GB2087834A

GB2087834A - Mineral handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2087834A
Application number: GB8036585A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: MMD Design and Consultancy Ltd
Current assignee: MMD Design and Consultancy Ltd
Priority date: 1980-11-14
Filing date: 1980-11-14
Publication date: 1982-06-03

Abstract

Apparatus for receiving and discharging particulate material delivered thereto by delivery means which is movable relative to the apparatus, the apparatus including a bunker adapted to movably receive said delivery means so that during said relative movement particulate material is delivered into the bunker, a conveyor assembly for conveying particulate material out of the bunker to a discharge location, the conveyor assembly including a lower portion and an upper portion connected by an inclined portion, the lower portion of the conveyor extending along the lower region of the bunker to define the bottom of the bunker and the inclined portion extending upwardly from the bottom of the bunker to define an exit region from the bunker, the apparatus being arranged so that material deposited into the bunker is moved to said exit region whereat a build up of material is created when the rate of exit of material from the bunker is less than the rate of deposit of material into the bunker.

Description

SPECIFICATION Mineral handling apparatus The present invention relates to apparatus particularly suitable for use in a coal mine for transportation of material from an advanced heading in the mine and which may be used for stowing material sayfor use in packing along the coal face.

It is a general aim of the present invention to provide apparatus for transportation and stowing which enables the tunnel cutting machine for the heading to more independently of the face cutting assembly so that advancement of either the heading or face may be carried out without affecting advancement of one another. Accordingly in the event of a break down on say the heading tunnelling equipment the coal face may still be advanced whilst repairs are carried out on the tunnelling equipment.

It is also a general aim of the invention to provide an apparatus which enables the material being removed from the heading to be used for packing along the coal face.

Various aspects of the present invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view showing the present apparatus in situ; Figure2 is a side view of an embodiment according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in Figure 2; Figure4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 2; Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along iine V-V in Figure 2; Figure 6 is a plan view of conveyor section marked A in Figure 2; Figure 7 is a plan view of chute B marked in Figure 2; Figure 8 is a side view of the chute shown in Figure 7.

The apparatus 10 according to the present invention is schematically shown in situ in Figure 1 wherein it is located in the advanced heading 12 for collecting material cut by a tunnelling machine 14.

The apparatus 10 extends rearwardly from machine 14 to pass the face 15 being worked.

The apparatus 10 according to the present invention includes a conveyor assembly 16 which comprises a conveyor including a pair of spaced chains 17 having connecting flights 19.

The conveyor assembly 16 at one end runs through a bunker 21 and has an elevated portion 22 having a discharge end 23 having a chute 24 which delivers material conveyed by conveyor assembly 16 onto a stage loading conveyor 25 which then transports material away from the coal face.

The conveyor assembly 16 is assembled from individual sections 1 6a, one of which is shown in section in Figure 5. Eachsection 16a includes two side walls 26, 17 each of which are formed by a rolling operation to have upper and lower outwardly directed flanges 30, 31 respectively. Bolted to the lower flanges 31 is a bottom plate 32 which serves as a support surface over which the lower return run 16b of the conveyor slides. Spaced above the bottom plate 32 a further plate 34 is provided which extends between the side wall 26,27 and which is welded in position. The plate 34 serves as a support surface over which the upper run 16b of the conveyor runs.

A pair of inwardly directed flanges 35,36 are welded to the side wall to provide a guide for the upper run 16c of the conveyor. Tie bars 18dare provided spaced along each section but these may be omitted if desired.

Each side wall 26,27 is provided with end plates 36,37 which are secured thereto by welding. Reinforcing ribs 38 are provided between each end plate 36,37 and respective side wall. The end plates 36,37 are provided with bolt holes so that similar sections 16b may be secured to one another in end to end fashion by bolts. A connecting plate 38 is provided to underlap adjacent bottom plates 32 so as to form a connection therebetween.

The length of conveyor assembly 16 may therefore be extended to any desired length by incorporation of the desired number of conveyor sections 16c.

The conveyor assembly 16 includes a concave section 16which provides an upward incline in the assembly 16 and a convex section 16g which levels off the inclined portion of the assembly 16.

The conveyor assembly 16 is supported on a ground engaging frame 40 by means of cross supports 40a and vertical supports 40b. The ground engaging frame 40 thus ensures that the entire apparatus 10 is unitary and is therefore movable as a whole. The frame 40 is rigidly connected to the stage loading conveyor so that advancement of the stage loading conveyor also results in advancement of apparatus 10.

