GB1574376A

GB1574376A - Belt conveyor installations

Info

Publication number: GB1574376A
Application number: GB2916577A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Voestalpine AG
Current assignee: Voestalpine AG
Priority date: 1976-07-13
Filing date: 1977-07-12
Publication date: 1980-09-03
Also published as: ATA515176A; PL199563A1; DD130568A5; AT344083B; CS192585B2; DE2731547A1; PL112970B1; YU173377A

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO BELT CONVEYOR INSTALLATIONS (71) We, VEREINIGTE OSTER REICHISCHE EISEN- UND STAHLWERKE-ALPINE MONTAN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT of A 1011 Vienna, Friedrichstrasse 4, Austria, an Austrian company, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The inventionrelates to a drive station for belt conveyor installations, particularly such installations intended to be used underground, said station comprising a drive unit for a driving drum and a frame which has two side members which support each a bearing which mounts the driving drum, a platform being provided which receives the drive unit.In the known drive stations of this kind the support frame for the driving drum is elaborate, heavy and unwieldy. Particularly where such drive stations are used in the pit, their transport presents considerable difficulties. Variously in the known drive stations a separate foundation associated with the frame has to be provided for the drive unit consisting of a gearbox, coupling and motor, which also presents difficulties, particularly in a pit since the space available is very limited. For the same reason also so-called attachable gearboxes do not find favour, because the space necessary for withdrawing the gearbox from the drum shaft for the purpose of exchanging the gears is usually not available.In the known arrangements of the aforesaid kind the side members are nondetachably joined to the base frame and t'ne platform for the drive unit is joined to the base frame. In this way the frame for the drive station has a relatively large volume which has to be transported and the transport of such a drive station to the site in the pit presents appreciable difficulties.

The object of the invention is to reduce or eliminate these disadvantages and basically consists in that the side members are detachably interconnected by a single rigid beam and that the platform is arranged externally of the space between the side members on one of said side members in such a way as to be detachable and pivotable into a desired operational position about an axis which is parallel to the axis of the driving drum. In this way simple transportation of the entire drive station in separate parts and simple assembly of the frame at site is made possible. Moreover the work involved in providing a bed for the foundation of the drive unit is eliminated, since the side member itself carries the drive unit.The pivotable bearing arrangement of the platform for the drive unit makes it possible to arrange the drive unit approximately horizontally, even where the drive station is on a slope.

This is of importance where the gear box of the drive unit can accommodate only relatively small longitudinal inclinations.

The gearbox shaft and the drum shaft are desirably connected by a resilient, readily detachable bolted coupling.

Preferably at least one said side member has a lug configuration and said beam has a terminal configuration the arrangement being such that said lug configuration and said terminal configuration are clampingly interengaged. In this way it is possible to join the two side members to form a rigid frame.

Advantageously the arrangement is such that said beam has a terminal first claw configuration clampingly embracing said lug configuration, the latter having a second claw configuration displaced by 90" with respect to said first claw configuration, said second claw configuration clampingly embracing said terminal configuration.

Preferably said lug configuration and said terminal configuration protrude laterally of the drive station beyond the cross-section of said beam and wherein apertures are provided in portions of said configurations which so protrude, said apertures receiving securing bolts.

Advantageously like said lug configurations are provided on a common line on both sides of each of said side members, said first and said second side member each having a connection location for connecting a pivot shaft on said pivot axis for said platform.

Said lug configuration or configurations for securing said beam may be arranged at an end of said side member or members remote from the bearings for the driving drum, in the region of the lower margin or margins of said side member or members.

Said pivot axis may be located beneath the bearings for the driving drum and in a position displaced from said bearings towards said beam.

In one preferred embodiment the drive station includes a support member for supporting said platform, an end of said support member being provided with a terminal member which is of like construction to a terminal member of said beam having a said terminal configuration.

This support member can thus be secured to the side member in a simple manner and defines a second support location for the platform owing to its being spaced horizontally from the pivot axis of the platform. Owing to the fact that like lugs are provided on both sides of each side member and also that the connecting locations for the pivot axis are located in both side members, it is possible to provide a mirrorimage configuration of the latter and at any time to assemble the drive frame righthanded or left-handed.

