Endless belt power transmission systems or components – Means for adjusting belt tension or for shifting belt,... – With sensor for controlling operation of shifter to correct...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-27
2001-07-24
Bucci, David A. (Department: 3682)
Endless belt power transmission systems or components
Means for adjusting belt tension or for shifting belt,...
With sensor for controlling operation of shifter to correct...
C198S810020, C198S502100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264577
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention pertains generally to the art of conveyor belt identification means and more specifically to the use of an embedded integrated circuit transponder which is interrogated to transmit belt identification and other data.
1. Background Art
In the manufacture of conveyor belts it is desirable to provide unique identification for each belt, A currently used procedure molds an alphanumeric “brand” onto the belt surface. The brand normally identifies the belt type, the date of manufacture and the belt section. In addition, at times splices are needed to repair damaged segments of a conveyor belt. It is also convenient to brand the spliced segments so as to monitor the success of the repair effort. With prior art devices, the information contained on the brand is readable only while the belt is nonoperative and relatively free from excess debris
In the art it is known that monitoring the condition of an endless conveyor belt during usage can prevent irreparable belt damage and needless production delays. The presence of rip detection coils embedded within the layers of a conveyor belt is one tool used for such monitoring. For the most part, the embedded devices are passive antennae which serve as coupling devices when specific sections of the belt pass by a rip detection station. Generally, an electrical current is induced in an antenna, and if a sufficiently strong signal is received from the antenna, it is presumed that the integrity of the belt is maintained. An insufficiently transmitted signal, on the other hand, may indicate the presence of a longitudinal rip in the belt surface requiring immediate attention.
The present invention relates to an endless conveyor belt having an integrated circuit transponder embedded within the structure of the conveyor belt for use in belt or belt section identification. The transponder is a passive device which depends upon the receipt of an interrogation signal emanating from an outside source. The interrogation signal is rectified by the integrated circuit transponder, which then transmits an electrical signal digitally encoded to identify the belt or belt section. A unique “digital brand” can be used for each belt or belt section.
The present invention provides a non-contact means for identifying a conveyor belt, or belt section, and monitoring thereof which is simple and efficient while providing better and more advantageous results.
2. Disclosure of Invention
According to another aspect of the invention, an endless conveyor belt having an elastomeric body, a top cover, a pulley cover, and a reinforced layer disposed between and coextensive with the top cover and the pulley cover,
a splice in the top cover, a splice in the pulley cover, and a first splice in the reinforced layer due to a splice in the belt is characterized by:
a first integrated circuit transponder being located in the reinforced layer in close proximity to the first splice for use in splice identification and monitoring.
According to another aspect of the invention, the conveyor belt further comprises a second integrated circuit transponder which is positioned with the pulley cover near the periphery of the pulley cover and the reinforced layer.
According to another aspect of the invention, the first transponder comprises an antenna comprising an electrical coil having a plurality of bunched turns, the coil being substantially planar, the plane of the coil being substantially parallel with the belt surfaces; and, a printed circuit board attached to the coil, the integrated circuit of the first transponder being mounted on the circuit board.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method of locating a splice in a conveyor belt comprises the steps of:
embedding an integrated circuit transponder in the structure of the conveyor belt near the splice, the transponder being able to transmit an electrical signal in response to an oscillating electric or magnetic field emanating from a source in contact with or spaced from the belt;
interrogating the transponder with the oscillating electric or magnetic field; and,
receiving the transmitted electrical signal from the transponder.
According to another aspect of the invention, a conveyor belt identification system comprises:
a transducer embedded within the belt structure, the transducer being encoded with predetermined identification data, the transducer being able to transmit the data in response to an oscillating electric or magnetic field emanating from a source in contact with or spaced from the belt; and,
means for receiving the transmitted identification data.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method of locating a splice in a conveyor belt is characterized by the steps of embedding an integrated circuit transponder in the structure of the conveyor belt near the splice, the transponder being able to transmit an electrical signal in response to an oscillating electric or magnetic field emanating from a source in contact with or spaced from the belt; interrogating the transponder with the oscillating electric or magnetic field, and receiving the transmitted electrical signal from the transponder.
One advantage of the present invention is the provision of non-contact means for identifying a conveyor belt or belt section.
Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a quick and precise method of monitoring a repair in a conveyor belt.
Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the following specification.
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Bucci David A.
Charles Marcus
Emerson & Skeriotis
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
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