example, a tapered or ball bearing as used as standard in the industry. . A conveyor belt 30 can be disposed above the idler roller 10. With reference also to FIGS. 3A and 3B, an end and sectional view, respectively, of the adjusting nut 12 is shown. The adjusting nut 12 includes a first projection 39 having a step 40 contacting the external sealing element 14. The adjusting nut 12 also includes a second projection 42 contacting the contact element 16. The adjusting nut 12 is threaded 44 to receive the threads of the end of the shaft 20. When a typical shaft of 19.05 mm (three quarters of an inch) 20 is used, the adjusting nut 12 may be, for example, a hexagonal adjusting nut with a dimension 46 of 28.57 mm (1.125). inches), a dimension 48 of 25.4 mm (1 inch), a thread 44 of 0, 750-16UNF-2B in inches, and a length 50 of 28.57 mm (1,125 inches). The shoulder 42 can have a dimension of 11.50 mm (0.453 inches). The dimension 54 from the projection of the nut projection 56 to the base of the nut may be 24.61 mm (0.969 inch). The dimension 58 from the end of the thread to the base of the nut can be 15.87 mm (0.625 inch). The hexagonal longitudinal dimension 60 may be 7.13 mm (0.281 inch). The diameter 62 between the internal surface 64 of the adjusting nut 12 can be 1.93 mm (0.781 inch). The diameter 66 between the shoulders 42 can be 25.4 mm (1,000 inch). In addition, the diameter 68 between the projections 39 may be 28.57 mm (1.125 inch), articulated to the hexagonal flange of 28.57 mm (1.125 inch). Chamfers 70 may be provided in the base of the nut and may be chamfers 0.76 mm (0.03 inch) by 45 degrees. The dimension 72 of the length of the chamfer 70 can be 1.01 mm (0.04 inch). Referring now to Figures 4A-4D, a detailed view of the external sealing element 14 is shown. The external sealing member 14 includes a plurality of vanes or blades 80. In the illustrated embodiment, there are eight vanes 80 which may be spaced forty and Five Grades. However, a larger or smaller number of vanes can be used to deflect the particles from the contact element 16. The vanes 80 are preferably spaced apart at an equal distance. The outer sealing element 14 rotates around the adjusting nut 12. Preferably, there is sufficient clearance between the surfaces of the external sealing element 14 and the adjusting nut 12 so that the external sealing element 14 can rotate with the shaft 20. The sealing element outer 14 further includes a circular base region 82, a first circular projection 84 extending from one end of the circular base region 82, a first lip 86 extending radially inwardly from an opposite end of the circular base region 82, a second circular projection 88 disposed between the first circular projection 84 and the first lip 86, and a second lip 90 disposed radially inwardly on the opposite side of said second circular projection 88. With reference also to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lips 86 and 90, as well as the second circular projection 88, define a c-shaped cross-section to help maintain the contact element 16 in position. tion. In addition, the lip 86 defines a step 92 that cooperates with the step 40 of the adjusting nut 12 to help secure the outer sealing element 14 in position.

