ZA201000280B - Wear protection system - Google Patents

Description

IHL —r ® TELL #01070 024

THIS INVENTION relates to a wear protection system.

It is known to provide on a surface along which flow of an abrasive material occurs a sacrificial wear liner for protecting the surface against wear. Such a surface is referred to herein as a guide surface.

A particular example of the use of wear liners, relevant to the present invention, is in a conveyor belt system comprising a series of conveyor belt machines and intermediate chutes for directing flow of material from one of the conveyor belts machines onto the next. Inner surfaces of these chutes are protected by lining them by means of a wear liner comprising a tiled arrangement of sacrificial steel plates.

The present invention provides a wear protection system which may serve as an alternative to, or in addition to, a wear liner.

Reference is made herein to a steep guide surface. Such a reference means a guide surface at a slope of at least 45° from horizontal.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a wear protection system for protecting a steep guide surface of an object against wear by flow of an abrasive material, the system including: a plurality of wear protection units, each including a barrier segment and a primary mounting formation; and : a mounting arrangement mounted to the object and extending along the guide surface between two horizontally spaced positions, the mounting arrangement defining along its length a series of spaced apart second mounting formations to which the respective primary mounting formations are removably mounted in a configuration in which: :

® a top edge of the barrier segment of each wear protection unit is spaced from the : . guide surface and stands proud of the primary mounting formation of the unit; the barrier segments are in a side-by-side configuration in which they define an elongate barrier extending along the mounting arrangement; and the system defines a lip projecting from the guide surface for retaining a quantity of the abrasive material thereon with the top edges of the barrier segments defining an edge of the lip.

The abrasive material retained by the lip provides wear protection to a part of the guide surface behind it. :

In the wear protection system, a space may be defined within the lip, between the barrier and the guide surface and above the mounting arrangement, for retaining a quantity of the abrasive material.

The barrier segment of each wear protection unit may be a barrier plate, made of steel.

The barrier plate may be disposed vertically. Alternatively, the barrier plate may be disposed at an angle 0° < a < 60° from vertical with a top end of the barrier plate overhanging a bottom end thereof on the side of the barrier plate opposite to the guide surface. The barrier plate may define a top edge that is disposed at least substantially horizontally in the direction along the barrier.

In a first embodiment of the wear protection system of the invention, the barrier segment of each wear protection unit is a barrier plate, made of steel, and in each wear protection unit: the primary mounting formation of the wear protection unit is a mounting plate projecting rearwardly from the barrier plate, the mounting plate being disposed at least substantially horizontally in the direction along the barrier; and the corresponding second mounting formation is a length of flange projecting away from the guide surface,

® the system including at least one fastener received through corresponding fastener holes defined through the primary mounting formation and the corresponding second mounting formation. :

In each wear protection unit of the first embodiment, an edge of the mounting plate may be welded to a rear of the barrier plate in a T-configuration.

Each wear protection unit of the first embodiment may include opposite gussets between the barrier plate and the mounting plate.

In a second embodiment of the wear protection system of the invention, for each wear protection unit of the system: the primary mounting formation of the wear protection unit is a mounting arm projecting rearwardly from the barrier segment of the wear protection unit and defining at an end thereof remote from the barrier segment a first engagement formation, and the corresponding second mounting formation defines a complementary second engagement formation, the first and second engagement formations being releasably interengaged.

Optionally in the second embodiment: the mounting arrangement includes an elongate steel mounting plate extending along the guide surface and each second mounting formation includes a pair of spaced apart parallel plates, secured to a top surface of the mounting plate in planes transverse to the mounting plate; the second engagement formation of each second mounting formation is a shaft extending between the parallel plates of the formation; and _ the first engagement formation of the mounting arm of each wear protection unit is a hook for hooking in between the parallel plates and partly around the shaft, the spacing between the parallel plates being such as to provide a snug fit of the hook in between them.

® Still in the second embodiment, each wear protection unit may rest on the mounting plate under gravity and its hook may be disengageable from the corresponding shaft by upward pivoting of the wear protection unit to provide for removal of the wear protection unit.

In the case of each wear protection unit in the second embodiment including a mounting arm, as defined above, the mounting arm may be cut from steel plate and may be in a vertical plane midway between laterally opposite sides of the barrier segment of the wear protection unit. :

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a wear protection unit for use in a wear protection system, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the "wear protection unit defining an operative, upright orientation and including: a barrier segment extending in a transverse direction of the wear protection unit; and a primary mounting formation projecting in a rearward direction of the wear protection unit and being configured for removable mounting to a second mounting formation of the mounting arrangement of the system.

