AU2017101562A4 - Disposable modular material handling chute - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a modular disposable material handling chute, comprising, a screening chute and a screen discharge chute reversibly attachable to a material handling assembly. The screening chute and screen discharge chute engaging or 5 abutting, to thereby form a flow path for an ore material. The screen discharge chute including an outlet for positioning vertically adjacent a conveyor of the material handling assembly. Wherein the screening chute and screen discharge chute are constructed substantially from a wear resistant hard alloy, whereby upon wearing of the wear resistant hard alloy the screening chute and/or screen discharge chute, or 10 part thereof, are replaceable. ./A / /'/-th \ r i 4 / .I V\ \ 7 \ / ~ k ~ \ \ \\\ 4 C14' -

Description

DISPOSABLE MODULAR MATERIAL HANDLING CHUTE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to material handling equipment and in one aspect relates to a disposable ore chute for use in the mining industry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mineral processing plants typically comprise a range of equipment including conveyor systems, screen separators and crushers. In order to transfer the material between different pieces of equipment, material handling chutes are typically used.

These material handling chutes traditionally are constructed typically from 12mm mild steel, however the thickness may vary depending upon the application. Since the movement of the material through the chutes causes wear, sacrificial wear plates are attached to an inner surface of the chute in order to protect the mild steel. This liner must be replaced at regular intervals to ensure adequate protection of the parent metal.

However, due to changes in the material being handled, such as when different grades of ore material are being transported, at times there is increased wear which may result in an unexpected increase in the rate of wear and therefore repair to the underlying parent metal is required.

Rotable chutes are useful since they can be repeatedly restored to a fully serviceable condition. However, there can be high cost associated with transport of the chute being repaired to a manufacturing facility, and/or the stripping, inspection and refurbishment of the chute. Depending on the size of the chute, it can take several days for the worn liners to be removed and new liners fitted. This may mean that the processing plant is out of action for lengthy periods which is costly for commercial enterprises. Furthermore, if the wear liners have been worn away partially or completely, the underlying parent metal may need to be repaired, which may require the chute to be sent away offsite for repairs. Accordingly, surface protection of the parent metal is sometimes used to minimise this risk, however this increases the weight of the chute and the cost of the device.

The replaceable liners or wear plates have to be small enough so that they can be lifted and handled by a single person. This means that the inner surface of a convention chute is lined with numerous small wear plates. The use of numerous small plates results in a plurality of interfaces where they abut, which increases wear streaming.

Furthermore, each plate or liner is attached to the patent metal using conventional fasteners, such as bolts. The heads of these bolts protrude inwardly of the chute which can increase wear and hang up of material.

Some systems, such as that disclosed in US Patent Application 20070258791 to DAVIES, have been proposed which include a fastener system for fixing hardened plates includes a fastener element having a frusto-conical head. Although the system disclosed in DAVIES goes some way to overcome the problem associate with having the head of the bolt protruding inward of the chute the system still use multiple wear plates and therefore still suffers from many of the above issues.

Accordingly, the current practice of building a chute body from mid steel and then lining the inside chute with a plurality of wear plates that are replace when worn out, has a range of problems and limitations.

It should be appreciated that any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification is included solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention and should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art was widely known or formed part of the common general knowledge in the field as it existed before the priority date of the application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, but not necessarily the broadest or only aspect, there is proposed a modular disposable material handling chute, comprising: a screening chute reversibly attachable to a material handling assembly, the screening chute including an inlet for receiving a material therethrough and an outlet; and a screen discharge chute reversibly attachable to said material handling assembly and engaging or abutting a lower part of said screening chute, the screen discharge chute including an inlet, for alignment with said outlet of the screening chute, and an outlet for positioning vertically adjacent a conveyor of the material handling assembly; wherein the screening chute and screen discharge chute are constructed from a wear resistant hard alloy, whereby upon wearing of the wear resistant hard alloy the screening chute or screen discharge chute, or part thereof, are replaceable.

The screen discharge chute and/or screening chute is/are preferably attachable to a frame of said material handling assembly. in one form the screening chute and screen discharge chute are constructed substantially from said wear resistant hard alloy.

