Bekaert Advanced Cords Aalter Nv

Wouter Vanreyten

Tom Baekelandt

Gerd Morren

Koen Claeys

Bart Vanlandeghem

Kurt Mortier

A reinforcement strand () comprises a core () around which steel filaments () are twisted all with the same final lay length and direction. The steel filaments are arranged in an intermediate layer comprising N first steel filaments and an outer layer of 2N steel filaments circumferentially arranged around the intermediate layer. In the intermediate layer filaments will contact one another at a closing lay length that is determined by the number of steel filaments N in the intermediate layer, the diameter of the core and the diameter of the first steel filaments. By choosing the final lay length and direction equal to the between two and six times the closing lay length gaps will form between the intermediate layer filaments. The 2N outer layer filaments are further divided into a group of smaller () and a group of larger () diameter steel filaments.

Reinforcement strand for reinforcing a polymer article

A belt for use as for example an elevator belt, flat belt, synchronous belt or toothed belt comprises steel strands held in parallel by a polymer jacket. The steel strands have a diameter 'D' and are separated by a pitch 'p'. The ratio of diameter &#x2018;D&#x2019; over pitch &#x2018;p&#x2019; is larger than 0.55. Such belt arrangement prevents the cutting of the polymer jacket between strand and pulley and abates the noise generation during use. The belts are best built with a type of parallel lay strands particularly designed for use in a belt. These strands do not show core migration during use of the belt.

Belt reinforced with steel strands

A belt containing steel cords, the steel cords containing strands made of steel filaments wherein the largest diameter filaments are at least intermittently positioned at the radially outer side of the steel cord. Such a configuration can be obtained by using steel cord constructions wherein the thickest filaments are positioned outside of the steel cord which is contrary to the current practice. In a further embodiment the largest diameter filaments fill up some or all of the valleys of the strands at their radially outer side. These monofilaments thus have the same lay length and direction as the strands in the steel cord. The advantage of putting the largest filaments at the outside is that they will break first and thus will be readily detectable by electrical, magnetic or visual means. In this way a belt is provided that can be monitored easier and more conveniently than prior art belts.

Belt comprising steel cords adapted for wear detection

A steel cord for the reinforcement of elastomer products such as elevator belts, conveyor belts, synchronous or timing belts or hoses or tyres is presented. The steel cord comprises strands and monofilaments made of steel filaments. The strands themselves are also made of steel filaments twisted together. The strands form the outer layer of the steel cord. The monofilaments are twisted into the cord with the same lay length and direction as the strands and are positioned in the valleys between the strands on the radial outer side of the steel cord. The steel cord has the advantage that it has a better fill factor and a rounder aspect. Furthermore the monofilaments may act as an early wear indicator of the elastomer product.

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Tampere, Finland

Wouter Vanreyten