Belt conveying tension measuring system

#This invention relates to belt conveyors and bucket elevators. More specifically, this invention relates to a tension measuring system for belt conveying and bucket elevator-type devices.

#Belt conveyors and bucket elevators have been used to transport materials for many years. Proper tensioning of the belt is important to prevent slippage from occurring between the driving pulley and a belt. As a result, required tensioning formulas have been used for years to provide proper tension for the belt. However, measuring the tension has been limited to very high end cost solutions. As a result a simplified solution is needed in the art to improve the method of measuring tension applied to the belt for belt conveying and bucket elevator-type devices.

#Therefore, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a belt conveying tension measuring system to obtain the amount of tension that has been applied a belt of a bucket elevator.

#FIG. 1 is a belt conveying tension measuring system that engages a bucket elevator or conveyor belt;

#FIG. 2 is a belt conveying tension measuring system that is actuated to provide deflection to a belt used in a conveyor or an elevating leg;

#FIG. 3 is a top exploded plan view of a belt conveying tension measuring system;

#FIGS. 1 and 2 show a belt conveying tension measuring system 10 that is associated with a belt conveying or bucket elevator-type device 12. The belt conveying tension measuring system 10 engages a belt 14 of the bucket elevator 12 to provide a deflection force thereon. The bucket elevator 12 additionally has a plurality of elevator buckets 16 attached to the belt 14 used to convey product.

#FIGS. 3-5 show in detail the components of the belt conveying tension measuring system 10. Specifically, the belt conveying tension measuring system 10 includes a center assembly 18 that extends from a first end 20 to a second end 22. A tensioning assembly 24 is interlocked to the first end 20 of the system 10 and a belt horizontal stabilizer 26 is attached and interlocked to the second end 22. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 the tensioning assembly 24 is a pushing assembly whereas the embodiment of FIGS. 6-8 the tensioning assembly 24 is a pulling assembly. Side panels 28 extend between and are secured to the pushing assembly 24 and belt horizontal stabilizer assembly 26. A deflection operating assembly 30 is then disposed within the belt horizontal stabilizer 26 and center assembly 18 to provide an actuating force.

#As stated above, the center assembly 18 extends from a first end 20 to a second end 22. The center assembly 18 has first and second flats 32 and 34 that extend in parallel spaced relation containing a center member 36 therebetween. Extending on and attached to the center member 36 is a tensioning screw 38 that is operatively connected to an S-shaped load cell 40 in order to provide tension and force in association with the center member 36.