GB2529146A

GB2529146A - Stacking conveyor

Info

Publication number: GB2529146A
Application number: GB1412582.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Douglas; Terance Bratton
Original assignee: Louise Douglas
Current assignee: Louise Douglas
Priority date: 2014-07-15
Filing date: 2014-07-15
Publication date: 2016-02-17
Also published as: GB201412582D0

Abstract

A mobile crane 1, with a conveyor 2 and a chassis 5, has at least two sets of tracks 9,10, separated along the longitudinal axis of the mobile crane 1. One of more of the sets of tracks 9,10 may be moveable away from the other along the axis of the mobile crane 1. One or more of the sets of tracks 9,10 may be pivoted outwards from the axis of the mobile crane 1. These features being all aimed at improving the stability of the crane 1 when its conveyor 2, and boom 6, are in a deployed position. Also disclosed is a corresponding method of configuring the mobile crane 1.

Description

1 Stacking Conveyor 3 The present invention relates to the field of material processing and in particular a mobile 4 stacking conveyor as commonly employed in the mining and construction industries.

6 Background to the Invention

8 Stacking conveyors known in the art generally comprise a conveyor mounted on a chassis.

g A prime mover is also mounted on the chassis. Moving means support the chassis and are arranged to be power-operated by the prime mover in order to provide a means for the 11 stacking conveyor to move over the ground. Generally the prime mover comprises an 12 engine arranged to power a pair of endless tracks.

14 The design of a stacking conveyor is such that it provides a means to transport material from a first location (at which a proximal end of the conveyor is positioned) to a second 16 location (at which a distal end of the conveyor is positioned).

18 In normal use a boom is also employed to raise the distal end of the conveyor relative to 19 the proximal end such that the conveyor may provide a means stockpiling a material produced within the mining and construction industries e.g. rocks, gravel, or rock dust.

2 Alternative uses for such conveyor include radial stockpiling, windrowing and to assist with 3 material unloading processes. It is also known in the art to employ a stacking conveyor as 4 a means for feeding material into a subsequent material processing unit e.g. a crusher or a screening unit.

7 It is desirable for the stacking conveyor to be easily manoeuvrable in order to assist 8 normal operation and or transport between separate static operating locations. Although a 9 relatively expensive component part of such units, the employment of a pair of endless tracks has boon found to be a particularly suitable means for propelling and steering a Ii stacking conveyor.

13 With increasing operational demands being placed upon stacking conveyors there has 14 been a general increase in the overall size and weight of these devices. This has led to is increased stability problems, both during normal operation and when being moved 16 between locations where they are to be deployed.

18 In order to address these issues it is known for stacking conveyor to comprise a foldable or 19 telescopic conveyor or one that is rotatable, relative to the chassis, between a retracted transport configuration and an extended operational configuration. Support legs are also 21 known to be employed as a means to maintain the overall stability of the stacking 22 conveyor when the stacking conveyor is in a static operating location.

24 It is therefore an object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide stacking conveyor that obviates, or at least mitigates the foregoing disadvantages of the stacking 26 conveyor known in the art.

28 Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a stacking conveyor 31 comprising a chassis surmounted on a first and second moving means and a conveyor 32 mounted on the chassis, the first and second moving means both comprising one or more 33 endless tracks, wherein the second moving means is separated from the first moving 34 means along a longitudinal axis of the chassis.

2 The employment of the second moving means provides the stacking conveyor with 3 increased levels of stability when compared with those systems known in the ad.

Most preferably the first moving means is moveable relative to the chassis to provide a first 6 means for varying the linear separation between the first and second moving means along 7 the longitudinal axis.

9 The one or more endless tracks of the first moving means may be moved independently of each other. Ii

12 The above stacking conveyor has the advantage that it is movable between a transport 13 configuration where the linear separation of the first and second moving means along the 14 longitudinal axis is minimised and a first operational configuration where the linear IS separation of the first and second moving means along the longitudinal axis is increased, 16 thus increasing the stability of the stacking conveyor.

