GB2193183A

GB2193183A - Conveying apparatus movable along a passage

Info

Publication number: GB2193183A
Application number: GB08716054A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lesley Abbs; Richard Harley; Eric Naylor
Original assignee: THOMPSON ENGINEERING J
Current assignee: THOMPSON ENGINEERING J
Priority date: 1986-07-08
Filing date: 1987-07-08
Publication date: 1988-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 2007-07-08
Also published as: GB8716054D0; GB8616600D0; GB2193183B

Abstract

Apparatus for conveying along material a passage comprises a plurality of interfitting pans defining a path for the material, means e.g. an endless chain with a plurality of flight bars for moving material along the path and means moving the pans along the passage while material is being conveyed. The pans are preferably supported by a plurality of cradles on a guide monorail. The pans are pivotally connected at their respective ends. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Material conveying apparatus This invention relates to apparatus for conveying material along a passage and is particularly concerned with apparatus for use in a mine for conveying material from a working face to a remote location.

When excavating a mine roadway with a cutter loader, dinting or similar machine, material is loaded onto a connected end of a conveyor and delivered by the conveyor at the other end into a receiving section of a stage loader or conveyor. When the roadway requires to be provided with a junction it is presently necessary to interrupt normal operation to take appropriate steps to enable the conveyor to negotiate the turn. It is obviously disadvantageous to interrupt operations for this purpose.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for conveying material along a passage, the apparatus comprising means defining an elongate path for movement of material therealong, means for moving material along the path, and means for moving the path defining means along the passage while material is being conveyed, the path defining means being adjustable whereby to be able to be moved in other than one direction in the passage while continuing to convey material.

Preferably the path defining means comprises a plurality-of pivotally arranged sections including a section at one end providing a drive unit for the material moving means and a section at the other end providing for connection to an associated machine. Each section may be connected to an adjacent section by an arrangement allowing relative movement in a substantially horizontal plane, the movement preferably being limited to movement through an.angle of 22.5 . The other end section may be movable in a vertical plane relative to the other sections.

Preferably also the means for moving material may comprise an endless chain which is movable along the length of the path defining means. The chain may be located centrally of the sections of the path defining means and have a plurality of flight bars mounted at longitudinally spaced intervals and extending laterally of the chain across the sections. Each of the sections may have a configuration providing for an upper pass of the chain to travel along an upper face of a top part and a lower pass of the chain to travel between the top part and a lower part.

The means for moving the path defining means may comprise a plurality of carriers suspended from a guide structure and mounting the path defining sections. Each carrier may be constructed in two parts which are pivotally interconnected for relative movement in a substantially horizontal plane to accommodate relative movement of adjacent sections of the path defining means. The guide structure may comprise a guide rail, and one of the carrier parts is preferably provided with rollers engageable on the rail for guiding thereby, said one carrier part supporting the other carrier part.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a schematic side view showing an apparatus according to the invention in use; Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the apparatus at the commencement of constructing a junction; Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the apparatus advanced into the junction; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a carrier of the apparatus; Fig. 5 is an end view of the carrier of Fig.

4; Fig. 6 is a plan view of a path defining section of the apparatus; Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the section of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is an end view of the section of Figs.

6 and 7; Fig. 9 is a plan view of a junction area between a pair of adjacent path defining sections; Fig. 10 is a plan view of part of a chain tension arrangement of the apparatus; and Fig. 11 is a side view of the chain tension arrangement of Fig. 10.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a conveyor 10 connected at one end to a cutter loader machine 12 which is used to excavate a mine roadway, and at its other end being associated with a receiving section 13 of a stage loader or conveyor (not shown). Fig. 2 shows a straight section 14 of a mine roadway with the cutter loader machine 12 beginning to excavate a roadway section 16 intended to form a right angled junction with the roadway section 14.

The conveyor 10 is constructed from a plurality of interfitting sections or pans 18 (Figs.

6 to 8), each of which has a pair of parallel plate assemblies spaced above one another, a top plate assembly 20 providing a semi-circular configuration 22 at one end and being formed at the other end with a semi-circular recess 24 providing a seat 26. The lower plate assembly 28 has a similar configuration to the top plate assembly 20 but turned through 1800. The semi-circular configurations 22 are complementary in shape to the recesses 24 whereby adjacent pans 18 can fit together with the respective configurations 22 engaging in the respective recesses 24.

For connecting to the cutter loader machine 12, the conveyor has a tail section 30 which has one end formed to interfit with an end of an adjacent one of the pans 18, and at the other end provides a toothed sprocket 32 mounted on roller bearings for a purpose hereinafter described, and a threeway pivot bracket for connecting to the cutter loader machine 12. The tail section 30 also provides a pivot mounting 34 to enable movement in a vertical plane of the tail section 30 relative to the pans 18.

