Belt conveyor wing pulley

Abstract

A belt conveyor wing pulley is comprised of a plurality of V-shaped wings radially spaced about and connected to circumferential surfaces of a pair of spaced hubs. Gussets are connected to facing surfaces of adjacent wings and to the circumferential surfaces of the hubs.

Description

conform to form the angle of wings 52. As a result of wing pulley 50 having eight wings, there is less overlap between the contact bars 58 of adjacent wings 52, yet wings 52 provide sufficient belt support. As shown in FIG. 8, which is an end perspective view of one wing 52 mounted to hubs 54, each wing 52 is oriented on a radial R′ in a plane that is substantially parallel to radial R′. Unlike wings 14 of wing pulley 10, the lower edge 56 57 of wings 52 of wing pulley 50 lack a notch at the ends 58 56 of wings 52.

The V-shaped wing configuration of the wing pulley of the present invention deflects material away from the wing pulley and conveyor belt more efficiently and effectively than standard wing pulleys. As a result, material is less apt to get wedged between adjacent wings and the conveyor belt and belt damage is minimized. The V-shaped wing configuration also results in wing overlap along the length of the wing pulley to permit a conveyor belt to be supported by multiple wings along the belt width and ease the transition of belt contact from one wing to the next. This in turn minimizes vibration to the belt, extends belt life and reduces the amount of noise generated from the wings contacting the belt.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A pulley for a conveyor belt comprising:

spaced first and second hubs aligned along a common axis, each of the first and second hubs having a circumferential surface;

a plurality of radially spaced wings connected to the circumferential surface of the first and second hubs, each wing comprising:

a metal plate having a length defined by a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a width defined by first and second surfaces of the plate, and a height defined by a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, the plate configured to define a first plate portion and a second plate portion, the first and second plate portions extending at an angle relative to one another from a location generally midway between the first and second end of the plate, each metal plate having an end portion near the first and second end that is connected to the circumferential surface of the first and second hubs; and

a gusset connected between the first surface of each plate and the second surface of an adjacent plate.

2. The pulley of claim 1 wherein the front and rear surfaces of the first and second plate portions are generally parallel to a radially extending line from each hub circumferential surface corresponding to each wing connection to the first and second hubs.

3. The pulley of claim 1 wherein the front and rear surfaces of the first and second plate portions extend at an angle of between about zero degrees to about 30 degrees in a direction of intended rotation of the pulley relative to a radially extending line from each hub circumferential surface corresponding to each wing connection to the first and second hubs.

4. The pulley of claim 1 wherein the front faces of the first and second plate portions define an obtuse angle, and wherein the rear faces of the first and second plate portions define an acute angle.

5. The pulley of claim 4 wherein the first plate portion extends at the angle of about 30 degrees relative to the second plate portion.

6. The pulley of claim 5 wherein the front faces of the first and second plate portions are oriented in a direction of intended rotation of the pulley.

7. The pulley of claim 1 wherein the first edge of each wing of the plurality of wings defines an arc and wherein the collective first edges of the plurality of wings generally define a generally cylindrical contact surface of the pulley along the length of each wing.

8. The pulley of claim 7 wherein the first edges of adjacent wings intersect a line that extends generally parallel to the axis of the first and second hubs.

9. The pulley of claim 1 wherein the gusset includes a first segment that extends along the first plate portion and a second segment that extends along the second plate portion, the first and second segments extending at an angle relative to one another.

10. The pulley of claim 9 wherein each gusset first segment has a first end and a second end, and wherein each gusset second segment has a first end and a second end, the first end of each first segment connected to a portion the first hub circumferential surface, the first end of each second segment connected to a portion of the second hub circumferential surface, and the second ends of each first and second segment connected to one another.

11. The pulley of claim 10 wherein the collective second ends of each gusset first and second segment define a diameter that is greater than a diameter defined by the circumferential surface of the first and second hubs.

12. The pulley of claim 1 wherein the first edge of each metal plate comprises an edge member configured to define a contact surface having a surface area greater than that of the first edge.

