AU785470B2

AU785470B2 - Wear device

Info

Publication number: AU785470B2
Application number: AU27701/02A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Wallace
Original assignee: WALLACE AND SONS RES Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Wallace & Sons Research Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2001-03-26
Filing date: 2002-03-26
Publication date: 2007-08-09
Anticipated expiration: 2022-03-26
Also published as: AU2770102A

Description

P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor Address for service is: Wallace Sons Research Pty Ltd Peter Wallace WRAY ASSOCIATES 239 Adelaide Terrace Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: "Wear Device" Details of Associated Provisional Application No(s): PR3973 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- -2- "Wear Plate" Field of the Invention This invention relates to sacrificial wear liners. In particular the invention concerns a wear plate for protecting structural components used in materials handling industries against abrasive wear.

Background Art The use of wear plates, or sacrificial liners, to protect structural components such as chutes, hoppers and conveyors from wear and damage caused by the :abrasive characteristics of the material being handled is wide spread in industry, 10 particularly in the mining industry.

.i With the view to reducing the extent of wear on structural components it is common to line at least the area of the structure prone to significant wear with wear plates. These wear plates are generally sacrificial in nature and do require replacement from time to time.

In many applications wear plates of varying size and construction have been designed for different sizes of abrasive particles, which may range in size from S- one metre diameter to powder size particles, and for the varying shapes of structural components, and the conditions that vary from plant to plant. As a result, there are numerous wear plates available, varying in the way they protect the structure, their method of attachment to the structure, their size and/or the material used to manufacture the wear plates.

Due to the piecemeal approach taken to solve wear problems, there has been no universal system established to deal with the various applications requiring wear resistant components. As a consequence, each site must maintain an inventory of wear plates to ensure there are adequate stocks to replace those existing wear plates which deteriorate beyond use and/or repair. Furthermore, as each -3wear plate is specific to limited applications, the plant owner may have to incur the cost of designing new wear plates to fit new machinery purchased for the plant, rather than being able to use existing available wear plates.

As with most systems, replacing sacrificial wear plates is time consuming and laborious, particularly when lifting equipment is required owing to the weight of many of the plates. Furthermore, the structural components subject to wear are often located in confined environments in which it can be difficult to work, and may require lengthy downtimes to replace/repair the wear plate.

It is against this background, and the problems and disadvantages associated therewith, that the present invention has been developed.

Disclosure of the Invention The present invention provides a detachable wear plate for use on a structural S" component of an apparatus in order to reduce the effects of wear, the wear plate comprises a base having a first surface for locating against the structural 15 component, and a second surface having a plurality of elongate portions projecting therefrom, wherein the elongate portions are substantially parallel to *o :each other and spaced apart to define gaps therebetween, the gaps being configured to allow abrasive material to accumulate therein.

As the abrasive material accumulates in the gaps, the material builds up and serves to shield part of the wear plate from the aggressive effects of the impacting material. The incorporation of the gaps within the wear plate allow the wear plate to be made using less material and therefore are lighter and easier to handle, without sacrificing the effective life of the wear plate.

The elongate portions may be parallel to a longitudinal extent of the base.

Each elongate portion may have an exposed surface spaced from the second surface, and two side surfaces extending therebetween.

-4- Preferably the gap between adjacent elongate portions has two sidewalls defined by two opposed side surfaces of adjacent elongate portions, an innermost wall and an opening in opposed relation to the innermost wall, whereby the opening is adjacent the exposed surfaces of the elongate portions.

Preferably the innermost wall is common with the second surface.

As previously alluded to, the gaps are configured to allow abrasive material to accumulate therein. This may be achieved by having the width of the opening smaller than the distance between the sidewalls of the gap at a location spaced inwardly of the opening.

10 In one arrangement, the sidewalls may be angled inwardly in the direction away from the innermost wall to the opening such that the cross-section of the gap is substantially wedge shaped, the smaller end terminating at the opening. As a consequence, the elongate portions are inversely wedge shaped relative to the gap.

S° 15 Preferably the gap is shaped progressively inwardly from the innermost wall to the opening.

In another arrangement the gap has sidewalls having a first portion projecting substantially perpendicular from the innermost wall, a second portion extending from the first portion and angled inwardly towards the opening and a third portion extending from the second portion substantially perpendicular to the innermost wall, terminating at a junction with the exposed surface.

The wear plate may have a fastening means to detachably secure the wear plate to the structural component.

