WO2007059557A1

WO2007059557A1 - A debris collecting apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2007059557A1
Application number: PCT/AU2006/001726
Authority: WO
Inventors: Terrence Shane Tallentire; Lindsey Mcnichol
Original assignee: Lindtall Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2005-11-22
Filing date: 2006-11-17
Publication date: 2007-05-31

Abstract

A debris collecting apparatus is described comprising: a debris collection surface; a magnetic field generator that provides a magnetic field of controllable strength at the collection surface; a linkage; the linkage allows the apparatus to move the collection surface between a first position in which the apparatus can collect debris, and a second position in which the collection surface can be positioned above a waste repository to drop the collected debris into the waste repository.

Description

A DEBRIS COLLECTING APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the magnetic collection of metallic debris.

Background

The removal of debris is particularly important in situations where debris can cause financial loss or present a safety hazard. Metallic debris may cause financial loss, for example, in bulk cargo handling areas where damage to pneumatic tires represents a significant cost in the form of lost productivity and the cost of tyre replacement or repair. When cargo is being handled, it is common for large shards or strips of metal to be produced when cargo containers are impacted into each other. These shards or strips of metal then sit on the floor of the handling area where they can penetrate a passing pneumatic tyre. The tyres on the cargo handling equipment can cost several thousand dollars to replace and the downtime can cause significant losses in productivity and may even result in penalties for delayed handling of cargo.

Metallic debris represents a safety hazard in the case of transporting material, particularly food, by way of conveyor belts or the like. If metallic debris makes its way into food products in a factory environment then this is a danger to the end consumer of the food.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect the present invention provides a debris collecting apparatus comprising: a debris collection surface; a magnetic field generator that provides a magnetic field of controllable strength at the collection surface; a linkage; the linkage allows the apparatus to move the collection surface between a first position in which the apparatus can collect debris, and a second position in which the collection surface can be positioned above a waste repository to drop the collected debris into the waste repository. The magnetic field may be controlled by the adjustment of the distance between the magnetic field generator and the collection surface The distance may be varied by the use of hydraulics. The magnetic field generator may include a permanent magnet. When moving the permanent magnet away from the collection surface, one end of the magnet may be moved prior to the opposite end. The linkage may be moved by hydraulics. In the second position the collection surface may be approximately 1.5m above the floor.

The apparatus may further include guide wheels which contact the surface being cleaned in use.

Li a second aspect the present invention provides a sweeper truck including an apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention.

The apparatus maybe attached to the front of the sweeper truck.

In a second aspect the present invention provides a method of removing debris from a magnetic debris collecting apparatus into a waste repository comprising the steps of: moving a collection surface of the apparatus over the waste repository; and decreasing the magnetic field at the collection surface to allow captured debris to fall into the waste repository.

The magnetic field at the collection surface may be decreased by increasing the distance between the collection surface and the magnetic field source.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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 perspective view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to a vehicle; and Figure 2 is a cut away front view of the apparatus of figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a cut away end view of the apparatus of figure 1; Figure 4 is a side view of a sweeper truck with the apparatus of figure 1 attached to the front and in a raised position;

Figure 5 is a front view of the truck of figure 5 showing the apparatus in the lowered position;

Figure 6 is a side view of the truck of figure 4 showing the apparatus of figure 1 in the lowered and transport positions;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is a reverse perspective view of the apparatus of figure 7;

Figure 9 is a plan view of the apparatus of figure 7; Figure 10 is a front elevation view of the apparatus of figure 7; Figure 11 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of figure 7; Figure 12 is a perspective view of the apparatus of figure 7 with mechanism cover removed;

Figure 13 is a side view of the apparatus of figure 7 attached to a vehicle and in the raised position; Figure 14 is a side view of the arrangement of figure 13 and in the lowered position; and