Preferably a free end of said support member is provided with an apertured plate which has a plurality of bores arranged on an arc of a circle about said pivot axis, a similar apertured plate with bores matching said firstmentioned bores being provided and secured to a side of said first side member external with respect to a said second side member, and said platform having a tube arranged coincident with said apertures in different pivotal positions of said platform about said pivot axis, said platform being securable in a desired said pivotal position by means of at least one pin.

Thus the construction of the drive station embodying the invention facilitates transport in separate parts, assembly of these separate parts at site and, if desired, horizontal orientation of the drive unit irrespective of the gradient at which the drive station is to be erected, as well as adaptation to the space available, and consequently such a drive station is suitable for universal application.

In the drawing an exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown diagrammatically.

Figure 1 shows a side view of the drive station, Figure 2 shows a plan of the frame with the pivotable platform, Figure 3 shows a vertical section through the frame on the line III--III in Figure 1, Figure 4 shows a vertical section through the frame on the line IV-IV in Figure 1, Figure 5 shows a detail of the connection of the beam to the lateral jaws, Figures 6 and 7 show examples of the manner in which the drive station may be employed.

The frame of the drive station has two side members 1 and 2, which are interconnected by means of a beam 3 which is of a rigidity adapted to resist bending and torsion. The rigid beam 3 has terminal members 4 which are detachably connected to lugs 5. These lugs 5 consist of blocks which are welded into the side members 1 and 2 which are separately shown in plan view in Figure 5. The lugs 5 have claws 6, which embrace the terminal members 4.

The terminal members 4 have claws 7, which are displaced by 90" with respect to the claws 6 and which embrace the lugs 5.

The block 5' shown in Figure 5 forms two such lugs 5, which are arranged on either side of each side member.

The terminal members 4 and the lugs 5 protrude beyond the cross-section of the beam 3 and the protruding portions are bolted together by four bolts 8 in a manner adapted to resist tension and bending. By means of the claws 6 and 7 a torsionresistant connection of the two side members 1 and 2 is produced. The side members 1 and 2 themselves are of a welded sheet metal construction.

9 are bearings for the driving drum 10 of the conveyor belt, which are bolted to the side members 1 and 2. The beam 3 consists of two U-sections which are welded together, and is connected to the side members at their lower margin.

Beneath the bearings 9, displaced somewhat in the direction towards the beam a connection location 36 formed, for example, by a length of tube, is inserted into the side member 1, into which a pivot shaft 11 is inserted. A platform 12 is pivotably supported by this pivot shaft 11. A tube 37, through which the pivot shaft 11 protrudes, is welded to this platform 12. Thus, upon pivoting of the platform 12, the pivot shaft 11 is able to rotate in the connection location 36 or in the tube 37. The other side member 2 also has such a connection location 36, so that the pivot shaft may selectively be arranged either at the side member 1 or at the side member 2. The drive motor (not shown) and the gear box (also not shown) for driving the driving drum 10 are mounted on the platform 12.A beam 13 is joined to the lug 5 outside the side of this platform 12 in the same manner as the beam 3 via a terminal member 4 of like construction. To the exterior side of the side member 1 an apertured plate 16 is secured, which has apertures 15, which are arranged on an arc of a circle about the pivot shaft 11. To the exterior end of the beam 13 there is also secured an apertured plate 14, which has apertures which are aligned with the apertures 15. A tube 21 is welded into the platform 12. A pin 18 is now inserted, depending on the desired pivotal orientation of the platform 12, through this tube and a pair of the apertures provided in the apertured plates 16 and 14, whereby the platform 12 is maintained in the desired pivotal position.Thus, when the frame formed by the side members 1 and 2 and the beam 3 is located on a slope, the platform 12 can be pivoted into such a position that it is horizontal. Since the pivot shaft 11 does not coincide with the axis of the drive shaft of the driving drum 10, the position of the drive shaft of the gear box which is mounted on the platform 12 changes relative to the position of the drive shaft of the driving drum 10 when the platform 12 is pivoted.

For this reason series of apertures 19 for mounting the motor and series of apertures 20 for mounting the gear box are provided on the upper side of the platform 12, so that the drive shaft of the gear box can be brought into line with the drive shaft of the driving drum 10 by displacing the gear box on the platform 12 and by means of shims of different thickness.

Owing to the fact that a lug 5 for connecting the beam 13 and a connection 36 for the pivot shaft 11 are also provided on the outside of the side member 2, such a platform 12 may be mounted selectively on the right hand or on the left hand side of the frame which is formed by the side members I and 2 and the beam 3, depending on the configuration of the space available in the pit.

