WO2003093783A1 - Method & apparatus for monitoring wear in chain links. - Google Patents

Method & apparatus for monitoring wear in chain links. Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003093783A1
WO2003093783A1 PCT/GB2003/001658 GB0301658W WO03093783A1 WO 2003093783 A1 WO2003093783 A1 WO 2003093783A1 GB 0301658 W GB0301658 W GB 0301658W WO 03093783 A1 WO03093783 A1 WO 03093783A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
pivot member
distance
laser
sensors
laser sensor
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2003/001658
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Philip Alan Blackman
Original Assignee
Castrol Limited
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 Castrol Limited filed Critical Castrol Limited
Priority to AU2003229910A priority Critical patent/AU2003229910A1/en
Publication of WO2003093783A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003093783A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
    • G01B11/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques
    • G01B11/08—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring diameters
    • G01B11/10—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring diameters of objects while moving
    • G01B11/105—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring diameters of objects while moving using photoelectric detection means
    • 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
    • B65G43/00—Control devices, e.g. for safety, warning or fault-correcting
    • B65G43/02—Control devices, e.g. for safety, warning or fault-correcting detecting dangerous physical condition of load carriers, e.g. for interrupting the drive in the event of overheating
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
    • G01B11/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques
    • G01B11/14—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M13/00—Testing of machine parts
    • G01M13/02—Gearings; Transmission mechanisms
    • G01M13/023—Power-transmitting endless elements, e.g. belts or chains

Definitions

  • the present invention relates in general to a method and apparatus for monitoring wear in chain links.
  • a common method of moving articles along a production line is by means of a continuous conveyor chain comprised of chain links.
  • a continuous conveyor chain comprised of chain links.
  • components are moved along on conveyors formed of a number of wheeled trolleys which are moved along a guideway or track by a continuous closed loop conveyor chain.
  • containers such as cans or bottles are moved along the production line by a continuous closed loop conveyor chain.
  • Continuous conveyor chains may be subject to stretch which often occurs through the wearing of the pivot members of the chain's links.
  • the pivot members may comprise pivot pins, optionally located within bush members.
  • the bush members may be located within rollers.
  • the pivot pins may be of a hardened material which can wear away the softer bush material, causing the distance between the pivot members to increase. Minor chain stretch is often acceptable, but if it becomes excessive it may cause problems. Thus, for example chain stretch may cause the links not to engage properly with the sprockets which guide and/or drive the conveyor chain. Also, excessive chain stretch may cause the conveyor chain to sag, which in manufacturing assembly lines may affect the smooth running of the trolleys. In production lines it is often the case that a predetermined event is triggered when a part of the chain reaches a predetermined point on the line, so chain stretch may affect the synchronisation of the production process. A serious problem can occur if excessive chain stretch leads to eventual thinning and breaking of the chain.
  • a method for monitoring wear in chain links of a continuous conveyor chain said conveyor chain comprising a continuous chain of links, each link comprising two pivot members
  • method comprises the steps of : providing first, second and third laser distance measuring sensors adjacent said conveyor chain, each sensor being adapted to measure the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from each of said sensors to the circumferential surfaces of pivot members moving past said sensors, said sensors being positioned such that in use when a first pivot member of said chain link is positioned adjacent said first and second laser sensors, a second pivot member of a chain link is positioned adjacent said third laser sensor, measuring by means of the laser sensors, the distances transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said laser sensors to the circumferential surfaces of said pivot members thereby to determine the radius of the first pivot member and the distance between the centres of the first and second pivot members.
  • a method for monitoring wear in chain links of a continuous conveyor chain said conveyor chain comprising a continuous chain of links, each link comprising two pivot members, which method comprises the steps of : providing first, second and third laser distance measuring sensors adjacent said conveyor chain, each sensor being adapted to measure the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from each of said sensors to the circumferential surfaces of pivot members moving past said sensors, said sensors being positioned such that in use when a first pivot member of said chain link is positioned adjacent said first and second laser sensors, a second pivot member of a chain link is positioned adjacent said third laser sensor, measuring by means of the first laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said first laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member and measuring by means of the second laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said second laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member thereby to determine the radius of the first pivot member; measuring by means of
  • apparatus suitable for use a method for monitoring wear in chain links of a continuous conveyor chain said conveyor chain comprising a continuous chain of links, each link comprising two pivot members which apparatus comprises : first, second and third laser distance measuring sensors adapted to be positioned adjacent a conveyor chain, each sensor being adapted to measure the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from each of said sensors to the circumferential surfaces of pivot members moving past said sensors, said sensors being positioned such that in use when a first pivot member of said chain link is positioned adjacent said first and second laser sensors, and a second pivot member of a chain link is positioned adjacent said third laser sensor.
  • the present invention solves the technical problems identified above by the use of laser sensors to measure distances transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links to the circumferential surfaces of the pivot members thereby to determine the radius of the pivots members and the distance between their centres using trigonometry.
  • laser distance measuring sensors access to the chain links is only required from one side. This may assist in positioning the apparatus in locations where access to both sides of the chain links is difficult or not possible.
  • first and second pivot members and to first, second and third laser sensors does not determine the direction of motion of the conveyor chain which may move in the direction from the first to the third laser sensor or in the opposite direction.
  • the first and second pivot members are part of a common chain link.
  • the transverse distances from all three of the laser sensors to the circumferential surface of adjacent pivot members may be measured simultaneously and in particular, the distances are measured each and every time each laser sensor is at the smallest transverse distance from the circumferential surface of a pivot member.
