EP3401628B1 - Conveyance of an item to be conveyed - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a conveyor system and a method for conveying a conveyed item.

In particular, the invention relates to the conveying of reactive and/or hot and/or abrasive material to be conveyed. A reactive conveyed material is understood here to mean a conveyed material that reacts chemically and/or physically with the substances surrounding the conveyor system, for example with air, in particular with the oxygen in the air. When conveying such material to be conveyed, various requirements are placed on a conveyor system. When conveying hot material to be conveyed, the conveying mechanism of the conveyor system is also exposed to high temperatures, so that it has to be cooled or made of expensive, heat-resistant materials. When conveying reactive conveyed goods, for example due to chemical reactions of the conveyed goods with, for example, oxygen from the environment, gas that is harmful to health and/or the environment can escape from the conveyed goods, and/or the conveyed goods can heat up considerably as a result of the reactions, which can damage the material of the conveyed goods and /or can lead to security problems. In order to prevent the reactive conveyed material from coming into contact with oxygen, for example, an inert gas, for example nitrogen, is often used in order to keep oxygen away from the environment of the conveyed material. Furthermore, when conveying material to be conveyed, dust often arises, which can also be harmful to health and/or the environment and/or harmful to sub-components of the conveyor system and must be drawn off and disposed of.

US20040063058A1 describes a heating furnace in which gas is discharged in order to set a specific temperature profile Cooling chambers in heating chambers flows without specifically addressing the conveyor mechanics.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a conveyor system and a method for conveying a conveyed material which are improved in particular with regard to the conveyance of reactive, hot and/or abrasive conveyed material.

The object is achieved according to the invention with regard to the conveyor system by the features of claim 1 and with regard to the method by the features of claim 11.

Advantageous configurations of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

A conveyor system according to the invention for conveying a conveyed item along a conveying path comprises a system housing with a conveying chamber in which at least the conveying path is arranged, and with at least one secondary chamber which is connected to the conveying chamber by at least one passage opening and is separated from a fluid atmosphere in the conveying chamber physically and/or chemically distinctive fluid atmosphere. The at least one passage opening and the fluid atmospheres in the delivery chamber and in the at least one secondary chamber are designed to set a defined fluid flow in the system housing.

A chamber of a system housing is understood here to mean a substantially closed cavity of the system housing. A fluid atmosphere in a chamber is understood to mean the chemical and physical properties, for example the chemical composition, the pressure or the temperature, of a fluid which is located in the chamber. A fluid is understood to be a gas or a liquid.

A conveyor system according to the invention thus enables a defined fluid flow in a system housing of the conveyor system. This is achieved by dividing the system housing into a delivery chamber and at least one secondary chamber, which have different fluid atmospheres and are connected by at least one passage opening. The arrangement of the conveying path in a conveying chamber enables the conveying path to be largely encapsulated in relation to the environment, so that the conveyed material is largely sealed off from ambient substances and in particular oxygen from the environment. The setting of a defined fluid flow through the mutually different fluid atmospheres in the conveying chamber and the at least one secondary chamber also allows environmental substances and in particular oxygen to be kept away from the area of the conveyed goods, as well as the defined discharge of gases and dust that are harmful to health and/or the environment with the fluid flow from the feed chamber.

An embodiment of the invention provides that the system housing has at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet and is designed to be fluid-tight except for the at least one fluid inlet and the at least one fluid outlet. Fluid tightness is understood here to mean fluid tightness that satisfies a technical specification. This largely fluid-tight design of the system housing limits the escape of fluid from the system housing to the fluid outlets, so that only a relatively small amount of fluid escapes from the system housing. Furthermore, the escape of fluid through the defined fluid outlets enables fluid escaping from the system housing to be collected at least partially in a targeted manner and fed back to the system housing. As a result, the consumption and the costs of the fluid used are advantageously reduced. The largely fluid-tight design of the system housing also advantageously reduces penetration from the materials surrounding the conveyor system into the system housing.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that a conveying chamber end of the conveying chamber arranged in the region of a conveying path start of the conveying path is closed or can be closed. As a result, the direction of the fluid flow can be adjusted in a simple manner to the transport direction of the material to be conveyed.

The invention provides that at least one component of a conveying mechanism for conveying the material to be conveyed is arranged in at least one secondary chamber. This advantageously makes it possible to arrange sensitive components of the conveying mechanism not in the conveying chamber but in an ancillary chamber and thereby avoid the influence of high temperatures, dust and/or corrosive gases in the conveying chamber. In other words, components of the conveying mechanism can be protected from the often adverse fluid atmosphere in the conveying chamber by relocating them to an ancillary chamber. Furthermore, the arrangement of components of the conveyor mechanism in a secondary chamber can be used to cool these components in the secondary chamber in a relatively simple manner, for example by fluid conducted into the secondary chamber and/or by a separate cooling device.