At the other end the conveyor 10 has a drive unit 36 which at one end is formed for interfitting with an end of an adjacent one of the pans 18. The drive unit 36 houses a drive sprocket (not shown), motive power being provided by a drive arrangement 38, for example by an electrical motor via a reduction gearbox.

Connected between the drive sprocket and the tail section sprocket 32 is an endless chain 40 of a single centre strand type. The chain 40 carries a plurality of laterally extending flight bars 42 spaced longitudinally of the chain. An upper pass of the chain moves over the upper face of the top plate assembly 20 of the pans 18 and the lower pass returns over the upper face of the lower plate assembly 28 between the plate assemblies 20, 28. The flight bars extend across the width of the pans 18 between side plates provided on each pan 18 to provide side plate sections 40 for each plate assembly. On an inner face of each of the side plate sections 40 of each upper plate assembly 20 and extending longi tudinaily thereof adjacent the upper edge is a bar 44, acting as a retainer for the flight bars of the chain 40.

A pair of longitudinally spaced brackets 46, 48 are provided outwardly of each side plate section 40 at respective ends thereof. Between each side plate section 40 and the associated bracket 46 there is provided one end of a sprung member 49 (Fig. 9). Each side plate section 40 is secured to the bracket 46 and thus secures the member 49 therebetween. The member 49 extends longitudinally outwardly of the respective end of the pan 18 such that when adjacent pans 18 are interfitted, the other end of the member 49 can locate between-the respective side plate section 40 of the adjacent pan 18 and the bracket 48 associated therewith. The member 49 is free to slide relative to the bracket 48 and the side plate section 40 as there is no connection between these components.This arrangement closes the gap between the side plate sections 40 of adjacent pans 18 to prevent spillage of material being conveyed, the sprung nature of the members 49 and the slidable fitting thereof allowing for relative pivotal movement between the pans 18. The members 49 may be formed of spring steel.

To adjust the tension on the chain 40, a conveyor section (Figs. 10 and 11) which is intended to be included in the horizontal length of the conveyor, having side plates 50 between which travel the chain flight bars, is split into two parts which are retained together by means of compression springs 52 extending on either side of the respective side plates 50 between a pair of outwardly extending brackets 54, each spring 52 being located on a threaded rod 56, one end of which extends beyond the respective bracket 54 to be secured to a further aligned bracket 58, an adjusting nut 60 being provided on the rod 56 for co-operation with the respective bracket 54 to adjust the tension of the spring 52.To accommodate relative movement between the parts of the tensioning section, an upper plate 62, at the division between the two parts, has a V-joint configuration 63 to enable the chain flight ends to engage the leading part before the centre chain leaves the trailing part.

In its in-use position the conveyor 10 is located above the floor of the roadway whereby the drive unit is positioned over the receiving section 13 of the stage loader or conveyor. At the other end the pivot mounting 34 enables the tail section 30 to pivot from the level of the pans 18 down to the cutter loader machine 12 for connection thereto. To support the conveyor 10 at the desired height there are provided a plurality of cradles 64 which are movably suspended from a guide monorail 66. The latter is suspended from the roof of the roadway by means of a fully adjustable suspension gear. The rail 66 is formed of straight sections 68 and curved sections 70, the latter being of 5 metre radius. The rail sections are rigidly joined without any articulation.

Each of the cradles 64 is formed of two pivotally interconnected components 72, 74.

The components together provide upper and lower pivot assemblies 76, 78 interconnected by four upright members 80 located at the corners of a rectangle. The components 72, 74 are interconnected in the upper assembly 76 by means of a pivot arrangement 82, the axis of which is in line with a pivot arrangement 84 interconnecting the components 72, 74 of the lower assembly 78. The upper assembly 76 further provides on the component 72 upstanding plates 86 in a spaced parallel relation, each plate 86 mounting a freely rotatable and inwardly facing roller 88, whereby the rollers 88 can engage on respective side tracks of the rail 66. The conveyor 10 extends through each cradle 64 and is supported thereon by spaced plates 90, 92, the latter extending between the members 80 of the respective components 72, 74. Apertures (not shown) on the plates 90, 92 can align with apertures (not shown) provided in the lower plate assembly 28 pf each pan 18 towards each end thereof, whereby, by means of suitable fixings, each of the cradles 64 can mount respective ends of the pans 18 of an adjacent pair on the respective support plates 90, 92 with the common pivot axis of the adjacent pans 18 being aligned with the axes of the cradle pivot arrangements B2, 84.

