Process and device for vulcanizing power transmission belts

摘要

A process is provided for vulcanizing a vulcanizable endless belt which is substantially V-shaped in cross-section, substantially uniformly, by heating the belt through its minor base and converging sides and then cooling the belt from its minor base and converging sides more rapidly than cooling of the major base. An apparatus for practicing the process has a drum and a substantially concentric jacket in spaced relation about the drum. An annular inflatable diaphram is disposed in the space between the drum and jacket. A belt to be vulcanized is placed in an annular groove in the drum, the diaphram is inflated to press the belt in the groove against the surfaces thereof. The surfaces of the groove facing the minor base and the converging sides are heated while the major base is flush with the surface of the drum and is not heated. Cooling water is run through conduits adjacent the minor base and converging sides of the belt to accelerate cooling of the belt while the major base is cooled only by exposure to air.