WO2021163751A1

WO2021163751A1 - Conveyor vehicle with dust suppression

Info

Publication number: WO2021163751A1
Application number: PCT/AU2021/050076
Authority: WO
Inventors: Graeme Cooney
Original assignee: Tba Industries Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-02-19
Filing date: 2021-02-01
Publication date: 2021-08-26
Also published as: WO2021163748A1

Abstract

A road portable bulk material conveyor capable of being towed by a prime mover, or the like, having a hopper to receive bulk materials, a hopper frame to support the hopper, a conveyor having a material input end and a material output end, a chassis having a wheel assembly supporting at least a portion of the conveyor, and a vehicle attachment assembly to connect the bulk material conveyor to the towing vehicle. The bulk material conveyor has a dust suppression system to extract dust and place it back onto the conveyor.

Description

CONVEYOR VEHICLE WITH DUST SUPPRESSION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a bulk material conveyor. In particular, the invention relates, but is not limited, to a mobile bulk material conveyor, preferably capable of being towed by a road vehicle, having an integrated dust suppression system.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Reference to background art herein is not to be construed as an admission that such art constitutes common general knowledge.

[0003] In many material processing industries, notably mining and agriculture, it is necessary to convey bulk materials. These materials are often conveyed by different types of equipment. For example, in mining, ore may be collected by a bucket, transferred to a truck, carried to another location, transferred to a belt conveyor, and then loaded onto a transport vessel such as a ship, or the like.

[0004] Once the transport vessel arrives, materials may then be unloaded, often using a grab ship unloader (GSU) or the like, for transport, distribution, and/or storage. While fixed infrastructure can efficiently handle the transfer and conveyance of materials in many cases, they are inherently less flexible. Mobile conveyors are available but are small scale with limited operational capabilities that are not suited to bulk material handling such as that required

(26824667_1):CLLAH for receiving and conveying material from a GSU. Furthermore, different hopper types are typically required to be able to receive and handle different materials (e.g. coal, iron ore, grain, etc).

[0005] With many materials dust can be an issue, particularly during movement such as when the materials are being transferred.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an aim of this invention to provide a bulk material conveyor which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or which at least provides a useful alternative.

[0007] Other preferred objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0008] In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest form, there is provided a bulk material conveyor comprising: a hopper configured to receive bulk materials; a hopper frame configured to support the hopper; a conveyor having a material input end and a material output end; a chassis, having a wheel assembly, supporting at least a portion of the conveyor; and a vehicle attachment assembly configured to connect the bulk material conveyor to a towing vehicle; wherein: the bulk material conveyor has a transport position and a material handling position; and the hopper comprises a dust suppression system configured to fluidly communicate dust adjacent the hopper to the conveyor.

[0009] The dust suppression system preferably comprises extraction piping that fluidly communicates the dust. The dust suppression system preferably comprises one or more dust inlets. Preferably the dust inlets are in the form of plenums. The dust suppression system preferably comprises a plurality of plenums surrounding, or at least substantially surrounding, a perimeter of the hopper. The perimeter of the hopper is preferably at, or adjacent to, a materials receiving side of the hopper. In use, the dust suppression system preferably comprises a rotary valve. The dust suppression system preferably extracts dust with a negative pressure around the plenums, through the extraction piping, to an outlet above the conveyor.

[0010] The dust suppression system may further be configured to fluidly communicate dust adjacent the material output end of the conveyor. The material output end of the conveyor may comprise dust extractors to suppress dust at the material output end of the conveyor. Any dust extracted from adjacent the material output end of the conveyor is preferably fluidly communicated to the conveyor.

[0011] The bulk material conveyor is preferably configured to receive materials from a grab ship unloader (GSU). The hopper is preferably configured to receive and dispense, to the input end of the conveyor, a plurality of different material types. The hopper is configured to receive and dispense materials ranging from 0.2 tonnes per cubic metre to 5 tonnes per cubic metre, even more preferably from 0.25 tonnes per cubic metre to 4 tonnes per cubic metre, and in a preferred form, from around 0.3 tonnes per cubic metre to around 3.5 tonnes per cubic metre.

[0012] In the transport position the hopper, hopper frame, and conveyor are preferably supported by the wheel assembly of the chassis and the vehicle attachment assembly to enable relocation of the bulk material conveyor by a towing vehicle connected to the vehicle attachment assembly. In the material handling position, the hopper preferably is supported by the hopper frame on a ground surface, and the conveyor is at least partially supported by the chassis such that the conveyor extends from its input end underneath the hopper to its output end distal from the input end.

