Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Analysis System and Associated Method of Handling and
Analysing Discrete Mineral Samples
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of for mineral
samples. The invention further relates to a self
contained stand alone analysis system; and, to a method of
handling and analysing discrete mineral samples.
Background of Invention
Prior to or during the mining of a mineral body it is
critical to assay the mineral in the body to maximise the
efficiency and profit in subsequent processing of
corresponding mined ore. In drill and blast mining
operations where a mineral body such as a bench of ore is
initially drilled with blast holes, assaying may be
performed on samples of cuttings produced by the drilling
process prior to blasting.
Assaying is conventionally performed in a laboratory
remote from the drilling location. The laboratory
contains an apparatus or machine such as an XRF
spectrometer for determining the elemental or chemical
composition of the sample. A laboratory technician
generally prepares and feeds a sample to the spectrometer
and operates the spectrometer to determine the elemental
composition. Such sample preparation is often laborious
and time consuming. The data relating to the composition
and/or other characteristics of such a sample is
subsequently used by mine planner to determine an
appropriate blasting sequence and removal strategy to
maximise ore production. There may be substantial lead
time between delivering of a sample for analysis and being
able to access the results of the analysis.
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I n the claims which follow and in the preceding
description of the invention, except where the context
requires otherwise due to express language or necessary
implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as
"comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense,
i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but
not to preclude the presence or addition of further
features in various embodiments of the invention.
It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication
is referred to herein; such reference does not constitute
an admission that the publication forms a part of the
common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any
other country.
Summary of the Invention
The general idea behind the present invention is to
provide a self contained stand alone elemental composition
analysis system that enables autonomous handling and
analysis of mineral samples. By being stand alone and
self contained the system can be easily transported to a
location near a mining operation to facilitate quick turn-
around time for assaying the mineral samples.
Embodiments of the invention enable discrete mineral
samples emptied from respective containers such as sample
bags, to be analysed as to their elemental composition and
subsequently transferred from the system. This transfer
may include but is not limited to:
(a) the samples being returned in their same
containers and subsequently removed from the
system;
(b) the samples being deposited in new containers and
subsequently removed from the system;
(c) dumping at least some of the analysed samples to
a waste bunker and at least one of the samples
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being deposited into their original or new
containers (for example to provide a basis for
quality control and quality assurance); and
(d) dumping all of the analyses samples to a waste
dump or waste location.
In one aspect the invention provides a self-contained
stand-alone mineral sample analysis system comprising:
an analyser capable of providing data relating to a
characteristic of a mineral sample;
a sample input port;
at least one sample output port; and,
a sample transport and handling system operatively
associated with the analyser and arranged to present a
plurality of discrete mineral samples provided at the
sample port to the analyser, and subsequently transport
the analysed mineral sample to a selected one of the at
least one sample outlet port.
In one embodiment the sample transport and handling system
comprises an inlet transport system arranged to transport
the discrete mineral samples to an analyser input; and,
a separate output transport system arranged to
transport discrete analysed mineral samples from an
analyser output to the selected one of the at least one
sample outlet port.
In one embodiment the sample transport and handling system
comprises one or more separate buckets demountably carried
on or by the inlet transport system.
In one embodiment the sample transport and handling system
comprises separate buckets demountably carried on or by
the outlet transport system.
In one embodiment the input transport system comprises a
sample feed system and an analyser transport system, the
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sample feed system arranged to convey discrete mineral
samples from the sample inlet port to the analyser
transport system, the analyser transport system arranged
to transfer discrete mineral samples from the sample feed
system to the analyser input.
In one embodiment the analyser transport system is
arranged to transfer a discrete sample from the sample
feed system and deliver the discrete sample to the
analyser input.
In one embodiment the analyser transport system is
arranged to lift a bucket holding a discrete sample
carried on the sample feed system and empty the discrete
sample from the bucket into or onto the analyser input.
In one embodiment the analyser transport system is
operable to return the emptied bucket to the sample feed
system.
In one embodiment the sample feed system is arranged to
convey a bucket from the sample inlet port to the analyser
transport system and back to the sample inlet port.
In one embodiment the sample feed system transports the
discrete samples in a horizontal plane.
