Method and apparatus for monitoring sprocket wear, e.g. in a mining conveyor
AssigneeCaterpillar Global Mining LLC
InventorsRobert VOIGT, Jarrod BROOKS
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sprocket comprising teeth for engaging one or more chains is provided with datum connection portions which releasably support a datum body, such as a tensioned wire in a predefined position. The datum body provides a temporary reference or datum element or surface from which the position of the wear surfaces of the sprocket teeth may be determined by eye or by measurement, particularly in the radial direction. The teeth may further comprise a set of markings corresponding to angularly spaced reference planes intersecting at the sprocket axis. The markings are preferably arranged on the crown or radially outward surface of the teeth and are used to determine wear in the circumferential direction.
Claims10
A sprocket for use with at least one chain and including:
- a body mounted for rotation about an axis, and
- a plurality of teeth projecting radially outwardly from the body with respect to the axis;
- the teeth including wear surfaces configured to engage respective links of the at least one chain, wherein in use the wear surfaces are progressively worn by contact with the chain to define a varying wear profile of the teeth;
- wherein the sprocket further includes at least two datum connection portions spaced apart axially along the sprocket and not forming part of the wear surfaces,
- the datum connection portions being configured to releasably engage a datum body extending between the datum connection portions to support the datum body in a predefined position relative to the sprocket and proximate a respective one or ones of the wear surfaces, said predefined position being independent of the wear profile.
A method for monitoring wear in a sprocket for use with at least one chain, the sprocket including:
- a body mounted for rotation about an axis, and
- a plurality of teeth projecting radially outwardly from the body with respect to the axis;
- the teeth including wear surfaces configured to engage respective links of the at least one chain, wherein in use the wear surfaces are progressively worn by contact with the chain to define a varying wear profile of the teeth;
- the method comprising:
- arranging at least two datum connection portions spaced apart axially along the sprocket, the datum connection portions forming part of the sprocket but not part of the wear surfaces;
- releasably engaging a datum body with the datum connection portions to extend axially along the sprocket between the datum connection portions, wherein the datum body is supported by the datum connection portions in a predefined position relative to the sprocket and proximate a respective one or ones of the wear surfaces, said predefined position being independent of the wear profile;
- and then
- determining a distance between the wear surfaces and the datum body;
- and then
- disengaging the datum body from the datum connection portions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.