The diameters 94 and 96 between the first lip 86 and the second lip 90 can be, for example, 26.18 (1.031 inch) and 30.17 mm (1.188 inches), respectively. The diameters 98 and 100 between the inner surface and the outer surface of the projection 88 may be approximately 33.35 mm (1.313 inches) and 36.52 mm (1.438 inches), respectively. The diameters 102 and 104 between the inner surface and the outer surface of the projection 84 can be approximately 42.44 mm (1.671 inches) and 46.35 mm (1.825 inches), respectively. In addition, the diameter 106 between the inner sides of the blades 80 can be approximately 29.36 mm (1.156 inches). The dimension 108 between the upper part of the blade 80 and the end of the projection 84, measured along the longitudinal axis 109, may be 19.73 mm (0.777 inch). The dimension 110 between the edge of the blade 80 and the end of the protrusion 84, measured along the longitudinal axis 109, may be 17.47 mm (0.688 inch). The length 112 of the projection 84 can be 16.07 mm (0.633 inch). The dimensions 114 and 116 between each side of the lip 92 and the end of the projection 84, measured along the longitudinal axis 109, may be 14.47 mm (0.570 inch) and 12.90 mm (0.508 inch), respectively . The dimensions 118 and 120 between each side of the lip 90 and the end of the projection 84, measured along the longitudinal axis 109, may be 6.55 mm (0.258 inch) and 4.95 mm (0.195 inch), respectively. Preferably, a chamfer 122 is provided at the end of the projection 84. The chamfer 122 may have, for example, a length 124 of 1.19 mm (0.047 inch) and be at an angle 126 of fifteen degrees. Furthermore, preferably, the surface 128 of the projection 84 has an upward slope of two degrees, and the surface 130 of the projection 88 has a downward slope of two degrees, measured from the circular base region 82. Each of the vanes 80 can be inclined thirty degrees, as represented by the angle 136. The dimension 138, which represents the length of the blade at the circumferential ends of the outer hermetic element 14, may be 1,600 mm (0.063 inch). The upper surface 132 of the vane 80 is preferably at an angle 134 of fifteen degrees. The length 140, which represents the horizontal length from one end of the outer sealing element 14 to the vertex 141 of the angle 134 may be 23.67 mm (0.932 inch). With specific reference to FIGS. 4C and 4D, the portion of the blade 80 at the outer end (i.e., the portion closest to the central tube 24) of the outer sealing element 14 can have an angle 142 of 59.44 degrees and have a height 144 of 1,397 mm (0.055 inch). In addition, the portion of the blade 80 at the inner end (i.e., the portion closest to the axis 20) of the outer sealing element 14 can have an angle 146 of 81.65 degrees and have a height 148 of 3.657 mm (0.144 inch) ). The length of the blade 150 can be 8.483 mm (0. 334 inch). Referring now to Figure 5, an enlarged detail of the contact element or washer 16 of the present invention is shown. The contact element 16 provides a shield to help prevent contaminants from entering the bearing assembly 22. Preferably, the contact element 16 is a felt contact element, such as felt number 8234 manufactured by Felters Co. of Roebuck , South Carolina. When a felt contact element 16 is used, the external and internal diameters 160 and 162 may be, for example, 33.35 and 25.27 mm (1.313 and 0.995 inch), respectively. In addition, the width 164 of the felt contact element 16 can be 6.35 mm (0.250 inch). In addition, the adjusting nut 12, the external sealing element 14 and the internal sealing element 18 can be made of zinc-plated steel as is normally done in industry to avoid corrosion resistance, polyurethane, rubber, stainless steel, acetyl plastic, or any other appropriate material. Referring now to Figure 6, an enlarged detail of the internal or rear hermetic element 18 is shown. In a preferred embodiment, the internal hermetic element 18 is included as an optional feature, although its use is not necessary. The internal sealing element 18 contributes to retaining grease next to the bearing cavity 168. The internal sealing element 18 is preferably a curved shaped ring having generally straight first and second portions 170 and 172 and a curved portion 174 between the straight portions 170. and 172. The internal hermetic element 18 may be disposed about the axis 20. In addition, the first generally straight portion 170 may be housed against the central tube 24, as shown well in Figure 1. The region 176 of the central tube 24 near of the first generally straight portion 170 may be slightly indented toward the axis, and may thus rest partially on the first generally straight portion 170 to assist in holding the inner sealing element 18 in place, as depicted in Figure 1. Alternatively, it is it can use a projection 179 to help secure the internal hermetic element 18 in position, as shown in FIG. Figure 2B. In addition, the central tube 24 can have an additional step 17 in a region above where the internal sealing element 14 terminates, as shown in Figure 1. The indentations or steps 176 and 177 can facilitate the manufacture of the central tube 24. The internal sealing element 18 can have, for example, an external diameter 178 and an internal diameter 180 of 44.62 mm (1.757 inches) and 20.34 mm (0.801 inches), respectively. The internal hermetic element 18 can have a thickness 182 of 1.574 mm (0.062 inch) and a total width 184 of 7.92 mm (0.312 inch). The first generally straight portion 170 may have a vertical height 186 of 3.53 mm (0.139 inch) and may be at an angle 188 of twenty-five degrees. The curved portion 174 may have a radius of curvature of 1.57 mm (0.062 inch). In addition, a chamfer 190 may be provided at the ends of the internal sealing member 18 to assist in holding the internal sealing element 18. The chamfer may be 0.38 mm (0.015 inch) by forty-five degrees.

