GB2116453A - Mineral breakers - Google Patents

Abstract

A mineral breaker comprising a pair of side by side breaker drums which are rotatably mounted in a housing for rotation in opposite directions so that mineral delivered to the drums is directed between the drums and deposited onto a conveyor located beneath the breaker, the breaker being located above the conveyor so that the axes of the drums are substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the conveyor.

Description

SPECIFICATION Mineral breakers The present invention relates to mineral breakers and is primarily, but not exclusively concerned with breakers for use in coal mining for sizing coal being delivered from the coal face.

According to the present invention there is provided a mineral breaker comprising a pair of side by side breaker drums which are rotatably mounted in e housing for rotation in opposite directions so that mineral delivered to the drums is directed between the drums and deposited onto a conveyor located beneath the breaker, the breaker being located above the conveyor so that the axes of the drums are substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the conveyor.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a single drum transfer breaker shown in situ; Figure 2 is a more detailed plan view of a transfer breaker similar to the one shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line Ill-Ill in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-- IV in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a plan view of a twin drum transfer breaker; and Figure 6 is an !end view of the transfer breaker shown in Figure 5.

The mineral breakers 10 shown in Figures 1 to 4 are primarily intended for use at a position where minerals are transferred from one conveyor to another which runs perpendicularly to said one conveyor.

In Figure 1, a mineral breaker 10 is shown positioned at the delivery end 11 of an armoured flexible conveyor 12 which extends a-long the coal cutting face in-a coal mine. The conveyor 1 2 has a drive motor 13 and a gear box 14 which drives a sprocket wheel.

The mineral-breaker 10 includes a breaker drum 16 which is located adjacent to-the sprocket wheel 15 -so that material being delivered by the conveyor 12 is thown onto the drum. As shown, the drum is provided with a series of picks 1 8 which an rotation of the drum-break down the material beirtg-thrown-onto the drum.

Each -drum 1 6 is provided with a series of-picks 1 8 and is alBb provided with helical ribs 1 9. The helical ribs serve to move mineral being delivered in the direction of conveyor 108 which serve -to move material being delivered to the drum quickly away from the delivery point and so avoids a blockage of material. As shown in Figure 1 , -the picks 1 8 are only located in the region of the width of the conveyor 12. However, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, the picks may extend along the entire length of the drum.

A motor 20 and gear box 21 are provided for rotating the drum in a direction opposite to that of the sprocket wheel 1 5 so that material delivered to the drum is forced downwardly onto the conveyor 25 which transports the sized material away, in this case, along the gateway of the mine.

The speed of rotation of the drum is chosen so that its peripheral speed is greater than the speed of delivery of conveyor 12 so that with the help of the helical ribs the material is quickly moved away from the delivery region. It is to be noted, however, that in certain applications it may be desirable not to have the helical ribs present.

The drum 1 6 is rotatably mounted in a casing 26 which is preferably a robust metal casting. The casing 26 has an arcuate wall portion 26a which partially envelopes the drum 16 and is provided at each end with first and second end wall portions 266 and 26c each of which have connecting flanges 27. One flange 27 is bolted to a fixing plate 28 which in turn is bolted to the delivery end of conveyor 12 thereby ensuring that the device 10 is fixedly connected to the conveyor. The other flange 27 -is bolted to the housing of gear box 21.

As shown in Figure 3, the first end wall portion 26b is provided with a projection 27a which defines an annular spigot. The gear box housing 21 is provided with -a complimentary aperture to receive projection 27a thereby ensuring a rigid connection between the casing 26 and gear box housing. It will be appreciated that-by rotating the gear box housing on the annular spigot it is possible to adjust the height and position of the motor 20 relative to the conveyor 25.

The top and .bottom sides of the casing 26 are provided with tangential flange portions 30 and 31 respectively which are located directly above one another and which extend the length of the casing. Both flange portions 30, 31 include a projecting rib 32 which also extends the length of -the casing. The flange portions 30, 31 define identical attachment formations. As illustrated a hood member 34 which serves to deflect material downwardly is bolted to the upper attachment formation and a support 35 is bolted to the lower -attachment formation.

It will therefore-be appreciated that by virture of the attachment formations being identical, it is possible to locate the breaker 10 at either end of co'nveyor 12 -to-receive material therefrom with the motor 20 and gear box 21 being located on theame side of the conveyor.