18 Preferably the first moving means is connected to the chassis by a first releasable 19 mounting mechanism.

21 The first moving means may be connected to the chassis within a first end chassis section.

23 Most preferably the second moving means is moveable relative to the chassis to provide a 24 second means for varying the relative separation between the first and second moving means along the longitudinal axis.

27 The one or more endless tracks of the second moving means may be moved 28 independently of each other.

Preferably the second moving means is connected to the chassis by a second releasable 31 mounting mechanism.

33 The second moving means may be connected to the chassis within a second end chassis 34 section.

1 Most preferably the stacking conveyor is in a transport configuration when the one or more 2 endless tracks of the first and second moving means are arranged substantially parallel to 3 the longitudinal axis.

Most preferably the stacking conveyor further comprises one or more rotation control 6 means that provide a means for varying the rotation position of an associated endless 7 track relative to the longitudinal axis so as to define an operational configuration for the 8 stacking conveyor.

Optionally the stacking conveyor further comprises a lateral position control means (e.g. a Ii telescopic arm) that connects an endless track to an associated releasable mounting 12 mechanism. The function of the lateral position control means is to provide a means to 13 independently adjust the position of an endless track in a direction substantially 14 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Is

16 Most preferably the conveyor is movable between a transport configuration and an 17 operational configuration e.g. the conveyor is foldable, rotatable relative to the chassis and 18 or telescopic.

Most preferably the second moving means comprises a pair of endless tracks.

22 The first moving means may also comprise a pair of endless tracks.

24 In this embodiment the stacking conveyor exhibits increased manoeuvrability when compared with those systems known in the art. This is a result of the fact that the moving 26 means offers increased skid steer torque over those systems known in the art. Having a 27 second set of endless tracks also acts to increase the overall stability of the stacking 28 conveyor during transport and operation.

Optionally, the stacking conveyor further comprises a hopper connected to the chassis 31 wherein the hopper provide a means for feeding material to the proximal end of the 32 conveyor.

34 The first moving means may be connected to the chassis via the hopper.

1 The stacking conveyor may further comprise a kingpin that provides a means for 2 connecting the stacking conveyor to a tractor unit.

4 The stacking conveyor may further comprise a wheel bogie connection system that provides a means for connecting the stacking conveyor to a wheeled bogie.

7 Optionally the kingpin is located on the underside of the chassis. Alternatively the kingpin 8 is located on the underside of the hopper.

Optionally the wheel bogie connection system is located on the underside of the chassis.

Ii Alternatively the wheel bogie connection system is located on the underside of the hopper.

13 According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of 14 configuring a stacking conveyor, the method comprising IS -surmounting the chassis of the stacking conveyor on a first and second moving 16 means each moving means comprising one or more endless tracks wherein the 17 second moving means is separated from the first moving means along a 18 longitudinal axis of the chassis.

21 The method of configuring the stacking conveyor may further comprise moving the first 22 moving means relative to the chassis to vary the linear separation between the first and 23 second moving means along the longitudinal axis. The one or more endless tracks of the 24 first moving means may be moved independently of each other.

26 Most preferably the method of configuring the stacking conveyor further comprises moving 27 the second moving means relative to the chassis to vary the linear separation between the 28 first and second moving means along the longitudinal axis. The one or more endless 29 tracks of the second moving means may be moved independently of each other.

31 The method of configuring the stacking conveyor may further comprise arranging for the 32 one or more endless tracks of the second moving means to be substantially parallel to the 33 one or more endless tracks of the first moving means to define a transport configuration for 34 the stacking conveyor.

1 Optionally the method of configuring the stacking conveyor further comprises arranging the 2 rotational position of one or more of the endless tracks of the first or second moving a means relative to the longitudinal axis to define an operational configuration for the 4 stacking conveyor.

6 Embodiments of the second aspect of the invention may comprise features to implement 7 the preferred or optional features of the first aspect of the invention or vice versa.