[0013] The bulk material conveyor is preferably configured to receive materials from a grab ship unloader (GSU). The hopper is preferably configured to receive and dispense, to the input end of the conveyor, a plurality of different material types. The hopper is configured to receive and dispense materials ranging from 0.2 tonnes per cubic metre to 5 tonnes per cubic metre, even more preferably from 0.25 tonnes per cubic metre to 4 tonnes per cubic metre, and in a preferred form, from around 0.3 tonnes per cubic metre to around 3.5 tonnes per cubic metre.

[0014] The different material types preferably include both mining materials, such as coal or iron ore, and agricultural materials, such as grain. The hopper preferably has multi-faceted internal walls. The multi-faceted internal walls preferably comprise planar, or at least substantially planar, faces. The faces of the multi-faceted internal walls are preferably arranged at different angles. The faces of the multi-faceted internal walls are preferably configured to allow the different types of materials to easily flow through the hopper.

[0015] Preferably the internal walls of the hopper comprise two side walls, which extend longitudinally, and two end walls, which extend between the side walls. Preferably the internal side walls of the hopper collectively have at least six faces. Preferably the side walls of the hopper are multi-faceted. Preferably the multi-faceted internal side walls comprise triangular faces. Preferably each side of the multi-faceted internal side walls comprise opposed triangular faces separated by quadrilateral end faces. Preferably the quadrilateral end faces are trapezoidal.

[0016] The hopper preferably comprises a funnel located around a periphery of the internal walls. Preferably the funnel is rectangular. The funnel preferably extends outward in a rectangular truncated pyramid shape. The funnel may further comprise an extension. The extension may comprise a plurality of vertically extending walls. The hopper may further comprise a grate located between the funnel and the internal walls of the hopper. The funnel and/or grate may be connected to the hopper frame. The hopper may comprise a dust suppression system. The dust suppression system preferably comprises a dust collector. The bulk material conveyor of claim 11 or 12, wherein the dust suppresion system comprises plenums in the funnel. [0017] Preferably the hopper frame comprises legs. Preferably the hopper frame supports the hopper on the chassis in the transport position and on the ground in the transport position. Preferably the hopper frame comprises feet. Preferably the feet are located at a ground engaging end of the legs. Preferably the feet comprise skids. Each skid preferably extends between at least two legs. The skids are preferably arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis of the bulk material conveyor. In the transport position the hopper frame is preferably raised from the ground surface by the vehicle attachment assembly.

[0018] The vehicle attachment assembly is preferably configured to be connected to a prime mover. The vehicle attachment assembly preferably comprises a king pin. The vehicle attachment assembly may comprise extendible stands configured to support the vehicle attachment assembly above the ground. The vehicle attachment assembly is preferably operatively connected to the hopper frame and chassis.

[0019] The conveyor preferably extends along a longitudinal axis of the bulk material conveyor in both the transport position and material handling position. The conveyor is preferably inclined in the material handling position. Preferably, the conveyor is inclined from its input end underneath the hopper to its output end at a height that is greater than the input end. Preferably the output end of the conveyor comprises a chute. Preferably the chute receives and directs material conveyed by the conveyor in use. Preferably the chute directs the material downwards. In use in the material handling position, the conveyor preferably receives materials dispensed from the hopper, conveys the received materials upwards from its input end to its output end, and directs the conveyed materials downwards through the chute to a desired location. The chute is preferably enclosed. The dust suppression system may comprise dust extractors located in the chute to remove dust therein.

[0020] The conveyor preferably has a variable speed drive configured to adjust the delivery speed of material being conveyed thereon. Preferably the conveyor comprises a weighing mechanism. Preferably the weighing mechanism is configured to batch weigh materials as they are being conveyed. Preferably the weighing mechanism comprises one or more load sensors. Preferably the one or more load sensors are located between the input end of the conveyor and the output end of the conveyor. The conveyor may have a cover. The cover preferably extends over the material being conveyed. The cover preferably spans over at least a majority of the length and width of the conveyor.

[0021] Preferably the weighing mechanism is configured to control the conveyor based on the amount of material being conveyed. Preferably the weighing mechanism is configured to control the conveyor to deliver a predetermined weight of material. Preferably once a determination of the predetermined weight of material to be delivered is made by the weighing mechanism, the weighing mechanism halts operation of the conveyor.

[0022] The wheel assembly preferably comprises a plurality of axles and wheels. Preferably the wheel assembly comprises at least three axles, each axle comprising at least two wheels. In a preferred form, the wheel assembly may comprise four axles, each axle comprising a pair of wheels located on either side of the chassis. [0023] The bulk material conveyor preferably is preferably configured such that its dimensions and weight distribution comply with road requirements, in particular at least Australian road rules.