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the arrangement of figure 14.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring to Figure 1, a debris collecting apparatus 10 is shown including a housing 12, cover 13 and a linkage 14. The linkage connects the apparatus to a vehicle and in Figure 1 the apparatus is shown connected to the rear of tractor 16. Part of one of the rear tyres 18 of tractor 16 is visible in the drawing. The underside of the apparatus is bounded by a collection surface 20 which captures debris in use as will be later described. The linkage 14 is hydraulically operated and allows movement of the apparatus 10 between a lowered position where the collection surface lies very close to the ground, and a raised position.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, housing 12 has been cut away and cover 13 removed to afford a view of the internal components of the apparatus. Apparatus 10 includes a magnetic field generator in the form of permanent magnet 22 such as a plate of Ferrite Y30. Magnet 22 is shown in the raised position mounted on the ends of hydraulic rams 24, 26. Rams 24, 26 can be operated to adjust the distance between the magnet and the collection surface. This has the effect of controlling the strength of magnetic field at collection surface 20. At maximum strength the magnet is fully lowered to be adjacent the collection surface as shown in dotted outline as magnet 22 A.

In use, the magnet is fully lowered within housing 12 and apparatus 10 is moved downwards via linkage 14 to bring collection surface 20 near to the ground. Vehicle 16 can then be driven around the floor or ground area to be cleaned. As the vehicle moves about, debris passed over by collection surface 20 is attracted by the magnetic field of magnet 22 and becomes collected on collection surface 20.

After a period of use, collection surface 20 becomes fouled with debris. The operator of vehicle travels to a waste depository such as a hopper and raises linkage 14 to raise the collection surface 20 of apparatus 10 to a height sufficient to clear the side of the hopper. The collection surface is then moved over the waste depository and rams 24, 26 are operated to raise magnet 22. This has the effect of weakening the magnetic field at collection surface 20 and the debris collected there falls into the hopper for subsequent disposal.

Referring to figures 4 and 5, a sweeper truck in the form of road sweeper 100 is shown. Road sweeper has a system of brushes and vacuum suction to clean a road or other surface. Road sweeper may optionally also include water spray jets or the like to assist in cleaning. Apparatus 10 is attached to the front of road sweeper 100 by way of two linkages 102 which each include a fixed length arm 104, 106 and hydraulic rams 108, 110. Hydraulic rams 108 are telescopic and in figure 4, telescopic rams 108 are shown fully extended to put apparatus 10 in a raised position about 1.5m above the ground, hi this position, the truck 100 may be driven to position apparatus 10 over a waste repository to drop collected material into the repository, hi figure 5, telescopic rams 108 are in the retracted position and the apparatus 10 (shown in dotted outline) is in the lowered position.

Referring to figure 6, operation of rams 110 is illustrated in the lowered position. Rams 110 operate to move apparatus 10 from a lowered working height (about 6 to 15cm above the ground) to a raised transport height (about 30 cm above the ground). The apparatus is set at the transport height when road sweeper 100 is travelling from place to place. hi use, the apparatus is set at the lowered position and in the working height and with magnet 22 in the lowered position. The working height is set according to the evenness of the surface to be passed over and to prevent the collection surface from scraping the ground. In the case of a very even surface, the working height may be of the order of 5 or 6cm. hi the case of a more uneven surface, the working height may be about 12cm or so. The road sweeper moves in the forward direction and ferrous material that passes underneath the collection surface is attracted thereto and becomes trapped against the surface. The brushes and other cleaning devices on the road sweeper operate normally and combine with apparatus 10 to provide a thoroughly effective cleaning operation.

Referring to figures 7 to 12 an alternative embodiment of a debris collection apparatus 200 is shown. This will be described with emphasis on differences to the first described apparatus illustrated in figures 1 to 3.

Apparatus 200 includes a wear plate 202 and wheels 204 are provided along the leading edge of the apparatus to maintain the apparatus a fixed height above the area being cleaned. Side protector strips 206 protect the sides of the apparatus from damage. Two inspection holes are provided and are shown obscured by removable inspection covers 208. These covers 208 may be removed to gain access to the inside of apparatus 200. A quick hitch connection 210 is provided to connect the apparatus to a vehicle or the like. The actuator mechanism cover 212 protects the actuator mechanism during use.