The invention provides that the conveying mechanism has a traction mechanism with at least one traction mechanism arranged in a secondary chamber, with which carrier elements can be moved in order to convey the conveyed goods. The material to be conveyed is transported, for example, directly through the carrier elements or in containers arranged on the carrier elements. In this case, the carrier elements separate, for example, the conveying chamber from an auxiliary chamber in which at least one traction means is arranged. Alternatively, the carrier elements are arranged in the conveying chamber and protrude through a passage opening into at least one secondary chamber, in particular into a secondary chamber arranged laterally on the conveying chamber, in which a traction device is arranged. Traction drives and carrier elements moved with them are particularly suitable for transporting reactive, hot and/or abrasive conveyed goods, among other things because of their robustness and their low maintenance requirements. The arrangement of a traction mechanism in an auxiliary chamber protects the traction mechanism from high temperatures, dust and/or corrosive fluids in the conveying chamber. If the conveying chamber is separated from an ancillary chamber in which at least one traction mechanism is arranged, the carrier elements can be used not only to transport the material to be conveyed but also to isolate the ancillary chamber from the conveying chamber. When a traction mechanism is arranged in an auxiliary chamber arranged on the side of the conveying chamber, the traction mechanism is spatially further separated from the conveyed goods, which is particularly advantageous when transporting hot conveyed goods, since in this case the traction mechanism is heated to a lesser extent by the conveyed goods and therefore also less must be heavily cooled.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that an opening width of at least one through-opening varies along the course of the through-opening. Regions of a secondary chamber with narrower through-openings are particularly advantageously suitable for cooling components of the conveying mechanism arranged there with fluid conducted into the secondary chamber, since particularly high fluid flows of the fluid occur in these regions. Furthermore, areas of a secondary chamber with narrower passage openings are particularly advantageous for introducing fluid into the secondary chamber, because in these areas less fluid flows from the secondary chamber into the delivery chamber than in areas with further passage openings, so that the fluid introduced over larger areas of the secondary chamber can be distributed. On the other hand, areas with further through-openings are advantageously suitable for guiding larger amounts of fluid into the delivery chamber in a targeted manner and thereby influencing the fluid flow in the delivery chamber more strongly. Therefore, by deliberately varying the opening width of a passage opening suitable areas of the secondary chamber for cooling components of the conveyor mechanism or other components of the conveyor system, for example the above-mentioned support elements, for positioning fluid inlets and for influencing the fluid flow in the system housing are defined.

A further embodiment of the invention provides a cooling device for cooling at least one secondary chamber. As a result, components of the conveying mechanism that are arranged in the secondary chamber in particular can be cooled if cooling by the fluid is not provided or is not sufficient.

A further embodiment of the invention provides a fluid circuit system which comprises at least one secondary chamber and is designed to conduct a fluid through at least one passage opening from the secondary chamber into the delivery chamber. Such a fluid circuit system can advantageously further reduce the consumption of fluid, since fluid discharged from a secondary chamber is fed back to a secondary chamber via the fluid circuit system, so that this fluid remains in the fluid circuit system.

The fluid circuit system can have at least one heat exchanger for cooling a fluid fed to an auxiliary chamber. As a result, the fluid which has been cooled by the heat exchanger and then conducted into an auxiliary chamber can advantageously also be used to cool components of the conveying mechanism which are arranged in the auxiliary chamber.

Furthermore, the conveyor system can have a fluid recycling unit for receiving fluid from the conveyor chamber and feeding fluid back into the conveyor chamber, wherein the fluid can be fed back directly and/or via the fluid circuit system. The fluid recycling unit can be a Have fluid cleaning unit for cleaning the fluid received from the pumping chamber. As a result, fluid emerging or drawn off from the conveying chamber can be at least partially collected and reused by being fed back into the conveying chamber. The fluid recycling unit does not need to be supplied with fluid directly from the conveying chamber, but fluid can also be discharged from the conveying chamber into a unit downstream of the conveying system, for example into a bunker into which the conveyed goods are conveyed, and the fluid recycling unit can be fed from this unit. As a result, the consumption of fluid can be further advantageously reduced. Since fluid exiting or drawn off from the conveying chamber often contains dust and/or gas which has escaped from the conveyed material, a fluid cleaning unit for cleaning the fluid received from the conveying chamber can be advantageous.

A further embodiment of the invention provides a control system for controlling a fluid flow from at least one secondary chamber into the delivery chamber as a function of a differential pressure between a pressure in the secondary chamber and a pressure in the delivery chamber. As a result, the fluid flow can advantageously be adjusted particularly precisely if necessary.

In a method according to the invention for operating a conveyor system according to the invention, a higher fluid pressure is set in each secondary chamber than in the conveyor chamber. This ensures that fluid flows from each secondary chamber into the delivery chamber and not vice versa from the delivery chamber into a secondary chamber. The higher fluid pressure in each secondary chamber compared to the conveying chamber and the resulting fluid flow from each secondary chamber into the conveying chamber also advantageously prevent fluid that has escaped from the conveyed material and/or dust produced during the transport of the conveyed material from penetrating into a secondary chamber.

