WO2001028896A1 - Endless belt made from fibre-reinforced plastics material - Google Patents

Endless belt made from fibre-reinforced plastics material Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001028896A1
WO2001028896A1 PCT/NL2000/000748 NL0000748W WO0128896A1 WO 2001028896 A1 WO2001028896 A1 WO 2001028896A1 NL 0000748 W NL0000748 W NL 0000748W WO 0128896 A1 WO0128896 A1 WO 0128896A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
belt
fibres
fibre
oriented
plastics
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NL2000/000748
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Karst Jan Van Weperen
Norbertus Franciscus Jacobus Elemans
Thomas Maria Jonkers
Original Assignee
Stork Screens B.V.
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Stork Screens B.V. filed Critical Stork Screens B.V.
Priority to AU13109/01A priority Critical patent/AU1310901A/en
Publication of WO2001028896A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001028896A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B5/00—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
    • B32B5/02—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by structural features of a fibrous or filamentary layer
    • B32B5/12—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by structural features of a fibrous or filamentary layer characterised by the relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of different layers, e.g. the fibres or filaments being parallel or perpendicular to each other
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B5/00—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
    • B32B5/02—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by structural features of a fibrous or filamentary layer
    • B32B5/08—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by structural features of a fibrous or filamentary layer the fibres or filaments of a layer being of different substances, e.g. conjugate fibres, mixture of different fibres
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B3/00—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar form; Layered products having particular features of form
    • B32B3/26—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar form; Layered products having particular features of form characterised by a particular shape of the outline of the cross-section of a continuous layer; characterised by a layer with cavities or internal voids ; characterised by an apertured layer
    • B32B3/266—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar form; Layered products having particular features of form characterised by a particular shape of the outline of the cross-section of a continuous layer; characterised by a layer with cavities or internal voids ; characterised by an apertured layer characterised by an apertured layer, the apertures going through the whole thickness of the layer, e.g. expanded metal, perforated layer, slit layer regular cells B32B3/12
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B5/00—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
    • B32B5/22—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed
    • B32B5/24—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer
    • B32B5/26—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer another layer next to it also being fibrous or filamentary
    • 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
    • B65G15/00—Conveyors having endless load-conveying surfaces, i.e. belts and like continuous members, to which tractive effort is transmitted by means other than endless driving elements of similar configuration
    • B65G15/30—Belts or like endless load-carriers
    • B65G15/32—Belts or like endless load-carriers made of rubber or plastics
    • B65G15/34—Belts or like endless load-carriers made of rubber or plastics with reinforcing layers, e.g. of fabric
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16G—BELTS, CABLES, OR ROPES, PREDOMINANTLY USED FOR DRIVING PURPOSES; CHAINS; FITTINGS PREDOMINANTLY USED THEREFOR
    • F16G1/00—Driving-belts
    • F16G1/14—Driving-belts made of plastics
    • F16G1/16—Driving-belts made of plastics with reinforcement bonded by the plastic material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2262/00—Composition or structural features of fibres which form a fibrous or filamentary layer or are present as additives
    • B32B2262/10—Inorganic fibres
    • B32B2262/106—Carbon fibres, e.g. graphite fibres
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2305/00—Condition, form or state of the layers or laminate
    • B32B2305/02—Cellular or porous
    • B32B2305/026—Porous
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2305/00—Condition, form or state of the layers or laminate
    • B32B2305/08—Reinforcements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2433/00—Closed loop articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2433/00—Closed loop articles
    • B32B2433/02—Conveyor belts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2433/00—Closed loop articles
    • B32B2433/04—Driving belts
    • 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
    • B65G2201/00—Indexing codes relating to handling devices, e.g. conveyors, characterised by the type of product or load being conveyed or handled
    • B65G2201/02—Articles
    • 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
    • B65G2201/00—Indexing codes relating to handling devices, e.g. conveyors, characterised by the type of product or load being conveyed or handled
    • B65G2201/06—Articles and bulk

