RU2846260C2 - Bulk material transportation system and corresponding transportation method - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: transportation.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to transportation system for transportation of loose material formed into dump, which includes: trench extending along main direction under dump receiving place along direction by height; and conveyor passing along route, which includes receiving section passing into trench. Transportation system also includes a plurality of protective elements passing across the trench above the receiving section in the vertical direction; and a truck adapted to move along the trench and comprising a first actuator adapted to sequentially move each protective element in the main direction.

EFFECT: simplified and efficient feed of loose material to belt conveyor.

10 cl, 6 dwg

Description

The invention relates to a system for transporting bulk material formed in the form of a dump, including:

- a trench running along the main direction, under the dump receiving area along the height direction; and

- a conveyor running along a route, wherein the route includes at least one receiving section running into a trench.

The invention also relates to a method of transportation that is implemented by the said system.

Belt conveyors are an efficient solution for transporting large quantities of bulk materials such as crushed stone, sand or salt. They enable efficient, continuous, energy-efficient transport of materials over long distances. The said bulk materials are stored close to their extraction or production site and then transported over long distances for processing and distribution.

Bulk materials are typically stored in piles, either in the open air or in warehouses, which is a particularly simple, convenient and inexpensive storage method compared to bunker or silo systems.

Such belt conveyor systems can, however, be improved.

Indeed, the bulk material of the dump fed to the belt conveyor requires human intervention equipped with transport machines, which is not very ergonomic and quite expensive for large quantities of transported material.

As a result, the object of the invention is to create a transport system that allows for simple and efficient feeding of bulk material to a belt conveyor with little external intervention.

In this regard, the objective of the invention is to create a conveyor system of the above-mentioned type, additionally including:

- a plurality of protective elements extending across the trench above the receiving area along the height direction; and

- a trolley adapted for movement along the trench and containing a first actuator adapted for sequential movement of each protective element in the main direction.

In specific embodiments, the conveyor system proposed in this invention is characterized by one or more of the following distinctive features, taken individually or in any technically possible combination:

- each protective element includes:

- essentially a rectangular horizontal plate running across the trench, and

- a vertical plate attached to a horizontal plate and protruding perpendicularly from the horizontal plate in the height direction;

- the first actuator includes a roller and a support roller, configured to rotate around corresponding axes of rotation parallel to the height direction, wherein the first actuator also includes a motor adapted to rotate at least said roller, wherein the roller and the support roller are installed so as to come into contact with two opposite surfaces of the vertical plate and move the protective element during movement in the main direction;

- the trolley includes a second actuator comprising a second roller and a second support roller, as well as a motor adapted to rotate at least the second roller, wherein the second roller and the second support roller are installed so as to come into contact with two opposite surfaces of the vertical plate and move the trolley during movement in the main direction;

- the trolley contains side plates running opposite the rollers and support rollers, designed to protect the rollers from bulk material;

- the trolley comprises at least one scraper device extending in a transverse direction perpendicular to the main direction, wherein each scraper device has at least one brush mounted on a chain moving in a transverse direction for moving bulk material in a transverse direction from the dump to the trench;

- the trench defines substantially parallel lateral edges, and the transport system includes supports projecting from the lateral edges of the trench and supporting protective elements;

- the supports are substantially cylindrical and have a substantially circular cross-section in a plane parallel to the main direction and the height direction; and

- the conveyor is a conveyor belt that runs essentially parallel to the main direction and forms an outgoing thread that passes into the receiving section and a return thread.

The invention also relates to a method for transporting bulk material, comprising the following steps:

- ensuring the availability of the above-described transportation system and a waste dump formed from bulk material at the receiving site;

- movement by the first actuator of the trolley of one of the protective elements during movement in the main direction and the formation of an opening leading into the trench;

- pouring part of the waste dump through an opening onto a conveyor and transporting the bulk material forming part of the waste dump by conveyor;

- moving the trolley to another protective element.