The fastening means may comprise a plurality of apertures extending through the first surface, and a fastener removably received in each aperture. Preferably the fastener is of the nut and bolt type.

The fastening means may also comprise one or more projections extending from the base adjacent the aperture for preventing rotational movement of the bolt when received in the aperture.

Preferably the head of the bolt is rectangular and sufficient in size to abut at least one of the projections to prevent rotational movement of the bolt whilst the wear plate is being secured.

Preferably the height of the projection is at least equal in height to that of the portion of the bolt extending above the second surface when the wear plate is secured. This will protect the bolt and reduce the wear on the bolt head.

In one arrangement the elongate portions may provide the projections.

The wear plate may be used to protect structural components prone to wear and may be in a singular or multiple arrangement.

The wear plate may be rectangular in shape, from which other shapes may be made or cut.

Preferably the wear plate is square in shape, allowing the gaps to be easily arranged with their longitudinal length aligned substantially with the direction of flow of the abrasive material, or substantially perpendicular thereto.

In one arrangement, the gaps are blanked along one end to allow positioning of the wear plate in a non-horizontal orientation, whilst still allowing the accumulation of the abrasive material in the gaps. The blanked one end will serve to prevent the material passing out the gap through the end located lower than the other end. This configuration is particularly useful in protecting the vertical skirts that prevent the material falling from a conveyor belt.

In another embodiment, the wear plate comprises a base having a first surface for locating against the structural component, and a second surface having a plurality of elongate portions projecting therefrom, wherein the elongate portions -6are substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart to define gaps therebetween, the gaps being configured to allow abrasive material to accumulate therein, and wherein the gap between adjacent elongate portions has two sidewalls defined by two opposed side surfaces of adjacent elongate portions, an innermost wall and an opening in opposed relation to the innermost wall, whereby the opening is adjacent the exposed surfaces of the elongate portions and the width of the opening is smaller than the distance between the sidewalls of the gap at a location spaced inwardly of the opening.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of four specific embodiments thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a wear plate according to a first embodiment; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view of Figure 1 with bolts removed; Figure 4 is a plan and side view of a fastener; Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 with the wear plate attached to a surface requiring protection; Figure 6 is a plan view of the wear plate according to second embodiment; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional side view of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a plan view of a wear plate according to a third embodiment; Figure 9 is a cross-sectional side view of Figure 8; -7- Figure 10 is a plan view of the wear plate according to a fourth embodiment; Figure 11 is a cross-sectional side view of Figure Figure 12 is the end view of Figure 10 with the fasteners removed; and Figure 13 is a schematic view of the typical installation arrangement in a chute.

Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention The first embodiment shown in figures 1 to 5 is directed to a wear plate 11 designed to be secured against a structural component 12 prone to wear. The wear plate 11 has a base 13 and a plurality of spaced elongate portions defining gaps 17 therebetween. The base 13 has a first surface 19 for positioning on the structural component 12, and a second surface 21 from which the elongate portions 15 project.

Each elongate portion 15 extends along the longitudinal extent of the base 13 and has an exposed surface 23 parallel to the second surface 21, but spaced a distance therefrom. Extending between the exposed surface 23 and the second surface 21 are side surfaces 25 which are angled outwardly from the second surface 21 to the exposed surface 23, such that the cross sectional width of the elongate portion 15 progressively increases towards the exposed surface 23 to define a wedge shape as best seen in figure 2.

Defined between each adjacent elongate portion 15 is a gap 17 having an opening 27 and an innermost wall 29, which is common with the second surface 21. Each gap 17 has sidewalls 31, which are common with the opposed side surfaces 25 of adjacent elongate portions 15. As a result of the common side surfaces the cross-sectional shape of the elongate portions 15 dictates the crosssectional shape of the gap 17. As shown in figure 2, the gap 17 is substantially the inverse shape of the elongate portions -8- The wear plate 11 also has fastening means 32 to secure the wear plate 11 to the structural component 12. The fastening means 32 comprises a plurality of apertures 33, and a plurality of fasteners 35 received therein. Each fastener comprises a nut 37 and bolt 39 with the head 41 of the bolt 39 being rectangular in shape, as shown in figure 4, and smaller in height than the height of the elongate portions Each aperture 33 extends through the wear plate 11 and is positioned intermittently along the elongate portion 15, as shown in figure 1. When the wear plate 11 is secured to the structural component 12, the head 41 of the bolt 39 abuts the elongate portion 15, preventing the rotation of the bolt 39, and allowing the nut 37 to be tighten, securing the plate to the component 12.