Referring to figure 12, the mechanism cover is removed to expose the mechanism which includes hydraulic rams 214, 216. Rams 214, 216 are supplied with pressurised hydraulic fluid by supply hoses 218 and 220 respectively. To raise the permanent magnet housed in the assembly away from the collection surface pressure is applied to rams 214, 216 by way of hoses 218, 220. Importantly, hose 218 is shorter than hose 220. This has the effect that, when equal supply pressure is applied simultaneously to both hose 218, 220 ram 214 operates slightly earlier than ram 216. This is believed to be due to the slightly increased resistance to flow in the longer length of hose 220. Thus, the end of the magnet associated with ram 214 supplied by the shorter hose 218 rises before the other end of the magnet associated with ram 216. This has the effect of breaking an apparent "seal" between the magnet and the collection surface. It has been found that less initial force is required to raise the magnet if one end of the magnet is raised slightly before the other end. Referring to figures 13 to 15, apparatus 200 is shown attached to a vehicle in the form of truck 250 by way of linkage 260. Linkage 260 operates to move apparatus 200. In figure 13 the apparatus is in the raised position. In figures 14 and 15 the apparatus is in the operational position and the wheels 204 are in contact with the surface of the ground. The truck carries a waste receptacle 270 and linkage can move apparatus to a position above receptacle 270 where collected debris can be released from the collection surface to fall into receptacle 270.

In the embodiments described above, the apparatus was operated by hydraulic rams powered by a suitable pump. The pump could be powered by electricity or could be mechanically driven from the output shaft of a combustion engine. Alternatively, a manual threaded rod and handle can be used for manual operation.

Embodiments of the apparatus can be made in various sizes to suit the particular surface or premises to be cleaned. Typically, apparatus 10 will be of the order of 30cm to 2 metres wide.

Embodiments of the invention described above are suitable for cleaning road & highway surfaces, industrial sites, municipal beaches, sporting facilities and venues and other substantially flat areas of ground.

A further embodiment of the invention is designed for use with material conveyor systems where it is desirable to remove metallic objects from the material being transported on the conveyor. On example is use with a conveyor which transports food product in an industrial food preparation scenario. In this embodiment, an apparatus as illustrated in figures 2 and 3 is mounted on a linkage. The linkage is moveable between a first position wherein the apparatus is positioned over the conveyor belt, and a second position in which the apparatus is positioned over a waste repository. The waste repository is positioned to the side of the conveyor belt and the linkage moves pivotally to swing the apparatus over the repository when it is desired to remove the debris which has collected against the collection surface. Then apparatus can then be swung back to the first position for continued operation. Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated.

Finally, it is to be appreciated that various alterations or additions may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the present invention.

Claims

The invention that may be claimed is described in the following novel arrangements, either singularly or in any combination thereof:

1. A debris collecting apparatus comprising: a debris collection surface; a magnetic field generator that provides a magnetic field of controllable strength at the collection surface; a linkage; the linkage allows the apparatus to move the collection surface between a first position in which the apparatus can collect debris, and a second position in which the collection surface can be positioned above a waste repository to drop the collected debris into the waste repository.

2. A debris collecting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the magnetic field is controlled by the adjustment of the distance between the magnetic field generator and the collection surface

3. A debris collecting apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the distance is varied by the use of hydraulics.

4. A debris collecting apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the magnetic field generator includes a permanent magnet.

5. A debris collecting apparatus according to claim 4 wherein, when moving the permanent magnet away from the collection surface, one end of the magnet is moved prior to the opposite end.

6. A debris collecting apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the linkage is moved by hydraulics.

7. A debris collecting apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein in the second position the collection surface is approximately 1.5m above the floor.

8. A debris collecting apparatus according to any preceding claim further including guide wheels which contact the surface being cleaned in use.

9. A sweeper truck including an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A sweeper truck according to claim 9 wherein the apparatus is attached to the front of the sweeper truck.

11. A method of removing debris from a magnetic debris collecting apparatus into a waste repository comprising the steps of: moving a collection surface of the apparatus over the waste repository; and decreasing the magnetic field at the collection surface to allow captured debris to fall into the waste repository.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein the magnetic field at the collection surface is decreased by increasing the distance between the collection surface and the magnetic field source.

13. A debris collecting apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.