GB2528952A

GB2528952A - Bridge distribution apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2528952A
Application number: GB1413982.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matt Clarke; Mike Bailey; Richard Jones
Original assignee: Schenck Process UK Ltd
Current assignee: Schenck Process UK Ltd
Priority date: 2014-08-07
Filing date: 2014-08-07
Publication date: 2016-02-10
Anticipated expiration: 2034-08-07
Also published as: GB201413982D0; GB2528952B

Abstract

A travelling conveyor features a framework, which normally spans the walls of a building 110, containing one or more conveyors, the ends of the framework featuring rack and pinion driving arrangements 112, to drive displacement of the framework as a whole, such as along the length of a building 110. The conveyor arrangement may be used for filling a storage building 110, or portions thereof, with a bulk material. The arrangement may replace previous arrangements using chain drives, prone to chain wear defects.

Description

I

BRIDGE DISTRIBUTION APPARATUS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for providing an en-masse conveyor store distribution system for bulk material. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for providing an en-masse conveyor store distribution system for bulk material where a rack and pinion travel drive is used to perform the longitudinal travel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conveyor store distribution systems for bulk material have been known for many years.

However, over the years problems have been encountered with such devices due to their method of operation.

Previous devices have relied on a chain drive system which over time has been found to cause a series of problems. Conveyor systems as described in the present application have a IS conveyor which is mounted on a carriage which bridges a rectangular walled store area and which is mounted on wheels which run on rails similar to an overhead crane. The bridge structure including the en-masse conveyor, travels longitudinally over the top of the store, building the stock pile of bulk material as it travels. The en-masse conveyor incorporates multiple outlets which allow the store to be filled completely up to the level of each outlet. Such previous systems have used a chain drive system to perform the longitudinal travel.

Problems have been experienced with stretch of one or both of the fixed chains, leading to crabbing of the conveyor carriage or to positional inaccuracies. Practical difficulties have also been experienced in the setting up of these chains, particularly in their tensioning. It is also possible that thermal expansion may also cause issues with uneven chain elongation. It has been found that the problems become more of an issue as the length of travel, and associated chain, increases.

Additionally the transverse connecting chain is difficult to guard and is required to be lubricated in multiple locations along its length.

Therefore, there exists a problem in the field to provide an en-masse conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material which overcomes the problems found to exist in chain drive systems.

It is an object of at least one aspect of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one or more of the aforementioned problems.

It is a further object of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide an improved en-masse conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for providing an en-masse conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material said apparatus comprising: a travelling carriage which is capable of extending from one end to another of an enclosed walled bulk storage area and which is capable of transporting bulk material; IS a carriage beam support system is used to support the travelling carriage; a rack and pinion drive mechanism which is driven from a motor and which is used to drive the travel carriage longitudinally along the storage area; and a mechanism for releasing the bulk material from the travelling carriage onto the floor of the enclosed walled bulk storage area.

Generally speaking, the present invention therefore resides in the provision an en-masse conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material where a rack and pinion travel drive is used to drive the longitudinal travel of the travelling carriage. The travelling carriage is used to transport the bulk material.

The travelling carriage therefore extends from one side of the walled bulk storage area to another. As the bulk material is transported and conveyed along the travelling carriage it can be released and deposited onto the floor of the enclosed walled bulk storage area.

The rack and pinion drive system may comprise a geared motor unit.

The carriage support beam support system may also comprise a pin-bar rack which extends the full length of the walled stored area.

The travelling carriage and pinion is mounted onto a geared motor output shaft with carriage wheel and encoder.

In the rack and pinion system each pinion may be driven by means of a geared motor.

The motors may be controlled by means of a master/slave arrangement and use of encoders on each pinion to count rotations and by means of coding in a programmable logic controller the rotations of each may be maintained simultaneous.

The rack and pinion drive system of the present invention may therefore be used to fill enclosed walled areas such as large sheds with volumes of about 10,000m3 to about 100,000 m3.

In the walled areas any form of bulk material may be stored. The bulk material may therefore be particulate material such grain, gravel, ash, coal and animal feeds etc. The bulk material may be therefore be fed along the travelling carriage and then progressively deposited into the enclosed walled area so that the correct amount of material may IS be deposited so that the maximum amount of bulk material may be stored in the enclosed walled area. The amount of material being deposited may therefore be adapted depending on the height of the roof in the walled area and the area under the travelling carriage.