9 According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a stacking conveyor comprising a chassis surmounted on a first and second moving means and a conveyor ii mounted on the chassis, the first and second moving means both comprising one or more 12 endless tracks, wherein the second moving means is separated from the first moving 13 means along a longitudinal axis of the chassis and the one or more endless tracks of the 14 second moving means are substantially parallel to the one or more endless tracks of the first moving means when the stacking conveyor is in a transport configuration.

17 Embodiments of the third aspect of the invention may comprise features to implement the 18 preferred or optional features of the first aspect of the invention or vice versa.

Brief Description of the Drawings

22 There will now be described, by way of example only, various embodiments of the 23 invention with reference to the drawings, of which: Figure 1 presents an isomeric view of a stacking conveyor in accordance with an 26 embodiment of the present invention, shown in a transport configuration; 28 Figure 2 presents an isomeric view of an adjustable track system for the stacking conveyor 29 of Figure 1, shown in a transport configuration; 31 Figure 3 presents an isomeric view of the stacking conveyor of Figure 1, shown in a first 32 operational configuration; 34 Figure 4 presents an isomeric view of the adjustable track system of Figure 2, shown in a first operational configuration; 2 Figure 5 presents an isomeric view of the stacking conveyor of Figure 1 in a second 3 operational configuration; Figure 6 presents an isomeric view of the stacking conveyor of Figure 1 in a third 6 operational configuration; 8 Figure 7 presents an isomeric view of the stacking conveyor of Figure 1 in a fourth 9 operational configuration; Ii Figure 8 presents an isomeric view of the stacking conveyor of Figure 1 in a fifth 12 operational configuration; 14 Figure 9 presents an isomeric view of the stacking conveyor of Figure 1 in a sixth IS operational configuration; 17 Figure 10 presents an isomeric view of an alternative embodiment of the stacking 18 conveyor, shown in a first operational configuration; Figure 11 presents an isomeric view of a further alternative embodiment of the stacking 21 conveyor, shown in a first operational configuration; 23 Figure 12 presents an isomeric view of a yet further alternative embodiment of the stacking 24 conveyor, shown in a first operational configuration.

26 Figure 13 presents an isomeric view of an alternative embodiment of the stacking 27 conveyor of Figure 1 during transportation.

29 Figure 14 presents an isomeric view of an alternative embodiment of the stacking conveyor of Figure 11 during transportation.

32 In the description which follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and 33 drawings with the same reference numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale 34 and the proportions of certain parts have been exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of embodiments of the invention.

2 Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

4 A first embodiment of a stacking conveyor 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 and 3. In particular, 6 Figure 1 presents an isomeric view of the stacking conveyor 1 in a transport configuration 7 while Figure 3 presents the same view of the stacking conveyor 1, this time in a first 8 operational configuration.

The stacking conveyor 1 can be seen to comprise a conveyor 2 which (as is the case of 11 the presently described embodiment) may be foldable, mounted on a chassis 3. The 12 chassis 3 may be an integrated component of the conveyor 2 or a separate component 13 releasably connected to the conveyor 2.

In alternative embodiments the conveyor 2 may be telescopic or rotatable relative to the 16 chassis 3.

18 A longitudinal axis of the stacking conveyor 1, generally depicted by reference numeral 4, 19 is also presented in Figures 1 and 3. The longitudinal axis 4 can be seen to lie substantially parallel to length of the elongated side supports 5a and 5b of the stacking 21 conveyor 1 and hence the normal direction of travel of the stacking conveyor 1 when in 22 the transport configuration of Figure 1.

24 A boom 6. which may be a hydraulically operated boom, is connected between the chassis 3 and a distal end 7 of the conveyor 2. The boom 6 therefore provides a means to raise 26 the distal end 7 of the conveyor, relative to the proximal end 8, such that the stacking 27 conveyor 1 may provide a means for stockpiling a material.