  • the radius of the first pivot member may be determined by measuring by means of the first laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said first laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member when said first pivot member is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the second laser sensor and the circumferential surface of said first pivot member and/or measuring by means of the second laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said second laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot sensor when said first pivot member is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the first laser sensor and the circumferential surface of said first pivot member and thereby determining the radius of said first pivot member.
  • the radius of the first pivot member may be determined by measuring by means of the first laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said first laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member when said first pivot member is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the second laser sensor and the circumferential surface of said first pivot member and measuring by means of the second laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said second laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member when said first pivot member is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the first laser sensor and the circumferential surface of said first pivot member and thereby determining the radius of said first pivot member as an average from both sets of measurements.
  • the radius of the first pivot member may also be determined by measuring by means of the first laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said first laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member and at the same time, measuring by means of the second laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said second laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member and thereby determining the radius of said first pivot member.
  • the first and second laser sensors are positioned either side of the radius of the first pivot member transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links.
  • the pivot members may comprise pivot pins, optionally located within bush members.
  • the circumferential surfaces of either of these parts may be used in the method of the present invention although it is preferred to use the circumferential surface of the bush member as this has a larger radius.
  • the circumferential surfaces of rollers within which the bush members are located may be used in the method of the present invention.
  • Means may be provided for determining the radius of the first pivot member and the distance between the first and second pivot members. Such means may comprise the central processor of a computer.
  • Means may be provided for storing electronically the measured distances from the sensors and/or the determined radii of the pivot members and distances between the pivot members.
  • Such means may comprise a computer and associated electronic storage means.
  • Data comprising measurements from the laser sensors may be collected and stored or transmitted (for example by modem) for processing elsewhere or at a different location to determine the pivot member radii and distances between the pivot members.
  • An advantage of using laser distance measuring sensors is that they can be focused accurately onto the chain link pivot members.
  • the laser sensors may measure the distance by modulation and/or phase shift.
  • the laser sensors may measure the distance by a range-finder technique.
  • Suitable laser distance measuring sensors comprise lasers operable in the visible region of the spectrum. These have an advantage that visibility of the laser beams assists when positioning the laser sensors to direct their beams on the pivot members.
  • suitable laser distance measuring sensors comprise lasers operable in the non- visible region of the spectrum.
  • laser distance measuring sensors measure the distance to the circumferential surface of the pivot members with an accuracy of about 20 microns, which enables distances between pivot members to be measured to an accuracy of from 0.05 mm to about 10 mm.
  • the laser distance measuring sensors measure the distance transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links, from the laser sensor to the circumferential surface of the pivot members at from 50 times per second to 2000 times per second, preferably, from 100 times per second to 1000 times per second.
  • the method and apparatus of the present invention may be used to determine the distances between chain link pivot members on one or more of the chain links in a continuous conveyor chain.
  • the pivot member distances of some or all the chain links may be determined.
  • Means such as a magnetic toggle on one of the links may be used to identify which link or group of links are to be measured.
  • the stretch of the conveyor chain may be determined and steps taken to avoid or mitigate its effect such as adjusting lubrication or repairing or replacing one or more chain links or even all of the chain. In some instances it may be appropriate to adjust the chain length by removing chain links as its stretches.
  • the method and apparatus of the present invention can be used to identify chain links which are undergoing excessive wear and stretch and so must be replaced.
  • the apparatus may be permanently located adjacent the conveyor chain or may be semi-portable and placed in position from time to time when required.
  • the present invention may be used for determining wear in chain links and hence chain stretch in conveyor chains such as are used in food canning and bottling plants, car production, mining, escalators, steel production and the like.
  • the present invention is particularly applicable to roller chain conveyors, because a light beam can not be passed from one side of the chain to the other.
  • the present invention may also be used for open link chain conveyors.
  • chains with pivot members of at least 10 mm in diameter may be measured, but this maybe depend upon the size of the laser sensors.
  • Figure 1 represents in schematic form apparatus according to the present invention.
  • Figure 2 shows in schematic form a method of determining the radius of a first pivot member (7) from the measurements from first (1) and second (2) laser distance measuring sensors, such as shown in Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 shows in schematic form a method of determining the distance between the first and second pivot members after having determined the radius of the first pivot member.
  • Figure 4 shows in schematic form possible relative positions of laser sensors and pivot members.
  • Figure 5 shows in schematic form one arrangement of laser sensors and the first pivot member.
  • the apparatus comprises first (1), second (2) and third (3) laser distance measuring sensors, positioned adjacent a conveyor chain (4).
  • the conveyor chain comprises links (5) and pivot members (6).
  • the sensors are adapted to measure the distance transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links, from each sensor to the circumferential surfaces of the pivot members (6) moving past the sensors (1), (2), (3).
  • the sensors are positioned such that in use when a first pivot member (7) of a chain link is positioned adjacent the first (1) and second (2) laser sensors, a second pivot member (8) of a chain link is positioned adjacent the third laser sensor (3).
  • One or more of the chain links may have a magnetic toggle (9) which has a corresponding magnetic sensor (10) so that in use a link or group of links may be identified.
  • a data display unit (11) is connected to the laser sensors by cables (12).
  • the data display unit is connectable to a computer (13) for determining and storing the radii of the pivot members and distances between the pivot members using the data collected from the laser sensors.
  • the data display unit (11) may optionally be connectable to a data storage unit (14) which may be used to store data for processing at a later time or in a different location.