Preferably, the wear resistant hard alloy is a chromium-carbide rich alloy, wherein carbides are embedded in a matrix.

In one form the screen discharge chute may include four generally planar wails, wherein the walls are generally perpendicular to adjoining or adjacent walls. A junction between adjacent walls may include an intermediate wall portion oblique to each of the adjoining walls.

The screen discharge chute may include a rear wall adjoining respective intermediate wall portions on either side thereof, opposing side walls adjoining a respective intermediate wall portion, and a front wall extending between the opposing side walls at an opposite end to said rear wall.

Preferably, the rear wall and opposing side walls may be at an angle to a vertical axis and the front wall aligns a generally vertical plane or axis.

The inlet of the screen discharge chute may have a circumferential edge that is generally horizontal. The outlet of the screen discharge chute may have a circumferential edge that is generally planer and may be at an angle to the horizontal. A beam or beams may extend horizontally through the screen discharge chute and/or screening chute. The beam or beams may extend between the front and rear walls, and/or between opposing side walls. The beam or beams are configured to reduce the velocity of the material as it passes through the screen discharge chute and/or screening chute.

In one form a longitudinal beam in the form of a longitudinal impact bar extends between the front wall and rear wall, and a lateral beam in the form of a lateral impact bar extends between opposing side walls.

In one form the screening chute may include four walls that are generally tapered inwardly, downwardly in a vertical direction. Each of the four walls may include at least two adjoining generally planar panels. Each of the four walls adjoin two adjacent walls, to thereby form a generally rectangular funnel.

The screening chute may include a rear wall, front wall and opposing side walls. The rear wall preferable includes an upper planar panel that is generally vertical and an adjoining lower planar panel having a bottom edge that slopes inwardly of the screening chute. The front wall preferably includes an upper planar portion having a bottom edge that slopes inwardly of the screening chute and adjoins a generally vertical lower planar panel. The opposing side walls preferable include respective upper planar panels that are generally vertical and respective adjoining lower planar panels having respective bottom edges that slope inwardly of the screening chute.

The inlet of the screening chute may have a circumferential edge that is at an angle to the horizontal and is preferably stepped down above the front wall. The inlet is preferably covered by a screen for separation of large conglomerates of material or rocks that may block the chute. The outlet of the screening chute may have a circumferential edge that is generally planer and is horizontal. The outlet of the screening chute may be configured to engage or at least abut the inlet of the screen discharge chute.

Fixing brackets may be attached to respective outer surfaces of the screening chute and/or screen discharge chute to facilitate connection to the frame of the material handling assembly.

Each fixing bracket of the screen discharge chute may comprise a mono rail and a removable lifting point, to assist with the easy removal and installation of the screen discharge chute.

The material that is moving through the material handling chute may be an ore material, mineral, rock, sand, gravel, in any state from run-of-mine, (ROM) to any processed form.

Preferably ore material would pass from a bin or hopper through the material handling chute and be deposited onto a conveyor belt that transports the ore material to a desired location.

Wear plates or lines may be attached to an inner surface or inner surfaces of the modular disposable material handling chute in locations where the greatest amount of wear would occur.

In one form, the rear walls of the screening chute and screen discharge chute comprise 20 mm overlay wear material on a 12 mm steel backing plate or framework, which is where most of the wear will occur. The opposing side walls of the screening chute and screen discharge chute may comprise 17 mm overlay wear material on a 12 mm steel backing plate or framework, and the front wall of the screening chute and screen discharge chute comprises a 10 mm overlay wear material on a 12 mm steel backing plate or framework, since this is where the least amount of wear will occur.

In this way, the thickness of the walls may be tailored such that it is thicker where the most amount of wear will occur, while minimising the overall weight of the material handling chute. A plurality of wear resistant plates may be attached to opposing side walls of the screen discharge chute adjacent the rear wall.

However, the skilled addressee will appreciate that the chute may be constructed substantially from a wear resistant material, wherein the main body of the chute is formed by wear resistant material, but may include some limited mild steel backing or framework.

