WO2024000021A1

WO2024000021A1 - Belt-conveyor technical field

Info

Publication number: WO2024000021A1
Application number: PCT/AU2023/050587
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Bremhorst
Original assignee: Bluevault Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2022-07-01
Filing date: 2023-06-27
Publication date: 2024-01-04

Abstract

The present invention relates to a belt- conveyor. The conveyor includes a first belt, and a second belt extending transverse to the first belt. Support means is provided for supporting the belts and is configured to displace the belts to pass around a corner. Advantageously, the conveyor can be readily reconfigured so that the support means displaces the belts from a straight configuration, to pass around the corner in a cornering configuration, as required.

Description

BELT-CONVEYOR TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a belt-conveyor. The present invention has particular, although not exclusive application to a mining belt-conveyor.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] In an underground mine, a continuous miner excavates a tunnel and passes the valuable material mined onto an advancing belt-conveyor behind either directly or via a crusher, shuttle car, or other transferring machine. As the continuous miner advances, the belt-conveyor needs to be reconfigured to follow.

[0004] In practice, the continuous miner can form corners, which complicates reconfiguration of the belt-conveyor around the corners.

[0005] The preferred embodiment provides an improved belt-conveyor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a beltconveyor including: a first belt; a second belt extending transverse to the first belt; and support means for supporting the belts and configured to displace the belts to pass around a corner.

[0007] Advantageously, the conveyor may be readily reconfigured so that the support means displaces the belts from a straight configuration, to pass around the corner in a cornering configuration, as required. The belts may operate in a planar manner in the straight configuration and a non-planar manner in the cornering configuration. During displacement, both belts may converge from an L-shaped cross- section to form a V-shaped cross section at the corner. [0008] The support means may include a frame. The frame may be a single and/or collapsible frame. The frame may include a chassis received within the first belt. The chassis may include a pair of hinged side elements. The chassis may include a pair of fixed end elements interconnecting respective side elements. The chassis may include spaced apart first roller mounts extending between the side elements. The first roller mounts may be parallel. Each first roller mount may have a pair of rollers mounted to it.

[0009] The frame may include one or more roller support elements extending transverse the chassis. Each roller support element may include a post terminated with a second roller mount. The second roller mounts may be parallel. Each second roller mount may have two pairs of rollers mounted to it.

[00010] The support means may include rollers. The rollers may include passive rollers spaced apart along both belts. The passive rollers may be arranged in pairs along the second belt, the second belt passing between each pair. The passive rollers may be arranged on the underside of the first belt. The rollers may be curved. The rollers may be arranged in concave and convex pairs. The rollers may include drive rollers for driving both belts.

[00011 ] Each belt may be endless. At least one belt may include one or more pieces of material connected end-to-end. Adjacent pieces may be fixed along a joining seam. Adjacent pieces may not be able to slide or rotate relative to each other. The material may be homogenous. The material may be fabric.

[00012] Each belt may be substantially straight prior to displacement. The first belt may be substantially horizontal prior to displacement. The second belt may be substantially vertical prior to displacement.

[00013] The conveyor may include actuation means for actuating the support means to displace the belts. The actuation means may include a motor or ram, or motivated linkages for pivoting an element of a frame.

[00014] The conveyor may include a retainer for retaining material between the belts. The retainer may include a strip. The strip may be located where the belts converge and/or between the edges of the belts. The support means may include a stand for standing on the ground. The support means may include a hanger for hanging from a ceiling. Preferably, the conveyor is a mining conveyor. [00015] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of configuring a belt-conveyor, the belt-conveyor including a first belt and a second belt extending transverse to the first belt, the method involving: displacing the belts to pass around a corner.

[00016] The method may involve actuating a support means, supporting the belts, to displace the belts.

[00017] Prior to the step of displacing, the method may involve moving the beltconveyor along behind a miner with the belts straight. After the step of displacing, the method may involve straightening the belts.

[00018] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00019] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way.

