WO2016033411A1

WO2016033411A1 - Mobile belt plow

Info

Publication number: WO2016033411A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/047349
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jason HANKS; Thad MARVIN
Original assignee: Flsmidth A/S
Priority date: 2014-08-29
Filing date: 2015-08-28
Publication date: 2016-03-03

Abstract

A mobile plow for discharging material from a mobile conveyor is disclosed. The mobile plow is capable of moving relative to the ground. In use, the mobile plow has at least one blade, a support structure connected to the at least one blade, and a mobility mechanism connected to the support structure and configured to move the support structure along the mobile conveyor. The mobile plow may move relative to the mobile conveyor while removing material from the mobile conveyor. The at least one blade contacts material conveyed on a belt which is provided to the mobile conveyor, and removes material from the belt. The support structure supports the blade when the blade comes in contact with material. The mobile plow may discharge material onto a secondary conveyor that may also have mobile characteristics.

Description

MOBILE BELT PLOW

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to conveying systems, and more particularly to mobile conveying systems having a mobile conveyor and a mobile discharge machine, and most particularly to a mobile conveyor comprising a mobile plow.

2. The Relevant Technology

[0002] Mobile conveyors are complex systems which are configured for moving and piling material. They not only move material by conveying it along a length of conveyor belt, but are moveable so that they can change the location or direction of material during conveying. This allows for more complex materials handling. Mobile conveyors are utilized in many industries, including those which handle ores, minerals, agglomerated materials, earth, seed, particulate material, and the like.

[0003] A tripper is often used in combination with a mobile conveyor to move material from the conveyor to a specified location. A tripper lifts material from a mobile conveyor at some point along the conveyor belt so that it may be subsequently moved off to one side of the mobile conveyor. This allows for more degrees of freedom as the length and height of the mobile conveyor are otherwise set parameters which limit the locations to which material can be conveyed by the mobile conveyor. A tripper removes this limitation, as it can lift and/or discharge material from the mobile conveyor before it reaches the end of the mobile conveyor. If the tripper is mobile, the length parameter of the mobile conveyor is even less restrictive, since the tripper can move up and down the length of the mobile conveyor in infinitesimal increments while the mobile conveyor is conveying material, thus allowing material to be placed in many different locations over time. Moreover, if the tripper is mobile, then more concise movements and placements of material are also possible.

[0004] Trippers generally require a large frame. They are complex devices that must maintain alignment with a mobile conveyor belt in order to properly remove material from the mobile conveyor. Trippers often sit high on top of mobile conveyors, making the frame required to support the mobile conveyor appreciably larger. This can be an issue for usage with leach pads, where over-compaction of ground surfaces adversely affects the leach pad's efficiency. Substantial weight necessities, which are required to meet engineering design specifications, generally limit a mobile conveying system's ability to move along steeply- graded material. Heavier structures further require more energy to achieve mobility. For instance, a mobile conveyor with a tripper connected to it cannot maneuver and move material on a steep grade and may be more prone to toppling due to top-heaviness and a high center of gravity.

[0005] Mobile conveyors are often accompanied by a cross conveyor that accepts material discharged from the mobile conveyor. Regarding movements within a system having a mobile tripper and a cross conveyor, there are several complexities to deal with— including a potential for misalignment between the tripper and the cross conveyor. Systems comprising a mobile conveyor with a tripper and a cross conveyor allow for greater precision in material storage and deposition, but at the expense of a heavier structure. Weight also adds to shipping and transportation costs from one site to another, as well as added capital expenses for the extra materials needed for frames, additional crawler tracks, and other supporting structures. BRIEF SUMMARY

[0006] One example illustrated herein is a mobile plow. The mobile plow has at least one blade which is configured to remove material from a mobile conveyor. The at least one blade is further configured to come in contact with material conveyed on a belt that is provided to the mobile conveyor and to remove material from the belt. The mobile plow also has a support structure which is configured to support the at least one blade when the at least one blade comes in contact with material to be removed from the belt. The mobile plow has a mobility mechanism that may be configured to move the at least one blade and the support structure along a length of the mobile conveyor. The mobile plow may discharge material from a mobile conveyor, and the mobile conveyor may be capable of moving relative to the ground.

[0007] The mobile plow may have a control mechanism. The mobile plow may be assembled in a mobile conveying apparatus that includes a mobile conveyor. The mobile conveying apparatus may also have a cross conveyor.

[0008] The mobile plow may also comprise an apparatus configured to take a length of the belt off of the mobile conveyor, bring the length of the belt towards the at least one blade, and then place said length of the belt back onto the mobile conveyor.