In operation, the material from the cutter loader machine is loaded onto the conveyor 10 and moved by the chain flight bars along the pans 18 to be delivered at the drive end into the receiving section 13 of the stage loader conveyor. When it is necessary for the cutter loader machine to excavate a junction, then a curved section 70 of the guide rail is secured to the end of the existing rail 66 and the articulation of the conveyor pans 18, together with the articulation of the cradle components 72, 74, enables the conveyor 10 to follow the movement of the cutter loader machine 12 while the conveyor 10 continues to operate. The conveyor sections are preferably 1.8 metres in length and, as each section can be pivoted through 22.5 in the horizontal plane, this enables the conveyor 10 to achieve a 90" turn at 5 metre radius.Construction of the rail 66 with consequential movement of the conveyor 10 and the cradles 64 continues, enabling the conveyor 10 to follow the cutter loader machine 12 into excavation of the roadway section 16 while the conveyor continues to operate without interruption.

It will be appreciated that the length of the conveyor, as defined by the number of conveyor sections utilised, will be determined by customer requirement. The advantages of the conveyor being able to continue normal operation while conveying material from junction roadways into a main raodway will be immediately apparent.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example the configuration of the various components may differ from that described and shown provided the apparatus functions as required. Also the conveyor may be supported by other than a monorail arrangement where, for example, the drive unit can be trolley mounted on captivated track bolted to the conveyor receiving section.

Furthermore the chain and flight bars may be constructed so that the chain moves over the upper face of the top plate assembly adjacent to a side of the pan, with the flight bars extending from one side of the chain. With such a construction the chain may be located to always move around the inside of bends.

Accordingly, if for a particular bend the flight bars are extending from the wrong side of the chain, the chain may be disconnected and simply turned over. It is to be understood that in this case the apparatus is not intended to be used to "snake" around bends, but simply to negotiate a single turn.

The spring members may be replaced by profiled blocks fitted on each side, and at each end of the pans. These blocks may have limbs shaped to overlap with limbs on respective other blocks to close the gap between the side plate sections of adjacent pans.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing Specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. Apparatus for conveying material along a passage, the apparatus comprising means defining an elongate path for movement of material therealong, means for moving material along the path, and means for moving the path defining means along the passage while material is being conveyed, the path defining means being adjustable whereby to be able to be moved in other than one direction in the passage while continuing to convey material.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the path defining means comprises a plurality of pivotally arranged sections.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, in which the path defining means includes a section at one end providing a drive unit for the material moving means and a section at the other end providing for connection to an associated machine.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which the other end section is movable in a vertical plane relative to the other sections.

5. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 4, in which each section is connected to an adjacent section by an arrangement allowing relative movement in a substantially horizontal plane.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, in which the movement is limited to movement through an angle of 22.5 .

7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, in which each of the sections has a projection at one end and a recess at the other end, the recess being shaped to receive a corresponding projection on another section and to allow the sections to rotate relative to one another while the corresponding projection remains located in the recess.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, in which each section comprises upper and lower parallel plate assemblies, each assembly having a projection at one end and a corresponding recess at the other.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, in which the projections on the upper and lower assemblies are at opposite ends of the section.

10. Apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 9, in which each projection is substantially semi-circular.

11. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the means for moving material comprises an endless chain which is movable along the length of the path defining means.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 when dependent on any of claims 2 to 10, in which the chain has a plurality of flight bars mounted at longitudinally spaced intervals and extending laterally of the chain across the sections.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, in which the chain is located centrally of the sections of the path defining means.

14. Apparatus according to claim 12, in which the chain is located adjacent a side of the sections of the path defining means.

15. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 14 when dependent on any of claims 2 to 10, in which each of the sections has a configuration providing for an upper pass of the chain to travel along an upper face of a top part and a lower pass of the chain to travel between the top part and a lower part.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 when dependent on claim 8, in which the upper pass of the chain travels along an upper face of the upper plate assembly, and the lower pass travels between the upper and lower plate assemblies.

17. Apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 16 when dependent on claim 2, in which the means for moving the path defining means comprises a plurality of carriers suspended from a guide structure and mounting the path defining sections.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, in which the guide structure comprises a guide rail.

19. Apparatus according to claim 17 or 18, in which each carrier is constructed in two parts which are pivotally interconnected for relative movement in a substantially horizontal plane to accommodate relative movement of adjacent sections of the path defining means.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19 when dependent on claim 18, in which one of the carrier parts is provided with rollers engageable on the rail for guiding thereby, said one carrier part supporting the other carrier part.

21. Apparatus for conveying material along a passage substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed in the foregoing Specification or claims and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.