The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[00020] Figure 1 A is an upper front perspective view of a mining belt-conveyor in a straight configuration and in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[00021 ] Figure 1 B is an upper front perspective view of the mining belt-conveyor of Figure 1A in a cornering configuration;

[00022] Figure 2A is a lower front perspective view of the straight mining beltconveyor of Figure 1 A;

[00023] Figure 2B is a lower front perspective view of the cornering mining beltconveyor of Figure 1 B.

[00024] Figure 3A is an upper rear perspective view of the straight mining beltconveyor of Figure 1 A; [00025] Figure 3B is an upper rear perspective view of the cornering mining beltconveyor of Figure 1 B;

[00026] Figure 4 is an upper front perspective view of a mining belt-conveyor in a straight configuration and in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention;

[00027] Figure 5 is a side sectional view showing an alternative roller arrangement; and

[00028] Figure 6 is a side sectional view showing a skirt retainer of the belt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00029] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a coalmining belt-conveyor 100 as shown in Figure 1 . The belt-conveyor 100 includes a lower (i.e. first) horizontal endless belt 102, and an upper (i.e. second) vertical endless belt 104 extending transverse (e.g. orthogonal) to the lower belt 102. Each endless belt 102, 104 has a pair of parallel faces connected by a rounded end.

[00030] The belt-conveyor 100 also includes support means 106 for supporting the belts 102, 104 and configured to displace the belts 102, 104 to pass around a corner 108. Advantageously, the conveyor 100 can be readily reconfigured so that the support means 106 displaces the belts 102, 104 from a straight configuration shown in Fig. 1 A, to pass around the corner 108 in a curved or cornering configuration shown in Fig. 1 B, as required.

[00031 ] The belts 102, 104 operate in a planar manner in the straight configuration and a non-planar manner in the cornering configuration. During displacement, both belts 102, 104 converge from an L-shaped cross-section (Fig. 1A) to form a V-shaped cross section (Fig. 1 B) at the corner 108.

[00032] The support means 106 includes a single collapsible frame 110. Further, the conveyor 100 includes a retainer 112 for retaining transported coal material between the belts 102, 104. The retainer 112 includes a strip located where the belts 102, 104 come together between the edges of the belts 102, 104. Elaborating further, the retainer 112 is fixed to the bottom of the vertical belt 104, so that as the belt 104 rotates, the retainer rotates with the belt 104. The retainer 112 is both rotational with belt 104 and static between the belts 102, 104 because both belts 102, 104 are operating at the same speed. The retainer 112 is optionally detachable from and replaceable to the belt 104. The retainer 112 is supported and optionally driven by the rollers 208 and belt 104. The retainer 112 and strip are constructed of a profile suited to sealing the gap between the belts 102, 104. The retainer 112 is manufactured of material with appropriate engineering material. The retainer may apply a positive downward pressure on the belts. In an alternative embodiment the straight strip of the retainer 112 located between the belts does not rotate with the vertical belt 104, and therefore remains static between the belts 102, 104 while each of the belts 102, 104 move either side of it.

[00033] As can best be seen in Figure 2, the frame 110 includes a rectangular-base chassis 200 received within opposing passes of the endless lower belt 102. The chassis 200 includes a pair of hinged side elements 202a, 202b. The chassis 200 also includes a pair of fixed end elements 204a, 204b interconnecting respective side elements 202a, 202b. The chassis 200 also includes spaced apart lower (i.e. first) roller mounts 206 extending between the side elements 202a, 202b. The lower roller mounts 206 are parallel, and each lower roller mount 206 mounts a pair of passive rollers 208 for underside support of respective passes of the endless lower belt 102.

[00034] The conveyor 100 also includes actuation means 210 for actuating the support means 106 to displace the belts 102, 104. The actuation means 106 may include motors or rams 212 for pivoting a side element 202b of the frame 110. In one embodiment, the actuation means can similarly pivot the other side element 202a of the frame 110.

[00035] As can best be seen in Figure 3, the frame 110 includes roller support elements 300 extending transverse the base chassis 200. Each roller support element 300 include an upright post terminated with an upper (i.e. second) roller mount 302. The upper roller mounts 302 are parallel, and each upper roller mount 302 has two pairs of passive rollers 208 mounted to it. The passive roller pairs receive and contain opposing passes of the endless upper belt 104.

