GB2570866A

GB2570866A - Telescopic conveyor

Info

Publication number: GB2570866A
Application number: GB1800165.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Quinn Mark; Smyth Richard
Original assignee: Telestack Ltd
Current assignee: Telestack Ltd
Priority date: 2018-01-05
Filing date: 2018-01-05
Publication date: 2019-08-14
Anticipated expiration: 2038-01-05
Also published as: GB201800165D0; GB2570866B

Abstract

A telescopic conveyor (see Fig 3) comprising a base section and at least one extendable section 8, 12 telescopically mounted thereon which may comprise chassis (2) and wheels (10). An inner section 8 may extendable and retract within an outer section 6 and telescopic extension / retraction relative to the base section is possible. Base section and at least one extendable section 6, 8 has a belt conveying surface 12 driven by at least one respective drive means 18, 20 each coupled to a power supply such as an electric or hydraulic motor 30 via at least flexible hoses or cable 22, 24. Cables 22, 24 are wound onto a respective co-axially mounted reels 26, 28 to take up slack therein when extendable sections 8 and/or 12 is/are extended and retracted with respect to the base section. Hydraulic motor 30 and an associated torque limiting device comprises a pressure relief valve.

Description

Telescopic Conveyor

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a telescopic conveyor and in particular to a telescopic conveyor having improved cable/hose handling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Telescopic conveyors are commonly provided for the handling of articles. Such conveyors may be moved from location to location and adjusted in length so as to conform to the particular working environment, for example for unloading ships and/or for stockpiling granular or particulate material, for example on quarries.

Typically, telescopic conveyors consist of two or more conveyor sections adapted to be extended and retracted with respect to one another in telescopic fashion. In an example having two conveyor sections, an extendable section is telescopically mounted within a base section, the extendable section being supported on the base section at an outer end of the base section by a support assembly comprising one or more support rollers mounted on the base section.

Typically a winch is mounted on the tail end of the base section having a cable extending around a pulley provided at a head end of the base section and being connected to a tail end of the extendable section whereby the winch can wind in the cable to extend the extendable section with respect to the base section.

Typically each of the conveyor sections is provided with an endless belt conveyor and a drive mechanism for moving the belt to conveyor material along the conveyor section. Such drive mechanisms typically comprise hydraulic or electric motors mounted at the tail end, head end of at both ends of the respective conveyor section. It is therefore necessary to supply electric power or hydraulic fluid to such motors by suitable cables or hoses. Due to the telescopic movement of the or each extendable section of the conveyor with respect to the base section, such cables or hoses must be of sufficient length to reach the respective motors when the or each extendable section is in a fully extended position with respect to the base section. However, there is then considerable slack in the cables or hoses when the or each extendable section is in a retracted position with respect to the base section of the conveyor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a telescopic conveyor comprising a base section and at least one extendable section telescopically mounted on the base section, said at least one extendable section being adapted to be extended and retracted with respect to the base section in telescopic fashion, wherein said base section and said at least one extendable section each incorporate a conveying surface driven by one or more respective drive means, the or each drive means of the at least one extendable section being coupled to a power supply via one or more flexible hoses or cables, at least a section of said one or more flexible hoses or cables being wound onto a respective reel to take up slack in said one or more flexible hoses or cables as the at least one extendable section is extended and retracted with respect to the base section.

The power supply may be mounted on a chassis upon which the base section is mounted.

In one embodiment the or each reel may be provided with a tensioning means to maintain tension on the flexible hose or cable wound thereon as the at least one extendable section is extended and retracted with respect to the base section.

In a preferred embodiment the or each reel is driven by a drive means adapted to rotate the or each reel to wind said one or more flexible hoses or cables onto its reel as the at least one extendable section is retracted with respect to the base section of the conveyor. The drive means may comprise a motor, such as a hydraulic motor or an electric motor.

The drive means may include a torque limiting device to prevent the one or more flexible hoses or cables from being overtensioned on the one or more reels. Where the drive means comprises a hydraulic motor, the torque limiting device may comprise a pressure relief valve.