Referring now to Figure 7, an alternative embodiment of the adjusting nut 12 is shown. The adjusting nut is similar to the adjusting nut shown in Figure 3, except that an additional ring 200 of material is provided. different from that of the remaining portion of the adjusting nut. Preferably, the ring 200 is a step-shaped ring disposed in the region where the outer sealing element 14 rotates around the adjusting nut 12. Preferably, the ring 200 is made of polyurethane and the remainder of the adjusting nut is made steel with zinc plating to prevent corrosion resistance. Each of the steps 202 and 204 may be, for example, 6.35 mm (0.25 inch) in length and 1.01 mm (0.04 inch) in thickness. With reference again to Figure 1, the hermetic assembly 11 and specifically the external sealing element 14 is energized by the normal forward movement of the conveyor belt 30 disposed above the idler roller 10. The rotation imparted to the idler roller 10 by the belt conveyor 30 causes the idler roller 10 and, therefore, the external hermetic element 14 to rotate. The vanes 80 of the external sealing element 14 tend to repel contaminants or other particles that might otherwise enter the outer sealing element 14. As a result, the particles can be prevented from reaching the bearing assembly 22 and thus the premature failure of the bearing assembly 22. It should be recognized that, although the present invention has been described in relation to its preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art can develop a wide variation of the structural details without departing from the principles of the invention. Therefore, the appended claims are to be construed so as to cover all equivalents that fall within the true scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims (16)

1. CLAIMS 1. A crazy roller to be used in conveyor systems, which includes: an external rotating hermetic element disposed on at least one end of said idle roller, said external sealing element including at least one blade, said at least one being disposed blade on the outside of said external hermetic element; wherein said at least one blade repels particles. The invention of claim 1, wherein said external hermetic element includes a plurality of said blades, said blades being spaced at equal distance from one another. 3. The invention of claim 1, further comprising a contact element disposed between said outer sealing element and an axle in said idle roller. The invention of claim 3, further comprising a bearing assembly and a fastening assembly, said outer sealing element being disposed between one side of said bearing assembly and said fastening assembly. The invention of claim 4, wherein said fastening assembly is an adjustable nut having a polyurethane ring in a region where the external sealing element rotates around the adjusting nut. The invention of claim 4, further comprising an internal hermetic element disposed on an opposite side of said bearing assembly for retaining grease in a bearing cavity. The invention of claim 4, wherein said outer sealing element includes a circular base region, a first circular projection extending from one end of the circular base region, a first lip extending radially inwardly from one end "Opposite the circular base region, a second circular projection disposed between the first circular projection and the first lip, and a second lip disposed radially inwardly from an opposite side of said second circular projection. The invention of claim 1, wherein said first and second lips and said second circular protrusion define a c-shaped cross section to assist in holding said contact element in position. 9. An airtight assembly for use in an idler roller, including: an external rotating hermetic element, said external sealing element including a plurality of vanes, said plurality of vanes being arranged on the outside of said external hermetic element; wherein said plurality of vanes repels particles. The invention of claim 9, further comprising a contact element disposed between said outer sealing element and an axle in said idler roller. The invention of claim 10, further comprising a bearing assembly and an adjusting nut, said outer sealing element being disposed between a side of said bearing assembly and said adjusting nut. The invention of claim 11, wherein said adjustable nut has a polyurethane ring in a region where the external sealing element rotates around the adjusting nut. The invention of claim 11, further comprising an internal hermetic element disposed on an opposite side of said bearing assembly for retaining grease in a bearing cavity. 14. A conveyor system that includes: a conveyor belt; and a idler roller, said idler roller including an external rotatable seal member disposed on at least one end of said idler roller, said outer seal element having a plurality of blades; wherein said external hermetic element is energized by the movement of said conveyor belt and where said blades repel particles. The invention of claim 14, further including a contact element disposed between said outer sealing element and an axle in said idle roller. The invention of claim 15, further comprising a bearing assembly and a fastening assembly, said outer sealing element being disposed between one side of said bearing assembly and said fastening assembly.