In one embodiment the sample feed system transports the
samples in a horizontal plane and the analyser transport
system transports the samples in a vertical plane.
In one embodiment the outlet transport system is arranged
to transport a sample from the analyser output to the
selected one of the at least one sample outlet port.
In one embodiment the at least one sample outlet is
configured to enable an analysed mineral sample to be
removed as a discrete sample in a container from the
analysis system.
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In one embodiment the at least one sample outlet port
comprises: a waste outlet port arranged to direct an
analysed sample to a waste location; and, an unload
outlet port configured to enable an analysed mineral
sample to be removed as a discrete sample in a container
from the analysis system.
In one embodiment the sample feed system comprises a
conveyor.
In one embodiment the outlet transport system comprises a
conveyor.
In one embodiment the outlet transport system comprises a
robotic arm or manipulator.
In one embodiment the sample feed system comprises a
robotic arm or manipulator.
In one embodiment the analysis system comprises a control
system arranged control the sample transport and handling
system so that the samples are sequentially progressed
from the inlet port through the analyser and to the
selected one of the at least one outlet ports.
In one embodiment the analysis system comprises a control
system arranged control the sample transport and handling
system so that the samples are progressed from the inlet
port through the analyser and to the selected one of the
at least one outlet ports in a user definable and
changeable order.
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In one embodiment the control system is arranged enable
separate control of the inlet transport system, the
outlet transport system and the analyser.
In one embodiment the control system is arranged to
associate a container containing a discrete mineral
sample with that discrete mineral sample wherein a
discrete sample emptied from that container into the
sample inlet port is transported in the same container to
the unload outlet port.
In one embodiment each bucket on the outlet transport
system is configured to demountably engage a sample
container in an opened condition.
In one embodiment the unload outlet port is arranged to
provide access to the outlet transport system wherein a
sample container carrying a discrete sample which is
emptied through the sample inlet port is able to be
engaged in a bucket of the outlet transport system
through the unload outlet port.
In one embodiment the control system is operable to:
associate discrete samples with a uniquely identified
container; and,
control the sample transport and handling system and
the analyser in a manner wherein a sample emptied from a
particular container through the sample inlet port is
returned in the same container at the unload outlet port.
In one embodiment the control system is operable to:
track discrete samples through the analysis system; and
control the sample transport and handling system and the
analyser in a manner wherein one or more selected samples
emptied from a particular container through the sample
inlet port can be transported in the same or an alternate
container to the unload outlet port and non selected
sample can be transported to the dump outlet port.
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In one embodiment the analysis system comprises a frame
supporting the analyser and the sample transport and
handling system.
In one embodiment the frame comprises two or more sub-
frames arranged to be assembled together.
In one embodiment a first sub-frame supports the inlet
transport system and a second sub-frame supports the
outlet transport system.
In one embodiment the analyser is supported by the frame
at a level above the inlet transport system.
In one embodiment the analysis system comprises a
platform supported by the frame at a level above the
inlet transport system and the outlet transport system
and wherein the analyser is supported on the platform.
In one embodiment the analysis system comprises stairs to
provide an operator with access to walk onto and off of
the platform.
In one embodiment the analysis system comprises a crusher
arranged to crush the samples to a selectable particle
size prior to analysis by the analyser.
In one embodiment the analysis system comprises a dryer
arranged to dry the samples to a selectable moisture
content prior to analysis by the analyser
In a second aspect the invention provides a method of
handling and analysing one or more discrete mineral
samples in a self-contained stand-alone mineral analysis
system comprising:
autonomously transferring discrete mineral samples
emptied from respective containers at an inlet port of the
system to an analyser
operating the analyser to generate data relating to
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one or more characteristics of each discrete sample;
transferring an analysed sample to a selected one of
at least one sample outlet port.
In one embodiment the method comprises:
emptying each discrete sample from its container
through the inlet port;
transporting the emptied container to a deposit
location at which a discrete analysed sample is deposited
into the container; and,
subsequently transporting to the outlet port.
In one embodiment the method comprises loading the
emptied container onto an outlet transport system
operable to transport the emptied container to the
deposit location.