The apparatus 10 includes a stowing assembly 50 which includes a blower 51 which supplies via ducting 52 air under pressure to a collection duct 53.

The collection duct 53 is arranged below the raised portion of conveyor assembly 16 at a height and longitudinal position which enable it to supply in a direct line packing material to a packing area adjacent the coal face 15. The collection duct 53 is secured to the conveyor assembly 16 via an enclosed chute 56 which at its lower end is bolted to the collecotion duct 53 and at its upper end is bolted to the bottom plate of conveyor section 16h.

In use packing material is dropped from conveyor section 16h, as will be hereinafter described, into chute 56 and the packing material is then fed thereby into the collection duct 53. As seen in Figure 8 the chute 56 has an inclined wail 58 which serves to deflecct material dropping through the chute into the general direction of the airflowthrough the collection duct 53 as indicated by arrow AF. Thus material falling through duct 53 is given an impetus in the direction of arrow AF so as to facilitate its movement from the collection duct 53 to be expelled into the packing area.

Due to the close proximity of the blower to the collection duct and also due to the linear nature of the ducting therebetween there is a relatively low pressure drop between the blower and collection duct. Additionally the inclined nature of duct 56 enables large pieces of material to be conducted away from the collection duct.

Material is fed to duct 56 via the lower run of the conveyor running along conveyor section 16h. In order to supply material to the lower run of conveyor section 16h, the plate 34 is provided with a pair of apertures 60,61 as seen in Figure 6. This material being conveyed by the upper run of the conveyor will fall through apertures 60,61 into the lower run and will be conducted thereby to an aperture formed in the bottom plate 32 which communicates with the inlet apertures 56a of chute 56. As seen in Figures 7 and 8, the side walls of chute 56 are inclined outwardly from the inlet 56a so that any material capable of passing through inlet 56a is incapable of blocking the chute 56.

Material which is too large is conducted by the lower run of the conveyor back to the bunker. The material conveyed to inlet 56a together with the flights of the conveyor serve as a seal to restrict escape of pressurised air from chute 56.

Apertures 60,61 are selectively opened or closed by a pair of plates 65 which are slidingiy received in the side walls of conveyor section 16h. The plates 65 project at either end through apertures in the side walls to be joined together by a bracket 66. Each bracket 66 is powered by an hydraulic ram 67 to affect slidable movement thereof for opening or closing the apertures 60,61. When the apertures 60, 61 are closed all material is conveyed to be discharged on to the stage loading conveyor.

Conveyor section 16i is formed in two separate halves which are bolted together by bolts 70.

Accordingly the length of section 16i may be varied by adjustment of bolts 70 to enable tensioning of chains 17.

The bunker 21 has a bottom portion 21a formed by conveyor sections 16a and has outwardly inclined walls 80 bolted thereto. The angle of the incline of walls 80 is chosen so that material deposited into the bunker 21 is encouraged to bridge across the upper run of the conveyor thereby reducing drag on the conveyor. A pair of ribs 84 are provided on the upper edges of the inclined walls for a boggie 85 which supports the delivery chute of the tunnel cutting machine 14. Accordingly when the tunnel cutting machine 14 moves relative to the bunker the boggie runs along the rails 84.

Storage of material delivered to the bunker 21 is achieved primarily by having the inclined portion 22a at a sufficiently steep angle, preferably 20 or more, to cause materal to fall back on itself, commonly referred to as 'boiling', to thereby create a damming effect. Accordingly providing the rate of delivery of material ta the bunker is greaterthan that of delivery from the bunker a build up of material in the bunker wili occur. The damming affect will cause a build up of material to progress from the inclined portion 22a of the conveyor assembly 16 so that the point of delivery of material into the bunker is not important.

The control of the damming affect and rate of flow of material from the bunker may be enhanced by the provision of a flap 88 having a preselected bias created by weights (not shown).

Where space of the working environment permits, the height of the bunker 21 may be increase by side walls 89.

It is envisaged that the collection duct 53 may be provided with a hinged door (not shown) which permits access to the interior thereof for the purposes of removing blockages.

