US 11,866,267 B2
System and method for monitoring an apron feeder
Sushanta Dutta, Seven Valleys, PA (US); Richard Hustwick, Perth (AU); and Jesse Leach, Dallastown, PA (US)
Assigned to Metso Outotec USA Inc., Brookfield, WI (US)
Filed by Metso Outotec USA Inc., Brookfield, WI (US)
Filed on Dec. 23, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/560,426.
Prior Publication US 2023/0202766 A1, Jun. 29, 2023
Int. Cl. B65G 43/02 (2006.01); B65G 43/06 (2006.01); B65G 43/08 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 43/02 (2013.01) [B65G 2203/0275 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for continuously monitoring an apron feeder having a plurality of units of different types, the apron feeder being operable to transfer bulk materials, comprising:
a plurality of sensor modules of different types, wherein each sensor module refers to a specific type of unit of the apron feeder and comprises at least one sensor, each sensor being 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, wherein each unit of the plurality of units of different types has a different function within the apron feeder compared to the other units;
a base station configured to collect the sensor data from the plurality of sensor modules, and to transmit outbound data, the outbound data being based on the collected sensor data; and
a processing unit configured to receive the outbound data from the base station, to analyse 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 to generate a result of the determination for continuously indicating an overall state of the apron feeder,
wherein the unit needs to be replaced or readjusted when its individual condition does not meet a predetermined threshold.