AU2019101370B4

AU2019101370B4 - Blade assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2019101370B4
Application number: AU2019101370A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jack Joseph Morris
Original assignee: Pilbara Conveyor Supplies Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Pilbara Conveyor Supplies Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-10-25
Filing date: 2019-11-07
Publication date: 2020-07-23
Anticipated expiration: 2027-11-07
Also published as: AU2022100130B4; AU2019101370A4; AU2020257161A1; AU2022100130A4

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a blade assembly for a conveyor belt cleaning system. The blade assembly may comprise a blade support configured to connect the blade assembly to the conveyor belt cleaning system and a first blade configured to engage a surface of a conveyor belt to remove material from the surface of the conveyor belt, the first blade being mounted to the blade support.

Description

Blade assembly

Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to conveyor belt cleaning systems. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a blade assembly that removes residue material from the surface of a conveyor belt that remains on that surface after the unloading of conveyed material.

Background art

[0002] Mined materials, such as iron ore, are typically transported on conveyor belt systems. Conveyor belt systems are central to mining operations and mining logistics, specifically with respect to the transportation of mined materials. Conveyor belt systems may include a conveyor belt cleaning system.

[0003] A conveyor belt may be in the form of a continuous loop that moves in one direction. It contains an outer upper surface (the surface onto which mined materials are deposited) and an loopback underside surface (the surface which is returning to become the outer upper surface and does not transport mined materials). Conveyor belt systems have evolved with improvements that increase mined material throughput (via increased speed, size and scale) and the amount of conveyor belt cycles before requiring maintenance. As a result, conveyor belt systems have become increasingly productive and efficient.

[0004] Conveyor belt cleaning systems have been used to remove residue material from mined materials which remain after the transportation of the mined materials. Conveyor belt cleaning systems assist in the preservation of the conveyor belt and reduce the amount of required maintenance. Conveyor belt cleaning systems may utilise P-Type and R-Type blade assemblies that rely on a plurality of cleaning blades which may be mounted to, and extend from, a conveyor belt cleaning system.

[0005] Typically, the cleaning blades of a conveyor belt cleaning system are positioned perpendicular to (R-Type), or at an angle of about 30 degrees to (P-Type), the direction of the loopback underside surface of the conveyor belt. Further, the cleaning blades are positioned to contact and abrade the loopback underside surface of the conveyor belt to remove the residue material. Such conveyor belt cleaning systems have disadvantages, which include residue material passing under the cleaning blades and/or accumulating at the cleaning blade, and thus, ineffectively removing the residue material from the surface of the conveyor belt.

[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for a conveyor belt system that is able to more effectively remove residue material from the surface of the conveyor belt.

[0007] In this specification, unless the contrary is expressly stated, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge; or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

Summary

[0008] Disclosed herein is a blade assembly for a conveyor belt cleaning system. The blade assembly may comprise: a rigid blade support configured to connect the blade assembly to the conveyor belt cleaning system, the blade support comprising: an elongate support body formed from rigid material and extending along a longitudinal axis of the blade support, the support body comprising an upper portion, a lower portion and a substantially planar front face that extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the blade support; and a blade configured to engage a surface of a conveyor belt to remove material from the surface of the conveyor belt, the blade being mounted and set into the rigid material of the upper portion of the support body such that it extends from the front face of the support body, the blade comprising; an elongate blade body extending along a longitudinal axis of the blade, the elongate blade body having a front blade face; wherein the front blade face and the front face of the support body form an angle of 160 to 170 degrees therebetween.

[0009] In some forms, a plane that extends along the blade face is disposed an angle of between 10 to 20 degrees to a plane that extends along the support face.

[0010] In some forms, the blade face and support face form an angle of 165 degrees therebetween.

[0011] In some forms, in use the longitudinal axis of the blade is substantially perpendicular to an underside surface of the conveyor belt.

[0012] In some forms, the blade support comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, and the blade is mounted to the upper portion of the blade support.