[0009] The mobility mechanism may comprise a rotatable member such as a driven wheel, a driven cogwheel, a capstan drive cable-pulley system, and/or equivalent powered drive means. A roller may be provided between the at least one blade and the belt. The mobile plow may have a protective box configured to decrease material splatter/spray.

[0010] The at least one blade may be slanted, curved, angled in at least one plane, and/or V-shaped. The at least one blade may be covered in or otherwise coated with, treated with, or provided with a non-stick material that resists material attaching to the at least one blade and/or reduces friction between the at least one blade and a conveying belt. In some instances, the non-stick material may comprise polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), sol-gel derived products, and/or anodized aluminum - without limitation. In some embodiments, the at least one blade may comprise one or more portions or surfaces having a wearable material which is resistant to wear, such as hardened steel or tool steel. The at least one blade may comprise a single blade or a plurality of blades.

[0011] Another example illustrated herein, is a conveying apparatus that includes a mobile conveyor which is capable of moving along the ground while it is conveying material and supporting a mobile plow. The mobile conveyor may have a conveying belt and a rotatable member such as a crawler track comprising a plurality of linked metallic plates that may move the mobile conveyor relative to the ground.

[0012] These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0014] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a size comparison between a tripper conveyor apparatus of the prior art and an embodiment of a mobile belt plow according to the invention, respectively.

[0015] Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of a mobile plow and a mobile conveyor.

[0016] Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of a blade with a supporting roller.

[0017] Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment of a blade with a moldboard for supporting a replaceable blade guard.

[0018] Figure 6 illustrates an isometric view of an embodiment of a mobile plow.

[0019] Figure 7 illustrates how a belt may feed through a mobile plow according to some embodiments.

[0020] Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment comprising a mobile plow, a mobile conveyor, and a secondary conveyor.

[0021] Figures 9a and 9b illustrate views of a mobile plow arranged in different configurations.

[0022] Figures 10a- lOd schematically illustrate blade configurations of a mobile plow according to certain non-limiting embodiments. [0023] Figure 11 schematically illustrates a mobile plow configuration incorporating more than one blade.

[0024] Figure 12 schematically illustrates an inverted trough blade and roller arrangement according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The mobile plow described below allows material to be moved and stacked on a lighter frame and, in some cases, with more versatility with varying ground level, uneven terrain, and steeper grade than an equivalent tripper.

[0026] Previously, trippers 101 have been used to remove material from a mobile conveyor 100, as can be seen in Figure 1. Trippers allow material to be removed at any point along a mobile conveyor, but they are large and heavy, necessitating large frames 109 and large movement mechanisms 106 for support. Moreover, the top-heaviness of prior trippers 101 substantially limits their application and use in certain mobile conveying situations.

[0027] As can be gleaned from the comparison of Figure 1 to Figure 2, the present invention is capable of similar capacities as the prior art, but may be configured much lighter and smaller with a lower center of gravity. A mobile conveyor 200 according to the invention may have a capacity similar to that of prior mobile conveyors 100, but with a frame 209 which is much smaller (and which sits lower and closer to the frame 209). A movement mechanism 206 such as a mini crawler track may also be configured to be smaller and lighter than prior movement mechanisms 106 which need to be larger to support the larger tripper 101 and larger frame 109. This is beneficial as it allows for lower costs, greater nimbleness/mobility, and smaller footprint. The smaller movement mechanism 206 may also advantageously avoid over-compaction of the ground upon which the mobile conveyor moves. This smaller and lighter configuration is particularly important in leach pad operations where occlusion between agglomerated particles is not desirable. [0028] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a mobile plow 303 and a mobile conveyor 300. The mobile plow may move along the mobile conveyor 300 using a cable reel 314 and cogged bogie 315. In some embodiments (not shown), other mechanisms may be employed to move the mobile plow 303 along the mobile conveyor 300 such as, but not limited to: a rack and pinion, crawler tracks, conventional driven wheels, maglev technology, chain and rope hauls, and equivalent movement mechanisms.

[0029] In some embodiments, a belt 304 may move along the mobile conveyor 300 with the help of idler rollers 305 and pulleys (not shown) until it may be taken off the mobile conveyor 300 by portions of the mobile plow 303. The belt 304 may then move gradually along the frame 309 of the mobile plow 303 via a set of rollers 313 until it approaches a blade 310. The blade 310 may be placed in close proximity with the belt 304 to remove all or portions of the material the belt 304 may be carrying. The belt 304 may move past the blade 310 onto one or more aft rollers 313' and then subsequently back onto the mobile conveyor 300. One or more hold down rollers 321 may be provided to help return the belt 304 to idler rollers 305 of the mobile conveyor 300. The mobile conveyor 300 can also discharge material at an end (not shown) of the conveyor 300. One or more control mechanisms 311 may help control the movement of the mobile plow 303 along a length of the mobile conveyor 300, so that it may remain generally parallel to the direction the belt 304 moves.