Preferably the or each reel is mounted on a reel assembly. The reel assembly may be mounted on said base section of the conveyor. The reel assembly may comprise a plurality of coaxially mounted reels. The reel assembly may include guide rollers for guiding said hoses or cables onto and off said reels.

In one embodiment the drive means of the conveying surface of the at least one extendable section of the conveyor may comprise one or more hydraulic motors, said power supply comprising a pump and said one or more hydraulic motors of the at least one extendable section being coupled to pump via one or more hydraulic hoses, at least a section of each of said hydraulic hoses being wound onto a respective reel to take up slack in said hoses as the at least one extendable section is extended and retracted with respect to the base section.

The pump may communicate with a hub of said one or more reels, each hydraulic hose being coupled to a coupling on a rotatable part of the respective reel, said coupling being in communication with said hub whereby fluid is transferred from the pump to the one or more hydraulic hoses via said hub and couplings.

In one embodiment the conveying surface of said base section and at least one extendable section of the conveyor may be defined by a respective endless belt conveyor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A telescopic conveyor in accordance with an embodiment 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 view of a telescopic conveyor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a detailed perspective view the conveyor boom of the telescopic conveyor of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detailed perspective view of the conveyor boom of the telescopic conveyor of Figure 1 in its extended configuration;

Figure 4 is a further detailed perspective view of the conveyor boom of the telescopic conveyor of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a detailed view of the hose reel assembly of the telescopic conveyor of Figure 1; and

Figures 6 and 7 are exploded views of the hose reel assembly of Figure 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A telescopic conveyor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in the drawings, comprises a chassis 2 upon which is mounted a conveyor boom 4 comprising an outer section 6 supported on the chassis 2 and a coaxially mounted inner section 8, said inner section 6 being telescopically mounted within the outer section 6 to be reciprocally moveable with respect to the outer section 6 between a retracted position (shown in Figure 1), when the inner section 8 is substantially located within the outer section 6, and an extended position (shown in Figure 3), wherein the inner section 8 extends in cantilevered manner from the outer section 6, the inner section 8 being telescopically extended and retracted into and out of the outer section 6 to adjust the length of the conveyor boom 4.

The outer and inner sections 6,8 of the conveyor boom 2 have a generally rectangular cross-section, with the cross-section of the inner section 8 being smaller than the cross-section of the outer section 6 so that the inner section 8 can be received within the outer section 6.

The outer and inner sections 6,8 of the conveyor boom 4 may each comprise a hollow lattice of frame members and interconnecting bracing members, to provide a light but strong rigid load supporting structure.

An actuating means (not shown) is provided for extending and retracting the inner section 8 of the conveyor boom 4 with respect to the outer section 6.

The actuating means may comprise a winch system with one or more cables guided around pulleys mounted on the outer and inner sections 6,8 of the conveyor boom 4 and associated with one or more rams or winch pulleys to facilitate extension and retraction of the inner section 6 of the conveyor boom 4 with respect to the outer section 6. Alternatively a gearing system or chain and sprocket arrangement may be used to extend and retract the inner section 8 of the conveyor boom 4 with respect to the outer section 8. In another embodiment motor driven wheels or gears may be mounted on one section, preferably on the outer section 6, engaging the inner section 8 to extend and retract the inner section 8 with respect to the outer section 6.

The chassis 2 is preferably mounted on wheels 10 and/or tracks to allow the conveyor to be moved. Said wheels 10 and/or tracks may be driven, for example by means of hydraulic and/or electric motors. The wheels 10 and/or tracks may be braked and/or may be lockable to selectively prevent rotation thereof. The wheels 10 and/or tracks may be adapted to allow the chassis 2, and thus the conveyor boom 4, to move transverse to the longitudinal axis of the conveyor boom 4 to facilitate loading of a ship and/or may be configured or be configurable to allow the chassis 2, and thus the conveyor boom 4, to be moved in a direction aligned with the longitudinal axis of the conveyor boom 4. In one embodiment chassis 2 of the conveyor may be adapted to be mounted on rails.