[00036] The support means 106 includes the passive rollers 208 spaced apart along both belts 102, 104, as well as endmost drive rollers 304 for driving both belts 102, 104. On the transverse belt 104 there is a set of ‘steelwork arms’ that support rollers 304. These arms are “LTU arms” or Loop Take Up arms. As the belt 104 displaces from straight to L shape, the distance between the two rollers 304 of the transverse belt 304 can lengthen or shorten. To cater for the variable extension/shortening from straight to L-shape, the LTU extends/retracts to maintain the appropriate longitudinal length and tension in the transverse belt 104 and strip. The speed, tensioning and /or location of the belt conveyor 100 is ordinarily computer controlled in conjunction with tension sensors and computerized controls and/or algorithms. The placement and location of the belt-conveyor 100 when mounted on mobile equipment may be computer controlled in conjunction with tension sensors and computerized controls and and/or algorithms. The belt-conveyor 100 in any configuration or in conjunction with any mobile equipment may be remotely controlled with computers or not. The foregoing could be managed by an artificial intelligence (Al) or machine learning computer system.

[00037] The belt-conveyor 104 may be operated in a right hand configuration or a left hand configuration or in multiples of either handed configuration.

[00038] The belts 102, 104 each include one or more pieces of homogenous material connected end-to-end. Adjacent material pieces are fixed along a joining seam and cannot slide or rotate relative to each other.

[00039] A method of configuring the belt-conveyor 100 is briefly described.

[00040] Initially, the straight belt-conveyor 100 (Fig. 1 A) is located behind a continuous miner and advanced along with the miner to receive the mined material. Each belt 102, 104 is substantially straight.

[00041] The miner forms a corner. The belt-conveyor 100 moves to the formed corner and displaces to form an L-shaped corner 108 (Fig. 1 B), and so the belts 102, 104 of the following belt-conveyor 100 are displaced in a curved manner to pass around the corner 108. In particular, the actuation means 210, 212, 202a actuates the support means 106, supporting the belts 102, 104, to displace the belts 102, 104 that temporarily bend around the corner 108.

[00042] The miner exits the corner 108 and continues in a straight line. In turn, the belts 102, 104 and conveyor 100 remain at the corner while the miner now mines in a straight line. Alternatively, a series of belt-conveyors 100 can be used in conjunction to consecutively displace to form a continuous belt-conveyor around the corner, which are consecutively straightened to once more to continue following the miner. In particular, when straightening, the actuation means 210, 212 and 202a actuates the support means 106, supporting the belts 102, 104, to displace the belts 102, 104 so that they straighten.

[00043] As shown in Figure 4, the passive rollers 208’ may be curved and engage the belts 102, 104. At least some of the rollers 208’ may be active, whereby they are driven by motors, belts or other motivational means. Material containment skirts 400 may be fitted onto the belt-conveyor 100 to contain material at the transitions into and out of the corner conveyor 100.

[00044] Turning to Figure 5, the curved rollers 208’, arranged in concave and convex pairs, are able to be tensioned into forced contact with the belt 104 to drive the belt 104. The passive rollers 208’, when driven, may operate in conjunction with other driven passive rollers 208’ at the top and bottom of the belt 104 to motivate the belt 104.

[00045] Turning to Figure 6, shows another embodiment where the belt 104 includes an integral skirt retainer 112. The rollers 208” once again contact and drive the belt 104. The smaller roller 208” is received in the underside of the recessed retainer 112.

[00046] The belt conveyors 100 can be powered by electricity, battery, solar or any other power source.

[00047] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00048] The conveyor of the present invention can be serially arranged with other know conveyors, such as those disclosed in 2011274296, 2010257413, 2008336261 .

[00049] The mining conveyor of the preferred embodiment is well suited to use in:

• open cut iron ore, coal or metalliferous mines;

• underground coal, metalliferous, trona or phosphate mines;

• agricultural applications such as the replacement of trailers which are used to unload broadacre farm wheat harvesters or in the sugar industry where trailers transport cane billets off paddock or

• other bulk handling applications such as discrete parcel conveying (e.g. parcel distribution warehouse where couriered boxes are conveyed around corners), or fruit or food packaging plants (e.g. cereals).