The invention will become more understandable from the following description, given solely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a transport system according to the invention, a sectional view;

Fig. 2 – the transport system according to Fig. 1, detailed view;

in Fig. 3 – the transport system according to Figs. 1 and 2, view in longitudinal section;

in Fig. 4 – the transport system according to Figs. 1-3, top view;

Fig. 5 is a transport system according to another embodiment of the invention, sectional view; and

Fig. 6 – the transport system according to Fig. 5, view in longitudinal section.

Fig. 1 shows a system 10 for transporting bulk material, a waste heap 12 formed by bulk material intended for transport, and a stacking device 14 with the help of which the waste heap 12 is filled.

Bulk material is, for example, ore, mine waste, sand or gravel, or salt, or any other type of material.

The receiving location 16 is a substantially flat surface, such as a surface located outdoors or in a hangar.

The bulk material is placed at the receiving location 16 using the placing device 14 from the discharge 18 of the placing device 14.

The material forms a dump 12 at a receiving point 16 facing a discharge 18, i.e. a dump of essentially a conical shape, the angle of inclination of the side of which is determined by the flow of granules of bulk material under the influence of gravity.

The transport system 10 is a conveyor 20, i.e. a machine for moving material substantially continuously from a departure point to at least one arrival point.

The conveyor 20 runs along a route that connects the bulk material receiving section, which passes under the receiving place 16 and represents the bulk material departure point, to at least one bulk material arrival point.

Thus, the conveyor 20 defines a main direction X-X', which is local. In the case where the route of the conveyor 20 is essentially straight, the main direction X-X' runs parallel to the line connecting the departure point and the arrival point. Also defined are a transverse direction Y-Y' and a height direction Z-Z', both of which are perpendicular to the main direction X-X', wherein the transverse direction is perpendicular to the force of gravity, and the height direction Z-Z' is parallel to the force of gravity.

In the examples shown in Figs. 1-6, the conveyor 20 is a belt conveyor including a belt 22 and a plurality of belt supports 24 distributed along the transport route.

The belt 22 is a flat conveyor belt, i.e. a conveyor belt having, for example, a flat shape. The belt 22 then runs essentially in a plane parallel to, for example, the main direction X-X' and the transverse direction Y-Y'.

In another embodiment shown in the drawings, the belt 22 is a self-supporting conveyor belt, i.e. a conveyor belt having a concave shape and maintaining its shape in a state of rest in the absence of external constraints, with the exception of gravity.

According to this similar embodiment, this type of tape includes a matrix made of elastic material and a frame built into the matrix. The matrix is usually made of artificial or natural rubber or polyvinyl chloride.

The carcass includes, for example, longitudinal metal cables or a textile weft made of aramid or any other fabric, with an elongation of 0.2% to 2%. Said cables are usually made of steel and have a very low elongation under tension, for example, from 0.2% to 0.3%. These cables extend along the entire length of the belt 22 and are usually uniformly distributed over the periphery of a section of the belt 22 or over a peripheral section. In addition to the longitudinal cables or equivalent fabric, the carcass also includes, for example, transverse metal cables or a textile weft made of aramid or any other fabric. Said cables are usually made of steel. They usually extend along most of the perimeter of the belt 22. The longitudinal and transverse cables are interwoven with each other, for example, in a given weft.

According to the same embodiment, the tape 22 is manufactured in sections, using, for example, a vulcanization method. During this operation, each section is formed around a core of a suitable shape and then sintered, remaining pressed against the core. The manufacturing process is carried out continuously with each new formed section and sintering is carried out in such a way that the section represents a continuation of the already manufactured section of the tape 22. Sintering is carried out together with a frame built into the matrix. The frame is placed in the matrix in advance or during the forming operation.

The concave shape of the belt 22 has an advantage over the normal belt. Such a belt has a higher load-bearing capacity. Its mechanical strength is increased and its rigidity is enhanced due to the beam effect. The belt 22 is usually closed in a loop at its ends due to the rotating rollers, not shown in the drawings.

Thus, the belt 22 has an outgoing thread 26 for transporting bulk material and a return thread 28, parallel to each other and running in the main direction X-X' of the conveyor 20.