[0030] The mobile conveyor 300 may have a supporting frame 309 (e.g., comprising one or more interlinked trusses) and may move along the ground with a movement mechanism 306 comprising a rotatable member. In some embodiments the rotatable member may comprise a crawler track, an idle wheel, or a driven wheel. Belt movement means (not shown) may be employed by the mobile conveyor 300 in order to move the belt 304 along the mobile conveyor 300. The frame 309 may be shaped, as shown in Figure 3, with triangular support structures, and may take any form. The belt 304 may be a flat belt, or it may be troughed (e.g., in a V-shape or U-shape) when viewed transversely in cross-section. In some embodiments where the belt 304 is troughed, the idler rollers 305 may be comprised of multiple sets of rollers along the length of the frame 309, wherein each set of rollers has multiple rollers aligned in a troughed" V" or curved "U" shape so as to allow the belt 304 to maintain alignment while troughed (this can be seen mere clearly by viewing the idler rollers 805 in Figure 8). The material conveyed by the mobile conveyor 300 may be ore, minerals, cementacous material, salt, sand, earth, tailings, particulate material of any form, or agglomerated material without limitation.

[0031] The blade 410 may have a blade-guiding roller 422 that may guide the blade and help keep it connected to, in contact with, and/or supported by a belt 404, as shown in Figure 4. The blade 410 may have an optional blade guard 423 to aid in more precisely scraping material off the belt 404. The blade guard 423 may be removable and interchangeable for easy replacement or adjustment. Blade guards 423 may be provided in multiple sizes, shapes, thicknesses, profiles, or mounting configurations to accommodate wear, different belt widths, and various belt profiles. The blade 410 may be housed in or on a plow frame 419 provided to the mobile plow 403. The belt 404 may move upon rollers 413 which lead the belt 404 to the blade 410. Rollers 413 and/or blade-guiding roller 422 may be interchangeable with different sizes, diameters, and thicknesses, or roller supports may be configured to be adjustable (e.g., using fasteners in certain ones of multiple holes) so as to finely and incrementally adjust the spacing/gap between edges of the blade guard 423 and the belt 404. In some embodiments, the blade-guiding roller 422 may be configured to track within complimentary- shaped longitudinal grooves or recesses (not shown) which may be provided lengthwise in the belt 404. In this regard, the blade-guiding roller may help to maintain relative transverse alignment between the belt and the blade 410 and also help resist lateral forces which may be created during displacement of material. In some instances, the blade-guiding roller 422 may be configured to positively engage the belt 404 and the blade 410, for example, as does a chain and sprocket. In such embodiments, the belt 404 may be provided with small apertures or depressions therein, and the roller 422 may be configured as a sprocket having small teeth or spokes which engage said apertures or depressions in the belt 404 and track the belt 404 accordingly. Methods according to the invention may further include replacing a blade-guiding roller 422 with a smaller diameter blade-guiding roller 422 as the blade guard 423 or belt 404 wears over time. In this regard, the size of the gap between the belt 404 and the blade 410 can be maintained and/or optimized over time to compensate for relative wear between the belt 404 and the blade guard 423.

[0032] The blade 510 on a mobile plow 503 may also connect with, come into contact with, or otherwise come into close proximity with the belt 504 without a blade- guiding roller 422 as shown in Figure 5. The blade 510 may have a blade guard 523 and may be similarly housed in or on a plow frame 519. The conveying belt 504 may move upon lead rollers 513 as shown, and/or may ride on carefully- arranged, longitudinally-extending, vertically-positioned skids made from low friction materials (e.g., HMWPE). Such skids, which are not shown, would serve to cam the belt 504 into a profile shape which complements the blade 510. The blade guard 523 may be provided with a "comb" configuration having a plurality of fingers extending from the blade guard 523 and into longitudinal grooves provided lengthwise on the belt 504. In this regard, the plurality of fingers may engage with and track within said longitudinal groove in order to maintain alignment between the belt 504 and the blade 510. Additionally, lateral forces created during displacement of material which are applied to the belt 504 can be opposed by portions of the blade 510. While not particularly shown, it is possible to configure rollers 513 in any of the discussed embodiments herein so that they are not be planar. For example rollers 513 may be configured collectively, so that they tilt the belt 504 of the mobile conveyor at an angle with respect to the horizon or ground (i.e., when viewed in cross-section). Accordingly, the weight of the material being conveyed may assist the blade 510 in removing material from the belt 504 and place less lateral stress on portions of the apparatus.

