GB2102376A

GB2102376A - Bridge conveyor and storage arrangement comprising the same

Info

Publication number: GB2102376A
Application number: GB08211036A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Karl Ernst Zimmer; Gunther Bode
Original assignee: PHB WESERHUETTE AG; PHB WESERHUTTE AG
Current assignee: PHB WESERHUETTE AG; PHB WESERHUTTE AG
Priority date: 1981-04-15
Filing date: 1982-04-15
Publication date: 1983-02-02
Also published as: FR2504100A1; JPS57203618A; DK148182A; DE3115233A1

Abstract

A bridge conveyor for removing material from heaps has a bridge 3 which runs on widely spaced longitudinal rails 6, 7, and is arranged to be moved along a cross-track for transfer from one working location to another. The bridge conveyor has a number of wheel arrangements each having two running wheels 9, 11, 12. In order to simplify construction and transfer, there are two wheel arrangements 9 for running along the longitudinal rail 6, which are spaced further apart than the rails of the cross-track; there are two wheel arrangements 11 for running along the longitudinal rail 7, which are spaced apart by the distance apart of the rails of the cross-track; and there are further wheel arrangements 12 which are spaced apart by the distance apart of the rails of the cross- track. In this way, the bridge conveyor can move transversely on the wheel arrangements 11, 12. For transfer, the wheel arrangements 11 can be swivelled through 90 DEG and the crossings of the rails are formed as turntables which also swivel through 90 DEG . <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Bridge conveyor and storage arrangement comprising the same BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a bridge conveyor and also to a storage arrangement comprising the same. The bridge conveyor is for removing material from heaps, and is arranged to run in operation on spaced, parallel first and second longitudinal rails which extend down either side of the heap and form a working track, and is also arranged to be moved along spaced, parallel rails forming a cross-track, for transfer from one heap to another. The bridge conveyor has a longitudinally-movable bridge for spanning the longitudinal rails and a transversely extending conveyor mounted on the bridge for removing material from the heap. Suitable conveyors are known, for instance scraper conveyors or carrier cell conveyors.The material itself can be bulk material, i.e. loose goods or particulate material.

The purpose of the cross-track is to enable the bridge conveyor to be transferred transversely from one working location to another. As the working track gauge is large, the cross-track gauge would normally be very much smaller than the working track gauge.

Known arrangements for transferring the bridge conveyor from one working location to another are either provided with sliding platforms or the transfer device is arranged on the bridge conveyor itself. In the case of a sliding platform, the sliding platform has its own drive, but is expensive and transfer is complicated. If the transfer device is on the bridge conveyor itself, the bridge conveyor has a carraige which is lifted up and swivelled into the new direction. This requires that both carriages have the same wheel gauge, requiring relatively precise tolerances during production. In addition, this is expensive and complicated in use.

It is desirable to simplify the transfer device, to find a more economic way of transferring, and to shorten the time taken to transfer, when the bridge conveyor cannot be used. It is also desirable so to arrange the bridge conveyor that it can be driven from one working location to another at its normal transfer speed without any significant halts.

In use, the bridge conveyor can be considered in a starting position between two working locations, with for instance a heap ready for removal on one location and a heap to be built up on the other working location. After removing one heap, the bridge conveyor must be driven or brought up to the new heap as soon as possible.

Previously, this could only be done with a great consumption of time, reducing the overall efficiency. It is desirable to keep the loss of efficiency to a minimum.

THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, the first and second ends of the bridge are provided respectively with first and second longitudinallyspaced wheel arrangements for running along the first and second longitudinal rails, respectively, and the first end of the bridge is also provided with third longitudinally-spaced wheel arrangemnts for running along the cross-track. The longitudinal distance apart of the second and third wheel arrangements is substantially less than that of the first wheel arrangements, so that the second and third wheel arrangements can run along the rails of the cross-track whereas the first wheel arrangements would remain on either side of the cross-track. There are lifting means for lifting substantially the whole of the bridge.Thus the bridge conveyor can be driven longitudinally along the working track to the cross-track, the second and third wheel arrangements positioned over the cross-track, and the bridge conveyor then driven transversely along the cross-track. In addition, there are guide means predetermining the transverse position of the first end of the bridge with respect to the first longitudinal rail, the position of the second end of the bridge with respect to the second longitudinal rail not being predetermined.

