RU2750270C2 - Conveyor chain link assembly (variants), conveyor chain link scraper assembly, and conveyor chain link scraper assembly (variants) - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: conveyors.SUBSTANCE: conveyor (10) contains a chain (14) and scrapers (18). The chain (14) contains two repair links (26) connected by two side plates (30). In the outer direction, two spaced pins (34) extend from each side plate (30) perpendicular to the direction of movement of the chain, to which the scrapers (18) are attached. The scraper (18) contains a noise-absorbing material in the form of a urethane shell (20) and a metal base (22) in the form of an embedded sheet steel core. In order to provide access to rivets or threaded fasteners (56), for potential recovery of the scraper (18) from the conveyor (10) or replacement of the damaged scraper with a new scraper (18), holes (60) are made in the urethane shell (20), located above the holes (58) passing through the metal base (22). The shell (20) passes through the holes in the core.EFFECT: effective scraper design for a scraper conveyor is proposed.39 cl, 10 dwg

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a partial continuation of pending US Provisional Application No. 12/433332, filed April 30, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0002] This invention relates to a scraper chain conveyor used in the mining industry to transport raw materials, and in particular to an improved scraper chain conveyor design. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to conveyor chains for continuous shearers and for chain drives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In the past, attempts have been made to create conveyor scrapers with various coatings. The main reason for using these coatings is noise control. While coatings have been shown to reduce conveyor noise levels by 5-10 dB, these materials wear off relatively quickly from scrapers and have been found to be of insufficient quality for industrial use in continuous shearers or longwall equipment. After working off the working resource, the coatings flattened, began to tear and detach. One of the reasons for this damage was that the coating was too thin. The available space for placing the scraper bars on the conveyor is limited, so the integrity of the scrapers used is sacrificed to increase the coating thickness.

[0004] It has been proven that a urethane coating applied to conveyor chain scrapers effectively reduces the noise levels experienced by continuous shearer operators. The reasons limiting the widespread use of this method for solving the problem include the cost of manufacturing and maintenance of the chain, the life of the urethane coating, etc.

[0005] To date, the most effective urethane-coated scraper design is a conventional forged steel conveyor scraper that is machined to reduce its thickness and therefore provide space for the urethane coating. The machined scraper is then used as a core that is encased in a urethane coating. However, the thickness of the coating does not reach the required value, and the corners of the steel scraper cause stress concentration on the urethane coating. The end of the scraper closest to the chain is currently made with increased dimensions and with holes for the chain pins. The urethane coating is undesirably thin due to the oversized end of the scraper.

[0006] The scraper core is welded integrally with the scraper section of the chain, which is part of the chain assembly. Replacing the scraper due to wear of the urethane coating is expensive and difficult. If the urethane coating is worn out on a large number of scrapers, then it is not cost effective to repair the chain and the entire chain must be replaced.

[0007] It is an independent object of the present invention to provide a conveyor chain comprising replaceable urethane coated scrapers. In the case of a conveyor chain containing replaceable urethane-coated scrapers, damaged urethane-coated scrapers can be replaced in minutes with minimal downtime for the continuous shearer.

[0008] In one independent embodiment, the conveyor chain scraper comprises at least two spaced links and two side plates that connect said links and each of which extends two spaced elongated pins. The scraper may include a metal base, which may include two spaced cylindrical portions for receiving said two spaced elongated pins. In addition, the scraper may include a flexible casing that surrounds the metal base.

[0009] In another independent embodiment, a scraper is provided for a conveyor chain scraper assembly, said assembly comprising a pair of parallel scraper mounting pins spaced apart and each characterized by a length, a pair of spaced parallel side plates mounted on said pins, and at least one scraper. The scraper can generally comprise a core containing an intermediate element and a pair of parallel tubes located at a specified distance from each other, the intermediate element being located between the said tubes and connected to each of them, and each tube has a first end and a second end, and a shell, surrounding the core, attached thereto and having a first end and a second end, the first end having a pair of holes. The core and sheath may form a single scraper capable of being connected to the pins, with the first end of each tube intended to accommodate a portion of the length of the corresponding pin, and each hole in the sheath serving to pass a portion of the corresponding pin through it.

