AU679324B2 - Material transfer security system - Google Patents

Description

_I

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority Related Art: S Name of Applicant: De Beers Industrial Diamond Division (Proprietary) Limited Actual Inventor(s): Paul William Armstrong Charles Burleigh Walker Anderson Ivan John Hancock Johannes Hermanius Potgieter Nelson Gabriel Monteiro *Edwin Godfrey Langton Rudolf Wilhelm Glatthaar Address for Service: PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 AUSTRALIA Invention Title: MATERIAL TRANSFER SECURITY SYSTEM Our Ref: 406187 POF Code: 1503/78726 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): llll~lara~ P ~-YIC BACKGROUND TO TH4E INVE~NTION T~MS invention relates to a material transfer security systern.

One application of the invention is in the handling of fluent materials :using containers. In certain materials processing plants some of the processes may be carried out on a batchwise basis. A typical example is in a batchwise diamond recovery process. In such cases, it is importanat that the material of one batch should be kept separate from that of another batch. To provide some security against different batches of materials being mixed up, devices have been proposed to lock a separating panel or slide valve in the closed position at the container discharge port. For example in batchwise minerals processing ordinary door-type lever locks have been fitted to the slidt~ valves which control discharge from the container discharge ports. The shift supervisor or other person in a positio-n of responsibility then carries the appropriate keys and is the only person authorised to lock or unlock respective containers as required by the processing operation.

While simple systems of this type do provide a measure of security, it is believed that a higher level of security is necessary.

-3 51MMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a secure material transfer system comprising: a series of discharge units from which material is to be discharged, each discharge unit having a first material transfer port through which material is to be discharged.

a series of receiver units to receive material discharged from the discharge units, each receiver unit having a second material transfer port through which material is to pass into the receiver :unit from the material transfer port of a discharge unit, respective encoded locking modules mounted to the discharge and receiver units, the locking modules including respective valves which are movable between open and closed positions to :open and close the respective material transfer ports, and the locking modules of respective discharge and receiver units being arranged to mate with one another, and pre-programnmed electronic control means which is responsive to mating of a predetermined diischarge unit locking module with a predetermined receiver unit locking module to allow the respective valves to move to open positions and thereby to permit material to discharge from the predetermined discharge unit to the predetermined receiver unit through the material trans fer ports.

Preferably, the locking modules of the discharge and receiver units are arranged to lock with one another to prevent separation of the respective units when the valves are in open positions.

In the preferred embodiments, each locking module includes a microprocessor for controlling the operation of the associated valve, and wherein the system further includes a central control computer which controls the operation of the microprocessors.

In one version of the invention, each locking module includes a f: transponder and the central control computer is arranged to interrogate the locking modules via their transponders and, in response to a determination that a predetermined discharge unit locking module is mated with a predetermined receiver unit discharge module, to activate the microprocessors of the discharge unit and receiver unit locking modules, via the transponders, to allow opening of the associated valves.

In another version of the invention, each locking module includes a microprocessor and associated communication electronics for communicating directly with another locking module with which it is mated, the microprocessors of mated modules being arranged, on determining that predetermined modules are mated with one another, to allow opening of the associated valves.

In both cases, each locking module may include a manual valve operating handle which is normally disconnected from the associated valve, and electromechanical actuating means for engaging the handle with the associated valve, under the control of the microprocessor, when I 9IR II~pl~a y- N the microprocessor determines that predetermined locking modules are mated, thereby to permit manual operation of the associated valve.

Alternatively, each locking module may include means operating automatically to control the associated valve when the microprocessor of the module determines that predetermined locking modules are mated.

In a preferred application of the system of the invention it is used to control the transfer of a diamondiferous concentrate between an item of mineral processing equipment and a movable container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 diagrammatically illustrates the main components of one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 diagrammatically illustrates the operation of a locking module seen in Figure 1 and incorporating a valve apparatus; Figure 3 shows an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of relevant components of s ~L L I ~p -6 the locking mechanism seen in Figure 3 and Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the base of a container locking assembly as used in the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4.

"i DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings which illustrate a first embodiment of the invention, the numeral 10 refers to a container charged with a batch of fluent material and the numeral 12 to a -receptacle for receiving the contents of the container. The container may for instance accommodate a batch of slurry which is to undergo processing, In a practical example, the slurry can be one derived during the course of diamond or other mineral processing operations.

