The Use of Fluid Coupling Drives on High Capacity, High Lift Conveyor Belts

摘要

The design of large conveyors has traditionally eschewed the idea that large high lift conveyors can be started with the use of traction fluid couplings. The design often incorporates liquid resistance starters, variable speed drives and more recently wet clutches. The use of simple fluid couplings in softening the drive starting torque has fallen out of favour. Lack of controllability and thermal sink capacity are quoted as the reasons for this non-selection. In this paper, that contention is challenged, and the field measurements during the commissioning of such a conveyor are used to illustrate the suitability of traction fluid couplings for this style of conveyor.