Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02674700 2009-07-07
Translation from German of Patent Application W02008/067802 A1
Movable Continuous Conveyor and Method for Operating
a Movable Continuous Conveyor
The invention relates to a movable continuous conveyor
comprising independent tractor modules, each having
continuous conveyor means and a track-laying truck. The
invention relates moreover to a method for operating a
movable continuous conveyor.
Continuous conveyors are frequently used as a means of
conveying bulk material. The conveyed material is here
usually carried by an endless conveying belt, the
conveying belt being located on conveying equipment. The
conveying belt usually moves over rollers, where in most
cases a roller at one end serves both as a deflection
roller and as a drive roller.
It is also proposed that continuous conveyors are mounted
on a tractor unit so that the position of the continuous
conveyor can be more easily varied.
A movable continuous conveyor of this general type is
known from DE 101 49 101 Al. In this continuous conveyor
for the transport of bulk goods, the supporting frame for
the continuous means of conveying is fitted at ground
level with a tractor unit in the form of a caterpillar
track. This permits the entire supporting frame to follow
an advance working machine as one movable unit. The
caterpillar track even allows the supporting frame to be
moved over uneven ground.
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It has, however, been found, that a continuous conveyor
as described in DE 101 49 101 Al has only limited
mobility. The means of conveying described in that
application is indeed constructed to cope with a degree
of curvature; the tractor unit described is, however, of
only very limited suitability for changing the position
of the continuous conveyor.
It is therefore the object of the invention to further
develop a continuous conveyor of this general type to the
extent that it is capable of particularly high mobility
and flexibility.
This object is achieved by means of a movable continuous
conveyor consisting of independent tractor modules in
which each tractor module incorporates means of
continuous conveying and a track-laying truck, in which
the track-laying truck incorporates more than one track.
The use of independent tractor modules with track-laying
trucks that include more than one track makes it possible
not only to convey bulk goods on the continuous conveyor
relative to the tractor module, but also to move the
entire continuous conveyor very flexibly.
It is favourable here for the track-laying truck to
include at least two tracks arranged in parallel with one
another. In this way the track-laying truck can remain
stable, even on uneven ground, while the position of the
continuous conveyor is changed.
The track-laying truck makes it possible to pull or push
the continuous conveyor without the conveyor - which is
usually a relatively long structure - being at risk of
falling over. Nevertheless, it is particularly favourable
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for at least one tractor module to incorporate a track
drive. This makes it possible to move the continuous
conveyor to a different position under the power of the
track-laying truck.
In this case it is preferable for it to be possible if at
least two tracks, positioned parallel to one another, can
be driven differently. Providing different drives to the
parallel tracks permits a degree of steering, or
compensation when moving around a curve.
Alternatively, or in addition, it is proposed that two
tractor modules, one following the other, are joined by
at least one steering cylinder. A steering cylinder of
this type can be implemented by a threaded rod inserted
into a threaded sleeve. Alternatively, depending on the
particular application, pneumatically or hydraulically
driven steering cylinders may be favourable. The steering
cylinders make it possible to generate forces between
tractor modules, by means of which travel along a curve
can be brought about. In particular, they also permit
extremely accurate, reproducible curved travel, through
which, for instance, the continuous conveyor can be taken
under remote control, according to a specified plan, to a
predetermined, defined position.
Particularly tight curved movement can be achieved if two
tractor modules, one following the other, are joined by
means of two steering cylinders. The tractor modules may
in this case either be joined directly or, through an
intermediate piece, by means of the steering cylinders.
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It has been found particularly favourable for design
reasons if steering cylinders are only positioned on one
side of the tractor modules.
In the mining field, electric motors are avoided wherever
possible, and it is therefore proposed that the
continuous conveyor incorporates at least one hydraulic
cylinder as a steering cylinder.
Economical manufacture of a continuous conveyor of this
type is aided if each tractor module incorporates a frame
arrangement that includes a guide for the means of
continuous conveying.
It is, furthermore, favourable for each tractor module to
include a frame arrangement with a chain guiding
mechanism. A chain of this type is usually used to drive
a means of continuous conveying that is supported on a
guide mechanism.
Strong, lightweight design for the tractor module is
achieved if each tractor module incorporates a frame
arrangement having several cross-braces. Manufacture is
particularly economical if the continuous conveyor
incorporates a frame arrangement having two equivalent
frame segments with an articulated connection. This makes
it possible to adapt with particular flexibility to
horizontally uneven ground or to curves.
It is proposed therefore that at least one tractor module
incorporates a frame arrangement with frame segments
connected together in such a way that they can pivot out
of a horizontal plane.
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Particular flexibility can be achieved if a bridge module
is positioned between two tractor modules. On this basis
it is proposed that the continuous conveyor incorporates
a bridge module having a frame arrangement with a guide
5 mechanism for the means of continuous conveying.
Flexibility is increased yet further if the bridge module
is connected to the tractor modules through hinged
joints.
These hinged joints can allow the continuous conveyor to
bend out of a horizontal plane.
In addition, or alternatively, the hinged joints may also
allow the continuous conveyor to bend out of a vertical
plane. In this way, the hinged joints of the bridge
module make it easier for the continuous conveyor to
track over significant unevenness in the ground and
around curves.
On this basis it is proposed that the continuous conveyor
incorporates a deflection module for the means of
continuous conveying at the end of the continuous
conveyor.
Particularly low-energy transport on the continuous
conveyor is achieved by guiding the means of continuous
conveying on rollers. The continuous conveyor thus has a
means of continuous conveying that is attached to the
tractor module with rollers, while the tractor module has
caterpillar tracks by means of which the means of
continuous conveying can be brought into position.
Both conveyor belts and rows of adjacent receptacles may
be suitable as the means of continuous conveying. It is
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particularly favourable if the means of continuous
conveying is a trough conveyor.
It is proposed as particularly favourable here for the
troughs of the trough conveyor to be bolted to one
another.
It is furthermore proposed that the troughs of the trough
conveyor are attached to a drive chain. This drive chain
is usually a circulating chain that accepts the tensile
forces, while the trough conveyor that is attached to the
chain has to transmit as little tension as possible.
In one particular embodiment, the tractor module
incorporates a hydraulic unit. A modular construction can
be given to the continuous conveyor if each tractor
module includes a hydraulic unit.
This hydraulic unit can be used for a variety of
functions. In one embodiment of the invention, the
hydraulic unit provides power to drive the means of
continuous conveying. It is, furthermore, proposed that
the hydraulic unit supplies power to drive the
caterpillar tracks. Finally, the hydraulic unit can also
power steering cylinders.
It is particularly favourable here if the steering
cylinders are associated with a control unit.
In a preferred embodiment, the controller incorporates a
system for measuring distance. The distance measuring
system allows the path points of all the tractor units to
be queried and saved when the continuous conveyor is
moved. The controller can then take note of the distance
moved, and in that way ensure that forward and backward
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movement of the entire continuous conveying equipment
always proceeds along the same track.
The invention therefore also proposes a method for
operating a movable continuous conveyor, particularly a
continuous conveyor as described above, in which a
control unit uses the position of steering cylinders to
regulate or control the speed at which the tracks of a
track-laying truck are driven. The controller uses the
position of the steering cylinder to regulate the
different drive speeds of each of the tracks of a tractor
unit as it travels around a curve.
It is advantageous here for the controller to determine
the position of the continuous conveyor with reference to
the neutral axis of the continuous conveyor's tractor
modules. If determination of the position of the entire
continuous conveyor system is made with reference to the
neutral axis of the curve conveyor, the different speeds
of travel of the individual tracks when travelling in a
straight line or in a curve can be determined accurately.
When moving round a curve it is possible in this way to
pass the position of one steering cylinder on to the next
steering cylinder.
In order to compensate for tracks that may be slipping or
may be suspended in the air, it is proposed that the
controller determines the speed of the powered tracks of
the track-laying truck.
An embodiment of a movable continuous conveyor with
individual tractor modules is illustrated on the drawing,
and is explained in more detail further below.
They show
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Figure 1 a top view of a continuous conveyor winding
around obstacles,
Figure 2 a top view of two tractor modules from the
continuous conveyor illustrated in Figure 1,
Figure 3 a lateral view of two tractor modules from the
continuous conveyor illustrated in Figure 1,
Figure 4 an enlarged top view of four tractor modules
from a continuous conveyor in a curved position,
Figure 5 a perspective view of a detail of the
continuous conveyor illustrated in Figure 4,
Figure 6 a schematic lateral view of a detail of the
trough belt,
Figure 7 a lateral view of a section of a tractor unit
with trough conveyor,
Figure 8 a lateral view of a tractor module with trough
conveyor,
Figure 9 a further lateral view of the tractor module
illustrated in Figure 8,
Figure 10 a top view of the tractor module illustrated in
Figure 8,
Figure 11 a perspective view of the tractor module
illustrated in Figure 8,
Figure 12 the tractor module illustrated in Figure 8
without trough conveyor,
Figure 13 a lateral view of the tractor module
illustrated in Figure 12 without trough conveyor,
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Figure 14 a section of the frame of the tractor module
illustrated in Figure 12,
Figure 15 the corresponding frame segment that works
together with the frame segment illustrated in Figure 14,
Figure 16 a frame segment for a bridge module,
Figure 17 a three-dimensional view of a drive station,
Figure 18 a three-dimensional view of a deflection
station,
Figure 19 a top view of the frames of two adjacent
tractor unit modules with a bridge module and
Figure 20 a three-dimensional view of the construction
illustrated in Figure 19.
The movable continuous conveyor 1 illustrated in Figure 1
forms a winding line between the continuous miner 2 and a
hopper 3 that transfers the conveyed material onto a
stationary main conveyor 4.
The continuous conveyor 1 features a high level of
mobility and flexibility, allowing it to follow the
continuous miner 2, and has a high capacity to transport
the released mineral to the stationary main conveyor 4. A
feeder breaker (not illustrated) may be incorporated
behind the continuous miner. The total length of the
modular continuous conveyor 1 can be up to 150 meters.