[0033] In some embodiments, the blade guard 523 may be attached to the blade 510 via a moldboard 530. The moldboard 530 may serve as a mounting surface to aid in allowing the blade guard 523 to be replaced and re-mounted to other portions of the blade 510. The moldboard 530 may be attached to the blade 510 using any conventional means including mechanical fastening, welding, or bolting. The blade guard 423, 523 may be made of rubber or steel and/or combinations thereof, for example, and may be configured to be removable/replaceable in some instances. In some instances, the moldboard 530 and blade guard 523 may each be complimentarily configured with respective mounting bosses or holes, such that the blade guard can be moved up or down on the moldboard 530 and fastened to the moldboard 530 in various configurations as the blade guard or belt 504 wears. In this regard, the amount of gap between the belt 504 and blade 510 may be kept at an optimum distance. For example, if one side of the belt 504 or blade guard 523 begins to wear prematurely, the blade guard 523 may be tilted or otherwise shifted with respect to blade 510 to accommodate the differences in spacing between the belt 504 and blade 510. Alternatively, the blade guard 523 may be taken off and shaped or refurbished to better compliment the profile and proximity of belt 504 or replaced with a new blade guard 523.

[0034] As shown in Figure 6, a mobile plow 603 according to the invention may generally move along an axis 607 of the mobile conveyor. The axis 607 may be in line with the same general direction of the belt 604 and the movement of material along the mobile conveyor 200, 300, 800 which it supports. Material conveyed by the mobile conveyor may be removed from the belt 604 with the blade 610 and subsequently delivered to one side of the mobile plow 603, where it may be received by a hopper 624. This direction may be marked by a secondary axis 608 which is not in line with the direction of the belt (i.e., not parallel with axis 607). This secondary axis 608 may be angled from axis 607 or generally orthogonal to axis 607 as shown. The relative angles in space between axes 607 and 608 may vary depending on the quantity and characteristics of the material being conveyed (e.g., stickiness, density, particle size, and moisture content).

[0035] The mobile plow 603 may be controlled by a control mechanism 611. The control mechanism 611 may comprise one or more control systems having input parameters, feedback circuits, and sensors. The control mechanism 611 be operated by an onboard operator 628 or may be remotely operated by an operator 628 using existing technology already known in the art. Even more alternatively, the control mechanism

611 may be completely automated. A control platform 626 may be attached to a frame

609 of the mobile plow 603 and may aid in the operation, maintenance, and repair of the mobile plow 603 by providing means for personnel access. The control platform 626 may further serve as means for mounting various components such as the control mechanism 611. Additional means for human access 627 such as a ladder or step may be provided to the mobile plow 603 in order to allow operators to access to portions of the mobile plow 603. In some embodiments, the control mechanism 611 may be located at a location of the mobile plow 603 other than what is shown in Figure 6.

[0036] As previously discussed, a plow frame 619 may support the blade 610 and/or one or more blade supports 612 which support the blade 610. An optional shield 625 or other type of deflecting apparatus may assist the blade 610 with moving material from the belt 604. Rollers 613 may also aid in moving material off the belt 604 by supporting the belt 604 from beneath and bringing the blade 610 into close proximity or slight contact with the belt 604 so that material may be more easily removed from the belt 604. Rollers 613 may be provided in much greater number than idler rollers 605 on the mobile conveyor. Residual material remaining on the belt 604 after passing by the blade 610 may therefore be reduced. If the belt 604 is troughed on the mobile conveyor, the rollers 613 most adjacent the blade 610 may be configured to be generally coplanar to flatten out the belt 604 before the belt 604 moves underneath the blade 610.

Additional rollers 613 in front of the blade 610 may be configured to gradually transition the belt from its troughed shape on the mobile conveyor to a more flat shape adjacent the blade 610. In some embodiments further mechanisms used to flatten the belt 604 may be employed by the mobile plow 603 such as camming devices or rollers on pistons/actuators. Such camming devices may comprise stationary devices such as vertically extending, skids longitudinally extending parallel to each other along axis

607. The skids may comprise different upper profiles which serve as camming surfaces that support the belt 604. In some embodiments, a flattened belt 604 may allow for better or more complete removal of conveyed material by the blade 610. While not shown, in some embodiments, the blade 610 and/or blade guard 623 may not be entirely straight or flat and may instead be complimentarily-shaped to the corresponding cross- sectional shape, profile, or arrangement of the belt. In other words, if the belt 604 is not completely flat as it approaches the blade 610 (i.e., the belt is still a bit positively troughed), then the blade 610 may be configured with a rounded or slightly "scooped" spoon shape in order to better remove material located in the trough of the belt 604.