In another aspect of the invention there is proposed a method of forming a chute for a material handling assembly, including the steps of: providing a modular disposable material handling chute, comprising a screening chute and a screen discharge chute; attaching the screen discharge chute to a frame of said material handling assembly, whereby an outlet of the screen discharge chute is positioned vertically adjacent a conveyor of the material handling assembly; positioning the screening chute such that an outlet thereof aligns an inlet of said screen discharge chute; wherein when said modular disposable material handling chute is worn down by a predetermined amount by a material passing therethrough, said screening chute and/or said screen discharge chute or part/s thereof may be replaced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate implementations of the invention and, together with the description and claims, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a material handling chute of the present invention installed within a material handling assembly;

Figure 2 is a side view of another embodiment of the screening chute and screen discharge chute of the material handling chute of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the screen discharge chute of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a top view of the screen discharge chute of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a side view of the screen discharge chute of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a front view of the screen discharge chute of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is an underside view of the screen discharge chute of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the screening chute of Figure 2;

Figure 9 is a side view of the screening chute of Figure 2;

Figure 10 is a front view of the screening chute of Figure 2;

Figure 11 is a top view of the screening chute of Figure 2;

Figure 12 is an underside view of the screening chute of Figure 2;

Figure 13 is a side cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the material handling chute attached to a base frame of an existing material handling assembly;

Figure 14 is a partial side cross-sectional view of B of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a side cross-sectional view comparing an existing material handling chute to the material handling chute of the present invention;

Figure 16 is a side view of another embodiment of the screen discharge chute of the present invention;

Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view through C-C of the screen discharge chute of Figure 16;

Figure 18 is a top view of the screen discharge chute of Figure 16;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of the screen discharge chute of Figure 16; and

Figure 20 is a schematic view of a junction between adjacent walls or wall portions of the screen discharge chute.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED AND EXEMPLIFIED EMBODIMENTS

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

Referring to the drawings for a more detailed description, there is illustrated a modular material handling chute 10, demonstrating byway of examples, arrangements in which the principles of the present invention may be employed.

Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the modular disposable material handling chute 10 for use in a material handling assembly 12. The material handling assembly 12 comprises a base frame 14, conveyor 16, conveyor rollers 18 and support beams 20. Other parts are illustrated and will not be described since they are common to the art and are not particularly relevant to description of the present invention.

Furthermore, some components are not illustrated, for instance, the feed/surge bin or hopper is not shown, which allows for a supply of ore material to build up in the bin. This is normally needed because the ore supply is not constant.

This stock pile of ore flows out of the bin at a designed rate to ensure a constant supply to the rest of the processing plant.

As further illustrated in Figure 1, the modular disposable material handling chute 10 includes a screening chute 22 and a screen discharge chute 24.

Figure 2 illustrates the screening chute 22 and screen discharge chute 24, wherein a material 26 is received in through the inlet 28 of the screening chute 22 in the direction of the arrow and then passes downwardly through the modular material handling chute 10 and exits through the outlet 30 of the screen discharge chute 24, in the direction of the arrow. The reader should appreciate that the shading of the lower screen discharge chute 24 is provided to simply distinguish the different parts of the modular material handling chute 10.

The screen discharge chute 24, as illustrated in Figures 3 to 7, includes a rear wall 32, opposing side walls 34, 36, and a front wall 38. Intermediate wall portions 40, 42 are positioned between the rear wall 32 and respective side walls 34 or 36.

The intermediate wall portions 40, 42 are oblique to the adjoining walls.

The walls, 32, 34, 36, 38 and intermediate wall portions 40, 42 are generally planar and upper edges thereof form a circumferential edge 44, which delineates an inlet 46. The circumferential edge 44 is generally positioned along a horizontal plane, whereas the circumferential edge 48 of the outlet 30 is at an angle to the horizontal. The skilled addressee should however appreciate that the circumferential edges 44 and 48 may be at different angle to that discussed above and may be of a configuration that is not generally planar.