The barrier segment may be a barrier plate, made of steel. The barrier plate may be operatively disposed vertically. Alternatively, the barrier plate may be operatively disposed at an angle 0° < a < 60° from vertical with a top end of the barrier plate overhanging a bottom end thereof on the side of the barrier plate opposite to the primary mounting formation. The barrier plate may define a top edge that is operatively disposed horizontally in the transverse direction.

In a first embodiment of the wear protection unit of the second aspect of the invention, the barrier segment is a barrier plate, made of steel, as defined above. The primary mounting formation of the wear protection unit is a mounting plate projecting rearwardly from the barrier plate, the mounting plate being operatively disposed at least substantially horizontally in the transverse direction and defining therethrough at least one fastener hole.

_

In the first embodiment, an edge of the mounting plate may be welded to a rear of the barrier plate in a T-configuration.

The wear protection unit of the first embodiment may include opposite gussets between the barrier plate and the mounting plate.

In a second embodiment of the wear protection unit of the second aspect of the invention, the primary mounting formation is a mounting arm projecting rearwardly from the barrier segment of the wear protection unit and defining at an end thereof remote from the barrier segment a first engagement formation. The first engagement formation may be a hook.

In the case of each wear protection unit in the second embodiment including a mounting arm, as defined above, the mounting arm may be cut from steel plate and may be in a vertical plane midway between laterally opposite sides of the barrier segment of the wear protection unit.

The invention is described below by way of example embodiments of a wear protection system and of wear protection units, in accordance with the invention, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic figures. In the figures:

Figure 1 shows an arrangement including a part of a wall (shown partly, in cross- section) of a chute, two steel wear liner plates (shown partly, in cross-section), and a first embodiment of a wear protection system, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, mounted in an operative configuration thereof to the inside of the chute wall;

Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional partial view, from the rear, of the system of

Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a three-dimensional view of a wear protection unit of the system of

Figure 1, which is an embodiment of a wear protection unit, in accordance with the second aspect of the invention;

Figure 4 shows an arrangement including another part of the chute wall (shown partly, in cross-section) of Figure 1, two steel wear liner plates (shown partly, in cross-

[ section), a second embodiment of a wear protection system, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, and a third embodiment of a wear protection system, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, each system being mounted in an operative configuration thereof to the inside of the chute wall;

Figure 5 shows a three-dimensional partial view, from the rear, of the second embodiment of Figure 4; and :

Figure 6 shows ‘a three-dimensional partial view, from the rear, of the third embodiment of Figure a

Each of the above wear protection systems includes a series of wear protection units, in accordance with the second aspect of the invention.

In Figures 1 and 2, a first embodiment of a wear protection system, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 10.

In Figure 1, the system 10 is shown mounted on the inside of a wall 12 (partially shown) of a chute 11, the chute wall 12 being lined with wear liner plates 14. The liner plates 14 define an inner steep guide surface 16. The chute 11 is for directing flow of an abrasive material in the form of iron ore from an end of one conveyer belt (not shown) above onto a start of another conveyor belt (not shown) below. The surface 16 is exposed to the flow of the iron ore and the system 10 is installed to provide a degree of protection to the surface 16 and the chute wall 12.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the system 10 includes: a mounting arrangement including an angled, first mounting member 18 and a second mounting member 20, to be described below; and a number of identical wear protection units 22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 22.4, and so forth, each in accordance with the second aspect of the invention.

With reference particularly to Figure 3, the wear protection unit 22.1 includes: a barrier segment in the form of a rectangular barrier plate 24; and a primary mounting formation in the form of a mounting arm 26.

®

The barrier plate 24 has been cut from steel plate and has a width of about 100mm, a height of about 110mm, and a thickness of about 40mm. In other embodiments of the wear protection system of the invention, different dimensions for corresponding barrier plates may be selected to suit different requirements, for example according to the properties of the abrasive material from which the system is to wear protect an object.

The barrier plate 2 defines a rear surface 28, an operatively horizontal top edge 30, two laterally opposite, operatively vertical edges 32, and an operatively horizontal bottom edge3l.