The su,aport35 is fabricated from steel plate and extend-s the length of the casing 26 as seen in Figure 3. It will be appreciated that by-varying the width -of the-support 35 it is possible to adjust the height of the casing 26.

The support 35 stands via feet 37 on one of twoside-flanges 38 provided an a pan member 33 whose base 33a passes under the conveyor 25. A bridge member 39 is provided which extends across the conveyor 25 and is supported on both -side flanges 38a of another pan member 33a via a support 35a and feet 37a of similar height as the support-35 and feet 37. The motor 20 is bolted to the bridge member 39 and is therefore supported thereby.

In use, pegs 386 are used to prevent feet 37, 37a sliding along the flanges 38 and 38a respectively.

Extending between flange portions 30, 31 are a series of ribs 39 which help to rigidify the casing 26.

Apertures 39a are formed in ribs 39 so that these may serve as points of anchorage for stakes 40 should these be required. A suitable stake 40 is illustrated in Figure 4.

As seen in Figure 3, the drive shaft 42 from gear box 21 is connected to the shaft 43 to which drum 16 is keyed by a breakable drive coupling 44 similar to the drive coupling described in U.K.

Patent Application No. 7928089. Consequently, by removing the second end wall portion 26c which is detachable connected to the arcuate wall portion 26a and which houses bearing 48 and undoing bolts 49 it is possible to axially withdraw as one unit the drum 16, shaft 43 and bearing housing 50 from the casing 26.

Consequently replacement of drum 1 6 is easily and quickly achieved.

It is envisaged that it is possible to mount the motor 20 so as to be located adjacent to the casing 26 in order to provide a more compact assembly.

In Figures 5 and 6, another type of breaking device 100 is illustrated which is primarily intended for location at the delivery end of one or more conveyors and transfers material delivered thereto onto a conveyor 108 below it. The relative directions of the conveyors is not important since the conveyor delivering material deposits the material into a hopper. The breaking device 100 requires a greater working height than breaker 10 so that device 100 is used for transferal of material in the gateways of the mine.

The breaker 100 basically includes two casings 26 and drums 1 6 of the same constructions as those illustrated in Figures 1 to 4. The drums 1 6 are spaced apart by a bridging plate 101 which is bolted to connecting flanges 27 of the second end wall portions of each casing.

At the opposite end, the drum casings 26 are bolted to a gear box housing 103 which contains a train of gears 104 which are arranged to drive the drums 1 6 in opposite directions and at the same speed for a common motor 105.

Two hood members 34 are provided which are bolted to the upper flange portions 30 of respective casings 26 to define a hopper 106.

Supports 35 are provided for supporting each casing 26. The supports 35 are supported on 'I' beam 107 which extend either side of conveyor 108 onto which the sized material is to be deposited.

The distance between the two drums is chosen so as to give the desired sizing of material, for instance in coal mining a size of material not exceeding 6-8".

It will be appreciated that the breaker 100 operates to break material without subjecting either the feed conveyors or the takeaway conveyor to any loadings.

Claims (2)

1. A mineral breaker comprising a pair of side by side breaker drums which are rotatably mounted in a housing for rotation in opposite directions so that mineral delivered to the drums is directed between the drums and deposited onto a conveyor located beneath the breaker, the breaker being located above the conveyor so that the axes of the drums are substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the conveyor.

2. A mineral breaker according to Claim 1 wherein drive means are provided for rotating the drums so as to have a peripheral speed in excess of the speed of travel of the conveyor.

2. A mineral breaker according to Claim 1 wherein each breaker drum includes a longitudinaliy extending helical rib, the helical ribs on rotation of the drums serving to move mineral away from the mineral delivery location of mineral to the drums.

3. A mineral breaker substantially as described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 28 April 1983.

Superseded claims 1 and 2.

New or amended claims CLAIMS

1. A mineral breaker comprising a pair of side by side breaker drums which are rotatably mounted in a housing for rotation in opposite directions so that mineral delivered to the drums is directed between the drums and deposited onto a conveyor located beneath the breaker, the breaker being located above the conveyor so that the axes of the drums are substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the conveyor, each breaker drum including a plurality of picks and a longitudinally extending helical rib, the helical ribs on rotation of the drums serving to move mineral away from the mineral delivery location of mineral to the drums.