GB2586730A

GB2586730A - Safety pull cord for a conveyor

Info

Publication number: GB2586730A
Application number: GB2015636.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: J Cressman Toby; N Marburger Andrew
Original assignee: Joy Global Underground Mining LLC
Current assignee: Joy Global Underground Mining LLC
Priority date: 2018-03-06
Filing date: 2019-03-06
Publication date: 2021-03-03
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-06
Also published as: GB2573614A; AU2019231680B2; ZA201901396B; CA3093410A1; ZA202005983B; WO2019173502A1; GB202015636D0; RU2769319C1; RU2019106293A; AU2019231680A1; GB201902982D0; AU2019201543A1; GB2586730B; GB2573614B; CA3035866A1

Abstract

A conveyor system includes a flexible conveyor train configured to move along a path, a controller, and a safety actuator supported on the conveyor train. The conveyor train includes a first end, a second end, a continuous belt for transporting material along a length of the conveyor train, and at least one motor for driving the continuous belt. The controller is in communication with the motor to control operation of the conveyor train. The safety actuator includes a retractor, a trip switch electrically coupled to the controller, and a cord having a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the retractor, and the second end is coupled to the trip switch.

Claims

1. A conveyor system comprising: a flexible conveyor train configured to move along a path, the conveyor train including a first end, a second end, a continuous belt for transporting material along a length of the conveyor train, and at least one motor for driving the continuous belt; a controller in communication with the motor to control operation of the conveyor train; and a safety actuator supported on the conveyor train, the safety actuator including a retractor, a trip switch electrically coupled to the controller, and a cord having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the retractor, the second end coupled to the trip switch.

2. The conveyor system of claim 1, wherein the trip switch is selectively operable in a first trip mode and a second trip mode, while the trip switch is in the first trip mode the controller operates the flexible conveyor train, while the trip switch is in the second trip mode, the controller interrupts operation of the flexible conveyor train.

3. The conveyor system of claim 2, wherein the retractor is selectively operable in a first retractor mode and a second retractor mode, while the retractor is in the first retractor mode the retractor permits the cord to be paid out, while the retractor is in the second retractor mode the retractor inhibits the cord from being paid out.

4. The conveyor system of claim 3, wherein the trip switch further includes a latch movable between a first position and a second position, wherein while the latch is in the first position, the trip switch is operable in the first trip mode, and while the latch is in the second position, the trip switch is operable in the second trip mode, wherein while the retractor is in the second mode the latch is movable from the first position to the second position.

5. The conveyor system of claim 2, wherein applying a predetermined force on the cord shifts the trip switch from the first trip mode to the second trip mode.

6. The conveyor system of claim 1, wherein the retractor includes a spool and a centrifugal clutch, at least a portion of the cord wrapped onto the spool, wherein when a rotational speed of the spool exceeds a predetermined level, the centrifugal clutch extends radially outwardly to cause a pawl to engage the spool and inhibit rotation of the spool.

7. A conveyor system comprising: a conveyor train movable upon a support surface, the conveyor train including a plurality of movable segments coupled to one another in series, a continuous belt for transporting material along a length of the conveyor train, and at least one motor for driving the continuous belt; a controller supported by the conveyor train and operable to control operation of the conveyor train; and a safety actuator supported on the conveyor train, the safety actuator including a cord, a spool for receiving the cord, and a clutch, while a rotational speed of the spool exceeds a predetermined level, the clutch inhibits rotation of the spool, thereby causing the controller to stop operation of the conveyor train.

8. The conveyor system of claim 7, wherein application of a force on the cord while rotation of the spool is inhibited causes the controller to stop operation of the flexible conveyor train.

9. The conveyor system of claim 7, wherein the controller is one of a plurality of controllers, each of the controllers supported on an associated one of the movable segments, wherein the safety actuator is one of a plurality of safety actuators, each of the safety actuators supported on an associated one of the movable segments.

10. The conveyor system of claim 7, wherein the safety actuator further includes a resilient member biasing the spool in a direction to wind the cord onto an outer surface of the spool.

11. The conveyor system of claim 7, wherein the clutch is a centrifugal clutch, while the rotational speed of the spool exceeds the predetermined level, the centrifugal clutch extends to cause a pawl to engage a ratchet surface.

12. The conveyor system of claim 7, further comprising a trip switch coupled to an end of the cord, wherein actuation of the trip switch causes the controller to stop operation of the conveyor train.

13. A conveyor system comprising: a flexible conveyor train configured for movement along an underground path, the conveyor train including a first end, a second end, a continuous belt for transporting material along a length of the conveyor train, and at least one motor; a trip switch selectively operable in a first mode in which operation of the motor is permitted and a second mode in which operation of the motor is inhibited; and a cord partially wrapped onto a spool and coupled to the trip switch, the spool biased to wrap the cord onto the spool, application of a force on the pull cord operable to change the trip switch from the first mode to the second mode.

14. The conveyor system of claim 13, wherein the flexible conveyor train includes a plurality of movable segments coupled together in series, wherein the trip switch is one of a plurality of trip switches, each of the trip switches positioned on an associated one of the movable segments.

15. The conveyor system of claim 13, wherein application of the force on the cord causes rotation of the spool, further comprising a clutch for stopping and locking the spool against rotation when the rotational speed of the spool exceeds a predetermined level.

16. The conveyor system of claim 15, wherein the clutch is a centrifugal clutch, wherein rotation of the spool causes the clutch to extend radially outwardly, while the rotational speed of the spool exceeds the predetermined level, the centrifugal clutch causes a pawl to engage a ratchet surface.

17. The conveyor system of claim 15, wherein the clutch is a centrifugal clutch, wherein rotation of the spool causes the clutch to engage a drive shaft of the spool, while the rotational speed of the spool exceeds the predetermined level.

18. The conveyor system of claim 13, further comprising a controller electrically coupled between the motor and the trip switch, actuation of the trip switch causing the controller to inhibit operation of the motor.