Michael L Howe

US Patent:

52363953, Aug 17, 1993

Filed:

Nov 27, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/798912

Inventors:

Todd C. Lucich - Simpsonville SC
Edward F. Krome - Columbus IN
Michael G. Howe - Columbus IN
Larry D. Fields - Columbus IN
Joseph R. Mihelick - Simpsonville SC

Assignee:

Reliance Electric Industrial Company - Greenville SC

International Classification:

F16H 5900

US Classification:

474 69

Abstract:

A variable speed belt drive of the type having a pair of shiftable discs received on respective input and output shafts with a drive belt entrained thereabout further includes a cooperating housing backbone and support bracket. The housing backbone supports one axial end of the output shaft, and supports the support bracket, which extends through the loop of the drive belt to support the opposite end of the output shaft. The straddle support arrangement permits use of a nonload bearing housing cover and permits the performance of maintenance procedures for the drive belt and input shaft without disengaging alignment and support of the output shaft. One end of the input shaft is supported by the housing and the opposite end is supported with a thrust bearing which is received in a pivot mounted shifting yoke. The yoke cooperates with a member which is axially moved along a shifting screw, to transmit axial shifting force through the thrust bearing to the input shaft so as to change speeds for the variable belt drive. The output shaft support bracket cooperates with the housing to support the shifting screw.

US Patent:

51673207, Dec 1, 1992

Filed:

Mar 4, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/664588

Inventors:

Todd C. Lucich - Simpsonville SC
Edward F. Krome - Columbus IN
Michael G. Howe - Columbus IN
Larry D. Fields - Columbus IN

Assignee:

Reliance Electric Industrial Company - Greenville SC

International Classification:

B65G 3334

US Classification:

198675

Abstract:

A variable speed drive for a screw conveyor includes a mechanical adjustable variable speed belt drive and a torque-arm speed reducer. The belt drive is associated with the speed reducer through the combination of a mounting adapter and a mounting plate. A coupling shaft extends from the output discs of the belt drive through the mounting adapter and plate into driving relationship with the input of the speed reducer. The output shaft includes a mated splined output for receipt in a female splined input of the speed reducer. The speed reducer is outfitted with a CEMA standard flange for attachment to a screw conveyor with the screw conveyor drive shaft received in an output bore of the speed reducer. The mounting adapter and plate support the belt drive in a C-flow drive power configuration for minimizing space requirements, while avoiding damage to the screw conveyor mounting flange by controlling undesired bending forces thereat. The resulting variable speed drive for a screw conveyor is particularly useful in food industry applications where the ability to make fine adjustments of screw conveyor speeds is highly desirable.

US Patent:

54994373, Mar 19, 1996

Filed:

Apr 12, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/045896

Inventors:

Todd C. Lucich - Simpsonville SC
Edward F. Krome - Columbus IN
Michael G. Howe - Columbus IN
Larry D. Fields - Columbus IN
Joseph R. Mihelick - Simpsonville SC

Assignee:

Reliance Electric Industrial Company - Greenville SC

International Classification:

B23P 1904

US Classification:

2940203

Abstract:

A method of assembling a variable speed belt drive of the type having a pair of shiftable discs received on respective input and output shafts with a drive belt entrained thereabout. Methodology of the invention includes providing a drive housing with a relatively large interior access opening. The drive housing has a support backbone at a generally central location in the interior access portion. The support bracket is mounted to the support backbone to straddle support the output shaft having a pair of variable speed discs mounted thereon. A singular one of a pair of constant speed discs is mounted on the input shaft. The drive belt is installed about the output shaft entrained in between the variable speed discs and with the loop of the drive belt placed about the input shaft. A second one of the constant speed discs is mounted onto the input shaft. A further step often included involves installing speed change means for adjusting the drive ratio between the respective pairs of discs so as to vary the drive power transmitted between the shafts via the drive belt.