As illustrated in Figure 4, when viewed from above the rear wall 32 and opposing side walls 34, 36 are angled inwardly, downwardly in a vertical direction, while the front wall 38 generally aligns a vertical plane.

As can be best seen in Figure 3, the screen discharge chute 24 is constructed from a wear resistant hard alloy plate 50, that is folded or joined to provide a smooth inner surface for the chute. An outer framework or lattice 52 surrounds the wear resistant plate material and may be constructed from a mild steel. The wear resistant hard alloy plate 50 is fixed to the mild steel outer framework or lattice 52, by way of welding or other conventional means.

As illustrated in Figures 8 to 12, the screening chute 22 also includes four walls each having at least a portion that is generally tapered inwardly, downwardly in a vertical direction, as best illustrated in Figures 8, 9 and 10, to thereby form a generally rectangular funnel.

The screening chute 22 is likewise constructed from wear resistant hard alloy plate 54, that is folded or joined to provide a smooth inner surface for the chute, and an outer framework or lattice 56 that may be constructed from a mild steel.

The four walls of the screening chute 22 of the present embodiment comprise a rear wall 58, front wall 60 and opposing side walls 62, 64. The rear wail 58 includes an upper panel 66 that is generally vertical and an adjoining lower panel 68 having a bottom edge that slopes inwardly of the screening chute 22. The front wall 60 includes an upper portion 70 having a bottom edge that slopes inwardly of the screening chute 22 and adjoins a generally vertical lower panel 72. The opposing side walls 62, 64 include a respective upper panel 74 or 76, which are generally vertical and a respective adjoining lower panel 78 or 80, having respective bottom edges that slopes inwardly of the screening chute 22.

The inlet 28 of the screening chute 22 has a circumferential edge 82 that is at an angle to the horizontal and is stepped down vertically above the front wall 60. The outlet 84 of the screening chute 22 has a circumferential edge 86 that is generally planer and horizontal. The outlet 84 of the screening chute 22 is configured to engage or at least abut the inlet 46 of the screen discharge chute 24, as will be discussed with respect to Figure 14.

Figure 13 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the modular disposable material handling chute 10, illustrating the beams 88, 90 of the material handling assembly 12 that need to be removed for installation of the present invention.

As further illustrated in Figure 13, in one embodiment a horizontal longitudinal beam 92 extends between the rear wail 32 and front wail 38 of the screen discharge chute 24, and a horizontal lateral beam 94 extending between opposing side wails 34, 36. The beams 92, 94 are configured to act as impact bars to thereby reduce the velocity of the ore material 26 as it passes through the screen discharge chute 24, to prevent damage to the conveyor 16.

In the present embodiment, wear plates or liners 96 may be attached to an inner surface or surfaces of the modular disposable material handling chute 10 at specific locations where the greatest amount of wear would occur. The localised use of wear plates or liners may be used to increase the usable lifespan of the modular disposable material handling chute 10, but are not essential.

As illustrated in Figure 14 the horizontal abutment interface between the underside 86 of the screening chute 22 and the upper edge 44 of the screen discharge chute 24 includes a rubber locating member or seal 98. Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 14 the inner surface of the screening chute 22 overhangs the inner surface of the screen discharge chute 24, to inhibit hang up of material or increased wear at the horizontal interface between the screening chute 22 and screen discharge chute 24.

The reader should appreciate that the measurements provided in Figures 13, 14 and 16 to 18 are provided as illustrative only and the scope of the invention is not limited thereto.

Figure 15 illustrates an upper portion of a conventional chute 100, overlaying an upper part of the chute 10 of the present invention. The figure compares the configuration of the chute of the present invention against that of a conventional chute. As illustrated, the contour of the rear wall increases from 60 degree in the conventional chute 100, to 75 degrees in the chute 10 of the present invention. This results in a larger outlet 30 for the chute 10 compared to existing chutes.

Figures 16 to 19 illustrate a further embodiment of the screen discharge chute 24 that includes fixing brackets 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, attached to the outer surface of opposing walls 34, 36. Each of the fixing bracket 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d includes a respective mono rail 112 and a removable lifting point 114, to assist with the easy removal of the screen discharge chute 24. The screening chute 22 may also include similar fixing brackets but will not be shown in detail.