[0013] In some forms, the blade is mounted to the upper portion of the blade support such that the blade extends from the upper portion of the blade support.

[0014] In some forms, the blade is mounted to the upper portion of the blade support such that the blade extends from the support face of the elongate support body.

[0015] In some forms, the upper portion of the blade support is integrally formed with the lower portion of the blade support.

[0016] In some forms, the blade is integrally formed with the blade support.

[0017] In some forms, the blade assembly may further comprise a second blade configured to engage the surface of the conveyor belt to remove material from the surface of the conveyor belt, the second blade being mounted to the blade support, the second blade comprising; a second elongate blade body extending along the longitudinal axis of the first blade, the second elongate blade body having a blade face that is parallel to the blade face of the first elongate body; wherein the blade face of the second elongate body and support face form an angle of 10 to 20 degrees therebetween.

[0018] In some forms, the first blade and second blade are mounted to the blade support such that the first blade is disposed adjacent the second blade. In some forms, the mounted adjacent blades are disposed perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the conveyor belt and extend the entire width of the underside of the conveyor belt, typically >900mm.

[0019] In some forms, the second blade is mounted to the upper portion of the blade support.

[0020] In some forms, the second blade is mounted to the upper portion of the blade support such that the second blade extends from the upper portion of the blade support.

[0021] In some forms, the second blade is mounted to the upper portion of the blade support such that the second blade extends from the support face of the elongate support body.

[0022] In some forms, the second blade is integrally formed with the blade support, and are disposed parallel and adjacent to each other.

[0023] In some forms, the blade assembly further comprises a plurality of blades (e.g. more than five) each being configured to engage the surface of the conveyor belt to remove material from the surface of the conveyor belt, and each blade being mounted to the blade support.

[0024] In some forms, each blade is integrally formed with the blade support, and are disposed parallel and adjacent to each other.

[0025] In some forms, the blade support comprises a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, each aperture being configured to receive a fastener therethrough to mount the blade assembly to the conveyor belt cleaning system.

[0026] In some forms, each aperture extends at an angle that is substantially perpendicular to the support face.

[0027] In some forms, each aperture of the plurality of apertures is spaced from an adjacent aperture along the longitudinal axis of the blade support.

[0028] In some forms, the conveyor belt cleaning system comprises: spaced supports that in use are disposed below the conveyor belt; an elongate member that extends between and is supported by the spaced supports; a mounting member that is connected to and extends from the elongate member; a resilient cushion member that is connected to and extends from the mounting member; and a flange that is connected to and extends from the cushion member, the flange being configured to be mounted to the blade support to thereby mount the blade assembly to the conveyor belt cleaning system.

[0029] In some forms, the blade face and support face form an angle of 160 to 170 degrees therebetween (i.e. are offset from one another by 10 to 20 degrees).

[0030] In some forms, the blade face and support face form an angle of 165 degrees therebetween (i.e. are offset from one another by 15 degrees).

[0031] Also disclosed herein is a method of retrofitting a conveyor belt cleaning system (e.g. an R-Type or P-Type system) comprising: removing a blade assembly from the conveyor belt cleaning system; and mounting a replacement blade assembly to the conveyor belt cleaning system.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0032] Various embodiments/aspects of the disclosure will now be described with reference to the following figures.

[0033] Fig. 1 is a side view of a blade assembly connected to a conveyor belt cleaning system with a P-Type arrangement according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Fig. 2 is a cross sectional side view of a blade assembly connected to a conveyor belt cleaning system shown in Fig. 1;

[0035] Fig. 3 is a side view of a blade assembly connected to a conveyor belt cleaning system shown in Fig. 1;

[0036] Fig. 4 is a side view of a blade assembly connected to a conveyor belt cleaning system with a R-Type arrangement according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Fig. 5 is a cross sectional side view of a blade assembly connected to a conveyor belt cleaning system shown in Fig. 4;

[0038] Fig. 6 is a side view of a blade assembly connected to a conveyor belt cleaning system shown in Fig. 4;

[0039] Fig. 7 provides an elevation view (a) and a cross sectional side view (b) of a blade assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0040] Fig. 8 is a plan view of the blade assembly shown in Fig. 7.