Sheet metal guards 22 and 23, which augment the side members 1 and 2 and which laterally cover the driving drum 10, are secured to the upper side of the side members 1 and 2. At the location of the bearings 9 these lateral shutters 22 and 23 have cut-outs 24. Both side members are interconnected and mutually reinforced by a transverse member 25. The belt structure beams 26, which support the roller supports with the support rollers 27 for the conveyor belt 28 can be joined to this transverse member 25. The sheet metal guards 22 and 23 are bolted to the side members 1 and 2, in order to facilitate transport when in the dismantled condition.

Bearings 29 for a counter roller 30 which co-operates with the idling portion of the conveyor belt 28 are secured to the side members 1 and 2. 31 are openings in the lateral jaws for mounting a belt cleaning device. The sheet metal end members 34 and 35 of the side members 1 and 2 have matching bores, which make it possible to join together the side members I and 2 of a plurality of drive stations to define a multiple-drive station, by means of bolts.

Figure 6 shows the arrangement of the frame of the drive station 32 of a belt corveyor installation. The frame is in an inclined position determined by the gradient of the span. The platform 12 is therefore pivoted about the pivot shaft 11 in such a way that it is approximately horizontal. The direction of movement of the conveyor is shown by an arrow 33.

The arrangement according to Figure 7 shows a twin drive with a throw-off jib, as is the practice in mining applications, where the material being conveyed is to be transferred from one belt to a succeeding one.

Two drive stations 32a and 32b coupled end to end are provided, which are embraced by the conveyor belt 28. The throw-off drum 38 is merely a non-driven deflecting drum. Here also the drive stations 32a and 32b are erected on a slope and the platforms 12 are pivoted about the pivot shaft 11 in such a way that they are again approximately horizontal. In this arrangement the drive stations are joined together by means of bolts connecting the contiguous sheet metal end members.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A drive station for a belt conveyor installation, said station comprising a drive unit for a driving drum and a frame having a first and a second side member, said side members each supporting a bearing which mounts said driving drum and a platform which receives said drive unit, wherein the side members are detachably interconnected by a single rigid beam and wherein said platform is arranged externally of the space between said side members on one of said side members in such a way as to be detachable and pivotable into a desired operational position about an axis which is parallel to the axis of the driving drum.

2. A drive station according to Claim 1, wherein at least one said side member has a lug configuration and said beam has a terminal configuration, the arrangement being such that said lug configuration and said terminal configuration are clampingly interengaged.

3. A drive station according to Claim 2, wherein said beam has a terminal first claw configuration clampingly embracing said lug configuration, the latter having a second claw configuration displaced by 90" with