Brief Description of the Drawings
An embodiment of the present invention will now be
described by way of example only with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic isometric view from the front of
an embodiment of an elemental composition analysis system
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a top view of the system shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a side view of the system shown in Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a representation of a portion of an inlet
conveyor system incorporated in the system shown in Figure
1;
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Figure 5 is an enlarged schematic representation of a
portion of the system shown in Figure 1 incorporating a
part of the inlet conveyor shown in Figure 4;
Figure 6a is schematic isometric view from the rear the
system shown in Figure 1;
Figure 6b is a schematic representation of a carriage and
bucket used in the conveyor system shown in Figure 6a;
Figure 7a is an isometric view from a first angle of an
inlet chute incorporated in the system shown in Figure 1;
Figure 7b is an isometric view from a second angle of the
inlet chute shown in Figure 7a;
Figure 8a is a schematic representation of a chute
incorporated in the system shown in Figure 1;
Figure 8b is a front view of the chute shown in Figure 8a;
Figure 8c is a side view of the chute shown in Figure 8a;
Figure 8d is a view of detail B shown in Figure 8a;
Figure 9 is a flowchart for operating a method of handling
and analysing discrete mineral samples utilising the
system shown in Figure 1;
Figure 10 is a flow diagram of an operator loading
sequence incorporated in the method;
Figure 11 is a flowchart depicting an analysis sequence
incorporated in an embodiment of the method; and,
Figure 12 is a flow diagram depicting an operator
unloading sequence incorporated in the method.
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Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments
With reference to the accompanying Figures and in
particular Figures 1 -4, a self-contained stand-alone
elemental composition analysis system 10 (hereinafter
referred to in general as "system 10") comprises an
analyser 12 and a mineral sample and transport handling
system (hereinafter referred to for convenience as
"transport system") 14. The analyser 12 is capable of
providing data relating to the elemental composition of a
mineral sample. In one embodiment, the analyser 12 may be
in the form of a laser induced breakdown spectrometer also
known in the art as a "LIBS". However the specific nature
of the analyser is not critical and any type of analyser
which is able to provide data relating to the elemental
composition of a mineral sample may be used.
Additionally, the analyser may also measure
characteristics or properties of the sample other than
elemental composition, such as mineralogy, density and/or
moisture content.
The transport system 14 operates in association with the
analyser 12 so as to transport discrete mineral samples
from a sample inlet port 16 to the analyser 12 and
subsequently transport the analysed mineral samples as
discrete samples to a sample outlet port 18. In
operation, the system 10 is thus able to provide elemental
composition data in relation to a number of discrete
samples.
The sample outlet port 18 may be the only outlet port in
or the outlet port may be one of two or more outlet ports.
When there are two or more outlet ports the analysed
samples may then be transported to a selected one of
sample outlet ports. In embodiments where there are say
two outlet ports these ports may be different types of
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outlet ports namely: a waste outlet port arranged to
direct an analysed sample to a waste location or dump;
and, an unload outlet port configured to enable an
analysed mineral sample to be removed as a discrete sample
in a container from the analysis system 10. Delivering
the analysed sample to the unload outlet port allows the
discrete samples to be kept for later analysis or other
use if desired. As will be explained in further detail
below, additionally one embodiment of the system 10
enables discrete samples emptied from a specific container
or bag to be returned in that same container or bag
thereby minimising the risk of contamination with other
samples. Although in an alternate embodiment the system 10
can operate to deposit the analysed sample in a new
container or bag. For the sake of ease of description the
present embodiment the system 10 will be described on the
basis that the outlet port 18 is a single unload outlet
port.
The transport system 14 is formed from a number of
different parts. These parts are an inlet transport
system 20 that is arranged to transport discrete mineral
samples from the inlet port 16 to an analyser inlet 15;
and, a separate outlet transport system 22 which is
arranged to transport discrete mineral samples after
analysis from an analyser output or discharge to the
outlet port 18.
The inlet transport system 20 is itself composed of a
sample feed system 24 and an analyser feed system 26. The
sample feed system 24 transfers discrete mineral samples
to the sample feed system 26. The sample feed system 26
in turn lifts the discrete samples from the sample feed
system and delivers them to the analyser inlet 15.