In such an example, the receptacle 12 could be a machine or other item of equipment, possibly a densimetric or cyclone separation device, X-ray sorting device or the like, which is to be supplied with slurry from the container 10 for further processing to recover the valuable component thereof.

As illustrated, the container 10 has a funnel-shaped bottom 14 leading to a material flow conduit 15 which carries a first locking module 16.

The receptacle 12 is fitted with a docking port, indicated with the numeral 18, that includes a second locking module 20, similar to the first module 16, at its base. The second locking module 20 is carried at the L ~II II~ II 7 upper end of a material flow conduit 117. The locking modules are securely fixed to the container and receptacle respectively.

Each of the locking modules 16, 20 includes a microprocessor 22 and a radio frequency transponder 24. A solenoid drive control unit 26, a sensor unit 28, an encoding unit 30 and a power monitoring unit 32 are linked to each microprocessor 22. In addition, each locking module 16, 20 incorporates an electromechanical valve apparatus indicated gene rally with the numeral 23 in Figure 2. The valve apparatus 23 serves in each case to control flow through the respective flow conduit 15 or 17.

In use, when the contents of the container 10 are to be discharged into the receptacle 12, the container 10 is manoeuvred into the correct position relative to the receptacle 12, such that the locking module 16 V of the container docks into the docking port 118 alongside the locking module 20, In practice, the contaier 10 can be moved into position in any conventional manner.

Suitable mechanical guides, such as slides and/or wedges, may be provided in association with the docking port 18 to ensure positional accuracy of the container relative to the receptacle and hence of the locking modules relative to one another. When the container has been accurately positioned relative to the receptacle, the flow conduit 15 of the container registers vertically with the corresponding flow conduit 17 of the receptacle.

The system of the invention also includes a control computer 25 linked to a radio frequency communications unit 27. The unit 27 is able to -8 communicate with the transponders 24 of the modules 16 and 18.

When the container 10 has been docked relative to the receptacle 12, the locking modules 16 and 20 are interrogated by the computer 25 via the communications unit 27 and the transponders 24. The computer is preprogrammed, in accordance with the desired sequence of operatiors in the processing plant, to transmit a signal to each *i transponder 24 which results in operation of each of the valve S" apparatuses 23 in a manner to open the associated valve, as described below.

In effect, the computer instructs each module 16, 20 to open the associated valve if the module has a specific code, as determined by the S* encoding unit 30. In other words, a valve opening command issued by the computer will only be acted upon if the interrogated module, identified by its individual code, is the correct module in accordance with the data with which the computer 25 has been programmed.

If, for instance, the module 16 is for some reason not the correct module in accordance with the computer programme, the valve opening command will not be acted upon, with the result that the relevant valve will not open and there will be no transfer of material from the container 10 to the receptacle 12.

Assuming that the correct modules 16 and 20, corresponding to the correct container 10 and receptacle 12, are in fact present, the valve opening command transmitted by the communications unit 27 to the respective transponders 24 is acted upon by the microprocessors 22.

I U~ eeq -9- Under the control of the respective microprocessors 22 and solenoid drive control units 26, solenoids 34 of the valve apparatuses are energised.

In each case, the solenoid 34 extends a plunger 36 against the action of a coil spring 38. Attached to the plunger 36 is a lever 40 mounted pivotally at a point 42. The opposite end of the lever is attached to a rotatable shaft 44 carrying a clutch component 46 at one end and a qe4* crank handle 48 at the other end. The pivotal movement of the lever about the point 42 caused by extension of the plunger 36 causes the clutch component to move to the right in Figure 2, into rotational engagement with a cooperating clutch component 50 at one end of a shaft 52 carrying a leadscrew 54 at its opposite end. A carriage 56 is mounted on the lead screw 54 and is connected to a slide valve 58 mounted for sliding movement relative to the material flow conduit of the container In Figure 2, the clutch components 46 and 50 are illustrated as being of a type that key mechanically with one another, but it will be appreciated that a conventional friction disc type clutch arrangement may also be used.

Once the clutch components 46 and 50 are engaged in a rotationally fast manner with one another, an operator can rotate the crank handle 48 to cause corresponding rotation of the shafts 44 and 52. The resulting rotation of the lead screw causes moves the carriage 56. This moves the slide valve 58 across the flow conduit 15 from a closed to an open position, as indicated by the arrow and broken lines in Figure 2.

L I 10 The flow conduit 15 is now open and the contents of the container can discharge under gravity into the receptacle 12 through this conduit.

