NZ724095A - Hopper and system for handling bulk material - Google Patents

Abstract

hopper support structure comprising a support for supporting a hopper above a surface, the support including a weighing assembly located to weigh material located in the hopper, along with a system and method for weighing material.

Description

HOPPER AND SYSTEM FOR HANDLING BULK MATERIAL Technical Field The present invention relates to systems and methods for handling bulk material, in particular to an apparatus and system for weighing bulk material during handling.

Background Transport of bulk material regularly requires transfer of material from one vehicle or container to another with minimal loss of material. This frequently includes delivering bulk material by means of a grab or other material loader into a hopper.

The hopper then opens to allow the bulk material to be deposited into a vehicle or container such as a truck, rail car or shipping container.

Commonly, weighbridges are utilised, weighing the vehicle before and after bulk material is deposited therein to calculate the weight of the bulk material. This step can add time and cost to the process.

Summary of the Invention Disclosed is a hopper support structure comprising a support for supporting a hopper above a surface, the support including a weighing assembly located to weigh material located in the hopper.

In some forms the weighing assembly comprises a weigh cell.

The hopper support structure may in some forms improve efficiency of a transfer system, allowing for less costly, more immediate weighing of material.

In some forms, the support structure comprises a plurality of legs and a weigh cell is located within each leg.

In some forms the weigh cell forms part of the leg.

In some forms the weigh cell is positioned at one end of the leg. In some forms 8172789_1 (GHMatters) P102968.NZ the weigh cell is positioned such that a portion of the hopper is floating on the weigh cells.

In some forms disclosed is a hopper and support structure, the support structure including a weigh cell to weigh material located in the hopper.

Disclosed in some forms is a system for weighing the contents of a hopper, the system comprising one or more weigh cells forming part of a hopper support.

Disclosed in some forms is a method for weighing bulk material, the method comprising weighing a hopper, delivering bulk material to the hopper, preventing further material from being delivered to the hopper, weighing the hopper and contents.

In some forms the method utilizes a hopper support incorporating weigh cells to weigh the hopper and the hopper and contents.

In some forms the method comprises preventing a loader from delivering material to the hopper while the weigh cells are weighing the hopper or hopper and contents.

For the purposes of the specification bulk material can be a various kind including but not limited to fertilizers, grains, meals, sand, cement clinker, gypsum, gravel and other powdered or finely cut material. Containers and vehicles include but are not limited to truck containers, ship containers, rail cars and other containers for transporting bulk material. Loaders may include but are not limited to grabs, scoops, chutes or other apparatus and systems for moving bulk material from one container or vehicle to another.

The accuracy of the system is improved by utilizing a program to prevent material from being delivered to the hopper during weighing.

Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred embodiment will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a hopper and support structure of the present disclosure; 8172789_1 (GHMatters) P102968.NZ Figure 2 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an end view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a second embodiment of a hopper and support structure of the present disclosure; Figure 7 is a graphical representation of the weighing system.

Detailed Description of Embodiments Disclosed is a hopper support structure for holding and delivering bulk material and providing the weight of the bulk material in situ in the hopper.

Referring now to Figures 1 - 5, disclosed is a hopper structure 1 for containing bulk material. In use, bulk material is contained within the hopper 2 and released through hopper doors (not illustrated) at the base of the hopper interior.

The hopper 2 is supported on a support structure 3. The support structure includes weigh cells 4 that weigh the hopper before and after deposit of material within the hopper to provide the weight of the bulk material.

The support structure 3, in the illustrated form, comprises a plurality of legs 6 extending from the hopper 2 to support the hopper 2 above a ground surface.

The weigh cells 4 are located within the legs 6 to weigh the hopper 2.

In the illustrated form the weigh cells 4 are located proximal to the hopper 2 at the upper ends of the legs 6. In some forms the weigh cells may be located in a different location within the legs or may form an upper or lower end of the legs.

In the illustrated form, the support structure further comprises crossbars 7 extending between the legs. In the illustrated form the crossbars 7 are located such that they do not impact the weighing of the hopper 2. Specifically, the weigh cells are positioned above the crossbars 7 and any other supports extending between the legs. The support structure 3 further includes struts 8 extending between the legs 6 and the crossbars and struts 8 extending between the legs 6. 8172789_1 (GHMatters) P102968.NZ The hopper support structure 3 is designed so that the entire weight of the hopper 2 and any contents of the hopper are supported by the weigh cells 4 to allow for in situ weighing of the contents.

The hopper support structure 3 further includes a base 9 which supports the legs 6 above the ground surface.

