AU2004203577A1 - Cleaning device for a conveyor system - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 NEPEAN CONVEYORS QUEENSLAND PTY LTD COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Cleaning device for a conveyor system The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:m:\speci\l 10000\118-119\119474cmpreh.doc Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cleaning device and method of use.

Particularly, the device is configured to clean a surface of a conveyor belt. The device and method have application in the bulk materials handling industry.

Background Art Conveyor belting is widely used in the bulk materials handling industry.

However, the systems employed are subject to a number of problems. Particularly, moist, fine material is "carried back" on the return belt of a conveyor system. If not removed, the material left on the belt reduces the life of the components of the conveyor system (belt, idlers, pulleys etc.).

Current methods to address "carry back" include the use of scraper systems.

Such systems have a limited application and require substantial maintenance. Further, scrapers may reduce the life span of the belt.

The present invention provides a device and method of use that addresses the problems of the prior art.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

Summary of the Invention Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

The present invention consists in a conveyor belt cleaning device comprising; a main chamber connectable to a source of a compressed first fluid, said main chamber in fluid communication with; (ii) a receiving member, said receiving member positionable adjacent a surface of a conveyor belt; wherein, introduction of the compressed first fluid from the source into the main chamber creates a region of low pressure in a region of the main chamber or a region of the receiving member such as to cause a second fluid to flow from a region adjacent the surface of the conveyor belt and into the receiving member, and wherein the flow of the second fluid has sufficient velocity to dislodge waste material from the surface of the conveyor belt.

The compressed first fluid is typically compressed air. The main chamber may be connected to a compressed air source directly or, alternatively, via a manifold member. The manifold member may receive compressed air from the source and distribute the compressed air to the chamber body via a number of outlets. Each outlet of the manifold may be connected to the main chamber. The manifold typically distributes the compressed air evenly to the main chamber.

The main chamber may comprise a cylindrical structure having at least one, and typically a number, of apertures in a sidewall to receive each outlet of the manifold member. The first fluid is typically injected into the main chamber via Venturi nozzles that direct the flow of compressed air into the main chamber. The high velocity flow of the compressed air through the Venturi nozzles into the main chamber creates a low pressure region in the main chamber or the receiving member. The region of low pressure created is typically above the Venturi nozzles and towards the receiving member i.e. "upstream" of the Venturi nozzles.

The second fluid may be air that flows between the receiving member of the device and the surface of the conveyor belt. Typically, the receiving member is positioned such that there is a relatively small gap between it and the surface of the conveyor belt. When a region of low pressure is created by injection of the first fluid through the Venturi nozzles, air in this gap is drawn towards the main chamber at a relatively high velocity. As the air moves past the surface of the conveyor belt at a relatively high velocity, waste material that is present on this "dirty" surface of the belt is dislodged by the force of the air and caused to move with the air into the main chamber.

The receiving member may be an elongate channel having a base portion and two opposing sidewalls that each extend from the base portion to a free end. The base portion may comprise a funnel member that is in fluid communication with the main chamber. The free ends of the sidewall may be positioned close to, but not engaging, the conveyor belt. Air in the gap between the sidewalls and the conveyor belt is pulled into the channel and funnelled through the funnel member at high velocity due to the pull formed by the creation of the low pressure region downstream.

The main chamber may also be connected to an outlet. The outlet may comprise a deposit chute to dispose of material that is pulled into the main chamber. The deposit chute may dispose of material onto a second conveyor belt or into a collection stockpile.

The device of the present invention may be mounted on a main frame.

The device may further have positioning means to adjust the location of the device relative to the conveyor belt and thus to adjust the size of the gap between the receiving member and the conveyor belt. The distance between the receiving member and the conveyor belt may be optimised to create an optimal flow of air therebetween thus maximising the amount of waste that is dislodged from the conveyor belt.

