CPC B65G 15/02 (2013.01) [B65G 15/30 (2013.01); B65G 15/64 (2013.01); B65G 21/18 (2013.01); B65G 23/06 (2013.01); B65G 2203/0283 (2013.01); B65G 2203/042 (2013.01); B65G 2207/24 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. An active direct drive spiral conveyor belt system comprising:
a drum configured to rotate about a drum axis, the drum including multiple drive members spaced about the drum;
a conveyor belt including multiple modules that are collapsible and expandable relative to adjacent ones of the modules, and multiple drive ends that are configured to engage with the drive members;
an infeed system configured to adjust a tension in the conveyor belt by selectively varying the relative velocity between the drum and the conveyor belt;
a drum motor drive configured to rotate the drum about the drum axis; and
an infeed motor drive configured to advance the conveyor belt within a transitional zone toward a helical spiral segment;
wherein the infeed system is configured to adjust the tension in the conveyor belt by adjusting the synchronization between the drum motor drive and the infeed motor drive.
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