29 A prime mover e.g. an engine (not shown) is also mounted on the chassis 3. The chassis 3 is surmounted on a first 9 and a second 10 moving means, the second moving means 31 10 being displaced along the longitudinal axis 4 relative to the position of first set of 32 endless tracks 9. The first and second moving means are arranged to be power-operated 33 by the prime mover in order to provide a means for moving the stacking conveyor 1 over 34 the ground. In the presently described embodiment the first 9 and second 10 moving 1 means each comprise a set of endless tracks. It is preferable for the tracks of the first set 2 of endless tracks 9 to be arranged to be collinear to the tracks of the second set of 3 endless tracks 10 when in the transport configuration of Figure 1.

The stacking conveyor 1 is moved from the transport configuration of Figure 1 to the first 6 operational configuration of Figure 3 by unfolding the conveyor 2 and by movement of the 7 boom 6 so as to set the relative height of the distal end 7 of the conveyor 2. Reversing 8 these steps moves the stacking conveyor 1 back to the transport configuration of Figure 1.

The employment of the second moving means 10 provides the stacking conveyor 1 with 11 increased levels of manoeuvrability when compared with those systems known in the art.

12 This is a result of the fact that the second set of endless tracks offers increased skid steer 13 torque for the unit over those systems known in the art. Having a second moving means 14 also acts to increase the overall stability of the stacking conveyor 1, particularly when in the first operational configuration of FigureS. It is noted that employing the second set of 16 endless tracks 10 for a stacking conveyor is contrary to the normal practice in the art due 17 to the relative expense of such a component.

19 The separation of the first 9 and second 10 moving means may also be increased when moving from the transport configuration of Figure 1 to the first operational configuration of 21 Figure 3. This is achieved through the employment of an adjustable track system 11 22 which will now be described with reference to Figures 2 and 4. In particular, Figure 2 23 presents an isomeric view of the adjustable track system 11 in a transport configuration 24 while Figure 4 presents the same view of the adjustable track system 11, this time in a first operational configuration.

27 The adjustable track system 11 can be seen to comprise the chassis 3 which itself 28 comprises two elongated supports 1 2a and 1 2b connected by four support struts 1 3a, 1 Sb, 29 1 Sc and 1 3d. The elongated supports 1 2a and 1 2b can be seen to lie substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 4.

32 The support struts 1 3a, 1 Sb, 1 3c and 1 3d can be seen to split the chassis 3 into three 33 distinct longitudinally separated sections, namely: a first end chassis sections 14, located 34 between the first and second support struts 1 3a and 1 3b; a central chassis sections 15, 1 located between the second and third support struts 13b and 13c; and a second end 2 chassis sections 16 located between the third and fourth support struts 1 3c and 1 3d.

4 The first moving means 9 is connected to the first end chassis section 14 by a first releasable mounting mechanism 17. In a similar manner, the second moving means 10 is 6 connected to the second end chassis section 16 by a second releasable mounting 7 mechanism 18 9 The releasable mounting mechanisms 17 and 18 may comprise hydraulically driven clamps. In the absence of a hydraulic pressure, the clamp is biased towards a closed 11 position such that the position of the corresponding moving means 9 or 10 is fixed relative 12 to the chassis 3. However, when a hydraulic fluid is provided to the releasable mounting 13 mechanisms 17 and 18 these disengage from the chassis 3 and thus allow the 14 corresponding moving means 9 or 10 to move, in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 4, relative to the chassis 3. In this way the adjustable track system 11 16 can be moved between a transport configuration as presented in Figure 2 and a first 17 operational configuration as presented in Figure 4.

19 It will be appreciated by the skilled reader that in an alternative embodiment the individual tracks within a pair of tracks may be released and moved independently of the other i.e. 21 individual tracks within the first moving means 9 and or the second moving means 10 may 22 be moved along the longitudinal axis 4 independently of each other.

24 It will be further appreciated by the skilled reader that the releasable mounting mechanisms 17 and 18 may comprise alternative mechanical means to the above 26 described hydraulically driven clamps.