When the wear plate 11 is secured to a structural component 12, as shown in figure 5, the abrasive material flowing past the structural component 12 will impact on the wear plate 11 and accumulate in the gaps 17. Due to the shape of the gaps 17, the material will be held in the confines of the wear plate 11 and will partially protect the wear plate, including the head of the fastener, from impact.

When the flow of material stops or is reduced, the accumulated material will still remain in the gap, protecting the wear plate when the material begins to flow once more.

In this embodiment the proportions of the gaps 17 and elongate portions 15 are for use on wear plates 11 designed for abrasive material of medium particulate size.

The second embodiment shown in figures 6 and 7, is for a wear plate 11 similar to the first embodiment except that the proportions of the gaps 17 and elongate portions 15 are for use on wear plates 11 designed for abrasive material of small particulate size.

-9- A third embodiment is shown in figures 8 and 9, whereby the configuration of the wear plate 11, particularly the cross sectional shape of the elongate portions and gaps 17, are designed for abrasive material having a large particulate size.

As best seen in figure 9, the side surfaces 51 of the elongate portions 15 have a first portion 53 extending substantially perpendicular to the second surface 21, a second portion 55 extending from the first portion 53 and angled outwardly from the first portion 53, and a third portion 57 extending from the second portion substantially perpendicular to the second surface 21 and terminating at the junction with the exposed surface 23.

The gap 17 is defined between each adjacent elongate portion 15 having sidewalls 59 common with the opposed side surfaces 51 of adjacent elongate portions 15. As a result, the cross-sectional shape of the elongate portions dictates the cross-sectional shape of the gap 17.

The gap 17 has a large cavity 61 located adjacent the innermost wall 29, and a smaller cavity 63 between the opening 27 and the larger cavity 61. This allows larger particles to be held in the confines of the gaps 17 and provide protection against impact upon the wear plate 11 and the head 41 of the bolt 39.

Due to the configuration of the side surfaces 51, the elongate portion 15 has a large section 65 defined between two third portions 57. This section 65 adds strength to the elongate portion 15 and also provides greater wear resistance from the impact of larger sized material.

The wear plate 11 also has a plurality of apertures 33 each receiving a fastener to secure the wear plate 11 adjacent the structural component 12. Each aperture 33 passes through the wear plate 11 at a position along the innermost wall 29 of the gap 17. Adjacent each aperture 33 is a lug 67 extending from the innermost wall 29 as shown in figure 8. To protect the head 41 of the bolt 39, the lug 67 is equal in height to that part of the bolt 39 proud of the innermost wall 29.

When the wear plate 11 is secured to the structural component 12, the head 41 of the bolt 39 abuts the lug 67, preventing the rotation of the bolt 39, and allowing the nut 37 to be tighten, securing the plate 11.

A fourth embodiment is shown in figures 10, 11 and 12. In this embodiment the wear plate 11 is designed for protection of conveyor structural components 12 such as conveyor skirts, which function to prevent materials directed to the conveyor falling over the edge of the conveyor.

The elongate portions 15 and gaps 17 are generally of the same configuration as those described in the first and second embodiments with the addition of a barrier 69 perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the elongate portions and located along an edge 71 of the wear plate 11.

When securing the wear plate 11 to the structural component 12, the wear plate 11 is positioned such that the gaps 17 are substantially vertical, and the barrier 69 is located below the apertures 33.

As the abrasive material impacts the wear plate 11, the material accumulates in the gap 17 and is confined therein by the configuration of the gap 17 and the barrier 69, the barrier 69 preventing the accumulated material from sliding out of the gaps 17 due to gravitational effects.

The cross sectional shape of the edge 71 is curved to allow for varied trough angles of the conveyor belt, which may range from 00 to 600, the trough angle being defined from a horizontal plane to the surface of a section of the conveyor belt. The curved shape also reduces the probability of smaller particles being trapped between the stationary skirt and the conveyor belt, which would result in gouging of the belt.

The wear plate 11 as described in the first, second and third embodiments are square in shape and sized for easy handling. The plates maybe arranged as shown in figure 13 so that some wear plates 11 have the longitudinal extent of the gaps 17 aligned with the flow direction of the abrasive material, and others -11 with the gaps transverse to the flow direction. The particular arrangement will depend on the type and size of the abrasive material and the particular structural component requiring the protection.

