Belt tensioning assembly

#The present invention relates to systems for the transmission of rotary motion from a power source to a driven element, and more specifically to a tensioning assembly used in conjunction with a power transmission system to supply tension to a belt interconnected between the power source and the driven element.

#In many applications, it is necessary to transfer the rotary motion of an output shaft connected to a power source from the output shaft to a driven element spaced from the power source. To accomplish this, normally a chain or belt is positioned around a first member, such as a pulley, fixed to the output shaft of the power source, and around a second, similar member fixed to a rotatable input shaft for the driven element.

#In those circumstances where the power source is spaced a sizeable distance from the driven element, it is more cost effective to utilize a belt to operably connect the output shaft of the power source to the input shaft of the driven element. This is because a belt is easy to install, does not require lubrication, is very clean in operation, has lower maintenance, repair and/or replacement costs, and is able to dampen the shock loads transmitted by the belt between the power source and the driven element.

#The drawings illustrate the best mode currently contemplated of practicing the invention.

#In the drawings:

#FIG. 1 is a side plan view of the power transmission system operably connected to a driven element;

#With reference now to the drawing figures in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the disclosure, a power transmission system indicated generally at 10 is shown connected to a driven element 12 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The driven element 12 can be any machine incorporating an input shaft 14 that extends outwardly from the element 12 and is mounted within a bearing assembly (not shown) that allows the shaft 14 to rotate freely with respect to the exterior of the element 12. For example, the driven element 12 can be a rock crusher of the type normally utilized at a mine site. A driven pulley 15 is connected to the shaft 14 opposite the element 12 in a conventional manner. The pulley 15 can be any conventional or suitable type of pulley used for these purposes, but is preferably formed with a number of peripheral grooves (not shown) disposed across the pulley 15.

#The driven pulley 15 is operably connected to a belt 18 that is disposed around the pulley 15 in engagement with the grooves. The belt 18 can be any suitable type of belt utilized with driven elements 12 of this type, such as a belt having a number of V-shaped ridges 16 and formed of a tough, resilient and flexible material, such as a woven fabric or rubber, among others, which may also include a number of reinforcing cables (not shown) formed of interwoven metal strands extending therethrough. The belt 18 is maintained on the driven pulley 15 by the engagement of the ridges 16 on the belt 18 with the grooves and is connected opposite the driven pulley 15 to a driver pulley 19 fixedly mounted to an output shaft 22 rotatably connected to a bearing assembly 23 disposed on a power source 24. The driver pulley 19 is formed similarly to the driven pulley 15 and preferably includes a number of peripheral grooves 20 that grip the ridges 16 on the belt 18. The presence of the grooves on each pulley 15 and 19 enable the pulleys to better grip the belt 18 and prevent slippage of the belt 18 with regard to the pulleys 15 and 19.

#The power source 24 can be any type of power source capable of providing the necessary amount of power to the driven element 12. In a preferred embodiment, the power source 24 has an output of approximately eight hundred (800) horsepower or more. The power source 24 is fixedly mounted to a base 26 by anchor bolts 25 inserted through openings in the power source 24 and engaged with the base 26 to fix the power source 24 to the base 26. The power source 24 and base 26 are maintained a specified distance from the driven element 12 by the further engagement of additional anchor bolts 25 between the base 26 and a support surface 27, such as a concrete floor, on which the base 26 rests in order to retain the power source 24 in the specified position with respect to the driven element 12.