  • the data display unit (11) may also optionally be connectable to a modem cable (15) for transmitting the data to a remote location for processing.
  • the distance transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links, from the first laser sensor (1) to the circumferential surface of the first pivot member (7) is measured by the laser sensor (1) when the first pivot member (7) is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the second laser sensor (2) and the circumferential surface of the first pivot member (7) and/or the distance transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links, from the second laser sensor (2) to the circumferential surface of the first pivot member (7) when the first pivot member is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the first laser sensor and the circumferential surface of the first pivot member (7) and thereby the radius of the first pivot member is determined.
  • the stretch of the conveyor chain may be determined and steps taken to avoid or mitigate its effect such as adjusting lubrication or repairing or replacing one or more chain links or even all of the chain, hi some instances it may be appropriate to adjust the chain length by removing chain links as its stretches.
  • the method and apparatus of the present invention can be used to identify chain links which are undergoing excessive wear and stretch and so must be replaced.
  • Figure 2 shows in greater detail a method of determining the radius of a first pivot member (7) from the measurements from first (1) and second (2) laser distance measuring sensors, such as shown in Figure 1.
  • the distance transverse (20) to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links, from the first laser sensor (1) to the circumferential surface (21) of the first pivot member (7) is measured by the laser sensor (1) when the first pivot member (7) is positioned at the shortest transverse distance (22) between the second laser sensor (2) and the circumferential surface (21) of the first pivot member (7).
  • the distance (A) in the direction of motion of the conveyor between the points of measurement on the circumferential surface of the first and second laser sensors is determined.
  • the distance (B) transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor between the points of measurement on the circumferential surface of the first and second laser sensors is determined by subtracting distance (22) from distance (20).
  • the hypotenuse (C) of the triangle defined by A and B is calculated to be V( A 2 + B 2 ) .
  • the radius R of the pivot member is calculated by the formula I :
  • the radius (R) of the pivot member (7) may be determined by one of these methods.
  • the radius of the pivot member (7) may be determined by both of these methods and the value determined as an average of the two determinations.
  • the distance to the second pivot member may be determined by a method as shown in more detail in Figure 3.
  • Figure 3 the distance (D) transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links, from the second laser sensor (2) to the circumferential surface of the first pivot member (7) when the second pivot member is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the third laser sensor and the circumferential surface of the second pivot member (8), is measured.
  • the distance (E) between the second laser and the circumferential surface of the first pivot member (7) is known from the measurement in the previous step (distance (22).
  • Y is the distance transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links, between the point of measurement on the circumferential surface of the second laser sensor and the centre (19) of the first pivot member. Since R has been determined and D - E has been measured, Y is calculated according to the formula (III) :
  • the distance (G) in the direction of motion of the conveyor between the points of measurement on the circumferential surfaces of the second and third laser sensors is known from a knowledge of the relative positions of the second (2) and third (3) laser sensors or by pre-calibration against standards of known dimensions.
  • the distance between the centres of the first and second pivot members is then determined by the formula (N) :
  • a corresponding calculation may also be performed using laser (1) and the distance (F) transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said first laser sensor (1) to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member (7) when the second pivot member (8) is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the third laser sensor (3) and the circumferential surface of the second pivot member (8).
  • the positions of the first and second laser sensors relative to the first pivot member may be different when the second pivot member (8) is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the third laser sensor (3) and the circumferential surface of the second pivot member (8).
  • Possible relative positions are shown in Figure 4.
  • the relative positions of the first and second laser sensors are as in Figure 3.
  • the first and second lasers are on the opposite side of the radius of the first pivot member transverse to the direction of motion of the chain links compared to their locations in Figure 4a.
  • the first and second lasers are on either side of the radius of the first pivot member transverse to the direction of motion of the chain links.
  • Figure 5 shows in greater detail the arrangement of Figure 4 (c).
  • An alternative method for determining the radius of the first pivot member uses the transverse distances measured by the first and second laser sensors to the circumferential surface of the first pivot member either side of the radius of the first pivot member transverse to the direction of motion of the chain links, as is shown in Figure 5.
  • the calculation for this method is analogous to the method used for the arrangement in Figure 2 except that transverse distances from each of laser sensors (1) and (2) are used.
  • the radius (R) of the first pivot member (7) may also be determined by measuring by means of the first laser sensor (1), the distance (Bi) transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said first laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member and at the same time, measuring by means of the second laser sensor (2), the distance (B ) transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said second laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member and thereby determining the radius of said first pivot member.
  • each of the two laser sensors (1) and (2) define two triangles each having transverse distances (Bi and B 2 ) and distances (Ai and A 2 ) in the direction of motion of the conveyor from the transverse radius R' and points of measurement of the laser sensors.
  • the values (Bi and B 2 ) of the transverse distances for each of the two laser sensors are measured at the same time and then values of C ⁇ and C 2 substituted by iteration until such time as the calculations for each calculation in formula NI give the same R value.
  • d is set to equal C 2 and being half (Ai + A 2 ) which is known by calibration. Then up to 20 iterations are performed until the values of R converge.
  • the first and second laser sensors are positioned either side of the radius of the first pivot member transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links.
  • first and second pivot members are part of a common chain link. It will be understood that the reference to first and second pivot members and to first, second and third laser sensors does not determine the direction of motion of the conveyor chain which may move in the direction from the first to the third laser sensor or in the opposite direction.