[0010] In a further independent embodiment, a conveyor chain scraper assembly is provided. The assembly may generally comprise a pair of parallel scraper mounting pins that are spaced apart and each characterized by a length, a pair of spaced parallel side plates mounted on said pins, and at least one removable scraper. The scraper may contain a core containing an intermediate element and a pair of parallel tubes located at a specified distance from each other, and the intermediate element is located between the said tubes and attached to each of them, and each tube has a first end and a second end, and a shell surrounding the core attached thereto and having a first end and a second end, the first end having a pair of holes. The core and sheath may form a single scraper capable of releasably connecting to said pins, wherein the first end of each tube provides removable placement of a portion of the length of the corresponding pin, and a portion of the corresponding pin extends through each hole in the sheath.

[0011] In yet another independent embodiment, a conveyor chain scraper assembly is provided. The specified unit may generally comprise a pair of parallel pins for mounting a scraper, which are spaced from each other and each of which has an outer surface and is characterized by a length, a pair of spaced parallel side plates mounted on said pins, at least one removable scraper having a pair of holes that are spaced at a specified distance from each other and each of which has an inner surface and provides removable placement of the corresponding pin, and an adhesive located between the inner surface of each hole and the outer surface of the corresponding pin to provide a detachable connection of the scraper with the pins.

[0012] In another independent embodiment, a method for assembling a conveyor chain scraper assembly is provided. The method may generally include providing a pair of parallel scraper mounting pins that are spaced apart and each characterized by a length, placing a pair of spaced parallel side plates on said pins, at least one scraper comprising a core that comprises an intermediate element and a pair of parallel tubes located at a specified distance from each other, and the intermediate element is located between the tubes and attached to each of them, and each tube has a first end and a second end, and a shell having a first end and a second end, while the first end has a pair of holes, and with the specified design of at least one scraper, the core is encased in a sheath to obtain a single scraper, and a detachable connection of a single scraper with said pins, performed after said enclosure in the sheath, in which part of the length of the corresponding pin is removably inserted I into the first end of each tube and part of the corresponding pin is pulled with the possibility of removal through each hole in the shell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a conveyor containing a chain and scrapers.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a single scraper comprising an inner core and an outer urethane coating.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inner core shown in FIG. 2.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the inner core shown in FIG. 3.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a conveyor comprising a chain and scrapers.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a chain scraper assembly.

[0019] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the chain scraper assembly shown in FIG. 6.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the core included in the chain scraper assembly of FIG. 6.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the outer sheath for the scraper chain assembly of FIG. 6.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment of a chain scraper assembly.

[0023] Before considering a detailed description of one embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that the practical application of the invention is not limited only to the structural elements and arrangements of component parts presented in the following description or shown in the drawings. The invention may have other embodiments and may be implemented or performed in various ways. In addition, it should be understood that the language and terms used in this document are used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as restrictive. The terms "including" and "comprising" and their derivatives are used in this document in terms of encompassing both the following elements and their equivalents, and additional elements. In addition, it should be understood that terms such as "front", "back", "left", "right", "upper" and "lower", etc., are used for convenience and should not be construed as restrictive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] FIG. 1 depicts a conveyor 10 comprising a chain 14 and scrapers 18. The scraper 18 comprises a sound-damping material in the form of a urethane shell 20 and a metal base 22 in the form of an embedded steel sheet core as shown in FIG. 2. In other embodiments, other less preferred options for the metal base may be used, such as a shoe (not shown).

[0025] More specifically, chain 14, as shown in FIG. 1 comprises two pivot links 26 connected by two side plates 30. Although only two pivot links 26 are shown connected by two plates 30, the chain 14 is typically a continuous chain (not shown) with the scrapers 18 attached to distance from each other along the chain 14.

[0026] Outwardly from each side plate 30, two spaced pins 34 extend perpendicular to the direction of travel of the chain. Each of the scrapers 18 is attached to spaced pins 34, as further explained below. As shown in FIG. 1, one set of two spaced pins 34 extends to the left of chain 14 and one set of two spaced pins 34 extends to the right of chain 14.