In the illustrated form the weigh cells 4 are located at an upper end of the legs 6 and proximal the hopper 2. However, there are alternatives available in positioning the weigh cells. For example weigh cells could be positioned beneath the base 9 or at any point on the support where the weight is all supported by the weigh cells. That is, a portion of the hopper is floating on the weigh cells such that the entire weight of the portion above the weigh cells is supported. For example, in a support structure comprising a single leg, the weigh cell can be positioned at any height within the leg. As long as no support or weight bearing structure extends from above the weigh cells to below the weigh cells the weigh cells may accurately weigh the material contained in the hopper.

The weigh cells are strengthened and supported within the support structure so that lateral movement or sway does not damage the weigh cells.

In use, the hopper 2 is weighed by the weigh cells 4. Material is then deposited in the hopper 2. The material and hopper are then weighed by the weigh cells 4.

The weight of the material is calculated. The material is then deposited through the hopper doors at the base of the hopper 2 and into a container or vehicle positioned between the support structure legs 6.

As shown best in Figure 6, in some forms the hopper support structure includes a ladder 11 providing access to the hopper. The ladder 11 includes a break 12 between an upper portion positioned above the weigh cells 4 and a lower portion positioned below the weigh cells.

Further, disclosed is a system of utilizing a hopper support structure to weigh the contents of a hopper before depositing the contents into a vehicle or container for transit.

The system prevents a hopper loader such as, for example, a grab, chute, scoop or other loader from depositing bulk material within the hopper while the hopper is weighing the bulk material within the hopper. 8172789_1 (GHMatters) P102968.NZ The system comprises weigh cells located within the hopper support structure, a hopper loader, and a control system for the weigh cells and the hopper loader that prevents the loader from loading the hopper while the weigh cells weigh the hopper or the hopper and contents. This allows for accurate weighing of the contents of the hopper.

In some forms, as shown in Figure 7, the hopper 22 is fitted with a transmitter, in this case a wireless transmitter. When the hopper is in a closed configuration dumping of product into the hopper is permitted. In this configuration the software acts to close the circuit on the transmitter channel and a signal is sent to a receiver 24 associated with the grab control panel 25 which controls the grab 26.

When the hopper 22 is open and loading is not permitted, the transmitter circuit is open. The grab control panel 25 provides a lockout to the grab open circuit.

In some forms, a green light also illuminates on the Grab Panel indicating opening of the Grab can occur.

In some forms, if the transmitter fails the Grab will not be able to open. A bypass toggle switch has been installed inside the Grab Panel to over-ride this functionality. The switch should only be placed into the bypass position by an authorised person. This will allow for the Grab operator to continue working whilst the Hopper issue is being rectified.

In some forms remote display 27 displays the weight of the hopper. A traffic light signaling whether loading can occur is built in to the display. The weight is provided by a weighing computer 28 connected with the display and the hopper and with a Ethernet or similar connection to the site office.

A discrete output from a CARM I/O box 29 signals the loader operator to allow loading or no allow loading.

The hopper 22 includes a fast feeder 31 and a slow feeder 32 which are actuated by slow feed signal, and fast feed signal which are moveable between closed and open configurations. A fill lever 33 and a jog lever 34 are located to control the closed and open configurations.

In use, the system prevents the loader from loading the hopper while it directs the weigh cells 4 to weigh the hopper 2. The system then directs the loader to deposit material into the hopper 2. The system then prevents the loader from 8172789_1 (GHMatters) P102968.NZ loading the hopper while it directs the weigh cells to weigh the material and hopper. The weight of the material is calculated. The material is then deposited through the hopper doors at the base of the hopper 2 and into a container or vehicle positioned between the support structure legs 6. In some form the system also controls the hopper doors.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding summary of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprising” is used in the sense of “including”, that is the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Variations and modifications may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention. 8172789_1 (GHMatters) P102968.NZ

Claims (5)

Claims 1.

1. A hopper support structure comprising a support for supporting a hopper above a surface, the support including a weighing assembly located to weigh material located in the hopper. 5

2. A hopper support structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the weighing assembly comprises at least one weigh cell.

3. A hopper support structure as defined in claim 2, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of legs and a weigh cell is located within each leg.

4. A system for weighing the contents of a hopper, the system comprising 10 controls for a plurality of weigh cells and a hopper loader, the system being configured such that the hopper loader is prevented from loading the hopper while the plurality of weigh cells weigh the hopper.

5. A method for weighing bulk material, the method comprising weighing a hopper, delivering bulk material to the hopper, and preventing further material 15 from being delivered to the hopper while weighing the hopper and contents. 8172789_1 (GHMatters) P102968.NZ