IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,624,857
Granted Patent B2
US 7,624,857 · App. 10/579,585 · Granted Dec 1, 2009

Device for monitoring a conveyor

Assignee: Phoenix Conveyor Belt Systems GmbH
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,624,857
App. No.
10/579,585
Granted
Dec 1, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to a device for monitoring a conveyor ( 1 ), comprising: a conveyor belt ( 2 ) made of elastomer material, having a carrying side ( 3 ) for the goods to be conveyed, and a running side ( 4 ), whereby the conveyor belt has, in particular, an embedded strength support; an optoelectronic system ( 5 ) that optically detects the carrying side ( 3 ) and/or the running side ( 4 ), particularly the carrying side, in that it recognizes damage during operation, and if a critical state of the conveyor belt is reached, triggers an acoustical and/or optical alarm ( 11 ) and/or, in particular, brings about an automatic shut-down of the system; a process computer ( 6 ), which is coupled with the optoelectronic system ( 5 ), for the purpose of evaluating all of the data, whereby the process computer is connected with the alarm ( 11 ) and/or a drive control ( 12 ); as well as other system parts, namely contact drums ( 8 ), support rollers ( 9 ), support scaffolding, as well as any other components that might be necessary. The device according to the invention is characterized in that the device is additionally equipped with at least one structure-borne noise sensor ( 10 ) that detects deviations from the reference frequency, whereby a process computer ( 6 ) that is connected with the structure-borne noise sensor evaluates the change in frequency, specifically with simultaneous balancing with the reports from the optoelectronic system ( 5 ), so that even in a case where the optoelectronic system itself does not report a critical state, an acoustical and/or optical alarm and/or in particular, an automatic shut-down of the conveyor is brought about, in that the process computer responsible for the structure-borne noise sensor is also connected with an alarm ( 11 ) and/or the drive control ( 12 ).

Claims (23)

1. A device for monitoring a conveyor, comprising:

a conveyor belt made of elastomer material, having a carrying side for the goods to be conveyed, and a running side, wherein the conveyor belt has an embedded strength support;

an optoelectronic system that optically detects at least one of the carrying side and the running side, said optoelectronic system recognizing damage during operation, and if a critical state of the conveyor belt is reached, triggering at least one alarm selected from the group consisting of an acoustical alarm and an optical alarm;

a process computer coupled with the optoelectronic system for evaluating all data, wherein the process computer is connected with at least one of the at least one alarm and a drive control; and

other system parts selected from the group consisting of contact drums, support rollers, and support scaffolding;

wherein the device is additionally equipped with at least one structure-borne noise sensor, anchored in a bore of at least one of the contact drum and the support rollers, with a non-positive lock, said at least one structure-borne noise sensor detecting deviations from a reference frequency, wherein the process computer is connected with the structure-borne noise sensor, evaluates a change in frequency using reports from the optoelectronic system, and triggers at least one of the at least one alarm and an automatic shut-down of the conveyor even when the optoelectronic system does not report a critical state.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the structure-borne noise sensor is disposed in a vicinity of the optoelectronic system.

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the bore is disposed within a center point of at least one of the contact drum and the support rollers.

4. The device according claim 1 , wherein the structure-borne noise sensor is anchored in a bore of at least one of a reversing drum and a deflection drum.

5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the process computer is a process computer unit.

6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one alarm is an alarm unit.

7. A device for monitoring a conveyor, comprising:

a conveyor belt made of elastomer material, having a carrying side for the goods to be conveyed, and a running side, wherein the conveyor belt has an embedded strength support;

an optoelectronic system that optically detects at least one of the carrying side and the running side, said optoelectronic system recognizing damage during operation, and if a critical state of the conveyor belt is reached, triggering at least one alarm selected from the group consisting of an acoustical alarm and an optical alarm;

a process computer coupled with the optoelectronic system for evaluating all data, wherein the process computer is connected with at least one of the at least one alarm and a drive control; and

other system parts selected from the group consisting of contact drums, support rollers, and support scaffolding;

wherein the device is additionally equipped with at least one structure-borne noise sensor comprising piezoceramic and detecting deviations from a reference frequency, wherein the process computer is connected with the structure-borne noise sensor, evaluates a change in frequency using reports from the optoelectronic system, and triggers at least one of the at least one alarm and an automatic shut-down of the conveyor even when the optoelectronic system does not report a critical state.

8. A device for monitoring a conveyor, comprising:

a conveyor belt made of elastomer material, having a carrying side for the goods to be conveyed, and a running side, wherein the conveyor belt has an embedded strength support;

an optoelectronic system that optically detects at least one of the carrying side and the running side, said optoelectronic system recognizing damage during operation, and if a critical state of the conveyor belt is reached, triggering at least one alarm selected from the group consisting of an acoustical alarm and an optical alarm;

a process computer coupled with the optoelectronic system for evaluating all data, wherein the process computer is connected with at least one of the at least one alarm and a drive control; and

other system parts selected from the group consisting of contact drums, support rollers, and support scaffolding;

wherein the device is additionally equipped with at least one structure-borne noise sensor configured in multiple layers and detecting deviations from a reference frequency, wherein the process computer is connected with the structure-borne noise sensor, evaluates a change in frequency using reports from the optoelectronic system, and triggers at least one of the at least one alarm and an automatic shut-down of the conveyor even when the optoelectronic system does not report a critical state.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 12, 2024
From: PHOENIX CONVEYOR BELT SYSTEMS GMBH
To: CONTITECH DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
Reel/Frame 069567/0021 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 7, 2006
From: PHOENIX AG
To: PHOENIX CONVEYOR BELT SYSTEMS GMBH
Reel/Frame 018635/0374 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 17, 2006
From: KUSEL, BERND
To: PHOENIX AG
Reel/Frame 017904/0227 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2005 029 637 · Jun 25, 2005 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20090120768A1 · May 14, 2009