The travelling carriage of the present invention may therefore form a conveyor system comprising a conveyor which is mounted on a carriage which bridges a rectangular enclosed walled store area and which is mounted on wheels which run on rails similar to an overhead crane. The bridge structure including the en-masse conveyor, travels longitudinally over the top of the store, building the stock pile of bulk material as it travels. The en-masse conveyor incorporates multiple outlets which allow the store to be filled completely up to the level of each outlet.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of depositing bulk material, said method comprising providing an en-masse conveyor store distribution apparatus comprising: a travelling carriage which is capable of extending from one end to another of an enclosed walled bulk storage area and which is capable of transporting bulk material; a carriage beam support system is used to support the travelling carriage; a rack and pinion drive mechanism which is driven from a motor and which is used to drive the travelling carriage; and a mechanism for releasing the bulk material from the travelling carriage onto the floor of the enclosed walled bulk storage area.

The en-masse conveyor store distribution system may be as defined in the first aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side sectional view of a representation of a conveyor store distribution

apparatus according to the prior art;

IS Figure 2 is a side sectional view of the conveyor store distribution apparatus shown in Figure 1 and which shows a chain drive system; Figure 3 is a side sectional view of the conveyor store distribution apparatus according to Figure 1 and which is a further view of the chain drive system; Figure 4 is a view of a conveyor store distribution apparatus according to the prior art where the store is being progressively filled with bulk material; Figure 5 is a view of conveyor store distribution apparatus according to the prior art where the store is fully filled with bulk material; Figure 6 is a side sectional view of a representation of a conveyor store distribution apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 7 is a side sectional view of the conveyor store distribution apparatus according to the present invention shown in Figure 6 and which shows a rack and pinion drive system; and Figure 8 is a side sectional view of the conveyor store distribution apparatus according to the present invention shown in Figure 6 and which is a further view of the rack and pinion drive system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Generally speaking, the present invention resides in the provision of an en-masse conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material where a rack and pinion travel drive is used to perform the longitudinal travel.

Figures 1 to 3 represent a prior art conveyor store distribution apparatus.

Figure 1 shows there is a storage structure generally designated 10. Located within the storage structure 10 there is a travelling carriage 12. On top of the travelling carriage 12 there are cross-connecting chains 14 which make up part of the chain drive mechanism.

Figure 2 shows the chain drive mechanism generally designated 20. The chain drive mechanism 20 comprises a cross-connecting chain 22, a travel bridge structure 24 and a geared motor unit 26. The geared motor unit 26 has a double output shaft and drive sprockets.

Figure 3 shows the travel method used in the prior art systems. The chains 14 are shown which travel from one side of the storage structure 10 to the other. There is also shown a carriage support beam / rail 22, a travelling carriage with wheels 24, a drive support 26 and a geared motor unit 28. This therefore exemplifies the drive method in current systems.

Figure 4 is a view of conveyor store distribution apparatus 30 according to the prior art where the store 32 is being progressively filled with bulk material. In Figure 5 the store 30 is fully filled with material.

Normal longitudinal carriage-on-rail drive systems, e.g. those associated with travelling trippers, shuttle conveyors. overhead cranes etc. are based on friction between the wheel and the rail, with each bogey set incorporating its own direct drive, usually a geared motor, so that the wheel is driven and the friction between the rail and the wheel creates the movement of the carriage.

Traditionally the longitudinal travel on all other travelling en-masse conveyor store distribution systems is executed by means of a sprocket mounted on the travelling carriage, engaging a fixed chain which is installed along the full length of the flat store. The chain (round link type) is secured at the ends of the building with intermediate chain supports. One chain is mounted at each side of the flat store, alongside each rail, with the carriage having a sprocket engaging in each chain. The chain drive system provides a positive drive for the carriage (to overcome the travel resistances mainly due to shear forces at the en-masse conveyor outlets) and does not rely on frictional effects because under certain conditions the wheels can slip due to a mixture of condensation or dust on top of the rail. The two drive shafts are connected themselves by one single connecting chain, which runs across the carriage from one side of the store to the other. Use of this single chain is to ensure that both sprockets rotate simultaneously reducing the possibility of crabbing. However, as indicated such systems have been found to have serious problems that the present invention addresses.