  • the transverse distances from all three of the laser sensors to the circumferential surface of adjacent pivot members may be measured each and every time each laser sensor is at the smallest transverse distance from the circumferential surface of a pivot member.
  • the calculations described hereinbefore may be performed, for example by the computer to determine (a) the diameter of the first pivot member, and then (b)the distance between the first and second pivot members.
  • the data comprising the distance between the first and second pivot members and optionally the pivot member radii (or diameters)) may be stored on a suitable means.
  • the data storage means can log up to 500,000 radii and length data, which will enable data from up to 500,000 links to be logged.
  • the stretch of the conveyor chain may be determined and steps taken to avoid or mitigate its effect such as adjusting lubrication or repairing or replacing one or more chain links or even all of the chain. In some instances it may be appropriate to adjust the chain length by removing chain links as its stretches.
  • the method and apparatus of the present invention can be used to identify chain links which are undergoing excessive wear and stretch and so must be replaced.
  • the following Table illustrates some data that has been obtained using the method of the present invention.
  • the units are mm.

Abstract

A method and apparatus for monitoring wear in chain links of a continuous conveyor chain comprising a continuous chain of links, each link comprising two pivot members, in which first, second and third laser distance measuring sensors adjacent the conveyor chain measure the distance transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links, from each of said sensors to the circumferential surfaces of pivot members moving past the sensors, the sensors being positioned such that in use when a first pivot member of the chain link is positioned adjacent the first and second laser sensors, a second pivot member of a chain link is positioned adjacent the third laser sensor so as to determine the radius of the first pivot member and the distance between the centres of the first and second pivot members.

Description

METHOD & APPARATUS FOR MONITORING WEAR IN CHAIN LINKS.
The present invention relates in general to a method and apparatus for monitoring wear in chain links.
A common method of moving articles along a production line is by means of a continuous conveyor chain comprised of chain links. Thus, for example in a manufacturing assembly line, components are moved along on conveyors formed of a number of wheeled trolleys which are moved along a guideway or track by a continuous closed loop conveyor chain. Similarly, in production lines such as for example container filling lines, containers such as cans or bottles are moved along the production line by a continuous closed loop conveyor chain. Continuous conveyor chains may be subject to stretch which often occurs through the wearing of the pivot members of the chain's links. The pivot members may comprise pivot pins, optionally located within bush members. The bush members may be located within rollers. The pivot pins may be of a hardened material which can wear away the softer bush material, causing the distance between the pivot members to increase. Minor chain stretch is often acceptable, but if it becomes excessive it may cause problems. Thus, for example chain stretch may cause the links not to engage properly with the sprockets which guide and/or drive the conveyor chain. Also, excessive chain stretch may cause the conveyor chain to sag, which in manufacturing assembly lines may affect the smooth running of the trolleys. In production lines it is often the case that a predetermined event is triggered when a part of the chain reaches a predetermined point on the line, so chain stretch may affect the synchronisation of the production process. A serious problem can occur if excessive chain stretch leads to eventual thinning and breaking of the chain.
Therefore, methods and apparatus have been developed for monitoring conveyor chain stretch. One method of doing this is to measure manually a predetermined section of the chain to ensure that it does not exceed a predetermined value. It is known to measure manually ten foot (3 metre) sections of manufacturing assembly line chains. A problem with this approach is that the conveyor chain has to be stopped for the measurement to be taken.
Methods and apparatus are known for monitoring chain wear without the need to stop the conveyor chain. One such method is marketed by LUBECON ® which uses scanning infrared photo-electric technology to accurately measure the distance between the leading edge of each centre link. Such link to link measurements can allow determination of abnormal wear in individual links. Such problems are undetectable when monitoring ten foot (3 metre) sections of the chain. A problem with such photo- electric monitoring is that it requires access to both sides of the conveyor chain links to enable an infra-red light beam to be shone through the conveyor chain from a light source on one side of the chain to a detector on the other side of the chain.
There is thus a need for a method and apparatus which overcomes, or at least mitigates, such disadvantages. Thus, according to the present invention, there is provided a method for monitoring wear in chain links of a continuous conveyor chain said conveyor chain comprising a continuous chain of links, each link comprising two pivot members which method comprises the steps of : providing first, second and third laser distance measuring sensors adjacent said conveyor chain, each sensor being adapted to measure the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from each of said sensors to the circumferential surfaces of pivot members moving past said sensors, said sensors being positioned such that in use when a first pivot member of said chain link is positioned adjacent said first and second laser sensors, a second pivot member of a chain link is positioned adjacent said third laser sensor, measuring by means of the laser sensors, the distances transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said laser sensors to the circumferential surfaces of said pivot members thereby to determine the radius of the first pivot member and the distance between the centres of the first and second pivot members.
Also, according to the present invention there is provided a method for monitoring wear in chain links of a continuous conveyor chain said conveyor chain comprising a continuous chain of links, each link comprising two pivot members, which method comprises the steps of : providing first, second and third laser distance measuring sensors adjacent said conveyor chain, each sensor being adapted to measure the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from each of said sensors to the circumferential surfaces of pivot members moving past said sensors, said sensors being positioned such that in use when a first pivot member of said chain link is positioned adjacent said first and second laser sensors, a second pivot member of a chain link is positioned adjacent said third laser sensor, measuring by means of the first laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said first laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member and measuring by means of the second laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said second laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member thereby to determine the radius of the first pivot member; measuring by means of the first laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said first laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member when said second pivot member is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the third laser sensor and the circumferential surface of said second pivot member and/or measuring by means of the second laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said second laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member when said second pivot member is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the third laser sensor and the circumferential surface of said second pivot member and thereby determining the distance between the centres of the first and second pivot members.