The turning rollers are mounted at two opposite longitudinal ends of the conveyor 20, or, in other words, at two ends of the route of the conveyor 20. For example, the conveyor 20 has a turning roller at each end. The belt 22 is mounted, for example, between two turning rollers. Thus, each of the outgoing thread 26 and the return thread 28 passes from one turning roller to the other.

The conveyor 20 further comprises a plurality of (not shown in the drawings) support stations, for example distributed along the route. The belt 22 rests on said support stations.

The conveyor 20 includes a drive allowing, for example, to move the belt 22 along the route. For example, at least one rotary roller has a drive motor and a drive element of the belt 22. The drive motor is adapted to advance the belt 22 in the main direction X-X'. The drive element is rotated by the drive motor. The drive element is in direct connection with the belt 22 in order to make the belt 22 move in the longitudinal direction.

The transport system 10 also includes a trench 30 dug in the ground and extending at least under the receiving place 16 in the direction Z-Z' in height. In the trench 30, the conveyor 20 is located at least in the receiving section of the route. Therefore, the support stations, if any, are also located in the trench 30.

In the example shown in the drawings, the trench 30 extends along the entire route of the conveyor 20, and includes a first section 32 which receives the outgoing thread 26, and a second section 34 which receives the return thread 28.

In one embodiment, trench 30 extends only along a portion of the route of conveyor 20, which is the receiving section, and the remainder of the route extends outside the ground.

The trench 30 is closed by a slab 36, except for the receiving section, where the trench 30 remains open to the outside. The slab 36 is a concrete slab, in particular a slab located in the middle of the height of the trench 30 in the Z-Z' direction along the height.

In the example shown, the slab 36 is covered with earth to protect it, except for the receiving area where the slab 36 is exposed and only partially covers the trench 30.

Plate 36 defines an opening 38 facing the receiving section, intended for passing a flow of bulk material forming waste heap 12 to belt 22.

The opening 38 extends along at least a part of the width of the trench 30, and in particular, at least a quarter of the width of the trench 30 in the transverse direction Y-Y'.

The opening 38 extends along the entire length of the receiving place 16 in the main direction X-X' and is limited by an end on each side.

The opening 38 has side edges 40, substantially parallel to each other, provided with a plurality of supports 42.

In a preferred embodiment, the supports 42 are substantially cylindrical, partially embedded in the slab 36, projecting in the transverse direction Y-Y' from each of the side edges 40 and extending partially across the opening 38. The rounded shape of the supports 42 facilitates sliding on the supports 42 along the trench 30 in the main direction X-X'.

The supports 42 are distributed substantially symmetrically on each of the side edges 40.

In a preferred embodiment, the trench 30 has upper edges 44 that delimit the trench 30 at ground level, provided with rails 46 suitable for the movement of wheeled rail vehicles.

The rails 46 run parallel to each other in the main direction X-X' at least along the entire length of the receiving section.

The transport system 10 further comprises a plurality of protective elements 50 mounted across the opening 38 of the trench 30, and the trolley 52 is adapted to move along the rails 46 along the trench 30 and to move the protective elements 50. The protective elements may also be referred to as caps.

The protective elements 50 are arranged in a line in the main direction X-X' across the opening 38, resting on the supports 42.

Each protective element 50 comprises a horizontal plate 54 adapted for placement across the opening 38 on supports 42, and a vertical plate 56 protruding from the middle of the horizontal plate 54 and extending perpendicular to the horizontal plate 54.

The horizontal plate 54 extends in a plane perpendicular to the direction Z-Z' in height, and the vertical plate 56 extends in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction Y-Y'. Each protective element 50 has a cross-section in the form of an inverted letter T in a plane perpendicular to the main direction X-X'.

The horizontal plate 54 and the vertical plate 56 are essentially rectangular metal plates attached to each other, for example, by longitudinally welding the lower edge of the vertical plate 56 along the axis of symmetry of the horizontal plate 54, or by twisting with bolts.

In the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the upper edge 58 of the vertical plate 56 has a shoulder protruding on both sides of the vertical plate 56 along the transverse direction Y-Y' to improve the grip of the protective element 50.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, the vertical plate 56 has a rolling surface 59 extending below the upper edge 58 on each side of the vertical plate 56 and having a relief that provides better contact with the vertical plate 56.