Preferably, the barrier plate 24 is made of highly wear resistant steel, for example

HARDOX 400.

The mounting arm 26 is welded to, and projects rearwardly from, a bottom portion of the rear surface 28 of the barrier plate 24. The mounting arm 26 is cut from steel plate and defines near an end thereof remote from the barrier plate 24 a cutout 33 so that a first engagement formation in the form of a hook 34 is defined at that end. The mounting arm 26 is disposed in an operatively vertical plane, parallel to and midway between the operatively vertical edges 32. The wear protection unit 22.1 is bilaterally symmetrical about said plane. The top edge 30 operatively stands proud of the mounting arm 26.

With reference particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the mounting member 18 is made up of an elongate steel plate, defining a flange 38, and another elongate steel plate 40, the plates being welded together. The plate 40 is fastened to the chute wall 12 by means of a horizontally extending series of spaced fasteners, particularly bolt and nut combinations, of which only one fastener 36 is shown. These fasteners 36 also serve to fasten the relevant liner plates 14 to the chute wall 12. The flange 38 is horizontally disposed in the operative configuration of the system 10 as shown in Figure 1.

® In Figure 2, a length of the wear protection system 10 is shown. It will be understood that - the system 10 may be made of any practical length and typically will extend along the entire length of the chute wall 12.

With reference particularly to Figure 2, the mounting member 20 includes an elongate mounting plate 42 which is removably secured to the flange 38 by means of a series of spaced fasteners, particularly bolt and nut combinations, of which only one fastener 44 is shown.

The mounting member 20 includes also a series of second mounting formations 46.1, 46.2, 46.3, and so forth, each including: a pair of spaced apart parallel plates 48 in vertical planes transverse to the mounting plate 42 and welded to a top of the plate 42; and a second engagement formation in the form of a shaft 52 of a bolt and nut combination 50 received through registering holes defined through the plates 48.

In Figures 1 and 2, the mounting arm 26 of the wear protection unit 22.1 is shown mounted to the mounting formation 46.1. Particularly, the hook 34 is snugly received between the plates 48 of the mounting formation 46.1 and the hook 34 is disposed around the shaft 52 so that a central length of the shaft 52 is within the cutout 33 (see

Figure 3). In this configuration, which is the operative configuration of the system 10, a bottom edge 31 of the barrier plate 24 of the wear protection unit 22.1 rests on top of the mounting plate 42. The barrier plate 24 of the wear protection unit 22.1 is at an angle a=20° from vertical. This angle may vary between 0° and 60° in other embodiments.

By pivotal upward displacement of the wear protection unit 22.1, the engagement arm 26 is disengaged from the shaft 52, permitting removal of the wear protection unit 22.1.

Replacement of the unit 22.1 is performed in a reverse action.

With reference particularly to Figure 2, the other wear protection units 22.2, 22.3, and so forth are identical to the wear protection unit 22.1 and are identically engaged with the respective mounting formations 46.2, 46.3, and so forth so that the respective barrier o plates 24 are in a side-by-side serial configuration in which they define an elongate barrier 53 extending horizontally along the surface 16. The system 10 thus defines a lip projecting from the guide surface 16 for retaining a quantity of the ore thereon, with the top edges 30 of the barrier plates 24 defining an edge of the lip. A space 54 is defined between the rear surfaces 28 of the respective barrier plates 24 and the surface 16 defined by the liner plates 14. Gaps 55 of about 5mm are defined between adjacent barrier plates 24. These gaps 55 merely facilitate fitting and removal of the wear protection units 22.2, 22.3, and : so forth. In use of the system 10, the gaps 55 are quickly clogged up by the abrasive material and do not permit any significant passage of such material. :

The barrier plates 24 provide for build-up of the ore in the space 54, say roughly up to a line 56. The ore then provides wear protection to the parts of the liner plates 14 behind it.

Each barrier plate 24 will finally wear away from its top edge 30 down, after which it is replaced by replacing the wear protection unit 22 of which it forms a part. :

In Figures 4 and 5, a second embodiment of a wear protection system, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 58.

The system 58 includes many features that are equivalent, albeit not identical, to features of the system 10 of Figures 1 and 2. Some such features are again designated by the same reference numerals as before and a description of these features is not repeated here.