[0027] Each scraper 18 has a thin-walled steel core 22 leaving room for a corresponding thickness of the sound damping sheath 20. The core 22 shown in FIG. 3 is a flat steel plate having a first end 40 and a second end 44, as well as a left edge 48 and a right edge 52, as shown in FIG. 3. Each of the left and right edges of the core 22 has a cylindrical portion 50 that defines a cylindrical hole 54 extending the entire length of the core 22. The cylindrical holes 54 receive elongated chain pins 34. The core 22 is clamped on the pins 34 by riveted clamping means or threaded fasteners 56 (see FIG. 1) that pass through holes 58 passing only through the metal base 22. The core 22, together with the pins 34, provides strength and rigidity for maintaining the urethane outer jacket 20 of the scraper 18.

[0028] To provide access to rivets or threaded fasteners 56 for optionally removing the scraper 18 from the conveyor 10 or replacing the damaged scraper with a new scraper 18, the urethane jacket 20 has holes 60 located above the holes 58 passing through the metal base 22.

[0029] In one embodiment, which is not shown in the drawings, the sound damping scraper 20 can be made of several pieces that are glued together simultaneously with their adhesion to the cores 22. In a preferred embodiment, the scraper 18 is cast directly on the core 22. More specifically, the core 22 is inserted into the mold, and then a sound-damping material 20 is poured over the core. The core may consist of one or two parts. FIG. 3 shows a one-piece core 22, and FIG. 4 shows a core 72 made of two identical portions 74 and 76 having a symmetrical configuration. The core 72 can also be formed in one piece by welding the two pieces along their edges. The one-piece core provides a more secure grip on the chain pins 34, but the two-piece core requires less fabrication.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5, the length of the cylindrical holes 54 need not be equal to the total length of the core 22. If, for reasons of economy, pins 34 are used that do not extend over the entire length of the core 22, the length of the holes 54 may correspond to the length of the pin 34. In addition, this allows simple making chain assemblies of different widths by simply selecting scrapers of a given width while maintaining the same length of the pins.

[0031] The drawings show a two-sprocket conveyor chain described in US Pat. No. 6,662,932, which is incorporated herein by reference. The proposed principle can also be applied to a standard single sprocket conveyor chain. In the drawings, the urethane scraper is shown partially transparent to show the pins and core therein.

[0032] FIG. 6-9 show a chain scraper unit 400 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The scraper assembly 400 shown in FIG. 6-9 is similar to the assembly described above with reference to FIG. 1-5, and only their differences are described below. Like items are identified with the same reference numbers, increased by 400.

[0033] The scraper assembly 400 includes scrapers 418, pivot links 426, side plates 430, and pins 434 for mounting the scraper. As shown in FIG. 7-8, scrapers 418 comprise a sheath 420 made of a sound damping material such as urethane and an inner core 422 made of a rigid material such as steel.

[0034] FIG. 8 depicts core 422 in more detail. The depicted core 422 comprises two parallel tubes 438 and an intermediate member 442 attached thereto. Each tube 438 has a first end 446 and a second end 464, the tubes 438 being spaced apart from each other at a distance equal to the length of the chain pitch 14. The tubes 438 have an inner surface 466, defining the inner diameter. The inner diameter of the tubes is slightly larger than the diameter of the pins 434 to allow a clearance fit between the tubes 438 and the outer surface of the pins 434.

[0035] The intermediate member 442 has a first end 468 proximal to the first ends 446 of the tubes 438, a second end 480, an upper surface 484 and a lower surface 488. The intermediate member 442 extends parallel to the tubes 438 towards a second end 480, which is located further in the illustrated structure. than the second ends 464 of the tubes 438. The element 442 also has holes 492 extending between the upper surface 484 and the lower surface 488. In other embodiments, the intermediate element 442 may have more or fewer holes 492 of different sizes.

