Sensor system for conveyor belt

Abstract

A conveyor belt includes a plurality of identification transponder chips embedded into the belt at spaced intervals. At least one conductive loop is embedded adjacent to and in electromagnetic coupled relationship with each transponder chip. The chip induces an identification signal into its respective conductor loop that is detected by a detector head and is cross-referenced by control circuitry to a specific loop and location on the belt. A second detector head may be mounted and coupled to the loop to monitor loop integrity by detecting or failing to detect the responsive identification signal from each transducer. Embedded transducer elements may further be utilized for wear rate monitoring and identification of exact locations in the belt.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.