Definitions

  • Endless belt made from fibre-reinforced plastics material
  • the invention relates to an endless belt, in particular for use as a conveyor belt or drive belt, made from fibre-reinforced plastics.
  • Various materials including metals, are used for endless material in the form of a belt. It is known that a conveyor belt made from nickel is used in the tobacco industry. Nickel belts are also used in photocopying devices. Another application of metal belts involves the transmission of forces, for example in a pulley system.
  • metals such as nickel or stainless steel
  • belt material imposes restrictions related to the mechanical and/or chemical properties of these materials. If the maximum tensile strength is exceeded, the belt breaks, while if the elastic yield point is exceeded the belt is permanently deformed. At high temperatures, sulphur-containing nickel may cause a belt produced from this material to become brittle. Temperature changes and constant rotation, that is to say bending, about drive rollers, guide rollers and return pulleys, may cause fatigue phenomena.
  • conveyor belts made from plastics are known, for example for cash registers and the like, which are in many cases produced from a finite support fabric to which a layer of plastics is applied. The ends of this composite are then attached to one another, for example by sewing.
  • a backing layer for a sanding belt which backing layer may be made from a plastics layer containing carbon fibres, the fibre content typically being in the range from 1-60% by weight (Note that 60% by weight corresponds to 50% by volume, if it is assumed that epoxy is used as the plastics matrix), but most preferably in the range from 15-30% by weight.
  • the fibres may optionally be oriented. It is preferable to use a mat or web of fibres.
  • the object of the invention is to provide an endless belt which is less afflicted, or is not afflicted at all, with the drawbacks described above.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a thin, endless belt, in particular a conveyor belt or drive belt, which has a high strength and rigidity and a small bending radius, so that the belt can be guided over guide rollers and the like of small diameter.
  • the fibres are oriented at an angle ⁇ in the range of -25° to +25° with respect to the circumferential direction of the belt, and the fibre content is at least 55% by volume.
  • Fibres may be added in the form of so-called short fibres ("chopped fibres") , as long fibres which are distributed arbitrarily in the plastic and as unidirectional fibres.
  • short fibres chopped fibres
  • unidirectional fibres imparts the maximum rigidity.
  • layers containing unidirectional fibres allows the highest fibre content, and consequently the highest modulus of elasticity can be achieved.
  • Cf. for example a fibre content of 63% by volume for a unidirectional carbon fibre in epoxy resin, compared to a fibre content of approximately 35% by volume for a nonwoven in epoxy resin.
  • the fibre content has to be at least 55% by volume in order to achieve the desired strength and rigidity.
  • a single plastics layer containing unidirectional fibres has anisotropic elastic properties which, according to the invention, are used to limit deformation occurring in the direction of the most significant load.
  • the fibres are carbon fibres, since they have a relatively high maximum permissible elasticity of 1.5%, combined with a high strength and rigidity. If this is exceeded, the carbon fibres break. By contrast, high-strength steel has a maximum permissible elasticity of 0.5%. Plastic deformation occurs above this level.
  • the belt according to the invention it is possible for the belt according to the invention to be bent around guides, such as rollers, which have a small radius.
  • the low coefficient of thermal expansion of carbon fibres which is virtually zero (-1.10 "6 to +1.10 ⁇ 6 /°K) allows the belt according to the invention to be used at elevated temperatures without the belt expanding significantly.
  • the matrix material of the plastics layer will be selected as a function of the intended application.
  • the matrix material used is less critical compared to the contribution of the fibres.
  • Thermoplastics for example polyester, and thermosetting plastics, for example epoxy, as well as elastomers, such as rubber, may be considered.
  • heat-resistant matrix materials include, inter alia, polyether ether ketone (PEEK) , polyimide (PI) , polyetherimide (PEI) , polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) and, to a slightly lesser extent, epoxy resin.
  • PEEK polyether ether ketone
  • PI polyimide
  • PEI polyetherimide
  • PPS polyphenylene sulphide
  • epoxy resin epoxy resin
  • carbon/epoxy has the advantage of an excellent cost price to rigidity ratio. The rigidity of this combination is almost twice as great as that of kevlar/epoxy and three times as great as that of glass/epoxy.
  • carbon/polyimide and graphite/epoxy have a higher rigidity, they are relatively expensive.
  • the single- layer materials are commercially available.
  • the belt according to the invention may also contain other customary additives, such as lubricants, fillers, pigments and the like.
  • the belt according to the invention may be produced, for example, by lamination, the fibres being embedded in an oriented manner in a resin, and then the ends of a strip of the desired length being joined to one another.