[0036] The scraper shell 420 is made of urethane or other sound damping material. As shown in FIG. 9, the depicted sheath 420 substantially surrounds the entire core 422, covering the top, bottom, and outer end surfaces of the core 422. In other designs, sheath 420 may cover the inner end surface of the core 422. The sheath 420 extends through the holes 492 of the intermediate member 442 and fills them, reinforcing the connection between the specified shell 420 and element 442.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 7, the pins 434 are extended in length to allow them to be attached to the mandrel 422. The scrapers 418 are attached to the pins 434, in this embodiment the connection of the scrapers 418 and the pins 434 provides a bonding agent. To assemble scraper 418 and chain 14, a binder or assembly compound is applied to the inner surface of the tubes 438 and / or to the pins 434. To improve the bonding connection, the pins 434 may be pretreated, which may include notching, grooving the outer surface of the pins 434, or its sandblasting. Tubes 438 slide over pins 434 to secure scraper 418 relative to chain scraper assembly 400. The space between the inner surface of the tube 438 and the post 434 is filled with a bonding agent.

[0038] Suitable binders have a shear strength of 5 psi (0.35 kg / cm ² ) with tubes 438 and pins 434 configured with an appropriate contact area to provide the required strength of the assembly 400. In addition the binder selected has a melting point such that the heat will melt the binder and allow the operator to remove and replace the worn or damaged scraper 418. After applying additional binder to pins 434 and / or tubes 438 (if necessary), pins 434 are fitted new, spare scraper 418.

[0039] The modular design of the scraper 418 shown in FIG. 6-9 simplifies replacement of a broken scraper without having to disconnect the chain 14 and replace the entire scraper assembly 400. Rigid core 422 gives scraper 418 strength and rigidity, while scraper shell 420 provides sound damping, reducing the noise generated by conveyor 10.

[0040] In addition, the core 422 and scraper sheath 420 simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the need to first attach the scraper to the scraper chain assembly and then apply the sheath to each scraper. Instead, the scrapers 418 can be manufactured separately by first fabricating the core 422 and then enclosing it in the sheath 420. This reduces the cost of manufacturing the scraper assembly 400 including the sound damping scrapers 418.

[0041] The length of the tubes 438 can be adjusted depending on the desired contact surface between the pins 434 and the tubes 438. In addition, the length and shape of the intermediate member 422 can be adjusted depending on the required strength or stiffness of the scraper 418.

[0042] FIG. 10 depicts an alternate embodiment of a scraper chain assembly 500 comprising a scraper 518, wherein the core 522 is pushed over the pins 534 and the ends of the pins 534 are attached to the core 522. The core 522 extends approximately the entire length of the scraper sheath 520 to provide greater strength for the assembly.

[0043] In another embodiment (not shown in the drawings), the scraper is made of a material that has sound damping properties so that a separate sheath is unnecessary and is sufficiently strong so that a separate core is not needed. One example of such a suitable material is malleable iron. Although malleable iron is difficult to weld to steel, such a scraper can be attached to the pins with a bonding agent as described above. Such a scraper may have a construction similar to that of a scraper 418 (for example, have holes for pins 434 and generally the same external shape). Alternatively, the scraper may have a construction similar to that shown in US Patent Application No. 2009/0250318, published October 8, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0044] Thus, the invention can generally provide, inter alia, a chain scraper assembly having sound damping properties. The following claims may set forth one or more independent features and advantages of the invention.

Claims (59)