CLAIMS (Filed on 4 Nov 1981) 1. Apparatus for receiving and discharging particulate material delivered thereto by delivery means which is movable relative to the apparatus, the apparatus including a bunker adapted to movably receive said delivery means so that during said relative movement particulate material is delivered into the bunker, a conveyer assembly for conveying particulate material out of the bunker to a discharge location, the conveyor assembly including a lower portion and an upper portion connected by an inclined portion, the lower portion of the conveyor extending along the lower region of the bunker to define the bottom of the bunker and the inclined portion extending upwardly from the bottom of the bunkerto define an exit region from the bunker, the apparatus being arranged so that material deposited into the bunker is moved to said exit region whereat a build up of material is created when the rate of exit of material from the bunker is less than the rate of deposit of material into the bunker.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein the conveyor assembly includes conveyor means in the form of laterally spaced flights flexibly joined to one another, the angle of incline of the inclined portion of the conveyor assembly being such as to cause the upper run of the conveyor means to create a damning effect at said exit region.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the bunker is elongate and includes side walls arranged to direct material delivered into the bunker onto the lower portion of the conveyor assembly.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3 wherein said side walls are inclined to one another to converge toward the conveyor assembly, the degree of convergence being chosen so as to encourage the particulate material to bridge across the conveyor assembly.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim wherein control means are provided at the exit i region for assisting in the control of the built up of material in that region.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein the control means includes a flap hingedly connected to the bunker.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim wherein stowage means are provided and the upper portion of the conveyor assembly is arranged to supply particulate material to the stowage means.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7 wherein the upper portion of the conveyor assembly is arranged to selectively supply particulate material to said stowage means at a location upstream of said discharge location.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 7 or 8 wherein the stowage means includes a linear collection duct

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. enables large pieces of material to be conducted away from the collection duct. Material is fed to duct 56 via the lower run of the conveyor running along conveyor section 16h. In order to supply material to the lower run of conveyor section 16h, the plate 34 is provided with a pair of apertures 60,61 as seen in Figure 6. This material being conveyed by the upper run of the conveyor will fall through apertures 60,61 into the lower run and will be conducted thereby to an aperture formed in the bottom plate 32 which communicates with the inlet apertures 56a of chute 56. As seen in Figures 7 and 8, the side walls of chute 56 are inclined outwardly from the inlet 56a so that any material capable of passing through inlet 56a is incapable of blocking the chute 56. Material which is too large is conducted by the lower run of the conveyor back to the bunker. The material conveyed to inlet 56a together with the flights of the conveyor serve as a seal to restrict escape of pressurised air from chute 56. Apertures 60,61 are selectively opened or closed by a pair of plates 65 which are slidingiy received in the side walls of conveyor section 16h. The plates 65 project at either end through apertures in the side walls to be joined together by a bracket 66. Each bracket 66 is powered by an hydraulic ram 67 to affect slidable movement thereof for opening or closing the apertures 60,61. When the apertures 60, 61 are closed all material is conveyed to be discharged on to the stage loading conveyor. Conveyor section 16i is formed in two separate halves which are bolted together by bolts 70. Accordingly the length of section 16i may be varied by adjustment of bolts 70 to enable tensioning of chains 17. The bunker 21 has a bottom portion 21a formed by conveyor sections 16a and has outwardly inclined walls 80 bolted thereto. The angle of the incline of walls 80 is chosen so that material deposited into the bunker 21 is encouraged to bridge across the upper run of the conveyor thereby reducing drag on the conveyor. A pair of ribs 84 are provided on the upper edges of the inclined walls for a boggie 85 which supports the delivery chute of the tunnel cutting machine 14. Accordingly when the tunnel cutting machine 14 moves relative to the bunker the boggie runs along the rails 84. Storage of material delivered to the bunker 21 is achieved primarily by having the inclined portion 22a at a sufficiently steep angle, preferably 20 or more, to cause materal to fall back on itself, commonly referred to as 'boiling', to thereby create a damming effect. Accordingly providing the rate of delivery of material ta the bunker is greaterthan that of delivery from the bunker a build up of material in the bunker wili occur. The damming affect will cause a build up of material to progress from the inclined portion 22a of the conveyor assembly 16 so that the point of delivery of material into the bunker is not important. The control of the damming affect and rate of flow of material from the bunker may be enhanced by the provision of a flap 88 having a preselected bias created by weights (not shown). Where space of the working environment permits, the height of the bunker 21 may be increase by side walls 89. It is envisaged that the collection duct 53 may be provided with a hinged door (not shown) which permits access to the interior thereof for the purposes of removing blockages. CLAIMS (Filed on 4 Nov 1981)