[0024] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0026] Figure 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a bulk material conveyor;

[0027] Figure 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of the bulk material conveyor of figure 1 ;

[0028] Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the bulk material conveyor of figure 1 ;

[0029] Figure 4 illustrates a top view of the bulk material conveyor of figure 1 ;

[0030] Figure 5 illustrates a top view of a hopper of the bulk material conveyor of figure 1 with the grate removed;

[0031] Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a bulk material conveyor having a dust suppression system; [0032] Figure 7 illustrates another perspective view of the bulk material conveyor having a dust suppression system illustrated in figure 6;

[0033] Figure 8 illustrates a side view of the bulk material conveyor having a dust suppression system illustrated in figure 6;

[0034] Figure 9 illustrates another side view of the bulk material conveyor having a dust suppression system illustrated in figure 6; and

[0035] Figure 10 illustrates a top view of the bulk material conveyor having a dust suppression system illustrated in figure 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a bulk material conveyor 100 in a material handling position. The bulk material conveyor 100 has a hopper 120, configured to receive bulk materials from a grab ship unloader (GSU) or the like, supported by a hopper frame 130. The bulk material conveyor 100 also has a conveyor 140, a chassis 150 having a multi-axle wheel assembly 152 supporting the conveyor 140, and a vehicle attachment assembly 160 configured to connect the bulk material conveyor 100 to a towing vehicle (not shown) in a transport position.

[0037] The hopper 120 is configured to receive materials (e.g. from a GSU) and dispense them to a material input end 142 of the conveyor 140. The conveyor 140 may have a cover and the hopper 120 may have a dust collector configured to capture dust from material being received therein. The hopper 120 has a funnel 122 at an upper end therefore, located adjacent a grate 124 which can assist with levelling and dispersion of material being unloaded into the hopper 120. Underneath the grate 124, the hopper 120 has multi-faceted inner walls having faces 126A-126F as seen in figure 5, which is a top plan view of the hopper 120 with the grate 124 removed for clarity. The funnel may optionally have an extension, preferably in the form of vertically extending walls.

[0038] The faces 126A-126F of the inner walls of the hopper 120 are specifically shaped and angled to allow the hopper 140 to effectively receive and handle a wide variety of different materials with a large range of material densities (e.g. from at least 0.3 tonnes per cubic metre to at least 3.5 tonnes per cubic metre), such as agricultural products like grain and mining ores like coal or iron ore, with an easy flow through without blocking.

[0039] The faces 126A-126F of the inner walls are all angled downward relative to the horizontal to facilitate material flow through the hopper 120 under the force of gravity. Faces 126A-126D effectively form inner side walls and faces 126E and 126F effectively form inner end walls located between the inner side walls 126A-126D. Opposed faces 126A-126D are all generally triangular in shape with faces 126A and 126B forming an upper portion of the inner side walls and with faces and 126D forming a lower portion of the inner side walls. The lower side faces 126C and 126D are at a steeper downward angle compared to the upper side faces 126A and 126B.

[0040] The hopper frame 130, which supports the hopper 120, has legs 132 that extend from adjacent an upper periphery of the hopper 120 to feet in the form of skids 134. One skid 134 is provided on each side of the hopper frame 130 with each skid 134 being aligned substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the bulk material conveyor 100.

[0041 ] In the material handling position the skids 134 can rest on the ground and, together with the hopper frame 130, support the weight of the hopper 120 and any materials contained therein. In the transportation position the hopper frame 130 is raised, by the vehicle attachment assembly 160 being connected to a towing vehicle, such that the skids 134 no longer engage with the ground and the bulk material conveyor 100 is free to move on the wheel assembly 152 of the chassis 150. The vehicle attachment assembly 160 can be connected to the towing vehicle, such as a prime mover, via king pin 162. The vehicle attachment assembly 160 also has extendible stands 164 to enable the vehicle attachment assembly 160 to be supported on the ground when necessary.

[0042] The conveyor 140 extends along a longitudinal axis of the bulk material conveyor 100 in both the transport position and material handling position. The height and angle of inclination of the conveyor 140 may be adjusted with one or more actuating members 144 which, in a preferred form is a hydraulic ram. In use, the conveyor 140 is inclined from the input end 142, located underneath the hopper 120, to a material output end 146. A chute 148 is provided adjacent the output end 146 that receives and directs conveyed material downwards to a desired location such as, for example, a transportation vehicle.

[0043] The conveyor 140 has a drive system 149 which is preferably variable speed to allow adjustment of the delivery speed of material being conveyed thereon. The conveyor 140 also comprises a weighing mechanism configured to batch weigh materials as they are being conveyed by the conveyor 140. In a preferred form, the weighing mechanism comprises one or more load sensors located between the input end 142 and the output end 146 of the conveyor 140.