13. A pulley for a conveyor belt comprising:

spaced first and second hubs aligned along a common axis, each of the first and second hubs having a circumferential surface;

a plurality of V-shaped wings radially spaced about and connected to the circumferential surfaces of the first and second hubs; and

a gusset connected between a first surface of each wing and a second surface of an adjacent wing.

14. The pulley of claim 13 wherein each V-shaped wing comprises a metal plate having front and rear surfaces, the front and rear surfaces of the metal plate of each V-shaped wing being generally parallel to a radially extending line from each hub circumferential surface corresponding to each wing connection to the first and second hubs.

15. The pulley of claim 13 wherein each V-shaped wing comprises a metal plate having front and rear surfaces, the front and rear surfaces of the metal plate of each V-shaped wing extending at an angle of between about zero degrees to about 30 degrees in a direction of intended rotation of the pulley relative to a radially extending line from each hub circumferential surface corresponding to each wing connection to the first and second hubs.

16. The pulley of claim 13 wherein a first surface of each V-shaped wing defines an obtuse angle, and wherein a second surface of each V-shaped wing defines an acute angle.

17. The pulley of claim 13 wherein each V-shaped wing defines an angle of about 30 degrees.

18. The pulley of claim 16 wherein the first surface of each V-shaped wing faces in a direction of intended rotation of the pulley.

19. The pulley of claim 13 wherein each V-shaped wing comprises a first edge, the first edge of each wing defining an arc and wherein the collective first edges of the plurality of wings define a generally cylindrical contact surface of the pulley along a length of each wing.

20. The pulley of claim 19 wherein the first edges of adjacent wings intersect a line that extends generally parallel to the axis of the first and second hubs.

21. The pulley of claim 14 wherein the gusset includes a first segment that extends along a first plate portion and a second segment that extends along a second plate portion, the first and second segments extending at an angle relative to one another.

22. The pulley of claim 21 wherein each gusset first segment has a first end and a second end, and wherein each gusset second segment has a first end and a second end, the first end of each first segment connected to a portion the first hub circumferential surface, the first end of each second segment connected to a portion of the second hub circumferential surface, and the second ends of each first and second segment connected to one another.

23. The pulley of claim 22 wherein the collective second ends of each gusset first and second segment define a diameter that is greater than a diameter defined by the circumferential surface of the first and second hubs.

24. The pulley of claim 19 wherein the first edge of each metal plate comprises an edge member configured to define a contact surface having a surface area greater than that of the first edge.

25. A pulley having a length for supporting a conveyor belt having a width, the width of the conveyor belt extending along the length of the pulley, the pulley comprising:

spaced first and second hubs aligned along a common axis, each of the first and second hubs having a circumferential surface;

a plurality of wings radially spaced about and connected to the circumferential surfaces of the first and second hubs, each wing of the plurality of wings configured to define a contact surface radially spaced from the first and second hubs for contacting the conveyor belt, wherein the contact surface of a first wing of the plurality of wings overlaps with the contact surface of a second wing of the plurality of wings along the length of the pulley, the width of the conveyor belt thereby being supported by the first and second wings; and

a gusset connected between a first surface of each wing and a second surface of an adjacent wing.

26. A wing pulley for a belt conveyor, the wing pulley having a first end and a second end and a midpoint between the first and second end, the wing pulley comprising:

a pair of spaced cylindrical hubs, a first hub of the pair of hubs at the first end, a second hub of the pair of hubs at the second end;

a plurality of metal wings spaced around and supported on the pair of hubs, each wing of the plurality of wings having a curved upper edge, the upper edge being spaced from the hubs, the upper edges of the plurality of wings including contact surfaces of the wing pulley for supporting a conveyor belt;

a metal plate extending between each pair of adjacent metal wings at a level of the hubs;

each pair of adjacent metal wings and the metal plate defining first and second spaces below the upper edges of the plurality of wings around the wing pulley, the first space located on a first half of the wing pulley between the midpoint and the first end, the second space located on a second half of the wing pulley between the midpoint and the second end, the first and second spaces defining a non-zero angle therebetween, the non-zero angle being forward of the respective first and second ends in the direction of rotation of the wing pulley, the first and second spaces being unobstructed at the first and second ends of the wing pulley;

wherein rotation of the wing pulley results in material in the first and second spaces between adjacent wings to be directed laterally toward the respective first and second ends of the wing pulley and away from the wing pulley; and

wherein a configuration of said wings results in wing overlap along the length of the wing pulley to permit a conveyor belt to be supported by multiple wings along the belt width.

