US 8,285,494 B2 · Conveyor chain monitoring system and method

Abstract

A system for monitoring the wear of a moving conveyor chain includes a first detector for detecting a leading end of a first link of the chain and providing a first signal corresponding thereto, a second detector for detecting a trailing end of the first link and providing a second signal corresponding thereto, and a third detector for detecting a leading end of a third link of the chain and providing a third signal corresponding thereto. The system processes the signal so as to determine a first distance D1 which is the distance between the leading end and trailing end of the first link, a second distance D2 which is the distance between the trailing end of the first link and the leading end of the third link, and a third distance D3 which is the distance between the leading end of the first link and the leading end of the third link. These distance values are compared with corresponding distances which were previously measured or which were selected as benchmarks, and the differences therebetween provide data indicative of state of wear of the chain. The system operates to measure collective wear of the links as well as wear of individual link members.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A system for monitoring the wear of a moving conveyor chain having at least a first link, a third link, and a second link which couples the first and the third links, said system comprising:

a first detector for detecting a leading end of the first link and providing a first signal corresponding thereto;
a second detector for detecting a trailing end if the first link and providing a second signal corresponding thereto;
a third detector for detecting a leading end of the third link and providing a third signal corresponding thereto;
and
a processor operative to receive and process said first, second, and third signals so as to determine:
a first distance D1 which is the distance between the leading end and trailing end of the first link, a second distance D2 which is the distance between the trailing end of the first link and the leading end of the third link, and a third distance D3 which is the distance between the leading end of the first link and the leading end of the third link, wherein said distances D1, D2, and D3 as measured for said chain are compared with previously determined values of D1, D2, and D3, and deviations from said values are indicative of chain wear.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Conveyor chain monitoring system and method

Life of this patent

Conveyor chain monitoring system and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14