Particularly, the device may be mounted on adjustable members such that the device is movable in a vertical plane relative to the main frame to adjust the positioning of the device relative to the conveyor belt. The adjustable members may also facilitate horizontal movement of the device relative to the conveyor belt.

Further, the device of the present invention may comprise at least one positioning roller that is positioned on an opposite surface of the conveyor belt to the surface that is being cleaned. The positioning roller may be adjustable to set a particular gap between the receiving member and the dirty surface of the conveyor belt.

The device may be used to clean a return belt of a conveyor system. In this regard, the device may clean a lower surface of the conveyor belt as it returns inbye of the jib pulley.

Further, the device may comprise at least one irrigation member to irrigate the surface of the conveyor belt as it passes over the receiving member of the device.

The device may have an application in the removal of material fines from a return conveyor belt. Typically, the device is positioned proximal to a jib pulley of the conveyor belt system such that the belt is cleaned immediately it moves through the pulley. Preferably, the device is positioned within the first three metres inbye of the jib pulley. However, the device may be used anywhere on the conveyor system for removal of fines or removal of other materials or fluids.

The device may be moveable relative to the conveyor belt.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device of the present invention; Figure 2 is a partially cut away view of part of the device depicted in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows the device positioned relative to a return conveyor belt; Figure 4 depicts a further view of the device relative to a conveyor belt; and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the device in position relative to a conveyor belt.

Description of an Exemplary Embodiment of the Invention The device of the present invention is generally depicted as 10 in the accompanying drawings.

The device 10 comprises a main chamber 11 that is connectable to a source (not shown) of a compressed first fluid. The main chamber 11 is in fluid communication with a receiving member 12 and the receiving member 12 is positionable adjacent a surface 32 of a conveyor belt 31.

Introduction of the compressed first fluid from the source into the main chamber 11 creates a region of low pressure in the main chamber or in the receiving member 12 such as to cause a second fluid to flow (depicted by arrows from gap 17 between the surface 32 of the conveyor belt 31 and the receiving member 12 and into the receiving member 12. The flow of the second fluid has sufficient velocity to dislodge waste material from the surface 32 of the conveyor belt 31.

In the depicted embodiment, the compressed first fluid is compressed air that is distributed to the main chamber by a manifold 13. The manifold 13 receives compressed air from the source and distributes it to the main chamber 11 via a number of Venturi nozzles 15. The manifold 13 typically distributes the compressed air evenly to the main chamber 11.

The main chamber 11 comprises a cylindrical structure having a number of Venturi nozzles 15. The Venturi nozzles are connected to the manifold 13 by hosing 14. The high velocity flow of the compressed air through the Venturi nozzles 15 into the main chamber 11 creates a low pressure region upstream of the nozzles 15. The location of the region of low pressure is generally depicted as 16 The second fluid is air that flows between the receiving member 12 and the surface 32 of the conveyor belt 31. The receiving member 12 is positioned such that there is a relatively small gap 17 between it and the surface 32 of the conveyor belt 31.

When a region of low pressure 16 is created in the main chamber 11, air in this gap 17 is drawn towards the main chamber 11 at a relatively high velocity. As the air moves over the surface 32 of the conveyor belt 31 at a relatively high velocity, fine material that is present on this "dirty" surface 32 is dislodged by the force of the air and caused to move with the air into the main chamber 11.

The receiving member 12 comprises an elongate channel 18 having a base portion 19 and two extending sidewalls 21. The base portion comprises a funnel 22 to allow air drawn from the gap 17 to be drawn into the device and funnelled into the main chamber 11. In use, the sidewalls 21 are positioned close to, but not engaging, the surface 32 of conveyor belt 31. Air in the gap 17 between the sidewalls 21 and the conveyor belt 31 is pulled into the receiving member and into the funnel 22 at high velocity due to the creation of low pressure region 16 downstream.

The main chamber 11 is also connected to an outlet 23. The outlet 23 is a deposit chute to dispose of waste that is pulled into the main chamber 11. The deposit chute disposes of waste onto a second conveyor belt (not shown) or into a collection stockpile (not shown).