Figure 2 illustrates the valve apparatus 23 associated with the container but it will be appreciated that a similar apparatus is provided for the receptacle 12 to open the conduit 17 to material flow.

The slide valve 58 of the container module 16 is arranged to engage a portion of the docking port 18 as soon as it starts moving from the closed to the open position. With such an arrangement, the container A is effectively locked to the receptacle 12 during material discharge from the container, so that inadvertent movement of the container away from the receptacle during the material transfer procedure is prevented. The slide valve 58 only disengages from the port 18 when it is returned to a fully closed position, so it is only at this stage that the modules can be separated from one another.

The sensor unit 28 of each module 16, 20 includes a series of position sensors, such as Hall effect sensors, which are sensitive to the status of the valve 58. Sensors may, for instance, be provided to indicate conditions of full valve opening, full valve closure, rotation of the leadscrew 54 and so forth.

Thus if, for instance, the valve jams in a partially closed position, the microprocessor 22 can, in response to the relevant signal from the sensor unit 28, terminate, reverse or otherwise modify the operation of the solenoid unit 34, as appropriate. In addition, signals representative of the status of the valve in each case are transmitted by the relevant transponder 24 to the control computer 25, which is therefore able to d 11 monitor the overall satus of the material discharge operation.

At the end of a discharge cycle as described above, the operator can close the valve again by opposite rotation of the crank handle 48.

Thereafter, the container 10 can be detached from the receptacle 12 and moved to a new site for a recharging or other operation.

Instead of manual operation of the crank handle and hence of the slide valve 58 it would of course be possible to provide an electric motor drive operated automatically, under the control of the microprocessor, in :4I response to signals from the computer.

An important advantage of the system as described above is the fact that the iih valve 58 cannot be opened other than when the computer issues the appropriate command in recognition of the fact that the correct container is mated with the correct receptacle. There is therefore little chance of material from an incorrect batch inadvertently being fed a* into the receptacle.

Additionally, the electromechanical valve arrangement of each module 16, 18 will improve the overall security of the system by making unauthorised valve operations more difficult.

As explained above, the container module 16 and receptacle module are each identified by an individual code determined by the encoding unit 30. Security can be enhanced by periodically re-encoding the modules 16 and 18. The power monitoring unit is provided to monitor possible system overloads, power failures and so forth so that I -I IL rsl 'I 12 appropriate remedial action can be taken by the relevant microprocessor 22 and/or computer Although the system has been described above with a single container and a single receptacle, it will be appreciated that in a typical application such as in a minerals processing plant, there will be many different containers and receptacles in operation at any one time at different stages of the processing operation. The control computer 25 is arranged as a central control in communication with all of the containers and receptacles, thereby to monitor the overall status of the processing operation of the plant.

While the system has been described above in relation to a container discharge operation, it could equally well be applied to a container charging or other material transfer operation. In such a case, a container may, for instance, be docked beneath a densimetric separator to collect underflow discharged from the separator. Of course, the locking modules will in this case be provided at the upper end of the container and the lower end of the receptacle, i.e. the separator, rather than at the lower end of the container and at the upper end of the receptacle as in the illustrated embodiment.

Additional security can be provided by fixing the modules 16 and firmly to the container and receptacle in a tamper-proof manner.

According to a preferred feature of the system as described above, the flow passage defined by the conduit 15 changes from a round crosssection at its upper end to a rectangular, preferably square cross-section 3 1 -r i i' 13 at the position where the slide valve 58 is situated. It is anticipated that this change in cross-section will act to reduce the chiances of material bridging across the conduit and blocking the flow.

Figures 3 to 5 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 shows a housing 100 which is fixed in -use to the bottom of an item of fixed mineral processing equipment from which concentrated dianiondiferous material is to be discharged and transported to another site for further processing. The housing 100 accommodates a locking module or assemnbly 102. The numeral 104 indicates a container, in this case in the form of a can, which carries a cooperating locking module or assembly 106 at its upper end.

Each of the locking assemblies 102 and 106 includes a tapered chute 108, 110 carried by a circular base 112, 114. The base 114 of the locking assembly 106 is illustrated in Figure 3 As exemplified by the base 114 of Figure 5, each base 112, 114 is formed with a sector-shaped material S transfer port 116. The base 114 is also formed with diametrically opposed pockets 113, 115. The base 112 carries diametrically opposed mechanical interlocks 117, 119 at circumferential positions corresponding to the positions of the pockets 113 and 115.

