Closed-loop magnetic positioning of conveyor belts
US8839948B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 7, 2011 |
| Grant date | Sep 23, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 7, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G43/02
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A conveyor having a conveyor belt with magnetic properties that allow the belt's position to be controlled by externally generated magnetic fields and methods for controlling such a conveyor belt. Sensors sense an operating condition of the belt, such as belt speed, belt tension, belt loading, belt lateral, or radial, position, or belt elevation, and send those measurements to a controller. Electromagnets in the conveyor frame generate magnetic fields that interact with the magnetic properties of the belt to apply selected forces to position the belt in the conveyor. The controller adjusts the strength and direction of the magnetic fields generated by the electromagnets to control the operating conditions of the belt.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.