1. Link unit of the conveyor chain containing a pair of parallel scraper pins that are spaced apart and each has an outer surface, a first end and a second end, a pair of spaced parallel side plates mounted on said pins, and a core attached to the first end of each scraper mounting pin and spaced from each side plate, said core defining the first side and the second side and having an opening extending between the first side and the second side, and a sheath that at least partially surrounds said core and fills said hole in the core. 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the core has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end facing one of said side plates, said sheath covering the core except for its first end. 3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said sheath surrounds at least a portion of said pins located adjacent said core. 4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said shell absorbs noise generated by contact between said link assembly and adjacent conveyor elements. 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the core has a portion located between said pins and attached to both of the pins. 6. The assembly of claim. 1, wherein the core is long and the sheath is long, the length of the sheath being greater than the length of the core. 7. The link assembly of the conveyor chain, containing a pair of parallel pins for mounting the scraper, which are spaced from each other and each of which has an outer surface, a first end and a second end, a pair of spaced parallel side plates mounted on specified pins, a core having an opening, a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end of the core having at least one surface attached to the first end of one of said pins, the core being spaced from said side plates by a gap, and a noise-absorbing sheath that at least partially surrounds said core and passes through said opening in the core. 8. The assembly of claim. 7, wherein the core has a first side, a second side, said opening extending between the first and second sides. 9. The assembly of claim. 7, wherein said sheath surrounds at least a portion of said pins adjacent to said core. 10. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said first end faces one of said side plates, said sheath covering the core except for its first end. 11. An assembly according to claim 7, wherein a portion of said first end is located between said pins and has an end surface facing the side plates and covered with said shell. 12. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the core has a portion located between said pins and attached to both of the pins. 13. The assembly of claim. 7, wherein the second end of said core is trapezoidal. 14. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the core has a length and said sheath has a length that is greater than the length of the core. 15. The assembly according to claim. 7, in which the core is made with the possibility of detachable connection with the specified pins and contains a pair of spaced plates and fasteners that provide joint clamping of the plates on the pins. 16. The assembly of claim 7, comprising a bonding agent disposed between the first end of each pin and the core for attaching each pin to the core. 17. A scraper assembly for a conveyor chain link comprising a pair of parallel side plates and a pair of parallel pins extending perpendicularly through said side plates, said assembly comprising a core adapted to be attached to the first end of each of said pins and separable from each side plate by space, said core having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and an opening extending between the first and second sides, and a sheath at least partially surrounding the core and filling said hole in the core. 18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the core has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end facing one of said side plates, said sheath covering the core except for its first end. 19. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the core has a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the core is trapezoidal. 20. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the core is long and the sheath is longer than the length of the core. 21. Link scraper assembly of the conveyor chain, containing a pair of parallel pins spaced apart, with each pin having an outer surface, a first end and a second end, a pair of spaced parallel side plates mounted on specified pins, a core having at least one hole, a first end and a second end, the first end of the core defining at least one surface attached to the first end of each pin and spaced from each side plate, and a sheath completely surrounding the core and at least a portion of said pins in the vicinity of said core, the sheath extending through said at least one hole in the core. 22. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the shell has an end that is spaced from each side plate. 23. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the core has a portion located between said pins and attached to both of the pins. 24. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the second end of the core is trapezoidal. 25. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the core has a first side and a second side, said at least one opening extending between said first and second sides. 26. The assembly of claim 21, wherein said core has a length and the sheath has a length that is greater than the length of the core. 27. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the core is a first core and the shell is a first shell, said assembly comprising a second core having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second scraper defines at least one surface, attached to the second end of each pin and spaced from each side plate, and a second shell completely surrounding the second core and at least a portion of said pins in the vicinity of the second core. 28. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the core is releasably connected to said pins. 29. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the core is releasably connected to said pins by clamping said core onto the pins. 30. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the core comprises a pair of spaced apart plates and fasteners that clamp the plates together on the pins. 31. The assembly of claim 30, wherein the core and sheath define openings for receiving said fasteners. 32. The assembly of claim 28, wherein each pin has an outer surface, wherein said core comprises a pair of tubes for receiving first ends of the pins, said assembly comprising an adhesive disposed between each tube and the outer surface of each pin. 33. The assembly of claim 32, wherein the outer surface of each pin is textured to provide increased contact between the pin and the bonding agent. 34. The assembly of claim 32, wherein the binder comprises an assembly compound. 35. Link scraper assembly of the conveyor chain, containing a pair of parallel pins that are spaced apart and each with an outer surface, a first end and a second end, a pair of spaced parallel side plates mounted on specified pins, a core having at least one end surface attached to a first end of each pin, said core having a first side, a second side, and at least one hole extending between the first and second sides, and a shell surrounding the specified core and filling the specified at least one of its holes. 36. The assembly of claim 35, wherein the core has a portion located between said pins and attached to both of the pins. 37. The assembly of claim 35, wherein the second end of the core is trapezoidal. 38. The assembly of claim 35, wherein the core is long and the sheath is longer than the length of the core. 39. The assembly of claim 35, wherein the core is a first core and the sheath is a first sheath, wherein said assembly comprises a second core having a first end and a second end, the first end of the core defining at least one surface attached to the second end of each pin and spaced from each side plate, and a second shell completely surrounding the second core and at least a portion of said pins in the vicinity of the second core.

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