Pivoted centrally to the bases 112 and 114 are respective rotary gate valves 120 and 122 which are generally of sector-shape. The rotary gate valves are formed with corresponding sector-shaped cut-outS 123 which, in the appropriate rotational positions of the valves, align with the respective material transfer ports 116.

14 The bases 112 and 114 also carry respective solenoid locks 124 and 126.

In Figure 4 the plunger of the solenoid lock 126 is indicated with the reference numeral 130, but it will be understood that the solenoid lock 126 has a corresponding plunger (not visible in the drawings). Figure 4 shows only the solenoid lock 126 and gate valve 1'22 of the locking assembly 106 of the can 104, other components being omitted in the interests of clarity of illustration. The solenoid lock 124 and the gate valve 122 are connected to a central shaft.

When the solenoid locks 124 and 126 are in their locked condition, their plungers locate in openings (not visible in the drawings) in the bases 112 and 114, and prevent the valves from rotating relative to their respective 0 bases.

The gate valve 120 carries a peg 132 and the gate valve 122 is formed with a peripheral cut-out 134 in which the peg is received when the locking assemblies 102, 106 are correctly mated with one another, as described below in more detail.

The base 112 of the locking assembly 102 carries a valve operating lever 136 connected to the central shaft so as to be rotationally fast with the gate valve 120. The lever 136 is mounted alongside the solenoid lock 124 and is arranged in such a marnner that when the solenoid lock is energised its associated plunger withdraws from an opening in the lever so that the lever can be rotated to cause corresponding rotation of the gate valve. With the plunger extended into the abovementioned opening the base 112 prior to the solenoid being energised, the lever cannot be rotated, 15 The housings of the solenoid locks 124 and 126 also accommodate independent, pre-programmed microprocessors incorporating appropriate encoded communications electronics and suitable power supply modules.

The operation of the embodiment of Figures 3 to 5 is as follows, assuming that the can 104 is to be docked to the item of equipment carrying the housing 100 and that material is to be transferred from the t item of equipment to the can under secure conditions.

a* be* The can, with its associated locking assembly 106, is brought into position beneath the item of equipment so that the locking assemblies 102 and 106 are vertically aligned with one another. The locking assemblies are brought together so that the peg 132 locates in the cutout 134, thereby locking the rotary gate valves 120 and 122 to one another in rotationally fast manner. The mating of the locking assemblies is also such that the mechanical interlocks 117 and 119 locate in the pockets 113 and 115 respectively. A control switch 140 on the S*.i housing 100 is then operated to activate the microprocessors associated with the two locking assemblies. The communication electronics of the respective microprocessors communicate with one another. If, as a result of their communication, the microprocessors determine that they are correctly matched, i.e. that the correct item of equipment is mated with the correct can 104 in accordance with the pre-programming of the microprocessors, the solenoid locks 124 and 126 are energised.

The plungers of the solenoid locks are withdrawn with the result, as explained above, that the rotary gate valves 120 and 122 are freed to rotate relative to their respective bses 112 and 114. At the same time L -l~ssl 16 the operating lever 136 is freed to rotate and can now be manually operated in manner to rotate the valve 120 about the central axis.

Because of the location of the peg 134 in the cut-out 136, the other rotary gate valve 122 rotates synchronously.

Pior to rotation of the rotary gate valves 120 and 122, the mechanical interlock 117 is aligned with registering, circumnferentially extending caitouts 142 at the peripheries of the gate valves, and the mechanical interlock 119 is aligned with the sector-shaped cut-ouEs 123 of dhe gate valves, This enables the, locking assemblies to mate with one another as described above. As soon as synchronous rotation of the two gate valves 0 0 takes place.. the edges of the valves enter undercut recesses 144, 146 :presented by the mechanical interlocks, as illustrated in Figure 4. This effectively locks the locking modules or assemblies to one another and prevents them from being separated fromn one another.

When the lever 136 is fully rotated the cut-outs 123 are brought into vertical alignment with the respective material transfer ports 116, thereby establishing clear communication between the item of equipment and the can 104. Material passes under gravity from the equ~ipment to the can through the aligned chutes 108 and 110.