The device 10 is mounted on a main frame 24. The main frame 24 is positioned beneath conveyor belt 31.

The device 10 comprises positioning means 26 to adjust the height of the device relative to the conveyor belt 31 and to therefore adjust the distance between the receiving member 12 and the conveyor belt 31. The distance between the receiving member 12 and the conveyor belt 31 is optimised to create an optimal flow of second fluid (arrows A) therebetween thus maximising the amount of waste that is dislodged from the conveyor belt. Particularly, the device is mounted on adjustable sleeve members 26 and is movable vertically relative to the main frame 24 to adjust the positioning of the device 10 relative to a conveyor belt 31.

The device 10 further comprises at least one positioning roller 27 that rolls along an opposite surface 33 of the conveyor belt 31 to the surface 32 that is being cleaned.

The positioning roller 27 is adjustable to set a gap 17 between the receiving member 12 and the dirty surface 32 of the conveyor belt 31.

The device 10 is used to clean conveyor belt systems and particularly the return belt 34 of a conveyor system. In this regard, the device 10 cleans the lower surface 32 from a location beneath the conveyor belt 31.

The device has an application in the removal of bulk materials fines and other waste from the return conveyor belt 34. As depicted in Figure 3, the device 10 is positioned proximal to a jib pulley 35 of the conveyor belt 31 such that surface 32 is cleaned immediately before after it moves around the jib pulley 35. This reduces the damage to components of the conveyor system.

The device 10 may also be moveable relative to the conveyor belt. To enable horizontal movement relative to the conveyor belt 31, the main frame 24 may include recessed bearings that roll on the edge of the conveyor belt 31.

8 It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (14)

1. A conveyor belt cleaning device comprising; a main chamber connectable to a source of a compressed first fluid, said main chamber in fluid communication with; (ii) a receiving member, said receiving member positionable adjacent a surface of a conveyor belt; wherein, introduction of the compressed first fluid from the source into the main chamber creates a region of low pressure in a region of the main chamber or a region of the receiving member such as to cause a second fluid to flow from a region adjacent the surface of the conveyor belt and into the receiving member, and wherein the flow of the second fluid has sufficient velocity to dislodge waste material from the surface of the conveyor belt.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the compressed first fluid is compressed air.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the main chamber is connected to a manifold member by at least one outlet of the manifold member.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the point of connection between the at least one outlet and the main chamber comprises a Venturi nozzle.

The device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the second fluid is air that flows between the receiving member and the surface ofthe conveyor belt.

6. The device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the receiving member is an elongate channel member having a base portion and two opposing sidewalls that each extend from the base portion to a free end.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the base portion comprises a funnel member in fluid communication with the main chamber.

8. The device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the main chamber is also connected to an outlet to dispose of the removed material of the conveyor belt.

9. The device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the device mounted on a main frame and wherein said main frame is connectable to part of a conveyor system.

The device of any one of the preceding claims comprising positioning means to adjust the location of the device relative to the conveyor belt.

11. The device of any one of the preceding claims when used to clean a return belt of a conveyor system.

12. The device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the device removes material fines and/or moisture from an under side of a return conveyor belt.

13. A method of cleaning a conveyor belt comprising: providing a device comprising; a main chamber connectable to a source of a compressed first fluid, said main chamber in fluid communication with a receiving member; (ii) positioning the receiving member adjacent a surface of the conveyor belt; (iii) introducing the compressed first fluid from the source into the main chamber to create a region of low pressure in a region of the main chamber or a region of the receiving member such as to cause a second fluid to flow from a region adjacent the surface of the conveyor belt and into the receiving member; wherein the flow of the second fluid has sufficient velocity to dislodge waste material from the surface of the conveyor belt.

14. A conveyor belt cleaning device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this fourth day of August 2004 Nepean Conveyors Queensland Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: F B RICE CO