DK2996968T3

DK2996968T3 - TRANSPORT ELEMENT AND TRANSPORT DEVICE FOR TRANSPORT OF BULKGODS

Info

Publication number: DK2996968T3
Application number: DK13802898.0T
Authority: DK
Inventors: Rolf Kamps; Christof Kaufmann
Original assignee: BüHLER GMBH
Priority date: 2013-05-15
Filing date: 2013-11-14
Publication date: 2018-01-15
Also published as: KR20160008613A; RU2015148928A; WO2014183811A1; AR093499A1; RU2015148930A; KR20160008612A; CA2912341A1; CA2912333A1; WO2014183810A1; CN105209356B; CN105209356A

Description

DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a conveying device and a conveying element (an actuator) for conveying bulk goods.

Conveying devices of this kind which are suitable for conveying bulk material, such as by way of example rice, flour, wheat or maize along inter alia curved tubes from the inlet for the bulk material to an outlet for the bulk material, are known from the prior art as tubular drag chain conveyors or retarding disc conveyors .

From US 4, 197, 938 a conveyor for bulk goods is known which comprises disc-like actuators. The actuators are arranged on a cable wherein the cable comprising the actuators can be driven by means of a gear wheel to convey the bulk material inter alia along curved tube sections from an inlet to an outlet.

This previously known conveying device for bulk goods has the disadvantage that in the event of by way of example damage to the actuators during operation it is complicated to replace them which increases the maintenance costs and reduces the average throughput of bulk material through the conveying device. Furthermore when using a cable as the traction element with the actuators mounted thereon it is complicated to adapt the length, for example when shortening or lengthening the conveying device. Furthermore the previously known conveying device has the disadvantage that it is not possible to set the filling degree of the conveying device.

From the NL 1025855 a conveying device is known which has several actuators which contain an electrically conductive and/or magnetic material.

Document US2007/170043A1 discloses a conveying element according to the preamble of claim 1.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the known system, more particularly thus to provide a conveying element and a conveying device with which a more reliable operation of the conveying device is possible with a low maintenance expense wherein the conveying device is commercially viable in operation.

This is achieved by a conveying element (an actuator) and a conveying device according to the claims.

General description of the principle of a conveying device according to the invention. A conveying device comprises by way of example a conveying channel. The conveying channel is more particularly designed as a conveying tube. At least one actuator is arranged in the conveying channel. More particularly at least two actuators are arranged in the conveying channel. The conveying device has at least one drive for driving the at least one actuator for conveying the bulk goods along a conveying channel axis. The at least one actuator is arranged loose in the conveying channel at least in sections along the conveying channel axis.

By "conveying device" is meant in the sense of the present application a device for the more especially continuous conveyance of bulk goods. By "continuous conveyance" of bulk goods is meant in the sense of the present application more particularly also a conveyance of this kind of bulk material in which the flow of bulk goods in the conveying channel is interrupted in sections by actuators.

By a "conveying channel" is meant in the sense of the present application a channel along the longitudinal axis of which the bulk goods can be conveyed. A conveying channel can be formed by way of example as an open chute or as a hollow body with circular, triangular, rectangular or square cross-section or any other cross-sectional shape. The conveying channel is configured more particularly as a conveying tube with a circular cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the conveying tube. The conveying channel is furthermore configured more particularly circumferentially as a closed loop.

By a "conveying channel axis" is meant in the sense of the present application the longitudinal axis of the conveying channel along which the bulk goods are conveyed during standard use .

By an "actuator" ("conveying element") is meant in the sense of the present application an element of this kind with which during standard use the bulk goods can be conveyed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the conveying channel by positioning the actuator along the longitudinal axis. The actuator can more particularly be arranged in a hollow body such as by way of example a conveying tube and can be positioned along the axis of the hollow body in order to convey the bulk goods along the axis of the hollow body.

By the term "bulk goods" is meant in the sense of the present application granular, floury or lumpy bulk goods which are present in a pourable form and more particularly are free-flowing. Rice, flour, corn, wheat, maize, free-flowing powdered substances and any combinations thereof are understood in particular as bulk goods.

By a "loose arrangement of an actuator at least in some sections along the conveying channel axis" is meant in the sense of the present invention an actuator of this kind which is not connected directly to a drive in the section; an actuator of this kind is moved along the conveying channel axis in this section only by actuators arranged adjacently along the conveying channel axis and/or bulk goods which are being conveyed; by way of example a force is exerted in a drive section on an actuator substantially parallel to the conveying channel axis whereby the actuator and the bulk goods standing in contact therewith are positioned substantially parallel to the conveying channel axis, wherein the actuator and/or bulk goods are moved along the conveying channel axis outside of the drive section of the conveying device.

By the reference "A and/or B" are meant in the sense of the present application the following possible combinations: A; B; A and B; A and not B; B and not A.

The configuration of the conveying device with at least one actuator arranged loose in the conveying channel has the advantage that a by way of example damaged actuator can be easily replaced since the actuator is arranged loose in the conveying channel. The maintenance expense is thus reduced and the operation of the conveying device is thus more cost-efficient. Furthermore it is possible and advantageous to adapt to different conveying channel lengths by removing or adding an actuator .

The conveying channel more particularly has an S-shaped configuration in at least a side view. This has the advantage that a space-saving arrangement of the conveying device is possible especially on only one floor level; in the prior art normally for this two or three floor levels are required in which the conveying device is arranged.

The conveying channel, more particularly the conveying tube, can contain or consist of steel at least in the drive region.

The conveying channel is preferably configured as a guiding device for the actuator along the conveying channel axis.

By a "guiding device" is meant in the sense of the present application a device for restricting the movement of the actuator substantially perpendicularly to the conveying channel axis .

This configuration of the conveying channel as a guiding device for the actuator has the advantage that the actuator can carry out only a slight movement perpendicular to the conveying channel axis whereby damage to the actuator during operation is minimized.

This configuration of the conveying channel as a guiding device can be achieved by way of example in that the central cross-section of the conveying channel along the conveying channel axis has substantially a congruent shape in relation to the central cross-section of the actuator along the conveying channel axis so that the actuator can however still be inserted in the conveying channel and has less play in a direction laterally to the conveying channel axis.

It is particularly preferred if the drive is configured so that a force can be exerted by the drive directly onto the actuator at least in some sections substantially parallel to the conveying channel axis. The actuator can have for this at least one driving surface on which the said force can be applied. More advantageously the drive surface is formed resilient and can consist by way of example of plastic or rubber or can be coated therewith. Through this it is possible that not only is a punctiform contact reached between the drive and the actuator, but also a linear or even flat surface contact. The drive surface can contain or consist of steel.

By the phrase "a force can be directly exerted" is meant in the sense of the present application that the force is exerted on the corresponding actuator by the drive and not by further actuators and/or bulk goods arranged between the drive and actuator .

This configuration of the drive has the advantage that the transfer of force to the actuator can take place reliably even with a loose arrangement of the actuators.

It is more specially preferred if the drive engages in the conveying channel at least in one drive section in order to exert a force substantially parallel to the conveying channel axis onto an actuator arranged in the drive section.

This has the advantage that the drive need only be arranged in a partial region of the device, which facilitates the maintenance of the conveying device and simplifies the structural configuration of the conveying device.

The overall length of the actuators arranged in the conveying channel is more particularly less than the length of the conveying channel axis. The overall length of the actuators is preferably greater than the length of the conveying channel axis minus the length of the at least one drive section.