Figure 20 illustrates the interface between wall 34 and adjoining intermediate wall portion 42. A fabricator leaves a gap of approximately 2 mm and forces wire into joint at 120. The gap 120 may need to be opened up with cutting disc.

The channel at 122 may also need to be opened up by a fabricator with grinding disc. The fabricator then welds the junction from the mild steel side and grinds flush.

The interface between walls of the screening chute 22 may likewise be constructed.

Although not illustrated the thickness of the walls may be varied and tailored such that they are thicker where the most amount of wear will occur, while minimising the overall weight of the material handling chute 10. Furthermore, this overcomes the issues of having wear liners of different thicknesses, which may get mixed up during installation. The difference between 10mm liners on 12mm parent metal verses 20mm liners on 12mm parent metal is oblivious, however when installing 17mm liners on 12mm parent metal verses 20mm liners on 12mm parent metal, mistakes can easily be made with existing systems.

The skilled addressee will now appreciate the advantages of the illustrated invention over the prior art. In one form the invention provides a disposable modular chute therein there is no, or limited, handling of small wear liners during replacement thereof, which reduces the risk of manual handling injuries. The removal of the old disposable chute and replacement with a new disposable chute also reduces maintenance time and means there is no requirement to repair a mild steel parent metal chute. Furthermore, there is no requirement for surface protection of the mild steel patent metal since the chute can be disposed of or recycled at the end of its working life.

The use of large sections of wear resistant material, instead of multiple small plates, results in less interfaces which thereby reduces wear streaming and increasing the working life of the wear resistant material.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it reduces the overall mass by removal of the chute shell. Therefore, the liner material can be thicker and heavier, where it was previously restricted, because of the additional mass of the chute shell.

The present invention may also reduce the costs of labour associate with removing and replacing the multiple wear plates, and the downtime of the processing plant when a chute is being repaired.

Various features of the invention have been particularly shown and described in connection with the exemplified embodiments of the invention, however it must be understood that these particular arrangements merely illustrate the invention and it is not limited thereto. Accordingly, the invention can include various modifications, which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. A modular disposable material handling chute, comprising: a screening chute reversibly attachable to a material handling assembly, the screening chute including an inlet for receiving a material therethrough and an outlet; and a screen discharge chute reversibly attachable to said material handling assembly and engaging or abutting a lower part of said screening chute, the screen discharge chute including an inlet, for alignment with said outlet of the screening chute, and an outlet for positioning vertically adjacent a conveyor of the material handling assembly; wherein the screening chute and screen discharge chute are constructed from a wear resistant hard alloy, whereby upon wearing of the wear resistant hard alloy the screening chute or screen discharge chute, or part thereof, are replaceable.

2. The modular disposable material handling chute in accordance with claim 1, wherein the screening chute and screen discharge chute are constructed substantially from said wear resistant hard alloy being a chromium-carbide rich alloy.

3. The modular disposable material handling chute in accordance with claim 1, wherein an impact beam or beams extend/s horizontally through the screen discharge chute, wherein the beam or beams is/are configured to reduce the velocity of the material as it passes through the screen discharge chute.

4. The modular disposable material handling chute in accordance with claim 1, wherein fixing brackets are attached to respective outer surfaces of the screening chute and/or screen discharge chute to facilitate connection to the frame of the material handling assembly, each fixing bracket comprise a mono rail and/or a lifting point.

5. A method of forming a chute for a material handling assembly, including the steps of: providing a modular disposable material handling chute, comprising a screening chute and a screen discharge chute; attaching the screen discharge chute to a frame of said material handling assembly, whereby an outlet of the screen discharge chute is positioned vertically adjacent a conveyor of the material handling assembly; positioning the screening chute such that an outlet thereof aligns an inlet of said screen discharge chute; wherein when said modular disposable material handling chute is worn down by a predetermined amount due to an ore material passing therethrough, said screening chute and/or said screen discharge chute or part/s thereof may be replaced.