Also according to the present invention, there is provided apparatus suitable for use a method for monitoring wear in chain links of a continuous conveyor chain said conveyor chain comprising a continuous chain of links, each link comprising two pivot members which apparatus comprises : first, second and third laser distance measuring sensors adapted to be positioned adjacent a conveyor chain, each sensor being adapted to measure the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from each of said sensors to the circumferential surfaces of pivot members moving past said sensors, said sensors being positioned such that in use when a first pivot member of said chain link is positioned adjacent said first and second laser sensors, and a second pivot member of a chain link is positioned adjacent said third laser sensor.
The present invention solves the technical problems identified above by the use of laser sensors to measure distances transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links to the circumferential surfaces of the pivot members thereby to determine the radius of the pivots members and the distance between their centres using trigonometry. By using laser distance measuring sensors, access to the chain links is only required from one side. This may assist in positioning the apparatus in locations where access to both sides of the chain links is difficult or not possible.
It will be understood that the reference to first and second pivot members and to first, second and third laser sensors does not determine the direction of motion of the conveyor chain which may move in the direction from the first to the third laser sensor or in the opposite direction.
Preferably, the first and second pivot members are part of a common chain link. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transverse distances from all three of the laser sensors to the circumferential surface of adjacent pivot members may be measured simultaneously and in particular, the distances are measured each and every time each laser sensor is at the smallest transverse distance from the circumferential surface of a pivot member.
The radius of the first pivot member may be determined by measuring by means of the first laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said first laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member when said first pivot member is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the second laser sensor and the circumferential surface of said first pivot member and/or measuring by means of the second laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said second laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot sensor when said first pivot member is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the first laser sensor and the circumferential surface of said first pivot member and thereby determining the radius of said first pivot member.
The radius of the first pivot member may be determined by measuring by means of the first laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said first laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member when said first pivot member is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the second laser sensor and the circumferential surface of said first pivot member and measuring by means of the second laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said second laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member when said first pivot member is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the first laser sensor and the circumferential surface of said first pivot member and thereby determining the radius of said first pivot member as an average from both sets of measurements.
The radius of the first pivot member may also be determined by measuring by means of the first laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said first laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member and at the same time, measuring by means of the second laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said second laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member and thereby determining the radius of said first pivot member. Preferably, in this embodiment, the first and second laser sensors are positioned either side of the radius of the first pivot member transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links.
The pivot members may comprise pivot pins, optionally located within bush members. The circumferential surfaces of either of these parts may be used in the method of the present invention although it is preferred to use the circumferential surface of the bush member as this has a larger radius. Alternatively, the circumferential surfaces of rollers within which the bush members are located may be used in the method of the present invention. Means may be provided for determining the radius of the first pivot member and the distance between the first and second pivot members. Such means may comprise the central processor of a computer. Means may be provided for storing electronically the measured distances from the sensors and/or the determined radii of the pivot members and distances between the pivot members. Such means may comprise a computer and associated electronic storage means. Data comprising measurements from the laser sensors may be collected and stored or transmitted ( for example by modem) for processing elsewhere or at a different location to determine the pivot member radii and distances between the pivot members. An advantage of using laser distance measuring sensors is that they can be focused accurately onto the chain link pivot members. The laser sensors may measure the distance by modulation and/or phase shift. The laser sensors may measure the distance by a range-finder technique.
Suitable laser distance measuring sensors comprise lasers operable in the visible region of the spectrum. These have an advantage that visibility of the laser beams assists when positioning the laser sensors to direct their beams on the pivot members.
Alternatively, suitable laser distance measuring sensors comprise lasers operable in the non- visible region of the spectrum. An advantage of using lasers operating in the non-visible region of the spectrum is that they are less susceptible to interference from sunlight.
Suitably, laser distance measuring sensors measure the distance to the circumferential surface of the pivot members with an accuracy of about 20 microns, which enables distances between pivot members to be measured to an accuracy of from 0.05 mm to about 10 mm. Suitably, the laser distance measuring sensors measure the distance transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links, from the laser sensor to the circumferential surface of the pivot members at from 50 times per second to 2000 times per second, preferably, from 100 times per second to 1000 times per second.
The method and apparatus of the present invention may be used to determine the distances between chain link pivot members on one or more of the chain links in a continuous conveyor chain. The pivot member distances of some or all the chain links may be determined. Means such as a magnetic toggle on one of the links may be used to identify which link or group of links are to be measured.
By determining the pivot member distances of the chain links over a period of time the stretch of the conveyor chain may be determined and steps taken to avoid or mitigate its effect such as adjusting lubrication or repairing or replacing one or more chain links or even all of the chain. In some instances it may be appropriate to adjust the chain length by removing chain links as its stretches. The method and apparatus of the present invention can be used to identify chain links which are undergoing excessive wear and stretch and so must be replaced.
The apparatus may be permanently located adjacent the conveyor chain or may be semi-portable and placed in position from time to time when required.
The present invention may be used for determining wear in chain links and hence chain stretch in conveyor chains such as are used in food canning and bottling plants, car production, mining, escalators, steel production and the like. The present invention is particularly applicable to roller chain conveyors, because a light beam can not be passed from one side of the chain to the other. However, the present invention may also be used for open link chain conveyors.