This has the advantage that the drive of the actuators can be reliably guaranteed in the conveying channel.

By the "overall length" of the actuators is meant the active longest extent of one actuator along the conveying channel axis multiplied by the number of the actuators arranged in the conveying channel. If the actuators are formed differently then by the "overall length" of the actuators is meant the sum of the active longest extents of the actuators along the conveying channel axis.

The drive is preferably configured so that a force can be exerted on the actuator substantially in the peripheral region of the actuator facing the inside wall of the conveying channel.

By the phrase "a force can be exerted substantially in the peripheral region of the actuator facing the inside wall of the conveying channel" is meant in the sense of the present application that the drive for exerting force on the actuator engages by means of a drive device wherein the drive device directly contacts a section in the peripheral direction of the actuator.

This configuration has the advantage that the drive need only engage in the region of the inside wall in the conveying channel in order to achieve the driving action whereby collisions of the drive with other parts of the actuator or even a compression of the bulk goods are minimized.

It is particularly preferred if the drive can or is selected from the list of the following types of drive or any combinations thereof: chain gearing, belt drives, coupler mechanisms, gear trains, worm gearing, magnetic gearing, servo drives, direct drives. The coupler mechanism can be configured by way of example as a four-bar linkage, more particularly as a linear guide transmission.

Drives of this kind are known per se to the person skilled in the art. The best suitable drive can advantageously be selected according to the requirements and by way of example the structural peripheral conditions. A coupler mechanism is more particularly used which has proved particularly advantageous during operation.

More particularly when using a magnetic drive, it is necessary to select the material for the actuator correspondingly so that a drive of the actuator is possible by the alternating magnetic fields generated by the magnetic drive.

In a first preferred variation the drive comprises at least one driving pin by means of which a force can be exerted directly on the actuator at least in some sections substantially parallel to the conveying channel axis, more particularly on a drive surface of the actuator. The driving pin preferably extends in a vertical direction at least whilst force is exerted on the actuator.

More advantageously the drive in this first variation is configured as a chain gearing and has at least one pair of drive chains wherein each of the two opposite ends of the driving pin is attached to each one drive chain of the pair of drive chains. In the case of a vertically extending driving pin the drive then has at least one lower drive chain and at least one upper drive chain.

The drive can have only one single or several pairs of drive chains each with driving pins. In some embodiments of the first variation the driving pins are disposed at the sides of the conveying channel. The driving pins of a first pair of drive chains are preferably disposed on a first side of the conveying channel, and the driving pins of a second pair of drive chains are disposed on one of the second sides of the conveying channel lying opposite the first side. In this way the actuator is prevented from canting whilst the driving pins exert a force on them.

It is likewise preferred if the distance between two adjacent driving pins is substantially identical with the extent of the actuators along the conveying channel axis. This means that the distance between two adjacent driving pins is at least as great as the extent of the actuators along the conveying channel axis and amounts at most to 1.5 times, preferably at most 1.25 times and more particularly preferred at most to 1.1. times this extent. It can hereby be achieved that during driving the actuators at least almost touch one another and therefore have the smallest possible spacing. The distance between two adjacent driving pins is preferably greater than the extent of the actuators along the conveying channel axis; more particularly the ratio of these values can be at least 1.01. A certain play can thus be achieved in this way in order to compensate manufacturing tolerances and wear tolerances.

In a second preferred variation the drive is configured as a chain gearing or belt drive and has at least one drive chain which contains at least one driving projection. A force can be exerted by means of this driving projection directly on the actuator, more particularly on a drive surface of the actuator, at least in some sections substantially parallel to the conveying channel axis.

Also in the second variation the drive chain can be disposed at the side of the conveying channel. Only one single, or also several, drive chains can be provided. By way of example a first drive chain can be arranged with driving projections on a first side of the conveying channel, and a second drive chain with driving projections can be arranged on a second side of the conveying channel opposite the first side. Canting of the actuators can also be prevented hereby whilst the driving pins exert a force on them.

It is likewise preferred if the distance of two adjacent driving projections is substantially identical with the extent of the actuators along the conveying channel axis. This means that the distance of two adjacent driving projections is at least as great as the extent of the actuators along the conveying channel axis and amounts at most to 1.5 times, preferably at most to 1.25 times and more particularly preferred to at most 1.1 times this extent. It can hereby likewise be achieved that the actuators at least almost contact one another during driving and therefore have a possible small spacing. The distance of two adjacent driving projections is preferably greater than the extent of the actuators along the conveying channel axis; more particularly the ratio of these values can be at least 1.01. In this way a certain play can be achieved to compensate manufacturing tolerances and wear tolerances.

In a third preferred variation the drive is configured as a worm gearing and has at least one rotatable worm screw whose rotational movement can exert a force directly on the actuator in at least some sections substantially parallel to the conveying channel axis, more particularly on a drive surface of the actuator. It is particularly preferred for this if the axis of rotation of the worm screw extends substantially parallel to the conveying channel axis.

Also in this third variation only one single or also several rotatable worm screws can be provided. By way of example a first worm screw can be disposed on a first side of the conveying channel, and a second conveying worm can be disposed on a second side of the conveying channel opposite the first side.

It is likewise preferred if the extent of the actuators along the conveying channel axis is substantially a whole number multiple of the pitch height of the worm screw. This means that the ratio of the extent of the actuators along the conveying channel axis and the pitch height of the worm screw is at most 0.4, preferably at most 0.2 and more particularly preferred at most 0.1 smaller than a whole number, wherein this whole number can be by way of example 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. By way of example the said ratio could thus lie in the range from 3.6 to 4, preferably from 3.8 to 4 and more particularly preferred from 3.9 to 4. It can also be achieved hereby that the actuators during driving at least almost contact one another and therefore have the smallest possible spacing. It is likewise preferred if the said ratio is at least 0.01 smaller than the said whole number; in this way a certain play can be achieved in order to compensate manufacturing tolerances and wear tolerances.

In the case of several pairs of drive chains and/or drive chains and/or worm screws, these are preferably synchronised with one another. This is possible by way of example with a gearwheel transmission which is known per se via which the drive force can be transferred from a motor to several or all drive chains and/or worm screws. Through this synchronisation it can be ensured more particularly that the driving pins described above extend in a vertical direction at least whilst force is exerted on the actuator, and that several driving pins, driving projections or worm screws are moved at the same speed.

The drive section preferably has in the direction of the conveying channel axis a length which amounts to at least double, and preferably at least triple the length of one actuator. It can hereby be ensured that at each moment in time at least one actuator is located completely in the drive section.

At least one guide element can be provided on an inside wall of the conveying channel, and the actuator can have a corresponding counter-guide element by means of which the actuator can be guided along the guide element. The actuator can hereby be prevented from tilting or canting. The guide element can be configured by way of example as a lateral guide plate. At least two and more particularly preferred, just two, opposing lateral guide plates are disposed on the inside wall of the conveying channel.

The actuators can be optionally centred by the driving pins described above. The drive chain described above can be guided at the sides and can thus absorb the lateral forces.

It is more especially preferred if a force transmission can be achieved between two actuators arranged adjacent in the conveying channel parallel to the conveying channel axis, by means of direct contact between the actuators and/or by the bulk goods located between the actuators in the conveying channel.

This has the advantage that the arrangement of one drive in a drive section is sufficient, which makes the conveying device more cost-effective and easier to maintain.