After complete discharge of the item of equipment into the can 104, the lever 136 is rotated in the opposite direction to rotate the gate valves 120 and 122 to closed positions in which they are no longer aligned with the material transfer ports 116. When a condition of full closure has been attained, the plungers of the solenoid locks spring back to their normal locked positions to prevent rotation of the gate valves relative to _1~1_ 17 their respective bases. At the same time, the mechanical interlocks 117 and 119 are brought once again into positions in which they are aligned with the cut-outs 123 and 142.

The locking assemblies can now be separated vertically from one another and the can 104 can be transported to another site for further processing or subsequent discharge of its contents.

It will be noted that in the second embodiment described above with S*0* reference to Figures 3 to 5, there is no overall control computer which interrogates the individual locking modules or assemblies to ensure that the correct assemblies are mated with one another and to monitor the overall operation of a materials processing plant. Correct mating is ensured merely by the correct communication protocol being achieved between the communication electronics carried by the respective locking modules or assemblies themselves in accordance with individual codes and the programming of the microprocessors. Thus to this extent the second embodiment is somewhat simpler than the first embodiment and is accordingly considered more suitable for smaller scale applications in which there is a limited number of material transfer operations in progress at any one time.

In both embodiments there is nevertheless a high degree of security. In both cases, the correct modules must be mated with one another before a material transfer operation can take place. The locking arrangements described in each case are such as to prevent unauthorised tampering with the valve mechanisms until such time as the correct modules are correctly mated. Thus the individual locking assemblies cannot be I 18 opened to allow material discharge, either from the item of equipment or the can, until correct mating takes place. Also, in both cases, during the actual transfer of material, the respective units are locked to one another, thereby ensuring a complete transfer with no material loss.

It will be appreciated that in the second embodiment, where the lever 136 is manually operated, it would be possible to provide an automatic valve opening apparatus which opens the rotary gate valves when correct *o mating of the locking modules or assemblies has taken place.

S**

II II a -sa r c

Claims (5)

1. 2. A material transfer system according to claim 1 wherein the locking modules of the discharge and receiver units are arranged to lock with one another to prevent separation of the respective units when the valves are in open positions. 9 '3. A material transfer system according to claim 2 wherein each locking module includes a microprocessor for controlling the operation of the associated valve, and wherein the system further includes a central control computer which controls the operation of the microprocessors. 99* S..4. A material transfer system according to claim 3 wherein each locking module includes a transponder and the central control computer is arranged to interrogate the locking modules via their transponders and, in response to a determination that a predetermined discharge unit locking module is mated with a predetermined receiver unit discharge module, to activate the microprocessors of the discharge unit and receiver unit locking modules, via the transponders, to allow opening of the associated valves A material transfer system according to claim 2 wherein each locking module includes a microprocessor and associated communication c~ Iq~ lyl i i r I 21 electronics for communicating directly with another locking module with which it is mated, the microprocessors of mated modules being arranged, on determining that predetermined modules are mated with one another, to allow opening of the associated valves.
2. 6. S. A material transfer system according to any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein each locking module includes a manual valve operating handle which is normally disconnected from the associated valve, and electromechanical :actuating means for engaging the handle with the associated valve, under the control of the microprocessor, when the microprocessor determines that predetermined locking modules are mated, thereby to permit •manual operation of the associated valve.
3. 7. A material transfer system according to any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein each locking module include means operating automatically to control the associated valve when the microprocessor of the module determines that predetermined locking modules are mated.
4. 8. A material transfer system according to any one of the preceding claims when used to control the transfer of a diamondiferous concentrate between an item of mineral processing equipment and a movable container, U- 22
5. 9. A material transfer system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawinigs. DATED: 27th March, 1995 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: DE BEERS INDUSTRIAL DIAMOND DIVISION (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED se** 0 0 a *0 o .0eo ABSTRACT The invention concerns a high security material transfer system which includes a series of discharge units (10) from which material is to be discharged and a series of receiver units (12, 104) which are to receive material from predetermined discharge units. Each discharge and receiver unit has a material transfer port (15, 17, 116) through which material is transferred from one unit to the other. There are encoded locking modules (16, 20, 102, 106) mounted to each of the discharge and receiver units. The locking modules are arranged to mate with one another when a material transfer operation is to take place, and each includes a valve (58, 120, 122) for opening and closing the associated material transfer port. Pre-programmed electronic control apparatus (22 to 32) is provided which is responsive to mating of a predetermined discharge unit locking module with a predetermined receiver unit locking module and to allow opening of the respective valves, permitting material to discharge from the predetermined discharge unit to the predetermined receiver unit.