Due to its configuration the wear plates, as described above, can be constructed of smaller sizes and be used as a module in providing wear resistance to a large area on a structural component. This allows only those sections of the wear resistant sections that are no longer providing adequate protection to be replaced, rather than having to replace sections still providing adequate protection. Furthermore, as the wear plates are modular, they may be made such that their dimensions allow for easier handling and installation than conventional wear plates.

The gaps present in the wear plate and the effect of the accumulation of the abrasive material therein, results in a decrease in the material required to produce a wear plate having an effective life equal or greater than a conventional wear plate. This results in a lighter wear plate, further improving its ability to be handled and installed.

The wear plates can be trimmed or cut to size to suit particular structural components.

The wear plates described in the four embodiments are interchangeable with many existing liners. As the majority of wear plates can be replaced by one of the four types of plates described in the embodiments, it will no longer be necessary for a plant to have a vast inventory of different wear plates.

It is to be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments herein described. The wear plate is not to be limited to a particular size, shape or type of material.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood -12to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

1. A detachable wear plate for use on a structural component of an apparatus in order to reduce the effects of wear, the wear plate comprises a base having a first surface for locating against the structural component, and a second surface having a plurality of elongate portions projecting therefrom, wherein the elongate portions are substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart to define gaps therebetween, the gaps being configured to allow abrasive material to accumulate therein, and wherein the gap between adjacent elongate portions has two sidewalls defined by two opposed side surfaces of adjacent elongate portions, an innermost wall and an opening in opposed relation to the innermost wall, whereby the opening is adjacent the exposed surfaces of the elongate portions and the width of the opening is smaller than the distance between the sidewalls of the gap at a location spaced inwardly of the opening.

2. A wear plate according to claim 1 wherein each elongate portion is parallel to a longitudinal extent of the base.

3. A wear plate according to claims 1 or 2 wherein each elongate portion has an exposed surface spaced from the second surface, and two side surfaces extending therebetween.

4. A wear plate according to any of the preceding claims wherein the innermost wall is common with the second surface. A wear plate according to any of the preceding claims wherein the sidewalls are angled inwardly in the direction away from the innermost wall to the opening such that the cross-section of the gap is substantially wedge shaped, the smaller end terminating at the opening.

6. A wear plate according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each elongate portion is inversely wedge shaped relative to the gap. -14-

7. A wear plate according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each gap is shaped progressively inwardly from the innermost wall to the opening.

8. A wear plate according to claims 1,2,3 or 4 wherein each gap has sidewalls having a first portion projecting substantially perpendicular from the innermost wall, a second portion extending from the first portion and angled inwardly towards the opening and a third portion extending from the second portion substantially perpendicular to the innermost wall, terminating at a junction with the exposed surface.

9. A wear plate according to any one of the preceding claims having a fastening means to detachably secure the wear plate to the structural component. A wear plate according to claim 9 wherein the fastening means comprises a plurality of apertures extending through the first surface, and a fastener removably received in the aperture.

11. A wear plate according to claim 10 wherein the fastener is of the nut and bolt type.

12. A wear plate according to claim 9, 10 or 11 wherein the fastening means also comprises one or more projections extending from the base adjacent the aperture for preventing rotational movement of the bolt when received in the aperture.

13. A wear plate according to claim 12 wherein the head of the bolt is rectangular and sufficient in size to abut at least one of the projections to prevent rotational movement of the bolt whilst the wear plate is being secured.

14. A wear plate according to claims 11 or 12 wherein the height of the projection is at least equal in height to the height of the portion of the bolt extending above the second surface when the wear plate is secured A wear plate according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate portions provide the projections.

16. A wear plate according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the wear plate may be used to protect structural components prone to wear and may be in a singular or multiple arrangement.

17. A wear plate according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the wear plate is rectangular in shape, from which other shapes may be made or cut.

18. A wear plate according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the wear plate is square in shape, allowing the gaps to be easily arranged with their longitudinal length aligned substantially with the direction of flow of the abrasive material, or substantially perpendicular thereto.

19. A wear plate according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the gaps are blanked along one end to allow positioning of the wear plate in a non- horizontal orientation, whilst still allowing the accumulation of the abrasive material in the gaps. A wear plate substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.