# US 2017/0283183 A1 · Conveyor system wheel failure detection and remediation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0283183 A1 - Document ID: US20170283183A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/507,632 - Filed: 2015-08-31 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2014-08-29 - Assignees: Mantissa Corporation - Applicants: Mantissa Corporation - Inventors: David Patrick Erceg - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170283183A1 ## CPC - B65G 43/02: detecting dangerous physical condition of load carriers, e.g. for interrupting the drive in the event of overheating - B65G 17/38: Chains or like traction elements (drive chains F16G13/00); Connections between traction elements and load-carriers - B65G 47/96: Devices for tilting links or platform {(releasing load-carriers B65G47/38)} - B65G 47/962: {tilting about an axis substantially parallel to the conveying direction} - G01B 11/0608: {Height gauges} - B65G 2207/48: Wear protection or indication features - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS ## Abstract A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor. The sorting conveyor includes a conveyor track and a train of conveyor carts connected end-to-end. At least one of the conveyor carts may include a frame base for engaging the conveyer track; a conveyor surface for holding the objects; and a conveyor support for supporting the conveyor surface above the frame base. A wear guard associated with the axle support prevents track wear. A track wear prevention system includes a wear guard and a height detection module. Systems and methods for track wear prevention are also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor, said sorting conveyor comprising: (a) a conveyor track; (b) a train of conveyor carts; and (c) at least one of said conveyor carts including (i) a frame base for engaging said conveyer track, (ii) a conveying surface for holding the objects, (iii) a support for supporting said conveying surface above said frame base, and (iv) a carrier having a plurality of wheels interfacing with said track and having at least one wear guard associated with an axle support for preventing track wear in the event of a wheel failure. ### Claim 2 In a sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor, said sorting conveyor having a conveyor track and a train of interconnected conveyor carts, at least one of said conveyor carts comprising: (a) a frame base for engaging said conveyer track; (b) a conveying surface for holding said objects; (c) a conveyor support for supporting said conveyor surface above said frame base; (d) a carrier having a plurality of wheels and at least one wear guard associated with an axel support for preventing track wear in the event of a wheel failure; and (e) a track wear prevention system including said wear guard and a height detection module wherein said wear guard inhibits track wear when said module detects a wheel failure. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said wear guard includes an arm for securing said wear guard to said axle support. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said wear guard includes a shoulder adapted to separate said axle support apart from said track. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said shoulder includes a first side and a second side. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said second side is a bearing material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein about a 0.15 to about a 0.20 static coefficient of friction results from a contact between said second side and said track. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said arm and said shoulder form an L-shape with said shoulder projecting from said arm and toward said wheel substantially perpendicularly. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said rail is a guide rail. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said shoulder includes a distance D between said first side and said second side. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the distance D is less than a second distance D2 between said axle support and said track. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus according to claim 11, including a drop distance DD between said second side and said track. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said height detection module is adapted to recognize a change in axle positioning. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said change in axle positioning is limited to about less than D2. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said change in axle positioning is less than about DD. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said height detection module is adapted to sense a change in an axle positioning that is outside a predetermined tolerance zone of about 0.063 to about 0.25 inches. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said height detection module is adapted to sense when said axle positioning is outside of an operating range of about 0 to about 0.125″. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said height detection module is adapted to recognize a positional deviation of said axel support. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said height detection module is adapted to sense when said axle support is outside of an operating range of about 0 to about 0.125 inches. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said height detection module includes a sensor attached to said track. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said sensor is an infrared sensor. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said axel height detection module is in communication with a conveyor control system. ### Claim 23 (depends on 2) The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said wear guard is a wheel. ### Claim 24 A sorting conveyor for transporting objects and unloading objects at one or more unloading stations adjacent the conveyor, said sorting conveyor comprising: (a) a conveyor track; (b) a train of interconnected conveyor carts; (c) at least one of said conveyor carts including (i) a frame base for engaging said conveyer track, (ii) a conveyor surface for holding the objects, (iii) a conveyor support for supporting said conveyor surface above said frame base, (iv) a carrier having a plurality of wheels interfacing with said track and having at least one wear guard associated with an axle support for preventing track wear in the event of wheel failure; and (e) a track wear prevention system including said wear guard and a height detection module wherein said wear guard inhibits track wear when the module detects a wheel failure, and (d) a drive motor and a driven member attached to said frame base for moving said conveyor carts around said track.