27. A wing pulley for a belt conveyor, the wing pulley having a first end and a second end and a midpoint between the first and second end, the wing pulley comprising:

a pair of spaced cylindrical hubs, a first hub of the pair of hubs at the first end, a second hub of the pair of hubs at the second end;

a plurality of metal wings spaced around and supported on the pair of hubs, each wing of the plurality of wings having a curved upper edge, the upper edge being spaced from the hubs, the upper edges of the plurality of wings including contact surfaces of the wing pulley for supporting a conveyor belt;

a metal plate extending between each pair of adjacent metal wings at a level of the hubs;

each pair of adjacent metal wings and the metal plate defining first and second spaces below the upper edges of the plurality of wings around the wing pulley, the first space located on a first half of the wing pulley between the midpoint and the first end, the second space located on a second half of the wing pulley between the midpoint and the second end, the first and second spaces defining a non-zero angle therebetween, the non-zero angle being forward of the respective first and second ends in the direction of rotation of the wing pulley, the first and second spaces being unobstructed at the first and second ends of the wing pulley;

wherein rotation of the wing pulley results in material in the first and second spaces between adjacent wings to be directed laterally toward the respective first and second ends of the wing pulley and away from the wing pulley; and

wherein a configuration of said wings results in wing overlap along the length of the wing pulley to permit a conveyor belt to be supported by multiple wings along the belt width and ease the transition of belt contact from one wing to the next.

28. A wing pulley for a belt conveyor, the wing pulley having a first end and a second end and a midpoint between the first and second end, the wing pulley comprising:

a pair of spaced cylindrical hubs, a first hub of the pair of hubs at the first end, a second hub of the pair of hubs at the second end;

a plurality of metal wings spaced around and supported on the pair of hubs, each wing of the plurality of wings having a curved upper edge, the upper edge being spaced from the hubs, the upper edges of the plurality of wings including contact surfaces of the wing pulley for supporting a conveyor belt;

a metal plate extending between each pair of adjacent metal wings at a level of the hubs;

each pair of adjacent metal wings and the metal plate defining first and second spaces below the upper edges of the plurality of wings around the wing pulley, the first space located on a first half of the wing pulley between the midpoint and the first end, the second space located on a second half of the wing pulley between the midpoint and the second end, the first and second spaces defining a non-zero angle therebetween, the non-zero angle being forward of the respective first and second ends in the direction of rotation of the wing pulley, the first and second spaces being unobstructed at the first and second ends of the wing pulley;

wherein rotation of the wing pulley results in material in the first and second spaces between adjacent wings to be directed laterally toward the respective first and second ends of the wing pulley and away from the wing pulley; and

wherein at least a portion of each wing is set at an angle (C) such that said portion lies in a plane that is forward of a radial (B) in the direction of intended rotation of wing pulley (10).

29. The wing pulley of claim 33, wherein said portion is set at an angle of between 0 and 30 degrees forward of radial (B).

30. The wing pulley of claim 28, wherein said portion comprises a metal contact bar at an upper end thereof.

31. The wing pulley of claim 30, wherein said metal contact bar is generally circular in cross section.

32. A wing pulley for a belt conveyor, the wing pulley having a first end and a second end and a midpoint between the first and second end, the wing pulley comprising:

a pair of spaced cylindrical hubs, a first hub of the pair of hubs at the first end, a second hub of the pair of hubs at the second end;

a plurality of metal wing plates spaced around and supported on the pair of hubs, each wing plate of the plurality of wing plates having a curved upper edge, the upper edge being spaced from the hubs, the upper edges of the plurality of wing plates including contact surfaces of the wing pulley for supporting a conveyor belt;