In this embodiment the sample feed system 24 is in the
form of a horizontal conveyor in that it conveys the
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discrete samples in a horizontal plane. However other
transport systems can be used in place of a conveyor such
for example a robotic arm.
The sample feed system 26 is in the form of an endless
vertical conveyor. This conveyor is arranged to lift the
samples vertically from the sample feed system 24 to
subsequently discharge the samples onto the analyser inlet
15.
In this embodiment the outlet transport system 22 is a
horizontal conveyor of similar construction to the sample
feed system 24. It is envisaged that in other embodiments
the outlet transport system 22 may take forms other than a
conveyor such as a robotic arm. The outlet transport
system 22 conveys discrete samples after analysis from the
analyser outlet to the outlet port 18.
In order to transport the mineral samples, each of the
conveyors is arranged to convey individual and demountable
buckets. In this particular embodiment the buckets used
for the inlet transport system 20 and outlet transport
system 22 are different.
Figures 4 and 5 depict aspects of sample feed system 24
which is in the from of a horizontal conveyor. The
system 24 includes a roller chain 28 formed in a
continuous loop and running in a space between inner and
outer horizontal tracks 30 and 32. A plurality of
carriages 34 in the form of open top boxes are coupled to
the chain 28 at spaced apart locations. Thus when the
roller chain 28 is in motion the carriages 34 are driven
on and about the tracks 30 and 32. The carriages 34
demountably receive corresponding buckets 36. The buckets
36 are provided on opposite sides with transversely
projecting flanges 38 which enable them to be picked up by
the analyser feed system 26. The analyser feed system 26
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is arranged to lift a bucket 36 and tip or invert it to
empty its contents into a chute 40. The chute 40 directs
the sample onto the conveyor inlet 15. An optional crusher
41 can be provided to crush the samples to a prescribed
particle size prior to entry to the analyser 12. The
crusher 41 when provided, may for example be incorporated
in the chute 40 or be installed immediately upstream of
the chute 40. Once the bucket 36 has been emptied, it is
returned to the same carriage 34. The sample feed system
24 is then indexed to move the next bucket 36 to a
position where it can be lifted and emptied by the
analyser feed system 26. The emptied buckets are returned
on the sample feed system 24 so as to sequentially pass
under the inlet port 16.
With particular reference to Figures 6a and 6b, the outlet
transport system 22 comprises a horizontal conveyor of the
same construction as sample feed system24 in that it
comprises an endless roller chain which circulates within
a space or gap between inner and outer tracks 42 and 44.
A plurality of carriages 46 are attached to the roller
chain of the outlet transport system 22. The carriages 46
are of a different configuration but perform the same
function as carriages 34 in that they demountably carry
corresponding buckets 48.
As shown in Figure 6b, the carriages 46 are in the form of
rectangular frames having an opening 50 at an upper end in
which the buckets 48 sit. The opening 50 is circular in
shape and the buckets 48 are likewise circular. An upper
end of the bucket 48 is optionally provided with a clamp
52 which is arranged to hold an upper end of a sample bag
in opened condition when being carried in the bucket 48.
Specifically, when the clamp is provided, a sample bag is
placed in the bucket 48, the clamp 52 is opened and the
mouth of the bag folded over the top of the bucket 48 and
subsequently the clamp 52 is closed to hold the bag open
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in the bucket 48. In the event that no clamp 52 is
provided, an open end of the bag is simply folded over the
top of the bucket 48.
The outlet transport system 22 sequentially conveys the
buckets 48 with empty sample bags to a position near a
discharge or outlet of the analyser 12 so that an analysed
sample falls directly into the bucket 48 and attached
sample bag. Thereafter the system 22 transfers the bucket
48 to the outlet port 18 which can be opened by an
operator to subsequently remove the bagged analysed
sample. The sample can then be stored at an appropriate
location for further analysis or the like.
With reference to Figures 7a and 7b, the inlet port 16
comprises a lid 54 which is hinged to an inlet funnel 56.