Detailed description

[0041] The Applicant has determined that the ineffective removal of the residue material from the surface of the conveyor belt may be attributed to the prior art cleaning blades providing insufficient abrasion against the surface of the conveyor belt. This is due to the cleaning blades contacting the surface of the conveyor belt at ineffective angles due to its positioning and/or the degree of flexibility allowed by the conveyor belt cleaning system. As a result, the cleaning blades vibrate against the surface of the conveyor belt and there may be unremoved and/or an accumulation of residue material on the surface of the conveyor belt due to the ineffective removal of such material. This results in damage to the conveyor belt and increased maintenance and repair.

[0042] The Applicant has determined that these problems are exacerbated with, for example, increased conveyor belt throughput (via increased speed, size and scale) and the prominence of wet mined materials being transported on conveyor belts. These result in greater quantities of residue material on, and adhesiveness of the residue material to, the surface of the conveyor belt. In turn, this causes the prior art cleaning blades to be pushed back and forth against the surface of the conveyor belt, altering the angle of the cleaning blades against the surface of the conveyor belt; and impedes on the ability of the cleaning blades to effectively abrade the surface of the conveyor belt to remove the residue material.

[0043] R-Type arrangement provides limited flex away from the conveyor belt and typically provides more pressure against the belt as the cushion systems are much stiffer and more aggressive than a P-Type equivalent. As the conveyor belt speed increases in combination with pressure applied via the cleaning arrangement against the conveyor belt, the R-Type blade is pushed backward by the moving conveyor belt as this is the only direction the mounting cushions allows the blade to flex. The Applicant has determined that as the prior art blade is pushed backwards by the conveyor belt's rotation and the 'angle of attack' to the conveyor belt lessens, the blade no longer effectively 'peels' residue material off the conveyor belt as intended, instead the blade bounces backward and forward against the conveyor belt, allowing the residue material to pass under the blade and causing the blade to vibrate against the belt. The impact of the described effect prematurely wears the prior art R-Type blade, the conveyor belt componentry and the conveyor belt itself.

[0044] To counteract the vibration effect, belt service technicians may install the R-Type at an angle which may reduce vibration. However, the R-Type then may not effectively clean residue material from the conveyor belt. The prior art R-Type blade is also more easily forced away from the conveyor belt making it more susceptible for residue material to pass between the tungsten tip and the conveyor belt. A useful analogy is scraping paint from a timber with a paint scraper. Some applications (i.e. dry flaky paint) responds well to a vertical paint scraper angle. While wet paint is often more effectively peeled off at an angle away from the direction of the paint scraping motion without vibrating against the painted surface.

[0045] With regard to the P-Type conveyor belt cleaner, a tungsten blade is mounted to a P Type cleaning arrangement which is similar to an R-Type cleaning arrangement, and primarily varies through a different angle off flex. The P-Type chassis is mounted at a 60 degree angle to the conveyor belt, while the prior art P-Type tungsten blade is mounted at an angle of 30 degrees off parallel to the P-Type chassis and mounting point, meaning the P-Type tungsten blade is designed to maintain a 90 degree angle of attack against the conveyor belt.

[0046] The prior art P-Type blade mounts to a stiff arm (e.g. formed from steel) that provides flexibility via a flexible cushion (e.g. a rubber cushion), however the P-Type cushion is typically more flexible than the equivalent R-type cushion and is subject to more leverage. The flexible cushion mounting in the P-Type cleaning arrangement allows flexibility perpendicular to the mounting point. Given that the P-Type cleaning arrangement is a 60 degree angle to the conveyor belt, the P-Type cleaning arrangement through the flexible mounting cushion, allows a prior art P-Type blade a level of flexibility and movement away from the conveyor belt as well as backwards with the conveyor belt simultaneously while retaining close to a 90 degree angle of attack to the conveyor belt when compared with an R-Type cleaning arrangement.

