GB2136382A - Taking up slack in cables or belts - Google Patents

Abstract

A carrier for a flexible elongate member, for example a cable or belt comprises a first assembly supporting a plurality of rotatable guide members 30 for the elongate member which is fixedly mounted on a framework 10 and a second assembly having similar rotatable guide members 26 and which is movable on the framework towards and away from the first assembly such that this movement pays off or takes up flexible member wound over and between the rotatable members of the first and second assemblies. Means, for example a winch 36, is provided for moving the second assembly on the framework and for applying a constant tension in the cable or belt. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to carriers for flexible elongate members The present invention concerns improvements in or relating to carriers for flexible elongate members, for example cables and belts, especially but not exclusively carriers for cables supplying electrical power to mining machinery and belts for conveyors.

In many underground mining operations mining machinery and ancillary equipment is electrically powered and moves relative to the electrical supply points. This movement is provided for by connecting a flexible electrical supply cable between the machine and the point but it will be realised that the slack which must be provided in the cable to allow for movement of the machine can be hazardous not only to the cable but aiso to other machines and personnel.

In the past many arrangements have been utilised to reduce the hazard, for example, cable troughs in which the slack in the cable has been provided, or the cable has been slung overhead.

Other arrangements have involved the use of cable reels. Most of the prior arrangements have been time-consuming, inconvenient and expensive and in the case of reels have provided the additional problem of flame-proofing the necessary slip rings.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate these disadvantages.

In conveyors it is sometimes required to provide a means which will permit the working length of the conveyor to be increased or decreased. This calls for a means which stores the section of belt which is surplus to requirements in that particular operating state but the belt must be stored in such a way that its normal linear movement is not hindered and that it can be readily given up or taken in by the storage means when a change in conveyor length is called for without any detrimental effect to the belt tension.

It is a further object of the present invention to achieve orie or more of these features.

According to the present invention there is provided a carrier for a flexible elongate member, including a framework on which is mounted first and second assemblies around which a flexible member can be laid, the second assembly being mounted for movement towards and away from the first assembly and constantly powered means for controlling and/or moving the second assembly relative to the first assembly.

Preferably the first assembly comprises a shaft on which is rotatably mounted a plurality of pulley sheaves.

Preferably the second assembly comprises a trolley mounted for movement relative to the framework and carrying a second shaft about which a plurality of pulley sheaves are freely rotatably mounted.

Preferably the first assembly comprises a plurality of conveyor guide rollers rotatably mounted in vertically spaced relationship.

Preferably the second assembly comprises a trolley mounted for movement relative to the framework and carrying a plurality of further conveyor guide rollers rotatably mounted in vertically spaced relationship.

Preferably the constantly powered means for moving and/or controlling the trolley may be a winch and cable assembly. The power is preferably hydraulic, but could be pneumatic, electric or manual.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a plan of a cable carrier, Fig. 2 shows an elevation of the cable carrier of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 shows a plan of a conveyor belt carrier, and Fig. 4 shows an elevation of the belt carrier of Fig. 3.

A cable carrier, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, comprises a rectangular steel framework 10 conveniently mounted on wheels 12. Towing lugs 1 4 may be attached to the front and rear of the framework. Supports 1 6 extend upwardly from the framework on either side thereof and support channel section girders 1 8 extending for substantially the entire length of the framework, parallel thereto. The channels 1 8 are arranged such that their openings each face inwardly whereby two wheeled support plates 20 having wheels 22 at each end thereof can be supported on the framework for movement parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof.The side plates 20 support a shaft 24 running transversely of the longitudinal axis of the framework and together provide a trolley, the shaft carrying a plurality of freely rotatably mounted pulley sheaves 26. A further shaft 28 is mounted between the supports 1 6 at one end of the framework and freely rotatably mounts a plurality of pulley sheaves equal in number and dimension to the pulley sheaves 26 mounted on the shaft 24.

It will be realised that by laying an electrical cable round the sheaves of the first pulley assembly 28, 30 and the second pulley assembly 20, 22, 24, 26 a considerable length of cable can be stored on the carrier and this cable can be paid off or taken up by moving the second pulley assembly 20-26 towards or away from the first pulley assembly 28, 30 respectively. Thus any length of cable not required is neatly and conveniently stored by the carrier.

