AU2014200188A1

AU2014200188A1 - Improvements to conveyor loading equipment and installations

Info

Publication number: AU2014200188A1
Application number: AU2014200188A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Edward Hodgkinson
Original assignee: CEREND Pty Ltd
Current assignee: CEREND Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2013-01-18
Filing date: 2014-01-13
Publication date: 2014-08-07

Abstract

A guide assembly 34 has a replaceable guide 46 to guide bulk material discharge onto a conveyor 10 is movable into and out of a working position below the lower opening 40 of a chute 18 without requiring release of permanent means of attachment, such as rivets or welds. The guide can be mounted on a support frame 24, which can have skirts 42. I' \ \ \ ~\ \\ ')$>~ /\~\ \ ~ /i~ ' ~ 'I ~ fl biiIjI~; .~& q/ 11V < / /~ II! N ~' / ; :i::i fN.~ / / \~ I;'' ~ I lk ~I ~ II / /~ / \ \~ \ / I,,Ji .,~,i k' ~.. 4ft ,i ~/i~' / ~ii'// 4 If /~// 11 NI/I ~/ I 7 / / 7~ I'' L N/1 , J~(r ~ / \\ / 7 I/I ii /\ 4, H - I 1'/hIi ~' / ,~ ?7i~IN/ ~/7/~~/ i\ ill / C

Description

1 IMPROVEMENTS TO CONVEYOR LOADING EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATIONS FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to improvement in bulk material conveyor loading equipment and installations BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] Loading bulk materials (coal, iron ore, bauxite etc.) onto an endless conveyor belt for transport typically involves feeding the bulk material into a hopper or chute to direct the material onto the moving conveyor. A guide, termed a 'boot', incorporates a fixed 'training shoe' that is typically positioned immediately above the moving conveyor and guides the bulk material as it exits the hopper to control where the material is deposited onto the conveyor. [0003] Such guides typically include a steel sheet as the training guide with a shaped hole through it. The hole is usually wedge shaped or tapered to allow a relatively high rate of discharge of material onto the conveyor at an upstream end of the hole and reducing the rate at the narrower end of the hole. An optional extension plate can extend down from the edge of the hole towards the conveyor. [0004] The guide is bolted or welded into a lower part of the hopper or chute. Maintenance is difficult and dangerous. A worn out or damaged guide requires the conveyor to be stopped, material removed from the hoper or chute and further loading ceased. Then, workmen can access the hopper or chute from above or below to cut out a welded in guide or remove the bolts, which usually involves cutting off the bolts because corrosion and/or impact damage prevents their threads working correctly.

2 [0005] A replacement guide then needs welding or bolting back into place. Welding presents a fire risk, as well as a danger to workmen carrying out welding in a very restricted space. The damaged/worn guide and the replacement guide are formed of solid steel and are therefore extremely heavy and difficult to manoeuvre out of and in to position. Even simply checking the wear condition of the fixed guide involves shutting down the conveyor and loading before any workmen can climb into the hopper/chute or onto the conveyor. Ideally, from a safety at work aspect, placing personnel onto a conveyor (even if stopped and isolated) or onto/into a hopper/chute is best avoided to minimise opportunity for mishap and injury, which can be fatal. [0006] With the aforementioned in mind, it is desirable to provide a guide to guide bulk material onto a conveyor that can be more readily inspected and replaced when damaged or worn with reduced risk of injury to maintenance personnel. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] With this in mind, in one aspect the present invention provides a replaceable guide to, in use, guide bulk material discharge onto a conveyor, the replaceable guide removable from a working position without requiring release of permanent means of attachment. [0008] Preferably the guide is mounted to a moveable support arranged to move the guide into a working position for use and out of the working position for inspection or replacement. [0009] The guide may be removably located to the moveable support. Preferably the moveable support may include a support frame arranged to transport the guide into and out of a working position.