[0037] In some non-limiting embodiments, the entire blade 610 or portions thereof may be coated in a wearable and/or non-stick material. The non-stick material may resist material attaching to the blade and/or prevent premature wearing of the blade 610. The non-stick material may, for example, be selected from polytetrafluorethlyene, sol- gel derived products, anodized aluminum, low coefficient of friction coatings, and/or equivalent material(s), without limitation. The non-stick material may be readily replaced via re-coating or re-application. The wearable and/or non-stick material may be applied by lamination or mechanical fastening means (adhesives, threaded fasteners, rivets, welds, clamps, etc.).

[0038] One or more hold down rollers 621 may help return the belt 604 to the idler rollers located on the mobile conveyor 200, 300, 800 after its contact with the blade 610. A movement mechanism such as a cogged bogie 615 shown in Figure 6 may move the mobile plow 603 along the frame of a mobile conveyor (not shown), while the mobile plow 603 is removing material from the belt 604. It should be noted that equivalent movement mechanisms may be used as previously discussed. A cable reel 614 may be used to take up slack in cables provided along a mobile conveyor which are used to power the cogged bogie 615. [0039] Mobile plows 703 according to the invention, may remove or lift a belt 704 from idler rollers 705 on a mobile conveyor 200, 300, 800, and guide the belt 705 along lead-in rollers 713, as shown in Figure 7. The belt 704 may move underneath the blade 710, and material may be moved away from the belt 704 by the blade 710 as the belt 704 moves underneath the blade 710. The rollers 713 may be more concentrated, as shown by way of example only in Figure 7, in areas surrounding the blade 710 than in other areas of the mobile plow 703. This concentration gradient may reduce blade 710 wear, reduce belt 704 wear, and may aid in removing material from the belt 704 by providing finer contact and relative spacing between the belt 704 and the blade 710. In some instances, the blade 710 may comprise a plurality of blades, as discussed below and as shown, by way of non-limiting example only, in Figure 11. As shown in Figure 6, hold down rollers 721 may assist with returning the belt 704 to the mobile conveyor 200, 300, 800 after the belt 704 has passed underneath the blade 710. In some embodiments, the hold down rollers 721 may also help align the belt 704 with the idler rollers 705 that may be located on the mobile conveyor 200, 300, 800 and keep tension on the belt 704. In some embodiments, the hold down rollers 721 may track in longitudinal grooves provided in the belt 704 to maintain alignment and oppose lateral forces acting on the belt 704.

[0040] If the belt 704 is troughed along a mobile conveyor, the rollers 713 may also help to flatten the belt 704 before the belt 704 moves under the blade 710. After the belt 704 has passed under the blade 710, the hold down rollers 721 may aid in returning the belt 704 to its troughed shape for proper re-engagement with and movement along the mobile conveyor 200, 300, 800 and its idler rollers 305, 605, 705. [0041] The blade 710 may be supported by a support structure 712. The support structure may be mechanized using actuators as shown, 4-bar linkages, rack/pinion arrangements, or adjustable worms. In some embodiments, the blade 710 and/or the belt 704 may be partially or completely covered by or otherwise enclosed by a protective box 729 which may be configured to control/reduce/eliminate material splatter or spray. The support structure 712 for the blade 710 may also have a spring, damper, or piston structure as shown (e.g., a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder) that may aid in keeping the blade 710 in a fixed position relative to the position of the belt 704. The support structure 712 may also keep the blade 710 from bouncing and keep the blade 710 in maintained contact with the belt 704. In some embodiments, such as the one shown, one or more pistons 712b may allow the blade 710 to be raised, lowered, and/or tilted relative to the position of the belt 704. The one or more pistons 712b may apply a force that keeps the blade 710 in place when it comes in contact with material so that the blade 710 remains steady while removing material from the belt 704. Fine adjustments in the spacing between the belt 704 and the blade 710 may, in some embodiments, be controlled by maintaining a constant pressure in the one or more pistons 712b.

[0042] A mobile plow frame 719 may support elements of the mobile plow 703 including, but not limited to: portions of the belt 704, the rollers 713, and the blade 710.

The mobile plow 703 may move along a mobile conveyor 200, 300, 800 with one or more movement mechanisms 716. A control mechanism 711 may control the positioning the mobile plow 703 relative to a mobile plow by affecting the one or more movement mechanisms. In some embodiments, the control mechanism 711 may sit on a control platform 726 that may be accessed by means 727 for human access. [0043] Figure 8 depicts a secondary conveyor 802 that may be used in conjunction with a mobile plow 803 according to some embodiments. The secondary conveyor 802 may receive material from the mobile conveyor 800, via the mobile plow 803 and a laterally-positioned hopper 824. In use, material being conveyed by the belt 804 of the mobile conveyor 800 may be removed by a blade (as shown in Figure 7), and then subsequently flow off of the belt 804, through the hopper 824 and onto the secondary conveyor 802. In some embodiments, material may flow onto the secondary conveyor 802 by way of a secondary hopper 844 located on the secondary conveyor 802. The material received by the secondary conveyor 802 may be subsequently conveyed by a secondary belt 834. The secondary belt 834 may be in motion when it receives material. In preferred embodiments, the material flows away from the mobile conveyor 800 for distribution elsewhere.

[0044] A secondary belt movement mechanism 833 may move the secondary belt along a secondary frame 839 and along one or more sets of secondary idler rollers 835. The secondary conveyor 802 may be capable of movement relative to the ground via a movement mechanism 836 such as a secondary rotatable member. The secondary rotatable member may comprise, for instance, a crawler track, an idle wheel, or a driven wheel. The secondary belt 834 may move along a secondary axis 808 which is not parallel with the belt 804 of the mobile conveyor 800. The secondary conveyor 802 may be at an angle from the mobile conveyor 800 with respect to the mobile conveyor 800 (e.g., with respect to axis 607), or the secondary conveyor 802 may be angled up or down with respect to the ground, horizon, and/or a vertical axis 850 (wherein the vertical axis 850 extends from the ground up through the mobile conveyor and mobile plow 803). [0045] The mobile conveyor 800 may have a series of idler rollers 805 that direct a troughed portion of belt 804 to rollers 813. The rollers 813 direct the belt 804 to a blade (as shown in Figure 7) on the mobile plow 803. The rollers 813 may be arranged in any configuration, but are preferably arranged so as to slowly transition the belt 804 from a positively troughed configuration to a flatter arrangement over a predetermine length of the mobile plow 803. In this regard, material on the belt 804 may be more easily removed from the belt 804, and/or a better engagement between the belt 804 and blade may be established.

[0046] The mobile conveyor 800 may be capable of motion via a movement mechanism 806 which may comprise a rotatable member. The movement mechanism 806 may support the frame 809. As with other embodiments, the mobile plow 803 may be controlled by a control mechanism 811 and may move along the mobile conveyor 800 via a movement mechanism 816.

[0047] As shown in Figures 9a-b, a blade 910 may be angled to a first side in order to remove material to a first side of a belt 904. The blade 910 may also be angled in the opposite direction, to a second side as shown in Figure 9b, to remove material to a second side of a belt 904. In some embodiments, the angle of the blade 910 may be changed via a blade 910 which is configured to be moveable in a plurality of directions and angles and guided by a support structure 912. In some embodiments, the blade 910 may be fixed in one position by the support structure 912. In some embodiments, not shown, the blade 910 may be fixed in a direction that is across the belt 904 such that an edge of the blade is generally orthogonal to the belt 904.

[0048] Blades lOlOa-d discussed herein may be shaped in different ways, including, but in no way limited to the embodiments schematically shown in Figures lOa-d. For example, a blade 1010a may have a curved shape as shown in Figure 10a which curves in a direction upwards from the belt 1004, parabolically opening upstream at an angle ω. As shown in Figure 10b, the blade 1010b may be wrapped or curved in a top plan view with respect to an axis (e.g., axis 607) of the belt 1004, so as to prevent material from flowing off more than one side of the belt 1004. The blade 1010b may progressively capture more material as it removes material from the belt. The blades lOlOa-d may be slanted at a vertical or "pitch" angle a between 0.1 and 179.9 degrees, and/or cocked at an oblique or "rotational" angle Θ, within a similar plane to the belt, as shown in Figure 10c. In some embodiments, a blade 1010c may be rectangular in shape for ease of manufacture. In some embodiments, a blade lOlOa-d may be angled to one side or the other of the belt 1004, as depicted in Figures 9a-b. In some embodiments, a blade lOlOd may be doubly-angled provided in a triangular or "V"-shape configuration, as suggested in Figure lOd. In some embodiments, a blade lOlOa-d may remove material from the belt 1004 by pushing it off of to one side of the belt 1004. In some embodiments, a blade lOlOa-d may remove material from the belt 1004 by pushing it off two sides of the belt 1004 (as shown in Fig. lOd).

[0049] The mobile plow 1103 may comprise more than one blade in series, as shown in Figure 11 or in parallel, side by side (not shown). In such embodiments, the blades l l lOa-c may work together in unison to remove, progressively, more material off of the belt 1104 when in use. Thus, a first blade 1110a may remove some material being conveyed on belt 1104, a second blade 1110b may remove material that the first blade 1110a missed, and a third blade 1110c may remove material that the first 1110a and second 1110b blades missed. The mobile plow may have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more blades without limitation. The blades l l lOa-c may be arranged so that each blade in series may be positioned respectively closer and closer to the belt 1104. In some embodiments, the blades l l lOa-c may be arranged so that each blade 1110a, 1110b, 1110c, is positioned generally the same distance from the belt 1104. Material and the belt 1104 may flow in the general direction of the arrow 1140. In some embodiments, consecutive blades may be progressively angled differently with respect to the horizon and/or with respect to the direction of the belt. In some embodiments multiple blades may sequentially change direction of the material; for example, while not shown, a first blade 1110a may move material to a first side of the belt 1104, a second blade 1110b may move material to both sides of the belt 1104, and a third blade 1110c may move material to a side of the belt 1104 which is opposite said first side of the belt 1104. Different types of blades (such as those shown in Figures lOa-d) may be used in series along the mobile belt plow and may be alternated or grouped in various configurations without limitation.

[0050] Figure 12 depicts a see-through, transverse, cross-sectional view of a belt

1204 showing the belt 1204 at different positions 1204a, 1204b, 1204c, 1204d in time or space along the length of a mobile conveyor. As schematically shown in Figure 12, sets of rollers 1213a-d of a mobile plow may gradually transition so that middle rollers

1213c within a particular set 1213c of rollers are higher in the center than lateral rollers within a particular set 1213c (with respect to sides of the mobile conveyor) so as to gradually reverse the trough of the belt 1204 in areas near the blade 1210. As shown, a first set of rollers 1213a may be arranged on the mobile plow in a tough configuration which closely approximates a trough configuration of a mobile conveyor. The first set of rollers 1213a may be positioned far away from the blade 1210 of a mobile plow to maintain the belt 1204a in a trough configuration at that particular location. Further along the mobile conveyor, and somewhat closer to the blade 1210, a second set of rollers 1213b may be arranged on the mobile plow in a slightly shallower trough configuration than the first set of rollers 1213a in order to flatten the belt 1204 at the particular position 1204b nearest the second set of rollers 1213b. Even further down the mobile conveyor and even closer to the blade 1210, a third set of rollers 1213c may be provided on the mobile plow. The third set of rollers 1213c may collectively form a flatter arrangement, or a slightly inverted (negative) trough configuration as shown, to affect the cross-sectional shape of the belt 1204 at a position 1204c which is yet even closer to the blade 1210. A fourth set of rollers 1213d may be provided to the mobile plow most adjacent the blade 1210 to provide the belt 1204 with a substantially inverted trough configuration at a location 1204d most adjacent the blade 1210. The fourth set of rollers 1213d may closely approximate the shape of the blade 1210 as shown. In such embodiments, a V-shaped "inverted trough" blade 1210 may be incorporated. The blade 1210 may have lateral portions that are lower than its center portion with respect to the ground or horizon. Moreover, in such embodiments, higher center material may be urged to both the left and right of the mobile plow and off of the belt 1204 using gravity and weight of material being conveyed to assist the inverted trough V-shaped plow 1210. As shown, the plow may be V-shaped from front to back, so as to have a central crown or apex portion 1210a which is positioned further upstream than side portions 1210b of the blade 1210. The central crown or apex portion 1210a is configured to come into contact with material on the belt 1204 first, wherein side portions are positioned further downstream (similar to what is shown in Figure lOd).

[0051] The mobile plow may move along the mobile conveyor during operation, even when the mobile conveyor is also moving, thus creating many degrees of freedom. Alternatively, the mobile plow may remain stationary on the mobile conveyor during operation, even when the mobile conveyor is moving. A secondary conveyor may also move while the mobile plow and the mobile conveyor are moving. Alternatively, the secondary conveyor may move while one or both of the mobile plow and the mobile conveyor remain stationary, allowing even more movement and precision in material handling. The belt on the mobile conveyor may be in motion, and passing through the mobile plow, whether or not the mobile plow or secondary conveyor is currently in motion also. In use, the belt may enter the mobile plow laden with material, the material may be removed from the belt via one or more blades located on the mobile plow, and then the belt may move past the blades and back onto the mobile conveyor in a configuration similar to what it was before engaging the mobile plow.

