Bearing chain assembly

A radial load bearing for use in a bearing chain assembly having a plurality of radial load bearings alternately coupled with a plurality of vertical load bearings configured to roll along horizontal support structure of a drive system while supporting vertical loads of a spiral conveyor belt, each of the plurality of vertical load bearings having a first rotation axis, each radial load bearing comprising:

• a roller assembly configured to facilitate rolling of the bearing chain assembly along vertical support structure of the drive system while supporting radial loads of at least one of the spiral conveyor belt and the drive system, the roller assembly including a first roller wheel having a first rolling surface positioned opposite and substantially mirrored in configuration relative to a second roller wheel having a second rolling surface, the first and second roller wheels having a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the first rotation axis, the first and second roller wheels made of a first material;
• a glide bearing assembly configured to facilitate sliding movement of the bearing chain assembly along curved support structure of the drive system, the glide bearing assembly comprising a first glide bearing secured to the first roller wheel, the first glide bearing made of a second material having a lower frictional resistance than the first material;
• and
• a connection assembly configured to couple the first wheel to the second wheel.

A spiral conveyor belt assembly for a thermal processing system, comprising:

• a perforated conveyor belt;
• a supporting structure configured to hold the conveyor belt in a series of spiral tiers;
• a drive system configured to drive a drive chain for moving the conveyor belt;
• a bearing chain assembly configured for supporting movement of the drive chain and conveyor belt, comprising:
• a plurality of vertical load bearings configured to roll along horizontal support structure of the drive system while supporting vertical loads of a spiral conveyor belt, each of the plurality of vertical load bearings having a first rotation axis;
• and
• a plurality of radial load bearings alternately coupled with the plurality of vertical load bearings, each radial load bearing comprising:
• a roller assembly configured to facilitate rolling of the bearing chain assembly along vertical support structure of the drive system while supporting radial loads of at least one of the spiral conveyor belt and the drive system, the roller assembly including a first roller wheel having a first rolling surface and positioned opposite and substantially mirrored in configuration relative to a second roller wheel having a second rolling surface, the first and second roller wheels having a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the first rotation axis, the first and second roller wheels made of a first material;
• a glide bearing assembly configured to facilitate sliding movement of the bearing chain assembly along curved support structure of the drive system, the glide bearing assembly comprising a first glide bearing secured to the first roller wheel, the first glide bearing made of a second material having a lower frictional resistance than the first material;
• and
• a connection assembly configured to couple the first wheel to the second wheel.