Conveyor belt monitor
First Claim
1. A method for testing a conveyor belt comprising the steps of:
- (a) transmitting ultrasound to the belt at a first zone;
(b) detecting ultrasound propagated by the belt from the first zone to a second zone spaced apart from the first; and
(c) issuing a signal responsive to ultrasound, if any, so detected, whereby said signal is indicative of discontinuities in the belt intermediate said zones;
wherein the first and second zones are spaced apart in a direction transverse the direction of belt travel, further comprising the steps of;
(a) transmitting further ultrasound to the belt at a third zone spaced apart from the first in the direction of travel of the belt;
(b) detecting any said further ultrasound propagated by the belt from the third zone at a fourth zone spaced apart from the third in a direction transverse the direction of travel of the belt;
(c) issuing a second signal responsive to said further ultrasound, if any, so detected, whereby to indicate a discontinuity between the third and fourth zones, and(d) correlating the second signal with the first.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Flaws may be detected in conveyor belting in motion by transmitting ultrasound to the belting at one zone, detecting ultrasound propagated by the belting from the one zone to another zone spaced apart from the first and issuing a signal responsive to any ultrasound detected, whereby a signal is obtained which is indicative of discontinuities in the belting intermediate the zones. Preferably, a column of water extending between an ultrasonic transducer and the belt is used for ultrasonic coupling during motion of the belt, and tracking means are provided to maintain the column at constant length. With proper frequency selection, ultrasound can be transmitted a surprising distance through conveyor belting made of rubber-like material.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for testing a conveyor belt comprising the steps of:
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(a) transmitting ultrasound to the belt at a first zone; (b) detecting ultrasound propagated by the belt from the first zone to a second zone spaced apart from the first; and (c) issuing a signal responsive to ultrasound, if any, so detected, whereby said signal is indicative of discontinuities in the belt intermediate said zones; wherein the first and second zones are spaced apart in a direction transverse the direction of belt travel, further comprising the steps of; (a) transmitting further ultrasound to the belt at a third zone spaced apart from the first in the direction of travel of the belt; (b) detecting any said further ultrasound propagated by the belt from the third zone at a fourth zone spaced apart from the third in a direction transverse the direction of travel of the belt; (c) issuing a second signal responsive to said further ultrasound, if any, so detected, whereby to indicate a discontinuity between the third and fourth zones, and (d) correlating the second signal with the first. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for detecting a rip in a conveyor belt comprising a rubber or rubberlike composition, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) transmitting ultrasound of a particular frequency to the belt at a first zone; (b) detecting ultrasound of said particular frequency propagated by the belt from the first zone to a second zone spaced apart from the first; and (c) issuing a signal responsive to the intensity of ultrasound, if any, so detected, whereby said signal is indicative of discontinuities in the belt intermediate said zones. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. Apparatus comprising,
a conveyor belt comprising a rubber or rubberlike material, the belt passing through a first zone and a second zone spaced from the first; -
transducer means for producing ultrasound at a predetermined frequency; coupling means for transmitting said ultrasound to the belt while it is in motion through the the first zone; and sensor means producing a signal responsive to the intensity of said ultrasound, if any, in the belt at the second zone, whereby said signal is indicative of discontinuities in the belt. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification