WO2024245843A1

WO2024245843A1 - Monitoring a jaw crusher

Info

Publication number: WO2024245843A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/064054
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mårten LINDBERG; Kim Kotkamaa; Patrik SJÖBERG
Original assignee: Sandvik SRP AB
Current assignee: Sandvik SRP AB
Priority date: 2023-06-01
Filing date: 2024-05-22
Publication date: 2024-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 2025-12-01
Also published as: EP4470671A1

Abstract

An apparatus, method and computer program product for: receiving information on an operating state of the jaw crusher, receiving information on power consumption of the motor, determining a status of at least one jaw plate of the plurality of jaw plates based on the information on the operating state of the jaw crusher and the information on the power consumption of the motor, and determining, based on the status of the at least one jaw plate, a maintenance action for the at least one jaw plate.

Description

MONITORING A JAW CRUSHER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to monitoring a jaw crusher. More specifically, the present application relates to determining a maintenance action for at least one jaw plate of a jaw crusher.

BACKGROUND

Jaw crushers may be used, for example, in mine and ore processing plants for crushing rocks obtained through quarrying and/or explosion. A jaw crusher is configured to use compressive force applied by a plurality of jaw plates for crushing material in between the jaw plates.

SUMMARY

Various aspects of examples are set out in the claims. The scope of protection sought for various embodiments of the invention is set out by the independent claims. The examples and features, if any, described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the invention.

According to a first aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing: receiving information on an operating state of the jaw crusher, receiving information on power consumption of the motor, determining a status of at least one jaw plate of the plurality of jaw plates based on the information on the operating state of the jaw crusher and the information on the power consumption of the motor, and determining, based on the status of the at least one jaw plate, a maintenance action for the at least one jaw plate.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a method comprising: receiving information on an operating state of the jaw crusher, receiving information on power consumption of the motor, determining a status of at least one jaw plate of the plurality of jaw plates based on the information on the operating state of the jaw crusher and the information on the power consumption of the motor, and determining, based on the status of the at least one jaw plate, a maintenance action for the at least one jaw plate.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving information on an operating state of the jaw crusher, receiving information on power consumption of the motor, determining a status of at least one jaw plate of the plurality of jaw plates based on the information on the operating state of the jaw crusher and the information on the power consumption of the motor, and determining, based on the status of the at least one jaw plate, a maintenance action for the at least one jaw plate.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:receive information on an operating state of the jaw crusher, receive information on power consumption of the motor, determine a status of at least one jaw plate of the plurality of jaw plates based on the information on the operating state of the jaw crusher and the information on the power consumption of the motor, and determine, based on the status of the at least one jaw plate, a maintenance action for the at least one jaw plate.

According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving information on an operating state of the jaw crusher, receiving information on power consumption of the motor, determining a status of at least one jaw plate of the plurality of jaw plates based on the information on the operating state of the jaw crusher and the information on the power consumption of the motor, and determining, based on the status of the at least one jaw plate, a maintenance action for the at least one jaw plate.

According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving information on an operating state of the jaw crusher, receiving information on power consumption of the motor, determining a status of at least one jaw plate of the plurality of jaw plates based on the information on the operating state of the jaw crusher and the information on the power consumption of the motor, and determining, based on the status of the at least one jaw plate, a maintenance action for the at least one jaw plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of an example apparatus in which examples of the disclosed embodiments may be applied;

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of another example apparatus in which examples of the disclosed embodiments may be applied;

Figure 3 illustrates an example jaw crusher unit;

Figure 4 shows an example method incorporating aspects of the disclosed embodiments; and

Figures 5A and 5B show example user interfaces incorporating aspects of the disclosed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following embodiments are exemplifying. Although the specification may refer to “an”, “one”, or “some” embodiment's] in several locations of the text, this does not necessarily mean that each reference is made to the same embodiment's], or that a particular feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments.

Example embodiments relate to monitoring a jaw crusher unit comprising a plurality of jaw plates.

A jaw crusher is configured to use compressive force for breaking down larger materials into smaller pieces. For example, a jaw crusher may be configured to crush rocks into smaller rocks or gravel. Compressive force is applied by a plurality of jaw plates that define a crushing chamber therebetween for receiving material to be crushed. The material is fed from the top of the jaw crusher and the crushed material is discharged from the jaw crusher at the bottom.

A jaw plate may be a one-piece jaw plate or a multi-piece jaw plate such as a two-piece jaw plate. Different types of jaw plates may be used in different applications and for crushing different kinds of rock types. A jaw plate may be made of material having sufficient hardness for withstanding abrasions such as scratches or cuts, and sufficient toughness for resisting fracturing when breaking the material. A jaw plate may be made of, for example, manganese steel.

A fixed jaw plate may be mounted on a fixed jaw and a movable jaw plate may be mounted on a movable jaw. In a jaw crusher unit comprising a fixed jaw and a movable jaw, the fixed jaw plate mounted on the fixed jaw is configured as a stationary breaking surface while the movable jaw plate mounted on the movable jaw is configured to reciprocate against the fixed jaw plate. Reciprocating movement of the movable jaw may be achieved through an eccentric shaft connected to the movable jaw. The eccentric shaft is rotated by a flywheel driven by a drive mechanism via at least one belt. The drive mechanism may comprise, for example, a motor such as an electric motor. In other words, the motor is a main motor configured to drive the eccentric shaft via at least one belt and a flywheel to cause reciprocating movement of the moving jaw.

As material is crushed between the fixed jaw plate and the movable jaw plate, the jaw plates are subject to wear due to different factors. For example, wear on a jaw plate may be caused due to squeezing of the material between the jaw plates and/or sliding of the material between the jaw plates. Further, the fixed jaw plate may be subject to more wear than the movable plate due to the sliding of the material on the surface of the fixed jaw plate and force applied by the movable jaw to the fixed jaw. However, wear caused by the sliding material may be more severe than wear caused by squeezing.

Therefore, wear may be unevenly distributed between the fixed jaw plate and the movable jaw plate, and even between different portions of the fixed jaw plate and the movable jaw plate.

As excessive wear may cause reduced operational efficiency due to, for example, loss of tooth profile and/or changed crushing angle, monitoring the jaw plates and determining a suitable maintenance action for the jaw plates plays a role in efficient operation of a jaw crusher.

A maintenance action may relate to replacing a jaw plate or extending life of a jaw plate. Life of a jaw plate may be extended by rotating the jaw plate such that, for example, a more worn portion in a lower area of the jaw plate is positioned towards a top of the jaw crusher and a less worn portion in an upper area of the jaw plate is positioned towards a bottom of the jaw crusher.

However, monitoring wear of jaw plates of a jaw crusher may be challenging due to, for example, different types of jaw plates. For example, a jaw crusher having a fixed jaw plate and a movable jaw plate, the overall wear on the fixed jaw plate may be different from the overall wear on the movable plate.

An example embodiment relates to an apparatus for monitoring a jaw crusher comprising a plurality of jaw plates and a motor, the apparatus being configured to receive information on an operating state of the jaw crusher, receive information on power consumption of the motor, determine a status of at least one jaw plate of the plurality of jaw plates based on the information on the operating state of the jaw crusher and the information on the power consumption of the motor, and determine, based on the status of the at least one jaw plate, a maintenance action for the at least one jaw plate.

Figure 1 is a block diagram depicting an apparatus 100 operating in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 100 may be, for example, an electronic device such as a module comprised by an automation or control system, a chip or a chipset. The apparatus 100 comprises one or more control circuitry, such as at least one processor 110 and at least one memory 160, including one or more algorithms such as computer program instructions 120 wherein the at least one memory 160 and the computer program instructions are configured, with the at least one processor 110 to cause the apparatus to carry out any of example functionalities described below.

In the example of Figure 1, the processor 110 is a control unit operatively connected to read from and write to the memory 160. The processor 110 may also be configured to receive control signals received via an input interface and/or the processor 110 may be configured to output control signals via an output interface. In an example embodiment the processor 110 may be configured to convert the received control signals into appropriate commands for controlling functionalities of the apparatus.

The at least one memory 160 stores computer program instructions 120 which when loaded into the processor 110 control the operation of the apparatus 100 as explained below. In other examples, the apparatus 100 may comprise more than one memory 160 or different kinds of storage devices.

Computer program instructions 120 for enabling implementations of example embodiments of the invention or a part of such computer program instructions may be loaded onto the apparatus 100 by the manufacturer of the apparatus 100, by a user of the apparatus 100, or by the apparatus 100 itself based on a download program, or the instructions can be pushed to the apparatus 100 by an external device. The computer program instructions may arrive at the apparatus 100 via an electromagnetic carrier signal or be copied from a physical entity such as a computer program product, a memory device or a record medium such as a USB stick, a Compact Disc (CD), a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM), a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) or a Blu-ray disk.

Figure 2 is a block diagram depicting an apparatus 200 in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 200 may be an electronic device such as a module comprised by an automation system or a control system, a Personal Computer (PC), a laptop, a desktop, a wireless terminal, a communication terminal, a control apparatus, a computing device or the like. In the examples below it is assumed that the apparatus 200 is a computing device.

In the example embodiment of Figure 2, the apparatus 200 is illustrated as comprising the apparatus 100, a display 210, a communication module 230, and a user interface 220 for interacting with the computing device 200.

The display 210 may also be configured to act as a user interface. For example, the display may be a touch screen display. Additionally, or alternatively, the user interface may also comprise a manually operable control such as a button, a key, a touch pad, a joystick, a stylus, a pen, a roller, a rocker, a keypad, a keyboard or any suitable input mechanism for inputting and/or accessing information.

The apparatus 200 may be configured to, using the communication module 230, establish radio communication with another device using, for example, a cellular network, a Bluetooth connection, Wi-Fi connection, or the like.

The communication module 230 may comprise a module enabling wireless or wired communication with one or more devices. For example, the apparatus 200 may be configured to communicate with a cloud server, a local server, an edge computing server, a mobile computing device, and/or different kinds of devices or machinery. The communication module 230 may be configured to, for example, receive and/or transmit information using a wireless or wired connection. For example, the communication module 230 may be configured to receive radio signals from a device and/or transmit radio signals to the device.

In an example embodiment, the display 210, the user interface 220 and/or the communication module 230 may be external to and separate from the apparatus 200, but operatively connected to the apparatus 200.

According to an example embodiment, the apparatus 200 is configured to communicate with a jaw crusher. Communicating with the jaw crusher may comprise, for example, receiving information from and/or transmitting information to a jaw crusher using a wireless or wired connection.

The information may comprise, for example, data indicative of operation of the jaw crusher such as measurement data and/or information on one or more parameter values relating to operation of the jaw crusher or signals for controlling the jaw crusher. For example, the apparatus 200 may be configured to receive measurement data relating to one or more components of the jaw crusher and/or transmit one or more control signals to the jaw crusher for controlling the jaw crusher.

The apparatus 200 may be configured to communicate with the jaw crusher using a web-based solution, using an application program provided for a particular operating system such as a mobile operating system, or any other suitable system.

According to an example embodiment, the apparatus 200 is configured to receive information on at least one jaw crusher. Information on a jaw crusher may comprise, for example, information on operation of the jaw crusher, information on capabilities of the jaw crusher, and/or information on a status of the jaw crusher.

The apparatus 200 may be configured to receive the information on a jaw crusher from one or more sensors associated with the work machine and/or from one or more devices associated with the jaw crusher such as one or more devices controlling or monitoring operation of the jaw crusher.

The apparatus 200 may be configured to receive information continuously or discontinuously. Receiving information continuously may comprise, for example, receiving a flow of information such as substantially realtime measurement data. Receiving information discontinuously may comprise, for example, receiving information at set intervals or in response to a performed action.

According to an example embodiment, the apparatus 200 is configured to receive information on an operating state of the jaw crusher.

Receiving information on an operating state of the jaw crusher may comprise information indicative of the operating state of the jaw crusher. Alternatively, receiving information on an operating state of the jaw crusher may comprise determining the operating state of the jaw crusher. For example, the apparatus 200 may be configured to determine the operating state of the jaw crusher based on measurement data and / or one or more parameter values relating to the operation of the jaw crusher.

According to an example embodiment, information on the operating state of the jaw crusher comprises information on a motor power of the motor over a predefined period of time. For example, information on the operating state of the jaw crusher may comprise information on a motor power of the motor over a 10 second time period or 15 second time period.

The apparatus 200 may be configured to receive information on motor power from one or more sensors configured to measure motor power of the motor.

According to another example embodiment, information on the operating state of the jaw crusher comprises measurement data received from a sensor associated with the jaw crusher. For example, information on the operating state of the jaw crusher may comprise measurement data relating to the crushing chamber.

An operating state of a jaw crusher may comprise, for example, a predefined state of the jaw crusher in which one or more parameter values relating to the jaw crusher fulfill at least one criterion. The at least one criterion may comprise, for example, one or more predefined limits for the one or more parameter values such as a predefined range or one or more predefined threshold values. An operating state of a jaw crusher may comprise a state indicative of a current state of the jaw crusher such as a crushing state, an idle state or an off state. The off state comprises a state in which the power consumption of the motor is zero.

According to an example embodiment, an operating state of the jaw crusher comprises a crushing state.

A crushing state may comprise a state in which one or more parameter values relating to a crushing operation of the jaw crusher fulfill at least one criterion. The at least one criterion may comprise, for example, one or more predefined limits for the one or more parameter values such as a predefined range or one or more predefined threshold values. Parameter values relating to a crushing operation may comprise, for example, motor power in kilowatts (kWJ or amperes (A).

The apparatus 200 may be configured to determine that a jaw crusher is in a crushing state based on motor power being above a predefined threshold value for a predefined period of time. The threshold value may be, for example, a motor power threshold for determining that the motor is in a crushing state. For example, the apparatus 200 may be configured to determine that a jaw crusher is in a crushing state when the motor power has been over 25 kW for a period of 10 seconds.

Additionally, or alternatively, the apparatus 200 may be configured to determine that a jaw crusher is in a crushing state in response to detecting that there is material in the crushing chamber. For example, the apparatus 200 may be configured to receive an indication from a level sensor that the crushing chamber comprises material to be crushed.

According to another example embodiment, an operating state of the jaw crusher comprises an idle state.

An idle state comprises a state of the jaw crusher wherein the jaw crusher is running, but there is no material flow into the crusher. In other words, power is fed to the motor of the jaw crusher, but crushing chamber is substantially empty.

The apparatus 200 may be configured to determine that a jaw crusher is in an idle state based on the motor power being substantially constant. Additionally, or alternatively, the apparatus 200 may be configured to determine that the motor power is below the motor power threshold for a crushing state. For example, the apparatus 200 may be configured to determine that a jaw crusher is in a crushing state when the motor power is above zero, but below 25 kW. Parameter values relating to an idle state may comprise, for example, motor power in kilowatts (kWJ or amperes (A). In an idle state of the jaw crusher, the motor power may be substantially constant such as 100A ± 5%.

In addition to information on an operating state of the jaw crusher, the apparatus 200 may be configured to receive information on one or more components associated with the jaw crusher unit. For example, the apparatus 200 may be configured to receive information on operation or capabilities of the one or more components.

According to an example embodiment, the apparatus 200 is configured to receive information on power consumption of the motor.

Information on power consumption of the motor comprises data indicating an amount of electrical energy consumed by motor of the jaw crusher over a period of time.

According to an example embodiment, the apparatus 200 is configured to store the information on an operating state of the jaw crusher and the information on power consumption of the motor.

The apparatus 200 may be configured to determine a characteristic of a jaw plate based on the information on an operating state of the jaw crusher and the information on power consumption of the motor. A characteristic of a jaw plate may comprise, for example, an attribute associated with the jaw plate such as a status of the jaw plate.

According to an example embodiment, the apparatus 200 is configured to determine a status of at least one jaw plate of the plurality of jaw plates based on the information on the operating state of the jaw crusher and the information on the power consumption of the motor.

The status of the at least one jaw plate may comprise information on usage of the at least one jaw plate of the jaw crusher.

According to an example embodiment, the status of a jaw plate of the jaw crusher comprises information on accumulated energy consumption of the motor during usage of the jaw plate in a crushing state of the jaw crusher. Accumulated energy consumption of the motor may comprise accumulated energy consumption of the motor since installation of the jaw plate or rotation of the jaw plate.

Determining a status of a jaw plate may comprise calculating the accumulated energy consumption of the motor during usage of the jaw plate in a crushing state of the jaw crusher. Determining the status of the jaw plate may further comprise comparing the accumulated energy consumption with information relating to historical accumulated energy consumption of one or more previous jaw plates during usage of the one or more previous jaw plates in a crushing state of the jaw crusher. The information relating to historical accumulated energy consumption may comprise information on historical maintenance actions performed on the one or more previous jaw plates. For example, determining a status of a jaw plate may comprise calculating the accumulated energy consumption of the motor during usage of the jaw plate in a crushing state of the jaw crusher and comparing the accumulated energy consumption to information relating to historical accumulated energy consumption of a previous jaw plate until performing a maintenance action for the previous jaw plate.

According to another example embodiment, the status of a jaw plate of the jaw crusher comprises information on a number of total crushing hours of the jaw crusher in the crushing state.

Determining a status of a jaw plate may comprise calculating a number of total crushing hours of the jaw crusher in the crushing state. Determining the status of the jaw plate may further comprise comparing the number of total crushing hours of the jaw crusher in the crushing state with information relating to a number of historical total crushing hours of the jaw crusher in the crushing state. The information may comprise information on historical maintenance actions performed on the one or more previous jaw plates. For example, determining a status of a jaw plate may comprise calculating a number of total crushing hours of the jaw crusher in the crushing state and comparing the total number of crushing hours to information relating to a historical total number of crushing hours of the jaw crusher until performing a maintenance action for the previous jaw plate.

Determining a status of the at least one jaw plate may comprise updating one or more parameter values associated with the at least one jaw plate. The one or more parameters may relate to performing a maintenance action for a jaw plate such as rotation or replacement of a jaw plate.

According to an example embodiment, a jaw plate is associated with a plurality of parameters. The plurality of parameters comprises at least one replacement parameter indicating energy consumed by the motor of the jaw crusher since a previous replacement of the jaw plate and a rotation parameter indicating energy consumed by the motor of the jaw crusher since a previous rotation or replacement of the jaw plate.

A fixed jaw plate and/or a movable jaw plate may be associated with a plurality of parameters. The plurality of parameters may comprise a plurality of maintenance action parameters indicative of a maintenance actions associated with a jaw plate. The number of parameters associated with a jaw plate may correspond to a number of maintenance actions associated with the jaw plate. For example, a fixed jaw plate and a movable jaw plate may be associated with two or three rotation parameters in addition to a replacement parameter.

According to an example embodiment, a fixed jaw plate is associated with three rotation parameters and one replacement parameter. The three rotation parameters comprise a first rotation parameter, a second rotation parameter and a third rotation parameter. The first rotation parameter may indicate energy consumed by the motor of the jaw crusher since a replacement of a previous jaw plate with the fixed jaw plate or crushing hours of the jaw crusher since the replacement of the previous jaw plate with the fixed jaw plate. The second rotation parameter, the third rotation parameter and the replacement parameter may indicate energy consumed by the motor of the jaw crusher since a previous rotation of the fixed jaw plate or crushing hours of the jaw crusher since the previous rotation of the fixed jaw plate.

According to an example embodiment, a movable jaw plate is associated with three rotation parameters and one replacement parameter. The three rotation parameters comprise a first rotation parameter, a second rotation parameter and a third rotation parameter. The first rotation parameter may indicate energy consumed by the motor of the jaw crusher since a replacement of a previous jaw plate with a movable jaw plate or crushing hours of the jaw crusher since the replacement of the previous jaw plate with the movable jaw plate. The second rotation parameter, the third rotation parameter and the replacement parameter may indicate energy consumed by the motor of the jaw crusher since a previous rotation of the movable jaw plate or crushing hours of the jaw crusher since the previous rotation of the movable jaw plate.

According to an example embodiment, the status of the at least one jaw plate comprises information on operation of the at least one jaw plate since a previous maintenance action.

A maintenance action may comprise an action relating to the at least one jaw plate for avoiding low performance of the jaw crusher. A maintenance action may comprise, for example, one or more measures for addressing a physical condition of a jaw plate.

According to an example embodiment, the information on operation of the at least one jaw plate comprises energy consumed by the motor of the jaw crusher while crushing or crushing hours of the jaw crusher.

According to an example embodiment, the apparatus 200 is configured to record power consumption of the motor and update a rotation parameter based on the recorded power consumption.

According to an example embodiment, the apparatus 200 is configured to record crushing hours of a jaw crusher and update a replacement parameter based on the recorded crushing hours.

Updating the one or more parameter values may comprise determining that at least one condition for updating the one or more parameter values is fulfilled. The at least one condition may comprise, for example, a validation condition defining whether received data can be used for updating the parameter value.

According to an example embodiment, determining the status of the at least one jaw plate comprises validating the information on power consumption of the motor based on the information on the operating state of the jaw crusher.

Validating the information on power consumption of the motor based on the information on the operating state of the jaw crusher may comprise, for example, recording information on power consumption of the motor or discarding information on power consumption of the motor based on the information on the operating state of the jaw crusher. For example, information on the power consumption of the motor may be recorded when the jaw crusher is in an operating state and/or information of the power consumption of the motor maybe discarded when the jaw crusher is in an idle state.

Without limiting the scope of the claims, an advantage of determining a status of at least one jaw plate of the plurality of jaw plates based on the information on the operating state of the jaw crusher and the information on the power consumption of the motor is that the status of the at least one jaw plate can be determined without stopping the jaw crusher or removing the jaw plates.

According to an example embodiment, the apparatus 200 is configured to determine, based on the status of the at least one jaw plate, a maintenance action for the at least one jaw plate.

Determining a maintenance action for a jaw plate may comprise, for example, determining a type of the maintenance action such as, for example, whether the jaw plate is to be replaced or rotated, or estimating a suitable time for the maintenance action.

According to an example embodiment, the maintenance action comprises a rotation or replacement of the at least one jaw plate.

A rotation of a jaw plate comprises changing the position of the jaw plate such that the more worn portion such as the lower area of the jaw plate is positioned towards the top of the crushing chamber and the less worn portion such as the upper area of the jaw plate is positioned towards the bottom of the crushing chamber.

A replacement of a jaw plate comprises replacing the jaw plate with another jaw plate.

Determining a maintenance action may comprise determining that a maintenance action is needed or predicting an upcoming maintenance action.

According to an example embodiment, determining the maintenance action comprises predicting an upcoming maintenance action.

The apparatus 200 may be configured to determine an upcoming maintenance action based on one or more parameter values relating to the jaw plate. For example, the apparatus 200 may be configured to determine based on the first, the second or the third rotation parameter of a previous jaw plate that rotation of the jaw plate is needed or based on the replacement parameter of the previous jaw plate that a replacement of the jaw plate is needed.

According to an example embodiment, the apparatus 200 is configured to determine a type of the maintenance action based on a type of a parameter and inform the operator of the type of the maintenance action. For example, the apparatus 200 may be configured to determine based on a rotation parameter that rotation of a jaw plate is needed or based on a replacement parameter that replacement of a jaw plate is needed, and inform the operator about the needed maintenance action. The apparatus 200 may further be configured to detect that a maintenance action is performed or completed. The apparatus 200 may be configured to receive, for example, measurement data indicative of a performed or completed maintenance action from one or more sensors or the apparatus 200 may be configured to detect that a maintenance action is performed or completed based on, for example, an input from an operator of the jaw crusher.

According to an example embodiment, the apparatus 200 is configured to determine that a maintenance action is completed for the at least one jaw plate of the plurality of jaw plates based on information received from a sensor associated with the at least one jaw plate or based on an input received from an operator of the jaw crusher.

According to an example embodiment, the apparatus 200 is configured to store information on at least one performed maintenance action.

According to an example embodiment, the apparatus 200 is configured to control a user interface such as user interface 220. The apparatus 200 may be configured to control provision of at least one user interface element on a user interface such as the user interface 220 and/or on a remote user interface be located in a control room. The user interface 220 and/or the remote user interface may be accessed using a mobile computing device such as a mobile phone or a tablet computer.

Controlling provision of at least one user interface element may comprise, for example, presenting information on a user interface such as information relating to the jaw crusher or at least one jaw plate.

According to an example embodiment, the apparatus 200 is configured to provide information on the status of the at least one jaw plate and information on at least one performed maintenance action to the operator of the jaw crusher.

According to an example embodiment, the apparatus 200 is configured to provide an indication for an operator of the jaw crusher to prepare for the upcoming maintenance action.

The apparatus 200 may be configured to control operation of the jaw crusher. Controlling operation of the jaw crusher may comprise, for example, controlling material flow to the jaw crusher and/or controlling one or more components of the jaw crusher.

According to an example embodiment, the apparatus 200 is configured to provide a control signal for initiating the maintenance action.

The control signal may comprise a signal for, for example, causing stopping the flow of material to the jaw crusher. The apparatus 200 may be configured to provide the control signal, for example, in response to detecting a need for a maintenance operation or in response to an input by an operator of the jaw crusher.

Without limiting the scope of the claims, an advantage of determining a maintenance action based on the status of the at least one jaw plate is that the number of unnecessary interruptions of the crushing process may be reduced.

According to an example embodiment, the apparatus 200 comprises means for performing features of the apparatus 200, wherein the means for performing comprises at least one processor 110, at least one memory 160 including computer code 120 configured to, with the at least one processor 110, cause the performance of the apparatus 200.

According to an example embodiment, the apparatus 200 comprises means for receiving information on an operating state of the jaw crusher, means for receiving information on power consumption of the motor, means for determining a status of at least one jaw plate of the plurality of jaw plates based on the information on the operating state of the jaw crusher and the information on the power consumption of the motor, and means for determining, based on the status of the at least one jaw plate, a maintenance action for the at least one jaw plate.

The apparatus 200 may further comprise means providing an indication for an operator of the jaw crusher to prepare for the upcoming maintenance action, means for determining that a maintenance action is performed completed for at least one jaw plate of the plurality of jaw plates based on information received from a sensor associated with the at least one jaw plate or based on an input received from an operator of the jaw crusher.

The apparatus 200 may further comprise means for providing information on the status of the at least one jaw plate and information on at least one performed maintenance action to the operator of the jaw crusher, means for storing information on at least one performed maintenance action and/or means for providing a control signal for initiating the maintenance action.

Figure 3 illustrates an example jaw crusher unit 300. The jaw crusher unit comprises a fixed jaw 302 mounting a fixed jaw plate 304 and a movable jaw 312 mounting a movable jaw plate 314. The fixed jaw plate 304 mounted on the fixed jaw 302 is configured as a stationary breaking surface while the movable jaw plate 314 mounted on the movable jaw 312 is configured to reciprocate against the fixed jaw plate.

The fixed jaw 302 mounting the fixed jaw plate 304 and the movable jaw 312 mounting the movable jaw plate 314 are positioned opposite to each other and they define, together with crusher side frame 318, a crushing chamber 322 into which rocks 316 or other material are fed. The material 316 is fed from the top of the jaw crusher 300 as indicated by the arrow 324 and the crushed material is discharged from the jaw crusher 300 at the bottom. The movable jaw 312 is mounted on an eccentric shaft 308 thereby causing oscillating motion of the movable jaw 312. The eccentric shaft is rotated by a flywheel 306 driven by a motor 310 via at least one belt 328. The motor may comprise, for example, an electric motor. The position of the movable jaw 312 may be controlled using a control mechanism 320.

In the example of Figure 3, the jaw crusher further comprises a control unit 326 configured to communicate with the apparatus 200. Alternatively, the control unit may comprise the apparatus 200. The control unit may be configured to, for example, receive measurement data from one or more sensor relating to the jaw crusher unit 300, monitor one or more components of the jaw crusher unit 300 and/or determine a state of fixed jaw 302 and the movable jaw 312.

Figure 4 illustrates an example method 400 incorporating aspects of the previously disclosed embodiments. More specifically, the example method 400 illustrates determining a maintenance action for at least one jaw plate of a jaw crusher. The method may comprise a computer-implemented method performed by the apparatus 200.

The method starts with receiving 405 information on an operating state of the jaw crusher. In the example of Figure 4, the operating state of the jaw crusher may comprise a crushing state or an idle state.

In the example of Figure 4, information on the operating state of the jaw crusher comprises information on a motor power of the motor over a predefined period of time. For example, information on the operating state of the jaw crusher may comprise information on a motor power of the motor over a 10 second time period or 15 second time period.

Alternatively, or additionally, the information on the operating state of the jaw crusher may comprise measurement data received from a sensor associated with the jaw crusher. For example, information on the operating state of the jaw crusher may comprise measurement data relating to the crushing chamber.

The method continues with receiving 410 information on power consumption of the motor. Information on power consumption of the motor may comprise data indicating an amount of energy consumed by the jaw crusher.

The method further continues with determining 415 a status of at least one jaw plate of the plurality of jaw plates based on the information on the operating state of the jaw crusher and the information on the power consumption of the motor.

In the example of Figure 4, the status of a jaw plate of the jaw crusher comprises information on accumulated energy consumption of the motor during usage of the jaw plate in a crushing state of the jaw crusher. Accumulated energy consumption of the motor may comprise accumulated energy consumption of the motor since installation of the jaw plate or rotation of the jaw plate.

Alternatively, or additionally, the status of a jaw plate of the jaw crusher may comprise information on a number of total crushing hours of the jaw crusher in the crushing state.

In the example of Figure 4, the status of the at least one jaw plate comprises information on operation of the at least one jaw plate since a previous maintenance action.

The method further continues with determining 420, based on the status of the at least one jaw plate, a maintenance action for the at least one jaw plate. In the example of Figure 4, the maintenance action comprises a rotation or replacement of the at least one jaw plate.

Figures 5A and 5B illustrate example user interface elements 500 and 550 incorporating aspects of the previously disclosed embodiments. The user interface elements may be provided on a user interface operatively connected to the apparatus 200 such as a user interface of the apparatus 200, user interface of a mobile computing device configured to communicate with the apparatus 200, or the like. For example, the user interface may be provided in an application program such as a mobile app.

In the example of Figure 5A, there is provided an example user interface element 500 associated with a fixed jaw plate or a movable jaw plate. The user interface element indicates the status of the fixed jaw plate or the movable jaw plate by indicating energy consumed 504 by a motor of the jaw crusher in a crushing state of the jaw crusher, and representations of maintenance actions 506, 508, 510, 514 and 516 performed on the jaw plate. The representations of maintenance actions 506, 508 and 510 on the left side of the user interface element indicate when a previous jaw plate was rotated 508, 510 and replaced 506. In the example of Figure 5A, a previous jaw plate was rotated for the first time when the motor of the jaw crusher had consumed 12MWh of energy in the crushing state since installing the jaw plate and rotated for the second time when the motor of the jaw crusher had consumed 35 MWh of energy in the crushing state. The previous jaw plate was then replaced when the motor of the jaw crusher had consumed 50 MWh of energy in the crushing state.

The representations of the maintenance actions 516 and 514 on the right side of the user interface elements indicate maintenance actions performed on the current jaw plate. In the example of Figure 5A, the current jaw plate was rotated for the first time when the motor of the jaw crusher had consumed 16 MWh of energy since installing the jaw plate and rotated for the second time when the motor of the jaw crusher had consumed 38 MWh of energy.