When the lid 54 is closed, it completely covers the inlet
funnel 56. An inlet chute 58 is formed contiguously with
the inlet funnel 56, the inlet chute 58 tapering inwardly
as it extends toward the underlying horizontal conveyor of
the sample feed system 24. A grate 59 extends across the
inlet funnel 56 and notionally separates or demarks the
inlet funnel 56 from the inlet chute 58. The grate 59
acts to reject oversized particles in the sample. In one
embodiment the inlet port 16 may be provided with a
vibrator to assist in flow of the sample through the grate
59 to an underlying bucket 36 and thereby substantially
reduce the risk of cross-contamination between sequential
samples.
Inlet chute 58 is dimensioned so that when a bucket 36 is
directly below the inlet port 16 there is a minimal gap
between the bottom edge of the inlet chute and the upper
end of the bucket 36. A dust suppression box 60 is fitted
to an underside of the inlet port 16 to extract dust that
may otherwise be generated when a discrete sample is
tipped through the inlet port 16 into an underlying bucket
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36. The dust suppression box 60 includes a removable sump
62 which collects dust and can be subsequently emptied.
Dust suppression hose connectors 64 are provided on the
box 60 for connection to a relative negative pressure to
draw dust through an intake 66 formed at the top of the
box 60 adjacent the inlet funnel 56.
The system 10 comprises a frame 70 (see in particular
Figures 1, 3 and 6) which supports the analyser 12 in the
transport system 14. The frame 70 is formed of a
plurality of sub-frames which are assembled together. One
sub-frame 72 is shown in Figure 4 and supports the sample
feed system 24 of the inlet transport system 20. A second
sub-frame 74 is shown in Figure 6a which supports the
outlet conveyor system 22. The two sub-frames 72 and 74
can be demountably connected together, for example by use
of a plurality of bolts to form the frame 70. The
analyser feed system 26 is supported by the sub-frame 72
while the analyser 12 is supported by both sub-frames 72
and 74. The frame 70 is arranged to be lifted as a single
unit by a fork-lift truck or similar vehicle. This enables
the system 10 to be easily transported from location to
location. Further in one embodiment the system 10 is
dimensioned to fit within a sea-container. Thus the
system 10 can be conveniently and safely transported by
truck in a sea container.
A platform 76 is supported on the sub-frames 72 and 74. A
portion of the platform 76 forms a work bench 78 for a
system operator. The inlet port 16 is formed in the work
bench 78. As seen most clearly in Figures 1 and 2, system
10 also comprises stairs 80 which allow the; or a
different; operator to walk on the platform 76 to obtain
access to the analyser 12.
Figures 8a-8c depict an embodiment of the chute 40
incorporated in the system 10. The chute 40 comprises a
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chute box 82 having an inlet opening 84 at an upper end
into which the contents of a bucket 36 is tipped. The
chute box 82 is supported on a frame of the analyser feed
system 26 by way of four vibration mounts 82, two on each
side of the box 82. A back planar wall 88 of the chute
box 82 is coupled with a vibrator 90 which vibrates to
prevent blockage of the chute 40 and ensure that the
entire sample is fed to the analyser input 15. Chute box
82 reduces in cross-sectional area from the inlet 84 to an
adjustable outlet 92. The adjustable outlet 92 is provided
with a levelling plate 94 which can be adjusted by a
pivotally attached stud 96 and nut 98. The analyser input
comprises a belt conveyor 100 which is disposed
directly beneath the adjustable outlet 92. The levelling
15 plate is spring loaded to optimise the height of sample on
the belt 100. By varying the angle of the levelling plate
94 the thickness of the sample on the conveyor 100 which
is subsequently fed through the analyser 12 can be
adjusted. An optional sample dryer 101 can be provided
downstream of the outlet 92 to enable control of sample
moisture content prior to analysis by the analyser. This
will enable for example samples to be dried to prescribed
moisture content prior to analysis. A similar effect can
be achieved by replacing the dryer 101 with a moisture
content measuring system and arranging the analyser to
provide measurements that are compensated for moisture
content. In yet a further variation the sample dryer 101
and a moisture content measuring system 103 may be
provided downstream of the outlet 92 and before analysis
by the analyser 12.