One embodiment of the method provides that fluid is fed back from the conveying chamber directly into the conveying chamber by a fluid recycling unit and/or via at least one secondary chamber. As a result, the consumption of fluid can advantageously be reduced. In particular, provision can be made for fluid to be cleaned in the fluid recycling unit before it is fed back into the conveying chamber. This advantageously prevents dust and/or fluid that has escaped from the conveyed material from getting into the conveying chamber with the returned fluid.

• FIG 1 schematisch ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Förderanlage mit einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel eines Fluidkreislaufsystems,
• FIG 2 schematisch ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel einer Förderanlage,
• FIG 3 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels einer Förderanlage,
• FIG 4 eine Schnittdarstellung der in Figur 3 dargestellten Förderanlage,
• FIG 5 ein Blockdiagramm eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels eines Fluidkreislaufsystems einer Förderanlage,
• FIG 6 ein Blockdiagramm eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels eines Fluidkreislaufsystems einer Förderanlage,
• FIG 7 ein Blockdiagramm eines vierten Ausführungsbeispiels eines Fluidkreislaufsystems einer Förderanlage,
• FIG 8 ein Blockdiagramm eines fünften Ausführungsbeispiels eines Fluidkreislaufsystems einer Förderanlage, und
• FIG 9 eine Schnittdarstellung eines vierten Ausführungsbeispiels einer Förderanlage.

The properties, features and advantages of this invention described above, and the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more clearly understood in connection with the following description of exemplary embodiments, which will be explained in more detail in connection with the drawings. show:

• FIG 1 schematically a first embodiment of a conveyor system with a first embodiment of a fluid circuit system,
• FIG 2 schematically a second embodiment of a conveyor system,
• 3 a perspective view of a third embodiment of a conveyor system,
• FIG 4 a sectional view of the figure 3 shown conveyor system,
• 5 a block diagram of a second embodiment of a fluid circuit system of a conveyor system,
• 6 a block diagram of a third embodiment of a fluid circuit system of a conveyor system,
• FIG 7 a block diagram of a fourth embodiment of a fluid circuit system of a conveyor system,
• 8 a block diagram of a fifth embodiment of a fluid circuit system of a conveyor system, and
• 9 a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a conveyor system.

Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

figure 1 shows schematically a first exemplary embodiment of a conveyor system 1 for conveying a conveyed item along a conveying path. The conveyor system 1 comprises a system housing 3 which has a conveyor chamber 5 and an auxiliary chamber 7 . At least the conveying path is arranged in the conveying chamber 5 . The secondary chamber 7 is arranged on the side of the delivery chamber 5 and is connected to the delivery chamber 5 by a plurality of passage openings 9 . Furthermore, the conveyor system 1 has a fluid circuit system 11 which includes the secondary chamber 7 and is designed to conduct a fluid, for example an inert gas, through the passage openings 9 from the secondary chamber 7 into the conveying chamber 5 . Flow directions of the fluid are in figure 1 indicated by arrows. Instead of several passage openings 9, a continuous slot-like passage opening 9 can also be provided.

The material to be conveyed is, for example, a reactive and/or hot and/or abrasive material to be conveyed. In particular, off fluid that is harmful to health and/or the environment can escape from the conveyed material, which should therefore not escape uncontrolled into the environment. Furthermore, dust can arise during the transport of the conveyed material in the conveying chamber 5 .

The conveying chamber 5 and the secondary chamber 7 have physically and/or chemically different fluid atmospheres. In particular, the fluid atmosphere in the secondary chamber 7 has a higher fluid pressure than the fluid atmosphere in the delivery chamber 5 . This ensures that fluid essentially flows through the passage openings 9 from the secondary chamber 7 into the conveying chamber 5 and not vice versa from the conveying chamber 5 into the secondary chamber 7 of the secondary chamber 7 have a higher temperature and/or contain gas which has escaped from the conveyed material and/or dust which has arisen during the transport of the conveyed material. The higher fluid pressure in the secondary chamber 7 and the resulting fluid flow from the secondary chamber 7 into the delivery chamber 5 advantageously also prevent this gas and/or dust from penetrating the delivery chamber 5 into the secondary chamber 7.