General description of the principle of a conveying element according to the invention A further aspect of the present invention relates to an actuator (a conveying element) for conveying bulk goods in a conveying device as described above. The actuator comprises an actuator surface and an alignment device for aligning in at least some sections the central surface perpendiculars of the actuator surface substantially parallel to the conveying channel axis.

By an "actuator surface" of the actuator is meant in the sense of the present application that surface which essentially causes the conveyance of the bulk goods in the conveying device during standard use of the actuator.

By an "alignment device" is meant a device by means of which the actuator surface of the actuator can be aligned in the conveying channel so that during standard use the actuator is set up to convey the bulk goods. By way of example this can be achieved by a corresponding dimensioning as a cylinder, by means of bars (shanks) arranged on the periphery of the actuator parallel to the conveying axis, or discs which are spaced from one another and which are connected to a bar (a shank).

By the "middle surface perpendicular" of the actuator surface is meant in the sense of the present invention the mean value of the surface perpendiculars to the active actuator surface which can come into contact with the bulk goods during standard use .

The alignment of the actuator surface with an alignment device substantially parallel to the conveying channel axis has the advantage that the actuator surface during operation occupies a desired position and thus enables an efficient cost-effective operation. Since the alignment device is arranged on the actuator itself, in the event for example of damage to the actuator it is easy to replace same since the actuator can be arranged loose in the conveying channel, which simplifies maintenance .

With the alignment of the middle surface perpendiculars of the actuator surface substantially parallel to the conveying channel axis, the actuator surface preferably covers the middle conveying channel cross-section up to less than 100%. The middle conveying channel cross-section is preferably covered in the range from 50% to 99.9% and more particularly preferred from 80% to 99.9%. A cover can more particularly lie in the range from 85% to 99.9%, optionally in the range from 90% to 99.8% and further optionally from 92% to 97%; the cover is more particularly selected in dependence on the bulk goods which are to be conveyed.

By the "middle conveying channel cross-section" is meant in the sense of the present application the mean value of the cross-sectional surfaces perpendicular to the conveying channel axis through which bulk goods are conveyed during standard use.

This has the advantage of an efficient conveyance of bulk goods along the conveying channel which makes operation cost-efficient .

The alignment device is in a particularly preferred manner designed as at least one first surface element and a second surface element which are spaced from one another substantially parallel to the conveying channel axis and which are arranged in active connection with one another wherein the middle surface perpendiculars of the surface elements are arranged substantially parallel to the conveying channel axis.

This has the advantage of a simple structural design of the actuator. This configuration further has the advantages detailed above for the alignment device.

Thus, by way of example the actuator can be formed from two circular discs spaced from one another parallel to the conveying channel axis and connected to one another by means of a bar (a shank) which is disposed where applicable substantially parallel to the conveying channel axis.

The drive surface of the actuator can be arranged on one of the two surface elements. More particularly the actuator surface can be formed by a first side of one of the two circular discs, and the drive surface can be formed by a second side of this disc opposite the first side.

It is quite particularly preferred if the surfaces enclosed by the periphery of the first surface element and the second surface element are formed substantially congruent in a projection parallel to the middle surface perpendiculars.

By "the surface enclosed by the periphery" of the first surface element and second surface element is meant in the sense of the present application that the outer envelopes of the first surface element and second surface element when arranged in a conveying channel can be formed substantially congruent with one another; by way of example two full-surface circular discs arranged parallel to one another are formed substantially congruent with identical diameters with surfaces arranged parallel to one another; a circular full-surface disc without openings is formed when arranged in a conveying tube with circular cross-section substantially congruent to a surface element comprising radially arranged bars (shanks) with hollow spaces between the bars, when the bars have the same radius as the circular full-surface disc.

The design of the first surface element and the second surface element substantially congruent with one another has the advantage that the actuator can have a structurally simpler configuration which further simplifies the maintenance and lowers the costs for the actuator.

The first surface element facing the conveying direction of the bulk goods is preferably permeable for the bulk goods. More particularly the second surface element encloses the actuator surface. More particularly the second surface element is arranged on the side of the actuator facing away from the conveying direction.

By "conveying direction" is meant in the sense of the present application the direction in which the bulk goods are conveyed in the conveying direction on average along the conveyor channel, more particularly in a section along the conveying channel.

By the term "permeable" for a surface element is meant in the sense of the present application permeability for the bulk goods which are to be conveyed; by way of example permeability can be formed by arranging sufficiently large openings for the bulk goods in the first surface element.

The permeability of the first surface element which is arranged at a distance from the second surface element substantially parallel to the conveying channel axis, has the advantage that the space between the surface elements can be used for conveying bulk goods, which increases the throughput and is thus more efficient in terms of costs.

It is particularly preferred if the actuator has on the side facing the conveying direction and/or on the side facing away from the conveying direction a spacer. The spacer is more particularly an arm which is arranged substantially parallel to the conveying channel axis. The spacer is furthermore more particularly formed in a spherical shape or a flattened dome shape at the end remote from the actuator.

By the phrase "spherical shape or flattened dome shape" is meant in the sense of the present application that a sphere or flattened dome is arranged on the end of the spacer remote from the actuator. By dome is meant a flattened spherical section.

The arrangement of at least one spacer on the actuator has the advantage that a minimum spacing can be achieved for the efficient conveyance of bulk goods in the conveying channel with structurally simple means, which reduces the maintenance expense and allows a cost-effective efficient operation. The arrangement of a spherical shaped or flattened dome shaped spacer has the advantage that even in the curved conveying channels the spacer functions reliably and the appearance of high spot stresses is minimized, which reduces the wear and thus the maintenance expense.

It is especially preferred if the actuator has on the side facing the conveying device or on the side facing away from the conveying device a recess which is formed in such a way that the spacer can engage in the recess.

The recess is more particularly funnel-shaped and is even more particularly formed spherical at least in some sections or parabolic at least in some sections.

This has the advantage that a spacer can reliably also engage in the recess in curved regions of the conveying channel, which makes operation more reliable and which reduces the wear for a lower maintenance expense.

General description of the principle of a supply device for bulk goods, for example for a conveying device according to the invention A further aspect relates to a supply device for bulk goods into an inlet into a conveying device comprising a conveying channel with an internal wall. The supply device is used more particularly with a conveying device as described above and optionally has an actuator as described above. The bulk goods can be conveyed into the conveying device substantially by means of gravity. The supply device is more particularly arranged on a substantially horizontal section of the conveying device. The inlet stretches over an angular region of the internal wall of greater than 0° to less than 180° and/or less than 0° to greater than -180° in relation to the direction of gravity. The angular region is preferably greater than 20° to smaller than 160° and/or smaller than -20° to greater than -160°. It is particularly preferred if the angular region is greater than 45° to less than 150° and/or smaller than -45° to greater than -150°.

By an "angle in relation to the direction of gravity "is meant in the sense of the present application that the direction of gravity defines an angle of 0° and a positive angle is measured in the clockwise direction in relation to the direction of gravity and a negative angle is measured in the anti-clockwise direction. A "substantially horizontal section" is in the sense of the present application a section which is disposed substantially perpendicular to the direction of gravity.

By "angular region which stretches over the inner wall" is meant in the sense of the present application that the inlet into the conveying device stretches over an opening angle, measured from the axis of the conveying channel, i.e. the centre point of the conveying channel. The angular region is to be considered as a mean angular region.

Thus, by way of example when the inlet is disposed in a substantially horizontal section of the conveying device the inlet is disposed at the side.