The system 10 is controlled by an electronic controller
that facilitates substantially autonomous operation of the
analyser 12 and the transport system 14. Once samples
have been loaded onto the input transport system 20, the
system 10 will operate to automatically analyse the
discrete samples and subsequently return the samples in
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separate containers and ideally in the same container from
which they were originally provided to the system 10.
With particular reference to Figure 2, it can be seen that
the inlet port 16 and the outlet port 18 are adjacent each
other so as to be in easy reach of the same operator.
Disposed between the inlet port 16 and outlet port 18 is a
control panel 108 and scanner 110. The scanner 110 is
part of, or otherwise communicates with, the controller of
the system 10. In one method of operation, discrete
samples are provided to the system 10 in separate uniquely
coded containers such as bags. The coding may be by way
of an attached RF tag, or by way of barcode or other
readable code. The operator prior to emptying the
contents of the container into the inlet port 16 scans the
container using the scanner 110. After the container has
been emptied, the same operator scans the container again
using scanner 110 and then opens the outlet port 18 and
loads the emptied container into a corresponding bucket
48. In this way, the controller is able to associate a
discrete sample with both a bucket 36 on the inlet
transport system 20, and a bucket 48 on the outlet
transport system 22. Once the outlet port 18 is shut, the
controller is then able to index the inlet system 20 and
outlet conveyor system 22 to move the respective buckets
toward the analyser inlet 15 and the analyser output. By
virtue of the controller, the system 10 can be configured
to enable multiple samples to be loaded and then
sequentially analysed. For example the analyser may be
configured to carry and sequentially analyse, say ten to
twenty separate samples each held in respective buckets
36,48. The samples may be from the same blast hole but
taken from different depths; or form different blast
holes, etc
Figure 9 depicts in a very general form one method of
handling and analysing samples which may be performed by
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the system 10. More specific operational sequences of the
system 10 are shown and will be described in greater
detail later with reference to Figures 10, 11 and 12. In
Figures 10-12 steps that relate to the operation of or an
action are performed by: (a) the sample feed system 24
are depicted by boxes having a dotted periphery; (b) the
outlet transport system 22 are depicted by boxes having a
dashed periphery; (c) the vertical sample feed system 26
are depicted by boxes having a dot-dash periphery, and
various optional steps are depicted in boxes having a wave
like periphery.
Reverting to Figure 9, a general method 120 of handling
and analysing one or more discrete samples can be broken
up into four general steps. A first step 122 involves
transferring discrete mineral samples emptied from
respective containers at the inlet port 16 to the analyser
12. At step 124 the analyser 12 is operated to generate
data relating to the elemental composition of the discrete
sample. Next at step 126, the discrete sample after being
analysed is deposited into the same container from which
it was originally emptied at the input port 16.
Thereafter, at step 128, the discrete sample is returned
to the outlet opening 18 from where it can be removed from
the system 10 and stored as required or desired.
The data generated by the analyser 12 can be stored on the
system 10 and accessed remotely, or automatically
transmitted to a remote location for use by mine planners
and other personnel.
Figure 10 depicts an operator loading sequence 130 which
may be utilised when operating the system 10. The
operator loading sequence 130 commences at a step 132
where sample bags containing discrete mineral samples
arrive at the system 10 for analysis. How they arrive or
are delivered is inconsequential. However in one
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embodiment the sample bags may arrive on a trolley. At
step 134 an operator using the control panel 108 initiates
a loading sequence which is performed by the system
controller. In step 136 an operator takes a sample bag
from a trolley and scans the bag using the scanner 110.
This logs identification data of the bag in the
controller. Additionally, the controller at step 138
operates the sample feed system 24 to move the next bucket
36 to a position beneath the inlet port 16. At step 140
an operator now lifts the lid 54 of the inlet port 16 and
empties the bag through the inlet funnel 56 so that the
discrete sample falls into the underlying bucket 36.
At step 142 the operator again scans the emptied bag via
the scanner 110. This causes the controller at step 144
to control the outlet transport system 22 to move an empty
bucket 48 to a position adjacent the outlet port 18.
In one variation the controller can be programmed to
bypass step 142 and proceed directly from step 140 to step
144 as shown by dashed line 145. In this variation to
controller is programmed to: assume that the bag being
placed in the next bucket 48 on the outlet conveyor 22 is
the same bag from which the previous sample was emptied
through the inlet port 16; and automatically move an empty
bucket 48 to a position adjacent the outlet port 18.