In one embodiment, the rolling surface 59 is a rack and the relief is teeth suitable for engagement with a gear wheel.

In one embodiment, the vertical plate 56 is not rectangular, but has any shape of the upper edge 58, such as a T-shape in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction Y-Y'.

The trolley 52 includes a chassis 60 and wheels 62 for movement along rails 46, as well as a first actuator 64 intended for movement of protective elements 50, and a second actuator 66 intended for movement of the trolley 52 along rails 46.

Said chassis 60 has, as shown in Fig. 4, a substantially hexagonal shape in a horizontal median plane parallel to the main direction X-X' and the transverse direction Y-Y', open above the trench 30 in the direction Z-Z' in height.

In one embodiment, the chassis 60 has a substantially rectangular shape in a horizontal median plane.

The first actuator 64 and the second actuator 66 are attached to the chassis 60 at two opposite ends of the chassis 60 in the main direction X-X'. The first actuator 64, intended for moving the protective elements 50, is located at the front end of the chassis 60, and the second actuator 66, intended for moving the trolley 52, is located at the rear end of the chassis 60 with respect to the direction of movement of the trolley 52 toward the blade 12.

In a preferred embodiment, the first actuator 64 and the second actuator 66 are substantially identical to each other, and their roles of moving the protective elements 50 and the trolley 52, respectively, can change when the direction of movement of the trolley 52 along the rails 46 changes.

Each of the first actuator 64 and the second actuator 66 includes at least one motor, in particular an electric motor, as well as a roller 68 and a support roller 70, which are designed with the possibility of rotation around corresponding axes of rotation parallel to the direction Z-Z' in height.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, each of the first actuator 64 and the second actuator 66 includes a single motor designed to rotate the roller 68, and the support roller 70 is mounted so as to be able to rotate freely.

According to the second embodiment, each of the first actuator 64 and the second actuator 66 includes two motors designed to rotate the corresponding roller 68 and the support roller 70 in opposite directions of rotation.

The roller 68 and the support roller 70 are installed in such a way as to come into contact with two opposite surfaces of the vertical plate 56 of one of the protective elements 50, and to move the protective element 50 relative to the carriage 52, or the carriage 52 relative to the protective element 50 when moving in the main direction X-X'.

Roller 68 and support roller 70 have a substantially cylindrical shape with axes substantially parallel to the height direction and define a peripheral rolling surface.

Roller 68 and support roller 70 are mounted with the possibility of rotation relative to chassis 60 of bogie 52, and extend below the horizontal median plane of chassis 60 in the height direction.

Roller 68 and support roller 70 lie on both sides of the vertical median plane of chassis 60, parallel to the main direction X-X' and the direction Z-Z' in height, so that their rolling surfaces pass opposite each other and opposite the vertical median plane.

The distance separating the rolling surfaces of roller 68 and support roller 70, measured along the transverse direction Y-Y', is essentially equal to the thickness of the vertical plates 56 of the protective elements 50 in the region of the upper edge 58.

In a preferred embodiment, the rolling surfaces of roller 68 and support roller 70 have a relief that improves the adhesion of the rolling surfaces to the vertical plates 56 of the protective elements 50, and in particular to the friction surfaces running on the vertical plates 56.

In one embodiment, in the case where the friction surface is a toothed rack, the rolling surfaces have teeth 25, and the roller 68 and the support roller 70 are toothed wheels that interact with the rack.

In one embodiment shown in Fig. 5 and 6, the trolley 52 includes two scraper devices 72 attached to the chassis 60 and extending on both sides of the chassis 60 in the transverse direction Y-Y.

Each scraper device 72 has a frame 74 attached to the chassis 60 of the trolley 52 and extending in the transverse direction Y-Y', a chain 76 mounted with the possibility of movement along the frame 74 and carrying a plurality of brushes 78, and a motor for driving the chain 76.