Suitably, chains with pivot members of at least 10 mm in diameter may be measured, but this maybe depend upon the size of the laser sensors.
The invention will now be illustrated by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings.
Figure 1 represents in schematic form apparatus according to the present invention. Figure 2 shows in schematic form a method of determining the radius of a first pivot member (7) from the measurements from first (1) and second (2) laser distance measuring sensors, such as shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows in schematic form a method of determining the distance between the first and second pivot members after having determined the radius of the first pivot member. Figure 4 shows in schematic form possible relative positions of laser sensors and pivot members. Figure 5 shows in schematic form one arrangement of laser sensors and the first pivot member. In Figure 1 the apparatus comprises first (1), second (2) and third (3) laser distance measuring sensors, positioned adjacent a conveyor chain (4). The conveyor chain comprises links (5) and pivot members (6). The sensors are adapted to measure the distance transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links, from each sensor to the circumferential surfaces of the pivot members (6) moving past the sensors (1), (2), (3). The sensors are positioned such that in use when a first pivot member (7) of a chain link is positioned adjacent the first (1) and second (2) laser sensors, a second pivot member (8) of a chain link is positioned adjacent the third laser sensor (3). One or more of the chain links may have a magnetic toggle (9) which has a corresponding magnetic sensor (10) so that in use a link or group of links may be identified. A data display unit (11) is connected to the laser sensors by cables (12). The data display unit is connectable to a computer (13) for determining and storing the radii of the pivot members and distances between the pivot members using the data collected from the laser sensors. The data display unit (11) may optionally be connectable to a data storage unit (14) which may be used to store data for processing at a later time or in a different location. The data display unit (11) may also optionally be connectable to a modem cable (15) for transmitting the data to a remote location for processing.
In use, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links, from the first laser sensor (1) to the circumferential surface of the first pivot member (7) is measured by the laser sensor (1) when the first pivot member (7) is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the second laser sensor (2) and the circumferential surface of the first pivot member (7) and/or the distance transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links, from the second laser sensor (2) to the circumferential surface of the first pivot member (7) when the first pivot member is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the first laser sensor and the circumferential surface of the first pivot member (7) and thereby the radius of the first pivot member is determined. The distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from the first laser sensor (1) to the circumferential surface of the first pivot member (7) when said second pivot member (8) is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the third laser sensor (3) and the circumferential surface of said second pivot member (8), is measured and the distance transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links, from the second laser sensor (2) to the circumferential surface of the first pivot member (7) when the second pivot member (8) is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the third laser sensor (3) and the circumferential surface of the second pivot member (8), is measured and thereby the distance between the centres of the first (7) and second (8) pivot members is determined by the computer (13).
By determining the pivot member distances of the chain links over a period of time the stretch of the conveyor chain may be determined and steps taken to avoid or mitigate its effect such as adjusting lubrication or repairing or replacing one or more chain links or even all of the chain, hi some instances it may be appropriate to adjust the chain length by removing chain links as its stretches. The method and apparatus of the present invention can be used to identify chain links which are undergoing excessive wear and stretch and so must be replaced.
Figure 2 shows in greater detail a method of determining the radius of a first pivot member (7) from the measurements from first (1) and second (2) laser distance measuring sensors, such as shown in Figure 1.
According to the method, the distance transverse (20) to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links, from the first laser sensor (1) to the circumferential surface (21) of the first pivot member (7) is measured by the laser sensor (1) when the first pivot member (7) is positioned at the shortest transverse distance (22) between the second laser sensor (2) and the circumferential surface (21) of the first pivot member (7). From a knowledge of the relative positions of the lasers (1) and (2) or by pre-calibration against a standard of known dimensions, the distance (A) in the direction of motion of the conveyor between the points of measurement on the circumferential surface of the first and second laser sensors is determined. The distance (B) transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor between the points of measurement on the circumferential surface of the first and second laser sensors is determined by subtracting distance (22) from distance (20).
By trigonometry, the hypotenuse (C) of the triangle defined by A and B is calculated to be V( A2 + B2 ) . By trigonometry, the radius R of the pivot member is calculated by the formula I :
R = C / (2 * sin x) wherein sin x = B/C I
and thereby the radius (R) of the first pivot member having a centre (19) is determined. It will be appreciated that a corresponding calculation can be performed by measuring the distance transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links, from said second laser sensor to the circumferential surface of the first pivot member when the first pivot member is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the first laser sensor and the circumferential surface of the first pivot member.
The radius (R) of the pivot member (7) may be determined by one of these methods. The radius of the pivot member (7) may be determined by both of these methods and the value determined as an average of the two determinations.
Having determined the radius of the first pivot member, the distance to the second pivot member may be determined by a method as shown in more detail in Figure 3. Figure 3 the distance (D) transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links, from the second laser sensor (2) to the circumferential surface of the first pivot member (7) when the second pivot member is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the third laser sensor and the circumferential surface of the second pivot member (8), is measured. The distance (E) between the second laser and the circumferential surface of the first pivot member (7) is known from the measurement in the previous step (distance (22).