At step 146 an operator opens the door of the outlet port
to access or remove the bucket 48. At step 148 the
operator is then able to attach the empty bag to the
bucket 48 using the clamp 52. At step 150 with the bucket
48 and attached empty bag loaded back into a corresponding
carriage 46, the operator closes the outlet port 18.
The loading sequence 130 is performed for each sample to
be analysed by the system 10. The maximum number of
discrete samples that can be loaded is equal to the number
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of buckets 36, 48 that can be held at any one time on the
respective feed system 22 and outlet transport system 24.
Once one or more samples have been loaded, an operator can
command the controller to commence an autonomous analysis
sequence 160 shown in Figure 11. The initial step in the
sequence 160 is the operator activation step 162 where the
operator via the control panel 108 instructs the
controller to perform the analysis sequence. Upon
initiating the analysis sequence, the system controller
may, as part of step 162, automatically perform a test
sequence to ensure the correct operational status of the
analyser 12 and other components of the system 10.
At step 164, the controller operates the sample feed
system 24 to move the closest or a user selected bucket 36
containing a discrete sample to a loading zone for the
analyser feed system 26. With the bucket 36 in the
loading zone, at step 166 the vertical conveyor 26
operates to engage or clamp the bucket on or about the
flanges 38. At step 168 the analyser feed system 26 now
lifts the bucket 36 from its carriage 34 and tips the
contents into the chute 40 which subsequently directs and
deposits the discrete sample onto the analyser conveyor
100 at the inlet 15. As the sample is passing through the
chute 40, at step 170 the controller further operates the
vibrator 90 associated with the chute 40 to remove or
avoid hang-ups in the chute 40. Concurrently, the
controller may operate a compressed air feed to inject
compressed air into the chute 40 to further assist in
avoiding hang-ups and transferring the entire discrete
sample onto the underlying conveyor 100. Also at this
time the clamp maybe opened and closed repeatedly to avoid
hang-ups. Optionally the sequence 160 may include a step
169 of crushing the sample using the crusher 41 between
the steps 168 and 170. Crushing step 169 enables control
over the size of particles in the sample prior to
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analysis.
At step 172 the bucket 36 is returned by the vertical
conveyor 26 back into its corresponding carriage 34 on the
sample feed system 24. At step 174 the analyser 12 is
operated to conduct an elemental composition analysis of
the discrete sample and generate corresponding elemental
composition data. The sequence 160 may also include the
one or both of the optional steps 173a of drying the
sample and 173b of measuring moisture content between the
steps 172 and 174. The drying step 173a is performed by
the dryer 101. The moisture measuring step is performed by
the moisture measuring system 103. Information pertaining
to the moisture level can be provided to the analyser 12
or the controller to facilitate moisture content
compensation moisture of measurements taken by the
analyser.
While this analysis is being conducted at step 176, the
controller operates the outlet transport system 22 to
place the bucket 48 which contains the bag corresponding
to the sample currently being analysed to a location
beneath the analyser outlet. As the discrete sample
passes through the analyser it is subsequently dumped at
step 178 into the underlying bag and bucket 48. The steps
164-178 continue for all of the samples previously loaded
onto the system 10.
Once one or more of the discrete samples have been
analysed, an operator can initiate an operator unloading
sequence 200 to unload the analysed samples currently held
in respective buckets 48 on the outlet transport system
22. The operator unloading sequence 200 is shown in
Figure 12. To commence the sequence 200, an operator at
step 210 inputs an appropriate command via the control
panel 108 to the controller to initiate the sequence. At
step 212 the controller operates the outlet transport
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system 22 to move the next filled bucket 48 to a location
adjacent the outlet port 18. At step 214 the operator is
able to open a door at the outlet port to provide access
to the bucket 48 and bag contained therein. Now at step
216 the operator releases the clamp 52 and removes the bag
containing the sample from the bucket 48. At step 218 the
operator closes the door of the outlet port 18. At step
220 the operator places the bag onto a trolley or other
vehicle which can carry the sample bag to a storage
location. At step 220 the operator pushes a button the
control panel providing a command to the controller to
cycle back through to step 212 to move the next bucket to
a location adjacent the outlet opening 18. The steps 212-
220 cycle through until all of the bags contained in the
buckets 48 are unloaded from the system 10.
