Conveyor Belt Splice Press Cooling and Insulation for Faster Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveyor belt splice presses are inefficient due to thick metal platens and rigid insulating materials, which require more energy to heat and cool, leading to longer cycle times and potential material degradation, especially when using low voltage power sources.
Innovation Solution
A portable conveyor belt splicing apparatus with inflatable bladders and resilient metallic insulating members, such as coil springs, to apply clamping force and minimize heat loss, along with forced air cooling systems to quickly heat and cool the platens, allowing for efficient operation on both high and low power supplies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If thick metal platens and rigid insulating members are used in splice presses, then heat distribution across the belt ends is improved, but the amount of mass that must be heated increases, leading to longer cycle times and higher energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thick rigid insulating members with thin flexible insulating films or sheets positioned between the platen and belt end. These thin films provide sufficient thermal insulation while minimizing the mass that needs to be heated, thereby reducing cycle time and energy consumption while maintaining adequate heat distribution to the belt end.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the insulating material by using materials with higher thermal resistance per unit thickness, allowing the use of thinner insulating layers that reduce thermal mass and heating time while still achieving the required heat distribution and insulation效果.
2Temperature
If thick metal platens and rigid insulating members are used in splice presses, then heat distribution across the belt ends is improved, but the energy required to heat and cool the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin flexible insulating films instead of thick rigid insulators, reducing the thermal mass of the system. This decreases the energy required to heat the platen and insulating materials during the heating phase and to cool them during the cooling phase, while still maintaining effective heat distribution to the belt end.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic or hydraulic systems to apply pressure through flexible bladders rather than using heavy rigid structures. This reduces the overall mass of the press system, thereby reducing the energy required to heat and cool the entire system while maintaining adequate clamping force during the splicing process.
3Temperature
If thick platens and insulating members are used, then a more desirable heat distribution is achieved, but the time required to remove heat after splicing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin flexible insulating films that provide sufficient thermal insulation during heating while having minimal thermal mass. This allows for rapid removal of heat from the system after splicing is complete, as there is less material to cool down, thereby increasing splicing rate and productivity while maintaining good heat distribution during the actual splicing process.
4Temperature
If substantial mass of platens and insulating members is heated, then adequate heat is provided to belt ends, but the ability to quickly apply and remove heat decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thick rigid insulating members with thin flexible insulating films that have minimal thermal mass. This allows the system to quickly heat the belt end during splicing operations and rapidly remove heat afterward, increasing the heating and cooling rates while still providing adequate heat to the belt end through the efficient thermal properties of the thin film material.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables faster and more efficient splicing operations by maintaining consistent dwell characteristics and temperatures regardless of power supply, reducing material degradation and improving splice quality.
Implementation Method 1
heaters of the first and second press assemblies operable to heat the platens
Implementation Method 2
subjecting the belt ends to specific temperatures and pressures applied by one or both of the plates for a specific amount of time to cause the material in the belt ends to melt or soften and flow together
Implementation Method 3
at least one first fan assembly of the first press assembly intermediate and spaced from the ends of the bladder for directing air past the bladder transverse to the longitudinal extent thereof and toward the platen of the first press assembly for cooling the platen
Data Source
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AI summary
A portable conveyor belt splicing apparatus is provided that includes an upper press assembly and a lower press assembly which include, respectively, upper and lower platen assemblies. The upper and lower press assemblies may each include a forced air cooling system for rapidly cooling platens of the platen assemblies. The upper and lower press assemblies may include insulating assemblies with resilient members that support the upper and lower press assemblies. The resilient members provide structural support and insulate the platens from the frame which reduces the power required to heat the platens. In one form, the apparatus includes a power supply circuit that can alternate between providing power to upper and lower heaters in response to the apparatus being connected to different types of standard power supplies. Further, the power supply circuit permits the use of a single recipe for a particular belt irrespective of the type of power supply.