The conveying path runs in the conveying chamber 5 between a first end 13 of the conveying chamber and a second end 15 of the conveying chamber. The material to be conveyed is discharged from the conveying chamber 5 at the second end 15 of the conveying chamber. The first end of the delivery chamber 13 is, for example, designed to be closed or closable, while the second end of the delivery chamber 15 has a first fluid outlet 17 through which fluid flows out of the delivery chamber 5, for example together with the material being conveyed. The system housing 3 also has a second fluid outlet 18 through which circulating in the fluid circuit system 11 Fluid is discharged from the secondary chamber 7. In addition, the system housing 3 can have further fluid outlets 19, through which fluid can be drawn off from the delivery chamber 5, for example if a fluid pressure in the delivery chamber 5 exceeds a pressure threshold value (such fluid outlets 19 can, for example, each have a safety element, for example a safety valve, for example if a safety study deems it necessary). The system housing 3 also has a first fluid inlet 21 through which fluid circulating in the fluid circuit system 11 is fed into the secondary chamber 7 . Furthermore, the system housing 3 can have further fluid inlets 22 through which fluid can be supplied to the delivery chamber 5 , for example in order to influence a fluid flow in the delivery chamber 5 . Except for the fluid outlets 17 to 19 and the fluid inlets 21, 22, the system housing 3 is designed to be fluid-tight. In other exemplary embodiments, the first fluid inlet 21 and/or the second fluid outlet 18 can also be located at locations other than those in FIG figure 1 shown locations of the secondary chamber 7 arranged, for example opposite figure 1 interchanged, to be.

This largely fluid-tight design of the system housing 3 limits the escape of fluid from the system housing 3 to the fluid outlets 17 to 19 so that only a relatively small amount of fluid escapes from the system housing 3 . Furthermore, fluid discharged from the second fluid outlet 18 is fed back to the secondary chamber 7 through the fluid circuit system 11 via the first fluid inlet 21 . In addition, fluid escaping from the first fluid outlet 17 and/or at least one further fluid outlet 19 can optionally be at least partially collected and fed to the fluid circuit system 11 (possibly after cleaning, cf figure 2 and figure 8 ) and recycled. Overall, this means that the amount of fluid to be supplied to the system housing 3 can be relatively be kept low. This advantageously reduces fluid consumption and fluid costs. Another advantage of the largely fluid-tight design of the system housing 3 and the higher fluid pressure in the secondary chamber 7 compared to the conveying chamber 5 is that fluid that is harmful to health and/or the environment that has escaped from the conveyed material also only escapes from the conveying chamber 5 at the fluid outlets 17, 19 and there can be disposed of. The same applies to dust that is in the conveying chamber 5.

Components of a conveying mechanism for conveying the material to be conveyed are arranged in the secondary chamber 7 .

The fluid circuit system 11 conducts fluid through the secondary chamber 7, through the second fluid outlet 18 out of the secondary chamber 7 and, for example by means of pipelines, via a turbomachine 25 and optionally via a heat exchanger 27 through the first fluid inlet 21 back into the secondary chamber 7. Furthermore, the fluid circuit system 11 has a fluid supply 29 through which fluid can be supplied to the fluid circuit system 11 , in particular to replace fluid that is discharged from the secondary chamber 7 through the passage openings 9 into the delivery chamber 5 . The fluid machine 25 is a fan or a pump depending on whether the fluid is a gas or a liquid. The optional heat exchanger 27 serves to cool the fluid. It is particularly advantageous in cases in which hot material to be conveyed is transported in the conveying chamber 5 and components of a conveying mechanism for conveying the conveyed material that are to be cooled are arranged in the secondary chamber 7 . In these cases, the fluid conducted into the secondary chamber 7 and cooled by the heat exchanger 27 can advantageously also be used to cool the components of the conveyor mechanism arranged in the secondary chamber 7 . Alternatively or additionally, the conveyor system can have a separate cooling device (not shown) for cooling the secondary chamber 7 exhibit. For example, the cooling device can have a cooling tube that can be filled with a coolant or a plurality of cooling tubes, with at least one cooling tube being able to be located within the secondary chamber 7 .

figure 2 shows schematically a second embodiment of a conveyor system 1. The conveyor system 1 differs from that in figure 1 illustrated embodiment essentially by a fluid recycling unit 70 for receiving through the fluid outlet 17 emerging from the pumping chamber 5 fluid. The fluid recycling unit 70 has a fluid cleaning unit 72 for cleaning the fluid taken from the delivery chamber 5 . A portion of the cleaned fluid is fed back directly into the delivery chamber 5 via a fluid inlet 22 . The other part of the cleaned fluid is fed back indirectly into the conveying chamber 5 by being fed to the fluid circulation system 11 via the fluid supply 29 . In the ideal case, all of the fluid emerging from the conveying chamber 5 is fed back into the conveying chamber 5, so that no further feeding of fluid into the conveying system 1 is required.

modifications of the in figure 2 The exemplary embodiment shown can provide that the fluid recycling unit 70 alternatively or additionally receives fluid escaping from another fluid outlet 19 from the delivery chamber 5 . Furthermore, it can be provided that fluid is alternatively or additionally fed back directly into the delivery chamber 5 through the fluid outlet 17 . Further modifications of the in figure 2 The exemplary embodiment shown can provide for fluid to be fed back into the pumping chamber 5 either only indirectly via the fluid circuit system 11 or only directly. Furthermore, fluid can be supplied to the fluid circuit system 11 at a different point instead of via the fluid supply 29, for example upstream of the heat exchanger 27, in order to cool the fluid. Furthermore, the fluid cleaning unit 72 can be omitted if cleaning of the fluid is not required.

the Figures 3 and 4 show a third exemplary embodiment of a conveyor system 1 for conveying a conveyed item along a conveying path. figure 3 shows a perspective view of the conveyor system 1. figure 4 shows a sectional view of the conveyor system 1.