  • the belt according to the invention is preferably seamless, so that there is no need to take additional measures in order to produce the belt according to the invention from a finite strip of material.
  • a suitable production method is that of winding around a mould.
  • a suitable method for producing the belt is described, for example, in US-A-5 071 506. In this known method for producing tubular- bodies, fibre-reinforced plastics material is arranged on an inner mould which has an inflatable bellows. Then, this mould is placed into a single-part outer mould.
  • the fibre-reinforced plastics material is pressed against the wall of the outer mould and is then cured.
  • This method is particularly suitable for producing belts according to the invention of short length, since otherwise the diameters of the moulds used and the dimensions of the furnace used for curing would have to be too large to be of practical use .
  • the belt according to the invention preferably comprises a further plastics layer having fibres which are oriented in one direction, the following relationship applying to the angle ⁇ of the direction of these fibres with respect to the circumferential direction of the belt: 0 ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 90°.
  • the direction of the fibres will be selected as a function of the additional load(s) which will occur when the belt is in use.
  • the angle ⁇ is equal to - ⁇ (if ⁇ is not 0) of the unidirectional carbon fibres, in order to reduce the shear forces occurring.
  • the belt according to the invention may comprise a further plastic layer containing arbitrarily oriented fibres.
  • the total thickness of the belt is advantageously in the range from 40-1000 micrometers, more preferably in the range from 100 to 300 micrometers.
  • a low thickness of this nature interalia allows the belt to be provided with openings in a relatively simple way, for example using high-energy radiation, for example from a laser, by stamping and by punching. Openings of this nature may be of any desired shape, for example round, oval or diamond-shaped.
  • the open surface area of a belt provided with openings is preferably in the range from 10-70%.
  • the open surface area is greater than 70%, the mechanical properties are adversely affected, while an open surface area of less than 10% offers scarcely any advantages compared to a belt with a closed surface, for example with regard to the accessibility offered to the products on the belt for a treatment medium, for example hot air, steam, etc.
  • the ratio of the total thickness of the belt to the radius of the smallest guide over which the belt can be guided in use is advantageously less than 0.03. In fact, this relationship determines the minimum radius of the smallest guide, such as a drive roller, over which a belt according to the invention of a given thickness can be guided without breaking.
  • the ratio L/B is more than 0.5.
  • the belt according to the invention may be provided with one or more additional surface layers which do not contain any fibres and have desired properties, in particular plastics layers, on the top and/or bottom side of the belt.
  • desired properties include, inter alia, reduced friction (PTFE) , wear resistance, scratch resistance, hydrophobicity and strength.
  • the invention also relates to an assembly of a belt according to the invention and at least two guides which can rotate about an axis, such as drive rollers, guide rollers and return pulleys.
  • the invention also relates to a conveyor belt made from fibre- reinforced plastics which comprises at least one plastics layer containing unidirectional carbon fibres, with a carbon content of at least 55% by volume, the carbon fibres being oriented at an angle ⁇ in the range of -25° to +25° with respect to the circumferential direction of the conveyor belt.
  • the invention relates to a drive belt made from fibre-reinforced plastics which comprises at least one plastics layer containing unidirectional carbon fibres, with a fibre content of at least 55% by volume, the carbon fibres being oriented at an angle ⁇ in the range of -25° to +25° with respect to the circumferential direction of the drive belt.
  • Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an assembly according to the invention
  • Fig. 2 shows a diagrammatic view of a plastics layer which is reinforced with carbon fibres with an oriented direction of the fibres;
  • Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of a plastics layer which is reinforced with carbon fibres and has an additional layer
  • Fig. 4 shows yet another embodiment of a plastics layer which is reinforced with carbon fibres having an additional layer.
  • Fig. 1 shows a seamless epoxy belt 10 which is reinforced with carbon fibres according to the invention and can move over a driven drive roller 12 and a deflecting roller 14, in the direction indicated by the arrows.
  • the length of the circumference of the belt 10 is denoted by L, while the width is indicated by B.
  • L The length of the circumference of the belt 10
  • B the width
  • d tot cf. Fig. 3
  • Continuous openings 18 may be provided in the surface 16 of the belt 10.
  • a wear- resistant surface layer 28 is provided on the underside of the plastics layer 20, which layer 28 consists of plastics without fibres.
  • the belt according to the invention can be used as a conveyor belt for conveying products which, if desired, can be treated while they are being conveyed, for example with hot air or steam, and as a drive belt.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Belt Conveyors (AREA)