The chain 76 is looped around at least two support pulleys 80 located at the respective proximal and distal ends of the frame 74 and is driven around the pulleys 80 by a drive motor.

The brushes 78 are attached to a chain at substantially regular intervals and are adapted to move bulk material along the ground toward the trench 30. The movement of the chain moves the brushes 78 back and forth along the frame 74, with the route to the trench 30 passing below the frame 74 and the return route passing above the frame 74.

Each brush 78 includes a cleaning edge 82, for example, extending substantially in the main direction X-X', located in close proximity to the ground for moving bulk material when the brush 78 moves toward the trench 30.

In one embodiment, each brush 78 is a mop adapted to frictionally interact with the ground and move loose material as the brush 78 moves toward the trench 30.

The use of scraper devices 72 allows bulk material to be moved to the opening with a wider grip in the transverse direction Y-Y'.

In a preferred embodiment, the trolley 52 includes an automatic control module capable of activating the first actuator 64 and the second actuator 66 to move the trolley 52 and the protective elements 50 and to carry out the transportation method described below.

The following describes a method for transporting bulk material, which is implemented by the above-described transport system 10.

The method includes a preliminary step of placing bulk material on a receiving place 16 to form a dump 12 at least partially above a trench 30. In the example shown in Fig. 1-6, the dump 12 has a substantially conical initial shape.

The belt 22 of the conveyor 20 is in constant motion along its route during the process of implementing the transport method. For example, the drive motor of at least one rotary roller moves the belt 22 in the main direction X-X'.

The opening 38 of the trench 30 is closed by a row of protective elements 50, aligned edge to edge in the main direction X-X'.

The trolley 52 moves along the rails 46 to the starting position near one of the side edges of the dump 12. The trolley 52 in the starting position is located above the initial opening formed between the first protective element 50 and the end stop of the trench 30 or one or more other protective elements 50 resting against the end stop.

The vertical plate 56 of the first protective element 50 interacts with the roller 68 and the support roller 70 of the first actuator 64 mounted on the front end of the trolley 52.

The first protective element 50 is located in front of the trolley 52 on the route to the dump 12 in the main direction X-X'.

The method further includes the step of moving the first protective element 50 in order to form an opening.

The first actuator 64 is activated and moves the first protective element 50 by means of the roller 68 and the support roller 70 rotating in opposite directions. The first protective element 50 moves in the main direction X-X' toward the end stop.

The movement of the first protective element 50 forms between the first protective element 50 and the next protective element 50, called the second protective element 50, an opening in line with the blade 12, opening into the trench 30 above the conveyor 20.

The first protective element 50 moves along the entire length of the initial opening until contact is established with the end stop or until the protective elements 50 rest against the end stop. At the end of the movement of the first protective element 50, the vertical plate 56 of the first protective element 50 interacts with the roller 68 and the support roller 70 of the second actuator 66.

Part of the bulk material forming the waste heap 12 is poured through the opening onto the conveyor 20 and ends up on the belt 22. The belt 22 of the stage continuously moves along the route, moving the resulting bulk material as it is poured.

The flow of a portion of the bulk material frees up space, forming a slope in the dump 12, which essentially has the shape of an inverted cone with the apex of the cone near the opening and depends on the characteristics of the flow of granular material.

As soon as all the bulk material occupying the vacated space has been poured out, the flow of bulk material through the opening stops.

Then the second actuator of the trolley 52 is activated, moving the trolley 52 in the main direction X-X' into the freed space. The trolley 52 is moved by means of rotation of the roller 68 and the support roller 70 relative to the vertical plate 56 of the first protective element 50, wherein the first protective element 50 rests against the stop or against the protective elements 50 resting against the stop.

The trolley 52 moves along the length of the first protective element 50 until the roller 68 and the support roller 70 of the second actuator 66 are no longer in contact with the first protective element 50. At the end of the movement of the trolley 52, the vertical plate 56 of the second protective element 50 engages with the roller 68 and the support roller 70 of the first actuator 64.

The method further includes the step of moving the second protective element 50 in order to move the opening.