An endless belt conveyor 12,14 is mounted on each the outer and inner sections 6,8 of the conveyor boom 4 to provide a conveying surface along an upper region of the conveyor boom 4. The conveyor belt 12 of the outer section 6 of the conveyor boom 4 is arranged to deliver material onto the conveyor belt 14 of the inner section

8, preferably via a feed chute 16 mounted at a distal end of the outer section 6 of the conveyor boom 4.

Each conveyor belt 12,14 is provided with a respective drive motor or motors 18,20. In the embodiment shown the drive motors 18,20 comprise hydraulic motors, although it is envisaged that the drive motors 18,20 of the conveyor belts 12,14 may be electric motors. Each drive motor 18,20 is coupled to a suitable power supply, such as a hydraulic pump or electricity generator as appropriate, via flexible hoses or cables. In the embodiment shown the hydraulic drive motors 18,20 of the conveyor belts 12,14 are coupled to a pump (not shown), typically mounted on the chassis 4, via respective feed and return hoses 22,24.

In respect of the inner section 8 of the conveyor boom 4, the distance between the pump and the drive motor 20 of the conveyor belt 14 thereof varies as the inner section 8 is extended and retracted with respect to the outer section 6 to vary the length of the conveyor boom 4. The required length of the hydraulic hoses 22,24 supplying the drive motor 20 therefore varies. Such hoses 22,24 must be of sufficient length to extend from hydraulic pump to the drive motor 20, located at the distal end of the inner section 8, when the inner section 8 is in its full extended position with respect to the outer section 6, as shown in Figure 3. However, when the inner section 8 is in its retracted position with respect to the outer section 6, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the distal end of the inner section 8 is adjacent the distal end of the outer section 6 and thus the distance to the drive motor 20 of the inner section 8 from the hydraulic pump is much shorter.

To accommodate the varied distance of the drive motor 20 of the inner section 8 of the conveyor boom 4 from the pump, a hose reel assembly 25 is provided to take up any slack in the hoses 22,24, as required.

The hose reel assembly 25 is mounted on the distal end/head of the outer section 6 of the conveyor boom 4. The hose reel assembly 25 comprises a support frame 40 having a plurality of coaxially mounted reels 26,28, rotatably mounted thereon upon which the hydraulic hoses 22,24 feeding the inner conveyor section 8 drive motor 20 are wound.

A hydraulic drive motor 30 is provided for rotating the hose reels 26,28, via a chain and sprocket assembly 32 (chain omitted from exploded drawings), to wind the hoses 22,24 onto the respective reels 26,28 as the inner conveyor section 8 is retracted with respect to the outer conveyor section 6.

As the inner conveyor section 8 is extended from the outer conveyor section 6 (while belts are running or not), the hydraulic hoses 22,24 are rolled off the reels

26,28, the distal ends of hoses 22,24 being coupled to the inner conveyor section 8 drive motor 20 at the head of the inner conveyor section 8, back tension provided by a flow restriction or pressure relief valve provided in a hydraulic circuit of the drive motor 30 of the hose reel assembly 25. The hose reels 26,28 are not actively driven by the drive motor 30 when hoses 22,24 are being unwound from the reels

26.28, the flow of hydraulic fluid through the flow restriction or pressure relief valve providing the slight back tension required to take up slack in the hoses 22,24.

When the inner section 8 is retracted with respect to the outer section 6 of the conveyor boom 4, the hydraulic drive motor 30 of the hose reel assembly 25 is activated to rotate the hose reels 26,28 of the hose reel assembly 25 to roll up the hoses 22,24 onto the reels 26,28, avoiding the creation of slack in the hoses 22,24.

A pressure relief valve in the hydraulic circuit of the hydraulic drive motor 30 of the hose reel assembly 25 may protect the hoses 22,24 from being over tensioned by limiting the torque applied to the reels 26,28. The hose reel assembly 25 can have any number of reels, preferably one for each hydraulic hose, depending on the machine requirements (for example number of motors driving the conveyor belt or other power requirements, such as additional motors mounted on the sections of the conveyor boom 4. Vertical guide rollers 38 may be provided to help guide the hoses 22,24 on and off the reels 26,28 in a direction tangential to the respective reel

26.28.