Abstract

An endless belt (10), in particular for use as a conveyor belt or drive belt, made from fibre-reinforced plastics comprises, according to the invention, at least one plastics layer (20) containing unidirectional carbon fibres (22), with a fibre content of at least 55 % by volume, which fibres (22) are oriented at an angle β in the range of -25° to +25° with respect to the circumferential direction of the belt (10). The carbon fibres (22) provide a relatively high rigidity, chemical inertia and an abitity to withstand heat compared to metal and plastics belts according to the prior art.

Description

Endless belt made from fibre-reinforced plastics material
The invention relates to an endless belt, in particular for use as a conveyor belt or drive belt, made from fibre-reinforced plastics.
Various materials, including metals, are used for endless material in the form of a belt. It is known that a conveyor belt made from nickel is used in the tobacco industry. Nickel belts are also used in photocopying devices. Another application of metal belts involves the transmission of forces, for example in a pulley system.
However, the use of metals, such as nickel or stainless steel, as belt material imposes restrictions related to the mechanical and/or chemical properties of these materials. If the maximum tensile strength is exceeded, the belt breaks, while if the elastic yield point is exceeded the belt is permanently deformed. At high temperatures, sulphur-containing nickel may cause a belt produced from this material to become brittle. Temperature changes and constant rotation, that is to say bending, about drive rollers, guide rollers and return pulleys, may cause fatigue phenomena.
Furthermore, conveyor belts made from plastics are known, for example for cash registers and the like, which are in many cases produced from a finite support fabric to which a layer of plastics is applied. The ends of this composite are then attached to one another, for example by sewing.
American patent US-A-5 573 619 has disclosed a backing layer for a sanding belt, which backing layer may be made from a plastics layer containing carbon fibres, the fibre content typically being in the range from 1-60% by weight (Note that 60% by weight corresponds to 50% by volume, if it is assumed that epoxy is used as the plastics matrix), but most preferably in the range from 15-30% by weight. The fibres may optionally be oriented. It is preferable to use a mat or web of fibres.
The object of the invention is to provide an endless belt which is less afflicted, or is not afflicted at all, with the drawbacks described above. In particular, the object of the invention is to provide a thin, endless belt, in particular a conveyor belt or drive belt, which has a high strength and rigidity and a small bending radius, so that the belt can be guided over guide rollers and the like of small diameter.
In the endless belt made from fibre-reinforced plastics material which comprises at least one plastic layer containing unidirectional carbon fibres, according to the invention the fibres are oriented at an angle β in the range of -25° to +25° with respect to the circumferential direction of the belt, and the fibre content is at least 55% by volume.
A single layer of plastics with oriented fibres, also known as unidirectional fibres, incorporated therein has anisotropic properties, i.e. the properties depend on the direction in which the load is acting. Since the load which occurs during use acts substantially in the circumferential direction of the belt, the fibres also lie in this direction, although a small deviation of up to ±25° is acceptable. More preferably, the fibres are oriented at an angle β in the range from -10° to +10° with respect to the circumferential direction of the belt. Even more preferably, the fibres are oriented substantially in the circumferential direction of the belt, i.e. β = 0°.
It is known that adding fibres to plastics generally imparts a greater rigidity. Fibres may be added in the form of so-called short fibres ("chopped fibres") , as long fibres which are distributed arbitrarily in the plastic and as unidirectional fibres. In principle, the use of unidirectional fibres imparts the maximum rigidity. Furthermore, layers containing unidirectional fibres allows the highest fibre content, and consequently the highest modulus of elasticity can be achieved. Cf. for example a fibre content of 63% by volume for a unidirectional carbon fibre in epoxy resin, compared to a fibre content of approximately 35% by volume for a nonwoven in epoxy resin. According to the invention, the fibre content has to be at least 55% by volume in order to achieve the desired strength and rigidity.
As has already been stated, a single plastics layer containing unidirectional fibres has anisotropic elastic properties which, according to the invention, are used to limit deformation occurring in the direction of the most significant load.