3 [0010] The support frame may be mounted for travel on wheels or rollers, or on a track, or combination thereof. The frame may be arranged to span a width of the conveyor and to move under a hopper/chute to position the guide for use. [0011] The support frame may include one or more means to raise and/or lower the guide. For example, one or more hydraulic rams may be provided to raise the entire support frame or a portion thereof, and/or raise the guide supported on the support frame, or combinations thereof. [0012] The guide may include a variable sized hole to vary flow rate or volume or position of material onto the conveyor when in use. For example, one or more sliding plates in the same plane as the guide, or one or more positionable guide plates or shutters may extend from the guide. Alternatively, the frame may include positionable guides or shutters. [0013] The guide may include a training plate with an aperture therethrough. This training plate may be the replaceable portion that is removable from a moveable support frame. [0014] Thus, a support frame moving system may be provided. This may include a pulley system to pull the support frame out when replacing the guide and to pull the support frame back to put the guide back into use. [0015] Alternatively, or in addition, the support frame may be moved by a hydraulic or pneumatic system utilising one or more rams. A combination of pulley and hydraulic/pneumatic moving system may be utilised. [0016] The guide may include a lip liner around a periphery of the hole through the guide. The lip liner may protect the lip or edge of the hole. [0017] An optional guide extension may be provided. This extension may extend from at or adjacent the periphery of the hole downwards towards the 4 conveyor. The extension may include multiple segments, such as a segmented skirt of steel plates. The plates may be removably attached to the guide. [0018] The support frame may be adjustable. For example, the height, width and/or length may be adjustable. This helps the support frame to be accommodated over different sized conveyors and/or for different hopper/chute arrangements. The adjustability helps allow for clearance to other equipment adjacent the conveyor loading area. [0019] The support frame may include one or more guards to guard against improper or unsafe access to the conveyor belt when the belt is moving. Such guards may be in the form of a mesh or solid screen, such as a panel or number of panels removably attached to the support frame. Such guards may augment other guards to the conveyor when the support frame is moved into or out of position with respect to the hopper or chute. [0020] The guide and/or the support frame may include one or more position locators to ensure the guide sits at the required position on the support frame. Such locator(s) may include one or more pins or rods extending up from the support frame to locate in corresponding aperture(s) or recess(es) on the guide, or vice versa. [0021] Alternatively, the support frame may have one or more locators to engage with a periphery of the guide, such as one or more side edge locators, which may be moveable to adjust the required position of the guide. [0022] The support frame may include a moveable bed to support the guide that is moveable relative to support frame base. For example, the bed may be supported on the base, the base including legs.

5 [0023] The bed may be position adjustable, such as by rollers and/or one more screw or ram adjusters to move the guide and bed relative to the base of the support frame. [0024] A system according to a further aspect of the present invention includes a replaceable guide/training plate removably mountable onto a support frame arranged for positioning below a lower opening of a loading chute, and the support frame moveable to a retracted position away form the lower opening, and the guide/training plate removable from the support frame without a fixed attachment of the guide/training plate to the support frame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0025] One or more embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the drawings, in which: [0026] Figure 1 shows in perspective a section of a conveyor system and loading/transfer chute with retractable loading guide in position according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0027] Figure 2 shows in perspective a section of a conveyor system and loading/transfer chute with retractable loading guide retracted according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0028] Figures 3 and 4 show respective plan and side views of a conveyor loading/transfer system incorporating an embodiment of the present invention. [0029] Figures 5 and 6 show respective plan and side views of an embodiment of the present invention.

6 [0030] Figures 7a-7g show various views of a guide/training plate with guards according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0031] Figure 8 shows alternative lifting/lowering means for the support frame according to an embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0032] In use, the guide directs the flow of bulk material generally centrally onto the belt of an endless conveyor. Embodiments of the present invention provide for control of positioning of the bulk material onto the conveyor by varying the position of the guide and size or shape of the hole, and using any additional guides provided on the guide. This reduces the chance of poor belt tracking on its supporting rollers when bulk material is misaligned onto the conveyor. [0033] The guide or training plate can be changed out by retracting the guide from its operational position under a feed hopper/chute, thereby allowing unrestricted access to the guide by maintenance staff. Personnel do not therefore need to gain access into and/or under the feed hopper/chute, greatly improving safety and change out speed, and therefore reducing downtime of the conveyor system. [0034] The guide/training plate can be adjusted sideways relative to the conveyor belt to ensure the best or required positioning and/or flow of bulk material onto the conveyor belt. [0035] The guide/training plate may include upright (preferably vertical) walls extending down towards the belt which will help centralise the flow of material onto the belt. [0036] The guide/training plate may include liner plates around the periphery of the opening through the guide/training plate.

