Conveying system with tensioning assembly and method
AssigneeYantrak, LLC
InventorJan K. Kunczynski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A conveying or transportation system having a haul rope (22) mounted for movement along a path, and a carrier unit (27) coupled to the haul rope (22). The carrier unit (27) is coupled to the haul rope (22) by a rope coupling assembly (51), which preferably includes a tension sensing device (139) and a screw jack tension adjustment assembly (141,142,143,144) formed to respond to sensed tension in the haul rope (22) to adjust the same at the terminals (31). The screw jack tension adjustment assembly (53) preferably includes two screw members (141,142) which are movably mounted in collar assemblies (143,144) and driven by a motor (162) to tension or relax the haul rope (22). A method of automatically maintaining and adjusting the tensioning of the haul rope (22) also is provided.
Claims18
A conveying system comprising:
- a traction member mounted for movement along a path;
- a drive assembly mounted in driving engagement with said traction member to advance said traction member along said path;
- a carrier unit coupled to said traction member by a coupling assembly formed for adjustment of the tension forces in said traction member;
- a tension sensing device carried by said carrier unit and formed to sense tension forces in said traction member and to produce sensing signals proportional thereto;
- and
- said coupling assembly including a tension adjustment assembly coupled to said traction element and connected to said tension sensing device to receive said sensing signals, said tension adjustment assembly being automatically responsive to said sensing signals from said tension sensing device to adjust tension forces in said traction members according to predetermined criteria.
A conveying system comprising:
- a haul rope mounted for movement along a path;
- a drive assembly mounted in driving engagement with said haul rope to advance said haul rope along said path;
- a carrier unit coupled to said haul rope by a coupling assembly formed for adjustment of the tension forces in said haul rope;
- a tension sensing device mounted to sense tension forces in said haul rope and to produce sensing signals proportional thereto;
- said coupling assembly including a tension adjustment assembly coupled to said haul rope and formed for connection to said tension sensing device when said carrier unit is at a predetermined location along said path, said tension adjustment assembly being formed for actuation in response to receipt of sensing signals only when driving forces on said haul rope are substantially zero.
A method for maintaining the tension in a traction member in a conveying system having a carrier unit coupled for driving along a path by said traction member, comprising the steps of:
- periodically sensing the tension force in said traction member while said traction member is under substantial zero driving force using a sensing device carried by said carrier unit;
- and
- adjusting the tension force in said traction member to within a predetermined range of forces by a tension adjustment assembly carried by said carrier unit in response to a sensed tension force outside said predetermined range.
A method for maintaining the tension in a haul rope in a conveying system having a carrier unit coupled for driving along a path by said haul rope, comprising the steps of:
- periodically sensing the tension force in said haul rope by a tension sensing device coupled to said haul rope at said carrier unit;
- and
- automatically adjusting the tension force in said haul rope to within a predetermined range of forces by a powered tension adjustment assembly carried by said carrier unit and connected to receive signals from said tension sensing device as to the sensed tension force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.