The arrangement of the inlet in the described angular region has the advantage that a filling height or filling degree in the conveying channel can be adjusted to correspond to the requirements. The angular region can advantageously be selected in dependence on the bulk goods which are being processed.

By way of example the angular region can be fixedly set; this has the advantage that the angular region can be fixed by way of example at an optimum value for the bulk goods being conveyed, which makes operation of the conveying device more reliable.

The angular region can preferably be adjustable, more particularly by mean of a slider.

The slider can be arranged by way of example as a rotary slider and/or as a rotary sleeve on the conveying channel and/or on the supply device.

The adjustability of the angular region has the advantage that in dependence on the requirements for the bulk goods conveyance as well as also in dependence on the bulk goods to be conveyed, the angular region can be adjusted in order to adjust the filling degree in the conveying channel.

It is particularly preferred if the supply device comprises a deflection region for conveying the bulk goods to the inlet.

This has the advantage that the bulk goods which are positioned by way of example upstream in a supply container, can be conveyed through the deflection region to the conveying channel wherein the conveying speed or conveyor rate of the bulk goods in the conveying channel can be adjusted by the deflection region.

By "deflection region" is meant in the sense of the present application a region in which a deflection of the bulk goods takes place from a conveying direction substantially parallel to the direction of gravity.

It is quite particularly preferred if the deflection region is formed as a deflecting surface and is arranged in a deflection angle in the region from 30° to 70° in relation to the direction of gravity.

The deflection angle is preferably arranged in the region of 40° to 60°, more particularly from 45° to 55°.

Alternatively the deflection angle can also amount to -30° to -70°, preferably from -40° to -60° ad more particularly preferred from -45° to -55°.

The arrangement of a deflecting surface in the described angular region has the advantage that the amount of bulk goods to be supplied can be adjusted in dependence on the bulk goods being processed and the flow rate required.

The deflection angle can more particularly be adjusted which advantageously enables the deflection angle to be adjusted in dependence on the requirements each time.

General description of the principle of a method for conveying bulk goods with a conveying device according to the invention and/or at least one conveying element according to the invention.

An additional aspect relates to a method for conveying bulk goods with a conveying device as described above. The conveying device optionally comprises an actuator as described above. The device as a further option comprises a supply device as described above. The method comprises the step of conveying the bulk goods from an inlet to an outlet.

The method has the advantages described above.

General description of the principle of a method for setting up and/or converting a conveying device according to the invention. A further aspect relates to a method for setting up and/or converting a conveying device for conveying bulk goods. The method comprises the step of assembling at least one actuator for producing a conveying device as described above. An actuator is more particularly mounted as described above. The method further comprises as an option the step of assembling a supply device as described above.

This has the advantage that conveying devices which are already installed can be set up and/or converted into a conveying device according to the invention, which is commercially viable since there is no need for installing a completely new conveying device .

The fundamental explanations, general definitions and special features which were described in a specific paragraph (eg relating to the conveying device) in the present application equally apply to other paragraphs (eg relating to the conveying element) in this application.

Further features and advantages of the invention will now be explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments for a better understanding without restricting the invention to the exemplary embodiments. In the drawings:

Fig. 1: shows a perspective view of a conveying device according to the invention;

Fig. 2: shows a front view of the conveying device according to Fig. 1;

Fig. 3: shows an enlarged view of the drive section of the conveying device according to the invention according to Fig. 1;

Fig. 4: shows a front view of a section of the conveying device according to the invention according to Fig. 1 comprising the drive section;

Fig. 5: shows a section of a conveying device according to the invention comprising two actuators in a straight conveying tube;

Fig. 6 : shows a section of a conveying device according to the invention with two actuators in a curved conveying channel;

Fig. 7 : shows a photographic illustration of two actuators according to the invention in active connection in a conveying chute;

Fig. 8 : shows a perspective view of an actuator according to the invention;

Fig. 9 : shows a side view of the actuator according to Fig. 8;

Fig. 10: shows a diagrammatic view of a supply device according to the invention with a conveying channel;

Fig. 11: shows a perspective view of a part of an alternative conveying device according to the invention with actuators and bulk goods;

Fig. 12: shows a diagrammatic view of a conveying device with an S-shaped conveying tube;

Fig.13a: shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a conveying device according to the invention with driving pins disposed on a pair of drive chains;

Fig. 13b: shows a plan view of the conveying device according to Fig. 13a;

Fig. 14a: shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a conveying device according to the invention with driving pins disposed on two pairs of drive chains;

Fig. 14b shows a plan view of the conveying device according to Fig. 14a;

Fig. 15a: shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a conveying device according to the invention with driving projections arranged on a drive chain;

Fig. 15b: shows a plan view of the conveying device according to Fig. 15a;

Fig. 16a: shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a conveying device according to the invention with driving projections arranged on two drive chains;

Fig. 16b: shows a plan view of the conveying device according to Fig. 16a;

Fig. 17a: shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a conveying device according to the invention with a worm screw;

Fig. 17b: shows a plan view of the conveying device according to Fig. 17a;

Fig. 18a: shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a conveying device according to the invention with two worm screws;

Fig. 18b: shows a plan view of the conveying device according to Fig. 18a;

Fig. 19a: shows a conveying device with a four-bar linkage at a first time point;

Fig. 19b: shows the conveying device according to Fig. 19a at a second time point;

Fig. 20: shows a view of a conveying element according to an embodiment of the invention in a conveying channel;

Fig. 21a: shows a detailed view of the conveying element according to the embodiment in Fig. 20;

Fig. 21b: shows a detailed view of a conveying element according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 21c: shows a detailed view of a conveying element according to one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 22: shows a view of a conveying element according to an embodiment of the invention in a conveying channel;

Fig. 23: shows a view of a conveying channel with several conveying elements according to the invention;

Fig. 24: shows a perspective view of a conveying element according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 25: shows a perspective view of a conveying element according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figs. 1 to 19 will be described first in the following.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a conveying device 1 according to the invention for conveying bulk goods. The conveying channel 4 is configured as a conveying tube 5 which can be made by way of example from steel or plastics. The conveying channel 4 has a circumferentially closed configuration so that actuators (conveying elements) 2 disposed in the conveying channel 4 can revolve endlessly. A plurality of actuators 2 disposed in the conveying device 1 are driven by means of the drive 6 in the driving section 8. The actuators are arranged loose in the conveying channel 4 along the axis of the conveying channel.

Bulk goods are conveyed into the conveying channel 4 by means of the supply device 18.

Fig. 2 shows a front view of the conveying device 1 according to Fig. 1.

The same reference numerals signify in the following the same features in the figures and are therefore only explained once again when necessary.

An outlet 22 is shown in the illustration according to Fig. 2. During operation bulk goods are conveyed through the supply device 18 into the conveying channel 4. The bulk goods located in the conveying channel 4 are conveyed by means of the driven actuators 2 to the outlet 22 where the bulk goods fall from the conveying device 1 by way of example into a collecting container, which is not shown here.

Fig. 3 shows in a perspective view the region comprising the driving section 8 of the conveying device 1 according to Fig. 1. The conveying tube 5 has an interior wall 9 which acts as a guiding device for the actuators 2 along the axis of the conveying channel.

In the driving section 8 a force is exerted on the actuators 2 by means of the drive arms 25 substantially parallel to the axis of the conveying channel. The drive arms 25 are moved substantially parallel to the axis of the conveying channel by means of a drive chain 24 in the driving section 8. The force is exerted on the actuators 2 substantially in the circumferential region of the actuator 2 facing the interior wall 9 of the conveying channel.