[0047] The P-Type belt cleaning arrangement is typically less aggressive and generates less wear, however, the Applicant has determined that the angled chassis of the P-Type can act as a scoop for residue material cleaned from the conveyor belt which clogs the cleaning arrangement, forcing the blade away from the conveyor belt and prevents the blade from peeling residue material from the conveyor belt effectively. As conveyor belt speeds have increased and the prominence of wet material has increased, the characteristics of the mined material in the iron ore sector have changed over time, requiring more aggressive cleaning and a need to deal with 'stickier' material that is more prone to clogging rather than falling away from the cleaning arrangement immediately after being peeled off the conveyor belt.

[0048] Disclosed herein is a conveyor belt cleaning system and blade assembly for conveyor belt cleaning that may address the problems with existing conveyor belt cleaning systems. The conveyor belt cleaning system will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. Figures 1 to 6 provide representations of a conveyor belt cleaning system in a P-Type (Figs. 1-3) and an R-Type (Figs. 4-6) support arrangement, respectively, that is connected to a blade assembly according to particular embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0049] The conveyor belt cleaning system 1 comprises of support structures 3 that are spaced from each other and are disposed below the conveyor belt 5. The support structures, in the form of side anchors 3, support an elongate base, in the form of an elongate tubular steel rod, 7 that extends between the side anchors 3. The side anchors 3 are each mounted to brackets 15 that are able to support the cleaning system 1 in use. The rod 7 is connected to an elongate support structure 9, in the form of a chassis, that provides superior flex characteristics that assist to limit tip movement away from the conveyor belt 5. In the P-Type support arrangement (Figs. 1-3) the chassis is connected to a mounting plate 11a and a cushion, in the form of a resilient pad, 13a. In the R-Type support arrangement, the chassis 9 comprises a flange, in the form of mounting plate 1Ib, and is also connected to a cushion, in the form of a resilient pad, 13b. In some forms, the mounting plate 11a-b and pad 13a-b are elongate and extend the length of the rod 7. In some forms, the mounting plate 11a-b and pad 13a-b each comprise several elongate connected structures that when mounted together extend the length of the rod 7. The pad 13a-b acts as a cushion that allows for some, but minimal, flexibility in the conveyor belt cleaning system 1, and thus blade, against the surface of the conveyor belt 5. The mounting plate 11a-b is configured to be mounted to the blade support 17, and thus, mount the blade assembly 19 to the conveyor belt cleaning system 1.

[0050] The blade assembly 19 will now be described with respect to Figures 7-8. Figure 7a provides an elevation view of the blade assembly 19. Figure 7b provides a sectional side view through the blade assembly 19. Figure 8 provides a plan view of the blade assembly 19.

[0051] The blade assembly 19 includes a blade support, in the form of a plate 17 formed from, for example, mild steel or stainless steel and a blade, in the form of a tungsten tip 21. The tungsten tip may be, for example, between l5mm-25mm in width. The blade support 17 connects the blade assembly 19 to the support structure of the conveyor belt cleaning system 1. The blade support 17 has an elongate support body 23 that extends along the longitudinal axis A of the blade support 17. The elongate support body 23 has a support face 25 that extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the blade support 17. In use, the support face 25 forms an angle of about 15 degrees with the underside surface of the conveyor belt 5 in use (i.e. along a plane that forms an angle of about 15 degrees with the underside surface of the conveyor belt in use). The blade 21 is mounted to, and forms part of, the blade support 17. The blade 21 is configured to contact and abrade the surface of the conveyor belt 5 to remove residue material. The blade 21 has an elongate blade body 27 that extends along a longitudinal axis B of the blade 21, which has a blade face 29.

