Belt misalignment sensing and sensor status sensing apparatus and method of use

摘要

A misaligned belt sensing apparatus determines when a conveyor belt becomes misaligned, indicating repair or replacement are required. At least one sensing apparatus is placed nearly in contact with the belt which produces heat due to friction between the belt and the apparatus when it comes in contact with same due to misalignment. The sensed temperature is compared to threshold values and indicates when the conveyor belt has become misaligned, as well as determining operational wear status of the sensing apparatus after a number of such misalignments. Each heat sensing apparatus comprises at least one thermally conductive plate where a moving misaligned belt rubs against the thermally conductive plate and generates heat due to friction between the moving belt and the thermally conductive plate, where each plate has one or more independent temperature sensing elements for misalignment detection and indication, also detecting wear status of the plates of the apparatus.

主权项

1. A method of moving belt misalignment sensing using apparatus engaged to any suitably functional circuitry for same, the apparatus comprising at least a rear contact portion, a forward contact portion mounted to said rear contact portion, and wiring from each contact portion engaged to any suitable sensor for sensing changes in temperature in the contact portions, the method comprising the steps of:
placing the belt misalignment sensing apparatus at a position relative to the moving belt such that misalignment of the belt first places the forward contact portion in mechanical communication with a moving belt to generate a first sensed temperature level; comparing the first sensed temperature level to a predetermined threshold temperature levels for the forward contact portion; determining, based upon the step of comparing said measured temperature level to the predetermined threshold temperature level, whether the conveyor belt is misaligned, the misalignment being indicated when the first sensed temperature level exceeds the predetermined threshold temperature level for the forward contact portion.