AU2007201137A1

AU2007201137A1 - Wear protection system

Info

Publication number: AU2007201137A1
Application number: AU2007201137A
Authority: AU
Original assignee: Wear Applications and Management Services Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Wear Applications and Management Services Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2005-03-03
Filing date: 2007-03-15
Publication date: 2007-04-19

Description

Our Ref:20161841 P/00/011 Regulation 3:2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION DIVISIONAL PATENT OF ADDITION Applicant(s): Wear Applications Management Services Pty Ltd Unit 4, 52 Industrial Drive Mayfield East New South Wales 2304 Australia Address for Service: Invention Title: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Trade Mark Attorneys 255 Elizabeth Street Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2000 Wear protection system The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 5951 P \WPDOCS\JS\spA2OI0161941 spwfalion doc1 I YO7 -1- WEAR PROTECTION SYSTEM Background of the Invention The present invention relates to wear protection apparatus, and in particular to improved liner plates for use in material transport systems.

i Description of the Prior Art The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Wear protection systems are used in heavy industries, such as the mining, quarrying and minerals processing industries, in order to protect expensive equipment from wear. In particular, when material such as ore is being transported, it is typical to direct the material using a sequence of chutes, conveyor belts, skips and the like, in order to allow the material to be provided to a desired location. During this transport process significant wear occurs between the material and the sides, walls, or floors of the transport systems.

Replacement of such transport systems is extremely expensive and time consuming, and therefore undesirable. In order to overcome this, it is therefore known to use wear protection systems such as liner plates, which are installed on surfaces of the transport system to form a sacrificial layer which protects the surfaces from wear. The liner plates can be formed from highly wear resistant materials to therefore provide an extended life, whilst additionally allowing liner plates to be replaced on a liner plate by liner plate basis, as required.

However, different parts of liner plates are often subject to different amounts of wear, depending for example, on the arrangement of the liner plates on the surface of the transport system. Thus, for example, the edges of plates generally suffer greater wear than the centre of plates due to issues such as racing.

P kWPDOCSWI kspcCA21)16141 q dnc. I 3A1f)7 -2- An example of this will now be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In particular, in this example, the wear protection system is formed from a number of liner plates 1 arranged S in a general grid like fashion. Each line plate 1 includes a hole 2, for receiving a bolt which couples the liner plate to the transport system 3, such as a chute.

In general, once the liner plates 1 are mounted, a gap 4 will be present between adjacent liner plates 1, due to manufacturing tolerances associated with creating liner plates which can be S mounted to existing holes in the transport system, and which do not overlap. This gap, which S can be up to O10mm in width, can lead to a situation in which material flowing along the transport system in the direction shown by arrow 5 tends to be channelled along the gaps 4, as shown by the arrows 6. This process, which is referred to as racing, often causes material to become trapped within the gap 4 and as a result tends to cause increased wear along liner plates edges. This also leads to significant wear on the corners of downhill liner plates as shown for example at 7.

A further problem with liner plate systems of this form is that as material flows towards the s bolt hole 2, as shown by the arrow 8, the material will tend to wear the downstream edge of the bolt hole, as shown at 9. Again this tends to cause significant damage to the liner plates in that area.

As a result of this, liner plates tend to suffer wear along their edges and near the bolt hole, thereby significantly reducing their life span. This in turn means that it is typical for liner plates to be replaced whilst the overall body of the liner plate still incorporates significant material and therefore could therefore still provide wear protection.

It will be appreciated that significant expense can be involved in this. In particular, the resulting costs stem not only from the requirement to provide new liner plates, but additionally liner plate replacement typically requires that the associated transport system is closed to allow the liner plates to be replaced. This in turn can lead to a requirement that the plant operate either on a reduced capacity, or even shut down completely for a time period, thereby resulting in a large cost burden.

P\WPDOCSA)S\peA2O26194I spmif=i1on do- l M3INXJ7 -3- Summary of the Present Invention S In a first broad form the present invention provides apparatus for mounting a liner plate to a body, wherein the apparatus includes: a) a shaft extending from a surface of the liner plate, the shaft being adapted for insertion through a first aperture provided in the body; and, b) a retaining device for retaining the shaft in position to thereby couple the liner plate to the body.

S Typically the body is at least one of: I a) a support plate coupled to a transport system body; and, S b) a transport system body.

Typically the shaft is at least one of: a) part of the liner plate; and, b) extending through a second aperture provided in the liner plate.

Typically the retaining device includes: a) a flange mounted to the shaft, the flange being for cooperating with the first aperture to thereby retain the shaft in position; and, b) a cap mounted to the shaft, the cap being for retaining the liner plate in position.

Typically the first aperture is shaped so as to receive the flange in a first orientation and retain the flange in a second orientation, rotated relative to the first orientation.

Typically the shaft includes a hollow section, the hollow section being for at least one of: a) indicating when the liner plate should be replaced; and, b) allowing removal of the shaft and retaining device.

Typically the liner plate includes a cap recess for receiving the cap.

Typically the retaining device includes a cap for coupling to the shaft to retain the shaft in position, the shaft being coupled to the liner plate to retain the liner plate in position.

P\\WPDOCS JS\Vm2ID16184 Ismcf-o1nd -c.5A)ln3flI7 -4- Typically the cap includes at least one pin for cooperating with a channel provided on the shaft to allow the cap to be threaded onto the shaft to thereby urge the liner plate against the body.

Typically the apparatus includes a plunger coupled to the cap, and wherein the cap urges the plunger against the body in use.

Typically the apparatus includes a wave spring positioned between the cap and the plunger for urging the plunger against the body in use.

Typically the cap and shaft are configured to generate a predetermined tension in the spring to thereby urge the liner plate against the body with a predetermined force.

Typically the shaft includes two channels and the cap includes two pins, each pin being adapted to cooperate with a corresponding channel.

In a second broad form the present invention provides apparatus for mounting a liner plate to a body, wherein the apparatus includes: a) a shaft extending from a surface of the liner plate, the shaft being adapted for insertion through an aperture in the body; and, b) a retaining device for cooperating with the shaft to thereby urge the liner plate against the body.

Typically the retaining device is a cap, the cap including at least one pin for cooperating with a channel provided on the shaft to allow the cap to be threaded onto the shaft to thereby urge the liner plate against the body.

P WPDOCS\AJS\pecA2016184) qctir~oln dm. 15A)M7f Typically the shaft includes two channels, and the cap includes two pins, each pin being 4 adapted to cooperate with a corresponding channel.

S Typically the apparatus is apparatus according to the first broad form of the invention.

In a third broad form the present invention provides apparatus for mounting a liner plate to a body, wherein the apparatus includes: a) a support plate mounted to the body, the support plate including a first aperture; b) a liner plate including a second aperture for receiving a retaining device; and, Sc) a retaining device for cooperating with the first and second apertures to thereby couple the liner plate to the support plate.

D Typically the retaining device includes a cap coupled to a shaft and a flange, the shaft being adapted to be inserted through the first and second apertures, such that the flange cooperates with the first aperture to couple the liner plate to the support plate.

Typically the liner plate includes a cap recess for receiving the cap.

Typically the liner plate includes a plate recess for receiving the support plate.

Typically the apparatus is apparatus according to the first broad form of the invention.

In a fourth broad form the present invention provides a liner plate for use in a wear protection system, the liner plate being shaped such that when the liner plates are arranged in a grid, gaps between liner plates in adjacent rows of liner plates are laterally offset with respect to each other.

Typically the liner plate has a substantially parallelogram shape.

Typically the laterally offset gaps prevent racing.

Typically, in use, the rows of liner plates extend substantially perpendicular to a direction of flow of material.

PNWPDOCS\JS\spm6\2016 Il rpm to- doc.ISAl2n007 -6- Typically the liner plate includes on opposing edges, a recess and a corresponding protrusion, 4 the recess and protrusions on adjacent liner plates cooperating such that when the liner plates S are arranged in a grid, gaps between liner plates in a row are shaped.

Typically the gaps are shaped to prevent racing.

Typically each liner plate includes a recess and a protrusion on each of the opposing edges.

In a fifth broad form the present invention provides a liner plate for use in a wear protection system, the liner plate including on opposing edges, a recess and a corresponding protrusion, D the recess and protrusions on adjacent liner plates cooperating such that when the liner plates are arranged in a grid, gaps between liner plates in a row are shaped so as to prevent racing.

Typically the gaps are shaped to prevent racing.

Typically the liner plate is shaped such that when the liner plates are arranged in a grid, gaps between liner plates in adjacent rows of liner plates are laterally offset with respect to each other.

Typically the liner plate has a substantially parallelogram shape.

Typically wherein the laterally offset gaps prevent racing.

In a sixth broad form the present invention provides a wear protection system including a liner plate according to the fourth or fifth broad forms of the invention and apparatus P WPDOCS AJS~spcc161K41 sp on dme I 5A)312(X)7 -7according to any one of the first, second or third broad forms of the invention for mounting the liner plate to a body.

Brief Description of the Drawings An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of prior art liner plates; Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one of the liner plates of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of an example of a number of liner plates; Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of one of the full liner plates of Figure 3; 0 Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of one of the half liner plates of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a schematic view showing example dimensions for the liner plate of Figure 4; Figure 7 is a schematic view showing example dimensions for the liner plate of Figure Figure 8 is a schematic plan view of a second example of a full liner plate; Figures 9 and 10 are schematic perspective exploded views of an example of a liner plate mounting; Figures 11 and 12 are schematic perspective views of the liner plate mounting of Figure 8 in use; Figures 13 and 14 are schematic views of the liner plate mounting of Figure 8; Figures 15A and 15B are examples of alternative arrangements of liner plates for providing offset gaps; Figures 16A to 16E are schematic diagrams of a second example of a liner plate mounting; and, Figures 17A to 17D are schematic diagrams of a third example of a liner plate mounting.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments An example of an improved liner plate system will now be described with reference to Figures 3 to 7.

In particular, as shown in Figure 3 the liner plate arrangement is formed from a number of full liner plates 20 and a number of half liner plates 21.

P \WPDOCS\AJS\sp=AO2161&U4I &p=MmoandoCm i I W7 -8- Each full liner plate 20 is generally parallelogram shaped, with two parallel diagonal edges 21A, 21B, each of which incorporate a curved protrusion 22A, 22B and a curved recess 23A, 23B. In use, the curved protrusion 22A, of one liner plate 20, cooperates with a curved recess 23B of another liner plate 20, thereby allowing the liner plates to be tessellated as shown.

It will be appreciate that in this instance, the overall shape of the tessellation would not lead to a regular edge. Accordingly, the half liner plates 30 are provided which include a single diagonal edge 31, including a single recess 33 and a single protrusion 32 as shown.

In use, this allows the liner plates 20, 30 to be used in combination to thereby form a grid having straight edges, thereby making the arrangement suitable for use in existing transport 0 systems.

In any event, the arrangement described has two main effects that reduce the effect of wear.

In particular, the protrusions and cooperating recesses 22, 23, 32, 33 operate to disburse any material which enters gaps 24 between the liner plates 20, 30, as shown for example by the arrows In addition to this, it can be seen that the gaps 24 between adjacent rows of liner plates do not align. Thus, any material that does enter the gap 24, does not enter the gap between the downstream liner plates, and is instead dispersed over the extent of the downstream liner plates, as shown by the arrows 26.

Accordingly, the use of protrusions and corresponding recesses, and/or the use to misaligned liner plate edges, ensures that material is dispersed from the gaps 24, thereby reducing the effects of racing, which in turn results in a dramatic improvement in the wear capabilities of the liner plates.

Example dimensions (in millimetres) for the liner plates are shown in Figures 6 and 7 respectively. In this example, it is evident that the protrusions have a radius of whereas the recesses have a radius of 44mm, thereby ensuring that the recesses and protrusions fit together closely, thereby minimising the gap 24. However any suitable dimensions may be used, and that these are for the purpose of example only.

P. WPDOCSAJS\speUOI16194I cpficmuon dO.I 5l)MI/2()7 -9- A number of variations on the above described example are possible.

S For example, the use offset liner plate edges can and the use of corresponding protrusions and recesses can be used either separately, or in conjunction. Thus, it is possible to use liner plates having offset edges that do not include the protrusion/recess arrangement, and similarly to use the protrusion/recess arrangement in situations where the edges of liner plates are not offset. However, the use of both arrangements together helps maximise the reduction in racing, thereby further extending the life span of the liner plates.

S Whilst the above described example uses curved protrusions and recesses, any suitable shape which would cause diversion of material being transported could be used, such as triangular shapes or the like. Additionally, whilst in the above example the liner plates include a recess and protrusion on each side, a single recess and protrusion arrangement could be used, as shown for example in Figure 8.

Furthermore, whilst the above described liner plates have a substantially parallelogram shape, this is not essential. Thus any liner plate shape or other arrangement that results in offset gaps between adjacent plates can be used. This could be achieved for example using a grid in which the liner plates 60 themselves are offset, as shown in Figure 15A, thereby misalign gaps between liner plates in adjacent rows. Alternatively, liner plates 70 having shaped edges, such as curved edges 71 could be used, as shown for example in Figure However, the parallelogram shape is particularly useful for a number of reasons. Firstly, it ensures that the liner plates can be easily arranged, whilst maintaining offset liner plate gaps.

This ensures the arrangement functions correctly, whilst allowing the liner plates to be easily fitted. Furthermore, as this arrangement allows the centre of the liner plates to follow a grid arrangement, this allows the liner plates to be fitted to existing equipment with little or no modification.

Despite this, it will be appreciated that other shapes may be selected for achieving offset gaps depending on the implementation and the situation in which the liner plates are to be used.

It will also be appreciated that the above described liner plate arrangement can be used in any situation in which liner plates may be required. This can include within any form of material P WPDOCS\AJS\p.UAl2614I omf-mo doc. 154jU1IM transport system, such as within chutes, conveyor belt systems, or the like, as well as in skips, buckets for bulldozers, or the like.

An example of a second arrangement for reducing wear in liner plates will now be described with reference to Figures 9 to 14.

In this example, a liner plate 40 is provided with a shaft 41, which protrudes from a surface S 42 of the liner plate 40, as shown. The shaft 41 is adapted to extend through a corresponding aperture 43 in the transport system body 44, to which the liner plate is mounted. In this regard it will be appreciated that the transport system body 44 may be any part of a transport system for which liner plate protection is required.

D In use, the shaft 41 is adapted to cooperate with a cap 45, a spring 46 and plunger 47, which operate to couple the liner plate 40 to the body 44.

As shown in more detail in Figure 11, the cap 45 includes two mounting pins 50, which cooperate with corresponding channels 51 provided in the shaft 41. The channels 51 extend circumferentially around the shaft 41, and along the length of the shaft 51, to define a screw thread arrangement as shown.

In use, the cap is aligned with the shaft, to allow each pin 50 to enter a respective channel 51 via channel openings 52. The cap can then be rotated in the direction shown by the arrow 53, causing the pins 50 to be guided along the channels 51 so that the cap is threaded onto the shaft 41. This in turn causes the cap 45, and hence the wave spring 44 and the plunger 45 to be urged towards the body 44.

As the plunger 47 contacts the body 44, this causes the spring 46 to be compressed, which in turn creates tension between the plunger 47 and the cap 45, thereby operating to the retain the cap in place.

As a result, by providing an arrangement that generates suitable tension, this can be used to mount the liner plate to the body 44. In order to achieve this, the cap 45 may include shaped portions 49 to allow the cap to be mounted using a suitable tool, such as a power tool, to thereby ensure that sufficient tension can be maintained to hold the liner plate 40 in place.

P \WPDoCS\.AJSr q ,\2O61V41 s on d0c- I S)3l*X7 -11- In any event, by using a shaft positioned on an underside of a liner plate, which then cooperates with a retaining device, such as the cap, this removes the need for the presence of a bolt hole. This in turn reduces the effects of wear, thereby significantly extending the life span of the liner plate.

An alternative example of the second arrangement for reducing wear in or on the plates will S now be described with reference to Figure 16A and 16B.

In this example, a transport system body 100 is provided which is not able to include an S aperture for receiving a shaft, similar to the shaft 41 shown in Figures 9 to 14. In this example, the transport system body 100 has a support plate 101 mounted thereon, the support plate 101 including an aperture 102 therein. The support plate 101 may be attached to the transport system body in any suitable manner, but is typically welded in place, thereby avoiding the need to affect the integrity of the transport system body 100.

In this example, a liner plate 110 is provided that includes a cap recess 112 for receiving a cap 113, a plate recess 114 for receiving the support plate 101, and an aperture 111 extending between the cap recess 112 and the plate recess 114.

The cap 113 includes a shaft 115 having a flange 116 mounted or otherwise provided thereon.

As shown in more detail in Figures 16B and 16C, which show the cap 113 from front and side views respectively, the flange 115 extends part way round the shaft 115, to allow the shaft 115 to be inserted into the apertures 111, 102.

In particular, in use, the liner plate 110 is positioned against the support plate 101 such that the aperture 102 is aligned with the aperture 111, with the support plate 101 being provided within the plate recess 114. With the liner plate 110 in position, the cap 113 can be positioned within the cap recess 112, allowing the shaft 115 to be inserted through the apertures 111, 102.

As shown in Figure 16D, the aperture 102 is shaped so that the flange 116 can be inserted through the aperture 102 in a first orientation, with the flange aligned with the aperture. Once inserted through the aperture 102, the cap 113 can be twisted in the direction of the arrow 117, so that the flange 116 is provided at a second orientation, misaligned with the aperture, P \WPDOCSWS\spcc2s01I6RI rpmction cI 5)3l(X7 -12- Sas shown in Figure 16D. As a result, the flange 115 abuts against an underside shoulder of the aperture 102, thereby retaining the cap 113 in position, which in turn secures the liner plate 110 in place. As a consequence the liner plate 110 can be provided flush against the transport system body 100 as shown in Figure 16E.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art however, that alternative suitable mounting techniques may be used. For example, the cap 113 may be coupled to the aperture 102 using S cooperating screw threads allowing the cap 113 to be threaded into the aperture 102.

Alternatively, the aperture 102 can be replaced by a shaft, with the cap 113 including mounting pins similar to the mounting pins 50, which cooperate with corresponding channels D provided in the shaft similar to the channels 51 shown in Figures 9 to 14. It will be appreciated that in this instance a spring and plunger are also typically provided allowing the cap 113 to be mounted to the aperture 102 in a manner similar to that described with respect to Figures 9 to 14.

In contrast to the example of Figures 9 to 14, however, the use of the support plate 101 obviates the need for an aperture in the transport system body 100, which is undesirable in some situations. Thus, for example, if it is important that the structural integrity of the transport system body 100 is maintained, then it may not be possible to provide apertures therein, in which case the mounting system of Figures 16A to 16E may be preferred. It will be appreciated however that the example of Figures 16A to 16E could be implemented using an appropriate aperture in the transport system body 100, thereby obviating the need for the support plate 101.

A further feature that can be implemented is the provision of a hollow section 118 extending along the inside of the shaft 115 and into the cap 113. This hollow section 118 can be used as a wear indicator, so that as the liner plate 110 and the cap 113 wear down, for example to the level of the dotted line 119 shown in Figure 16E, the hollow section 118 will eventually become exposed, indicating that the liner plate 110 and the cap 113 should be replaced. In addition to this, the hollow section 118 can be shaped to assist with removal, for example by providing the hollow section with a hexagonal cross section, this allows an allen key or similar tool to be inserted into the hollow P\WPDOCSWAJS\spmQ2O)61R41 sp~if.iondc-13M)3t2U7 -13- A specific example of the arrangement is shown in more detail in Figures 17A to 17D. In this instance reference numerals similar to those shown in Figures 16A and 16B are used but increased by 100.

Accordingly in this example the liner plate 210 is shown coupled to the support plate 201.

The transport system body is not shown for clarity purposes. It will be appreciated however that in use the support plate 201 may be coupled to the transport system body in any suitable S manner, such as through welding of the support plate 201 to the transport system body.

As in the previous example, the system includes a cap 213, having a shaft 214 and a flange 215, which cooperates with an aperture 202 that forms part of the support plate 201. In this example the cap 213 includes a shoulder 220 which cooperates with a corresponding shaped portion of the cap recess 212 to retain the liner plate 210 in position when the cap 213 is coupled to the aperture 202. It will be appreciated however that any suitable mechanism could be used. Furthermore, whilst the cap 213 couples to the aperture 202 in this example, alternatively a shaft could be provided on the support plate 201, with the cap 213 coupling to the shaft in some appropriate manner.

As also shown in this example the cap 213 is adapted to fit substantially flush with an outer surface of the liner plate 210, which in use is the working surface of the liner plate. As the cap 213 will be subject to wear in the same manner as the liner plate 210, providing the cap 213 flush with the liner plate surface minimises the profile of the cap 213, which in turn reduces the chance of material catching on an edge of the cap, which in turn helps prevent undue wear of the cap 213. The cap 213 may also be arranged so that when provided in the cap recess 212, any gap between the cap 213 and sides of the cap recess 212 are minimised.

This helps prevent flow of material into the cap recess 212, which could also cause further wear and hence undue degradation of the liner plate 210.

As described above, in one example, the cap includes a hollow section 218 that can be used in identifying when the liner plate has worn a sufficient amount to require replacement, as well as to assist with removal of the remains of the cap 213 from the aperture 202.

It will be appreciated from the above description that the examples of Figures 16 and 17 and the examples of Figures 9 to 14 both provide a boltless mechanism that allows the liner plates P \WPDOCSAJS\sp-U0166I4 Izpjfiilon dOm* I Sf2M7 -14- Sto be mounted to a transport system body without requiring the use of standard mounting bolts. This in turn allows liner plates to be mounted quickly and easily, which can vastly reduce the expense involved in maintaining material transport systems.

It will also be appreciated that there is a degree of commonality to the boltless concepts. In particular, both techniques utilise a shaft extending from a surface of the liner plate though an aperture provided either in the transport system body or a support plate mounted thereto. In S this regard, it will be appreciated that the term shaft refers to any protrusion capable of being S inserted through apertures, and this could be formed integrally as part of the cap or liner plate, or could be a separate member attached thereto. The term is not therefore intended to D be limiting and could encompass a number of different arrangements.

A retaining device is used to hold the shaft in position, to thereby couple to liner plate to the transport system body. In the first example, the retaining device is in the form of a cap, which couples to the shaft to hold the shaft in place. In the second and third examples, the retaining device includes a flange provided on the shaft, which cooperates with the aperture, to retain the shaft in position. The shaft is typically formed integrally with a cap, which then acts to retain the liner plate in position. Thus, in the above described examples, a shaft and retaining device are used to hold the shaft and hence the liner plate in position.

Whilst the above describes two different improvements to liner plates, it will be appreciated that these could be used either independently, or in conjunction depending on the circumstances.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous variations and modifications will become apparent. All such variations and modifications which become apparent to persons skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope that the invention broadly appearing before described.