The more widely-spaced first wheel arrangements give the bridge conveyor stability when working, whilst the smaller gauge second and third wheel arrangements enable a narrower cross-track to be used, which is convenient. As the second end of the bridge is in effect guided by the first longitudinal rail and not by the second longitudinal rail, tolerances in the spacing between the longitudinal rails or in the length of the bridge need not be very fine, although measures must be taken to stop the second wheel arrangements becoming derailed.

The bridge conveyor can be relatively uncomplicated mechanically and thus not excessively costly. It is not necessary to take a great length of time when changing from the working track to the cross-track, and thus dead time is not very great.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan of a storage arrangement in accordance with the invention, showing a bridge conveyor; Figure 2 is an elevation of the bridge conveyor, a heap being indicated in dashed lines; and Figure 3 is an end view in the direction of the arrow Ill in Figure 1, on a larger scale, of the bridge conveyor.

The drawings show a storage arrangement comprising a working or storage location 1 on which a heap 2 of material can be formed (Figure 2). There is a bridge conveyor having a bridge 3 which supports a suitable circulating conveyor 4, if desired provided with a discharge chute 5 and a drive (not shown) adjacent the chute 5.

The storage arrangement also has spaced, parallel, first and second longitudinal rails 6, 7 which extend down either side of the working location 1 and form a working track along which the bridge moves longitudinally in operation and for transfer from one working location to another.

In addition, there are spaced, parallel rails 8 of considerably narrower gauge than the working track rails 6, 7, forming a cross-track for transfer of the bridge conveyor from one working location to another.

The left-hand end (the first end) of the bridge 3 has first longitudinally-spaced wheel arrangements for running along the first working rail 6. As shown in Figure 2, each first wheel arrangement comprises at least one horizontal axis running wheel (which may be referred to as a roller) 9; this wheel 9 is load-bearing and runs along the top of the rail 6.

In addition, there are two vertical axis guide wheels 10 which engage the sides of the rail 6 and transversely constrain the wheel arrangement.

In other words, the wheel arrangement is itself positively guided along the rail 6. At the right-end (second end) of the bridge 3, there are two longitudinally-spaced wheel arrangements for running along the second working rail 7. In this case, each wheel arrangement has at least one running wheel 1 1 which acts like the running wheels 9. The running wheel 11 is load-bearing and runs along the top of the rail 7. In this way, the second wheel arrangement has no strong transverse guidance.

The first end of the bridge 3 has third longitudinally-spaced wheel arrangements. Each third wheel arrangement has at least one running wheel 12 (see Figure 3).

As can be seen in Figure 1, the distance apart of the second wheel arrangements is substantially less than that of the first wheel arrangements and of the third wheel arrangements, so that the second and third wheel arrangements can run along the rails 8 of the cross-track.

Lifting means are incorporated for lifting the whole of the bridge 3 with the conveyor 4. At the first end of the bridge, the third running wheels 12 are shown as journalled in a bogie 13 which is carried on a head 14. The head 14 can be connected to the structure of the bridge 3 by means of a hydraulic ram 15, enabling the running wheels 1 2 to be raised and lowered. As an alternative, indicated schematically in Figure 2, the running wheels 1 2 can be carried on pivoted links which are swung down by suitable hydraulic rams. At the second end of the bridge, each second wheel arrangement is carried on a support 16 which incorporates a hydraulic ram (not shown) for lifting the second end of the bridge.

The support 1 6 need not be rigidly fixed to the bridge 3, but can pivot slightly with respect thereto about a horizontal, longitudinal axis at the level of the top of the support 1 6. However the first wheel arrangement is rigidly fixed to the bridge 3 in the transverse sense. In this way, the running wheels 11 can follow the rail 7 although the spacing between the rails 6, 7 is not to fine tolerances and although the length of the bridge 3 is not to fine tolerances; in addition, thermal contractions and expansions can be taken up.

Although not shown, any suitable arrangement can be provided for ensuring that the running wheels 11 remain on the rail 7, without any necessity for the provision of strong transverse guidance such as would be required to resist the transverse thrusts of the conveyor 4. Similar arrangements can be provided to provide sufficient guidance on the cross-track. Such arrangements can be for instance spaced flanges on each wheel 11 and 12 for engaging each side of the rails 7 or 8, or channel section rails 7 or 8 (as well as 6 if desired).