7 [0037] In use, the guide/training plate is positioned onto the support frame, which may be by lowering the guide/training plate into position. Locating means, such as one or more pins or projections may be used to locate the guide/training plate into a desired position on the frame. [0038] The pins or projections may be welded onto the guide/training plate, but may alternatively or in addition be provided on the support frame to engage with corresponding apertures on the other. [0039] With the support frame retracted away from the lower outlet of the feed hopper/chute, the guide/training plate can be lifted away from the support frame. [0040] A replacement guide/training plate can be lowered into position on the support frame and the support frame moved back into operative position under the feed hopper/chute outlet with the guide/training plate over the conveyor belt. [0041] Preferably the support frame includes four or more legs, which may be braced with stringers for stability. Guards may be attached to the frame to restrict access to the conveyor belt. One or more wheels or rollers may be provided at the lower end of each leg for mobility. [0042] The support frame may include height adjustment, such as by lifting and lowering the bed by mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic means. Alternatively, or in addition, height may be adjusted by adjustable wheel/roller arrangement whereby the wheel/roller moves vertically relative to the respective leg. [0043] In Figure 1, an endless conveyor system 10 includes an endless conveyor belt 12 supported on rollers and driven or return feed carried by an drum 14 supported on a frame 16. A feed chute 18 is positioned above the belt to direct bulk material onto the conveyor belt. Covers 20 are shown over a section 8 of the belt downstream of the chute. Return rollers 22 support the return portion of the endless belt. [0044] A support frame 24 has legs 26a-d mounted on rollers or wheels 28a-d that run on spaced tracks 30,32 either side of the conveyor. The support tracks may be supported on stringers 36,38. The support frame supports a guide assembly 34. [0045] The guide assembly is moveable into and out of position below the lower opening 40 of the chute. Preferably, the guide is lowered such as by lowering the entire support frame e.g. by hydraulic or mechanical means. It is preferred that the guide does not contact the conveyor belt in order to avoid risk of damage to the belt. However, the guide assembly can be lowered with respect to the support frame e.g. by hydraulic or mechanical means. Once lowered, the support frame is moved away from below the chute lower opening i.e. in the direction of the arrow 'A'. [0046] The support frame or guide assembly can support skirts 42 along one or both sides thereof opposite the respective sides of the conveyor belt. These skirts help reduce dust from the bulk material as it is deposited onto the conveyor when in use. These skirts are continued by corresponding skirt 44 extending along at least part of the conveyor. The covers 20 extend over the top of these skirts 44 to effectively enclose over the conveyor belt to reduce dust and prevent unauthorised access to the belt when the belt is running. [0047] Figure 2 shows the support frame 24 moved away from under the chute 18. A removable guide 46 is shown lifted up from the support frame. The removable guide surrounds a hole or aperture 48 therethrough. The guide is in the form of a plate with lip edge protectors 50 spaced around the periphery of the hole or aperture.

9 [0048] The removable guide can be termed a training plate. The guide acts to channel and direct bulk material from the chute onto the conveyor. [0049] In use, commencing as shown in the position in Figure 1, the training plate or guide is lowered while under the chute lowering opening. Before being lowered, or in concert with lowering, side skirts 42 can be raised in order to prevent them contacting the belt and risking damage to the belt. [0050] After lowering, the support frame is withdrawn away from under the chute opening, and the removable guide or training plate can be lifted up from the support frame, as shown in Figure 2. [0051] A replacement guide or training plate can be placed onto the support frame and the support frame moved back under the chute. The training plate or guide can then be raised back into its operating position under the chute. [0052] Additional guards 51 can be provided extending along the sides between the legs of the support frame. These can complement the removable guards 51 along the sides of the conveyor. [0053] Figures 3 and 4 show respective plan and side views of a conveyor loading/transfer system incorporating an embodiment of the present invention. The guide/training plate 46 is shown on the support frame 24 withdrawn from under the loading /transfer chute 18 lower opening 40. [0054] In Figure 4, arrow 'B' shows the direction of lowering of the guide/training plate. Arrow 'A' shows the support frame withdrawal direction. Replacement of the support frame is the opposite direction to arrow A. Raising of the guide/training plate is the opposite direction to arrow B. [0055] As shown in plan view Figure 5 and side view Figure 6, the guide/training plate can be removed by lifting upwards (arrow C) for repair or 10 replacement. Locating means are provided to ensure the guide/training plate is correctly positioned for use and does not move sideways from that position. The guide/training plate has pins 52 to locate into corresponding holes 54 in portions of the support frame. [0056] Alternatively, or in addition, the support frame can include the pins and the guide/training plate the holes. Alternative locating means may be provided, such as one or more recesses in a peripheral edge of the plate to engage with one or more projections on the support frame. [0057] The opening or aperture through the guide/training plate can be shaped to suit a particular application of conveyor system and/or material to be loaded. The opening is preferably an elongate trapezium with a wider end 56 towards the conveyor drum and the narrower end 58 opposite. The lateral position of the guide/training plate or the opening through the guide training plate with respect to the lower opening of the chute can be selected to suit the application and system. The opening can be positioned off centreline of the conveyor to ensure preferred loading of the conveyor for a given material and method of feeding the chute. The guide/training plate opening can be varied in area and shape by positioning or size of edge/lip protectors 50 and/or positionable extensions. [0058] Figures 7a to 7g show various views of a guide/training plate 46 with lower extension guards along each side and the ends below the opening 48. [0059] Figure 8 shows optional height adjustment to raise/lower the support frame. With the support frame locked in position below the chute opening so that material can be fed onto the conveyor, to withdraw the support frame from under the chute, firstly retaining means are released, which may be in the form of one or more locking bolts or pins to prevent the support frame moving. Then height adjustment means are operated, such as one or more hydraulic jacks 62 or bolts 64 to lower the wheels 28 onto the rails 30,32. This also lowers the guide/training 11 plate 46. The support frame with guide/training plate thereon can now be retracted away from under the chute. Gaps E,F show the raised clearance of the wheels above the rails when the support frame (carriage) is raised up.

