System and method for measuring, mapping, and modifying the temperature of a conveyor
AssigneeLaitram, L.L.C.
InventorJoseph M. DePaso
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Conveying system and method for sensing and controlling the surface temperature of a conveyor transporting articles through a process that incidentally changes the temperature of the conveyor. The conveyor system includes a conveyor such as a transport belt having temperature sensors embedded in the belt at spaced locations along its length. Transmitters embedded in the belt transmit temperature readings made by the sensors to a remote controller. The remote controller controls a temperature modification unit in the belt's conveyor path that restores the temperature of the belt to an optimum range for the processing of the articles. The controller creates a temperature map of at least a portion of the conveyor path.
Claims16
A conveying system comprising:
- a conveyor arranged to convey articles through a heating or cooling process along a processing path segment of a conveyor path and to return along a return path segment of the conveyor path, wherein the temperature of the conveyor changes along the processing path segment as the articles undergo the heating or cooling process, the conveyor including:
- a contact surface contacting the articles being conveyed along the processing path segment;
- a plurality of temperature sensors mounted in the conveyor at spaced apart locations to make temperature measurements of the contact surface of the conveyor at the spaced apart locations;
- a temperature modification unit disposed along a length of the conveyor path that uses the temperature measurements to modify the temperature of the contact surface of the conveyor so that the temperature of the contact surface in the procession path is within a predetermined range of temperatures with minimal effect on the temperatures of the articles undergoing the process along the processing path segment, the predetermined range of temperatures being those that are optimum for use in conjunction with the heating or cooling process.
A method for controlling the temperature of a conveyor conveying articles through a process, comprising:
- advancing articles supported on a conveyor along a processing path segment of a conveyor path, wherein the articles undergo a heating or cooling process that changes the temperature of the conveyor along the processing path segment;
- measuring the temperature of the conveyor with a plurality of temperature sensors mounted in and advancing with the conveyor and producing temperature measurements;
- using the temperature measurements to modify the temperature of the conveyor as the conveyor advances along the conveyor path to adjust the temperature of the conveyor within so that the temperature of the conveyor is a predetermined range of temperatures with minimal effect on the temperatures of the articles undergoing the process along the processing path segment, the predetermined range of temperatures being those that are optimum for use in conjunction with the heating or cooling process.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.