With reference particularly to Figure 5, the system 58 includes a series of identical wear protection units 60.1, 60.2, 60.3, 60.4, and so forth. The series may continue for any practical length. :

The wear protection unit 60.1 includes a barrier segment, in the form of a barrier plate 62, and a primary mounting formation in the form of a mounting plate 64. The barrier plate 62 is welded on top of a front end of the mounting plate 64 and the plate 64 projects rearwardly from a bottom end of the barrier plate 62.

The wear protection unit 60.1 includes also two opposite gusset plates 66.

® 3

The mounting plate 64 defines therethrough a pair of spaced apart fastener holes (not shown) and a length of the flange 38 defines therethrough a corresponding pair, with fasteners in the form of bolt and nut combinations 68 received through the holes. The said length of the flange 38 thus defines a second mounting formation to which the primary mounting formation or plate 64 is removably mounted. As such, the wear protection unit 60.1 is removably mounted on the flange 38.

With reference particularly to Figure 4, the barrier plate 24 of the wear protection unit 22.1is at an angle a=20° from vertical. This angle may vary between 0° and 60° in other embodiments.

Each of the wear protection units 60 is removed, when necessary for replacement, by “removal of its fasteners 68.

In Figures 4 and 6, a third embodiment of a wear protection system, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 70.

The system 70 includes many features that are equivalent, albeit not identical, to features of the system 10 of Figures 1 and 2 and the system 58 of Figures 4 and 5. Some such features are again designated by the same reference numerals as before and a description of these features is not repeated here.

With reference particularly to Figure 6, the system 70 includes a series of identical wear protection units 72.1, 72.2, 72.3, and so forth. The series may continue for any practical length.

The wear protection unit 72.1 includes a barrier segment, in the form of a barrier plate 62, and a primary mounting formation in the form of a mounting plate 64. The mounting plate 64 of the wear protection unit 72.1 is welded to the barrier plate 62 in a T- configuration in which a bottom half 74 of the barrier plate 62 is below the mounting plate 64 and a top half 76 is above the mounting plate 64.

The wear protection unit 72.1 includes also two opposite gusset plates 66.

The wear protection system 70 is mounted along a bottom edge 78 of the chute wall 12.

Flow of material from the chute 11 occurs underneath the edge 78. The bottom half 74 of the barrier plate 62 serves to deflect such flow away from the edge 78 and thereby protect the edge 78.

Each of the wear protection units 72 is removed, when necessary for replacement, by removal of its fasteners 68.

The applicant believes that the wear protection system of the invention, for example the three embodiments described and illustrated in the figures, provides a practical and economical means for preventing or minimizing wear of a chute or wear liner plates of a chute. The fact that each barrier segment is provided as a part of an individually oo removable wear protection unit means that such barrier segments may be replaced : independently of each other. This is a great advantage offered by the wear protection system of the invention, considering that wear rates for different barrier segments in the same system will typically vary according to varying exposure to flow of abrasive material.

Claims (26)

ii ® TS Claims :

1. A wear protection system for protecting a steep guide surface of an object against wear by flow of an abrasive material, the system including: a plurality of wear protection units, each including a barrier segment and a primary mounting formation; and a mounting arrangement mounted to the object and extending along the guide surface between two horizontally spaced positions, the mounting arrangement defining along its length a series of spaced apart second mounting formations to which the respective primary mounting formations are removably mounted in a configuration in which: a top edge of the barrier segment of each wear protection unit is spaced from the guide surface and stands proud of the primary mounting formation of the unit; the barrier segments are in a side-by-side configuration in which they define an elongate barrier extending along the mounting arrangement; and the system defines a lip projecting from the guide surface for retaining a quantity of the abrasive material thereon with the top edges of the barrier segments defining an edge of the lip.

2. A wear protection system as claimed in claim 1, in which a space is defined within the lip, between the barrier and the guide surface and above the mounting arrangement, for retaining a quantity of the abrasive material.

3. A wear protection system as claimed in either of the preceding claims, in which the barrier segment of each wear protection unit is a barrier plate, made of steel.

4. A wear protection system as claimed in claim 3, in which the barrier plate is disposed vertically.

® 5. A wear protection system as claimed in claim 3, in which the barrier plate is disposed at an angle 0° < a < 60° from vertical with a top end of the barrier plate overhanging a bottom end thereof on the side of the barrier plate opposite to the guide surface.

6. A wear protection system as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, in which the barrier ~ plate defines a top edge that is disposed at least substantially horizontally in the direction along the barrier.

