A pulley assembly for an automative machine and methods for the same are disclosed. The pulley assembly may include a monolithic body, an actuation assembly, and a pulley. The body may define a recess extending from a first end surface toward a second end surface thereof. The recess may separate an upper portion from a lower portion of the body. The body may define a bore extending through the upper and lower portions of the body. The bore may be threaded along a length thereof. The actuation assembly may include a mechanical biasing element having a threaded portion. The mechanical biasing element may be disposed in the bore such that the threaded portion thereof is threadably coupled with the threaded portion of the bore. The pulley may be rotatably coupled with the upper portion of the body such that the pully moves when the upper portion is actuated.

Some embodiments of the technology disclosed herein relate to a sensor device. An elongate sleeve has a first end and a second end and extends along a longitudinal axis. A plurality of sensors are fixed relative to the sleeve. A first endcap is coupled to the first end, where the first endcap has an endcap body. A first axle is coupled to the endcap body, where the first axle extends along the longitudinal axis and the first axle defines a retaining feature. An intermediate component is coupled to the first axle, and the intermediate component is selectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The sensor device has an orientation locking structure that is configured to be engaged to selectively fix the orientation of the intermediate component about the longitudinal axis relative to the endcap body.

A conveyor apparatus (1) can include a control mechanism to permit automatic monitoring of a conveyor belt (7) and automatically actuate adjustment of the belt (7). In some embodiments, at least two sensors (31) can be utilized to detect an operational condition of the belt (7) indicating an undesirable alignment of the belt as the belt moves to convey material. Upon such a detected operational condition, a control mechanism can automatically actuate adjustment of at least one belt support device to adjust motion of the belt (7) in response to the detected operational condition.

A conveyor apparatus (1) can include a control mechanism to permit automatic monitoring of a conveyor belt (7) and automatically actuate adjustment of the belt (7). In some embodiments, at least two sensors (31) can be utilized to detect an operational condition of the belt (7) indicating an undesirable alignment of the belt as the belt moves to convey material. Upon such a detected operational condition, a control mechanism can automatically actuate adjustment of at least one belt support device to adjust motion of the belt (7) in response to the detected operational condition.

A conveyor apparatus (1) can include a control mechanism to permit automatic monitoring of a conveyor belt (7) and automatically actuate adjustment of the belt (7). In some embodiments, at least two sensors (31) can be utilized to detect an operational condition of the belt (7) indicating an undesirable alignment of the belt as the belt moves to convey material. Upon such a detected operational condition, a control mechanism can automatically actuate adjustment of at least one belt support device to adjust motion of the belt (7) in response to the detected operational condition.

A conveying and sorting apparatus has a plurality of tilting conveyor units in a row in the conveying direction. Each tilting conveyor unit is able to switch between a horizontal conveying orientation and a tilted orientation for ejecting the object being conveyed, by means of gravity, laterally with respect to the conveying direction and has a belt conveyor with a plurality of ridge portions which extend in the width direction on the inside surface, and on the outside surface the ridge portions which extend in the width direction are provided an equivalent intervals in the length direction of the belt. A plurality of recessed grooves which engage with each of the ridge portions on the inside surface of the belt are provided to the peripheral surfaces of a front pulley and a rear pulley of the belt.

A conveyor belt monitoring system may utilize one or more ultrasonic sensors to identify variations in the position of the conveyor belt. These variations may be minor variations in belt position, which can be identified by the belt monitoring system well before they would be readily perceptible by a user. The monitoring system may be operated in conjunction with one or more belt adjustment mechanisms which can be used to correct the path of the conveyor belt based on information gathered by the monitoring system.

A conveyor belt monitoring system may utilize one or more ultrasonic sensors to identify variations in the position of the conveyor belt. These variations may be minor variations in belt position, which can be identified by the belt monitoring system well before they would be readily perceptible by a user. The monitoring system may be operated in conjunction with one or more belt adjustment mechanisms which can be used to correct the path of the conveyor belt based on information gathered by the monitoring system.

A process is for the maintenance of a belt conveyor, which includes a longitudinal conveyor belt and a number of support stations for the conveyor belt distributed along the conveyor belt. Each support station includes a cradle on which the conveyor belt rests. The process includes inserting an inflatable pad in a deflated state below the conveyor belt, in a lifting position near one of the support stations, inflating the inflatable pad to an inflated state in which the conveyor belt rests directly on the inflatable pad and no longer rests on the cradle of the support station, performing a maintenance operation on the support station, and deflating the inflatable pad to its deflated state.

A supply device is provided for laterally feeding of goods to be transported to a conveyor device (25). The supply device has a drive pulley (5), end pulleys (7) and conveyor belts (9). Each of the end pulleys (7) is associated with one of conveyor belts (9). Each of the conveyor belts (9) extends around the drive pulley (5) and the associated end pulley (7) and can be driven the drive pulley (5). A friction-enhancing element (41) is configured on the drive pulley (5) for enhancing friction between the respective conveyor belt (9) and the drive pulley (5).