Whilst a specific system and method for handling and
analysing discrete samples has been described, it should
be appreciated that the system and method may be embodied
in many other forms and incorporate additional optional
features. For example, the inlet port 16 and/or the
outlet port 18 may be provided with sensors which
communicate with the controller to prohibit opening
thereof during particular stages of operation of the
system 10. For example, the controller may prohibit the
opening of inlet port 16 while the conveyor 24 is in
motion. Similarly, the controller may inhibit the opening
of outlet port 18 when the conveyor 22 is in operation.
Also, while the frame 70 is described as being composed of
two sub-frames, it may be formed as a unitary structure.
In addition, carriage 34 and associated bucket 36; and,
carriage 46 and associated bucket 48 may be formed of the
same construction.
The controller may be pre-programmed with an operational
sequence or mode of operation. Alternately or
additionally the controller may be provided with
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instructions by an operator via the control panel 108.
In this manner the controller can be arranged to provide
various modes of operation of the system 10. Two possible
modes of operation include: (a) a sequential mode; and,
(b) a user selectable mode.
In the sequential mode of operation the controller
controls the transport system 14 and the analyser 12 so
that the samples are moved or progressed sequentially one
after the other always in a forward direction from the
inlet port 16, through the analyser 12 and to the outlet
port 18. In this operational state the sample feed system
24, analyser feed system 26 and outlet transport system 22
may be indexed to move together.
In the user selectable mode of operation a user may select
the order of progress of a sample through the system 10.
For example assume a user loads say samples a-e through
the inlet port 16. If the sequential mode was in
operation the samples would be progressed and analyser in
order a-c. But in the user selectable mode the user can
via the control panel 108 instruct the controller to say
analyse samples in any order for example b-c-a-d-e. In
this mode of operation the controller controls the sample
feed system 24, analyser feed system 26 and outlet
transport system 22 to move independently of each other
rather than in a lock step or indexed manner. Thus in
this mode of operation it is not necessary for all of the
samples to be loaded through the inlet 16 before
commencement of the analysis sequence 160. Moreover in
this mode of operation samples can be loaded or unloaded
while other samples are being analysed.
As previously described above an embodiment of the system
10 can be provided with a waste outlet port arranged to
direct an analysed sample to a waste location or dump;
and, an unload outlet port configured to enable an
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analysed mineral sample to be removed as a discrete sample
in a container from the analysis system 10. In such an
embodiment the outlet port 18 of the above embodiment acts
as the unload outlet port. The waste location can in one
example be provided by providing a diverter immediately
downstream of the analyser outlet and modifying the outlet
transport system 22 to have a second sample transport
system 23 (shown in phantom line in Fig 6a), such a belt
conveyor say below or adjacent the conveyor the system 22.
The second system can further optionally have a folded
section 25 and is used to transport samples to a waste or
dump location. In such an embodiment the diverter is
controlled by the controller to divert a sample between
the systems 22 and 23 to enable delivery of a sample to
either the waste location or the unload outlet 18. One
application of this variation is that it enables for
example nine in ten samples to be delivered to a waste
dump and a remaining one of the ten sample to be delivered
to the unload outlet port for storage and later retesting
if desired.
In yet another variation an embodiment of the system 10
can be arranged to physically label a bag or container
with information pertaining to the sample. This may be
achieved by the controller operating say a labelling
machine or a RFID dispenser to tag a container or bag
which is later delivered to the outlet port 18. This
feature may be for every container or bag delivered to the
outlet port 18 or may be used more selectively for example
to tag those samples for which the analyser deems there to
be some anomaly, for example an unusually small sample
size or exceptionally high specific mineral content. Of
course such information may also be associated with the
container or bag electronically by storing information in
an electronic memory together with an identifier of the
container or bag.
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All such variations and other modifications that would be
obvious to persons of ordinary skill in the art are deemed
to be within the scope of the present invention the nature
of which is to be determined from the above description
and the appended claims.