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. beam 13 is joined to the lug 5 outside the side of this platform 12 in the same manner as the beam 3 via a terminal member 4 of like construction. To the exterior side of the side member 1 an apertured plate 16 is secured, which has apertures 15, which are arranged on an arc of a circle about the pivot shaft 11. To the exterior end of the beam 13 there is also secured an apertured plate 14, which has apertures which are aligned with the apertures 15. A tube 21 is welded into the platform 12. A pin 18 is now inserted, depending on the desired pivotal orientation of the platform 12, through this tube and a pair of the apertures provided in the apertured plates 16 and 14, whereby the platform 12 is maintained in the desired pivotal position.Thus, when the frame formed by the side members 1 and 2 and the beam 3 is located on a slope, the platform 12 can be pivoted into such a position that it is horizontal. Since the pivot shaft 11 does not coincide with the axis of the drive shaft of the driving drum 10, the position of the drive shaft of the gear box which is mounted on the platform 12 changes relative to the position of the drive shaft of the driving drum 10 when the platform 12 is pivoted. For this reason series of apertures 19 for mounting the motor and series of apertures 20 for mounting the gear box are provided on the upper side of the platform 12, so that the drive shaft of the gear box can be brought into line with the drive shaft of the driving drum 10 by displacing the gear box on the platform 12 and by means of shims of different thickness. Owing to the fact that a lug 5 for connecting the beam 13 and a connection 36 for the pivot shaft 11 are also provided on the outside of the side member 2, such a platform 12 may be mounted selectively on the right hand or on the left hand side of the frame which is formed by the side members I and 2 and the beam 3, depending on the configuration of the space available in the pit. Sheet metal guards 22 and 23, which augment the side members 1 and 2 and which laterally cover the driving drum 10, are secured to the upper side of the side members 1 and 2. At the location of the bearings 9 these lateral shutters 22 and 23 have cut-outs 24. Both side members are interconnected and mutually reinforced by a transverse member 25. The belt structure beams 26, which support the roller supports with the support rollers 27 for the conveyor belt 28 can be joined to this transverse member 25. The sheet metal guards 22 and 23 are bolted to the side members 1 and 2, in order to facilitate transport when in the dismantled condition. Bearings 29 for a counter roller 30 which co-operates with the idling portion of the conveyor belt 28 are secured to the side members 1 and 2. 31 are openings in the lateral jaws for mounting a belt cleaning device. The sheet metal end members 34 and 35 of the side members 1 and 2 have matching bores, which make it possible to join together the side members I and 2 of a plurality of drive stations to define a multiple-drive station, by means of bolts. Figure 6 shows the arrangement of the frame of the drive station 32 of a belt corveyor installation. The frame is in an inclined position determined by the gradient of the span. The platform 12 is therefore pivoted about the pivot shaft 11 in such a way that it is approximately horizontal. The direction of movement of the conveyor is shown by an arrow 33. The arrangement according to Figure 7 shows a twin drive with a throw-off jib, as is the practice in mining applications, where the material being conveyed is to be transferred from one belt to a succeeding one. Two drive stations 32a and 32b coupled end to end are provided, which are embraced by the conveyor belt 28. The throw-off drum 38 is merely a non-driven deflecting drum. Here also the drive stations 32a and 32b are erected on a slope and the platforms 12 are pivoted about the pivot shaft 11 in such a way that they are again approximately horizontal. In this arrangement the drive stations are joined together by means of bolts connecting the contiguous sheet metal end members. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A drive station for a belt conveyor installation, said station comprising a drive unit for a driving drum and a frame having a first and a second side member, said side members each supporting a bearing which mounts said driving drum and a platform which receives said drive unit, wherein the side members are detachably interconnected by a single rigid beam and wherein said platform is arranged externally of the space between said side members on one of said side members in such a way as to be detachable and pivotable into a desired operational position about an axis which is parallel to the axis of the driving drum.

respect to said first claw configuration, said second claw configuration clampingly embracing said terminal configuration.

4. A drive station according to Claim 3, wherein said lug configuration and said terminal configuration protrude laterally of the drive station beyond the cross-section of said beam and wherein apertures are provided in portions of said configurations which so protrude, said apertures receiving securing bolts.

5. A drive station according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein like said lug configurations are provided on a common line on both sides of each of said side members, said first and said second side member each having. a connection location for connecting a pivot shaft on said pivot axis for said platform.

6. A drive station according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, wherein said lug configuration or configurations for securing said beam is/are arranged at an end of said side member or members remote from the bearings for the driving drum, in the region of the lower margin or margins of said side member or members.

7. A drive station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said pivot axis is located beneath the bearings for the driving drum and in a position displaced from said bearings towards said beam.

8. A drive station according to any one of Claims 2 to 6, or Claim 7 when appendant to any one of Claims 2 to 6, including a support member for supporting said platform, an end of said support member being provided with a terminal member which is of like construction to a terminal member of said beam having a said terminal configuration.

9. A drive station according to Claim 8, wherein a free end of said support member is provided with an apertured plate which has a plurality of bores arranged on an arc of a circle about said pivot axis, a similar apertured plate with bores matching said first-mentioned bores being provided and secured to a side of a said first side member external with respect to a said second side member, and said platform having a tube arranged coincident with said apertures in different pivotal positions of said platform about said pivot axis, said platform being securable in a desired said pivotal position by means of at least one pin.

10. A drive station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each said side member has a bearing for a counterroller co-operating with the idling portion of a conveyor belt.

11. A drive station according to any one of the preceding claims, arranged for adjustably mounting a drive unit comprising a driving motor and gearbox on said pivotable platform in a variety of positions.

12. A drive station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a sheet metal guard is detachably secured to the upper side of a said side member.

13. A drive station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said side members are provided with sheet metal end members having matching bores, the arrangement being such that a first and a second said frame can be bolted together to define a twin said drive station.

14. A drive station for a belt conveyor installation, said drive station being constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 1 to 6 or Figures 1 to 5 and 7 of the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

15. A belt conveyor installation comprising a drive station according to any one of the preceding claims.