Normalizing tension distribution and minimizing sidewall abrasion within angular drive belt systems
AssigneeLiftwave, Inc.
InventorBlake Sessions
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses of employing belts for an angular drive. A twisted geometry is applied to a first free span of the belt. A sheave supports the first free span of the belt at a first extremity of the first free span and sheave is at least one of positioning and orienting the rotating sheave or the driven sheave so as to misalign a geometric centerline of the first free span of belt at a given fleet angle with respect to a second extremity of the first free span.
Claims14
A method of employing a belt for an angular drive, the method comprising:
- applying a twisted geometry to a first free span of the belt, the twisted geometry comprising a twist ratio of 20:1 or less;
- supporting the first free span of the belt via a freely rotating sheave or a driven sheave at a first extremity of the first free span;
- and
- at least one of positioning and orienting the freely rotating sheave or the driven sheave so as to misalign a geometric centerline of the first free span of the belt at a given fleet angle with respect to a second extremity of the first free span, wherein the given fleet angle is in a range of 0.25-1.5 degrees.
An apparatus for employing a belt for an angular drive, the apparatus comprising:
- the belt having a free span configured in a twisted geometry having a twist ratio of 20:1 or less;
- at least one of a freely rotating sheave and a driven sheave supporting a first end of the free span of the belt;
- and
- a sheave support assembly housing the freely rotating sheave and/or the driven sheave and configured to position and/or orient the freely rotating sheave and/or the driven sheave so as to misalign a geometric centerline of the free span of the belt configured in the twisted geometry, the free span of the belt misaligned at a given fleet angle with respect to a stationary sheave positioned at a second end of the free span of the belt, the sheave support assembly configured to retain the freely rotating sheave and/or the driven sheave at the given fleet angle to maintain the misalignment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.