Examples of non-invasive inspection of a mechanical system are described. In an example implementation, a first operational data from a detector mounted on an item being handled by a mechanical system is retrieved. The detector may include one or more sensors, and the first operational data is indicative of a current operational condition of the mechanical system. The first operational data can be compared with a corresponding historical first operational data and an error in the current operational condition of the mechanical system is determined based on the comparison. In response to the identification of the error, a notification is generated to perform a non-invasive inspection of the mechanical system.

A system for continuously monitoring an apron feeder in real-time, the apron feeder having a plurality of units. The system includes a plurality of sensor modules of different types, wherein each sensor module includes at least one sensor configured to measure an individual condition of a unit of the apron feeder, to generate sensor data representing the measured individual condition, and to transmit the generated sensor data. A base station is configured to collect the sensor data from the plurality of sensor modules, and to transmit outbound data, which is based on the collected sensor data. A processing unit receives the outbound data from the base station, analyses the outbound data for determining whether or not any of the unit of the apron feeder needs to be replaced or readjusted based on its individual condition, and generates a result of the determination for continuously indicating an overall state of the apron feeder.

The present invention relates broadly to a wear liner module (10) for equipment in a high wear environment, said module (10) comprising a back plate (12) and a wear liner (11) including one or more tiles (14a) to (14f) formed of wear resistant material, and one or more sensors such as (16a) mounted to the wear resistant tile such as (14a). The wear sensor (16a) is mounted to a perimeter face of the corresponding wear resistant tile (14a). The wear sensor (16a) is electrically coupled to a microprocessor mounted to a rear face of the tile (14a). The microprocessor is configured to process data received from the wear sensor (16a) to provide a wear signal represented of wear in the wear sensor (16a). The microprocessor (24a) transmits the wear signal to a wireless receiver (34a) mounted to the backing plate (12).

A method for monitoring the condition of a rip detection insert embedded in a conveyor belt, the rip detection insert having a plurality of rip detection wires comprised of a magnetically permeable material; the method including the steps of: inducing a magnetic field within the rip detection wires of the rip detection insert; measuring at least one magnetic characteristic of the rip detection insert; monitoring the at least one magnetic characteristic of the rip detection insert for changes in the magnetic characteristic; determining the rip detection insert has been damaged when a change in at least one magnetic characteristic of the rip detection insert deviates beyond a predetermined threshold for the rip detection insert; and, filtering out a region of the rip detection insert containing the damage to the rip detection insert.

A board conveyance device and conveyance belt inspection method that enable easy detection of a problem with conveyance belts. The board conveyance device includes: endless conveyance belts on which is set a conveyance path for conveying a board; a board sensor configured to detect the presence of the board at a specified detection position on the conveyance path; and a control section configured to, in a case in which the board is not being conveyed on the conveyance path, move the conveyance belts and determine a problem with the conveyance belts based on a detection result of the board sensor.

In order to improve control of a long-stator linear motor, a first measured value is ascertained in a first measurement section and a second measured value is ascertained in a second measurement section, in each case along a transport path in a movement direction. The first measurement section overlaps, in the movement direction, the second measurement section in an overlap region, and the first measured value and the second measured value represent the same actual value of a physical quantity. An operating parameter of the long-stator linear motor determined based on a deviation occurring between the first measured value and the second measured value.

A shoe sorter is described. The shoe sorter can include a switch plate that supports movement of a shoe pin of a pusher shoe, a finger, and an actuation arm. In some examples, the finger can be configured to be moved in a first direction in response to a portion of the shoe pin contacting a portion of the finger. The actuation arm can be pivotably engaged to the finger so that a movement of the finger in the first direction can cause a movement of the actuation arm in a second direction. In this regard, the actuation arm in the second direction can cause a change in a signal outputted by the photoelectric sensor coupled to the shoe sorter. This change in the signal can be used by a processor to determine that the shoe pin is misaligned.

A system for detecting properties of a rubber product is disclosed. The system includes a dipole antenna and circuitry. The dipole antenna is configured to obtain antenna measurements and measure for a resonance frequency of a conductive resonator (200), wherein the dipole antenna (200) is positioned at a first position (A) and a second position (B). The circuitry is configured to determine one or more resonator properties (X) based on the antenna measurements.

Conveyor idler monitoring apparatus, systems and methods are provided. In some embodiments, one or more sensors (e.g., temperature sensors, load sensors, etc.) are supported by the shaft of a conveyor idler. In some embodiments, one or more sensors are in data communication with a wireless transmitter. In some embodiments, a power generator driven by rotation of the idler is in electrical communication with one or more sensors and/or a wireless transmitter. In some embodiments, a plurality of idlers monitoring systems are in data communication with a conveyor monitoring system and/or operational monitoring system.

A beverage bottle transport device in a beverage bottling plant. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.