The conveyor system 1 comprises a system housing 3 which has a conveyor chamber 5, three secondary chambers 6 to 8 and two additional chambers 31,32.

The conveying chamber 5 is ring-shaped with two horizontally running horizontal sections 34, 36 and two vertically running deflection sections 38, 40. A lower horizontal section 34 extends below and spaced from an upper horizontal section 36 . The deflection sections 38, 40 form opposite pumping chamber ends 13, 15 of the pumping chamber 5 and connect the two horizontal sections 34, 36 to each other. The conveying path runs in the upper horizontal section 36 of the conveying chamber 5 between a first conveying chamber end 13 formed by a first deflection section 38 and a second conveying chamber end 15 formed by a second deflecting section 40. In the vicinity of the first conveying chamber end 13, the system housing 3 has a section above the upper horizontal section 36 arranged charging inlet 42 through which the material to be conveyed is introduced into the conveying chamber 5 . In the region of the second end 15 of the conveying chamber, the system housing 3 has a discharge opening 44 which is arranged below the second deflection section 40 and through which the conveyed material is discharged from the conveying chamber 5 .

The secondary chambers 6 to 8 are each also ring-shaped. The conveying chamber 5 runs around a first secondary chamber 6, with an underside of the upper horizontal section 36, an upper side of the lower horizontal section 34 and the two deflection sections 38, 40 of the conveying chamber 5 border on the first secondary chamber 6 . A second secondary chamber 7 and the third secondary chamber 8 are arranged on different sides of the first secondary chamber 6 and each border on an outside of the first secondary chamber 6 along its entire annular course.

The conveying chamber 5 and the first secondary chamber 6 are separated from one another by carrier elements 46 with which the material to be conveyed is transported. The material to be conveyed is transported, for example, directly by the carrier elements 46 or in containers arranged on the carrier elements 46 . The carrier elements 46 are designed, for example, as carrier plates. Tension means 48 are arranged in the first secondary chamber 6 , each of which runs around inside the first secondary chamber 6 along its annular course and is connected to the carrier elements 46 . The traction means 48 are designed, for example, as drive chains. The carrier elements 46 can be moved in the system housing 3 with the traction means 48 along a closed path that includes the conveying path. Each traction device 48 runs below the upper horizontal section 36 and above the lower horizontal section 34 of the delivery chamber 5 in a straight line between two deflection regions 50, 52, which are each located in the region of one end of the delivery chamber 13, 15 and in which the traction device 48 is deflected.

The traction means 48 are each driven via two drive wheels 54 which are each arranged in a deflection area 50, 52 of the traction means 48. The traction means 48 and drive wheels 54 form a traction drive with which the carrier elements 46 are moved. At each deflection area 50, 52 one of the two additional chambers 31, 32 is arranged, in which the drive wheels 54 of this deflection area 50, 52 are arranged. Each additional chamber 31, 32 borders on the first secondary chamber 6 and has connecting openings 56 to the first secondary chamber 6 for each of the drive wheels 54 arranged in it, through which openings the drive wheel 54 protrudes into the first secondary chamber 6.

The second secondary chamber 7 and the third secondary chamber 8 are each connected to the delivery chamber 5 and to the first secondary chamber 6 by a slot-like passage opening 9 that runs around, for example, in the form of a ring. The carrier elements 46 protrude through these passage openings 9 into the second secondary chamber 7 and into the third secondary chamber 8 . Guide wheels 58 are arranged in the second auxiliary chamber 7 and in the third auxiliary chamber 8, with which the carrier elements 46 are guided. At least one secondary chamber 6 to 8 can also be additionally connected to the delivery chamber 5 by at least one further passage opening 10 . For example, further passage openings 10 can be realized between the first secondary chamber 6 and the delivery chamber 5 through gaps between the carrier elements 46 .

Analogous to the in figure 1 illustrated first embodiment, the system housing 3 fluid outlets 17 to 19 and fluid inlets 21, 22. A first fluid outlet 17 coincides with the discharge opening 44, for example. Furthermore, the second secondary chamber 7 and/or the third secondary chamber 8 can have at least one second fluid outlet 18 and/or the delivery chamber 5 can have at least one further fluid outlet 19 . Furthermore, the second secondary chamber 7 and/or the third secondary chamber 8 can have at least one first fluid inlet 21, and/or the delivery chamber 5 and/or the first secondary chamber 6 and/or at least one additional chamber 31, 32 can have at least one further fluid inlet 22. wherein, for example, the charging inlet 42 can be a fluid inlet 22 .