The step of moving the second protective element 50 is identical to the step of moving the first protective element 50 described above, wherein the second protective element 50 acts like the first protective element 50, and the protective element 50 following the second protective element 50, called the third protective element 50, aligned with the moldboard 12, acts like the second protective element 50. The first protective element 50 is added to the protective elements 50 resting against the stop.

The method provides for the repetition of successive stages of moving the protective elements 50 and moving the opening from one to another. Each movement of the opening results in the pouring of a portion of the material forming the dump 12, located in the conical space, the top of which is located in the opening.

As the trolley 52 and the opening move in the main direction X-X', the bulk material forming the dump 12 is poured into the trench 30 and transported by the conveyor 20.

In a preferred embodiment, the method may be automated.

The above-described transport system 10 and the corresponding transport method make it possible to simply and efficiently unload the bulk material heap 12 by gradually moving the bulk material onto the conveyor belt 22.

The mentioned transportation system 10 does not contain bulky equipment such as bunkers or silos, but only provides for a receiving place 16 and a trench 30, the dimensions of which are essentially independent of the bulk material and its quantity.

In addition, the protective elements 50 are reliable and easy to repair or replace in case of wear. The failure of one protective element 50 does not jeopardize the entire system, unlike systems with fixed storage structures.

In addition, the method is easily automated, requiring little labor or external intervention.

Claims (24)

1. A transportation system for transporting bulk material formed into a dump, including: - a trench running along the main direction, under the dump receiving area along the height direction; and - a conveyor running along a route that includes at least one receiving section that passes into a trench; the transportation system additionally includes: - a plurality of protective elements extending across the trench above the receiving area along the height direction; and - a trolley adapted for movement along the trench and containing a first actuator adapted for successive movement of each protective element in the main direction, and the trench is dug in the ground; in this case, the protective elements are arranged in a line in the main direction; wherein the protective elements are installed across the opening of the trench, wherein the protective elements cover the opening along its entire longitudinal length, with the exception of the opening, wherein the protective elements are designed with the possibility of moving in the longitudinal direction along the opening to change the position of the opening along the opening. 2. The transport system according to item 1, wherein each protective element includes: - essentially a rectangular horizontal plate running across the trench, and - a vertical plate attached to a horizontal plate and protruding perpendicularly from the horizontal plate in the height direction. 3. The transport system according to claim 2, wherein the first actuator includes a roller and a support roller, configured to rotate around respective axes of rotation parallel to the height direction, wherein the first actuator also includes a motor adapted to rotate at least said roller, wherein the roller and the support roller are installed so as to come into contact with two opposite surfaces of the vertical plate and move the protective element during movement in the main direction. 4. The transport system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the trolley includes a second actuator comprising a second roller and a second support roller, and a motor adapted to rotate at least the second roller, wherein the second roller and the second support roller are mounted so as to come into contact with two opposite surfaces of the vertical plate and move the trolley during movement in the main direction. 5. A transport system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the trolley comprises side plates extending opposite the rollers and support rollers, designed to protect the rollers from bulk material. 6. A transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the trolley comprises at least one scraper device extending in a transverse direction perpendicular to the main direction, each scraper device having at least one brush mounted on a chain moving in a transverse direction to move bulk material in a transverse direction from the dump to the trench. 7. A transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the trench defines substantially parallel side edges, and the transport system includes supports extending from the side edges of the trench and supporting protective elements. 8. The transport system of claim 7, wherein the supports are substantially cylindrical and have a substantially circular cross-section in a plane parallel to the main direction and the height direction. 9. A conveying system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the conveyor comprises a conveyor belt extending substantially parallel to the main direction and forming an outgoing thread extending into a receiving section and a return thread. 10. A method of transporting bulk material, including the following stages: - ensuring the availability of a transportation system according to any of paragraphs 1-9 and a waste heap formed by bulk material at the receiving site; - movement by the first actuator of the trolley of one of the protective elements during movement in the main direction to form an opening leading into the trench; - pouring part of the waste dump through an opening onto a conveyor and transporting the bulk material forming part of the waste dump by conveyor; - moving the trolley to another protective element.