Fig. 4 shows a front view of a part of the section of the conveying device 1 according to Fig. 3.

The drive arms 25 driven by means of the drive chain 24 engage through an engagement opening 26 into the conveying tube 5. Since the bulk goods are first supplied downstream of the driving section with the drive 6 it is not necessary to seal off the engagement opening 26 in each case.

Fig. 5 shows a section in diagrammatic form of a conveying channel 4 which is configured as a conveying tube 5, comprising two actuators 2. The actuators 2 have on the side of the actuators 2 facing the conveying direction arms 17 which serve as spacers. On the side facing away from the conveying direction the actuators 2 have recesses 16 into which an adjoining actuator 2 can engage by the arm 17 where applicable.

The actuators 2 comprise bars (shanks) 23 which in the present case are disposed substantially parallel to the axis 7 of the conveying channel.

Fig. 6 shows diagrammatically a section of a conveying device with a curved conveying channel with actuators 2 arranged therein.

Fig. 7 is a photograph showing a section of a conveying device 1 with a conveying channel 4 configured as a conveying chute in which two actuators 2 are shown with an arm 17 and a recess 16 in a curved section of the conveying channel.

Fig. 8 shows an actuator 2 according to the invention in a perspective view.

The actuator 2 according to Fig. 8 comprises an arm 17 which during standard use is disposed in a conveying channel on the side facing the conveying direction.

The actuator 2 comprises a first surface element 13 which allows the bulk goods to pass through. The actuator 2 furthermore has a second surface element 14 which comprises the actuator surface which is not shown here. The first surface element 13 and the second surface element 14 are arranged spaced from one another by means of a bar (a shank) 23 for the operative connection of the two surface elements.

The actuator 2 further has on the side of the second surface element 14 facing away from the conveying direction a recess 16 in which an arm 17 of an adjoining actuator can engage.

Fig. 9 shows a side view of the actuator 2 according to the invention according to Fig. 8.

The actuator 2 has a spacer 15 which is formed as an arm 17. The arm 17 has a spherical configuration at the end facing away from the actuator 2. The actuator 2 has on the side facing away from the conveying direction a recess 16 which has a spherical configuration in some sections so that the spherical shaped spacer 15 can engage in the complementary recess 16 of a further actuator .

The first surface element 13 and the second surface element 14 are operatively connected to one another by means of the bar (shank) 23 wherein the first surface element 13 and the second surface element 14 act as an alignment device 11. The first surface element 13 is permeable for the bulk goods.

The second surface element 14 comprises on a first side the entrainment surface 10 for conveying the bulk goods along the conveying channel, and on a second side opposite the first side, a driving surface 27. The driving surface 27 can have an elastic design and be made more particularly of plastics or rubber. Alternatively, the driving surface 27 can however also be made from steel. The drive can exert a force on this driving surface 27 in order to drive the actuator 2.

The surface areas enclosed by the circumference of the first surface element 13 and the second surface element 14 are formed substantially congruent in relation to one another in a projection substantially parallel to the middle surface perpendiculars 12, which results in the desired alignment of the actuator 2 in the conveying channel.

Fig. 10 shows in a side view a supply device 18 according to the invention for supplying bulk goods 3 into a conveying tube 5 of the conveying device.

The conveying tube 5 has an inlet 19 which spans an angular region a of about 90°. The angular region a can be adjusted according to requirements by means of a slider 20, which is configured as a rotary slider.

The supply device 18 has a deflection region 21 which is arranged with a deflection angle u of about 50° in relation to the gravity direction .

Fig. 11 shows in a perspective view a section of an alternative conveying device according to the invention. The conveying tube was blanked out here for improved clarity. A plurality of actuators 2 are arranged in the conveying tube wherein three actuators 2 are visible in the present case. A force can be exerted on the actuators 2 substantially parallel to the axis of the conveying channel by means of a drive chain 24 (shown only in section) and drive arms 25 arranged thereon. The actuators 2 have no spacers. Bulk goods 3 are disposed between the actuators 2, leading to the present desired spacing of the actuators 2.

Fig. 12 shows diagrammatically a side view of a conveying device 1 with a conveying tube 5. The conveying tube 5 has an S-shaped configuration. In the lower region there is an inlet container 23 for supplying the bulk goods which are conveyed to the outlet container 24 by means of actuators, which are not shown., The inlet and outlet are not shown here.

The conveying device 1 according to Figs. 13a and 13b contains a chain gear 6 with a pair of drive chains which consist of a lower drive chain 28a and an upper drive chain 28b. Four driving pins 29 are attached to these drive chains 28a, 28b wherein the respective lower ends of the driving pins 29 are attached to the lower drive chain 28a and the upper ends of the driving pins 29 are attached to the upper drive chain 28b. In this way the driving pins 29 extend in a vertical direction. The two drive chains 28a, 28b are driven by means of a drive shaft 30 and two chain wheels 31 fixed thereon. At the opposite end the drive chains 28a, 28b are deflected by means of a deflection axis 32. More or fewer than four driving pins 29 fixed on the drive chains 28a, 28b are also conceivable.

The driving pins 29 are moved along the axis 7 of the conveying channel by rotating the drive shaft 30. The driving pins 29 hereby move into contact with the driving surfaces 27 of the actuators 2 and thus drive these.

The distance between two adjoining driving pins 29 is approximately 1.02 times the extent of the actuators 2 along the axis 7 of the conveying channel and thus in the sense of the above definition is substantially identical with this extent. It can hereby be ensured that the actuators 2 almost contact one another during the driving operation. A contact is however prevented in order to prevent unintended collision between adjoining actuators 2. The driving section along the axis 7 of the conveying channel is moreover twice as long as the actuators 2. Thus, at each time point there is always at least one actuator 2 located completely in the driving section.

The exemplary embodiment shown in Figs. 14a and 14b contains two chain gears 6 and 6' with pairs 28a, 28b and 28a', 28b' of drive chains which each have four driving pins 29 and 29' respectively. The two pairs of drive chains 28a, 28b and 28a' , 28b' are disposed on opposite sides of the conveying channel 4. In order to enable a synchronous movement and vertical alignment of the driving pins 29, 29' the two drive shafts 30, 30' can be driven by a common motor via a gearwheel drive, which is not shown here .

The chain gear 6 in the exemplary embodiment according to Figs. 15a and 15b contains a drive chain 33 which is driven by a drive shaft 30 and deflected round a deflection axis 32. Four driving projections 34 are screwed to the drive chain 33 by means of which the actuators 2 can be driven. The drive chain 33 is arranged at the side of the conveying channel 4.

The distance between two adjoining driving projections 34 is approximately 1.02 times the extent of the actuators 2 along the axis 7 of the conveying channel and thus in the sense of the above definition substantially identical with this extent. It can hereby be ensured that the actuators 2 almost contact one another during the driving operation. The driving section is also in this example along the axis 7 of the conveying channel twice as long as the actuators 2. Thus, at each time point at least one actuator 2 is located completely in the driving section.

As opposed to Figs 15a and 15b the conveying device 1 according to Figs. 16a and 16b contains two opposing drive chains 33, 33' each with drive shafts 30 and 30', and deflection axes 32, 32' as well as driving projections 34, 34' respectively. Also in this exemplary embodiment the synchronisation of the two drive shafts 30 and 30' can be achieved by means of a gear wheel drive, which is not shown here.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figs. 17a and 17b the drive is configured as a worm drive 6 with a rotatable worm screw 35 whose axis of rotation D runs parallel to the axis 7 of the conveying channel. In this exemplary embodiment the drive of the actuators 2 is achieved by rotating the worm screw 35 around its axis of rotation D.