As in the in figure 1 In the first exemplary embodiment shown, the system housing 3 is designed to be fluid-tight except for the fluid outlets 17 to 19 and the fluid inlets 21, 22, resulting in the advantages already described above with regard to a reduced need for fluid and a controlled discharge and disposal of gas and dust from the conveying chamber 5 result.

Furthermore, the delivery chamber 5 and the secondary chambers 6 to 8, as in figure 1 illustrated first embodiment on physically and / or chemically different fluid atmospheres. In particular, the fluid atmospheres in each secondary chamber 6 to 8 connected to the delivery chamber 5 by at least one passage opening 9 , 10 have a higher fluid pressure than the fluid atmosphere in the delivery chamber 5 . This ensures that fluid, dust and gas that has escaped from the conveyed material do not flow directly from the conveying chamber 5 into the secondary chambers 6 to 8 and flow in the conveying chamber 5 to the fluid outlets 17 to 19 in a controlled manner. Furthermore, the components of the conveying mechanism arranged in the secondary chambers 6 to 8 , in particular the traction means 48 and drive wheels 54 , can be cooled by fluid conducted into the secondary chambers 6 to 8 . The opening widths of the passage openings 9, 10 can vary along the courses of the passage openings 9, 10. For example, the slot-like passage openings 9 in the deflection areas 50, 52 of the traction means 48 can be wider than between the deflection areas 50, 52. Areas of the secondary chambers 6 to 8 with narrower passage openings 9, 10 are particularly advantageous for cooling from there in the secondary chambers 6 to 8 arranged components of the conveyor mechanism such as the traction means 48 and drive wheels 54 with fluid, since there are particularly high fluid flows of the fluid in these areas. Furthermore, areas of the secondary chambers 6 to 8 with narrower passage openings 9, 10 are particularly advantageous for introducing fluid into the secondary chambers 6 to 8, because in these areas less fluid flows from the secondary chambers 6 to 8 into the pumping chamber 5 than in areas with further passage openings 9, 10, so that the introduced fluid can be distributed over larger areas of the secondary chambers 6-8.

Analogous to the in figure 1 illustrated first embodiment can also in the Figures 3 and 4 shown embodiment have a fluid circuit system 11 to control and optimize the fluid flow. the Figures 4 to 7 show block diagrams of various embodiments of such fluid circuit systems 11.

That in the Figures 3 and 4 illustrated embodiment of a conveyor system 1 can be modified in various ways. For example, traction means 48 can be arranged below, above and/or to the side of the conveying chamber 5 and/or a different number of traction means 48 can be provided, for example only one traction means 48. Furthermore, separate additional chambers 31, 32 for the drive wheels 54 can be omitted. Furthermore, the conveying path can also run at an angle to the horizontal instead of horizontally or have a course that deviates from a straight course, for example an S- or Z-shaped course, with the system housing 3 being designed to correspond to the course of the conveying path. Furthermore, the fluid outlet 17 can also be operated as a (further) fluid inlet.

figure 5 shows a fluid circuit system 11, in which the secondary chambers 6 to 8 and the additional chambers 31, 32 are integrated. The fluid circuit system 11 conducts fluid through each secondary chamber 6 to 8 and each additional chamber 31, 32, discharges fluid from the secondary chambers 6 to 8 and the additional chambers 31, 32 and directs it via a turbomachine 25 and optionally via a heat exchanger 27 to the secondary chambers 6 to 8 and/or the additional chambers 31, 32 are closed again. Fluid is also conducted from the secondary chambers 6 to 8 through the passage openings 9 , 10 into the delivery chamber 5 . The fluid circuit system 11 has a fluid supply 29 through which fluid can be supplied to the fluid circuit system 11, in particular to replace fluid that is discharged from the secondary chambers 6 to 8 through the passage openings 9, 10 into the delivery chamber 5. The first sub-chamber 6 has a higher fluid pressure than the others Sub-chambers 7, 8, the additional chambers 31, 32 and the pumping chamber 5, so that fluid flows from the first sub-chamber 6 into the other sub-chambers 7, 8, the additional chambers 31, 32 and the pumping chamber 5. Furthermore, the second secondary chamber 7 and the third secondary chamber 8 have a higher fluid pressure than the delivery chamber 5 , so that fluid flows from the second secondary chamber 7 and the third secondary chamber 8 into the delivery chamber 5 .

figure 6 shows a fluid circuit system 11, which differs from that in figure 5 The fluid circuit system 11 shown differs only in that the secondary chambers 6 to 8 and the additional chambers 31, 32 have the same fluid pressure, so that fluid is exchanged between the secondary chambers 6 to 8 and the additional chambers 31, 32. The fluid pressure in the secondary chambers 6 to 8 is in turn higher than in the delivery chamber 5 so that fluid flows from each secondary chamber 6 to 8 into the delivery chamber 5 .