To control the movement of the second assembly towards or away from the first assembly and thus the paying off or taking up of cable, a yoke 32 fixed between the side plates 20 of the trolley of the second assembly is connected by means of a cable 34 to a winch drum 36. By paying off the winch drum the second assembly can move towards the first assembly thus paying off electrical cable stored thereon whereas by taking up cable on the winch drum electrical cable can be taken up by the carrier. Pressure sensing means are incorporated in the hydraulic drive of the winch to maintain a pre-determined tension in the electrical cable carried by the pulley sheaves.

A conveyor belt carrier or store as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 stores a conveyor belt on the same principle as that illustrated by the carrier of Figs. 1 and 2 but rather than store the belt in a side-byside arrangement the belt carrier employs an arrangement where the runs of the conveyor belt are positioned one above the other.

The belt carrier comprises a substantially rectangular steel framework 40 having top and bottom frames 44, 42 respectively, interconnected by vertical supports 46. Each set of supports 46 carries channel section girders extending for substantially the entire length of the framework 40 with the openings in the channel facing inwardly whereby a trolley 50 having wheels 52 running in the channels may move from one end of the framework to the other. The trolley 50 includes side plates 54 which between them support a plurality of vertically spaced conveyor rollers 56. Two fixed plates 60 are provided at one end of the framework and between them support further conveyor rollers 62, the number and spacing of which are equal to the number and spacing of those supported between the side plates 54.

The conveyor belt to be stored is arranged around and between the conveyor rollers 56, 62 in the manner shown in Fig. 4. The carrier is arranged below the top run 70 of the conveyor adjacent to conveyor drive rollers 72 which drive the lower or return run 74 of the conveyor. The length of the return run 74 to be stored zigzags over the rollers 56, 62 as can be clearly seen in Fig. 4 and it will be realised that a considerable length of belt can be stored in a relatively short compact carrier. When it is desired to increase or decrease the length of the conveyor this can be readily achieved by paying off or taking up belt from or into the carrier, this being achieved simply by moving the trolley 50 towards or away from the end plates 60 respectively.

To control the movement of the trolley 50 towards and away from the end plates 60 a drawbar is provided on the trolley, the drawbar being connected by a cable 51 to a winch drum 53 mounted on the framework 40. By paying off the winch drum the trolley can move towards the end plates thus paying off the conveyor belt whereas by taking up the cable on the winch drum the belt can be taken up by the carrier. Pressure sensing means are incorporated in the hydraulic drive of the winch to maintain a pre-determined tension in the belt.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, for exampie the mechanical arrangements for holding the pulley assemblies can be modified in any convenient manner so that relative movement between the pulley assemblies is possible. It may be desirable to provide resilient means for biassing the pulley assemblies away from each other. The winch may be hand operated rather than hydraulic operated or may be operated by an electric or pneumatic motor. In the cable carrier electrical connectors for at least one end of the electrical cable to be carried thereon may be provided and the profile of the pulley sheaves may be adapted in accordance with the profile of the cable to be carried. The framework need not be mounted on wheels as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 but could be static or alternatively could have some form of propulsion device.

Claims (10)

1. A cable carrier for a flexible elongate member including a framework on which is mounted first and second assemblies around which a flexible member can be laid, the second assembly being mounted for movement towards and away from the first assembly and constantly powered means for controlling and/or moving the second assembly relative to the first assembly.

2. A carrier as claimed in claim 1, in which the first assembly comprises a shaft on which is rotatably mounted a plurality of pulley sheaves.

3. A carrier as claimed in claim 2, in which the second assembly comprises a trolley mounted for movement relative to the framework and carrying a second shaft about which a plurality of pulley sheaves are freely rotatably mounted.

4. A carrier as claimed in claim 1, in which the first assembly comprises a plurality of conveyor guide rollers rotatably mounted'in vertically spaced relationship.

5. A carrier as claimed in claim 4, in which the second assembly comprises a trolley mounted for movement relative to the framework and carrying a plurality of further conveyor guide rollers rotatably mounted in vertically spaced relationship.

6. A carrier as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the trolley is connected to a winch.

7. A carrier as claimed in claim 6, in which the constantly powered means for controlling and/or moving the trolley is a winch and cable assembly.

8. A carrier as claimed in claim 7, in which the winch is hydraulically powered.

9. A carrier substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 or Figs. 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

10. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding ciaims.