Between the support 1 6 and the wheel arrangement, there is a swivel connection 1 7 which enables the second wheel arrangement to be swivelled about a vertical axis for transfer to the cross-track rails 8. In addition, the crossing points of at least the longitudinal rail 7 and the cross-track rails 8, and preferably the crossing points of all the rails, comprise turntables 1 8. In this way, at least the running wheels 11 can be swivelled about a vertical axis for transfer from one rail to another. The turntables 1 8 at the first end of the bridge 3 avoid large rail gaps at the crossing points.In an alternative however, the wheels 1 2 could be mounted, like the wheels 11, so as to be swivelled about a vertical axis, and always remain on a rail 6 or 8, being swivelled through 900 when the respective turntables 1 8 are swivelled. In a conventional manner, the turntables 18 will comprise short lengths of rail.

Suitable drives can be provided for moving the bridge conveyor longitudinally and transversely.

For transverse movement, there are preferably drive motors on the second end of the bridge 3.

OPERATION Before transfer, the bridge conveyor is moved from the working zone to a parking or transfer position on for instance an end section of the working track, generally as shown in Figure 1. In this position, the second and third wheel arrangements are centred above the crossing points of the rails 6, 7, 8 of the working track and of the cross-track. The second end of the bridge is raised and the turntables 1 8 beneath the second wheel arrangements are turned through 900 so that the running wheels 11 are aligned with the cross-track rails 8. At the first end of the bridge, the turntables 18 (if present) are turned through 900. The running wheels 12 are lowered onto the cross-track rails 8 (if not already thereon) and are urged downwards to raise the running wheels 9 off the longitudinal rail 6. The bridge conveyor can then be driven transversely along the cross-track onto an adjacent working track, and then transferred to the adjacent working track.

Claims

1. A bridge conveyor for removing material from heaps, and arranged to run on spaced, parallel first and second longitudinal rails which extend down either side of a working location, and also being arranged to be moved along spaced, parallel rails forming a cross-track, for transfer of the bridge conveyor transversely from one working location to another, the bridge conveyor comprising:: a longitudinally-movable bridge for spanning the longitudinal rails; a transversely-extending conveyor mounted on the bridge for removing material of the heap; two first longitudinally-spaced wheel arrangements at a first end of the bridge for moving along the first longitudinal rails; two second longitudinally-spaced wheel arrangements at a second end of the bridge for running along the second longitudinal rail, the longitudinal distance apart of the second wheel arrangements being substantially less than that of the first wheel arrangements so that the second wheel arrangements can run along the rails of the cross-track whereas the first wheel arrangements would remain on either side of the rails of the cross-track;; third longitudinally-spaced wheel arrangements at the first end of the bridge, whose distance apart is substantially equal to that of the second wheel arrangements so that the third wheel arrangements can run along the rails of the crosstrack; whereby the bridge conveyor can be driven longitudinally along the longitudinal rails to the cross-track, the second and third wheel arrangements positioned over the cross-track, and the bridge conveyor then driven transversely along the cross-track; lifting means for lifting substantially the whole of the bridge; and guide means for association with the first longitudinal rail, for predetermining the transverse position of the first end of the bridge with respect to the first longitudinal rail, there being no guide means for predetermining the position of the second end of the bridge with respect to the second longitudinal rail.

2. The bridge conveyor of Claim 1, wherein the third wheel arrangements comprise running wheels which are vertically movable with respect to the first end of the bridge, the second wheel arrangements also being vertically movable with respect to the second end of the bridge, said lifting means comprising means for lifting the first and second ends of the bridge with respect to the third and second wheel arrangements.

3. The bridge conveyor of Claim 1 or 2, wherein the second wheel arrangements can be swivelled about a vertical axis for transfer to the cross-track.

4. The bridge conveyor of any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the guide means comprise vertical axis wheels for engaging the sides of the first longitudinal rail.

5. A storage arrangement comprising the bridge conveyor of any one of the preceding Claims, the storage arrangement further comprising spaced, parallel first and second longitudinal rails which extend down either side of a working location and upon which the bridge conveyor runs longitudinally, and also spaced, parallel rails forming a cross-track, upon which the bridge conveyor runs transversely for transfer from one working location to another.

6. The arrangement of Claim 5, when read as appendant to Claim 3, wherein the crossing points of at least the second longitudinal rail with the rails of the cross-track comprise turntables for turning round with the second wheel arrangements during transfer.

7 A bridge conveyor for removing material from heaps, substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

8. A storage arrangement comprising a bridge conveyor, substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.