28 The adjustable track system 11 may comprise one or more hydraulic jacks that provide a 29 means for increasing or decreasing the separation of the first moving means 9 and or the second moving means 10 relative to the chassis 3. In this way angle of the chassis 3 31 relative to the ground may be adjusted so as to provide a means for the stacking conveyor 32 1 to compensate for uneven ground.

1 When the stacking conveyor 1 is to be deployed at a particular location the adjustable 2 track system 11 may be moved from the transport configuration of Figure 2 to the first 3 operational configuration, as presented in Figure 4. In this configuration the overall 4 footprint of the endless tracks endless tracks 9 or 10 is increased and hence there is a corresponding further increase in the overall stability of the stacking conveyor 1. As a 6 result there is a reduced restriction on the design of the various components of the 7 stacking conveyor 1 upon the chassis and a reduction in the need to deploy support legs.

8 As described above, the hydraulic jacks may be employed to adjust the angle of the 9 chassis 3 relative to the ground.

1-i The adjustable track system 11 may further comprise a rotation control means 19 that 12 connects an endless track of the first 9 or second 10 moving means to an associated 13 releasable mounting mechanism 17 or 18. The function of the rotation control means 19 is 14 to provide a means to independently adjust the rotational position of an endless track relative to the longitudinal axis 4. In the presently described embodiments of Figures 5 to 16 9 the rotation control means 19 comprise a hydraulic actuator, activation of which causes 17 rotational movement of the endless track to occur. It will however be appreciated by the 18 skilled reader that the rotation control means 19 may comprise an alternative mechanical 19 component to provide this independent rotational functionality to each of the endless tracks.

22 In a yet further alternative embodiment the adjustable track system may further comprise a 23 lateral position control means (e.g. a telescopic arm) that connects an endless track to an 24 associated releasable mounting mechanism. The function of the lateral position control means is to provide a means to independently adjust the position of an endless track in a 26 direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

28 Figures 5 to 9 present isomeric views of the stacking conveyor 1 in second to sixth 29 operational configurations, respectively.

31 In particular, in Figure 5 the endless tracks of the second moving means 10 have both 32 been rotated to approximately 45° relative to the longitudinal axis 4 while the endless 33 tracks of the first moving means 9 remain substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 4.

1 In Figure 6 the endless tracks of the second moving means 10 have both again been 2 rotated to approximately 45° relative to the longitudinal axis 4 while the endless tracks of 3 the first moving means 9 have both been rotated to approximately -45° relative to the 4 longitudinal axis 4.

6 In Figure 7 the endless tracks of the second moving means 10 have both again been 7 rotated to approximately 45° relative to the longitudinal axis 4 while the endless tracks of 8 the first moving means 9 have also both been rotated to approximately 45° relative to the 9 longitudinal axis 4.

11 In Figure 8 the endless tracks of the second moving means 10 have been rotated to 12 approximately -90° and 90°, respectively, so that both now lie substantially perpendicular 13 to the longitudinal axis 4. In this configuration the endless tracks of the first moving means 14 9 remain substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 4.

16 Finally, in Figure 9 the endless tracks of the first moving means 9 and the second moving 17 means 10 and have been rotated to approximately -90° and 90°, respectively, so that they 18 all lie substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 4.

It will be appreciated by the skilled reader that the choice of operational configurations is 21 not limited to those presented in Figures 5 to 9. The choice of operation configuration 22 adopted will be dependent upon the use to which the stacking conveyor 1 is to be 23 deployed and the terrain upon which it is deployed. The adjustable track system 11 thus 24 provides a means for increased linear and radial movement for the stacking conveyor 1 to assist slewing motion during operation.

27 Although the above described embodiments have all been described in relation to the first 28 9 and second moving means 10 comprising a pair of endless tracks it will be appreciated 29 that one or both of these moving means may alternatively comprise one or more endless tracks. For example, Figure 10 presents an isomeric view of an alternative embodiment of 31 the stacking conveyor lb in which the first moving means 9 comprises a single endless 32 track.