The fibres are carbon fibres, since they have a relatively high maximum permissible elasticity of 1.5%, combined with a high strength and rigidity. If this is exceeded, the carbon fibres break. By contrast, high-strength steel has a maximum permissible elasticity of 0.5%. Plastic deformation occurs above this level. On account of the relatively high permissible elasticity of carbon fibres, it is possible for the belt according to the invention to be bent around guides, such as rollers, which have a small radius. The low coefficient of thermal expansion of carbon fibres, which is virtually zero (-1.10"6 to +1.10~6/°K) allows the belt according to the invention to be used at elevated temperatures without the belt expanding significantly. This requires a material which is able to withstand high temperatures to be selected for the plastics matrix. In general, the matrix material of the plastics layer will be selected as a function of the intended application. However, in view of the low contribution which it makes to the mechanical properties of the belt according to the invention, the matrix material used is less critical compared to the contribution of the fibres. Thermoplastics, for example polyester, and thermosetting plastics, for example epoxy, as well as elastomers, such as rubber, may be considered. Examples of heat-resistant matrix materials include, inter alia, polyether ether ketone (PEEK) , polyimide (PI) , polyetherimide (PEI) , polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) and, to a slightly lesser extent, epoxy resin. Among conventional fibre/plastic combinations, carbon/epoxy has the advantage of an excellent cost price to rigidity ratio. The rigidity of this combination is almost twice as great as that of kevlar/epoxy and three times as great as that of glass/epoxy. Although carbon/polyimide and graphite/epoxy have a higher rigidity, they are relatively expensive. The single- layer materials are commercially available.
The elastic parameters of a number of single-layer combinations of fibre/ plastics matrix are described, inter alia, in "Engineering Mechanics of Composite Materials", Daniel I.M. et al., Oxford University Press, 1994, and are summarized in Table 1 below.
Table 1
Figure imgf000005_0001
In addition to the matrix materials and unidirectional fibres, the belt according to the invention may also contain other customary additives, such as lubricants, fillers, pigments and the like.
Further advantages of the belt according to the invention include the relatively high chemical stability of plastics in general compared to metal (for example no embrittlement caused by sulphur), the relatively low weight and the low heat capacity.
The belt according to the invention may be produced, for example, by lamination, the fibres being embedded in an oriented manner in a resin, and then the ends of a strip of the desired length being joined to one another. The belt according to the invention is preferably seamless, so that there is no need to take additional measures in order to produce the belt according to the invention from a finite strip of material. A suitable production method is that of winding around a mould. A suitable method for producing the belt is described, for example, in US-A-5 071 506. In this known method for producing tubular- bodies, fibre-reinforced plastics material is arranged on an inner mould which has an inflatable bellows. Then, this mould is placed into a single-part outer mould. When the inflatable bellows is inflated, the fibre-reinforced plastics material is pressed against the wall of the outer mould and is then cured. This method is particularly suitable for producing belts according to the invention of short length, since otherwise the diameters of the moulds used and the dimensions of the furnace used for curing would have to be too large to be of practical use .
The belt according to the invention preferably comprises a further plastics layer having fibres which are oriented in one direction, the following relationship applying to the angle α of the direction of these fibres with respect to the circumferential direction of the belt: 0 ≤ α ≤ 90°. The direction of the fibres will be selected as a function of the additional load(s) which will occur when the belt is in use. Advantageously, the angle α is equal to -β (if β is not 0) of the unidirectional carbon fibres, in order to reduce the shear forces occurring. Examples of suitable fibre materials for this further layer include carbon fibres, inorganic fibres, such as glass fibres and boron fibres, metal fibres and organic plastic fibres, for example aramid fibres and fibres of high- strength stretched polyethylene, as well as combinations thereof. In addition, the belt according to the invention may comprise a further plastic layer containing arbitrarily oriented fibres.
