Weigh Belt Assembly with Intersecting Rotational Axis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional weigh belt assemblies suffer from significant inaccuracies, typically weighing up to 10-15% inaccurately due to their design, which necessitates the development of a more accurate and simplified method for measuring the flow rate and total amount of particulate materials.
Innovation Solution
A weigh belt assembly featuring spaced rollers with a rotational axis, a belt drive, and a pivot assembly that allows downward deflection under load, coupled with a load-measuring device aligned with the rotational axis, enabling precise calculation of flow rate and total weight by determining the load experienced during deflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional weigh belt assemblies weigh the entire length of the belt or use weighted-roller designs, then they can measure the load, but they suffer from significant inaccuracies of 10-15%
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the weighing function by using only a localized portion of the belt (near the outlet end) for measurement rather than weighing the entire belt length. The pivot assembly creates a fulcrum point that isolates the measurement zone, allowing accurate flow rate determination through a simplified segment of the belt system.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot assembly acts as a counterbalancing mechanism that creates a fulcrum point. By positioning the weigh axis to intersect the roller axis and using the pivot assembly with shiftable component, the system balances the belt weight and material load, eliminating the need for complex compensation mechanisms while achieving accurate measurements.
2Measurement precision
If conventional designs use the entire belt length for weighing, then they can capture total load, but they increase device complexity and reduce accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential weighing function from the entire belt system and concentrates it at a specific location near the outlet end. By using the pivot assembly to create a fulcrum and positioning the load cell at this extracted point, the system achieves accurate flow rate measurement without requiring the entire belt to be involved in the weighing process, thereby reducing hardware weight.
3Measurement precision
If the weigh axis does not intersect the roller axis, then the belt can support material, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to additional moments and tensions
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the weigh axis to intersect the roller axis, the invention creates a balanced measurement condition where the belt is effectively divided into two equal moment arms. This equipotential positioning eliminates unequal moment effects and tension variations, simplifying calibration while maximizing measurement accuracy.
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 provides substantially enhanced flow rate accuracy and simplifies the design, reducing hardware weight and environmental sensitivity, while ensuring accurate weighing with a single calibration and minimizing the impact of belt tension.
Implementation Method 1
a load cell positioned at the outlet end of the belt and having a weigh axis that intersects the axis of the second roller
Implementation Method 2
a pivot assembly including a shiftable component operably coupled with the weigh belt in order to permit pivoting and downward deflection of the weigh belt under the load of the particulate material
Data Source
AI summary
A weigh belt assembly includes a weigh belt that has first and second spaced apart rollers and an endless belt trained around the rollers to present a belt run configured to support particulate material. The rollers each have a rotational axis. The assembly also includes a belt drive operably coupled with at least one of the rollers for rotation thereof in order to move the belt run in a direction toward the second roller. The assembly also includes apparatus for delivery of quantities of particulate material onto the moving belt run at a position between the first and second rollers. The assembly further comprises a pivot assembly including a shiftable component operably coupled with the weigh belt in order to permit pivoting and downward deflection of the weigh belt under the load of the particulate material deposited on the belt run. A device for measuring the load experienced by the weigh belt during the deflection thereof is provided. A method of determining the flow rate of a particulate material and/or the total weight of material delivered using a weigh belt is also disclosed.