1 Figure 11 presents an isomeric view of a further alternative embodiment of the stacking 2 conveyor ib, shown in a first operational configuration. This embodiment differs from 3 those described above in that it further comprises a hopper 20 connected to the chassis 3 4 and arranged to provide a means for feeding material to the proximal end of the conveyor 8.

7 In the presently a yet further embodiment, as shown in Figure 12 the first moving means 9 8 may be connected to the chassis 3 via the hopper 20.

In addition, it will be appreciated that in a further alternative embodiment one of the moving 11 means may not be connected to the chassis by a releasable mounting mechanism. In 12 such an embodiment the relative longitudinal positions of the first 9 and second moving 13 means lois controlled by the release and movement of a single moving means.

An alternative embodiment of the stacking conveyor le will now be described with 16 reference to Figure 13. In this embodiment a kingpin 21 is located on the underside of the 17 chassis 3 towards the proximal end of the device. A wheel bogie connection system 22 is 18 also located on the underside of the chassis towards 3 but this time at the distal end of the 19 device. The incorporation of these features allows the proximal end of the stacking conveyor le to be connected to a tractor unit 23 and the distal end of the stacking 21 conveyor ie to be connected a wheeled bogie 24. This provides a novel means for 22 transporting the stacking conveyor ie.

24 It will be appreciated by the skilled reader that the relative positions of the kingpin 21 and the wheel bogie connection system 22 may be reversed i.e. the kingpin 21 is located at the 26 distal end of the device while the wheel bogie connection system 22 is located at the 27 proximal end.

29 Figure 14 presents an isomeric view of a yet further alternative embodiment of the stacking conveyor it that is similar to that described above with reference to Figure 13. In this 31 embodiment the kingpin 21 is located on the underside of the hopper 20 while the wheel 32 bogie connection system 22 is located at the distal end.

1 It will be appreciated by the skilled reader that the relative positions of the kingpin 21 and 2 the wheel bogie connection system 22 may again be reversed i.e. the kingpin 21 is located 3 at the distal end of the device while the wheel bogie connection system 22 is located on 4 the underside of the hopper 20.

6 The stacking conveyor 1 described above provides a number of advantages when 7 compared to those known in the art. In the first instance when in the transport 8 configuration stacking conveyor 1 is highly manoeuvrable since it offers increased skid 9 steer torque and more stable over those systems known in the art. The presence of the second set of endless tracks 10 also provides the stacking conveyor 1 with increased 11 stability. The employment of a second moving means comprising a set of endless track is 12 contrary to the normal practice in the art due to the relative expense of such a component.

14 The ability to move and reconfigure the first and second sets of endless tracks to the one is or more described operational configurations also provides stacking conveyor 1 with 16 further increased stability without the need to employ support legs or to carefully design 17 the weight distribution of the other components of stacking conveyor 1. It also provides 18 increased linear and radial movement for the stacking conveyor 1 to assist slewing motion 19 during operation.

21 A stacking conveyor is described that comprises two pairs of endless tracks connected to 22 a chassis at separate locations along a longitudinal axis. Employing two sets of endless 23 tracks provides the device with increased stability and manoeuvrability. The two pairs of 24 endless tracks may form part of an adjustable track system where one or more of these components is moveable relative to the chassis. This arrangement provides a means for 26 varying the linear separation between the pairs of endless tracks along the longitudinal 27 axis. The track system is therefore movable between a transport configuration where the 28 linear separation of the first and second moving means along the longitudinal axis is 29 minimised and a first operational configuration where the linear separation of the first and second moving means along the longitudinal axis is increased to further increase the 31 stability provided by the adjustable track system.

33 Throughout the specification, unless the context demands otherwise, the terms "comprise" 34 or "include", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", "includes" or "including" will 1 be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the 2 exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. a

4 Furthermore, reference to any prior art in the description should not be taken as an indication that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

7 The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration 8 and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise 9 form disclosed. The described embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others Ii skilled in the art to best utilise the invention in various embodiments and with various 12 modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Therefore, further 13 modifications or improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of 14 the invention as defined by the appended claims.