The total thickness of the belt is advantageously in the range from 40-1000 micrometers, more preferably in the range from 100 to 300 micrometers. A low thickness of this nature interalia allows the belt to be provided with openings in a relatively simple way, for example using high-energy radiation, for example from a laser, by stamping and by punching. Openings of this nature may be of any desired shape, for example round, oval or diamond-shaped. The open surface area of a belt provided with openings is preferably in the range from 10-70%. If the open surface area is greater than 70%, the mechanical properties are adversely affected, while an open surface area of less than 10% offers scarcely any advantages compared to a belt with a closed surface, for example with regard to the accessibility offered to the products on the belt for a treatment medium, for example hot air, steam, etc.
The ratio of the total thickness of the belt to the radius of the smallest guide over which the belt can be guided in use is advantageously less than 0.03. In fact, this relationship determines the minimum radius of the smallest guide, such as a drive roller, over which a belt according to the invention of a given thickness can be guided without breaking.
Preferably, the ratio L/B, where L is the length of the circumference of the belt and B is its width, is more than 0.5.
Furthermore, if desired, the belt according to the invention may be provided with one or more additional surface layers which do not contain any fibres and have desired properties, in particular plastics layers, on the top and/or bottom side of the belt. Examples of such desired properties include, inter alia, reduced friction (PTFE) , wear resistance, scratch resistance, hydrophobicity and strength.
The invention also relates to an assembly of a belt according to the invention and at least two guides which can rotate about an axis, such as drive rollers, guide rollers and return pulleys. The invention also relates to a conveyor belt made from fibre- reinforced plastics which comprises at least one plastics layer containing unidirectional carbon fibres, with a carbon content of at least 55% by volume, the carbon fibres being oriented at an angle β in the range of -25° to +25° with respect to the circumferential direction of the conveyor belt.
Additionally, the invention relates to a drive belt made from fibre-reinforced plastics which comprises at least one plastics layer containing unidirectional carbon fibres, with a fibre content of at least 55% by volume, the carbon fibres being oriented at an angle β in the range of -25° to +25° with respect to the circumferential direction of the drive belt.
The preferred embodiments of a general belt according to the invention which have been discussed above also apply to the conveyor belt and to the drive belt according to the invention. The invention is explained below with reference to the appended drawing, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an assembly according to the invention;
Fig. 2 shows a diagrammatic view of a plastics layer which is reinforced with carbon fibres with an oriented direction of the fibres;
Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of a plastics layer which is reinforced with carbon fibres and has an additional layer; and
Fig. 4 shows yet another embodiment of a plastics layer which is reinforced with carbon fibres having an additional layer.
Fig. 1 shows a seamless epoxy belt 10 which is reinforced with carbon fibres according to the invention and can move over a driven drive roller 12 and a deflecting roller 14, in the direction indicated by the arrows. The length of the circumference of the belt 10 is denoted by L, while the width is indicated by B. For a given total thickness dtot (cf. Fig. 3) of, for example, 0.6 mm, the minimum radius r of the deflecting roller 14, that is to say the smallest guide, is at least 2 cm. Continuous openings 18 may be provided in the surface 16 of the belt 10.
Fig. 2 shows part of a belt according to the invention, namely a flat fibre-reinforced plastics layer 20 containing carbon fibres 22 (diagrammatically indicated by relatively thin, continuous lines) , of which the oriented direction of the fibres runs parallel to the circumferential direction of the belt 10 according to the invention, in other words β = 0°.
Fig. 3 again shows a flat fibre-reinforced plastic layer 20 containing oriented carbon fibres 22 on which a further plastic layer 24 is provided, which contains unidirectional carbon fibres 26 with a direction of the fibres running across the width, i.e. α = 90° rotated with respect to the direction β of fibres 22. A wear- resistant surface layer 28 is provided on the underside of the plastics layer 20, which layer 28 consists of plastics without fibres. Fig. 4 once again shows a plastics layer 20 with oriented fibres 22, of which the oriented direction forms an angle β = 10° with the circumferential direction of the belt according to the invention. In the additional layer 24, the fibres 26 are oriented at an angle α = -10°. The belt according to the invention can be used as a conveyor belt for conveying products which, if desired, can be treated while they are being conveyed, for example with hot air or steam, and as a drive belt.