The extent of the actuators 2 along the axis 7 of the conveying channel is approximately 3.9 times the passage height G of the worm screw 35. It can hereby be ensured that the actuators almost contact one another during the driving operation.

The exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figs. 18a and 18b shows two worm screws 35, 35' each with axes of rotation D, D' respectively, which run parallel to the axis 7 of the conveying channel. Also here the synchronisation of the two worm screws 35, 35' is achieved through a gearwheel drive which is not shown here.

Figs. 19 and 19b show a drive 4 which is configured as a four-bar linkage. A first end of a first lever 36 is fixed on a first drive shaft 37 whilst a second end of the first lever 36 is connected rotatably to a first end of a second lever 39 by way of an articulated joint 38. The second lever 39 contains a slot 40 in which a pin 41 engages whereby the second lever 39 can be guided. A first end of a third lever 42 is furthermore attached to a second drive shaft 43 whilst a second end of the third lever 42 is connected rotatably to a first end of a fourth lever 45 by way of an articulated joint 44. The fourth lever 45 contains a slot 46 in which a pin 47 engages whereby the fourth lever 45 can be guided. The first drive shaft 37 and the second drive shaft 43 are driven by a common driving belt 48 whereby synchronisation of the drive shafts 37, 43 is achieved.

Figs. 19a and 19b show the drive 6 at two different time points. The drive 6 is configured and arranged so that a force can be exerted in sections on the actuators 2 parallel to the axis 7 of the conveying channel by means of a second end 4 9 of the second lever 39 and a second end 50 of the fourth lever 45 when the drive 6 is moved by the movement of the drive belt 48. The drive 6 is moreover designed and arranged so that the second end 49 of the second lever 39 exerts a force on a first actuator 2 until the second end 50 of the fourth lever 45 begins to exert a force on a second actuator 2, and vice versa. The driving section in this exemplary embodiment has the length of an actuator 2.

As an alternative to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figs. 19a and 19b the movement of the levers can also be controlled by at least one sliding block, preferably by at least two sliding blocks, which either guides the levers with perpendicularly movable driving pins directly via the actuators or is placed indirectly in the drive.

For example, based on the fundamental explanations, general definitions and features already provided above, as well as the explanations on the drawings the present invention proceeds from the fundamental idea that bulk goods are conveyed in a conveying channel, eg a conveying tube, by conveying elements which are pushed and pressed in the conveying direction in the conveying channel and thus move the bulk goods through the conveying channel. The conveying elements can be separate individual bodies or (bulk goods) actuators which during the conveyance of the bulk goods in the conveying channel are (only) in forcefitting connection with one another. For example, in sections of the conveying channel where there is no mechanical drive device, a conveying element moving in the conveying direction in the conveying channel can be configured in such a way that it slides or presses a conveying element in front of same, through the conveying channel.

The basic concept where the pressure from a separate individual body is transferred as a conveying element to the next conveying element in the conveying direction, is characterised compared with known tubular chain conveyors by its improved energy efficiency, increased conveying speed and performance, better hygiene and smoother conveyance of the bulk goods. The increased energy efficiency is reached for example in that there is very little friction compared with tubular chain conveyors. Furthermore as a result of the special configuration of the conveying elements only one driving device is required which is provided more particularly in a first section of the conveying channel and thus does not come into connection with the bulk goods, which are first supplied in a second section of the conveying channel into the latter. In addition, with the concept according to the invention a conveying element and a conveying device can be provided which can be used for conveying various types of bulk goods, such as rice, flour, grains, maize and wheat. For example up until now tubular chain conveyors were used for rice, bucket conveyors for flour and container conveyor systems for grains, but were disregarded at least for transporting rice as a result of the problems of protecting against explosion, the accident risk through crushing and shearing points and for reasons of space and costs. On the other hand, the tubular chain conveyors could indeed meet the requirements for use with rice to some extent but a tubular chain conveyor was not suitable for flour for hygiene reasons nor for corn for reasons of conveying capacity. With the present invention all these bulk goods can be easily conveyed hygienically and highly efficiently without problem.

The invention solves all the problems described above using the features of the patent claims.

For this the present invention relates to a conveying element, more particularly for use in one of the methods described above and/or in the following, and/or in one of the conveying devices described above and/or in the following, and a conveying device for conveying bulk goods. A conveying element according to the invention comprises a disc element (eg a "second surface element", as described above), eg as a clearing disc, with an upper side ("driving surface"), and underneath side and a side surface along the circumference of the disc element, and a shank ("bar") which has for example at its upper end (upper end region) a shank head, more particularly a spherical or flattened domed head, and is then connected for example at its lower end (lower end region) to the upper side of the disc element. The upper side of the disc element can be connected for example centrally to the lower end of the shank. The conveying element has a device for receiving the shank head, more particularly a spherical head holder or domed head holder, eg on the underside of the disc element. In one embodiment the shank head holder can be provided on the shank itself. For example in the case where the lower end of the shank has the shank head, the shank head holder can be provided on the upper end of the shank. According to the invention the side face of the disc element is inclined at least in sections relative to the longitudinal axis of the shank.

The longitudinal axis of the shank can run for example through the centre point of the upper side of the disc element. More particularly the shank is arranged perpendicular to the disc element. The disc element can serve here as a clearing disc of the conveying element, which slides the bulk goods through the conveying channel and is particularly suitable for taking up the thrust movement of a driving device (eg with driving pins as described above). The shank of the conveying element has the task of transferring the forces introduced from the driving device onto the clearing disc to the shank head and thus further to a conveying element lying in front of same in the conveying channel in order in this way to press/slide the bulk goods through the conveying channel.

In one embodiment the disc element can be a radially symmetrical disc which is curved per se. In this case the upper side and lower side of the disc element can likewise be curved, eg the upper side of the disc element in such a way that the distance in the longitudinal direction between the centre point of the upper side and shank head is greater than the distance in the longitudinal direction between the (maximum) circumference of the upper side of the disc element and the shank head. The side surface of the disc element extends along the (maximum) circumference of the disc element and connects in particular the upper side to the lower side of the disc element via an upper and a lower circumferential edge.

According to the invention in a longitudinal section of the conveying element through the longitudinal axis of the shank the side surface of the disc element is inclined in at least some sections relative to the longitudinal axis of the shank (in the direction of the centre point of the upper side of the disc element). More particularly sections of the side surface on the upper circumferential edge have an incline of this kind in relation to the longitudinal axis of the shank. Through the incline in at least some sections of the side surface relative to the longitudinal axis of the shank, damage to the disc element can be reduced when the latter encounters for example pipe joints in the conveying channel.

In one embodiment an inclined section of the side surface of the disc element is formed as a side surface of a centering strip of the disc element or as side surfaces of centering cams. A centering strip runs for example along the circumference of the upper side of the disc element and not only prevents damage to the conveying element, more particularly the clearing disc, but also can serve to align the conveying element in optimum manner in the cross-section of the conveying channel and more particularly to counteract any canting of the conveying element when encountering pipe joints. As an alternative to a centering strip centering cams can be provided for example along the circumference of the upper side of the disc element.

