BELT CONVEYORS

STARTING METHODS

MARCH 17, 2015

Gordon Cross, P.Eng, PMP

Belt Conveyors
 DISCHARGE HOOD

TRIPPER

SKIRT BOARD
END PULLEY
SCRAPER
END PULLEY

IMPACT IDLERS
BEND PULLEY
SNUB PULLEY CARRYING IDLERS RETURN IDLERS BELT CLEANER

GRAVITY TAKE-UP

Componets of a Conveyor
Conventional Starting
Modern Starting
Pro’s and Con’s

Wound Rotor Motors

Pros: Cons:
• High Starting Torque • Wear of mechanical parts
• Can handle long acceleration times (long conveyors) • No Speed adjustments
• Some control over start-up speed • Higher Motor Cost
• Lower starting current • Lower efficiency
• Suitable for the harshest of environments • No regeneration
Pro’s and Con’s

Fluid Coupling

Pros: Cons:
• Economical • Limited Motor size (~1000kW)
• Some control over starting ramp • No regeneration
• Low initial cost
Pro’s and Con’s

Variable Frequency Drives

Pros: Cons:
• Speed Control possible • Limited Starting Torque
• Minimal dynamic effects on conveyor • Complexity
• Regeneration possible • Higher initial cost
Pro’s and Con’s

Gearless Drives

Pros:
• Speed Control possible
• Fewer mechanical parts
• Regeneration possible
• More cost effective (at higher capacities)
Cons:
• More difficult to install
• Currently only available for larger
applications
• Have not been proven over time
Gearless Drives
Gearless w/o Motor bearings
Gearless with Motor bearings
Gearless with coupling
Outlook

Wound Rotor Motors

Fluid Couplings

Variable Frequency Drives

Gearless Drives
If things do go wrong

Conveyor Overspeed
If things do go wrong

Resistor Overload
If things do go wrong

Maintenance Issue
Questions?

Gordon Cross, P. Eng, PMP