Claims

— o —CLAIMS
1 Endless belt (10) , in particular for use as a conveyor belt or drive belt, made from fibre-reinforced plastics, comprising at least one plastics layer (20) containing unidirectional carbon fibres (22) , characterized in that the fibres (22) are oriented at an angle β in the range of -25° to +25° with respect to the circumferential direction of the belt (10), and in that the fibre content is at least 55% by volume.
2 Belt according to claim 1, characterized in that the fibres (22) are oriented at an angle β in the range of -10° to +10° with respect to the circumferential direction of the belt (10) .
3. Belt according to claim 1, characterized in that the fibres (22) are oriented substantially in the circumferential direction (β = 0°) of the belt (10) .
4. Belt according to one or more of claims 1-3, characterized in that the belt (10) is seamless.
5. Belt according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the belt (24) comprises a further plastics layer containing arbitrarily oriented fibres.
6. Belt according to one of the preceding claims 1-2, characterized in that the belt (10) comprises a further plastics layer (24) containing fibres (26) which are oriented in one direction, the following relationship applying to the angle α of the direction of the fibres (26) with respect to the circumferential direction of the belt (10) : 0 ≤ α ≤ 90°.
7. Belt according to claim 6, characterized in that the following relationship applies to the angle α of the fibres (26) : α = - β.
8. Belt according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the total thickness (dtot) of the belt (10) is in the range from
40 to 1000 micrometers.
9. Belt according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the total thickness (dtot) of the belt (10) is in the range from
100 to 300 micrometers.
10. Belt according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ratio of the total thickness (dtot) of the belt (10) to the smallest radius (r) of a guide (14) over which the belt (10) can be guided in use is less than 0.03.
11. Belt according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ratio L/B > 0.5, where L represents the total length of the belt and B represents the width of the belt (10) .
12. Belt according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the belt (10) is provided with continuous openings (18) .
13. Belt according to claim 12, characterized in that the belt (10) has an open surface area of between 10 and 70%.
14. Belt according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the belt (10) is provided with a surface layer (28) which does not contain any fibres .
15. Conveyor belt (10) made from fibre-reinforced plastics which comprises at least one plastics layer (20) containing unidirectional carbon fibres (22) , with a fibre content of at least 55% by volume, the carbon fibres (22) being oriented at an angle β in the range of - 25° to +25° with respect to the circumferential direction of the conveyor belt (10) .
16. Drive belt (10) made from fibre-reinforced plastics which comprises at least one plastics layer (20) containing' unidirectional carbon fibres (22) , with a fibre content of at least 55% by volume, the carbon fibres (22) being oriented at an angle β in the range of - 25° to +25° with respect to the circumferential direction of the drive belt (10) .
17. Assembly of a belt (10) according to one of the preceding claims and at least two guides (12, 14) which can rotate about an axis.
PCT/NL2000/000748 1999-10-18 2000-10-17 Endless belt made from fibre-reinforced plastics material WO2001028896A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU13109/01A AU1310901A (en) 1999-10-18 2000-10-17 Endless belt made from fibre-reinforced plastics material

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL1013328 1999-10-18
NL1013328 1999-10-18
NL1014026 2000-01-06
NL1014026 2000-01-06

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
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WO (1) WO2001028896A1 (en)

Cited By (6)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009098185A1 (en) * 2008-02-06 2009-08-13 Habasit Ag Counterband tape
WO2014040107A1 (en) * 2012-09-12 2014-03-20 Berndorf Band Gmbh Conveyor or processing belt
WO2019151858A1 (en) * 2018-01-31 2019-08-08 Airborne International B.V. Device and method for handling sheets of fiber reinforced material
CN110682650A (en) * 2019-11-20 2020-01-14 法尔胜泓昇集团有限公司 Conveyer belt containing carbon fiber enhancement layer
EP2240395B1 (en) 2008-01-18 2021-07-14 Kone Corporation Rope for a hoisting machine, elevator and use
DE102020110976A1 (en) 2020-04-22 2021-10-28 Separation AG Optical sorting system for sorting granulate particles

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Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2240395B1 (en) 2008-01-18 2021-07-14 Kone Corporation Rope for a hoisting machine, elevator and use
US11565912B2 (en) 2008-01-18 2023-01-31 Kone Corporation Rope for a hoisting device, elevator and use
WO2009098185A1 (en) * 2008-02-06 2009-08-13 Habasit Ag Counterband tape
US8696346B2 (en) 2008-02-06 2014-04-15 Habasit Ag Counterband tape
WO2014040107A1 (en) * 2012-09-12 2014-03-20 Berndorf Band Gmbh Conveyor or processing belt
WO2019151858A1 (en) * 2018-01-31 2019-08-08 Airborne International B.V. Device and method for handling sheets of fiber reinforced material
US11872778B2 (en) 2018-01-31 2024-01-16 Airborne International B.V. Device and method for handling sheets of fiber reinforced material
CN110682650A (en) * 2019-11-20 2020-01-14 法尔胜泓昇集团有限公司 Conveyer belt containing carbon fiber enhancement layer
DE102020110976A1 (en) 2020-04-22 2021-10-28 Separation AG Optical sorting system for sorting granulate particles
DE102020110976B4 (en) 2020-04-22 2023-12-21 Separation AG Optical sorting system for sorting granulate particles

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