maintaining good chain tension and control application_number US 76739810 A description fig3 illustrates an improved version of the tension sensing means 60 shown in fig2 conventionally to allow for optimum use of the length of the tailgate or return end or station 51 a wear strip 101 is installed to guide the conveyor 16 down to the track or race 54 a level the tensioning means or tension sensor 104 of fig3 comprises a wear strip 101 including a wear plate 108 that contacts the top surface of the conveyor 16 the wear plate 108 is supported by a wear strip support 112 and the wear plate 108 is connected to the wear strip support 112 by a pin 116 at one end and a load sensing pin 120 at the other end the wear plate 108 engages the top surface of the conveyor 16 and changes the path or trajectory of the movement of the conveyor 16 this contact and change in direction of the conveyor 16 causes a force to be applied on the wear plate 108 the load sensing pin 120 that connects the wear plate 108 to the wear strip support 112 senses this force the output from the load sensing pin 120 is then be used to determine the tension of the conveyor 16 and to adjust the tension as needed using any conventional chain tensioning system such as the joint 48 and pistons 32 and 34 and circuitry of fig1 an alternate and preferred embodiment 124 of the tension sensor is illustrated in fig4 in fig4 a load cell 128 is located between a wear plate 132 and a wear strip support 136 the load cell 128 which is illustrated in fig6 is.