figure 7 shows a fluid circuit system 11, which differs from that in figure 6 shown fluid circuit system 11 differs only by a control system 80 for controlling fluid flows between the secondary chambers 6 to 8 and the pumping chamber 5. The control system 80 includes pressure measuring devices 82 for detecting pressures in the secondary chambers 6 to 8 and the delivery chamber 5 and control units 84 for monitoring differential pressures between these pressures and for controlling the fluid flows between the secondary chambers 6 to 8 and the delivery chamber 5 as a function of the differential pressures . The fluid flows are regulated by activating control valves 86 of the fluid circuit system 11.

figure 8 shows a fluid circuit system 11, which differs from that in figure 7 shown fluid circuit system 11 differs only in that through fluid outlets 17, 19 emerging from the pumping chamber 5 fluid collected by a fluid recycling unit 70 and partially is fed back to the fluid circuit system 11 . Optionally, the fluid recycling unit 70 can have a fluid cleaning unit 72 , which cleans fluid that has escaped from the conveying chamber 5 , for example to remove gas and/or dust that has escaped from the conveyed goods, before it is fed to the fluid circulation system 11 .

figure 9 shows a sectional view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a conveyor system 1. This exemplary embodiment differs from that in FIGS Figures 3 and 4 shown embodiment essentially only in that the first secondary chamber 6 is omitted and the pumping chamber 5 extends into an area in which in the Figures 3 and 4 shown embodiment is occupied by the first secondary chamber 6. The traction means 48 in which in the Figures 3 and 4 shown embodiment are arranged in the first secondary chamber 6, are in the in figure 9 shown embodiment in the secondary chambers 7, 8, wherein in each of these secondary chambers 7, 8, a traction means 48 is arranged.

Analogous to that in the Figures 3 and 4 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the secondary chambers 7, 8 are each connected to the delivery chamber 5 by a slot-like passage opening 9 that runs around in the shape of a ring. The support elements 46 protrude through these passage openings 9 into the secondary chambers 7 , 8 . In the secondary chambers 7, 8, in turn, guide wheels 58 are arranged, with which the carrier elements 46 are guided.

Each traction means 48 is analogous to that in the Figures 3 and 4 shown embodiment driven via two drive wheels 54, which are each arranged in a deflection area 50, 52 of the traction means 48 and are in contact with the traction means 48. An additional chamber 31, 32 is in turn arranged on each deflection area 50, 52, in which the drive wheels 54 of this deflection area 50, 52 are arranged are. Each additional chamber 31, 32 borders on both secondary chambers 7, 8 and has connecting openings 57 for each of the drive wheels 54 arranged in it, through which the drive wheel 54 protrudes into the secondary chamber 7, 8 in which the traction means 48 connected to the drive wheel 54 is arranged is.

In contrast to that in the Figures 3 and 4 shown embodiment, the carrier elements 46 do not delimit the delivery chamber 5, but are spaced from a delivery chamber wall 60 of the delivery chamber 5. The pumping chamber wall 60 can have a thermal insulation layer 62 .

By shifting the traction means 48 in the secondary chambers 7, 8, the construction of the system housing 3 is simplified compared to that in the Figures 3 and 4 shown embodiment by the omission of the first secondary chamber 6, which forms a separate traction means chamber for the traction means 48 in that embodiment. In addition, the cooling of the traction means 48 is simplified when transporting hot conveyed goods. On the one hand, there is no cooling of the first secondary chamber 6. On the other hand, the traction means 48 are heated to a lesser extent when hot conveyed goods are being transported and therefore also need to be cooled to a lesser extent, since the traction means 48 are no longer arranged in a central area of the carrier elements 46, the is particularly strongly heated by the conveyed material, but at the cooler edge regions of the carrier elements 46 at a significantly greater distance from the conveyed material.

Due to the spacing of the carrier elements 46 from the pumping chamber wall 60, a largely homogeneous fluid atmosphere is also formed above and below the carrier elements 46, which advantageously reduces temperature differences and turbulent flows within the pumping chamber 5 in particular. The spacing of the support elements 46 from the pumping chamber wall 60 and thermal insulation of the pumping chamber wall 60 by the Thermal insulation layer 62 also advantageously reduce the heat losses from the conveying chamber 5, so that when hot conveyed goods are being transported, the temperature of the conveyed goods can be better kept at an approximately constant level along the conveying path.

This in figure 9 The exemplary embodiment of a conveyor system 1 shown can, for example, be modified in such a way that the additional chambers 31, 32 are omitted. For example, the secondary chambers 7, 8 can be enlarged so that each drive wheel 54 is arranged in a secondary chamber 7, 8.

