GB1184193A - Method of and Apparatus for Curing Transmission Belts - Google Patents

Abstract

1,184,193. Moulding endless belts. PIRELLI S.p.A. 22 March, 1967 [24 March, 1966], No. 13408/67. Heading B5A. A plurality of metallic, natural fibre, nylon or rayon reinforced rubber transmission "V"-belts are simultaneously cured, within an autoclave wherein they are subjected to radial compression from the extension by a flexible membrane or bag, whilst mounted in grooves around a collapsible mould, of cylindrical form, defined by two pairs of oppositely disposed sectors 10, 10<SP>1</SP> and 12, 121. For loading and unloading with belts, the mould is mounted on a bed 52 which is pivotable, by a double acting cylinder 56, between vertical and horizontal position of the mould axis. The expanded position of the sectors is determined by a bottom ring 46<SP>1</SP> fixed to one of the sectors and an upper ring 46, which is removable. The sectors 10, 10<SP>1</SP> are mounted, on a shaft 38 provided with a pair of opposite hand threads 36, 42 and 36<SP>1</SP>, 42<SP>1</SP> at each end thereof whereby a pair of nuts 34, 40 and 34<SP>1</SP> ,40<SP>1</SP> at each end may be separated to collapse or expand the sectors 10, 10<SP>1</SP>, via pivotal connecting links. A mould, bearing cured belts, is lowered in the vertical axis position on to bed 52 whereon it is located upon upstanding stems 78, 80 by guides 44, 41<SP>1</SP> attached to sectors 12, 12<SP>1</SP> respectively. The sectors 10, 10<SP>1</SP> are collapsed by rotation of shaft 38 and are removed thereon from the mould which is then rotated to a horizontal position on bed 52. The stems 78, 80, which are mounted on threaded members 64, 66 of opposite hand on a shaft 72, are then moved together by rotation of the shaft 72 to collapse sectors 12, 12<SP>1</SP> and, after removal of ring 46 the cured "V"-belts are removed and replaced by uncured belts and the procedure is reversed to expand the mould into contact therewith.