Figure 6 is a side sectional view of a conveyor store distribution apparatus according to IS the present invention. There is shown an enclosed storage structure 100. Located within the enclosed storage structurel 00 there is a travelling carriage 112 which extends from one side of a walled stored area to another. On top of the travelling carriage 12 there is a drive mechanism which comprises a rack and pinion operation.

Figure 7 shows the rack and pinion drive system generally designated 120. There is shown a geared motor unit 122 which is mounted inside a single output shaft.

Figure 8 further shows that the rack and pinion drive system 120 comprises a carriage support beam/rail 122 and a pin-bar rack which extends the full length of the walled stored area.

There is also shown a travelling carriage 126 and a pinion mounted onto a geared motor output shaft with carriage wheel and encoder which is generally designated 128.

The solution to the chain drive system is therefore to use a rack and pinion system. In place of each drive sprocket is a pinion and in place of the longitudinal fixed chains running the length of the store is a rack. Each pinion is driven by means of a geared motor. The motors are controlled by means of a master/slave arrangement and use of encoders on each pinion to count rotations and by means of coding in a programmable logic controller the rotations of each are maintained simultaneous.

The advantages of a rack and pinion drive are as follows: 1. The racks will not suffer from the same stretch issues as the longitudinal chains.

2. The transverse connecting chain will be eliminated, reducing significantly the issues with unguarded moving parts which are inherent in the chain design.

3. Number of lubrication points is reduced.

4. Travel distances are not limited.

5. Maintenance activities are reduced and with that the necessity to access at height.

It should be noted that any suitable type of rack and pinion system may be used in the present invention. The rack and pinion system is also designed to minimise dust build up. A precision type rack is not required.

IS The rack and pinion drive system 120 of the present invention may therefore be used to fill enclosed walled areas such as large sheds with volumes of about 100,000 m3 of bulk material.

In the enclosed walled areas any form of bulk material may be stored.

The bulk material may be therefore be fed along the travelling carriage 126 and then progressively deposited into a walled area so that the correct amount of material may be deposited so that the maximum amount of bulk material may be stored in the walled area. The amount of material being deposited may therefore be adapted depending on the height of the roof in the walled area and the area under the travelling carriage 126.