1. Apparatus for receiving and discharging particulate material delivered thereto by delivery means which is movable relative to the apparatus, the apparatus including a bunker adapted to movably receive said delivery means so that during said relative movement particulate material is delivered into the bunker, a conveyer assembly for conveying particulate material out of the bunker to a discharge location, the conveyor assembly including a lower portion and an upper portion connected by an inclined portion, the lower portion of the conveyor extending along the lower region of the bunker to define the bottom of the bunker and the inclined portion extending upwardly from the bottom of the bunkerto define an exit region from the bunker, the apparatus being arranged so that material deposited into the bunker is moved to said exit region whereat a build up of material is created when the rate of exit of material from the bunker is less than the rate of deposit of material into the bunker.

located below the upper conveyor portion and along which an air flow is created to transport particulate material to a storage location.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 9 wherein the collection duct is connected to the upper portion of the conveyor assembly by a delivery chute, the chute being arranged so as to deflect material passing therethrough so as to give the material on entering the collection duct an impetus in the direction of the air flow.

11. Apparatus according to Claim 10 wherein the entry mouth to the chute is narrow relative to the remainder of the chute.

12. Apparatus according to Claim 11 or 12 when dependent on Claim 2 wherein the support surface for the upper run of the conveyor means is provided with a closable opening located downstream of said chute, the opening enabling material being conveyed by the upper run to fall into the path of the lower run to be conveyed to the chute, the lower run of the conveyor means and material conveyed thereby acting as a seal against escape of air from the collection duct.

13. Apparatus according to any of Claims 7 to 12 wherein the stowage means includes a blowerfor supplying the air flow along the collection duct, the blower being located beneath the upper portion of the conveyor assembly.

14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the upper portion of the conveyor is supported on a ground engaging frame which is secured to the bunker so that the entire apparatus may be moved in unison.

15. Stowage apparatus including a raised conveyor assembly for conveying particulate material, a linear collection duct located below the raised conveyor assembly and arranged to receive particulate material therefrom, blower means being provided to create an air flow along the collection duct for transporting particulate material therealong to a stowing location.

16. Stowage apparatus according to Claim 15 wherein the conveyor assembly includes conveyor means in the form of laterally spaced flights flexibly connected to one another and arranged to run along upper and lower runs, the conveyor assembly being arranged so that the lower run of the conveyor means supplies material to the collection duct.

17. Stowage apparatus according to Claim 16 wherein the conveyor assembly is connected to the collection duct via a delivery chute, the chute being arranged so as to deflect material passing therethrough so as to give the material on entering the collection duct an impetus in the direction of the air flow.

18. Stowage apparatus according to Claim 17 wherein the entry mouth to the chute is narrow relative to the remainder of the chute.

19. Stowage apparatus according to Claim 16,17 or 18 wherein the support surface for the upper run of the conveyor means is provided with a closable opening located downstream of the chute in the direction of flow along the upper run, the opening enabling material being conveyed by the upper run to fall into the path of the lower run to be conveyed to the chute, the lower run of the conveyor means and material conveyed thereby acting as a seal against escape of airfrom the collection duct.

20. A conveyor section including a pair of elon- gate side walls spaced laterally apart and secured to one another by support member which extends longitudinally of said walls and defines a support surfaceforthe upper run of the conveyor.

21. A conveyor section according to Claim 20 wherein a further support member is provided which extends between and longitudinally of the side walls, the further support member being spaced from said support member to define a support surface for the lower run of the conveyor.

22. A conveyor section according to Claims 20, 21 wherein the side walls are each provided with laterally directed flanges which extend longitudinally along the longitudinal edges of the side walls.

23. A conveyor section according to Claim 22 wherein each side wall and associated flanges are integrally formed together.

24. A conveyor section accordingtoanyof Claims 20 to 23 wherein each side wall is provided at each longitudinal end with a connecting memberfor securing to the connecting member of a similar conveyor section so that conveyor sections may be secured to one another in an end to end fashion.

25. A conveyor section according to any of Claims 20 to 24 wherein each side wall is constructed so as to be adjustable in length so that the length of the section may be varied.

26. A conveyor including conveyor sections according to any of Claims 20 to 25.