Furthermore, the system housing 3 can be designed for discharging conveyed material that falls down from carrier elements 46 during conveying along the conveying path, so that the conveying chamber 5 is not gradually blocked by conveyed material falling from carrier elements 46 . For this purpose, the bottom of the upper area of the pumping chamber 5 is, for example, as in figure 9 trough-like and inclined relative to the horizontal, so that conveyed material falling from carrier elements 46 can slide to a disposal opening in the conveying chamber wall 60, for example in the bottom of the upper region of the conveying chamber 5, and can be removed from the conveying chamber 5 through the disposal opening. Alternatively, the bottom of the upper region of the conveying chamber 5 can also have a continuous disposal opening, under which, for example, fluid-tight chutes are arranged, via which conveyed material falling from carrier elements 46 is disposed of. Also the ones in the Figures 1 to 4 The shown system housing 3 of conveyor systems 1 can be designed in a similar way for discharging conveyed material that falls down from carrier elements 46 during conveying along the conveying path.

Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples limited and other variations can be derived from this by a person skilled in the art without leaving the scope of the invention as defined in claims 1 to 13, 2-.

Reference List

1

conveyor system

3

system housing

5

conveyor chamber

6 to 8

side chamber

9, 10

passage opening

11

fluid circulation system

13, 15

pumping chamber end

17 to 19

fluid outlet

21, 22

fluid inlet

25

flow machine

27

heat exchanger

29

fluid delivery

31, 32

additional chamber

34, 36

horizontal section

38, 40

vertical section

42

charging inlet

44

discharge opening

46

carrier element

48

traction means

50, 52

deflection area

54

drive wheel

56, 57

connection opening

58

guide wheel

60

pumping chamber wall

62

thermal insulation layer

70

fluid recycling unit

72

fluid purification unit

80

control system

82

pressure gauge

84

control unit

86

control valve

Claims (13)

1. Conveying installation (1) for conveying a material for conveying along a conveying path, the conveying installation (1) comprising an installation housing (3) with a conveying chamber (5), in which the conveying path is arranged, and with at least one secondary chamber (6 to 8), which is connected by means of at least one passage opening (9, 10) to the conveying chamber (5) and which has a fluid atmosphere which differs physically and/or chemically from a fluid atmosphere in the conveying chamber (5), wherein the at least one passage opening (9, 10) and the fluid atmospheres in the conveying chamber (5) and in the at least one secondary chamber (6 to 8) are configured for setting a defined fluid flow in the installation housing (3),
   characterized in that at least one component (48, 54) of a conveying mechanism for conveying the material for conveying is arranged in at least one secondary chamber (6 to 8), wherein the conveying mechanism has a traction mechanism drive with at least one traction mechanism (48) which is arranged in a secondary chamber (6 to 8) and by means of which carrier elements (46) for conveying the material for conveying are movable.
2. Conveying installation (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the installation housing (3) has at least one fluid inlet (21, 22) and at least one fluid outlet (17 to 19) and is of fluid-tight design aside from the at least one fluid inlet (21, 22) and the at least one fluid outlet (17 to 19).
3. Conveying installation (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the carrier elements (46) separate the conveying chamber (5) from a secondary chamber (6) in which at least one traction mechanism (48) is arranged.
4. Conveying installation (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the carrier elements (46) are arranged in the conveying chamber (5) and project through a passage opening (9) into at least one secondary chamber (7, 8).
5. Conveying installation (1) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the carrier elements (46) project into at least one secondary chamber (7, 8) which is arranged laterally at the conveying chamber and in which at least one traction mechanism (48) is arranged.
6. Conveying installation (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a fluid circuit system (11) which comprises at least one secondary chamber (6 to 8) and which is configured for conducting a fluid through at least one passage opening (9, 10) from the secondary chamber (6 to 8) into the conveying chamber (5).
7. Conveying installation (1) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the fluid circuit system (11) has at least one heat exchanger (27) for cooling a fluid fed to a secondary chamber (6 to 8).
8. Conveying installation (1) according to any of the preceding claims,
   characterized by a fluid recycling unit (70) for receiving fluid from the conveying chamber (5) and feeding fluid back into the conveying chamber (5).
9. Conveying installation (1) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the fluid recycling unit (70) has a fluid cleaning unit (72) for cleaning the fluid received from the conveying chamber (5).
10. Conveying installation (1) according to any of the preceding claims,
    characterized by a closed-loop control system (80) for the closed-loop control of a fluid flow from at least one secondary chamber (6 to 8) into the conveying chamber (5) in a manner dependent on a pressure difference between a pressure in the secondary chamber (6 to 8) and a pressure in the conveying chamber (5).
11. Method for operating a conveying installation (1) configured according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a higher fluid pressure is set in each secondary chamber (6 to 8) than in the conveying chamber (5).
12. Method according to Claim 11,
    characterized in that fluid from the conveying chamber (5) is, by means of a fluid recycling unit (70), fed back into the conveying chamber (5) directly and/or via at least one secondary chamber (6 to 8).
13. Method according to Claim 12,
    characterized in that fluid is cleaned in the fluid recycling unit (70) before being fed back into the conveying chamber.

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