The hydraulic fluid feed to the inner conveyor section 8 drive motor 30 via the hose reel assembly 25 may communicate with the hoses 22,24 via a hollow hub 34 of the reels 26,28, rotary unions being provided coupled to each hose 22,24 to allow the fluid to flow from said hub into the hoses 22,24 on the respective reel 26,28, allowing hydraulic flow to flow into the hoses 22,24 as the respective reel 26,28 rotates indefinitely.

While the invention has been described in relation to the use of hydraulic drive motors to power the conveyor belts it is envisaged that the conveyors may be driven by electric motors. In such case, the hoses wound on the reel assembly may comprise electrical cables.

Although the hose reels are described as being driven by a hydraulic motor, it is envisaged that the reels may be driven by an electric motor or may be tensioned by a spring or similar tensioning means to wind the respective hoses or cables onto the reels and maintain tension in the hoses or reels as the inner section or the conveyor boom is retracted and extended with respect to the outer section.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A telescopic conveyor comprising a base section and at least one extendable section telescopically mounted on the base section, said at least one extendable section being adapted to be extended and retracted with respect to the base section in telescopic fashion, wherein said base section and said at least one extendable section each incorporate a conveying surface driven by one or more respective drive means, the or each drive means of the at least one extendable section being coupled to a power supply via one or more flexible hoses or cables, at least a section of said one or more flexible hoses or cables being wound onto a respective reel to take up slack in said one or more flexible hoses or cables as the at least one extendable section is extended and retracted with respect to the base section.

2. A telescopic conveyor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said power supply is mounted on a chassis upon which the base section is mounted.

3. A telescopic conveyor as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the or each reel is provided with a tensioning means to maintain tension on the flexible hose or cable wound thereon as the at least one extendable section is extended and retracted with respect to the base section.

4. A telescopic conveyor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each reel is driven by a drive means adapted to rotate the or each reel to wind said one or more flexible hoses or cables onto its reel as the at least one extendable section is retracted with respect to the base section of the conveyor.

5. A telescopic conveyor as claimed in claim 4, wherein said drive means comprises motor.

6. A telescopic conveyor as claimed in claim 5, wherein said drive means comprises a hydraulic motor or an electric motor

7. A telescopic conveyor as claimed any of claims 4 to 6, wherein said drive means includes a torque limiting device to prevent the one or more flexible hoses or cables from being overtensioned on the one or more reels.

8. A telescopic conveyor as claimed in claim 7, wherein said drive means comprises a hydraulic motor and said torque limiting device comprises a pressure relief valve.

9. A telescopic conveyor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each reel is mounted on a reel assembly.

10. A telescopic conveyor as claimed in claim 9, wherein said reel assembly is mounted on said base section of the conveyor

11. A telescopic conveyor as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the reel assembly comprises a plurality of coaxially mounted reels.

12. A telescopic conveyor as claimed in claim 11, wherein the reel assembly includes guide rollers for guiding said hoses or cables onto and off said reels.

13. A telescopic conveyor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the drive means of the conveying surface of the at least one extendable section of the conveyor comprises one or more hydraulic motors, said power supply comprising a pump and said one or more hydraulic motors of the at least one extendable section being coupled to pump via one or more hydraulic hoses, at least a section of each of said hydraulic hoses being wound onto a respective reel to take up slack in said hoses as the at least one extendable section is extended and retracted with respect to the base section.

14. A telescopic conveyor as claimed in claim 13, wherein said pump communicates with a hub of said one or more reels, each hydraulic hose being coupled to a coupling on a rotatable part of the respective reel, said coupling being in communication with said hub whereby fluid is transferred from the pump to the one or more hydraulic hoses via said hub and couplings.

15. A telescopic conveyor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the conveying surface of said base section and at least one extendable section of the conveyor is defined by a respective endless belt conveyor.