[0052] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

List of Enumerated Features

Mobile Conveyor 100, 200, 300, 800 Tripper 101

Secondary Conveyor 802 Mobile Plow 203, 303, 403, 503, 603, 703, 803, 903, 1103 Belt 304, 404, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004, 1104, 1204

Idler Rollers 305, 605, 705, 805 Movement Mechanism 106, 206, 306, 806 Axis 607

Secondary Axis 608, 808

Frame 109, 209, 309, 809

Blade 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 910, 1010a, 1010b, 1010c, lOlOd, 1110a, 1110b, 1110c

Control Mechanism 311, 611, 711, 811 Support Structure 612, 712, 912 Rollers 313, 313', 413, 513, 613, 713, 813, 1213a-d Cable Reel 314, 614 Cogged Bogie 315, 615 Movement Mechanism 716, 816 Plow Frame 419, 519, 619, 719 Hold Down Roller 321, 621, 721

Blade-Guiding Roller 422

Blade Guard 423, 523, 623

Hopper 624, 824

Shield 625

Control Platform 626, 726

Human Access 627, 727

Operator 628

Protective Box 729

Moldboard 530

Secondary Belt Movement

Mechanism 833

Secondary Belt 834

Secondary Idler Roller 835

Secondary Rotatable Member 836

Secondary Frame 839

Directional Arrow 1140

Secondary Hopper 844

Vertical Axis 850

Inverted Trough Blade 1210

Progressive belt shapes 1204a-d

Blade "curve" angle, in a vertical plane extending long ways with belt ω

Blade "rotation" angle with respect to longitudinal axis of belt Θ

Blade "pitch" angle with respect to horizon or belt surface to belt a

Piston 712b

Claims

CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A mobile plow for discharging material from a mobile conveyor, the mobile conveyor being capable of moving relative to the ground, the mobile plow comprising: at least one blade configured to remove material from the mobile conveyor; a support structure connected to the at least one blade;

a mobility mechanism connected to the support structure and being configured to move the support structure along the mobile conveyor;

wherein the mobile plow is configured to move relative to the mobile conveyor while removing material from the mobile conveyor;

wherein, the at least one blade is further configured to come into contact with material conveyed on a belt that is provided to the mobile conveyor;

wherein, the at least one blade is configured to remove material from the belt; wherein the support structure supports the at least one blade when the at least one blade comes into close proximity or contact with material to be removed from the belt; and

wherein the mobility mechanism is configured to move the at least one blade along a length of the mobile conveyor.

2. A mobile plow as in claim 1, further comprising a control mechanism.

3. A mobile plow as in claim 1, wherein the mobile plow is part of a greater system, the system further comprising said mobile conveyor.

4. A mobile plow as in claim 3, wherein the system further comprises a secondary conveyor.

5. A mobile plow as in claim 1, further comprising an apparatus configured to take a length of the belt off of the mobile conveyor, bring said length of the belt towards the at least one blade, and then place said length of the belt back on the mobile conveyor.

6. A mobile plow as in claim 1, wherein the mobility mechanism comprises a crane wheel.

7. A mobile plow as in claim 1, wherein the mobility mechanism comprises a crawler track.

8. A mobile plow as in claim 1, further comprising a roller provided between the at least one blade and the belt.

9. A mobile plow as in claim 1, wherein the at least one blade has a profile matching the profile of the belt.

10. A mobile plow as in claim 1, wherein the at least one blade is curved.

11. A mobile plow as in claim 1, wherein the at least one blade is angled in at least 1 plane.

12. A mobile plow as in claim 1, wherein the at least one blade has a "V"- or "U"-shape.

13. A mobile plow as in claim 1, wherein the at least one blade is provided with a non-stick material that resists material attaching to the at least one blade.

14. A mobile plow as in claim 13, wherein the non-stick material comprises one or more of the materials selected from the group consisting of: polytetrafluorethlyene, sol-gel derived products, and anodized aluminum.

15. A mobile plow as in claim 1, wherein the at least one blade is provided with a wear-resistant material that resists wear from material.

16. A mobile plow as in claim 1, further comprising a protective box configured to decrease material splatter.

17. A mobile plow as in claim 1, wherein the at least one blade comprises a plurality of blades.

18. A mobile conveying apparatus for moving material, the mobile conveying apparatus comprising:

a mobile conveyor configured to move relative to the ground comprising:

a belt configured to convey material;

a mobile plow configured to discharge material from the mobile conveyor, the mobile plow comprising:

at least one blade configured to remove material from the mobile conveyor;

a support structure connected to the at least one blade;

wherein, the at least one blade is configured to remove material from the belt; wherein the support structure supports the at least one blade when the at least one blade comes in contact with material to be removed from the belt; and

wherein the mobility mechanism is configured to move the at least one blade and support structure along a length of the mobile conveyor.