Oven Drive System

Abstract

An oven drive system for use with commercial bakery ovens comprises a speed reducer and motor external to the bakery oven, a drive shaft extending from within the oven and operatively coupled to the speed reducer and the motor, and conveyor chain driving caterpillar located within the oven and operatively coupled to the draft shaft. The drive shaft is configured for minimal heat transfer to components external to the oven.

1 . An oven conveyor chain drive system for use with a bakery oven comprising:
 a caterpillar supported within the oven for operatively engaging a bakery conveyor chain extending therethrough;   a drive shaft operatively coupled to the caterpillar;   a speed reducer external to the bakery oven operatively coupled to the drive shaft; and   a motor external to the bakery oven operatively coupled to the speed reducer.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the drive shaft comprises at least two segments, a first segment interior to and extending from the oven, a second segment exterior to the oven and operatively coupled to the speed reducer, and means for operatively coupling the first and second segments. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2  wherein the means for coupling the first and second segments comprises an insulating coupler. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the drive shaft comprises at least one segment constructed from a ceramic material. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the caterpillar and the drive shaft comprise materials having similar coefficients of thermal expansion. 
     
     
         6 . An oven drive system for use with a bakery oven comprising:
 a caterpillar supported within the oven for operatively engaging a bakery conveyor chain;   a drive shaft operatively coupled to and engaging the caterpillar, the drive shaft extending from within the bakery oven;   a speed reducer external to the bakery oven and operatively coupled to the drive shaft; and   a motor external to the bakery oven and operatively coupled with the speed reducer;   wherein the drive shaft comprises at least two segments, a first segment interior to and extending from the oven, a second segment exterior to the oven and coupled to the transmission, and means for coupling the first and second segments.   
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6  wherein the means for coupling the first and second segment segments comprises an insulating coupler. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 6  wherein the drive shaft comprises at least one segment constructed from a ceramic material. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 6  wherein the caterpillar and the drive shaft comprise materials having similar coefficients of thermal expansion. 
     
     
         10 . An oven drive system comprising:
 an oven having an interior for baking therein and an exterior for housing the oven drive system, the oven comprising a passageway between the interior and exterior thereof;   a caterpillar positioned within the interior of the oven for operatively engaging a bakery conveyor chain;   a drive shaft having a first and second end, the drive shaft operatively coupled to the caterpillar at the first end thereof at a position within the interior of the oven wherein the drive shaft extends from the interior of the oven through the passageway to the exterior thereof;   a speed reducer operatively coupled to the second end of the drive shaft positioned at the exterior of the oven; and   a motor operatively coupled to the speed reducer positioned at the exterior of the oven.   
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 10  wherein the drive shaft is self-cooling. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 10  wherein the drive shaft comprises a first and second segment, the first segment extending into the interior of the oven. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12  further comprising an insulating coupler connecting the first segment of the drive shaft to the second segment of the drive shaft. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 10  further comprising a plurality of mechanical shaft coolers positioned axially along the drive shaft. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 10  wherein the caterpillar and the drive shaft comprise materials having similar coefficients of thermal expansion.