[0052] The blade support 17 has an upper portion 31 and a lower portion 33 which are formed together (i.e. integrally formed). The blade 21 is mounted to the upper portion 31 of the blade support 17 such that it extends from that upper portion 31 of the blade support 17 (i.e. towards the underside surface of the conveyor belt 5 in use). Further, the blade 21 is mounted to the upper portion 31 of the blade support 17 so that it extends from the upper portion of the blade support 17 and also extends from the support face 25 of the elongate support body 23 (i.e. the blade 21 and the support face 25 of the support body 23 are disposed such that they form an acute angle with respect to one another).

[0053] In one embodiment, the blade assembly 19 includes a single blade 21 mounted to, that and forms part of, the blade support 17. In another embodiments, the blade assembly 19 may include a plurality of blades 21 each configured to contact and abrade the surface of the conveyor belt 5 to remove residue material. In this embodiment, the plurality of blades 21 each have an elongate blade body that extends along the longitudinal axis B of the blade, and each include the aforementioned blade face. Each of these blade faces are disposed parallel and adjacent to each other (i.e. so that when connected together the blades are disposed perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the conveyor belt and extend the entire width of the underside of the conveyor belt, typically >900mm). Further, each blade is mounted to the upper portion 31 of the blade support 17 so that each blade extends from the upper portion of the blade support 17 and also extends from the support face 25 of the elongate support body 23 in the aforementioned manner.

[0054] In certain embodiments of the invention, the angle between the blade face 23 and the support face 25 is 10 to 20 degrees (shown in Figs. 7a-b) (i.e. a plane that extends along the outwardly disposed blade face 23 is disposed an angle of 10 to 20 degrees to a plane that extends along the outwardly disposed support face 25). In other words, the blade face 23 and the blade support face 25 are 10 to 20 degrees off being flush surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the angle between the blade face 23 and the support face 25 is 15 degrees. Advantageously, the Applicant has determined that an angle of between 10 to 20 degrees, and in particular 15 degrees, provides a blade assembly that in use may effectively remove residue material from the surface of the conveyor belt with reduced accumulation of residue material at the blade relative to prior art cleaning assemblies. As a result, at this angle, the Applicant has determined that there may be less wear and/or damage caused to the blade, the conveyor belt and/or the conveyor belt cleaning system 1, thus reducing maintenance cost and time.

[0055] The disclosed blade arrangement (in the preferred 15 degree arrangement) may require the angle of both R-Type and P-Type cleaning arrangements to be adjusted to provide a degree chassis angle to the conveyor belt such that the blade maintains a 90 degree blade angle to the conveyor belt. This arrangement facilitates superior cleaning in many applications (e.g. as may be required when processing iron ore).

[0056] Figs. 7b and 8 also shows the blade support 17 containing a plurality of apertures 35. The apertures are configured to receive a fastener 37 to mount the blade assembly 19 to the conveyor belt cleaning system 1. Each aperture 35 extends through the blade support 17 at an angle perpendicular to the support face 25. Further, each aperture 35 is spaced from an adjacent aperture along the longitudinal axis A of the blade support 17.

[0057] The disclosed blade assembly 19 is able to be retrofitted to an existing conveyor belt cleaning system 1 for conveyor belt cleaning. The blade assembly (e.g. a P-Type or R-Type) can be removed from the conveyor belt cleaning system 1 and a replacement blade assembly 19, as described in accordance with the present disclosure, is then mounted to the conveyor belt cleaning system 1 (i.e. by removing fasteners 37 of the assembly to be removed and then re fastening the system with the replacement blade assembly).