a metal wall between adjacent metal wing plates at a level of the hubs; and

the adjacent metal wing plates and metal wall defining first and second spaces below the upper edges of the adjacent metal wing plates around the wing pulley, the first space located on a first half of the wing pulley between the midpoint and the first end, the second space located on a second half of the wing pulley between the midpoint and the second end, the first space and second space defining a non-zero angle therebetween, the non-zero angle being forward of the respective first and second ends in the direction of rotation of the wing pulley, the first and second spaces being unobstructed at the first and second ends of the wing pulley;

wherein rotation of the wing pulley results in material in the first and second spaces between adjacent wings to be directed laterally toward the respective first and second ends of the wing pulley and away from the wing pulley; and

wherein the upper edges of adjacent wing plates on the first half of the wing pulley overlap the upper edges of adjacent wing plates on the second half of the wing pulley along the length of the wing pulley such that a conveyor belt is able to be substantially supported along a width of the conveyor belt by adjacent wing plates on the first and second half of the wing pulley.

33. The wing pulley of claim 32, wherein an arrangement of said wing plates results in wing overlap along the length of the wing pulley to permit a conveyor belt to be supported by multiple wing plates along the belt width.

34. A wing pulley for a belt conveyor, the wing pulley having a first end and a second end and a midpoint between the first and second end, the wing pulley comprising:

a pair of spaced cylindrical hubs, a first hub of the pair of hubs at the first end, a second hub of the pair of hubs at the second end;

a plurality of metal wing plates spaced around and supported on the pair of hubs, each wing plate of the plurality of wing plates having a curved upper edge, the upper edge being spaced from the hubs, the upper edges of the plurality of wing plates including contact surfaces of the wing pulley for supporting a conveyor belt;

a metal wall between adjacent metal wing plates at a level of the hubs; and

the adjacent metal wing plates and metal wall defining first and second spaces below the upper edges of the adjacent metal wing plates around the wing pulley, the first space located on a first half of the wing pulley between the midpoint and the first end, the second space located on a second half of the wing pulley between the midpoint and the second end, the first space and second space defining a non-zero angle therebetween, the non-zero angle being forward of the respective first and second ends in the direction of rotation of the wing pulley, the first and second spaces being unobstructed at the first and second ends of the wing pulley;

wherein rotation of the wing pulley results in material in the first and second spaces between adjacent wings to be directed laterally toward the respective first and second ends of the wing pulley and away from the wing pulley; and

wherein an arrangement of said wing plates results in an overlap of wing plate upper edges along the length of the wing pulley to permit a conveyor belt to be supported by multiple wings along the belt width and ease the transition of belt contact from one wing to the next.

35. A wing pulley for a belt conveyor, the wing pulley having a first end and a second end and a midpoint between the first and second end, the wing pulley comprising:

a pair of spaced cylindrical hubs, a first hub of the pair of hubs at the first end, a second hub of the pair of hubs at the second end;

a plurality of metal wing plates spaced around and supported on the pair of hubs, each wing plate of the plurality of wing plates having a curved upper edge, the upper edge being spaced from the hubs, the upper edges of the plurality of wing plates including contact surfaces of the wing pulley for supporting a conveyor belt;

a metal wall between adjacent metal wing plates at a level of the hubs; and

the adjacent metal wing plates and metal wall defining first and second spaces below the upper edges of the adjacent metal wing plates around the wing pulley, the first space located on a first half of the wing pulley between the midpoint and the first end, the second space located on a second half of the wing pulley between the midpoint and the second end, the first space and second space defining a non-zero angle therebetween, the non-zero angle being forward of the respective first and second ends in the direction of rotation of the wing pulley, the first and second spaces being unobstructed at the first and second ends of the wing pulley;

wherein rotation of the wing pulley results in material in the first and second spaces between adjacent wings to be directed laterally toward the respective first and second ends of the wing pulley and away from the wing pulley; and

wherein at least a portion of each wing plate is set at an angle (C) such that said portion lies in a plane that is forward of a radial (B) in the direction of intended rotation of wing pulley (10).

36. The wing pulley of claim 35, wherein said portion is set at an angle of between 0 and 30 degrees forward of radial (B).

37. The wing pulley of claim 35, wherein said portion comprises a metal contact bar at an upper end thereof.

38. The wing pulley of claim 37, wherein said metal contact bar is generally circular in cross section.