As explained above, the apparatus 200 may be configured to provide an indication for an operator of the jaw crusher to prepare for the upcoming maintenance action. In the example of Figure 5A, the apparatus 200 may provide an indication that the amount of consumed energy is approaching 50MWh and as the previous jaw plate was replaced at 50 MWh, it may be assumed that the current jaw plate might also need to be changed around 50 MWh.

In the example of Figure 5B, there is provided an example user interface for monitoring a plurality of jaw plates. In Figure 5B, each of the bars 525, 535, 545 and 555 are associated with a fixed jaw plate or a movable jaw plate. Each of the bars also indicate maintenance actions performed on the jaw plates. Different portions of the bars may be provided with different colors for making it easier for an operator to notice performed maintenance actions. The user interface of Figure 5B may be used, for example, for monitoring a fleet of jaw crushers.

Without limiting the scope of the claims, an advantage of determining a status of a jaw plate based on information on the operating state of the jaw crusher and information on the power consumption of the motor is that wear rate on the jaw plate may be estimated without stopping the jaw crusher. An advantage of determining a maintenance action for a jaw plate based on the status of the jaw plate is that timing of maintenance actions may be improved. A further advantage is that different types of jaw plates may be operated more efficiently.

Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of the claims appearing below, a technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is that operational efficiency may be improved.

As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) with software/firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in software, hardware, application logic or a combination of software, hardware and application logic. The software, application logic and/or hardware may reside on the apparatus, a separate device or a plurality of devices. If desired, part of the software, application logic and/or hardware may reside on the apparatus, part of the software, application logic and/or hardware may reside on a separate device, and part of the software, application logic and/or hardware may reside on a plurality of devices. In an example embodiment, the application logic, software or an instruction set is maintained on any one of various conventional computer- readable media. In the context of this document, a 'computer-readable medium' may be any media or means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer, with one example of a computer described and depicted in FIGURE 2. A computer-readable medium may comprise a computer-readable storage medium that may be any media or means that can contain or store the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer.

If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be performed in a different order and/or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the above-described functions may be optional or may be combined.

Although various aspects of the invention are set out in the independent claims, other aspects of the invention comprise other combinations of features from the described embodiments and/or the dependent claims with the features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinations explicitly set out in the claims.

It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as the technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring a jaw crusher comprising a plurality of jaw plates and a motor, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive information on an operating state of the jaw crusher; receive information on power consumption of the motor; determine a status of at least one jaw plate of the plurality of jaw plates based on the information on the operating state of the jaw crusher and the information on the power consumption of the motor; and determine, based on the status of the at least one jaw plate, a maintenance action for the at least one jaw plate.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the maintenance action comprises a rotation or replacement of the at least one jaw plate.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein determining the maintenance action comprises predicting an upcoming maintenance action.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to provide an indication for an operator of the jaw crusher to prepare for the upcoming maintenance action.

5. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to determine that a maintenance action is completed for the at least one jaw plate of the plurality of jaw plates based on information received from a sensor associated with the at least one jaw plate or based on an input received from an operator of the jaw crusher.

6. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the operating state of the jaw crusher comprises a crushing state or an idle state.

7. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the status of the at least one jaw plate comprises information on operation of the at least one jaw plate since a previous maintenance action.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the information on operation of the at least one jaw plate comprises energy consumed by the motor of the jaw crusher while crushing or crushing hours of the jaw crusher.

9. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein determining the status of the at least one jaw plate comprises validating the information on power consumption of the motor based on the information on the operating state of the jaw crusher.

10. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to provide information on the status of the at least one jaw plate and information on at least one performed maintenance action to the operator of the jaw crusher.

11. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to store information on at least one performed maintenance action.

12. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to provide a control signal for initiating the maintenance action.

13. A jaw crusher comprising an apparatus according to any preceding claim.

14. A method for monitoring a jaw crusher comprising a plurality of jaw plates and a motor, the method comprising: receiving information on an operating state of the jaw crusher; receiving information on power consumption of the motor; determining a status of at least one jaw plate of the plurality of jaw plates based on the information on the operating state of the jaw crusher and the information on the power consumption of the motor; and determining, based on the status of the at least one jaw plate, a maintenance action for the at least one jaw plate.

15. A computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving information on an operating state of the jaw crusher; receiving information on power consumption of the motor; determining a status of at least one jaw plate of the plurality of jaw plates based on the information on the operating state of the jaw crusher and the information on the power consumption of the motor; and determining, based on the status of the at least one jaw plate, a maintenance action for the at least one jaw plate.