In one embodiment the edge of the disc element which is located between the side surface and the upper side of the disc element, thus the upper circumferential edge of the side surface, can be more rounded than the lower circumferential edge (that is the edge of the side surface which is located between the side surface and the lower side of the disc element) eg in order to prevent damage to the clearing disc on encountering pipe joints. One edge is then rounded more here when the radius of the curved section which represents the rounded upper circumferential edge in a longitudinal section of the conveying element through the longitudinal axis of the shank, is greater than the radius of the curved section of the lower circumferential edge. A longitudinal section of a conveying element through the longitudinal axis of the shank is shown here, for example in Fig. 1 (in an exemplary form with centering cams).

According to the invention the conveying element has a device for receiving the shank head. In one embodiment the disc element can have for example on its lower side an indentation/recess in which a shank head of a shank of a following conveying element can be received. The indentation can in this case be designed complementary with the shank head end wherein the radius of the indentation can for practical reasons be slightly larger (eg by 1 mm to 15 mm, more particularly 2 mm to 8 mm, by way of example about 3 mm to 5 mm larger) than the radius of the shank head so that the shank head end of a following conveying element can be more easily received by the shank head holder. In one embodiment the shank head end can be provided for example on the lower side of the disc element, and the other end of the shank has the shank head holder which is configured for example complementary with the shank head, so that a shank head on the lower side of the disc element of the conveying element can be received by the shank head holder of a following conveying element.

In one embodiment the shank can extend centrally through the disc element and form on the lower side of the disc element a shank head holder or a shank head. In both cases the diameter of the shank can be for example slightly larger (eg 2 mm to 30 mm, more particularly 4 mm to 16 mm, by way of example 6 mm to 10 mm larger) than the diameter of the shank head end so that the shank head holder on the shank has a suitably matching indentation (in the sizes as defined above) for a shank head end of a following or preceding conveying element.

In one embodiment the conveying element is formed entirely from plastic and is more particularly designed as a one-piece unit (eg through an injection moulding process). For certain bulk goods however, it can be advantageous to use heavier dimensionally more stable conveying elements which then have for example a metal core and/or a core of a metal alloy, such as eg steel. In one embodiment the core is for example not a magnet. The core can be located for example only in the shank or in the shank and the clearing disc. The outside surfaces of this embodiment, more particularly all the regions of the conveying element around the core, can then be moulded from plastic and more particularly formed in one piece. A conveying element of this kind can be made for example by placing the core in a corresponding injection moulding mould wherein the injection moulding mould has the shape of the conveying element which is to be manufactured, and then the corresponding injection moulding process is carried out so that the core is located in the end product inside the conveying element and the outside surfaces of the conveying element are formed in one piece.

In one embodiment the disc element has a wear display which is disposed for example on the side surface of the disc element and/or in the disc element at a specific distance from the surfaces of the disc element. With corresponding wear on the side surface or upper side of the disc element with which the bulk goods are transported through the conveying channel, in the case of for example a wear display which is located in the disc element, markings may become visible from which the degree of wear can be identified for example by a corresponding colour path from outside inwards into the disc element. Alternatively or additionally a wear display body with a specific form (eg a double-sided arrow) can be integrated in the disc element and can have more particularly a different colour than the material surrounding it. In this case, the degree of wear can be identified by specific sections of the wear display body becoming visible (eg at the beginning only the arrow tip viewed from the front, thus a small point which during the course of operation becomes larger as a result of the wear). Alternatively or additionally a wear display can be produced by a marking outside on the side surface of the conveying element, which extends for example by a well-defined length partially into the interior of the disc element. If during operation the marking were no longer to be visible then it can be determined for example that the conveying element has worn down too much and needs to be replaced.

In one embodiment the conveying element has a guide disc element ("first surface element" as described above) which is disposed substantially parallel to the disc element in the direction of the shank head of the shank. The shank more particularly runs through the centre point of the upper side of the guide disc element so that the guide disc element is permeable for the bulk goods. In this way the conveying volume can be increased and the bulk goods are not squashed in the bends in the conveying channel. The guide disc element can moreover be configured so that it guides the conveying element in the conveying channel so that after the conveying element leaves the force-fitting conveying element joint comprising the preceding conveying elements and trailing conveying elements it is located again in the shank head holding device of the conveying element in front and thus produces the joint again. As with the disc element, the guide disc element can also have a radially symmetrical shape and can more particularly be a disc which is curved per se. The guide disc element can in one embodiment be inclined relative to the disc element and/or can be designed flexible in itself and/or can be flexibly fixed on the shank. In this way it is possible for example to compensate pressure differences on the guide disc element during transport of the bulk goods through a curved section in the conveying tube; The guide disc element can be configured for example so that it is deflected/tilted for example towards one side when for example the bulk goods being pushed through the conveying tube are denser on one side (eg on the inside of a pipe bend) than on another side (eg on the outer side of the pipe bend).

In one embodiment the distance in the longitudinal direction between the clearing disc and the guide disc of a conveying element is greater than half the length of the conveying element in the longitudinal direction. With an arrangement of the disc elements of this kind in which the guide disc element is provided close to the shank head, the guide disc element on leaving the joint can rapidly produce again the force-fitting connection with the preceding conveying element by centering the shank head inside the cross-section of the conveying channel.

In one embodiment the conveying element has at least one camera and/or at least one sensor (eg a temperature sensor and/or humidity sensor) and/or at least one lighting device which can illuminate the region which the camera for example can detect. The system arranged on the conveying element can consist for example of cameras and lighting devices for inspecting the conveying tube, more particularly in sections which are not easily accessible. The conveying element can have here for example a camera and a lighting device at its front end, in the conveying direction, and at its rear end, in the conveying direction. For example 2 or 4 or 6 cameras/sensors and/or a corresponding number of lighting devices can be disposed on the shank of the conveying element in order to illuminate and inspect for example the inside wall of the conveying tube. In this way any possible faulty functions or leaks can be quickly localised, identified and thus systematically removed or improved without having to dismantle the entire conveying channel. The conveying element can be inserted for example into the conveying device whilst the operation is running and is transported for example once through the conveying channel wherein the conveying element records data from which the state of the wear (eg through wear markers in the critical places of the conveying channel) , hygiene, dirty places, pipe joints, product inlet and product outlet can be analysed. Alternatively or additionally the conveying element can have one or more sensors such as an ultrasound inspection head, eg in order to measure the thickness of the tube wall and in this way to control the state of the conveying tube.

In one embodiment the conveying element has a cleaning device which is disposed more particularly on the shank of the conveying element. The cleaning device can then be one or more brushes or fibre tufts for mechanically cleaning the inside tubes of the conveying device. The conveying element with the cleaning device can be inserted into the conveying device whilst the operation is running and is then transported one or more times through the conveying channel in order to clean the conveying channel. One advantage here is that the conveying element can be effortlessly removed from the conveying device after cleaning the inside tubes and can then be decontaminated separately. The cleaning device can comprise for example plastics brushes, steel brushes, stainless steel brushes, brass brushes, microfibre fleece, rubber, felt, wool, cotton etc depending on the bulk goods to be conveyed for example.

In one embodiment the conveying element is provided with a label for automatically identifying and/or localizing items. A conveying device according to the invention has here for example a reading device for reading the label. The label can more particularly be a RFID transponder with a code which can be read by the reading device, eg at one or more places in/on the conveying channel, eg through a window or another opening. In this way it is possible for example to control starting or stopping processes, eg the conveying device can be configured so that it (only) starts when a (specific) conveying element was identified at a specific place, and/or then stops as soon as a (specific) conveying element was pushed to a specific place. For example, a well-defined number of cycles can thus be predetermined in the conveying device and/or the conveyance of the bulk goods can be stopped as soon as a non-identifrable conveying element is located in the conveying channel.

