Conveyor belt and belt conveyor system comprising same

Abstract

A closed-loop conveyor belt ( 16 ) includes a continuous support area ( 20 ) at the centre thereof and at least one longitudinal floating tube ( 22 ) at the side of same.

1 . A belt conveyor system comprising a closed-loop conveyor belt ( 16 ) and two remote belt-reversing units ( 18 A,  18 B) between which the belt is held, each reversing unit ( 18 A,  18 B) comprising a reversing roller ( 40 ) around which the belt ( 16 ;  116 ) is engaged, characterized in that one of the rollers ( 40 ) is equipped with drive means by which it can be set in rotation and by which the belt ( 16 ) can be driven, and in that the conveyor belt ( 16 ;  116 ) comprises, in its center part, a continuous support area ( 20 ) and, at the side, at least one longitudinal buoyancy tube ( 22 ;  122 A,  122 B).  
   
   
       2 . The belt conveyor system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the or each buoyancy tube ( 22 ;  122 A,  122 B) is integrated in the thickness of the belt ( 16 ;  116 ).  
   
   
       3 . The belt conveyor system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the or each buoyancy tube ( 22 ;  122 A,  122 B) forms an individual annular closed space ( 24 ) extending along the whole of the circumference of the belt.  
   
   
       4 . The belt conveyor system as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that the or each closed space ( 24 ) is maintained at a pressure ranging between 1 bar and 5 bar.  
   
   
       5 . The belt conveyor system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the belt ( 16 ;  116 ) comprises a buoyancy tube ( 22 ;  122 A,  122 B) along each longitudinal edge of the belt.  
   
   
       6 . The belt conveyor system as claimed in  claim 5 , characterized in that the buoyancies conferred to the belt ( 116 ) by the two longitudinal buoyancy tubes ( 122 A,  122 B) are different.  
   
   
       7 . The belt conveyor system as claimed in  claim 6 , characterized in that the cross sections of the two longitudinal buoyancy tubes ( 122 A,  122 B) are different.  
   
   
       8 . The belt conveyor system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the belt ( 116 ) comprises, on at least one face, transverse ribs ( 130 ) distributed along at least a part of the circumference of the belt.  
   
   
       9 . The belt conveyor system as claimed in  claim 8 , characterized in that the belt ( 116 ) comprises transverse ribs ( 130 ) on its two opposite faces.  
   
   
       10 . The belt conveyor system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that each reversing unit ( 18 A,  18 B) comprises lateral spacing means ( 50 ) for the two strands ( 16 A,  16 B;  116 A,  116 B) of the belt emanating from the same reversing roller ( 40 ).  
   
   
       11 . The belt conveyor system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the reversing units ( 18 A,  18 B are such that the faces of the belt in contact with the liquid are opposite along the upstream strand and the downstream strand of the belt.  
   
   
       12 . A materials-transporting process, characterized in that it comprises the steps of rotating a belt ( 16 ;  116 ) of a conveyor as claimed in  claim 1  directly on the surface of an expanse of liquid, and of disposing the materials to be transported on the upper support area ( 20 ) of the belt floating on the surface of the expanse of liquid.  
   
   
       13 . A recovery process for a floating substance, especially oil, on the surface of an expanse of liquid, characterized in that it comprises the rotation of a belt of a conveyor as claimed in  claim 8  with a first edge only partially submerged and the second side edge totally submerged.  
   
   
       14 . The belt conveyor system as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that the or each buoyancy tube ( 22 ;  122 A,  122 B) forms an individual annular closed space ( 24 ) extending along the whole of the circumference of the belt.  
   
   
       15 . A recovery process for a floating substance, especially oil, on the surface of an expanse of liquid, characterized in that it comprises the rotation of a belt of a conveyor as claimed in  claim 9  with a first edge only partially submerged and the second side edge totally submerged.