By trigonometry, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links, from the second laser to the centre (19) of the first member is given by the formula II :
D + Y = R + E π
wherein Y is the distance transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links, between the point of measurement on the circumferential surface of the second laser sensor and the centre (19) of the first pivot member. Since R has been determined and D - E has been measured, Y is calculated according to the formula (III) :
Y = R - (D -E) — m
Having thus determined Y, and since the radius of the pivot member R is already known, the distance Z in the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links, between the point of measurement on the circumferential surface of the second laser and the centre (19) of the first pivot member is determined by formula (IN) :
R2 = Y2 + Z2 therefore, Z = V(R2 -Y2) — (IN)
The distance (G) in the direction of motion of the conveyor between the points of measurement on the circumferential surfaces of the second and third laser sensors is known from a knowledge of the relative positions of the second (2) and third (3) laser sensors or by pre-calibration against standards of known dimensions. The distance between the centres of the first and second pivot members is then determined by the formula (N) :
Distance between pivot member centres = G + Z (N)
A corresponding calculation may also be performed using laser (1) and the distance (F) transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said first laser sensor (1) to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member (7) when the second pivot member (8) is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the third laser sensor (3) and the circumferential surface of the second pivot member (8).
It will be appreciated that the positions of the first and second laser sensors relative to the first pivot member may be different when the second pivot member (8) is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the third laser sensor (3) and the circumferential surface of the second pivot member (8). Possible relative positions are shown in Figure 4. Thus, in Figure 4a the relative positions of the first and second laser sensors are as in Figure 3. In Figure 4b the first and second lasers are on the opposite side of the radius of the first pivot member transverse to the direction of motion of the chain links compared to their locations in Figure 4a. In Figure 4c the first and second lasers are on either side of the radius of the first pivot member transverse to the direction of motion of the chain links.
Figure 5 shows in greater detail the arrangement of Figure 4 (c). An alternative method for determining the radius of the first pivot member uses the transverse distances measured by the first and second laser sensors to the circumferential surface of the first pivot member either side of the radius of the first pivot member transverse to the direction of motion of the chain links, as is shown in Figure 5. The calculation for this method is analogous to the method used for the arrangement in Figure 2 except that transverse distances from each of laser sensors (1) and (2) are used.
According to the method of the present invention with the laser sensors in the relative locations as shown in Figure 5, the radius (R) of the first pivot member (7) may also be determined by measuring by means of the first laser sensor (1), the distance (Bi) transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said first laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member and at the same time, measuring by means of the second laser sensor (2), the distance (B ) transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said second laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member and thereby determining the radius of said first pivot member.
Referring to Figure 5 the points of measurement of each of the two laser sensors (1) and (2) define two triangles each having transverse distances (Bi and B2) and distances (Ai and A2) in the direction of motion of the conveyor from the transverse radius R' and points of measurement of the laser sensors. Each of these triangles define hypotenuses and C2 in which Ci = ^ A + B_2) and C2 = V(A2 2 + B2 2).
By trigonometry the radius of the first pivot member (7) is give as formula VI : R = / (2 * sinxi) wherein sin i = Bi/Ci and R = C2 / (2 * sinx2) wherein sin x2 = B2/C2 The values (Bi and B2) of the transverse distances for each of the two laser sensors are measured at the same time and then values of C\ and C2 substituted by iteration until such time as the calculations for each calculation in formula NI give the same R value. Initially, d is set to equal C2 and being half (Ai + A2) which is known by calibration. Then up to 20 iterations are performed until the values of R converge. Preferably, in this embodiment, the first and second laser sensors are positioned either side of the radius of the first pivot member transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links.
Once the radius (R) of the first pivot member has been determined the distance to the second pivot member is determined in the same way as is described with reference to Figure 3.
Preferably, the first and second pivot members are part of a common chain link. It will be understood that the reference to first and second pivot members and to first, second and third laser sensors does not determine the direction of motion of the conveyor chain which may move in the direction from the first to the third laser sensor or in the opposite direction.
Preferably, the transverse distances from all three of the laser sensors to the circumferential surface of adjacent pivot members may be measured each and every time each laser sensor is at the smallest transverse distance from the circumferential surface of a pivot member. Once the data has bean measured for each of the three laser sensors being closest to the pivot members, the calculations described hereinbefore may be performed, for example by the computer to determine (a) the diameter of the first pivot member, and then (b)the distance between the first and second pivot members. The data comprising the distance between the first and second pivot members and optionally the pivot member radii (or diameters)) may be stored on a suitable means. Typically, the data storage means can log up to 500,000 radii and length data, which will enable data from up to 500,000 links to be logged. By determining the pivot member distances of the chain links over a period of time the stretch of the conveyor chain may be determined and steps taken to avoid or mitigate its effect such as adjusting lubrication or repairing or replacing one or more chain links or even all of the chain. In some instances it may be appropriate to adjust the chain length by removing chain links as its stretches. The method and apparatus of the present invention can be used to identify chain links which are undergoing excessive wear and stretch and so must be replaced.
The following Table illustrates some data that has been obtained using the method of the present invention. The units are mm.
Radius of first pivot member Distance between pivot members
24.80 149.69
25.13 147.44
24.61 149.69
24.94 149.69 25.13 146.98
24.94 149.75
24.28 147.05

Claims

Claims :
1. A method for monitoring wear in chain links of a continuous conveyor chain said conveyor chain comprising a continuous chain of links, each link comprising two pivot members which method comprises the steps of : providing first, second and third laser distance measuring sensors adjacent said conveyor chain, each sensor being adapted to measure the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from each of said sensors to the circumferential surfaces of pivot members moving past said sensors, said sensors being positioned such that in use when a first pivot member of said chain link is positioned adjacent said first and second laser sensors, a second pivot member of a chain link is positioned adjacent said third laser sensor, measuring by means of the laser sensors, the distances transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said laser sensors to the circumferential surfaces of said pivot members thereby to determine the radius of the first pivot member and the distance between the centres of the first and second pivot members.