[0058] Existing R-Type secondary cleaning arrangements in the Pilbara iron ore sector may incorporate a stiff cushion system and may not provide enough movement away from the conveyor belt when set as they are intended to be by the manufacturers. The blade is pushed backwards by the conveyor belt which reduces the R-Type blade 'angle of attack' against the conveyor belt such that material passes under the blade and repeatedly causes the blade to vibrate back to its original position as it grabs and releases from the conveyor belt. The R-Type cleaning arrangement provides sufficient adjustment in the mounting angle to allow the chassis to be mounted at a 75 degree angle to the conveyor belt (as shown in Figs. 4-6). When the J Type is mounted to R-Type cleaning arrangements at this 75 degree angle (as shown in Figs. 4 6), at least two benefits may arise. Firstly, the tungsten tip blade of the disclosed blade assembly 19 retains a 90 degree 'angle of attack' to the conveyor belt which more effectively cuts residue material off the conveyor belt. Secondly, the cushions may be mounted at a 75 degree angle to the conveyor belt, allowing a small amount of flexibility away from the conveyor belt. In some forms, the (approximately) 15 degree angle provided by the disclosed blade assembly may reduce the vibration effect against the conveyor belt and more effectively peel residue material from the conveyor belt.

[0059] Existing P-Type secondary cleaning arrangements provide a softer cushion system. In combination with a P-Type cleaning blade, the arrangement provides too much movement away from the conveyor belt for many iron ore applications which would ideally necessitate a more aggressive cleaning action offered by an R-Type cleaning arrangement. However, R-Type blade but cannot handle the vibration effect caused by an R-Type cleaning arrangement and R-Type blade. The Applicant has also determined that the P-Type also tends to get clogged up as it does not allow the residue material to fall away freely as the residue material peeled off builds up and catches between the conveyor belt and the angled chassis which acts as a scoop.

[0060] The P-Type cleaning arrangements provides sufficient angle adjustment to allow a blade assembly 19 in accordance with the present disclosure to be installed (as shown in Figs. 1 3) and may provide an effective cleaning solution when the P-Type cleaning arrangement is set with the chassis of the disclosed blade assembly at a 75 degree angle to the conveyor belt such that the tungsten blade sits at 90 degrees to the conveyor belt. The (approximately) 15 degree angle provided by the disclosed blade assembly may facilitate superior cleaning effectiveness by reducing flexibility away from the conveyor belt and by allowing the cleaned residue material to fall away more freely rather than being clogged between the more angled P-Type cleaning arrangements with a P-Type blade.

[0061] The word 'comprising' and forms of the word 'comprising' as used in this description and in the claims does not limit the invention claimed to exclude any variants or additions.

[0062] Modifications and improvements to the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and improvements are intended to be within the scope of this invention.

Claims

Claims

1 A blade assembly for a conveyor belt cleaning system, the blade assembly comprising;

a rigid blade support configured to connect the blade assembly to the conveyor belt cleaning system, the blade support comprising;

an elongate support body formed from rigid material and extending along a longitudinal axis of the blade support, the support body comprising an upper portion, a lower portion and a substantially planar front face that extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the blade support; and

a blade configured to engage a surface of a conveyor belt to remove material from the surface of the conveyor belt, the blade being mounted and set into the rigid material of the upper portion of the support body such that it extends from the front face of the support body, the blade comprising;

an elongate blade body extending along a longitudinal axis of the blade, the elongate blade body having a front blade face;

wherein the front blade face and the front face of the support body form an angle of 160 to 170 degrees therebetween.
2 A blade assembly according to claim 1, wherein a plane that extends along the blade face is disposed an angle of between 10 to 20 degrees to a plane that extends along the support face.
3 A blade assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blade face and support face form an angle of 165 degrees therebetween.
4 A blade assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in use the longitudinal axis of the blade is substantially perpendicular to an underside surface of the conveyor belt.

A method of retrofitting a conveyor belt cleaning system comprising;

removing a blade assembly from the conveyor belt cleaning system; and

mounting a replacement blade assembly to the conveyor belt cleaning system, wherein the replacement blade assembly is in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.

FIG 1

/ 1/9

FIG 2 2/9

11a

1 3a FIG 3 3/9

FIG 4 4/9