For improved understanding, further features and advantages of the invention will now be explained in further detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments in connection with Figs. 20 to 25 .

Similar to the embodiments in Figs. 5 to 9, Figs. 20 to 25 show views of further embodiments of specific conveying elements.

Fig. 20 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a longitudinal section of the conveying element 201 through the longitudinal axis of the shank 204 of the conveying element 201. The conveying element 201 has a disc element 203 with an upper side 203a, a lower side 203b and a side surface 203c along the (maximum) circumference U of the disc element 203. The side surface 203c connects the upper side 203a with the lower side 203b of the disc element 203 via an upper circumferential edge 203aU and a lower circumferential edge 203bU. The shank 204 has at its upper end 204a (the leading end of the shank in the conveying direction, wherein the conveying direction in the longitudinal axis of the shank is indicated at the top with an arrow or an arrow tip) a shank head, in this example a spherical head, 205 and is connected at its lower end 204b (the trailing end of the shank in the conveying direction) in the middle to the upper side 203a of the disc element 203. The conveying element 201 has moreover a device 206 for holding the shank head on the lower side 203b of the disc element 203. The side surface 203c of the disc element 203 is inclined at least in some sections relative to the longitudinal axis 204c of the shank 204, in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 20 these sections of the side surface 203c relate to the side surfaces of the centering cams 207. For improved understanding, in Fig. 20 not only are the (outer) centering cams, which are visible in the longitudinal section, drawn in, but also further centering cams which are arranged uniformly spaced out from one another in the circumferential direction. The conveying element 201 can moreover have a wear display 208, eg in and/or on the disc element 203.

Figs 21a, 21b and 21c show detailed views of three embodiments of a disc element 213.

In the first embodiment according to Fig. 21a the disc element 213 has centering cams 217a which during transport of the conveying element in the conveying channel in the conveying direction (see arrow) protect the disc element 213 against joint edges 219 between two tube elements 219a and 219b. In the second embodiment according to Fig. 21b the disc element 213 has a centering strip 217b which extends along the entire circumference of the disc element 213 (in Fig. 21b indicated by the dotted line demarcating it from the centering cams in Fig. 21a) . In the third embodiment according to Fig. 21c the side surface 213c is inclined from the lower circumferential edge 213bU up to the upper circumferential edge 213aU as protection against the joint edges described above.

Fig. 22 is a diagrammatic view of a longitudinal section through a conveying element 221 in a conveying channel 222 and has more particularly the same features as Fig. 20. In addition a guide disc element 223' is arranged on the shank 224 parallel to the disc element 223. The guide disc element 223' can have openings/recesses (not shown) in order to increase the conveying volume and prevent the bulk goods from being crushed.

Fig. 23 shows by way of example two conveying elements 231a and 231b in a conveying channel 232 which are located in a joint, i.e. the ball head 235b of the conveying element 231b engages in the ball head receiving device 236a of the conveying element 231a. If the conveying elements 231a and 231b are located in the illustrated joint during the conveying process, the conveying elements are pushed through the conveying channel 232 by each rear conveying element 231b in the conveying direction (see arrow) pressing on the conveying element 231a which is running in front. In this way bulk goods can be transported by the conveying elements 231a, 231b in the conveying channel 232.

Fig. 24 shows a perspective view of a conveying element 241 designed as an inspection element and provided with several cameras 242K and several lighting devices 242L which light up the regions which can be detected by the cameras, in order to subject for example, the conveying tubes to an inspection. Alternatively or additionally one or more sensors can be provided for example for measuring the temperature and/or measuring the humidity. The conveying element 241 has in the illustrated embodiment for example one camera each 242K and one lighting device 242L each at its front end 241a, in the conveying direction (see arrow), and at its rear end 241b, in the conveying direction, and in addition two further cameras 242K with corresponding lighting devices 242L which are disposed on the shank 244 of the conveying element 241 in order to inspect for example sections of the inner tube perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shank 244. In the illustrated embodiment the rear disc 243 can have, like the front disc 243', openings in order in this case to be able to carry out an inspection along the longitudinal axis of the shank 244.

Fig. 25 shows a perspective view of a conveying element 251 which is formed as a cleaning element and has at least one cleaning device 252, which is disposed on the front and/or rear end 254a, 254b of the shank 254 of the conveying element 251 and is secured against unintentionally slipping off the shank 254 at the front in the conveying direction (see arrow) by the guide disc 253' , and at the back in the conveying direction by the clearing disc 253.

The present invention thus provides a conveying element and a conveying device with which the conveying capacity can be increased whilst at the same time saving energy. With the present concept conveying heights of about 60 m can be achieved so that through more effective use the conveying device requires overall less foundation surface area in all dimensions of the room with a constant conveying capacity and can be individually configured. Since the conveyance of the bulk goods takes place in the conveying tube by means of separate individual bodies (conveying elements, actuators) which slide or press the bulk goods through the conveying tube, only a slight relative movement of the bulk goods takes place which reduces segregation and internal friction. The conveying device is moreover simple to construct, assemble and maintain (individual conveying elements can be easily replaced, tubes with special conveying elements can be inspected without problem during operation of the conveying device) and is moreover easy to clean since residues cannot collect in the conveying tube, bulk goods cannot be retarded and cleaning is possible with the special conveying elements provided for thus during operation of the conveying device. Furthermore only one drive is required in a specific section of the conveying tube so that - with a spatial separation of the drive from the bulk goods supply device - the drive does not come into contact with the bulk goods (high degree of sanitation) .

Claims

A transport element (201) for the transport of bulk goods comprising a disc element (203) having an upper side (203a), a bottom side (203b) and a side surface (203c) along the circumference of the disc element and a shaft (204), as in its upper end (204a) or at its lower end has a shaft head (205) and at its lower end (204b) is connected to the upper side (203a) of the disk element, the transport element having a device for receiving (206) the shaft head on the underside (203b) of the disc element or the shaft, and the side surface (203c) of the disc element at least inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft (204), characterized in that the shaft extends through the disc element to its underside.

A transport element according to claim 1, wherein the inclined section on the side surface of the disk element is formed as side surfaces of guide pins (207; 217a) on the disk element.

A transport element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the edge of the side surface of the disk element is more rounded towards the top of the disk element than the edge of the side surface towards the underside of the disk element.

A transport element according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the shaft on the underside of the disk element is designed as a device for receiving the shaft head.

The transport element according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least the outer surfaces of the transport element are formed of plastic.

A transport element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the outer surfaces of the transport element being formed in one piece.

A transport element according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the shaft has a metal core which is not particularly a magnet.

The transport element according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the disk element has a wear indicator.

The transport element according to claim 8, wherein the wear indicator (208) is located on the side surface of the disk element and / or in the disk element.

A transport element according to any one of claims 1 to 9 with a guide disc element (223 ') which is substantially parallel to the disc element (203; 223) in the direction towards the shaft head (205) of the shaft (204).

The transport element according to claim 10, wherein the control disk element has recesses for the passage of bulk goods.

A transport element according to one of claims 1 to 11 with at least one cleaning device.

Transport element according to one of claims 1 to 12 with at least one camera and / or sensor and / or lighting unit.

Transport element according to one of claims 1 to 13, with a label for automatically identifying and / or locating the transport element.

A bulk cargo transport unit with at least one transport element according to claim 14 and a label reading device.