2. A method for monitoring wear in chain links of a continuous conveyor chain said conveyor chain comprising a continuous chain of links, each link comprising two pivot members which method comprises the steps of : providing first, second and third laser distance measuring sensors adjacent said conveyor chain, each sensor being adapted to measure the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from each of said sensors to the circumferential surfaces of pivot members moving past said sensors, said sensors being positioned such that in use when a first pivot member of said chain link is positioned adjacent said first and second laser sensors, a second pivot member of a chain link is positioned adjacent said third laser sensor, measuring by means of the first laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said first laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member and measuring by means of the second laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said second laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member thereby to determine the radius of the first pivot member; measuring by means of the first laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said first laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member when said second pivot member is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the third laser sensor and the circumferential surface of said second pivot member and/or measuring by means of the second laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said second laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member when said second pivot member is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the third laser sensor and the circumferential surface of said second pivot member and thereby determining the distance between the centres of the first and second pivot members.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the radius of the first pivot member is determined by measuring by means of the first laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said first laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member when said first pivot member is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the second laser sensor and the circumferential surface of said first pivot member and/or measuring by means of the second laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said second laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot sensor when said first pivot member is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the first laser sensor and the circumferential surface of said first pivot member and thereby determining the radius of said first pivot member.
4. A method as claimed in claim 3 in which the radius of the first pivot member is determined by measuring by means of the first laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said first laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member when said first pivot member is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the second laser sensor and the circumferential surface of said first pivot member and measuring by means of the second laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said second laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member when said first pivot member is positioned at the shortest transverse distance between the first laser sensor and the circumferential surface of said first pivot member and thereby determining the radius of said first pivot member as an average from both sets of measurements.
5. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the radius of the first pivot member is determined by measuring by means of the first laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said first laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member and at the same time, measuring by means of the second laser sensor, the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from said second laser sensor to the circumferential surface of said first pivot member and thereby determining the radius of said first pivot member.
6. A method as claimed in claim 5 in which the first and second laser sensors are positioned either side of the radius of the first pivot member transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links.
7. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the transverse distances from all three of the laser sensors to the circumferential surface of adjacent pivot members are measured simultaneously.
8. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the laser distance measuring sensors measure the distance transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor chain links, from the laser sensor to the circumferential surface of the pivot members at from 50 times per second to 2000 times per second, preferably, from 100 times per second to 1000 times per second.
9. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the laser distance measuring sensors utilise a laser wavelength in the visible spectral region.
10. Use of a method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims to determine the stretch of a conveyor chain.
11. The use as claimed in claim 10 in which said conveyor chain comprises a roller chain conveyor, preferably having a pivot member diameter of at least 10 mm.
12. Apparatus suitable for use a method for monitoring wear in chain links of a continuous conveyor chain said conveyor chain comprising a continuous chain of links, each link comprising two pivot members which apparatus comprises : first, second and third laser distance measuring sensors adapted to be positioned adjacent a conveyor chain, each sensor being adapted to measure the distance transverse to the direction of motion of said conveyor chain links, from each of said sensors to the circumferential surfaces of pivot members moving past said sensors, said sensors being positioned such that in use when a first pivot member of said chain link is positioned adjacent said first and second laser sensors, and a second pivot member of a chain link is positioned adjacent said third laser sensor.
13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which the laser distance measuring sensors comprise lasers operable in the visible region of the spectrum.
14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which the laser distance measuring sensors comprise lasers operable in the non- visible region of the spectrum.
PCT/GB2003/001658 2002-05-02 2003-04-17 Method & apparatus for monitoring wear in chain links. WO2003093783A1 (en)

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DE102005008011A1 (en) * 2005-02-22 2006-08-31 Zf Friedrichshafen Ag Movements measuring and recording method e.g. for measuring movements of gear construction parts, involves recording movements of parts over laser beam hitting surface of construction parts, and distance of laser source to part measured
DE102005007976A1 (en) * 2005-02-22 2006-08-31 Brückner Maschinenbau GmbH Drive system chain diagnosing method for conveyor involves determining distance between two chain limbs as measurement for longitudinal force in chain and condition of chain by sensor system
DE102005007969A1 (en) * 2005-02-22 2006-09-07 Brückner Maschinenbau GmbH Chain diagnosing method e.g. for drive system, involves having chain propelled by driver into guiding system and to which transportation elements are arranged
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US20110093218A1 (en) * 2009-10-20 2011-04-21 Tibor Vozner Conveyor chain monitoring system and method
US8285494B2 (en) * 2009-10-20 2012-10-09 Tibor Vozner Conveyor chain monitoring system and method
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US10981755B2 (en) 2018-11-23 2021-04-20 Otis Elevator Company Monitoring device for a conveyor
CN109946069A (en) * 2019-01-07 2019-06-28 吉林大学 A kind of numerical control equipment drag chain reliability accelerated test method based on loading spectrum
CN109946069B (en) * 2019-01-07 2020-11-17 吉林大学 Numerical control equipment drag chain reliability accelerated test method based on load spectrum
CN112150539A (en) * 2020-08-17 2020-12-29 浙江省计量科学研究院 Double-camera-based chain pitch detection device and method
CN112150539B (en) * 2020-08-17 2022-10-18 浙江省计量科学研究院 Chain pitch detection device and method based on double cameras

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