ELECTRIC DRIVE SYSTEM FOR PLANER MILL INFEED AND OUTFEED ROLLS

摘要

A method and apparatus for converting a conventional mechanical or hydraulic system for driving the infeed and outfeed rolls of a planer mill or a simila r conveyor to variable frequency electric power. The method involves disconnecting the roller shafts from pre-existing mechanical and hydraulic drive components housed within the conveyor gearbox or other support frame. The electric motors are mounted at fixed positions on a panel rigidly connected to the gearbox or other support frame at a location spaced-apart from the roller shafts. Each motor is coupled to a corresponding roller shaf t by means of a connector drive shaft having universal joint couplers at each end thereof. This arrangement permits displacement of the roller shafts duri ng normal operation of the conveyor without transferring torque forces to the electric motors. The speed of each motor and hence each roller may be independently controlled by a frequency inverter which is operable by remote control.