Claims

1. A replaceable guide to, in use, guide bulk material discharge onto a conveyor, the replaceable guide removable from a working position without requiring release of permanent means of attachment.

2. The guide according to claim 1, mounted to a moveable support arranged to move the guide plate into a working position for use and out of the working position for inspection or replacement.

3. The guide according to claim 1 or 2, removably locatable to the moveable support.

4. The guide according to claim 3, including a support frame arranged to transport the guide into and out of a working position.

5. The guide according to claim 3 or 4, the support frame mounted for travel on wheels or rollers, or on a track, or combination thereof.

6. The guide according to claim 3, 4 or 5, the support frame arranged to span a width of a conveyor and to move under a feed hopper/chute to position the guide for use.

7. The guide according to claim 2, 3, 4, 5,or 6, the support including one or more lifting means to raise and/or lower the guide.

8. The guide according to claim 7, lifting means including one or more hydraulic rams provided to raise the entire support frame or a portion thereof, and/or raise the guide supported on the support frame, or combinations thereof. 13

9. The guide according to any one of the preceding claims, including a variable sized hole to vary flow rate or volume or position of material onto the conveyor when in use.

10. The guide according to claim 8, including one or more sliding plates in the same plane as the guide, or one or more positionable guide plates or shutters extending from the guide or the frame including positionable guides or shutters.

11. The guide according to any one of the preceding claims, including a support frame moving system.

12. The guide according to claim 11, including a pulley system to pull the support frame out when replacing the guide and to move the support frame back to put the guide back into use.

13. The guide according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support frame moved by a hydraulic or pneumatic system utilising one or more rams.

14. The guide according to any one of the preceding claims including a lip liner around a periphery of the hole through the guide. T

15. The guide according to any one of the preceding claims, including an extension extending from at or adjacent the periphery of the hole downwards towards the conveyor.

16. The guide according to claim 15, the extension including multiple segments, such as a segmented skirt of steel plates.

17. The guide according to any one of claims 2 to 16, the support frame adjustable in height, width and/or length. 14

18. The guide according to any one of claims 2 to 17, including one or more guards or skirts to protect against improper or unsafe access to the conveyor belt when the belt is moving.

19. The guide according to claim 18, wherein the guards or skirts are in the form of a mesh or solid screen or rubber or metal panels, such as a panel or number of panels removably attached to the support frame.

20. The guide according to claim 2 or any one of claims 3 to 19 when dependent upon claim 2, wherein the guide and/or the support frame include one or more position locators ensuring the guide sits at the required position on the support frame.

21. The guide according to claim 20, the locator(s) including one or more projections, pins or rods extending up from the support frame to locate in corresponding aperture(s) or recess(es) on the guide, or vice versa.

22. The guide according to claim 20 or 21, the support frame including one or more locators to engage with a periphery of the guide, such as one or more side edge locators, which may be moveable to adjust the required position of the guide.

23. The guide according to claim 2, the support frame may include a moveable bed to support the guide that is moveable relative to support frame base.

24. The guide according to claim 23, the bed supported on the base, the base including legs.

25. The guide according to claim 23 or 24, the bed position being adjustable. 15

26. The guide according to claim 25, the bed position adjustable by rollers and/or one more screw or ram adjusters to move the guide and bed relative to the base of the support frame.

27. A conveyor loading system including a replaceable guide according to any one of the preceding claims. CEREND PTY LTD WATERMARK PATENT AND TRADE MARKS ATTORNEYS P36981 AUO0