The continuous conveyor 1 consists primarily of tractor
modules 5, 6, bridge modules 7, a drive module 8 (cf.
Figure 17), a deflection module 9 (cf. Figure 18) and,
associated with them, troughs 10 (cf. Figures 6 and 7).
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There is also a hydraulic system, of which Figure 2
illustrates the hydraulic unit 11 and steering cylinder
12.
Tractor unit modules 5, 6, each have two caterpillar
5 tracks 13 and 13', positioned parallel to one another.
The top view shown in Figure 4 illustrates how the
individual tractor modules 14, 15, 16 and 17 are flexibly
connected to one another by means of bridge modules 18,
19 and 20 in such a way that a radius 21 of approximately
10 6 meters can be maintained. This is possible because the
tractor modules are approximately 2.4 meters long, while
the bridge modules are about 1.2 meters long. An angle of
165 can be reached between a tractor module and a bridge
module.
Through this flexible arrangement of tractor units it is
possible to move the entire conveyor around curves, and
to negotiate humps (cf. Figure 3). Thanks to the modular
construction, the equipment can be shortened or
lengthened quickly, thus improving flexibility. A
vertical and horizontal change in angle is possible
between the modules in order to work around curves and to
negotiate depressions and valleys. The horizontal change
in angle of altogether 15 allows a curve radius of about
six meters to be achieved. The special design principle
ensures that even when the conveyor is acutely tilted,
the troughs of the trough conveyor are accurately guided
by the bogeys 22 that travel on rails 21.
The trough belt consists of a large number of trough
elements 10, illustrated schematically on Figure 6,
having a trough belt 23, joined at the side through a
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bolted connection 24 to a further element. The underneath
25 of the trough belt 23 is joined to a chain (not
illustrated).
The underneath 25 is connected to a roller system 26 that
rolls on rails 21. A chain (not illustrated) passes
through the chain guide 27, 28, and this moves the
troughs relative to the rail 21 that is fastened to the
tractor module.
In this way the continuous conveyor is able to transport
large quantities of bulk material while at the same time
the high flexibility of the trough system makes it
possible to implement tight curve radii. As a result of
running on rollers, the tensile forces in the trough
system are small.
The flexing that takes place in the trough conveyor
ensures that even when the bulk material is wet, the
trough belt cleans itself at the reversing and drive
stations.
The trough belt illustrated in Figure 6 consists
primarily of a light fabric belt 29 to which the trough
belt 23 is fastened with the scalloped edge 30.
The only function of the troughs 10 is to hold the bulk
material. All the other forces are transmitted by the
chain that passes through the chain guide 27, 28. The
weight of the bulk material is transmitted through the
roller system 26 to the frame of the tractor module 6.
Precise horizontal and vertical guidance of the trough
belt 29 and of the drive chain is implemented by the
guide system, using the guides 27 and 28, which are
approximately in the middle between the caterpillar
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tracks 13 and 13' of the tractor module 5. This design
also achieves precise guidance of the chain at the places
where the continuous conveyor 1 changes direction.
The tractor module 5 illustrated in Figures 8 to 11
consists of the track-laying truck 31, the spring
suspension 32, the steering cylinders 12, the guide frame
33 for the trough conveyor 34 illustrated in Figures 12
and 13, and the chain guide 35. The steering cylinders 12
connect the tractor module 5 to a bridge module 7 as
shown in Figure 16.
Figures 12 to 15 show that a tractor module 5
incorporates two frames, 36 and 37, which, apart from the
connections 38, and 39, are identical in construction,
and which are brought together to form a ladder-like,
flexible construction at the connection site.
Bridge module 7 serves as the connection between the
individual tractor modules 5 and 6. The bridge module 7
permits a horizontal change of angle, while the
connection 38, 39 of the frame segment of the tractor
module permits a vertical change of angle. The rails 21
that are mounted on the frame elements illustrated in
Figures 14 to 15 incorporate plastic plates over which
the roller system 26 rolls.
The interaction of the frames 40 and 41 of two tractor
modules and the frame 42 of a bridge module is
illustrated in Figures 19 and 20. While the hinge 43
allows a change in angle from the horizontal plane, the
hinge 44 permits bending to the side, whereby the frame
segments of the bridge element and the frame segments of
the tractor module slide at a contact surface 45.
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The continuous conveyor incorporates hydraulic equipment,
implemented on tractor module 6 as a hydraulic unit 11. A
hydraulic unit 11 of this type provides a driving force
for the tractor modules 5, 6, and also powers the
steering cylinder 12. The steering is operated by means
of proportional valves.
Steering is primarily implemented through the steering
cylinders, although the tractor unit and its tracks 13,
13' can be used to support the steering movement. It is
favourable if the steering cylinders, as shown in Figure
5, are only positioned at one side, and if the hydraulic
units and the valve equipment are located in boxes 46
above the tracks 13, 13'.
