A system for anticipating low-speed bearing failure triggers a notification when a noise generated by the low-speed bearing exceeds a threshold. The system predicts failure far in advance of the actual failure. The system includes an accelerometer for detecting the noise generated by the bearing. The signal produced by the accelerometer is processed using a band pass filter, an amplifier/rectifier, an averaging filter, and a voltage to current converter. The signal and raw data are transmitted to a remote monitoring system, such as a computer. The signal is further analyzed, such as to produce a best-fit line. When the signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, such as when the amount or the slope of the best-fit line exceeds a value, the remote system notifies a monitor to schedule maintenance.

A system for anticipating low-speed bearing failure triggers a notification when a noise generated by the low-speed bearing exceeds a threshold. The system predicts failure far in advance of the actual failure. The system includes an accelerometer for detecting the noise generated by the bearing. The signal produced by the accelerometer is processed using a band pass filter, an amplifier/rectifier, an averaging filter, and a voltage to current converter. The signal and raw data are transmitted to a remote monitoring system, such as a computer. The signal is further analyzed, such as to produce a best-fit line. When the signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, such as when the amount or the slope of the best-fit line exceeds a value, the remote system notifies a monitor to schedule maintenance.

A spiral conveyor system is provided to transport a plurality of articles thereon between at least one first level and at least one second level. The spiral conveyor system includes a conveyor assembly having more than one spiral conveyor. Each spiral conveyor defines a conveying surface for transporting the plurality of articles thereon. Each spiral conveyor is coupled with a support in a helical configuration such that each spiral conveyor is interleaved in an alternating configuration with another spiral conveyor about the support. Each conveying surface can selectively move in an inclining direction and in a declining direction such that the conveying surfaces can be moved simultaneously in the same or opposing directions.

An accumulating conveyor comprises a conveyor belt successively follows a first helical track from a lower end thereof in upward direction to a location below an upper end thereof, a first bridge to a location at a second helical track below an upper end thereof, the second helical track in downward direction to a lower end thereof, a first set of auxiliary guides to the upper end of the second helical track, the second helical track in downward direction, a second bridge to the first helical track, the first helical track in upward direction to the upper end thereof, and the second set of auxiliary guides to the lower end of the first helical track. The bridges are synchronously movable along the first and second helical tracks for varying the effective lengths of the conveyor belt.

An accumulating conveyor comprises a conveyor belt successively follows a first helical track from a lower end thereof in upward direction to a location below an upper end thereof, a first bridge to a location at a second helical track below an upper end thereof, the second helical track in downward direction to a lower end thereof, a first set of auxiliary guides to the upper end of the second helical track, the second helical track in downward direction, a second bridge to the first helical track, the first helical track in upward direction to the upper end thereof, and the second set of auxiliary guides to the lower end of the first helical track. The bridges are synchronously movable along the first and second helical tracks for varying the effective lengths of the conveyor belt.

A spiral conveyor system may include a drum and a conveyor belt traveling helically about the drum from an entrance end to an exit end of the drum, and a rib associated with the drum, wherein the rib extends radially from a surface of the drum. A length of the rib extends along the length of the drum from a first end of the rib to a terminus of the rib proximate the entrance end of the drum. In addition, a height of the rib above of the surface of the drum varies along the length of the rib. Further, the rib includes at least one drive face, wherein the conveyor belt includes at least one belt surface configured to engage the at least one drive face, and wherein the drum includes a smooth ribless portion between the terminus of the rib and the entrance end of the drum.

A spiral conveyor system may include a drum and a conveyor belt traveling helically about the drum from an entrance end to an exit end of the drum, and a rib associated with the drum, wherein the rib extends radially from a surface of the drum. A length of the rib extends along the length of the drum from a first end of the rib to a terminus of the rib proximate the entrance end of the drum. In addition, a height of the rib above of the surface of the drum varies along the length of the rib. Further, the rib includes at least one drive face, wherein the conveyor belt includes at least one belt surface configured to engage the at least one drive face, and wherein the drum includes a smooth ribless portion between the terminus of the rib and the entrance end of the drum.

A direct drive drum (100) for a modular conveyor belt (180) comprises a drum rotation axis, a plurality of support elements (110) and a plurality of direct drive elements (120). Each support element (110) has a belt support surface (111) on a side distant and pointing away from the drum rotation axis. Each direct drive element (120) is arranged in circumferential direction (106) of the direct drive drum separate and in a distance from each of the support elements (110). In this way, the tension generated within the modular conveyor belt (180) and between the modular conveyor belt (180) and the direct drive drum (100) in a collapse phase of the modular conveyor belt (180) can be reduced.

A direct drive drum (100) for a modular conveyor belt (180) comprises a drum rotation axis, a plurality of support elements (110) and a plurality of direct drive elements (120). Each support element (110) has a belt support surface (111) on a side distant and pointing away from the drum rotation axis. Each direct drive element (120) is arranged in circumferential direction (106) of the direct drive drum separate and in a distance from each of the support elements (110). In this way, the tension generated within the modular conveyor belt (180) and between the modular conveyor belt (180) and the direct drive drum (100) in a collapse phase of the modular conveyor belt (180) can be reduced.

A sensing system (110) positioned relative to the conveyor belt (34) to sense the physical configuration of the belt side links (44) and (46) as well as the inclination or tilt of the side links.