Whilst specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it will be appreciated that departures from the described embodiments may still fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, any suitable type of rack and pinion system may be used.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An en-masse conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material said apparatus comprising: a travelling carriage which is capable of extending from one end to another of an enclosed walled bulk storage area and which is capable of transporting bulk material; a carriage beam support system is used to support the travelling carriage; a rack and pinion drive mechanism which is driven from a motor and which is used to drive the travelling carriage; and a mechanism for releasing the bulk material from the travelling carriage onto the floor of the enclosed walled bulk storage area.
2. An en-masse conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material according to claim 1, wherein the rack and pinion drive system comprises a geared motor unit which is mounted inside a single output shaft and which is used to perform the longitudinal travel and drive the travelling IS carriage.
3. An en-masse conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material according to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the carriage beam support system also comprises a pin-bar rack which extends the full length of the walled stored area.
4. An en-masse conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material according to any preceding claim, wherein the pinion is mounted onto a geared motor output shaft with carriage wheel and encoder.
5. An en-masse conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material according to any preceding claim, wherein in the rack and pinion system each pinion is driven by means of a geared motor.
6. An en-masse conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material according to claim 5, wherein the motors are controlled by means of a master/slave arrangement and use of encoders on each pinion to count rotations and by means of coding in a programmable logic controller the rotations of each are maintained simultaneous.
7. An en-masse conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material according to any preceding claim, wherein the rack and pinion drive system is used to fill enclosed walled areas such as large sheds with volumes of about 10,000 m3 to about 100,000 m3.ID 8. An en-masse conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material according to any preceding claim, wherein the bulk material is particulate material such grain, gravel, ash, coal and animal feed etc. 9. An en-masse conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material according to any IS preceding claim, wherein bulk material is capable of being fed along the travelling carriage and then progressively deposited into the enclosed walled area so that the correct amount of material is deposited and so that the maximum amount of bulk material is capable of being stored in the enclosed walled area and the amount of material being deposited is adapted depending on the height of the roof in the walled area and the area under the travelling carriage.10. An en-masse conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material according to any preceding claim, wherein the travelling carriage forms a conveyor system comprising a conveyor which is mounted on a carriage and which bridges a rectangular enclosed walled store area and which is mounted on wheels which run on rails.11. An en-masse conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material according to any preceding claim, wherein the travelling carriage travels longitudinally over the top of the storage area building the stock pile of bulk material as it travels.12. An en-masse conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material according to any preceding claim, wherein the en-masse conveyor incorporates multiple outlets which allow the store to be filled completely up to the level of each outlet.13. A method of depositing bulk material, said method comprising providing an en-masse conveyor store distribution apparatus comprising: a travelling carriage which is capable of extending from one side to another of an enclosed walled bulk storage area and which is capable of transporting bulk material; a carriage beam support system is used to support the travelling carriage; a rack and pinion drive mechanism which is driven from a motor and which is used to convey material along the travelling carriage; and a mechanism for releasing the bulk material from the travelling carriage onto the floor of the enclosed walled bulk storage area.14. A method of depositing bulk material according to claim 10 where the en masse conveyor store distribution apparatus is as defined in any of claims ito 12.15. An en-masse conveyor store distribution apparatus as hereinbefore described and/or as shown in any of Figures 6 to 8.Amendments to the claims have been made as follows:CLAI MS1. A bulk conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material said apparatus comprising: a travelling carriage which extends from one end to another of an enclosed walled bulk storage area and the traveling carriage comprising a travelling bridge and a conveyor system which transports bulk material; a rack support system supports the travelling carriage; a rack and pinion drive mechanism which is driven from a motor and which drives the travelling carriage; and a mechanism located on the travelling carriage releasing the bulk material from the travelling carriage onto the floor of the enclosed walled bulk storage area.2. A bulk conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material according to claim 1, wherein the rack and pinion drive system comprises a geared motor unit which is mounted on a single output IC) shaft and which provides the longitudinal travel and drives the travelling carriage.3. A bulk conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material according to any of claims 1 or r 2, wherein the rack support system also comprises a pin-bar rack which extends the full length of the walled stored area.4. A bulk conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material according to any preceding claim, wherein the pinion is mounted onto a geared motor output shaft with carriage wheel and encoder.5. A bulk conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material according to any preceding claim, wherein in the rack and pinion system each pinion is driven by means of a geared motor.6. A bulk conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material according to claim 5, wherein the motors are controlled by means of a master/slave arrangement and encoders on each pinion to count rotations and by means of coding in a programmable logic controller the rotations of each are maintained simultaneous.7. A bulk conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material according to any preceding claim, wherein the travelling carriage comprises a travelling bridge and conveyor system which bridges a rectangular enclosed walled store area.
8. A bulk conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material according to any preceding claim, wherein the bulk conveyor incorporates multiple outlets which allow the store to be filled completely up to the level of each outlet.U)
9. A bulk conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material according to any preceding claim, wherein the bulk material is particulate material such grain, gravel, ash, coal and animal feed etc. r
10. A bulk conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material according to claim 9, wherein bulk material is fed along the travelling carriage and then progressively deposited into the enclosed walled area so that the correct amount of material is deposited and so that the maximum amount of bulk material is stored in the enclosed walled area and the amount of material being deposited is adapted depending on the height of the roof in the walled area and the area under the travelling carriage.
11. A bulk conveyor store distribution apparatus for bulk material according to any of claims 9 and 10, wherein the travelling carriage travels longitudinally over the top of the storage area building the stock pile of bulk material as it travels.
12. A method of depositing bulk material, said method comprising providing a bulk conveyor store distribution apparatus comprising: a travelling carriage which extends from one side to another of an enclosed walled bulk storage area and a travelling bridge and a conveyor system which transports bulk material; a rack support system supports the travelling carriage; a rack and pinion drive mechanism which is driven from a motor and which drives/moves the travelling carriage; a mechanism located on the travelling carriage releasing the bulk material from the travelling carriage onto the floor of the enclosed walled bulk storage area; wherein the bulk conveyor store distribution is used to fill enclosed walled areas such as large sheds with volumes of about 10,000 m3 to about 100,000 m3. IC)13. A bulk conveyor store distribution apparatus as hereinbefore described and as shown in any C"J ofFigures6to8. r r