[0044] In a preferred form the weighing mechanism is configured to control the conveyor 140 based on the amount of material being conveyed. For example, the weighing mechanism may control the conveyor 140 to deliver a predetermined weight of material. For example, transport vehicles receiving materials from the bulk material conveyor 100 may have limits on the tonnage of material that they can carry. The weighing mechanism can be used to control the amount of material each transport vehicle receives, and may halt operation of the conveyor 140 once a specific predetermined weight/tonnage has been delivered.

[0045] Figures 6 to 10 illustrate an embodiment of the bulk material conveyor 100 having a dust suppression system 200. The dust suppression system 200 extracts dusty air from in and around the hopper through vacuum inlets in the form of plenums 210. In the illustrated embodiment, two rows of plenums are provided in the funnel 122, one adjacent the inlet perimeter of the hopper 120 and another adjacent the inlet perimeter of the funnel 122 itself.

[0046] The plenums are fluidly connected to extraction piping 212 which communicates the dust, though negative pressure, back to the conveyor 140. Dust extractors and further extraction piping 216 are also provided to suppress dust in the chute 148. The dust suppression system 200 comprises an exhaust outlet 214 and a rotary valve 218 configured to allow passage dust from the dust suppression system 200 back on to the conveyor 140.

[0047] The bulk material conveyor 100 of figures 6 to 10 is a tri-axle embodiment with a control room 300. The control room 300 also contains a power supply unit. The power supply unit in a preferred embodiment is a diesel power pack configured to operate the hydraulics and/or dust suppression system.

[0048] Advantageously, the bulk material conveyor 100 is configured such that its dimensions and weight distribution both comply with road requirements, in particular at least Australian road rules. This enables the bulk material conveyor 100 to not only be manoeuvrable, but also to be able to be relocated over standard roadway infrastructure as needed.

[0049] Furthermore, the dust suppression system enables the bulk material conveyor 100 to operate with dusty materials in various environments, including those where dust may otherwise cause an issue. As captured dust is returned to the conveyor material is also most unnecessarily lost.

[0050] Additionally, the shape and configuration of the hopper 120 allows the bulk material conveyor 100 to be extremely versatile in the types of material it is able to handle and convey. The addition of a weighing mechanism measuring the amount of material being conveyed enables predetermined batches of material to be calculated and delivered as needed. When in the material handling position, the hopper frame 130 effectively supports the weight hopper 120 on the ground even when high loads of materials are received therein.

[0051] In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order. Where the context permits, reference to an integer or a component or step (or the like) is not to be interpreted as being limited to only one of that integer, component, or step, but rather could be one or more of that integer, component, or step etc.

[0052] The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.

[0053] As used herein, an element or operation recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural elements or operations, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

[0054] In this specification, the terms ‘comprises’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’, or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A bulk material conveyor comprising: a hopper configured to receive bulk materials; a hopper frame configured to support the hopper; a conveyor having a material input end and a material output end; a chassis, having awheel assembly, supporting at least a portion of the conveyor; and a vehicle attachment assembly configured to connect the bulk material conveyor to a towing vehicle; wherein: the bulk material conveyor has a transport position and a material handling position; and the hopper comprises a dust suppression system configured to fluidly communicate dust adjacent the hopper to the conveyor.

2. The bulk material conveyor of claim 1 , wherein the dust suppression system comprises extraction piping that fluidly communicates the dust.

3. The bulk material conveyor of claim 1 or 2, wherein the dust suppression system comprises one or more plenums.

4. The bulk material conveyor of claim 3, wherein the dust suppression system comprises a plurality of plenums surrounding, or at least substantially surrounding, a perimeter of the hopper.

5. The bulk material conveyor of claim 4, wherein the perimeter of the hopper at which the plenums are located is at, or adjacent to, a materials receiving side of the hopper.

6. The bulk material conveyor of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the dust suppression system comprises a rotary valve.

7. The bulk material conveyor of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the dust suppression system is further configured to fluidly communicate dust adjacent the material output end of the conveyor.

8. The bulk material conveyor of claim 7, wherein the material output end of the conveyor comprises dust extractors to suppress dust at the material output end of the conveyor.

9. The bulk material conveyor of claim 7 or 8, wherein dust extracted from adjacent the material output end of the conveyor is fluidly communicated to the conveyor.

10. The bulk material conveyor of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the hopper has multi-faceted internal walls.

11 . The bulk material conveyor of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the hopper comprises a funnel located around a periphery of its internal walls.

12. The bulk material conveyor of claim 11 , wherein the funnel extends outward in a rectangular truncated pyramid shape.

13. The bulk material conveyor of claim 11 or 12, wherein the dust suppression system comprises plenums in the funnel.

14. The bulk material conveyor of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the hopper further comprises a grate located between the funnel and the internal walls of the hopper.