[00050] The conveyor belts 102, 104 can be made out of: thermoplastics, metal, rubber, fabric, steel cord, leather or any other material with necessary engineering properties. The conveyor belts 102, 104 can be made from a rubber or plastic compound combined with one or more layers of fabric material or different diameters of steel cables. A conveyor belt 102, 104 may be made from polyvinyl chloride and fabric such as polyester or styrene-butadiene rubber and several layers of polyester, thermoplastic, nylon fabric or may be steel corded conveyor belt.

[00051 ] The support means 106 typically includes a stand extending down from the chassis 200 and for standing on the ground so that the conveyor 100 is static, in use. Alternatively, the support means 102 can include a hanger for hanging the conveyor 100 from a tunnel ceiling. Similarly, the support means 102 can also be hung outside from structural steelwork, such as in a port or stockyard or in a warehouse.

[00052] In one embodiment, the belt-conveyor 100 may be dynamic, optionally being mounted on wheels, skids or tracks or mounted on mobile equipment. Numerous belt conveyors may be used in combination with each other, and other conveyors and equipment to permit a large range of angles to be traversed in an unlimited series of directions.

[00053] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[00054] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A belt- conveyor including: a first belt; a second belt extending transverse to the first belt; and support means for supporting the belts and configured to displace the belts to pass around a corner.

2. A belt- conveyor as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the conveyor can be readily reconfigured so that the support means displaces the belts from a straight configuration, to pass around the corner in a cornering configuration, as required.

3. A belt- conveyor as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the belts operate in a planar manner in a straight configuration and a non-planar manner when cornering.

4. A belt- conveyor as claimed in claim 1 , wherein during displacement, both belts converge from an L-shaped cross- section to form a V-shaped cross section at the corner.

5. A belt- conveyor as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the support means includes a frame.

6. A belt- conveyor as claimed in claim 5, wherein the frame is a single and/or collapsible frame.

7. A belt- conveyor as claimed in claim 5, wherein the frame includes a chassis received within the first belt.

8. A belt- conveyor as claimed in claim 7, wherein the chassis includes a pair of hinged side elements.

9. A belt- conveyor as claimed in claim 8, wherein the chassis includes a pair of fixed end elements interconnecting respective side elements.

10. A belt- conveyor as claimed in claim 8, wherein the chassis includes spaced apart first roller mounts extending between the side elements.

11. A belt- conveyor as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first roller mounts are parallel and/or each first roller mount has a pair of rollers mounted to it.

12. A belt- conveyor as claimed in claim 5, wherein the frame includes one or more roller support elements extending transverse the chassis.

13. A belt- conveyor as claimed in claim 12, wherein each roller support element includes a post terminated with a second roller mount.

14. A belt- conveyor as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second roller mounts are parallel and/or each second roller mount has one or more pairs of rollers mounted to it.

15. A belt- conveyor as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the support means includes rollers.

16. A belt- conveyor as claimed in claim 15, wherein the rollers include passive rollers spaced apart along both belts.

17. A belt- conveyor as claimed in claim 16, wherein the passive rollers are: arranged in pairs along the second belt, the second belt passing between each pair; and/or arranged on the underside of the first belt.

18. A belt- conveyor as claimed in claim 15, wherein the rollers are curved, and preferably arranged in concave and convex pairs.

19. A belt- conveyor as claimed in claim 15, wherein the rollers include drive rollers for driving both belts.

20. A belt- conveyor as claimed in claim 1 , further including actuation means for actuating the support means to displace the belts.

21 . A belt- conveyor as claimed in claim 1 , further including a retainer for retaining material between the belts, the retainer including a strip or skirt located where the belts converge and/or between the edges of the belts.

22. A belt- conveyor as claimed in claim 1 , which is: mounted on a mobile machine; operated using computerized control and a sensing system; operated using remote control system, whether mounted on a mobile machine or not; used in conjunction with other series’ of equipment; or used in multiples with other belt-conveyors.

23. A method of configuring a belt-conveyor, the belt-conveyor including a first belt and a second belt extending transverse to the first belt, the method involving: displacing the belts to pass around a corner.