Belt drive tensioning system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system comprising:
- a housing;
a fixed bracket assembly having a first portion secured to the housing and a second portion suspended therefrom;
first and second pulleys attached to the second portion of the bracket assembly and fixed relative to each other by the bracket assembly;
a payload configured to rotate in response to the first pulley;
a belt engaged in tension with the first and second pulleys; and
wherein the first and second pulleys are configured to remain thermally decoupled from the housing through the suspension of the second portion of the bracket assembly to reduce effects of thermal expansion of the housing on the belt tension.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various techniques are provided to maintain drive belts at substantially constant tension over a wide range of conditions. In one embodiment, a system includes a housing, a bracket secured to the housing, first and second pulleys, and a belt engaged in tension with the first and second pulleys. The first and second pulleys are suspended from the housing through the bracket to reduce effects of thermal expansion of the housing on the belt tension. Other systems and related methods are also provided.
72 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a housing; a fixed bracket assembly having a first portion secured to the housing and a second portion suspended therefrom; first and second pulleys attached to the second portion of the bracket assembly and fixed relative to each other by the bracket assembly; a payload configured to rotate in response to the first pulley; a belt engaged in tension with the first and second pulleys; and wherein the first and second pulleys are configured to remain thermally decoupled from the housing through the suspension of the second portion of the bracket assembly to reduce effects of thermal expansion of the housing on the belt tension. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method comprising:
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driving a belt engaged in tension with first and second pulleys; rotating the first pulley by the belt; rotating a payload of an imaging system in response to the rotation of the first pulley; wherein the imaging system comprises a housing and a bracket assembly having a first portion secured to the housing and a second portion suspended therefrom; wherein the first and second pulleys are attached to the second portion of the bracket assembly and fixed relative to each other by the bracket assembly; and wherein the first and second pulleys are configured to remain thermally decoupled from the housing through the suspension of the second portion of the bracket assembly to reduce effects of thermal expansion of the housing on the belt tension. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification