AU2007328071A1

AU2007328071A1 - Movable continuous conveyor and method for operating a movable continuous conveyor

Info

Publication number: AU2007328071A1
Application number: AU2007328071A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Robert Ecker
Original assignee: ECKER INGENIEURGESELLSCHAFT MBH
Current assignee: ECKER INGENIEURGESELLSCHAFT MBH
Priority date: 2006-12-07
Filing date: 2007-12-06
Publication date: 2008-06-12
Also published as: EP2125582A1; ATE478816T1; CA2674700A1; ZA200904763B; WO2008067802A1; DE112007003323A5; DE502007004886D1; EP2125582B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a movable continuous conveyor and method for operating a movable continuous conveyor, comprising independent tractor modules each tractor module having continuous conveyor means and a track laying truck. The track laying truck preferably comprises more than one track and at least two parallel tracks.

Description

Translation from German of Patent Application W02008/067802 A1 Movable Continuous Conveyor and Method for Operating 5 a Movable Continuous Conveyor The invention relates to a movable continuous conveyor comprising independent tractor modules, each having continuous conveyor means and a track-laying truck. The invention relates moreover to a method for operating a 10 movable continuous conveyor. Continuous conveyors are frequently used as a means of conveying bulk material. The conveyed material is here usually carried by an endless conveying belt, the conveying belt being located on conveying equipment. The 15 conveying belt usually moves over rollers, where in most cases a roller at one end serves both as a deflection roller and as a drive roller. It is also proposed that continuous conveyors are mounted on a tractor unit so that the position of the continuous 20 conveyor can be more easily varied. A movable continuous conveyor of this general type is known from DE 101 49 101 Al. In this continuous conveyor for the transport of bulk goods, the supporting frame for the continuous means of conveying is fitted at ground 25 level with a tractor unit in the form of a caterpillar track. This permits the entire supporting frame to follow an advance working machine as one movable unit. The caterpillar track even allows the supporting frame to be moved over uneven ground.

2 It has, however, been found, that a continuous conveyor as described in DE 101 49 101 Al has only limited mobility. The means of conveying described in that application is indeed constructed to cope with a degree 5 of curvature; the tractor unit described is, however, of only very limited suitability for changing the position of the continuous conveyor. It is therefore the object of the invention to further develop a continuous conveyor of this general type to the 10 extent that it is capable of particularly high mobility and flexibility. This object is achieved by means of a movable continuous conveyor consisting of independent tractor modules in which each tractor module incorporates means of 15 continuous conveying and a track-laying truck, in which the track-laying truck incorporates more than one track. The use of independent tractor modules with track-laying trucks that include more than one track makes it possible not only to convey bulk goods on the continuous conveyor 20 relative to the tractor module, but also to move the entire continuous conveyor very flexibly. It is favourable here for the track-laying truck to include at least two tracks arranged in parallel with one another. In this way the track-laying truck can remain 25 stable, even on uneven ground, while the position of the continuous conveyor is changed. The track-laying truck makes it possible to pull or push the continuous conveyor without the conveyor - which is usually a relatively long structure - being at risk of 30 falling over. Nevertheless, it is particularly favourable 3 for at least one tractor module to incorporate a track drive. This makes it possible to move the continuous conveyor to a different position under the power of the track-laying truck. 5 In this case it is preferable for it to be possible if at least two tracks, positioned parallel to one another, can be driven differently. Providing different drives to the parallel tracks permits a degree of steering, or compensation when moving around a curve. 10 Alternatively, or in addition, it is proposed that two tractor modules, one following the other, are joined by at least one steering cylinder. A steering cylinder of this type can be implemented by a threaded rod inserted into a threaded sleeve. Alternatively, depending on the 15 particular application, pneumatically or hydraulically driven steering cylinders may be favourable. The steering cylinders make it possible to generate forces between tractor modules, by means of which travel along a curve can be brought about. In particular, they also permit 20 extremely accurate, reproducible curved travel, through which, for instance, the continuous conveyor can be taken under remote control, according to a specified plan, to a predetermined, defined position. Particularly tight curved movement can be achieved if two 25 tractor modules, one following the other, are joined by means of two steering cylinders. The tractor modules may in this case either be joined directly or, through an intermediate piece, by means of the steering cylinders.

4 It has been found particularly favourable for design reasons if steering cylinders are only positioned on one side of the tractor modules. In the mining field, electric motors are avoided wherever 5 possible, and it is therefore proposed that the continuous conveyor incorporates at least one hydraulic cylinder as a steering cylinder. Economical manufacture of a continuous conveyor of this type is aided if each tractor module incorporates a frame 10 arrangement that includes a guide for the means of continuous conveying. It is, furthermore, favourable for each tractor module to include a frame arrangement with a chain guiding mechanism. A chain of this type is usually used to drive 15 a means of continuous conveying that is supported on a guide mechanism. Strong, lightweight design for the tractor module is achieved if each tractor module incorporates a frame arrangement having several cross-braces. Manufacture is 20 particularly economical if the continuous conveyor incorporates a frame arrangement having two equivalent frame segments with an articulated connection. This makes it possible to adapt with particular flexibility to horizontally uneven ground or to curves. 25 It is proposed therefore that at least one tractor module incorporates a frame arrangement with frame segments connected together in such a way that they can pivot out of a horizontal plane.

5 Particular flexibility can be achieved if a bridge module is positioned between two tractor modules. On this basis it is proposed that the continuous conveyor incorporates a bridge module having a frame arrangement with a guide 5 mechanism for the means of continuous conveying. Flexibility is increased yet further if the bridge module is connected to the tractor modules through hinged joints. These hinged joints can allow the continuous conveyor to 10 bend out of a horizontal plane. In addition, or alternatively, the hinged joints may also allow the continuous conveyor to bend out of a vertical plane. In this way, the hinged joints of the bridge module make it easier for the continuous conveyor to 15 track over significant unevenness in the ground and around curves. On this basis it is proposed that the continuous conveyor incorporates a deflection module for the means of continuous conveying at the end of the continuous 20 conveyor. Particularly low-energy transport on the continuous conveyor is achieved by guiding the means of continuous conveying on rollers. The continuous conveyor thus has a means of continuous conveying that is attached to the 25 tractor module with rollers, while the tractor module has caterpillar tracks by means of which the means of continuous conveying can be brought into position. Both conveyor belts and rows of adjacent receptacles may be suitable as the means of continuous conveying. It is 6 particularly favourable if the means of continuous conveying is a trough conveyor. It is proposed as particularly favourable here for the troughs of the trough conveyor to be bolted to one 5 another. It is furthermore proposed that the troughs of the trough conveyor are attached to a drive chain. This drive chain is usually a circulating chain that accepts the tensile forces, while the trough conveyor that is attached to the 10 chain has to transmit as little tension as possible. In one particular embodiment, the tractor module incorporates a hydraulic unit. A modular construction can be given to the continuous conveyor if each tractor module includes a hydraulic unit. 15 This hydraulic unit can be used for a variety of functions. In one embodiment of the invention, the hydraulic unit provides power to drive the means of continuous conveying. It is, furthermore, proposed that the hydraulic unit supplies power to drive the 20 caterpillar tracks. Finally, the hydraulic unit can also power steering cylinders. It is particularly favourable here if the steering cylinders are associated with a control unit. In a preferred embodiment, the controller incorporates a 25 system for measuring distance. The distance measuring system allows the path points of all the tractor units to be queried and saved when the continuous conveyor is moved. The controller can then take note of the distance moved, and in that way ensure that forward and backward 7 movement of the entire continuous conveying equipment always proceeds along the same track. The invention therefore also proposes a method for operating a movable continuous conveyor, particularly a 5 continuous conveyor as described above, in which a control unit uses the position of steering cylinders to regulate or control the speed at which the tracks of a track-laying truck are driven. The controller uses the position of the steering cylinder to regulate the 10 different drive speeds of each of the tracks of a tractor unit as it travels around a curve. It is advantageous here for the controller to determine the position of the continuous conveyor with reference to the neutral axis of the continuous conveyor's tractor 15 modules. If determination of the position of the entire continuous conveyor system is made with reference to the neutral axis of the curve conveyor, the different speeds of travel of the individual tracks when travelling in a straight line or in a curve can be determined accurately. 20 When moving round a curve it is possible in this way to pass the position of one steering cylinder on to the next steering cylinder. In order to compensate for tracks that may be slipping or may be suspended in the air, it is proposed that the 25 controller determines the speed of the powered tracks of the track-laying truck. An embodiment of a movable continuous conveyor with individual tractor modules is illustrated on the drawing, and is explained in more detail further below. 30 They show 8 Figure 1 a top view of a continuous conveyor winding around obstacles, Figure 2 a top view of two tractor modules from the continuous conveyor illustrated in Figure 1, 5 Figure 3 a lateral view of two tractor modules from the continuous conveyor illustrated in Figure 1, Figure 4 an enlarged top view of four tractor modules from a continuous conveyor in a curved position, Figure 5 a perspective view of a detail of the 10 continuous conveyor illustrated in Figure 4, Figure 6 a schematic lateral view of a detail of the trough belt, Figure 7 a lateral view of a section of a tractor unit with trough conveyor, 15 Figure 8 a lateral view of a tractor module with trough conveyor, Figure 9 a further lateral view of the tractor module illustrated in Figure 8, Figure 10 a top view of the tractor module illustrated in 20 Figure 8, Figure 11 a perspective view of the tractor module illustrated in Figure 8, Figure 12 the tractor module illustrated in Figure 8 without trough conveyor, 25 Figure 13 a lateral view of the tractor module illustrated in Figure 12 without trough conveyor, 9 Figure 14 a section of the frame of the tractor module illustrated in Figure 12, Figure 15 the corresponding frame segment that works together with the frame segment illustrated in Figure 14, 5 Figure 16 a frame segment for a bridge module, Figure 17 a three-dimensional view of a drive station, Figure 18 a three-dimensional view of a deflection station, Figure 19 a top view of the frames of two adjacent 10 tractor unit modules with a bridge module and Figure 20 a three-dimensional view of the construction illustrated in Figure 19. The movable continuous conveyor 1 illustrated in Figure 1 forms a winding line between the continuous miner 2 and a 15 hopper 3 that transfers the conveyed material onto a stationary main conveyor 4. The continuous conveyor 1 features a high level of mobility and flexibility, allowing it to follow the continuous miner 2, and has a high capacity to transport 20 the released mineral to the stationary main conveyor 4. A feeder breaker (not illustrated) may be incorporated behind the continuous miner. The total length of the modular continuous conveyor 1 can be up to 150 meters. The continuous conveyor 1 consists primarily of tractor 25 modules 5, 6, bridge modules 7, a drive module 8 (cf. Figure 17), a deflection module 9 (cf. Figure 18) and, associated with them, troughs 10 (cf. Figures 6 and 7).

10 There is also a hydraulic system, of which Figure 2 illustrates the hydraulic unit 11 and steering cylinder 12. Tractor unit modules 5, 6, each have two caterpillar 5 tracks 13 and 13', positioned parallel to one another. The top view shown in Figure 4 illustrates how the individual tractor modules 14, 15, 16 and 17 are flexibly connected to one another by means of bridge modules 18, 19 and 20 in such a way that a radius 21 of approximately 10 6 meters can be maintained. This is possible because the tractor modules are approximately 2.4 meters long, while the bridge modules are about 1.2 meters long. An angle of 1650 can be reached between a tractor module and a bridge module. 15 Through this flexible arrangement of tractor units it is possible to move the entire conveyor around curves, and to negotiate humps (cf. Figure 3). Thanks to the modular construction, the equipment can be shortened or lengthened quickly, thus improving flexibility. A 20 vertical and horizontal change in angle is possible between the modules in order to work around curves and to negotiate depressions and valleys. The horizontal change in angle of altogether 150 allows a curve radius of about six meters to be achieved. The special design principle 25 ensures that even when the conveyor is acutely tilted, the troughs of the trough conveyor are accurately guided by the bogeys 22 that travel on rails 21. The trough belt consists of a large number of trough elements 10, illustrated schematically on Figure 6, 30 having a trough belt 23, joined at the side through a 11 bolted connection 24 to a further element. The underneath 25 of the trough belt 23 is joined to a chain (not illustrated). The underneath 25 is connected to a roller system 26 that 5 rolls on rails 21. A chain (not illustrated) passes through the chain guide 27, 28, and this moves the troughs relative to the rail 21 that is fastened to the tractor module. In this way the continuous conveyor is able to transport 10 large quantities of bulk material while at the same time the high flexibility of the trough system makes it possible to implement tight curve radii. As a result of running on rollers, the tensile forces in the trough system are small. 15 The flexing that takes place in the trough conveyor ensures that even when the bulk material is wet, the trough belt cleans itself at the reversing and drive stations. The trough belt illustrated in Figure 6 consists 20 primarily of a light fabric belt 29 to which the trough belt 23 is fastened with the scalloped edge 30. The only function of the troughs 10 is to hold the bulk material. All the other forces are transmitted by the chain that passes through the chain guide 27, 28. The 25 weight of the bulk material is transmitted through the roller system 26 to the frame of the tractor module 6. Precise horizontal and vertical guidance of the trough belt 29 and of the drive chain is implemented by the guide system, using the guides 27 and 28, which are 30 approximately in the middle between the caterpillar 12 tracks 13 and 13' of the tractor module 5. This design also achieves precise guidance of the chain at the places where the continuous conveyor 1 changes direction. The tractor module 5 illustrated in Figures 8 to 11 5 consists of the track-laying truck 31, the spring suspension 32, the steering cylinders 12, the guide frame 33 for the trough conveyor 34 illustrated in Figures 12 and 13, and the chain guide 35. The steering cylinders 12 connect the tractor module 5 to a bridge module 7 as 10 shown in Figure 16. Figures 12 to 15 show that a tractor module 5 incorporates two frames, 36 and 37, which, apart from the connections 38, and 39, are identical in construction, and which are brought together to form a ladder-like, 15 flexible construction at the connection site. Bridge module 7 serves as the connection between the individual tractor modules 5 and 6. The bridge module 7 permits a horizontal change of angle, while the connection 38, 39 of the frame segment of the tractor 20 module permits a vertical change of angle. The rails 21 that are mounted on the frame elements illustrated in Figures 14 to 15 incorporate plastic plates over which the roller system 26 rolls. The interaction of the frames 40 and 41 of two tractor 25 modules and the frame 42 of a bridge module is illustrated in Figures 19 and 20. While the hinge 43 allows a change in angle from the horizontal plane, the hinge 44 permits bending to the side, whereby the frame segments of the bridge element and the frame segments of 30 the tractor module slide at a contact surface 45.

13 The continuous conveyor incorporates hydraulic equipment, implemented on tractor module 6 as a hydraulic unit 11. A hydraulic unit 11 of this type provides a driving force for the tractor modules 5, 6, and also powers the 5 steering cylinder 12. The steering is operated by means of proportional valves. Steering is primarily implemented through the steering cylinders, although the tractor unit and its tracks 13, 13' can be used to support the steering movement. It is 10 favourable if the steering cylinders, as shown in Figure 5, are only positioned at one side, and if the hydraulic units and the valve equipment are located in boxes 46 above the tracks 13, 13'.

Claims

1. Movable continuous conveyor consisting of individual tractor modules, where each tractor module incorporates means of continuous conveying and a 5 track-laying truck, characterized in that the track laying truck has more than one caterpillar track.

2. Movable continuous conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that the track-laying truck has at least two caterpillar tracks in parallel with one 10 another.

3. Movable continuous conveyor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one tractor module incorporates a caterpillar track drive.

4. Movable continuous conveyor according to one of the 15 foregoing claims, characterized in that at least two caterpillar tracks, oriented parallel to one another, can be driven differently.

5. Movable continuous conveyor according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that two tractor 20 modules, one following the other, are joined together by at least one steering cylinder.

6. Movable continuous conveyor according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that two tractor modules, one following the other, are joined together 25 by two steering cylinders.

7. Movable continuous conveyor according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that steering cylinders are only positioned on one side of the tractor module. 15

8. Movable continuous conveyor according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that it incorporates at least one hydraulic cylinder as a steering cylinder. 5

9. Movable continuous conveyor according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that each tractor module incorporates a frame arrangement having a guide for the means of continuous conveying.

10. Movable continuous conveyor according to one of the 10 foregoing claims, characterized in that each tractor module incorporates a frame arrangement having a chain guide.

11. Movable continuous conveyor according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that each tractor 15 module incorporates a frame arrangement with several cross-braces.

12. Movable continuous conveyor according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that it incorporates a frame arrangement having two identical 20 frame segments with an articulated connection to one another.

13. Movable continuous conveyor according to one of the foregoing claims characterized in that at least one tractor module incorporates a frame arrangement with 25 frame segments that are pivotally joined in a horizontal plane.

14. Movable continuous conveyor according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that a bridge module is positioned between two tractor modules. 16

15. Movable continuous conveyor according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that it incorporates a bridge module with a frame arrangement having a guide for the means of continuous conveying. 5

16. Movable continuous conveyor according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that it incorporates a bridge module that is connected to the tractor modules by means of hinges.

17. Movable continuous conveyor according to claim 16, 10 characterized in that the hinges permit the continuous conveyor to bend out of a horizontal plane.

18. Movable continuous conveyor according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the hinges permit the 15 continuous conveyor to articulate out of a vertical plane.

19. Movable continuous conveyor according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that it incorporates a drive module for the means of 20 continuous conveying at one end of the continuous conveyor.

20. Movable continuous conveyor according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that it incorporates a deflection module for the means of 25 continuous conveying at one end of the continuous conveyor.

21. Movable continuous conveyor according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the means of continuous conveying is guided on rollers. 17

22. Movable continuous conveyor according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the means of continuous conveying is a trough conveyor.

23. Movable continuous conveyor according to claim 22, 5 characterized in that the troughs of the trough conveyor are bolted to one another.

24. Movable continuous conveyor according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the troughs of the trough conveyor are attached to a drive chain. 10

25. Movable continuous conveyor according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that a tractor module incorporates a hydraulic unit.

26. Movable continuous conveyor according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that each tractor 15 module incorporates a hydraulic unit.

27. Movable continuous conveyor according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that the hydraulic units powers the drive for the means of continuous conveying.

28. Movable continuous conveyor according to one of 20 claims 25 to 27, characterized in that the hydraulic units supplies power for the caterpillar tracks.

29. Movable continuous conveyor according to one of claims 25 to 28, characterized in that the hydraulic unit supplies power for steering cylinders. 25

30. Movable continuous conveyor according to claim 29, characterized in that the steering cylinders are associated with a control unit. 18

31. Movable continuous conveyor according to claim 30, characterized in that the control unit incorporates a distance measuring system.

32. Method of operation of a movable continuous conveyor, 5 in particular one according to one of the foregoing claims, in which a control unit utilizes the positions of steering cylinders to regulate or control the drive speeds of the caterpillar tracks of a track-laying truck. 10

33. Method according to claim 32, characterized in that the control unit determines the position of the continuous conveyor with reference to the neutral axis of the continuous conveyor's tractor modules.

34. Method according to claim 32 or 33, characterized in 15 that the control unit finds the mean speed of the driven tracks of the track-laying truck.