7. A wear protection system as claimed in any of claims 3 to 6, in which, for each wear protection unit: the primary mounting formation of the wear protection unit is a mounting plate projecting rearwardly from the barrier plate, the mounting plate being disposed at least substantially horizontally in the direction along the barrier; and the corresponding second mounting formation is a length of flange projecting away from the guide surface, : the system including at least one fastener received through corresponding fastener holes defined through the primary mounting formation and the corresponding second mounting formation.

8. A wear protection system as claimed in claim 7, in which an edge of the mounting plate is welded to a rear of the barrier plate in a T-configuration.

9. A wear protection system as claimed in any of claims 7 to 8, which includes opposite gussets between the barrier plate and the mounting plate.

10. A wear protection system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, in which, for each wear protection unit: the primary mounting formation of the wear protection unit is a mounting arm projecting rearwardly from the barrier segment of the wear protection unit and defining at an end thereof remote from the barrier segment a first engagement formation, and

( the corresponding second mounting formation defines a complementary second engagement formation, the first and second engagement formations being releasably interengaged.

11. Awear protection system as claimed in claim 10, in which: the mounting arrangement includes an elongate steel mounting plate extending along the guide surface and each second mounting formation includes a pair of spaced apart parallel lates, secured to a top surface of the mounting plate in planes transverse to the mounting plate; : the second engagement formation of each second mounting formation is a shaft extending between the parallel plates of the formation; and the first engagement formation of the mounting arm of each wear protection unit is a hook for hooking in between the parallel plates and partly around the shaft, the spacing between the parallel plates being such as to provide a snug fit of the hook in between them.

12. A wear protection system as claimed in claim 11, in which each wear protection unit rests on the mounting plate under gravity and its hook is disengageable from the corresponding shaft by upward pivoting of the wear protection unit to provide for removal of the wear protection unit.

13. A wear protection system as claimed in any of claims 11 to 12, in which the mounting arm of each wear protection unit is cut from steel plate and is in a vertical plane midway between laterally opposite sides of the barrier segment of the wear protection unit.

14. A wear protection unit for use-in a wear protection system as claimed in any of claims 1 and 2, the wear protection unit defining an operative, upright orientation and including: | a barrier segment extending in a transverse direction of the wear protection unit; and

¢ a first mounting formation projecting in a rearward direction of the wear protection unit and being configured for removable mounting to a second mounting formation of the mounting arrangement of the system.

15. A wear protection unit as claimed in claim 14, in which the barrier segment is a barrier plate, made of steel.

16. A wear protection unit as claimed in claim 15, in which the barrier plate is operatively disposed vertically.

17. A wear protection unit as claimed in claim 15, in which the barrier plate is operatively disposed at an angle 0° < a < 60° from vertical with a top end of the barrier plate overhanging a bottom end thereof on the side of the barrier plate opposite to the first mounting formation.

18. A wear protection unit as claimed in any of claims 15 to 17, in which the barrier plate defines a top edge that is operatively disposed horizontally in the transverse direction.

19. A wear protection unit as claimed in any of claims 15 to 18, in which the first mounting formation of the wear protection unit is a mounting plate projecting rearwardly from the barrier plate, the mounting plate being operatively disposed at least substantially horizontally in the transverse direction and defining therethrough at least one fastener hole.

20. A wear protection unit as claimed in claim 19, in which an edge of the mounting plate is welded to a rear of the barrier plate in a T-configuration.

21. A wear protection unit as claimed in any of claims 15 to 19, which includes opposite gussets between the barrier plate and the mounting plate.

o 22. A wear protection unit as claimed in any of claims 14 to 18, in which the first mounting formation is a mounting arm projecting rearwardly from the barrier segment of the wear protection unit and defining at an end thereof remote from the barrier segment a first engagement formation.

23. A wear protection unit as claimed in claim 22, in which the first engagement formation is a hook.

24. A wear protection unit as claimed in any of claims 22 to 23, in which the mounting arm of each wear protection unit is cut from steel plate and is in a vertical plane midway between laterally opposite sides of the barrier segment of the wear protection unit.

25. A wear protection system as claimed in claim 1, substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in any of the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

26. A wear protection unit as claimed in claim 14, substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in any of the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

. .. . DATED THIS 14™ DAY OF JANUARY 2010 AMS APPLICANT'S PATENT ATTORNEYS